Houndvision: Garden Watering System

Please excuse the work in progress. These projects are the result from work that I am doing completely myself. What you will see are the four 275 gallon water containers at the corners of my house that are attached to my guttering.



The entire cost of this project, so far, has been less than $300. This includes the water containers that I purchased for $60 a piece and the gutter extensions. You will need a hacksaw to cut the gutters, but that is about it and some brute force to position the containers themselves.

I have the water containers centered on cinder blocks to allow gravitational flow through. I will eventually have the containers disguised by plants growing around them and I may eventually attach a pump to allow for a sprinkler type of irrigation system and/or drip hoses.

This has become a hobby and a way of life to attempt to create a more self-sustainable lifestyle. It will take time, but everything I am doing here creates value. I will get much more out of these projects than the initial cost requires, plus it is enjoyable and gives me achievable lasting goals that will bare fruit (or vegetables and herbs -- haha!!!)

If you decide that you want to attempt this, then shoot me an e-mail and I will give you some suggestions about how you can go about achieving this. And if you have any suggestions, I am all ears. I am learning a lot by reading Urban Farmer and Mother Earth News and fully endorse the principles of these resources.

Many of the plants that you see in the garden were the ones that I started in February and displayed on this site in the article -- My Scientific Garden 2010

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of May 18, 2010

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 5/18/2010 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below

Invocation by Deborah McEachran, First Presbyterian Church

Special Presentations:
Presentation of Proclamation Declaring May 19, 2010 as “J.T. Poston Day” in the City of Hickory for Capturing the Individual Championship in the 25th Annual North Carolina High School Athletic Association State 3A Men’s Golf Championship. JT is a junior who has been a member of the golf team for the past 3 years, he is ranked #26 in state rankings. He is a two time conference player of the year. The teams, those three years, have finished 1st, 5th, and 3rd in the state. He won the individual championship by a 4-stroke margin.

Pulled from Reaffirmation Ratification:
Amendment to Traffic Ordinance By Prohibiting On-Street Parking Along Both East and West Margins of 10th Street, NE From the Intersection With 37th Avenue, NE North Approximately 900 Feet to the Intersection With 9th Street Drive, NE. Chuck Hanson addressed this issue. The City Manager stated that the amendment needs to be amended. The existing part of Falling Creek subdivision enters the Winding Creek subdivision. Cars were parking on both sides of the (Falling Creek) road making it difficult for the people traveling this road to navigate passed the cars. The city had put no parking signs up after the first reading and subsequently have found there are issues with the long time residential property owners of Falling Creek. The proposal is to not allow parking on the West side of Falling Creek (10th street) and the East side of the Winding Creek subdivision. Alderman Meisner stated that this had been a dead end street for 25 years. After a discussion of Procedural issues, the Council unanimously consented to the amendment.

Consent Agenda:
A. Call for Public Hearing on the City Manager’s FY2010-2011 Recommended Budget (Authorize Public Hearing for 6/1/2010) – To be presented to City Council as required by law and is available for review in the Office of the City Clerk, Patrick Beaver Memorial Library and Ridgeview Library.

B. Resolution of Intent for Petition of the City of Hickory to Close Three Portions of Right-of-Way Adjacent to City-Owned Property Located at 740 5th Avenue, SW (Authorize Public Hearing for 6/15/2010)

C. Establishment of New Council Priorities and Action Plan for FY 2010-11 - On February 2, 2010 the Hickory City Council established its top three objectives for the coming year. These objectives were developed during the 25th annual Council-Staff Planning Retreat held December 7, 2009, and continued on January 28, 2010. Each of these three objectives will continually be implemented through specific projects and goals during the year and progress will be provided to City Council on a regular basis. In addition to these top 3 objectives, every year the Hickory City Council adopts priorities and associated action plans that are derived from the annual Council-Staff Planning Retreat, the City’s master plans, formal action taken by City Council throughout the year, and the City Manager’s assessment of initiatives that need to be considered by City Council. These priorities and action plans are used during the fiscal year as a guide to ensure that City departments advocate the philosophy and goals defined by City Council for the City of Hickory.

D. Accept 2009 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant From U.S. Department of Homeland Security For Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors in the Amount of $62,208 - The City of Hickory submitted an application to receive grant funds from the US Department of Homeland Security to purchase smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. On April 23, 2010 the City was officially notified that a grant was awarded in the amount of $69,120, whereby 90% or $62,200 will be provided by the federal grant and the remaining 10% or $6,912 will be funded through the use of existing funds from the current fire department’s fiscal year budget. This grant will support and enhance the existing program for smoke and carbon monoxide detector residential campaign for the safety of the public from fire and fire-related hazards. The grant will allow the purchase of 1,000 smoke detectors at $20 each and 1,000 carbon monoxide detectors at $30 each along with $15,000 for a part-time person to assist in the delivery of said detectors.

E. Approval to Award a Community Appearance Grant to the SALT Block Foundation for Non – Residential Property Located at 231 and 243 3rd Avenue, NE in the Amount of $5,000 - The subject property is owned by Corinth Reformed United Church of Christ and is occupied by the SALT Block Foundation. The SALT Block Foundation desires to improve the visual appearance of the property by constructing an outdoor classroom, which is part of a larger $90,000 improvement project on the campus. The total amount of the improvements for the outdoor classroom is estimated to be between $13,959 and $14,250. On April 26, 2010 the Community Appearance Commission unanimously voted to recommend funding in the amount of $5,000.

F. Proclamation Proclaiming the Day of 5/7/2010 as “JuJu Phillips Day” in the City of Hickory

G. Approval to Issue Pyrotechnic Display Permit to Hickory Motor Speedway for Saturday, 5/29/2010 - The Hickory Motor Speedway requests permission to hold a public fireworks display on Saturday, 5/29/2010 with a rain date of 6/5/2010 in celebration of Memorial Day. Zambelli Fireworks Company will conduct the fireworks display. The Fire Prevention Bureau has reviewed all required documentation and will inspect the display area prior to the event to ensure compliance with all guidelines. Staff recommends approval.

