The following is a video presentation of The "Innovation 2010" conference that was held on November 10, 2010. It is hoped that this conference will be the first of many annual innovation events over the years to come. It is believed that the introduction of these new ideas to our local culture will help lay a foundation for the development of entrepreneurial opportunities in the future.
In the upcoming year, the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce will introduce an entrepreneurial competition called "The Edison Project," in which the winner will receive a cash prize along with pro bono assistance with business guidance, legal, and financial administrative needs to help move their efforts forward. This will not only help the contest winner. It will also help those who participate in the contest by helping them promote their personal ideas and objectives. This can help those people gain attention and help network with experienced individuals who can assist them in turning these innovative processes into fruitful endeavors.
The idea of this Innovation conference was first discussed in meetings of the Future Economy Council of Catawba County and was a thought that I broached here on the Hickory Hound back in September 2009 - (HoundVision: A frank discussion about Jobs, Ingenuity, and Blight).
With the help and guidance of leaders such as Dr. Jane Everson of the Appalachian State University - Greater Hickory Partnership, Dr. Sid Connor of the North Carolina Center for Engineering Technology, and Bill Parrish of The Small Business and Technology Development Center, we were able to see an idea of the Future Economy Council Think Tank brought to fruition in a manner that exceeded our expectations. It is an honor and a privilege to be associated with these people, who are working hard to truly make a difference in our community.
The Keynote Speaker for this event was Dr. Andrew Hargadon; who is a Professor of Management, Director of the Technology Management Programs, and a Faculty Director at the University of California at Davis Center for Entrepreneurship. I wrote about his presentation at this conference in an article entitled - Innovation 2010 - Andrew Hargadon - Creating a Network of Innovation.
If you want to get excited about something positive and tangible happening in our area, then please watch this video:
And I would like to give a kudos to the Hickory Daily Record for their article about the work and adaptation of technological capacities by our Catawba County Government. I will link to the article detailing how the Chief Information Officer of Catawba County Terry Bledsoe is utilizing Social media and other Internet Assets to help residence and others associated with Catawba County stay in tune with the happenings of our local county government: Technology rapidly changing the way citizens access public information
Terry Bledsoe is the Chairman of the Future Economy Council of Catawba County and his blog is linked at the bottom right corner of this page. Catawba County Technology Department
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Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Hal Row discusses the Happiness Survey on his First Talk program - WHKY - March 28, 2011
I was awoken at 8:45am this morning by a call from someone who stated that Hal Row was addressing the article on this blog entitled WOW!!! - Greater Hickory Rated as the 6th Saddest Metro Area in the United States. I only was able to listen to the last few minutes of the show, so I didn't have a full understanding of the context of the discussion and I wasn't going to race in to the last few minutes of the show to explain what the article was about, what my mission is about, the trends of our area, and what needs to be done to address the challenges that we face.
I won't be picking apart what people said, but I will address the context of this morning's discussion. I do believe that Hal is a cheerleader for the area and I have no problem with that. People need to understand his job is more than just to be a presenter or entertainer on his radio program. He has to sell advertising for the spots that run on his program and other WHKY programs. So Hal is a salesman and from what I have heard he is a very good salesman. Salesmen are inherently optimistic. That comes with the job.
Most people look to me as being a concerned citizen. I am definitely not just complaining. There are things that can be done to move the area forward and I want to address those issues. Some are being done and some aren't being done. We don't need to focus on the positives. We need to focus on what needs to be done and do it!
I disagree with Hal on the point that what I am doing is not Journalism. It is what Journalism used to be. It is what Gerald Celente calls Journalism 2.0. Old School Journalism is not working, because of the marriage of these resources with the Government and those conflicts of interest. The media now acts as partners with the Government, instead of asking critical questions that need to be asked, investigating what needs to be investigated, and researching what needs to be researched. I am one person. I don't have multiple departments to cover this and that. I have to do it all myself, but I am asking and addressing tough questions that need to be asked.
I was born and raised here. I know this area very well. I don't know or understand every perspective of every individual in the area. I associate with many people who have a completely different perspective than Hal. They are positive complainers. They aren't stewing in their mess. They are addressing it.
I had lunch with a very prominent person in our area, the other day, who stated to me that when they moved here a decade ago that they cried every day the first year that they were here. They said that they decided one day that it was time to stop being depressed and make the best of the situation and move forward. This person stated that even if they wanted to move (locate out of the area), that with the real estate depression we are in, that it would be nearly impossible to sell their house and they couldn't afford to take a bath on it. This person stated that their spouse and themself would have difficulty if they lost their job and they would not be able to make close to the kind of income that they were presently making. This person stated that they come home a lot of days and speak with their spouse and are like, "Whew, I've still got a job as of today -- hahaha..."
I know people from every demographic of this community. I have had long conversations and deep dialogue with people that work for the City of Hickory, Catawba County, people that have worked in Washington and Raleigh, Elected Officials, people from Downtown, people from every quadrant of Hickory, people from Ridgeview, people from other parts of the area who are movers and shakers and people who are just your Average Joe (or Jill). I believe I represent most everyone. Not when I express an opinion, but when I address the issues facing our area.
One lady called in to Hal's show and spoke about God and Family vs Money and Prestige. I completely understand what she is saying and is that not what I talk about on this Blog, is it not? I am certainly not talking about attainment of materialistic needs. I am talking about the quality of people's lives. We can get the most bang for the buck by investing in areas that might not be fruitful today, but they will yield benefits tomorrow. That is what I see when it comes to the aquatic recreation issue or building an amphitheater or revitalizing the economic deadzones in our city. There is no magic bullet to solve these issues. It will take a lot of hard work. There will be a lot of losses to go along with wins, but not doing anything or waiting for some easy solution is not going to solve the problems and will guarantee failure. And the longer we don't address these issues, the worse the problems will be, and the harder it will be to solve them.
We have good things going on in this area. I have never said that we didn't. Look at the increased educational attainment options with L-R growing, the Appalachian State University Partnership, and Catawba Valley Community College. Look at the economic opportunities involving the Manufacturing Solutions Center and the Conover Station. Anyone can see that there are some good things happening in our area, but we need to see a lot more of this and we need our local elected officials to be proactive about making things happen.
What people need to get in their noggin is that our community's health depends upon the welfare of all of its citizens. Marketplaces are about people. It is all about people. Economics depend upon the marketplace and the marketplace is about people. When people are doing well, then you have a positive, dynamic marketplace and when they aren't doing well, then you have a lackluster, ineffective marketplace. Attitude is but a small part of market forces and there are way too many people trying to push the notion that all we need is a good attitude and the marketplace will correct itself.
No, what we need are people who are intellectually proactive and critical thinkers who can help to create an environment in our area that is more resilient to economic cycles. That means that when times get bad, we don't fall off the cliff like we have in the last decade. There are people putting efforts forward that are making a difference here, but there are also people just resting on their laurels and standing in the way of progress, because they are shortsighted and they can only see how issues will effect their personal finances today. We have to look at trends and think about how we fit into the future in order to keep from being blindsided.
Hal did not address the dynamics of the survey and you really need to in order to understand the big picture of what this survey is detailing. This survey was not my opinion and the other surveys that have ranked us so poorly have not been my opinion. And can somebody tell me why they think that these surveys would be picking on poor ole Hickory. Does that even make sense?
I had nothing to do with the statistical input of all of these surveys. As far as the dynamics of the "Happiness Survey," Life Evaluation is based upon how you feel about your life today and where you see yourself being 5 years from now. Physical health deals with such factors as whether they had any health issues that prevented them from doing any age-appropriate stuff. Healthy Behavior deals with smoking, drinking, working out properly, and eating right. Emotional Questions included such factors as "Were you treated with respect all day yesterday?" Work questions include, "Are you satisfied/dissatisfied with your job?" Basic Access includes Medical-related questions such as had you been to a dentist in the past year, do you have a personal doctor, and/or have health insurance. It also included questions about the general satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the region.
