Porker of the Month: Sen. Carl Levin
Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) has named Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) Porker of the Month for inserting a provision in the Fiscal 2009 National Defense Authorization Act that gives earmarks contained in the act’s committee report the force of law. President Bush issued an Executive Order on January 29, 2008 instructing government agencies not to fund any earmarks contained in committee reports, or based on any other non-statutory source, such as phone calls from members of Congress. In a brazen attempt to gut the Executive Order, Sen. Levin’s provision incorporates the earmarks listed in the authorization bill’s committee report into the statute itself, making the earmarks “a requirement in law.” For attempting to circumvent the president’s Executive Order and make earmarking the taxpayers' money easier, CAGW names Sen. Levin the September 2008 Porker of the Month.
Read more about the Porker of the Month.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Burning Down The American Dream
How is it that America finds itself on the edge of what establishment Washington and Wall Street see as financial ruin? This video, which has gone viral online the past two days, tells the story nicely in 10 minutes.
update,
wall street journal article on fannie mae and freddie mac CLICKHERE
update,
wall street journal article on fannie mae and freddie mac CLICKHERE
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Greensboro City Council Member Robbie Perkins and Local Developer Roy Carroll are Ethically Challenged
As you can see by this picture it seems that Greensboro City Council Member Robbie Perkins has struck up a relationship with local developer Roy Carroll who is building a new downtown high rise called Center Pointe.
Sweeping new ethics laws should limit the influence of developers and other special interests on city and county governments as witnessed by Roy Carroll and his Political Action Committee called North Carolinians for Leadership in Government, here is a list of the lucky local politician recipients of Developer Roy Carroll's Political Action Committee this past year ;
Kirk Gibson $1,000 4/23/08 Note this is what is on his form with no address. I am sure it was meant for Kirk Perkins Guilford County Commissioner
Paul Gibson $1,000 4/23/08. Guilford County Commissioner
10/16/2007
DIANE BELLAMY-SMALL Greensboro City Council Member
GREENSBORO, NC
Operating Expense
CONTRIBUTION
Check
$1000.0
10/16/2007
ROBBIE PERKINS Future Ethically challenged Mayor of Greensboro
GREENSBORO, NC
Operating Expense
CONTRIBUTION
Check
$1000.00
10/16/2007
SANDRA ANDERSON GROAT Greensboro City Council Member
GREENSBORO, NC
Operating Expense
CONTRIBUTION
Check
$1000.00 (lost check on 10-16 got another check for $965.00)
10/16/2007
TRUDY WADE Ex Guilford County Commissioner now Greensboro City Council
GREENSBORO, NC
Operating Expense
CONTRIBUTION
Check
$1000.00
10/16/2007
YVONNE JOHNSON Mayor of Greensboro
GREENSBORO, NC
Operating Expense
CONTRIBUTIONS
Check
$1000.00
10/16/2007
ZACK MATHENY Greensboro City Council
GREENSBORO, NC
Operating Expense
CONTRIBUTION
Check
$1000.00
It seems strange that this PAC gave checks out to all candidates on the same day. Just an observation.
New laws should dramatically limit campaign contributions and beef up disclosure requirements from Developers and local politicians in this State of North Carolina especially in Guilford County where many local politicians are so ethically challenged or wouldn't know a conflict of interest if it hit them over the head.
Let's hope our State Representatives will bring ethics from the state level to the local level into meaningful laws to disclose financial relationships like the one between Greensboro City Council Member Robbie Perkins and local Developer Roy Carroll. Also if Roy Carroll ever has a zoning case before the Greensboro City Council that Robbie Perkins will recuse himself from those cases.
Monday, September 22, 2008
North Carolina Conflicts of Interest at It's Best Compliments from NCDOT, Appraisal Board, and State Sen. Hoyle
"Back on September 7, 2008 the Charlotte Observer reports this CLICKHERE. David Hoyle North Carolina State Senator Democrat from Gaston County, stands to profit off parkway.The Gaston Democrat invested in land near a proposed exit, then voted for the expressway. The lawmaker says he was unaware the exit was so close when he invested."
"Now let's move to September 21, 2008 the Raleigh News and Observer reports this CLICKHERE . Road work enhanced official's property.Board of Transportation member Louis W. Sewell Jr. says all projects he backed were in the public interest.A state Board of Transportation member from Jacksonville steered roughly $375,000 in public money to road improvements adjacent to properties that he or a son co-owned at the time."
Now let's move to September 22, 2008 the Greensboro News and Record reports this CLICKHERE or click title of story above. Senate leader Democrat Marc Basnight has appointed a real estate lawyer to the North Carolina Appraisal Board, an apparent violation of a state law that requires the seat be filled by someone not involved in the real estate profession.
_______________________________________________________
This type of corruption is sad to see but if you look further in to some of these stories you can see a pattern for all to witness right here in Guilford County Politics.
Here is what was said in the third report above.
In North Carolina, the investigation showed the board has allowed appraisers who have been disciplined over and over to stay in business. Many repeat offenders had their suspensions reduced if they agreed to take appraiser education classes.
Ipock and others attributed those problem in part to the North Carolina's "good old boy system - where all the appraisers and board members know each other."
They said the board has been reluctant to discipline repeat offenders.
"That's why we need people outside the industry on the board," Ipock said
As you can see there is a good old boy system set up on these boards and commissions on the state level, just like locally where the good old boy network is plain to see on the Greensboro Board of Adjustment, Zoning Board, Land Development Ordinance Committee and Planning Board where the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition (TREBIC) behind the scenes make the moves.
Let's also take a look at 2 local Greensboro City Council Members by the name of Robbie Perkins and Zack Matheny who went on a land grab out off of Highway 68 with anonymous investors knowing that a future interstate connector road will be going in that area in future. As reported on TRIADWATCH CLICKHERE . I hope they don't try to get NCDOT Chairman Doug Galyon to curry any favors for their property off of Highway 68 because it will be obvious what they are trying to do in future, and the good old boys will get exposed.
