Will 2011 be the last Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn?

The Greater Hickory Classic has been played at Rock Barn Golf and Spa since 2003. I think this tournament has been great for our area since its inception, but I don’t know that it has been given the support that it has truly needed and deserved to insure that it will continue on for the foreseeable future. There is a feeling amongst many people I have spoken with that this tournament has run its course. I certainly hope not, but what I am hearing, and what we are seeing, makes one pause to think that 2011 will be the last year for the tournament to be held here.

Now I know that it might not be popular to bring this subject up and I will probably catch some flack for running out ahead of the curve on this subject with this story, but I believe this article and this story needs to be told. The area’s Ostrich complex, in my opinion has done more damage than necessary, because it has allowed the public to be blindsided on many counts where it wasn’t necessary. Our local paper is only going to print what the Marketers of the Classic and the Powers That Be hand over to them. They certainly can’t ever be accused of doing any critical thinking. I am typing this because I want the public to know that it is important that we lose egos and work together to support important events that attract people to our area or we will lose those events.

I worked at Rock Barn, both full time and part time, as a Chef’s Assistant from June 2001 until August 2006. During this time period was when the Robert Trent Jones Jr. Golf Course was built, opened, and became the venue for the Senior PGA tour event. Rock Barn was a special place during that time. Youssef Amrani was the General Manager under the direction of Don Beaver (Rock Barn’s primary investor). Special things were being done to entice the public to visit and join the club and there was an excitement surrounding the operations.

Youssef wanted us to take pride in the club and he took care of those who worked under him in turn. At that time, public officials and business people felt like we had hit a bump in the road with the economy, but no one felt like we were headed towards the period of malaise that we slid into that has lasted for nearly a decade. Rock Barn hummed along during the early part of the last decade. We usually fed a hundred people in Alexander’s Grill at night and double that on the weekends. There were always multiple events taking place in the clubhouse every day and Sunday brunch was always a packed house. I don’t know if the club was making money during this period, but we certainly had a lot of people hanging around the place. During this time the spa was also built and received a lot of public attention.

Mr. Beaver took on the mission of supporting and growing the Rock Barn community and I am sure that he understood that challenges would lie ahead; but I know that he, nor anyone else, understood the burden that would beset the area and make it hard for entertainment and social operations to be viable due to the effects of the struggling economy and its correlation with the income of people in the local area. Clubs and many of the area’s finer restaurants have struggled over the past decade, because people have had to cut back. During the early part of the last decade, wealthy people could afford to be a member of all three local “County Clubs” (Lake Hickory Country Club, Catawba Country Club, and Rock Barn). With the slowdown in the economy, people have had to (or decided to) cut back. And they are going to remain at the club where their family has established roots. Most of these families have been members at Catawba or Lake Hickory for generations. The loss of memberships has hurt Rock Barn’s progress and caused the club to suffer due to inactivity.

I remember meeting Robert Trent Jones Jr. and speaking with him briefly about his course at a party that was held in his honor in 2002. This course is truly one of the best golf courses in America and has been nationally recognized as such. The other course, the Jackson Course, is also one of the nicest courses in the area and when I was a teenager I would play that course on a regular basis, but it is not considered to be a PGA level course. The Jones course is a signature golf course designed by one of the preeminent golf course designers in the world and as such I am sure that Mr. Beaver looked at its development as one of the defining achievements of his business career.

I remember the first tournament and how packed the tournament was and the energy that it created in the area. It received big time coverage by the major news outlets in Charlotte and the surrounding area. The event is a Champions Tour (Senior PGA) event and that is a second tier event in comparison to the PGA (regular) tour, but the Classic was lauded as one of the most prestigious venues on the tour at that time and it received positive reviews from many of the experts.

I have attended several professional golf events (multiple times) in the area including the Greater Greensboro Open, the senior event that was held during the 1990’s at the TPC Course at Piper Glen, and I have attended the Wachovia/Wells Fargo Event held at Quail Hollow. The Rock Barn event was every bit as nice as attending those tournaments. I know that when I worked there that we worked our tails off to put our best foot forward.

There have been rumors floating around over the last several years that the tournament has been winding down and would soon no longer take place. Mr. Beaver has sunk a lot of money into the tournament and I believe he wants to see it stand on its own two feet. He has been responsible for the appearance money to bring big time names and prize money to be paid out to the participants. That is just the reality of how one of these big events work, but every businessman wants to turn a profit, if not at least break even.

This event has been giving some much needed charity money to the area. It is a shell game to say that there were profits that could go to these charities. Let’s be honest, Mr. Beaver might as well have been cutting the checks and paying these monies to these charities himself. People need to realize that this golf tournament is an expensive proposition, but it has served a prominent position in the region over the last eight years and it would be ashamed to allow it to flame out. It should never have been taken for granted by our local community.

I don’t think it has been good for the event that it has bounced around the calendar over the last 8 years. It began by being played during the last week in September 2003 under perfect weather conditions. Then in 2004, it was played during the third week in August which made it a much hotter, more humid, venue. In 2005 and 2006, it was moved to the first week of October, then it was moved back to September in 2007, 2008, and 2009 and last year it was moved back to the first week in October. This year it will be played during the second week of June (June 6-12); because I believe that the event wasn’t secured until late, because of the loss of the one year Ensure (Nutritional Drink) sponsorship, and the later calendar date slots were already filled and this date was made available by the Champions Tour (Senior PGA) as a courtesy.

I have been told by several people that no communities other than the City of Hickory would give money for marketing the tournament, because the name Hickory is attached to the tournament. This event is directly beneficial to the local communities of Conover and Claremont, because that is where it is played. And people need to realize that this event has a direct economic impact on the entire region. I just cannot understand why communities in the region would want to cut their nose off in spite of their face, because of a word. I understand animosities associated with Hickory, related to past issues, but I can’t understand why these communities are unwilling to participate in an event that brings traffic, attention, and notoriety to our region. That is some self-defeating sabotage that relates to unchecked egos if I have ever seen it.

Our local economy is not good. I know that I am labeled a doom and gloomer for stating the obvious in the face of some of the Kumbaya, sunshine salesmen; but we need to honestly assess reality. We are always talking about this area being great because it is located so close to Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Asheville, and the High Country. This is an event that can (and does) bring people from those other areas to our community and that should be our goal. That creates value and makes this event a valuable commodity. It brings outside dollars into our community and that is something that we need to do more of, not less of, in this community.

I hope that we don’t lose this tournament. This is a unique event that brings notable people to our area and by God we need the attention. I certainly think that our community should make sure that we put our best foot forward and do whatever we can to support and maintain the event. I just hope that it’s not too late. If you ever planned to attend, but never found the time, I suggest that you find the time this year, because that time may never come again. We have lost a lot over the last decade in this community and I hope that this tournament is not lost, because of the status of our local economy. I certainly hope that I am wrong … that I either am wrong in my assessment of where this tournament stands or that the local communities will wake up to what this tournament means to our area and save it. All of the communities in the area should wake up and understand what we have in this commodity. If we do lose this tournament, then it is unlikely that we will see this level of a sporting event ever return again.

