Coming to America - Austerity

The reports below are the result of the economic squeeze put on citizens from Greece and Italy. Unemployment there is worse than here and the citizens are having guaranteed benefits cut, loss of unemployment benefits, and increases in already burdensome taxes. The governments are also cutting payrolls.

Does this not sound familiar? Do you really believe that the U.S. Government might not cut off Social Security payments? Do you really believe that the U.S. government won't cut off retired military pensions? Cutting off unemployment benefits for those who truly can't find work? Do you not think our government is capable of raising taxes drastically? If not, why not? The government has shown a drastic willingness to protect the interests of the bureaucracy over those of the people.

The images are dramatic and breathtaking, but you need to see this, because this is reality. Are you seeing this on America's nightly news? Why?



Violent protests as Greeks strike over austerity cuts

Bullish on Corruption - Bearish on the American People

In America Crime pays, while the American people turn their heads away from issues of importance and towards mindless pop culture. I will help those who are humble, but don't come trying to steal from me when it hits the fan. Remember how you laughed at those of us who warned you about this path. When we asked you to rise up, you told us to sit down!

I believe that about 1% of the people in our area care about what is going on. In the City of Hickory that would equate to 400 people. In Catawba County about 1,300. That is what I see from the numbers that I run. What will it take for people to wake up? It's going to be too late when they do!



Donald Trump - Taxes Should Remain as Low as Possible - Tax China - China is laughing at us!

Ben Bernanke and the Federal Reserve -- Cranking it out

Ben, you want to express to us just how bad of shape the economy is really in. I thought we were in a recovery? How does a recovery equal the economy being in such bad shape? This does not compute!

We understand how bad the economy is. It is you who does not. I guess you want to express to us how fragile the economy is for the Haves, because the Have Nots completely understand Common Sense Economics.

Unemployment is not going down, because you and your bankster buddies have sent our jobs to the Third World. You say it will take years to get the unemployment rate back down to normal levels -- I'm sure that you are talking about U-3 and not U-6. As Scott Pelley states, "We have lost 8 million jobs from the peak."

This is a structural problem that is caused by imbalances in Economic and Trade agreements, which were created by bad policies that only reward the people at the top of the economic food chain. I think you understand this, but you are ingratiated to the elitists who put you in your puppet position at the Federal Reserve. So let's carry on with the interview and more charades.

Bernanke says at the rate we are going that it could take 4 or 5 years before we get back to a more normal rate of 5% or 6% (U-3). I almost think that he hopes that the Old School Manufacturing people would disappear, because it is clear that he has no solution to getting these people back into the labor force.

Pelley then goes into the situation with the Financial Institutions who are making billions, yet keeping a lid on lending. Lending to small businesses declined in the third quarter. Bernanke laughably blames this on the small businesses, 'They aren't seeking the credit.'

Pelley hits it on the head. "Is this a case of banks who took risks that ruined the economy being unwilling to take risks to support the recovery?" Look at the Moral Hazard associated with the banks. They are enjoying fruit from the mess they created, while many are forced to endure the rot and decay left in the wake of this economic collapse that the tool Bernanke won't even admit to.

Then we get to the crux of the matter where the Fed wants to sell the public on the idea of Quantitative Easing 2 (QE2). Chairman Bernanke is in the midst of monetizing $600 billion in debt by directing the Federal Reserve to purchase treasuries. No ifs, ands, or buts; this devalues the dollar and lets the inflation genie out of the bottle.

Don Quixote Bernanke is fighting the battle of the 1930s economic collapse. He believes that inflation is low and we are getting to the point of deflation. Honestly, does this man have any common sense? Is he in touch with reality? Yeah wages are going to fall, because of trade policy that has the American worker competing against Chinese slave labor! Not because there are too few dollars chasing too many goods. There is plenty of money in the system. There isn't enough breadth. People without jobs or worried about losing their jobs or not getting raises to keep up with rising prices cannot afford to spend freely. This is the reason why the economy has tightened. Many people have come back to reality and practicality. A few Billionaires on Wall Street can't sustain a legitimate economy.

Bernanke says that the Fed is not printing money, the amount of money in circulation is not changing, and that the Money Supply is not changing. Below is a graph of the Money Supply. Tell me, are they printing money?


It is obvious to see that the Federal Reserve has been involved in the process of printing (digitizing) money. Look at the parabolic "hockey stick" curve. Look at how the recovery coincided with the jump in the money supply. The growth that we have seen has been from inflation.

Retail sales were up .8% from October and up 7.8% from a year ago for the three-month period through November (Shopping Spree Fuels Surge - Wall Street Journal - 12/15/2010). That would be great news on its face until one looks at the Producer Price Index, which a separate report showed increased more than expected last month. The 0.8% gain was pushed higher by rising energy and food costs, but the Labor Department data indicated underlying wholesale inflation remained tame (Retail Sales, Producer Prices Increase - Wall Street Journal - 12/14/2010).

Retail Prices matching Producer Prices means that we have inflation. The retailers are pushing the prices through to the consumer and the consumer has no choice, but to pay. Food and fuel are necessities and that is where we are seeing real inflation.

The Fed is buying treasuries, which are dollars. Have you ever seen a treasury note? It looks like a big dollar bond:

The Federal Reserve is lending money to the Treasury and in return they receive these notes that they are paid interest on. The U.S. government in turn creates digits of currency on their computers (printing money). The Treasury then issues the money to the public through the banks. The problem is that the Federal Reserve is the Banks. In essence the Banks are lending themselves money and they aren't issuing the credit to the people. They are keeping it themselves and investing to create and consolidate wealth for themselves. They are not fulfilling their role to perform the "Public Good." This is the fatal flaw in the Federal Reserve Central Banking System. The Foxes have complete control of the Hen House and they are devouring everything including the house itself.

