A City Divided

The Referendum failed on Tuesday by 139 votes - 2,470 to 2,331. What this election result signifies is a city divided, which doesn't seem to fall in line with the assertions of the Incumbent City Council members and their entourage that everything is fine and we should continue forward with their status quo.

At the end of the day, the election was lost because those with the most at stake chose not to participate. Only 145 people voted Tuesday in the Ridgeview Precinct and as I stated on Monday night in a communique with fellow members of the CEG after looking at the fact that only 144 people voted early from Southwest Hickory. In early voting 1,202 voters were from north Hickory and 337 voters were from South Hickory.

If we lose this, because we can't get the people from the south side to vote, then I am done with them. I hate to sound harsh, but if you can't get them to take an interest in their own governance with all that has gone on, then you have to know when to throw the towel in on them.

I fully support the African- American members of the CEG, because I can see their passion, but if the people from the south side choose to accept their fate of being screwed (by Hickory Inc.), then frankly I'm all for them getting what they apparently want.  Northwest Hickory (as a whole) is not going to be benevolent towards anyone.

We accept the fate of this resolution. It was the will of the majority of voters that it did not pass. However, we do not change our assertion that the City of Hickory's Government structure is broken and needs reform. We did not lose, because of the issues we brought forth and we are actually satisfied that the light has been shone on many negative and divisive issues that need to be addressed in this community encapsulated by this Mayor and Councils Us versus Them attitude that has been on display for years. . And we aren't going anywhere. All of you Status Quo members, we are going to wear you out. This is a marathon of justice and righteousness.

The lead groupie of Hickory Inc., Paul Byrd Jr., stated a couple of things in a facebook posting that go to the heart of the bitterness and negativity and the scorched earth that they have left behind in their wake. It was stated that, "Their (CEG) leadership will by Tuesday be shipwrecks in the seas of politics because they were led by frustrated, envious, and inadequate peple without a good argument."... (oh and this brilliant statement of an unhinged mentality...) "On Tuesday they will be beat like a red headed stepchild." And then there was the message from last week from the Hickory Daily Record that if we ever raised our heads again, that they would keep knocking us back down. I certainly hope Mr. Byrd doesn't have any stepchildren with red hair.

All of Mr. Byrd's frantic rhetoric and then you meet the man in person and he is congenial and acts like he has some sense. When they put out their push poll they were supposedly well in the lead according to Mr. Byrd's statement in the HDR. What happened to that big lead Mr. Byrd?  I don't blame you. You are just a tool. I hope you enjoyed your 15 minutes of local fame, because it has left you tainted in most of the public's eye. Those people you got to vote no are not ever going to support you as any type of leader, because you didn't display leadership. You drove a wedge into this community. And I guess all of the dynamics of this hollow victory are the reasons why you can't come forward with gracious comments normally attributed to winners. You know what they say about fair weather friends.

Look at the constant robocalls that aimed to harass the petition signers. In the future, we are going to remind people of all of this. Some of the petition signers were called 7 times by the No!!! coalition. The aim seems to have been to get them to either change their minds or get them to not vote at all. That is negative. That is intimidation!!! Oh and that is after Mr. Byrd and gang said that they weren't going to make Robocalls in the beginning.

Rudy Wright and the City Council had better take notice of the message that they were sent Tuesday night. At least half of the Voters in this community are not happy with the Status Quo. And the half that are content better understand that they have a lot to lose with their "No Change!!" -  Status Quo mindset. Of course, as seen at the SALT Block event, most of their supporters don't have much of a future left to worry about and they don't seem to worry about legacy either.

As I have stated, in Hickory we have the second highest unemployment rate in the State and we have the lowest per capita income of anywhere in the State. The population here is rapidly aging and the younger generations don't have any loyalty to this area, because the Powers in this community hold no loyalty towards them. Hickory Inc. needs to realize that they are as obligated to represent the concerns of those that aren't content, as they are their buddies.


I am saddened to say that I have no inclination to believe that this group will ever have such an awakening, because of their hubris, and therefore I must inform them as I have stated over the last several weeks... WE are not going to lie down!!! You can say that I am a sore loser. I don't care. We move forward, because there are issues that must be addressed in this divided city. We have pointed to the Cronyism. This election has not made that issue go away. We have pointed at the secrecy and shutting citizens out of the decision making process... That has not gone away. The Paul Byrd's only pay lip service to reform.

