MSNBC—Oct. 14, 2010—From the Dylan Ratigan Show. People are starting to fight back against mistreatment by mortgage lenders. And the extent of the housing mortgage mess is beginning to come to light.
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Saturday, October 16, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Game, Set,...Match?
Death of a city - Gary, Indiana
Wall Street swimming in money while Main Street is swimming in Debt - The Sellout of America - Top 35 Financial Institutions will get $144 billion in bonuses - (Wall Street Journal - October 11, 2010)
Dollar fall sparks stability warnings - (Financial Times - October 14, 2010)- Increasing expectations the Federal Reserve will pump more money into the US economy next month under a policy known as quantitative easing sent the dollar to new lows against the Chinese renminbi, Swiss franc and Australian dollar. It dropped to a 15-year low against the yen and an eight-month low against the euro.
Wall Street swimming in money while Main Street is swimming in Debt - The Sellout of America - Top 35 Financial Institutions will get $144 billion in bonuses - (Wall Street Journal - October 11, 2010)
Dollar fall sparks stability warnings - (Financial Times - October 14, 2010)- Increasing expectations the Federal Reserve will pump more money into the US economy next month under a policy known as quantitative easing sent the dollar to new lows against the Chinese renminbi, Swiss franc and Australian dollar. It dropped to a 15-year low against the yen and an eight-month low against the euro.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
October Rant -- Honesty, Integrity, Honor, and Loyalty
I know that nothing is ever been perfect and there have always been problems in our society. Think back to the days of Bonnie and Clyde or John Dillinger. Those were iconic criminal figures of the Economic Depression of the 1930s. Most of us weren't alive then and so we don't really know if these people were looked up to or not, but there have certainly been movies made that glorified what they did -- sort of like a Robin Hood situation.
You have also seen several of these kinds of issues that have always involved politics. I think of Huey Long in Louisiana or Mayor Richard J. Daley in Chicago. These men were kingmakers and played a role in national politics as much as they did on the local scene. These men's legacies were formed around issues that involved corruption and near dictatorial powers. Their strength, it has been stated in so many words, was built on a foundation of unethical activity. The end always justified the means. Even when their personal actions did not overtly support this corruption, the men who they had put in positions of power formed the base which supported such activity.
Whatever happened to integrity? Did it not used to be part of the fabric of our society or is that just a myth. I look at the documents formed by our forefathers and the government that was instituted their by, did not that government bring us the principles of liberty and were they not founded upon personal integrity, self-reliance, and rugged individualism? It just does not seem right that such a magnificent foundation of principles should lead us to where we are today. How have we gotten to this point?
I am by no means perfect. I do not look to judge people by perfection. But, what I see today is a society that is always looking for someone else to solve their problems and the easy way out. We see a society that has given up on the ideals of excellence. Is that how we have gotten to this point?
In my line of work, I see a general lack of courtesy and manners on a daily basis. I see a true lack of respect between people who should be trying to help one another. The customer provides money and the employee provides a service. Both sides need one another and yet so many times they look at one another in an adversarial manner. One cannot exist without the other, but it seems many times that each look down at the other. They are both human, they're both going to make mistakes, and in the end it is the desire of both parties that each get what they want out of the process. How about some courtesy, some patience, some understanding, some respect? This should be true of all forms of business.
However, what we have seen develop is a game of one-upsmanship. Each party feeling that they are superior to the other party. You know it takes all of us to make a great society. If we respected one another's capabilities and tried to lift one another up, instead of building ourselves up by putting others down, then would the world not be a better place?
I am a chef by trade, I love cooking for people who enjoy good wholesome creative food, but honestly I have lost my desire to practice my profession in public. The people of this area limit the ability of top-notch talent to ply their trade, because they enjoy the process of eating and filling their gut with foods that they could just as easily prepare at home. They just don't seem to care about quality. It is about price, speed of service, portion size. I may be being too honest by stating that, but I am giving a generality about what I have witnessed over the last 25 years.
There are some people who do appreciate what I desire to deliver, but they are in the vast minority. Ten years ago this area was much more economically viable, because the companies in the area were more economically dynamic. We had people coming from all parts of the world to our area and those people respected the talents of creative people in this area. That is part of the race to the bottom that has been witnessed in our area. We have a lot to offer, but we don't have a lot to offer it to. We need to expand our horizons to the outside world, not close the area off to that world.
I really don't know how we're going to get out of this mess. There are forces that are working against solving the problems that we see in our area. And there are forces that are putting their futures at stake to try and rectify the inadequacies and negatives that have been perpetuated and put us in the vulnerable position that we are in today.
I spoke with a friend of mine who is in the real estate profession. I was talking to him about the Economic Depression that we're in and I was stating that I can't understand how people don't see that we are in an Economic Depression. He said that he believed that most people understand this, they just don't want to talk about it or deal with it -- they're scared. I asked about the real estate business and was he doing any business? He stated that he showed properties and he talked about properties, but he wasn't doing any business. He said everything is on hold. Life is on hold.
It is like we have stated on this blog before. You're either making positive progress or you are falling behind. Stagnation is falling behind. I do agree that this area has done things which will help "some" when things turn around, but what are we aggressively doing to turn things around? We have to do things to turn our economic prospects around without relying on external forces to come save the day. We are going to have to take some chances. The status quo in a period of malaise only helps to propagate that malaise.
I feel that it is incumbent upon the people of our community to look to themselves as problem solvers. If we look at the major issues that we are facing today, the common thread is that people are desiring unrealistic solutions from third-party sources. Instead of self-reliance as the principal, people are all too willing to accept charity from people who lack accountability. Who am I talking about? The GOVERNMENT.
Our government is a big problem. The people are going to have to demand accountability from the government. The government grows larger and larger and yet their accountability continues to dim. If the people continue to accept their current lot in this downward economic spiral, then they better prepare for the worst.
I do not know what the future holds, because honestly, I don't understand people. Why do people want to wait until a catastrophe arises until they take action. We have already seen a catastrophe take place with our economy and we have seen the inaction of the government and an ambivalence towards solving the problems that we face. Words, words, words... when we need action. And I may not be taking enough action, but I am acting. People can do something (anything) to help.
Integrity is all about being true to oneself and being honest with oneself. If one cannot get to the core of that general principle, then frankly there is nothing that can be done to help that individual. We need leaders, not sociopaths. The term used for those who serve in the government is “Public Servant.” The government as an entity is supposed to serve the people, not the other way around. That is the foundational principle upon which our government is based.
Corruption is at the root of our economic problems. What we see is systemic. Until we choose to call out those people who represent the forces of iniquity, then we will continue to spin our wheels forever. You better start learning and teaching you kids Mandarin. Taking the easy way out is no longer an option. The issues that we face are related to character. It is only about judging people to the extent of what is inherently right and wrong. If we are unwilling to call people out, because of who they are or some entity that they represent, then we are accomplices and enablers of whatever injustice these people are perpetrating.
We must represent and demand honesty, integrity, honor, and loyalty and we should never shrink in espousing these principles.
You have also seen several of these kinds of issues that have always involved politics. I think of Huey Long in Louisiana or Mayor Richard J. Daley in Chicago. These men were kingmakers and played a role in national politics as much as they did on the local scene. These men's legacies were formed around issues that involved corruption and near dictatorial powers. Their strength, it has been stated in so many words, was built on a foundation of unethical activity. The end always justified the means. Even when their personal actions did not overtly support this corruption, the men who they had put in positions of power formed the base which supported such activity.
Whatever happened to integrity? Did it not used to be part of the fabric of our society or is that just a myth. I look at the documents formed by our forefathers and the government that was instituted their by, did not that government bring us the principles of liberty and were they not founded upon personal integrity, self-reliance, and rugged individualism? It just does not seem right that such a magnificent foundation of principles should lead us to where we are today. How have we gotten to this point?
I am by no means perfect. I do not look to judge people by perfection. But, what I see today is a society that is always looking for someone else to solve their problems and the easy way out. We see a society that has given up on the ideals of excellence. Is that how we have gotten to this point?
In my line of work, I see a general lack of courtesy and manners on a daily basis. I see a true lack of respect between people who should be trying to help one another. The customer provides money and the employee provides a service. Both sides need one another and yet so many times they look at one another in an adversarial manner. One cannot exist without the other, but it seems many times that each look down at the other. They are both human, they're both going to make mistakes, and in the end it is the desire of both parties that each get what they want out of the process. How about some courtesy, some patience, some understanding, some respect? This should be true of all forms of business.
However, what we have seen develop is a game of one-upsmanship. Each party feeling that they are superior to the other party. You know it takes all of us to make a great society. If we respected one another's capabilities and tried to lift one another up, instead of building ourselves up by putting others down, then would the world not be a better place?
I am a chef by trade, I love cooking for people who enjoy good wholesome creative food, but honestly I have lost my desire to practice my profession in public. The people of this area limit the ability of top-notch talent to ply their trade, because they enjoy the process of eating and filling their gut with foods that they could just as easily prepare at home. They just don't seem to care about quality. It is about price, speed of service, portion size. I may be being too honest by stating that, but I am giving a generality about what I have witnessed over the last 25 years.
There are some people who do appreciate what I desire to deliver, but they are in the vast minority. Ten years ago this area was much more economically viable, because the companies in the area were more economically dynamic. We had people coming from all parts of the world to our area and those people respected the talents of creative people in this area. That is part of the race to the bottom that has been witnessed in our area. We have a lot to offer, but we don't have a lot to offer it to. We need to expand our horizons to the outside world, not close the area off to that world.