"Now let's move to September 21, 2008 the Raleigh News and Observer reports this CLICKHERE . Road work enhanced official's property.Board of Transportation member Louis W. Sewell Jr. says all projects he backed were in the public interest.A state Board of Transportation member from Jacksonville steered roughly $375,000 in public money to road improvements adjacent to properties that he or a son co-owned at the time."
Now let's move to September 22, 2008 the Greensboro News and Record reports this CLICKHERE or click title of story above. Senate leader Democrat Marc Basnight has appointed a real estate lawyer to the North Carolina Appraisal Board, an apparent violation of a state law that requires the seat be filled by someone not involved in the real estate profession.
_______________________________________________________
This type of corruption is sad to see but if you look further in to some of these stories you can see a pattern for all to witness right here in Guilford County Politics.
Here is what was said in the third report above.
In North Carolina, the investigation showed the board has allowed appraisers who have been disciplined over and over to stay in business. Many repeat offenders had their suspensions reduced if they agreed to take appraiser education classes.
Ipock and others attributed those problem in part to the North Carolina's "good old boy system - where all the appraisers and board members know each other."
They said the board has been reluctant to discipline repeat offenders.
"That's why we need people outside the industry on the board," Ipock said
As you can see there is a good old boy system set up on these boards and commissions on the state level, just like locally where the good old boy network is plain to see on the Greensboro Board of Adjustment, Zoning Board, Land Development Ordinance Committee and Planning Board where the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition (TREBIC) behind the scenes make the moves.
Let's also take a look at 2 local Greensboro City Council Members by the name of Robbie Perkins and Zack Matheny who went on a land grab out off of Highway 68 with anonymous investors knowing that a future interstate connector road will be going in that area in future. As reported on TRIADWATCH CLICKHERE . I hope they don't try to get NCDOT Chairman Doug Galyon to curry any favors for their property off of Highway 68 because it will be obvious what they are trying to do in future, and the good old boys will get exposed.
If you can see by what has been reported that conflicts of interest, good old boy network and ethical problems are rampant in this state and need to come to a halt. We need to hold our politicians to a standard that is free of conflicts , and have ethical standards for a change.Sometimes politicians are like diapers they need changing. It might be time to change the diapers in plenty of local and state races.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Greensboro Zoning Commission is in a Mess that Needs Fixing, MEMO from City Attorney
The Greensboro Zoning Commission is in need of new leadership and to see a memorandum and the response from City Attorney Terry Wood, it looks like the Zoning Commission is in need of an overhaul . I am sure in the October Zoning Commission meetings they will need to vote on a new leader and vice chair..
Let's see what the memorandum had to say from Zoning Commission member Cyndy Hayworth and the response from the City Attorney Mr. Terry Wood. Courtesy of the Freedom of Information Act., and thanks to Mr. Wood for the response to my inquiry on the issue, he is a breath of fresh air at the City Attorney's office.
NOTE (The date in memorandum from Cyndy Hayworth says September 20, 2008 but should say September 17, 2008 the attachment from Mr. Wood has it as September 20th, don't know why)
________________________________________________________
MEMORANDUM
TO: Attorney Terry Wood - City of Greensboro Legal Department
CC: Mayor Yvonne Johnson – City of Greensboro
Mitch Johnson – Greensboro City Manager
Richard Hails - Greensboro Planning Department
Members Greensboro Zoning Commission
Members Greensboro City Council
FROM: Cyndy Hayworth
DATE: September 20, 2008
SUBJECT: Zoning Commission Election Procedures
In July, 2008 there were several conversations between Zoning Commission members in reference to the scheduled election of Chair and Vice Chair at the August meeting. During these conversations Greensboro City Attorney, Terry Wood, stated that there usually was not an election per se, but that seniority dictated the appointment of these positions. Taking into consideration that this was the method used, Tony Collins, outgoing Chair, suggested that using the past process would make Paul Gilmer Chair and Susan Spangler Vice Chair.
In an effort to obtain procedural information I referred to the Manual on Greensboro Zoning Commission, Section I Rules of Procedure which stated in Subsection II-A: “Chairman and Vice Chairman. A Chairman and Vice Chairman shall be elected by the Commission and shall serve for such time as may be fixed by the Commission. The Chairman shall decide all matters of order and procedure, subject to these rules, unless directed otherwise by a majority of the commission at the time. Should the Chairman and Vice Chairman be absent at any meeting, the commission shall elect a temporary chairman to serve at the meeting.”
In July, 2008 I contacted Attorney Terry Wood of the City of Greensboro Legal Department to clarify the process to elect the Chair and Vice Chair of the Greensboro Zoning Commission. Attorney Wood stated that for in the past the senior members served as Chair and Vice Chair and this had been the method for several years. I asked for clarification of the election process detailed in the manual and Attorney Wood stated that the process would have to be adhered to and an election would have to take place. It was pointed out that if the previous process was used the current Vice Chair was not eligible for reappointment as listed on the City of Greensboro August 2008 Expiration's list.
At the August, 2008 Greensboro Zoning Commission meeting, an election was held and former Vice Chair, Paul Gilmer was elected Chairman with Susan Spangler elected Vice Chair.
At the September, 2008 Zoning Commission meeting the elected Chair was in attendance but could not act as Chairman due to the replacement appointment of Ralph Johnson by Greensboro City Council member T. Diane Bellemy-Small. This appointment was passed by the City Council as replacement of Paul Gilmer’s expired term.
If the former Vice Chair was ineligible, why was he elected to the Chair position? Please advise the legal implication of the last election and what procedures we are to use moving forward. Also, is the qualification of how the election is held based on seniority?