At this time the Fed has no interest in the interest rate earned. They are interested in money generation, which devalues the currency, but gives them greater control over the total money supply. They are consolidating the economy in Wall Street's interest, which gives them greater influence over the nation's policy directives.

We won't have a Double Dip Recession, because we are in a Depression. This is not a Deflationary Depression like in the 1930s, when the country basically operated off of a cash and barter system. This is an inflationary depression created from spiraling debt. People in the 1930s were not in deep debt. Today we are in deep debt.

Wall Street Gives Uncle Sam Too Much Credit - (Forbes - Michael Pento - 12/13/2010) - Household debt as a percentage of GDP is 91%. According to the Federal Reserve’s Flow of Funds Report, total non-financial debt reached an all-time high of $35.8 trillion in the third quarter of 2010. In fact, household debt, business debt, and government debt increased at a 4.2% annual rate last quarter.

To put that record level of nominal debt into perspective: in 1980, the total non-financial debt-to-GDP ratio was 144%. In the height of the credit boom, at the end of 2007, that figure was 226%. Today, the figure stands at a mind-blowing 243%! So you can forget about all that deleveraging talk. The US is in fact still leveraging up, both in nominal terms and as a percentage of GDP.

Bernanke states that the Housing market is already weak and it can't get much weaker. In my opinion it can get a lot weaker. I think part of this charade is an artificial facade that has been placed on Real Estate. The Real Estate market is being manipulated and not allowed to find its own equilibrium. I think the government is attempting to inflate nominal prices back to pre-crash levels as a manner of saving face. And yes I do believe that the government has displayed a level of hubris over the last few years to follow through with such a shallow philosophy. I think that the banks believe that they can eventually find an equilibrium between nominal prices of available inventory and the Troubled Asset Shadow Inventory. Then they will slowly attempt to release the shadow inventory back into the market. That means that those who have conservatively taken care of their property won't see a real appreciation in their home value for generations.

Remember that your Congressmen and Senators supported President Bush's decision to first put this man into this position as Chairman of the Federal Reserve and then President Obama's decision to renominate and reappoint him to the same position after the meltdown in 2008. Does Mr. Bernanke instill confidence in you?

Bernanke states that the Federal Reserve needs to be able to make policy without regard to short term political concerns. How can we be so sure that no politics play a role in decision making policies? The Fed definitely picked winners and losers two years ago when allowing Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers to fail, while propping up AIG and Goldman Sachs. Look at the 21,000 transactions that the Fed invested in over the last two years -- $3.3 trillion at low to no interest. Ask Mom and Pop if they could have used that money!

I want people to understand and this is the Gospel. The Fed is the Mega-Banks and the Mega-Banks are the Fed. Bernanke works for the banks. He does not work for us. He is a Keynesian, which means he believes in loose monetary policy. He is not accountable and he answers to no one. The Fed is the fourth branch of Government and with no Checks and Balances. If Ben Bernanke wants to crank up the presses and spend us into oblivion, who is going to stop him?

Normalcy Bias - Are you prepared for unexpected events?

The Normalcy Bias - (Wikipedia) - refers to an extreme mental state people enter when facing a disaster. It causes people to underestimate both the possibility of a disaster occurring and its possible effects. This often results in situations where people fail to adequately prepare for a disaster, and on a larger scale, the failure of the government to include the populace in its disaster preparations. The assumption that is made in the case of the normalcy bias is that since a disaster never has occurred that it never will occur. It also results in the inability of people to cope with a disaster once it occurs. People with a normalcy bias have difficulties reacting to something they have not experienced before. People also tend to interpret warnings in the most optimistic way possible, seizing on any ambiguities to infer a less serious situation.

Possible causes - The normalcy bias may be caused in part by the way the brain processes new data. Research suggests that even when the brain is calm, it takes 8–10 seconds to process new information. Stress slows the process, and when the brain cannot find an acceptable response to a situation, it fixates on a single solution that may or may not be correct. An evolutionary reason for this response could be that paralysis gives an animal a better chance of surviving an attack; predators are less likely to eat prey that isn't struggling.

Effects - The normalcy bias often results in unnecessary deaths in disaster situations. The lack of preparation for disasters often leads to inadequate shelter, supplies, and evacuation plans. Even when all these things are in place, individuals with a normalcy bias often refuse to leave their homes. Studies have shown that more than 70% of people check with others before deciding to evacuate.

The normalcy bias also causes people to drastically underestimate the effects of the disaster. Therefore, they think that everything will be all right, while information from the radio, television, or neighbors gives them reason to believe there is a risk. This creates a cognitive dissonance that they then must work to eliminate. Some manage to eliminate it by refusing to believe new warnings coming in and refusing to evacuate (maintaining the normalcy bias), while others eliminate the dissonance by escaping the danger. The possibility that some may refuse to evacuate causes significant problems in disaster planning.

Prevention - The negative effects can be combated through the four stages of disaster response:

* preparation, including publicly acknowledging the possibility of disaster and forming contingency plans
* warning, including issuing clear, unambiguous, and frequent warnings and helping the public to understand and believe them
* impact, the stage at which the contingency plans take effect and emergency services, rescue teams, and disaster relief teams work in tandem
* aftermath, or reestablishing equilibrium after the fact by providing supplies and aid to those in need

The Black Swan Theory or "Theory of Black Swan Events" was developed by Nassim Nicholas Taleb to explain:

1. The disproportionate role of high-impact, hard to predict, and rare events that are beyond the realm of normal expectations in history, science, finance and technology
2. The non-computability of the probability of the consequential rare events using scientific methods (owing to their very nature of small probabilities)
3. The psychological biases that make people individually and collectively blind to uncertainty and unaware of the massive role of the rare event in historical affairs.