P.S. I hope that you will let me know what you think.

The Obsolete Man

In a totalitarian society, Romney Wordsworth is condemned to death for the crime of being a librarian, and he is subjected to the harangues of the state's Chancellor and his lectures about Wordsworth's obsolescence. Wordsworth, however, makes one final request - that he be allowed to choose his method of execution and that it be televised live to the society. The Chancellor agrees and later visits Wordsworth at his house, where he learns that Wordsworth has had tons of explosives rigged under the house to go off at midnight in full view of national television cameras. But as The Chancellor begins to leave, he finds he has been double-crossed by Wordsworth, and suddenly he must face Romney Wordsworth's terrifying vigil as the clock ticks down to the fateful period of midnight. Written by Michael Daly

The Hound - This episode of the Twilight Zone shows how we are all placed in the same fate in the end. Mr. Wordsworth is resigned to and accepts his fate and his acceptance brings him calmness, while the Bullying Chancellor thinks and holds himself in high esteem until his own life is brought into question.

Mr. Wordsworth feels like he has everything to gain by sticking to his core beliefs, because he has faith in his belief as an individual, while the Chancellor's values all rest upon an intangible "the State." "The State" does not give our lives value. We have to give our own lives value. The Chancellor finds this out the hard way in the end.

This story rings true in the World that this has become. This Empire of Darkness that is casting a shadow over all of us does not give our lives value. The Dark Forces of this World do not value life. This Force has the power to choose who lives and who dies. The humans involved in this force look upon themselves as leaders who are above the rabble. What if the shoe is on the other foot. What if decisions are made that affect them personally. That is the reason why we should not have endless wars and this security apparatus that is trapping and imprisoning our once free society should be rethought.

In the end the State does not empower us. We have to empower ourselves and if we are allowed to do so, then we can truly empower our society. I think that people have lost sight of the reason why the United States wanted to spread our national Value System. We wanted the people of this world to be free like we were, but now we have gone around the world as a truly Imperial Force and we aren't spreading freedom and love. We are aiming to hold onto "The United States of America" as a corporate interest by holding other nations captive and spreading fear. What if the shoe were on the other foot? I understand the problems we face with Religious Fundamentalism and Economic and Social Ideology, but can you not see that our aggression and occupation of foreign nations is not the same as the original intent to win people over and spread the values of freedom and liberty.

I pray that we get back to where we were as the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, but that anthem has just become a ritual to so many; just a song of symbolic words with no personal meaning for our present citizenry. Like the Pledge of Allegiance, do people ever look at the meaning of that pledge, which concludes with egalitarian principles rooted in freedom... with liberty and justice for all. That should be our goal not only for everyone in the United States. That should be the goal for the world.

Economic Stories of Relevance in Today's World -- May 8, 2011

Dollar Weaknesses Expected To Continue - The International Forecaster - May, 4, 2011 - Dollar weakness that has continued will continue. That is to make US goods cheaper and more saleable as exports, but the flip side is that imported goods are more expensive and that creates inflation. Such a policy is foolhardy versus foreign nations that have export advantages. Besides the US does not have the predominance of mass to compete on this level. If tariffs on goods and services were implemented that would be another story. That accompanied by a change in tax laws for transnational corporations, that would force them to return the $2 trillion they have offshore and pay normal taxation which would be very beneficial to solve tax, production and employment problems. Remember, we have lost about 9 million jobs over the past 11 years, as well as 440,000 businesses due to free trade, globalization, offshoring and outsourcing. Tariffs would level the playing field and leave no advantage to cheapening one’s currency, because it would be accounted for in their tariff structure. Having lost our export markets we have a jobless recovery that can never improve, nor can our balance of payments deficit and our increasing debt cause not only falling revenues, but falling job creation. This is just another artifice to try to stave off the inevitable. Lowering the dollar is not the answer. Having a level playing field is the answer.

Price fixing is an exercise in futility and so is a course of mandatory wage increases pursued to play catch up with runaway inflation. Even though higher numbers show sales growth they are misleading and only a reflection of higher pressing inflation. This is not economic growth; it is price inflation. Such an exercise is geared to keep people and business solvent, but in the long term it accelerates inflation and leads to worse problems down the road. The economy is exhibiting deterioration at the edges and that is to be expected for an economy that has been so badly misused. What is left of manufacturing is in decline and until the system is purged such deterioration will continue. It is not only the US, but also the UK and Europe that have followed the Keynesian course and then display suppression when inflationism overrides their systems. These governments are shortsighted and do not posses the strength to cut expenses and raise taxes. They will come slowly when it is to late. They do not seem to understand balance and sacrifice. Price regulation and wage controls are artificial answers and only expose economic decay and in time fail to work. This value distortion leads eventually to a barter type system, which is inefficient. Then again this would not be necessary if the currency system had not been abused as it had been. This is what happens to nations that wallow in debt in excess of 100% of GDP. The excuses are multifold but the results are always the same, and that is default. Those who created the system in which we are now enmeshed know exactly what they are doing. This game of controls and more money and credit only buys time to pick the right spot to pull the plug and begin another war. We can never understand how bankers can believe the system will collapse, but they remain immune. These same bankers have been in part responsible for current and future inflation and the proliferation of derivatives, which create a faux system within a system. Once these derivatives unravel they will create an explosion at the heart of the banking system. That will take out the top five banks in the US.

John Williams: Hyperinflation and Double-Dip Recession Ahead - Seeking Alpha - May 3, 2011 - Economic recovery? What economic recovery? Contrary to popular media reports, government economic reporting specialist and ShadowStats Editor John Williams reads between the government-economic-data lines. "The U.S. is really in the worst condition of any major economy or country in the world," he says. In this exclusive interview with The Gold Report, John concludes the nation is in the midst of a multiple-dip recession and headed for hyperinflation...

John Williams: S&P is noting the U.S. government's long-range fiscal problems. Generally, you'll find that the accounting for unfunded liabilities for Social Security, Medicare and other programs on a net-present-value basis indicates total federal debt and obligations of about $75 trillion. That's 15 times the gross domestic product (GDP). The debt and obligations are increasing at a pace of about $5 trillion a year, which is neither sustainable nor containable. If the U.S. was a corporation on a parallel basis, it would be headed into bankruptcy rather quickly...

