John F. Kennedy speaks about the Evils of Secrecy - 48 years ago

This Prophetical speech was made by Kennedy in 1961. In my opinion, this is where we are today. A society where the 1st amendment and individual liberty are taking a back seat, where the press chooses not to report vital information that the public needs to make vital decisions, where important deals involving the public treasury are made behind closed doors, and where the goal of the government seems to be to shut down any ideas and/or communication that aren't consistent with their program.

Wake Up!!!

SNL spoof gets at the heart of the matter

Hickory and this year's Milken Statistics - (2008-2009)

The Milken Institute Statistics of the Best Performing Cities, for the past year, came out last week and I have looked over them. The numbers show that the Hickory metro improved very slightly. We are now ranked #185 out of the top 200 U.S. metros compared to #191 last year. Job growth and wage growth trends are still lousy, but High-Tech GDP output shot through the roof and shows to be an emerging trend.

Here are the rankings and trends since 2003:

Below is a presentation of Hickory's 2009 Milken rankings versus the rest of North Carolina:
What one sees is that the rest of North Carolina's Metro areas are coming back to the pack a little, but not severely. I would speculate that the one-year job growth trends are holding up in Raleigh, Durham, and Fayetteville, because of government jobs; everywhere else has trended down. Only Greensboro sees anything near the abysmal wage growth that we have here in the Hickory metro.

I would also venture to guess that Wilmington and Asheville are coming back to the pack, in the overall statistics, because the recession is having a negative impact on tourism, which is a major component of those area's economy.

The national trends show that 8 of the top 20 metros in the nation are in Texas. International trade with Mexico has had a major impact on the Texas economy, due to strategic location and the weakening dollar. On the negative side, out of the bottom 20 metro areas, 14 are in the Michigan-Indiana-Ohio corridor. That is a continuing trend that I have previously addressed, because Hickory is amongst these city's that are at the bottom of the statistics.

To get a good grasp on these statistics, you can look at the article Hickory - Time to put the Puzzle together. We can pretty much see that we are in the same position as we were last year, but we do see some promise in the infusion of monies related to the High-Tech sector. That is where the future lies and it looks like we are sowing the seeds towards that kind of future. That is promising.

I believe the key is the follow through. We have to make sure that these seeds are allowed to grow and we have to keep fertilizing them. I think energy and devotion towards these High-Tech goals are even more important than money. We all know what needs to be done, we just have to go do it.

Just some thoughts about Current Economic Realities

"A Truly Extraordinary Slump": Reports of Robust Recovery Premature, James Galbraith Says. I know, I know. The sky is falling is what I will be accused of; but it is not what I am espousing. I'm just saying that we all need to be prepared for some extraordinarily rough times.

This is my opinion. The realization of what is already known by many will be brought to fruition in March 2010. At that time is when the numbers will be reported for the last quarter of 2009. Retail Sales for Christmas season will be reported and they will be horrid. The third leg down on the Adjustable Rate Mortgage collapse will take place, as these rates are reset and more people default on these loans. Finally, the first wave of the Commercial Real Estate bubble will hit, because of the retail slump brought about by the terrible Christmas sales, which is the time of year when most retail stores come to profit.

It doesn't make sense that the U.S. treasury has printed all of this cheap money that the people of this nation aren't getting any of. All we hear about is this Healthcare bill that you better come to understand is going to go through. It will be passed in this Senate this Saturday (or after a show, at least by the end of the weekend), then it will be reconciled into a monstrosity, by agreement of both Houses of Congress, and it will not be good.

Where is the bottom in the Real Estate market? If there are 10 houses for sale around me and I decide I need to move to a place where there are jobs -or- I decide I can't afford my house anymore, how do I sell it? What do I get out of it? Look at Detroit and some of the places out West. They are selling houses for pennies on the dollar. It is a buyers market, but the banks aren't lending. A true conundrum indeed.

