On Wednesday, September 30, 2009, I travelled with a group of Hickory Professionals and citizens to NC State's Centennial Campus. I came away from the experience, as I am sure many others did, realizing that it is imperative that we establish a foundational relationship with NC State if we expect to continue hosting jobs in the manufacturing sector. And this community is going to have to get serious about this relationship.
We arrived at the campus around 10:15am and were taken to the Monteith Research Center where we went into a huge conference room. During the opening statement we were told that Catawba County had hosted Centennial campus officials recently to discuss Technologies, Discoveries, and R&D that might be manufactured in Catawba County. The Partnership would possibly be with the Manufacturing Solutions Center on Highway 70 at the old Ryan's Steak House. There could be partnerships, ties, and referrals between the two. There may even be an office on the Centennial Campus. Appalachian State's Millennial Campus could possibly be built in Catawba County because there is no room to build it in Boone. Each University in the UNC system is permitted to build this type of campus and they don't have to be located at that University.
Dennis Kekas gave us an overview of what Centennial campus is all about. NC State has over 33,000 students. The campus was started 25 years ago. The entire college of Engineering, the 4th largest in the nation at 8,400 students, will be brought to the Centennial Campus. The Textile College is currently located on this campus, as well as the College of Veterinary Medicine. There are appropriated buildings paid for by tax payer revenues, University buildings built through the issuance of bonds, suite buildings built through public-private partnerships, and Private Developer buildings that revert back to the University after a number of years.
The Campus encompasses 1,250 acres. The Centennial campus was designed to create exceptions the Umstead Act. The Umstead Act is North Carolina General Statute Legislation that was designed to keep the State from competing unfairly with Private Enterprises. Centennial Campus Ground Rents flow into a trust fund to keep funds perpetuating infrastructure. In 2007, it was ranked the #1 research park in the world, but it is part of the fabric of NC State University. This model focuses on clusters and partnering.
Mr. Kekas went over a lot of technology involved in this campus and its various projects.
Genevieve Garland, Director of Marketing and Business Development, gave us a tour of the Nonwoven Research Center. This was a brief tour where we learned about research into nonwoven textiles being done on the centennial campus. Dan St. Louis stated that this research has a direct impact on what is being done in Catawba county at the Manufacturing Solutions Center. Lab Techs from the State run the machines, but companies bring scientist and technicians and tell them exactly what they want the technicians to do. The Center also helps companies with product development. Nonwovens are generally used in medicine, cosmetics, and hygiene products; but there are other uses such as filters. Companies she mentioned were Exxon, Johnson & Johnson, and Proctor & Gamble. Green, Sustainable, and Reusable materials can be used in all of these products.
Next, we learned about two sectors of the Green Economy that Centennial Campus is working hard to develop with Public-Private Partnerships
Mark Johnson, Professor of Materials Science Engineering, gave a detailed explanation of the smart Grid. There is a direct connection between the University and Long Term Economic Development and Growth. What this program has done is develop people. The problem is connecting energy resources. The Smart Grid updates a century old technology. The current power grids value is over $1 trillion. New technology needs to be injected into an electrical grid that really has changed very little over 100 years.
Currently, the power lines aren't networked to the electrical control station. One of the necessities in creating a more efficient electrical grid is to have the electrical user (House, business, etc.) be able to communicate with the electrical control station. This creates a network multiplier effect, where it is easier to share the electrical power. This is called the FREEDM system (Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management Systems Center). Instead of having a centralized generation system, it will become a distributive (sharing) system. NC State is a National Science Foundation Gen-III Engineering Research Center.
There will be a lot of opportunities in development and manufacturing of these technologies. One of the issues that Dr. Johnson addressed was the fact that energy can't be stored, so we need this interactivity so that the central stations aren't overproducing energy. The result of that overproduction, of course, leads to waste. One of his summations is that electric cars will be used to store energy in their batteries, which will also help efficiency of the power grid. He stated that estimates say we are losing 50% of our generated power. 15% of our energy capital is going to satisfy 1% of time, to keep the system reliable.
Wade Fulghum, North Carolina Solar Center, Program Manager in Economic Development, gave a presentation about Solar Technology. The aim is to increase the deployment of renewable energy towards a sustainable economy. Climate Change is one of the drivers of the economy.
How do energy sources and types compare and what can we do to address these issues. Global demand needs 17 terawatts of new energy by 2020 to maintain the way we are living. Solar can generate 60 terawatts by this time. Mr. Fulghum went over an array of Federal and State credits that have been instituted this year to induce people to use solar. (Solar Center Wins NC Green Business Fund Award).
Tom White, Director of the Economic Development Partnership addressed us about the Economics of the Centennial Campus and the various partnerships that have been created with Private Industry. Mr. White talked about Clusters (and Cluster Development) and stated that they do work. That is what the Centennial campus is based upon. He mentioned Glaxo-Smith-Kline and the Research Triangle Park. He talked about dislocated workers learning new skills.
There is a middle school on the Centennial Campus and these students are performing internships on campus. Those students can take what they learn back to the classroom. He stated that, by in large, kids enter the 6th grade fairly well motivated. They make positive or negative decisions about their personal education before they get to High School.
Deutsche Bank is placing an IT center in Cary and they want to be able to utilize NC State's Brain Power. Credit Suisse and Fidelity Investments already have this kind of relationship with the School. He was talking about thousands of jobs being created. He also stated they are looking into developing Cluster relationships with Pharmaceutical and Biotech companies. A lot of innovation is coming from NC State and companies are buying these start-ups. He stated that Catawba County has all of the institutional mechanisms with the WPCOG and our Community Colleges to create this environment.