(About the Media reporting a recovery) - JW: You're not getting a fair analysis. There's nothing new about that. No one in the popular media predicted the recession that was clearly coming upon us, and the downturn wasn't even recognized until well after the average guy on Main Street knew things were getting bad. We have some particularly poor-quality economic reporting right now. The economy has not been as strong as it advertised. Yes, there has been some upside bouncing in certain areas, but it's largely tied to short-lived stimulus factors... Let's look at payroll numbers and the way those are estimated. In normal economic times, seasonal factors and seasonal adjustments are stable and meaningful. What's happened is that the downturn has been so severe and protracted it has completely skewed the seasonal-adjustment process. It's no longer meaningful, nor are estimates of monthly changes in many series. The markets are flying blind — it's unprecedented, in terms of modern reporting... Are we really seeing a surge in retail sales? If so, you should be seeing growth in consumer income or consumer borrowing — but we're not seeing that. The consumer is strapped. An average consumer's income cannot keep up with inflation. The recent credit crisis also constrained consumer credit. Without significant growth in credit or a big pick-up in consumer income, there's no way the consumer can sustain positive economic growth or personal consumption, which is more than 70% of the GDP. So, you haven't started to see a shift in the underlying fundamentals that would support stronger economic activity. That's why you're not going to have a recovery; in fact, it's beginning to turn down again as shown in the housing sales volume numbers, which are down 75% from where it was in normal times

JW: The popular media have stated that the only time you have to worry about inflation is when you have a strong economy, and that a strong economy drives inflation. There's such a thing as healthy inflation when it comes from a strong economy. I would much rather be in an economy that's overheating with too much demand and prices that rise. That's a relatively healthy inflation. Today, the weak dollar has spiked oil prices. Higher oil prices are driving gasoline prices higher — the average person is paying a lot more per gallon of gas. For those who can't make ends meet, they cut back in other areas. The inflation of Q410, which is now running at an annualized pace of 6%, was mostly tied to the prices of gasoline and food... You also have higher food prices. It's not due to stronger food or gasoline demand — it's due to monetary distortions. Unemployment is still high, even if you believe the numbers. I'll contend the economy really isn't recovering. At the same time, you're seeing a big increase in inflation that's killing the average guy.



Number of the Week: Millions Set to Lose Unemployment Benefits - Wall Street Journal - April 30, 2011 - In the coming months, hundreds of thousands more will drop off the unemployment rolls. The number of people using up their regular 26 weeks of unemployment payments peaked in August 2009 at nearly 800,000 a month. That means a lot of people should be hitting their 99-week limit right about now. And unless Congress does something unexpected, more people with shorter bouts of unemployment will start joining them as the government phases out extended benefits next year.



U.S. Adds 244,000 Jobs in April, but Unemployment Rises - Clifford Marks - National Journal - May 6, 2011 - Although Friday's numbers certainly mark an improvement over previous reports, it will take another two and a half years before the economy reaches prerecession employment levels. How long after that it will need to add enough jobs to compensate for population growth will depend on how many people rejoin the labor force. Without question, it would be many more months... There are some other reasons for caution, says Heather Boushey, a senior economist at the left-leaning Center for American Progress. Average hours of work didn't increase, and wages, while up nominally, didn't really rise once adjusted for inflation. "This does give me pause," she said, adding that "we really need to be seeing job growth above 300,000 to be getting the unemployment rate down."

About 1 in 7 in U.S. Receive Food Stamps - Wall Street Journal - - May 3, 2011 - The number of food stamp recipients was essentially flat in February, the most recent month available, with 44.2 million Americans receiving benefits, according a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (See a sortable breakdown of the data here.)

Fannie Mae seeks $8.5 billion more in federal aid - After losing $8.7 first quarter of 2011 -   Associated Press - Daniel Wagner - May 6, 2011 - Combined with the bailout of sibling company Freddie Mac, the government expects their rescue to cost taxpayers about $259 billion. That money will cover the mortgage giants' losses on soured loans made in the midst of the housing bubble...  Fannie Mae, based in Washington, and Freddie Mac, based in McLean, Va., own or guarantee about half of all mortgages in the U.S., or nearly 31 million home loans worth more than $5 trillion. Along with other federal agencies, they backed nearly 90 percent of new mortgages over the past year... The Obama administration unveiled in February a plan to slowly dissolve the mortgage companies. The aim is to reduce the government's role in the mortgage market. Exactly how that would happen was left for Congress to decide... Whatever the outcome, it would reverse decades of federal policy aimed at encouraging Americans to purchase homes. Mortgages almost certainly would become more expensive.

Your monthly gasoline bill: $368.. - CNN Money - By Ben Rooney, staff reporter May 6, 2011

The study, which compared average gas prices with median incomes nationwide, also showed that U.S. households spent nearly 9% of their total income on gas last month... That's more than double what the average American family spent just two years ago, when gas prices were hovering around $2.05 a gallon.

My Own Time

My younger years were filled with turmoil, a lot of unrealized expectations, and lost opportunities. I am not ashamed of those years. Those years forged me in steel and gave me great resolve. I would not be who I am without living the life of turmoil I did in my youth, most of which wasn't attributable to me. It was all about the circumstances of life.

I hated school, but for a long time I tried to play by the rules and fit in, but I just didn't. I've always spent a lot of time in solitude, because I was the only son with very few immediate relatives and only a handful of friends. I have never been that gregarious individual who jumped in and took over a party and I never really cared to be that type of person. Those people always seemed to be so contrived.

When I was 15 and 16 years old, I went through some of the hardest personal times of my life, because my immediate family situation blew up. I came back to live in Hickory with my grandmother after living in Conover for 4 years. I was in No Mans Land, because of the circumstances. I didn't live where I went to High School and I really didn't associate with many people from High School until a group of us ended up taking a two year experiment at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk. That's a story in and of itself. During all of this time, I didn't focus on studies. I just did whatever I felt like doing, but none of it could be labeled as the deeds of a miscreant. More like the deeds of a loner.

Those years are etched on my mind this evening. I'm sitting here listening to Asia. Their initial self titled album is what they were remembered for. Four members of various progressive mega-bands brought together to form one band. At the time they were known to be the pioneer SuperGroup of that era.

I have listened to Asia ever since they were initially formed through their various lineups and phases. Every album they put out stands out. Most people only remember the initial group and younger generations don't even remember Wetton, Downes, Howe, and Palmer. To me this is some of the greatest Progressive Rock Pop ever. I love Pink Floyd and the stories they tell and their later albums always hold a special place with me, but Asia's stories and sound are very emotional and tell a great story that everyone can relate to.

In the time that I experienced the latter part of my tumultuous youth, the album Alpha was released in 1983 and hit close to home and was my favorite album. It is based upon the paradoxes of love, hope, faith, honesty, dishonesty, abandonment, jealousy, perseverance, betrayal, honor, loyalty, and being the underdog. You might not believe me, but maybe you should give the album a listen and then you will understand.

From that Album, the song titled "My Own Time" is my personal anthem. When I get low, I can always go back and give this a listen and center myself around its message. There are times when you are going to be all you've got and as long as you believe in yourself, then things will be fine. Most of the time things aren't going to work out or go the way that you want them to. We live in a world full of insanity and you cannot center yourself within the craziness. You have to think that jerks and sellouts can all go to hell. You don't have to conform to anyone's rules as long as you are centered within truth, honor, honesty, and loyalty.

It is a lot easier being honest. It is a lot easier keeping up with the truth. Liars always are figured out in the end. Liars can't keep up with their lies and given enough time the truth will always shine through. And then justice will be served, but that justice will not always provide solace, because life doesn't last forever and time is fleeting. But, if you can find peace within yourself and have faith, then time is truly on your side, because the insanity does not control you. Remember, you can always control the insanity by not participating in it.

