Instilling Opportunity and Faith in the People of this Community

If Jesus wasn't appreciated by the people in Nazareth, then why should we who try to provide a message to our neighbors, friends, and family think we should be treated any differently than the Lord?

I have had communications with people who inhabit the four corners of the world and some of them you would recognize. Some of these people have expressly conveyed to me that they appreciate my opinion and the fact that I am awake and I Get It. Yet, some of the people of my hometown tell me that I am a conspiracy theorist and 99% of the people don't have a clue about the important events and contexts happening all around us. The lack of recognition by these people from my hometown doesn't bother me. Only their intolerance and ignorance of the message is frustrating. They go along with the program of the controllers and follow the path of least resistance, as though it is going to benefit them in some way. They are under a mistaken impression that as this World continues to implode, they will be unaffected. They should be preparing, but instead they would rather see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil. What they don't understand is that they have shackled themselves to a code and allegiance that they don't even understand. And they are committing themselves to being lost forever!

Are you truly Patriotic? Have you ever read the Declaration of Independence? Do you understand and feel the words of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star Spangled banner or is this just a ritual to you? Have you read and studied any parts of the U.S. Constitution or do you just go by what a reporter or politician tells you? If you are an elected official or bureaucrat, do you not understand that you have sworn as your duty to defend and uphold these codes? If you have never studied them, then do you not understand that you are automatically not qualified for your job? Would you just hand the keys to a car to a teenager and let them out on the road without any supervision and/or training? Do you not understand that it is the same thing?

That is where we have gotten off track. We have many intellectually lazy people seeking status as leaders in the nation. That is the reason why we have lost our nation, because we have people who aren't trained to think critically when making critical decisions. These people are in over their heads, because they don't know how to find answers, which comes from asking the right questions. They don't study history and they don't have a clue about patterns. They aren't in over their heads, because of intellect. They are in over their heads, because they have their priorities mixed up. I am begging you. If you are in over your head, it is alright to admit it. If you don't have the time or desire to commit to public service, then let's find someone who does. Our lives and our livelihood are at stake.

I do not pretend to be a prophet. I have plenty of flaws. The story below, I convey to establish an understanding. We have a lot of people around here that are worthy of listening to. These people have great knowledge, passion, and talents. There needs to be more respect for the human assets that we have in this community. Sometimes we see an arrogance that gets in the way of allowing worthwhile efforts to develop and be fruitful. Maybe, if we give people, regardless of social status, an opportunity to express themselves, then we might be amazed at what was right under this community's nose all along. Let's spread opportunity and see what we can cultivate.

Why couldn't Jesus do miracles in His hometown (Mark 6:4-5)?

Reasoning from Scriptures Ministries

In Mark 6:4-5 Jesus affirmed that a prophet is without honor in his home town, and in view of that reality, He could not perform any miracles in Nazareth except for healing a few sick people. The people of Nazareth were apparently plagued by unbelief and paid little attention to the claims of Jesus.

At first glance, one might get the impression that Jesus' miraculous power was utterly dependent upon peoples' faith in order for it to work. That is not the meaning of this verse, however. It is not that Jesus was unable or incapacitated in performing a miracle in Nazareth. (Remember -- Jesus is the sovereign Creator of the entire universe according to John 1:3, Hebrews 1:2, and Colossians 1:16). Rather, Jesus "could not" do miracles there in the sense that He WOULD NOT do so in view of the pervasive unbelief in that city.

Miracles serve a far greater purpose, from the divine perspective, than just providing a raw display of power. Indeed, Jesus' miraculous deeds are often called "signs" in the New Testament because they serve to signify His identity as the Messiah. Since the people of Nazareth had already made up their minds against Jesus, and had provided more than ample evidence of their lack of faith in Him, Jesus chose not to engage in miraculous acts there except for a few healings of sick people. He refused to bestow miraculous deeds on a city that had rejected the miraculous Messiah. Unbelief excluded the people of Nazareth from the dynamic disclosure of God's grace that others had experienced.

Because of Nazareth's rejection of the person and message of Jesus Christ, He went on to other cities that did respond to and receive Him. We have no evidence that Jesus ever again returned to Nazareth.

The Dedication of Conover Station

On Monday, October 24, I went to Conover to check out the Dedication Ceremony of the Conover Station. The following Youtube Audio presentation of the speech of Conover's Mayor Lee Moritz Jr. The people of Conover were beaming from ear-to-ear, as well they should be. They have taken a building that was probably headed towards being demolished and turned it into infrastructure that will represent the forefront of a new Economic Paradigm.

Conover City Manager Donald Duncan gave a presentation to the Future Economy Council of Catawba County in September of 2010 and I wrote about it in the article entitled A Conversation about Conover Station and Economic Development.What we see are a lot of aspects of the paradigm of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle incorporated into the infrastructure, architecture, and character of this project. What is most impressive is that Donald Duncan has never addressed regulations in a manner of why the City of Conover can't do things. He talks about how they handled Regulations in dealing with the Federal and State Governments and obtained grants to help fund this project. This Can Do, Will Do mindset is refreshing in a World where government authorities are constantly telling us why things can't be done and won't be done.

Conover has done all of this in an economic slowdown. I watched other Media Outlet's, in my opinion,  negatively spin this development, because they can't see the future. "It will be a long time until passenger trains ever stop in Conover, 'If Ever.'" Well preparation is necessary and Conover is preparing for the future, which should be lauded and is much more than one can say for most of the communities in our region.

