Catawba County by the Numbers - Test

Went to this "State of Catawba County" meeting on Tuesday that was sponsored by the Catawba County Interagency Council. The meeting was held at the Conover Station, a fitting place to be on 9/11 with the 9/11 Memorial they have there. Had a Spaghetti lunch provided by Austin Pearce of the Hickory Soup Kitchen. It was a nice event and Catawba County Manager Tom Lundy summarized the Demographic, Economic, and Social status of the area by providing the following interactive quiz and then providing the answers.

I will let you look this over and see if you can match up the answers and tomorrow I will provide the answers as summarized by County Manager Lundy along with the audio of his presentation.

The following is a summary of the Interagency Council mission (Click the picture to magnify).

Below is a Membership application form if interested (Click the picture to magnify).

On Saturday, the Citizen's For Equity in Government is sponsoring a meet the Candidates forum. You are invited to attend. Information below.

The Grassy Knoll on Union Square

One year ago yesterday marks the first anniversary where I was invited to City Hall to look at the documents related to the "Sails on the Square" project. Despite to this day not having all of the answers (Fabric Costs and Bidding), new questions have arisen over the "Sails" project. This came about not through my own investigation, but that of a third party. I have been reluctant to link to this site before, because it is a parody site that has taken great liberties with language and description in a manner that may turn many people off. But, the information provided today in the most recent article shows something else awry with the documents as presented as factual by Hickory Incorporated.

What the documents show, in six different receipts, is that 4,750 sq feet of sod were purchased for the Sails on the Square project at a total cost of $1,262.50. In the total scope of the project that doesn't seem to be much, but where the questions arise is that 4,750 sq feet of grass is 3 times the total of the grassy area on Union Square. This just doesn't make sense. What is going on here and what about the information that is provided in this expense report can we trust?

 Kneel Before Sod - The Tumblr account devoted to Rudy Wright - September 11, 2013

One fact that the author has wrong is when he proposes the below:

Rebecca Inglefield went to jail over this stupid Sails on the Square construction expense report, which is freely available on the City of Hickory website so she should have just been cited for not knowing how to use the search button.

The expense report was not available online at the City Website until soon after Rebecca's arrest.

The City has kept receipts for the smallest of items used on the project - screws, saw blades, etc., -  but they still claim to be unable to provide any documentation related to the cost of the actual fabric the "Sails" are made of. The City claims that no documentation even exists. How can that be? How could the company know how to fill the order, if there was no documentation? Did the material just miraculously appear in the hangar at the airport where the Sails were constructed? There had to at least have been a shipping label when the material arrived in it's crates, I presume?

Below are pictures of the actual receipts from the actual file that was dumped upon Rebecca that day. Please question us. Please look into this yourselves.

10 Questions with Terry Revels - Candidate 2013 Hickory City Mayoral Election

Today marks the 5th Anniversary of the Hickory Hound. Thank You for coming to this news source for information and most of all thank you for being interested enough to come here to receive a perspective that is different from what is acceptable to many of the people who are supposedly the leaders in our community. 

We have problems, but we all have to be the solution. The Motto of our great State, the Old North State, is Esse Quam Videri - "To Be rather than to Seem". And yet, we are told in our community that it is all about the message we project. Those people have it backwards folks. Don't talk about it. Be about it. It's all about reality. In 2nd Corinthians Chapter 11, the apostle Paul talks about boasting of ones sufferings. There is nothing wrong with talking about the Reality in this community. From 2nd Corinthians Chapter 11, "³⁰ If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. ³¹ The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying."

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Terry Revels is a Candidate in the upcoming Hickory City Mayoral race. He will first face an October 8th primary against incumbent Mayor Rudy Wright and fellow challengers Dr. Joseph Inglefield, Ernie Masche, Candice Harold, and Jeff Brittain. If he succeeds in being one of the top two vote getters, then he will move on to the November 5th at large election. The questions posed here are available for all candidates to answer. I have agreed to post them without critique and there will be no critical comments allowed in this article. There will be a "Candidates" Hickory Municipal Elections tab to the Right of this article. It will show anything related to these candidates as we move forward in this process. Anyone who wants to participate is free to do so. Please feel free to contact me at hickoryhound@gmail.com

1) Can you give us some background and a history of yourself? (Where were you born? What is your educational background? Why did you come to or stay in Hickory? Tell us about your professional accomplishments.)

