Letter to HDR and a message about Council Self Interests

My Letter to the Editor from August 16, 2012 Hickory Daily Record

Stop the Simplistic Labeling

Mr. Chad Bolick, you have a right to your opinion, but here we go again with national politics of divisiveness, which has nothing to do with the local representation issue at hand.

I was at the Citizens for Equity in Government meeting, in which Robert Dawkins spoke about registration and voting for 30 minutes. The rest of the meeting was about Ward Specific voting. Three Republicans addressed the 30 people who were present, where were you?

Freedom of speech is the American system. We should be tolerant towards those we disagree with, not aim to shut down their voice. Isn't getting out the vote something everyone should strive for, whether Republican or Democrat?

The 2,707 signatures, the CEG garnered, is way more than the number of people who voted in the last two municipal elections. People from every area and demographic of this community signed this petition... White, Black, wealthy, poor, men, women, Republican, Democrat... Maybe if you listened, you might realize what is being discussed is not "radical." Local politics is not Party identity politics.

By the way, I am a Republican with a degree in Economics and Finance. Isn't it time to stop with the simplistic labeling?

All this referendum aims to do is give average, everyday people fairer representation on Hickory's City Council. This is an issue of accountability. The current Bloc system needs to be addressed. Go look and see where the city is taking a role in economic development. It is always the same places. This makes Council members more attentive to the 6,700 people in the ward they represent. The local economic malaise has gone on for over a decade. Most of us aren't worried about steps backward. We believe fairer representation would get us moving forward again... Vote Yes!




And a piece from the truewards.org website

Current Council Members Work to Protect Their Interests 

Note in this story on Hickory Daily Record that the Backwards group is led by city council and city leaders eager to protect their own interestes by maintaining their control of city council. Remember, at-large elections are proven to favor incumbents and maintain the status quo.

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2012/aug/13/4/council-members-group-defeat-hickory-referendum-ar-2516867/

Take a look at the comments to see how regular citizens are responding to this incumbent effort.
Here's a list of people supporting the status quo - high unemployment, big tents, and voter suppression:
Austin Allran, Paul Byrd, Peggy Byrd, Amanda Edwards, Becky Carter, Steve Carter, Jeff Cline, Joab Cotton, David Crosby, Gloria Farr, Sally Fox [incumbent council member], Hank Guess [incumbent council member],Sandra Johnson, Ryan Kelly, Landon Lane, Floyd Lucas, Jerry Phillips, Bruce Meisner [incumbent council member], Libby Meisner, Walter Murphy, Danny Seaver [incumbent council member], Ken Sigler, Charles Snipes, Mary Snooks, Al Spainhour, Christie West, Bill Wiggs, Nancy Willingham, Charles Willingham, Frank Willis, Donna Wright, Rudy Wright [incumbent mayor], Tony Wood, Phil Yount, Sara Yount, Nancy Zagaroli and Jill Patton [incumbent council member].

The initial campaign finance report from the Backwards group shows that their funding comes overwhelmingly from incumbent council members and those who benefit directly from city contracts.

• Rudy Wright, incumbent Mayor - $200 contribution 
• Jill Patton, incumbent City Councilperson - $100 contribution
• Bruce Meisner, incumbent City Councilperson - $100 contribution
• David Zagaroli (hired to design the million dollartent with no competitive bidding) - $100 contribution

Makes you wonder why they are so afraid. If they are serving the constituents in their own ward, they should have no trouble keeping their offices in the next election. They probably know that they are elected by a select few people across the city (that's called a bloc vote) and they will have a lot to answer for when they turn to their own wards for votes.

For a list of the 2,707 people who signed the petition for fair representation, click here. You'll find business and community leaders on this list. And you'll also find working people, the unemployed, regular folks from every ward of Hickory who are tired of the same old policies that do not reflect their interests.

Vote Yes! for fair representation - True Ward Links

http://www.truewards.org/

http://www.citizensforequity.com/



Volunteer


Contribute Money


Voting Information


Current City Council Members Work to Protect Their Interests


True Ward Elections Go to Vote

United States Flag Retirement Ceremony set for September 22, 2012 - sponsored by the Sandy Ridge American Legion

And here is a big problem...

Look at the photo below courtesy of Pat Appleson Studios.

I will swear to you all day long that I have nothing against the businesses on Union Square, but those that know me know and those who don't are never going to care about where I am coming from. My hope is for any business to succeed. What I face is that these certain businesses think I'm picking on them, but really I'm not. What I am saying is that they do not deserve any more promotional support than any other business in Hickory and so the City should not be expressly promoting any business over another.

Look at the promotional sign. What should the people from Copper Bean think about this? What about the owners of Da Vinci's? What about the people who own Sub Station II? or any restaurant or bar in any other part of Hickory?

You see these businesses pay taxes too. They don't get amenities for owning their businesses where they are located. When is the city going to create a structure on Springs Road to bring people out there to eat at one of the establishments there?  Or in Southwest Hickory, not that there are many left any more.

And just think, If you own a business in one of these other parts of Hickory, your tax dollars are being funneled  to these projects on Union Square to go help the business of someone who might just be your competitor. All you Ayn Rand philosophers, where are you? Does that sound just to you?

Now a few people have labeled the Citizens for Equity in Government as a Liberal Group, but the CEG isn't supporting a system that takes Hickory tax dollars from one business and directs it towards the interest of another. Or spends city funds in a Big Government top-down manner. Doesn't that sound like Sherwood Forest to you?

And if you want to go see the pictures for the Union Square Tent event here is the link - http://www.appleson.com/Hickory/City%20of%20Hickory%20Name%20the%20Structure%2008-10-12.htm

I have nothing against a structure being built for events in Hickory, but shouldn't the public have had input? And was this structure worth the money that was spent on it? Do you like the fact that the sight lines on Union Square are now gone? Do you feel that this structure aesthetically fits Union Square? And do you think this will be an economic driver for Hickory?

Monies raised so far for referendum: Backwards Coalition - $838, Citizen's Group - $610

Seems that Landon B. Lane is the Treasurer for the Backwards Coalition. They have raised $838 and I assume the ASIGNCO, the Mayor's sign company is doing there signs at cost. I saw the Mayor walking out of City Hall last Tuesday with a couple under his arm. Don't know whether it is a campaign violation for a City Official to be carrying signs to and fro a Municipal building, but I think most would consider it improper, but most understand that the Backwards Coalition will stop at nothing to maintain their Status Quo Political machine.

Here is a direct Link to the Campain Funds - http://www.catawbacountync.gov/elections/12campfin.asp

Here is a Direct Link to the Backwards Coalition Funds submitted so far - http://www.catawbacountync.gov/elections/Committees/2012/NoSteps/Disclosure.pdf

Here is a Direct Link to the Citizen's Funds submitted so far - Sherbia Jones has been appointed Treasurer - http://www.catawbacountync.gov/elections/Committees/2012/CERC/Disclosure.pdf

As you can see, the contributions from the Citizen's group have been minimal with the largest sum of money being $250 given by Attorney Allen Wood.

The Backward's Coalition has raised $838 with Landon Lane giving $238, Rudy Wright giving $200, Jill Patton giving $100, Bruce Meisner giving $100, David Zagaroli giving $100, Sandra Johnson giving $100.

Just thought it would be a good idea to keep track of where people are coming from. It is interesting to see how much money is directly attributable to the current Hickory City Council. And remember the costs of those signs made by ASIGNCO. How much is that? Where is that disclosure?