H. 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 Homebuyer’s Program:
Wesley C. Riley 1420 11th Street Drive NW – Unit 14 / Approval for up to $6,500 (Forest Hills)
Joseph M. Duckett 1827 17th Street NE / Approval for up to $10,000 (Police Department)
Funds are budgeted for these items through the City of Hickory’s former Rental Rehabilitation Program income received in FY 2009 and/or program income received through the City of Hickory’s Community Development Block Grant Program.

Peggy H. Little, 231 8th Avenue Drive SE, is being recommended for approval for assistance under the City of Hickory’s 2009 Urgent Repair Program. This program provides qualified low income citizens with assistance for emergency-related repairs not to exceed $5,000. Funds are budgeted through the City’s Community Development Department funding received in FY 2009-2010. The Citizens Advisory Committee, at its May 6, 2010 meeting, recommended approval of the above requests.

I. Transfer of Cemetery Plot in Fairview Cemetery from The Estate of Joyce B. Spencer to Colin Wesley Spencer and Lowana Gail Spencer

J. Lift Moratorium on Receipt of “Operation No Vacancy” Grant Applications Based upon the adoption of revised guidelines for the Vacant Building Grant Program at the May 4th City Council meeting, it is requested that City Council lift the moratorium on accepting new grant applications and begin review of them based upon the revised guidelines.

K. Federally Required Identify Theft Prevention Policy - In October 2007, the Federal Trade Commission issued the Red Flag Rules which require financial institutions and creditors, including municipalities having utility accounts, to adopt and implement an identity theft prevention policy by 11/1/2008. The deadline for implementation of the policy and being in compliance with the rules was eventually extended to 6/1/2010. Council adopted a policy in November 2008. Due to the extension of the enforcement date, full implementation of the policy, which requires formal training of affected staff and other key employees, was delayed. The rules also require that entities update their identity theft prevention policies as needed, and staff has reviewed and identified revisions. Provisions regarding current data security measures used by staff to protect sensitive and confidential customer and employee information have also been added.

Budget Ordinance Amendments

1. Budget $200 of International Council donations in the International Council expenditure line item to be used for the International Springfest event expenses.

2. Budget $1,038 insurance claim check from Hartford Insurance Company in the Police Department Maintenance and Repair of Vehicles line item. This claim is for damage to a Police vehicle on 02-24-10.

3. Budget $1,052 insurance claim check from Erie Insurance Company in the Water and Sewer Maintenance and Repair of Vehicles line item. This claim is for damage to a Ford 350 truck on 04-23-10.

4. Budget $118 insurance claim check from Nationwide Insurance Company in the Water and Sewer Departmental Supplies line item. This payment is for damage sustained to a fire hydrant on 03-05-10.

5. Budget $1,850 of revenue from Catawba County in the Water and Sewer Pipes, Hydrants and Meters line item. Catawba County received a grant for a Water Infrastructure Hook-up Program that WPCOG is administering. Therefore, Catawba County is paying Hickory for the water (and/or sewer) taps as well as the radio read water meters that are required for some of the locations that are hooking up to the system.

6. Transfer a total of $150,000 in unbudgeted investment earnings to the Western Piedmont Regional Transit Authority line item. This represents the City of Hickory's contribution to the Western Piedmont Regional Transit Authority's redevelopment of the old S & W Chemical site in West Hickory for their new Transit Operations Center. These funds will be reserved in General Fund balance for this project until the project moves forward.

7. Transfer a total of $100,000 from the Water and Sewer Fund to the Inter-Basin Transfer Capital Project Fund line item. This transfer is for the City of Hickory'sFY2009 and FY2010 obligations. These funds have not been appropriated;however, City Council had committed $50,000 per year in opposing the Concord/Kannapolis Interbasin Transfer. This completes the City's financial commitment to the Defense Fund.

8. Transfer $6,912 of Fire Department Training, Meals and Lodging funds to the FY2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The grant will supply funds to purchase smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for residential occupancies, supplies for the program and one part-time position during the twelve month performance period of the grant. The granting agency will provide 90% of the total $69,120 funds and the City of Hickory will provide the required 10% matching requirement.

New Business - Public Hearings:
1. Approval of Resolution and Adoption of the 2009 Catawba County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan - Both Federal and State legislation require local governments to formulate and adopt plans whose sole purpose is to mitigate lose of life and property in the event of natural or man-made disasters. The City participated in the first plan in 2004 and legislation requires such plans to be updated every five years. The City of Hickory and other local governments located within Catawba County received a grant from FEMA to fund updating the current plan. Following months of input and analysis during committee meetings, a draft plan was submitted and approved. The final step of the process is for the plan to be adopted by each local government participating in the plan update process. Staff recommends approval of the Resolution in adopting the 2009 Catawba County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan update. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on May 7 and May 14, 2010. Cal Overby made the presentation. The council unanimously consented.

2. Land Development Code Text Amendment 10-01, Electronic Gaming Operations - This Land Development Code Text Amendment is to establish zoning regulations for Electronic Gaming Operations or what are commonly known as “Internet Sweepstakes Businesses”. Upon the Hickory Planning and Development Department’s research of these businesses, it was discovered there is an increasing number of other North Carolina municipalities and counties whom were also adopting zoning type regulations. There are currently six to seven electronic gaming operations within Hickory’s planning area. The proposed amendment would effectively grandfather the existing operations, since they existed prior to the enactment of this amendment. On April 28, 2010 the Hickory Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the proposed text amendments to Section 7.1, Section 7.2 and to Section 16.1. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on May 7 and May 14, 2010. Attorney Crone suggested that this issue be continued until June 15th due to pending lawsuits taking place across this state. Lawsuits, such as one in Raleigh, are preventing local, county, and state agencies from taking action against these types of enterprises. There is pending litigation taking place in Knightdale and Kannapolis. These ordinances are very similar to Hickory's. Attorney Crone want time to gather information to make a recommendation one way or another. The Council agreed to continue the issue until June 15th. Alder Patton asked about the relation of this issue to Hickory By Choice and when that document will be available? Brian Frazier stated that he is hopeful that the advisory council, staff, the pertinent department heads, and planning commission will have something made available in the next 30 to 60 days. He also stated that the text amendments would be incorporated into the Land Development Code. Alderman Lail stated that the State Legislature is considering this issue currently. The Mayor asked staff to look into how many Judges have ruled on this and if the rulings are going one way. What is happening in other states? The Mayor stated that there are companies in other states that own these establishments in North Carolina. He stated they may be unconstitutional in other states, but not in North Carolina. Attorney Crone stated that he and Staff attorney Dula are confident that the ordinance that they have (Hickory) is similar to other laws that are under scrutiny and therefore may not pass muster. Atty Crone stated that ultimately this will be in the hands of the legislature. There needs to be some uniform law that is constitutional. The Mayor stated that the legislature thought these were illegal. If we sit back and say we will never pass a law because we are worried that it may be unconstitutional, then we may never pass anything.