I believe rail is going to happen and I don't think it is as far off as the Blind who mislead the Blind would have you think. It won't be tomorrow, but we are getting closer and there is something in many of us that desire the days of rail and riding the train. But, this isn't just about trains. This is a multi-modal transportation center where buses will stop also. This is in the heart of downtown Conover, so it will help with Economic Commerce. Read the article that is linked above and you won't be blind anymore. You will get the gist of Conover's vision.

I am sorry that I forgot to take a picture of the outside of the building, but the slideshow of the audio shows the beautiful "modern rustic" interior of the building.

Commentary on Local School Board Elections -- Silence DoGood

Recently, a question and answer session was engaged in between our venerable local newspaper, Hickory Daily Record and candidates for the Hickory City and Newton Conover school boards. I focused on the candidates for Hickory and found them to be intriguing, to say the least.

For those who may not read the article, responses were solicited by the HDR to three questions. “(1) Why did you file for election? (2) Area school systems saved some stimulus money for this school year, but it must be used by the end of the 2011-12 school year. With a tight State budget and no stimulus money, how will you keep teachers and technology in the schools next year? (3) Is there anything in the system that needs to be changed or improve?” Not bad as far as questions go. Basically what is it that motivated you to run. All that federal money will dry up at the end of this term, what and how are you going to try and keep things running without cuts in delivery and ability, and what do you think that needs to improve or be changed. The responses are a critical reader’s delight and hence, the impetus for this piece.

The candidate at large and the candidate in Ward 4 are running unopposed, so the seat in contention is in Ward 6 between 4 candidates. Of the 4, it seems one was not too interested in responding to the questions. So here I go, in no particular order, analyzing the candidates.

Accordingly, Brandon Lee is obviously too busy to answer or has nothing to say. Either way, I would think that if you ask someone something 7 times and that doesn’t elicit a response, and that person is a candidate for public office, I’d say they aren’t too interested in people knowing where they stand, what they think, or what they want to do if elected to that office.

Next up is Larry Herman. He seems like a very frank and forthright person. I have no clue why he’s running for the school board. The overview of what Larry said is, the system works, nothing is broke, we’ve got money, we don’t need their stimulus money, we’ll survive. Laissez-faire governance and maintenance of the status quo for the K-12 generation, that seems to be what Mr. Herman is about, reading his responses to the questions. Now, if that isn’t a fair summation, that’s fine, but it is merely reflective of what he has written and submitted.

Talking about the budget, Larry thinks the budget is “nicely managed” and the financial department “always gets an award.” That’s all fine and good, but how, precisely are you going to deal with the loss of those funds? How are you going to vote when it comes time to make tough choices on what the schools really need or what you think they need. Nah, Larry seems like an okay guy, champion of education he just doesn’t seem to be. Nor does he seem to be willing to look at new ways, concepts, or processes that can maintain, or dare I say, improve the quality of education currently being offered.

Amy Monroe is up next in examination. She should certainly have time to devote to the endeavor of serving on the school board since she has no occupation. However there is nothing wrong with being a stay at home Mom, if that were the case. But Amy chooses to engage herself via the PTA and parental activism in things education. Which makes me wonder how willing she would be to serve if she did not have a vested interest in her own children in said school system. Self-interest is not a viable reason for coming into the realm of public service. Volunteering and tutoring are laudable attributes and pursuits. However, do those things provide the requisite exposure and experience to govern as Amy claims or merely allow one to share their own knowledge with others to fill a niche or void? I’m thinking it’s the later. Amy has a very Rainbow Brite perspective of what is currently and soon will transpire within the school system. The problem is, there is no pot of gold at the end as the storm clouds thicken. The rest of her response is generalized candidate boilerplate. Waffle, dodge, hedge, and give non-specific answers.

Finally Rebecca Inglefield. It is my opinion that she is perhaps the most qualified professionally and probably has the most commitment to the office. However, I do not think that one of the biggest challenges facing the school system is bullying. It is a problem, not the problem. Insofar as the community stepping up and supporting, I think they are supporting, to the extent that they are able to support. With current economic conditions being what they are, the elastic on that strap is at the breaking point. But Rebecca knows and states that for education to succeed, there must be a solid foundational basis and that has to be provided early on. Reading is the fundamental attribute to everything else. Math, science, art, poetry, or English is absolutely worthless and meaningless without the ability to read. That foundation is the basis upon which everything else is constructed. She understands and states precisely that. Therein, in all likelihood, lies the problem with Rebecca being elected; she makes sense and knows what she’s talking about and talks about the kids, not herself or how great the board is, was, or will continue to be.

Am I seeking to use this forum to endorse or recommend one candidate over the other? No actually, I’m not. I’m merely reading critically what’s written in response to the question posed. Read the question, read the answer or response, see how well it’s being answered. See if it answers the question to an acceptable level, if the answer makes sense, and finally if the answer comports to the notion of where and how the reader thinks the schools should be going.

The reason for this is to heighten awareness to and for education. Now, there are those among us who think that education is perhaps overrated, they made their way in the world without a formal education and they got along just fine. In a less complicated, less technologically advanced existence that was probably true. You could eek out a living and if you were incredibly lucky, even enjoy a modicum of success without benefit of an extensive formal education.