Next, we went on a tour of the Biotechnology Training and Education Center (BTEC). We took a tour of the facility and saw how students train using standard practices that they will utilize when they enter the biotech workforce. The facility practices research and development, but does not do actual research and development. Except for the ventilation system, the set up is the same as you would find in modern industry, except on a smaller scale.
Our last presentation of the day was delivered by Buster Knox, Director of the Industrial Extension Services at NC State University. The IES has been in existence since 1955. They want to create an economic impact with businesses in North Carolina. They do a lot of on-site facilitation and demonstration of "Best Practices." Two concepts of manufacturing he mentioned that IES tries to help companies implement are Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma.
Mr. Knox stated that all companies want to achieve better cost, better quality, and better delivery. He stated that companies need to take care of their people and become involved with the community. They are currently doing events called "Manufacturing Matters."
What the Hound learned from this experience. The people at NC State want to partner with us. They want to help us. They seemed very open and enthusiastic about the prospect of facilitating a partnership in this area in any way that they can. Mr. Kekas says we should do a SWOT analysis and figure out how a Cluster Development can work for us.
If we look at this logically, we can see that we have a plethora of options, because of the UNC higher education system. Having the ASU presence helps to efficiently facilitate a lot of options, but we aren't locked into what ASU currently offers. We can look at whomever offers whatever and go from there. I am sure there are graduates of most, if not all, of the Campuses in the UNC system, and all we need to do is reach out and create partnerships that will grow moving forward.
The people that attended these events, evaluated these processes over the following 2 days and I will continue forward with articles about those meetings held at CVCC, last Thursday and Friday, over the next few days.
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Sunday, October 4, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
All is not Lost - Catawba County Intra-City Visit and Economic Revitalization Conference
There is Human capital in this area that can make the difference. We have to give people the tools to achieve our dreams.
I am going to write down the specifics about this three day event over the next couple of days, but I want the average people who read this blog to understand that their are a lot of people in this community that care about the plight of this community. There are people like myself who are dismayed about what they see, some of them are clueless about the paradigms and prerequisites they have set forth in addressing the Malaise, but in the end I believe those people can be brought to the table of openness, knowledge, and comprehensive understanding.
I know that what I saw and heard over the last three days has helped me on the context of some issues. I will readily admit that I don't have all of the answers and I am willing to listen to anyone.
I never had a preference for Kool-Aid and I believe that some of our local leaders are trying to force feed us Kool-Aid and it is really upsetting a lot of people in this community. I promise you, not one presentation that was made during these three days was from a purveyor of Kool-Aid. So over the next few days as I go over the summary of notes, contexts, and messages that were presented during this event, I think that you will see that there is a way out of this economic mess that we are in.
I am going to go over the events of the last three days chronologically and this will show you the people who are difference makers and will play a vital role in this community's renaissance, the valuable things that they said over the past three days, and the relevance of what was said to the plight of today versus what we have to do to achieve the vision of tomorrow that we all want to see.
I am going to write down the specifics about this three day event over the next couple of days, but I want the average people who read this blog to understand that their are a lot of people in this community that care about the plight of this community. There are people like myself who are dismayed about what they see, some of them are clueless about the paradigms and prerequisites they have set forth in addressing the Malaise, but in the end I believe those people can be brought to the table of openness, knowledge, and comprehensive understanding.
I know that what I saw and heard over the last three days has helped me on the context of some issues. I will readily admit that I don't have all of the answers and I am willing to listen to anyone.
I never had a preference for Kool-Aid and I believe that some of our local leaders are trying to force feed us Kool-Aid and it is really upsetting a lot of people in this community. I promise you, not one presentation that was made during these three days was from a purveyor of Kool-Aid. So over the next few days as I go over the summary of notes, contexts, and messages that were presented during this event, I think that you will see that there is a way out of this economic mess that we are in.
I am going to go over the events of the last three days chronologically and this will show you the people who are difference makers and will play a vital role in this community's renaissance, the valuable things that they said over the past three days, and the relevance of what was said to the plight of today versus what we have to do to achieve the vision of tomorrow that we all want to see.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Mind Blowing - The City's Mismanagement of the Hickory Regional Airport
The following article is written in collaboration with Joe Brannock, a third generation pilot, whose family has utilized Hickory Regional Airport's facilities for years, and who served as a member of the Hickory Regional Airport Task Force in 2006.
River Hawk Aviation is contracted by the City to provide aviation related services at the Hickory Regional Airport. Such a company is known in the aviation community as an FBO (Fixed Base Operator). At a minimum, most FBOs offer fuel and parking. FBOs, such as River Hawk, offer additional services such as hangar storage, maintenance, aircraft charter and rental, flight training, and ground services such as towing and baggage handling.
River Hawk became Hickory Regional Airport's FBO after merging with the prior FBO, Profile Aviation. Due to several questionable actions by Profile Aviation, a mistrustful relationship developed between the City and that FBO. In 2007, Profile "merged" with River Hawk unannounced and unexpectedly. This "merger" was questioned by the City. The City retained aviation attorney Frank Newton to advise on the matter. Against counsel's advice, the City decided to recognize River Hawk as the proper FBO service provider.
Around the Spring of 2008, the City approached River Hawk with the intent of renegotiating the Concession Agreement (the contract between the City and the FBO) under which the previous FBO had operated, and the same contract under which River Hawk had been operating, and planned to continue to operate. This Concession Agreement called for roughly $120,000 per year to be paid by the FBO to the City in concession fees.