I was born in Charlotte, NC and was raised in Gaston County. Both my parents were hard working folks and I think wonderful to me. I went to school in Ranlo, NC and High School in Lowell, NC. After High School, I went to Central Piedmont Community College, and received an Associate Degree in Police Science and Criminology. Later in my life, I went back to college and received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Liberal Science from the University of The State of New York. I came to Hickory in 1990 (23 years ago) to start my business, which was ACT Communications, which I later sold. I had several other businesses at the same time that I later sold. Seems like every time I start a business and get it off the ground, someone wanted to buy it. I have several accomplishments. The first of course, is my family. I met my wife in High School and I guess you can say the rest is history. We also have two grown sons. However, professional accomplishments are: Joining the Navy and entering into the Air Traffic Control field. This is a major achievement in my life. The requirements to graduate from ATC school are very high both from the Navy's school and from the FAA's school. So I am very proud of this achievement. Next was when I was hired to manage a local bakery's transportation department. And last was when I went back to school and became a CNA II (Certified Nursing Assistant). I have worked several places as a CNA, but I really enjoyed working at Frye Regional Medical Center.

2) Tell us about the accomplishments you are proudest of achieving in your life? Something besides having a family or raising children. We all recognize that those are common goals that we all aspire to. What’s the most exciting thing you saw/did/experienced/were a part of in your personal life? In your professional life?

My Navy Career, I think to me, was my proudest accomplishment. I love the Navy and Air Traffic Control. I enjoyed working in the Radar room. It was during this period, one night at Naval Air Station Meridian, MS that a Navy fighter aircraft on final was at low fuel and during a thunderstorm was trying to land and I, as a qualified Ground Approach Controller, was able to help guide him to a safe landing. I received a heart felt thank you from that pilot and a lot of attaboys from my friends. It was a proud moment. And also in my Professional life, I think working with people that have had hip and knee surgery has to be right up there. I love to watch their face when they can walk the first time without the pain. It is a moment that God gave me and it is a wonder to see.

3) If I were to ask people that know you to describe you what would they say?

I would have to say, if you ask people that know me they would say "Oh Mr. Revels, He is Honest and when he tells you something, you can take it to the bank". Dependable, and he is full of Integrity.

4) How much bearing do the opinions of the people around you have on your decisions?

Opinions, Opinions. Everybody has one. I try not to get too involved with them. If the opinion is about me, I hope it is good, but I can go on if it is not. However, I do listen to everyone and I weigh what is said carefully. But, in the end if I were Mayor, I would make my decision based on the needs of the people and what is then the best we can do.

5) Can you tell us of a professional mistake that you have made that may have had an impact on who you are today? Does it still bother you? Can you share with us how you came to grips with that error?

The mistake I regret most was a traffic accident where several people were injured. I was in the Police Department on my way to investigate an accident with injuries when I had an accident myself. Several people were injured. Without going too deep into this, I would just like to say that I regret this accident and I think about it almost daily. I could have killed someone, but the lord was on my side and there were just injuries, but I have become very cautious about things. I hope as your Mayor, I can only do what is right, then move on.

6) If you were given enough money to tackle one project (think nearly unlimited) that you felt was important to the Hickory Area, what would that issue be?

JOBS,JOBS, JOBS... if I could make it happen no one would be on welfare and all people would be healthy and work at a job with a great salary. Because JOBS with a living wage make a person feel great, because they can support their family and if they were single they would feel they have a future and something to look forward to.

7) Let’s say there is no money available for the foreseeable future. What one project (priority) would you push as part of your agenda that can be done with little or no money?

The one project that can be done with no money is to organize communities into support groups for each other. Get out and meet your neighbors. This would work for many project. Community protecting each other, or community dancing, or just sitting and talking about things in general. Also we could have representatives to come together and work for what is in the best interest of each neighborhood.

8) What is your overall philosophy of the development of this area? Where would you like to see us in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?

Looking down the road over the next 5, 10, 20 years is difficult to see. At this moment, I see a stagnant Hickory with the economy in decline. I doubt that it can be turned around quickly. I think it will be a slow come back and at best I see a less than 5 percent growth. So If I would look at the next 10 to 20 years, I believe things will improve, but a hard road is ahead. I have always said that I believe NAFTA has the responsibility for this decline, but the current administration in this city did nothing to slow the loss. I will do more to see this great city gets as much help from the Mayor's office as I can.