But that doesn’t mean that those folks were un-educated either or stupid. In days gone by, the basics, reading, writing, arithmetic, and science were the backbone to education. The keystone to everything is, of course, reading. Today, the ability of those graduating high school and even college to read on an adequate level is dismal. We have gone from being able to entertain ourselves with our minds to mindless entertainment. We have lost our ability to imagine our world, but simply exist in a world not of our creation. Folks, there is nothing wrong with daydreaming that I have ever found. The ability to imagine and see things not as they are, but how they could be. What is wrong with exercising our minds in the same manner as our bodies?

It takes a formal and technologically structured education with a solid foundational basis in science and math, a command of the language, along with the ability to understand the words as opposed to just looking at a bunch letters strung together in a particular order to succeed, or even get a start in that direction.

This is what’s at stake with this election. Who you elect and put on the school board will have a direct effect on the future. Not just your future, the future of society and this region, since graduates don’t just stay inside Hickory municipal limits. With education all things are possible. At the moment, we are sitting in between the past and the future in what we call the present. What is to become of the future without a solid foundational basis in education and the basic building blocks?

The foundational nexus upon which all other things are built is the imperative for a viable person, region, and economy. Some would contend it’s about less or more regulation, or fewer fees and taxes, or more fees and different taxes, or a host of other things. Rational people do rational things however and while it might not take a formal education to accomplish that or realize it, it does take a formal education to make it happen.

The investment is in the kids who will be our future. You want to make that as complete and comprehensive as possible. The alternative, of course, is going backwards. Of course, no one ever said that evolving means forward progression. It simply means changing. How are we preparing to change and who will guide it to give your children the most opportunity?

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of October 18, 2011

This newsletter is about the Hickory City Council meeting that I attended this past week. City council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each Month in the Council Chambers of the Julian Whitener building.

At right of this page under Main Information links is an Hickory's City Website link. If you click on that link, it takes you to our city’s website, at the left of the page you will see the Agenda's and Minutes link you need to click. This will give you a choice of PDF files to upcoming and previous meetings.

You will find historic Agenda and Minutes links. Agendas show what is on the docket for the meeting of that date. The Minutes is an actual summary of the proceedings of the meeting of that date.

Here is a summary of the agenda of the 10/18/2011 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below:

Please remember that pressing Ctrl and + will magnify the text and page and pressing Ctrl and - will make the text and page smaller. This will help the readability for those with smaller screens and/or eye difficulties. 

Invocation by Rev. Cindy Jordan, Community Clergy Member

Special Presentation:
A. Recognition of Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Donna Andrews In September, 2011, the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association (NCRPA) bestowed upon Donna its second highest honor, The Meritorious Service Award. - Mac McLeod presentation… Mac stated that he was putting on his hat as the President of the North Carolina Recreation Park Association for 2011. Back in September at their conference Donna Andrews was bestowed with the second highest meritorious service award. During 32 years of service, Ms. Andrews has touched and impacted the lives of thousands of children and adults. She has spent her entire time with one department and started out as Recreation Center Supervisor and now serves as the Assistant Parks and recreation Supervisor. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the entire department. She is responsible for the creation of programs such as Girl’s Soccer, Girl’s Volleyball, Track, Lacrosse, Wrestling, Fall Baseball, Adult Soccer, Adult Dodgeball, Adult Co-Ed Kickball, and Adult Co-ed Volleyball. As a member of NCRPA, she has served as the Region 8 Chair and hosted the annual conference in our hometown bringing in Kay Yow as the keynote speaker. She is a member of the Asheboro High School Sport’s Hall of Fame and a 1977 graduate of NC State’s Parks and Recreation program. She played Volleyball and Basketball at NC State under Kay Yow. She was the first Female athlete at NC State to receive an Athletic Scholarship.

The Hound thinks it is awesome that we have public servants such as this representing the City of Hickory.. I believe that we have plenty of people like this working for the City of Hickory and I hope that my critical opinions on some matters do not convey that I don't understand the Human Resources that represent the City.


B. Presentation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2011 - Paula Hodges of Martin-Starnes and Associates (MSA) first came to the podium for the presentation. She stated that the audit opinion of Martin-Starnes is an "Unqualified Opinion" and that is what is expected from the local Government commission. There were no exceptions in this report to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). There were no findings in internal controls and there were no questions Where MSA did not agree with the City’s financial statements. This clean opinion tests the internal controls in compliance as in relates to compliance with State and Federal program funding.

Ms. Hodges stated that stated that there were no areas of non-compliance as it relates to Federal and State Grant Funding. This year Hickory has implemented a new reporting standard called the Fund Balance Standard. This new standard has changed some terminology and also the way that some of the funds are presented.

Deanna Rios, Hickory’s finance director, next came to the podium. This report is based on activities "government wide." The City of Hickory has received an award for its accounting management practices for the past 15 years. The Basic Financial Statements report Government Wide Financials; Governmental activities include transportation, public safety, and recreation which rely mostly on taxes. Business activities include water, sewer, and sanitation which rely on fees and charges. The Basic Financials shows Net assets reported were $201 million, which is up (a little over) $5.3 million over the last year. Unreserved Fund Balance increased by $750,000 from 2010, which is better than last year’s $600,000 deficit. Ms. Rios stated that we are holding steady in light of this economy, which is a positive. Assets exceeded liabilities by $201.3 million or $5,033 per citizen, governmental fund balances are adequate, but not excessive, the city has $5.45 of current assets for each dollar of current liabilities. The City has $4.73 of total assets for every dollar of total liabilities. Ms. Rios praised city staff for helping in this process.