3. Consideration of Proposed Ordinance Amendment to the Hickory Code of Ordinances; Chapter 18, Section 18-181 Definitions – The Hickory Code of Ordinances Chapter 18, Section 18-181 partly defines junked motor vehicles as being more than five years old and appearing to be worth less than $100.00 and fails to address recent changes to NC General Statute §160A-303 (b2)(3). Chapter 20 of the Code of Ordinances was recently amended defining a junked motor vehicle as being greater than five years old and worth less than $500 which now conflicts with Chapter 18. Therefore, staff requests Council to approve the proposed ordinance amendment of Chapter 18, Article VI, Section 18-181 so as to become uniform with Chapter 20. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on May 7, 2010. Council unanimously consented.

New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Update – Screening of Outdoor Storage - On February 17, 2004, City Council adopted amendments to Article 7 of the Land Development Code which placed specific screening standards on open storage. The amendments also enacted an amortization schedule, which gave noncompliant properties until March 17, 2007 to come into compliance. In December, 2006, Planning Staff requested time to meet with local businesses, property owners and the Chamber to formulate a more workable and equitable ordinance. In August, 2007, City Council conducted a public hearing regarding the resulting proposed text amendments, and approved an ordinance which allowed an additional three years (September 5, 2010) for those yet to comply with the 2004 ordinance. Planning Staff is currently conducting site visits of all properties that were known not to be in compliance in early 2008. According to the ordinance, all identified properties not in compliance by September 5, 2010 must comply with the ordinance or face civil penalties. Planning Staff intends to notify the owners of these properties, by certified letter, of the approved screening requirements and of the impending deadline at 30-day intervals, commencing on June 5, 2010. This item is being presented as a matter of information and requires no action by Council.

Brian Frazier addressed this issue by addressing the issue and showing a series of photos. In march 2004, 113 property owners were sent letters by registered mail stating that they were not in compliance with the new ordinance. In 2007, the council added an amendment requiring an additional 2 feet of fencing to salvage yards, recycling yards, and junk yards. Specificity was given to the type of material required. Over a period of time, 85 properties were deemed to be in compliance or were abandoned. ^ have gone out of business and some were given a waiver, because of safety concerns or Home Security issues. As of a week ago, 28 properties were deemed to be in non-compliance. It has been further determined, in the last week, that only 22 businesses are not in compliance. Mr. Frazier stated that he is going to personally go out and see if they are in compliance.

Most of these properties can meet the requirements by installing Vertical or Horizontal slatted screening that is 90% opaque or vegetation.

Wallace Roofing

Autobahn Specialists is basically screening junk and this will meet the Property Maintenance code

Jack Sipe Construction on LR Boulevard

Catawba Valley Wrecker and Repair. The cars are non-operable

Reese's Wrecker Service has goats occupying the abandoned property

If these properties are sold and become businesses that require screening, then they will have to come into compliance. When the council amended the code, most businesses had come into compliance. the code adopted in 2004 stated that the these types of businesses had to be screened from public view from tyhe public street. The ordinance was amended in 2007 to state that those types of businesses have to be screened from major or minor thoroughfares or from properties that are immediately contiguous to residentially zoned properties.

Mr. Frazier stated that only 22 properties are currently non-compliant. He will send out letters in 30, 60, and 90 day intervals to the property owners. If they do not come into compliance by September 6th, then they will get a later notifying them of their obligation to come into compliance and it will follow the next step in the process, which could lead to civil penalties, which vary, starting out at $50 per day, then $100 a day after a time certain, followed by $250 a day after a time certain.

Alder Patton asked if Mr. Frazier would go out and visit these sites. Mr. frazier added that he would and talk to the property owner. He also stated that he couldn't make a judgment based on some of the pictures , so there may be less than 22 non-compliant properties. Alder Patton stated that she hoped that he would push vegetation as far as the screening.

Alderman Guess seemed astonished that these businesses have been given six years. He stated that he doesn't understand 6 years. Alderman Lail stated that he wasn't here 3 years ago. Alder fox stated that there were some businesses that felt that this ordinance didn't pertain to them and hey chose to give them more time. She states that over 100 businesses respected the ordinance came into compliance. The Mayor stated it is time and explained that at the time some citizens were not happy with what they interpreted as the city's heavy handed approach. He believes that there are some people that will be heard from again.

Alderman Lail stated that he is proud of the fact tghat the council grandfathers a lot of things and this issue was retroactive towards people that have been in business for 20, 30, or 40 years. In some cases you have to see this stuff to sell it. People have to see a camper on the back of a pick-up truck in order to sell it. It was not a cut and dry issue.

The first letters will go out on June 5th.

The Hound agrees with the Mayor that it is now time that these businesses come into compliance with the ordinance, unless there is truly an issue that does not allow them to do so. Alderman Guess needs to understand that this issue was murky three years ago, as to the way that it was instituted and facilitated. These screening costs can cost tens of thousands of dollars and do not have any positive contribution to the owner's bottom line.

I totally understand the issue of aesthetics and you can see some of the problems in the photos above. Some property owners seem to go out of their way to have junky property and I do not think anyone had any intention of condoning the promotional outward appearance of Junk yards, but we also undertand that companies such as Shook Builders and Sipe Construction sell and store construction products. These companies have been the fabric of our community for years and most of us have no problem seeing those materials and what they represent.

