I saw the PAC that was formed by the Duke of Grace Chapel Carlton Huffman and was saddened to see Nancy Willingham is still mad that I supported Brad Lail over her back in 2007. It wasn't a personal thing. I just felt he was the better candidate at the time and I have known him most of my life. Brad probably isn't too happy with me these days either, since he knows that I know that it was his family that were the most significant contributors to bringing Rudy Wright to office back in 2001.
Then there is George Moretz, he is the person who Rudy ran to when I put the debate up from the Republican Women's luncheon last year. All I was trying to do was let the people of this community hear the opposing points of view about the issues concerning the referendum. I didn't hide the microphone. Rudy just wasn't paying attention and he hasn't been anywhere that I haven't recorded something, I honestly don't understand why he wouldn't have thought I was recording. It wasn't as if it was a Knight's of the Round Table meeting or something. What is all the hush-hush secrecy all about? I think it is that Rudy isn't comfortable with give and take.
While George Moretz was the Chairman of the Republican Party his precinct in Hickory, Oakland Heights, could not find a precinct chair. He has money and he'll throw it around and that works to a great extent, but he can't move a party forward. George is obviously a lot better at spending money destroying things than building things. We obviously can't go toe-to-toe with the Company owners of the Company Town. Funny thing is that the Catawba County Republican Party had more money in the bank before he took the chairmanship than after. This is a party that has twice the constituency the Democrats have here in Catawba County.
Back in 2004, he spent around $2 million to come in fourth (out of four) in the Congressional Republican Primary race. Not only that, but he was such a sore loser that he aimed to take down Sheriff David Huffman and was obviously successful in the run-off. That is the type of unity that George Moretz aspires to. He took down our Catawba County Representative and we haven't had a representative in the U.S. House since. And now the entire county's congressional representation is divided -- probably permanently. Now that's effective leadership....
Josh Shampo has obviously been given the floor by John Miller of the Hickory Daily Record on their Editorial page to attack Dr. Inglefield over national issues. Josh has made it personal. People that personally know Jody are laughing at the mischaracterizations, but realize it is effective with those who don't know Jody. Josh is pretty young and I was probably a lot like that when I was his age too. He'll learn about picking and choosing the bridges you burn. Carlton has sent the young man out to do his bidding for him. Carlton being up in Washington DC these days needs the surrogate. We'll see if Josh gets the paycheck from this Union PAC like Carlton and Eddie Jolly did last year from the Backward's coalition.
Speaking of Eddie Jolly, he was in the paper twice the other day. On page three he was listed as a Caldwell County resident when standing on the bridge with the Impeach Obama sign on the 321 Granite Falls overpass and was listed as a Hickory resident on the editorial page (page four) where he was disparaging Dr. Jody Inglefield over National Democrat Party issues.
Let's remember that this is the same Eddie Jolly who was forced to shut down his Granite Falls pirate radio station back in 2009 by the Federal Communications Commission, because he did not and would not pay a licensing fee to operate over the public airwaves. He was set to be fined thousands of dollars when he was forced to resign himself to the fate of the law being the law. The law didn't mean much until it was going to hit his wallet.
These are the people who want to talk about people coming together and working towards the common good, but they are the ones that labeled the CEG with the ACORN label last year. They are the ones that don't want people to have the facts or to talk about the issues that truly affect Hickory. And they don't mind lying like they have when they have said Dr. Inglefield wants a $5 million swimming pool or that Dr. Inglefield said that Zahra Baker would still be alive if there was a swimming pool. These are blatant lies that people who truly seek "Unity" would not be spreading.
I have seen my friend Joe Brannock disparaged in much the same manner. Disparaged because he had the audacity to call some city council members out for the insider games that have been going on in Hickory for years. The bullying and abuse towards citizens that dare to stand up to the machine will likely carry on, because those who could stop it don't seem to care and/or endorse it.
Joe Brannock has paid a price for standing up to the machine. It has cost him employment. It has affected his personal life. I have also paid a price. People say they are your friend, but they never seem to have your back when it counts. All because we truly care about this community where we were born and raised and we reach out to people of all walks of life. We are labeled trouble makers for questioning authority and the local political machine. We aren't trying to tear anything down. We are only asking for what the public is entitled to!
We aren't opportunists. We aren't seeking to take advantage of people or situations for ourselves. Joe and I aren't making the bucks and Dr. Inglefield doesn't even have to be involved -- his practice is one of the most successful in the Southeastern U.S. He kicks plenty of money into everything that is Hickory. We aren't selfish. We are seeking to open the doors for opportunity for all in this community. Those were the principles that this nation was founded upon. We are transparent. We seek liberty and freedom.
