Promises, Promises -- Hickory's Pipeline to Nowhere

Two years ago today I started writing an article to the Hickory Daily Record and I had doubts as to whether it would ever be published. I would like to thank the Hickory Daily Record for publishing that first article (on my 41st birthday, July 15, 2007) titled An All-American City Deserves First Class Leadership.

That first article basically laid the foundation for the what I saw as the reality of Hickory. There was a euphoria and elation about being awarded the All-American City title that overshadowed the systemic problems we were facing.

Hickory's old school manufacturing base consisting of textiles and furniture was built upon low skilled, low wage, intensive manual labor. The city has seen most of these jobs slowly dwindle as it has become more affordable for these companies to send these jobs overseas or south of the border....

Each city council member seems to have several pet projects that are laughable for a community of this size. This is not Mayberry R.F.D. This city is geographically at the heart of western North Carolina and we have well over a quarter of a million people living within a 25-mile radius of the heart of Hickory.

The high school clique mentalities of our city's leadership are the only thing that is holding this city back. They just don't seem to get it. They are more worried about elementary social issues that do not develop a community.....

The people of this area care about jobs (real, meaningful jobs), not jobs working through a temp agency, not low paying jobs with no benefits, but jobs with a future, jobs we can be proud of. We want new economic development. We need to look to the future, not the past, to see how to do this. (You can read the rest at the Link above)

My follow-up article (sent the following week) was promised to be published, but never was and I have my suspicions about the reasons why that never happened. That following week there was a great article about job expansion in the Unifour and Commscope was the feature of that story. How'd that one work out? I released the follow up in late August 2008, when I initiated this website. It was entitled Building the Bridge to Hickory's Future.

In this article, I laid out the case of Local Government officials unfriendly attitude towards business and the sad state commerce was in two years ago.

I went to the Internet and found a quote from our mayor. At BlackBoxVoting.org, look up "Oct. 11 election: Catawba County – Sleepy." You will find a quote from the last (2005) election.

The article states, "…he needs four more years to work on the city's economy and that he plans to campaign harder than he did against Pat Moss in 2001. 'I told people I was going to look for opportunities to put more people to work,' he said, 'and I've worked on that and I want to do more.'"

Two of our city councilors, Jill Patton and Sally Fox, did their best to keep Lowe's from building in Viewmont. In the same article quoted from earlier Mrs. Patton states, "I want to make sure everyone is included in government and has access and feels that they are heard. I don't believe (Watts – the former councilman) listens to his constituents." (You can read the rest at the Link above)

Coming two years forward, we can see that I was pretty much on target in my summations at the time. Where I was wrong was on the major industry front. I still think we need to land a big business, but it cannot be the sole focus. Developing any and all business should be the focus. We can foster local start-ups that can grow into major businesses.

What we need is something to rebrand Hickory; some major projects that can be game changers. That is what I was addressing when I was talking about alternative transportation, alternative energy, biotech, and other future technological industries. Thank goodness the Future Economy Council has been established to bring together many forward thinkers in this community to facilitate vital discussions about our future. We are already making headway towards laying a foundation that will move us in a direction that will be highly beneficial in coming years. This isn't about "talking about it." It is about "being about it."

I remember the Monday after the first article came out, Mayor Wright was on Hal Row's show and a caller asked the Mayor and Hal if they saw the editorial over the weekend and they quickly said they didn't and moved on to the next caller. That truly did happen. Why not address what was said? Do you really think they just happened to not read the paper that particular Sunday, when WHKY is constantly reporting items from the Hickory Daily Record? All I have ever wanted is for the Mayor to honestly address legitimate concerns. Many times he does just that and then other times I have been frustrated when he goes and hides in the bunker.

I have never had a conversation with Mrs. Fox. I would be more than willing to sit down and discuss issues with her, but I get the feeling that she doesn't care for me too much. I don't really understand where she is coming from and I get the feeling that she could care less where I am coming from. I was never a member of a clique in school and people that personally know me will vouch for that. I think Mrs. Fox cares about this city in her own way, but I honestly don't think she understands what the average citizen of Hickory is living through at this time. In my opinion, she understands what she perceives are the needs of Downtown and that's just about it.