Under the City's new contract, the concession fee was increased by roughly $60,000, bringing the fee up to $180,000 per year. On top of this set fee was also placed a "floating" fee. A benchmark was established taking into account the current tax base at the airport. Aircraft owners that base (park) their aircraft at the airport pay a property tax on the value of the aircraft. If River Hawk added to this tax base (i.e. attracted more aircraft to be based in HKY) the "floating" fee would decrease. As the tax based decreased, this fee would again increase; to be capped at $75,000. So, it would be to the FBO's benefit to get more aircraft to make Hickory their base of operations.
The FBO hesitantly went along with this newly devised fee plan in an effort to reconcile their contentious relationship with the City which was inherited from the previous FBO. Bottom line is this, the concession fee was increased by over 100%. Is this something the City should have done to a local business in these economic times?
The City has repeatedly acknowledged its pleasure with the job the FBO is doing at the airport. In fact, over the first 18 months of operations, the FBO was able to attract 17 new aircraft to re-locate to Hickory. This equates to nearly $40 million of new tax base. Nowhere in the city is this level of growth even possible. The FBO spent over $100,000 to achieve this type of growth. The City receives nearly $80,000 in increased tax revenue, due solely to the FBO's efforts.
By increasing the tax base, the FBO's "floating" fee was nearly zeroed out. However, look at it this way. It cost River Hawk $100,000+ in order to save $75,000 - all the while the City benefits $80,000.
Due to the increased fees and the overall economic downturn that hit the aviation industry, over time the FBO defaulted on its commitment to the City. In short, the FBO was unable to make their scheduled concession fee payments to the City in full. After several months of default, the City formally put the FBO on notice and began legal proceedings. The FBO rectified the default by the deadline set by the City.
Recognizing the current economic conditions and likely forecasts, the FBO approached the City regarding plans to grow the company and expand its presence at the airport. This basically meant building more hangars in order to attract new customer base and to accommodate those already placed on a waiting list for hangar space. This would help the FBO increase its revenue streams and the side benefit is that this would also increase the City's tax base. In short, the City denied the FBO's request to expand. As a counter, the FBO proposed the City build the additional hangar(s) that the FBO would market/manage on the City's behalf. Again, this proposal was also rejected.
Here's the catch. In order to build additional hangar(s), Runway 1/19 would need to be closed. In fact, on Nov. 20, 2007, Council voted to close this very runway, but held off on the final step of closure until a "viable economic opportunity" presented itself. Does the fact that there is currently NO available hangar space coupled with the FBO's willingness to invest its own capital in airport development not constitute the "viable economic opportunity" required by the motion passed by City Council?
The FBO is not the first entity to request permission to build hangars at the airport. Within the past two years other pilots and nationally recognized pilot associations have presented Council with development plans. All proposals have been summarily rejected. Why?
Why the need for more land development? The answer is simple. We're out of space. Moreover, there is a waiting list for hangar space right now. What happens if this development does not happen? Again, the simple answer is this; we will begin losing tax base.
A locally based corporation that currently bases its aircraft fleet in Hickory is looking elsewhere to meet its need for more hangar space. This company has purchased an additional aircraft and is planning delivery of a second newly purchased aircraft next spring. Currently, these new purchases, totaling around $30 million of new tax base, are not slated to be based in Hickory. If this need for additional hangar space is not met in Hickory, it will be met by another airport. Not only will these newly acquired aircraft not be based here, but this company's aircraft that is based here will be moved as well. Not only will Hickory miss out on the $30 million of new purchases, but Hickory will lose the $20 million in aircraft assets that this company does base here due to this company's desire and need to hangar its entire fleet at the same airport. That's around $50 million worth of tax base that the City is willing to literally let fly away.
Conversely, by direct investment or allowing third party investment in our airport, we not only retain our current tax base, but we would see immediate returns of an increasing tax base by attracting new flight operations.
The "opportunity cost" to this type of gain is this - we lose a runway. What the City will not tell the public is that Runway 1/19 will be closed within the next 5 years regardless of the City's actions. NCDOT will only fund the upkeep on the primary runway, Runway 6/24. Due to the low traffic volume, the State will not fund secondary runways. Without proper maintenance, the FAA will close Runway 1/19. To prevent this, the City will have to shoulder 100% of the re-paving costs. Simply put, the City cannot afford to do this.
So this is the choice; be pro-active and close the runway now while there is someone willing, ready, and able to invest and develop the newly available land; or sit back and wait for the FAA to mandate the closure of Runway 1/19. By that time there conceivably will not be an FBO or other entity able to develop the land. Moreover, the cost of development now would be less than future costs.
As it happens, the City's Airport Task Force recommended to Council the need for land that has the potential for development. Unfortunately, after studying this issue for nine months, the conclusion was that aside from Runway 1/19, there was no available land for potential, immediate development. Moreover, the City hired a consulting firm that developed a plan and recommended the closure of this runway. This plan was presented at a public meeting held at the airport.
By the way, whatever happened to the Airport Task Force's report? Well, it was "unanamously received" by Council. No other action was taken. In fact, the case can be made that the City not only has ignored the report's recommendations, but has actually proceeded to act contrary to the report. Let's see, the City forms a committee to study an issue only to ignore any recommendations presented. Sadly, that seems par for how the City of Hickory operates.
The truth of Hickory's Regional Airport is this; it is the crown jewel of regional airports in Western NC. Aside from Charlotte and Greensboro, no other airport in Western NC has the amenities that Hickory can offer. Does this sound familiar?