Alderman Lail stated that he, Mayor Wright and Alderman Guess along with staff met with the auditors and asked questions and met privately with the audit firm to ask specific questions outside of the influence of the city staff about how the audit went. They were very pleased with the results and not surprised. Alderman Lail and Mayor Wright praised the staff at all levels.

The Hound thinks the Finance Department should be commended for its care in making sure that the city's ledgers are kept above board. Ms. Rios once again presented a cut and dried realistic picture. She stated that the numbers show that we are better off than we were a year ago, because money was put in the bank. The City is in a solid financial position even in a time of flat tax revenues. I continue to personally push to see the City take some risks to create growth. One needs to separate Accounting from Finance. We need to see some investments that will create cash flow towards new revenues.

The City will have to continue to be creative and thrifty with its finances over the next several years. Manager Berry even spoke about the issue of costs being cut about as much as they can be cut. Alderman Lail made a statement during the Warren Wood' Quarterly Financial report that some services might have to be cut back. The Chickens that I have spoken of are coming home to roost and we are starting to see the City coming around to the fact that the cutting days are over. We're going to have to start growing.

Consent Agenda:
A. Landscape Grant for Non-Residential Property Owned by Mayberry Partners, LLC Located at 910-950 Tate Boulevard SE in the Amount of $2,500.00 - The property located at 910-950 Tate Boulevard SE is owned by Mayberry Partners, LLC, and it is their desire to improve the visual appearance of the property by removing the existing landscaping materials and replacing them with new materials. This also includes the creation of new planting areas along Tate Boulevard SE. The applicant provided two bids in the amounts of $11,258.00 and $12,368.00. Since both the estimates are in excess of $5,000.00, the request qualifies for the full $2,500.00 grant. October 18, 2011 On September 27, 2011, the Community Appearance Commission unanimously voted to
recommend funding in the amount of $2,500.00.

B. Transfer of Cemetery Deed from Jeannie Poovey Jandrew and husband, David Jandrew to David Meriwether and wife, Roseann Meriwether in Oakwood Cemetery


C. Recommended Attendance Policy for Business Development Committee - In 2010, City Council appointed a Business Development Committee (BDC) consisting of seven (7) members representing business and economic sectors of the City of Hickory population. The guidelines state how members will be appointed with terms on an even and odd year schedule, but no attendance policy was initiated. At its October 5, 2011 meeting, the Business Development Committee unanimously approved an attendance policy which simply states: “Should a member miss 3 consecutive meetings, Hickory City Council will appoint another member to take the place of absent member.” The BDC and Staff recommend acceptance of the attendance policy as presented.


D. Citizens’ Advisory Committee Recommendations for Assistance Through the City of Hickory’s Housing Programs
The following requests were considered by the Citizens’ Advisory Committee at their regular meeting on October 6, 2011:
Natalia Villanueva was approved for recommendation to City Council for first-time homebuyer’s assistance to purchase a house located at 706 13th Street SE, Hickory. She had requested $6,500 for assistance with down payment and closing costs. The First-Time Homebuyers Assistance Loan is zero interest, no payments and repaid upon sale, refinance or payoff of first mortgage.
Betty Phillips was approved for recommendation to City Council for first-time homebuyer’s assistance to purchase a house located at 350 8th Avenue Drive SW,
Hickory. She had requested $6,500 for assistance with down payment and closing costs. The First-Time Homebuyers Assistance Loan is zero interest, no payments and repaid upon sale, refinance or payoff of first mortgage.
Kenneth & Carole McEahern, 1823 1st Street NE, Hickory, was awarded a City of Hickory’s Housing Rehabilitation Loan. The Citizens’ Advisory Committee
recommends approval for assistance not to exceed $10,000.00 for repairs to her home. Assistance would be in the form of a 3% interest loan for a 10 year period.

Each of the following applicants is being recommended for approval for assistance under the City of Hickory’s 2010 Urgent Repair Program. This program provides qualified low income citizens with assistance for emergency-related repairs not to exceed $5,000.
Lillie Carroll, 1661 B Avenue SE, Hickory, The Citizens’ Advisory Committee considered these requests at their October 6, 2011


E. Application for the Use of Union Square by Hickory Downtown Development Association for “A Hickory Holiday!” Event to be held on Thursday, December 8, 2011 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.


F. Application for the Use of Union Square by City of Hickory for the “Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown Hickory” Event on Friday, November 18, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.


G. Budget Ordinance Amendments
1. To appropriate $90,652 of Water and Sewer Capital Reserve to the Water Plant Maintenance and Repair of Buildings line item. This appropriation is necessary to pay Utility Service Company, Inc. for full maintenance of the F Avenue Water Storage Tank. The contract maintenance includes visual inspections, physical testing for coating and structural integrity, tank interior cleaning and disinfection and interior/exterior painting. In addition Utility Service Company, Inc. also performs mechanical repair to lights and indicators as necessary.