_______________________________________________________
Here is the response from Greensboro City Attorney Terry Wood:
MEMORANDUM
Date: September 18, 2008
To: Cyndy Hayworth
From: A. Terry Wood, City Attorney
Re: Zoning Commission Election Procedures
This correspondence shall serve to address and clarify the points raised in your memorandum of September 17, 2008. Given the fact that the former Chair, Tony Collins, would no longer be a member of the Zoning Commission, the election of a new Chair and Vice Chair was required. This election requirement is pursuant to Section IIA of the Rules of Procedure of the Greensboro Zoning Commission which you correctly cited in your Memorandum. It was not my intent to represent to anyone that an election was unnecessary. If the custom in prior elections was for the Commission to elect a Chair and Vice Chair in accordance with seniority, such a custom would not be legally objectionable and might well be followed either by majority vote or by unanimous consent. However, an election based on seniority would merely be a courtesy and is not a legal requirement.
The former Vice Chair, Paul Gilmer was indeed not eligible for the reappointment by City Council because his allowed tenure had expired. See Greensboro Code Sec. 2-139. However, pursuant to Section 2-141 of the Greensboro Code of Ordinances, “[A]ll members of a board or commission shall hold office until successors are appointed and qualified.” At the time of the August 2008 Zoning Commission meeting, Mr. Gilmer continued to hold office since a successor had yet to be appointed and qualified. As a result, Mr. Gilmer remained eligible to serve as a Chair or Vice-Chair of the Zoning Commission during the holdover period of his term.
Moving forward, given the fact that Mr. Gilmer is no longer a member of the Zoning Commission, it is advisable that the Commission hold an election at its October meeting to select a new Chair. Such an election may be made on whatever basis each individual Commissioner, in good conscience, decides. An election awarding seniority is not required, yet it is permissible.
To iterate:
1. If the former Vice Chair was ineligible, why was he elected to the Chair position?
Answer: Although he was ineligible for reappointment for an additional term, pursuant to Code Sec. 2-141, he was still a holdover Commission Member until his replacement had been appointed and qualified. Since he continued to be a Commissioner he had the full benefits of membership and could hold the position of Chair.
2. Please advise the legal implication of the last election and what procedures we are to use moving forward.
Answer: I assume the “last election” is the one held at the August 2008 meeting at which Mr. Gilmer was elected Chair. Since Mr. Gilmer’s replacement has been appointed and is serving there should be an election held at the October 2008 meeting to elect a Chair. Ms. Spangler can Chair the election process. The vote shall be by nomination and majority vote of the Commission if unanimity cannot be obtained.
3. Is the qualification of how the election is held based on seniority?
Answer: Seniority is a custom or a courtesy it is not a legal requirement of the Commission. Each member may vote their conscience without regard to seniority.
_______________________________________________________
Now let's take a closer look at the Greensboro Zoning Commission and their ties to the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition.(TREBIC)
1. Susan Spangler who at the moment is the Chairman till they vote in October 2008 is the daughter of Doug Galyon NCDOT Board Member and is also with Collins and Galyon CLICKHERE general contractors , a bronze member of TREBIC. Susan Spangler is also married to Timothy Spangler with Laughlin-Sutton Construction , and who's brother is a partner with Tony Collin's at Collins and Galyon who was the past Chairman of the Zoning Commission till a few months ago . So you had 2 members of the Zoning Commission who have major ties to TREBIC from one company and back in 2006 Ex- Vice Chairman Paul Gilmer and Tony Collins were Executive Committee Members of TREBIC. Well isn't that relationship so nice to point out for everyone to see.
2. Raymond Trapp, works for the Triad Apartment Association CLICKHERE as a Executive Director. They are also members of TREBIC and who comes in front of the Zoning Board plenty of times, companies wanting to rezone properties for apartments and you have a member of the Apartment Association on the zoning board . Well isn't that relationship so nice to point out for all to see.
3. Mary Skenes a new member of the Zoning Board works for Yost and Little Real Estate. Yost and Little is also a Bronze member of TREBIC. She was appointed by Mike Barber and Mary Skenes is also Mike Barber's campaign treasurer. So now we have a person new on the board who in looking at her resume is a part of the problem not the solution.
4. Patti Eckard CLICKHERE works for ReMax Realty, where ReMax is a bronze member of TREBIC.
5. Evelyn Miller works for the Koury Corporation, who are Gold Members of TREBIC. People with ties to the Koury corporation are some of the biggest campaign contributors to local politicians.
The Greensboro Zoning Commission has 5 out of 9 members with ties to TREBIC, isn't that relationship nice to point out. The slamming of boards and commissions with ties to TREBIC needs to stop. Maybe with a new Chairman or Vice Chairman with no ties to TREBIC might be a change for the better on the Zoning Commission. Let's hope that the 5 members above won't be a part of the chair or vice chair positions. We will see what October brings for this commission but it seems like this memo was a way to say that this is not how the process of seniority should have been done and it is time to do it by the book.
Let's see what the memorandum had to say from Zoning Commission member Cyndy Hayworth and the response from the City Attorney Mr. Terry Wood. Courtesy of the Freedom of Information Act., and thanks to Mr. Wood for the response to my inquiry on the issue, he is a breath of fresh air at the City Attorney's office.
NOTE (The date in memorandum from Cyndy Hayworth says September 20, 2008 but should say September 17, 2008 the attachment from Mr. Wood has it as September 20th, don't know why)
________________________________________________________
MEMORANDUM
TO: Attorney Terry Wood - City of Greensboro Legal Department
CC: Mayor Yvonne Johnson – City of Greensboro
Mitch Johnson – Greensboro City Manager
Richard Hails - Greensboro Planning Department
Members Greensboro Zoning Commission
Members Greensboro City Council
FROM: Cyndy Hayworth
DATE: September 20, 2008
SUBJECT: Zoning Commission Election Procedures
In July, 2008 there were several conversations between Zoning Commission members in reference to the scheduled election of Chair and Vice Chair at the August meeting. During these conversations Greensboro City Attorney, Terry Wood, stated that there usually was not an election per se, but that seniority dictated the appointment of these positions. Taking into consideration that this was the method used, Tony Collins, outgoing Chair, suggested that using the past process would make Paul Gilmer Chair and Susan Spangler Vice Chair.