Hickory was at the summit of another economic sector not too long ago - manufacturing. We had fiber optics, textiles, and furniture. We reached the top of the mountain and we sat there simply enjoying the view. Before we knew it though, it all disappeared. We went from sitting on the highest of mountains to finding ourselves in the lowest of valleys. All the while we wondered how did this happen? The very same thing is poised to happen again. This time, however, it will be with an aviation spin.
Hickory has an ILS (instrument landing system), we have the longest runway of any airport of comparable size, we have an FAA certified Part 145 maintenance facility, and we have the only Air Traffic Control Tower from Charlotte to Asheville. So what do we have to fear? This.....
Ten years ago Statesville did not have an ILS. Today they do. Statesville also extended their runway within the past five years in an effort to better compete with Hickory. Statesville also pro-actively closed their secondary runway. What's located there now? Only a dozen flight operations belonging to NASCAR race teams and a little home improvement company called Lowe's! Moreover, inside of five years Statesville will also have a control tower. Lincoln County is currently in a building frenzy at their airport. They too have plans of installing an ILS system in the near future. Why? They are planning for future growth.
Interesting little tidbit...Hickory currently has two runways. We used to have three runways. So what happened? Well, when the City closed the third runway - wait for it - development happened! Hangars were built, and new aircraft were based at Hickory, new jobs were created and the City's tax base grew. At every airport where a secondary runway has been closed, increased economic growth has followed.
Without strategic planning, Hickory will be eclipsed by Statesville and Lincolnton in aviation terms; just as we were made nearly irrelevant in terms of textiles/furniture/fiber optics.
Lastly consider this, if the City is blocking a local company from investing in Hickory (at the airport) and the City is not willing to invest in its own airport, then why should anyone else invest in Hickory? Moreover, why should we as citizens invest in our current city leadership?
River Hawk Aviation is contracted by the City to provide aviation related services at the Hickory Regional Airport. Such a company is known in the aviation community as an FBO (Fixed Base Operator). At a minimum, most FBOs offer fuel and parking. FBOs, such as River Hawk, offer additional services such as hangar storage, maintenance, aircraft charter and rental, flight training, and ground services such as towing and baggage handling.
River Hawk became Hickory Regional Airport's FBO after merging with the prior FBO, Profile Aviation. Due to several questionable actions by Profile Aviation, a mistrustful relationship developed between the City and that FBO. In 2007, Profile "merged" with River Hawk unannounced and unexpectedly. This "merger" was questioned by the City. The City retained aviation attorney Frank Newton to advise on the matter. Against counsel's advice, the City decided to recognize River Hawk as the proper FBO service provider.
Around the Spring of 2008, the City approached River Hawk with the intent of renegotiating the Concession Agreement (the contract between the City and the FBO) under which the previous FBO had operated, and the same contract under which River Hawk had been operating, and planned to continue to operate. This Concession Agreement called for roughly $120,000 per year to be paid by the FBO to the City in concession fees.
Under the City's new contract, the concession fee was increased by roughly $60,000, bringing the fee up to $180,000 per year. On top of this set fee was also placed a "floating" fee. A benchmark was established taking into account the current tax base at the airport. Aircraft owners that base (park) their aircraft at the airport pay a property tax on the value of the aircraft. If River Hawk added to this tax base (i.e. attracted more aircraft to be based in HKY) the "floating" fee would decrease. As the tax based decreased, this fee would again increase; to be capped at $75,000. So, it would be to the FBO's benefit to get more aircraft to make Hickory their base of operations.
The FBO hesitantly went along with this newly devised fee plan in an effort to reconcile their contentious relationship with the City which was inherited from the previous FBO. Bottom line is this, the concession fee was increased by over 100%. Is this something the City should have done to a local business in these economic times?
The City has repeatedly acknowledged its pleasure with the job the FBO is doing at the airport. In fact, over the first 18 months of operations, the FBO was able to attract 17 new aircraft to re-locate to Hickory. This equates to nearly $40 million of new tax base. Nowhere in the city is this level of growth even possible. The FBO spent over $100,000 to achieve this type of growth. The City receives nearly $80,000 in increased tax revenue, due solely to the FBO's efforts.
By increasing the tax base, the FBO's "floating" fee was nearly zeroed out. However, look at it this way. It cost River Hawk $100,000+ in order to save $75,000 - all the while the City benefits $80,000.
Due to the increased fees and the overall economic downturn that hit the aviation industry, over time the FBO defaulted on its commitment to the City. In short, the FBO was unable to make their scheduled concession fee payments to the City in full. After several months of default, the City formally put the FBO on notice and began legal proceedings. The FBO rectified the default by the deadline set by the City.
Recognizing the current economic conditions and likely forecasts, the FBO approached the City regarding plans to grow the company and expand its presence at the airport. This basically meant building more hangars in order to attract new customer base and to accommodate those already placed on a waiting list for hangar space. This would help the FBO increase its revenue streams and the side benefit is that this would also increase the City's tax base. In short, the City denied the FBO's request to expand. As a counter, the FBO proposed the City build the additional hangar(s) that the FBO would market/manage on the City's behalf. Again, this proposal was also rejected.
Here's the catch. In order to build additional hangar(s), Runway 1/19 would need to be closed. In fact, on Nov. 20, 2007, Council voted to close this very runway, but held off on the final step of closure until a "viable economic opportunity" presented itself. Does the fact that there is currently NO available hangar space coupled with the FBO's willingness to invest its own capital in airport development not constitute the "viable economic opportunity" required by the motion passed by City Council?
