Two responses the Hickory Daily Record apparently refused

Submission to Letters to the Editor that the Hickory Daily Record refused to post relating to the issues about the Hickory City Council. By the way, the CEG had nothing to do with the articles the Hickory Daily Record put in the paper a couple of Sunday's ago. They are entitled to their opinion, but those examples of conflicts pale in comparison to some of the real issues that have gone on over the years.

You know that what the Hickory Daily Record original article, a couple Sunday's ago, showed was that there did not have to be a criminal intent for there to be conflicts of interest. We agree with that. Now all of the sudden they seem to have retreated to a position that there has to be an express financial gain to rise to being a "Conflict of Interest". 

And now we see where the paper spoke to this issue and subsequently is falling all over itself retreating, which certainly is disappointing and shows that they have no interest in independent journalism. The Citizens for Equity in Government has certainly shown more respect to the Hickory Daily Record than Hickory Inc. ever has and yet they come to beat up on us on a regular basis, while constantly giving the local Hickory City Government a free pass and a platform. If we say something, then Hickory Inc. are allowed to respond. If they say something, we aren't allowed to respond.

I've held back on these, because the HDR was the proper forum for response, but since they want to censor relevant responses to issues in which people and organizations have been spoken of, here you go.

From Harry Hipps - submitted July 11, 2013:

There are many people who respect Sally Fox, of the Hickory City Council, for her efforts in the community over the years. I respect her and I believe Mrs. Fox when she thinks that she has done nothing wrong. But, the intent does not match the reality of what defines a "Conflict of Interest".

Mrs. Fox as much as admits that she steered the Farmer's Market to Union Square. There were many who wanted it located on Spring's Road. Mrs. Fox's multiple hats on the Farmer's Market Board, Downtown Development Association, City Council Member, and Union Square shop owner skewed the outcome.

We also know that Jill Patton wears as many Board hats as Mrs. Fox; formerly being on the boards of the Farmer's Market, Lake Hickory Country Club, Bank of Granite, and now the Rotary Chair. Along with Mrs. Fox they demanded and got the Million Dollar "Sails on the Square".

This cross pollination of these various interests have tilted the decision making process in Hickory towards Property and Business Owners in the immediate vicinity of Union Square at the expense of the rest of this community. Areas only a few blocks from Union Square have been ignored and fallen into disrepair.

We have seen multi-millions of dollars pumped into Union Square over the past two decades and we are constantly told that it isn't enough. We have even seen the Parking Fund monies, created to expand parking capacity, misappropriated according to the ordinance that created it. That was the fund used for this structure. And the City still hasn't been forthright about the associated costs.

The question begs to be asked. At what point do the bail outs of Union Square end? At what point does Union Square stand on its own feet?


From James Thomas Shell - July 23, 2013:

In reading Jill Patton's Letter from Sunday, I have issues with some of her assertions. No one can deny that she has the support of her ward, which originated from her steadfast doggedness on the Lowe's Home Improvement in Viewmont matter. An issue, which over time has proven her to be wrong, in my opinion.

I stood behind the HDR reporter the other night as Mrs. Patton made a beeline to berate him for not coming to city officials first about his queries and told him how ugly he had been to her in the story he had written. I too have been a subject of this anger in the past, when Mrs. Patton and I have had disagreements.

No one is out to embarrass Mrs. Patton. We're interested in how our local government is functioning. Jill certainly had no problem telling everyone that the local government was dysfunctional back in 2005. Now that she is on the inside, it seems she believes her government can do no wrong.

Yeah, Mrs. Patton and Mr. Seaver recused themselves from the votes for those loans for their kids. But it certainly doesn't look right when city officials procure these city funded, first time homebuyer loans for their children, when 99% of the people don't even know they exist. That reeks of the type of insider politics that many of us are tired of!

Jill, this type of scrutiny comes with that seat you hold. We all have had personal, emotional ups and downs with what goes into the paper. I hope that the HDR will continue to allow Mr. Tinkelenberg to move forward and keep doing his job like any good independent journalist is supposed to do! Because he is doing it well.

Economic Stories of Relevance in Today's World -- July 21, 2013

Share This Chart With Anyone That Believes The U.S. Economy Is Not Going To Crash - Michael Snyder, on July 21st, 2013 - Anyone that thinks that the U.S. economy can keep going along like this is absolutely crazy.  We are in the terminal phase of an unprecedented debt spiral which has allowed us to live far, far beyond our means for the last several decades.  Unfortunately, all debt spirals eventually end, and they usually do so in a very disorderly manner.  The chart that you are about to see is one of my favorite economic charts.  It compares the growth of U.S. GDP to the growth of total debt in the United States.  Yes, U.S. GDP has certainly grown at a decent pace over the years, but our total debt has absolutely exploded.  40 years ago, the total amount of debt in our system (government debt + corporate debt + consumer debt, etc.) was about 2 trillion dollars.  Today it has grown to more than 56 trillion dollars.                                  Our debt has grown at a much, much faster rate than our economy has, and there is no way in the world that we will be able to continue to do that for long. Posted below is the chart that I was talking about.  The blue line is our total debt, and the red line is our GDP.  As you can see, this chart kind of speaks for itself..

Now That Detroit’s Gone Bust, Is Your City Next? - Zero Hedge - Tyler Durden - July 20, 2013 

Housing recovery leaves young adults behind - USA Today  - July 17, 2013 - Between 2006 and 2011, those 25-34 experienced the largest decline in home ownership rates in the country, according to a USA TODAY analysis of Census Bureau data. High unemployment and debt loads are just some of the factors, but have led to a decreased ability to save for a down payment or qualify for a mortgage.

