DEMOCRATIC LOST
Reading My Teleprompter
Top 3 Lies of the Week
President Obama's Coattails
The L Word
That Old Thing
Monday, May 31, 2010
Editorial Cartoons for the Week: Topics include Democratic Left, Reading My Teleprompter, Top 3 Lies of the Week and more enjoy
Why would many not want an invocation as opposed to a moment of silence at publicly funded Greensboro City Council meetings?
How is a taxpayer funded prayer at a municipal function
not a free, publicly funded commercial
for those purposefully picked to present the invocation?
Are members of a church more likely to give campaign contributions
Are Greensboro’s clergy more or less likely to bring in new business
from being viewed/endorsed on publicly funded TV?
Will those Greensboro residents who do not privately fund a local church
Will clergy who give invocations receive privileged access
to Greensboro’s political and municipal executives?
Are invocation granted clergy more likely to tow their political benefactor’s “line”
in tax-free “non-profit” pulpits?
No man shall be compelled to frequent or support
Thomas Jefferson
Should a preacher who gives an invocation
then advocate for public spending on secular priorities?
Should wealthy evangelists
How should those other than Christian
explain to their kids when a member of the clergy says "in Jesus' name we pray"
at a publicly funded government meeting
where rational and balanced decisions are to be made for “all” taxpayers?
How is Greensboro in the land of the free
Are communities who lean towards religion infused government
more or less likely to pass religious based legislation
like alcohol prohibition, dancing, women’s rights, book burning,
public school curriculums, abortion or homosexuality?
Should elected lawmakers seek to avoid imposing their religious views
upon the communities in which they reside?
Religion
Karl Marx
Why are weak governments more likely to embrace religion or nationalism
in times of social instability
and/or when distractions appear helpful to bury other more important issues?
Sheep who elect bears to protect themselves from wolves
Beezlebubba
Is Greensboro better off if Council Members can't endorse church's
in a moment of silence
or if our elected representatives can gain advantage
by maneuvering specific clergy to be picked to offer prayers
at publicly funded events?
If Greensboro City Council Members could be considered blessed by God,
Should our taxation
be based on what the government says it needs to keep the peace etc...,
or based on what God may have told City Council via prayer,
rendering those who object subject to the Omnipotent backed wrath of the believers?
Why did many white religious and political institutions teach congregants
not a free, publicly funded commercial
for those purposefully picked to present the invocation?
Are members of a church more likely to give campaign contributions
to a Council Member who attends the same church,
if said church’s preacher gives the invocation?
Are Greensboro’s clergy more or less likely to bring in new business
from being viewed/endorsed on publicly funded TV?
Will those Greensboro residents who do not privately fund a local church
be represented during invocations at City Council Meetings?
Will clergy who give invocations receive privileged access
to Greensboro’s political and municipal executives?
Are invocation granted clergy more likely to tow their political benefactor’s “line”
in tax-free “non-profit” pulpits?
No man shall be compelled to frequent or support
religious worship, place, or ministry
... nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief
but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain
their opinion on matters of religion
Thomas Jefferson
Virginia Bill on Religious Freedom
Should a preacher who gives an invocation
then advocate for public spending on secular priorities?
Should wealthy evangelists
who spend millions of dollars of church funds on marketing and luxury lifestyles
be invited/endorsed by municipalities to give invocations/advertisements
on publicly funded TV?
How should those other than Christian
explain to their kids when a member of the clergy says "in Jesus' name we pray"
at a publicly funded government meeting
where rational and balanced decisions are to be made for “all” taxpayers?
How is Greensboro in the land of the free
if one religion dominates 90% of the invocations?
Are communities who lean towards religion infused government
more or less likely to pass religious based legislation
like alcohol prohibition, dancing, women’s rights, book burning,
public school curriculums, abortion or homosexuality?
Should elected lawmakers seek to avoid imposing their religious views
upon the communities in which they reside?
Religion
…is the opiate of the masses
Karl Marx
Why are weak governments more likely to embrace religion or nationalism
in times of social instability
and/or when distractions appear helpful to bury other more important issues?
Sheep who elect bears to protect themselves from wolves
are still devoured.
Beezlebubba
Is Greensboro better off if Council Members can't endorse church's
in a moment of silence
or if our elected representatives can gain advantage
by maneuvering specific clergy to be picked to offer prayers
at publicly funded events?
If Greensboro City Council Members could be considered blessed by God,
to act in the name of God after a prayer
but not necessarily after a moment of silence
which would most of the rational electorate prefer?
Should our taxation
be based on what the government says it needs to keep the peace etc...,
or based on what God may have told City Council via prayer,
rendering those who object subject to the Omnipotent backed wrath of the believers?
Why did many white religious and political institutions teach congregants
that God supported racial segregation
and nationalistic state supremacy bestowed by deities
and totalitarian authority for the ruling classes
and military endeavors
and the status quo?
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
"For every $1 million in debt [Greensboro] avoids taking on, it will save $88,000 a year."
"Why not cut city debt?
While council members were dishing out their list of programs they didn't want to see cut Tuesday, Councilman Danny Thompson pressed a different issue altogether.
Why doesn't the city take on less debt next year?
The city staff is recommending that the council approved $75 million worth of bond projects in the next two years...
Does the city really need to do some of these projects "if these bonds have been sitting around for a decade and five councils have come and gone and they have just set there?" Thompson asked.
City Finance Director Rick Lusk laid it out in dollars: For every $1 million in debt the city avoids taking on, it will save $88,000 a year.
...This City Council hasn't even had any public debate about which projects on the list should move forward right now. It seems doubtful they would want to have an open discussion about what should get cut."
Amanda Lehmert
Greensboro News and Record
While council members were dishing out their list of programs they didn't want to see cut Tuesday, Councilman Danny Thompson pressed a different issue altogether.
Why doesn't the city take on less debt next year?
Was it justifiable for Greensboro and Guilford County's elders
to promise themselves millions of current economic stimulus
for future generations to pay for?
The city staff is recommending that the council approved $75 million worth of bond projects in the next two years...
Does the city really need to do some of these projects "if these bonds have been sitting around for a decade and five councils have come and gone and they have just set there?" Thompson asked.
City Finance Director Rick Lusk laid it out in dollars: For every $1 million in debt the city avoids taking on, it will save $88,000 a year.
Did the most prosperous generation of parents
in Greensboro and Guilford County's history
promise themselves discretionary municipal benefits
their children won’t have enough money to pay for?
...This City Council hasn't even had any public debate about which projects on the list should move forward right now. It seems doubtful they would want to have an open discussion about what should get cut."
What could happen if a generation of underemployed, underpaid
educated and indebted young adults
become disillusioned by their elders’ financial mismanagement
and seek to identify and punish those responsible?
Amanda Lehmert
Greensboro News and Record
Why would some of one generation
want to covertly confiscate another’s wealth?
George Hartzman
Does Greensboro’s opposition to a publically owned broadband vote have anything to do with a lobbyist working for the City of Greensboro?
Questions for America
August 14th, 2009
"Also on Senate Finance’s calendar is a bill that would require municipalities to go to a vote before borrowing in support of a publically owned broadband system.
