Has the Piedmont Triad Become an “Ethics Free Zone”?

Has the Piedmont Triad become an “Ethics Free Zone”?


Corporations and developers who purchase “Stakeholder” seats on land-use/transportation planning committees, allowing no collaboration with anyone outside their inner circles until their “preferred concepts” are in place, have usurped planning in North Carolina to promote financial self-interests. These highly concentrated “Authority and Agency” Boards receive federal, state, and local taxpayer funds and proceed with shameless impunity.

Does the “Global Transpark Authority” membership have financial responsibility to the taxpayers? They don’t have the cash to pay off the $32.1 million they own to NC (Escheats fund) or the $18.1 million they owe to the Federal Aviation Administration according to a 2008 audit.

Last week, Piedmont Triad Partnership President, Don Kirkman who makes $225,102 a year told landowners that the Aerotropolis Leadership Board meetings aren’t open to the public, even though they receive government funding and they are controlling land-use and transportation planning for thousands of acres in the Triad. Aerotropolis is simply the shark who ate Heart of the Triad.

Well, residents are on to a much larger issue. Representatives Pricey Harrison and Larry Brown, agree that PTP is shading transparency and believe that the board is subject to “Open Meetings Law” because it is tied to a group that receives state and local funding. Mike Tadych, Attorney for the NC Press Association agrees. “We believe it is both a public body subject to the Open Meetings Law and a public agency subject to Open Records Law. The fact that it was formed as a not-for-profit corporation is not really relevant to the analysis of whether it is required to comply with these open government statutes.”

It is also my belief that since the Piedmont Triad Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)3 meaning that they are being given tax breaks by the American public, may not be a valid argument for them to attempt to use to justify closed meetings. On the contrary, it may be a further argument that it is improper for them to hold closed meetings.

Shouldn’t all Authorities, chartered by the NC General Assembly and Agencies receiving public funding be subject to NC ethics policies and laws? It’s past time for these public/private partnerships to be held accountable to the taxpayers.

Cathy M. Poole

Coalition of Concerned Citizens of the Triad

NEWSBUSTED on TRIADWATCH for 8/28/2009 Cash For Clunkers, AARP Loses Members

Newsbusted is new for 8-28-2009 click on the embedded video above on TRIADWATCH.

Topics in today's show:

Cash for clunkers, AARP loses members, The Obama Joker poster, And iPot.

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Starring: Jodi Miller

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NEWSBUSTED on TRIADWATCH for 8/25/2009 President Obama Goes On Vacation

Newsbusted is new for 8-25-2009 on TRIADWATCH , click on the embedded video above.

Topics in today's show:

President Obama goes on vacation, The federal deficit, Conservatives now outnumber liberals in every state, And Jerry Seinfeld.

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NEWSBUSTED on TRIADWATCH for 8/21/2009 THE FEDERAL DEFICIT AND OBAMACARE

Newsbusted is new for 8-21-2009 on TRIADWATCH click on the embedded video above

Topics in today's show:

The federal deficit, Obamacare, The next moon trip, And cap and tax.

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Triumph and Tragedy...a sad goodbye and a fresh start from Erik Huey a Friend and Blogger

Triumph and Tragedy...a sad goodbye and a fresh start

I let my good friend Keith Brown report this on Triad Watch simply because he continues to be a good friend. He was an early supporter of my failed school board campaign and we've developed a good friendship since then.

The truth is that when tragedy strikes in your personal life, things tend to happen. Sometimes not always for the best of circumstances. But I'm a firm believer of things happening for a reason.

Sadly, tragedy has stricken my personal life...in more ways than one.

I reported on GreensboroMetro back on July 14 of a situation where my family was linked to the horrific unearthing of human remains at a Chicago-area cemetery. We had at least eight relatives buried there. As of today, we still remain unable to verify records, nor verify if their plots are intact. This situation both is and remains in litigation with a local Chicago-area attorney. We're not seeking money. We're seeking closure.

I also reported on the fact that living paycheck to paycheck in our household was becoming rather strenuous and difficult for my family. It was now a harsh reality. As a journalist/PR professional by trade, it was hard to view the city of Greensboro (and the larger Triad metro area) as no longer having a creative class.

These two situations combined led to a personal decision to resign from the city's Planning Board back the very next day, in an effort to concentrate on the increasing stress in my family and household.

In addition, my father has been sick off and on. My parents are both retired and they both live in Las Vegas. His health has been slowly deteriorating as of the last few months with an ongoing struggle of Paget's disease. He still remains active and is still enjoying life but his health is starting to slow down just a tad.