New Business - Public Hearings
1. Amendment to Hickory City Code, Chapter 2, Section 2-1, Regarding Residence Requirements for Firefighters, Police Officers and Department Heads - Staff requests amendment of Chapter 2, Section 2-1 of the Hickory City Code regarding residency requirements for City of Hickory police officers and firefighters for the purpose of simplification and to update outdated terminology. The section referring to department heads was added in the 1990’s and does not require any changes. In order to simplify and add certainty to the residency requirement, the City Manager’s Office recommends that the residency requirement for police officers and firefighters be changed from “within 30 minutes commuting distance” to “within 30 miles commuting distance.” It is also recommended that the word, “should”, be changed to “shall” in this section of the Code in order to remove any doubt about the requirement. Finally, Staff recommends deleting the reference to being “connected to the City telephone exchange” in this section of the Code as this is outdated terminology. After this minor change, close to 100% of the City’s public safety employees will be in compliance with the new “30 mile commuting distance” requirement. Those few employees who will not be in compliance will be grandfathered. All public safety employees who are currently in compliance will be required to stay in compliance, and all public safety employees who are hired in the future will be required to be in compliance and remain in compliance as well. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on October 6, 2011.

New Business - Departmental Reports
1. Branding and Marketing Update -  The Business Development Committee (BDC) selected North Star Destination Strategies to develop a comprehensive branding and marketing campaign for the City. North Star identified “Hickory. Life. Well Crafted.” as the brand concept and strap line. The BDC and Staff have developed an initial implementation plan for Council consideration and input -

Alan Jackson the Chairman of the Business Development Committee addressed the implementation of the Branding Marketing Process. He stated that this was a continuation of the workshop that was held on September 1. He stated that a refined Logo and a slogan doesn’t do anything for us. This is all about the process of Branding and who we roll it out to. Everyone has been working on developing plans, programs, and projects and taking the brand that Northstar helped develop and helping lead to business development.

This is a one to two year plan…. We can’t pull the trigger on every project and idea, but some are more important than others.

Hickory Marketing and Economic Development Engine: The first goal is to appoint a Brand Manager. This person is responsible for the “Hickory, NC Life Well Crafted” branding and marketing initiative. This is to be done by the second quarter of 2011-12 and the responsible party is City management.

The next goal is to identify consumer “touch points” and brand them. How anyone comes into contact with Hickory. This will be done through social media, e-newsletters, telephone greeting employee identification, the regional webportal, publications, and any place where the city interacts with internal and external customers. This should be done in the next nine months ( the fourth quarter 2011-12/June 2012). The responsible parties are the Brand Manager, City Staff, the Business Development Committee, and Community Partners.

Then develop a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and hire a firm to assist with creativity of the brand for not only the city, but community and private partners. The firm will be respoinsible for decveloping ads, ad placements, designs of new products, and materials for the brand. This should be done by the fourth quarter of 2011-12. The responsible parties will be the Business Development Committee and Hickory City Council.

Then develop a presentation to infiltrate “Hickory, NC Life Well Crafted” within the community and beyond. Create a program to present to area leaders, the community, and to educational institutions, civic, non-profit, and private organizations. Then form a “Life Well Crafted” Team, which will be a team made up of the City of Hickory. Tourism Development Authority (TDA), Catawba County, the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the Chamber of Commerce, and other partners promoting the brand. This will also be completed by the fourth quarter of 2011-12. Then purchase promotional items to help with spreading “Hickory, NC Life Well Crafted” message. In addition, work in tandem with the TDA, EDC, and other partners on promotional items. The responsible parties will be the Brand Manager and the community partners. The Brand Manager will Implement a graphic identity by developing templates for stationery, envelopes, media releases, business cards, fax cover sheets, e-mail signature, memorandum, forms, and other documents that represent the City of Hickory. The Brand Manager and the BDC will meet with stakeholders that were interviewed at the beginning of the branding project as well as share with Neighborhood College Graduates and city advisory boards.

City management, the Brand manager, Public Services, and the NCDOT will utilize the Wayfinding Project as part of this mission by placing the “Well Crafted” brand on the Wayfinding signs. The Brand will be placed on City Vehicles, sidewalks, water towers, city facilities, and banners throughout the city. The City will evaluate current events (races, walks, cycling, arts, concerts) and festivals and incorporate brand application where it is applicable and investigate new events to showcase the Brand. The City will develop programs throughout the community to promote the Brand. The Brand will be blended with ongoing advisory board programs and projects such as working with the Public Art Commission on the bench project and the Community Appearance Commission with beautification awards.

Alan spoke about the visibility and consistency of how Hickory is perceived by visitors or people looking on the internet throughout the world. The mission is that the Community will control the message of what they want projected. The Business Development Commission in this presentation is looking for approval of the City Council, a revenue source, and to develop a budget to present to City Council by November 15.

Manager Berry talked about the budget, funding, and costs related to this program. The revenue component is from resources that are already generated. He announced Mandy Pitts as the Brand manager. He stated that going through this process that they all knew that mandy was the right person. He talked about the hiring freeze that he called a selective hiring freeze and stated that there were a number of vacant positions that are fully funded, but not currently filled. They are taking one of those and are in the process of recrafting that position into a new position that will take over many of Mandy's current duties.

The Hound thinks what Alan said at the start is the most important statement he made. "He stated that a refined Logo and a slogan doesn’t do anything for us." Remember The All-American City Campaign? It was all about the slogan and the logo and the banners. Remember when I stood up about that and I was shouted down by some, because they said it would attract businesses to the area and create jobs. Remember those days when unemployment was 7%.