Six years is long enough, but three, under the circumstances that availed themselves at the time in 2007, was not enough. I have no problem with encouraged implementation of new paradigms of appearance being instituted. that is part of the evolution of a community. We can take our time and work with people and make sure that things are done right. The key is positive communication between the elected officials, the bureaucracy, businesses, and the Citizenry.

Additional Comments:
** City Manager Berry went over the continuation of the Google Initiative by partnering with the Hickory Crawdads for "Google Gotta Get a Gigahit night" on Tuesday, May 25th. You can go to the HickoryLenoirNC.com and get a voucher for a free ticket to the game and it will be $1 night for food and beverages.

The Hound hopes that the city will encourage more promotional partnership opportunities towards the issues of progress. It is important to reach the average citizen who does not understand this issue and maybe efforts such as this can do just that.

** The Mayor had some encouraging comments about Fiserv's operation. The ribbon cutting was today and the mayor impressed about the appreciation that Fiserv's executives have for the community and our educational opportunities. 250 people are presently employed and this is expected to increase to 420 or more. They commented on how beautiful our city is and it is incumbent on us to always try to improve.

The Hound certainly hopes that we can get more jobs such as these in this area. This certainly won't solve all of our problems, but it is a good start and hopefully it will continue.

What is your definition of Government?

I don't really understand people. I don't understand the Rich, the Middle Class, or the Poor. What do I mean by that? I don't know what they want. I don't know what they are looking for. I just know that the way things currently are is not sustainable and yet it seems that most people are clueless about what is going on around them. I look at the headlines in the local papers and they deal with the trivialities of life.

What do I see? I see rigged financial markets, inept and corrupt governmental leadership, I see mega-corporations that can basically do whatever they want by throwing their weight (money) around, I see costs taking off in the core necessities of life, and I see people that are clueless about priorities and preparation. Why do today what can be put off until tomorrow?

I know that I need to worry about myself, my friends, and those who are willing to listen and educate themselves about the relevant issues we are facing today. I need not worry about those who look at me as a pessimist. I am not a pessimist, but I am also not a wild-eyed optimist either. I believe that what we are setting up to go through is going to bring realistic expectations back to the forefront.

What we are seeing is a systemic problem. We are living in a time of flawed logic based upon unbalanced priorities. We are obsessed with consumption and pleasure based on Hedo-Economics. We must get back to realistic principles that take into consideration production, responsibility, conservation, thrift, and creating value.

Nearly two years ago we went down the path that has put us in the position we are in today. In the middle of September 2008, we set a course for spending our way into oblivion with no destination charted and no logical course established. All we did then and all we are doing now is throwing trillions into what appears to be a black hole. It sure seems that the more money that we put into this system that has been created, the deeper we go into the hole.

Now we are seeing the implosion of the European financial system. The Euro is close to freefall status with Greece leading the way and likely showing the fate of the other nations soon to follow in the Eurozone. The formation of the European Union and subsequent currency was supposed to create economic stability amongst its member states and keep this exact type of meltdown from happening.

This is all happening, because of the same uncontrolled and unregulated derivatives market that caused the Housing and Credit Bubble to burst here in the United States two years ago. And here we go again with governments looking to bailout the nations who have staggering debt burdens. In the history of mankind, has that really ever worked?

The heads of state are telling us to spread the wealth, while the World's conglomerate banking interests are consolidating the wealth and thus the power under their own corporate umbrella. Wake Up Folks, you are witnessing the undercurrent that has all of the makings of a James Bond Movie Plot, but this is real.

The problems we are facing are systemic. We have systemic fraud that has metastasized its way throughout the entire world's economic, political, and cultural system. It is like poison ivy that has invaded our property and has been allowed to fester long enough until the roots have become deep-seated. There are no easy solutions. It must be dealt with head on. You must dig out what you can and smother the rest. The problem will only worsen if you ignore it.

We are going to need government to help solve this issue, if we don't want the World to become Hell on Earth. But, it must be government of, by, and for the people. The governmental system we are seeing today is not working. Currently government is a Class System in and of itself. Here in the United states it was never meant to be that way. The Government was meant to represent the people's interest, not the bureaucracy's interest. We have way too many people who are getting rich as members of the bureaucracy, or attached to the bureaucracy, at a time when the Free Enterprise system is reeling. That is not the American System.

We are seeing a disintegration of our known way of life. Yes, we are headed into uncharted territory. This is not a normal business cycle. The Dollar is tied to the other World Currencies and Economies and as they go, we will be sure to follow, unless our nation's leaders begin to take steps to shore up the United States' sovereignty.

In my opinion, what we are going to see is strong inflation in staple commodities (Food and Energy) and you are going to see deflationary pressures on the discretionary economy (Luxury purchases, such as electronics, vacations, new cars, etc.).

People are going to have to help one another and this will be quite the conundrum, if we expect this help to come from the government side, because the issues we face could become quite overwhelming. How are we going to make available the resources under the current context of the Government's Bureaucratic Economics?

The government is going to have to become more responsive to the people. The government is not the bureaucracy. The government is the people. Currently, we see that the government, on all levels, has lost its mooring to its constituents and to it's constitution. Our government, as in the bureaucracy, no longer represents the values of the people. It represents the values of the employees of the government. This is another issue, when we look at its stability and sustainability.

The citizens are going to have to take back control of the government and that is hard to do when so many people don't seem to care. But, you know if you have been touched by the spirit of Liberty, and that spirit makes you understand that it is our obligation to put people into office that will represent credibility and accountability by instilling the tenants of fairness and justice for all. We need to be able to trust the leadership of our country. I know that this is going to be a long, hard, tedious struggle; but it is a struggle that we, the chosen, must endure.

The Backwoods Corporatists want to throw up road blocks to stop access to 21st Century High Speed Broadband

Notes from the Raleigh News and Observer show how the Conglomeration of Cable, Telephone, and other data communications providers are doing everything they can to keep progress from taking place and to protect their niche interests and soon to be antiquated capital cash-cow investments.