Paul Byrd Jr., Rudy Wright, Carlton Huffman, and  Eddie Jolly have insinuated that we were involved with Acorn, which is an organization that no longer exists, but if it did, then tell me how it only got 140 votes out in Ridgeview on Tuesday. They used that as a wedge issue based upon one guy coming to Hickory and speaking about getting out the vote. The cancerous intolerant attitudes of these four people and people like them need to be vanquished from the local Republican party.  People like this have no leadership ability. They cannot bring people together and you cannot trust them.

Rudy Wright's idea of coming together with someone is them coming to him.  He wanted to tell us what should be on our signs. He created the SALT Block forum, because he can't debate ideas. Citizens requesting to be heard is a charade, because of Rudy and this council. Their claim of transparency is a joke.

We have been called negative and I affirm that I am negative about the Elitist attitude of the leadership in this city. It all comes back to accountability. I hold myself accountable for all my actions, while others seem to be fine with spinning out of control as with a City Council member who told a black member of the CEG that he shouldn't be working on this effort and that he should be volunteering at the soup kitchen. Well, maybe we can do both.

The Hickory Eight, who met in Starbuck's two years ago, personally formed a coalition of diversity, because Old Hickory's intolerant mindset is getting nothing accomplished and does not represent the reality of what Hickory is in 2012. There is no divisiveness amongst our very diverse group and we will not stop until we get Hickory moving forward again. In the end, we are positive, because we aim to create things and bring this community together through inclusion, togetherness, and openness.We aim to end the negative elite mindset of exclusivity, seclusion, and secrecy. We are real people and we are likable. Our agenda isn't talk, talk, talk. Our agenda is action.

Referendum on Ward Specific Voting fails - Joe Brannock statement

The Referendum failed tonight by 139 votes - 2,331 to 2,470.

 - Joe Brannock statement

Clearly, I would have hoped for a different outcome. However, I do not look at tonight's results as a loss or an end.

Going into this process, even going as far back as when the petition was filed last July, we knew democracy isn't perfect. But we do know this - democracy works!

We can say that now because we've successfully righted a 42-year wrong. Hickory citizens were able to have a voice as to which path they wanted. This was an opportunity they were denied for the past four decades.

Citizens from across this city came together, united and determined to allow their fellow neighbors to have a voice.

Today was the day, and the voters decided. The outcome was as tight as an election could be.

Moving forward we've learned that citizens are able to mobilize and work together for a common goal - to make our city better. Though we may often disagree on what exactly "better" is; one thing is certain - if either side gives up; both sides will ultimately lose.

I want to thank the many volunteers that worked countless hours over the past 14 months, and particularly over the past five weeks.

You made this happen - you made history!

And to the City Council I want to say this - many good ideas have come out of this process. Citizens have expressed ways to improve how our city conducts business. My hope is that you will be able to set aside any negativity, and take to heart some of the reasonable suggestions made by concerned, well-intentioned citizens.

Vote Yes - Today - It's Important!!!

Go vote today (September 18, 2012) at your local precinct where you always vote. This is your last chance to get your ward back.

Advantages of True Ward Voting

True ward elections offer many advantages including:

• Restores the original system of City Government
• Traditional representation method that is used in almost all larger municipalities
• Less costly campaigns
• Cuts government spending when fewer polls are open in non-mayoral elections
• Better access to elected office for new candidates
• Promotes close ties between ward representatives and constituents
• Encourages citizen participation
• Provides immediate service and direct accountability to the voters
• More efficient division of responsibilities among members
• Provides stronger voice for voters within their own ward
• Voters can be more educated and knowledgeable about their local candidates
• Council members bring more diverse ideas for making complex decisions for the city as a whole
• Increases the ability of new and diverse candidates to get elected
• Eliminates voting blocks

Rudy Wright's phone message to the CEG from last Tuesday

- September 11, 2012

 

Mr. Mayor, we feel that we are speaking for citizens from all across the city. Citizens whose voices have gone unheard; whose concerns have gone unaddressed; whose ideas have gone ignored. We are mothers and fathers; sisters and brothers. We are white and black; we are Republicans and Democrats. We worship with you at church. We chat with each other when we cross paths at the grocery store. We wave a friendly hello when passing one another on the street. We are your neighbors.