When it comes down to discussing the relevant issues and the status of the general welfare of this community, I know that there are a lot of fine individuals associated with the City of Hickory. I have had several that have personally expressed to me an appreciation for what I do. You might think wow or that is a load of bull, but I have had several people tell me that they could not get their message out, if it weren't for the Hickory Hound. People have expressly told me that my newsletters about the City Council are so thorough that it is the only way that they can keep up with what is going on in the City of Hickory. They don't always agree with my analysis, but they appreciate the point of view. I do understand that this is not true of everyone though. There are some people who literally hate this blog and constantly try to diminish its relevance.
The people who are angry about the existence of this blog try and limit the participation of those that they have control over. I can assure you that if the workers speak out in a manner that their bosses disagree with, then they will lose their job. And I am not talking about anyone going maverick. I am talking about a employees taking a different viewpoint that does not toe the company line. I have been expressly told this by some people; that they agree with what I am presenting, but they fear reprisal, if they publicly support the Hound's viewpoint. Couple that with how much income some of these people earn and you can see where the silence come from. They have a lot to lose!
When it comes to my life, my glass is completely full of everything except income and material possessions and although I would like to be financially secure, it is not my top priority at the moment. I want to have a better Economic and Quality of Life Environment in my community. My glass is running over with things to do. That is the reason why I was asleep this AM. I was up late last night dealing with tasks. I know that one of my top priorities is getting the message out about the goings on in this area. Occasionally that means that I must say things that I really don't want to say about the leaders of this community, but it is necessary to address these critical issues and to get this community moving forward again.
To summarize, Hal basically stated that the community has a lot to offer, but outside forces are playing a dominant role in these negative feelings that people have in the area. What about the ambivalence of the overwhelming majority of the people in our area? The people who only care about the ball game on their big screen... the comfort of their recliner... the cheapness, availability, and speed of service of their fast food... and the case of Pabst Blue Ribbon in the fridge. When those things aren't available is when they will be ready to revolt. Then they will lose it and we will all be living in Holy Hell, because they will be ready to aim and fire.
Why did only 2,300 people vote in that last City Council election? If the people were happy with those members of City Council and the Mayor, then why didn't they stand up and roundly and robustly reaffirm their support? 8.5% of the people in Hickory voted. In my book that is not
much support for what the City of Hickory is doing.
What will it take to wake people up and get them to participate in their governance? I have tried to use Hal's show as a platform before to wake people up. In general, if we look at the demographic of Hal's audience, it is mostly people that are older and settled. I bet most of them are seniors. Most of them have money in the bank, a pension coming in, a small part time job, and a Social Security check. They aren't hurting like the people who are in the middle of life, but they are probably having to help subsidize the income of their kids and/or their grandkids. They understand that the economy is bad, but they have a cushion to fall back on and that gives them a different perspective.
You know, this is the kind of compartmentalizing that I address. These people are making ends meet, so they don't have much to complain about, but what about the future? Think 5, 10, 20 years... Like most of us in the middle of life and younger are looking at. What is this going to mean to us and what do the trends show? It does not look good and that is what this survey is addressing.
Will the people, who listen to Hal's show that seem to be content, continue to make ends meet if inflation continues to surge? Their kids are going to continue to need money, because they aren't going to be able to have gainful long term employment under current economic conditions and realities. Times will continue to get worse if we don't assess the reality of the challenges we face and address those issues head on.
I am here to try to wake people up before the freight train hits, so that we don't have to deal with the chaos of the aftermath. We keep getting punched over and over and over again. We need to start punching back. We have to endure and I think that we have done that, but we also have to take productive, proactive measures to move forward. Yes, their are some of us doing that, but there are others standing in the way of this needed progress.
I won't be picking apart what people said, but I will address the context of this morning's discussion. I do believe that Hal is a cheerleader for the area and I have no problem with that. People need to understand his job is more than just to be a presenter or entertainer on his radio program. He has to sell advertising for the spots that run on his program and other WHKY programs. So Hal is a salesman and from what I have heard he is a very good salesman. Salesmen are inherently optimistic. That comes with the job.
Most people look to me as being a concerned citizen. I am definitely not just complaining. There are things that can be done to move the area forward and I want to address those issues. Some are being done and some aren't being done. We don't need to focus on the positives. We need to focus on what needs to be done and do it!
I disagree with Hal on the point that what I am doing is not Journalism. It is what Journalism used to be. It is what Gerald Celente calls Journalism 2.0. Old School Journalism is not working, because of the marriage of these resources with the Government and those conflicts of interest. The media now acts as partners with the Government, instead of asking critical questions that need to be asked, investigating what needs to be investigated, and researching what needs to be researched. I am one person. I don't have multiple departments to cover this and that. I have to do it all myself, but I am asking and addressing tough questions that need to be asked.
I was born and raised here. I know this area very well. I don't know or understand every perspective of every individual in the area. I associate with many people who have a completely different perspective than Hal. They are positive complainers. They aren't stewing in their mess. They are addressing it.
I had lunch with a very prominent person in our area, the other day, who stated to me that when they moved here a decade ago that they cried every day the first year that they were here. They said that they decided one day that it was time to stop being depressed and make the best of the situation and move forward. This person stated that even if they wanted to move (locate out of the area), that with the real estate depression we are in, that it would be nearly impossible to sell their house and they couldn't afford to take a bath on it. This person stated that their spouse and themself would have difficulty if they lost their job and they would not be able to make close to the kind of income that they were presently making. This person stated that they come home a lot of days and speak with their spouse and are like, "Whew, I've still got a job as of today -- hahaha..."
I know people from every demographic of this community. I have had long conversations and deep dialogue with people that work for the City of Hickory, Catawba County, people that have worked in Washington and Raleigh, Elected Officials, people from Downtown, people from every quadrant of Hickory, people from Ridgeview, people from other parts of the area who are movers and shakers and people who are just your Average Joe (or Jill). I believe I represent most everyone. Not when I express an opinion, but when I address the issues facing our area.
One lady called in to Hal's show and spoke about God and Family vs Money and Prestige. I completely understand what she is saying and is that not what I talk about on this Blog, is it not? I am certainly not talking about attainment of materialistic needs. I am talking about the quality of people's lives. We can get the most bang for the buck by investing in areas that might not be fruitful today, but they will yield benefits tomorrow. That is what I see when it comes to the aquatic recreation issue or building an amphitheater or revitalizing the economic deadzones in our city. There is no magic bullet to solve these issues. It will take a lot of hard work. There will be a lot of losses to go along with wins, but not doing anything or waiting for some easy solution is not going to solve the problems and will guarantee failure. And the longer we don't address these issues, the worse the problems will be, and the harder it will be to solve them.
We have good things going on in this area. I have never said that we didn't. Look at the increased educational attainment options with L-R growing, the Appalachian State University Partnership, and Catawba Valley Community College. Look at the economic opportunities involving the Manufacturing Solutions Center and the Conover Station. Anyone can see that there are some good things happening in our area, but we need to see a lot more of this and we need our local elected officials to be proactive about making things happen.
What people need to get in their noggin is that our community's health depends upon the welfare of all of its citizens. Marketplaces are about people. It is all about people. Economics depend upon the marketplace and the marketplace is about people. When people are doing well, then you have a positive, dynamic marketplace and when they aren't doing well, then you have a lackluster, ineffective marketplace. Attitude is but a small part of market forces and there are way too many people trying to push the notion that all we need is a good attitude and the marketplace will correct itself.
No, what we need are people who are intellectually proactive and critical thinkers who can help to create an environment in our area that is more resilient to economic cycles. That means that when times get bad, we don't fall off the cliff like we have in the last decade. There are people putting efforts forward that are making a difference here, but there are also people just resting on their laurels and standing in the way of progress, because they are shortsighted and they can only see how issues will effect their personal finances today. We have to look at trends and think about how we fit into the future in order to keep from being blindsided.
Hal did not address the dynamics of the survey and you really need to in order to understand the big picture of what this survey is detailing. This survey was not my opinion and the other surveys that have ranked us so poorly have not been my opinion. And can somebody tell me why they think that these surveys would be picking on poor ole Hickory. Does that even make sense?
I had nothing to do with the statistical input of all of these surveys. As far as the dynamics of the "Happiness Survey," Life Evaluation is based upon how you feel about your life today and where you see yourself being 5 years from now. Physical health deals with such factors as whether they had any health issues that prevented them from doing any age-appropriate stuff. Healthy Behavior deals with smoking, drinking, working out properly, and eating right. Emotional Questions included such factors as "Were you treated with respect all day yesterday?" Work questions include, "Are you satisfied/dissatisfied with your job?" Basic Access includes Medical-related questions such as had you been to a dentist in the past year, do you have a personal doctor, and/or have health insurance. It also included questions about the general satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the region.
When it comes down to discussing the relevant issues and the status of the general welfare of this community, I know that there are a lot of fine individuals associated with the City of Hickory. I have had several that have personally expressed to me an appreciation for what I do. You might think wow or that is a load of bull, but I have had several people tell me that they could not get their message out, if it weren't for the Hickory Hound. People have expressly told me that my newsletters about the City Council are so thorough that it is the only way that they can keep up with what is going on in the City of Hickory. They don't always agree with my analysis, but they appreciate the point of view. I do understand that this is not true of everyone though. There are some people who literally hate this blog and constantly try to diminish its relevance.
The people who are angry about the existence of this blog try and limit the participation of those that they have control over. I can assure you that if the workers speak out in a manner that their bosses disagree with, then they will lose their job. And I am not talking about anyone going maverick. I am talking about a employees taking a different viewpoint that does not toe the company line. I have been expressly told this by some people; that they agree with what I am presenting, but they fear reprisal, if they publicly support the Hound's viewpoint. Couple that with how much income some of these people earn and you can see where the silence come from. They have a lot to lose!
When it comes to my life, my glass is completely full of everything except income and material possessions and although I would like to be financially secure, it is not my top priority at the moment. I want to have a better Economic and Quality of Life Environment in my community. My glass is running over with things to do. That is the reason why I was asleep this AM. I was up late last night dealing with tasks. I know that one of my top priorities is getting the message out about the goings on in this area. Occasionally that means that I must say things that I really don't want to say about the leaders of this community, but it is necessary to address these critical issues and to get this community moving forward again.
To summarize, Hal basically stated that the community has a lot to offer, but outside forces are playing a dominant role in these negative feelings that people have in the area. What about the ambivalence of the overwhelming majority of the people in our area? The people who only care about the ball game on their big screen... the comfort of their recliner... the cheapness, availability, and speed of service of their fast food... and the case of Pabst Blue Ribbon in the fridge. When those things aren't available is when they will be ready to revolt. Then they will lose it and we will all be living in Holy Hell, because they will be ready to aim and fire.
Why did only 2,300 people vote in that last City Council election? If the people were happy with those members of City Council and the Mayor, then why didn't they stand up and roundly and robustly reaffirm their support? 8.5% of the people in Hickory voted. In my book that is not
much support for what the City of Hickory is doing.
What will it take to wake people up and get them to participate in their governance? I have tried to use Hal's show as a platform before to wake people up. In general, if we look at the demographic of Hal's audience, it is mostly people that are older and settled. I bet most of them are seniors. Most of them have money in the bank, a pension coming in, a small part time job, and a Social Security check. They aren't hurting like the people who are in the middle of life, but they are probably having to help subsidize the income of their kids and/or their grandkids. They understand that the economy is bad, but they have a cushion to fall back on and that gives them a different perspective.
You know, this is the kind of compartmentalizing that I address. These people are making ends meet, so they don't have much to complain about, but what about the future? Think 5, 10, 20 years... Like most of us in the middle of life and younger are looking at. What is this going to mean to us and what do the trends show? It does not look good and that is what this survey is addressing.
Will the people, who listen to Hal's show that seem to be content, continue to make ends meet if inflation continues to surge? Their kids are going to continue to need money, because they aren't going to be able to have gainful long term employment under current economic conditions and realities. Times will continue to get worse if we don't assess the reality of the challenges we face and address those issues head on.
I am here to try to wake people up before the freight train hits, so that we don't have to deal with the chaos of the aftermath. We keep getting punched over and over and over again. We need to start punching back. We have to endure and I think that we have done that, but we also have to take productive, proactive measures to move forward. Yes, their are some of us doing that, but there are others standing in the way of this needed progress.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The Manufacturing Solutions Center manufactures Jobs
Dan St. Louis is a member of the Future Economy Council of Catawba County and the head of the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC). He, along with Donald Duncan, Conover's City Manager, gave a presentation about the relocation of the MSC to the Conover station Development on February 17, 2011 to the Future Economy Council.
Both of these developments in the past here on this blog, but this is a thorough presentation, in which Dan and Donald describe what the mission of the MSC is and what future goals of the MSC will be. The MSC is a public-private partnership that enables business and government to come together and share costs of expensive testing, which reduces costs to do business and allows these businesses to put out a better product at a lower cost. This will help create jobs for our region.
The mission of the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC) is to help US manufacturers increase sales, improve quality and improve efficiency to create or retain jobs.
This is accomplished by:
* Enhancing and improving products through research and development
* Assisting in creating prototypes for new, innovative offerings
* Analyzing new materials to enhance structure and programs
* Testing products for reliable content and quality
* Training personnel for lean manufacturing processes and supply chain efficiencies
* Providing a forum for rollout of new 21st century technologies
* Providing hands-on guidance for international marketing, sales and military procurement
* Providing photo-realistic renderings and visualizations
* Creating 3-Dimensional rapid prototypes in a variety of materials
* Industry advocacy
Bringing manufacturing into the NEW ERA of changing technologies, global marketing and production innovations.
The following is Dan's presentation in a slide show format:
Links to other articles related to this development:
Fixing Hickory - CVCC’s New Manufacturing Solutions Center
A Conversation about Conover Station and Economic Development
Both of these developments in the past here on this blog, but this is a thorough presentation, in which Dan and Donald describe what the mission of the MSC is and what future goals of the MSC will be. The MSC is a public-private partnership that enables business and government to come together and share costs of expensive testing, which reduces costs to do business and allows these businesses to put out a better product at a lower cost. This will help create jobs for our region.
The mission of the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC) is to help US manufacturers increase sales, improve quality and improve efficiency to create or retain jobs.
This is accomplished by:
* Enhancing and improving products through research and development
* Assisting in creating prototypes for new, innovative offerings
* Analyzing new materials to enhance structure and programs
* Testing products for reliable content and quality
* Training personnel for lean manufacturing processes and supply chain efficiencies
* Providing a forum for rollout of new 21st century technologies
* Providing hands-on guidance for international marketing, sales and military procurement
* Providing photo-realistic renderings and visualizations
* Creating 3-Dimensional rapid prototypes in a variety of materials
* Industry advocacy
Bringing manufacturing into the NEW ERA of changing technologies, global marketing and production innovations.
The following is Dan's presentation in a slide show format:
Links to other articles related to this development:
Fixing Hickory - CVCC’s New Manufacturing Solutions Center
A Conversation about Conover Station and Economic Development
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Rick Barnes: NC State and Hickory need you to come home
Will it be Rick Barnes this time around? - State Fan's Nation - March 19, 2011
There are many people that know that I am a North Carolina State sports fan. I didn't go to school at State. I went to UNC-Wilmington. But when I was a kid I pulled for State. David Thompson, Tommy Burleson, Monte Towe, Tim Stoddard, Mo Rivers, and Phil Spence won the National Championship in 1974 and in 1973 they were undefeated. State also had Lou Holtz in football and this was followed by players like Ted Brown, Roland Hooks, Mike Quick, and Jim Ritcher who all were all-stars and played key roles on NFL teams and other players like Bill Cowher who were standouts in college and role players in the NFL.
NC State basketball was a top tiered program with a rich history, winning nine straight Southern Conference/ACC Titles and taking NC State to the Final 4 in 1950 under Everett Case. State then had success under Norm Sloan, a former player under Everett Case, who led the team to a 57-1 mark over two years (72-73 and 73-74). Sloan had some success in the years that followed, but chose to leave and go back to coaching at Florida where he had coached before arriving at NC State. One of the notable items of interest that I don't think most young people recognize is that until 1975 only the ACC Tournament Champion went to the NCAA Tournament and following this only 2 teams went from the ACC until a few years later. Norm Sloan won 3 ACC championships in his 14 years at State.
Next came Jim Valvano. Ten days ago Jimmy V would have celebrated his 65th birthday and there was a pictorial article on SportsIllustrated.com that celebrated his life in pictures entitled Rare photos of Jim Valvano. Jimmy V was the underdog's coach. NC State was always the team supported by working class people and he continued to carry this banner during his tenure at State. His teams weren't the most talented, but Valvano willed them to always be in games until the end and more times than not he figured out a way to win. The months of late February, March, and early April 1983 will always hold a special place in my heart, because the Wolfpack taught me that if you believe that impossible dreams can come true -- as Wally Ausley, the Wolfpack announcer called out after Lorenzo Charles dunk, "The Glass Slipper Fits."
I crossed my toes, held my breath, lived dizzying heights of euphoria, and should have had a heart attack as the Wolfpack pulled off the greatest upset run in the history of college basketball by beating the numbers 1, 2, and 3 teams in the nation, at various times, to win the national Championship. Jimmy V wasn't perfect, who is?, but he sure was someone you could get behind and believe in, because he gave life his all.
Valvano's and NC State's mistakes led to his downfall. Their mistakes included giving Chris Washburn too many chances and letting Charles Shackleford and others not take school seriously, but that was life at a university and the rules of college basketball in the 1980s. I still have vitriolic feelings about the way that the best coach and one of the best people that I have ever admired was treated and dismissed by the people of this State. Yes, he made some mistakes, but there have been many far worse and egregious and he did not deserve to be treated the way that he was treated and one day it will come back on those who alienated him and caused the fissure that resulted from his tawdry dismissal.
Over the several years of my young life, I was able to see NC State play in person on several occasions. I remember watching them play at Lenoir-Rhyne's Shuford Gymnasium, as defending National Champions, in their Red-White scrimmage game in the Fall of 1974. It was like watching the Harlem Globetrotters come to town. At that time, players weren't allowed to dunk in college basketball, but David Thompson and Kenny Carr did a few dunks before the game started. It was so cool to watch them play. I thought this was normal for these guys to be around having watched them at the Big 4 tournament in Greensboro and the North-South doubleheader in Charlotte, but the latter years of my life have given me a thorough understanding about how special all of this was.
After Jimmy V was dismissed, NC State basketball fell apart and later regained a level of mediocrity, but it has never been the same. NC State's supporters have been labeled as delusional miscreants and the lunatic fringe for expecting better than what they have seen. The program is rated amongst the top 15 in terms of revenues and profits even with such little success and they play in one of the finest basketball arenas in America. Is it really so hard to understand why NC State supporters desire a better product than they have seen over the last several years?
There are many basketball coaches in America who would desire to be a part of such a top-tier program. The ingredients are there to be successful, even if there are challenges that lie ahead with two of the top programs staring you in the face just miles away. State used to compete with those programs and others successfully in the past and really there is no reason that they can't get it done in the future. NC State is one of the finest universities in the country. Have you ever been there or to the Centennial Campus? The school lacks for nothing and has laid a solid foundation to incur further success for years to come.
Now I will get to my point. NC State is looking for a new men's basketball coach after an unsuccessful tenure under Sidney Lowe. Everyone who supports NC State loves Sid and hopes that he will always be a part of the university, because he has meant so much to it. But, the results as a coach just did not meet the expectations that were desired. Honestly, it was best to move on.
There are many fantastic coaches out there that are available, but Rick Barnes would be my choice to take NC State's basketball program back to where it belongs. He is a native of Hickory and played basketball at Lenoir-Rhyne from 1974 to 1977. He has roots here and comes back here from time to time for charitable reasons and I am sure to visit family and friends.
Now I don't personally know Rick, but I certainly like what I have heard and seen from him. And I really think it would be uplifting if he would come back home and bring his successful style to North Carolina State. There have been opportunities for this to occur before and it has never worked out because of timing, but this time seems different. It seemed like it could happen five years ago, but it seems like it should happen now.
I will tell you that it would be a boost to our community. Remember that NC State Red-White scrimmage game that I mentioned that I attended in the Fall of 1974. That was a really big deal. NC State was the defending National Champion, why would they come to Hickory? They came to Hickory because we were a textile and industrial giant in those days and many of NC State's alumni associated with industry lived right here in what we now call the Hickory Metro. We were a smaller community then, but we had more power.
I remember when Coach Barnes took Texas to the Final Four in 2003. On CBS, they mentioned Hickory and Lenoir-Rhyne several times during those national broadcasts. That certainly helps to get our name back on the map. At the University of Texas, and in Austin, I doubt they really mention these associations; but if the Coach were to come back home to North Carolina, you know that this would be mentioned and promoted frequently. I think it would be a win-win-win for all involved.
It would be a win for NC State, because Rick is from North Carolina and he has been very successful wherever he has been and I truly believe he would carry that success to Raleigh. It would be a win for our community, because we need the attention and the association of a successful winner who truly has ties and cares about this community. I also think it would be a win for Coach Barnes, because he can come back home to his final destination as a coach and be a hero for taking a downtrodden basketball program with a rich history back up to the top-notch stature where it belongs.
If it is ever going to happen, the time is now. The timing is right. The opportunity is here. It is time for a new shoe to fit. I am sure that your job at the University of Texas is great, but there you will always play second fiddle to Football. No one expects miracles, but together with NC State success at the top of your profession is achievable. A legacy that takes you to basketball immortality is achievable. A legacy that makes you a legend in our state and in your hometown is achievable. I know that such lofty expectations correlate with pressures that someone such as myself might not understand, but I do understand that those types of lofty endeavors, when achieved, are the type that end up in a man's persona becoming the essence of legend. Rick, I hope you are listening and I hope you know that we want you to come home.
There are many people that know that I am a North Carolina State sports fan. I didn't go to school at State. I went to UNC-Wilmington. But when I was a kid I pulled for State. David Thompson, Tommy Burleson, Monte Towe, Tim Stoddard, Mo Rivers, and Phil Spence won the National Championship in 1974 and in 1973 they were undefeated. State also had Lou Holtz in football and this was followed by players like Ted Brown, Roland Hooks, Mike Quick, and Jim Ritcher who all were all-stars and played key roles on NFL teams and other players like Bill Cowher who were standouts in college and role players in the NFL.
NC State basketball was a top tiered program with a rich history, winning nine straight Southern Conference/ACC Titles and taking NC State to the Final 4 in 1950 under Everett Case. State then had success under Norm Sloan, a former player under Everett Case, who led the team to a 57-1 mark over two years (72-73 and 73-74). Sloan had some success in the years that followed, but chose to leave and go back to coaching at Florida where he had coached before arriving at NC State. One of the notable items of interest that I don't think most young people recognize is that until 1975 only the ACC Tournament Champion went to the NCAA Tournament and following this only 2 teams went from the ACC until a few years later. Norm Sloan won 3 ACC championships in his 14 years at State.
Next came Jim Valvano. Ten days ago Jimmy V would have celebrated his 65th birthday and there was a pictorial article on SportsIllustrated.com that celebrated his life in pictures entitled Rare photos of Jim Valvano. Jimmy V was the underdog's coach. NC State was always the team supported by working class people and he continued to carry this banner during his tenure at State. His teams weren't the most talented, but Valvano willed them to always be in games until the end and more times than not he figured out a way to win. The months of late February, March, and early April 1983 will always hold a special place in my heart, because the Wolfpack taught me that if you believe that impossible dreams can come true -- as Wally Ausley, the Wolfpack announcer called out after Lorenzo Charles dunk, "The Glass Slipper Fits."