NC cities, cable still at odds on broadband entry - News and Observer - Gary D. Robertsen - 5/9/2010 - a summary of the article points out several issues.

Big telecoms in North Carolina keep fretting about towns like Wilson and Salisbury getting into the broadband business. Ever since a 2005 appeals court ruling upheld the right of towns and cities to offer high-speed Internet to their residents, large cable and phone companies have been urging the General Assembly to throw obstacles in the way. Local governments, they argue, don't have to pay taxes and can subsidize their rates to undercut the corporate competition.

Those efforts, however, have failed as mayors and local governments argue the big companies won't offer the kind of super-fast Internet at reasonable prices they say attracts high-tech industries. "We're trying very hard by providing broadband to bring new local businesses to our community, to bring jobs," said Salisbury Mayor Susan Kluttz, whose city has borrowed to build a $30 million fiber-optic network it will begin testing in a few months....

A 2005 Court of Appeals ruling involving then-BellSouth Corp. and the city of Laurinburg, which leased its fiber-optic network to outside customers, determined high-speed Internet fell under the definition of cable television. Only a few municipalities have entered into the broadband network business since then. Wilson has made the most dynamic effort. Wilson city officials borrowed $28 million, without a referendum by voters, to lay the fiber-optic lines and build other infrastructure to create Greenlight, which offers cable, phone and Internet service...

Greenlight has drawn nearly 5,000 household customers since it began offering the service in 2008. According to its website, it has the fastest residential Internet speed in North Carolina: 100 megabits per second, compared to 15 megabits offered to Time Warner residential customers in Wilson....

Sen. David Hoyle, D-Gaston, recently proposed a moratorium on local governments getting into the business while the issue is studied further. Hoyle backed down after opposition from the North Carolina League of Municipalities and several companies including Google, Intel and Alcatel-Lucent. But he replaced the proposal with a requirement that any debt incurred for building a broadband network must be approved in a referendum. "What's wrong with the people being allowed the right to vote on debt that they're going to be responsible for repaying?" Hoyle asked. Kelli Kukura, a lobbyist for the league, said cable television groups have spent hundreds of thousands defeating referenda on similar broadband projects in other states, with ad blitzes on their own cable TV systems...

More efforts at a compromise are likely on the horizon. High-speed Internet service could mean the difference between economic prosperity and malaise for small towns in North Carolina. "In the 21st century, broadband is what electrification and water and sewer were in other centuries," said Rep. Jennifer Weiss, D-Wake.

It is amazing how much time, money, and efforts have been utilized to stop progress, especially on this issue, here in the Great State of North Carolina. Do representatives in this State represent the Corporate interests or the well being and quality of life of their constituents?

If asked, here in our area, about a referendum on Telecommunications in our area, how would our citizens respond? I am sure that they would be weary of the price tag, but those of us who believe in modern cutting edge technology can fight that fight with one word -- CHARTER!!!

The simpler people in this area may not see the connection between high-speed broadband and economic development, but they certainly despise the boogie man that Charter Communications has turned itself into in our area and the people in Hickory aren't too enamored with CenturyLink (aka Embarq, Sprint, Century Telephone, or whatever they are called next week)..

Wilson's local Broadband infrastructure service - Greenlight - offers a package of 10Mbps internet (up AND down), HDTV w/DVR, and Phone service for $119 per month. a higher tier package consisting of 20Mbps (up/down), television with all premium channels, and phone is $170/month. These aren't teaser rates. These are everyday packages! Do Charter, Embarq, or anyone else offer this kind of service at anything competitive with this kind of price?

I understand that the local populace might worry about the initial cost of the outlay of this infrastructure and the management of the system. There will be a tax cost associated with such a project, but it is a true investment that holds merits of value.

As State Representative Jennifer Weiss of Wake County stated. "In the 21st century, broadband is what electrification and water and sewer were in other centuries."

Folks, this is how we communicate with one another. Are we going to let corporations hamper our ability to communicate with one another? This is the interstate highway of communications. We want to drive at faster speeds and these companies want us on dirt roads. I think that I have expressed in this blog the importance of the Broadband issue to our area. Any tax increases, in the name of this effort, should be 100% earmarked to this effort only and the entity should be established and operated completely in the open.

I think, along with many of my compatriots in this effort, that people would be willing to approve some increase in taxes in the name of this effort, if they feel that this effort would be fruitful towards the creation of new jobs, more competitive pricing, increased educational opportunities for the populace, increased opportunities and support for our existing industries, and a greater quality of life in general.

We all hope that the Google effort comes our way, but there is certainly nothing wrong with having contingency, thoughts, ideas, and plans available if we are not chosen by Google.

Response to comments about Chicken Salad

The following article is a response to Mr. Gary Ewing's comments regarding the airport issue discussed in the previous article entitled Making Chicken Salad out of Hickory City Government. I really want to thank Mr. Ewing for his input and context regarding the comments associated with the airport issue.

The third comment is not attributable to me. I have never left an anonymous comment on this blog.

But, I don't have a problem with others leaving anonymous comments. I have found over time that those comments are usually very reliable. People leave anonymous comments, because the information may be sensitive to their livelihood and subject to retaliation, so I don't mind anonymous comments that bring further context and dialogue to the discussion at hand.

Mr. Ewing, I don't believe that the person who posted this comment intended to besmirch you. I also know that besides yourself and Joe Brannock, that Steve Ivester was on that commission and so there were definitely aviation experts on board. I would love to hear about your notes. I certainly want to get together with anyone that will make themselves available to me, so that I may better understand this issue and the reason why our community's airport is being allowed to continue to flounder.

Just look at the common thread of most of the task forces that are created in this city. There are always people with great knowledge and passion associated with those endeavors, but in the end the people at the helm of the Whitener building do what they want to do, which I have heard many times runs contrary to the findings of the task forces.

As Joe stated, "the City had already decided what it wanted out of the Task Force."