And...as if nothing else could have happened, both sadly and suddenly, my wife & I have parted ways after nearly 10 years of marriage.

Since all of this has happened, literally within a matter of weeks, I have relocated (back) to Las Vegas, I actually lived here previously about six years ago.

I'm just now settling in and starting to come to grips with what has happened. I'm hanging in there as best I can and my daughter, who is back in NC with her mother, is being very strong through all of this too.

This was indeed very painful to compose, but I thought it was only fair to you, my friends. You deserved to know what had happened to me and where I've been.

But tragedy has indeed turned into triumph...where within the last few days, I have accepted a brand new position as a sales/marketing coordinator for PureOFlow by Pure Revolution, a ground-breaking water treatment/water filtration company in Las Vegas (www.pureoflow.com).

These are the types of good-paying, good-quality positions that SHOULD be in North Carolina...that SHOULD be in the Triad...that SHOULD be in Greensboro. But they're not.

Las Vegas may have everything associated with Las Vegas, including a competing furniture market...but they also have an extremely active creative class. Several networking groups are available on Facebook that provide networking opportunities in this city. But with the truth comes reality...if Greensboro doesn't jumpstart its creative class, many more will leave the Gate City. That's not a thinly-veiled threat...that's cold, hard truth.

But I don't want my story to be a poster child for why I left Greensboro or why things turned out unexpectedly the way they did. I will say this...I will always have a connection to North Carolina and you all will always be friends and family to me. I have made countless friendships on Greensboro. Those friendships don't die just because I'm across the country.

We will stay in touch. Look me up on Facebook or drop me a line at huey.erik@gmail.com.

I wish Greensboro and the Triad...and you, the very very very best in the months and years to come.

All the best from Las Vegas,

Erik C. Huey

Las Vegas, NV

Action Greensboro, April Harris, Jim Melvin , Downtown Design Manual and a e-mail from Alex

Triadwatch got a email from a person by the name of Alex, no last name. Alex has a lot to say and here is the e-mail.



"I have some information that I think the public really needs to hear about.


I am sure that you have heard of the Greensboro Design Manual that has been circulating around the city administration office and got continued at the commission hearing. Something that has me really upset is that the city administrators will not put this Manual for a vote. I really liked the effort you made to give the people the vote with your protest petition initiative and think that you could help give us the same right to vote on this ordinance that will change the face of downtown forever. The Manual needs to a vote and let the people decide whether or not we want the city staff to be able to tell us whether or not our house or business is pretty enough to build. We should have that right our self. If the city thinks this is such a great idea, then 51% of the people will vote in favor of it or not. In any case, putting it to a vote, will at least give us a voice.


My real point in emailing you is to show you something I have uncovered but I don't have the right connections or a blog to tell the city the truth. You need to let the public know about this.


My concern is that Action Greensboro has had way too involved with the City with this Design Manual and as a result, their involvement raised quit a stink in my nostrils. Basically, the executive director of Action Greensboro, April Harris, is in real tight with Jim Melvin. Well, Action Greensboro has been real vocal in their efforts to support this Design Manual. I didn't know why until I started to look into the structure of Action Greensboro as a non profit business. I also know that Melvin is still in charge here as we all know it and is in support of the manual and has been in support of taking away our right to decide the buildings we want to build on our land. He wants to replace with the city staff's idea based on these standards that mandate where to get materials from, what the building looks like and so on.


As you probably know, the Greensboro Partnership is the head company that runs three other companies below it - Action Greensboro, the Chamber of Commerce and Greensboro Economic Alliance. These three lower companies must answer to the decision of the Greensboro Partnership Board of Director and are bound legally to follow through with the boards decisions. It's in their governance manual.


Well, just go take a look at the board of directors for the Partnership and you'll see why April from Action Greensboro has been lobbying so hard to get this Manual passed. It's because she is really working for Melvin and a slew of others who have been back dooring the rest of us for too long now. The board members can't take a position on the Manual because they are all have conflicts of interest. This is because, the Greensboro Partnership and the three non profits under it are all funded by the city and our tax dollars while at the same time, all the board members who run these non profits are rich businessmen who all have an interest in the Manual. There are even a couple of people who work for the City of GSO on the partnership--who--April is working for and vocally supporting this legislation. Just call her up. She'll tell you she is supporting it. Of course they want the manual because its puts more restrictions on the type of buildings you can build and only the rich guys will be able to afford to have a hand in downtown. So, you see April is just their pawn, doing all their dirty work. She is doesn't own a business and isn't a developer. But she is under the control of the executive board of directors.