Bernanke Confirms: “If We Were To Tighten Policy, The Economy Would Tank” - SHTFPlan - Mac Slavo - July 18th, 2013 - Financial analysts have opined that the United States is well on the road to recovery. They cite various data points to make the case that the multi-trillion dollar bailouts and stimulus have brought us back from the brink of a collapse so serious that Congressional leaders had been told that should the bailouts fail, there was a real possibility of martial law being declared.
We’re doing so well, in fact, that just a couple of years ago President Obama assured the nation of our progress, claiming that we “reversed the recession, avoided a depression, [and] got the economy moving again.”                          But were one to take a step back from the rhetoric of talking heads, political leaders and so-called Wall Street experts, a completely different picture begins to emerge.
Just this week it was announced that not only are housing starts plummeting, but permit applications reported their “largest miss in history,” an indicator that the economy is not as healthy as it has been made out to be. And, while stock markets are hitting all-time record highs, what’s curious is that some of the world’s largest companies, including Intel, IBM, Google, Ebay and FedEx, are reporting significant consumer pull back and earnings below analyst expectations.                         And if that hasn’t convinced you, then here is the reality of the situation directly from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, the architect of the most massive economic recovery “plan” ever devised in the history of the world.


If We Don’t Break Up the Big Banks, They Will Manipulate More and More of the Economy … Making Us Poorer and Poorer - WashingtonsBlog - July 21, 2013 -


A Truckers anecdotal evidence on the economy

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of July 16, 2013

I began recording the City Council late last year, because of my desire that the City do it on their own as any modern 21st century community began doing long ago. I had people tell me that they couldn't make it to the meetings, but they would like to see what is going on. I was also told by some council members that my summaries did not truly reflect the record, so having a video/audio recording cannot be misinterpreted.

So below is the City Council meeting. Beside each agenda item, you will see the minute:second. You can drag the marker on the video display to the point in the broadcast that you are interested in seeing.




Agenda about the City Council meeting of July 16, 2013

Special Presentations
A. Presentation of Business Well Crafted Award to Johnson Piano Exchange - (1:20)
B. Presentation of Retiring Members of Volunteer Boards and Commissions - (7:00)
C. Presentation of the 17th Consecutive Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City of Hickory by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) - (13:35)
D. Presentation from Business Development Committee Member - Ryan Lovern (16:20) speaks about Real Estate process and planning changes in the City of Hickory.

Persons Requesting to be Heard (23:00)
Addendum Citizens Requesting to be Heard

Consent Agenda (47:30)

New Business - Public Hearings
1. Rezoning Petition 13-09 for the Property Located at 3254 NC Hwy 127 South, Hickory. - (48:00) - Presentation by Shimari Myer (spelling?)


New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Vacant Building Revitalization and Demolition Grant Agreement for Agile Specialty Inc., dba Dennison Precision Machine Co. - (51:50) - Dave Leonetti presentation

2. Catawba County Gang Initiative Hickory Police Department will update Council on the Catawba County Gang Initiative. (56:30) - Presentations

3. Legal Counsel Advisory Opinion on Conflict of Interest Policy. 
(1:06:30) - City Staff Attorney Arnita Dula Presentation
Conflict of Interest Documents from the HDR article of July 7, 2013
I will let this presentation stand by itself without any more said than above. What Arnita Dula presents here is Hickory Inc.'s opinion and they are not the final arbiters of what is and what isn't conflicts of interest. The final arbiters will be the public.

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of June 4, 2013 - Addendum Citizens Requesting to be Heard

7 people addressed the Council on this evening

Cliff Moone - At the last City Council meeting, and at meetings prior to that, I have advocated first, to have these meetings videotaped, and second, to have them subsequently broadcast on the Charter government channel. I have repeatedly commended the council for finding a fiscally prudent way to initiate videotaping and for posting the videos on the city website.

I stand before you tonight to urge you again to broadcast these meetings to the public on cable tv. I do not have time in about 3 minutes to reiterate all the reasons you should do this.

And while no one expects a rebroadcast of the Hickory City Council to generate higher ratings than even a re-run of NCIS, it truly baffles me WHY any elected official wouldn’t want to use every possible means and opportunity to educate the public and raise public awareness about the discussions and actions taken by the body to which he/she was elected. If you are proud of your service and believe, as I know you do, that your actions are truly for the betterment of this city, HOW could you possibly NOT want more citizens to see and hear about it?

And after some of the responses to the recent HDR article raising questions regarding conflict of interest, whether true or not, I would think that having a video record going out to the public might prove advantageous as an added source of accurate information. I know that if I were sitting where you are tonight, I would welcome the video verification of what I had actually said leading up to my vote, and I would want it publicized as much as possible.

In talking with Mr. Berry about this, he appropriately raised a concern about the “quality” of any tv broadcast. Having viewed all of the videotaped meetings, and having seen for myself the high definition quality of those recordings, I just have to say you ALL look REALLY good on camera! Of course, it’s not how you look that matters to us citizens. It’s what you say and how you vote that affects our lives out here. So there is no need to improve the quality. Just let the people have the greatest possible opportunity to see it!

By the way, the newspaper reported that staff AND council decided it could not produce a high enough quality...broadcast to portray the city in a positive light.” I do not want to even begin to unpack that statement. But, for the life of me, I do not recall an actual vote by council on that particular point. Perhaps I am mistaken, but I haven’t found that vote in the minutes, and unfortunately since you have deleted the previous YouTube videos ( a potential violation of the NC Freedom of Information Act and the state’s Public Disclosure Law), I am unable to view the record for myself.

Finally, Mr. Berry stated in the newspaper, “It’s not a matter of whether we could [broadcast the meetings]; It’s a matter of whether we should.” Mr Berry, members of the council, as to whether you should, my answer is absolutely YES!


Joe Brannock - Conflict-of-Interest - I understand there is a Departmental Report tonight on the legal opinion regarding the recent conflict-of-interest matter.

Aside from that discussion, I would like the Council to consider the public perception standards/aspects also associated with conflicts-of-interest, that are there to insure the highest levels of transparency that the public deserves.

