Platform for a 21st Century Hickory - Independent Boards and Commissions

2) Independent Boards and Commissions - to lend a non-partisan perspective to the intended purpose/mission of the group. We need policies related to Nepotism and adherence to guidelines of term limits so that members of boards and commissions are not actual proxies of City Council members. We should not see business partners of Council members serving under Council members on Boards, Commissions, and Task Forces where there can be even a perception of a conflict of interest.

Openings should be filled promptly without delays. Citizens who ask to be on Boards and Commissions should have the opportunity to serve, if not a fair hearing and appeal process should be available.

This is not a dreamed up concern about a non-existent or anticipated issue. We have seen too many situations where City Council members immediate family are serving on these Boards and Commissions. We have seen where  business partners have served on task forces that weighed issues that can affect the business partnership. We have seen where people have filled out paper work to participate on various Boards and Commissions and been ignored and never appointed to any position, much less a desired position.

Through the last several years, we have been told how hard it is to fill the seats on these various Boards and Commissions, but we know of people who have gone through the process and never been appointed. Time and time again the Mayor has reiterated that 200 people serve on various Boards and Ccommissions, which is .5% of the Hickory Population of 40,010 (Newsletter - City Council meeting - July 19, 2011). We have seen the same circle of people rotate on and off various Boards and Commissions, when there were term limits, and we have seen what appear to be Lifetime Appointments to Boards and Commissions where there are no defined term limits. Every Board and Commission should be term limited. We have seen positions continuously go unfilled, when we know there are people who have filled out paperwork to serve.

Why is all of this happening? Because the leaders of this community want to control the productivity, findings, and message of the Boards and Commissions to meet their personal desires. Certain people in the community who have done nothing more than express concerns have been labeled as "Trouble Makers". The "Powers That Be" do not seem to want the checks and balances that come with Independence and Critical Thought. Unfortunately for all of us, that is how the best ideas and processes that lead to success happen. At the end of the day, as we have seen, the City Council will have the final say any way. Why the problem with people who lend a fresh perspective or take a second look at issues that this community faces? Why do they feel it necessary to stack the deck?

Platform for a 21st Century Hickory - Term Limits

1) Term Limits - We need to break the cycle of having Mayors and City Council members that serve on the bench for a generation. Thank You for your service, but such a system lends itself to stagnation. We need inspiring leaders to inspire citizens. It is time for fresh new ideas. We need to encourage people to serve on the Council and then move on to seek other offices or other ways to participate in the political system and to turn over the reins to others to create more depth to the community's leadership and varied interests.

Economic Stories of Relevance in Today's World -- August 11, 2013

It's time to look out for the middle class!

Billionaire Issues Chilling Warning About Interest Rate Derivatives - The Economic Collapse Blog - Michael Snyder - August 5th, 2013 - Will rapidly rising interest rates rip through the U.S. financial system like a giant lawnmower blade? Yes, the U.S. economy survived much higher interest rates in the past, but at that time there were not hundreds of trillions of dollars worth of interest rate derivatives hanging over our financial system like a Sword of Damocles. This is something that I have been talking about for quite some time, and now a Mexican billionaire has come forward with a similar warning. Hugo Salinas Price was the founder of the Elektra retail chain down in Mexico, and he is extremely concerned that rising interest rates could burst the derivatives bubble and cause "massive bankruptcies around the globe". Of course there are a whole lot of people out there that would be quite glad to see the "too big to fail" banks go bankrupt, but the truth is that if they go down our entire economy will go down with them. Our situation is similar to a patient with a very advanced stage of cancer. You can try to kill the cancer with drugs, but you will almost certainly kill the patient at the same time. Well, that is essentially what our relationship with the big banks is like. Our entire economic system is based on credit, and just like we saw back in 2008, if the big banks start failing credit freezes up and suddenly nobody can get any money for anything. When the next great credit crunch comes, every important number in our economy will rapidly start getting much worse.                       The big banks are going to play a starring role in the next financial crash just like they did in the last one. Only this next crash may be quite a bit worse. Just check out what billionaire Hugo Salinas Price told King World News recently...                Right now, there are about 441 trillion dollars of interest rate derivatives sitting out there.  If interest rates stay about where they are right now and they don't go much higher, we will be fine.  But if they start going much higher, all bets will be off and we could see financial carnage on a scale that we have never seen before.
                          And at the moment the big banks have got to behave themselves because the government is investigating allegations that they have been cheating pension funds and other investors out of millions of dollars by manipulating the trading of interest rate derivatives.  The following is from an article that the Telegraph posted on Friday...