Here is what I understand and believe. If the people at the helm of Hickory City government want your opinion, they will ask you for it. They know where they want to take us and they don't care to have people that they feel lack proper knowledge having any input.

I don't believe that it is about the city reacting versus acting. They act on what they consider to be their priorities (lifestyle issues, such as Graffiti and Drinking). The reason that they don't act on tough issues (usually dealing with economic growth), unless it is laid in their lap, is because it might be risky and there may be negative political consequences associated with any failures.

The general practice does not involve conservatism or conservative values, because lord knows how many times that they have been all too willing to interject themselves into issues of personal lifestyle and preference.

This city follows a route of austerity. They are very frugal and risk averse in practices of economics and social engineering. Austerity is associated with strictness, sternness, forbidding and uncompromising character. That describes this city in many ways. They tend to pigeonhole people and ideas. They have a playbook that they adhere to and do not deviate from.

I will not name names, but those who pay attention know them. They have one person that they go to about Economic Development. They have one person that they go to about statistics and demographics. They have one person that they go to about commercial real estate. They have one person that they go to about real estate development. They have one person that they go to about banking issues. And if you aren't one of those people, then basically you have no input.

The issue is about control of outcomes. And therein lies the problem. You cannot have creativity when you live in such a static world. The world is complex and ever evolutionizing and unpredictable. A world of such unknowns demands creative, "outside of the box" thinking. You cannot harness individuals (or concepts) with that type of mindset and ability.

We seem to have city leadership that refuses to accept and participate in this principle (of an exponentially changing world). Therefore we are stuck and cannot move forward from what have become dark ages for our community.

It's like a person that is standing still on the side of the road, while the car they were riding in drives off into the sunset. We may as well be moving backwards. It's a risk to hitch that next ride. We want to get to our destination, but we ain't gonna get there, if we don't trust ourselves to hitch that next ride. So let's get goin' people.

I have been told that I am too political. Well, I see things that just aren't right and I refuse to accept that "that is just the way things are" mentality. I have been told a lot of stuff that I don't want to believe, but it all keeps adding up.

I just want people to do the right thing. We have all made mistakes, but if we can move past where we are right now, and get back on the right track, I would be happy. All I ever wanted was what was sold to me as the American dream. Well, we aren't going to get there on the path that we are presently on.

I am an outsider and I don't want to be a member of a cabal. I truly want to see equality in justice and the pursuit of happiness. I want everyone to have a chance to succeed in this community. I am tired of seeing a rigged game!

Making Chicken Salad out of Hickory City Government

Sunday Morning in the Hickory Daily Record we once again were brought journalistically to the scene of the Buffalo's Sinkhole fiasco (Will the sinkhole ever be more than a hole in the ground? & Sinkhole timeline). Personally I don't see how this is a pertinent story, I thought we were past all of this. Must have been a slow news cycle. I guess since the L-R Boulevard extension issue was brought to closure in April that somehow the HDR thinks they can magically wave a wand and see this process brought to an end also.

Personally, I feel that the Sinkhole issue is old news in and of itself. I thought so when I wrote the editorial on August 10, 2007 entitled Buffalo's dumpsite drama too personal for city's leaders? After nearly three years, I still believe that the city can remedy all of this by condemning the property and cleaning it up, but the city has steadfastly refused to do so.

I love the Orwellian double speak from the City Manager that is provided in this article:

Hickory Manager Mick Berry said that's because currently, Mason's not violating any ordinances, despite the fact there's grass and small plants growing out of the mound of dirt on the property.

"Our code supports the property owners," he said. "We're not heavy-handed. He had to get the water flowing through the culvert, which he did. And he had to push the dirt into the hole or level it out, and he did. It doesn't look pretty, but he's in compliance."

The property also has to be fenced in, which Mason has done.

And although Hickory has sent Mason letters in the past, saying he was violating the public nui-sance ordinance, Mason has never had to pay a fine, Berry said.

"We use the possibility of the fines to get the property owner to (fix the property)," he said.

Raise your hand if you haven't heard the Mayor (and inferences from the City Manager) berating Mr. Mason over this issue in the past and using this issue as a political talking point. Do you remember all of the heavy handed propaganda that took place over this issue, especially in 2006 and 2007?

The light is shown on this issue by a comment at the bottom of the HDR article that relates to what many of us have heard behind the scenes:

Because of Rudy running his mouth, the City of Hickory (through its insurance carrier) paid the sinkhole folks $400,000.00 (no, that's not a typo - Four Hundred Thousand Dollars) to settle the lawsuit. They then tried to cover it up by making the settlement "confidential", despite the fact that state law says you can't do that.

It's interesting that in this timeline and article the HDR chose to completely forget about that little bit of info.

There seems to be a pattern here of the city using Civil Litigation in combination with Closed Session City Council meetings for political purposes. Apparently, City parties have consistently tried to usurp North Carolina General Statutes by requesting that settlements be kept confidential. If what they are doing is above board, then why does the city keep requesting that these settlements be kept out of public view? The appearance of impropriety is impropriety.

Look at the following comment posted on this blog in relation to the Randolph's Billiards Issue - Randolph's Billiards versus the City of Hickory and the Drinking Establishment Ordinance.

This relates back to the cleansing of Union Square that the Council has sought to accomplish.

People might recall that Cersil Brothers, who owned the old Ferguson Plumbing Building, sued the City over the refusal to issue their permits in August, 2008. They used a bunch of "funny math" about the number of arrests / incidents / etc at bars to support their call for a moratorium on the issuance of permits.

After several months, the City settled that case -- by paying out $10,000.00 to the Cersil Brothers, and that doesn't take into account the thousands paid to the various law firms to defend the action.

Ten Grand of Taxpayer's Money, not to build a taxpaying business within the City.

Yeah, that makes sense.

Oh, and the timing of that Settlement is pretty interesting, too -- it was approved on Election Day last November -- after Rudy, Sally and Jill had safely retained their seats. The vote came after the polls had closed, and after it'd been bumped on no less than three consecutive council meetings.

Wouldn't want those pesky facts out there to confuse the voters now, would we?