In an effort to obtain procedural information I referred to the Manual on Greensboro Zoning Commission, Section I Rules of Procedure which stated in Subsection II-A: “Chairman and Vice Chairman. A Chairman and Vice Chairman shall be elected by the Commission and shall serve for such time as may be fixed by the Commission. The Chairman shall decide all matters of order and procedure, subject to these rules, unless directed otherwise by a majority of the commission at the time. Should the Chairman and Vice Chairman be absent at any meeting, the commission shall elect a temporary chairman to serve at the meeting.”
In July, 2008 I contacted Attorney Terry Wood of the City of Greensboro Legal Department to clarify the process to elect the Chair and Vice Chair of the Greensboro Zoning Commission. Attorney Wood stated that for in the past the senior members served as Chair and Vice Chair and this had been the method for several years. I asked for clarification of the election process detailed in the manual and Attorney Wood stated that the process would have to be adhered to and an election would have to take place. It was pointed out that if the previous process was used the current Vice Chair was not eligible for reappointment as listed on the City of Greensboro August 2008 Expiration's list.
At the August, 2008 Greensboro Zoning Commission meeting, an election was held and former Vice Chair, Paul Gilmer was elected Chairman with Susan Spangler elected Vice Chair.
At the September, 2008 Zoning Commission meeting the elected Chair was in attendance but could not act as Chairman due to the replacement appointment of Ralph Johnson by Greensboro City Council member T. Diane Bellemy-Small. This appointment was passed by the City Council as replacement of Paul Gilmer’s expired term.
If the former Vice Chair was ineligible, why was he elected to the Chair position? Please advise the legal implication of the last election and what procedures we are to use moving forward. Also, is the qualification of how the election is held based on seniority?
_______________________________________________________
Here is the response from Greensboro City Attorney Terry Wood:
MEMORANDUM
Date: September 18, 2008
To: Cyndy Hayworth
From: A. Terry Wood, City Attorney
Re: Zoning Commission Election Procedures
This correspondence shall serve to address and clarify the points raised in your memorandum of September 17, 2008. Given the fact that the former Chair, Tony Collins, would no longer be a member of the Zoning Commission, the election of a new Chair and Vice Chair was required. This election requirement is pursuant to Section IIA of the Rules of Procedure of the Greensboro Zoning Commission which you correctly cited in your Memorandum. It was not my intent to represent to anyone that an election was unnecessary. If the custom in prior elections was for the Commission to elect a Chair and Vice Chair in accordance with seniority, such a custom would not be legally objectionable and might well be followed either by majority vote or by unanimous consent. However, an election based on seniority would merely be a courtesy and is not a legal requirement.
The former Vice Chair, Paul Gilmer was indeed not eligible for the reappointment by City Council because his allowed tenure had expired. See Greensboro Code Sec. 2-139. However, pursuant to Section 2-141 of the Greensboro Code of Ordinances, “[A]ll members of a board or commission shall hold office until successors are appointed and qualified.” At the time of the August 2008 Zoning Commission meeting, Mr. Gilmer continued to hold office since a successor had yet to be appointed and qualified. As a result, Mr. Gilmer remained eligible to serve as a Chair or Vice-Chair of the Zoning Commission during the holdover period of his term.
Moving forward, given the fact that Mr. Gilmer is no longer a member of the Zoning Commission, it is advisable that the Commission hold an election at its October meeting to select a new Chair. Such an election may be made on whatever basis each individual Commissioner, in good conscience, decides. An election awarding seniority is not required, yet it is permissible.
To iterate:
1. If the former Vice Chair was ineligible, why was he elected to the Chair position?
Answer: Although he was ineligible for reappointment for an additional term, pursuant to Code Sec. 2-141, he was still a holdover Commission Member until his replacement had been appointed and qualified. Since he continued to be a Commissioner he had the full benefits of membership and could hold the position of Chair.
2. Please advise the legal implication of the last election and what procedures we are to use moving forward.
Answer: I assume the “last election” is the one held at the August 2008 meeting at which Mr. Gilmer was elected Chair. Since Mr. Gilmer’s replacement has been appointed and is serving there should be an election held at the October 2008 meeting to elect a Chair. Ms. Spangler can Chair the election process. The vote shall be by nomination and majority vote of the Commission if unanimity cannot be obtained.
3. Is the qualification of how the election is held based on seniority?
Answer: Seniority is a custom or a courtesy it is not a legal requirement of the Commission. Each member may vote their conscience without regard to seniority.
_______________________________________________________
Now let's take a closer look at the Greensboro Zoning Commission and their ties to the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition.(TREBIC)
1. Susan Spangler who at the moment is the Chairman till they vote in October 2008 is the daughter of Doug Galyon NCDOT Board Member and is also with Collins and Galyon CLICKHERE general contractors , a bronze member of TREBIC. Susan Spangler is also married to Timothy Spangler with Laughlin-Sutton Construction , and who's brother is a partner with Tony Collin's at Collins and Galyon who was the past Chairman of the Zoning Commission till a few months ago . So you had 2 members of the Zoning Commission who have major ties to TREBIC from one company and back in 2006 Ex- Vice Chairman Paul Gilmer and Tony Collins were Executive Committee Members of TREBIC. Well isn't that relationship so nice to point out for everyone to see.
2. Raymond Trapp, works for the Triad Apartment Association CLICKHERE as a Executive Director. They are also members of TREBIC and who comes in front of the Zoning Board plenty of times, companies wanting to rezone properties for apartments and you have a member of the Apartment Association on the zoning board . Well isn't that relationship so nice to point out for all to see.
3. Mary Skenes a new member of the Zoning Board works for Yost and Little Real Estate. Yost and Little is also a Bronze member of TREBIC. She was appointed by Mike Barber and Mary Skenes is also Mike Barber's campaign treasurer. So now we have a person new on the board who in looking at her resume is a part of the problem not the solution.
4. Patti Eckard CLICKHERE works for ReMax Realty, where ReMax is a bronze member of TREBIC.
5. Evelyn Miller works for the Koury Corporation, who are Gold Members of TREBIC. People with ties to the Koury corporation are some of the biggest campaign contributors to local politicians.