The worst part is that the Financiers are able to take the money that has been printed and borrow it at artificially low rates of interest, set by the Federal Reserve, and invest it in foreign countries for a profit - (From Reuters: the Carry Trade). So the Wall Streeters and Foreign entities are profiting on free money that we, the American people, are going to have to pay the price for. Will the Financiers pay the price for the collapse of this bubble? Do they ever?

I ain't no Chicken Little, the sky is not falling. But American Consumerism is on its death bed. I honestly believe that whatever way you can be thrifty, you better start practicing those habits, because we are in for a ride.

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of November 17, 2009

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

At the bottom right of this page under main information links is a Hickory's Local Government link. If you click on that link, it takes you to our city’s website, at the bottom of the page you will see the future dates for meetings scheduled for this year.

At the top of the page, if you click on the “Documents” link, you will find historic Agenda and Minutes links. Agendas show what is on the docket for the meeting of that date. The Minutes is an actual summary of the proceedings of the meeting of that date.

Here is a summary of the agenda of the 11/17/2009 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below

Invocation by Rev. Susan Smith of Exodus Ministries

Special Presentations:
A. Presentation of the North Carolina League of Municipalities Green Challenge Award Designating the City of Hickory as a Green Challenge Advanced Level Municipality. Mike Bennett made the presentation. The city earned this award by earning points for introducing green initiatives such as having an energy management position, an internal recycling program,a high density development land use plan, a tree preservation program, a water conservation campaign, and biodiesel and compressed natural gas vehicle usage.

B. Video Presentation of the Extensive Firefighter’s Training Recently Undergone by the City of Hickory Fire Department’s Newest Recruits. Deputy Chief George Byers made the presentationThis is the second largest graduating class of recruits in history. The approval of this grant came July 2, 2009. These extra people will allow the city to implement a second fully staffed ladder company. The firefighters are bound by core values of communication, innovation, and customer service. In June 2008 the grant was submitted and in January 2009 it was approved. There was a hiring process. The recruits came on board July 1, 2009 and 140 days later they have completed their recruiting. They graduate tomorrow. Article from the Hickory Daily Record.

With the grant the certifications for EMS, EMT, Basic Training, and Rescue Training has to ne done in 2 years, but it was done within the 140 days. Deputy Chief byers thanked Catawba Valley Community College and recognized Dr. Garrett Hinshaw and Tim Chewing for helping with funding and to get these people trained. He recognized Elaine Seaver also. I was stated that 14,960 hours were consumed to train these individuals.

Consent Agenda:
A. Adopt Resolution to Accept State Revolving Fund Loan for the Northeast Wastewater Treatment Plant Sewer Project in the Amount of $17,500,000 - The City of Hickory has been offered a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan for the Northeast Wastewater Treatment Plant (NEWWTP) project and has obtained permission from the North Carolina Local Government Commission to accept and utilize these funds. This is a 20 year loan at 2.5% interest.

B. Approve Application for the Use of Union Square by the Hickory Downtown Development Association for the “A Hickory Holiday” Event to be Held on December 10, 2009 from 5:30pm – 9pm

C. Approval of Fourth Annual “Food for Fines” Amnesty Week at the City Libraries From November 30 – December 6, 2009 - Staff requests that overdue fines be waived for library customers who donate canned food items at either of the City’s libraries during the week of November 30 - December 6, 2009. One can of donated food will cancel $1 in overdue fines and the donated items will be given to the Cooperative Christian Ministry. Last years’ event received over 1,000 food items, which helped the Cooperative Christian Ministry fill their shelves during a critical time of the year.