And without further ado, I present My Anthem, My Own Time:

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of May 3, 2011

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 5/3/2011 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.
Invocation by Rev. Susan Smith of Exodus Outreach Missionary Church

Special Presentations:
A.Presentation of Proclamation to Bebe Leitch, President of the Hickory Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau Proclaiming May 7 – 15, 2011 as “National Tourism Week” in the City of Hickory

Whereas National Tourism Week will be celebrated in Raleigh May 7 to 15 Hickory in Catawba County. We celebrated Thursday, May 12; whereas the motives of the staff in the article for Hickory Metro counties will be present in Raleigh to kick off duty legislative session in room meet with state policymakers to bolster awareness of the importance of tourism to our economy; whereas the travel and tourism industry is vital to our economic stability and growth and contributes substantially to the areas cultural and social well-being; whereas travel is one of our most fundamental freedoms, and every citizen substantially benefits from travel and tourism, the industry enhances personal growth and education, while promoting intercultural understanding and appreciation of Hickory's history, geography and growth; whereas tourism is a growth industry in Hickory and Catawba County and generated an economic impact of $180 million in 2009. Adding $16 million in local and state tax revenues. More than 1990 jobs in Hickory and Catawba County are directly attributed to travel and tourism; whereas tourism day festival will be observed Thursday from 3 to 6. At the convention and visitors Bureau in recognition of the unique significance of the travel and tourism in this lives of citizens of North Carolina; therefore on behalf of Hickory city Council, I proclaim May 7 to the 15th as national tourism week in the city of Hickory.

Bebe Leitch next addressed the Council. She thanked the Council and stated that they get the impact that tourism has on our local economy and the state economy. She mentioned the festival that will be celebrated at the front parking area of the convention center. She stated that everyone in the community is invited and there will be lots of information in the newspaper and on the radio. There will be events for families of all ages. There will be food and other activities. She stated that there will be a dunking booth and she needs volunteers. And everyone had a good laugh.

Consent Agenda:
A. Proclamation Declaring April 23, 2011 as “Leather Miracles and Polygrace Day” in Celebration of Their Ten-Year Business Partnership in the Leather and Leather Furniture Industry

B. Proclamation Declaring the Week of May 15 – 21, 2011 as “National Public Works Week” in the City of Hickory by Recognizing the City’s Public Works Department Staff for Their Dedication, Expertise and Community Contributions

C. Proclamation Recognizing the Dates of May 6 and May 7, 2011 as “One World One Community Festival Day” in the City of Hickory

D. Request For Funding By Community Relations Council (CRC) - Spring 2011 Grant Recommendations in the Amount of $6,700 - As part of the Community Relations Council work plan and annual budget process, the CRC receives funds to disperse during the fiscal year through the CRC grant process. A
total of $12,000 is available for grant funding in FY 2010-11. The CRC reviewed the applications and recommends funding on nine (9) of the grant requests received - Total $6,700

1. Western NC Epilepsy Association $ 600
2. Aids Leadership Foothills Area Alliance 1,000
3. Ridgeview Recreation Council 455
4. Catawba Valley Behavioral Healthcare 1,200
5. The Bridge Hispanic Mission 400
6. The Sabre Society of NC/Hickory Aviation Museum 750
7. Community Ridge Daycare Center 1,295
8. Catawba County Hispanic Ministry 500
9. Girls on the Run of Catawba Valley 500

E. Request From Hickory Downtown Development Association for Use of Union Square for Hickory Alive on June 3, 10, 17, 24 and July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2011 From 5:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (Removed from the Agenda for further discussion)

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of May 3, 2011 -- Addendum on "The Future of Hickory Alive"

The Hound was told tonight by a Downtown property owner that the event ends at 11pm. The 12:30am time is just the time needed for the bands to clear out and the time needed to clean up any debris and what not.

This person doesn't want to see the event end, but this person did say that people come down there to have a cheap time and they don't really patronize any of the businesses there. This person believes that the event needs to be upscaled with better bands and there should be a cover charge to enter.

The one thing that I interjected is that it is a captive audience. It does create traffic. But, it is the property and business owners' responsibility to capture the audience in order to make money off of them. You have to assess the marketplace and figure a way to address that marketplace.


I have to say that I do like the idea of a cover charge and more amenities and better bands. Our Leaders need to learn how to have dialogue that leads towards this sort of critical thinking that can be fruitful, instead of hanging with the same closed circuit and enforcing your will and "principles" on others.

F. Approval to Apply for a Grant Through the Governor’s Highway Safety Program to Purchase Various Police Vehicle Specialized Equipment - The Hickory Police Department requests approval to apply for a Governor’s Highway Safety Program Grant to purchase ten (10) in-car digital cameras and radars, and four (4) lidars for a total cost of $99,000. If awarded the grant, the City’s portion would be $24,750. The equipment would be installed in various police vehicles to assist in patrol activities. No budget amendment is required

G. Approval to Accept Donated Fitness Equipment From Palliative Care Center of Catawba Valley for Use by the Hickory Fire Department - The Palliative Care Center of Catawba Valley desires to donate several pieces of fitness equipment to the Hickory Fire Department with no in-kind or monetary reciprocity. The equipment is currently located at 1915 Fairgrove Church Road, SE and will need to be removed by City of Hickory personnel. (Removed from the Agenda for further discussion)

Alderman Lail had spoken to the owner of the exercise equipment that was located at the former Dale Jarrett building that now will be used by the Hospice of Catawba County. The original owner of that equipment stated that they wanted that equipment and Alderman Lail has spoken to the Fire department and they came to an understanding that the equipment will be returned to its rightful owner. So what they have done is table this issue him until further notice.

H. Approval to Declare Hickory Fire Department Reserve Engine 14 as Surplus For The Purpose of Salvage - Reserve Engine 14, a 1991 Emergency One was placed into service originally as Engine 2 in 1991 and served at the Highland Fire Station until 2007 when designated as a reserve engine. In 2010 due to internal engine problems, the vehicle was removed as a reserve engine and all salvageable equipment was removed. Declaring this engine as surplus will allow it to be removed from insurance, registration, tag obligations and as a City fixed asset.

I. Transfer of Cemetery Lots in Oakwood Cemetery From D. Stuart Thompson & wife, D. Stuart Thompson, a/k/a D. Stuart Thompson and wife, Teresa Thompson to Thomas S. Johnson and wife, Ann C. Johnson

J. Approve Professional Service Agreement With Davis & Floyd, Inc. to Perform the Cripple Creek Tributary Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Not to Exceed $89,000 - The Cripple Creek Outfall Replacement Project was completed in September 2010 as the first phase. The second phase is to determine any other sources of inflow/infiltration that may exist that contribute inflow into this line from the Central Business District and older residential communities. The Public Utilities Department put out the formal Request for
Qualifications package for Engineers response which included services for smoke testing all sanitary sewer lines, inspection of all man holes for condition, flow isolation to determine sewer line segments with inflow/infiltration and limited line video work for identified areas of the upper Cripple Creek basin. Four (4) engineers responded and staff determined Davis & Floyd, Inc. to be the most responsive firm for the project. Citizens will be notified of the dates and areas of work being performed. Funds are budgeted for this project. .