9) If you could define your Personal Legacy what would you like it to be? What would you like to be remembered for?

I don't care much for a legacy, but I want the people to remember that I was the Mayor they could reach out and talk to and I was the Mayor that started new and innovating things in Hickory.

10) How do you define Leadership?

Leadership can be described as bringing people together to accomplish a common task. And that is what I will do. So my fellow citizens of our wonderful city, let's get on with the job at hand and get it done. I will lead, and with your help, lets find the jobs and fix the budgets of excessive spending and get more for our money. Try to fix, or tear down, old buildings. Make our parks beautiful and most of all bring jobs here. Vote for me on October the 8th.

Hickory Mayor Forum - Democrat Monthly Dinner - September 9, 2013

Monday night, the Catawba County Democrat Party hosted a mayoral forum during its monthly dinner at Bob Evan's Restaurant. All six candidates were invited, but Mayor Rudy Wright opted not to attend citing it as a "Partisan" meeting.

Candice Harold, Terry Revels, Jeff Brittain, Ernie Masche, and Dr. Jody Inglefield first addressed their platform issues and then answered questions from the attendees about jobs for young people, transparency, and how they will remain active after the election.

All of these candidates made excellent presentations. In watching this forum, one can see that these candidates are basically on the same page. Five people are running against the current three-term incumbent, because they see that Hickory faces some tough issues and the Status Quo has no answers. If everything were peachy, then we wouldn't see five people running against the Status Quo, would we?

Joe Brannock - Candidate Hickory City Council Ward 5 - Press Release

Hickory native Joe Brannock is running for Hickory City Council, Ward 5. Joe is a graduate of Hickory High School and Appalachian State University. After graduating, he worked for Congressman Cass Ballenger and later for Sen. Richard Burr as the Senator's Western Regional Director. Since then he’s taken on a role in the family-owned business with his brother.

"I've always been interested in politics, but more important is my dedication to public service. Whether as a Senate staffer, my role with the Catawba County School System or even as a sports official with Parks & Rec., working in the community and having a positive, direct interaction with the public has always been important to me."

"I served on the City's Airport and Rental Property Taskforces. I was an earlier advocate of the city taking a more hands-on management style regarding the airport. Today, by the City's own account, the airport is in the best financial shape ever because the City is now managing the airport FBO directly."

Brannock believes that Hickory is changing, but our leader's priorities and styles are not.

"We're losing the 24 to 44-year olds faster than anywhere in the state. We need younger leaders who understand the problems facing the next generation."

There are too many barriers-to-entry regarding public service.

“It seems the same people are appointed to advisory boards, while too many elected officials run unopposed. During the past decade, of the roughly 20 Council races only six were contested. Of those, only two new councilmen were elected.”

"We need fresh new ideas. Having incumbents serve 12, 18, even 30+ years prevents that. That’s why I support term limits for Hickory City Council and pledge to serve only two terms. I want to serve, but I don't want to create the same barrier for younger leaders who follow me."

"I believe in Hickory's neighborhoods. Sally Fox dedicated much of her service to improving neighborhoods. I want to take up that calling and reinvent the neighborhood associations for Hickory's future. I propose strengthening the existing neighborhood associations by assisting them to become individual non-profits."

Brannock believes this would provide more funding opportunities. Currently, associations are heavily dependent on the City to fund improvement plans. Through their own non-profit status, each association would be eligible to apply directly for federal and state grants, helping to alleviate their reliance on the City.

"Neighborhood non-profits would also create a way for local businesses to invest directly in communities they serve and enjoy a tax benefit. It's a win for the City, the neighborhood, and business."

Brannock believes with a renewed interest in the neighborhood associations would come a 'training ground' for new leaders to begin their path to elected office.

"I was born and raised here. I want my daughter to have the same opportunities I had growing up here. I love Hickory and the people. That's why I'm stepping forward with energy and ideas and asking for the voter's support in electing me to Hickory City Council."