To answer your question Rudy, YES, we have a conscience. What we don't have - and perhaps what you don't understand is - we don't have egos!

(The photo above was taken by a photographer for the USA Today in June 2010. He is standing in the Ridgeview Pool just months before he and the Hickory City Council chose to have this pool demolished. In my book that is brazen arrogance!!!)

And for more of Rudy's political philosophy, listen to the presentation below:



Rebecca Inglefield had the audacity to follow the rules!!! - So they changed the rules

They gonna Arrest you!!!

Statement by Rebecca Inglefield about her arrest at City Hall - September 13, 2012

Rebecca Inglefield had the audacity to follow the rules!!!

So they changed the rules.

From May 1, 2012

When it was time for the Council to pass the Consent Agenda, Attorney Rebecca Inglefield stood up and asked that Items F and G be removed from the Agenda. The Mayor stated that she had a right to speak at the meeting to which Attorney Inglefield stated verbatim what is written on the front page of the Council Agenda Pamphlet displayed below.

And what did she have pulled from the Consent Agenda?

The above is related to the issue of the items F & G that Attorney Inglefield asked to be removed from the Agenda as per a citizens right according to the information on the front page of the Agenda pamphlet:

F. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 21 (Exhibit VII.F.)
1. To appropriate $137,940 of Capital Reserve Parking Fund and transfer to the Canopy Project. This budget amendment is explained in Departmental Report No. 3.

G. Capital Project Ordinance Amendment No 1 (Exhibit VII.G.)
1. To accept a $137,940 appropriation of Capital Reserve Parking Fund Balance and budget in the Canopy Project construction line item.




And what was she arrested for the other day? She continued asking questions related to this "Canopy Project." Even though Attorney John Crone states that they, Hickory Inc., are an "Open Book," he tells Attorney Inglefield the other day that they don't have to answer her questions. He tells her to put it in writing and when she starts doing so,  he then tells her to leave and when she continues writing the questions she wants answered, then he has her arrested.

I hear people say things about Rebecca and that angers me. These things are related to Rebecca's passion for the community. They seem to think that is a bad thing and that it is cool to go with the flow of the cronyism. Rebecca truly cares about this community and she does a ton of things for this community. She doesn't cuss or swear and I do not understand how anyone could ever feel threatened by this lady.

Hickory Inc. doesn't want to answer questions, because they know that it is going to wake up many people to how things have been operating around here.  Sleep little sheep sleep. Nothing to see here.

They gonna Arrest you!!!

Statement by Rebecca Inglefield about her arrest at City Hall - September 13, 2012

They gonna Arrest you!!!

From The Hound - The Definition of Cronyism and the Million Dollar Tent - August 31, 2012 - "People associated with Union Square say just ask Mick Berry, he'll give you the numbers, when those numbers have been requested, but not given, in any professional context. We want to see the line items of where and what monies are accounted for and to whom. Is that so much to ask when it comes to public money?"

Lesson to be learned. Don't ask Hickory Inc. any questions, because they aren't going to answer them unless you are one of the chosen few. And for the most part those folks are Kool-Aid sippers, so they don't care. But, if you have enough courage to insist upon answers and stand up to their intimidation, they will have you arrested! 

Yes sir! Yep! That's "Open Book" Cooperation and Transparency Hickory Style!!! The only way they are going to answer anything is under a court ordered deposition.

Statement by Rebecca Inglefield about her arrest at City Hall - September 13, 2012


Below is the City Council meeting of May 1, 2012. Items pulled from the Consent Agenda by Attorney and Citizen Rebecca Inglefield on 5/1/2012 - (That is 4 1/2 months ago folks).

Statement by Rebecca Inglefield about her arrest at City Hall - September 13, 2012

The Hound: The following statement was issued by Dr. Joseph Inglefield and Rebecca Inglefield relating to her arrest. Rebecca had gone to City Hall as a private citizen to request information that I had been told was available for public viewing by City Council Representative Jill Patton. In her e-mail message, Mrs. Patton gives facts and figures and states, "A file containing the comprehensive expenses of this project is available for public inspection in the City Manager’s office.”