Some of the strongest opposition to this bill comes from Greensboro."
Mark Binker
Greensboro News and Record, May 26, 2010
Response to the response from the City of Greensboro Information Request emailed to the City of Greensboro Public Affairs Department on May 19, 2010
"May 25, 2010
Mr. Hartzman – I am providing you the following information in response to your public records request regarding the authority of the War Memorial Commission.Per the War Memorial Commission manual, the Commission’s role was, and continues to be, to “serve as an advisory group in the operation of the Greensboro War Memorial Auditorium-Coliseum and make recommendations to the Council concerning its use and operation.”
In December 2003, the WMC formally voted to amend one of its duties from “make rules and regulations for the use and operation of the Greensboro War Memorial, including fees for its use, subject to the approval to the Council” to “advise the Managing Director of the Greensboro Coliseum Complex on rules and regulations for the use and operation of the Greensboro War Memorial, including fees for its use, subject to the approval to the Council.”
Also of note, as a condition of his hiring as Coliseum managing director in 1994, Matt Brown was granted authority (previously held by the City Manager) to “delegate and assign the responsibility and authority to execute lease agreements on behalf of the City of Greensboro with respect to the Greensboro War Memorial Coliseum Complex”.
We are unable to answer your other question regarding “what Greensboro Coliseum Complex advertising was bartered for event admissions”. It is unclear what you are referring to as “Greensboro Coliseum Complex advertising”? Also, it’s unclear as to why the Coliseum would “barter” its advertising for “event admissions” to its own events?
Andrew Brown
Public Relations Manager
Greensboro Coliseum Complex"
May 26, 2010
Mr. Brown – Thank you for your prompt reply.
1. Why did the WMC formally vote “to amend one of its duties from “make rules and regulations for the use and operation of the Greensboro War Memorial, including fees for its use, subject to the approval to the Council” to “advise the Managing Director of the Greensboro Coliseum Complex on rules and regulations for the use and operation of the Greensboro War Memorial, including fees for its use, subject to the approval to the Council.””?
2. Let me clarify my advertisement/barter question with a hypothetical example. The Coliseum wants to place an ad in a local newspaper. Instead of making a monetary payment to the newspaper, tickets and/or other Coliseum Complex perquisites are exchanged.
So to rephrase:
Please provide details of Greensboro Coliseum Complex perquisites exchanged for how much advertising with whom over the last 12 months, including "face values" and any other relevant information.
I will be happy to provide any additional elucidation.
George Hartzman
Triad Watch
FYI : The third question emailed to the City of Greensboro Public Affairs Department on May 19, 2010 was “What is the dollar amount of the gap between The City of Greensboro’s FY 2009/10 spending and FY 2010/11’s expected revenues?”, which has not yet been answered.
Mr. Hartzman – I am providing you the following information in response to your public records request regarding the authority of the War Memorial Commission.Per the War Memorial Commission manual, the Commission’s role was, and continues to be, to “serve as an advisory group in the operation of the Greensboro War Memorial Auditorium-Coliseum and make recommendations to the Council concerning its use and operation.”
In December 2003, the WMC formally voted to amend one of its duties from “make rules and regulations for the use and operation of the Greensboro War Memorial, including fees for its use, subject to the approval to the Council” to “advise the Managing Director of the Greensboro Coliseum Complex on rules and regulations for the use and operation of the Greensboro War Memorial, including fees for its use, subject to the approval to the Council.”
Also of note, as a condition of his hiring as Coliseum managing director in 1994, Matt Brown was granted authority (previously held by the City Manager) to “delegate and assign the responsibility and authority to execute lease agreements on behalf of the City of Greensboro with respect to the Greensboro War Memorial Coliseum Complex”.
We are unable to answer your other question regarding “what Greensboro Coliseum Complex advertising was bartered for event admissions”. It is unclear what you are referring to as “Greensboro Coliseum Complex advertising”? Also, it’s unclear as to why the Coliseum would “barter” its advertising for “event admissions” to its own events?
Andrew Brown
Public Relations Manager
Greensboro Coliseum Complex"
May 26, 2010
Mr. Brown – Thank you for your prompt reply.
1. Why did the WMC formally vote “to amend one of its duties from “make rules and regulations for the use and operation of the Greensboro War Memorial, including fees for its use, subject to the approval to the Council” to “advise the Managing Director of the Greensboro Coliseum Complex on rules and regulations for the use and operation of the Greensboro War Memorial, including fees for its use, subject to the approval to the Council.””?
2. Let me clarify my advertisement/barter question with a hypothetical example. The Coliseum wants to place an ad in a local newspaper. Instead of making a monetary payment to the newspaper, tickets and/or other Coliseum Complex perquisites are exchanged.
So to rephrase:
Please provide details of Greensboro Coliseum Complex perquisites exchanged for how much advertising with whom over the last 12 months, including "face values" and any other relevant information.
I will be happy to provide any additional elucidation.
George Hartzman
Triad Watch
FYI : The third question emailed to the City of Greensboro Public Affairs Department on May 19, 2010 was “What is the dollar amount of the gap between The City of Greensboro’s FY 2009/10 spending and FY 2010/11’s expected revenues?”, which has not yet been answered.
Triad Watch
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
On Greensboro’s Recommended FY 2010/11 budget
" • No tax increases
Except for a 8.75% water and sewer rate increase,
• Combining yard waste with leaf pick-up, while eliminating loose leaf collection
So the City can borrow to pay for a fraudulently marketed Aquatic Center?
• Increasing parking rates and fines
Kind of like a tax increase under a different heading?
• Delaying a fire training class
A less prepared fire department for a money losing Aquatic Center,
• Increasing water and sewer rates by 8.75 percent
If Mike Baron is anywhere near correct on falling use
• Reducing, but not eliminating, summer park programs
For a Swim Center for the relatively white and wealthy,
To take from the multitude of Softball players to give to fewer Swimmers?
• Limiting bond projects to $40 million
Is the word “limiting” supposed to engender impressions of frugality?
How about limiting bond projects to $0 while the city,
Is the City expecting another “Cash for Clunkers” stimulus?
Are our leaders advocating an extension of the $8,000 home buyer credit
Are the City’s budget writers expecting incomes to rise as the Bush tax cuts expire next year, which will clip Adjusted Gross Income
• Eliminating school crossing guards
If a little kid gets hit so the city can borrow to buy a swimming pool…?
• Reducing general fund contributions to Downtown Greensboro Inc.
Highlights of the proposed City budget, via press release, Via Ed Cone:"
George Hartzman
Except for a 8.75% water and sewer rate increase,
what you pay and/or your time expended on leaves,
and the other fees and fines?
• Combining yard waste with leaf pick-up, while eliminating loose leaf collection
So the City can borrow to pay for a fraudulently marketed Aquatic Center?
• Increasing parking rates and fines
Kind of like a tax increase under a different heading?
• Delaying a fire training class
A less prepared fire department for a money losing Aquatic Center,
to transfer Greensboro taxpayer's wealth to the city's restaurant and hotel industry?