K. Approve Professional Service Agreement Amendment With AECOM Technical Services, Inc. Regarding the Hickory-Catawba Wastewater Treatment Facility (H-CWWTF) Upgrade/Expansion Project in the Amount of $30,800 - The City of Hickory and Catawba County entered into a Contract to upgrade/expand the H-CWWTF in September, 2006. Due to a requirement by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, a 50-ft offset must be maintained from all property lines with adjacent property owners. Two (2) properties have already been purchased with the last being owned by Duke Energy. Duke Energy cannot sell property that lies within a lake project boundary. An easement would require submittal of an application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and hold a substantial application fee. Therefore, it has been determined to move the designed facility on the existing property enough to achieve the required 50-ft offset from property lines. The City of Hickory’s portion of this design modification will be $15,400 with Catawba County
paying its proportional share.

L. Approve Revised Payment Schedule for the Engineering Services Agreement With McGill Associates, PA Regarding the Northeast Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Project (NEWWTP) - The City of Hickory Public Utilities Department initiated the NEWWTP Upgrade Project in July 2010. The construction contract was approved with a thirty-one month construction schedule. However, the contractor has expedited the schedule for a proposed completion date in May 2012 instead of February 2013. McGill Associates, PA is under contract with the City for the Construction Administration Services related to this project. Due to the contractor’s expedited construction schedule, McGill Associates has had to expend substantial work effort the last nine (9) months resulting in the need to modify the Payment Schedule previously approved. The contract amount with McGill Associates will remain as previously approved in the amount of $787,000.

M. Approve Change Order No. 2 to McGill Associates, PA Regarding the NEWWTP Upgrade Project in the Amount of $14,500 - The City of Hickory entered into a contract with McGill Associates, PA for construction administration services on the NEWWTP project and a rate established for additional services if necessary. Change Order No. 2 is for six (6) items related to the additional services required. They are modifications to plans necessary to ensure proper operation of the head works facilities, influent pump station evaluation, oxidation ditch walkways compliance modifications, circuitry and conduits to motorized remote access gate, oxidation ditch VFD building modification and geotechnical evaluation of unsuitable soils for a total of $14,500. No budget amendment is needed.

N. Approval of Right of Way Agreement With Duke Energy for Installation of Primary Underground Cable at the Northeast Wastewater Treatment Plant Located on Cloninger Mill Road - Staff requests City Council grant a 10-ft power right of way to Duke Energy to install a new primary underground cable at the Northeast Wastewater Treatment Plant property at 310 Cloninger Mill Road. This right of way agreement is necessary for Duke Energy to supply the NEWWTP with primary power.

Budget Ordinance Amendment
1. Budget a $40 Library memorial donation from Beth and Mark Stephens in the Library books line item.
2. Budget a $1,500 insurance claim check from Trident Insurance Company in the Maintenance and Repair of Buildings line item. This payment is for damages to Station 2’s engine bay door that occurred when a heavy-duty spring broke.
3. Budget $2,059 of Parks and Recreation Special Activity Revenue in the Parks and Recreation Departmental Supplies line item. These funds are designated for Lacrosse supplies.
4. Budget donations totaling $9,585 in the Parks and Recreation Departmental Supplies line item. These donations are designated to conduct the 2011 Senior Games which is an event coordinated by the City of Hickory's Park and Recreation Department.
5. Appropriate $233 of Miscellaneous Revenue to the Youth Council expenditure line item. This amendment is necessary to transfer the portion of funds the Youth Council paid for a conference registration back to their operational budget.
6. Appropriate $3,750 of General Fund Balance to the Police Department Departmental Supplies line item. This appropriation is necessary to purchase various departmental supplies for officers to use in the field. $3,750 represents Police Federal Reimbursement balances from previous years (2009 and 2010)
that have been rolled into Fund Balance at year end, therefore an appropriation is necessary.
7. Appropriate and transfer $15,400 of Water and Sewer Fund Balance, and to transfer $15,400 of Governmental Revenue to the Catawba Wastewater Treatment Project Design line item. This amendment is needed to pay AECOM Technical Services $30,800 for a design modification to the project. The City of
Hickory and Catawba County share 50/50 in the design cost with Hickory being the contracting agency with the Engineering firm.
8. Decrease General Fund Balance Appropriated by $43 and increase the transfer from the Multi-Year Assistance to Firefighters Program-Fire Prevention and Safety Grant by $43. This amendment is necessary to close the Grant project and return $43 of unspent monies to the original funding source.
9. Decrease General Fund Balance Appropriated by $78,757 and increase the transfer from the Parking Lot 11 & 12 project (related to the Bus Transfer Station project) by $78,757. This amendment is necessary to close the capital project and return $78,757 of unspent monies to the original funding source.

Informational Items:
A. Report of Mayor Wright’s Travel to Meet With Legislators Regarding Annexation Reform Bill HB845 in Raleigh, NC on April 20, 2011; per diem - $8.50; mileage - $180.54

New Business - Public Hearings:
1. Approval to Enter into an Economic Development Incentive Agreement With Turbocoating Corp, USA - Turbocoating Corp, USA is an Italian company that manufactures protective coatings for components used in industrial gas turbines and aero engines. They are wanting to establish an operation close to Charlotte and have chosen the former Corning Cable Systems facility off of Tate Boulevard located at 1926 Main Avenue, SE, Hickory. Turbocoating is requesting to receive economic development incentives from the City of Hickory in the form of a grant based upon 75% of ad valorem taxes paid on $13,000,000 in investment and the creation of 80 new jobs. The incentive amount for the City for the four (4) year period would be $195,000 or $48,750 per year. Should Turbocoating be able to invest $15,000,000, the City and County will add a fifth year to the incentive package for a total incentive package from the City of 75% for five (5) years for a total incentive of $243,750. Catawba County is also giving the same type of grant to Turbocoating with Catawba Valley Community College assisting with job training. Turbocoating’s investment is expected to increase the City’s tax base by a related amount and result in at least 80 permanent jobs paying well above the county’s average wage of $34,000. This project meets and exceeds the minimum requirements of the City’s Economic Development Assistance Guidelines.

Julie Pruitt of the Economic Development Corporation came to the podium and addressed the Council. She went into some details related to Turbocoating’s enterprise that will be located in Hickory. Charlotte is becoming known as an energy hub and there are several reasons for this. One of the reasons is the presence of Siemens. At the end of this year, Siemens is going to begin production of gas turbine engines. These engines are used in electricity production by large power providers.