I really don't know how we're going to get out of this mess. There are forces that are working against solving the problems that we see in our area. And there are forces that are putting their futures at stake to try and rectify the inadequacies and negatives that have been perpetuated and put us in the vulnerable position that we are in today.
I spoke with a friend of mine who is in the real estate profession. I was talking to him about the Economic Depression that we're in and I was stating that I can't understand how people don't see that we are in an Economic Depression. He said that he believed that most people understand this, they just don't want to talk about it or deal with it -- they're scared. I asked about the real estate business and was he doing any business? He stated that he showed properties and he talked about properties, but he wasn't doing any business. He said everything is on hold. Life is on hold.
It is like we have stated on this blog before. You're either making positive progress or you are falling behind. Stagnation is falling behind. I do agree that this area has done things which will help "some" when things turn around, but what are we aggressively doing to turn things around? We have to do things to turn our economic prospects around without relying on external forces to come save the day. We are going to have to take some chances. The status quo in a period of malaise only helps to propagate that malaise.
I feel that it is incumbent upon the people of our community to look to themselves as problem solvers. If we look at the major issues that we are facing today, the common thread is that people are desiring unrealistic solutions from third-party sources. Instead of self-reliance as the principal, people are all too willing to accept charity from people who lack accountability. Who am I talking about? The GOVERNMENT.
Our government is a big problem. The people are going to have to demand accountability from the government. The government grows larger and larger and yet their accountability continues to dim. If the people continue to accept their current lot in this downward economic spiral, then they better prepare for the worst.
I do not know what the future holds, because honestly, I don't understand people. Why do people want to wait until a catastrophe arises until they take action. We have already seen a catastrophe take place with our economy and we have seen the inaction of the government and an ambivalence towards solving the problems that we face. Words, words, words... when we need action. And I may not be taking enough action, but I am acting. People can do something (anything) to help.
Integrity is all about being true to oneself and being honest with oneself. If one cannot get to the core of that general principle, then frankly there is nothing that can be done to help that individual. We need leaders, not sociopaths. The term used for those who serve in the government is “Public Servant.” The government as an entity is supposed to serve the people, not the other way around. That is the foundational principle upon which our government is based.
Corruption is at the root of our economic problems. What we see is systemic. Until we choose to call out those people who represent the forces of iniquity, then we will continue to spin our wheels forever. You better start learning and teaching you kids Mandarin. Taking the easy way out is no longer an option. The issues that we face are related to character. It is only about judging people to the extent of what is inherently right and wrong. If we are unwilling to call people out, because of who they are or some entity that they represent, then we are accomplices and enablers of whatever injustice these people are perpetrating.
We must represent and demand honesty, integrity, honor, and loyalty and we should never shrink in espousing these principles.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
REBUILDING & EMPOWERING FROM THE BOTTOM UP -- Citizens for Equity in Government
The Citizens for Equity in Government (CEG) in Hickory is a call for every resident of Hickory to join in a major effort to make Hickory a better city. Rebuilding and empowering the city requires an informed public that is willing to continually seek the truth and stand for justice for all people. We want to build a grassroots democratic culture where all are respected, all voices are heard, and where we work together so that the needs of all are met. Is that the Hickory you want? Let’s join together in Hickory and make it happen. This campaign is a continuation of decades of grassroots work and is an important step towards laying the foundations for a city where dignity and worth of all are affirmed and up held.
We at CEG stand for dignity, worth and potential of every person. We work with mainly the poor, most rejected, and most ejected and excluded. We try to do this work in such a way as to promote the welfare of all. We fully support the effort to save our children’s swimming pools.
Our struggle for justice involves issues of health, education, environment, and economics. Saving our children’s swimming pools is a starting point rather than an end.
At the recent workshops (hearings) held by the City of Hickory it was abundantly clear what type of Aquatic Program the citizens desired. It was also made clear by City Council member Hank Guess that “the City does not have money set aside for swimming pools and has to balance recreation needs with other city projects.”
Hearings, workshops, citizens’ suggestions and ideals!
We will continue our struggle on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 11:00 am at Ridgeview Recreation Center. Hear the Rev. Nelson Johnson of Greensboro, NC deliver the keynote address.
Hear what other citizens’ research exposes. But, most of all express yourself.
There will be food and fellowship for all.
Contact: Billy Sudderth (828) 308-4669
The Hound: This sounds great and it is my hope that an effort such as this can succeed in engaging all of the citizens of Hickory and enticing more people to participate in the decision making processes that take place in Hickory. This is not going to be an easy task. In my opinion there are forces that have long aligned to keep the average citizen out of the city's policy making apparatus.
What this is going to take is determination and perseverance. Far too many people believe that efforts such as these will be quickly and easily solved. They feel that going to one meeting or attending a few functions are going to gain attention and cause key decision makers to take notice and support whatever position the group is advocating. It unfortunately does not work that way.
It is a numbers game. The Powers that Be are only going to listen to you when they feel that it may have a direct effect (or reflection) on their status. They listen to the existing interests, because that is who brought them to the decision making table. If they feel that your movement could cause them to lose their position of status, then they will be moved to incorporate your interests into the decision making process. Unfortunately, the name of the game today is not right and/or wrong. Right and/or wrong is only going to come to the fore if a group such as "Citizens for Equity in Government" can become enough of a force to make the necessary changes to existing processes to incorporate such principles into the decision making process.
I congratulate Citizens for Equity in Government on their initial efforts. I do believe that we have seen progress on the Hickory City Pools issue. The efforts to squash the interests of the Ridgeview and West Hickory have failed miserably and this shows that when Advocacy groups do take an interest in city processes that they can make a difference. But, this issue is not solved until the goal is attained and the Pools issue is solved and then we move on from there to solve other issues. Just because you have gotten the tide to turn in your favor on this issue does not mean that you have won anything. You have to remain vigilant. There will be wins and losses along the way. That is how a Representative Democracy works. But, you are now in the game and your participation in Hickory City Governance is a most welcomed sight!
We at CEG stand for dignity, worth and potential of every person. We work with mainly the poor, most rejected, and most ejected and excluded. We try to do this work in such a way as to promote the welfare of all. We fully support the effort to save our children’s swimming pools.
Our struggle for justice involves issues of health, education, environment, and economics. Saving our children’s swimming pools is a starting point rather than an end.
At the recent workshops (hearings) held by the City of Hickory it was abundantly clear what type of Aquatic Program the citizens desired. It was also made clear by City Council member Hank Guess that “the City does not have money set aside for swimming pools and has to balance recreation needs with other city projects.”
Hearings, workshops, citizens’ suggestions and ideals!
We will continue our struggle on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 11:00 am at Ridgeview Recreation Center. Hear the Rev. Nelson Johnson of Greensboro, NC deliver the keynote address.
Hear what other citizens’ research exposes. But, most of all express yourself.
There will be food and fellowship for all.
Contact: Billy Sudderth (828) 308-4669
The Hound: This sounds great and it is my hope that an effort such as this can succeed in engaging all of the citizens of Hickory and enticing more people to participate in the decision making processes that take place in Hickory. This is not going to be an easy task. In my opinion there are forces that have long aligned to keep the average citizen out of the city's policy making apparatus.
What this is going to take is determination and perseverance. Far too many people believe that efforts such as these will be quickly and easily solved. They feel that going to one meeting or attending a few functions are going to gain attention and cause key decision makers to take notice and support whatever position the group is advocating. It unfortunately does not work that way.
It is a numbers game. The Powers that Be are only going to listen to you when they feel that it may have a direct effect (or reflection) on their status. They listen to the existing interests, because that is who brought them to the decision making table. If they feel that your movement could cause them to lose their position of status, then they will be moved to incorporate your interests into the decision making process. Unfortunately, the name of the game today is not right and/or wrong. Right and/or wrong is only going to come to the fore if a group such as "Citizens for Equity in Government" can become enough of a force to make the necessary changes to existing processes to incorporate such principles into the decision making process.
I congratulate Citizens for Equity in Government on their initial efforts. I do believe that we have seen progress on the Hickory City Pools issue. The efforts to squash the interests of the Ridgeview and West Hickory have failed miserably and this shows that when Advocacy groups do take an interest in city processes that they can make a difference. But, this issue is not solved until the goal is attained and the Pools issue is solved and then we move on from there to solve other issues. Just because you have gotten the tide to turn in your favor on this issue does not mean that you have won anything. You have to remain vigilant. There will be wins and losses along the way. That is how a Representative Democracy works. But, you are now in the game and your participation in Hickory City Governance is a most welcomed sight!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
The Future is Now -- Hickory Hound 30,000+ Unique Views
On Tuesday the Hound went over 30,000 unique views. I have been keeping up with the numbers and this is by far the fastest 5,000 unique view increment increase that we have seen since this blog began. It took 82 days to get those 5,000 views compared to the previous 5,000 increment (from 20k to 25k) that took 130 days. It is great to see that the Hound continues to gather momentum. It has been steady progress, of course with constant steps forward and steps back, but the trends show the slow, but we are seeing an exponential growth curve develop as we have moved forward.
I truly appreciate those who read and participate with the input of this blog. In my opinion, you give this community hope, because you care. It is discouraging when we see the challenges that we face in this community and the fact that some people just don't get it and others just don't care. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and that is what makes a great community, but when people are ambivalent they may as well be working against us.
Some people think that I am out there and I guess I am a little out there, but I'm a lot less crazy than some of you think. Below is an embedded video from Discovery Channel called "Next World -- the Future of Life on Earth." This video shows technology, much of which is already accessible in its beginning form, that will change life as we know it on earth. I have been around technology my entire life. I have told many of you about that before in other postings and in person.