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of September 3, 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 September 3, 2013





Special Presentations
A. (1:40) Recognition of Hickory Police Department’s Street Crimes Interdiction Unit and Gang of One Coordinator - Hickory Police Department’s Street Crimes Interdiction Unit was recognized as the 2013 Gang Unit of the Year by the North Carolina Gang Investigators Association. The members of the unit are Sergeant Jeff Medley, Master Police Officer Mike Crisp, Master Police Officer Daniel Orders and Police Officer Gordon Killian. Hickory Police Department’s Gang of One Coordinator Sarah Nelson was recognized as the 2013 Civilian of the Year by the North Carolina Gang Investigators Association. Both awards were presented at the 2013 North Carolina Gang Investigators Association Annual conference on August 13, 2013.
  
Consent Agenda - (12:50)

New Business - Public Hearings
1. (13:10) Voluntary Satellite Annexation of Property Located at 2633 Springs Road NE, Hickory

2. (18:15) FY 2012-2013 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)


New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. (25:10) Approval of a Purchase Agreement, in the Amount of $710,000 with Musco Sports Lighting -  Presentation by Mac McLeod, Parks and Recreation Director - Lights will be purchased and installed at the soccer field at Henry Fork River Regional Recreation Park. The city’s portion of the bill is reported by Mr. McLeod to be $585,000 and Catawba Valley Youth Soccer Association will contribute $125,000. All CVYSA functions will move to Henry Fork. Currently the CVYSA teams and and Lacrosse teams share fields at Neill Clarke Recreation center. The park currently has seven fields with an eighth under construction. Five fields will be lit and this will allow the other attached fields to be lit by that lighting. Currently only Field 1 is lit. The completion date is expected to be February of next year. The lighting will allow the park to be open longer hours, which will be good for people who utilize its walking trails. Currently there are three soccer tournaments that take place in Hickory annually. This facility has been utilized as a regional facility where people from various communities as far away as Asheville and Charlotte converge as a central location to play matches. Alderman Bruce Meisner spoke about the Galaxy Shootout, where up to 90 soccer teams participated utilizing City Hotel rooms and services. Alderman Guess asked a question and made a statement relating to the multiple uses of the Park, in which it was stated that the park has been used for Lacrosse also. Mr. McLeod when asked about how the park had fared during the recent storms stated that the park had been 6 to 8 feet under water, but the silt actually was utilized as a top dressing for the fields.

The Hound: I have been told that the previous lighting was in very bad shape. Some of the lighting had fallen and was in disrepair. This is good, if the programming is there and the regional aspect is fostered and allowed to expand.








 





 

 

 


2. (39:45) Code Enforcement Annual Report Code Enforcement annual report - Code Enforcement - Bobby Baker presented the information - Code enforcement is located under the Police Department.

Bobby Baker presentation -  the numbers of issues were expected to peak over time and recede as owners abated issues. Owners have abated 96% of the issues brought by code enforcement.

Commercial Demolitions cost on average $30,000 to abate. When the City has to abate these issues, it can eat a budget up quickly. With commercial demolitions, Mr. Baker said that the buildings that have decayed have got to come down, because of the hazard they pose. These take longer to deal with (paper work), but it is the departments focus. There is a call for service chart below that shows the breakdown of calls (Citizens 43%, Police  26%, Fire 13% .Proactive 18%).

Repeat Offenders have learned how to game the system. The pictures below show some of the issues that Code Enforcement has dealt and are dealing with. There has been a demolition on average every 10 days for the past 5 years. Mr. Baker stated that they believe that the percentage of owner abatement moving forward, because with the economy not improving, many people are choosing to walk away from properties. There has become an issue with vagrancy in abandoned properties. It is a health and safety issue. He next spoke about the complexity of cases; causes including the banks, property owners, and property preservation companies that are coming up with ways not to do things. Code Enforcement has been receiving a lot of calls from people who don't know where to turn and they try to make sure they are pointed in the right direction.

Alder Fox asked about the property owner that never gets it right and has learned how to game the system. Mr. Baker talked about the chronic violator status. He said that they are going to have to learn and bring issues forward to Council. There were further issues discussed including the new law that was passed that allows property owners that demolish buildings are allowed to bury the debris on the property. Code Enforcement has to follow the Codes and Ordinance Laws of the city. Alderman Guss asked about the Chronic Violators. Mr. Baker labeled it as 7 or 8 individuals being 15% to 20% of their work, which is around 50 to 75 properties. These are still active cases. Some of these people have filed bankruptcy or been foreclosed upon and the properties have been acquired by others. This is an ever evolving process.