I don't believe anyone thinks that conflicts-of-interests necessarily mean illegal activity. Nor, do I believe that conflicts-of-interests are necessarily limited the financial matters.

Was it a conflict-of-interest when Mrs. Patton voted to approve her daughter's application for a first-time home buyers' grant?

Was it a conflict-of-interest when Mr. Seaver voted to approve various Consent Agenda items involving his son?

Wasn't it a conflict-of-interest when Mr. Meisner voted to reject Rental Property Task Force recommendations while his rental property was in violation of the City's nuisance codes?  Furthermore, was it a conflict-of-interest that his appointment to that Task Force was a partner in that rental property?

I would like to commend Mr. Lail for recusing himself during the discussion ans subsequent votes Re: the BID tax. He stated he owned commercial property in the BID district and thought it would be inappropriate to participate.

Also, I would like to commend Mayor Wright for recusing himself back in January regarding an issue with the City's Land Development Code and what he saw as a potential conflict involving his sign company.

But, wasn't it a conflict-of-interest when the Mayor's sign company provided the signage for the City-funded FBO Building without making those interests known publicly?

And wasn't it a conflict-of-interest when Mayor Wright failed to publicly acknowledge his own rental property interests prior to voting to reject the Rental Property Taskforce recommendations?

What I do know is this - my confidence in this Council's ability to enforce it's own conflict-of-interest ordinance is sadly directly proportional to its willingness to actually identify those conflicts.

***  Further evidence, including that here on the Hickory Hound, has shown that Jill Patton and Danny Seaver did recuse themselves on the loans obtained for their children and Danny Seaver was not present during a refi of a loan for his son. What begs to be asked is Should  City Council members children be applying for such loans when Hickory Inc. is not actively promoting that such loans are available? And while it does not rise to the highest level of Conflict of Interest, it does create a perception of a Conflict. In the end, the public will have to decide now whether this meets the smell test. ***


Calaila Jett (sorry for misspelling?) - Addressed the City Council about the AAU basketball team she manages that has been unable to find a place to practice in the City of Hickory with Parks and Recreation due to City Policies. They have been attempting to expand programming through volunteering. (The City is telling them that they need a $1 million insurance policy and to pay $65 per session in order to utilize City facilities.)

April Hill addressed the same concerns. They can utilze Brown-Penn, but not as a Basketball team. They are representing Hickory.


Larry Pope spoke about the rental spaces on Union Square used for dining. It is hard for him to navigate the area. He visits Fred's pharmacy. A mobility specialist, Larry had to come look at Union Square, is 'set back' because of the barriers and obstacles. There is no direct pathways. Larry asked whether the $25 fee (per month for the rental spaces) is being collected and what is it being used for and what fund is it going under. He would like to see something in writing.


Dr. Joseph "Jody" Inglefield - Hickory City Council has ignored the health and wellness of our citizens on many levels. It is time to replace city leaders when they choose to ignore the findings of validated scientific studies like the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index that ranks us the 5th most miserable area in the USA. It is a charade to ride on the backs of non-profits to the title of All-American city.

Uninspired citizens wander our streets due to the lack of jobs. We have the 2nd highest unemployment rate at 10% in the state. We need solutions, not an attitude that nothing can be done. The city must respond to these national surveys in a meaningful way. The failure to maintain parks and recreational facilities throughout Hickory during the 12 year tenure of the Mayor is especially destructive to the health and well-being of the citizens of Hickory. We need jobs, not excuses.

We need to bulldoze through the lack of transparency in City Council decisions. The City Council and staff have not followed the spirit and letter of the public records law, NC General Statute 132. Public information should be open and accessible on the city website permanently, with all public city meetings on cable TV.

City leaders and staff must truthfully file conflict of interest forms in a legible manner on a yearly basis according to law. Under my leadership I will ensure that this is done. City staff must insist Council do so legally and in good faith.

We need to fill positions on independent boards and commissions without delay, free of nepotism and cronyism. These positions are supposed to provide independent guidance and should also be subject to term limits and public conflict of interest requirements as well.

No new taxes should be levied until citizens can readily access and carefully review projects and budgets, including the $80 million dollar "Inspiring Spaces" plan. We need evidence-based plans with full, meaningful public participation, not pet projects. Stop the raiding of separate funds that belong to the citizens of Hickory.

I want to encourage public input and dialogue with the citizens of Hickory, all of the citizens, as many voices are not being heard. The local economy has suffered greatly under this Mayor and Council, yet he takes no responsibility for this decline. Our stale leaders have been in office for too long. We need term limits. We need inspiring leaders to inspire citizens. It is time for fresh new ideas. As a local Doctor and Community leader for the past 25 years, I am announcing my candidacy for the position of Mayor of Hickory. I am now ready to lead Hickory in a new direction. I ask citizens of Hickory to register to vote and to vote for me, Dr. Inglefield for Mayor.


J. Franklin Davis he talked about a program at L-R U entitled "the House that I live in". No community leaders attended. He also addressed the Council about asking to serve on the Community Relations Council and being denied the opportunity. "I have attended City College and even been given a key to the City and it doesn't seem that it opens any doors."

Agenda about the City Council meeting of July 16, 2013

This Agenda is about the Hickory City Council meeting that will take place on the date listed above. 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. You can also look in the upper right hand corner of the front page of the Hickory Hound and (will soon) find the link to the past history of Hickory City Newsletters.

Here is a summary of the agenda of the 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.

