Will we move forward? - Silence DoGood

So it is done. As I read the responses of the various principals and interested parties from both sides, I see promise and foreboding in the words.

While it is a victory for NSB in the sense that their interpretation of the representative process received more votes and confirmation that Hickory is not yet ready for overt change, the margin of victory is slight. I hope that communicates and solidifies the words of those who spoke for NSB in the championing of their cause. I word that previous sentence carefully because it will remain to be seen if it is indeed a cause of all the people or on their behalf. I genuinely hope that it is. I hope my pessimistic views and prognostications of woe are for naught. I hope this is the eye opening event that causes a bright light of hope to appear and become the beacon for better things to come. I hope this will renew the notion that “either we all hang together, or we will surely all hang separately.” Then again, I grew up here.

I’ve seen the pettiness of personalities at work. It is there, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Byrd, and members of council en banc that we will all see if the actions spoken of as, “moving forward as one” and “uniting for common good” will be representative of what transpires. Or, if the ‘No’ triumph will merely serve as quantification for a return to business as usual and an undeclared open season to wage vendetta against those who exercised their rights as citizens and spoke out about their concerns and what they saw as a skewed political process. It will be interesting to see if this unity of purpose goes beyond picking up campaign signs.

Joe Brannock isn’t wrong; it gave the people a chance to finally voice their preference. Was that preference the same today as it might have been in 1967? We’ll never know for certain. When the people feel disengaged from their representatives in the representative form of democracy, they will resort to other means to have their voices heard, even if that means engaging in participatory forms of democracy in order to voice their concerns to an otherwise disengaged representative body politic.

For CEG, this is an example of what can be done when people work together for a common goal. My quote from above about hanging together is apt here as well and should serve as your encouragement to not sit idly by and allow transgression to go unchallenged. If the victors in this contest are not humble enough and secure enough to extend the olive branch and an offer to move forward together for betterment of all, then I would proffer then need to keep your organization and ideals intact.

I will contend to each of you reading this that rarely will two groups or even two people ideologically agree to purpose and process 100% of the time. It lies then to compromise in order to move forward that might not be ideal to any one side, but are at least amiable to both. Stalemate and obfuscation of sincerity of one by the other will bring you back full circle to this inevitability time and time again. And at some point, the underdog will rise up, if by nothing else the law of probability and the factor of chance.



From a Hickory Hound follower -- Couldn’t resist not sending this to you guys. The only ACORN’S I see in the room are these two “NUTS”.  Have a great weekend. GO PACK!!

"The guys who took on ACORN.... and won." — with Eddie Jolly and Paul Byrd Jr.....   And your Hickory City Council backs these guys 100%.

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).