Internet TVs may drive consumers to cut pay TV cord - USA Today - Mike Snider - August 8, 2013 - Most likely to cancel their pay-TV service? Owners of Internet-connected TVs.                  Those with TVs connected to the Net are twice as likely as those with non-Internet-connected TVs to be "highly inclined" to cancel their current pay-TV service, finds a new study from research firm The Diffusion Group.                    Overall, about 7% of pay-TV subscribers said they were highly likely to cancel their service in the next six months, the firm's survey of 1,878 pay-TV users conducted during the first quarter of 2013 found. But those who had connected their TVs to the Net had even higher rates of cord-cutting potential. Nearly 9% (8.8%) said they were highly likely to cut the cord, compared with 3.5% of those who had not connected their TV to the Net.                      Industry observers have expected that high-speed Internet connectivity and the availability of online video from services such as Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and Hulu would lead to consumers cutting or trimming pay-TV bills.                            Today there are many ways to get online video to the TV — game consoles, Blu-ray players, set-top boxes — and many TVs have Wi-Fi and apps on board. Net-connected TVs appear to be a significant factor that spurs cord cutting, says Michael Greeson, president of The Diffusion Group.                        "Something has happened in the minds of these consumers when they have been exposed to these online video services via these Net-connected TVs," he says. "They are more likely to cut the cord because of the availability of these other services."                          Overall, pay TV providers lost about 210,000 video subscribers in the second quarter of 2013, says Vijay Jayant of the International Strategy and Investment Group. Cable losses of about 420,000 and satellite TV losses of 160,000, were partially offset by 370,000 subscribers gained by telecom companies such as AT&T and Verizon.                              Pay-TV penetration peaked from 2006 to 2009 at about 82% of U.S. homes, according to                        PricewaterhouseCoopers. That's likely to fall to 79% in 2014, the consulting firm estimates.
TV providers have tried to hold onto subscribers by bundling TV, telephone and other services, as well as adding access to programming on tablets and smartphones.                            But the growth in Net TV and cost of programming — as evidenced by the ongoing dispute between CBS and Time Warner Cable — "is almost like a perfect storm" that's unraveling the traditional pay-TV providers' grip. "They are not going to be the only game in town, and they are losing their leverage," Greeson says.


Trading Economics - A look at Debt/GDP/Growth/Population Indices



Dr. Paul Craig Roberts - Former US Treasury Official, Co-Founder of Reaganomics, Economist & Acclaimed Author - Dr. Paul Craig Roberts is an American economist, a columnist and recent author of “The Failure Of Laissez Faire Capitalism”. He served as an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in the Reagan Administration earning fame as a co-founder of Reaganomics. He is a former editor and columnist for the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, and Scripps Howard News Service. Dr. Roberts has testified before congressional committees on 30 occasions on issues of economic policy. He has also written extensively that during the 21st century the Bush and Obama administrations have destroyed the US Constitution's protections of Americans' civil liberties and has been a critic of both Democratic and Republican administrations.

King World News Interview - August 11, 2013



Gerald Celente - Founder & Director of the Trends Research Institute - Gerald has had a long track record of making some of the most controversial, yet correct calls in terms of global trends and events. In fact, many consider Gerald to be the top trends forecaster in the world. Gerald has been quoted and interviewed in media throughout the world such as, CNBC, Fox, CBS, ABC, NBC, BBC, Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Financial Times, U.S. News, World Report, The Economist, L.A. Times, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, and more.

King World News Interview - August 10, 2013


Young People drowning in Student Loan Debt

Union? Unity? - Really? - Reality

I saw the PAC that was formed by the Duke of Grace Chapel Carlton Huffman and was saddened to see Nancy Willingham is still mad that I supported Brad Lail over her back in 2007. It wasn't a personal thing. I just felt he was the better candidate at the time and I have known him most of my life. Brad probably isn't too happy with me these days either, since he knows that I know that it was his family that were the most significant contributors to bringing Rudy Wright to office back in 2001.