City Website has changed - Here is a link to the City of Hickory Document Center

All materials and maps for this meeting are provide at this link:

 City Council Meeting Agenda - July 16, 2013 (16MB)

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

Special Presentations
A. Presentation of Business Well Crafted Award to Johnson Piano Exchange
B. Presentation of Retiring Members of Volunteer Boards and Commissions
C. Presentation of the 17th Consecutive Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City of Hickory by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)
D. Presentation from Business Development Committee Member, Ryan Lovern, Update of the Meeting held with Hickory Area Commercial Realtors

Consent Agenda:
A. Request Approval to Apply for Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in the amount of $23,860. - City of Hickory Police department has received notification of pre-approval to receive $23,860 under the 2013 Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG). The JAG program is a formula-based grant through the Office of Justice Programs/Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) that utilizes Uniform Crime Reporting statistics of all law enforcement agencies to determine eligibility for direct federal grant awards. There is no match required. Hickory Police Department recommends using grant funds from the Justice Assistance Grant to purchase in-car cameras.

B. Request Approval to Accept a Grant in the amount of $60,000 from Governor’s Highway Safety Program Grant for the Purchase of Twenty (20) in-car Digital Cameras. -  A standard marked Hickory Police Vehicle is equipped with a specialized Mobile Video In-Car Camera for all new police vehicles. Life expectancy will be five to ten years on the in-car cameras. These cameras can be reinstalled in new vehicles as required. The digital video recording system is to be installed in police vehicles at an estimated cost of $6,000 per in-car camera. The grant will consist of twenty (20) digital video in car cameras at a cost of $120,000 the portion Governor’s Highway Safety Grant would match is $60,000 and the City’s portion would be $60,000. Along with installing in-car cameras in new police vehicles, these cameras will replace any camera no longer working or supported by a vendor. The City’s match is budgeted in the annual budget for FY13-14.

C. Request Approval of the 2013 Urgent Repair Program Grant, Assistance Policy and Procurement Policy for Submission to the NC Housing Finance Agency. -  In January 2013, the City of Hickory Community Development Department applied for funding through the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency’s Urgent Repair Program. The City of Hickory has been award $37,500 through this program in order to assist approximately eight (8) eligible homes with urgently needed repairs in an amount not to exceed $5,400 per housing unit. The City of Hickory will provide $3,750 in matching funds, available from Rental Rehabilitation program income. NC Housing Finance Agency requires the City of Hickory to prepare an Assistance Policy and Procurement Policies to be readily available to the public explaining the guidelines of the URP13.

D. Special Event/Activities Application for Patriots Day, Steve Moore and Fred Hollar, Hickory Fire Department, for September 11, 2013 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Union Square.

E. Transfer of Cemetery Deed from Howard R. Craig and wife, Beverly F. Craig to Andrea Whitener Teeter and husband James Lee Teeter in Oakwood Cemetery

F. Transfer of Cemetery Deed from Joyce Ann Simpson, Executrix under the Will of William Grant Simpson, and Joyce Ann Simpson, individually to Linda L. Simpson in Fairview Cemetery

G. Call for Public Hearing - For the Consideration of Rezoning Petition 13-10 for the Property Located on 28th Street SE, Hickory, containing 3.32 acres. (Authorize Public Hearing for August 6, 2013)

H. Request Approval of an Updated Billing & Collection Agreement with Catawba County Relating to New Tag & Tax Together Program for Vehicle Property Taxes. - House Bill 1779 was passed by the General Assembly which created the Tag & Tax Together Program. The new program was designed to provide a convenient payment method for vehicle owners to be billed and pay both the tag registration fee and vehicle tax at the same time. Under the new agreement, City of Hickory agrees to pay Catawba County for any new fees associated with this change a percentage share of Hickory’s total tax amount. Deducted fees will be based on overall costs of billing and debit/credit card fees and any refunds, exemptions, and appeals. An annual statement will be generated by the County after December 1st of each tax year and due within 30 days of receipt. Any motor vehicle taxes with renewal dates prior to September 1, 2013 will require the City to pay Catawba County 1 ½ % of the total motor vehicle taxes and gross receipts taxes collected. Renewal dates on or after September 1, 2013 will allocate the motor vehicle tax payments directly to Catawba County. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will deduct the per statement billing cost and debit/credit card transaction fees from the County’s payment. The anticipated per statement billing cost is $1.69 per notice.

I. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Agreement with Safe Harbor Rescue Mission, Inc., for FY2013-2014 in the Amount of $8,000. - City Council approved the 2013 Community Development Block Grant Budget and Action Plan on April 16, 2013. As a result thereof, agreements need to be executed. Per Federal requirements, on February 7, and February 13, 2013 the City of Hickory Department of Planning and Development held two neighborhood meetings. The meetings were held at the Ridgeview Library and City Hall. At these meetings non-profit organizations were granted the opportunity to request funding for the upcoming year.
After the meetings were held, the Citizen’s Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended funding for these agencies. Safe Harbor Rescue Mission, Inc. is a neighborhood based non-profit organization engaged in providing shelter, counseling, and rehabilitation services to chronically dependent and homeless women.

J. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Agreement with Habitat for Humanity of the Catawba Valley, Inc., for FY2013-2014 in the Amount of $60,000 for a Deferred Loan.  -  City Council approved the 2013 Community Development Block Grant Budget and Action Plan on April 16, 2013. As a result thereof, agreements need to be executed. Per Federal requirements, on February 7, and February 13, 2013 the City of Hickory Department of Planning and Development held two neighborhood meetings. The meetings were held at the Ridgeview Library and City Hall. At these meetings non-profit organizations were granted the opportunity to request funding for the upcoming year. After the meetings were held, the Citizen’s Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended funding for these agencies. Habitat for Humanity of the Catawba Valley Inc. is a non-profit organization engaged in providing affordable home ownership opportunities to low and moderate income families.

K. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Agreement with Inter-Faith Housing Development Corporation for FY2013-2014 in the Amount of $10,000. - City Council approved the 2013 Community Development Block Grant Budget and Action Plan on April 16, 2013. As a result thereof, agreements need to be executed. Per Federal requirements, on February 7, and February 13, 2013 the City of Hickory Department of Planning and Development held two neighborhood  meetings. The meetings were held at the Ridgeview Library and City Hall. At these meetings non-profit organizations were granted the opportunity to request funding for the upcoming year. After the meetings were held, the Citizen’s Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended funding for these agencies. Inter-Faith Housing Development Corporation is a non-profit organization engaged in providing affordable homeownership opportunities to low and moderate income families. They are also the owners of the former Ridgeview Public Library, which they are planning to rehabilitate for use as a community center.