That is the reason why Mrs. Inglefield went to City Hall. She did not go there to be belligerent or combative or to get arrested. I actually saw and spoke to Mrs. Inglefield from 2:00pm to 2:20pm and we had a pleasant conversation to go over facts, as I understand them, and she wanted my input about questions that might be asked. She was actually listening to classical music and seemed very calm at that time. C. Jane Johnson was with us.

The story is going to come out and this arrest is not the issue. The issue is the games that this city has been playing for years in relation to information that belongs to the public and their lack of cooperation in issuing forthright information and context upon request.

The following is a statement sent to Larry Clark of the Hickory Daily Record and released to the public:

Dear Mr. Clark,

Thank-you for your concern about my wife Rebecca and her arrest at Hickory City Hall. It was very kind of you to be at the police station. We are now home after a exhausting, bewildering day. Quite frankly we are very disappointed with the behavior of our city servants. Rebecca is shaken up and recovering from the events of the day. This is the statement she wishes to send to you regarding today.

" On Tuesday 9-11-12 I learned in an email from my city council member, Jill Patton, that the public was invited to visit the City manager's office to review documents related to the cost and bidding for the Sails on the Square project. I believe there was also a notice in the paper. I had requested the documents months ago. At about 2:45 I arrived at city hall where Asst. city manager Warren Wood brought out a stack of documents about 3 inches thick. Mr. Wood told me I could review the documents but a city official would have to sit and observe me as I reviewed the documents. He took me into a spacious conference room, but then moved me across the office building to a table that was in an open area surrounded by offices.

After briefly looking at the first few pages I was glad to have a city official there, because the coding and the invoice numbers were jumbled and confusing. The city official Mike Bennett told me I could not write on the documents, and then refused to help me any more. I sat at the table with a female city employee who kindly helped me to decipher the documents. I told the staff member I wanted to find the actual written bid that was accepted by the city.

At that point, City Attorney John Crone and City Manager Mick Berry aggressively approached the table where I was working. Mick Berry told me I had to leave, but finally he said I could take the documents with me. This was after I had been told I could not review the documents alone nor write on them. I told Mr. Berry and Mr. Crone that these documents could not be understood without assistance from city staff who could explain the documents and their confusing codes. I was told that the city has to produce documents, but does not have to explain them.

Mr. Crone said I could no longer stay. I had to leave. I told him I had a number of questions after having waited on these documents for many months. Mr. Crone said I could send my questions in writing. I tried to ask questions despite his belligerent attitude. He said he would not answer them until a later time. Mr. Crone and Mr. Berry refused to answer any questions about the law or about the project. Instead of being helpful to a citizen they called the police who arrested me on their orders. They are comfortable in the use of intimidation of the public; it has worked for them for a long time.

The citizens of Hickory will vote in 4 days. Every citizen and I have a right to know what is in these documents. The documents they gave me, as far as I can understand them, show nothing regarding how the contract was awarded, and in fact contain no bid.

I am 56 years old, have raised 2 children, have been married for 33 years and practiced law for 25 years. I have never been treated with such disrespect as I was by Mr. Berry and Mr. Crone. The only threatening thing about me is that I was asking for the truth. "

Sincerely,
Rebecca Inglefield


Mr. Clark, it is pretty obvious after months of stonewalling that the city of Hickory did a document dump days before the referendum. The documents are still incomplete and were delivered in a disorganized and purposefully confusing way. A document dump like this is no different than censorship. The goal is to confuse the public and to deny or delay the truth. We need transparency in government. As Ronald Reagan said, "Trust, but verify."


The Hound: And while we are at it, I am re-releasing the debate that took place between Rudy Wright and Joe Brannock on August 21, 2012. You can hear in this the foreboding negative tone of fear that has been expressed throughout this process by many of Hickory's Public Servants and their entourage. They may as well be saying, "These sinister Commonist radicals are cummin ta gitcha and they're gonna burn down your house."

If there is one thing that I can convey to people. Never let fear rule your life. If people use fear to sway you, then you need to figure out what their real agenda is.