I have spoken with Mrs. Patton and I do like the lady. She is a very pleasant person to talk to and I think if she wasn't Mrs. Fox's protege that she would have a lot to offer this city. She attends all sorts of city meetings and functions and she does engage the public. The problem is that she marches in lockstep with Sally and she really has not presented a valid progressive agenda during her term. Along with Mrs. Fox, she has been very micro-managerial in her dealings with area business, she has been overly ambitious in championing Union Square issues versus the rest of the city, and she has been arbitrary in interests of business development. It was my hope that at some point she would step out from Sally's shadow, but the valid perception is that she is Sally's second.

The bottom line is that our city has continued to flounder under the guidance of the current city council. Unfortunately, Jill Patton's desire for everyone to be heard has not been followed through on. I believe that she has listened to people and I do commend her for that, but the people I have spoken to feel that things are just as bad as they have always been when it comes to local government attentiveness. In the end, it is not good intentions that matter, it is results, and the results show that she has been unable to persuade her counterparts to change course and be more open with the public. That is what has led to the disenfranchisement that I hear from so many people, out here in the public, that it isn't even funny.

I like Z. Anne Hoyle. I have spoken with her and I truly do believe that she cares and does pay attention to issues. I have witnessed the other Council members ignore (and besmirch) what she is saying on many occasions. I do believe that she represents her community very well and I understand her feelings when it comes to being the lone representative towards African-American issues. If you look at her track record involving business, you will see that she is very supportive of industry, while voicing valid questions about development during debate. I am only disappointed, if she buys into this scheme presented by whomever, that was in the Sunday Charlotte Observer a couple weeks ago, for all of the incumbents to run as a block.

Then, once again, there is the Mayor. In many ways I like the Mayor. He's a good guy. He has an amiable quality that many people in this community truly appreciate. But, the record shows that we have gone nowhere under his leadership. Admittedly, when he took office was in the middle of the dot.com bust and shortly after 9/11 had taken place. Those were difficult circumstances to assume office under. I really think Mayor Wright assumed that everything would come back by just making the City's budget efficient and waiting for the business cycle to turn around.

That did occur to a certain extent, but the City never dealt with the underlying systemic issues that put us in the 2001 predicament to start with. We actually saw unemployment hover in the 5% to 6% range from September 2005 to December 2007 and I know we would give our eye teeth to see those numbers right now, but during that period and thoughout this malaise we have been substantially behind the state and federal unemployment numbers. Folks, that should have been clue number one that we were suffering a major malfunction.

The bottom line is that we weren't changing. We were worried about social issues. The well-to-do weren't feeling it, so they told everyone it was all in their minds, get to work. When I wrote that first article, unemployment was 5.9% and a few months later it fell back to 5.3%. But, I saw the problem, because I saw very talented people, like my deceased uncle, having difficulty finding a decent job in this area and it sure seemed like no one in our local government cared. They were oblivious.

We don't need people in office that don't have a mission. The Mayor said he wanted to finish the job on Hal Row's show the other morning. Honestly, what has he started. He talks about the water issue. He lost that one. He talks about education. He wanted a UNC-Hickory and in the beginning argued against the Appalachian State partnership -- until it was made clear that there wasn't going to be a UNC-Hickory. He always cedes economic development issues to Scott Millar and Danny Hearn. In eight years, he has never had a tangible plan to create jobs. His Small Business Job Growth Team has met 1 time (for 1 1/2 hours) in the 66 days of its inception and looks to be more of an election year stunt than something that will prove fruitful.

The Hound Rounds it out: Two years. Two long hard years since I wrote that first article. Was I way off base in your opinion? Eight years of negative momentum and elected officials telling us that there are jobs in the pipeline. That pipeline must run to Alaska by now. Nearly 14,000 jobs lost in Catawba County since 2000, nearly 10,000 in the last 3 years, and almost 6,000 in the last 12 months. Yep, that pipeline story isn't holding much of nothing.

It is time to put the subterfuge away and start telling us what you stand for and what you are going to do, because the economy is not going to get better before this election takes place. If the people of Hickory don't demand any answers and/or accountability for years of status quo and aimless direction, then they will surely deserve four more years of the exact same.

Optimism and Credibility

I have been listening to a lot of people lately who I feel have validity. I came across the following article at the CNBC website today. It is dated May 15, 2009, written by Geoff Cutmore, and titled Marc Faber on Armageddon.