L. Budget Ordinance Amendment Number 1.
1. To transfer $400 from the Police Departments Uniform line item to the 2012 Bulletproof Vest Partnership multi-year grant project. The 2012 Federal grant awarded to the Hickory Police Department from the United States Department of Justice pays up to 50% of the cost of National Institute of Justice approved vests. Grant funds are budgeted for the vest purchases; however the grant does not cover shipping and handling costs of the vest purchases. Therefore a transfer of
$400 to the grant projects uniform line item is necessary.

M. Grant Project Ordinance Amendment Number 1.
1. To accept a $400 transfer from the Police Departments Uniform line item to the 2012 Bulletproof Vest Partnership multi-year grant project. Grant funds are budgeted for the vest purchases; however the grant does not cover shipping and handling costs of the vest purchases. Therefore a transfer of $400 to the grant projects uniform line item is necessary.
2. To budget $28,568 of Restricted Government Revenue in the 2013 Entitlement Block Grant Budget and to increase expenditure line items by $28,568. The proposed FY13-14 Community Development Block Grant budget was $432,974 however, the revised revenue is $461,542 thereby increasing the budget by an additional $28,568. A budget amendment is necessary to recognize the
additional revenue and to increase the expenditures so that the budget remains in balance.

New Business - Public Hearings
1. Rezoning Petition 13-09 for the Property Located at 3254 NC Hwy 127 South, Hickory. - The City of Hickory requests the rezoning of property located at 3254 NC Hwy 127 South. The area of rezoning was recently annexed into the city limits and currently developed as a Dollar General Retail Store. The request is to rezone the property from Catawba County Highway Commercial (HC) to Commercial Corridor (CC-2). The Hickory by Choice 2030 Comprehensive Plan classifies the vicinity as Commercial Corridor. The particular rezoning request is to update the zoning designation on the recently annexed property to be consistent with Hickory by Choice 2030. The Business Development Committee reviewed the application and voted to recommend approval at their June 21st meeting. This public hearing was advertised on July 5 and July 12, 2013 in a newspaper
having general circulation in the Hickory area.

New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Vacant Building Revitalization and Demolition Grant Agreement for Agile Specialty Inc., dba Dennison Precision Machine Co. - (Mr. Ivester is requesting two readings due to the lack of two meetings in July.) - Agile Specialty Inc., dba Dennison Precision Machine Co. has applied for a Vacant Building Revitalization Grant in the amount of $12,142 to assist in the demolition of the former machine shop located at 417 11th Street NW. They plan to spend up to $34,690 to demolish the industrial building on the site. The grant program can reimburse up to $20,000 or 35 percent of eligible project cost, whichever is less, for demolition projects. This project would be eligible for a
grant in the amount of $12,142. After demolition, the applicant will market the property for future development or use as a parking lot by an adjacent property owner.

2. Catawba County Gang Initiative Hickory Police Department will update Council on the Catawba County Gang Initiative.

3. Legal Counsel Advisory Opinion on Conflict of Interest Policy. 
Conflict of Interest Documents from the HDR article of July 7, 2013

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of June 18, 2013

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 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.

City Website has changed - Here is a link to the City of Hickory Document Center

All materials and maps for this meeting are provide at this link:

City Council Action Agenda - June 18 2013


Invocation by Rev. Whit Malone, First Presbyterian Church



Special Presentations
A. (2:00) Presentation of Business Well Crafted Award to Mr. Dock Lynn and Ms. Sherry Mull of Canipe & Lynn Electric - Mr. Mark Huckabee of the Business Development Committee presented Mr. Dock Lynn and Ms. Sherry Mull of Canipe & Lynn Electric with the Business Well Crafted Award.

Persons Requesting to Be Heard
(5:30) Mr. Cliff Moone, 2925 8th St Ct NE, Hickory spoke to Council regarding video taping and televising City Council meetings.

Consent Agenda: (8:30)
A. Transfer of Cemetery Deed from Dale K. Cline, Executor of the Estate of Oren L. Cline, Joyce Patterson and husband Larry B. Patterson, Dale K. Cline and wife, Brenda K. Cline and Jeffrey M. Cline and wife, Joyce Baugess Cline to Jeffrey M. Cline and wife, Joyce Baugess Cline in Oakwood Cemetery

B. Transfer of Cemetery Deed from Naomi Florence Mitchell Ball to Charles M. Lail and wife, Linda H. Lail in Oakwood Cemetery

C. Transfer of Cemetery Deed from City of Hickory to Rosetta Tucker in Southside Cemetery

D. Special Event/Activities Application for Catawba Valley Pride Celebration, Edwin G. Farthing, Board Member of Catawba Valley Pride Inc., September 28, 2013 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the City Parking Lot at the corner of North Center Street and 1st Avenue NW.

E. Special Event/Activities Application for Symphony Under the Sails “A Patriotic Celebration”, Reggie Helton, Western Piedmont Symphony, for June 30, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Sails on the Square in Downtown Hickory.

F. Approve Catawba County Fire Protection Service Agreement with Catawba County. - The City of Hickory Fire Department requests the approval of the Fire Protection Service District Agreement with Catawba County. The agreement is to provide fire service protection to the rural fire districts absorbed by the City of Hickory Fire Department. The City and the County are currently in an agreement whereas the City of Hickory Fire Department will dispatch firefighting and/or protection services upon any call indicating a need for firefighting or fire protection services within the Fire Protection District. The County agrees to annually levy and collect upon all taxable property lying within the boundaries of the Fire Protection District and ensure these taxes are used for the purpose of fire protection in the Fire Protection District where it originated. This contract automatically renews for successive one year terms until terminated. To meet compliance with NCGS 153A-301(a)(2), the term “Fire Protection District” will be changed to “Fire Protection Service District.”