If you do some checking around, you'll find out that the three non profits below the partnership MUST do as the board votes. I heard from someone I know who is on the board of directors that they discussed this and said that the partnership couldn't and shouldn't take a stance on the manual because they all will benefit from it passing. The solution was to get April involved and do whatever is necessary to NOT let the people have a say. I also know that there were a small number of the board members who said that Action GSO should not be behind the design manual and that we should be able to vote on it rather than have the damn board of directors just tell the city what to do with this. As much as I hate to say it, I think the VF corp was against this matter. But even better, even Roy Carroll has spoke out against the manual and even said the people should get to vote! Maybe he's extra cautious these days because of you, or maybe he knows this just stinks. Roy Carroll had been opposing this since day one, despite that he had a guy on the committee, all the other guys on the committee just out voted his guy "Al lenny" or something. His rep said that Roy wants to let the people take it for a vote. Jesus, if Carrol is distancing himself, this must be deep stuff. I'm not sure exactly what's going on but, but this is an awful example of how an enormous amount of power can take away our right to vote on this. This Manual is huge and we need to have more of a voice.


Here is how the structure works:

Board of Directors

___________ Greensboro Partnership_________________

Action GSO Chamber of Commerce GSO Economic Development Alliance


So, you see, the board rules. Well, the guys on the board rule. April is a pawn for Melvin and the scapegoat that gets the board members out of their conflict of interest. Also, DGI is another non profit that is under Action GSO in the mix and have abstained from endorsing this manual as of this time. I spoke with them, and they said that they put it off for now. I think that they are hoping that the city council quickly passes it before elections so the board doesn't have to get reacquainted with the new members. I also know that the reason why they don't want the Manual to go to a vote or have more public meetings is because they will loose.I wish the protest petition would help here, but all the board members own all the land downtown or at least their buddies do. See if you can knock the dust off this thing. "



-Alex

Unofficial But Close To Official In Person Early Voting in Guilford County Take A Look Voters and Candidates

Below is the unofficial but close to official which is now official CLICKHERE early voting schedule for the upcoming Guilford County Board of Elections Municipal Primaries. One note as you can see in that they are going to offer a Saturday October 3, 2009 early voting from 10:00am - 1:00 pm.What a great time to get out the vote for as many people as possible or for the candidates to do a little politicking at the Courthouse outside of the building. Once the official statement is out TRIADWATCH will put the seal of approval on this schedule at the bottom of the post.

It is time for the citizens to get involved with municipal voting and what a great time to start then now. If you need to register to vote CLICKHERE or if you want see see some of the candidates and their web sites click on the names to the left on TRIADWATCH. Once the primaries are over then the schedule for early voting in the general election will come out at that time.

GUILFORD COUNTY
IN-PERSON EARLY VOTING SCHEDULE
FOR THE
OCTOBER 6, 2009

MUNICIPAL PRIMARIES

2 OFFICE SITES
DATES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS:

Thursday & Friday, September 17 & 18.................. 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday, September 21 - 25.................. 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday, September 28 – October 2.................. 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 3…….. (Absentee Office ONLY)…..10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Absentee Voting Office- Room 100 High Point Elections Office
301 W. Market Street 505 E. Green Drive
1st Floor, Blue Room Room #103
Greensboro, NC High Point, NC

PRIMARY ELECTION DAY IS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6
VOTING WILL BE HELD AT THE
POLLING PLACES
FROM
6:30 A.M. TO 7:30 P.M.

according to the greensboro news and record it is now official , CLICKHERE

NEWSBUSTED on TRIADWATCH for 8/18/2009 Rude Congresswomen Makes Insane Statement

Newsbusted is new for 8-18-2009 on TRIADWATCH click on the embedded video above.

Topics in today's show:

Obama's poll numbers, Cali prison riot, Rude congressman makes insane statement, And Obama goes to the Grand Canyon.

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Starring: Jodi Miller

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Campaign Financial Reports are Out For Mid Year with Plenty of Candidates Reporting Donors

The new campaign reports are out with a few of the candidates filling out their mid year 2009 report. There are a few missing on this list including Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson, Bill Knight, Ben Holder, T Dianne Bellamy Small, Jim Kee, Robbie Perkins, Zack Matheny and plenty of others.

It is also noted that if you click on Greensboro City Council member Sandra Anderson Groat you will her 2009 campaign returns mid year with total election this cycle filled out it should say zero on total election this cycle not have it say total receipts of $47,174.07 and total expenditures as the same don't know why, but it does.