Here is Faber's Wikipedia Bio. Read it and see if you think he is credible. There is a funny quote from him about the stimulus check issued to individuals in Spring '08:

Dr. Marc Faber concluded his monthly bulletin (June 2008) with the Following:

The federal government is sending each of us a $600 rebate. If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, the money goes to China. If we spend it on gasoline it goes to the Arabs. If we buy a computer/Software it will go to India. If we purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. If we purchase a good car it will go to Germany. If we purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan and none of it will help the American economy. The only way to keep that money here at home is to spend it on prostitutes and beer, since these are the only products still produced in US. I've been doing my part .

In the CNBC article Faber has a quote about Optimism that I completely agree with:

Marc concludes optimism comes from some simple but important principles:

1) The ability to adapt to change: whether economic, financial, personal or social.

2) Accept responsibility when things go wrong that are your fault, and don’t blame others.

3) And take comfort in the dynamism and drive of the human race. Marc points to Asia – where he has lived for several decades and witnessed the transformation of lifestyles.

Lately, I have met several people who have become invaluable assets as I seek knowledge, understanding, and guidance through what I personally consider troubling times. The other day, I was having a conversation with one of these colleagues that has come to be someone whose opinion I highly value.

He said to me, "Thom, do you know how you earn credibility?" ..... "You earn credibility by telling people what you are going to do, then you lay out a plan of action, and then follow through on that plan with action." ..... "Once you have succeeded, then you have established credibility."

What the Hound is Learning: Credibility is defined as capable of being believed. We aren't seeing much of that from elected leaders these days. Yet, I have met so many people out here in the real world who have all of the qualities that I desire from a leader. But, they are either unwilling to run or they have been run over by the electoral process.

Faber hits the nail on the head and the antithesis of what he defines as Optimism is exactly what we are getting from our elected officials. How much adaptation to change have we seen, whether at the local, state, or federal level? How much finger pointing and hold-up hand gestures have we seen from our leaders, who never accept any blame for the consequences they created? And when was the last time any of these elitist politicians put any faith in Human innovation and ingenuity?

I don't have any faith in politicians who don't represent and/or expect excellence. Doing the minimum should be an expectation, not a reason for adulation. We should assume that our roads are going to be maintained, that the garbage will be picked up, that water and sewer will function properly, that the police will keep us secure, and that constituents' needs will be addressed. The bureaucracy administers those issues any way. We need Leaders to proactively seek issues and objectives that will improve the community.

We should have faith that our elected officials will look out for every citizen's interest, no matter whether they voted for them or not, or whether they are rich or poor. Jesus said, "As you've done to the least of these, you've done to me." What about those kids that aren't getting to swim this summer in Ridgeview or West Hickory?... Lobbyist/Kids? ... HDDA/Kids?... We need to get some priorities straight around here!!!

Personally, I have nothing against our city's elected officials. For me, this is not about personalities. This is about Access, Accountability, Attitudes, Direction, Decisions, Ethics, Expectations, Issues, Momentum, Purpose, Vision, and most of all Results. I am sure that grudges will be held against me for many of the things that I say, but folks I'm not going to hold back, because in the end I am not the one who will be deciding whether the shoe fits or not.

My goal is for this area to be a more optimistic and brighter place, but that optimism can't be forced or controlled. Leaders need to remember our heritage and the people who sacrificed so that we can be here today. Remember our ancestors hopes and dreams and try to fulfill them, for their honor. Please understand that Leadership is not a birthright, it is a privilege.

I know that my father and grandfathers believed in this country and they had dreams that they wanted me to fulfill. They all lived here and they cared about this city and they loved the "Land of Opportunity." They would not have wanted me to settle for second rate and I can't understand anyone who does, by word or by deed. I cannot run for office at this time or I would. I know that there are people out there that can meet the challenges that lie before this city.

We can no longer afford the bunkered down, hunkered down, status quo approach. We have got to have people who realize that we have to change our foundation and structure or we are going to become completely irrelevant as a community. Completely irrelevant means a lower standard of living and quality of life for your family. It means your younger family members and relatives will continue to leave the area to seek the opportunity that should have been developed here. And it means a Least Common Denominator and Lower Expectation Lifestyle for those who remain.