We don't have any more time or resources to commit to cutesy. We can't afford any more "Google Holler" type mistakes. We have this brand about "Life.. Well Crafted." Some people aren't going to get that, but it is about the craftsmanship in the area. That wasn't about Image. It was something that was ingrained in the people who created furniture, textiles, and other manufactured commodities in this community. The woodwork, the upholstering, the art of furniture and fabric and the attention to detail that was woven throughout this community. We once were committed to Excellence. Somewhere along the way we lost some of that edge and the overarching emphasis became a goal towards cutting costs, cutting corners, and maximizing profits at the expense of quality.. That's the reason why local furniture producers thought they could offshore their manufacturing capacity to China. Where has that gotten us?

I think Mandy Pitts is a great Public Relations representative, but even though some will get angry with me for asking a question, Were there any thoughts given to putting this Brand Manager position out for public view and inquiry to ascertain if anyone else had any ideas that might be innovative and worthy of consideration within the capacity of this Job Description. I mean a Job Interview process is not a bad thing is it? And with public positions isn't there supposed to be a process of "Public Notice?" Can the City just create and fill a position without a hiring process?

These are my concerns, but I do think Alan is a bright person and he has conveyed to me lately his desire to see action. I'm all in with that and I think that is the right attitude to have and that he is a very good facilitator, delegator, and coordinator from my experiences in observing him. In the end this effort has to be about improving the local business climate and growing jobs. If this thing is to work, it will have to move forward eventually of its own volition fairly soon. Artificial contrivances and fluff will just move on to more artificial contrivances and fluff. Words have to mean more than words. You have to feel them. Are the sum of these words greater than the words themselves. Here's to a professional directing this "Branding" effort into something meaningful.

2. Quarterly Financial Report - Warren Wood delivered this presentation. This is a report on the first three months of the fiscal year. For the first quarter, the City is .6% below budgeted revenues compared to the 5-year trend (19.8% vs 20.4%). Warren stated that given the current economic conditions that is a good number.

Expenses in the General fund are slightly above the 5-year average (26.25% vs 25.25%). Warren stated that we are a percent higher, but we still have our selected hiring freeze in effect and will start making ground up on that. The bottom line for the General Fund is that the city, when looking at the 5 year average in revenues over expenditures, The city has spent $1.27 million more than collected and it should be $722,000. One key thing to look at is how money is distributed from the State from Power Bill Money to maintain roads. These is a cash flow issue. Warren states that without this being the case the numbers would have looked better.
Looking at the water-sewer fund, which makes up 25% of the budget, he stated the numbers are running ahead of the 5 year average as far as revenues go (20.34% vs 20.26%). Expenditures are running ahead of where it should be (32.9% vs 26.2%). Finance has moved monies ahead into capital reserve faster than they normally would have at this point of the year, however, when that extra money is taken out the numbers line up the way that they should. He stated that the city has spent $1.3 million more than it has collected so far in the Water-Sewer fund. The 5-year average should have been $750,000 more than collected.

Warren once again went into the Building Permit issue and stated that there have only been 3 building permits issued so far this fiscal year. (The Hound: I’m not going to reiterate this information. You can Google “Warren Wood” +”Hickory Hound” + City of Hickory +quarterly financial report and see how this issue has not improved over the three years that I have been reporting this information). The most concerning issue is the lack of construction activity.

This quarter we saw 8 Residential Construction Permits granted. Alderman Meisner asked if this was units and warren answered yes and this includes the ETJ. Overall there have been 131 permits issued in Hickory and its ETJ. The value of those permits is less that $11 million, which does not bode well for future Tax growth. We have been seeing a 1 to 2% increase in growth related to new construction, but we may not see that this year.

Switching Gears, the City’s fund balance declined by $600,000 in 2009-10. This year it increased by $750,000. What was lost last year has been recouped. The city has a cushion with the fund balance. The City looks to have a fund balance goal that is 25% of its operating budget. The current balance is 27% of the operating budget. This has been accomplished by discipline and focus on control of expenditures. Revenues have not exceeded budget. We have not had financial problems. We have had budget difficulties and they will continue over the next couple of years. Cash Flow has not been an issue, because difficult budget decisions have been made. It is going to be difficult to expand services without recurring/expanding revenues. Alderman Lail interjected that at some point in time it will be difficult to continue the current level of services. Warren stated that that is where strategic investment and economic development opportunities are going to be important.

New Economic Development Opportunities are going to depend on spending cash reserves versus adding to the operating budget. Sometimes that is difficult for people to understand, when you are cutting staff and having a hiring freeze. The operating budget is sitting over on its own and the capital reserves are used for strategic investments.

Some of the opportunities include the airport, Multijurisdictional Business Parks, Redevelopment of Abandoned/Vacant Buildings, and development of City Owned Properties. This ties back into building and permitting.

The Hound thinks that Warren's presentation meshed perfectly with the presentation of the Comprehensive Annual Budget Report. In my opinion, the most honest assessment of the year is going to come during the first couple of quarters, because as the year rolls along, the City staff is going to have to start looking for more reason to justify the Mission of City Management.

City Manager Berry and Alderman Lail made statements of admission that conveyed a sense of anxiety. Manager Berry spoke about the need to find tax base revenue streams and Alderman Lail spoke to the possibility of the City possibly needing to cut back services. Asst City Manager Wood spoke to the issue of the lack of city building permits, which keeps tax revenues stagnant.