The Greensboro Zoning Commission has 5 out of 9 members with ties to TREBIC, isn't that relationship nice to point out. The slamming of boards and commissions with ties to TREBIC needs to stop. Maybe with a new Chairman or Vice Chairman with no ties to TREBIC might be a change for the better on the Zoning Commission. Let's hope that the 5 members above won't be a part of the chair or vice chair positions. We will see what October brings for this commission but it seems like this memo was a way to say that this is not how the process of seniority should have been done and it is time to do it by the book.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Highway 68 North + Anonymous Investors + Zack and Robbie = Ethical Problems
Jordan Green from Yes Weekly CLICK TITLE ABOVE writes an article out this week September 17, 2008 in regards to the area of Highway 68 North of the Airport which just passed the Guilford County planning department to allow for a Mixed Use Development on land off of Leabourne Road.
Mary Fabrizio a resident of the area had this to say in the article "This feels a lot like land speculation,It stinks because two of the investors are sitting on the Greensboro City Council.”
Jordan Green in the article writes this,"At-large Councilman Robbie Perkins and District 3 Councilman Zack Matheny have abstained from a city council vote on the project because of conflicts of interest.Derek Allen, the lawyer with Brooks Pierce law firm who argued the case before the planning board, said that the two councilmen “had interest in groups that had interest in that property.” The limited liability company interested in developing the property, which is currently owned by WA Kennedy Jr., was organized in June by Jennifer C. Noble, a lawyer with Brooks Pierce. The company’s registered agent is Stanhope Johnson, a partner with NAI Piedmont Triad, a commercial real estate company headed by Perkins. "
As you can see that 2 well connected Greensboro City Council Members Zack Matheny and Robbie Perkins are now working together to land speculate on property right across the street from the new GTCC building.On top of this you see that the lawyer for this rezoning happens to be a lawyer by the name of Derek Allen who works for Brooks Pierce Law Firm as you can see from above Jennifer Noble with the same law firm is heading up these anonymous investors on this piece of property. Let's also add that Stan Hope Johnson is the registered agent who is a partner with Greensboro City Council Member Robbie Perkins.Can you connect the dots on this one?
If this is a trend and Derek Allen Lawyer from Brooks Pierce represents both Zack MAtheny and Robbie Perkins in zoning cases like this one then I hope that if there is any zoning case in the future that comes in front of the Greensboro City Council then both of them will have to recuse themselves from each zoning case.It is a matter of time before the State Legislators are going to have to do an INTERVENTION in Guilford County to come up with a plan to stop this conflicts of interest and have some meaningful local government ethics legislation to stop this crap.
One amazing fact that came out from the planning department is to hear that Leabourne Road now has around 2,000 cars each day as their traffic count. Once this development gets going it will jump to 21,000 cars a day. Traveling up and down Highway 68 is really bad especially in the morning where traffic on the 2 lane hwy. 68 sometimes backs up to a crawl all the way to Oak Ridge. Now they want to add 21,000 cars a day to this area seems like a mess in the making. NCDOT will need to get their head out of their ass on this one and widen the road all the way to Oak Ridge to 4 lanes NOW NOT LATER.To add a 40 acre shopping center and a 400 unit apartment complex to this rural area of Guilford County seems a little too much on the over developed side of the issue. But hey who is to argue with the local powerbrokers or as I like to call them the TREBIC CARTEL.
UPDATE
the anonymous investors are under the name of leabourne 68 llc
Mary Fabrizio a resident of the area had this to say in the article "This feels a lot like land speculation,It stinks because two of the investors are sitting on the Greensboro City Council.”
Jordan Green in the article writes this,"At-large Councilman Robbie Perkins and District 3 Councilman Zack Matheny have abstained from a city council vote on the project because of conflicts of interest.Derek Allen, the lawyer with Brooks Pierce law firm who argued the case before the planning board, said that the two councilmen “had interest in groups that had interest in that property.” The limited liability company interested in developing the property, which is currently owned by WA Kennedy Jr., was organized in June by Jennifer C. Noble, a lawyer with Brooks Pierce. The company’s registered agent is Stanhope Johnson, a partner with NAI Piedmont Triad, a commercial real estate company headed by Perkins. "
As you can see that 2 well connected Greensboro City Council Members Zack Matheny and Robbie Perkins are now working together to land speculate on property right across the street from the new GTCC building.On top of this you see that the lawyer for this rezoning happens to be a lawyer by the name of Derek Allen who works for Brooks Pierce Law Firm as you can see from above Jennifer Noble with the same law firm is heading up these anonymous investors on this piece of property. Let's also add that Stan Hope Johnson is the registered agent who is a partner with Greensboro City Council Member Robbie Perkins.Can you connect the dots on this one?
If this is a trend and Derek Allen Lawyer from Brooks Pierce represents both Zack MAtheny and Robbie Perkins in zoning cases like this one then I hope that if there is any zoning case in the future that comes in front of the Greensboro City Council then both of them will have to recuse themselves from each zoning case.It is a matter of time before the State Legislators are going to have to do an INTERVENTION in Guilford County to come up with a plan to stop this conflicts of interest and have some meaningful local government ethics legislation to stop this crap.
One amazing fact that came out from the planning department is to hear that Leabourne Road now has around 2,000 cars each day as their traffic count. Once this development gets going it will jump to 21,000 cars a day. Traveling up and down Highway 68 is really bad especially in the morning where traffic on the 2 lane hwy. 68 sometimes backs up to a crawl all the way to Oak Ridge. Now they want to add 21,000 cars a day to this area seems like a mess in the making. NCDOT will need to get their head out of their ass on this one and widen the road all the way to Oak Ridge to 4 lanes NOW NOT LATER.To add a 40 acre shopping center and a 400 unit apartment complex to this rural area of Guilford County seems a little too much on the over developed side of the issue. But hey who is to argue with the local powerbrokers or as I like to call them the TREBIC CARTEL.