The Ostrich Effect or “Normalcy Bias” Part 1 - The Almighty Dollar - Mark Birmingham

Everyone on the Titanic thought the ship was “unsinkable”. In a matter of a few hours, they watched it sink. One man warned of an attack on Pearl Harbor, but most thought that was “unthinkable”, until December 7, 1941. A few perceptive men warned of dangerous investment leveraging practices, before the stock market crash of 1929. 100,000 Jews left Germany before their 450,000 cultured, intelligent, Jewish countrymen were trapped by Nazi insanity. They thought the Nazi movement would pass without real consequence...

The Ostrich Effect or “Normalcy Bias” Part 2 - The Almighty Dollar - Mark Birmingham

If the Dollar is dethroned as the world’s reserve currency, which now seems inevitable to those willing to look for evidence, gasoline prices will double over night, and a series of events that might include a much deeper global recession. With a large spike in oil prices comes more expensive goods, especially food. This may be what survivalists have been preparing for. It’s the “speeding train” referred to in The Ostrich Effect Part 1. Naturally, we can’t imagine such madness occurring in the most powerful and affluent nation on the planet (a little “normalcy bias” perhaps?). But, when 46 state governments face crippling deficits for 2011, and every graph you dare to look at is shaped like a “hockey stick”, blatantly illustrating the over extension of credit, debt, and commensurate rise in commodity prices, it begs the question “how much more evidence do you need?” We, as a nation, are in the grip of a “normalcy bias“, which is an under-estimation of the effects of factual evidence.

The Hound: Has the government or the mainstream media been preparing for harsh economic realities, such as those seen in the immediate aftermath of the stock market crash of October 29, 1929. Why does our government and media continue to push the notion that things are improving. Does this not harm us? Does this not fit right into this idea of the "Normalcy Bias?"

I think that it is very important that we practice Situational Awareness. Situation Awareness (SA) involves being aware of what is happening around you to understand how information, events, and your own actions will impact your goals and objectives, both now and in the near future. Having complete, accurate and up-to-the-minute SA is essential where technological and situational complexity on the human decision-maker are a concern.

Has our government been giving us the information (honest data) that we need to properly operate our personal lives related to the financial crisis we are in? We are told that they don't want people to panic, but better to agitate people early in the process of preparation, than to have people be hysterical at or close to the point of impact during a critical event. We saw this on 9/11/2001 and when Katrina hit New Orleans. The calmer people are; the better their chance to survive a catastrophic event.

All I am getting at is that it is a good time to get prepared, because the dynamics of the economy don't look good. Be prepared to help yourself and your family in a time of crisis and then you will be able to help others. Be a part of the solution, not the problem!

The News Today - Reading between the Lines - What if?

Our country digs further and further into a hole every day. We are in a fix. The citizens really don't have a clue as to what is happening, because they are wrapped in a cocoon of Pop Culture, Psychological Programming, and misinformation. The things that should matter to people don't and people wonder why the economy and the culture are in a state of chaos. No one wants to be judged. We are told that people are unwilling to compromise. I disagree, people compromise all the time. I see people constantly compromising on honesty, integrity, honor, and loyalty. Those are the issues that matter, yet those are the issues that always fall to the back burner.

Look at the links from the Drudge Report for Friday:

Look at Bill Clinton with his Ego issues. Two narcissistic individuals come before the suck ups in the press. Obama can't stand the fact that he is no longer the "can do no wrong" idol and the press is waxing nostalgia for the good ole days of the slickster. Is it just me or does Clinton look like he is declining health? He is pale. Obama leaves and lets Clinton make believe he is still the President. That scene revealed a lot.

Well, They are standing up there trying to gain support for this tax cut that frankly is not going to matter. As far as an element of wealth creation, it will help to bolster the stock market for a few weeks, but in the end it will solve no problems. It's about JOBS stupid!!!

We need fair trade and everything we are seeing on this Drudge page reflects what is going on as far as feckless leadership. The power broking banksters on Wall Street are willing to sell out this nation in order to consolidate power and money, which is empowering China -- a Communist nation. That is why they have offshored our jobs. Look at the story that I brought to you last week on NAFTA and the terrible effects it is having on both the United States and Mexico. The only people benefiting from this deal are the Gordon Gekkos of this nation.



Greed has ravaged our nation and is in the process of bringing us to our knees. People are willing to accept the odds that they might win the lottery and they have forsaken the true spirit of America. That spirit was built upon 1) self reliance and 2) helping out your fellow man. Self Reliance in the aspect of educating ones self and always seeking knowledge to better ones capabilities. Helping one another out, not by force or mandate, but by willingness through the sense of community and realizing that this benefits ones self by strengthening ones surrounding environment.

The Republicans tell you that they want smaller government and yet they support the hidden tax called inflation. The Republicans want to keep spending money and they support Ben Bernanke and therefore they support the Federal Reserve's policy of quantitative easing. OK Ben, you aren't printing the money.... you're digitizing it. In the end you are creating more money, which devalues the existing money and you keep giving the money to the banksters, which means that their power and influence continues to grow as a percentage of the overall pie. In essence everyone is willing to allow Wall street to play monopoly and make the rules up as they go. And both the Republicans and Democrats support this. Until you deal with this issue, and enforce the rules, the economy cannot be fixed!!!

