Are the Hickory Municipal Elections a Sham... po?

Over the past year we have seen Republicans in our state change voting laws in an attempt to clamp down on what they espouse to be rampant election fraud by Democrats in our State. Last week we saw a comical situation related to all of the hoopla surrounding this issue when Republican Don Yelton of Asheville went on John Stewart's nationally syndicated program and made a fool out of himself.

Here in Catawba County, and more specifically the City of Hickory, we have our own issue of what certainly looks to be election fraud. Back on July 25, the Chairman of the Catawba County Young Republicans Josh Shampo came forward with a letter to the editor in the Hickory Daily Record in which he lambasted Dr. Jody Inglefield over National Democrat Party Issues.

Shampo was called out a few days later for his "Our Fair City" comment by the Chairman of the Catawba County Young Democrats Jonathan Wyant in a responding letter a few days later, because he does not actually reside in the city of Hickory. At that time he was registered to vote at a Sherrill's Ford address. Conveniently a few days after that Shampo rebutted in a follow up to Mr. Wyant that he did indeed have residency in Hickory. He had during the week of July 30th, between letters to rhe editor,  gone and registered to vote at the address 1650 20TH AV CT NE Hickory, NC 28601.

Hmmm... everyone found that interesting and wondered where Josh had moved to. Funny thing is that when we looked it up we saw that it is a small townhouse located off of Sandy Ridge Road here in Hickory. That townhouse happens to be the property of  Thomas Sherman Kern III. Wow... is that the same Tom Kern who is the Republican Precinct Chair of the Sandy Ridge Precinct here in Hickory; who stood so defiantly against the referendum on ward specific voting last year? Yessir, it most certainly is. 

Subsequently, the Hickory United Political Action Committee was formed on August 1 and Young Shampo at the ripe old age of 22 was made it's chairman. This group is a formula of the Catawba County Republican "Tea" Party , includes a Dixiecrat or two, and Carlton Huffman was listed as the contact person for the group. Sounds eerily similar to the No Steps Backwards Coalition of last year.

Photo from the Tumblr site devoted to Rudy Wright and the HDR - August 8, 2013:

Tom aKern was a member of the No Steps Backwards coalition as was the majority of this Hickory United group. Tom Kern, along with Carlton Huffman and Paul Byrd, were the people out labeling the Citizens for Equity in Government as ACORN. There is a video on Youtube that shows Tom Kern doing this. These are the Hickory Status Quos Hatchet men.

On this voting matter, if Mr. Shampo is a good upstanding Republican, I am sure that he would like to follow all of the guidelines involved in stamping out election fraud. I am sure that Mr. Shampo would be more than willing to cooperate with any inquiries into his residential status. As a Republican in support of voter ID laws, he would be more than willing to cooperate and show evidence that he indeed lives at the stated address by showing bills sent in his name to said address. I am sure that his Driver's License address corresponds, as of today,  with his Hickory residency status and did at the time that he voted in the Hickory Mayoral Primary on October 8, 2013. 

I am sure that Mr. Shampo would in no way want to be involved in election fraud; especially considering his status as the Chairman of the Young Republicans and his Chairmanship of a Political Action Committee directly involved in the Hickory Municipal Election. I am equally certain that Tom Kern would not want to be involved in aiding and abetting election fraud. I am certain, but most others that I have spoken with on this matter don't seem to be.

According to North Carolina DMV.org,

When you move within North Carolina, you must update your address on your NC driver’s license or ID card within 60 days.

Mr. Shampo, you didn't break the law that Republicans have worked so hard to bolster, did you? You aren't shopping for a cause, are you? You do care about the integrity of the system, don't you? Please get in touch so that we may clear up this matter as soon as possible.                  

Comment on Today's Situation

This morning I came home from breakfast and found out that Joe Brannock had been arrested yesterday. He is a friend and I am shocked by these allegations. I am sure that many have come here looking to find out information about these charges or other information about Joe. I have not spoken with Joe. He has  limited contact with anyone. Any conversation I have had with anyone has been of a private nature regarding these serious accusations. Please remember that in America those charged under the law are innocent until proven guilty. I am sure that more information regarding this will be coming forward soon.