Gas moves across the turbine blades and it causes the turbine blades to rotate at over 3,000 times per minute. At the end of the blades, there is a rod that is moving in a generator that moves magnets and copper coils. That creates the agitation and the alignment of the electrons in that creates energy… and that is the energy that powers our homes and businesses. Really at the core of power production is the gas turbine engines. The core of the gas turbine engine is the blades. The blades function in very severe environments at temperatures of over 2,500° close to the point of melting metal. They withstand centrifugal forces above the speed of sound, and even though they are manufactured with super alloys, that's still not enough to protect them in the environments. So it is critical that they are coated with specialized advanced materials to protect them within the environments and that is what Turbocoating does.

Turbocoating is a European market leader in the design and manufacturing of these types of coatings for the blades that go into gas turbine engines. They are going to lease for 10 years, a 60,000 ft.² building at the Catawba industrial Commons, which was formerly the Corning Cable Systems building next to the North Carolina Engineering Center. This will create 110 new jobs over five years that will pay over $50,000 per year and they will invest $15 million in the machinery and equipment. They are a subsidiary of Turbocoating. They are headquartered in Parma, Italy. The EDC hass been working with this company for over a year.

This company has over 35 years of experience in this. They have over 35 PhD on staff in Parma, Italy. This is a very high tech industry. The coatings applied to the blades are not only used by Siemens, but also by Alstom, GE, and Rolls-Royce. There've been questions about whether this could be used for automotive industry projects as well. Rolls-Royce also uses gas turbines for the electricity industry.

The company also uses these coatings for biomedical equipment and they also manufacture the equipment that is used in this coating process for engine and biomedical needs. It is a wonderful industry and very high tech, and it will be a good partner for us in the future. Based upon the type of industry that it is, it is considered a most favored business model and industry that you consider when looking at incentives. The incentives adhere to all of North Carolina General Statutes. The proposed incentive is based upon a formula for performance based grants. It would be upon the condition of a minimum investment of $13 million in the creation of 80 new jobs. The maximum payment for the incentives would be $48,750 per year for four years for a total maximum incentive of one $195,000 payable over those four years. Should Turbocoating invest $15 million and create a 110 jobs, that incentive would be continued for an additional one year. That would make the total maximum payment $243,750. The amount was derived based upon a guaranteed investment and assessment of an income stream to the city. And that was multiplied by 75%. Just like all incentives, this is based upon a performance grant with minimum thresholds that they must meet and sustain or they must repay the grant.

The Mayor mentioned that this is truly high tech up-to-date manufacturing, and it is right next door to our engineering technology Center that if you recall, we have invested time, effort, and some money to promote world-class manufacturing and we feel that this is some exoneration for our investments.

The Hound is glad to see a business like this come to the area and fill the gap of one of our many losses that we have seen over the last decade. As I stated from the beginning, High Tech industry has to be a priority and this is a great first step in fulfilling that goal. The EDC is doing some really great things in our area. They are moving us forward.


2. Voluntary Contiguous Annexation of the Property of Glenda Presnell Located at 3630 16th Street, NE - A petition was submitted by Glenda Presnell for voluntary contiguous annexation for property located at 3630 16th Street, NE and is currently in the City’s extraterritorial jurisdictional area and zoned R-1 Residential. Ms. Presnell’s property is being used as her primary residence and requests to be connected to the City’s water and sewer system. The tax value of the 0.655-acre property is $118,800 and if annexed would generate tax revenues by $594. The property meets all the statutory requirements for voluntary contiguous annexation and adequate public services are available. Cal Overby made the presentation and the Council unanimously consented.

New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Approve Change Order No. 3 to Pizzagalli Construction Company Regarding the NEWWTP Upgrade Project in the Amount of $233,125 - The Northeast Wastewater Treatment Plant (NEWWTP) Upgrade Project is a $21,569,383 project necessary due to its age, replacement components no longer being available and environmental regulation changes. City Council previously approved Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $23,608 and Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $50,301 and due to unforeseen conditions; Change Order No. 3 in the amount of $233,125 requires Council approval. Change Order No. 3 consists of rock removal from a bore under Cloninger Mill Road, stabilization and removal of unsuitable material encountered during excavation of the oxidation ditches and a change in Duke Energy standard conditions with transformer design along with numerous other smaller items. The project was established with a contingency fund in order to address unforeseen expenses that may arise.

Kevin Grier addressed the City Council relating to the Northeast Wastewater Project. Two weeks ago prior to the last City Council meeting, the City Council took a tour of the new wastewater facility in northeast Hickory neear the old Cloninger Mill. This is the third change order and the department is 49% of the way through construction of the project. This change order consists of 10 items for a total of $233,125. Three of the items are a little over $208,000, which means the other seven items are a little over $24,000.

The main three items have to do with unsuitable soil and rock that is in the bore and a transformer that had to be moved because of Duke Energy requirements changing. Mr. Greer showed a few slides of what made this change order necessary. There were three feet of bad soil that had to be dug out. There was stone and engineering material that was put back in as a base for the project. He stated that 780 yd.³ of stone had to be put in place.

Mr. Greer pointed out the positive relationship the city has with Pizzagalli Construction. The initial request for their services was $84,129 and has been lowered to $68,481, which saves the city. $15,648.

In relation to the transformer, in January Duke Energy changed their requirements for Transformers. The new wiring requirements to the transformers allow you to carry more energy per wire, but the number of source wires has been reduced. This meant that such transformers had to be changed out. This meant the location of the wiring had to be changed, because you have to be able to get a flat bed truck to the location as opposed to a crane. This cost $35,580.

The last item is related to 77 feet of bore that had to be dug out 2 feet under the ground. The constructors hit rock two feet down. That throws the augor pushing through the ground off. This is for gravity sewer, so it is important that there is a straight line through. Part of this rock had to be checked out by hand. This project was negotiated down to the price of $104,725. The negotiations saved $36,675.

The total change orders to date are $307,034. Of that, $209,000 has been due the soils and rock. The percentage of the change order has been 1.42% and the .97% has been due to soils. Mr. Greer mentioned that they are pretty much done with the digging and construction part of the project. He stated that they are optimistic about finishing the project (in cost alignment).

Recognition of Persons Requesting To Be Heard
Ms. Elizabeth Glynn, Chairman of the Catawba County Democratic Committee desires to present to City Council two (2) resolutions that have been adopted by the Democratic Party Committee

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE RIOGEVIEW CITIZENS FOR EQUITY IN GOVERNMENT

WHEREAS, the Catawba County Democratic Party's VISION declares that we are to be an "advocate for the people of this county who share” and

WHEREAS, that same Statement also declares that we will work to build a community which respects diversity…" and

WHEREAS, furthermore, it is a goal of the Party to "hold government 1eaders accountable for their political actions and policies by insisting upon openness" in government; and

WHEREAS, recent actions by the Hickory City Council with regard to closing and demolishing community pools in Ridgeview and Longview were taken in a sudden and somewhat high-handed manner without sufficient concern for community input; and

WHEREAS, the poor and minority community in Hickory has no effective voice in city government due to a lack of representation on the City Council;

THEREFORE: BE IT RESOLVED that the Catawba County Democratic Party declares its support for the Ridgeview Citizens for Equity in Government in their efforts to address the various issues facing the poor and minority communities in Ridgeview and throughout the City of
Hickory.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Catawba County Democratic Party respectfully requests the Hickory City Council to seek and implement ways to show greater sensitivity for the legitimate concerns of under-represented minorities in this community.