• Increasing water and sewer rates by 8.75 percent
If Mike Baron is anywhere near correct on falling use
versus reckless overinvestment in infrastructure,
how is this not a travesty?
• Reducing, but not eliminating, summer park programs
For a Swim Center for the relatively white and wealthy,
to be paid for by removing services from the relatively minority and poor?
To take from the multitude of Softball players to give to fewer Swimmers?
• Limiting bond projects to $40 million
Is the word “limiting” supposed to engender impressions of frugality?
.
Do you feel pacified now?
How about limiting bond projects to $0 while the city,
state and country’s income is falling as half of Europe slashes budgets by 10-20%?
Is the City expecting another “Cash for Clunkers” stimulus?
Are our leaders advocating an extension of the $8,000 home buyer credit
or another billion or two for the State from the Obama Administration?
Are the City’s budget writers expecting incomes to rise as the Bush tax cuts expire next year, which will clip Adjusted Gross Income
and NC state tax revenues even more?
• Eliminating school crossing guards
If a little kid gets hit so the city can borrow to buy a swimming pool…?
• Reducing general fund contributions to Downtown Greensboro Inc.
.
How about the Greensboro Partnership?
Highlights of the proposed City budget, via press release, Via Ed Cone:"
George Hartzman
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Newsbusted is New for 5-25-2010 Click on the Embedded Video, Enjoy
Newsbusted is new for 5-25-2010 click on the embedded video , enjoy.
Would it be ethical for a Greensboro City Council Member…
Would it be ethical for a Greensboro City Council Member to ask for and receive $1,000 worth of complimentary passes to the taxpayer funded Greensboro Coliseum Complex to reward a $500 campaign contributor for their financial support?
If it is not ethical, why is it allowable?
If it is allowable, why are there no records of Council Members reciept of free passes to a taxpayer funded venue?
Why haven't Council Members who touted "transparency" during election cycles moved to eliminate an obvious avenue of unethical behavior at taxpayer expense?
Would the money pit that may be the Aquatic Center have occured, if the Coliseum hadn't had what could have been "blackmail" type evidence or reverse backscratching oppurtunities?
Would the ampetheater or the VIP room?
Why would some senior City employees give a pass to such a financially irresponsible swimming pool without a legitimate third party feasability study?
Why would some senior City employees remove balance sheet costs to make the Coliseum look more financially vibrant than it actually is?
Why would some information dissemination conduits openly cheerlead greater autonomy for a publicly owned venue that may be using free passes as a currency to gain favor from local politicians and opinionators?
Why have some news storys not been published by some local journalists concerning the above questions?
Why isn't the War Memorial Commission addressing these issues, because they were appointed by City Council Members?
Why arn't some senior City officials addressing these issues, because they are enjoying some of the same benefits of some City Council Members?
Same with top execs in the local news industry?
If it is not ethical, why is it allowable?
If it is allowable, why are there no records of Council Members reciept of free passes to a taxpayer funded venue?
Why haven't Council Members who touted "transparency" during election cycles moved to eliminate an obvious avenue of unethical behavior at taxpayer expense?
Would the money pit that may be the Aquatic Center have occured, if the Coliseum hadn't had what could have been "blackmail" type evidence or reverse backscratching oppurtunities?
Would the ampetheater or the VIP room?
Why would some senior City employees give a pass to such a financially irresponsible swimming pool without a legitimate third party feasability study?
Why would some senior City employees remove balance sheet costs to make the Coliseum look more financially vibrant than it actually is?
Why would some information dissemination conduits openly cheerlead greater autonomy for a publicly owned venue that may be using free passes as a currency to gain favor from local politicians and opinionators?
Why have some news storys not been published by some local journalists concerning the above questions?
Why isn't the War Memorial Commission addressing these issues, because they were appointed by City Council Members?
Why arn't some senior City officials addressing these issues, because they are enjoying some of the same benefits of some City Council Members?
Same with top execs in the local news industry?
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Did City of Greensboro officials intentionally mislead the Greensboro News and Record’s Amanda Lehmert?
If the City Budget Director removed $125,000 plus $100,000 plus $156,000
from the Greensboro Coliseum’s 2010/11 budget,
will taxpayers be "contributing" a reported $1.6 million or about $2,000,000?
For supporters, that alone makes the city’s contribution to coliseum operations,
Amanda Lehmert
Can the wants of a few who know
outweigh the needs of many that don’t until a majority figures it out?
This marks the sixth year in a row that the Coliseum Complex has reported a lower year end deficit than had been budgeted.”
Matt Brown
What should the electorate expect
from leadership dependent on the status quo?
The City Manager agreed...the two lease payments of $100,000 and $156,000
Matt Brown
If Greensboro’s City Council was informed that the FY 2010/11 contribution
would be $1,587,542, but Rashad Young, Bob Morgan
and the (functionally useless since 1994?) War Memorial Commission
are aware of accounting manipulations, have some City Council Members been mislead
by not being made aware of what they should know?
Amanda Lehmert
Do some politicians pacify the electorate with platitudes
while promising the status quo to those enjoying legislated benefits?
“It’s completely ridiculous,” Councilman Robbie Perkins said.
Amanda Lehmert
Are some Council Members who have received free perquisites via Coliseum management
acting unusually protective of indefensible actions?
The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure
Patrick Henry
At what point should Coliseum freebees be considered bribes?
P J O'Rourke
from the Greensboro Coliseum’s 2010/11 budget,
will taxpayers be "contributing" a reported $1.6 million or about $2,000,000?
For supporters, that alone makes the city’s contribution to coliseum operations,
which will be about $1.6 million next year, worth it.
Amanda Lehmert
Greensboro News and Record, May 23, 2010
Can the wants of a few who know
outweigh the needs of many that don’t until a majority figures it out?
“...We are projecting the Coliseum Complex's operating budget deficit
for the FY 2010/11 to be $1,587,542
or $245,910 or 15% lower than FY 09/10 Operating Budget Deficit.
This marks the sixth year in a row that the Coliseum Complex has reported a lower year end deficit than had been budgeted.”
Matt Brown
Memo to City Council,
WMC, Rashad Young, Bob Morgan, R. Lusk, L. Davis, J. Fletcher and S. Johnson
April 12, 2010
Via Tony Wilkins
What should the electorate expect
from leadership dependent on the status quo?
“The City Budget Director agreed with our request
that funding for the three scheduled roof repairs
should come under the auspices of the City General Capital Repair account
resulting in the removal of this $125,000 budgeted expense
in the Coliseum Complex budget.
The City Manager agreed...the two lease payments of $100,000 and $156,000
should not be charged against the Coliseum Operating Budget…”
Matt Brown
Memo to WMC, Rashad Young and Bob Morgan, but not City Council
April 16, 2010
Via Tony Wilkins
If Greensboro’s City Council was informed that the FY 2010/11 contribution
would be $1,587,542, but Rashad Young, Bob Morgan
and the (functionally useless since 1994?) War Memorial Commission
are aware of accounting manipulations, have some City Council Members been mislead
by not being made aware of what they should know?