You can also see that Greensboro City Council member Mike Barber still has over $13,142.03 in the bank account for future use who knows what that might be.

Also At Large Greensboro candidate Ryan Shell has a few interesting campaign contributors along with Nancy Vaughan. You can go to the Guilford County Board of Elections web site by clicking on the title above or the "WELCOME" title below.To also see each indvidual returns click on below their name.

Welcome to the Guilford County Board of Elections

Abuzuaiter, Marikay
2009 Mid Year Report
Alexander, Latimer
2009 Mid Year Semi Annual Report
America's Priorities PAC
2009 Mid Year Report
Anderson, Sandra
2009 Mid Year Semi Annual Report
Barber, Mike
2009 Mid Year Report
Boyett, Arthur
2009 Organizational Report
Concerned Citizens of Summerfield
2009 Mid Year Semi Annual Report
Greensboro Landlords Association PAC
2009 Organizational Report
Hammer, John
2009 Mid Year Semi Annual Report
Hardy, DJ
2009 Organizational Report
Hartzman, George
2009 Organizational Report
Latham, Julie
2009 Organizational Report
Rakestraw, Mary
2009 Mid Year Report
Sellars, Daron

2009 Organizational Report
Shell, Ryan
2009 Mid Year Semi Annual Report
Stand Up Greensboro
2009 Organizational Report
2009 Organizational Report - Amended
Thigpen, Jeff
2009 Mid Year Semi Annual Report
Triplin, Anthony
2009 Mid Year Report
Vaughan, Nancy
2009 Organizational Report
2009 Mid Year Semi Annual Report
We Love PG PAC
2009 Mid Year Report

Town Approves Rules to Fight ‘Pay to Play’ , What a Novel Idea for Guilford County

Town Approves Rules to Fight ‘Pay to Play’ - New York Times

What a novel idea the town of Greenburgh in New York has come up with. Here is a few paragraphs and if you want to see the whole article click on the title above .

"In an effort to end the influence-buying practice known as pay to play, the Greenburgh Town Council has approved new regulations governing campaign donations that its members, in a statement, said could be the toughest in the state.

The regulations, approved late last month, make it illegal for public officials to accept campaign contributions from developers, contractors or their lawyers or agents for a year before and a year after an application is reviewed by a town board, said John McLaughlin, a member of the town’s Board of Ethics."

Wouldn't this be something that might need to be a part of the process in Guilford County because as we have seen on some of the comments on TRIADWATCH here is what i am assuming is a anonymous developer had this to say on a earlier thread.

"I'd rather avoid the veil misconception and acknowledge that it most definitely is a pay to play arena: in GSO and in every corner of this earth. Get real. If you lack funding, you better make it up with bodies. Let's be honest, the more you contribute to a city's economic well-being, the more a public official is going to want to keep you around. I make so darn little that I hardly pay taxes. Do you think the mayor gives two flips about my opinion? No. But I bet she will when I storm up the steps with 100 folks. But I'm not going to waste my time garnering up 100 folks. That's your job, triad. I'll take my chances at the poker table, where I "pay to play". Hopefully, I'll hit that royal flush someday. When I do, I'll be sure to use my money bags to influence the city council in hopes they'll advocate my view and anyone else who shares it-even you. Anyone who tells you it's not about money, has too much of it. Our belief is, however, that the city is working to procure money for us. Isn't that why we elect our official? So they create an environment that's vibrant and successful. -There ain't no free lunch or spot at the table - poker or city council - here, or anywhere else."

It is time to fix the whole system and it seems like our friends in New York state have a great idea and hopefully in the future it can be brought to the table as well down in North Carolina to get rid of the "Pay to Play" mindset that is so absorbed into the process.

NEWSBUSTED on TRIADWATCH for 8/14/2009 Democrat William Jefferson Convicted of Bribery

Newsbusted is new for 8-14-09 click on the embedded video above .

Topics in today's show: Democrat William Jefferson convicted of bribery, man loses lottery ticket, Fox News will charge for access to its site, And Michelle Obama's massive staff.

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Starring: Jodi Miller

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Newsbusters is New for 8-11-09 on Triadwatch $2 Billion More Given To Cash For Clunkers

Newsbusters is new for 8-11-09 on Triadwatch click on the embedded video above.

Topics in today's show: Recess townhalls, Union violence, $2 Billion more given to cash for clunkers, And Obama joker.
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Starring: Jodi Miller
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Executive Producer: Matthew Sheffield

Sample Ballots for the Upcoming Primary Elections for Guilford County

Welcome to the Guilford County Board of Elections

Enclosed is the sample ballots for the upcoming Guilford County primary elections for fall 2009. Click on the title above or the highlighted red "welcome to the guilford county board of elections", which is above .