I have spoken about the problems associated with the airport. Warren spoke to possible opportunities at the airport. I think there is a lot more work to be done to realize these opportunities than many people with the City Government understand. There have been associations that have been squandered and there are plenty of bridges that have been burned. There are a lot of fences that will have to be mended and that is going to take years of hard work and accountability. That goes for a lot of the business climate with relation to the way that things have been administered. There is going to have to be an attitude of "How can we help you," when it comes to the business climate in Hickory. And some of that Unreserved Fund balance is going to have to be used to move some of these issues forward. Good to see that City Management is coming around to that realization.

One last word is to say that I think Warren Wood and the Finance department are doing an excellent job with the cards they have been dealt. It is not up to them to shape the mission. I have seen what is happening in Conover and what is starting to happen in Newton. There is a new culture forming in Catawba County and it relates to Action. Action means Risk. That doesn't mean we need to become gunslingers, but we definitely need to assume some risks. I also think that Hickory needs to coordinate with the communities around it. The worst investments that can be made are to be late to the dance and start creating redundant infrastructure. That isn't about bureaucratic structure. It is about openness, communication, and coordination. Can Hickory do that? I don't know.

Citizens requesting to be Heard -

Reverend Cliff Moone addresses the Mayor about City Politics at City Council

Hound Note -

This took a long time to get out, because it is chock full of information that will have a lasting impact on this community for some time to come. I spent at least 16 hours putting this together over the last week, so that I could convey it to you as logically as possible. I do this while committed to full time employment and personal obligations at the same time that I am feeling a bit run down. So please use this information and get involved in the process of our governance. Don't feel that you don't count, because you can be a difference maker. Thank you and God Bless. Peace To You.

Economic Stories of Relevance in Today's World -- October 23, 2011

NC Lawmaker Gets Big Pay while Loaning Friends Federal Money - NC Policy Watch Investigates - Sarah Ovaska - August 3, 2011 - As N.C. Rep. Stephen LaRoque tells it on the campaign trail, both state and federal government are too big, wasteful of taxpayers’ money and in the way of private business. Government can’t be all things to all people,” said LaRoque, a conservative Republican from Kinston, in a televised debate before his 2010 re-election. “We need more self-reliance and accountability.” But LaRoque, who returned in January to the N.C. General Assembly after a four-year hiatus, takes aim at government waste while quietly accepting generous six-figure paychecks for running two public charities funded with $8 million in federal dollars since 1997. He’s earned up to $195,000 a year heading the two small economic development organizations—the East Carolina Development Company and Piedmont Development Company—and used the non-profits to loan some of the public funds to his close associates and political allies. Past board members say they were kept in the dark about his pay...... USDA RECORDS also show LaRoque also used his non-profit to lend helping hands to fellow GOP legislators and the law firm he uses for political spats. (Pages 6-7) State Sen. Debbie Clary and state Rep. Mark Hilton, both received loans from LaRoque’s Piedmont Development Company of over $100,000 to help their private businesses, according to USDA records. The loans were two of just a handful approved at Piedmont Development Company, the non-profit he set up in 2003 to serve the western part of the state.The non-profit hasn’t made any loans in recent years, and risks losing some of its federal money because of inactivity, according to a letter USDA staff sent to the non-profit...... Hilton received a $150,000 loan in 2007 for “Hilton Ventures,” a rental property management company he owns along with his wife, brother and sister-in-law in Conover, according to USDA and N.C. Secretary of State records. Hilton was in the legislature at the time, but LaRoque was not. Attempts to reach Clary were unsuccessful, and Hilton did not respond to phone and email requests seeking comment.


The Hound: Let's here about Mark Hilton's stand on BIG GUB MINT when he is receiving at least a $100,000 low interest loan to help their personal "BIDNESS." This maney was earmarked for use of USDA projects. Let Mr. Hilton explain to us where his farm is and why he would use the Federal Tax dollars he constantly rails against.

USDA documents listing loan amount to Susan LaRoque’s former carpet business, State Sen. Debbie Clary, State Rep. Mark Hilton, Diener Law Firm, and board member Ricky Lanier’s Global Construction business:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/61220624/Susan-s-Carpets-Loanhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/61220652/Clary-Hilton-Loan
http://www.scribd.com/doc/61220654/Diener-Law
http://www.scribd.com/doc/61220655/Lanier-Loan


$1 million gift to help spur next generation of North Carolina entrepreneurs - ASU News - October 22, 2011 - Appalachian State University has announced the naming of the new Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship in its Walker College of Business. The center will expand resources and tools, so that emerging entrepreneurs can develop the skills they need to start their own businesses and drive the economy. Top state leaders, including N.C. Gov. Bev Perdue, say entrepreneurship is a crucial economic development tool for sustained growth. “Entrepreneurship will continue to play an important role in job creation in North Carolina,” Perdue said. “Nurturing budding entrepreneurs with support through programs and activities, such as those that will be provided students through the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship at Appalachian, will help ensure a prosperous future in our state.” With a desire to mentor and foster entrepreneurial spirit, Transportation Insight, hopes the new center will enhance Appalachian’s reputation as a premier institution for entrepreneurship. Transportation Insight has been nationally recognized by Inc. Magazine for its entrepreneurial excellence. Referring to the logistics industry as one of the country’s main economic engines, Inc. Magazine has ranked the Hickory-based third-party logistics provider as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States for the last four years in a row. Founded in 1998, Transportation Insight is among an elite group of Inc. 5000 companies experiencing significant and continuous expansion in years 10 and beyond of doing business. That positive trend reflects the company’s entrepreneurial commitment to quality continuous improvement, the creation of long-term business value and the development of sustained competitive advantage for its clients.