D. Approval of Citizens’ Advisory Committee Recommendations for Assistance Through the City of Hickory’s Housing Programs
The following applicants are being recommended for approval for assistance under the City of Hickory’s First-Time Homebuyers Assistance Loan Program:
Andrea Graybeal 1300 14th Street Drive, NE - Approved for up to $5,000
Lue Lee and Joua Yang 1664 Treadwell Lane, SE - Approved for up to $7,500
Teresa Robinson 3271 Blue Sky Court, SE - Approved for up to $6,500
Gloria Williams 825 3rd Street Place, SW - Approved for up to $6,500

The following applicants are being recommended for approval for assistance under the City of Hickory’s Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program:
Michelle Dula 717 1st Avenue, SE - Amount not to exceed $10,000
Cynthia Moon 933 4th Street Place, SE - Amount not to exceed $5,000
Bonnie & Ruth Williams 946 8th Street, NE - Amount not to exceed $5,000
Stefanie Fortuna & Jovan Hoover 428 3rd Avenue, SW - Increase Loan to $8,099
Charlton Seaver 838 7th Avenue, SW - Increase Loan to $12,999

Funds are budgeted from the above through the City’s former Rental Rehabilitation Program income received in FY 2008 and/or program income received through the City’s Community Development Block Grant Program.

The following applicants are being recommended for approval for assistance under the City of Hickory’s Urgent Repair Program:
Daisey Brooker 335 3rd Street, SE - Amount not to exceed $5,000
Emily Futrell 110 6th Street, SW - Amount not to exceed $5,000

Funds are budgeted through the City’s Community Development Department funding received in FY 2009-10. The Citizens’ Advisory Committee recommends approval of all the above.

The Hound has seen loans go through to immediate relatives of council twice over the last year. Personally, I don't think this is right. The largest grant above went to an alderman's family member. I don't care if it is standard operating procedure, I believe it to be a conflict of interest and the practice needs to be brought to an end.

For one thing, these grants aren't widely known to the public and are too easily accessible to members of the city government. Think of businesses (such as TV or radio stations) that have contests or giveaways and they do not let employee's family members participate. In these hard times, I can think of a lot of people who don't have connections, that could certainly use these grants. When it comes to these issues, the appearance of impropriety is impropriety. I believe an ordinance should be passed to prohibit this practice in the future.

E. Approve Vacant Building Revitalization Grant “Operation No Vacancy” to MSM Real Estate, LLC for Property Located at 1070 Main Avenue, NW in the Amount of $25,000 - The Vacant Building Revitalization Grant Program was established by City Council in September, 2008 whereby the program provides matching funds up to $25,000 for projects seeking to renovate and rehabilitate vacant buildings and the demolition of substandard buildings. MSM Real Estate, LLC has applied for such a grant in the amount of $25,000 to assist in renovating the exterior of the facility for use by a plumbing contractor. New downspouts will be installed, window repairs and painting, replacement of dock doors, paving of gravel driveways and parking areas, along with landscaping, new dumpster enclosure and loading dock repairs. The Redevelopment Committee reviewed the application and recommends approval.

F. Award Bid and Contract to Municipal Emergency Services for the Purchase of One - Hundred Sixteen Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Sets for the Hickory Fire Department in the Amount of $227,277.64 - The Hickory Fire Department requests replacement of the fire department’s PPE structural turnout gear. The current gear was purchased in FY 2000-01 and its intended service life is approximately ten years. Recently it has been noted through seminar participation that PPE gear should meet the latest National Fire Protection Association safety standards. Therefore, proposals were submitted and two bids were received. Municipal Emergency Services was the lowest bid at $1,959.29 per set at $227,277.64 for one-hundred sixteen PPE sets.

G. Approve AIP Grant Agreement With North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Division of Aviation to Rehabilitate and Overlay Taxiway “A” in the Amount of $30,153 - This Grant Agreement is for the State’s portion in the amount of $30,153 of the previously approved AIP #23 Federal Grant. This grant project is part of the continuing maintenance program of the Hickory Regional Airport’s runway/taxiway systems mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration. Taxiway “A” is Hickory’s primary taxiway and the only taxiway designated for use by an air carrier and larger charter aircraft. This project will enable the primary taxiway to handle larger aircraft and require less maintenance. Funding for this project includes a 95% FAA share of $1,145,824, a 2.5% State share of $30,153 and 2.5% local share of $30,153.