Alder Fox talked about understanding the high rental rates in many of these neighborhoods and the fragile nature and also spoke about good neighborhoods with absentee land owners and how it can pull a neighborhood down.

Matter not on the Agenda: Alderman Meisner has been appointed as a City Liason with Lenoir-Rhyne University.

10 Questions with Jeff Brittain - Candidate 2013 Hickory City Mayoral Election

Jeff Brittain is a Candidate in the upcoming Hickory City Mayoral race. He will first face an October 8th primary against incumbent Mayor Rudy Wright and fellow challengers Dr. Joseph Inglefield, Ernie Masche, Candice Harold, and Terry Revels. If he succeeds in being one of the top two vote getters, then he will move on to the November 5th at large election. The questions posed here are available for all candidates to answer. I have agreed to post them without critique and there will be no critical comments allowed in this article. There will be a "Candidates" Hickory Municipal Elections tab to the Right of this article. It will show anything related to these candidates as we move forward in this process. Anyone who wants to participate is free to do so. Please feel free to contact me at hickoryhound@gmail.com

1) Can you give us some background and a history of yourself? (Where were you born? What is your educational background? Why did you come to or stay in Hickory? Tell us about your professional accomplishments.)

I was born in Hickory and graduated from East Burke High School (1979). I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Appalachian State University (1983). In 2005, I received the Chief Information Officer Certification from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. I met Susan Normann when she was home in Hickory during her Thanksgiving break from UNC-CH, and we were married in 1987. We bought a house in Hickory and lived there until after our first daughter was born in 1992 (Megan). In 1994 we moved into our current home, where our second daughter was born in 1995 (Keegan). Over the years, we have considered our options to live other places, but could not imagine calling any place home except Hickory. Since graduating from ASU, I have worked for Shadowline (Morganton), HSM Solutions (formerly Hickory Springs), Corning Cable Systems (formerly Siecor) for 9.5 years, Sarstedt (Newton), City of Hickory for 12 years 5 months, self-employed as an IT Consultant (focusing on local government for 8 months) and now at HITS Tech (Conover) since April 15th. During my career I have been interviewed for several national publications, been Hickory Daily Record's Technology Person in the Spotlight, a guest speaker at multiple IT conferences in NC and SC, received recognition for my innovative projects and was one of the three finalists nationwide for the SearchCIO magazine Technological Advancement Award.

2) Tell us about the accomplishments you are proudest of achieving in your life? Something besides having a family or raising children. We all recognize that those are common goals that we all aspire to. What’s the most exciting thing you saw/did/experienced/were a part of in your personal life? In your professional life?

Since I can't talk about my wife or children, the achievement that means the most to me is putting myself through school. I worked hard in high school and college, and was fortunate enough to earn several academic scholarships. Along with several other need-based grants and working 15-25 hours per week, I completed my BS in Computer Science with less than $1,000 of debt. I also made sure to get my money's worth by taking full class loads and achieved a minor in Business Information Systems, and was only 1 class shy of minors in both Physics and Accounting. The most amazing thing I ever experienced was the birth of my children (way to go Susan!!). I was totally speechless, with tears in my eyes. Wow! Aside from that, the thing that always has, and still does, give me a complete sense of wonder and awe is SCUBA Diving. I absolutely love being in the water, even after a less than pleasant Man-of-War sting where it wrapped around my right hand and up my arm (causing an infection about 1 week later)! The tranquility, the weightlessness, the marine life, the feeling of being a visitor to an alien world - it's amazing! On the professional side, there are several major, exciting projects that give me a great sense of accomplishment. One is the the implementation of a Cisco IP Telephony solution for the City of Hickory (network redesign, new equipment, new cabling, resulting in major cost savings). Designing and coding the Cable Design System for Corning Cable Systems' cable manufacturing locations generated tremendous time and cost savings (from manual to automated process saving approximately 4 hours of labor per new design, reduction of raw materials and more) and gave me a wonderful feeling of satisfaction.

3) If I were to ask people that know you to describe you what would they say?
I think most people would describe me as a leader, friendly, warm, good sense of humor, easy to talk to, sensitive, caring and optimistic. I feel those who know me best would describe me as progressive, a good communicator, practical, open, candid and perceptive. We all want to be remembered fondly, and I hope I have made a difference in the lives of people around me as a parent, a friend, a coach, a mentor, a supervisor and community leader.