“What the coliseum brings in — the economic impact is huge for restaurants
and everything else,” Councilman Zack Matheny said.
Amanda Lehmert
Greensboro News and Record, May 23, 2010
Do some politicians pacify the electorate with platitudes
while promising the status quo to those enjoying legislated benefits?
“It’s completely ridiculous,” Councilman Robbie Perkins said.
“The single biggest threat to the operation of the coliseum is the Greensboro City Council.
They are undermining an expert (Brown).”
Amanda Lehmert
Greensboro News and Record, May 23, 2010
Are some Council Members who have received free perquisites via Coliseum management
acting unusually protective of indefensible actions?
The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure
when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them
Patrick Henry
At what point should Coliseum freebees be considered bribes?
When buying and selling are controlled by legislation
the first thing to be bought and sold are legislators
P J O'Rourke
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Newsbusted is New for 5-21-2010 Check Out The Embedded Video Enjoy
Newsbusted is new for 5-21-2010 click on the embedded video above courtesy of Newsbusters
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Deep thoughts on Guilford County's revenue and debt conundrum, by Yes Weekly's Jordan Green
"Guilford commissioners acknowledge bond spending likely to require tax increase
...Over the next two years, [Guilford] county’s debt service payments will make a “dramatic jump” to almost $100 million in FY 2012 and then just below $120 million in 2013, before gradually tapering off.
The county is going to have to tackle its debt to pay for its new jail and new schools. Guilford County voters approved a $412.3 million school bond and $114.6 million bond to build the new Guilford County Detention Center in May 2008. The bad news for the county is that tax revenues are expected to decrease by 1.4 percent next year...
“When citizens voted for this debt, they voted to pay for it,” Democratic Commissioner Kirk Perkins said during a briefing yesteday. “That looks like a cliff we’re getting ready to ride off.”
[Kirk] Perkins asked [Brenda] Fox what to articulate her plan for when the county’s debt service payments jump by $40 million.
By running ever faster you may not fall.
Wyle E. Coyote
...Chairman Skip Alston...said...“If we were to kinda put a little elbow grease to it, put some brain power and think outside the box, there are other ways we can resolve that debt…. The sales taxes were down about $8 million this year. Hopefully, people will start spending. To say ‘raise taxes’ just because we’re looking at a $40 million [increase] next year I think is irresponsible…
...Over the next two years, [Guilford] county’s debt service payments will make a “dramatic jump” to almost $100 million in FY 2012 and then just below $120 million in 2013, before gradually tapering off.
The county is going to have to tackle its debt to pay for its new jail and new schools. Guilford County voters approved a $412.3 million school bond and $114.6 million bond to build the new Guilford County Detention Center in May 2008. The bad news for the county is that tax revenues are expected to decrease by 1.4 percent next year...
“When citizens voted for this debt, they voted to pay for it,” Democratic Commissioner Kirk Perkins said during a briefing yesteday. “That looks like a cliff we’re getting ready to ride off.”
[Kirk] Perkins asked [Brenda] Fox what to articulate her plan for when the county’s debt service payments jump by $40 million.
Once off the cliff, there is still hope if you keep running.
By running ever faster you may not fall.
Wyle E. Coyote
...Chairman Skip Alston...said...“If we were to kinda put a little elbow grease to it, put some brain power and think outside the box, there are other ways we can resolve that debt…. The sales taxes were down about $8 million this year. Hopefully, people will start spending. To say ‘raise taxes’ just because we’re looking at a $40 million [increase] next year I think is irresponsible…
.
There is no question we did not recognize the severity of the problems
Al Hubbard
Former White House chief economics adviser
.
...Perkins and Democrat Paul Gibson suggested two possible alternatives to increasing the property tax: respectively, a moratorium on issuing new bonds for schools and a quarter-cent sales tax.
Jordan Green
Yes Weekly"
Jordan Green
Yes Weekly"
Did Keith Brown just save Guilford County and Greensboro $13,000,000?
Crony Capitalism and Local Developer Roy Carroll Red Flags
on American Express Incentive Deal
Keith Brown
Triad Watch, Wednesday, April 21, 2010
"American Express chooses eastern Guilford County for data center
American Express will locate a data-services center in eastern Guilford County.
...“It is confirmed that American Express is coming here,” said Pat Danahy, president and CEO of the Greensboro Partnership. “I would say congratulations to all of us. This is a big deal. A big deal.”
Earlier this year, Greensboro and Guilford County governments had tentatively scheduled incentives hearings related to the project but quickly canceled those efforts. At one point, local officials said the company was looking for as much as $13 million in combined incentives from the city and county.
Danahy said Thursday that the company would not seek local incentives.
Mark Binker, Richard M. Barron and Donald W. Patterson
Greensboro News and Record, May 20, 2010"
Newsbusters is New for the Week of 5-20-2010 Check out Embedded video
Newsbusters is new for the week of 5-20-2010 and sorry for the late post because another newsbusted video will be out tomorrow
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
City of Greensboro Information Request emailed to the City of Greensboro Public Affairs Department, May 19, 2010
If the oversight authority of the War Memorial Commission has been curtailed, what was the Commission’s power to regulate Greensboro Coliseum Complex operations before any regulatory controls were rescinded, and what is the Commission’s role now?
In the last 12 months, what Greensboro Coliseum Complex advertizing was bartered for event admissions and other perquisites, what and how many tickets to what events were made available, and what were the comparable “face values” of the passes etc… available to the public?
What is the dollar amount of the gap between The City of Greensboro’s FY 2009/10 spending and FY 2010/11’s expected revenues?
George Hartzman
Triad Watch
Emailed to the City of Greensboro Public Affairs Department, May 19, 2010
In the last 12 months, what Greensboro Coliseum Complex advertizing was bartered for event admissions and other perquisites, what and how many tickets to what events were made available, and what were the comparable “face values” of the passes etc… available to the public?
What is the dollar amount of the gap between The City of Greensboro’s FY 2009/10 spending and FY 2010/11’s expected revenues?
George Hartzman
Triad Watch
Emailed to the City of Greensboro Public Affairs Department, May 19, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Part 3: It Is Time for The Greensboro City Council To Take The TREBIC Blinders Off and Require Neighborhood Meetings
Let's take a look at what is on the Agenda for the Greensboro City Council meeting for 5-18-2010. Below is item #19 which after the zoning commission met on this matter it would have been wise for this applicant to go back to the drawing board here is the post which is part 2 CLICKHERE .If you would like to go back further here is what started this series now up to part 3 CLICKHERE for the original post.
Cyndy Hayworth talking about this case at the zoning commission
Here is the agenda item below for the 5-18-2010 meeting of the Greensboro City Council Meeting.
19. Ordinance rezoning from RS-9 (Residential – Single Family) to CD-LB (Conditional District-Limited Business) for property located at 3500, 3502 and 3504 North Church Street, generally described as the northeast corner of the intersection of North Church Street and Denny Road. (Council District: 2) (roll call vote) (Attachment #19 (PL(Z) 10-06) to Councilmembers)
This applicant above never met with the surrounding neighbors before the zoning commission. One would hope that they have met with the surrounding property owners before they come in front of the Greensboro City Council. It would be great to hear a council member ask the question , when did you meet with the surrounding property owners? What are the concerns?Did anything come out of the meetings?