Passed unanimously by delegates at the Catawba County Democratic Party annual convention on April 16. 2011.

Elizabeth Glynn, Chair, Catawba County Democratic Party



RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A MAJORITY/MINORITY WARD IN HICKORY, NC

WHEREAS, in 1970, the City of Hickory changed from a pure ward system to a modified at-large system for electing City Council members; and

WHEREAS, this change created an electoral system which has eventually led to the under-representation of poor and minority citizens in elected positions; and

WHEREAS, for there to be a truly representative democracy in city government, it is essential for these under-represented minorities to have an effective voice in civic affairs; and

WHEREAS, the modified at-large electoral system now in place essentially denies that possibility and thus insures that representative democracy is diminished in our community;

THEREFORE: BE IT RESOLVED that the Catawba County Democratic Party urges the City of Hickory to act to either return to the pure ward electoral system or during the upcoming redistricting from the 2010 Census, re-establish a Majority/Minority Ward in Hickory to assure just representation for all on the Hickory City Council.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be presented to City Council at the earliest possible date following its approval by the Catawba County Democratic Party.

Passed unanimously by delegates at the Catawba County Democratic Party annual convention on April 16, 2011.

Elizabeth Glynn, Chair, Catawba County Democratic Party

Mayor Wright asked if these were the only resolutions passed by the Catawba County Democrat convention dealing with local governments. Ms. Glenn stated that yes, they were. There was another resolution pertaining to the ban of polystyrene and that will be taken through the Democrat party and another resolution in relation to injured motorists and workers on the job and that will also be taken through the party.

The Hound is glad to see someone stand up to what took place last year. Kudos to the Dems in Catawba County. Good to see someone around here has a backbone.


Matters Not On Agenda (requires majority vote of Council to consider)
City Manager Berry requested City Council’s consideration of a late Union Square Use Application - Request From Josh’s on Union Square for Use of Union Square for “Movies in May” to be Held on May 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2011 From 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Manager Berry asked the city to take a vote for the use of Union Square for movies in May. This will require a special use permit. Alderman Lail asked if this was consistent with our policy that was currently in place. Manager Berry answered that it is. Alderman Meisner asked about nonprofits. Manager Berry stated that they were listed on page 12.

Alderman Guess stated that in all fairness in the discussion we had a while ago. I noticed that this event also serves alcohol and he doesn't want to reiterate everything that he had just said, but it appears that a lot of our events in the downtown area are focus on and have alcohol involved and he just wants to make that point and reiterate that the Council needs to address that. Alderman Lail stated that that whole alcohol policy is going to have to be evaluated with respect to the wine shop on Union Square and Josh's, because that is all public property. That will have to be considered under the context. Alderman Guess stated that he thinks that there is a difference, to me anyway, from my perspective. If they are a business and serve alcohol, then that is not us, if that is their business... I would not agitate and regulate that... Alder Fox stated that they pay for that space. The Mayor stated that we have nothing to do with the others either, we just allow them to use city space. Alderman Guess stated that in his opinion they were endorsing it. Alderman Lail stated that in any event he moves approval of the item what is before us. Manager Berry stated that first they need to take action related to the item on the agenda and the Council passed this item unanimously. No further discussion ensued.

The Hound is trying to bring this message home to you. Hickory's motto has become "If it ain't broke, break it." Where does this gall come from to continue to try to legislate behavior. What about tolerance? Tolerance is a two way street. Josh is apparently trying to do something outside the box to generate business. What Alderman Guess is showing is that he is not a business savvy Councilman. And where would this end, because this line of thinking can be carried to the extreme. How would he like it if someone attacks the City for having anything construed to be religious on that City owned property and tried to put a stop to that? Will Josh and the Tap Room have to stop serving alcohol to people at the outdoor tables in front of their businesses? Do these Council people want to open this can of worms? Will there be an Octoberfest or Hickory Hops or Swinging Under the Stars, etc.? 

You citizens of Hickory better start speaking up and informing you neighbors about this stuff!!!

Further Matters not on the Agenda
The Mayor mentioned a couple more things related to the Realtors Association. He stated that in talking to the realtors several said that things are looking up, and they had a good feeling. They seem to have an optimism that he has not seen recently.

Alderman Guess mentioned a group from Hickory that has gone to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to help the tornado victims in that area.

The Mayor mentioned the playground for her Zahra Baker. The Kiwanis club and the head of the Greater Hickory Golf Classic foundation stated that the Zahra project will be the focus charity of the event and money will be raised based upon the number of birdies that occur during the golf tournament and there will be a playground at the event in memory of Zahra.

Alder Fox stated that the city of salt was very came to Hickory and looked at operation no vacancy and they are doing a project modeled after Hickory's effort.

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of May 3, 2011 -- Addendum on "The Future of Hickory Alive"

Prologue: The following is a discussion relating to Item E from the Consent Agenda from the May 3, 2011 Hickory City Council meeting. I won't have time to issue the whole newsletter until Thursday at the earliest and I feel that this issue is an issue that deserves to be issued immediately based upon its own merit. Alder Sally Fox had this item pulled from the consent agenda, because she has issues with alcohol being served at the Hickory Alive Events and stated that she wants to have more family friendly events for Downtown.

E. Request From Hickory Downtown Development Association for Use of Union Square for Hickory Alive on June 3, 10, 17, 24 and July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2011 From 5:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.




The Hound wants you to understand that this is the next step after the Drinking Establishment Ordinance that came into effect 2+ years ago. This event has been going on for over two decades and to my knowledge the only incident related to the event came when some people from a Christian Organization attempted to pass out pamphlets 3 years ago.

I haven't attended any of these events in years, but I never noticed any rowdy behavior in those times, but that has been 15 to 20 years ago. I just believe that Alder Fox has an intolerance related to alcohol, especially in public. I don't know whether she drinks or not, and personally I don't care, but some of the comments related to the Drinking Ordinance that she championed nearly three years ago showed that she wants to super regulate the sale of alcohol into areas of her choosing.

Let me say that she was not the biggest objector to alcohol sales at Hickory Alive on this night. That honor would go to Alderman Hank Guess. From his words, I would surmise that he does not want alcohol served at any event that is held on City property. And he was vehement about what he related to be a Principle.

Now folks, I am not supportive of out of control drunken behavior, but I am in favor of people being able to enjoy an adult beverage in a fun atmosphere if that is their choice. What kind of communities have this sort of NO FUN mentality that we see constantly pushed forth by our community's leaders? This is such a negative way to portray this event and my thought is "what's next?" The Mayor mentions Hickory Hops, what about Octoberfest? What will they try to take away next?