Coincidence? Then consider this - the Council also tried to sit on the release of the Settlement Agreement by inserting a "confidentiality" clause in it, despite the fact that state law specifically prohibits agreements with such provisions.

I was informed on Friday evening that Randolph's was granted their permits back on Friday May 7th at 5:30pm. This happened even after the Hickory Police Department had contacted Randolph's lawyer via certified mail, stating that they did not want to work with Randolph's management and the city wanted to go back to court to finish the hearing. The scheduled date would have been in September.

I have been told that before the alcohol permits were taken that Randolph's patrons were being written tickets left and right for parking in the City parking lot behind Randolph's. Apparently the issuance of these tickets has pretty much ceased since January. I have also heard that city employees have been directed not to frequent Randolph's and there would be consequences if they did.

The presiding Judge Beecher Gray stepped in and said he would rule on the motion to dismiss and he did. The City contended that they wanted to finish their case in court. The judge told them their case had already been heard and he would rule over the phone and then he proceeded to dismiss the case.

You see folks, this seems to be the rule around here. This is the heavy handedness that Mr. Berry states doesn't go on around here. Remember the open storage ordinance, was that not heading down a heavy handed path until certain people realized that they didn't have the numbers on council and cooler heads prevailed. I have also heard that the City of Hickory could possibly have to legally settle with the former establishment "127 North" over their heavy handed dealings with them and the losses of revenue that are directly attributable to those dealings.

When these city officials act in this manner are they representing you? Anything that city officials do, which the city is held monetarily liable for, is paid for by the taxpayers of the City of Hickory? Do you feel comfortable with the city throwing its weight around in this manner? Are you happy that a large portion of your tax fees are going to pay for unnecessary legal fees and settlements? All for what appear to be personal preferences, vendettas, and political purposes?

What are the rules pertaining to this Drinking Establishment Ordinance? I have never seen anything laid out in Black and White. Ambiguous ordinances, such as this, are what this city is known for creating and are just begging lawsuits. They are arbitrary and not equally enforced. Any laws constructed in such a manner are not worth the paper that they are printed on and are basically a waste of energy and effort.

Another good example of mismanagement is the Airport. Mind Blowing - The City's Mismanagement of the Hickory Regional Airport (and once again the story behind the story isn't pretty).

Part of what hasn’t been recognized here is that the sweetheart deal that Riverhawk’s predecessor got is DIRECTLY attributable to Mayor Rudy Wright.

Just after Mr. Wright took office, it was time to renegotiate with Profile Aviation. City Staff members had researched the earlier agreements and noted the problems – there was no control over Profile’s actions, essentially, and they acted as though they owned the airport. Hickory’s airport had a horrible reputation among pilots because of the way they were treated by Profile. Many opted to go to Morganton or Statesville for fuel (which was cheaper), service and overnight accommodations rather than to have to put up with the lack of service at Hickory.

There was a plan of action for improving things during the contract renegotiation. Unfortunately, Mayor Wright was good buddies with the guys that owned Profile. The result was that the discussion would occur in closed session at a council meeting and by the time Staff could meet the following morning already knew the negotiating parameters. Thus, nothing could be fairly negotiated because the other side already knew not only the strategy but the details of how it would be approached. Rudy was seen numerous times leaving Profile’s offices on Wednesday mornings, where presumably he’d briefed them on the prior evening’s meetings.

Imagine if the Panthers tried to play a football game, but the other side knew all their hand signals and how they intended to approach not only the game, but every single play. It’s much harder, if not impossible, to win that way – especially if the coach keeps intentionally sending you down the field the wrong way!

What ended up was a sweetheart deal that gave away the farm, all the cows on the farm, the crops yet in the ground and the farmer’s wife! That agreement was entered into over significant objections by virtually all of the staff members involved.

You can’t negotiate anything close to a fair deal under those circumstances. Look at the contract – there’s no independent audit provisions – Hickory’s income from the airport was based solely on what Profile TOLD them they made. There was no way to get to the books for an independent audit, no control over hours of operation, prices to be charged, etc.

Instead, all the control was given to Profile.

There was a chance to eliminate that when Riverhawk took over, but once again it was lost. We can thank Jill Patton and Brad Lail for failing to have any significant input into that, but in fairness, they had no records to review to know the issues. Instead, they knew only that which the contract allowed them to know – a contract that was overseen by Rudy for the benefit of his friends at Profile.

Hickory had a chance to take their airport back, but instead got a task force packed with people who either knew nothing about airports or were looking to skew the deal. How often does that kind of thing happen here? To figure it out, you really only have to look at who leaves and when. Tim Deike, who was the Airport Manager then, left about this same time. Coincidence? Or, like so many other department heads, did he realize that it’s not possible to fight that type of corruption without the support of a strong City Manager who has the balls to stand up for what’s right. Hickory could have easily taken over operations at the airport, and the income from those operations gone to make it self-sustaining. Instead, we end up with a tiny piece of the action, no control over the airport and once again the taxpayers get the short end.

Again, we see the City operating behind the scenes on this issue. From what I have heard the situation has worsened and there really is no chance of it getting any better. This issue is going to cost Hickory Taxpayers a bundle, when in essence the city has an asset of great value here. But, this venture is being operated under a buddy-buddy scenario and the guise of covering political missteps, instead of doing what is best for the citizens of the area at our airport. And is that not the essence of commonality that we are seeing involving all of these issues?

I heard Hal Row last week addressing the local economy. He stated that when the economy starts picking up, and times start getting better, that you usually start hearing things from people about business stirring up and things going on, but he hasn't been hearing anything. Well Hal, I'm hearing a lot of things about business in the area, but you and I aren't privy to those circles. We aren't invited. There seem to be all kinds deals being made in closed session at City Hall, at the meeting before the meeting, and/or on phone calls.

Which type of government do you trust, the meeting out in the open or the one behind locked doors? Didn't you always love the scenes when JR Ewing said, "Trust me?" These people are telling you to trust them. If everything is above board, then it is time to release all of these closed session minutes to the public. I seem to have misunderstood who these people are working for. Are they working for the Citizens of Hickory or Themselves?