High Hopes

We Move Forward!!!

Abracadabra - Always Moving Forward

Concerns and differing points of view do not equate to bitterness. I believe in the future of a Hickory that is made up of the melting pot of people I grew up with, work with, and go to church with. We see a lot of ongoing intolerance in our community. You seem to want me dismissed and ignored. Isn't it time that Old Hickory gives New Hickory a chance to show what they can do to move the community forward?

The Hound: I'm not going to name names, but a couple of curious things happened at my work today. A person called my work, that those who have followed this last year-plus would definitely recognize, and basically wants my boss to fire me.

Then someone made a reservation for 16 tonight and didn't show. The name on the reservation would be very, very, very recognizable...

It certainly would be no conspiracy that some people that are in the latter years of their lives need to grow up. If this is how you display power, then what power do you have. 

Abracadabra

Thank You for fairness HDR - My response to Sunday's LttE about this forum, the CEG, and myself

Mrs. Nancy Willingham, it is not I who has constantly evoked your father, the former Mayor's name. Your father is no longer with us, but you certainly don't seem to mind bringing him up every time you enter the body politic. You did it when you ran for office in 2007 -- after you had not lived in the community in decades -- and you did it last year when you stood against bringing back direct ward representation. I never proactively evoked your father's name.

Times change Mrs. Willingham. This isn't the 1960's. It seems like those running this community want to take it back to some bygone, nostalgic era that wasn't as rosy a picture, for some, as they would like to paint. Ask African-American people in this community if they would like to go back to pre-1970. That is the reason why in Ridgeview they voted 250 to 5 for bringing back direct ward representation. Every precinct in South and West Hickory voted heavily for the referendum.

You seem to think I have written to harm your father, which has never been my aim. It is your group "Hickory United" that's been constantly vitriolic and evoked negative stereotypes in this community. Who or what are you attempting to unite? Certainly not the diverse ethnicities in this community.

The Citizens for Equity in Government's platform does not look backwards. It moves forward. Hickory needs Term Limits for Mayor and Council. We don't need 20 year Mayors and Council members. There needs to be accountability and transparency in how the city is governed. We need representation for all and not just for Hickory's most wealthy and connected.

Concerns and differing points of view do not equate to bitterness. I believe in the future of a Hickory that is made up of the melting pot of people I grew up with, work with, and go to church with. We see a lot of ongoing intolerance in our community. You seem to want me dismissed and ignored. Isn't it time that Old Hickory gives New Hickory a chance to show what they can do to move the community forward?

The Hound: I didn't want to print this here, before first giving the HDR the right to print it. The Letter to the Editor from Sunday by Mrs. Willingham was published in the HDR and so I felt it deserved a proper response in that forum.

On Sunday, I put an immediate response in this forum, because I was not going to allow the forum and the Citizens for Equity in Government to be damaged by mis-characterizations/representations. I have tried to think of what riled up Mrs. Willingham so much and have come to the conclusion that besides the "in general" support of direct ward representation and attempting to provide play-by-play and color of how that came about, I think she was upset when after the ward voting I said, "Now on to the Julian Whitener Finals" in this election. I was being a little humorous, but is that not what it is? Is the current system not the system that he fought for for over a decade until it was implemented in 1970?

There is more to say, but I've had this pretty much pegged from the beginning going back six years ago. As I said in the last article when I commented on what Pat Bowman had written in her Letter to the Editor in Regards to "CEG Candidates", "these people hiss CEG when they say it." They don't even know what those letters stand for, why the CEG came into existence, or what the CEG's mission is. All they know is that we have a different point of view regarding the way Hickory has been managed/led since its inception and believe it is time to move forward towards modern realities.

We believe the way Hickory is/has been run (more like controlled and manipulated) has had a direct negative impact on it's ability to grow and progress. No growth equals no jobs or economic progress... None of that equals no more money in your pockets... for most means dwindling wealth. The reality is that the status quo is not going to cede one ioda of power willingly.