You ask anyone who has met any of us and not a one will say anything bad about our personal beings. I think that most would label us as good mannered, educated, knowledgeable gentleman. Speaking for myself, please question my integrity and I will prove it.
Finally, my predictions for who the Union PAC will support.... Drum Roll Please... It's the only thing transparent about these people... Rudy Wright, David Zagaroli, and Hank Guess... but you knew that anyway.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Friday, August 9, 2013
11 Governors, 10 Presidents and 4?
Since 1958, 55 years ago, we have had 11 different Governors in North Carolina, 10 different Presidents of the United States, and 4 Mayors in Hickory, NC. What doesn't fit?
Ignorance is not knowing better.
Stupidity is knowing better, but doing it anyway.
Insanity is doing it over and over again, but expecting a different result.
There are so many people who think they are free thinkers, but their thoughts are firmly entrenched inside the box. Anyone who lives a life outside of the box is considered dangerous to those who are tethered to the box. Who stands a better chance of doing great things. Those of you inside the box limit yourselves, while aiming to limit others.
A great friend of mine has a saying, "In an insane world it is the truly insane who appear to be sane."
When you tether yourself to certain realities in a historically ever changing world, then you are the problem, not the solution.
You keep doing what you are doing and you're gonna get what you've got!
Ignorance is not knowing better.
Stupidity is knowing better, but doing it anyway.
Insanity is doing it over and over again, but expecting a different result.
There are so many people who think they are free thinkers, but their thoughts are firmly entrenched inside the box. Anyone who lives a life outside of the box is considered dangerous to those who are tethered to the box. Who stands a better chance of doing great things. Those of you inside the box limit yourselves, while aiming to limit others.
A great friend of mine has a saying, "In an insane world it is the truly insane who appear to be sane."
When you tether yourself to certain realities in a historically ever changing world, then you are the problem, not the solution.
You keep doing what you are doing and you're gonna get what you've got!
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of August 6, 2013
I began recording the City Council late last year, because of my desire that the City do it on their own as any modern 21st century community began doing long ago. I had people tell me that they couldn't make it to the meetings, but they would like to see what is going on. I was also told by some council members that my summaries did not truly reflect the record, so having a video/audio recording cannot be misinterpreted.
So below is the City Council meeting. Beside each agenda item, you will see the minute:second. You can drag the marker on the video display to the point in the broadcast that you are interested in seeing.
Agenda about the City Council meeting of August 6, 2013
Aldemen Meisner and Lail were not present
Special Presentations
A. (2:00) - Presentation of Quilt by Kenworth Neighborhood Representatives Martha Espey,Tessie Dillingham, Kelly Walker
Persons Requesting to Be Heard
A. (8:18) - Jim Starkey - Homeless Veterans Standdown Program and Veterand helping Veterans - Speaking on the Issue of Homelessness and Grace House Day Shelter
B. (11:53) - Roger Cornette - Open Door Homeless Relief Program - Speaking on the Issue of Homelessness
C. (15:40) - Judy Walker - Cognitive Connection - Speaking on the Issue of Homelessness
D. (22:20) - Pastor Jack McConnell – Grace House Homeless Day Program - Spoke about the history and purpose of the program that focuses on homelessness.
E.* ( 1:49:25) - Levi Helton spoke about the Homelessness issue and spoke about the meaning of the Declaration of Independence and reminded the City Council that Jesus Christ was a Homeless person too.
The Hound - there is something definitely going on in the background related to homelessness. Some people have an out of sight is out of mind mindset when it comes to homelessness in this community. As you can see, there are plenty of people who are taking this issue on head on. This is an issue that has grown dramatically since the economy went south in this community. No one is laying blame on anyone for the cause of these issues, but one can certainly lay blame when people choose to deny the issue and not take positive steps to address it.
The Mayor brought up an issue of someone urinating in public at the last city council meeting. The undercurrent of some of what has been said by organizations in the downtown area along with the introduction of the Mayor's comments at the last city council meeting obviously brought these people out that support benevolent efforts that support homelessness to this meeting. If they want to be effective, then they will have to stay engaged and continue to come to City Council meetings.
New Business - Public Hearings
1. (27:10) - Rezoning Petition 13-10 for Property Located on 28th Street SE, containing 3.32 acres. Cal Overby presentation. This property is located directly across from CVCC west campus and directly east of the WalMart/Lowe's Complex.
Roger Cornette and Levi Helton thought this issue involved Grace House. When they found out that there was no issue involving Grace House they apologized and Levi Helton asked to speak and was granted the right to speak later in the meeting.
Charles Dixon spoke on behalf of the Roseman Family partnership in asking for approval of the Rezoning for expansion of the business. The Council unanimously approved this rezoning.