Then there is George Moretz, he is the person who Rudy ran to when I put the debate up from the Republican Women's luncheon last year. All I was trying to do was let the people of this community hear the opposing points of view about the issues concerning the referendum. I didn't hide the microphone. Rudy just wasn't paying attention and he hasn't been anywhere that I haven't recorded something, I honestly don't understand why he wouldn't have thought I was recording. It wasn't as if it was a Knight's of the Round Table meeting or something. What is all the hush-hush secrecy all about? I think it is that Rudy isn't comfortable with give and take.

While George Moretz was the Chairman of the Republican Party his precinct in Hickory, Oakland Heights, could not find a precinct chair. He has money and he'll throw it around and that works to a great extent, but he can't move a party forward. George is obviously a lot better at spending money destroying things than building things. We obviously can't go toe-to-toe with the Company owners of the Company Town. Funny thing is that the Catawba County Republican Party had more money in the bank before he took the chairmanship than after. This is a party that has twice the constituency the Democrats have here in Catawba County.

Back in 2004, he spent around $2 million to come in fourth (out of four) in the Congressional Republican Primary race. Not only that, but he was such a sore loser that he aimed to take down Sheriff David Huffman and was obviously successful in the run-off. That is the type of unity that George Moretz aspires to. He took down our Catawba County Representative and we haven't had a representative in the U.S. House since. And now the entire county's congressional representation is divided -- probably permanently. Now that's effective leadership....

Josh Shampo has obviously been given the floor by John Miller of the Hickory Daily Record on their Editorial page to attack Dr. Inglefield over national issues. Josh has made it personal. People that personally know Jody are laughing at the mischaracterizations, but realize it is effective with those who don't know Jody. Josh is pretty young and I was probably a lot like that when I was his age too. He'll learn about picking and choosing the bridges you burn.  Carlton has sent the young man out to do his bidding for him. Carlton being up in Washington DC these days needs the surrogate. We'll see if Josh gets the paycheck from this Union PAC like Carlton and Eddie Jolly did last year from the Backward's coalition.

Speaking of Eddie Jolly, he was in the paper twice the other day. On page three he was listed as a Caldwell County resident when standing on the bridge with the Impeach Obama sign on the 321 Granite Falls overpass and was listed as a Hickory resident on the editorial page (page four) where he was disparaging Dr. Jody Inglefield over National Democrat Party issues.

Let's remember that this is the same Eddie Jolly who was forced to shut down his Granite Falls pirate radio station back in 2009 by the Federal Communications Commission, because he did not and would not pay a licensing fee to operate over the public airwaves. He was set to be fined thousands of dollars when he was forced to resign himself to the fate of the law being the law. The law didn't mean much until it was going to hit his wallet.

These are the people who want to talk about people coming together and working towards the common good, but they are the ones that labeled the CEG with the ACORN label last year. They are the ones that don't want people to have the facts or to talk about the issues that truly affect Hickory. And they don't mind lying like they have when they have said Dr. Inglefield wants a $5 million swimming pool or that Dr. Inglefield said that Zahra Baker would still be alive if there was a swimming pool. These are blatant lies that people who truly seek "Unity" would not be spreading.

I have seen my friend Joe Brannock disparaged in much the same manner. Disparaged because he had the audacity to call some city council members out for the insider games that have been going on in Hickory for years. The bullying and abuse towards citizens that dare to stand up to the machine will likely carry on, because those who could stop it don't seem to care and/or endorse it.

Joe Brannock has paid a price for standing up to the machine. It has cost him employment. It has affected his personal life. I have also paid a price. People say they are your friend, but they never seem to have your back when it counts. All because we truly care about this community where we were born and raised and we reach out to people of all walks of life. We are labeled trouble makers for questioning authority and the local political machine. We aren't trying to tear anything down. We are only asking for what the public is entitled to!

We aren't opportunists. We aren't seeking to take advantage of people or situations for ourselves. Joe and I aren't making the bucks and Dr. Inglefield doesn't even have to be involved -- his practice is one of the most successful in the Southeastern U.S. He kicks plenty of money into everything that is Hickory. We aren't selfish. We are seeking to open the doors for opportunity for all in this community. Those were the principles that this nation was founded upon. We are transparent. We seek liberty and freedom.

You ask anyone who has met any of us and not a one will say anything bad about our personal beings. I think that most would label us as good mannered, educated, knowledgeable gentleman.  Speaking for myself, please question my integrity and I will prove it.