G. Citizens’ Advisory Committee Recommendations for Assistance Through the City of Hickory’s Housing Programs. - The following request was considered by the Citizens’ Advisory Committee at their regular meeting on June 6, 2013:
Kae & Sang See were approved for recommendation to City Council for first-time homebuyer’s assistance to purchase a house located at 832 5th Avenue SW, Hickory. They have requested $7,500 for assistance with down payment and  closing costs. The First-Time Homebuyers Assistance Loan is zero interest, no payments and repaid upon sale, refinance or payoff of first mortgage. Funds are budgeted for these items through the City of Hickory’s former Rental Rehabilitation Program income received in FY 2012 and/or program income received through the City of Hickory’s Community Development Block Grant Program.

H. Approval of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Agreement with City of Refuge for FY2013-2014 in the Amount of $3,265. -  On February 7th and 13th, 2013 the City of Hickory Department of Planning & Development under the auspices of the Community Development Block Grant Program held two neighborhood meetings. The meetings were held at Ridgeview Library and at City Hall. At these meetings, non-profit organizations were granted the opportunity to request funding for the upcoming year. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended funding for these agencies. City of Refuge provides after school enrichment programs for school-aged children in grades one through five. The afterschool sessions provide a structured learning and development environment with instruction and activity based on the North Carolina course of study and year-end testing activities. City of Refuge requested and has been approved for funding in the amount of $3,265 through the City of Hickory’s Community Development Block Grant program.

I. Approval of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Agreement with Hickory Soup Kitchen for FY2013-2014 in the Amount of $8,000.  -  On February 7th and 13th, 2013 the City of Hickory Department of Planning & Development under the auspices of the Community Development Block Grant Program held two neighborhood meetings. The meetings were held at Ridgeview Library and at City Hall. At these meetings, non-profit organizations were granted the opportunity to request funding for the upcoming year. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended funding for these agencies. The Hickory Soup Kitchen provides meals to the City’s homeless and/or low income population. The Hickory Soup Kitchen has requested and been approved for funding in the amount of $8,000 through the City of Hickory’s Community Development Block Grant program.

J. Approval of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Agreement with Exodus Outreach Foundation, Inc. for FY2013-2014 in the Amount of $8,000. -  On February 7th and 13th, 2013 the City of Hickory Department of Planning & Development under the auspices of the Community Development Block Grant Program held two neighborhood meetings. The meetings were held at Ridgeview Library and at City Hall. At these meetings, non-profit organizations were granted the opportunity to request funding for the upcoming year. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended funding for these agencies. Exodus Homes is a neighborhood based nonprofit organization engaged in providing shelter, counseling, and rehabilitation services to chronically dependent and homeless men and women, and part of their process ismoving clients toward self-sufficiency. Exodus Outreach Foundation, Inc. has requested and been approved for funding in the amount of $8,000 through the City of Hickory’s Community Development Block Grant program.

K. Approval of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Agreement with Aids Leadership Foothills Area Alliance, Inc. for FY2013-2014 in the Amount of $8,000. -  On February 7th and 13th, 2013 the City of Hickory Department of Planning & Development under the auspices of the Community Development Block Grant Program held two neighborhood meetings. The meetings were held at Ridgeview Library and at City Hall. At these meetings, non-profit organizations were granted the opportunity to request funding for the upcoming year. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended funding for these agencies. Aids Leadership Foothills Area Alliance, Inc., provides quality services to people living with HIV/AIDS and offers HIV prevention education programs to the community at large. Aids Leadership Foothills Alliance, Inc. has requested and been approved for funding in the amount of $8,000 through the City of Hickory’s Community Development Block Grant program.

L. Approval of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Agreement with Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry, Inc. for FY2013-2014 in the Amount of $8,000. - On February 7th and 13th, 2013 the City of Hickory Department of Planning & Development under the auspices of the Community Development Block Grant Program held two neighborhood meetings. The meetings were held at Ridgeview Library and at City Hall. At these meetings, non-profit organizations were granted the opportunity to request funding for the upcoming year. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended funding for these agencies. Great Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry, Inc. provides a Free Clinic, including dental, medical and pharmacy services. Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry, Inc. has requested and been approved for funding in the amount of $8,000 through the City of Hickory’s Community Development Block Grant program.

M. Approval of a Proclamation for National HIV Testing Day.

N. Approval to Change the Date of the Public Hearing for the Consideration of Rezoning Petition 13-09 for the Property Located at 3254 NC Hwy 127 South, Hickory. Council called for the Public Hearing of a rezoning petition 13-09, for property located at 3254 NC Hwy 127 South, Hickory, at the June 4, 2013 Council Meeting. The Public Hearing date was scheduled for June 18, 2013, however, an error was made in the Notice of Public Hearing, published in the Hickory Daily Record and will therefore need to be published again. Staff request new Public Hearing d ate of July 16, 2013.

O. Renewal of Taxicab and Other Passenger Vehicles for Hire Franchises.
Company - Taxicabs Passenger / Vehicle for Hire
Mile High Enterprises dba  Hickory Hop - 0/5
Yellow Cab - 10/4
Diamond Cab of Hickory - 3/0
Select Car Service - 0/1
Hickory Limousine - 0/3
Lake Hickory Limousine-  0/1
Total - 13/ 14
Annually, these companies apply for a renewal of their Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for the operation of taxicabs and other vehicles for hire.