I am also reminded of Ray Hunt, a property owner in Southeast Downtown (across from Clark Tire). He told me about his tenant, who has not paid rent in a substantial period of time. Mr. Hunt had previously told this tenant that he was going to have to get his stuff off of the property, because he needed to have work done on the building so that he could find a new tenant, one that would pay their rent. The current tenant proceeded to go to the city to report Mr. Hunt's building as untenable. The City sent officials to the building and issued code violations, but they never contacted Mr. Hunt, who is the owner of the building. Mr. Hunt is upset about the city never contacting him about the violations and how they could be remedied. The city is bound to have methods to contact the man. What if this were you? Wouldn't you be upset?

The Hound -- And this is the reason why I keep this blog independent and go to the council meetings and report as much as I can to you about them, even when I know that most of y'all scan over most of it.

I am your personal eyewitness at City Council meetings. 75% of the time, there is no other independent news gathering source present at the City Council meetings. They just get the information from the City's Communication Director Mandy Pitts. They get the information that the city wants them to have. Mandy does a great job doing what she does, but who does she represent? Does she represent the citizens of Hickory or does she represent the City Bureaucracy? She is no different than a PR representative at a corporation.

Look at a Corporation with $80+ million in revenues and hundreds of millions of dollars in assets. Would our local media outlets not dig further into issues involving that company, if they were doing things that negatively affected the stockholders of that corporation? Would a reporter go to the CEO or President of a company and ask them questions and take their word as the Gospel? Or would they dig for verifiable information and try to obtain corroborating information involving the story?

You see that is the City of Hickory, a corporation that takes in over $80 million in revenue and has a budget that is approximately the same. Mayor Rudy Wright is the Chief Executive Officer, City Manager Mick Berry is the President, and the other Council members are the Board of Directors of the City of Hickory Incorporated. And the Citizens and people who pay taxes and for services in Hickory are the shareholders.

I'm not going to beat the Hickory Daily Record over the head, if anyone wants to do so, then feel free to do so in the comments section. What was written on Sunday was about pulling an old issue out of the playbook without bringing anything new to the topic. What was the purpose of the article?

I just wish that the HDR would look into these issues more in depth and maybe do a series on some of them. Nothing notable or worthwhile can be written in 500 words or less. Demand some real answers from the City, and if they don't answer, then tell the public that they wouldn't. Look up some of the business agreements and relevant court documents... Talk to the relevant parties... And do some behind the scenes intelligence gathering. The Keys should be relevance and purpose. HDR, we need you to fulfill your role as the community's newspaper.

The Plunge Protection Team and the Ponzi Economy

On Thursday afternoon, May 6, 2010, you witnessed what was a historical Wall Street market Roller Coaster ride. In a period of 30 minutes, you saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average fall right at 1,000 points and then bounce back (almost immediately) over 600 points. I know most of y'all get your info from the boob tube or reading the major syndicated newspapers, but deep down you know that you aren't getting the whole story and therefore you aren't getting the real story.

Webster Tarpley pretty much hits the nail on the head in the following summarization:



The President's Working Group on Financial Markets (the Plunge Protection Team) was created by Executive Order 12631,[1] signed on March 18, 1988 by President Ronald Reagan.

The Group was established explicitly in response to events in the financial markets surrounding October 19, 1987 ("Black Monday") to give recommendations for legislative and private sector solutions for "enhancing the integrity, efficiency, orderliness, and competitiveness of [United States] financial markets and maintaining investor confidence".[1]

What we are seeing is that the Stock market is rigged and it is not worthy of investment. Many of us learned that after the Tech Bubble burst in 2000 and the manipulation that took place in after 9/11. Pump and Dump has become the rule of the day. Only the big Wall Street cartel banks (Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and Citi) can afford to play this game. It is a game of Inside Information and Market manipulation that is influenced by massive high volume triggered computer program trading.

These gigantic Financial Institutions are making money playing both sides against the middle. They make money playing long(on the way up) and then yo-yo shorting (on the way down) the market. They can also arbitrage the market trading millions of shares for fractions of a cent. When done by trading millions of stocks and not having to pay the transaction costs associated with the average investor's investments. And they make money through transaction costs by having their floor traders buy and sell stocks for clients (glorified bookies getting paid vigorish). We are told that this is what "makes the market." That is a load. They are privatizing the profits and nationalizing the losses. And all of this is facilitated by the World's Central Banks, including the United States Federal Reserve.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. How many times are the American people going to be duped by people who are supposed to have a fiduciary responsibility to act in our best interests. In the current Ponzi Scheme economy, we have seen the action of every man for himself exacerbated to its fullest extent. Personally, I have learned my lesson. For the rest of my life I will never invest in any securities and commodities traded on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ ever again.

The Transnational Mega-Corporate Financial Institutions are consolidating assets and interests. They are larger and more powerful than most nations. They influence the decision making authority throughout our government. If we are going to take back our government and be a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, then we must divest ourselves of the financial interests that the financial institutions have influence over. The best thing we could ever do is boycott Wall Street and let the Oligarchs start attacking one another, because left to their own vises they will.

It is time to put an end to the Command Economy. You will not win in this system. This is a system of control. You cannot have a true market under this system. This is about consolidating power by accumulating wealth and buying off governments (elected officials and bureaucracies). Under this system, winners and losers will be chosen and odds are you will not be chosen as winners.

We are in a depression, not a recession. Many of you think that this is a normal business cycle and eventually things will naturally turn up. This is a structural problem that has been caused by corruption that has permeated throughout the social and economic system. As I have stated, we have built conflicts of interest, inside information, actions of provocateurs, etc. into the World Economic System and the system must be reset through valid Economic principles in order to begin growing again.

We cannot grow an economy by suppressing people. There has to be a middle class to buy products and services. People have to be able to advance socio-economically through hard work and perseverance and we are seeing the middle class destroyed under the current economic realities. What incentive do people have to be productive citizens and not trash the world, if they are essentially going to be turned into servants for the Fat Cats?

Max Keiser basically lays it all out there in explaining the Ponzi Economy: