Seems that Landon B. Lane is the Treasurer for the Backwards Coalition. They have raised $838 and I assume the ASIGNCO, the Mayor's sign company is doing there signs at cost. I saw the Mayor walking out of City Hall last Tuesday with a couple under his arm. Don't know whether it is a campaign violation for a City Official to be carrying signs to and fro a Municipal building, but I think most would consider it improper, but most understand that the Backwards Coalition will stop at nothing to maintain their Status Quo Political machine.
Here is a direct Link to the Campain Funds - http://www.catawbacountync.gov/elections/12campfin.asp
Here is a Direct Link to the Backwards Coalition Funds submitted so far - http://www.catawbacountync.gov/elections/Committees/2012/NoSteps/Disclosure.pdf
Here is a Direct Link to the Citizen's Funds submitted so far - Sherbia Jones has been appointed Treasurer - http://www.catawbacountync.gov/elections/Committees/2012/CERC/Disclosure.pdf
As you can see, the contributions from the Citizen's group have been minimal with the largest sum of money being $250 given by Attorney Allen Wood.
The Backward's Coalition has raised $838 with Landon Lane giving $238, Rudy Wright giving $200, Jill Patton giving $100, Bruce Meisner giving $100, David Zagaroli giving $100, Sandra Johnson giving $100.
Just thought it would be a good idea to keep track of where people are coming from. It is interesting to see how much money is directly attributable to the current Hickory City Council. And remember the costs of those signs made by ASIGNCO. How much is that? Where is that disclosure?
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Monday, August 13, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Economic Stories of Relevance in Today's World -- August 12, 2012
Exclusive: U.S. banks told to make plans for preventing collapse - Reuters through the Chicago Tribune - Rick Rothacker - August 10, 2012 - U.S. regulators directed five of the country's biggest banks, including Bank of America Corp and Goldman Sachs Group Inc, to develop plans for staving off collapse if they faced serious problems, emphasizing that the banks could not count on government help. The two-year-old program, which has been largely secret until now, is in addition to the "living wills" the banks crafted to help regulators dismantle them if they actually do fail. It shows how hard regulators are working to ensure that banks have plans for worst-case scenarios and can act rationally in times of distress. Officials like Lehman Brothers former Chief Executive Dick Fuld have been criticized for having been too hesitant to take bold steps to solve their banks' problems during the financial crisis. According to documents obtained by Reuters, the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency first directed five banks - which also include Citigroup Inc,, Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase & Co - to come up with these "recovery plans" in May 2010. They told banks to consider drastic efforts to prevent failure in times of distress, including selling off businesses, finding other funding sources if regular borrowing markets shut them out, and reducing risk. The plans must be feasible to execute within three to six months, and banks were to "make no assumption of extraordinary support from the public sector," according to the documents.
It’s Just Business: How Corporate America Made Slaves of the Young - Truthdig.com - Christian Neumeister - August 9, 2012 - Companies across the nation are gleefully denying interns fair wages for their work, in flagrant violation of long-standing labor law, and have the nerve to tell the world they are doing these people a favor. Huge numbers of college students and recent graduates in a tight labor market are too scared to ask for compensation. Consequently, many interns must work for years in unpaid positions to build their résumés while depending on their parents for financial support. Not only do unpaid internships stop some from paying down a collectively exploding student debt, they compound the economical class differences between those who can afford to work for free and those who can’t. This exploitative practice has evolved over the generations since the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938 and a 1947 Supreme Court ruling about railroad trainees that officially defined unpaid internships; that ruling was mostly ignored by businesses, and today’s systemic abuse of interns eventually developed. Now, a disturbing percentage of U.S. companies accepts as routine the illegal work of unpaid interns. One of the legal challenges to the abuse is a class-action lawsuit against the Hearst Corp. being pressed by the New York employment law firm Outten & Golden on behalf of interns who claim they were improperly denied wages and benefits at 19 of Hearst’s magazines. The law firm is pursuing two other corporations on similar grounds, Fox Searchlight and television’s “The Charlie Rose Show.”....
UN: Soaring Food Prices Might Spark Global Crisis - Newsmax - August 9, 2012 - The world could face a new food crisis of the kind seen in 2007-2008 if countries resort to export bans, the U.N.'s food agency warned on Thursday, after reporting a surge in global food prices due to a drought-fueled grain price rally. A mix of high oil prices, growing use of biofuels, bad weather, restrictive export policies and soaring grain futures markets pushed up prices of food in 2007/08, sparking violent protests in countries including Egypt, Cameroon and Haiti. Concern about extreme hot and dry weather in the U.S. Midwest sent corn and soybean prices to record highs last month, driving overall food prices higher again and reversing the Food and Agriculture Organization’s expectations for steady declines this year.
Poll: More Than Half of Americans See Economy Getting Worse - Newsmax - Forrest Jones
- August 9, 2012 - Some 53 percent of Americans felt the economy was getting worse in July, up four percentage points from June, according to the Discover Financial Services’ U.S. Spending Monitor. The poll also found 28 percent of respondents feel the U.S. economy is improving, down from 29 percent in June and 33 percent in May, while 53 percent of respondents rated the U.S. economy as poor, unchanged from June, The Wall Street Journal reported. "The number of people who said their personal finances were improving was unchanged at 23 percent in July from June, but was down from 25 percent during May. Respondents who see their personal finances getting worse was up 2 percentage points to 49 percent," The Journal reported. "While 28 percent of respondents planned to spend more next month, the increase was driven mostly by an increase in anticipated spending on nondiscretionary items. About 38 percent of respondents expect to spend more on household expenses."
Gas prices climb 30 cents a gallon - CNN Money - Steve Hargreaves - August 7, 2012 - Gas prices continued their slow but steady march higher Tuesday, surpassing a nationwide average of $3.63 cents a gallon on the back of refinery problems in the United States and higher crude oil prices globally. Nationwide average gasoline prices are now 30 cents higher than they were just five weeks ago. They are now at the midway mark between this year's high price of $3.94 a gallon -- hit April 5 -- and the recent low of $3.33 hit just over five weeks ago, according to AAA.
Fiscal cliff threatens small businesses - CNN Money - Jose Pagliery - August 9, 2012 - Potential massive cuts in federal spending are still months away, but some small businesses that rely on government contracts are already feeling the pinch. The looming cutbacks -- part of the "fiscal cliff" -- are causing firms to slow business or shrink production and could threaten jobs, according to company owners. The $110 billion in cuts for 2013 will kick in on Jan. 2 unless Congress agrees on an alternative. They will hit defense spending particularly hard but also affect other popular non-defense programs funded by Washington. Last year, small firms received $91 billion in federal contracts, slightly more than a fifth of all the money awarded by the federal government to private enterprise in 2011. It's not yet clear exactly which government agencies or programs would be affected, or how deeply the axe would slash at each.
But contractors say agencies have responded to the uncertainty by throttling back projects, delaying bids and terminating programs.
The Fed Should Stimulate Lending - Seeking Alpha - Evan Schnidman - August 10, 2012 - Many investors have been clamoring for QE3 due to a lack of readily available capital in the market as banks have become more cautious and more focused on deleveraging. A program to induce lending helps solve the problem of capital availability and increases the velocity of money without dramatically increasing inflationary pressure by adding more capital to the system. In essence, an inducement program works to use the money already in the system more efficiently by freeing up capital supply to meet demand. Some commentators have recently argued that an inducement policy by the Fed would be both more aggressive and less effective than QE3. To the first point, it is very clear that it is not more aggressive in terms of adding inflationary pressure or growing the Fed balance sheet. Therefore, it will come under far less political fire. The efficacy issue is potentially more serious due to speculation that the lack of lending is not a matter of banks being unwilling to supply borrowers; it is a lack of borrowing demand. The demand question was largely answered in the Fed's July 2012 Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices. This survey indicated that loan conditions to both businesses and households are tighter than the moving average since 2005, but demand is rising due to the inability of European banks to provide loans during their ongoing crisis.
Holland Wire Products closing West Michigan plant, but offers workers way to keep jobs - Michigan Live - August 02, 2012 - About 40 employees from Holland Wire Products Inc. have been given notice the plant will be closing in the next six months when production is moved to the parent company headquarters in Hickory Springs, N.C. Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co. spokesman Bobby Bush said the employees have been given an offer to move with the operation and retain their jobs and many have expressed interest. The closure and relocation is being done to “bring production closer to the raw materials and customer base,” Bush said. The company, with international sales, manufactures wire spring products for bedding products and seating for the furniture, automotive and health care fields. “Right now we’re producing the raw material for the springs here in North Carolina, shipping it to Michigan and then bringing the finished products back here for customers,” Bush said. “The Holland plant also wasn’t working at full capacity and in these tough economic times we got to make every efficiency we can,” Bush said. Employees at the Holland plant at 955 Brooks Ave. were notified on Wednesday about the closure. The plant has been in operation since 1988.
Corning Cable cuts 90 temporary jobs in Winston-Salem - Winston-Salem Journal - Richard Craver - August 12, 2012 - Lower customer demand for optical fiber-cable products has led Corning Cable Systems LLC to eliminate 90 temporary jobs at its Winston-Salem plant. Corning Cable spokeswoman Beth Dann said today that the workforce reduction at 3180 Centre Park Blvd. was effective Monday. It represented the bulk of the operation's temporary staffing. "No full-time employees at this facility are impacted by this action," Dann said. She said the operation has more than 300 full-time workers. "This is being done as part of an on-going practice of modulating work schedules and supplemental workforce levels to effectively address regular business cycling." Although Dann said the use of temporary workers "is a general part of Corning's workforce plans companywide," she confirmed the Winston-Salem operation is the only one of its eight in North Carolina that experienced a temporary-workforce reduction.
Real American Debt 70 Trillion Dollars and Growing by 10 Million Dollars a Minute - David Walker
David Walker : Total public debt not counting unfunded social security promises unfunded medicare promises unfunded pension and retiree for the civilians and the military personnel and excluding student loan, mortgage and credit card debt is exceeding 16 Trillion Dollars but in reality the federal financial; hole is about 70 trillion dollars and growing by 10 million dollars a minute says David Walker , the only country that is worse than us in Europe is Greece he added
It’s Just Business: How Corporate America Made Slaves of the Young - Truthdig.com - Christian Neumeister - August 9, 2012 - Companies across the nation are gleefully denying interns fair wages for their work, in flagrant violation of long-standing labor law, and have the nerve to tell the world they are doing these people a favor. Huge numbers of college students and recent graduates in a tight labor market are too scared to ask for compensation. Consequently, many interns must work for years in unpaid positions to build their résumés while depending on their parents for financial support. Not only do unpaid internships stop some from paying down a collectively exploding student debt, they compound the economical class differences between those who can afford to work for free and those who can’t. This exploitative practice has evolved over the generations since the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938 and a 1947 Supreme Court ruling about railroad trainees that officially defined unpaid internships; that ruling was mostly ignored by businesses, and today’s systemic abuse of interns eventually developed. Now, a disturbing percentage of U.S. companies accepts as routine the illegal work of unpaid interns. One of the legal challenges to the abuse is a class-action lawsuit against the Hearst Corp. being pressed by the New York employment law firm Outten & Golden on behalf of interns who claim they were improperly denied wages and benefits at 19 of Hearst’s magazines. The law firm is pursuing two other corporations on similar grounds, Fox Searchlight and television’s “The Charlie Rose Show.”....
UN: Soaring Food Prices Might Spark Global Crisis - Newsmax - August 9, 2012 - The world could face a new food crisis of the kind seen in 2007-2008 if countries resort to export bans, the U.N.'s food agency warned on Thursday, after reporting a surge in global food prices due to a drought-fueled grain price rally. A mix of high oil prices, growing use of biofuels, bad weather, restrictive export policies and soaring grain futures markets pushed up prices of food in 2007/08, sparking violent protests in countries including Egypt, Cameroon and Haiti. Concern about extreme hot and dry weather in the U.S. Midwest sent corn and soybean prices to record highs last month, driving overall food prices higher again and reversing the Food and Agriculture Organization’s expectations for steady declines this year.
Poll: More Than Half of Americans See Economy Getting Worse - Newsmax - Forrest Jones
- August 9, 2012 - Some 53 percent of Americans felt the economy was getting worse in July, up four percentage points from June, according to the Discover Financial Services’ U.S. Spending Monitor. The poll also found 28 percent of respondents feel the U.S. economy is improving, down from 29 percent in June and 33 percent in May, while 53 percent of respondents rated the U.S. economy as poor, unchanged from June, The Wall Street Journal reported. "The number of people who said their personal finances were improving was unchanged at 23 percent in July from June, but was down from 25 percent during May. Respondents who see their personal finances getting worse was up 2 percentage points to 49 percent," The Journal reported. "While 28 percent of respondents planned to spend more next month, the increase was driven mostly by an increase in anticipated spending on nondiscretionary items. About 38 percent of respondents expect to spend more on household expenses."
Gas prices climb 30 cents a gallon - CNN Money - Steve Hargreaves - August 7, 2012 - Gas prices continued their slow but steady march higher Tuesday, surpassing a nationwide average of $3.63 cents a gallon on the back of refinery problems in the United States and higher crude oil prices globally. Nationwide average gasoline prices are now 30 cents higher than they were just five weeks ago. They are now at the midway mark between this year's high price of $3.94 a gallon -- hit April 5 -- and the recent low of $3.33 hit just over five weeks ago, according to AAA.
Fiscal cliff threatens small businesses - CNN Money - Jose Pagliery - August 9, 2012 - Potential massive cuts in federal spending are still months away, but some small businesses that rely on government contracts are already feeling the pinch. The looming cutbacks -- part of the "fiscal cliff" -- are causing firms to slow business or shrink production and could threaten jobs, according to company owners. The $110 billion in cuts for 2013 will kick in on Jan. 2 unless Congress agrees on an alternative. They will hit defense spending particularly hard but also affect other popular non-defense programs funded by Washington. Last year, small firms received $91 billion in federal contracts, slightly more than a fifth of all the money awarded by the federal government to private enterprise in 2011. It's not yet clear exactly which government agencies or programs would be affected, or how deeply the axe would slash at each.
But contractors say agencies have responded to the uncertainty by throttling back projects, delaying bids and terminating programs.
The Fed Should Stimulate Lending - Seeking Alpha - Evan Schnidman - August 10, 2012 - Many investors have been clamoring for QE3 due to a lack of readily available capital in the market as banks have become more cautious and more focused on deleveraging. A program to induce lending helps solve the problem of capital availability and increases the velocity of money without dramatically increasing inflationary pressure by adding more capital to the system. In essence, an inducement program works to use the money already in the system more efficiently by freeing up capital supply to meet demand. Some commentators have recently argued that an inducement policy by the Fed would be both more aggressive and less effective than QE3. To the first point, it is very clear that it is not more aggressive in terms of adding inflationary pressure or growing the Fed balance sheet. Therefore, it will come under far less political fire. The efficacy issue is potentially more serious due to speculation that the lack of lending is not a matter of banks being unwilling to supply borrowers; it is a lack of borrowing demand. The demand question was largely answered in the Fed's July 2012 Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices. This survey indicated that loan conditions to both businesses and households are tighter than the moving average since 2005, but demand is rising due to the inability of European banks to provide loans during their ongoing crisis.
Holland Wire Products closing West Michigan plant, but offers workers way to keep jobs - Michigan Live - August 02, 2012 - About 40 employees from Holland Wire Products Inc. have been given notice the plant will be closing in the next six months when production is moved to the parent company headquarters in Hickory Springs, N.C. Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co. spokesman Bobby Bush said the employees have been given an offer to move with the operation and retain their jobs and many have expressed interest. The closure and relocation is being done to “bring production closer to the raw materials and customer base,” Bush said. The company, with international sales, manufactures wire spring products for bedding products and seating for the furniture, automotive and health care fields. “Right now we’re producing the raw material for the springs here in North Carolina, shipping it to Michigan and then bringing the finished products back here for customers,” Bush said. “The Holland plant also wasn’t working at full capacity and in these tough economic times we got to make every efficiency we can,” Bush said. Employees at the Holland plant at 955 Brooks Ave. were notified on Wednesday about the closure. The plant has been in operation since 1988.
Corning Cable cuts 90 temporary jobs in Winston-Salem - Winston-Salem Journal - Richard Craver - August 12, 2012 - Lower customer demand for optical fiber-cable products has led Corning Cable Systems LLC to eliminate 90 temporary jobs at its Winston-Salem plant. Corning Cable spokeswoman Beth Dann said today that the workforce reduction at 3180 Centre Park Blvd. was effective Monday. It represented the bulk of the operation's temporary staffing. "No full-time employees at this facility are impacted by this action," Dann said. She said the operation has more than 300 full-time workers. "This is being done as part of an on-going practice of modulating work schedules and supplemental workforce levels to effectively address regular business cycling." Although Dann said the use of temporary workers "is a general part of Corning's workforce plans companywide," she confirmed the Winston-Salem operation is the only one of its eight in North Carolina that experienced a temporary-workforce reduction.
Real American Debt 70 Trillion Dollars and Growing by 10 Million Dollars a Minute - David Walker
David Walker : Total public debt not counting unfunded social security promises unfunded medicare promises unfunded pension and retiree for the civilians and the military personnel and excluding student loan, mortgage and credit card debt is exceeding 16 Trillion Dollars but in reality the federal financial; hole is about 70 trillion dollars and growing by 10 million dollars a minute says David Walker , the only country that is worse than us in Europe is Greece he added
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of August 7, 2012
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 8/9/2012 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. Rick Schilling, Associate Pastor, First United Methodist Church
Special Presentations:
The NC APWA Solid Waste Division presentation of the Herman Drake Award (Solid Waste Employee of the Year) to Tommy Hughes
The Hound enjoys these presentations that celebrate employees with the City being recognized for going above and beyond their occupational duties. It was easy to see the camaraderie displayed amongst these gentleman.
Consent Agenda
A. Consideration and Acceptance of the 2012 Urgent Repair Program Grant in the amount of $37,500, and Assistance Policy and Procurement Policy - The Community Development Department, in complying with the NC Housing Finance Agency’s funding requirements for SRP12 has prepared an Assistance Policy and Procurement Policy reflecting program requirements as requested by NCHFA. The Policies incorporates program requirements, applicant eligibility standards, and program capabilities. Upon approval by Hickory City Council the Assistance Policy and Procurement Policy will be submitted with additional information requested by NC Housing Finance Agency. Upon receipt and acceptance by NCHFA, funds will be dispersed to the City of Hickory in order to begin repairs to eligible homes. The 2012 Urgent Repair Program Grant from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency is in the
amount of $37,000.
B. Special Events/Activities Application for Patriots Day by Steve Moore and Fred Hollar with the City of Hickory, on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 on Union Square or City Hall Parking Area, from 8:30 am to 9:30 am, September 11th Ceremony
C. Transfer of Cemetery Deed from Winfred Scott Bedington and wife, Beth H. Bedington and William David Bedington, Single, to Harold Dean Setzer and wife, Phyllis Moore Setzer, in Oakwood Cemetery
D. Request from Hickory Police Department to Award Police Badge and Service Weapon to Retiring Master Police Officer Bain Weinrich - By authority of NC General Statute §20-187.2, City Council may award the service weapon and police badge to retiring Master Police Officer Bain Weinrich upon his
retirement from Hickory Police Department on September 1, 2012 after completing 25 years of service with Hickory Police Department. Upon approval from City Council, the police badge and service weapon will be declared surplus and removed from the city’s fixed asset inventory.
E. Request to declare surplus 1,325 discarded library materials from the preschool outreach collections, so that these materials may be given to the Friends of the Library for their annual book sale October 4-7, 2012. - The sale of donated and discarded books is the primary fundraising activity of the Friends of the Library and discarded library materials comprise a significant portion of their inventory. The sale of these items ultimately benefits the library, and is an appropriate means of disposing of unneeded materials.
F. Request to approve Municipal Agreement with North Carolina Department of Transportation for replacement of municipal bridge number 170327 on Falling Creek Road.- The bridge on Falling Creek Road is structurally deficient and is functionally obsolete. Biannual inspection performed this year determined that structural repairs be made in order to keep the bridge safe for the traveling public. Those repairs were temporary in nature and have been completed. The inspection showed that the existing bridge is beyond its useful life and in need of replacement. The City of Hickory will be responsible for 20 percent of the total estimated cost of the project with the estimated cost being $1,200,000. The estimate for the City’s portion of the project is $240,000 with North Carolina Department of Transportation paying the balance.
G. Request to replace the Library’s current Safe Child Policy with a new Child Safety Policy - For the purpose of establishing parental supervisory guidelines that specify the ages at which minors must be accompanied by responsible caregivers and a minimum age for their caregiver, the ages at which minors must be under the immediate supervision of a responsible person and the ages at which minors must be under the supervision of a responsible person in the library building. This policy would clarify procedures for library staff regarding unattended children at closing time; and addressing the issue of unaccompanied adults in the children’s area of the library.
H. Community Appearance Commission request approval of an Appearance Grant for nonresidential property owned by Nancy Rector located at 1263 Hwy 70 SW in the amount of $5,000, Mr. Kyle Pope is acting as the applicant for the grant. - The proposed renovations to the property include: renovation of the existing parking lots and landscaping area; replacement of roofing materials; painting of the building exterior; and replacement of guttering, soffit and facia. In total the proposed renovation are estimated to be between $11,795 and $16,950 in value. Being both estimates exceed $10,000 in value, the proposal would be eligible for the full $5,000 Community Appearance Grant. The current assessed value of the property is $265,500. The value of the grant represents approximately 3% of the property’s value.
I. Community Appearance Commission request approval of an Appearance Grant for nonresidential property owned by Hickory Elks Lodge located at 356 Main Avenue NW in the amount of $5,000.- The proposed renovations to the east building elevation (facing Union Square) include the removal of old pebble board on the two upper building levels, which covers the existing windows, the replacement of two (2) windows with bronze frame reflective windows, brick infill around the replacement windows, new paint for the façade and fire escape and a new deck shelter. In all the Elks Lodge plans approximately $18,300 worth of exterior improvements to the building. Being the estimate exceeds $10,000 in value, the proposal would be eligible for the full $5,000 Community Appearance Grant. The current assessed value of the Hickory’s Elks Lodge property is $483,500; however the property is tax exempt. The value of the grant represents approximately 3.8% of the property’s value.
J. Termination of Setback Waiver Agreement for properties located at 840, 930 and 958 Highway 70 SE owned by Crossroads Holdings, LLC. - On March 7, 1997 a Waiver of Setback Agreement was recorded by previous owners of the properties located at 840, 930, and 958 Highway 70 SE, PIN Numbers 3712-17-01-9468; 3712-17-11-3464 and 3712-17-11-6309 concerning a common boundary between the properties owners. In May 2011, Crossroads Holdings LLC acquired these properties and now desires to recombine the respective properties into a single parcel. The Setback Agreement entered into by the previous properties’ owners is no longer applicable or necessary. The recombine properties will be in compliance with all setback requirements as prescribed in the Hickory Land Development Code.
(Discussed in minutes 5:45 to the 12:00 mark) The Item above was removed from the agenda with Alderman Lail with Alderman Meisner's support. City Manager stated that the plan would be broken up into smaller pieces that can be evaluated as they move along. He believed the plan should be tabled and they would come back to the council to introduce a phase 1 of the plan. Alderman Guess asked if this would hamper anything and if there would be any delays. Manager Berry stated that this should not cause any delays. asked that the monies spent be reassessed and that monies be spent ne budgeted and spent on an as needed basis. The Council agreed to do this. Frank Drendel and Benny Yount were added to the Inspiring Spaces Committee.
The Hound believes it was good to see that Aldermen Meisner and Lail put the brakes on this project and bring some accountability into the process.
L. Capital Project Ordinance Amendment
1. To transfer $18,500 of unexpended funds from the Clement Boulevard Project Construction Line item and budget in the Traffic Division’s Other Professional Services line item. This transfer is necessary to pay Martin/Alexiou/Bryson, PC to develop and implement a traffic signal coordination plan for US Hwy 321 from 9th Ave NW north to US Hwy 321-A in Caldwell County. This new traffic signal coordination plan is necessary to coordinate US Hwy 321 now that the Clement Blvd project is complete. In order to keep traffic moving and lessen congestion along the corridor, a coordination plan is needed.
M. Budget Ordinance Amendment
1. To appropriate $1,500 of General Fund Balance and budget in the International Council line item. A $1,500 donation for the Folkmoot event was received in FY11-12; however, the event occurs in July of FY12-13. Therefore the $1,500 donation rolled into General Fund Balance at year end. This amendment will reappropriate $1,500 from General Fund Balance and budget funds in the FY12-13 International Council line item for the Folkmoot event.
2. To appropriate $12,180 of General Fund Balance (Funds reserved from the State of North Carolina Unauthorized Substance Tax revenue) and budget in the Police Department's Contracted Services line item. This amendment is necessary to pay Smith, Rodgers PLLC Attorneys for the Law Enforcement Legal Support annual contract. Funds are made available to the Police Department from the State and remain in General Fund Balance until appropriated.
3. To appropriate $50,828 of General Fund Balance (Funds reserved from the State of North Carolina Unauthorized Substance Tax revenue) and budget in the Police Department's Non-Asset Inventory ($48,218) and Uniforms ($2,610) line items. This amendment is necessary to pay for Special Operations Team vests, hard armor plates for the front and back of vests and rain suits. Funds are made available to the Police Department from the State and remain in General Fund Balance until appropriated.
4. To transfer $204,000 of General Fund Contingency to the Public Buildings Other Professional Services line item. This amendment is necessary to pay Land Design, Inc. for the contract and design of the preparation of the Inspiring Spaces Plan. This plan is for capital improvement projects related to city rights of way and public spaces. Other areas for streetscape improvements include travel ways, landscaping and lighting upgrades, gateway upgrades and façade improvements on key city facilities. It will take approximately 7 months to complete the plan with implementation of the plan to occur over 5 to 10 years. The cost of the Inspiring Spaces Plan is $198,000 with an additional $6,000 for project incidentals for a total cost of $204,000.
5. To appropriate $293 of Transportation Fund Balance and budget in the Airport Maintenance and Repair of Grounds line item. A $293 insurance claim check from State Farm Insurance agency was received on June 28, 2012 for a damaged fence caused by a car accident. Funds rolled into Transportation Fund Balance at year-end; therefore a budget amendment is necessary to appropriate
$293 to the Airport operational budget.
6. To accept a $18,500 transfer of unexpended funds from the Clement Boulevard Project Construction Line item and budget in the Traffic Division's Other Professional Services line item. This transfer is necessary to pay Martin/Alexiou/Bryson, PC to develop and implement a traffic signal coordination plan for US Hwy 321 from 9th Ave NW north to US Hwy 321-A in Caldwell County. This new traffic signal coordination plan is necessary to coordinate US Hwy 321 now that the Clement Blvd project is complete. In order to keep traffic moving and lessen congestion along the corridor, a coordination plan is needed.
N. Special Event/Activities Application for Celebration of the new Downtown Structure and Stage by Mandy Pitts, on Friday, August 10, 2012 from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturday, August 11, 2012 from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm on Union Square to celebrate the new structure and stage in Downtown Hickory.
Informational Items
A. Report of Alderman Hank Guess’ travel to Town Hall Day, in Raleigh, NC on June 6,2012 (Meals - $9.83)
New Business - Departmental Report - on Random Woods, Sherwood Forest and Eastwood Subdivisions Sanitary Sewer Grant Project. City Council approved the acceptance of the grant July 17, 2012.
Grant Project Ordinance : (13:00 mark to 22:20 mark)
1. To budget a $2,946,043 State Grant from the High Unit Cost Grant Account of the Water Infrastructure Fund offered by North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality. This project includes construction of approximately 25,100 linear feet of 8-inch PVC sanitary sewer lines serving three subdivisions Eastwood, Random Woods, and Sherwood Forest Subdivisions. No City funds are required for this project.
2. Internet Gaming : (22:30 mark to 52:30 mark) - Staff will report on recent activities by other communities related to internet gaming establishments.
Citizen Requesting to be Heard (
Larry Pope about the appearance (dress) of young people in the City (1:00:00 mark to 1:00:05)
Joe Brannock addressed Council on the issue of the City Council voting to change the Ward Specific voting system themselves. (1:06:00 mark to 1:09:00) State Board of elections says that Council can make this change themselves and forgo the election. It is unfair to categorize an unwillingness as an inability not to vote. He further spoke about some elected leaders labeling people as sinister and crackpots. We deserve elected leaders more willing to participate on the field than heckle from the sideline. The Mayor stated that the 2,707 who sined the petition to authorize a referendum, not to change the system, and they are complying willingly with that.
The Hound thinks that most of you understand that the willingness is statutory and mandatory. This Council was asked by the CEG to adopt a resolution themselves and they did not take the first step towards doing so. In the newspaper the Mayor said that Council by Statute had to move forward with the election. Here, he doesn't say that.
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 8/9/2012 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
The above is the entire recording of this meeting. I am through typing out the City Council's minutes. It is tedious and not worth the time when you should take the time to listen to what they have to say in their own words. I can make this presentation in 30 minutes. It takes hours to type the minutes out. I will talk about highlights and add commentary, but if the Backwards crowd who runs this town refuses to issue audio/video of their procession, then I will do it for them. They record the meetings, why can't they make that audio available for public consumption?
And at this time I can't afford an HD Camera, because I am struggling in the Steak and Shake Economy, but if people want contribute to help make that possible, I will go in there and video record the proceedings. They have million dollars for a tent, but can't afford the equipment that will help us see our Government in action. Hmmm... priorities, priorities. They can say "No Steps Backwards" when they arrive in the 21st century.
I will update this further ASAP
I will update this further ASAP
Invocation by Rev. Rick Schilling, Associate Pastor, First United Methodist Church
Special Presentations:
The NC APWA Solid Waste Division presentation of the Herman Drake Award (Solid Waste Employee of the Year) to Tommy Hughes
The Hound enjoys these presentations that celebrate employees with the City being recognized for going above and beyond their occupational duties. It was easy to see the camaraderie displayed amongst these gentleman.
Consent Agenda
A. Consideration and Acceptance of the 2012 Urgent Repair Program Grant in the amount of $37,500, and Assistance Policy and Procurement Policy - The Community Development Department, in complying with the NC Housing Finance Agency’s funding requirements for SRP12 has prepared an Assistance Policy and Procurement Policy reflecting program requirements as requested by NCHFA. The Policies incorporates program requirements, applicant eligibility standards, and program capabilities. Upon approval by Hickory City Council the Assistance Policy and Procurement Policy will be submitted with additional information requested by NC Housing Finance Agency. Upon receipt and acceptance by NCHFA, funds will be dispersed to the City of Hickory in order to begin repairs to eligible homes. The 2012 Urgent Repair Program Grant from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency is in the
amount of $37,000.
B. Special Events/Activities Application for Patriots Day by Steve Moore and Fred Hollar with the City of Hickory, on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 on Union Square or City Hall Parking Area, from 8:30 am to 9:30 am, September 11th Ceremony
C. Transfer of Cemetery Deed from Winfred Scott Bedington and wife, Beth H. Bedington and William David Bedington, Single, to Harold Dean Setzer and wife, Phyllis Moore Setzer, in Oakwood Cemetery
D. Request from Hickory Police Department to Award Police Badge and Service Weapon to Retiring Master Police Officer Bain Weinrich - By authority of NC General Statute §20-187.2, City Council may award the service weapon and police badge to retiring Master Police Officer Bain Weinrich upon his
retirement from Hickory Police Department on September 1, 2012 after completing 25 years of service with Hickory Police Department. Upon approval from City Council, the police badge and service weapon will be declared surplus and removed from the city’s fixed asset inventory.
E. Request to declare surplus 1,325 discarded library materials from the preschool outreach collections, so that these materials may be given to the Friends of the Library for their annual book sale October 4-7, 2012. - The sale of donated and discarded books is the primary fundraising activity of the Friends of the Library and discarded library materials comprise a significant portion of their inventory. The sale of these items ultimately benefits the library, and is an appropriate means of disposing of unneeded materials.
F. Request to approve Municipal Agreement with North Carolina Department of Transportation for replacement of municipal bridge number 170327 on Falling Creek Road.- The bridge on Falling Creek Road is structurally deficient and is functionally obsolete. Biannual inspection performed this year determined that structural repairs be made in order to keep the bridge safe for the traveling public. Those repairs were temporary in nature and have been completed. The inspection showed that the existing bridge is beyond its useful life and in need of replacement. The City of Hickory will be responsible for 20 percent of the total estimated cost of the project with the estimated cost being $1,200,000. The estimate for the City’s portion of the project is $240,000 with North Carolina Department of Transportation paying the balance.
G. Request to replace the Library’s current Safe Child Policy with a new Child Safety Policy - For the purpose of establishing parental supervisory guidelines that specify the ages at which minors must be accompanied by responsible caregivers and a minimum age for their caregiver, the ages at which minors must be under the immediate supervision of a responsible person and the ages at which minors must be under the supervision of a responsible person in the library building. This policy would clarify procedures for library staff regarding unattended children at closing time; and addressing the issue of unaccompanied adults in the children’s area of the library.
H. Community Appearance Commission request approval of an Appearance Grant for nonresidential property owned by Nancy Rector located at 1263 Hwy 70 SW in the amount of $5,000, Mr. Kyle Pope is acting as the applicant for the grant. - The proposed renovations to the property include: renovation of the existing parking lots and landscaping area; replacement of roofing materials; painting of the building exterior; and replacement of guttering, soffit and facia. In total the proposed renovation are estimated to be between $11,795 and $16,950 in value. Being both estimates exceed $10,000 in value, the proposal would be eligible for the full $5,000 Community Appearance Grant. The current assessed value of the property is $265,500. The value of the grant represents approximately 3% of the property’s value.
I. Community Appearance Commission request approval of an Appearance Grant for nonresidential property owned by Hickory Elks Lodge located at 356 Main Avenue NW in the amount of $5,000.- The proposed renovations to the east building elevation (facing Union Square) include the removal of old pebble board on the two upper building levels, which covers the existing windows, the replacement of two (2) windows with bronze frame reflective windows, brick infill around the replacement windows, new paint for the façade and fire escape and a new deck shelter. In all the Elks Lodge plans approximately $18,300 worth of exterior improvements to the building. Being the estimate exceeds $10,000 in value, the proposal would be eligible for the full $5,000 Community Appearance Grant. The current assessed value of the Hickory’s Elks Lodge property is $483,500; however the property is tax exempt. The value of the grant represents approximately 3.8% of the property’s value.
J. Termination of Setback Waiver Agreement for properties located at 840, 930 and 958 Highway 70 SE owned by Crossroads Holdings, LLC. - On March 7, 1997 a Waiver of Setback Agreement was recorded by previous owners of the properties located at 840, 930, and 958 Highway 70 SE, PIN Numbers 3712-17-01-9468; 3712-17-11-3464 and 3712-17-11-6309 concerning a common boundary between the properties owners. In May 2011, Crossroads Holdings LLC acquired these properties and now desires to recombine the respective properties into a single parcel. The Setback Agreement entered into by the previous properties’ owners is no longer applicable or necessary. The recombine properties will be in compliance with all setback requirements as prescribed in the Hickory Land Development Code.
K. Approval of a contract with Land Design Inc. for preparation of the Inspiring Spaces Plan for capital improvement projects related to city rights of way and public spaces in the amount of $198,000 as well as $6,000 for project incidentals for a total project budget of $204,000. - An Inspiring Spaces Plan will be for improvements in Hickory’s public spaces along rights of way, including pedestrian connectivity, providing aesthetic features in key locations such as fountains, other water features and public art, greenways, installing wayfinding, identifying ways to enhance key corridors such as Hwy 127, Old Lenoir Road, Highland Avenue, Main Avenue, Highway 70 West and other areas with streetscape improvements such as improvements to travel ways, landscaping and lighting upgrades, gateway upgrades and façade improvements on key city facilities.
(Discussed in minutes 5:45 to the 12:00 mark) The Item above was removed from the agenda with Alderman Lail with Alderman Meisner's support. City Manager stated that the plan would be broken up into smaller pieces that can be evaluated as they move along. He believed the plan should be tabled and they would come back to the council to introduce a phase 1 of the plan. Alderman Guess asked if this would hamper anything and if there would be any delays. Manager Berry stated that this should not cause any delays. asked that the monies spent be reassessed and that monies be spent ne budgeted and spent on an as needed basis. The Council agreed to do this. Frank Drendel and Benny Yount were added to the Inspiring Spaces Committee.
L. Capital Project Ordinance Amendment
1. To transfer $18,500 of unexpended funds from the Clement Boulevard Project Construction Line item and budget in the Traffic Division’s Other Professional Services line item. This transfer is necessary to pay Martin/Alexiou/Bryson, PC to develop and implement a traffic signal coordination plan for US Hwy 321 from 9th Ave NW north to US Hwy 321-A in Caldwell County. This new traffic signal coordination plan is necessary to coordinate US Hwy 321 now that the Clement Blvd project is complete. In order to keep traffic moving and lessen congestion along the corridor, a coordination plan is needed.
M. Budget Ordinance Amendment
1. To appropriate $1,500 of General Fund Balance and budget in the International Council line item. A $1,500 donation for the Folkmoot event was received in FY11-12; however, the event occurs in July of FY12-13. Therefore the $1,500 donation rolled into General Fund Balance at year end. This amendment will reappropriate $1,500 from General Fund Balance and budget funds in the FY12-13 International Council line item for the Folkmoot event.
2. To appropriate $12,180 of General Fund Balance (Funds reserved from the State of North Carolina Unauthorized Substance Tax revenue) and budget in the Police Department's Contracted Services line item. This amendment is necessary to pay Smith, Rodgers PLLC Attorneys for the Law Enforcement Legal Support annual contract. Funds are made available to the Police Department from the State and remain in General Fund Balance until appropriated.
3. To appropriate $50,828 of General Fund Balance (Funds reserved from the State of North Carolina Unauthorized Substance Tax revenue) and budget in the Police Department's Non-Asset Inventory ($48,218) and Uniforms ($2,610) line items. This amendment is necessary to pay for Special Operations Team vests, hard armor plates for the front and back of vests and rain suits. Funds are made available to the Police Department from the State and remain in General Fund Balance until appropriated.
4. To transfer $204,000 of General Fund Contingency to the Public Buildings Other Professional Services line item. This amendment is necessary to pay Land Design, Inc. for the contract and design of the preparation of the Inspiring Spaces Plan. This plan is for capital improvement projects related to city rights of way and public spaces. Other areas for streetscape improvements include travel ways, landscaping and lighting upgrades, gateway upgrades and façade improvements on key city facilities. It will take approximately 7 months to complete the plan with implementation of the plan to occur over 5 to 10 years. The cost of the Inspiring Spaces Plan is $198,000 with an additional $6,000 for project incidentals for a total cost of $204,000.
5. To appropriate $293 of Transportation Fund Balance and budget in the Airport Maintenance and Repair of Grounds line item. A $293 insurance claim check from State Farm Insurance agency was received on June 28, 2012 for a damaged fence caused by a car accident. Funds rolled into Transportation Fund Balance at year-end; therefore a budget amendment is necessary to appropriate
$293 to the Airport operational budget.
6. To accept a $18,500 transfer of unexpended funds from the Clement Boulevard Project Construction Line item and budget in the Traffic Division's Other Professional Services line item. This transfer is necessary to pay Martin/Alexiou/Bryson, PC to develop and implement a traffic signal coordination plan for US Hwy 321 from 9th Ave NW north to US Hwy 321-A in Caldwell County. This new traffic signal coordination plan is necessary to coordinate US Hwy 321 now that the Clement Blvd project is complete. In order to keep traffic moving and lessen congestion along the corridor, a coordination plan is needed.
N. Special Event/Activities Application for Celebration of the new Downtown Structure and Stage by Mandy Pitts, on Friday, August 10, 2012 from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturday, August 11, 2012 from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm on Union Square to celebrate the new structure and stage in Downtown Hickory.
Informational Items
A. Report of Alderman Hank Guess’ travel to Town Hall Day, in Raleigh, NC on June 6,2012 (Meals - $9.83)
New Business - Departmental Report - on Random Woods, Sherwood Forest and Eastwood Subdivisions Sanitary Sewer Grant Project. City Council approved the acceptance of the grant July 17, 2012.
Grant Project Ordinance : (13:00 mark to 22:20 mark)
1. To budget a $2,946,043 State Grant from the High Unit Cost Grant Account of the Water Infrastructure Fund offered by North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality. This project includes construction of approximately 25,100 linear feet of 8-inch PVC sanitary sewer lines serving three subdivisions Eastwood, Random Woods, and Sherwood Forest Subdivisions. No City funds are required for this project.
2. Internet Gaming : (22:30 mark to 52:30 mark) - Staff will report on recent activities by other communities related to internet gaming establishments.
Citizen Requesting to be Heard (
Larry Pope about the appearance (dress) of young people in the City (1:00:00 mark to 1:00:05)
Joe Brannock addressed Council on the issue of the City Council voting to change the Ward Specific voting system themselves. (1:06:00 mark to 1:09:00) State Board of elections says that Council can make this change themselves and forgo the election. It is unfair to categorize an unwillingness as an inability not to vote. He further spoke about some elected leaders labeling people as sinister and crackpots. We deserve elected leaders more willing to participate on the field than heckle from the sideline. The Mayor stated that the 2,707 who sined the petition to authorize a referendum, not to change the system, and they are complying willingly with that.
The Hound thinks that most of you understand that the willingness is statutory and mandatory. This Council was asked by the CEG to adopt a resolution themselves and they did not take the first step towards doing so. In the newspaper the Mayor said that Council by Statute had to move forward with the election. Here, he doesn't say that.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Vestigia Nulla Retorsum - Moving Forward
The origins of Mayor Wright's "No Steps Backwards" Coalition.
I have heard the Mayor tell this story at least three times over the last couple of years. I have heard it as "re-elect City Council" and here he says "re-elect the Mayor." Vestigia Nulla Retorsum is the motto on the City of Hickory seal. You know the seal with the old log tavern. The Mayor after joking says that it means "No Steps Backwards."
There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a firm resolve and stick to-it-tiveness, but sometimes in life we come to dead in roads, paths, and cliffs. It is absolutely amazing that the Mayor interprets this message of progress as a belief that in life that there is absolutely no time in which we should take a step back and reassess our mission. Situational Awareness in life is a key to survivability. Master Sun Tzu, one of the greatest philosophers in World history taught about living to fight another day in his epic "The Art of War."
It is the belief of those that were involved with the petition and now the referendum on the direct ward representation issue that the current modified at-large electoral system in Hickory is not working. We also see the need for term limits to keep energy and freshness on the City Council. It is nothing personal against the current Hickory City Council. If those members of the Council take it personally, then that is on them, not on us.
Over the last two weeks we have seen members of the movement to bring representation on City Council back to the Grass Roots level labeled with some very derogatory terms. Like they say, sticks and stones, but is this truly how our city leaders view many of the people that they are supposed to represent. If so that is very telling.
Being from Hickory does not mean that you have signed some kind of a suicide pact. There is no nobility in failure through pride and stubbornness. Every person in this community should have goals and aspirations that lead to a commitment to excellence. I have studied the mediocrity inherent to the status quo. The only thing constant in life is change. Success awaits those who are able to adapt to that change. That is an issue that we face in this community. A lack of open-minded vision and a top-down authoritarian push towards conformity.
Sometimes in life we must reassess where we are at, where we are headed, and look at the big picture of our mission. Sometimes we have no choice but to step back to take multiple steps forward. That doesn't mean that we aren't continually looking at ways to move forward. It means that we must adapt to succeed.
I have heard the Mayor tell this story at least three times over the last couple of years. I have heard it as "re-elect City Council" and here he says "re-elect the Mayor." Vestigia Nulla Retorsum is the motto on the City of Hickory seal. You know the seal with the old log tavern. The Mayor after joking says that it means "No Steps Backwards."
There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a firm resolve and stick to-it-tiveness, but sometimes in life we come to dead in roads, paths, and cliffs. It is absolutely amazing that the Mayor interprets this message of progress as a belief that in life that there is absolutely no time in which we should take a step back and reassess our mission. Situational Awareness in life is a key to survivability. Master Sun Tzu, one of the greatest philosophers in World history taught about living to fight another day in his epic "The Art of War."
It is the belief of those that were involved with the petition and now the referendum on the direct ward representation issue that the current modified at-large electoral system in Hickory is not working. We also see the need for term limits to keep energy and freshness on the City Council. It is nothing personal against the current Hickory City Council. If those members of the Council take it personally, then that is on them, not on us.
Over the last two weeks we have seen members of the movement to bring representation on City Council back to the Grass Roots level labeled with some very derogatory terms. Like they say, sticks and stones, but is this truly how our city leaders view many of the people that they are supposed to represent. If so that is very telling.
Being from Hickory does not mean that you have signed some kind of a suicide pact. There is no nobility in failure through pride and stubbornness. Every person in this community should have goals and aspirations that lead to a commitment to excellence. I have studied the mediocrity inherent to the status quo. The only thing constant in life is change. Success awaits those who are able to adapt to that change. That is an issue that we face in this community. A lack of open-minded vision and a top-down authoritarian push towards conformity.
Sometimes in life we must reassess where we are at, where we are headed, and look at the big picture of our mission. Sometimes we have no choice but to step back to take multiple steps forward. That doesn't mean that we aren't continually looking at ways to move forward. It means that we must adapt to succeed.
Monday, August 6, 2012
The Mayor on Hal Row - The Tent - The Referendum - August 6, 2012
The following is from Hal Row's First talk program and is the Monday Morning Meeting with the Mayor. I put the broadcast online so that you can go listen to it yourself. If you have a difference of opinion with the text below, then by all means tell me where I am wrong. Yes, some of it is my opinion and my supportive biases, but I don't think any of it is wild-eyed conjecture or what could be labeled as misinformation and mischaracterizations, which are a couple of words that have been proliferated these days by certain status quo forces in our community.
In the first and part of the second segment, the tent on Union Square was discussed. Hal and the Mayor gave it there all to promote it and sing its praises. The Mayor several times said, "Hickory deserves this." He said he wished the sails were taller and the many of the ad hominems he utilized to characterize the structure left me thinking, though there is no body language with radio, that behind the scenes he isn't exactly thrilled with the design. It ain't exactly the Opera House at Sydney. Besides the Sails being taller statement, there was the, "it looks different from the left and right side of the street."... "People say it looks interesting." He seemed to be searching to find comfort with his supportive statements and kept talking about what others said. Hal seemed a lot more enthused than the Mayor did. I think that most of us look at it and say, "THAT" cost $450,000+? And how much City Labor Man Hours were put into this. That has never been factored into the costs that have been released to the public. We have also never been given the names of the 17 people who were part of the committee to name the structure. That naming system changed several times, including after it was expressly stated that the Hickory Speaks site would name the structure, but that didn't go to the liking of the City Propaganda machine.
In the rest of the second segment, the Mayor spoke about the Referendum saying the "No Steps Backwards" coalition opposed the petition and he is part of that group. He labeled the statement that Hickory is the only city our size that has the modified at-large system as sinister and said that the council in 1967 had the wisdom and foresight to institute the system we have today. He never debated the point that we are the only community our size that has this system. He said this NSB group is absolutely committed to maintaining the current system.
It actually sounded like the Mayor is "THE" driving force behind this effort. It sounded like HE is THE effort. He's calling the shots with this group folks. Hal asked about the Mayor's involvement and then just sat back and let the Mayor have the mike. The Mayor said something awkward when he stated that the change in this system, if it were to occur, wouldn't affect him, but would affect the future Mayor. There are several questions that could be asked about that.
Most of the third segment was taken up by a live infomercial with comedian James Gregory. I left that in the presentation above because Mr. Gregory and the Hickory Community Theatre deserve the support.
At the end of this segment, Hal stated that he is going to give the Citizens for Equity in Government time on his show. The Mayor educated us all about the meaning of No Step Backwards. He then at the end of the segment said that the Direct Ward system would lead to Machine politics.
In the last segment, the mayor talked about misconceptions and spoke about the swimming pools. He seems to want to make this an issue about the pools -- Tent great... Pools bad... -- and an issue about race -- The Redistricting of the wards last year. By the Mayor's logic, it is up to the CEG to explain what the City's position was on the redistricting, when the city owns the process. The Mayor continued on with other broadbrushed statements about how the current system is best because you are accountable to your ward and to the city at-large. The problem with this statement is that the ward has zero input in its representation, if 2 or fewer candidates run for that ward position on the City Council and in several cases the ward has elected a candidate that the city at-large has rejected. It is also multiple times more expensive to run for those seats on the City Council and to get your message out against incumbents when you have to run a city wide campaign. So when these representatives are elected city wide they only answer to the people from where the majority of there votes come. Most of those votes currently come from a handful of precincts and those areas draw the attention of City officials. That is what has led to much of the disparity we have seen in this community.
The Mayor finished up by saying that a Ward system would lead to patronage and machine politics and it wouldn't necessarily lead to more turnover on the council. We see where the current modified at-large system has led us. We already have a machine. The current system is a machine and has patronage to their family and friends. The city's recreation committee has two council's family members currently serving and more have served in the past. The Mayor fails to mention that one of the guidelines of the City's request about redistricting was that the redrawn ward lines must also keep Planning Commission members in their current ward. What was behind all of this? Control? and Patronage?
The movement towards a Direct Ward system will bring back governance to the grass roots level. It will empower the neighborhood associations. The Mayor talked about outsiders and political muscle as though he isn't an expert on both. Several thousands of the dollars he raised campaigning for Mayor came from outside of Hickory and the Mayor should be given his just due for the political machine and electoral effectiveness he has had through the years. The problem is that he has never moved from electoral effectiveness to leadership responsibility.
Now, make no mistake, I am for the referendum, because the goal is to get people to take personal responsibility for their governance. The other side says the Status Quo is great. Everything is working as it should. They have no interest in looking at the common man's perspective. I believe one of the biggest issues we face in this community is that the middle class is not doing well and their issues need to be addressed. I haven't seen many people in leadership positions take an interest in that subject. We have no sinister plans or influence peddling interests. We are not the conspiratorial forces in this community. We don't go back behind closed doors to make decisions. We hold public forums and attempt to engage the public constantly.
Ask Yourself... Are you in favor of the way the system was changed in 1967? The modified at-large system was rushed through in 36 hours, but didn't take effect until over 3 years later. No public discussion or input was allowed.
We went out and gathered 2,707 signatures which is way more than the number of people who voted in the last two elections. We have engaged people from every area and demographic of this community and they have joined us... White, Black, wealthy, poor, men, women, Republican, Democrat... We have held public gatherings and made public statements fully divulging our intentions and what our goals are. And then there is the other side... The Elite side... The side that knows best... What have you gotten from them?
In the first and part of the second segment, the tent on Union Square was discussed. Hal and the Mayor gave it there all to promote it and sing its praises. The Mayor several times said, "Hickory deserves this." He said he wished the sails were taller and the many of the ad hominems he utilized to characterize the structure left me thinking, though there is no body language with radio, that behind the scenes he isn't exactly thrilled with the design. It ain't exactly the Opera House at Sydney. Besides the Sails being taller statement, there was the, "it looks different from the left and right side of the street."... "People say it looks interesting." He seemed to be searching to find comfort with his supportive statements and kept talking about what others said. Hal seemed a lot more enthused than the Mayor did. I think that most of us look at it and say, "THAT" cost $450,000+? And how much City Labor Man Hours were put into this. That has never been factored into the costs that have been released to the public. We have also never been given the names of the 17 people who were part of the committee to name the structure. That naming system changed several times, including after it was expressly stated that the Hickory Speaks site would name the structure, but that didn't go to the liking of the City Propaganda machine.
In the rest of the second segment, the Mayor spoke about the Referendum saying the "No Steps Backwards" coalition opposed the petition and he is part of that group. He labeled the statement that Hickory is the only city our size that has the modified at-large system as sinister and said that the council in 1967 had the wisdom and foresight to institute the system we have today. He never debated the point that we are the only community our size that has this system. He said this NSB group is absolutely committed to maintaining the current system.
It actually sounded like the Mayor is "THE" driving force behind this effort. It sounded like HE is THE effort. He's calling the shots with this group folks. Hal asked about the Mayor's involvement and then just sat back and let the Mayor have the mike. The Mayor said something awkward when he stated that the change in this system, if it were to occur, wouldn't affect him, but would affect the future Mayor. There are several questions that could be asked about that.
Most of the third segment was taken up by a live infomercial with comedian James Gregory. I left that in the presentation above because Mr. Gregory and the Hickory Community Theatre deserve the support.
At the end of this segment, Hal stated that he is going to give the Citizens for Equity in Government time on his show. The Mayor educated us all about the meaning of No Step Backwards. He then at the end of the segment said that the Direct Ward system would lead to Machine politics.
In the last segment, the mayor talked about misconceptions and spoke about the swimming pools. He seems to want to make this an issue about the pools -- Tent great... Pools bad... -- and an issue about race -- The Redistricting of the wards last year. By the Mayor's logic, it is up to the CEG to explain what the City's position was on the redistricting, when the city owns the process. The Mayor continued on with other broadbrushed statements about how the current system is best because you are accountable to your ward and to the city at-large. The problem with this statement is that the ward has zero input in its representation, if 2 or fewer candidates run for that ward position on the City Council and in several cases the ward has elected a candidate that the city at-large has rejected. It is also multiple times more expensive to run for those seats on the City Council and to get your message out against incumbents when you have to run a city wide campaign. So when these representatives are elected city wide they only answer to the people from where the majority of there votes come. Most of those votes currently come from a handful of precincts and those areas draw the attention of City officials. That is what has led to much of the disparity we have seen in this community.
The Mayor finished up by saying that a Ward system would lead to patronage and machine politics and it wouldn't necessarily lead to more turnover on the council. We see where the current modified at-large system has led us. We already have a machine. The current system is a machine and has patronage to their family and friends. The city's recreation committee has two council's family members currently serving and more have served in the past. The Mayor fails to mention that one of the guidelines of the City's request about redistricting was that the redrawn ward lines must also keep Planning Commission members in their current ward. What was behind all of this? Control? and Patronage?
The movement towards a Direct Ward system will bring back governance to the grass roots level. It will empower the neighborhood associations. The Mayor talked about outsiders and political muscle as though he isn't an expert on both. Several thousands of the dollars he raised campaigning for Mayor came from outside of Hickory and the Mayor should be given his just due for the political machine and electoral effectiveness he has had through the years. The problem is that he has never moved from electoral effectiveness to leadership responsibility.
Now, make no mistake, I am for the referendum, because the goal is to get people to take personal responsibility for their governance. The other side says the Status Quo is great. Everything is working as it should. They have no interest in looking at the common man's perspective. I believe one of the biggest issues we face in this community is that the middle class is not doing well and their issues need to be addressed. I haven't seen many people in leadership positions take an interest in that subject. We have no sinister plans or influence peddling interests. We are not the conspiratorial forces in this community. We don't go back behind closed doors to make decisions. We hold public forums and attempt to engage the public constantly.
Ask Yourself... Are you in favor of the way the system was changed in 1967? The modified at-large system was rushed through in 36 hours, but didn't take effect until over 3 years later. No public discussion or input was allowed.
We went out and gathered 2,707 signatures which is way more than the number of people who voted in the last two elections. We have engaged people from every area and demographic of this community and they have joined us... White, Black, wealthy, poor, men, women, Republican, Democrat... We have held public gatherings and made public statements fully divulging our intentions and what our goals are. And then there is the other side... The Elite side... The side that knows best... What have you gotten from them?
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Economic Stories of Relevance in Today's World -- August 5, 2012
Survey: 40% of American Families Live Paycheck to Paycheck - Newsmax.com - Julie Crawshaw - August 3, 2012 - A new 60-page report from the Consumer Federation of America and the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards reveals that two in five American households—almost 40 percent—live paycheck to paycheck, with no savings, retirement account or emergency fund, The Fiscal Times reports. The number of families living this way has increased by 7 percent over the last 15 years, in no small part because of the recession. Now, only 30 percent of Americans say they feel comfortable financially, and only one-third think they have enough saved to retire before age 65. In addition, the survey found that 51 percent of Americans feel behind on saving for retirement, a figure that has risen over the last decade and a half.
Only 24.6 Percent Of All Jobs In The United States Are Good Jobs - The American Dream Blog - Do you want to know why it seems like good jobs are very rare in the United States today? It is because good jobs are very rare in the United States today. According to a paper that was just released by the Center for Economic and Policy Research, only 24.6 percent of all American jobs qualified as "good jobs" in 2010. Over the past several decades, there has been increasing pressure on corporations to reduce expenses and increase corporate profits. One of the biggest expenses that any corporation faces is labor. Large corporations all over the globe are in an endless race to gain a competitive advantage by pushing labor costs as low as possible. Sometimes this is done by using technology. Computers, automation, robotics and other forms of technology have eliminated millions of jobs in the United States and those jobs are never coming back. Millions of other jobs have been eliminated by offshoring. In our globalized economy, American workers have been merged into one giant labor pool with everyone else. That makes it very tempting for big corporations to move jobs from areas where workers are very expensive (such as the United States) to areas of the world where it is legal to pay slave labor wages. When big corporations do this, corporate profits go up, but the number of good jobs in the United States goes down. As a result, there is increased competition for the jobs that remain in the United States and this drives down wages. Meanwhile, the cost of living just keeps going up. So millions of American families have fallen into poverty in recent years, and millions of others have gone deep into debt in an attempt to survive. This dynamic is absolutely shredding the middle class in the United States. So how exactly did the authors of the paper mentioned above come to the conclusion that only 24.6 percent of all jobs in the United States are good jobs? Well, they had three criteria for what a "good job" is.... (#1) The job must pay at least $18.50 an hour. According to the authors, that is the equivalent of the median hourly pay for American workers back in 1979 after you adjust for inflation. (#2) The job must provide access to employer-sponsored health insurance, and the employer must pay at least some portion of the cost of that insurance. (#3) The job must provide access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan.
Seasonal And Birth Death Adjustments Add 429,000 Statistical "Jobs" - Zero Hedge - Tyler Durden's August 3, 2012 - Happy by the headline establishment survey print of 133,245 which says that the US "added" 163,000 jobs in July from 133,082 last month? Consider this: the number was based on a non seasonally adjusted July number of 132,868. This was a 1.248 million drop from the June print. So how did the smoothing work out to make a real plunge into an "adjusted" rise? Simple: the BLS "added" 377K jobs for seasonal purposes. This was the largest seasonal addition in the past decade for a July NFP print in the past decade, possibly ever, as the first chart below shows. But wait, there's more: the Birth Death adjustment, which adds to the NSA Print to get to the final number, was +52k. How does this compare to July 2011? It is about 1000% higher: the last B/D adjustment was a tiny +5K! In other words, of the 163,000 jobs "added", 429,000 was based on purely statistical fudging. Doesn't matter - the flashing red headline is good enough for the algos.
CHART OF THE DAY: The Scariest Jobs Chart EVER - Business Insider - Joe Weisenthal August 3, 2012 - With the unemployment rate ticking higher, and the pace of job creation still at a pathetically low rate (by historical standards), we're compelled to revisit this chart. It's put together every monthly by Bill McBride at Calculated Risk, and it shows the trajectory of job losses in all of the various post-WWII recessions. This current recession (and recovery) is the bright red line. As you can see, the downtrend was far worse than anything else we'd seen since WWII, and the rise is far more meager than anything else we had seen.
Only 24.6 Percent Of All Jobs In The United States Are Good Jobs - The American Dream Blog - Do you want to know why it seems like good jobs are very rare in the United States today? It is because good jobs are very rare in the United States today. According to a paper that was just released by the Center for Economic and Policy Research, only 24.6 percent of all American jobs qualified as "good jobs" in 2010. Over the past several decades, there has been increasing pressure on corporations to reduce expenses and increase corporate profits. One of the biggest expenses that any corporation faces is labor. Large corporations all over the globe are in an endless race to gain a competitive advantage by pushing labor costs as low as possible. Sometimes this is done by using technology. Computers, automation, robotics and other forms of technology have eliminated millions of jobs in the United States and those jobs are never coming back. Millions of other jobs have been eliminated by offshoring. In our globalized economy, American workers have been merged into one giant labor pool with everyone else. That makes it very tempting for big corporations to move jobs from areas where workers are very expensive (such as the United States) to areas of the world where it is legal to pay slave labor wages. When big corporations do this, corporate profits go up, but the number of good jobs in the United States goes down. As a result, there is increased competition for the jobs that remain in the United States and this drives down wages. Meanwhile, the cost of living just keeps going up. So millions of American families have fallen into poverty in recent years, and millions of others have gone deep into debt in an attempt to survive. This dynamic is absolutely shredding the middle class in the United States. So how exactly did the authors of the paper mentioned above come to the conclusion that only 24.6 percent of all jobs in the United States are good jobs? Well, they had three criteria for what a "good job" is.... (#1) The job must pay at least $18.50 an hour. According to the authors, that is the equivalent of the median hourly pay for American workers back in 1979 after you adjust for inflation. (#2) The job must provide access to employer-sponsored health insurance, and the employer must pay at least some portion of the cost of that insurance. (#3) The job must provide access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan.
Seasonal And Birth Death Adjustments Add 429,000 Statistical "Jobs" - Zero Hedge - Tyler Durden's August 3, 2012 - Happy by the headline establishment survey print of 133,245 which says that the US "added" 163,000 jobs in July from 133,082 last month? Consider this: the number was based on a non seasonally adjusted July number of 132,868. This was a 1.248 million drop from the June print. So how did the smoothing work out to make a real plunge into an "adjusted" rise? Simple: the BLS "added" 377K jobs for seasonal purposes. This was the largest seasonal addition in the past decade for a July NFP print in the past decade, possibly ever, as the first chart below shows. But wait, there's more: the Birth Death adjustment, which adds to the NSA Print to get to the final number, was +52k. How does this compare to July 2011? It is about 1000% higher: the last B/D adjustment was a tiny +5K! In other words, of the 163,000 jobs "added", 429,000 was based on purely statistical fudging. Doesn't matter - the flashing red headline is good enough for the algos.
CHART OF THE DAY: The Scariest Jobs Chart EVER - Business Insider - Joe Weisenthal August 3, 2012 - With the unemployment rate ticking higher, and the pace of job creation still at a pathetically low rate (by historical standards), we're compelled to revisit this chart. It's put together every monthly by Bill McBride at Calculated Risk, and it shows the trajectory of job losses in all of the various post-WWII recessions. This current recession (and recovery) is the bright red line. As you can see, the downtrend was far worse than anything else we'd seen since WWII, and the rise is far more meager than anything else we had seen.
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Saturday, August 4, 2012
The World Wide Hound - God Bless America
As we approach the 75,000th unique visitor to the Hickory Hound, I show you the map below of the last 500 people to visit this site. You will see the broad reach of the Hound courtesy of the World Wide Web. Whether you agree or disagree with the message, thanks for visiting.
The World Wide Hound
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