With all this talk about the new land development ordinance for the entire City of Greensboro and to see just how much the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition (TREBIC) wants to deny REQUIRED meetings with surrounding property owners in the zoning process. These past posts now up to part 3 will show you what is wrong with the system and to hear these applicants say that they never met with the surrounding property owners is the topping on the cake. Dump the talk of meet and confer and actually make it a requirement to meet with surrounding property owners 2 to 3 weeks before it ever gets in front of the zoning commission.
Cyndy Hayworth talking about this case at the zoning commission
Here is the agenda item below for the 5-18-2010 meeting of the Greensboro City Council Meeting.
19. Ordinance rezoning from RS-9 (Residential – Single Family) to CD-LB (Conditional District-Limited Business) for property located at 3500, 3502 and 3504 North Church Street, generally described as the northeast corner of the intersection of North Church Street and Denny Road. (Council District: 2) (roll call vote) (Attachment #19 (PL(Z) 10-06) to Councilmembers)
This applicant above never met with the surrounding neighbors before the zoning commission. One would hope that they have met with the surrounding property owners before they come in front of the Greensboro City Council. It would be great to hear a council member ask the question , when did you meet with the surrounding property owners? What are the concerns?Did anything come out of the meetings?
With all this talk about the new land development ordinance for the entire City of Greensboro and to see just how much the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition (TREBIC) wants to deny REQUIRED meetings with surrounding property owners in the zoning process. These past posts now up to part 3 will show you what is wrong with the system and to hear these applicants say that they never met with the surrounding property owners is the topping on the cake. Dump the talk of meet and confer and actually make it a requirement to meet with surrounding property owners 2 to 3 weeks before it ever gets in front of the zoning commission.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Do some owe me lunch?
Power in America…
is control of the means of communication
Theodore White
Political Journalist
Coliseum VIP Lounge Shocks Councilmembers
John Hammer
Rhino Times, May 13, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Guilford County's New Ethics Policy with No Thanks to Shaw, Yow and Arnold on Censure Procedures
Code of Ethics - Final Approved 050610 for Guilford County Board of Commissioners
The Guilford County Board of Commissioners on 5-6-2010 voted 11-0 to approve the new Ethics policy after a lengthy discussion about the censure procedures where a substitute motion was offered by none other than Steve Arnold who is not the most ethical politician when it comes to unloading property before a court date . Here is a quote from the Greensboro News & Record with a title "Judge Says County Commissioner Can't Avoid 1 Million + Plus Debt" here is the quote
"In issuing the opinion Wednesday, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Thomas W. Waldrep Jr. found that Arnold transferred tracts of land to relatives to avoid creditors after defaulting on loans and agreements. Waldrep said there were “multiple badges of fraud” in the case, in which Arnold admitted under oath to trying to keep assets from creditors" CLICKHERE
It is great when you have a judge saying that a county commissioner had multiple badges of fraud. Would this ethics policy been used for this case? The censure procedures are in place for a reason and to see Steve Arnold try to take this out of the policy really shows his true colors. Then we also had Linda Shaw and Billy Yow as well vote in a substitute motion to get rid of the censure, bad move on their part.
The other day the editorial board at the Greensboro News and Record chimed in on this new Ethics Policy CLICKHERE Here is a part of the editorial
"Supporting Arnold, Commissioner Billy Yow worried that such actions “could get into the constitution, freedom of speech, perhaps,” and trigger lawsuits.
Yow need not fret about that. The policy allows censure, not censorship. A censure is an official expression of disapproval. It would carry no legal weight and would not remove a commissioner from office. But it would let the board state publicly that it intends to hold its members to a high standard of personal conduct."
The scribd version of the Guilford County Ethics policy is above and hopefully in the future there can be some add ons to this policy because the Commissioners never had a time where the general public could look at the policy before they voted on it. Correct me if i am wrong but has the City of Greensboro or City of High Point adopted a new Ethics Policy? Would love to know and will try to find out the answer in a update to this post.
Should Guilford County Commissioner Chairman Skip Alston be retroactively censured for his role in the Downtown Hotel Project?
Board members should avoid impropriety
in the exercise of their official duties.
Their official actions should be above reproach.
…They should act as the especially responsible citizens
whom others can trust and respect.
…they should be willing to put the board’s interests ahead of their own.
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Avoid deriving a direct benefit from contracts in which you are involved
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
Avoid attempting to influence others
who are involved in making or administering a contract
on behalf of the public agency, even if you aren’t involved,
if you will derive a direct benefit from the contract. (G.S. 14-234 (a)(2)…
…Disclose the existence of the direct financial interest in advance.
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
in the exercise of their official duties.
Their official actions should be above reproach.
…They should act as the especially responsible citizens
whom others can trust and respect.
…they should be willing to put the board’s interests ahead of their own.
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Avoid deriving a direct benefit from contracts in which you are involved
in making or administering on behalf of the public agency. (G.S. 14-234((a)(1)
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Avoid attempting to influence others
who are involved in making or administering a contract
on behalf of the public agency, even if you aren’t involved,
if you will derive a direct benefit from the contract. (G.S. 14-234 (a)(2)…
…Disclose the existence of the direct financial interest in advance.
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Recently Passed Guilford County Commissioner Ethics Code Highlights / Pin the Tail on the Donkey
WHEREAS, a spirit of honesty and forthrightness
is reflected in North Carolina’s State Motto,
Esse Quam Videri,“To Be Rather than to Seem”
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Elected local government officials
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
Elected local government officials
must be aware of their obligation to conform their behavior
to standards of ethical conduct that warrant the trust of their constituents.
Each official must find within his or her own conscience
the touchstone by which to determine what conduct is appropriate.
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Board members should act with integrity and with independence
Board members should use their best independent judgment
They should be self-governing and not subject to improper influence,
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
Board members should avoid impropriety
in the exercise of their official duties.
Their official actions should be above reproach.
A board member is considered to be acting with impropriety
if a reasonable person who was made aware of the totality
of the circumstances surrounding the board member’s action
would conclude that it was more likely than not
that the behavior did not befit someone in the board member’s position.
…They should act as the especially responsible citizens
whom others can trust and respect.
…they should be willing to put the board’s interests ahead of their own.
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Board members should be faithful in their attendance at meetings
They should carefully analyze all credible information
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
The board should set a good example for others in the community,
keeping in mind that trust and respect must continually be earned.
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Board members of local governing boards
They should also remember that the records of their local government
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
…board members should strive to be open.
They should prohibit unjustified delayin fulfilling public records requests.
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Avoid deriving a direct benefit from contracts in which you are involved
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
Avoid attempting to influence others
who are involved in making or administering a contract
on behalf of the public agency, even if you aren’t involved,
if you will derive a direct benefit from the contract. (G.S. 14-234 (a)(2)
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Avoid soliciting or receiving any gift or reward
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
Consider the ethical and practical consequences
of deriving a direct benefit from a contract
…and weigh these considerations against the potential advantage
to the public agency and to yourself.