New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Public Services Director, Chuck Hansen – Flood Recovery Update
(40:40) Karyn Yaussy , Emergency Management Coordinator of Catawba County spoke first. Chuck Hansen introduced Police Chief Adkins (50:05) who spoke next about the Emergency Communications Center and had emergency 911 calls that were played related to the weather damage. (1:10:20) Chuck Hansen the director of Public Works addressed the infrastructure issues that resulted from the storm and its aftermath. (1:33:50) Fire Chief Hollar spoke anout the rescue and structural involving the storm. (1:42:30) Chuck Hanson wrapped up the presentation summarizing the overall effort.
2. (1:53:50) Quarterly Financial Report - as presented by Assistant City Manager Warren Wood.
The Hound - In summary, this is where everything was at about where it was at three months ago.
So below is the City Council meeting. Beside each agenda item, you will see the minute:second. You can drag the marker on the video display to the point in the broadcast that you are interested in seeing.
Agenda about the City Council meeting of August 6, 2013
Aldemen Meisner and Lail were not present
Special Presentations
A. (2:00) - Presentation of Quilt by Kenworth Neighborhood Representatives Martha Espey,Tessie Dillingham, Kelly Walker
Persons Requesting to Be Heard
A. (8:18) - Jim Starkey - Homeless Veterans Standdown Program and Veterand helping Veterans - Speaking on the Issue of Homelessness and Grace House Day Shelter
B. (11:53) - Roger Cornette - Open Door Homeless Relief Program - Speaking on the Issue of Homelessness
C. (15:40) - Judy Walker - Cognitive Connection - Speaking on the Issue of Homelessness
D. (22:20) - Pastor Jack McConnell – Grace House Homeless Day Program - Spoke about the history and purpose of the program that focuses on homelessness.
E.* ( 1:49:25) - Levi Helton spoke about the Homelessness issue and spoke about the meaning of the Declaration of Independence and reminded the City Council that Jesus Christ was a Homeless person too.
The Hound - there is something definitely going on in the background related to homelessness. Some people have an out of sight is out of mind mindset when it comes to homelessness in this community. As you can see, there are plenty of people who are taking this issue on head on. This is an issue that has grown dramatically since the economy went south in this community. No one is laying blame on anyone for the cause of these issues, but one can certainly lay blame when people choose to deny the issue and not take positive steps to address it.
The Mayor brought up an issue of someone urinating in public at the last city council meeting. The undercurrent of some of what has been said by organizations in the downtown area along with the introduction of the Mayor's comments at the last city council meeting obviously brought these people out that support benevolent efforts that support homelessness to this meeting. If they want to be effective, then they will have to stay engaged and continue to come to City Council meetings.
New Business - Public Hearings
1. (27:10) - Rezoning Petition 13-10 for Property Located on 28th Street SE, containing 3.32 acres. Cal Overby presentation. This property is located directly across from CVCC west campus and directly east of the WalMart/Lowe's Complex.
Roger Cornette and Levi Helton thought this issue involved Grace House. When they found out that there was no issue involving Grace House they apologized and Levi Helton asked to speak and was granted the right to speak later in the meeting.
Charles Dixon spoke on behalf of the Roseman Family partnership in asking for approval of the Rezoning for expansion of the business. The Council unanimously approved this rezoning.
New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Public Services Director, Chuck Hansen – Flood Recovery Update
(40:40) Karyn Yaussy , Emergency Management Coordinator of Catawba County spoke first. Chuck Hansen introduced Police Chief Adkins (50:05) who spoke next about the Emergency Communications Center and had emergency 911 calls that were played related to the weather damage. (1:10:20) Chuck Hansen the director of Public Works addressed the infrastructure issues that resulted from the storm and its aftermath. (1:33:50) Fire Chief Hollar spoke anout the rescue and structural involving the storm. (1:42:30) Chuck Hanson wrapped up the presentation summarizing the overall effort.
2. (1:53:50) Quarterly Financial Report - as presented by Assistant City Manager Warren Wood.
The Hound - In summary, this is where everything was at about where it was at three months ago.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
A Well Crafted Run Around
What if you made public information requests to the city government regarding a project for five months. Finally, you are invited to city hall to look at the information the city has put together. You are given a 500 page file of unorganized receipts, non-descript invoices, and confusing internal accounting spreadsheets. You have questions. You simply can't make sense of the information provided, so you ask questions and you are met with a wall.
Germany 1942 or Hickory 2013... It's getting more and more difficult to tell.
Any Questions???
Germany 1942 or Hickory 2013... It's getting more and more difficult to tell.
Any Questions???
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