H. Approve Contract with J. T. Russell & Sons, Inc. to Rehabilitate and Overlay Taxiway “A” at the Hickory Regional Airport in the Amount of $1,070,298.15 - The approval of the contract with J.T. Russell & Sons, Inc. is to rehabilitate and overlay Taxiway “A” at the Hickory Regional Airport. The FAA is requiring Hickory to undertake Airport Improvement Program (AIP) project #23 to overlay/strengthen and rehabilitate Taxiway “A” which will rehabilitate the surface and increase the load carrying capacity comparable to main Runway 6-24. The project will further improve the airfield infrastructure for years of service. J.T. Russell is unable to begin work on this project in 2009 and by letter dated August 14, 2009 will honor their bid unit prices through the spring of 2010. FAA funding is 95% in the amount of $1,016,783.24, NCDOT share of 2.5% at $26,757.46 and the City’s share at 2.5% in the amount of $26,757.45.

I. Approve Contract With Talbert & Bright for Work Authorization for the Construction Administration Services of the Taxiway “A” Project in Conjunction With Airport Improvement Program Grant – AIP #23 – in the Amount of $130,832. The Contract with Talbert & Bright will provide construction administration, observation, quality assurance testing and as-built survey during the repaving of Taxiway “A”. The cost will be funded from AIP #23 Grant funds which were issued through the FAA at a 95% level in the amount of $124,290, with NCDOT obligation of 2.5% and the City’s obligation of 2.5% ($3,271).

J. Approve Updated Tax Collection Agreement with Catawba County - Tax Collection Agreements with the County and various municipalities were originally signed in 1981 and through the years have undergone numerous amendments. It has become increasingly difficult to interpret the agreement due to all the amendments and therefore, the updated Tax Collection Agreement is intended to reflect its current function between Catawba County and the City of Hickory. The County will continue to bill and collect ad valorem, motor vehicle and gross receipt taxes; both current and delinquent. The cost per bill does not change from the current fee of $3.64 ad valorem bill. The fee is 1 ½ percent of the amount of motor vehicle and gross receipts taxes collected.

K. Proclamation Honoring Sarah Talbert for Her Years of Service on the Hickory Board of Education and Declaring November 23, 2009 as “Sarah Talbert Day” in the City of Hickory

L. Budget Ordinance Amendment
1. Appropriate $2,137 of Local Government Revenue to Police Department Overtime. This revenue is payment from Catawba County Mental Health for a portion of an Officers time spent when accompanying involuntary commitment patients.

2. Appropriate $53,397 of General Fund to the Multi-Year Recovery Act-Justice Assistance Grant Fund. Needed to provide the additional funding required for the upgrade to the Police Department’s firing range and target system. The Justice Assistance Grant provides $23,256 toward the total upgrade cost of $76,652.96; therefore an additional $53,397 is required. The appropriation from General Fund Balance represents a portion of the remaining Police Federal Reimbursement balances from prior years that have rolled into Fund Balance at year end.

3. To appropriate $25,000 of General Fund Balance and budget in the Planning Department's Vacant Building Revitalization. This appropriation provides matching funds to assist MSM Real Estate, LLC in the renovation of a building located at 1070 Main Avenue NW. Plans are to renovate this facility for use by a plumbing contractor. MSM Real Estate, LLC plans to invest approximately $50,000 to renovate the exterior of the building, pave gravel driveways and parking areas, landscape, repair loading docks and provide a masonry dumpster enclosure.