4) How much bearing do the opinions of the people around you have on your decisions?
I always consider alternatives. A strong leader does not have to do everything themselves. I use all the data I can collect to make the best decision possible. I have lots of ideas with varying degrees of value! Therefore, I appreciate the input and opinions of others. I am persuasive and persistent, especially if it is something I believe in strongly, but I am also logical and willing to select the best option available (whether it is mine or others).

5) Can you tell us of a professional mistake that you have made that may have had an impact on who you are today? Does it still bother you? Can you share with us how you came to grips with that error?
Trusting people too much. Of course it still bothers me, I was very hurt. But, I try not to dwell on it. I want to trust people to do what they say and not say or do things when they shouldn't. I don't really want to change who I am, so coming to grips with this mistake means living with it and being more careful in the future. I view mistakes as a learning opportunity. Everyone makes mistakes - it's how you deal with them that differentiates us.

6) If you were given enough money to tackle one project (think nearly unlimited) that you felt was important to the Hickory Area, what would that issue be?
Jobs. Jobs. Jobs. The residents of Hickory have struggled long enough. We need to all work together and right this floundering, directionless ship. The EDC works for all of Catawba County, but I want to have a person dedicated to the city of Hickory. We need someone who is solely focused on the recruitment of new business and the satisfaction and retention of existing businesses in Hickory.

7) Let’s say there is no money available for the foreseeable future. What one project (priority) would you push as part of your agenda that can be done with little or no money?
Jobs. Jobs. Jobs. I know, that was my priority for nearly unlimited funds. Well, it's simply that important! My philosophy would not change. We still need a dedicated person for this critical area. The City has continued to fund positions when needed throughout their ongoing hiring freeze. Maybe this means a slight reorganization of exiting personnel or someone totally new. It can and should be done! The residents of Hickory and surrounding areas need someone to step up and lead them out of this stagnated wreckage. We deserve it and need it!

8) What is your overall philosophy of the development of this area? Where would you like to see us in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?

Stagnant. I have asked numerous people, "What happens to a body of water that has no movement?" It becomes stagnant. Then, it stinks! No one wants to live next to a stagnant pond that has no new life, is infested with mosquitoes, full of algae and smells. Right now, no one is excited about moving to Hickory either. This area has so much to offer! We need to get our economy moving again. We need progress. To many, change is a negative word. If you ask a caterpillar, I am sure they are in favor of change! Otherwise, they are doomed to a sad life on their belly as opposed to their transformation (change or metamorphosis) into a lovely, airborne butterfly. In 5 years I want to establish Hickory as a growing and vibrant city, with a substantial reduction in the unemployment rate we have today. In 10 years I would want more of the same and even lower unemployment. We should be back to the growth and unemployment we experienced in the 90's. In 20 years, we should not only have completed our recovery from the past 10+ years, but we should be viewed across the state and nation as a model for others. Hickory is more capable than what we are showing at this time. Hickory is the hub of this metropolitan area and it is time we stepped up and acknowledged that role. We need continued, sustainable development. Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum - Hickory's motto - Latin for No Stepping Back (sometimes translated No Steps Backward). We've been stagnant or even losing ground for long enough. It's time for change. It's time for progress.

9) If you could define your Personal Legacy what would you like it to be? What would you like to be remembered for?
I would like my legacy to be, that I made a difference. Whether it is to someone I have mentored, someone I have coached or to the residents of Hickory as a whole. I care and I want to make a difference in the lives of as many people as God needs. Making a difference for one is great. Making a difference for more . . . tremendous!! I hope that when I am no longer on this earth, that I will be remembered fondly as a caring person, someone who made people laugh, someone who got involved, someone who was not afraid to express their opinions, and mostly as someone who made a difference.

10) How do you define Leadership?
Leadership requires someone with charisma and vision, who is not afraid of failure (it is, after all, how we learn). Leadership is the conviction to fight for beliefs (especially when it is not the easy choice). It is someone who readily admits their mistakes. A leader is authentic, not phony. They are someone who sees the value in projects and people, not the cost. Leadership is about confidence and inspiring others to perform at their best. When needed they are persuasive, but are also open to new ideas and thoughts. A good leader is humble and knows when to be candid and when to give praise. People in leadership roles should be practical, prepared and progressive. What a coincidence, since my campaign slogan is "Progress. Well Crafted."