The human brain does 100 trillion calculations per second, by 2050 a desktop computer will have the equivalent processing power of 9 billion brains. We're moving quickly towards where computer devices will have artificial intelligence. The machines that are derivatives of this technology will give us the capability of being superhuman in nature.
I was around computers when they took up the bottom floor a building to do the most rudimentary operations. Those computers were nothing compared to what Blackberries and iPhones can do today. Remember people’s vinyl collections of music and how much space that 100 albums would take up. Well, today's 160 GB iPod will hold 40,000 songs, so that's anywhere between 2,500 and 4,000 albums and this will fit easily in your shirt pocket. That is how technology has evolved and expanded over the last 30 years.
What this video shows is the evolution of robotic technology. The video shows the melding of humans and machines. That is already taking place. Look at what has happened with smart phones and Blue Tooth technology.
This video shows Ray Kurzweil who is one of the leading futurists in the world. What we see from all of this is that humans in their ultimate form are very adaptive. Sometimes the exponential growth of the technology that surrounds us has proven to be faster than our minds can comprehend. What I want you to understand is that most of the technology that we are enjoying today was at one time thought to be impossible. So as one watches this video and has trouble comprehending or believing what they are seeing, they need to come to the realization that anything is possible if given enough time to develop. It is foolish to ever think or state that something can never happened -- never say never.
One recent example is an article that I read on ESPN.com today. Brent Musburger, who most of us know through his association as a media journalist and commentator, was stating that the use of steroids (performance enhancing drugs), when properly administered by physicians in a safe environment, should be acceptable for adult professional athletes. A lot of respondents went with standard line of today that that is an unacceptable idea. But, I understand exactly where Brent Musburger is coming from.
We are coming to an age when bionic prosthetic devices could be used when a human has a problem with the knee joint, hip joint, elbow, shoulder, ankle, vertebrae, etc... Eventually these devices could be better than the real thing. Would these not be construed as performance enhancing devices. Should they be banned or outlawed. What if an athlete tears up their knee and one of these devices could be installed as replacement. What would be wrong with that?
These are some of the ethical questions that are going to have to be answered in the very near future. We see this in this video when an exoskeleton is shown. We have already seen the use of predator drones on the battlefield. Soon we are going to see the ability to utilize robotic technology and exoskeleton technology in conjunction with humans on the battlefield. We must open our minds to the possibilities in order to gain an understanding of what we are facing. You can stick your head in the sand or you can join those of us who have an acceptance of all of this and help to make better decisions of the limitless possibilities, consequences, and challenges that we face.
This particular video runs a little over 40 minutes. Watch a little bit at a time and come back to it. I don't see how you can't find something such as this very interesting. Sure it isn't a comedy or drama to help you escape the pressures of day, but it is good to expand your horizons and understand the true characteristics of the world in which we live.
I truly appreciate those who read and participate with the input of this blog. In my opinion, you give this community hope, because you care. It is discouraging when we see the challenges that we face in this community and the fact that some people just don't get it and others just don't care. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and that is what makes a great community, but when people are ambivalent they may as well be working against us.
Some people think that I am out there and I guess I am a little out there, but I'm a lot less crazy than some of you think. Below is an embedded video from Discovery Channel called "Next World -- the Future of Life on Earth." This video shows technology, much of which is already accessible in its beginning form, that will change life as we know it on earth. I have been around technology my entire life. I have told many of you about that before in other postings and in person.
The human brain does 100 trillion calculations per second, by 2050 a desktop computer will have the equivalent processing power of 9 billion brains. We're moving quickly towards where computer devices will have artificial intelligence. The machines that are derivatives of this technology will give us the capability of being superhuman in nature.
I was around computers when they took up the bottom floor a building to do the most rudimentary operations. Those computers were nothing compared to what Blackberries and iPhones can do today. Remember people’s vinyl collections of music and how much space that 100 albums would take up. Well, today's 160 GB iPod will hold 40,000 songs, so that's anywhere between 2,500 and 4,000 albums and this will fit easily in your shirt pocket. That is how technology has evolved and expanded over the last 30 years.
What this video shows is the evolution of robotic technology. The video shows the melding of humans and machines. That is already taking place. Look at what has happened with smart phones and Blue Tooth technology.
This video shows Ray Kurzweil who is one of the leading futurists in the world. What we see from all of this is that humans in their ultimate form are very adaptive. Sometimes the exponential growth of the technology that surrounds us has proven to be faster than our minds can comprehend. What I want you to understand is that most of the technology that we are enjoying today was at one time thought to be impossible. So as one watches this video and has trouble comprehending or believing what they are seeing, they need to come to the realization that anything is possible if given enough time to develop. It is foolish to ever think or state that something can never happened -- never say never.
One recent example is an article that I read on ESPN.com today. Brent Musburger, who most of us know through his association as a media journalist and commentator, was stating that the use of steroids (performance enhancing drugs), when properly administered by physicians in a safe environment, should be acceptable for adult professional athletes. A lot of respondents went with standard line of today that that is an unacceptable idea. But, I understand exactly where Brent Musburger is coming from.
We are coming to an age when bionic prosthetic devices could be used when a human has a problem with the knee joint, hip joint, elbow, shoulder, ankle, vertebrae, etc... Eventually these devices could be better than the real thing. Would these not be construed as performance enhancing devices. Should they be banned or outlawed. What if an athlete tears up their knee and one of these devices could be installed as replacement. What would be wrong with that?
These are some of the ethical questions that are going to have to be answered in the very near future. We see this in this video when an exoskeleton is shown. We have already seen the use of predator drones on the battlefield. Soon we are going to see the ability to utilize robotic technology and exoskeleton technology in conjunction with humans on the battlefield. We must open our minds to the possibilities in order to gain an understanding of what we are facing. You can stick your head in the sand or you can join those of us who have an acceptance of all of this and help to make better decisions of the limitless possibilities, consequences, and challenges that we face.
This particular video runs a little over 40 minutes. Watch a little bit at a time and come back to it. I don't see how you can't find something such as this very interesting. Sure it isn't a comedy or drama to help you escape the pressures of day, but it is good to expand your horizons and understand the true characteristics of the world in which we live.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of October 5, 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 right of this page under Main Information links is an Hickory's City Website link. If you click on that link, it takes you to our city’s website, at the left of the page you will see the Agenda's and Minutes link you need to click. This will give you a choice of PDF files to upcoming and previous meetings.
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 10/5/2010 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below
Invocation by Rev. Ken McEahern
Consent Agenda:
A. Proclamation Declaring the Week of October 18 – 22, 2010 as “National Business Women’s Week” in the City of Hickory
B. Adopt Resolution Honoring the Memory of Patricia Ann McNair for Her Many Years of Community Contributions to the City of Hickory
C. Approval to Apply for 2010 United States Environmental Protection Agency Brownfield Assessment Grant Program - The Planning and Development Department requests approval to file an application with
the 2010 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfield Assessment Grant Program by October 15, 2010. The department’s intention is to apply for a $200,000.00 Hazardous Materials Grant and a $200,000.00 Petroleum Grant. The grants are 100% federally funded and require no local match. The US EPA Region IV Atlanta has encouraged the City to apply for the 2010 funding grant due to the success of the 2007 Brownfield Assessment Grant. There is no cost to apply.
D. Approval to Sole Source Neptune Radio Meters for the Public Utilities Department to Neptune Technology Group, Inc. - The Public Utilities Department requests sole sourcing radio read water meters to allow standardization of parts inventory, training and service. The hand held equipment currently used is Equinox, which is Neptune supported and will not allow other meters to work with them. HD Waterworks, Inc. is the only North Carolina representative for Neptune Technology Group, Inc. Permission is requested to sole source due to the fact that no other company can provide bids for this equipment..
E. Award Bid to Amick Equipment for the Purchase of Two (2) Replacement Automated Side Loaders in the Amount of $484,932.00 - The City of Hickory received five (5) bids with Amick Equipment meeting bid
specifications and being the low bidder at $242,466.00 for each unit for a total of $484,932.00. These new automated side loaders (refuse trucks) will replace units 3719 and 3750 and funds are budgeted for FY 2010-11.
F. Approve Contract Extension for Federal Government Grant Services with Marlowe and Company in the Amount of $56,250.00 The City’s current contract with Marlowe and Company expires September 30, 2010 which included assistance in preparing grants, lobbying members of Congress on federal issues affecting local governments and taking the City step by step through the federal appropriations request process. Monthly updates have been furnished to the City and have met to discuss the steps needed to begin the federal appropriation request process. Staff recommends extension of the contract with Marlowe and Company for fifteen months through December, 2011 in the amount of $3,750 per month for a total of $56,250.
G. Adopt Resolution and Approve Agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America Allowing City Employees to Contribute to the NC Deferred Compensation Plan (457) - The City of Hickory employees may currently participate in the NC 401K Plan as well as two (2) 457 plans. By adding the NC 457 plan, employees will have an additional option to save more tax deferred funds for retirement. Staff recommends Resolution adoption and approval of third-party agreement.
H. Budget Ordinance Amendments
1. To budget a $15 memorial donation in the Library Books line item for a children’s book.
2. To budget a total of $13,343 in the Recycling Division Non-Asset Inventory line item. The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance awarded Hickory an $11,119 grant to upgrade one of the existing Recycling drop off centers. To transfer $2,224 from the Recycling Fuel and Motor Oil line item to the Recycling Division Non-Asset Inventory line item for the required local match. This upgrade will allow Hickory to collect and transport 3 different types of materials to the recycling facility with one trip.