New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. (9:00) Approval of an Amendment to the Joint Economic Development Agreement with Turbotec Products, Inc.  - In April 2010, the City of Hickory entered in to an economic development agreement with Turbotec Products, Inc. Under the agreement, Turbotec, a manufacturer of coaxial heat exchangers and heat transfer tubing, was to relocate their company to an existing vacant building at 2042 Fairgrove Church Road SE, Hickory. Turbotec Products, Inc. requested to receive economic development incentives in the amount of 75% of the real and business personal property taxes for three (3) years with a maximum total grant of $33,750. In Year one (1) the incentive would be a maximum of $7,500. In Year two (2) the maximum would be $13,125. In Year three (3) the maximum will be $13,125. In return for the incentives, the company agreed to invest a total of $3.5 Million including $1 M in building up-fit and renovations and $2.5 in machinery and equipment by December 31, 2011. In addition, Turbotec was to create 73 new jobs, in addition to the 15 jobs they already had in Hickory, by December 31, 2012. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Turbotec failed to meet these annual milestones. However, they did meet and even exceeded the investment and job creation aggregate goals by February 2013 ($5,000,000 in investments and 74 new jobs). Turbotec has requested the City to waive its failure to meet the annual goals established and to amend the Agreement so they may receive the incentives. Paragraph 13 of the Agreement permits the parties to amend the Agreement in writing. The proposed amendment meets with this provision. The proposed amendment modifies the improvement period during by which Turbotech was to make the $3.5 million investment from March 15, 2010 to December 31, 2012. The amendment now extends the date that Turbotec must maintain the $5 million investment to December 31, 2019. The proposed new date forTurbotec to meet job creation goal is February 28, 2013. The amendment also stipulates Turbotec must maintain the 74 jobs through December 31, 2019. If the City does not grant the requested waiver and amend the Agreement to permit Turbotec to receive the incentives, the incentives they are to receive from the State will also be endangered as there were matching requirements.

2. (16:40) Vacant Building Revitalization and Demolition Grant for 74 8th Street SE. - City Council established the Vacant Building Revitalization and Demolition Grant program on September 16, 2008. The program provides grant funding up to $30,000 for projects to renovate and rehabilitate vacant buildings within the Urban Revitalization Area and targeted industrial buildings in other areas of the city. Moretz Mills LLC has applied for a Vacant Building Revitalization Grant in the amount of $30,000 to assist in the renovation of the former Moretz Hosiery Mill located at 74 8th Street SE. The applicant plans to renovate the facility for use as office and retail space. The applicant plans to invest approximately $5.9 million in real property improvements to rehabilitate the mill building.

The Hound: This meeting was very routine. With the addition of video, I am changing the format of the presentation of these meetings. I will present the Agenda when it comes out and may provide commentary on issues of relevance. I am going to produce the meetings as a Newsletter as soon as possible. This is streamline the Newsletter and reduce clutter and redundancy. By producing the agenda first I see a couple of advantages. You get the info earlier and there will be a permanent record of it on the web in a more user friendly format. We have also seen information arbitrarily pulled from the city's website before. If you have any questions about this shoot me an e-mail.

Economic Stories of Relevance in Today's World -- July 14, 2013

Inflation Is Too Low? Are You Kidding Us Bernanke? - The Economic Collapse Blog - Michael Snyder - July 11th, 2013 - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said this week that inflation in the United States needs to be higher.  Yes, he actually came right out and said that.  It almost seems as if Bernanke is trying to purposely hurt the middle class.  On Wednesday, Bernanke told the press that "both sides of our mandate are saying we need to be more accommodative".  Of course he was referring to the Fed's dual mandate to keep unemployment and inflation low, but Bernanke has a very unique interpretation of that mandate.  According to Bernanke, inflation in the U.S. is now "too low".  The official inflation rate is currently sitting at about 1 percent, and Bernanke insists that such a low rate of inflation is not good for the economy.  He would prefer that the rate of inflation be up around 2 percent, and he is hoping that more "monetary accommodation" will help push inflation up and the unemployment rate down.                       But what Bernanke will never admit is that the official inflation rate is a total sham.  The way that inflation is calculated has changed more than 20 times since 1978, and each time it has been changed the goal has been to make it appear to be lower than it actually is.                           If the rate of inflation was still calculated the way that it was back in 1980, it would be about 8 percent right now and everyone would be screaming about the fact that inflation is way too high.....                          Electricity bills in the United States have risen faster than the overall rate of inflation for five years in a row, and according to USA Today water bills have actually tripled over the past 12 years in some areas of the country.....                           
And over time, those increases really add up.  An article by Benny Johnson details how the prices of many of the things that we buy on a regular basis absolutely soared between 2002 and 2012.  Just check out these price increases...                Eggs: 73%                   Coffee: 90%                Peanut Butter: 40%                      Milk: 26%                   A Loaf Of White Bread: 39%                          Spaghetti And Macaroni: 44%                         Orange Juice: 46%                      Red Delicious Apples: 43%                          Beer: 25%                          Wine: 60%                     Electricity: 42%                  Margarine: 143%                      Tomatoes: 22%                      Turkey: 56%                        Ground Beef: 61%                          Chocolate Chip Cookies: 39%
(Comment from K on this article -       I assure you they are trying to hurt the middle class, and the poor as well. Step 1.Spy on everyone, until you know enough to be able to control many. 2. When gun controls does not work, control the flow of ammo, until most people give up even trying to find any.3.Make out of work people so reliant on the Government, they will not dare to raise a finger in protest. 4 Work the remaining workers to death. Squeeze them so hard they need 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet. A totally exhausted citizen, is a compliant citizen. It is all about control, and the noose is getting tighter every day.)        


On The Economy: Inflation Accelerates; Fed Rumors Rise - NPR.org - Mark Memmott - July 12, 2013 - Reuters the overall increase in wholesale prices was "more than expected" and may be a sign that the economy is picking up speed — which in turn could mean that the Federal Reserve will soon feel it can stop trying to give the economy a boost.                     — The Fed. that "former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers is indicating to President Barack Obama's Wall Street supporters that he wants to become Federal Reserve chairman, according to people familiar with the matter, as he keeps in touch with senators who would vote on the nomination."                 Summers was Treasury secretary in the later years of the Clinton administration, and was a top economic adviser to President Obama during his first term in office.                       Bernanke's second term as chairman expires Jan. 31, 2014. It's and that President Obama will be looking for a new person to lead the central bank.