Pat Bowman - Citizens for Equity in Government hasn’t endorsed

On several occasions, certain spokespersons from the Hickory United PAC have written falsely about so-called CEG-endorsed can­didates for mayor and city council. Last year, Citizens for Equity in Government did lead a conserva­tive, smaller government initiative to give citizens in their wards a more representative voice in city government.

While that referendum narrowly failed at the polls by 140 votes, the CEG continues to advocate for more transparency and broader repre­sentation in city government. Like almost every candidate for mayor and several for city council, the CEG wants to institute term limits and to have the council meetings broad­casted on the Charter public access channel.

But unlike the PAC, Citizens for Equity in Government has not publicly endorsed any candidate for mayor or council. While CEG may endorse candidates in the future, at this time we remain a grassroots, citizen’s coalition focused on issues affecting good governance.

We invite others to join with us for a better, more inclusive Hickory.

PATRICIA BOWMAN


The Hound - Pat is an integral member of the Citizens for Equity in Government. There are plenty of misnomers in relation to the CEG that have been been expressed by Hickory United Political Action Committee, its previous iteration "the No Steps Backwards Coalition", and the area's entrenched officials and their close support staff and hatchetmen who have been behind all of this. They never say Citizens for Equity in Government, because they don't want to talk about the CEG's mission.  They hiss out CEG when they say it. Let me ask. Who represents the average citizen in this community?

Brushing up on the Wingfoot District & the Zagaroli's

David Zagaroli + Pete Zagaroli + Wingfoot District + Money + Hickory City Council = Inspiring Spaces

Platform for a 21st Century Hickory - New Rules on Conflicts of Interest

I thought this was a pretty good idea at the time, but now that we have seen all the pieces of the puzzle start to fall in line. Show... me... the Money... Showmee daMoney. Cause once again the fix is in. The "Tax dollars for the Connected" program.

  From the City Council meeting of January 5, 2010


3. Council Discussion Regarding “Wingfoot District” Redevelopment Plan; a Business District and Association Promoting Economic Development Through Residential, Commercial and Industrial Redevelopment - The Wingfoot District concept was briefly presented to City Council during its recent Council Staff Retreat in December, 2009. Since then, discussion has continued regarding planning for the redevelopment of the area between Highway 127 and the new Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard, encompassing certain areas. Pete Zagaroli envisions a partnership with the City of Hickory and private investors to develop a design plan for redevelopment including improvements to public infrastructure. This plan does not fall under the guidelines of the City’s Vacant Building Revitalization Grant, but City Staff recommends the City consider the concept of redevelopment planning since one of the goals of the Operation No Vacancy initiative is to create redevelopment plans for sub-areas within the Commercial Revitalization Area. Staff recommends that Council discuss and identify policy issues related to the City expanding it’s revitalization efforts to include design planning and financing methods and partnerships to implement plans for public infrastructure improvements in redevelopment areas.

Pete Zagaroli addressed the council, he stated that he was coming before the council as both a citizen and a designer. He is looking to create some synergies to spur economic development in the area and move things forward. His focus tonight was on conceptual ideas.

The name comes because the district area he is looking to revitalize is in the shape of a winged foot. In the district, there are eight buildings that are historically significant to the textile and hosiery industry. His concept involves the history, but it is not a historical district that he is promoting. He is promoting a business district that promotes economic development through residential, commercial, and industrial redevelopment. The area is around Lenoir-Rhyne and Mr. Zagaroli believes that is is the most significant gateway into downtown.

He based the model on Downtown Durham (which is seeing a renaissance). The district would tie the university to downtown. It will create a better gateway to downtown. the historical significance would tie in with our current historic districts and promote them and future preservation. The importance comes from the private sector. In the district, owners have spent money on drawings and redevelopment. As an estimate, the expenditures have been in the $300k-$400k range. He would like to see the city to appropriate funds towards the design work of the infrastructure within the district. He feels the private investment has to start first.