The FBO is not the first entity to request permission to build hangars at the airport. Within the past two years other pilots and nationally recognized pilot associations have presented Council with development plans. All proposals have been summarily rejected. Why?
Why the need for more land development? The answer is simple. We're out of space. Moreover, there is a waiting list for hangar space right now. What happens if this development does not happen? Again, the simple answer is this; we will begin losing tax base.
A locally based corporation that currently bases its aircraft fleet in Hickory is looking elsewhere to meet its need for more hangar space. This company has purchased an additional aircraft and is planning delivery of a second newly purchased aircraft next spring. Currently, these new purchases, totaling around $30 million of new tax base, are not slated to be based in Hickory. If this need for additional hangar space is not met in Hickory, it will be met by another airport. Not only will these newly acquired aircraft not be based here, but this company's aircraft that is based here will be moved as well. Not only will Hickory miss out on the $30 million of new purchases, but Hickory will lose the $20 million in aircraft assets that this company does base here due to this company's desire and need to hangar its entire fleet at the same airport. That's around $50 million worth of tax base that the City is willing to literally let fly away.
Conversely, by direct investment or allowing third party investment in our airport, we not only retain our current tax base, but we would see immediate returns of an increasing tax base by attracting new flight operations.
The "opportunity cost" to this type of gain is this - we lose a runway. What the City will not tell the public is that Runway 1/19 will be closed within the next 5 years regardless of the City's actions. NCDOT will only fund the upkeep on the primary runway, Runway 6/24. Due to the low traffic volume, the State will not fund secondary runways. Without proper maintenance, the FAA will close Runway 1/19. To prevent this, the City will have to shoulder 100% of the re-paving costs. Simply put, the City cannot afford to do this.
So this is the choice; be pro-active and close the runway now while there is someone willing, ready, and able to invest and develop the newly available land; or sit back and wait for the FAA to mandate the closure of Runway 1/19. By that time there conceivably will not be an FBO or other entity able to develop the land. Moreover, the cost of development now would be less than future costs.
As it happens, the City's Airport Task Force recommended to Council the need for land that has the potential for development. Unfortunately, after studying this issue for nine months, the conclusion was that aside from Runway 1/19, there was no available land for potential, immediate development. Moreover, the City hired a consulting firm that developed a plan and recommended the closure of this runway. This plan was presented at a public meeting held at the airport.
By the way, whatever happened to the Airport Task Force's report? Well, it was "unanamously received" by Council. No other action was taken. In fact, the case can be made that the City not only has ignored the report's recommendations, but has actually proceeded to act contrary to the report. Let's see, the City forms a committee to study an issue only to ignore any recommendations presented. Sadly, that seems par for how the City of Hickory operates.
The truth of Hickory's Regional Airport is this; it is the crown jewel of regional airports in Western NC. Aside from Charlotte and Greensboro, no other airport in Western NC has the amenities that Hickory can offer. Does this sound familiar?
Hickory was at the summit of another economic sector not too long ago - manufacturing. We had fiber optics, textiles, and furniture. We reached the top of the mountain and we sat there simply enjoying the view. Before we knew it though, it all disappeared. We went from sitting on the highest of mountains to finding ourselves in the lowest of valleys. All the while we wondered how did this happen? The very same thing is poised to happen again. This time, however, it will be with an aviation spin.
Hickory has an ILS (instrument landing system), we have the longest runway of any airport of comparable size, we have an FAA certified Part 145 maintenance facility, and we have the only Air Traffic Control Tower from Charlotte to Asheville. So what do we have to fear? This.....
Ten years ago Statesville did not have an ILS. Today they do. Statesville also extended their runway within the past five years in an effort to better compete with Hickory. Statesville also pro-actively closed their secondary runway. What's located there now? Only a dozen flight operations belonging to NASCAR race teams and a little home improvement company called Lowe's! Moreover, inside of five years Statesville will also have a control tower. Lincoln County is currently in a building frenzy at their airport. They too have plans of installing an ILS system in the near future. Why? They are planning for future growth.
Interesting little tidbit...Hickory currently has two runways. We used to have three runways. So what happened? Well, when the City closed the third runway - wait for it - development happened! Hangars were built, and new aircraft were based at Hickory, new jobs were created and the City's tax base grew. At every airport where a secondary runway has been closed, increased economic growth has followed.
Without strategic planning, Hickory will be eclipsed by Statesville and Lincolnton in aviation terms; just as we were made nearly irrelevant in terms of textiles/furniture/fiber optics.
Lastly consider this, if the City is blocking a local company from investing in Hickory (at the airport) and the City is not willing to invest in its own airport, then why should anyone else invest in Hickory? Moreover, why should we as citizens invest in our current city leadership?
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
There Will Be No Debate in Hickory!!!
Harry Hipps informed me on Sunday afternoon that there was not going to be a debate held involving the candidates for the two ward seats contested in this years Hickory City Election. He stated that there will only be a forum sponsored by the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce at the Catawba Country Club in which candidates from throughout Catawba County will basically meet and have a chat with Chamber of Commerce members.
I didn't believe this was true and I thought it was all a misunderstanding. Well Harry called me back on Monday Morning and informed me that his initial understanding was correct.
Two years ago I went to an actual debate that was held at the Chamber of Commerce when Brad Lail and Danny Seaver were challenged and there was an audience and it was open to the public - Bruce Meisner wasn't there, because he wasn't challenged. All of the candidates made opening and closing statements and people were allowed to ask questions and the candidates answered the questions and it was reported in the Newspaper. It was called a forum, it was advertised to the public, and it could not be construed as anything other than an actual debate. The place was packed with every seat taken and some people having to stand. How would this time be any different? I bet more people would show up this time.