The next big story of the day is the British Royals. Prince Charles and his wife Camilla. This is only a story because of the austerity measures being set forth and unleashed upon the common folks of Europe. The austerity paradigm has not fully formed in America yet, but it is coming. We don't see The Royals and other government officials leading by example on this issue. If they expect the common people to cut back, then it is high time that they cut back also. One of the largest tax cuts that should take place in these European countries with monarchies is to make these people start paying for their own trappings. These people are multi-multi billionaires and some believe even trillionaires with the assets placed at their disposal. Should the common folks take a back seat with what little they have to support the lavish lifestyles of those with inherited wealth?

The next big story is WikiLeaks. This story shows the programming of the American mind by the Corporatocracy. Look at what Julian Assange was arrested for. Do you think this is cool? What if this were a friend or a relative that was arrested under these circumstances?

What the press better realize is that utilizing any unnamed source can lead to this espionage label and you might end up imprisoned just like Mr. Assange, just for reporting a story or expressing an opinion -- think Watergate. All Assange has done is pulled back the veil on the incompetence, lies, and corruption within the world's governments. And what people better realize is that the banks freezing his accounts in this manner could happen to you and this shows the full force of the beast as revealed in Revelations. The Corporatocracy can take you off the grid at any time. How would you survive? Can you survive?

I fear that we are in the beginning stages of the uncivilist of civil wars. This isn't a draw the lines war for territory. This is going to be the people versus the Government. The Government with raw unadulterated power is looking to crack down on people who express anger and frustration over the arrogance and incompetence of the elected officials and the bureaucracy on every level of governments around the world. People would not have such angst if the government displayed more humility, but the government is insulating itself from the people and protecting their own interests over those of the common man. This is tyranny!!!

Hackers around the world are uniting to avenge what has happened to Julian Assange. If these hackers choose to dedicate themselves towards taking down the global financial transactions network, then they could change life as people have become accustomed to it. What would you do if you can't utilize an ATM, Debit, or Credit Card? What if the convenience stores' (gasoline) banking card system goes down? What about restaurants and grocery stores? Basically everything has moved towards a cashless society. People look at it as a convenience, but look how fragile that system could be, if there ever were a focused effort directed towards taking this system down.

We are living in a fragile world, because of greed and corruption. The problems we see with our economy are caused by dark forces. We should focus towards peace and real love, but instead people are focused on pop culture, drugs, shallow love, materialism, and pain. My faith is directed towards life getting better, but my inner being does not sense that people are moving in that direction and my fear is that things will get much, much worse before we see the general direction get better.

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of December 7, 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 12/7/2010 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below:

Please remember that pressing Ctrl and + will magnify the text and page and pressing Ctrl and - will make the text and page smaller. This will help the readability for those with smaller screens and/or eye difficulties.

Invocation by Rev. David E. Roberts, II of Morning Star First Baptist Church

Election of Mayor Pro Tempore for Calendar Year 2011 Pursuant to NC General Statues §260A-70 and Section 2-54 of the Hickory City Code. Alderman Bruce Meisner was unanimously appointed to be the Mayor Pro Tempore for the upcoming year.

Appointment of a City Attorney for Calendar Year 2011 Pursuant to the Hickory City Code, Section 4.151 of the Charter. John W Crone was unanimously appointed as City Attorney for Calendar Year 2011.

Special Presentations:
A. Proclamation Recognizing Hickory Christian Academy Men’s Varsity Soccer Team for Winning the National Association of Christian Athletes (NACA) Division II National Title - Homepage - Hickory Christian Academy Facebook Page

The Proclamation congratulated the school for winning 17 games and losing only 2 including 13 shutouts. The proclamation commends the team for competitiveness, sportsmanship, and academics. And the Mayor added "their commitment to leading a good, christian life."

B. Proclamation Presented to Mr. Cliff Moone Declaring December 15, 2010 as “Bill of Rights Day” in the City of Hickory.

The Proclamation celebrates the Bill of Rights, which was ratified on December 15, 1791. The Bill guarantees citizens their most basic and unalienable rights. The State of North Carolina refused to sign the Constitution until a Bill of Rights was included. This day was first recognized by Franklin Roosevelt and observed in 1941. Mr. Moone stated that the North carolina Civil libirties Union and the Human Rights Coalition of North Carolina contacted Mr. Moone in the past about bringing this to the attention of the area. He stated that we need to fight hard every day to remember and preserve these rights.


C. Presentation of Diplomas by Mayor Wright to the 2010 Neighborhood College Graduating Class - Neighborhood College - The program is a series of professionally led sessions designed to teach citizens about the City of Hickory and the services it provides. Neighborhood College is an educational experience that will give participants insight into Hickory's history and its governmental process. Participants are encouraged to share the knowledge they receive from the program with their neighbors.

Consent Agenda:
A. Call for Public Hearing for Consideration of a Proposed Zoning Text Amendment to the Current Land Development Code Regarding Electronic Sweepstakes Establishments (Authorize Public Hearing for December 21, 2010)

B. Approval to Apply For a Non-Matching Grant Through The NC Firefighters’ Burned Children Fund Grant Program to Purchase Safety Education Material - The NC Firefighters’ Burned Children Fund Grant Program offers opportunities for fire departments to fund new and innovative fire and life safety education programs. The Hickory Fire Department wishes to apply for a non-matching grant to purchase an interactive safety education display to be used at community events, schools and civic organizations. The age appropriate equipment and educational supplies will cost a total of $1,000. This is a non-matching grant and requires no budgetary action.

C. Approval to Apply For a Non-Matching Grant Through The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation to Purchase Fire Safety Equipment - Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is dedicated to improving the life-saving capabilities of emergency service entities by providing funding, resources and support. The Hickory Fire Department, if approved, will acquire air monitoring devices. This
equipment will be used to sample the ambient air environment for several different gases ensuring that firefighting personnel and investigators work in a safe environment.