The proposed redevelopment expenditures are $11,213,714 and another $2.9 million on top of what has already been done. To isolate an area creates exclusivity. More than anything this will expedite the private investment. There is no commitment to put the infrastructure in place, only a commitment to design. If successful here, then it can be implemented elsewhere in the city. He is not meaning to slight other areas in town, but he feels this is the most important area as far as gateways.

Alder Fox thanked Mr. Zagaroli his enthusiasm and stated that she thoroughly enjoys his plans. She asked if Mr. Zagaroli had looked into how Durham had financed their downtown revitalization? Zagaroli stated that he had not, but he has intentions of doing so next week. Time is critical and this area needs a morale boost. People don't always believe what they hear and read, but they believe what they see. If we can have something tangible, then this is an overall goal that he can show a potential client. He knows that they have a lot of work (to do), the city is feeling the pain that we all are feeling. He thinks if we can find some momentum. The private sector is looking to move forward. They need the end users a reason to come here. We need to focus where it will be noticed first and the momentum can work outside of that. If we try to fix the overall area or problem, there are 700 empty buildings in Catawba County; that is too daunting a task. Let's try to fix 20 buildings and that can move outward. Then move over to west Hickory. The reason why the initiative hasn't worked on the west side is because the initiative needs to come from the private sector. The people in his district are ready to move on this and make it better, If you know that your neighbors are ready to invest and raise the value of their building, then you are going to be more willing to invest in your own property. The public part comes after that.

He is meeting with Federal and State officials to see what grants are available through them. Any money left over will be spent on aesthetics. Sewer, water, and other infrastructure is already available. If you put $2 million into raw land, it will go towards infrastructure and then there is not much left. These redevelopment projects are diamonds in the rough.

Alder Patton asked if they had applied for Operation No Vacancy grants? and he stated that they have. Further conversations went into Grants available. And Mr. Zagaroli stated that he hoped the city would not look at this as "Zagaroli Construction." What he is looking for is help with infrastructure. It is up to private business to development their building, but it is the city's responsibility to create the streetscape. He understands that everyone in afraid (of investment), but he feels that we can create morale and momentum, and give a reason to reinvest in ourselves and our community.

Alderman Lail stated that there was no doubt in his mind that with the completion of 8th street NE, that bisects this district, city council should have input on what this does look like. If we can create the district that is special and unique, then it has potential for these old buildings. Zagaroli says that this can be the ultimate in mixed-use. He wants to see it truly incorporate all of the facets. This will work within the city's protocol and guidelines from day one. These funds would be qualifying and based upon expectations.

Alderman Lail interjected that he might be piggybacking on what Sally stated earlier. There is a mechanism that city council has to facilitate this kind of development. It is called Business Improvement Districts (BID). It is a true public-private partnership that has demonstrated success throughout the State of North Carolina. Alder Fox stated that she was going to instruct staff to call Durham and find out what kind of financing they use. Durham's downtown district is huge, There are BIDs in more than just downtowns. They are in historic and business districts and it is a true public-private partnership. She believes that Mr. Zagaroli is a little ahead of council, but they are looking for means to finance these types of areas. There is a rural grant that is population specified (the Rural center Pre-Development Grant). She wants staff and council to look into these grants.

Mr. Zagaroli stated that he would do anything to move this forward. He would look into whatever grants are available, but to be frank, he can't keep moving forward on this gratuitously. Alder Fox stated that they needed to find this out and they need to do their homework and it may take a couple of months to do that homework. Alderman Lail sated that this idea is great because it focuses on the heitage of our Furniture and Textile history. Mr. Zagarili stated that this is part of a bigger picture. This isn't just about Hickory, it's about the region. There is 110 years of our history locked up in these buildings that can be lost forever. The story can create a novelty and interest. That can get people to move here.

This is about communication and moving forward and trying to achieve the same goal. He would move forward on this himself, but he cannot afford to. He wants to move forward as quickly and efficiently as possible. The council decided to discuss this issue at the same workshop in which they will discuss graffiti. Further Manager Berry asked the council to think about prioritizing some of these agenda items at the upcoming retreat.