Optimism and Credibility, two mental abilities that can be fostered by positive action. How can anyone cry about this community not being optimistic when our current leaders want us to just stand still? The world is passing by. We better start running or we'll never catch up to it!!!

Harry Hipps for Hickory City Council Website

http://harryhippsforcouncil.blogspot.com/

The site shows that Harry is definitely more than a one-trick pony. I would also like other candidates, who want to display their platforms on the Hickory Hound, to do so. Right now is the time to hone ones political savvy.

I am willing to post any candidate'e platform and will not personally critique any of them. I want people to be able to compare and contrast any candidate. Fair evaluations of political dialogue lead to better governance.

The Relevant Issue: 34,294 JOBS lost since July 2000 in the Unifour

This is a statistical abstract of population and employment statistics in this area. Some estimated extrapolations have had to be assumed. The numbers show the following details.

Unifour - In June 1990 56% of the Unifour's population was employed. As of May, only 39.5% of the same population is working. The Unifour area's population stood at 293,489 in January 1990 and it is estimated to currently be 369,033. The population has increased 25.7% during this time period.

In July 2000 there were 180,176 people working in the Unifour area. As of May, 145,882 people were working in the Metro area. Employment = Jobs and this shows that the Metro area has shed 34,294 jobs in the 8 year 10 month period. In February 2001, the Unifour's Workforce Population maxed out at 187,409 and current numbers stand at 172,426, which shows that the workforce has shrunk by 14,893 people. The Unifour has lost 8.7% of its workforce and 23.5% of it's jobs from it's peak.

Catawba - In June 1990 58.58% of the Catawba County's population was employed. As of May, only 40.12% of the same population is working. Catawba County's population stood at 118,945 in January 1990 and it is estimated to currently be 161,200. The population has increased 35.5% during this time period.

In June 2000 there were 78,540 people working in Catawba County. As of May, 64,679 people were working in the county. The county has shed 13,861 jobs in the 8 year 11 month period. In February 2001, the Catawba's Workforce Population maxed out at 82,245 and current numbers stand at 76,543, which shows that the workforce has shrunk by 5,702 people. Catawba County has lost 7.4% of its workforce and 21.4% of it's jobs from it's peak.

Caldwell - In June 1990 55.8% of the Caldwell County's population was employed. As of May, only 39.85% of the same population is working. Caldwell County's population stood at 70,846 in January 1990 and it is estimated to currently be 80,267. The population has increased 13.3% during this time period.

In July 2000 there were 41,430 people working in Caldwell County. As of May, 31,985 people were working in the county. The county has shed 9,445 jobs in the 8 year 10 month period. In January 2001, the Caldwell's Workforce Population maxed out at 45,053 and current numbers stand at 37,897, which shows that the workforce has shrunk by 5,156 people. Caldwell County has lost 13.6% of its workforce and 33.6% of it's jobs from it's peak.

Alexander - In June 1990 56.86% of the Alexander County's population was employed. As of May, only 41.41% of the same population is working. Alexander County's population stood at 27,652 in January 1990 and it is estimated to currently be 37,333. This shows population has increased 35% during this time period.

In July 2000 there were 18,960 people working in Alexander County. As of May, 15,461 people were working in the county. The county has shed 3,499 jobs in the 8 year 10 month period. In February 2001, the Alexander's Workforce Population maxed out at 19,578 and current numbers stand at 18,319, which shows that the workforce has shrunk by 1,259 people. Alexander County has lost 6.9% of its workforce and 22.6% of it's jobs from it's peak.

Burke- In September 1990 52.42% of the Burke County's population was employed. As of May, only 37.41% of the same population is working. Burke County's population stood at 76,046 in January 1990 and it is estimated to currently be 90,233. This shows the population has increased 18.7% during this time period.

In July 2000 there were 41,258 people working in Burke County. As of May, 33,757 people were working in the county. The county has shed 7,501 jobs in the 8 year 10 month period. In January 2001, Burke's Workforce Population maxed out at 43,053 and current numbers stand at 39,667, which shows that the workforce has shrunk by 3,386 people. Burke County has lost 8.5% of its workforce and 22.2% of it's jobs from it's peak.