New Business - Public Hearings:
1. Resolution Directing Street Improvement Project be Undertaken Along a Portion of 12th Street, SW – No. 01-09 - The City Clerk has received a petition from the owners of property along a portion of 12th Street, SW to install curb and gutter per Section 29-2 of the Hickory City Code. The signatures on the petition represent a majority, greater than 50% of the property owners and property footage. Sixty-seven percent of the property owners signed for the petition and Thirty-three percent signed against the petition, which represents 67% in favor of the petition and 71.3% of total footage in favor. A 10-foot wide alleyway representing 1.5 percent of the footage will be the responsibility of the City of Hickory. The City Clerk has certified that the Preliminary Resolution adopted by the City Council on November 3, 2009 was mailed by first class mail on November 5, 2009 to the owners of property subject to assessment should the project be undertaken. Kerr Sand Company, the petitioner, will provide all concrete materials for the entire project at no cost to the City. There will be no cost to the property owners since their portion of the cost will be covered by Kerr Sand Company. The City will design and install the curb and gutter and Kerr Sand Company is providing the concrete. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on November 5, 2009. Chuck Hanson stated that the one property owner, who owns two sections of property, in this area won't be charged per the agreement. Council Consented Unanimously

2. Approval of Resolution Supporting Urban Progress Zone Re-Designation Within the City of Hickory - The Urban Progress Zone program provides three types of tax credits to eligible taxpayers that undertake qualifying activities in North Carolina. Tax credits are used to attract certain types of businesses and to foster certain types of businesses in North Carolina. Areas designated as Urban Progress Zones must meet the poverty level threshold of 20% of its population being below the poverty level according to the most recent federal decennial census. Some eligible businesses include call centers, company headquarters, information technology and services, manufacturing, research and development, warehousing and wholesale trade. Todd Hefner made the presentation. The Mayor asked how many people have received these tax credits. Mr. Hefner said it was a good question, but people call on a regular basis to ask if they are in this area. Alder Fox asked if people who fall under Operation No Vacancy can apply for this also. Mr. Hefner stated that they can. Alder Fox stated that this could be an additional incentive. Mr. Hefner said that that was a good point. Council Consented Unanimously

3. Consideration of Economic Development Agreement With Fiserv, Inc. - This Economic Development Agreement is between the City of Hickory and Fiserv, Inc. to be located at 2415 Century Place, SE. Fiserv, Inc. is a technology provider to banks, credit unions and financial institutions with more than 16,000 clients worldwide. Fiserv, Inc. is requesting economic development incentives in the amount of 75% for seven years from the City totaling $130,243 in property tax grants. This amount is based upon an investment of approximately $4,975,923 and 419 jobs with an average wage of 110% of the median hourly wage of Catawba County. This project meets and exceeds the minimum requirements of the City’s Economic Development Assistance Guidelines. Average annual wage with Fiserv, Inc will be $25,368 a year, excluding the benefits package. Fiserv, Inc. has already received a grant from the State of North Carolina in the amount of $800,000 and is under consideration by Catawba County Commissioners for economic development incentives. Due to Agreement stipulations, staff requests two readings be held on November 17, 2009. Andrea Surratt introduced the Public Hearing to talk about the agreement and the incentives. She intoduced Economic Development's Julie Pruett. Mrs. Pruett stated that Fiserv is a Fortune 500 company that employees 20,000 people in 250 locations worldwide. They provide technology, e-commerce, and financial services, such as data processing directly to banks, credit unions, and lending institutions. They propose to lease the Adevco Speculative Customer Service Center on McDonald Parkway for 10 years. They will be upfitting the building at a cost of $3 million and the cost of furnishings and equipment will be. $1.975+ million. They will be creating a minimum of 419 new jobs in the community. 40 of these jobs will be above the average county jobs. The remainder of the jobs will be paying 110% of the average entry level wage documented by the Employment Security Commission. These jobs will be created over a period of 3 years. 279 of these jobs will be created by the end of 2010. 72 jobs will be added by 2011. The full 419 will be reached by 2012 with an annual payroll of $11 million. The incentives equate to $18, 660 per year for seven years. It will be contractually and performance based. There will be performance thresholds for both investment and job creation. there are clawbacks if Fiserv fails to meet and maintain the thresholds. Lance Beck of Fiserv made a few comments about how excited they are to be becoming a part of this community. He wants to create an organization that treats employees well. Council Consented Unanimously