2009 SCHEDULE for the Guilford County Elections.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2009

MUNICIPAL PRIMARIES

To be conducted only in the
necessary Municipal Precincts of
Greensboro, Jamestown and
Pleasant Garden

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2009

MUNICIPAL ELECTION

To be conducted in the Municipalities of
Greensboro, Jamestown, Gibsonville, Oak
Ridge, Pleasant Garden, Sedalia,
Stokesdale, Summerfield, and Whitsett.
Also Sedgefield Sanitary District Election
to be held in Jamestown 3 Precinct

NOTE: Early voting will also be a factor in these elections as well. Will have a updated version of where those sites will be in a future post.

NEWSBUSTED on TRIADWATCH for 8/7/2009 President Obama's Approval Ratings Continue TO Fall

Newsbusted is new for 8-7-2009 click on the embedded video above.

Topics in today's show:
Obama's approval rating continues to fall, Obamacare requires mandatory end of life counseling, New York kicks out the homeless, And an old turtle.

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Starring: Jodi Miller
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Executive Producer: Matthew Sheffield

Ethical Question for Greensboro City Council Member Goldie Wells and East Market Street Development Corporation

Below is item #17 from Monday 8-3-2009 Greensboro City Council Meeting. It passed with a 9-0 vote from council with Greensboro City Council Member Goldie Wells voting on this agenda item.

Below is the agenda item:

17. Resolution approving and authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute Agreement with East Market Street Development Corporation for use of up to $500,000 of Neighborhood Redevelopment Bond Funds in the Jonesboro/Scott Park Neighborhood. (roll call vote) (Attachment #17 to Council members).

Ethical question to ponder. Should Greensboro City Council member Goldie Wells recuse herself from this vote?

Why is this question asked it is because Goldie Wells is also a board member of the East Market Street Development Corporation CLICKHERE if the 2008 Board of Directors are still the same for 2009.

Just asking another ethical question to ponder.

NEWSBUSTED at NEWSBUSTERS.ORG New Video for 8/4/2009 Congress Pushes Back Healthcare Vote

Newsbusted is new for 8-4-2009 click on the embedded video above or CLICKHERE

Topics in today's show: Congress pushes back healthcare vote, The beer summit, Cash for clunkers, And Jennifer Aniston's new movie.

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Starring: Jodi Miller
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Editorial Cartoons of the Week Compliments of William Warren

ALG Editor's Note: William Warren's award-winning cartoons published at GetLiberty.org are a free service of ALG News Bureau. They may be reused and redistributed free of charge CLICKHERE

Sunlight Foundation Highlights Triadwatch on Post About Plane Trip To D.C.

The Sunlight Foundation has a section of their web site called "Local Sunlight Spotlight" CLICKHERE . They wanted to spotlight the post on the ethical issues that came about because of the plane ride to D.C. which involved a local developer and local elected officials.If you would like to see what was written in the past about this issue CLICKHERE , with a title "Developer Roy Carroll's Plane Will Sit on Tarmac While The Mayor and Chairman Ponder Ethical Standards."

Below is two paragraphs from their website on what the Sunlight Foundation is about:

The Sunlight Foundation was co-founded in 2006 by Washington, DC businessman and lawyer Michael Klein and longtime Washington public interest advocate Ellen Miller with the non-partisan mission of using the revolutionary power of the Internet to make information about Congress and the federal government more meaningfully accessible to citizens. Through our projects and grant-making, Sunlight serves as a catalyst for greater political transparency and to foster more openness and accountability in government. Sunlight’s ultimate goal is to strengthen the relationship between citizens and their elected officials and to foster public trust in government. We are unique in that technology and the power of the Internet are at the core of every one of our efforts.

Our work is committed to helping citizens, bloggers and journalists be their own best government watchdogs, by improving access to existing information and digitizing new information, and by creating new tools and Web sites to enable all of us to collaborate in fostering greater transparency. Since our founding in the spring of 2006, we have assembled and funded an array of web-based databases and tools including OpenCongress.org, FedSpending.org, OpenSecrets.org, EarmarkWatch.org and LOUISdb.org. These sites make millions of bits of information available online about the members of Congress, their staff, legislation, federal spending and lobbyists.

Triadwatch would like to thank the Sunlight Foundation for having this post be a part of their blog and to highlight this for other people all over the country to ask ethical questions to situations like this one that came up in Guilford County N.C. .