In the end, the resolution was passed and Hickory Alive goes on as scheduled in 2011, and Mrs. Fox stated that she was happy with the discussion. You may ask why she was happy with the discussion? Because the Council has promised to study the issue; and from the feelings that I got, I would say that they are going to significantly regulate Hickory Alive in some form or fashion.

I could understand curtailing the hours back to 10pm. Major League Baseball had an issue where attendants were drinking throughout the ball games and there was an incident in 2002 where a fan at a Chicago White Sox game ran out onto the field and attacked the first base coach of the Kansas City Royals. After that, Major League baseball instituted a rule where Alcohol is cut off after the 6th inning. Of course, this doesn't happen in the luxury boxes that control their own alcohol. Once again the wealthy live by a different set of rules than we regular riff-raff, but I do believe that cutting the sales back to 10pm would be reasonable, maybe they already do that, I don't know.

The thing that bothers me is that young people just want to relax after a hard week's work. We should not be throwing the baby out with the bath water even if there are a few rowdies. Do you think that if you ban alcohol that there won't be any alcohol? Do you think other modern cities foster these kinds of attitudes? Prohibitive attitudes never work.

Have you ever been to a college football game? There are no alcohol sales there, but people sneak flasks in in their boots or wife's pocket book. They drink in their car, etc... People are going to drink and you are wasting your time trying to completely 100% stop them. And that is if the events are attractive. People won't go to Hickory Alive if it is a hassle. Is that the goal? To destroy this event? Because Teatotalers are not going to support Hickory Alive. You can bring every Christian Rock band in the world to Union Square, but the Teatotalers are not going to attend.

I am not saying that I am against family friendly events and I do believe that we should have them and they can be economically viable. The Girls Run, the Christmas ceremony, and several other events are very much family focused and people appreciate them. Having concerts and events for families is a great idea and the city should promote that, but this should not be at the expense of existing successful events. This should not be an either/or matter. This should be an and/both matter, especially when one considers the issues that Hickory's Downtown faces. Community leaders should not be throwing up obstacles related to the viability of Union Square. What Union Square needs is more activity, not less. What it needs is less micromanagement, not more. 

I hope that those who attend and enjoy these events will speak up or I can assure you that these events will be gone and it will galvanize these forces to rid our area of something else that doesn't suit their fancy.

May 2, 2011 - Hal Row's First Talk - Mayor & Hickory Hound - Microlending

Microlending has become a focus of many people living in our area since 2008. It is an issue that Harry Hipps ran on during his campaign for Hickory City Council in 2009. It is his baby in relation to the Hickory area. Microlending was first established in Third World Emerging nations, such as India, as a way to facilitate entrepreneurship amongst the poor. Harry first addressed this issue, because we have seen the lack of a credit function in this community and in many ways this relates to the grass roots business development we have seen in these emerging nations.

This issue was also was carried forward by the initial Small Business Task Force and research was executed to establish its legitimacy as a viable economic/financial function in relation to small business start ups. When this issue was brought forward at the City Council retreat of December 2009, our City Manager Mick Berry stated that it was illegal and would not let the presenter even address the issue to the City Council. Our City Council and Mayor's subservience to City Manager Berry stifled the ability to even broach the topic and this was done without question (not a peep). First of all, I have no clue where the City Manager is getting his information, but Microlending functions have been established in Charlotte, NC and San Francisco, CA and various other communities in this nation, which proves that the premise of his information is 100% false.

The most egregious issue is that the Microfinancing wasn't even allowed to be addressed to the Council and therefore no dialogue was allowed to take place related to this Microlending function. That is where I have a BIG problem with Hickory's governance. Most of the time they will listen, in this case they didn't even go that far, but 99% of the time that is all they are going to do. They have made up their minds about processes before they have even been initially discussed. Once again No Communicado - No Comprende!!! That is not open mindedness and that is not leadership. What human is going to truly support that kind of leadership? Other than gullible sheeple.

You have seen me espouse this issue many times before related to the duplicity on the issues that face the community. The Mayor in this presentation talks about needing to know a little more. He had the opportunity in December 2009 to hear a lot more about MicroLending/Microcapital/Microfinancing, but he chose to allow the City Manager to take charge and not allow the issue to be addressed. How sad that a couple of years have wasted away. This issue, by the way, had been discussed a lot by the Task Force that Mayor Wright personally created earlier that year.

I have been told personally that a Microlending function would be very helpful to Innovators who have had contact with the Manufacturing Solutions Center. Dan St. Louis, the head of the center, said that sometimes these people might only need a few hundred or a few thousand dollars. These people are usually working full time jobs and have families. In this economy, their personal budgets are stretched and they don't have money laying around to help with their side venture, so it is put on hold. So our economy is put on hold by the shortsightedness of a leadership looking to protect some theoretical interest that may not even exist.

What do I mean? Well, I have three friends that are in the Multimedia business. Alan Jackson does marketing research at The Jackson Group, Houston Harris does website development at Pixelspace, and Pat Appleson has his own multimedia studio called Pat Appleson Studios. In some areas, all of their businesses overlap and they can all do one another's core business model tasks. They don't cry about competition, because they know that their businesses can feed off of one another. I have never heard one of these guys crying about competition and worrying about someone eating their lunch. What they talk about is the need to get this local Hickory economy rolling again. What they are talking about is the slow velocity of business in our local community. What they are talking about is the lack of turnover of business activity.

In my opinion, the Mayor is only looking at ways to split up the existing pie and make sure that the CLUB is protected. That is what runs Hickory is a Club and you need to fit into that Club and its mentality to move forward in this community. They are always saying that we need to bring our ideas to them and they are looking for the "Right" investment. Well, with the stodgy, risk averse mentality of a lot of the Old School boys that I have had the privilege to know, they are going to constantly harp on why something won't work and if its a good idea they might find a way to steal it from you. That is the dilemma we face in this community.

The Banks in this community have pulled back on their lending and that is understandable. We have seen one local bank that lost their A-double-you know whats playing the Credit derivatives game on Wall Street and they are merging with a bank that settled a huge fine for participating in a Ponzi Scheme. I can assure you, that bank isn't going to be making any bold lending moves. They will be lucky to survive. I haven't seen these so called investors that the Mayor speaks of stepping up to the plate.

That is the reason why we need alternative sources of capital, and microlending is a good start. All anyone wants is the City to be supportive of this process. No one is looking for a handout. No local government official can give you a valid reason not to try this. We have got to do something. We have got to try some things. The Mayor was throwing around a $20 million figure. Well, if you've got $20 million, then I'll call your bluff and I won't even raise the stakes. Put $1 million into a Microlending trust. Draw up contracts to get the money back and eventually you can decide after ten years whether you want to leave that money in there for the public good or take it out and use it for something else for the public good. But, make no mistake, that is not the government's money. Any money the City of Hickory has is not the government's money. That is the people's money and it is a lot more valid to use it for this purpose than to put up another awning or facade Downtown. These little renovations will give some person a job for a day or two; this Microlending function can change the economic environment around here and create jobs that will last a lifetime.