The Hound is glad to see these jobs come forward and be facilitated. What Mr. Beck and Economic Development's Julie Pruett talked about sounded like a great company to work for. I think this is an excellent opportunity and I hope this company can succeed in every way. This is a Fortune 500 company and I hope that we will do more to go after such recognized firms now and in the future. These are the types of Information Technology jobs that we can use to firm up our foundation.

I have heard people are upset because they are stringent about potential hire's credit ratings and worthiness. I understand that people have had issues because of the current economy, but I totally understand why a firm that deals in credit issues cannot hire people who have bad credit. You better get used to it, because I can assure you that this is the wave of the future. Don't take it personally, instead think about the people who handle your money. You just can't take chances when it comes to these issues.

If your credit has been reported as bad, because of mistakes on your credit record or fraud, you can clean that stuff up and I believe this company will then move you through the hiring process. If you know otherwise, please let me hear about it.


Public Hearings - Departmental Reports:
Charter Communications Petition for Special Relief With the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - Charter Communications is currently under a local Franchise Agreement with the City of Hickory which expires on June 30, 2017 which includes yearly franchise fees to the City in the amount of $80,000. Charter Communications recently filed a petition with the FCC stating that Charter faces “effective competition” in the Hickory, Granite Falls, Lenoir and Rhodhiss franchise areas. Under FCC rules, cable TV rates may be regulated only in the absence of effective competition. Charter alleges it has effective competition from DirecTV and Dish Network. Should the FCC grant Charter’s petition, cable rates in the franchise area are no longer subject to regulation and the City would lose the $80,000 in revenue. Staff believes the filing of the FCC petition is Charter’s first step in moving to terminate its franchise agreements with Hickory and the other municipalities. General Statute 66-355 (a)(2)(a) and (b) state that a termination of a franchise agreement becomes effective at the end of the month in which the cable provider files notice with the affected city or county. The affected cities/counties have sixty days to review the evidence regarding Charter’s franchise termination and obtain possible injunction.

Staff Attorney Arnita Dula made the presentation and went over the aspects of the City's agreement with Charter. Currently, the city is receiving 5% of Charter's gross revenues. the city also receives Telecommunications and Programming Services taxes from the State of North Carolina. In 2006 an act was passed to promote consumer choice and establish uniform tax guidelines. It became effective on January 1, 2007. This Act grants the State's right to exlusive franchise authority for local cable service providers. The local cable provider can terminate local agreements under three circumstances 1) if there is another provider in the area 2) if there is more than one provider and more than 25% of households can file for termination 3) or if company provides wireline competition can be provided by a means that does not require a state franchise.

If the agreement can be terminated, then all obligations end. That includes the franchise fee. Ms. Dula states that resistance is futile. In March of 2009, Charter filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. On September 25, 2oo9, Charter filed a petition with the FCC declaring that Charter faces effective competition in this area. The circumstances of "effective competition" include, if the area is served by two unaffiliated multi-channel video programming distributors (such as Dish Network and Directv) and the number of households served by these distributors is higher than 15% in the area. If the FCC grants this provision to Charter, then Charter's fees are no longer subject to regulation. This would potentially lead to rate hikes.

Ms. Dula stated that where this will lead is a termination of the local franchise agreement and Charter will apply for a State charter immediately. Hickory will no longer receive the franchise fee. There is basically no time given. The notice of termination is only 30 days )or to the end of the month). Charter has already filed for State charter's in 25 municipalities here in North Carolina. She believes that most of these also involved franchise agreement terminations. She made a joke about resistance is futile, because the communications she has had show that no one has successfully challenged such a termination.