Finally, my predictions for who the Union PAC will support.... Drum Roll Please... It's the only thing transparent about these people... Rudy Wright, David Zagaroli, and Hank Guess... but you knew that anyway.

11 Governors, 10 Presidents and 4?

Since 1958, 55 years ago, we have had 11 different Governors in North Carolina, 10 different Presidents of the United States, and 4 Mayors in Hickory, NC. What doesn't fit? 

Ignorance is not knowing better.

Stupidity is knowing better, but doing it anyway.

Insanity is doing it over and over again, but expecting a different result.

There are so many people who think they are free thinkers, but their thoughts are firmly entrenched inside the box. Anyone who lives a life outside of the box is considered dangerous to those who are tethered to the box. Who stands a better chance of doing great things. Those of you inside the box limit yourselves, while aiming to limit others.

A great friend of mine has a saying, "In an insane world it is the truly insane who appear to be sane."

When you tether yourself to certain realities in a historically ever changing world, then you are the problem, not the solution.

You keep doing what you are doing and you're gonna get what you've got!

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of August 6, 2013

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

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





Agenda about the City Council meeting of August 6, 2013

Aldemen Meisner and Lail were not present


Special Presentations
A. (2:00) - Presentation of Quilt by Kenworth Neighborhood Representatives Martha Espey,Tessie Dillingham, Kelly Walker

Persons Requesting to Be Heard
A. (8:18) - Jim Starkey - Homeless Veterans Standdown Program and Veterand helping Veterans  - Speaking on the Issue of Homelessness and Grace House Day Shelter
B.  (11:53) - Roger Cornette - Open Door Homeless Relief Program - Speaking on the Issue of Homelessness
C.  (15:40) - Judy Walker - Cognitive Connection - Speaking on the Issue of Homelessness
D.  (22:20) - Pastor Jack McConnell – Grace House Homeless Day Program - Spoke about the history and purpose of the program that focuses on homelessness.
E.* ( 1:49:25) -  Levi Helton spoke about the Homelessness issue and spoke about the meaning of the Declaration of Independence and reminded the City Council that Jesus Christ was a Homeless person too.



The Hound - there is something definitely going on in the background related to homelessness. Some people have an out of sight is out of mind mindset when it comes to homelessness in this community. As you can see, there are plenty of people who are taking this issue on head on.  This is an issue that has grown dramatically since the economy went south in this community. No one is laying blame on anyone for the cause of these issues, but one can certainly lay blame when people choose to deny the issue and not take positive steps to address it.

The Mayor brought up an issue of someone urinating in public at the last city council meeting. The undercurrent of some of what has been said by organizations in the downtown area along with the introduction of the Mayor's comments at the last city council meeting obviously brought these people out that support benevolent efforts that support homelessness to this meeting. If they want to be effective, then they will have to stay engaged and continue to come to City Council meetings.
 


New Business - Public Hearings
1. (27:10) - Rezoning Petition 13-10 for Property Located on 28th Street SE, containing 3.32 acres. Cal Overby presentation. This property is located directly across from CVCC west campus and directly east of the WalMart/Lowe's Complex.

Roger Cornette and Levi Helton thought this issue involved Grace House. When they found out that there was no issue involving Grace House they apologized and Levi Helton asked to speak and was granted the right to speak later in the meeting.

Charles Dixon spoke on behalf of the Roseman Family partnership in asking for approval of the Rezoning for expansion of the business. The Council unanimously approved this rezoning.

New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Public Services Director, Chuck Hansen – Flood Recovery Update

(40:40) Karyn Yaussy , Emergency Management Coordinator of Catawba County spoke first. Chuck Hansen introduced Police Chief Adkins (50:05) who spoke next about the Emergency Communications Center and had emergency 911 calls that were played related to the weather damage.  (1:10:20) Chuck Hansen the director of Public Works addressed the infrastructure issues that resulted from the storm and its aftermath. (1:33:50) Fire Chief Hollar spoke anout the rescue and structural involving the storm.  (1:42:30) Chuck Hanson wrapped up the presentation summarizing the overall effort.

2. (1:53:50) Quarterly Financial Report - as presented by Assistant City Manager Warren Wood.

The Hound - In summary, this is where everything was at about where it was at three months ago.

What are they hiding?

16 months and counting...