UPDATE
the anonymous investors are under the name of leabourne 68 llc
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Wedding Planner on New Garden Road Withdrawn
The Wedding Planner which was up for rezoning for 1807 and 1809 New Garden Road has been withdrawn by Derek " Conflict of Interest" Allen, CLICKHERE to see what was posted on TRIADWATCH before. This is now twice that neighbors have came before the city council for Derek Allen to continue and now withdraw this rezoning case.
I am sure that Mr. Allen likes to counts votes and new that it wasn't even close to passing the Greensboro City Council so instead of denying the rezoning case he decided to stick his tail between his legs and run.You also need to remember that he has withdrawn this case and I am sure that he is going to go back to the drawing board to think up some other scheme to get this passed. So the friends of new garden CLICKHERE , great job on this rezoning case , it is time that neighborhoods stand up to ridiculous rezoning cases.Also remember that it is withdrawn and can come back up in future.
I am sure that Mr. Allen likes to counts votes and new that it wasn't even close to passing the Greensboro City Council so instead of denying the rezoning case he decided to stick his tail between his legs and run.You also need to remember that he has withdrawn this case and I am sure that he is going to go back to the drawing board to think up some other scheme to get this passed. So the friends of new garden CLICKHERE , great job on this rezoning case , it is time that neighborhoods stand up to ridiculous rezoning cases.Also remember that it is withdrawn and can come back up in future.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Olga Wright Candidate for District 58 N.C. State House Has Campaign Issues
Olga Wright CLICKHERE who is running for N.C. State House District 58 against Alma Adams has some explaining to do to the North Carolina State Board of Elections. According to the letter sent to the Wright Committee, CLICK ON THE TITLE ABOVE where Olga Wright is also her own treasurer dated July 31, 2008 . This letter is a penalty assessment for not filing her campaign contribution forms on time. She also missed the deadline for filing on 2008 first quarter and 2007 semi annual report. The total is $1,000.
In her filing on July 15, 2008 Olga Wright says the following to the State Board of Elections."Adam, I received my Notice of Penalty assessment. I am going to file a request to have the fees waived or in the alternative, allow me the opportunity to raise funds to pay for the penalty.As you see, I have no money to speak of in my campaign account."
Olga Wright is also the secretary of the Guilford County Republican Party. How can you expect to have a viable campaign against Alma Adams with no money in your account as of July 15, 2008. While also looking at your campaign returns it seems that there is a pattern on non compliance with turning your campaign forms on time from the past like 07 mid year and 04 third quarter late.
It is not that hard to turn in your campaign forms on time but to Olga Wright it must be a challenge. It might be time to let someone else be your treasurer because how can we trust you with our state tax money when you can't even turn in a campaign form on time.
IF there has been any updates on this situation on the penalty assessment , please make a comment on this site, or if Olga Wright would like to make a statement please do.
In her filing on July 15, 2008 Olga Wright says the following to the State Board of Elections."Adam, I received my Notice of Penalty assessment. I am going to file a request to have the fees waived or in the alternative, allow me the opportunity to raise funds to pay for the penalty.As you see, I have no money to speak of in my campaign account."
Olga Wright is also the secretary of the Guilford County Republican Party. How can you expect to have a viable campaign against Alma Adams with no money in your account as of July 15, 2008. While also looking at your campaign returns it seems that there is a pattern on non compliance with turning your campaign forms on time from the past like 07 mid year and 04 third quarter late.
It is not that hard to turn in your campaign forms on time but to Olga Wright it must be a challenge. It might be time to let someone else be your treasurer because how can we trust you with our state tax money when you can't even turn in a campaign form on time.
IF there has been any updates on this situation on the penalty assessment , please make a comment on this site, or if Olga Wright would like to make a statement please do.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Politicians are like Diapers check out the video.
From an ad about term limits on New York's city council: "Politicians are a lot like diapers. They need to be changed regularly -- and for the same reason." (Via The Club For Growth) and Eye Blast tv CLICKHERE . Maybe we could get term limits in this state so that we can get rid of the diapers as the video shows us.
Check this video out,
Check this video out,
Saturday, September 6, 2008
City of Greensboro + $125 an Hour Lobbyist + Brooks Pierce Law Firm = Conflict of Interest
North Carolina Secretary of State
It was interesting to find out that the City of Greensboro has it's own $125.00 an hour lobbyist by the name of Camilla Cover CLICK HERE . She works as a paralegal for the Law Firm Brooks, Pierce, McLendon,Humphrey,Leonard,LLP CLICK HERE .
In the State of North Carolina according to the Secretary of State web site there are only around 8 counties who use lobbyist and only 13 cities and towns who also use lobbyist. The cities and towns who use lobbyist in 2008 session are Concord,Durham,Greensboro,Hickory,Kannapolis,Raleigh,Wilson,Boone,Cary,
Clayton,Louisburg,Norwood,Oak Island.
Let's take a closer look at Camilla Cover from Brooks Pierce Law Firm who is the City of Greensboro's personal lobbyist at the state level for 2007 and 2008. According to her returns from the period ending for June 30, 2008 she billed the city a total of $13,745.00. If you want to see these returns CLICK HERE , then proceed to principal expense. You can also add that just in the month of May of 2008 when the North Carolina Legislators went back in session , she worked 41.6 hours for a total bill to the City of Greensboro $5,200, go to the title of this post above and click it to see the pdf file sent to Greensboro City Attorney Terry Wood on behalf of Camilla Cover from Brooks,Pierce,McLendon, Humphrey,and Leonard. This pdf file shows just how she bills the City of Greensboro and just how much time and what she was doing for Greensboro as a lobbyist.