3. To transfer $299 from the Police Department Maintenance and Repair of Buildings to the Firing Range Grant Project Specialized Equipment line item for additional concrete needed for the project.
4. To re-appropriate $580,159 of Water and Sewer Fund Balance and budget in the Water and Sewer Line account codes. This amendment is necessary for water and sewer utility relocation to meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) contract for the extensions on Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard from 7th Ave. NE to 8th Ave. NE. Funds were budgeted last fiscal year however they rolled into Fund Balance at year end. Therefore a re-appropriation of funds is necessary.
Informational Items:
A. Report of Mayor Wright’s Travel to Linville, NC to Attend the Future Forward Economic Alliance Meeting at the Grandfather Mountain Museum on September 21, 2010; mileage - $81.00
B. Report of Alderman Lail’s Travel to Chapel Hill, NC to Attend the Strategic Leadership – Setting Priorities, Getting Results Workshop at the School of Government from September 23 – 24, 2010; registration - $295.00
C. Report of Mayor Wright’s Travel to Asheville, NC to Attend the 2010 Metropolitan Mayors Fall Meeting from September 23 - 24, 2010; hotel/parking - $222.86; meals - $60.00; mileage - $75; registration - $100
D. Report of City Manager Berry’s Travel to Asheville, NC to Attend the 2010 Metropolitan Mayors Fall Meeting from September 23 – 24, 2010; hotel - $170.33; registration - $100
New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Update on Revisions to Hickory By Choice 2030/Land Development Code - Since February 2009 the Advisory Committee and a variety of stakeholders have met numerous times and held five (5) public workshops, with one being scheduled for Monday, October 4. The current Hickory By Choice document is the City’s vision for the future and is over eleven (11) years old while the Land Development Code is a legally binding tool which implements the plan and has undergone numerous amendments since its conception in 2001 and has shown to be a cumbersome document and with the new revisions is planned to become a much more succinct and easy document to use. The Planning and Development Department with Studio Cascades and the Advisory Council have made significant changes to both documents and will advise City Council as to what steps still need to be accomplished for approval and adoption.
Brian Frazier made a brief introduction in which he introduced Bill Grimes of Studio Cascade. We have addressed this process many times over the past year two years, so some of this I will not go over because that would be redundant. Since February of 2009 a variety of stakeholders have participated in this process. The planning and development staff, a Council approved 16 member advisory committee, hundreds of citizens, the land-use development board, and the Chamber of Commerce have all participated.
The goal has been to revise the 1999 Hickory By Choice future land-use plan and the 2001 Council adopted Land Development Code. The advisory committee has met over a dozen times over the last 20 months. And there have been six public workshops. Hickory By Choice, has not been significantly altered or updated over the past 11 years. The new Hickory By Choice 2030 plan will be comprehensive and will have a number of elements including transportation, land use, public facilities, housing, economic development, the environment, and Parks and Recreation, which envisions community design and implementation. It is much more far-reaching than the plan, from 11 years ago.
The Land Development Code implemented in 2001 has seen many amendments over the course of the past several years. It has been a cumbersome document for city staff and planners and developers. The new code is much more user-friendly. Brian stated Hickory By Choice 2030 will serve as the vision for Hickory's future and act as a blueprint for growth. The Land Development Code will be the legally binding tool and law that well help to implement the vision (plan).
Bill Grimes took the podium and quickly described the trajectory of the planning process that got us to this point. He talked about amending the 1999 Hickory By Choice plan to reflect some rather significant changes in circumstances that have happened up until now. They're also trying to update code so that it becomes a consistent package.
He went over the six workshops. The first workshop was a vision workshop. The 1999 plan was somewhat abstract, because it was calling for the creation of pedestrianized centers. All of the daily needs of citizens would be provided by a 5 to 10 minute walk from where they lived. That wasn't necessarily an easy process to implement over the period up until now. So we needed to come back and take a look at that. The universal application of that process needed to be scaled back, but some important elements remained. The workshop in March of 2009 allowed us to reset our vision towards goals that can be accomplished over the next 20 years.
In April of 2009. We had a character workshop in which we tested how the community could have a walkable environment, as well as an economically prosperous one across the city. Some cases were studied, including Viewmont and Downtown. These were brought to the workshop. What they wanted to see is how those areas could work better for people who are pedestrians or riding a bicycle or shopkeepers. They were also looking at people who were wanting to invest or develop properties in these areas.
The third workshop looked at how policy could be transformed from 1999, which was focused on land use and transportation alone, into a policy that is appropriate for 2010, and ultimately 2030. The 1999 scope was being expanded as part of this process to look at housing and economic development in a wide range of other things. The second part of this workshop looked to the zoning and land-use regulation. They looked at different strategies and techniques for zoning and regulation of this development over the next 20 years.
There were several complex issues that were discovered from that previous workshop and so they had a charrette with the advisory committee to go through some different alternatives, which pointed us in the direction of the commercial corridors and centers that existed in Hickory.
There was a commercial centers and corridors workshop that was held in October 2009. This workshop asked citizens to characterize the commercial centers and corridors that exist in Hickory. Understanding that some centers and corridors are gonna be urban, and some will be suburban in character. How will standards be put in place that take both of these characteristics into account and place them in their proper context. Hickory By Choice 1999 did not look at this. This created a conflict that the planning department has had to deal with for the last 11 years. The LDC had both suburban and urban standards, but Hickory By Choice only dealt with urban issues. This was used as a jumping off point so that we could rectify this suburban urban issue.
In February 2010 a workshop was held to discuss the city's residential areas. The idea was to figure out a way to accommodate another 12,000 residents in the City of Hickory. New housing types were added to the equation. It is not always financially or fiscally feasible to grow by expansion, alone. One of the things they were hearing from the community is that there needs to be more diverse land-use within the city. This will help to accommodate additional population without expanding planning areas within the city limits.
Brian Frazier took back the podium and stated that this plan would better take into account the current economy and demographic trends and conditions. He stated that the planners always looked at development from an optimistic point of view and that is what they have been moving on. Has this plan taken longer to develop than they initially envisioned? Yes, but he stated that that was on him. Much of that is attributable to the fact that no changes have occurred in 11 years and they wanted to be more thoughtful and thorough in the process. He stated that this is the best time to plan -- during a down economy.
He reiterated that this is going to be a much more comprehensive plan. He stated, there are going to be about 10 different elements in this plan. He stated that this will include a smaller planning area in size. 11 years ago Hickory By Choice, looked at areas outside of Hickory's ETJ. It went beyond annexation agreements that Hickory had with Conover and Newton. Hickory got some negative blowback on that. This made Hickory look like the proverbial 800 pound gorilla.
This is shrunken, the planning area now where it is legal. This plan looks to develop fewer mixed-use centers. The previous plan at 15 or 16 of these centers, which diluted development in the area and ended up subconsciously encouraging strip development in the area. Brian calls this dumbbell development. This took the sense of place away from the proposed centers and placed it along the corridors between the centers. They are trying to bring development back to those centers and enable that walkability, which was the focus of the original Hickory By Choice.
Downtown will become a Central Business District and that will help downtown with its own set of design standards. They are looking at rehabilitation areas along some of the one-way pairs. This will coincide with "Operation No Vacancy" and the Brownfields to try and give a lift up for people who are willing to locate businesses within these areas.
They are also looking to change residential densities. This will be done through the Land Development Code. The goal of HBC 2030 is to be an economic development strategy. He stated that we do not have a plan that is tailored towards economic development. Updating the LDC was a priority. With the previous Hickory By Choice plan not being developed simultaneously with the LDC it meant that there was a disconnect between the two. With this HBC 2030 plan being done in association with the LDC, it means that they will be compatible from the starting line.
They are looking at various corridor studies and plans which will include Hwy 127 and old 70 which needs some work. He stated that he is working with the State on a Hwy 321 plan that will go from I-40 in the Hwy 70 corridor all the way up into Lenoir. They're looking to work with business owners along the Lenoir-Rhyne X. . The Brownfield sites in this area are prime for re-use for retail and office space that will be tailored towards the students and the faculty at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
He stated that he promised that the Land Development Code book would be smaller. The book has been reduced from over 400 pages to around 240 pages. City staff is working diligently to whittle this down and make it easier and more business friendly. He is trying to eliminate subjective interpretations and bring consistency. They are also trying to simplify land-use categories. He stated as an example that the categories should just be retail or manufacturing.
They are looking at a set of commercial corridor aesthetics so that there will be more of a sense of place. They're looking at beefing up design standards in looking at conditional zoning, which has recently been approved by the State of North Carolina legislature. They're looking at less onerous redevelopment standards. They're not looking to continue to perpetuate strip development. They are looking at simplifying design standards. They are trying to strike the proper balance between being pro-business and pro-neighborhood.
They are looking at expansion of preservation overlays to include Highland, Ridgeview Westmont, and Claremont, because these neighborhood protections were not afforded to them since the 2001 Land Development Code was instituted. They are looking to improve manufactured home standards and multi-family apartment standards. They're looking to improve transition zoning standards. They are looking to reduce permitted by right O&I uses to reduce the neighborhood creep.
He stated that this would reduce the turn around for businesses in the decision-making process involving the Planning Department. He stated that there will be more items that will be permitted by right under the new code. The number of days before an item is approved, should be reduced to between one and 10 days. Currently, many of these items have to go through the planning commission, which can take up to 30 days and then there can be another 30 days before you get your approval, which is up to 60 days.