Shareholders Say 'Bye, Bye' To Bank Of Granite - WFAE News - Julie Rose - October 18, 2011 - Shareholders of one of North Carolina's oldest and most well-respected community banks met for the last time Tuesday and approved a merger they hope will save the bank from collapse. Granite Falls-based Bank of Granite is 105 years old. It's on the verge of being acquired by the parent company of another long-time North Carolina bank: CommunityONE. Early next year, the "Bank of Granite" name will disappear from its branches if the merger is approved. Many of the people who've invested in Bank of Granite over the years are the same people who've deposited their money with the bank and played on the community sports leagues it sponsored over the decades...... He invested in 1985 - during Bank of Granite's heyday. Each dividend he collected from the stock went toward buying more. "At that time it was touted to be one of the best run banks in the country," says Patterson, referring to a praise for Bank of Granite from legendary investor Warren Buffett in the 1990s. But the collapse of the housing market proved too much for Bank of Granite and by 2009 it was under orders from federal regulators to improve its bottom line or risk being taken over. While long-time shareholders now hope to minimize their losses through a merger, new investors see an opportunity. If the merger is approved by CommunityONE's shareholders on Wednesday, it's expected to close by the end of this month. The combined bank will be based in Asheboro. (The Hound: Another major loss for the Hickory Region. We need a local Financial Institution that will look out for local interests.)


Why Peter Schiff and Arthur Laffer Are Wrong about Herman Cain's 9-9-9 Tax Plan - Economic Policy Journal - October 20, 2011 - Bottom line, the part of Cain's proposal that has Schiff most excited, the consumption tax, will ultimately not fall on consumers, but on the incomes of labor and landowners, exactly where Schiff doesn't want it to fall! Schiff should be commended for pointing out that there is a fourth hidden 9% tax in Cain's proposal. But, there is a lot more that is wrong with Cain's plan. It first and foremost, through shell game antics, cuts down the hissing relative to the tax burden. It creates a new pipeline by which taxes can be raised, which Michelle Bachmann has correctly warned can easily lead to tax increases down the road. And, further, approval of elements of the plan (the consumer tax) in the fashion that Schiff gives approval, in addition to being wrong, lead to a grander endorsement of government micro-management of the economy. "Well, we cut this tax and increase that tax and it will really boost the economy." The problem is not the direction from which the taxes come, but the massive amount of government spending that goes on. Yes, Schiff does call for a cut in spending to eliminate the problem of the fourth 9 tax, but this is about micromanagement and fails to discuss the horrors of overall government spending in the economy. Cain's 9-9-9 proposal does nothing to address that. It is designed to stop the hissing. It's understandable why Laffer is for the plan. He is all about stopping the hissing and keeping taxes revenues high. It is much more difficult to understand how Schiff can say anything positive about this Cain move of tricks to con the masses.


Quote from Bob Chapman's International Forecaster - October 22, 2011 - The two-year recession supposedly almost ended 2-1/2 years ago. That is the official position - ask the permanently unemployed who’s job has been shipped to China, whether the so-called recession is over? Since June of 2009 median household income has fallen by 6.7%. That is some recovery, as unemployment rose to 22.6%. Those who
lost jobs and found new ones made 17.5% less in income. Those out of work remained jobless from 16.6 to 24.1 weeks. This year that number was 40.5 weeks, the lowest in 60 years. In addition the real median self-employed income has fallen 12.9%. That condition is prevalent worldwide. Whether governments and their handlers like it or not since February 2009 the US has been in an inflationary depression, which is worsening every day, with no end in sight. (The Hound: The Recession ended for the big wigs at the top of the food chain paid for by the bailouts. Some of them may not realize that the bailouts saved their equity (stock) investments. These are the same people telling you that things aren't so bad. They are in complete denial, because in the end they are seeing the marketplace shrivel, but it hasn't completely affected them. They may have had to cut back on that third vacation or wait to buy that next Mercedes, but they look at that as a reduction from the exuberance of the boom we went through in the late 1990s. The rest of us are scraping by, hanging on, and praying to God that we can continue to make ends meet and not end up out on the street).


Law Bans Cash for Second Hand Transactions - KLFY - Layayette, Louisiana - October 18, 2011 - Cold hard cash. It's good everywhere you go, right? You can use it to pay for anything. But that's not the case here in Louisiana now. It's a law that was passed during this year's busy legislative session. House bill 195 basically says those who buy and sell second hand goods cannot use cash to make those transactions, and it flew so far under the radar most businesses don't even know about it. "We're gonna lose a lot of business," says Danny Guidry, who owns the Pioneer Trading Post in Lafayette. He deals in buying and selling unique second hand items. "We don't want this cash transaction to be taken away from us. It's an everyday transaction," Guidry explains.... Besides non-profit resellers like Goodwill, and garage sales, the language of the bill encompasses stores like the Pioneer Trading Post and flea markets. Lawyer Thad Ackel Jr. feels the passage of this bill begins a slippery slope for economic freedom in the state. "The government is placing a significant restriction on individuals transacting in their own private property," says Ackel. Pawn shops have been forced to keep records of their clients for years. However under this bill they are still allowed to deal in cash.The Hound: It's all about Big Gubment, control, and taxes folks and big business trying to force people to buy from them. They are trying to move us towards a cashless society.

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