D. Approval of Community Relations Council Grant Recommendations for Fall 2010
Requesting Agency Project – Grant – Request Amount – CRC - Recommended Amount
LRU Visiting Writers Series Outreach Project – At Risk Teenagers $2,000 - $ 500
Centro Latino Leading to a Latin Beat $1,200 - $ 500
Greater Hickory CCM - Helping Hickory Residents Maintain Living Arrangements - $1,500 - $1,500
Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont - Leadership for Life Program - $1,350 - $ 300
Girls on the Run of Catawba Valley Scholarship Assistance Fund - $1,500 - $1,500
Women’s Resource Center - Construct Your Life Plan - $1,000 - $ 500
Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman - Mario A. Mitchell Summer and Saturday Academy - $1,500 - $ 500
Total $5,300

E. Request From Charity Chase for Use of Union Square to Hold the “Charity Chase Half Marathon” Event on June 4, 2011 From 4:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

F. Amendment to Traffic Ordinance by Reducing the Speed Limit From 55 mph to 45 mph Along US 321 in Hickory From a Point Approximately 500 Feet North From the Intersection With SR 1314 (Old Lenoir Rd NW) South to a Point Approximately 1,147 Feet North of the Intersection With SR 1306 (2nd Ave NW) and Joining an Existing 45 mph Speed Zone For an Overall Length of 6,670 Feet - The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) engineers, project inspectors and City staff determined that the Clement Connector Project required a design speed less than 60 mph. Much of US 321 within City limits has a regulatory speed limit of 45 mph. By extending the existing 5,023 foot 45 mph speed zone by approximately 6,670 feet, the entire segment of US 321 through Hickory will be a continuous 45 mph speed zone.

G. Approve Consultant Services Agreement With Mekuria Engineering, Inc. for Development of Traffic Signal Coordination Plans and Implementation for the Clement Connector Project in the Amount of $75,000 - Entering in the Agreement with Mekuria Engineering, Inc. will assist in the development of traffic signal coordination plans and implementation along US 321 NW and the new Clement Connector corridor. It will enable progressive traffic flow along both corridors, especially during peak travel demand periods. The development of new traffic signal and electrical plans are necessary for three (3) NCDOT traffic signals. Mekuria Engineering’s response to our Request for Proposals provides the needed traffic engineering services for a lump sum of $75,000.

This item was removed from the consent agenda, because Alderman Guess questioned the actual intent of the agreement (whether it was a study). Public Services Director Hansen explained the plans are to implement and coordinate the timing of the traffic signals for smooth flowing traffic in conjunction with the Clement Boulevard Project. Mr. Hanson also stated that the speed limit will be lowered to 45 mph from the I-40 area coming onto the old 321 section to past the Clement Center Boulevard project near the Catawba River Bridge.

H. Approval to Purchase Property From Walter Little and Elizabeth Allen (PIN 3782-18-41-3237) in the Amount of $33,000 and From Jerry L. Huffman and Ruby L. Huffman (PIN 3782-18-31-7496) in the Amount of $6,500 With Estimated Closing Costs of $3,000 to Complete the Hickory-Catawba WWTP Project - These two (2) pieces of property are necessary to accommodate the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources guidelines for all new and/or renovated WWTP’s to possess a 50-ft. buffer from all property lines. The Hickory-Catawba WWTP Project is an upgrade/expansion project planned in cooperation with Catawba County for wastewater service provision in the Sherrill’s Ford, Town of Catawba, Highway 150 and Claremont areas. Both tracts lie within the Town of Catawba town limits, but are essential to the upgrade. One piece is 2.72 acres with a purchase price of $33,000 and the other is a 0.33 acre lot with a purchase price of $6,500 with estimated closing costs of $3,000. These properties will be purchased from the facility fees previously collected and Public Utilities fund balance and will be credited towards the City’s commitment to the project. Due to seller’s request to close by December 24, 2010, staff requests two readings be held on December 7, 2010.

I. Resolution Recognizing Lee Douglas Bumgarner’s Retirement From Catawba County Government With Thirty-Nine Years of Service

J. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 10
1. To budget a $1,343 insurance claim check from Geico Insurance Company in the Police Departments Maintenance and Repair line item. This payment is for damage sustained to a police vehicle on 08-02-10.
2. To appropriate $75,000 of General Fund Balance and budget in the Clement Boulevard project Construction line item. Funds are needed to pay Mekuria Engineering, Inc. for professional traffic engineering services. Services include the development of traffic signal coordination plans and implementation, traffic signal and electrical plans, and traffic signal timing plans for Clement Connector
project. In addition, services include the fine tuning of new coordination timing plans along both US 321 NW and Clement Connector corridors.
3. To transfer $79,727 in District Court funds unspent in FY09-10 from the General Fund to the District Court Capital Reserve Fund.
4. To budget a $526 insurance claim check from Liberty Insurance Company in the Water and Sewer Pipes, Hydrants and Meters line item. This payment is for damage sustained to a fire hydrant on 10-27-10.
5. To appropriate $4,878 of Restricted Government Revenue from the City of Claremont and budget in the Claremont Division Repair of Equipment line item. This payment is for billable work the Water and Sewer department completed at the Claremont Plant.
6. To transfer $39,000 of Water and Sewer Contingency to the Contracted Services line item. This transfer is to pay for the paving at Glen Hilton Park which was necessary after the Cripple Creek Project.
7. To appropriate $20,000 of Water and Sewer Fund Balance Appropriated and transfer to the Hickory-Catawba Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital upgrade/expansion project. NC-DENR (North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources) mandates all new and/or renovated wastewater treatment plants to possess a 50-ft buffer from all property lines. In order for this site to accomplish this requirement, additional property must be purchased surrounding the Hickory-Catawba Wastewater Treatment Plant. The total cost of the land purchase is $42,500 with the Water and Sewer Appropriated
Fund Balance funding $20,000 and the projects Facilities Fees funding $22,500.
8. To appropriate $4,390 of Capital Reserve Fund Balance to the Public Buildings Maintenance and Repair line item. This appropriation is to pay for materials and labor to make various repairs on the upper level of the Parking Deck. Repairs include removal of all loose and failing concrete back to sound edges, removal of existing materials on noted areas, cleaning of each work area, installation of conditioner/binder and the final installation of patching compound. In addition, work will include a pressure washing of the deck.