Alderman Lail made some points 1) no one has a State franchise in this area at this time. 2) they (Charter) can terminate if someone else competes and has 25%+ of the business 3) the only way they can terminate is under option C. What is the definition of wireline competition. They are stating that they face effective competition because of Satellite providers, how can that be considered wireline communication? That needs to be answered before we can figure out what to do. Ms. Dula stated that they may not do anything about the franchise fee, but want to follow through with the FCC request, then they are deregulated and can raise rates any way that they wish. Alderman Lail stated, then that is the free market at that point.

The Hound thinks that the consumer should be the biggest interest in this scenario and no one was representing the consumer in these arguments. The amount of money lost, because of the franchise fee, would be $6,666 a month or around $2/annually per citizen of Hickory Proper. Is that worth saving for the opportunity to increase competition and most likely product quality here in Hickory?

I know that Bell South is offering Fiber Optic television in Conover. I think the more options, the better. Let Charter break this contract. They are withering anyway, and with their bankruptcy, I don't see them getting up to speed on the 21st century technology that this area needs to separate from the pack. This is one of the reasons we need to push the envelope on the broadband issue.

Hello, this is an Information Technology issue. If you can't deal with this, then marketing the area to the technology sector is moot. I fear that Hickory's meandering on technology issues is going to keep us behind the eight-ball, when the new world is beckoning and demanding that we act now.

POWER!!!

Constructive Criticism helps us build towards a better future

From the Washington Post - November 10, 2009 - In N.C., damage not easily mended

I have heard that people have had a problem with the article above. My question is why?

This article doesn't really support my point of view, that we have caused much of our economic woes, but it does discuss valid and significant theories about what has caused the plight we are in today. In the Wall Street Journal article from last January, Mayor Wright said that our Economic Plight is out of our control. Well, is that not what this article espouses? That much of our plight is out of our control, because of foreign trade?

As the Obama administration defines its stance on foreign trade, it has been besieged by complaints about the legions in Hickory and elsewhere who have lost their jobs to overseas competition...But as interviews with a few dozen people here show, much of the damage to the affected workers is not so easily mended...

Look at this quote from Allen Mackie, who is the head of the Catawba County Employment Security Commission:

"The people in the think tanks keep saying we are going to become -- what's the term? -- an 'information and services' economy," said Allan Mackie, manager of the North Carolina Employment Security Commission office. "That doesn't seem to be working out too good."

That quote questions me, and others such as myself, who believe that we need to take advantage of the Information and Technology sector and center our future on opportunities and realities brought forth by Google and Apple. You won't see me bow up and whale that I have been besmirched, because someone else questions my thinking or where I stand. If someone doesn't understand my position, then it is my job to clarify my position and point to what I have said in the past. It doesn't threaten me or hurt my pride or esteem.

The article goes on to point out:

But while the assistance has been used to win passage for more international trade agreements, its effects on workers have been rarely studied. The GAO analysis from 2000 found that 75 percent of displaced workers in TAA found jobs. Of those, only 56 percent earned 80 percent or more of their previous wage.

Personally, I believe this occurred because the jobs that were lost were not high skilled labor jobs. We all know people that went to work straight out of High School and after a few years they were making $40,000 ten years ago at the height of the manufacturing boom. I don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings and I truly believe that most of these people recognize that they were being overpaid at that point in time. These people were making those high salaries because we were at full employment and it was an employee's market.

All through the late 90s we were between 2% and 3% unemployment. You could virtually walk out of a job one day and into the next one the next day without skipping a beat. That was an employee's economy, where the employee could name there price and things have certainly changed over the past decade.

The heyday of the late 90s led to where we stand today, because those companies had to become more competitive and, whether right or wrong, they honestly believed that they were paying too much for what they were getting for their labor dollars. So now we have seen the pendulum swing in the completely opposite direction, where the labor market is completely in the employer's favor and they can name their price. If the employee doesn't like the workplace conditions, there is somebody ready to replace them if they step out of line.