…Avoid participating in deliberations about or voting on a contract
in which you have a direct benefit…
Follow reporting requirements to ensure transparency. (G.S. 14-234)
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Avoid using your knowledge of contemplated action
Avoid intentionally aiding another to do any of these things. (G.S. 14-234.1)
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
Avoid receiving any gift or favor
from a current, past, or potential contractor. (G.S. 133-32(a)
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Avoid voting on matters
Avoid voting on any zoning map or text amendment
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
is reflected in North Carolina’s State Motto,
Esse Quam Videri,“To Be Rather than to Seem”
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Elected local government officials
must be able to act in a manner that maintains their integrity and independence,
yet is responsive to the interests and needs of those they represent.
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Elected local government officials
must be aware of their obligation to conform their behavior
to standards of ethical conduct that warrant the trust of their constituents.
Each official must find within his or her own conscience
the touchstone by which to determine what conduct is appropriate.
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Board members should act with integrity and with independence
from improper influence…
Board members should use their best independent judgment
to pursue the common good as they see it, presenting their opinions to all in a reasonable, forthright, consistent manner.
They should be self-governing and not subject to improper influence,
while at the same time being able to consider the opinions and ideas of others.
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Board members should avoid impropriety
in the exercise of their official duties.
Their official actions should be above reproach.
A board member is considered to be acting with impropriety
if a reasonable person who was made aware of the totality
of the circumstances surrounding the board member’s action
would conclude that it was more likely than not
that the behavior did not befit someone in the board member’s position.
…They should act as the especially responsible citizens
whom others can trust and respect.
…they should be willing to put the board’s interests ahead of their own.
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Board members should be faithful in their attendance at meetings
and in their preparation for those meetings.
They should carefully analyze all credible information
that is provided to them.
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
The board should set a good example for others in the community,
keeping in mind that trust and respect must continually be earned.
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Board members of local governing boards
should conduct the affairs of their boards in an open and public manner.
They should also remember that the records of their local government
belong to the public and not to them or their employees.
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
…board members should strive to be open.
They should prohibit unjustified delayin fulfilling public records requests.
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Avoid deriving a direct benefit from contracts in which you are involved
in making or administering on behalf of the public agency. (G.S. 14-234((a)(1)
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Avoid attempting to influence others
who are involved in making or administering a contract
on behalf of the public agency, even if you aren’t involved,
if you will derive a direct benefit from the contract. (G.S. 14-234 (a)(2)
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Avoid soliciting or receiving any gift or reward
in exchange for recommending, influencing, or attempting to influence
the award of a contract by the public agency you serve. (G.S. 14-234 (a)(3)
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Consider the ethical and practical consequences
of deriving a direct benefit from a contract
…and weigh these considerations against the potential advantage
to the public agency and to yourself.
…Avoid participating in deliberations about or voting on a contract
in which you have a direct benefit…
Follow reporting requirements to ensure transparency. (G.S. 14-234)
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Avoid using your knowledge of contemplated action
by you or your unit,
or information known to you in your official capacity and not made public,
to acquire a financial interest in any property, transaction, or enterprise,
or to gain a financial benefit that may be affected by the information
or contemplated action.
Avoid intentionally aiding another to do any of these things. (G.S. 14-234.1)
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Avoid receiving any gift or favor
from a current, past, or potential contractor. (G.S. 133-32(a)
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Avoid voting on matters
involving your own financial interest or official conduct. (G.S. 160A-75; 153A-44.)
Disclose the existence of the direct financial interest in advance...
Avoid voting on any zoning map or text amendment
where the outcome of the vote is reasonably likely
to have a direct, substantial, and readily identifiable financial impact on you.
Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners
of Guilford County, North Carolina
Monday, May 10, 2010
Editorial Cartoons of the Week Compliments of William Warren, Topics:Feed Off The Crisis,Florida Panhandle, and Another Spill
FEED OFF THE CRISIS
Florida Panhandle
Another Spill
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
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Is Guilford County's projected 2010/11 budget deficit about $51,000,000?
A budget deficit occurs
when an entity spends more money than it takes in.
Wikipedia
If Guilford County's projected deficit consists of $17 million in cuts
plus $34 million the county intends to spend more than it recieves,
does the 2010/11 budget deficit = about $51 million?
If they can get you asking the wrong questions,
they don't have to worry about answers
Thomas Pynchon
Summary of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances
Fy 2010 – 2011 Proposed Guilford County Budget, Page 19 at the bottom
...Commissioners Chairman Melvin “Skip” Alston
reiterated a promise there would be no tax increase,
saying in other published reports that he was “100 percent” confident.
Joe Killian
Greensboro News and Record, April 9, 2010
Did Someone in Guilford County's Government Lie
to the Greensboro News and Record on the Budget Deficit?
April 25, 2010
Maybe that's why Fox refused to offer a number to the question
"what is the deficit" as opposed to "here are the proposed cuts"
Guilford proposes $17 million cut
Could Guilford County face a $61 million budget deficit in 2011/12?
April 26, 2010
So if the county goes down to the reserve minimums this coming year,
will they have to cut the $34 million and then another $27 million from the budget
in 2011/12?
Deep Thoughts on Guilford County Politics and the Budget, by the GN&R's Allen Johnson
April 25, 2010
Budget Deficit
The amount by which a government, company, or individual's spending
exceeds its income over a particular period of time.
Also called deficit or deficit spending.
Opposite of budget surplus.
Investorwords.com
.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
A little give and take on City of Greensboro Jobs and the Aquatic Center
Sympathies and regret for those about to lose their jobs
before...City Council borrows to build a money losing swimming pool
that will cause more elimination of civil service livelyhoods.
Shame on us.
"Greensboro will eliminate three department head jobs
...Two internal city service departments — Enterprise Solutions and Information Technology — will be combined under a single division and the Public Affairs department will answer directly to an assistant city manager...
Those changes will eliminate two director jobs.
...the Housing and Community Development and Planning departments will merge, eliminating a third department head position.
The changes are likely to save the city on salaries...
...Changes to the other four departments will also provide for some efficiencies..."
Amanda Lehmert
Greensboro News and Record, Friday, May 7, 2010
Benefits and Costs of Economic Development Projects
With all this talk about American Express coming to town with a new data center and my last post with over 152 comments CLICKHERE about Crony Capitalism and local developer Roy Carroll.
Below you will find a new article from the UNC School of Government that is scribd for all to see in the post in regards to a benefits and costs of economic development projects. If you want more please click on the title of this post above and it will take you to the UNC School of Government web site or just read the enclosed scribd version.
Publication information:
Title: “Analyzing the Benefits and Costs of Economic Development Projects” Community and Economic Development Bulletin #7
Authors: Jonathan Q. Morgan, Assistant Professor of Public Administration and Government
Date: April 2010
No. of pages: 16
UNC School of Government on Benefits and Costs of Economic Development Projects
Below you will find a new article from the UNC School of Government that is scribd for all to see in the post in regards to a benefits and costs of economic development projects. If you want more please click on the title of this post above and it will take you to the UNC School of Government web site or just read the enclosed scribd version.