I crossed my toes, held my breath, lived dizzying heights of euphoria, and should have had a heart attack as the Wolfpack pulled off the greatest upset run in the history of college basketball by beating the numbers 1, 2, and 3 teams in the nation, at various times, to win the national Championship. Jimmy V wasn't perfect, who is?, but he sure was someone you could get behind and believe in, because he gave life his all.
Valvano's and NC State's mistakes led to his downfall. Their mistakes included giving Chris Washburn too many chances and letting Charles Shackleford and others not take school seriously, but that was life at a university and the rules of college basketball in the 1980s. I still have vitriolic feelings about the way that the best coach and one of the best people that I have ever admired was treated and dismissed by the people of this State. Yes, he made some mistakes, but there have been many far worse and egregious and he did not deserve to be treated the way that he was treated and one day it will come back on those who alienated him and caused the fissure that resulted from his tawdry dismissal.
Over the several years of my young life, I was able to see NC State play in person on several occasions. I remember watching them play at Lenoir-Rhyne's Shuford Gymnasium, as defending National Champions, in their Red-White scrimmage game in the Fall of 1974. It was like watching the Harlem Globetrotters come to town. At that time, players weren't allowed to dunk in college basketball, but David Thompson and Kenny Carr did a few dunks before the game started. It was so cool to watch them play. I thought this was normal for these guys to be around having watched them at the Big 4 tournament in Greensboro and the North-South doubleheader in Charlotte, but the latter years of my life have given me a thorough understanding about how special all of this was.
After Jimmy V was dismissed, NC State basketball fell apart and later regained a level of mediocrity, but it has never been the same. NC State's supporters have been labeled as delusional miscreants and the lunatic fringe for expecting better than what they have seen. The program is rated amongst the top 15 in terms of revenues and profits even with such little success and they play in one of the finest basketball arenas in America. Is it really so hard to understand why NC State supporters desire a better product than they have seen over the last several years?
There are many basketball coaches in America who would desire to be a part of such a top-tier program. The ingredients are there to be successful, even if there are challenges that lie ahead with two of the top programs staring you in the face just miles away. State used to compete with those programs and others successfully in the past and really there is no reason that they can't get it done in the future. NC State is one of the finest universities in the country. Have you ever been there or to the Centennial Campus? The school lacks for nothing and has laid a solid foundation to incur further success for years to come.
Now I will get to my point. NC State is looking for a new men's basketball coach after an unsuccessful tenure under Sidney Lowe. Everyone who supports NC State loves Sid and hopes that he will always be a part of the university, because he has meant so much to it. But, the results as a coach just did not meet the expectations that were desired. Honestly, it was best to move on.
There are many fantastic coaches out there that are available, but Rick Barnes would be my choice to take NC State's basketball program back to where it belongs. He is a native of Hickory and played basketball at Lenoir-Rhyne from 1974 to 1977. He has roots here and comes back here from time to time for charitable reasons and I am sure to visit family and friends.
Now I don't personally know Rick, but I certainly like what I have heard and seen from him. And I really think it would be uplifting if he would come back home and bring his successful style to North Carolina State. There have been opportunities for this to occur before and it has never worked out because of timing, but this time seems different. It seemed like it could happen five years ago, but it seems like it should happen now.
I will tell you that it would be a boost to our community. Remember that NC State Red-White scrimmage game that I mentioned that I attended in the Fall of 1974. That was a really big deal. NC State was the defending National Champion, why would they come to Hickory? They came to Hickory because we were a textile and industrial giant in those days and many of NC State's alumni associated with industry lived right here in what we now call the Hickory Metro. We were a smaller community then, but we had more power.
I remember when Coach Barnes took Texas to the Final Four in 2003. On CBS, they mentioned Hickory and Lenoir-Rhyne several times during those national broadcasts. That certainly helps to get our name back on the map. At the University of Texas, and in Austin, I doubt they really mention these associations; but if the Coach were to come back home to North Carolina, you know that this would be mentioned and promoted frequently. I think it would be a win-win-win for all involved.
It would be a win for NC State, because Rick is from North Carolina and he has been very successful wherever he has been and I truly believe he would carry that success to Raleigh. It would be a win for our community, because we need the attention and the association of a successful winner who truly has ties and cares about this community. I also think it would be a win for Coach Barnes, because he can come back home to his final destination as a coach and be a hero for taking a downtrodden basketball program with a rich history back up to the top-notch stature where it belongs.
If it is ever going to happen, the time is now. The timing is right. The opportunity is here. It is time for a new shoe to fit. I am sure that your job at the University of Texas is great, but there you will always play second fiddle to Football. No one expects miracles, but together with NC State success at the top of your profession is achievable. A legacy that takes you to basketball immortality is achievable. A legacy that makes you a legend in our state and in your hometown is achievable. I know that such lofty expectations correlate with pressures that someone such as myself might not understand, but I do understand that those types of lofty endeavors, when achieved, are the type that end up in a man's persona becoming the essence of legend. Rick, I hope you are listening and I hope you know that we want you to come home.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
WOW!!! - Greater Hickory Rated as the 6th Saddest Metro Area in the United States
(Prologue) - In a study released this week by Gallup, Hickory is rated as having the 6th Saddest Population in the United States. This was reported by CBS MoneyWatch in an article authored by Carla Fried. We are defined as being ranked amongst the least contented populaces, in a poll that ranks communities based upon Life Evaluation, Physical Health, Healthy Behavior, Emotions, Work, and Basic Access.
As far as the dynamics of the survey, Life Evaluation is based upon how you feel about your life today and where you see yourself being 5 years from now. Physical health deals with such factors as whether they had any health issues that prevented them from doing any age-appropriate stuff. Healthy Behavior deals with smoking, drinking, working out properly, and eating right. Emotional Questions included such factors as "Were you treated with respect all day yesterday?" Work questions include, "Are you satisfied/dissatisfied with your job?" Basic Access includes Medical-related questions such as had you been to a dentist in the past year, do you have a personal doctor, and/or have health insurance. It also included questions about the general satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the region.
In my opinion, it is easy to see why we are tailor made to rank low in this survey and it goes hand in hand with other surveys that have ranked us low. There are many people here that are living on the edge. How can you be satisfied with your circumstance if you are unemployed or worried about losing your job or if you are worried about losing your business; and how would you feel about your future prospects?
You can look around the community and see all of the people who are overweight and how many people are still practicing bad health habits. You also have to factor in the aging populace of our area and realize that the aged are going to have more than their fair share of health related issues. The Emotion issue ties in directly with the stress level and as I stated their are a lot of people in this community living on the edge. Worried about their job... Worried about losing their house... Worried about the escalating cost of living... People realizing that help isn't coming soon and lowering their expectations to survival mode.
Basic Access is something that many people don't have in this community. It is a function of opportunity. As I have stated time and time again, look at the income levels in this area. Yes our cost of living is lower in comparison to some larger areas, but that is a direct correlation of the cost of labor function, which is the number one cost of most businesses and which has been suppressed in our area for generations. There are also issues of accessibility related to connectivity. And lets be frank, we haven't done very well in making connections and working well with other fellow communities in our region.
We can change all of this by shunning those who will not work well with others. Everyone has the ability to contribute, but you can lead a horse to the recognition that they have a role to play, but you can't force them to play that role. These people will be offered their opportunity to participate, but we are out of time when it comes to begging people to join this process and help turn this community around. You are either in or you are out and those that are in are going to move forward and those that are out Bye-Bye!!!
The 10 Happiest (and Saddest) Cities in the U.S. - By Carla Fried - Mar 17, 2011
Bigger isn’t necessarily best when it comes to quality of life. In a Gallup survey released this week of the U.S. cities rated highest for overall well-being, New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago all failed to crack the top 50. By contrast, nine of the top 10 spots in the survey went to mid-size cities, with the Boulder, Colorado metro area grabbing the top overall spot. The only big city that cracked the top 10 was the Washington, D.C. area.