This thing being set up this go around is not conducive to finding out where anyone stands on anything. Every candidate for every race in the county is supposed to be there and it only lasts two hours. So that means there are supposed to be 50+ candidates confined to a 120 minute time period to discuss issues. You know, that is hardly enough time to sneeze much less talk about the real issues this area faces. Why would anyone from Hickory need to know how someone from say Catawba feels about an issue?
This is just a Good Ole Boy dog and pony show, where people who know one another, from the clique, are going to stand around have cocktails, nibble on some snacks, pat each other on the back and tell one another how great they are -- and it is appropriately being held at the Country Club.
That type of event has its place, but it is no substitute for a debate. Debates, and discussing issues, in an open setting before the public at large is what this country was founded on. I'm sure you read about the Lincoln-Douglas debates when they used to actually teach U.S. History. Like Mayor Wright said at the Patrick McHenry town hall meeting, "Let's show them that we can do things right in this community." Amen!!! I agree 100% - A discussion of the issues with proper decorum. Isn't that what America is all about?
This is just a sad situation. Harry Hipps, Hank Guess, and/or Larry Pope deserve to be heard by the people of this community and not by methods that carry prohibitive costs (ie TV, Radio, and Newspaper Advertising). Jill Patton and Z.Anne Hoyle have had years of representation on City Council to let us know where they stand. Do these challengers, for those positions, not deserve a two-hour public forum to compare and contrast what they have to offer versus these incumbents, especially in the serious times that we are living in.
Is this all a set-up? Are the Powers That Be, in this city, trying to keep this election under wraps, just to ensure that extra level of control of outcome? It would take some truly small-minded people to think that such a form of governance, as this, could be effective and not have negative consequences over the long haul. Is this part of the "All of One Mind" strategy?
Harry is seeking alternative methods to discuss the challenges that our city faces and how he would address these issues. He challenges Mrs. Patton to a discussion of the issues anytime, any place, and anywhere. He stated to me that he is going to get his message out one way or another. He would like to be able to do it in a traditional manner, but now he may have to go to truly alternative means. Chut-Oh.
Harry Hipps for Council - 21st Century Leadership for the People of Hickory!!!
I didn't believe this was true and I thought it was all a misunderstanding. Well Harry called me back on Monday Morning and informed me that his initial understanding was correct.
Two years ago I went to an actual debate that was held at the Chamber of Commerce when Brad Lail and Danny Seaver were challenged and there was an audience and it was open to the public - Bruce Meisner wasn't there, because he wasn't challenged. All of the candidates made opening and closing statements and people were allowed to ask questions and the candidates answered the questions and it was reported in the Newspaper. It was called a forum, it was advertised to the public, and it could not be construed as anything other than an actual debate. The place was packed with every seat taken and some people having to stand. How would this time be any different? I bet more people would show up this time.
This thing being set up this go around is not conducive to finding out where anyone stands on anything. Every candidate for every race in the county is supposed to be there and it only lasts two hours. So that means there are supposed to be 50+ candidates confined to a 120 minute time period to discuss issues. You know, that is hardly enough time to sneeze much less talk about the real issues this area faces. Why would anyone from Hickory need to know how someone from say Catawba feels about an issue?
This is just a Good Ole Boy dog and pony show, where people who know one another, from the clique, are going to stand around have cocktails, nibble on some snacks, pat each other on the back and tell one another how great they are -- and it is appropriately being held at the Country Club.
That type of event has its place, but it is no substitute for a debate. Debates, and discussing issues, in an open setting before the public at large is what this country was founded on. I'm sure you read about the Lincoln-Douglas debates when they used to actually teach U.S. History. Like Mayor Wright said at the Patrick McHenry town hall meeting, "Let's show them that we can do things right in this community." Amen!!! I agree 100% - A discussion of the issues with proper decorum. Isn't that what America is all about?
This is just a sad situation. Harry Hipps, Hank Guess, and/or Larry Pope deserve to be heard by the people of this community and not by methods that carry prohibitive costs (ie TV, Radio, and Newspaper Advertising). Jill Patton and Z.Anne Hoyle have had years of representation on City Council to let us know where they stand. Do these challengers, for those positions, not deserve a two-hour public forum to compare and contrast what they have to offer versus these incumbents, especially in the serious times that we are living in.
Is this all a set-up? Are the Powers That Be, in this city, trying to keep this election under wraps, just to ensure that extra level of control of outcome? It would take some truly small-minded people to think that such a form of governance, as this, could be effective and not have negative consequences over the long haul. Is this part of the "All of One Mind" strategy?
Harry is seeking alternative methods to discuss the challenges that our city faces and how he would address these issues. He challenges Mrs. Patton to a discussion of the issues anytime, any place, and anywhere. He stated to me that he is going to get his message out one way or another. He would like to be able to do it in a traditional manner, but now he may have to go to truly alternative means. Chut-Oh.
Harry Hipps for Council - 21st Century Leadership for the People of Hickory!!!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
HDR Editorial - Give young people a chance to thrive
My editorial published in the Hickory Daily Record on 9/27/2009 and Context Below
Changing our Culture is as important as Education
In reading Lamar Mitchell’s contribution from September 22, 2009, I would like to provide a different perspective. Mr. Mitchell is preaching to the choir when he goes down the laundry list of reasons why kids should stay in school. But, I am here to bring you a truly teachable moment.