As you can see the lobbyist for the City of Greensboro is paid very well at $125.00 an hour. Let's take a look at some other returns from past years to show you what the Law Firm of Brooks Pierce have billed the City of Greensboro. Here is the billing from Camilla Cover for 2007
quarter ending March 31,2007 $14,485.50
quarter ending June 30, 2007 $22,594
quarter ending September 30,2007 $2,875
quarter ending December 31, 2007 $87.50
2007 TOTAL = $40,042
Let's also take a look at the billing cycle of 2005 and 2006 . This is where we can also add a lot more lobbyist who put another wrinkle to the point of this whole conflict of interest between the City of Greensboro and the Law Firm of Brooks ,Pierce etc. etc. . Here is a list of the lobbyist from the 2005/06 report to the Secretary of State:
Derek Allen,George House,Jim Phillips Jr,Camilla Cover,and Ed Turlington are all listed as lobbyist for the City of Greensboro. CLICK HERE to see the whole list.Here is the total bills for 2005 and 2006
Jan.1 2005- Sept. 2 2005 $36,972.63
Sept. 3 2005 - Dec. 31, 2005 $1,155.40
Jan 1,2006 - July 28, 2006 $28,059.10
July 29, 2006 - Dec. 31, 2006 $1,275.00
TOTAL= $67,462.13
Are the citizens of Greensboro happy with their tax dollars of around $121,249.13 from 2005-2008 going to this endeavor of having your own lobbyist at the state level of North Carolina?Doesn't the League of Municipalities do practically the same thing ?
As you can see the Brooks Pierce Law Firm gets paid by the City of Greensboro but as you can see, one of the lawyers in the Brooks Pierce Law Firm is Derek Allen CLICK HERE , he is no longer a lobbyist for the City of Greensboro but is now one of a very few local lawyers who come in front of the Greensboro City Council plenty of times in zoning cases as a lawyer from this firm.
But in a quasi judicial setting how is it that a law firm gets paid from the city and a lawyer from that law firm comes in front of the city in zoning cases? That is a total conflict of interest between the City of Greensboro and Brooks,Pierce,McLendon,Humphrey and Leonard Law Firm.You can also add that Derek Allen was also the city's lobbyist back in 2006 to that mix also.
We can also take a look at what happened at the Board of Adjustments meeting in August of 2008 according to the Rhino Times CLICK HERE where they had a case come before them and some members were missing from the meeting and they had 5 present. Derek Allen from Brooks Pierce Law Firm was in the audience but once he spoke on a case 2 members of the Board of Adjustment had conflicts of interest with Derek Allen , chairman John Cross CLICK HERE is also a lawyer with Brooks Pierce Law Firm and another board member Scott Brewington's wife is with the Brooks Pierce Law Firm CLICK HERE , both members had to recuse themselves from this case and it had to be continued to the next meeting because you need 4 votes and they only had 3 at the meeting for this case.
The slamming of citizens on these boards and commissions with members of the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition aka TREBIC CARTEL where Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP is a silver member is out of control. It is time for the City of Greensboro quit putting members of this coalition on all these boards and commissions .Let's try a novel idea and put average citizens on these boards and commissions not put anymore TREBIC members . Below is just a few that have happened in just the past month with no opposition at all from any other city council member.
Greensboro City Council Member Mike Barber putting Mary Skenes from Yost and Little Real Estate, a TREBIC bronze member on the Zoning Board. Mary Skenes is also Mike Barbers campaign treasurer.
Greensboro City Council Member Zack Matheny putting Nathan Duggins from Tuggles Duggins and Meschan Law firm , a TREBIC silver member on the Greensboro Transit Authority . He also put Richard Beard from Simpson Schulman and Beard Developer , a TREBIC bronze member on War Memorial Commission.
Greensboro City Council Member Goldie Wells reappointing Ray Trapp from Triad Apartment Association , a member of TREBIC to zoning board.
It might be time for someone to do a Freedom of Information Act on the City of Greensboro and just take the planning board,zoning board, board of adjustment and Greensboro Transit Authority and really find out just how many are connected to TREBIC.Jordan Green, Hammer Brothers , N&R are you listening.
Triadwatch is trying to inform the citizens of this area on aspects of local government that need to change for the better. The only way to do this is to inform the citizens of the triad. These observations and my interpretation of conflicts of interest could be argued differently by someone else which I am sure someone from Brooks Pierce etc. etc. will take a different angle as to my analysis. But, to have a law firm take money from the city then turn around and represent a client in front of the city to me is a conflict of interest.
It was interesting to find out that the City of Greensboro has it's own $125.00 an hour lobbyist by the name of Camilla Cover CLICK HERE . She works as a paralegal for the Law Firm Brooks, Pierce, McLendon,Humphrey,Leonard,LLP CLICK HERE .
In the State of North Carolina according to the Secretary of State web site there are only around 8 counties who use lobbyist and only 13 cities and towns who also use lobbyist. The cities and towns who use lobbyist in 2008 session are Concord,Durham,Greensboro,Hickory,Kannapolis,Raleigh,Wilson,Boone,Cary,
Clayton,Louisburg,Norwood,Oak Island.
Let's take a closer look at Camilla Cover from Brooks Pierce Law Firm who is the City of Greensboro's personal lobbyist at the state level for 2007 and 2008. According to her returns from the period ending for June 30, 2008 she billed the city a total of $13,745.00. If you want to see these returns CLICK HERE , then proceed to principal expense. You can also add that just in the month of May of 2008 when the North Carolina Legislators went back in session , she worked 41.6 hours for a total bill to the City of Greensboro $5,200, go to the title of this post above and click it to see the pdf file sent to Greensboro City Attorney Terry Wood on behalf of Camilla Cover from Brooks,Pierce,McLendon, Humphrey,and Leonard. This pdf file shows just how she bills the City of Greensboro and just how much time and what she was doing for Greensboro as a lobbyist.