They're working with the Business Development Committee and the Chamber of Commerce to get them on board. They're looking at flexible commercial and industrial redevelopment to try and make it easier through projects like the Brownfields and Operation No Vacancy to tailor the old buildings. This will not only help the business community, but it will help the residents, who will no longer have to drive by these empty buildings. This will improve the overall appearance and do a lot to solve the problems by being pro-neighborhood and pro-business.
Tonight's appearance before the Council was a courtesy to let the Council know what is going on here and to reintroduce Bill Grimes to the Council again. The first public hearing will be at the planning commission meeting on October 27. He hopes that this will be on the agenda for the Council in either December or January, and this will be ready for adoption by January of this upcoming year.
Alder Fox stated that this was an exciting courtesy (appearance). She stated that this needed to be done, and she believes that they have approached this in a very comprehensive way. The economy may the bad, but all of the plans that have been laid out a very exciting. Alder Patton added that the city has laid the infrastructure for future growth and this is the same thing from the planning side. They have laid the groundwork so that when the economy does come back, we'll not need to do anything because it will have been done. Alderman Lail asked if this would lead to a reconfiguration of the planning commission. Mr. Frazier stated that they have looked at that, but Hickory is one of the first cities that developed a regional planning commission in 1966 and this was an act of the Gen. assembly in Raleigh. The planning jurisdictional purview is within the ETJ -- that means the entire area surrounding Hickory. The ETJ will still be the same, it is just the playing area that will become smaller. Alderman Lail stated that he would like to get a walk-through prior to this coming before the city Council. He stated that he would like this to be a workshop.
Hickory By Choice 2030 Workshop: 6th Meeting - (Unable to attend this meeting)
Hickory By Choice 2030 Workshop: 5th Meeting
Hickory By Choice 2030 Workshop: 4th Meeting
Hickory By Choice 2030 Workshop: 3rd Meeting - (Unable to attend this meeting)
Hickory By Choice 2030 Workshop: 2nd Meeting
Why the original Hickory By Choice doesn't work
Hickory By Choice 2030 Workshop: 1st Meeting
Studio Cascade awarded contract at November 4, 2008 City Council meeting
The Hound wandered on August 17, what was going on with this rewrite of Hickory by Choice. I know that patience is a virtue, but with me sometimes that is a hard commodity to come by, especially in these difficult economic times. I pontificated at that time that the former document was such a myriad of mazes that that might be the reason that this was taking so long. Brian Frazier essentially inferred that was the problem.
I am excited about the prospects of a new era that this document could bring forth. In my opening remarks related to this project, I stated that the goal should be economic development -- that business didn't seem to be part of the equation of this process. Mr. Frazier has certainly turned that around, and I think that he has made that the key component that this document is designed around. Tough economic times, such as those that we are in, bring economics to the forefront. Such as what I was taught in business school, the three keys to the success of an enterprise are location, location, location...
We have to create the locations for businesses to thrive in the Hickory. One quarter of the city is completely full of businesses. One small segment of Highway 70, located near I-40 thrives. The rest of this town for the most part is in the dumps. I like the idea of these revitalization zones. My family's business interests have been negatively impacted by the abandonment of the South side of the tracks. That certainly brings this issue to a the forefront for me. But, I do not want this issue dealt with for my own personal interests. I want this issue dealt with, because it is what is best for the citizens of Hickory.
The members of the City Council and certain city staff know the position of where I come from. We need balance in Hickory. We do not have balance in Hickory. Let's put a map of Hickory on a table and place businesses on that map. If you did that, the table would most certainly fall over. There is no balance.
I think that Mr. Frazier has shown that he understands this. It is my hope that the key interests as far as business and development in our city begin to realize that this is a most certain problem. What has served their personal interests in the past just might not serve their best interests in the future. We need to develop this whole city and not just part of it. Where do the people that live on the south side of the tracks go to buy their groceries? Where do they go to the eat? Where do they go to shop? Where do they go to the doctor? Where do they go for any services? Why is all this stuff on the north side of the tracks? Most of us that have lived here know that it didn't used to be and it certainly doesn't have to be.
2. Update on Citizen Engagement - Assistant City Manager Andrea Surratt will update Council on the extensive activities of the City which engage residents.
Andrea Surratt made the presentation, but before she came to the podium. City Manager Berry had a few comments. He stated that at staff level they were looking at all the things that the city does to engage citizens. He stated that they were impressed with all of the things that the city is doing to engage the citizens. He has spoken with some of the City Council members about the possibilities of a neighborhood summit in the fall.
Ms. Surratt came to the podium (much of this was displayed in a PowerPoint presentation that I pieced together into a storyboard in the photograph below -- please click on the photo link to expand the photo so that you can read the bullet points to see the discussion). Ms. Surratt stated that they had not (ever) looked at the number of times that they engage the public, including across all departments, all times of the year, one-time events, events that happen once a month...
She went over the nine neighborhood organizations, the average attendance at these monthly meetings, business organizations that the city works with, the boards and commission's, never a college, citizens police Academy, the community emergency response teams as part of the fire department, the speakers bureau, special events, and communications and social media.
Ms. Surratt then went over the monthly estimate of hours related to citizen engagement, which is over 1100 hrs. and discussed the over 13,500 hours per year, which would equal six staff positions within the city.
***If you ever want to read larger (or smaller) text on any of these documents all you have to do is hold down the control button and press the plus (or minus) button on your computer to zoom in on the text (minus to zoom out). This can also be done with the photos, Then you can use the sliders at the bottom and right side of the browser page to ride up and down the page to read it (or look at the photo). Just thought I would throw that out there in case you think the text is too small (or big). I only do that so these documents don't take up so much space and as a way to differentiate between the subject matter.
At right of this page under Main Information links is an Hickory's City Website link. If you click on that link, it takes you to our city’s website, at the left of the page you will see the Agenda's and Minutes link you need to click. This will give you a choice of PDF files to upcoming and previous meetings.
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 10/5/2010 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below
Invocation by Rev. Ken McEahern
Consent Agenda:
A. Proclamation Declaring the Week of October 18 – 22, 2010 as “National Business Women’s Week” in the City of Hickory
B. Adopt Resolution Honoring the Memory of Patricia Ann McNair for Her Many Years of Community Contributions to the City of Hickory
C. Approval to Apply for 2010 United States Environmental Protection Agency Brownfield Assessment Grant Program - The Planning and Development Department requests approval to file an application with
the 2010 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfield Assessment Grant Program by October 15, 2010. The department’s intention is to apply for a $200,000.00 Hazardous Materials Grant and a $200,000.00 Petroleum Grant. The grants are 100% federally funded and require no local match. The US EPA Region IV Atlanta has encouraged the City to apply for the 2010 funding grant due to the success of the 2007 Brownfield Assessment Grant. There is no cost to apply.
D. Approval to Sole Source Neptune Radio Meters for the Public Utilities Department to Neptune Technology Group, Inc. - The Public Utilities Department requests sole sourcing radio read water meters to allow standardization of parts inventory, training and service. The hand held equipment currently used is Equinox, which is Neptune supported and will not allow other meters to work with them. HD Waterworks, Inc. is the only North Carolina representative for Neptune Technology Group, Inc. Permission is requested to sole source due to the fact that no other company can provide bids for this equipment..
E. Award Bid to Amick Equipment for the Purchase of Two (2) Replacement Automated Side Loaders in the Amount of $484,932.00 - The City of Hickory received five (5) bids with Amick Equipment meeting bid
specifications and being the low bidder at $242,466.00 for each unit for a total of $484,932.00. These new automated side loaders (refuse trucks) will replace units 3719 and 3750 and funds are budgeted for FY 2010-11.
F. Approve Contract Extension for Federal Government Grant Services with Marlowe and Company in the Amount of $56,250.00 The City’s current contract with Marlowe and Company expires September 30, 2010 which included assistance in preparing grants, lobbying members of Congress on federal issues affecting local governments and taking the City step by step through the federal appropriations request process. Monthly updates have been furnished to the City and have met to discuss the steps needed to begin the federal appropriation request process. Staff recommends extension of the contract with Marlowe and Company for fifteen months through December, 2011 in the amount of $3,750 per month for a total of $56,250.
G. Adopt Resolution and Approve Agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America Allowing City Employees to Contribute to the NC Deferred Compensation Plan (457) - The City of Hickory employees may currently participate in the NC 401K Plan as well as two (2) 457 plans. By adding the NC 457 plan, employees will have an additional option to save more tax deferred funds for retirement. Staff recommends Resolution adoption and approval of third-party agreement.
H. Budget Ordinance Amendments
1. To budget a $15 memorial donation in the Library Books line item for a children’s book.
2. To budget a total of $13,343 in the Recycling Division Non-Asset Inventory line item. The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance awarded Hickory an $11,119 grant to upgrade one of the existing Recycling drop off centers. To transfer $2,224 from the Recycling Fuel and Motor Oil line item to the Recycling Division Non-Asset Inventory line item for the required local match. This upgrade will allow Hickory to collect and transport 3 different types of materials to the recycling facility with one trip.
3. To transfer $299 from the Police Department Maintenance and Repair of Buildings to the Firing Range Grant Project Specialized Equipment line item for additional concrete needed for the project.
4. To re-appropriate $580,159 of Water and Sewer Fund Balance and budget in the Water and Sewer Line account codes. This amendment is necessary for water and sewer utility relocation to meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) contract for the extensions on Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard from 7th Ave. NE to 8th Ave. NE. Funds were budgeted last fiscal year however they rolled into Fund Balance at year end. Therefore a re-appropriation of funds is necessary.