Our area has suffered economically for years and it cannot all be blamed on uneducated people. These people, who are already suffering, should not be treated like villains. They worked hard and played by the rules that our area lived by for generations. Local leaders did not stress education years ago. Cheap labor was the desire of Old Hickory ’s Culture and now we are paying the price for that Monoculture of Manufacturing Industries.
Who could not agree that having a 17%+ dropout rate in our community is disastrous, but what is even worse is the loss of the younger demographic in this area. Population numbers show that since 2000, the O-44 age bracket grew by a measly .38%, while the 45+ age bracket grew by 14.34%. The older generation grew 23 times faster than the younger generation. Does that seem healthy to you?
"Educational Attainment" statistics count people who have obtained a degree of higher education and are age 25 or older. If a young person goes to college, but does not stay in our area, then it hurts our Attainment statistics. Looking at results from ncreportcards.org show that area High School students are actually fairing quite well compared to NC averages. The question should be asked, what are we going to do to retain our best and brightest and entice the educated class to move to the Hickory area?
It is obvious to me that there is a lack of opportunity in this area for people with higher education. We have a real problem with job quality. Many people with Bachelor’s degrees (or higher) are vastly overqualified for what they do. Young graduates can wait tables, perform other menial labor, or leave town.
We have seen the Brain Drain in this community that is associated with a lack of understanding and compassion for what the citizens of this community have truly endured. If we are going to turn our plight around, then we are going to have to reconnect with the younger generations who can reinvigorate this community. We need to present college graduates with possibilities for internships, apprenticeships, and other specific opportunities to rebuild Hickory and start a Cultural Renaissance in this area.
Mr. Mitchell’s commentary once again has an area leader focusing on the negative. What does our plight have to do with Obama, Bush, or Perdue? Local leaders need to focus on transforming our area into a Cultural Bastion of Excellence, where young educated people can thrive. If this happens, I truly believe the drop-out rate, which has a lot to do with depression and despair, will soon begin to recede.
My Editorial was in Response to Lamar Mitchell's editorial, which is provided below:
The Hound believes in Knowledge and in what I wrote I am not arguing against people obtaining any form or level of Educational Attainment. What I am saying is that we need to look at what has led to the problem we see today. Furniture and Textile owners didn't care if people had diplomas. They wanted to teach people specific task oriented skills and then have them do it for the rest of their lives. In my opinion, they also didn't want people asking questions and daddburnit that is exactly what educated people do.
Today we live in a highly competitive global world that demands people who can think outside of the box, who are innovative, and can constantly figure out new ways to do things better. Old Hickory's culture did not want this. The ideal was to have an employee not think. Just work like a machine and don't ask questions. Now you have automated machines or cheap foreign labor to do those menial tasks. So the people brought up in that culture are now lost.
That being said we need to change the culture around here. Steve Ivester, who comes from a completely polar-opposite philosophy than myself on most issues, was the person who spoke of the Monoculture of Furniture, Textiles, and Cabling that did not demand education (Ivester audio link). Many of these people, who expected lesser educational attainment from the workforce, passed this philosophy down from generation to generation. How many of the business owners that are now fussing about our community's lack of educational attainment are the same people who had no problem hiring people with less than a high school education in the past. Where does such self-righteous indignation come from?
Let's face it, the people who are older than 50 are not going to go get their GED and is it realistic to expect them to do so at this point? Are those people not a major demographic in this community? Yes, we have to change our local culture and instill in our youngsters that they need their education, but we also need to find out why they would want to quit school, why they think they don't need their diploma, and figure out how we are going to address such a sad situation. I addressed this at the last city Council meeting, when Alder Jill Patton mentioned that she and the Mayor were at the Champions of Education meeting and it was a kickoff for 2012 that made a statement that businesses would not hire anyone without a High School Diploma or GED. Newsletter about the City Council meeting of September 15, 2009 (The whole summary is at the bottom of the article).
The bigger issue is the demographic issue shown in the chart below. I mentioned it in the article. The stats were extrapolated from this chart (Link stats below):
This is the article where I sum up this issue - The Younger Generation is the Key!!!
The Graphic below shows that our High School Educational rankings aren't that bad compared to North Carolina State averages (Link stats below):
This is the article where I sum up this issue - Our High Schools versus the State of North Carolina Averages.
The Hound believes we deserve more than canned answers and philosophies on the issues we face. I have faith that we can turn this area around, if everyone does their part. I have heard a lot of great things about the Champions of Education and what I wrote is not meant in any way to dismiss or slight their mission. I think we need to worry about the real issues we face and not waste an opportunity to address the true issues that our area faces in trying to right our Economic Ship.
I also encourage you to read - Hickory, Time to Put the Puzzle Together
Changing our Culture is as important as Education
In reading Lamar Mitchell’s contribution from September 22, 2009, I would like to provide a different perspective. Mr. Mitchell is preaching to the choir when he goes down the laundry list of reasons why kids should stay in school. But, I am here to bring you a truly teachable moment.
Our area has suffered economically for years and it cannot all be blamed on uneducated people. These people, who are already suffering, should not be treated like villains. They worked hard and played by the rules that our area lived by for generations. Local leaders did not stress education years ago. Cheap labor was the desire of Old Hickory ’s Culture and now we are paying the price for that Monoculture of Manufacturing Industries.
Who could not agree that having a 17%+ dropout rate in our community is disastrous, but what is even worse is the loss of the younger demographic in this area. Population numbers show that since 2000, the O-44 age bracket grew by a measly .38%, while the 45+ age bracket grew by 14.34%. The older generation grew 23 times faster than the younger generation. Does that seem healthy to you?