Publication information:
Title: “Analyzing the Benefits and Costs of Economic Development Projects” Community and Economic Development Bulletin #7
Authors: Jonathan Q. Morgan, Assistant Professor of Public Administration and Government
Date: April 2010
No. of pages: 16
UNC School of Government on Benefits and Costs of Economic Development Projects
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Bcenh Trvean, Fairdy uopn fuor ttirhy
Are some so smart they’re stupid?
How do you know you die?
Are you familiar with the rings around Uranus?
Is life too short to be little?
If you were a hen,
what would you think of those who take your offspring every 21 days?
What is an apologist?
How do you know you die?
What does a carnivore look for in the face of its prey and why?
Stapling feathers on your arms does not make you a peacock.
Are you familiar with the rings around Uranus?
Koshanostra
It is kind of like using heroine when you’re pregnant
Is life too short to be little?
How do birds know not to go to someone else’s nest?
Are we evolving too fast?
Did Yes Weekly’s Jordan Green just call out Allen Johnson to pen the story of a conversation with Skip Alston?
Sometimes people mistake the way I talk
for what I am thinking
Idi Amin
Skip Alston and the quote of the night
Jordan Green
Yes Weekly
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Deep Thoughts on North Carolina's Proposed Budget, Jail Costs and Guilford County Finances, by Scott Yost
"State Budget Woes Passed on to County
...if the governor's new proposed budget passed as is, the state would begin charging Guilford County a fee for jail inspections...something that, in the past, the state has always done at no charge to the county.
...the governor's proposed budget...calls for an increase in the non-federal share costs for adult home monitoring.
In the proposed new arrangement the county and state would each pay 25 percent of the cost not picked up by the federal government. That move, once implemented in all 100 counties, would cost the counties a total of about $525,000.
The State of North Carolina is also proposing to increase the percentage counties pay for programs that place orphans in permanent homes – a move that would transfer a $683,000 expense from the state to the counties.
...In the past, the state has been paying county sheriff's departments $40 a day when a county is keeping inmates that are rightfully state inmates...There's been talk among state officials of reducing that $40 per day rate to about half that..."
Scott D. Yost
Rhino
"Astronomical Jail Costs Keep On Rising
...it's becoming clear to commissioners and county staff that the real story isn't the cost of building the jail, but instead the recurring annual cost it's going to take to operate it. Right now no one is hazarding a guess as to how much that will be – the $10 million is just to staff the jail.
...wide-eyed county commissioners and county staff heard Barnes say he would need to hire 166 new employees to staff the jail at a cost of $8.5 million, which didn't cover any of the other costs of operating the giant 1,000-bed jail.
...when Barnes and a majority of Guilford County commissioners were trying to sell the voters on the new jail, jail advocates never discussed in any detail how to pay to run the jail – because it wasn't in their interest to have that discussion.
Voters would have realized that, in addition to the giant price tag for constructing the jail, there was also a giant cost for running the jail – a cost that will now reoccur year after year.
...The county will pay about $5 million a year for 20 years to service the jail bond debt.
...There are other costs involved as well that were never really discussed before the jail bond passed; for instance, there will be a large added cost – in one form or another – to fix the parking problem the new jail creates.
...a recent study done for the City of Greensboro that projects the cost of a large new downtown parking deck to be between $6 million and $10 million."
Scott D. Yost
Rhino
...if the governor's new proposed budget passed as is, the state would begin charging Guilford County a fee for jail inspections...something that, in the past, the state has always done at no charge to the county.
...the governor's proposed budget...calls for an increase in the non-federal share costs for adult home monitoring.
In the proposed new arrangement the county and state would each pay 25 percent of the cost not picked up by the federal government. That move, once implemented in all 100 counties, would cost the counties a total of about $525,000.
The State of North Carolina is also proposing to increase the percentage counties pay for programs that place orphans in permanent homes – a move that would transfer a $683,000 expense from the state to the counties.
...In the past, the state has been paying county sheriff's departments $40 a day when a county is keeping inmates that are rightfully state inmates...There's been talk among state officials of reducing that $40 per day rate to about half that..."
Scott D. Yost
Rhino
"Astronomical Jail Costs Keep On Rising
...it's becoming clear to commissioners and county staff that the real story isn't the cost of building the jail, but instead the recurring annual cost it's going to take to operate it. Right now no one is hazarding a guess as to how much that will be – the $10 million is just to staff the jail.
...wide-eyed county commissioners and county staff heard Barnes say he would need to hire 166 new employees to staff the jail at a cost of $8.5 million, which didn't cover any of the other costs of operating the giant 1,000-bed jail.
...when Barnes and a majority of Guilford County commissioners were trying to sell the voters on the new jail, jail advocates never discussed in any detail how to pay to run the jail – because it wasn't in their interest to have that discussion.
Voters would have realized that, in addition to the giant price tag for constructing the jail, there was also a giant cost for running the jail – a cost that will now reoccur year after year.
...The county will pay about $5 million a year for 20 years to service the jail bond debt.
...There are other costs involved as well that were never really discussed before the jail bond passed; for instance, there will be a large added cost – in one form or another – to fix the parking problem the new jail creates.
...a recent study done for the City of Greensboro that projects the cost of a large new downtown parking deck to be between $6 million and $10 million."
Scott D. Yost
Rhino
Deep Thoughts on Water Rates, by John Hammer, with a little factoid refreshment and Guarino
The prophetic voice of Mike Baron continues to resound.
.
...If water consumption has not risen significantly over the last fifteen years or so
...If water consumption has not risen significantly over the last fifteen years or so
...why is there a need for water rates to increase nearly every year?
.
...Is there any chance the city will take the water revenues,
...Is there any chance the city will take the water revenues,
and divert them to pay for other budget items unrelated to water?
"...The main reason given for raising rates is that Moody's and the other bond rating agencies in New York could downgrade Greensboro's utility bond rating if the utility doesn't have what Moody's considers enough money in the bank... [GH: Correct]
...Greensboro is supposed to raise its water rates in time when money is extremely tight for its citizens in order to keep Moody's happy, not because it is necessary. [GH: Incorrect, per debt repayment levels, maintenence, environmental mandates and under utilization of an overbuilt infrastructure paid for with borrowed money, unless the City of Greensboro has been pilfering the water rate hikes to mask stealth tax increases]
Moody's ranked AIG as AA before it collapsed, and Lehman Brothers earned an A rating a month before it went bankrupt. [GH: Correct]
But to keep these rating agencies – which are as responsible for the economic crisis as anyone – happy, [GH: Correct] the city staff says that water rates have to be raised. [GH: Theoretically Incorrect, unless Guarino's intragovernmental fund transfer thought is validated, at which time a reserve fund audit should commence at the direction of City Council, initiated by the mayor.]"
John Hammer
Rhino
I, George Hartzman, challenge Bill Howard and Afrique Kilimanjaro of the Carolina Peacemaker to a public debate
Two on one, time divided equally between three.
.