Informational Items:
A. Report of City Manager Berry’s Travel to Winston-Salem, NC for the NCLM Annual
Conference From October 25 – 26, 2010; registration - $285; parking - $10

New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Second Reading - Approval to Purchase Property From Walter Little and Elizabeth Allen in the Amount of $33,000 and From Jerry L. Huffman and Ruby L. Huffman in the Amount of $6,500 to Complete the Hickory-Catawba WWTP Project Due to seller’s request to close by December 24, 2010, staff requests two readings be held on December 7, 2010.

2. Review and Acceptance of the Carolina Thread Trail Master Plan for Catawba County - The Carolina Thread Trail is a fifteen (15) county, two (2) State initiative designed to facilitate the creation of a regional network of trails, blueways, greenways and conservation corridors to link more than 2.3 million citizens. Catawba Lands Conservancy is the lead agency and is working in partnership with the Foundation for the Carolinas. In 2009 the planning process began in Catawba County and a steering committee was developed with a representative from local governments within the county. The steering committee completed its work in September 2010 by accepting the Carolina Thread Trail Master Plan for Catawba County. Local governments are being asked to consider acceptance prior to its consideration by the Catawba County Board of Commissioners on December 20, 2010. The master plan was endorsed by the Parks and Recreation Commission on November 9, 2010. Acceptance does not take the place of any existing master plans nor does it commit the City of Hickory to fund any implementation of the plan. Carolina Thread Trail staff will continue to work with local municipalities in Catawba County to secure funding. http://www.carolinathreadtrail.org/ - Mack McLeod, Director of Parks and Recreation made the presentation - The information he went over is presented thoroughly below.

The Hound believes that this effort can lead to the viability of walkability in our community. I first heard of this effort while attending a Hickory by Choice meeting earlier in the year. This is definitely an exciting prospect because it ties together existing infrastructure and scenic landscapes. This effort costs very little other than posting of signage. We need to enhance pedestrian lifestyles in this community and make walking safer for everyone. This is healthy for the community as a whole. Catawba County Master Plan Draft




3. Rental Property Task Force Recommendations -Addendum on the Rental Property Task Force Recommendations(Added) Alderman Guess moved and was seconded that the recommendations of the Task Force be approved with the exceptions that Recommendation No. 2 be changed to the Task Force reconvening within six (6) months instead of 6-months to a year and to change Recommendation No. 3 to add an additional code enforcement officer immediately. Motion failed. (AYE – Alderman Guess, Alderwoman Patton, Alderwoman Fox; NAY – Mayor Wright, Alderman Seaver, Alderman Meisner)

Mayor Wright made a substitute motion and was seconded that the recommendations of the Task Force be approved with the exceptions that the Task Force should reconvene within six (6) months and in Recommendation No. 3 it be added that Lt. Baer, City Manager Berry and Police Chief Adkins meet to discuss various aspects of this issue, costs, priority and come back to Council with a recommendation for consideration regarding personnel by the end of January, 2011. (AYE – Mayor Wright, Alderman Guess, Alderman Seaver, Alderman Meisner, Alderwoman Patton; NAY – Alderwoman Fox) - City Council formed the Rental Property Task Force in September 2010 to research rental property issues and to determine if additional rules and regulations were needed to address those issues in the City of Hickory. The Task Force met on several occasions during the past three (3) months, whereby General Statutes and the City’s Code were studied and reviewed along with researching other municipality’s rental property issues.

4. Public Services Director, Chuck Hansen to Update City Council on the Opening of the Clement Boulevard/US Highway 321 Intersection - (added) Public Services Director Hansen stated the opening of the Clement Boulevard/US Highway 321 intersection would be mid morning on Thursday, December 9, 2010.

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of December 7, 2010 - Addendum on the Rental Property Task Force Recommendations

The third departmental report of the evening's agenda was the issue of recommendations brought forth by the Rental Property Task Force. This task force was proposed by Hank Guess at the City Council meeting of July 20, 2010. The Following is a summary of what was introduced at that meeting.

***Alderman Guess at the end of the meeting brought up the subject that he stated he has heard at neighborhood meetings. The issue of Landlords and Tenants. We hear about the conditions that tenants live in and the issue that they have with landlords. It appears that many times the police department has to intervene and rectify the situation with those tenants. He asked Manager Berry to appoint the appropriate staff necessary to take a look at the issues and concerns that the people and the community have with regards to landlords and tenants, just like we're doing with the pools and come back with some recommendations... Most of the issues deal with the tenants and once they are in there it takes some time to get them evicted. And generally that falls upon the burden of the police department. Hopefully there is something we can do that will help in that type of situation.

Manager Berry stated that City Council looked at that issue a year and a half or two years ago. They will certainly revisit that again. It's not easy. It is a very difficult issue to deal with. You have federal housing laws. Mayor Wright added that it is frustrating for other tenants to have a bad tenant and you can't get them out. Alderman Guess stated that it seems like a revolving door and there must be some kind of way to stop that revolving door. It does put a burden on the police department....