"Educational Attainment" statistics count people who have obtained a degree of higher education and are age 25 or older. If a young person goes to college, but does not stay in our area, then it hurts our Attainment statistics. Looking at results from ncreportcards.org show that area High School students are actually fairing quite well compared to NC averages. The question should be asked, what are we going to do to retain our best and brightest and entice the educated class to move to the Hickory area?
It is obvious to me that there is a lack of opportunity in this area for people with higher education. We have a real problem with job quality. Many people with Bachelor’s degrees (or higher) are vastly overqualified for what they do. Young graduates can wait tables, perform other menial labor, or leave town.
We have seen the Brain Drain in this community that is associated with a lack of understanding and compassion for what the citizens of this community have truly endured. If we are going to turn our plight around, then we are going to have to reconnect with the younger generations who can reinvigorate this community. We need to present college graduates with possibilities for internships, apprenticeships, and other specific opportunities to rebuild Hickory and start a Cultural Renaissance in this area.
Mr. Mitchell’s commentary once again has an area leader focusing on the negative. What does our plight have to do with Obama, Bush, or Perdue? Local leaders need to focus on transforming our area into a Cultural Bastion of Excellence, where young educated people can thrive. If this happens, I truly believe the drop-out rate, which has a lot to do with depression and despair, will soon begin to recede.
My Editorial was in Response to Lamar Mitchell's editorial, which is provided below:
The Hound believes in Knowledge and in what I wrote I am not arguing against people obtaining any form or level of Educational Attainment. What I am saying is that we need to look at what has led to the problem we see today. Furniture and Textile owners didn't care if people had diplomas. They wanted to teach people specific task oriented skills and then have them do it for the rest of their lives. In my opinion, they also didn't want people asking questions and daddburnit that is exactly what educated people do.
Today we live in a highly competitive global world that demands people who can think outside of the box, who are innovative, and can constantly figure out new ways to do things better. Old Hickory's culture did not want this. The ideal was to have an employee not think. Just work like a machine and don't ask questions. Now you have automated machines or cheap foreign labor to do those menial tasks. So the people brought up in that culture are now lost.
That being said we need to change the culture around here. Steve Ivester, who comes from a completely polar-opposite philosophy than myself on most issues, was the person who spoke of the Monoculture of Furniture, Textiles, and Cabling that did not demand education (Ivester audio link). Many of these people, who expected lesser educational attainment from the workforce, passed this philosophy down from generation to generation. How many of the business owners that are now fussing about our community's lack of educational attainment are the same people who had no problem hiring people with less than a high school education in the past. Where does such self-righteous indignation come from?
Let's face it, the people who are older than 50 are not going to go get their GED and is it realistic to expect them to do so at this point? Are those people not a major demographic in this community? Yes, we have to change our local culture and instill in our youngsters that they need their education, but we also need to find out why they would want to quit school, why they think they don't need their diploma, and figure out how we are going to address such a sad situation. I addressed this at the last city Council meeting, when Alder Jill Patton mentioned that she and the Mayor were at the Champions of Education meeting and it was a kickoff for 2012 that made a statement that businesses would not hire anyone without a High School Diploma or GED. Newsletter about the City Council meeting of September 15, 2009 (The whole summary is at the bottom of the article).
The bigger issue is the demographic issue shown in the chart below. I mentioned it in the article. The stats were extrapolated from this chart (Link stats below):
This is the article where I sum up this issue - The Younger Generation is the Key!!!
The Graphic below shows that our High School Educational rankings aren't that bad compared to North Carolina State averages (Link stats below):
This is the article where I sum up this issue - Our High Schools versus the State of North Carolina Averages.
The Hound believes we deserve more than canned answers and philosophies on the issues we face. I have faith that we can turn this area around, if everyone does their part. I have heard a lot of great things about the Champions of Education and what I wrote is not meant in any way to dismiss or slight their mission. I think we need to worry about the real issues we face and not waste an opportunity to address the true issues that our area faces in trying to right our Economic Ship.
I also encourage you to read - Hickory, Time to Put the Puzzle Together
Friday, September 25, 2009
1859 Cafe says Thank You to the People who cleaned the Property next door
1859 Cafe
This is the Follow-Up of the "Under Belly of Your City" video that I shot 18 days ago. I want people to see that I am not just looking to show the problems in this city. I also want people to see the solutions and this issue could not have been resolved without the help of Alex-Lee and I am sure that there were others involved behind the scenes. Jane Thanks You and I want to say thanks to everyone who played a role in cleaning this situation up. Below is a video that shows how the property has been revitalized.1859 Before the Clean-Up
If we can revitalize this piece of property in just 18 days to this extent, then I know that we can do the same with other blighted properties throughout this town. Please, let's show that we love our home and give it the respect and attention it deserves. Let's put our best foot forward. I truly believe this is a key to turning our Economic Fortunes around.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Working on a story that will blow your minds
That is the reason why I haven't put anything out in the last few days. I am sourcing, getting the I's dotted and T's crossed, but this one will bring out the full range of emotions in this community when it comes out, I assure you. So stay tuned.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy my editorial that will be out in the Hickory Daily Record in the next couple of days. I am going to allow them to publish it there before I do here. Again stay tuned so that I can further explain the meaning behind the commentary.
Thank You,
Thom
Anyway, I hope you enjoy my editorial that will be out in the Hickory Daily Record in the next couple of days. I am going to allow them to publish it there before I do here. Again stay tuned so that I can further explain the meaning behind the commentary.
Thank You,
Thom
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