So that leads us where we are today. From top to bottom we have to separate ourselves from the pack. As a community or as individuals, we are going to have to justify ourselves and be accountable. There is no kicking back and relaxing in the competitive world that we now live in. You have to constantly sell yourself and display why your product is better. And you are doing this on a global stage. We can't turn back time and we can't reminisce about 40 years ago and the quaint little village Hickory used to be. It is time to compete or wither and the world is ambivalent about our choice.

That is the reason why we have to shed the caste system, the nepotism, and the clique. We need the best ideas to win out, no matter where or whom they come from . We need the newcomers to this community to feel welcome and get past the old South structure that has defined this area. It's time to reach out to others. Instead of making people figure out how to assimilate into the local system, it is time to facilitate connections and help people fit into the community. We have to grow and that is the only way that it will happen; working in everyone's best interests, instead of towards our own personal interests.

I know that I have stepped on some toes with the way that I have addressed some of the issues on this blog or in other media sources. I have hurt some people's feelings. Well, believe it or not, in my weakest moments my feelings have been hurt also, but does that even matter. Anyone that puts their feelings forth in a public platform, or arena, must grow some thick skin. Criticism humbles you and makes you stronger. It also helps you understand the issues better and will either firm your resolve, when you reflect and find out you are definitely right, or it shows you where you are wrong and where you need to readjust your thoughts or philosophy.

Do you not want Hickory ever mentioned nationally? People fussed about the Wall Street Journal article, railed against the NBC news segment, and are now upset about a Washington Post article that fully supports the contention that City of Hickory has been making for years. Do the people who are upset think, "Shhh, if nothing is said then everything will get better." Well, it won't. We need people to know all of the aspects of what is going on here. We need it discussed high, low, front, back, and center; because from that morass of publicity, people will be able to come up with solutions that will enable us to solve the problems. And if you aren't trying to come up with real solutions, then you are part of the problem.

Frankly, people are sick of the fluff and kumbaya propaganda that is put forth by public relations officials. Remember Baghdad Bob? Did he save Iraq? People would have you believe that if they talk about sunshine and lollipops, then in the end that is what you will get. Propaganda doesn't make people feel better. It makes them feel worse, because they lose trust and faith in their leaders.

Let me relate a personal issue about this blog. Over the past year, I have had five individuals contact me and say that they appreciate this site, because they are getting a fair assessment of what is going on in this area. These people's livelihood is at stake, so they are searching the web to make an educated decision about whether to move here or not. They have all stated that they have reservations because they have seen the challenges we face. Y'all say I am negative, but I have related to these people why I love my hometown and I answered their questions to the best of my ability or passed them along to someone who could.

One recent individual is a medical specialist who would be a wonderful addition to this community, but he related that he doesn't want to come to a community if the economy isn't going to be put on solid ground, because he can't build a practice based on medicare, medicaid, and the uninsured. He wanted statistics that would help him make his decision, so I pointed him in the right direction and asked that source to just give it to this doctor straight up and let the chips fall where they may.

Many of you seem to think that we should sell these people fluff to sway their decision. Well, if you do that and they move here and things don't go well, then they are going to resent the information source and this community. Further, they are going to spread the negative word. But, if we build a firm foundation that will help these people succeed, then we will grow this community in a wonderfully positive direction.

The key is to not shoot the messenger. If you think someone is wrong, then boldly challenge them with unmistakable facts, not hyperbole. Step forward with solutions and facilitate ideas. Don't take public policy criticism personally. Step back and recognize where criticism is valid and then deal with those issues to help build towards a better future. If we are receiving bad economic publicity, then figure out ways to create tangibly positive economic publicity.

We are in search of a firm foundation. Thank You Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, NBC, Charlotte Observer, and anyone else who finds our plight relevant and cares enough to report on it. The greatest feeling in the world will be when the national media comes back to report on our renaissance and resurrection.