It is not bigotry to be certain we are right
but it is bigotry to be unable to imagine
how we might possibly have gone wrong
G K Chesterton
I, George Hartzman, challenge Bill Howard and Afrique Kilimanjaro of the Carolina Peacemaker
to a public debate
in a venue of Mr. Howard and Kilimanjaro's choosing,
with a moderator of Mr. Howard and Kilimanjaro's choosing,
on any subject of Mr. Howard and Kilimanjaro's choosing.
The mind of a bigot is like the pupil of the eye
the more light you pour upon it the more it will contract
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr
Can you hate someone you don’t know?
Even doubtful accusations
leave a stain behind them
Thomas Fuller
If ignorance breeds fear and fear breeds bigotry
does bigotry breed hate?
Does insult echo insecurity?
It is an unmistakable lesson of history
that when one group of people starts to see another group of people
as ‘other,’ or as ‘different,’ as ‘undeserving’ as ‘inferior’
ill treatment inevitably follows
Air Force Reserve Major David J R Frakt
Should we hate, slur, scapegoat, resent, envy, stigmatize
or stereotypically generalize when threatened?
Linda Shaw Campaign Finance Filing Posted in Truancy: Roy Carroll and Richard Beard Contributors
Roy Carroll, Developer.........................................$500
Richard Beard, Developer....................................$100
Ray Combs, Mayor of Oak Ridge...................... $200
Robert Shaw, Loan................................................$5,000
http://gcms0004.co.guilford.nc.us/elections_cms/docs/2010%20docs/1stQtrPlus/SHAW_LINDA_1stQtrPlus10.pdf
Richard Beard, Developer....................................$100
Ray Combs, Mayor of Oak Ridge...................... $200
Robert Shaw, Loan................................................$5,000
http://gcms0004.co.guilford.nc.us/elections_cms/docs/2010%20docs/1stQtrPlus/SHAW_LINDA_1stQtrPlus10.pdf
Monday, May 3, 2010
Where is Linda Shaw’s pre-election campaign finance report?
http://gcms0004.co.guilford.nc.us/elections_cms/reports_2010.htm
Patrick Henry
How can the electorate choose who to vote for
without knowing what special interests if any the candidates are funded by?
Why would legislators who received targeted campaign contributions
be relatively protective of certain entities?
It is impossible to introduce into society
Frederic Bastiat
If a few contribute the majority of large campaign donations that many can’t afford,
who works for whom,
and what do the few expect in return that most probably won’t receive?
The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure
when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them
Patrick Henry
How can the electorate choose who to vote for
without knowing what special interests if any the candidates are funded by?
Why would legislators who received targeted campaign contributions
be relatively protective of certain entities?
It is impossible to introduce into society
a greater change and a greater evil than this;
.
The conversion of the law into an instrument of plunder
Frederic Bastiat
If a few contribute the majority of large campaign donations that many can’t afford,
who works for whom,
and what do the few expect in return that most probably won’t receive?
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Shaw and Spag Endorsement Bizarreness: Are John Hammer and Scott Yost in League with Skip Alston?
...county government has been co-opted
by the commissioners' chairman, Skip Alston, and vice chairman, Steve Arnold,
who have often ruled ruthlessly and secretively.
.
Alston and Arnold could not have accomplished any of this
Alston and Arnold could not have accomplished any of this
without the tacit complicity of the other nine commissioners,
who actually re-elected them to those leadership posts.
Even as duo has run roughshod over any number of the tenets of good government,
the other commissioners have rarely complained
and given Alston and Arnold pretty much carte blanche to do what they want.
.
Allen Johnson
"For years we have ranted and raved about the Guilford County Board of Commissioners raising taxes, spending too much money and increasing the size of government.
…a coalition of Democrats and Republicans making up a majority on the Board of Commissioners has changed all of that…County Commissioner Linda Shaw is a part of that coalition that is keeping taxes flat in time of falling revenue and making real reductions in the size of county government…"
The Rhinoceros Times
Did Someone in Guilford County's Government
Lie to the Greensboro News and Record on the Budget Deficit?
.
George Hartzman
Triad Watch, Sunday, April 25, 2010
"…The coalition is led by the Democratic Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston and Republican Commissioner Steve Arnold."
.
.
Spagnola forced her to admit that bonds approved by voters
will likely result in an eventual tax increase,
and then she tried to run from the statement.
Good government depends on elected officials standing behind their words
Good government depends on elected officials standing behind their words
so that honest debate can occur.
Spagnola, then, is better suited for the job.
Yes! “Liberal” Weekly Endorsement of Spag
Spagnola, then, is better suited for the job.
Yes! “Liberal” Weekly Endorsement of Spag
.
"They are doing what we have been saying they should do for years, and Shaw is a part of all of that…"
.
…she has sat on a complacent board that meekly acquiesced
and allowed Chairman Melvin “Skip” Alston, Vice Chairman Steve Arnold
and County Manager Brenda Jones Fox to run roughshod over good government.
The secretive budgeting process,
employee firings and Alston’s inappropriate brokering of a downtown hotel deal
are a few examples.
…Spagnola…appears most likely to show some backbone
and demand accountability and transparency in county government.
"…The proposed budget also does not have a tax increase and involves some serious cuts to county spending."
.
.
Could Guilford County face a $61 million budget deficit in 2011/12?
Could Guilford County face a $61 million budget deficit in 2011/12?
.
George Hartzman
Triad Watch, Monday, April 26, 2010
"Sam Spagnola, who is running against Shaw in the Republican primary said that Shaw is not conservative enough and if he is elected he plans to vote no on many of the initiatives that this coalition is now passing."
.
.
Is Guilford County, NC
going to burn through $89,857,200 of savings in two years?
"Shaw is practicing what we have been preaching…"
.
Private interests use their access to politicians to get special treatment.
.
Often this comes in the form of tax incentives
which are nothing more than a subsidy paid by you to often wealthy corporations,
Often this comes in the form of tax incentives
which are nothing more than a subsidy paid by you to often wealthy corporations,
Where is Linda Shaw’s pre-election campaign finance report?
http://gcms0004.co.guilford.nc.us/elections_cms/reports_2010.htm
.
To not raise taxes, does Guilford County, NC intend to spend $36,695,976
more than expected revenue in FY 2010-11?
George Hartzman
Questions for America, April 16th, 2010
Why would the Rhino endorse a “preserve the status quo” incumbent over a more conservative candidate?
I have my own theories as to what is going on,
but I will keep them to myself.
Can some journalists who prioritize advertizing revenue providing business interests,
produce self-created illusions to support otherwize unsuportable political positions?
It does raise some interesting questions, doesn't it?
Why are citizen reporters who bypass compensated journalists
to report on some of what most mainstream media won’t
often marginalized by some well-established pundits?
I've never had any problems with the Rhino's coverage of me either until this article
which I do not believe accurately reflected my positions.
...The Rhino endorsement is more perplexing considering they trashed Linda in 2006
and endorsed me back then.
...it's a strange world.
I have no hard feelings, but yeah,
Are there correlations between the Rhino’s bottom line and political endorsements?
Sometimes I wonder
whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on
or by imbeciles who really mean it
Mark Twain
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