As you can see the lobbyist for the City of Greensboro is paid very well at $125.00 an hour. Let's take a look at some other returns from past years to show you what the Law Firm of Brooks Pierce have billed the City of Greensboro. Here is the billing from Camilla Cover for 2007
quarter ending March 31,2007 $14,485.50
quarter ending June 30, 2007 $22,594
quarter ending September 30,2007 $2,875
quarter ending December 31, 2007 $87.50
2007 TOTAL = $40,042
Let's also take a look at the billing cycle of 2005 and 2006 . This is where we can also add a lot more lobbyist who put another wrinkle to the point of this whole conflict of interest between the City of Greensboro and the Law Firm of Brooks ,Pierce etc. etc. . Here is a list of the lobbyist from the 2005/06 report to the Secretary of State:
Derek Allen,George House,Jim Phillips Jr,Camilla Cover,and Ed Turlington are all listed as lobbyist for the City of Greensboro. CLICK HERE to see the whole list.Here is the total bills for 2005 and 2006
Jan.1 2005- Sept. 2 2005 $36,972.63
Sept. 3 2005 - Dec. 31, 2005 $1,155.40
Jan 1,2006 - July 28, 2006 $28,059.10
July 29, 2006 - Dec. 31, 2006 $1,275.00
TOTAL= $67,462.13
Are the citizens of Greensboro happy with their tax dollars of around $121,249.13 from 2005-2008 going to this endeavor of having your own lobbyist at the state level of North Carolina?Doesn't the League of Municipalities do practically the same thing ?
As you can see the Brooks Pierce Law Firm gets paid by the City of Greensboro but as you can see, one of the lawyers in the Brooks Pierce Law Firm is Derek Allen CLICK HERE , he is no longer a lobbyist for the City of Greensboro but is now one of a very few local lawyers who come in front of the Greensboro City Council plenty of times in zoning cases as a lawyer from this firm.
But in a quasi judicial setting how is it that a law firm gets paid from the city and a lawyer from that law firm comes in front of the city in zoning cases? That is a total conflict of interest between the City of Greensboro and Brooks,Pierce,McLendon,Humphrey and Leonard Law Firm.You can also add that Derek Allen was also the city's lobbyist back in 2006 to that mix also.
We can also take a look at what happened at the Board of Adjustments meeting in August of 2008 according to the Rhino Times CLICK HERE where they had a case come before them and some members were missing from the meeting and they had 5 present. Derek Allen from Brooks Pierce Law Firm was in the audience but once he spoke on a case 2 members of the Board of Adjustment had conflicts of interest with Derek Allen , chairman John Cross CLICK HERE is also a lawyer with Brooks Pierce Law Firm and another board member Scott Brewington's wife is with the Brooks Pierce Law Firm CLICK HERE , both members had to recuse themselves from this case and it had to be continued to the next meeting because you need 4 votes and they only had 3 at the meeting for this case.
The slamming of citizens on these boards and commissions with members of the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition aka TREBIC CARTEL where Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP is a silver member is out of control. It is time for the City of Greensboro quit putting members of this coalition on all these boards and commissions .Let's try a novel idea and put average citizens on these boards and commissions not put anymore TREBIC members . Below is just a few that have happened in just the past month with no opposition at all from any other city council member.
Greensboro City Council Member Mike Barber putting Mary Skenes from Yost and Little Real Estate, a TREBIC bronze member on the Zoning Board. Mary Skenes is also Mike Barbers campaign treasurer.
Greensboro City Council Member Zack Matheny putting Nathan Duggins from Tuggles Duggins and Meschan Law firm , a TREBIC silver member on the Greensboro Transit Authority . He also put Richard Beard from Simpson Schulman and Beard Developer , a TREBIC bronze member on War Memorial Commission.
Greensboro City Council Member Goldie Wells reappointing Ray Trapp from Triad Apartment Association , a member of TREBIC to zoning board.
It might be time for someone to do a Freedom of Information Act on the City of Greensboro and just take the planning board,zoning board, board of adjustment and Greensboro Transit Authority and really find out just how many are connected to TREBIC.Jordan Green, Hammer Brothers , N&R are you listening.
Triadwatch is trying to inform the citizens of this area on aspects of local government that need to change for the better. The only way to do this is to inform the citizens of the triad. These observations and my interpretation of conflicts of interest could be argued differently by someone else which I am sure someone from Brooks Pierce etc. etc. will take a different angle as to my analysis. But, to have a law firm take money from the city then turn around and represent a client in front of the city to me is a conflict of interest.
Friday, September 5, 2008
NC Department of Transportation Get Out of the 50's Mentality
North Carolina Department of Transportation and local planners continue to employ the discredited 1950s mentality of building new roads without exploring alternatives. This makes no sense in the 21st Century.
North Carolina’s daunting financial challenges, rising fuel costs, and the devastating environmental consequences are compelling reasons to oppose new road projects when it seems there isn’t enough money in the state to fix potholes. Our infrastructure is imploding, and the Triad region is failing EPA’s air quality standards.
The General Assembly’s spending of our tax dollars to preserve forests and cropland is futile unless NC DOT accepts the “No Build Alternative” in Environmental Impact Statements and adopts a “Fix-It-First Policy”. When funds are available, rail service would promote regional connectivity and would indicate the 21st Century Transportation Committee is serious about reform.
Recent reports indicate the committee will recommend that the General Assembly seek voter approval of a one billion dollar bond package to address our transportation needs. Providing more funding for NCDOT is not the answer if the same officials continue to operate in the same inefficient and political ways.
Decadent use of taxpayer dollars and maniacal consumption and destruction of our natural resources must end.
Cathy M. Poole
Coalition of Concerned Citizens of the Triad
Kernersville North Carolina
North Carolina’s daunting financial challenges, rising fuel costs, and the devastating environmental consequences are compelling reasons to oppose new road projects when it seems there isn’t enough money in the state to fix potholes. Our infrastructure is imploding, and the Triad region is failing EPA’s air quality standards.
The General Assembly’s spending of our tax dollars to preserve forests and cropland is futile unless NC DOT accepts the “No Build Alternative” in Environmental Impact Statements and adopts a “Fix-It-First Policy”. When funds are available, rail service would promote regional connectivity and would indicate the 21st Century Transportation Committee is serious about reform.
Recent reports indicate the committee will recommend that the General Assembly seek voter approval of a one billion dollar bond package to address our transportation needs. Providing more funding for NCDOT is not the answer if the same officials continue to operate in the same inefficient and political ways.
Decadent use of taxpayer dollars and maniacal consumption and destruction of our natural resources must end.
Cathy M. Poole
Coalition of Concerned Citizens of the Triad
Kernersville North Carolina
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)