Informational Items:
A. Report of Mayor Wright’s Travel to Linville, NC to Attend the Future Forward Economic Alliance Meeting at the Grandfather Mountain Museum on September 21, 2010; mileage - $81.00
B. Report of Alderman Lail’s Travel to Chapel Hill, NC to Attend the Strategic Leadership – Setting Priorities, Getting Results Workshop at the School of Government from September 23 – 24, 2010; registration - $295.00
C. Report of Mayor Wright’s Travel to Asheville, NC to Attend the 2010 Metropolitan Mayors Fall Meeting from September 23 - 24, 2010; hotel/parking - $222.86; meals - $60.00; mileage - $75; registration - $100
D. Report of City Manager Berry’s Travel to Asheville, NC to Attend the 2010 Metropolitan Mayors Fall Meeting from September 23 – 24, 2010; hotel - $170.33; registration - $100
New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Update on Revisions to Hickory By Choice 2030/Land Development Code - Since February 2009 the Advisory Committee and a variety of stakeholders have met numerous times and held five (5) public workshops, with one being scheduled for Monday, October 4. The current Hickory By Choice document is the City’s vision for the future and is over eleven (11) years old while the Land Development Code is a legally binding tool which implements the plan and has undergone numerous amendments since its conception in 2001 and has shown to be a cumbersome document and with the new revisions is planned to become a much more succinct and easy document to use. The Planning and Development Department with Studio Cascades and the Advisory Council have made significant changes to both documents and will advise City Council as to what steps still need to be accomplished for approval and adoption.
Brian Frazier made a brief introduction in which he introduced Bill Grimes of Studio Cascade. We have addressed this process many times over the past year two years, so some of this I will not go over because that would be redundant. Since February of 2009 a variety of stakeholders have participated in this process. The planning and development staff, a Council approved 16 member advisory committee, hundreds of citizens, the land-use development board, and the Chamber of Commerce have all participated.
The goal has been to revise the 1999 Hickory By Choice future land-use plan and the 2001 Council adopted Land Development Code. The advisory committee has met over a dozen times over the last 20 months. And there have been six public workshops. Hickory By Choice, has not been significantly altered or updated over the past 11 years. The new Hickory By Choice 2030 plan will be comprehensive and will have a number of elements including transportation, land use, public facilities, housing, economic development, the environment, and Parks and Recreation, which envisions community design and implementation. It is much more far-reaching than the plan, from 11 years ago.
The Land Development Code implemented in 2001 has seen many amendments over the course of the past several years. It has been a cumbersome document for city staff and planners and developers. The new code is much more user-friendly. Brian stated Hickory By Choice 2030 will serve as the vision for Hickory's future and act as a blueprint for growth. The Land Development Code will be the legally binding tool and law that well help to implement the vision (plan).
Bill Grimes took the podium and quickly described the trajectory of the planning process that got us to this point. He talked about amending the 1999 Hickory By Choice plan to reflect some rather significant changes in circumstances that have happened up until now. They're also trying to update code so that it becomes a consistent package.
He went over the six workshops. The first workshop was a vision workshop. The 1999 plan was somewhat abstract, because it was calling for the creation of pedestrianized centers. All of the daily needs of citizens would be provided by a 5 to 10 minute walk from where they lived. That wasn't necessarily an easy process to implement over the period up until now. So we needed to come back and take a look at that. The universal application of that process needed to be scaled back, but some important elements remained. The workshop in March of 2009 allowed us to reset our vision towards goals that can be accomplished over the next 20 years.
In April of 2009. We had a character workshop in which we tested how the community could have a walkable environment, as well as an economically prosperous one across the city. Some cases were studied, including Viewmont and Downtown. These were brought to the workshop. What they wanted to see is how those areas could work better for people who are pedestrians or riding a bicycle or shopkeepers. They were also looking at people who were wanting to invest or develop properties in these areas.
The third workshop looked at how policy could be transformed from 1999, which was focused on land use and transportation alone, into a policy that is appropriate for 2010, and ultimately 2030. The 1999 scope was being expanded as part of this process to look at housing and economic development in a wide range of other things. The second part of this workshop looked to the zoning and land-use regulation. They looked at different strategies and techniques for zoning and regulation of this development over the next 20 years.
There were several complex issues that were discovered from that previous workshop and so they had a charrette with the advisory committee to go through some different alternatives, which pointed us in the direction of the commercial corridors and centers that existed in Hickory.
There was a commercial centers and corridors workshop that was held in October 2009. This workshop asked citizens to characterize the commercial centers and corridors that exist in Hickory. Understanding that some centers and corridors are gonna be urban, and some will be suburban in character. How will standards be put in place that take both of these characteristics into account and place them in their proper context. Hickory By Choice 1999 did not look at this. This created a conflict that the planning department has had to deal with for the last 11 years. The LDC had both suburban and urban standards, but Hickory By Choice only dealt with urban issues. This was used as a jumping off point so that we could rectify this suburban urban issue.
In February 2010 a workshop was held to discuss the city's residential areas. The idea was to figure out a way to accommodate another 12,000 residents in the City of Hickory. New housing types were added to the equation. It is not always financially or fiscally feasible to grow by expansion, alone. One of the things they were hearing from the community is that there needs to be more diverse land-use within the city. This will help to accommodate additional population without expanding planning areas within the city limits.
Brian Frazier took back the podium and stated that this plan would better take into account the current economy and demographic trends and conditions. He stated that the planners always looked at development from an optimistic point of view and that is what they have been moving on. Has this plan taken longer to develop than they initially envisioned? Yes, but he stated that that was on him. Much of that is attributable to the fact that no changes have occurred in 11 years and they wanted to be more thoughtful and thorough in the process. He stated that this is the best time to plan -- during a down economy.
He reiterated that this is going to be a much more comprehensive plan. He stated, there are going to be about 10 different elements in this plan. He stated that this will include a smaller planning area in size. 11 years ago Hickory By Choice, looked at areas outside of Hickory's ETJ. It went beyond annexation agreements that Hickory had with Conover and Newton. Hickory got some negative blowback on that. This made Hickory look like the proverbial 800 pound gorilla.
This is shrunken, the planning area now where it is legal. This plan looks to develop fewer mixed-use centers. The previous plan at 15 or 16 of these centers, which diluted development in the area and ended up subconsciously encouraging strip development in the area. Brian calls this dumbbell development. This took the sense of place away from the proposed centers and placed it along the corridors between the centers. They are trying to bring development back to those centers and enable that walkability, which was the focus of the original Hickory By Choice.
Downtown will become a Central Business District and that will help downtown with its own set of design standards. They are looking at rehabilitation areas along some of the one-way pairs. This will coincide with "Operation No Vacancy" and the Brownfields to try and give a lift up for people who are willing to locate businesses within these areas.
They are also looking to change residential densities. This will be done through the Land Development Code. The goal of HBC 2030 is to be an economic development strategy. He stated that we do not have a plan that is tailored towards economic development. Updating the LDC was a priority. With the previous Hickory By Choice plan not being developed simultaneously with the LDC it meant that there was a disconnect between the two. With this HBC 2030 plan being done in association with the LDC, it means that they will be compatible from the starting line.
They are looking at various corridor studies and plans which will include Hwy 127 and old 70 which needs some work. He stated that he is working with the State on a Hwy 321 plan that will go from I-40 in the Hwy 70 corridor all the way up into Lenoir. They're looking to work with business owners along the Lenoir-Rhyne X. . The Brownfield sites in this area are prime for re-use for retail and office space that will be tailored towards the students and the faculty at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
He stated that he promised that the Land Development Code book would be smaller. The book has been reduced from over 400 pages to around 240 pages. City staff is working diligently to whittle this down and make it easier and more business friendly. He is trying to eliminate subjective interpretations and bring consistency. They are also trying to simplify land-use categories. He stated as an example that the categories should just be retail or manufacturing.
They are looking at a set of commercial corridor aesthetics so that there will be more of a sense of place. They're looking at beefing up design standards in looking at conditional zoning, which has recently been approved by the State of North Carolina legislature. They're looking at less onerous redevelopment standards. They're not looking to continue to perpetuate strip development. They are looking at simplifying design standards. They are trying to strike the proper balance between being pro-business and pro-neighborhood.
They are looking at expansion of preservation overlays to include Highland, Ridgeview Westmont, and Claremont, because these neighborhood protections were not afforded to them since the 2001 Land Development Code was instituted. They are looking to improve manufactured home standards and multi-family apartment standards. They're looking to improve transition zoning standards. They are looking to reduce permitted by right O&I uses to reduce the neighborhood creep.
He stated that this would reduce the turn around for businesses in the decision-making process involving the Planning Department. He stated that there will be more items that will be permitted by right under the new code. The number of days before an item is approved, should be reduced to between one and 10 days. Currently, many of these items have to go through the planning commission, which can take up to 30 days and then there can be another 30 days before you get your approval, which is up to 60 days.
They're working with the Business Development Committee and the Chamber of Commerce to get them on board. They're looking at flexible commercial and industrial redevelopment to try and make it easier through projects like the Brownfields and Operation No Vacancy to tailor the old buildings. This will not only help the business community, but it will help the residents, who will no longer have to drive by these empty buildings. This will improve the overall appearance and do a lot to solve the problems by being pro-neighborhood and pro-business.
Tonight's appearance before the Council was a courtesy to let the Council know what is going on here and to reintroduce Bill Grimes to the Council again. The first public hearing will be at the planning commission meeting on October 27. He hopes that this will be on the agenda for the Council in either December or January, and this will be ready for adoption by January of this upcoming year.