A Temp Service Is America’s 2nd-Biggest Employer - Conservative Musings - Ben Bullard - July 9, 2013 - It’s a great time to be a temporary or part-time employee in America. But it’s a terrible time to have a full-time job or a job that tasks you with making anything — except, maybe, burgers and tacos.                        That’s one takeaway from last week’s June jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which revealed that Kelly Services, an international temporary staffing agency based in Michigan, is the Nation’s second-largest employer behind a company well known for its heavy dependence on part-time employees: Wal-Mart.                   Between temp firms like Kelly and volume retail/service companies like Wal-Mart, McDonald’s, Kroger and Target, about 85 percent of the jobs held by Americans are either temporary assignments or low-wage, part-time positions. The Administration of President Barack Obama hailed the jobs report as a signifier of successful White House economic policy, ignoring the fact that the net gain in jobs for the month of June represented a massive shift in the American labor force from full-time jobs (which fell dramatically) to part-time work.                   Writing for The Washington Examiner, Ashe Schow notes the June report isn’t a mere workforce aberration brought on by a glut of teenagers looking for summer work:

Temp jobs made up about 10 percent of the jobs lost during the Great Recession, but now make up a tenth of the jobs in the United States. In fact, nearly one-fifth of all jobs gained since the recession ended have been temporary.

It’s a sad state of affairs for our country. While part-time and temp jobs reached highs last month, full-time jobs decreased by another 240,000. The recovery, or lack thereof, is being fueled by a shift from full-time to part-time work.

Further buttressing the mounting evidence that the Obama-led “recovery” has only accelerated a gradual U.S. trend away from actually making tangible goods (i.e., heavy manufacturing) and toward an service-oriented marketplace where the value of everything’s ephemeral, The New York Times created an infographic last year showing that service industries make up nine of the top 10 biggest American employers in the 21^st century, compared with the 1960s, when seven of the top 10 were manufacturers like GM, Ford, U.S. Steel and General Electric.                  Is it any coincidence that one-third of Americans — a number greater than the entire private sector workforce population in the United States — is now on food stamps?

Why underemployment may be worse than it looks - USA Today - Jeff Cox, CNBC.com - July 14, 2013 - The level of underemployed workers looks bad on its face but even worse when it's not the government doing the counting.                      When the Labor Department released its monthly non-farm jobs report Friday, it was all sunshine and roses except for one glaring weakness: A big jump in the unemployment rate that includes those who have quit working as well as those who have had to take part-time jobs even though they'd rather work full time.                     That rate, which economists call the U-6, jumped from 13.8% in May to 14.3% in June—a 3.6% increase and indicative that the 195,000 new jobs created in the month weren't exactly of the highest caliber.
But what often doesn't get as much attention is the monthly labor count that the experts at Gallup conduct.                          According to the pollster's results, the underemployment situation is even worse.                        Gallup reports that 17.2% of the workforce is underemployed, a startling number compounded by its divergence from the government's count. While the rate is down from the 20.3% peak in March 2010, it has remained maddeningly high over the past three years even as economists tout the strength of the U.S. economic recovery.                   From a broader perspective, the Gallup measure actually has increased from its 15.9% multi-year low in October 2012....


U.S. June budget surplus $117 billion: Treasury - MarketWatch - Robert Schroeder - July 11, 2011 - The U.S. federal government ran a budget surplus of $117 billion in June, the Treasury Department reported Thursday, as receipts rose and spending fell compared to the same month a year ago. For the fiscal year to date, the deficit is $510 billion, 44% less than the shortfall recorded in the same period last year, thanks mostly to increased revenue . The government's receipts totaled $287 billion in June, and spending was $170 billion. In June last year, the government posted a deficit of $60 billion. The government's fiscal year runs from October to September.


Drivers, get ready for a gas price spike - CNN Money - Aaron Smith - July 11, 2013 - Prices of oil and gasoline futures have increased sharply in July, according to Gasbuddy.com chief oil analyst Tom Kloza. And these prices will inevitably be passed on to consumers in the coming weeks.                    The price of unleaded gasoline could jump by at least 25 cents per gallon in August, said oil trader Dan Dicker, author of "Oil's Endless Bid."                      In the last two weeks, gas futures jumped to $3.01 per gallon, an increase of more than 10%. And oil prices have surged more than 10% over the last month.


Kroger to buy Harris Teeter for about $2.44B - expand store base while reducing costs - Associated Press through Yahoo - Bree Fowler - July 9, 2013 - Kroger, the country's largest traditional supermarket operator, said Tuesday that it has agreed to buy Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc. for about $2.44 billion in cash, boosting its presence in key southeastern and mid-Atlantic markets.                       Under the terms of the agreement, Cincinnati-based Kroger will pay $49.38 for each of the supermarket chain's shares. The price represents a 2 percent increase over the company's Monday closing stock price.                     "This is a financially and strategically compelling transaction and a unique opportunity for our shareholders and associates," Kroger Chairman and CEO David Dillon said in a statement.                       The deal has been approved by both companies' boards, but remains subject to Harris Teeter shareholder approval. Harris Teeter announced in February that it was exploring strategic alternatives, including a possible sale.

Harris Teeter operates 212 stores in eight southeastern and mid-Atlantic states and Washington D.C., along with a pair of distribution centers and a dairy facility in North Carolina. Its fiscal 2012 revenue totaled about $4.5 billion.                  In comparison, Kroger operates 2,419 stores in 31 states. In addition to its flagship brand of supermarkets, it also owns Ralphs, Fry's, Food 4 Less and other brands. The acquisition adds another three states to its store footprint.

Karl Denninger ~ Setting Up for a Financial Collapse Worse than 1929