The Hound's take: If we look at the numbers, we see across the board job losses in all 4 counties. Caldwell has taken the brunt of the hits and this is due to its major losses of several Furniture manufacturers over the last decade. The bottom line shows that we have lost 1 out of 5 jobs in the area.

The local governments have done an excellent job of keeping costs of services in order and taxes low, but unless we soon see a very drastic turnaround, taxes are going to have to be raised or services are going to have to be slashed. The recession means that we are going to see a reduction in sales tax revenues coming into local governmental coffers. Unemployed people do not spend money and also fewer people are coming to the area to buy furniture at local shops, as we have all seen in the past. We are also going to see less property tax revenue contributions from commercial and industrial properties, because so many companies have gone out of business and so many commercial properties are now sitting vacant. Yes, the local government has kept your tax rate low, but this ought to show you that they can't honestly tell you that they are going to be able to keep doing that.

My fear is that Hickory is becoming irrelevant. As I have stated before, we have so much to offer, but we aren't focused on the most important issue of the day -- JOBS. I do appreciate what Scott Millar has done with the Economic Development Corporation, but so much more needs to be done and Scott can't do it all. I have also seen what Danny Hearn has done. The man is working his tail off to help our local struggling small businesses succeed, but he can't do it all either. We just can't continue to overload our hopes of recovery on these mens backs.

We have to change the game. We have to lay a foundation to bring innovation to this community. That is our only way out. It is my hope that we will see fresh new ideas brought to the forefront of these campaigns that will take place for the city council seats and Mayoral race over the next few months. We have to have people with open minds that are willing to accept the challenges, risk their reputations, and set their egos aside. The status quo is causing us to fall further and further behind.

Hickory is the center of the area and should be the driving force, but we now see Lenoir with Google, Maiden looks to be getting Apple, Newton has Target... where does this leave Hickory? In my opinion, the area would be better off with a robust Hickory, but slowly and surely it looks like Hickory is getting left in the dust. As businesses continue to locate all around us, it is becoming more and more apparent that the communities around us are letting us know that they don't need us. This city can no longer afford to arrogantly think that we are the straw that stirs the drink, because we no longer are. It is time to leave the state of denial and face the facts.

The question that needs to be asked of all of these candidates in this upcoming race: What are you going to do to get Hickory back on track before we become totally irrelevant?

Happy Birthday America!!!

WHKY Candidate Call-In on Hal Row's Show Monday Morning

I listened to Hal Row's First Talk show on Thursday morning and he said since there isn't going to be a City Council meeting, this week, that the Monday Morning meeting with the Mayor is being pushed back two weeks and he is going to allow candidates to call in and announce their candidacy for the upcoming election.

Hal stated that he wants to keep this show positive. He doesn't want people calling in to attack the other candidates. I agree with those ground rules. We need to find out why these people are running, what they represent, and what they are all about. In the economic quandary that this area finds itself in, this election should be about ideas, not personalities. If we want to run a popularity contest, then why don't we throw a beauty pageant?

I can't wait to hear this show and I hope that the followers of the Hound will take time out and listen to Hal's show on Monday morning. I believe the call-ins will start after the news and such of the 8 o'clock hour. This is a good start to what I hope will be a vigorous debate about the concepts and ideas needed to lead this area into the future. Kudos to Hal and WHKY for having enough foresight and care for our community to provide such a forum.

WHKY on the net

Wall St. Journal - The National U-6 Unemployment Rate hits 16.5%

Wall Street Journal Article - Broader Unemployment Rate Hit 16.5% in June

U-6 is total unemployed, plus all marginally attached workers, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all marginally attached workers.

Marginally attached workers are persons who currently are neither working nor looking for work but indicate that they want and are available for a job and have looked for work sometime in the recent past.

Hound - This is the number I am referring to when I say that Unemployment is 25% in the area. If one extrapolates the National versus the local Hickory Metro and Catawba County numbers, then it is impossible to deny that that 25% is a very realistic number.

I heard someone the other day say that the great depression wasn't so bad for those that had a job. By listening to what politicians are saying today, and the decisions they are making, it sure does look like we are repeating history, doesn't it?

(National U6 / National U3) * Local U3 = Local U6
( 16.5 / 9.5 ) * 15.5 = 26.92%