Alder Fox stated that this was an exciting courtesy (appearance). She stated that this needed to be done, and she believes that they have approached this in a very comprehensive way. The economy may the bad, but all of the plans that have been laid out a very exciting. Alder Patton added that the city has laid the infrastructure for future growth and this is the same thing from the planning side. They have laid the groundwork so that when the economy does come back, we'll not need to do anything because it will have been done. Alderman Lail asked if this would lead to a reconfiguration of the planning commission. Mr. Frazier stated that they have looked at that, but Hickory is one of the first cities that developed a regional planning commission in 1966 and this was an act of the Gen. assembly in Raleigh. The planning jurisdictional purview is within the ETJ -- that means the entire area surrounding Hickory. The ETJ will still be the same, it is just the playing area that will become smaller. Alderman Lail stated that he would like to get a walk-through prior to this coming before the city Council. He stated that he would like this to be a workshop.
Hickory By Choice 2030 Workshop: 6th Meeting - (Unable to attend this meeting)
Hickory By Choice 2030 Workshop: 5th Meeting
Hickory By Choice 2030 Workshop: 4th Meeting
Hickory By Choice 2030 Workshop: 3rd Meeting - (Unable to attend this meeting)
Hickory By Choice 2030 Workshop: 2nd Meeting
Why the original Hickory By Choice doesn't work
Hickory By Choice 2030 Workshop: 1st Meeting
Studio Cascade awarded contract at November 4, 2008 City Council meeting
The Hound wandered on August 17, what was going on with this rewrite of Hickory by Choice. I know that patience is a virtue, but with me sometimes that is a hard commodity to come by, especially in these difficult economic times. I pontificated at that time that the former document was such a myriad of mazes that that might be the reason that this was taking so long. Brian Frazier essentially inferred that was the problem.
I am excited about the prospects of a new era that this document could bring forth. In my opening remarks related to this project, I stated that the goal should be economic development -- that business didn't seem to be part of the equation of this process. Mr. Frazier has certainly turned that around, and I think that he has made that the key component that this document is designed around. Tough economic times, such as those that we are in, bring economics to the forefront. Such as what I was taught in business school, the three keys to the success of an enterprise are location, location, location...
We have to create the locations for businesses to thrive in the Hickory. One quarter of the city is completely full of businesses. One small segment of Highway 70, located near I-40 thrives. The rest of this town for the most part is in the dumps. I like the idea of these revitalization zones. My family's business interests have been negatively impacted by the abandonment of the South side of the tracks. That certainly brings this issue to a the forefront for me. But, I do not want this issue dealt with for my own personal interests. I want this issue dealt with, because it is what is best for the citizens of Hickory.
The members of the City Council and certain city staff know the position of where I come from. We need balance in Hickory. We do not have balance in Hickory. Let's put a map of Hickory on a table and place businesses on that map. If you did that, the table would most certainly fall over. There is no balance.
I think that Mr. Frazier has shown that he understands this. It is my hope that the key interests as far as business and development in our city begin to realize that this is a most certain problem. What has served their personal interests in the past just might not serve their best interests in the future. We need to develop this whole city and not just part of it. Where do the people that live on the south side of the tracks go to buy their groceries? Where do they go to the eat? Where do they go to shop? Where do they go to the doctor? Where do they go for any services? Why is all this stuff on the north side of the tracks? Most of us that have lived here know that it didn't used to be and it certainly doesn't have to be.
2. Update on Citizen Engagement - Assistant City Manager Andrea Surratt will update Council on the extensive activities of the City which engage residents.
Andrea Surratt made the presentation, but before she came to the podium. City Manager Berry had a few comments. He stated that at staff level they were looking at all the things that the city does to engage citizens. He stated that they were impressed with all of the things that the city is doing to engage the citizens. He has spoken with some of the City Council members about the possibilities of a neighborhood summit in the fall.
Ms. Surratt came to the podium (much of this was displayed in a PowerPoint presentation that I pieced together into a storyboard in the photograph below -- please click on the photo link to expand the photo so that you can read the bullet points to see the discussion). Ms. Surratt stated that they had not (ever) looked at the number of times that they engage the public, including across all departments, all times of the year, one-time events, events that happen once a month...
She went over the nine neighborhood organizations, the average attendance at these monthly meetings, business organizations that the city works with, the boards and commission's, never a college, citizens police Academy, the community emergency response teams as part of the fire department, the speakers bureau, special events, and communications and social media.
Ms. Surratt then went over the monthly estimate of hours related to citizen engagement, which is over 1100 hrs. and discussed the over 13,500 hours per year, which would equal six staff positions within the city.
***If you ever want to read larger (or smaller) text on any of these documents all you have to do is hold down the control button and press the plus (or minus) button on your computer to zoom in on the text (minus to zoom out). This can also be done with the photos, Then you can use the sliders at the bottom and right side of the browser page to ride up and down the page to read it (or look at the photo). Just thought I would throw that out there in case you think the text is too small (or big). I only do that so these documents don't take up so much space and as a way to differentiate between the subject matter.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Where are the UNC Board of Governors?!?!? - UNC-Chapel Hill athletic scandal.
Over the last several months I have attempted to stay out of this whole debacle that we have all witnessed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I don't want to continually address the context of the situation and upset the apple cart of those associated with that university, but if I can wake up one alumni at a time to the fact that this is a truly sad and devastating situation, then maybe I will not have to write anything else about the subject. It seems that the only people that don't recognize that there are serious problems associated with that university are the supporters of the sports program at that university, whether they be alumni or just fans. Folks, this ain't professional sports. This is an academic institution that represents the interests of all of the citizens of our state.
It is understandable when people, who don't have an academic association with that university or another institution in the UNC system, don't see the major implications of the cheating; whether it be academic or monetary that have taken place in association with the football program run by Butch Davis and consented to by the board of directors, Chancellor Holden Thorpe, and athletic director Dick Baddour. What we honest to God need to see is a full scale independent investigation by authorities representative of the state of North Carolina and not associated with UNCCH.
It is high time that this happens. What is truly sad is what we have witnessed from the Board of Governors of the State of North Carolina university system. We did not see this same hands off approach displayed 20 years ago when CD Spangler, acting as the head of the University of North Carolina system, and the Board of Governors went after NC State's basketball coach Jim Valvano with a zeal that led to his ultimate dismissal and the placement of a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni as North Carolina State University's athletic director. Where is the Board of Governors now?
I read a very thorough quote on the website Pack Pride, in which a poster gave a very damning indictment of what happened 20 years ago and compared it to what we are seeing in relation to the Butch Davis and University of North Carolina football team scandal:
John Blake was a direct hire by Butch Davis. There are no ifs, ands, or buts and no one can deny that fact. The tutor that was directly hired by Butch Davis for his son is also implicated in writing class assigned papers for UNCCH athletes. And we are led to believe by supporters of the university and Coach Davis that he had no association (or knowledge of) any of this. Let's be honest folks, that defies logic.
The latest information, that sadly has to come from a national source(Yahoo sports -- Money trail ties agent, ex-UNC coach - 9/29/2010), shows a multitude of payments directly associated between Agent Gary Wichard and John Blake before and during his tenure as a recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach for the Tarheel football team. There is an appearance of impropriety here that needs to be investigated. And apparently there is a lack of willingness of people in the UNCCH administration to forthrightly investigate these relationships. And again where is the local media to assume the investigative reporting role that they so passionately and thoroughly assumed in 1989 and 1990 as they sought to convict North Carolina State's coach Jim Valvano of wrongdoing.
Where are the Board of Governors? Do you know that some of these people live in our own area? (Board of Governor's members) This board is disproportionally made up of people who are graduates of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Is the reason that they don't want to investigate, because of their alma mater? The appearance of impropriety is impropriety.
It isn't too late. We all make mistakes. Some of us even acknowledge the mistakes that we have made. It is time that the win at all costs system of athletics at Chapel Hill be brought back to reality. It is my hope that the Secretary of State of North Carolina will honestly and thoroughly investigate this situation and get to the bottom of what is and has been going on over there. This has been a black eye to our state and many of us recognize that.
I will not pretend that I am unbiased in this situation. I have not liked what I've seen over these many years. The rumors and innuendo have been there for a long time. All anyone asks for is a level playing field. This is not about athletics. This is about integrity. This is about knowing the difference between right and wrong. Collegiate athletics are not supposed to be a breeding ground for money laundering and illegal agent activity. We all saw what happened to the North Carolina State University athletic program and supposedly it was about the student-athlete paradigm. Well, what we have seen in the past 20 years is North Carolina State run a completely above board athletic program. Can the same be said for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
The question that begs to be asked is this one, and I would like to ask this to the Board of Governors and local media. If what we're witnessing right now in Chapel Hill had taken place at any of the other 15 institutions that make up the University of North Carolina system would they be given the same luxuries to investigate themselves that we have witnessed with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
This is all going to come out in the wash. There's nowhere to run and there is nowhere to hide. Those involved need to come forward and provide the honest truth about what has been happening in Chapel Hill. The sooner they come forward, the more lenient the punishment will be, but there is going to be punishment.
Our state motto is "esse quam verdi," which means "to be, rather than to seem." As I've stated already this is a black eye to our great state. Perception means nothing, if their is no substance behind it. Is everyone equal under the eyes of the law and by-laws or do we choose to divide ourselves up amongst socio-economic and privileged classes? Who the heck is Butch Davis anyway? What has he contributed to our state? The people associated with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill should be embarrassed and ashamed to be associated with what has been brought to the perception of that institution.