Alder Fox asked if he was talking about tenants or absentee landlords? Alderman Guess said he thinks it is both. Alder Fox stated that they have looked at the landlords and that's a problem ... Manager Berry stated that they would be glad to revisit it again, but there is no silver bullet. To do what other cities have done (That they've looked into) was going to be a costly, burdensome program. Alderman Guess said that he has heard that some communities require a background check on tenants.

Announced at the City Council Meeting of September 7, 2010 - RENTAL PROPERTY TASK FORCE - (Terms expire December 6, 2010)
Objective: Recommend approaches to City Council which will assist rental property owners in knowing and responding to illegal and nuisance behaviors being perpetrated by tenants. Recommend approaches to assist neighbors of rental property in reporting problems and understanding the City and rental owners’ response to concerns. Recommendations should be as simple and straightforward as possible and take into consideration impact on city staff and property owners, and the rights of citizens who rent property. This objective is to be completed in 90 days and will be assisted by City staff and the analysis of crime and nuisance data. Council announced the people who will fill these positions.

(From this meeting 12/7/2010) - Rental Property Task Force Recommendations - City Council formed the Rental Property Task Force in September 2010 to research rental property issues and to determine if additional rules and regulations were needed to address those issues in the City of Hickory. The Task Force met on several occasions during the past three months, whereby General Statutes and the City’s Code were studied and reviewed along with researching other municipality’s rental property issues.

After Reed Baer's presentation, Alder Fox asked if a grace period would be allowed for "Chronic Violators?" Captain Baer stated no grace period will be given. Alder Patton asked to see specifics relating to chronic violators. Alderman Guess interjected a proposed amendment that he would like to see the Task Force come back in six months to reassess the situation. He also interjected that he would like to see an additional officer added to Code Enforcement. Alder Patton said that this would allow this department to be proactive, instead of reactive, and this would put the commitment behind Code Enforcement to clean up the neighborhoods. Alder Fox added that she agrees with what has been said, because these properties effect all of the folks who live around them. Alderman Guess stated that he wants someone (hired) who can devote themselves to this issue (code enforcement). The Mayor stated that he would like to see more information and does not disagree, but he would like to see a stronger case built to see what we get from that, that we are not getting now. He added that he had no basis to agree to this proposed amendment. Alderman Meisner stated that is why he would like to see a recommendation come from staff. He stated that he would like to see the City Manager, Police Chief Adkins, and Captain Baer come forward with recommendations. The motion set forth by Alderman guess was voted on and Alderman Guess, Alder Fox, and Alder Patton supported it, while the Mayor, Alderman Meisner, and Alderman Seaver voted against it. Therefore the motion failed.

An alternate motion was put forth by the Mayor to reconvene the Task Force in 6 months and Captain Baer have come forward with recommendations detailing costs and whether it is the top priority by the end of January. Alderman Seaver stated that this could not be done immediately, because it would take a mid year budget amendment to do that. Alders Fox and Patton stated that this is done all the time. The Mayor interjected that he did not have time to consider this, but amendments generally come from staff -- doesn't have to, but generally does. Alder Fox stated that this issue has been around for years. It is something that maybe we have chosen not to deal with, but it is an issue that is out there that people deal with every day. Alder Patton added that if you lived next to this that you would want the issue to be dealt with. Alder Fox added that the Council chose not to go with the more complex ordinances,. they chose three fairly simple steps to an issue that is not an overnight issue. The issue that she has dealt with in West Hickory has been there since she has been in on Council and it's not going away. The Mayor stated that he doesn't disagree that it is an issue, but we have lots of other issues. Alderman Seaver stated that we need to see how the Code enforcement Unit has done this year and see what recommendations may come out of that we have not heard that. The Council voted 5-1 (Alder Fox voted no) to accept the task force recommendations with the addition that the Task Force will reconvene in six months (Alderman Lail was absent).



The Hound did not fully grasp this issue as Alderman Guess presented it in the beginning. It appears that we have shortsighted interests that are protecting a cabal of rental property owners who are worried about being held accountable for all of their properties.

The largest property owners in the area think that each property that they own should be looked upon as an entity in and of itself. They don't want to be held accountable for their properties as a collective. If they own property in a run down section of town that has several strikes against it, they don't want those strikes lumped in to have a bearing on their upscale properties in the "nice" part of town.

Those of you who have read this blog will understand that my issue with Code Enforcement and the nuisance ordinances is the arbitrary nature in which they have been enforced. Middle Class home owners and small business owners do not receive the same consideration as the heavyweight developers, the real estate brokers, and other connected people receive, because these business owners will call in their markers to extend and delay the process to their benefit, while no such consideration is given to those less fortunate.

This arbitrary nature of enforcement has been a pet peeve of all those associated with the Hound. We have seen it time and time again. There is a feeling of a loss of confidence in the leadership of this community that festers underneath the surface. When those who pass laws do not administer those laws with equality of justice it hurts class, race, and other cultural relations within the community. That is why the city is having a hard time filling positions on Boards and Commissions, because the average citizen feels that they have no real input into the system. They feel disenfranchised.

There have been too many of these task forces and commissions where the city staff has gone against the majority's will or the will of the people. There have been too many instances where these issues get pushed to the back burner, if the recommendations do not fall in line with the priorities set forth by the Mayor and City Manager. There have been too many instances where these commissions are stacked with people who are placed in their position not to find the best answers, but instead to carry out the personal wishes of the Council member that they represent.

There was a certain member of this Rental Property Task Force that did not want to set forth any recommendations. Basically, that is currently what would be coming forward from this process at this time, if not for the firm stand taken by Alderman Guess, Alder Fox, and Alder Patton.