Where to get your happy on:
The 10 Happiest Cities (Overall Ranking)
1. Boulder, CO
2. Lincoln, NE
3. Fort Collins-Loveland, CO
4. Provo-Orem, UT
5. Honolulu, HI
6. Madison, WI
7. Cedar Rapids, IA
8. Gainesville, FL
9. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT
10. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
At the other end of the spectrum, among the 188 metropolitan areas Gallup focused on, these regions turned up the least-contented residents:
The 10 Saddest Cities in America
179. Utica-Rome, NY
180. Prescott, AZ
181. Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ
182. Spartanburg, SC
183. Hickory-Lenoir- Morganton, NC
184. Fort Smith, AR-OK
185. Redding, CA
186. Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX
187. Youngstown-Warren- Boardman, OH-PA
188. Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
As far as the dynamics of the survey, Life Evaluation is based upon how you feel about your life today and where you see yourself being 5 years from now. Physical health deals with such factors as whether they had any health issues that prevented them from doing any age-appropriate stuff. Healthy Behavior deals with smoking, drinking, working out properly, and eating right. Emotional Questions included such factors as "Were you treated with respect all day yesterday?" Work questions include, "Are you satisfied/dissatisfied with your job?" Basic Access includes Medical-related questions such as had you been to a dentist in the past year, do you have a personal doctor, and/or have health insurance. It also included questions about the general satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the region.
In my opinion, it is easy to see why we are tailor made to rank low in this survey and it goes hand in hand with other surveys that have ranked us low. There are many people here that are living on the edge. How can you be satisfied with your circumstance if you are unemployed or worried about losing your job or if you are worried about losing your business; and how would you feel about your future prospects?
You can look around the community and see all of the people who are overweight and how many people are still practicing bad health habits. You also have to factor in the aging populace of our area and realize that the aged are going to have more than their fair share of health related issues. The Emotion issue ties in directly with the stress level and as I stated their are a lot of people in this community living on the edge. Worried about their job... Worried about losing their house... Worried about the escalating cost of living... People realizing that help isn't coming soon and lowering their expectations to survival mode.
Basic Access is something that many people don't have in this community. It is a function of opportunity. As I have stated time and time again, look at the income levels in this area. Yes our cost of living is lower in comparison to some larger areas, but that is a direct correlation of the cost of labor function, which is the number one cost of most businesses and which has been suppressed in our area for generations. There are also issues of accessibility related to connectivity. And lets be frank, we haven't done very well in making connections and working well with other fellow communities in our region.
We can change all of this by shunning those who will not work well with others. Everyone has the ability to contribute, but you can lead a horse to the recognition that they have a role to play, but you can't force them to play that role. These people will be offered their opportunity to participate, but we are out of time when it comes to begging people to join this process and help turn this community around. You are either in or you are out and those that are in are going to move forward and those that are out Bye-Bye!!!
The 10 Happiest (and Saddest) Cities in the U.S. - By Carla Fried - Mar 17, 2011
Bigger isn’t necessarily best when it comes to quality of life. In a Gallup survey released this week of the U.S. cities rated highest for overall well-being, New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago all failed to crack the top 50. By contrast, nine of the top 10 spots in the survey went to mid-size cities, with the Boulder, Colorado metro area grabbing the top overall spot. The only big city that cracked the top 10 was the Washington, D.C. area.
Where to get your happy on:
The 10 Happiest Cities (Overall Ranking)
1. Boulder, CO
2. Lincoln, NE
3. Fort Collins-Loveland, CO
4. Provo-Orem, UT
5. Honolulu, HI
6. Madison, WI
7. Cedar Rapids, IA
8. Gainesville, FL
9. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT
10. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
At the other end of the spectrum, among the 188 metropolitan areas Gallup focused on, these regions turned up the least-contented residents:
The 10 Saddest Cities in America
179. Utica-Rome, NY
180. Prescott, AZ
181. Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ
182. Spartanburg, SC
183. Hickory-Lenoir- Morganton, NC
184. Fort Smith, AR-OK
185. Redding, CA
186. Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX
187. Youngstown-Warren- Boardman, OH-PA
188. Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of March 15, 2011
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 3/15/2011 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. Robert Shoffner, Retired from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Consent Agenda:
A. Call for Public Hearing to Consider Entering Into a Economic Development Incentive Agreement With Fairmont Designs for Approximately $25,000 With the Creation of 200 Jobs (Authorize Public Hearing for April 5, 2011)
B. Transfer of Cemetery Lots in Oakwood Cemetery From John J. Reinhardt to Harold D. Setzer and wife, Phyllis M. Setzer (Document Prepared by Attorney John G. Fuller)
C. Transfer of Cemetery Lot in Oakwood Cemetery From Kathy Lawson Pool, f/k/a Kathy Lawson Whitener and husband Gary Pool to Stephen Riley Lawson (Document Prepared by Attorney Martin E. Steele)
D. Transfer of Cemetery Lot in Oakwood Cemetery From Kathy Lawson Pool, f/k/a Kathy Lawson Whitener and husband Gary Pool to Kathy Lawson Pool (Document Prepared by Attorney Martin E. Steele)
E. Approval of Property Tax Refund as Recommended by Catawba County Tax Office to First Citizens Bank in the Amount of $920 - First Citizens Bank listed and paid for leased equipment located at their Hickory office; 243 Performance Dr., SE which is used exclusively for recycling or resource recovery and is exempt. Therefore, a refund is being requested for taxes paid for 2010 to Catawba County. This information has been verified by the Catawba County Tax Office.
F. Citizens’ Advisory Committee Recommendations for Assistance Through the City of Hickory’s Housing Programs –
Charlton Seaver of 836 7th Avenue, SW is being recommended to subordinate the City’s second mortgage to State Employee’s Credit Union due to refinancing of the first mortgage. His original loan was for $12,999 at 3% interest rate with a balance due of $11,505.30. Mr. Seaver is currently up to date on his payments.
Applicant Richard and Elena Gould are being recommended for approval for assistance under the City’s First-Time Homebuyer’s Assistance Program to purchase a home located at 3231 Blue Sky Court. The applicants have requested $7,500 for assistance with down payment and closing costs.
Funds are budgeted for the above items through the City of Hickory’s former Rental Rehabilitation Program income received in FY 2009 and/or program income received through the City’s Community Development Block Grant Program. The Citizens’ Advisory Committee recommends approval of the above.
The Hound has a problem with what I have seen related to conflicts of interest associated with these low interest loans. I don't believe that these loans should go to close relatives of Council Members or to Reporters of our local newspaper or with any decision maker associated with the City of Hickory. Does one not see that this is improper. I have seen this become business as usual over the years, where these loans have gone to people closely connected to the City's government.
These loans are supposed to be arranged for people who are truly in need. Let's look at Council Member's family members getting these loans. These loans are not widely publicized. The average citizen does not know that they are available. In my opinion, Council members are compensated fairly. I think if their family member needs help with some money to buy a home that they can help that family member out. This is not meant to be a slush fund!
City Officials and Decision Makers should not be using the City's Common Good funds to support their relatives. Second, a reporter for the local paper, who is supposed to be reporting on city issues, should not be taking one of these loans. If a critical and/or controversial question needed to be asked related to a city official or action taken by the city, will the question be asked or will the situation be investigated or even given attention? Will relevant issues be swept under the carpet or never addressed by the local media in exchange for favors or access to the club?
G. Approve Change Order No. 2 to Pizzagalli Construction for the NEWWTP Upgrade Project in the Amount of $50,301 (Exhibit VI.G.) - The Northeast Wastewater Treatment Plant (NEWWTP) Upgrade Project is a $21,569,383 project necessary due to its age, replacement components no longer being available and environmental regulation changes. City Council previously approved Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $23,608 and due to unforeseen conditions; Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $50,301 requires Council approval. Change Order No. 2 consists of replacement slide gates on the sludge storage tanks, building permit revisions, influent pump supplier change, grout and mortar testing and grading revisions of laboratory building totaling $75,523 with a deduction of $25,222 due to the use of the base bid influent pumps points operating more efficiently; reducing Change Order No. 2 to $50,301. Staff recommends approval.
H. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 17
1. To budget a $8,856 insurance claim check from Trident Insurance Company in the Police Departments Maintenance and Repair of Vehicle line item. This payment is for damage sustained to a police vehicle on 02-06-11.
2. To budget a $1,500 donation from the Elks Lodge in the Parks and Recreation Department Supply line item. This donation will be used to conduct the annual Easter Egg Hunt which is coordinated by the City of Hickory’s Park and Recreation Department.
3. To budget a total of $1,750 of International Council donations in the International Council expenditure line item. These donations will be used to conduct the annual 2011 International Springfest event.
4. To decrease General Fund Balance Appropriated by $576 and increase the transfer from the Gang of One grant project by $576. This amendment is necessary to close the Gang of One grant project and return $576 of unspent monies to the original funding source General Fund Balance Appropriated.
5. To decrease General Fund Balance Appropriated by $1,203 and increase the transfer from the Traffic Unit grant project by $1,203. This amendment is necessary to close the Traffic Unit grant project and return $1,203 of unspent monies to the original funding source General Fund Balance Appropriated.
6. To appropriate $40,548 of Water and Sewer Fund Balance and transfer to the Cripple Creek Sewer grant project. This amendment is necessary to fund uncovered expenditures within the project and close the Cripple Creek Sewer project.
Informational Items:
A. Report of Mayor Wright’s Travel to Greensboro, NC From February 24 -25, 2011 to Attend the 2011 NC Metro Mayors Coalition Winter Meeting; registration - $100.00; hotel - $158.11; mileage - $97.92; per diem - $8.50
B. Report of City Manager Berry’s Travel to Greensboro, NC From February 24 – 25, 2011 to Attend the 2011 NC Metro Mayors Coalition Winter Meeting; registration - $100.00; hotel - $158.11; mileage - $96.90; per diem - $16.00
Citizen's Requesting to be Heard
Lisa Kemerait, owner of CHI of Hickory,located on Union Square addressed the council first. Her issue that she wanted to address is the relocation of the Hickory Farmer's market in front of her business location. She did not find out until recently. She is mainly worried about the parking situation and the negative impact it will have on her handicapped and older patrons and distances they will have to walk. She is a therapeutic massage therapist who specializes in injury rehabilitation. She is ver supportive of the Farmer's Market, but believes that if it is going to be located on Union Square that they need to be placed on the Paver Stones (Bricks). This will directly affect her business on Wednesday and Saturday.
Ed Cooper next addressed the Council, he is the owner of Union Square Computers, he wants better internet Downtown. He has had had talks with Charter who has told him that they have not been able to get "Right of Entry" downtown. He named companies located Downtown that desire to improve internet service Downtown. He also stated that he believes that the Farmer's Market and businesses can coexist, but it should not happen at the expense of parking spaces.
Darlene Herman, owner of Salon on the Square next addressed the Council. She stated that she has been in business at that location for 20 years. She is against the Farmer's Market taking up parking spaces and had 50 names of people in 45 minutes that signed up against this relocation. She supports downtown every way possible. She thinks there can be a better way than taking away handicapped parking and accessibility in front of her business (above the Tap Room). She has a lot of elderly and handicapped customers that come to her business by wheel chair. They already have to pull up on the bricks sometimes to get them to the business. She already has to close and go to customers houses on Octoberfest and other festivals. She has accommodated her customers the best that she can for 25 years. She would appreciate consideration to not closing the parking lot. And there is already a problem with people backing out into the streets and there are going to be more. She invited Council members to come up to her business and look out the windows and witness the traffic flow.
The Hound: This issue was thoroughly discussed at the City Council Meeting on February 15, 2011 with my opinion, which is still as relevant today as it was then. As far as the Charter Internet issue, I don't understand why they aren't allowed to compete Downtown, but as long as they are a provider in the area, they should be allowed to.
A message from Citizens for Equity in Government
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 3/15/2011 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. Robert Shoffner, Retired from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Consent Agenda:
A. Call for Public Hearing to Consider Entering Into a Economic Development Incentive Agreement With Fairmont Designs for Approximately $25,000 With the Creation of 200 Jobs (Authorize Public Hearing for April 5, 2011)
B. Transfer of Cemetery Lots in Oakwood Cemetery From John J. Reinhardt to Harold D. Setzer and wife, Phyllis M. Setzer (Document Prepared by Attorney John G. Fuller)
C. Transfer of Cemetery Lot in Oakwood Cemetery From Kathy Lawson Pool, f/k/a Kathy Lawson Whitener and husband Gary Pool to Stephen Riley Lawson (Document Prepared by Attorney Martin E. Steele)
D. Transfer of Cemetery Lot in Oakwood Cemetery From Kathy Lawson Pool, f/k/a Kathy Lawson Whitener and husband Gary Pool to Kathy Lawson Pool (Document Prepared by Attorney Martin E. Steele)
E. Approval of Property Tax Refund as Recommended by Catawba County Tax Office to First Citizens Bank in the Amount of $920 - First Citizens Bank listed and paid for leased equipment located at their Hickory office; 243 Performance Dr., SE which is used exclusively for recycling or resource recovery and is exempt. Therefore, a refund is being requested for taxes paid for 2010 to Catawba County. This information has been verified by the Catawba County Tax Office.
F. Citizens’ Advisory Committee Recommendations for Assistance Through the City of Hickory’s Housing Programs –
Charlton Seaver of 836 7th Avenue, SW is being recommended to subordinate the City’s second mortgage to State Employee’s Credit Union due to refinancing of the first mortgage. His original loan was for $12,999 at 3% interest rate with a balance due of $11,505.30. Mr. Seaver is currently up to date on his payments.
Applicant Richard and Elena Gould are being recommended for approval for assistance under the City’s First-Time Homebuyer’s Assistance Program to purchase a home located at 3231 Blue Sky Court. The applicants have requested $7,500 for assistance with down payment and closing costs.
Funds are budgeted for the above items through the City of Hickory’s former Rental Rehabilitation Program income received in FY 2009 and/or program income received through the City’s Community Development Block Grant Program. The Citizens’ Advisory Committee recommends approval of the above.
The Hound has a problem with what I have seen related to conflicts of interest associated with these low interest loans. I don't believe that these loans should go to close relatives of Council Members or to Reporters of our local newspaper or with any decision maker associated with the City of Hickory. Does one not see that this is improper. I have seen this become business as usual over the years, where these loans have gone to people closely connected to the City's government.
These loans are supposed to be arranged for people who are truly in need. Let's look at Council Member's family members getting these loans. These loans are not widely publicized. The average citizen does not know that they are available. In my opinion, Council members are compensated fairly. I think if their family member needs help with some money to buy a home that they can help that family member out. This is not meant to be a slush fund!
City Officials and Decision Makers should not be using the City's Common Good funds to support their relatives. Second, a reporter for the local paper, who is supposed to be reporting on city issues, should not be taking one of these loans. If a critical and/or controversial question needed to be asked related to a city official or action taken by the city, will the question be asked or will the situation be investigated or even given attention? Will relevant issues be swept under the carpet or never addressed by the local media in exchange for favors or access to the club?
G. Approve Change Order No. 2 to Pizzagalli Construction for the NEWWTP Upgrade Project in the Amount of $50,301 (Exhibit VI.G.) - The Northeast Wastewater Treatment Plant (NEWWTP) Upgrade Project is a $21,569,383 project necessary due to its age, replacement components no longer being available and environmental regulation changes. City Council previously approved Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $23,608 and due to unforeseen conditions; Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $50,301 requires Council approval. Change Order No. 2 consists of replacement slide gates on the sludge storage tanks, building permit revisions, influent pump supplier change, grout and mortar testing and grading revisions of laboratory building totaling $75,523 with a deduction of $25,222 due to the use of the base bid influent pumps points operating more efficiently; reducing Change Order No. 2 to $50,301. Staff recommends approval.
H. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 17
1. To budget a $8,856 insurance claim check from Trident Insurance Company in the Police Departments Maintenance and Repair of Vehicle line item. This payment is for damage sustained to a police vehicle on 02-06-11.
2. To budget a $1,500 donation from the Elks Lodge in the Parks and Recreation Department Supply line item. This donation will be used to conduct the annual Easter Egg Hunt which is coordinated by the City of Hickory’s Park and Recreation Department.
3. To budget a total of $1,750 of International Council donations in the International Council expenditure line item. These donations will be used to conduct the annual 2011 International Springfest event.
4. To decrease General Fund Balance Appropriated by $576 and increase the transfer from the Gang of One grant project by $576. This amendment is necessary to close the Gang of One grant project and return $576 of unspent monies to the original funding source General Fund Balance Appropriated.
5. To decrease General Fund Balance Appropriated by $1,203 and increase the transfer from the Traffic Unit grant project by $1,203. This amendment is necessary to close the Traffic Unit grant project and return $1,203 of unspent monies to the original funding source General Fund Balance Appropriated.
6. To appropriate $40,548 of Water and Sewer Fund Balance and transfer to the Cripple Creek Sewer grant project. This amendment is necessary to fund uncovered expenditures within the project and close the Cripple Creek Sewer project.
Informational Items:
A. Report of Mayor Wright’s Travel to Greensboro, NC From February 24 -25, 2011 to Attend the 2011 NC Metro Mayors Coalition Winter Meeting; registration - $100.00; hotel - $158.11; mileage - $97.92; per diem - $8.50
B. Report of City Manager Berry’s Travel to Greensboro, NC From February 24 – 25, 2011 to Attend the 2011 NC Metro Mayors Coalition Winter Meeting; registration - $100.00; hotel - $158.11; mileage - $96.90; per diem - $16.00
Citizen's Requesting to be Heard
Lisa Kemerait, owner of CHI of Hickory,located on Union Square addressed the council first. Her issue that she wanted to address is the relocation of the Hickory Farmer's market in front of her business location. She did not find out until recently. She is mainly worried about the parking situation and the negative impact it will have on her handicapped and older patrons and distances they will have to walk. She is a therapeutic massage therapist who specializes in injury rehabilitation. She is ver supportive of the Farmer's Market, but believes that if it is going to be located on Union Square that they need to be placed on the Paver Stones (Bricks). This will directly affect her business on Wednesday and Saturday.
Ed Cooper next addressed the Council, he is the owner of Union Square Computers, he wants better internet Downtown. He has had had talks with Charter who has told him that they have not been able to get "Right of Entry" downtown. He named companies located Downtown that desire to improve internet service Downtown. He also stated that he believes that the Farmer's Market and businesses can coexist, but it should not happen at the expense of parking spaces.
Darlene Herman, owner of Salon on the Square next addressed the Council. She stated that she has been in business at that location for 20 years. She is against the Farmer's Market taking up parking spaces and had 50 names of people in 45 minutes that signed up against this relocation. She supports downtown every way possible. She thinks there can be a better way than taking away handicapped parking and accessibility in front of her business (above the Tap Room). She has a lot of elderly and handicapped customers that come to her business by wheel chair. They already have to pull up on the bricks sometimes to get them to the business. She already has to close and go to customers houses on Octoberfest and other festivals. She has accommodated her customers the best that she can for 25 years. She would appreciate consideration to not closing the parking lot. And there is already a problem with people backing out into the streets and there are going to be more. She invited Council members to come up to her business and look out the windows and witness the traffic flow.
The Hound: This issue was thoroughly discussed at the City Council Meeting on February 15, 2011 with my opinion, which is still as relevant today as it was then. As far as the Charter Internet issue, I don't understand why they aren't allowed to compete Downtown, but as long as they are a provider in the area, they should be allowed to.
A message from Citizens for Equity in Government
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
EASY MONEY!!! and a World in Chaos
Great Animation explains the Federal Reserve and our current banking mess related to Fiat Currency!
DON'T TRUST THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT THE SITUATION IN JAPAN. THINK!!!
IS THIS INFORMATION ADDING UP? THE NUMBERS OF DEAD. LOGICALLY, YOU KNOW IT HAS TO HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE TENS OF THOUSANDS.
THOSE THREE CONTAINMENT BUILDINGS STANDING 10 STORIES HIGH. THINK HOW LARGE THAT IS. THINK ABOUT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER IMPLODING. THESE BUILDINGS WERE BLOWN AWAY IN A MICROSECOND LIKE THEY WERE NOTHING.
THEY ARE SAYING THAT THE CORE REACTOR HAS NOT BEEN BREACHED AND YET THEY ARE SAYING THERE IS RADIOACTIVITY. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO PANIC, BUT WHAT WILL THIS DO TO THE MARKETS. THE WORLD IS IN CHAOS. THERE IS NO LEADERSHIP ANYWHERE. LOOK AT THE PEOPLE ON THE FRONT LINES PUTTING THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE. MANY HAVE DIED ALREADY. DO YOU NOT REALIZE THAT?
AND WHAT ARE THE POLITICIANS DOING?
Tokyo Shares End Day Down 11% - Wall Street Journal - March 15, 2011
We are building towards an end game and you need to prepare. I am begging you to prepare, because the bleeding in the Nikkei will have consequences on our own markets. This is not a joke to me. This is not an overreation by the "Lunatic Fringe." We don't need unprepared people turning into an uncontrollable mob. These problems that we see around the world will come to our shores and we need to be ready. The politicians and the media aren't preparing you. This will only be a Doom and Gloom scenario if so many people aren't prepared that they overwhelm a system that is already faltering. Change is a constant on this planet. That is the reality. You must prepare for the evolution of the system to come!
I prepared to send this out late last night and needed some sleep. In the meantime.
Stocks plunge as Japan nuclear crisis worsens - AP News - March 15, 2011
DON'T TRUST THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT THE SITUATION IN JAPAN. THINK!!!
IS THIS INFORMATION ADDING UP? THE NUMBERS OF DEAD. LOGICALLY, YOU KNOW IT HAS TO HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE TENS OF THOUSANDS.
THOSE THREE CONTAINMENT BUILDINGS STANDING 10 STORIES HIGH. THINK HOW LARGE THAT IS. THINK ABOUT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER IMPLODING. THESE BUILDINGS WERE BLOWN AWAY IN A MICROSECOND LIKE THEY WERE NOTHING.
THEY ARE SAYING THAT THE CORE REACTOR HAS NOT BEEN BREACHED AND YET THEY ARE SAYING THERE IS RADIOACTIVITY. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO PANIC, BUT WHAT WILL THIS DO TO THE MARKETS. THE WORLD IS IN CHAOS. THERE IS NO LEADERSHIP ANYWHERE. LOOK AT THE PEOPLE ON THE FRONT LINES PUTTING THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE. MANY HAVE DIED ALREADY. DO YOU NOT REALIZE THAT?
AND WHAT ARE THE POLITICIANS DOING?
Tokyo Shares End Day Down 11% - Wall Street Journal - March 15, 2011
We are building towards an end game and you need to prepare. I am begging you to prepare, because the bleeding in the Nikkei will have consequences on our own markets. This is not a joke to me. This is not an overreation by the "Lunatic Fringe." We don't need unprepared people turning into an uncontrollable mob. These problems that we see around the world will come to our shores and we need to be ready. The politicians and the media aren't preparing you. This will only be a Doom and Gloom scenario if so many people aren't prepared that they overwhelm a system that is already faltering. Change is a constant on this planet. That is the reality. You must prepare for the evolution of the system to come!
I prepared to send this out late last night and needed some sleep. In the meantime.
Stocks plunge as Japan nuclear crisis worsens - AP News - March 15, 2011
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