The leaders of the University of North Carolina system and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill need to realize that what they are doing is historical. This is going to have implications for years to come, because the caste system that is our university system has been fully exposed, but in the end righteousness will prevail. The university system does not belong to the members of the board of governors and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill does not belong only to those closely associated with that university. That university belongs to all of the people of this State past, present, and future.
We have seen a lot of scandals in the state over the last few years. None of them take precedence over the others. One is as shameful as any of the others. What we have learned is that there are very few innocent bystanders associated with any of these scandals. There is corruption from the top to the bottom and all you have to do is follow the money trail. There have been lots of ill-gotten gains. No wonder the state is suffering economically at this time. If we do not address these issues of corruption, then all of the other efforts are fruitless. With no moral foundation or principles, anything we do is a waste of our time.
The number one economic development tool that we need to work on in our state is our moral and honor code. The corruption is killing our economy. People want to talk about innovation and ingenuity and I personally don't believe that you can have that mindset without a fair playing field. We need to reward people based on merit and not nepotism and/or class. The cream is being suppressed and we need the cream to be able to rise to the top. That should be the goal of people who care. Do you care?
State of North Carolina University System -- We've Got a Problem Here!!! - September 18, 2010
It is understandable when people, who don't have an academic association with that university or another institution in the UNC system, don't see the major implications of the cheating; whether it be academic or monetary that have taken place in association with the football program run by Butch Davis and consented to by the board of directors, Chancellor Holden Thorpe, and athletic director Dick Baddour. What we honest to God need to see is a full scale independent investigation by authorities representative of the state of North Carolina and not associated with UNCCH.
It is high time that this happens. What is truly sad is what we have witnessed from the Board of Governors of the State of North Carolina university system. We did not see this same hands off approach displayed 20 years ago when CD Spangler, acting as the head of the University of North Carolina system, and the Board of Governors went after NC State's basketball coach Jim Valvano with a zeal that led to his ultimate dismissal and the placement of a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni as North Carolina State University's athletic director. Where is the Board of Governors now?
I read a very thorough quote on the website Pack Pride, in which a poster gave a very damning indictment of what happened 20 years ago and compared it to what we are seeing in relation to the Butch Davis and University of North Carolina football team scandal:
''I am pleased Chancellor Poulton has submited his resignation,'' said William Johnson of Lillington, a member of the board of governors. ''He has taken action in the best interest of the university. I think he set a good example which I hope Coach Valvano will follow. It would be in the best interest of the university for those who had any responsibility for abuses of academics to sever their ties with the university.''I want you to understand that I am angry about what I am witnessing here. The obvious double standard is so evident. 20 years ago we were constantly reminded about how North Carolina State ran a dirty program, while the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was as pristine as the wind driven snow. Well what do you think about that today?
Forget that the NCAA ultimately completely absolved V, and NCSU for that matter, of any academic abuse. The alleged "academic abuse" Johnson spoke of was never documented or otherwise factually supported. Contrast this situation to how the BOT and BOG are handling the current mess in Chapel Hill.
The other striking thing I've noticed in going back through this stuff is how open and forthcoming Valvano was in discussing everything that was going on, and offering explanations/comments on the allegations, allegations which again were ultimately determined to be false. Again, contrast that to the current situation.
Some examples of V's interaction with the media during the investigation:
"This has been the worst experience of my entire life," he said. "My only consolation is that my father's not here to see it."
"Usually I talk to my wife [Pam] when things go wrong," he says. "But she's so upset about all this, I can't talk to her. So, I just go crazy. I sit here, and I think that there's going to be a book going out all over the country that says I have no integrity.
"There's no place I can go to escape it, and nothing I can do to stop it. It's going to happen. I never thought after 22 years in this profession that my whole life would be changed by a manager and a writer whom I've never met. The funniest thing about it is all the times I've had people come to me and want to write a book, and I said no because I figured, Who wants to read a book about me? Guess I had that one wrong.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm having an out-of-body experience, that I'm floating around watching all this. I'm not dealing with it well at all. I used to be the guy who wanted to talk to everyone. Now, I only want to be with close friends. This isn't temporary, either. I think this will change me for good."
And then after the investigation:
''This is not a typical major infractions case that we usually deal with,'' said Charles Smart, the N.C.A.A. director of infractions. ''This is not a case where there's academic irregularities. This is not a case where there are cash payments.''
Funny, aren't these precisely the 2 things UNC is guilty of? Nonetheless, even after being exonerated by the NCAA's investigation, V still stood up and accepted responsibility unlike you know who.
Valvano said that being barred from the N.C.A.A. tournament was ''as serious a hurt and blow as I have had personally in my life.'' ''We accept the N.C.A.A. findings and its punishment,'' he added.
Valvano maintained he had no knowledge of any violations. ''We did not have any individual in any level of our department who intended to violate any rule, but we not have in place the proper procedure to insure that no rules would be violated,'' he said.
Finally, let's not forget the horrible transgressions that resulted in 2 years probation, post-season ban, and loss of scholarships for NCSU:
Tickets were sold or exchanged for merchandise worth up to $150 each, the N.C.A.A. said. Shoes, valued at $75 a pair, were traded for shoes and apparel of equal value at a local sporting goods store, the report said.
http://www.nytimes.com/1989/12...or-2-years.html
John Blake was a direct hire by Butch Davis. There are no ifs, ands, or buts and no one can deny that fact. The tutor that was directly hired by Butch Davis for his son is also implicated in writing class assigned papers for UNCCH athletes. And we are led to believe by supporters of the university and Coach Davis that he had no association (or knowledge of) any of this. Let's be honest folks, that defies logic.
The latest information, that sadly has to come from a national source(Yahoo sports -- Money trail ties agent, ex-UNC coach - 9/29/2010), shows a multitude of payments directly associated between Agent Gary Wichard and John Blake before and during his tenure as a recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach for the Tarheel football team. There is an appearance of impropriety here that needs to be investigated. And apparently there is a lack of willingness of people in the UNCCH administration to forthrightly investigate these relationships. And again where is the local media to assume the investigative reporting role that they so passionately and thoroughly assumed in 1989 and 1990 as they sought to convict North Carolina State's coach Jim Valvano of wrongdoing.
Where are the Board of Governors? Do you know that some of these people live in our own area? (Board of Governor's members) This board is disproportionally made up of people who are graduates of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Is the reason that they don't want to investigate, because of their alma mater? The appearance of impropriety is impropriety.
It isn't too late. We all make mistakes. Some of us even acknowledge the mistakes that we have made. It is time that the win at all costs system of athletics at Chapel Hill be brought back to reality. It is my hope that the Secretary of State of North Carolina will honestly and thoroughly investigate this situation and get to the bottom of what is and has been going on over there. This has been a black eye to our state and many of us recognize that.
I will not pretend that I am unbiased in this situation. I have not liked what I've seen over these many years. The rumors and innuendo have been there for a long time. All anyone asks for is a level playing field. This is not about athletics. This is about integrity. This is about knowing the difference between right and wrong. Collegiate athletics are not supposed to be a breeding ground for money laundering and illegal agent activity. We all saw what happened to the North Carolina State University athletic program and supposedly it was about the student-athlete paradigm. Well, what we have seen in the past 20 years is North Carolina State run a completely above board athletic program. Can the same be said for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
The question that begs to be asked is this one, and I would like to ask this to the Board of Governors and local media. If what we're witnessing right now in Chapel Hill had taken place at any of the other 15 institutions that make up the University of North Carolina system would they be given the same luxuries to investigate themselves that we have witnessed with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
This is all going to come out in the wash. There's nowhere to run and there is nowhere to hide. Those involved need to come forward and provide the honest truth about what has been happening in Chapel Hill. The sooner they come forward, the more lenient the punishment will be, but there is going to be punishment.
Our state motto is "esse quam verdi," which means "to be, rather than to seem." As I've stated already this is a black eye to our great state. Perception means nothing, if their is no substance behind it. Is everyone equal under the eyes of the law and by-laws or do we choose to divide ourselves up amongst socio-economic and privileged classes? Who the heck is Butch Davis anyway? What has he contributed to our state? The people associated with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill should be embarrassed and ashamed to be associated with what has been brought to the perception of that institution.
The leaders of the University of North Carolina system and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill need to realize that what they are doing is historical. This is going to have implications for years to come, because the caste system that is our university system has been fully exposed, but in the end righteousness will prevail. The university system does not belong to the members of the board of governors and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill does not belong only to those closely associated with that university. That university belongs to all of the people of this State past, present, and future.
We have seen a lot of scandals in the state over the last few years. None of them take precedence over the others. One is as shameful as any of the others. What we have learned is that there are very few innocent bystanders associated with any of these scandals. There is corruption from the top to the bottom and all you have to do is follow the money trail. There have been lots of ill-gotten gains. No wonder the state is suffering economically at this time. If we do not address these issues of corruption, then all of the other efforts are fruitless. With no moral foundation or principles, anything we do is a waste of our time.
The number one economic development tool that we need to work on in our state is our moral and honor code. The corruption is killing our economy. People want to talk about innovation and ingenuity and I personally don't believe that you can have that mindset without a fair playing field. We need to reward people based on merit and not nepotism and/or class. The cream is being suppressed and we need the cream to be able to rise to the top. That should be the goal of people who care. Do you care?
State of North Carolina University System -- We've Got a Problem Here!!! - September 18, 2010
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