Some people believe that the Chronic Violator ordinance set to go into effect on January 1, 2011 will take care of this issue. If in six months the statistics come back and the issues are still not settled, will those who have stood against doing something proactive regarding out of control properties finally confess that they are wrong about their direction, which is no direction, and admit something needs to be done? Probably not, they will probably say that it needs to be given more time, because these egos don't ever want to admit that they might be wrong.

The main issues involving these properties are not the nuisance code violations related to physical property. The main issues are the criminal element. There are drug, domestic violence issues, vandalism, and other criminal aspects associated with most of these properties in question. These aren't nick nack paddy whack issues. These are properties where landlords are not putting a check on reckless, out of control behavior. These are hardcore issues of properties that are dragging down neighborhoods and communities. How would you like to live next to one of these properties?

This is the exact same issue as when the City created the Drinking Ordinance and told the Drinking Establishments (Bars) that it was their responsibility to police the parking lots of their establishments and know what their patrons were doing outside (and even off) of their properties. If a bar owner can be held accountable for his patrons outside of the establishment, why can you not hold a landlord responsible for his tenants behavior on the owners property or when they are disturbing their neighbor's peace?

A landlord is no different than a bar owner. They are both business owners. You are providing a service and/or good for your customer. This shows the mentality and mindset of double standards that are practiced in this community. How is being a slumlord supposed to be more prestigious than owning what some might consider a honky-tonk? Why don't we create an ordinance to zone the ghettos or are these already unwritten zones that have fostered these areas within our community based upon wink and nod governance?

This type of implied acceptance of problem properties is having a negative effect on properties in Kenworth, Ridgeview, Green Park, and West Hickory. The majority of landlords have been responsible with their properties. The numbers are showing that a few rental property owners are having problems at multiple properties, because they ignore what is going on at their properties, which are their responsibility. There really are no valid excuses. These people don't secure their properties, because they are cheap and they just don't want to pay the cost to properly maintain their business.

There have been too many people in this community who have benefited from insider politics. Getting a scoop and running with it or using inside information and personal relationships to their advantage without regard to adverse effects to the community at large.

I would just like to understand what the Mayor, , Alderman Seaver, and Alderman Meisner are thinking. Nothing that Alderman Guess proposed was outlandish. Alderman Guess praised the Code Enforcement team. What he wants to do is let them be more proactive towards nuisance problems, instead of waiting for neighbors to have to call up with a complaint, which can lead to hostility. I don't think that Alderman Guess is proposing that Code Enforcement go snooping around seeking to find petty physical property violations. I think many of us know where the problem areas are. I think that Alderman Guess, as well as Alders Patton and Fox see this process as a conduit to help restore neighborhoods that are hurting and have been hurting for a long time.

One of the issues that truly has me perplexed is the Mayor, Alderman Meisner, and Alderman Seaver stating that they generally don't make mid year appropriation amendments to the budget unless the issue is brought to them by staff. Why do we have a City Council? Because this sort of ideology basically renders the Council to a ceremonial status. Logically if City Staff is there to bring all issues forward and the role of the Council is to rubber stamp what "Staff Recommends," then we don't need a City Council or a Mayor!

We don't need an impotent City Council. We need a vibrant City Council. I understand that the Council should be appreciative of City staff, but the Council is in charge and that is what most of the citizens of this community expect. They expect the Council to take an active role in solving the issues that effect them on a daily basis and believe me if you live next to one of these rogue properties, then you want the Council member from your ward to have input on this issue.

That is really something that upsets me about Mr. Meisner's and Mr. Seaver's position on this issue. There are known problems in the Highland area and in the Kenworth and Green Park areas that need some resolution and these men punted on the issue, when it directly effects their constituents. What is behind that? There has to be something behind that!

The Council hired the City Manager and the City Manager is the boss of the City Staff. The City Manager serves at the pleasure of the City Council who serve at the pleasure of the citizens of Hickory. How did everything related to governance ever become so perverted around here. What we see now is that when Council members want to hide behind an issue they point to the city bureaucracy. When they don't want to make a decision, they point to city staff. Well, in the end you cannot hide behind the decisions that you make. In the end, you will be accountable for decisions that are made or are not made, because it is my argument that this mentality is a big part of the reason why nothing ever gets done around here and that is a big part of the reason for the stagnation we see in this community. The art of "Pass the Buck" has been perfected in the City of Hickory!

It was insinuated that the Mayor needed time to study this issue; when, as Alder Fox stated, this issue has been going on for years. Alder Fox is completely in the right here. What the Mayor was saying is that this issue blindsided him and it wasn't discussed at the meeting before the meeting and he wasn't going to make a decision in this arena at this moment. The Mayor had been put on the spot and that was obvious, but it is now clear that he stands on the side of rental property owners who don't want to be held accountable for their properties.

I would like to thank Alderman Guess for bringing this issue forward and Alder Fox and Alder Patton for taking a firm stand on this issue. This is leadership. You may think that this issue doesn't effect you and it may not today, but with the way that the current economy is suffering and the change in the nature of the make-up of our community, it could honestly effect you at a point in time in the near future.

What if you have been living somewhere for years (say 20) and a rental property owner takes over a foreclosed property next door and puts just anybody in there. What if drugs start being sold out of that property or the people who rent the property are irresponsible and/or rowdy? What if 50 strange cars start coming by your house every day? Then this issue will come to bear; and if you don't understand it now, you will understand it then. This not only effects your peace of mind, it effects your property value and therefore your investment.

I think that Council members need to divulge whether they are rental property owners or not before they vote on this issue, so that the public can see whether they have a conflict of interest on this issue or not. It is time that the Council starts representing the community that put them into office, instead of what benefits their own personal interests!