Editorial Cartoons of the Week October 30th 2009 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.

Mere Compliance VS. Ethics Reform in North Carolina Letter from Foundation for Ethics in Public Service

With permission from Hayley at the Foundation for Ethics in Public Service. Below is a letter from Executive Director Les Merritt.

MERE COMPLIANCE VS. ETHICS REFORM

While the Foundation for Ethics in Public Service CLICKHERE provides a service to the public nationwide, we are based in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is no secret that in the recent past North Carolina has had its fair share of public officials with ethics problems, and some continue to be under the scrutiny of prosecutors, law enforcement, and federal grand juries. When the North Carolina State Government Ethics Act was signed into law in 2006, many hoped that unethical conduct on the part of public officials in the state would at best decrease and at worst be exposed and investigated. Unfortunately, neither has been realized.

The high profile cases of former Speaker of the House Jim Black, former Legislator Mike Decker, former NC Lottery Commissioner Kevin Geddings, former US Congressman Frank Balance, former Commissioner of Agriculture Meg Scott Phipps, and others led to the establishment of a more formal ethics entity for the state of North Carolina. There was hope that establishing a structured and proactive Ethics Commission would thwart unethical behavior on the part of public officials in our state. This sentiment if not expectation was framed by the Commission’s Executive Director when he wrote, “On August 4th, 2006, Governor Easley signed the ‘State Government Ethics Act’ into law. It is the most comprehensive and sweeping ethics law in the history of the State and was the result of a tremendous bipartisan effort in both the House and Senate”. The same publication quotes then Governor Easley to the effect “North Carolina citizens have the right to know that the power they entrust to public officials is not abused for private gain or personal interest.” (attributed to Governor Michael F. Easley, 8/4/06, upon signing HB1843 [State Government Ethics Act], NC Board of Ethics Newsletter, Vol. 9, Issue 8).

However, in nearly three years of existence, the Commission has done little to tackle real ethics issues in our state. Not a single resolution of note has come as a result of any Ethics Commission investigation, even though several dozen complaints have been submitted or referred. For example, the media has reported that former Governor Mike Easley allegedly failed to disclose a seemingly inappropriate relationship on his Statement of Economic Interest, but this went undetected, or perhaps unchallenged, by the Ethics Commission. Meanwhile, a Board of Elections investigation continues into alleged campaign finance violations by former Governor Mike Easley, as well as a federal grand jury investigation of how his wife, Mary, obtained her position (and subsequent 80% raise) at North Carolina State University. These are only a few of the many aspects of possible violations of honest services law apparently before a federal grand jury. None of these issues appears to have been surfaced or investigated by the Ethics Commission. Earlier in the year, Ethics Commission staff said publicly on several occasions that a testament to the ethics and high moral quality of the public servants and legislators of North Carolina is the fact that there have been no substantiated cases resulting from allegations submitted to the Ethics Commission to date.

One has to wonder what exactly is the point of having an Ethics Commission if it is not going to take its role as an investigative or enforcement entity seriously. Do we really need to have ten salaried employees to file financial paperwork and offer advisory opinions? Also, the eight Commissioners who are expected to serve the public as an effective regulatory and watchdog entity have been silent in the face of the State’s continuing ethics crisis. The Commission has entirely too much discretion to ignore or dismiss complaints that come through its office. There is little to prevent management at the Commission from failing to aggressively investigate complaints against those who show political favor or exercise financial and administrative control over the Commission’s operations and budget. Since the General Assembly controls the purse strings of the Ethics Commission, how can the Commission effectively police the same agency that makes its existence possible? By the admission of its own Executive Director, the Ethics Commission is actually more of a compliance or conflict of interest entity than an “ethics” agency. The Ethics Commission must act with accountability and independence, and certainly needs oversight by the citizens who pay them. Since it is difficult to legislate “doing the right thing” as state government is currently structured (e.g. with an Ethics Commission whose members are appointed by political leaders and whose funding is controlled by those on whom it may receive an allegation of wrongdoing), the media becomes not only more relevant, but essential to counter public corruption. It also is essential that non-governmental, independent organizations such as the Foundation for Ethics in Public Service assist the media with investigating and exposing cases of corruption. We are a non-partisan, non-profit organization that does not rely upon the potential or actual subjects of complaints for financial support. Since we do not accept any government money, we are able to freely, fairly, and forthrightly examine all complaints that are received by our office without the fear of being retaliated against by those with political influence, before passing credible allegations on to our colleagues in the media. It is clear that such independent oversight must be as non-partisan, objective, careful, and absent of any zealotry, as all local, state, and federal oversight agencies are expected to be. But one difference is clear: conflict of interest and political influence are much less likely – hopefully absent – when the investigative, referral, and reporting process are in the hands of a non-governmental, non-partisan entity like the Foundation for Ethics in Public Service. Our donors, complainants, witnesses, and the greater public expect, and will receive, nothing less than unconditional objectivity.

Les Merritt

Foundation for Ethics in Public Service

Executive Director

Who is Ulturnagen? What Do They Want With The White Street Land Fill?

This past Greensboro City Council meeting on tuesday 10-20-2009 there was talk about the White Street Land Fill. John Hammer from the Rhino Times has a brief explanation of this whole ordeal if and when the powers to be at the Rhino Times CLICKHERE will update their website then proceed to the article titled"City Council Ponders Step In Right Direction". During the speakers from the floor Carl Lebby from Ulturnagen came to speak to the Greensboro City Council.

If you would like to see the pdf presentation that Ulturnagen gave to the Greensboro City Council on July 24, 2009 please click on the title above called "Who is Ulturnagen? What Do They Want To Do With The White Street Land Fill?

Brand New Greensboro City Manager Rashad Young Had A Stick Foot In Mouth Problem

In the "Inside Scoop" section of the Greensboro News & Record Amanda Lehmert or Killian has a post titled "Catching Up With Rashad Young" CLICKHERE

or click on the title above.

Roch 101 already has a post on what was said by the 3 day old Greensboro City Manager Rashad Young CLICKHERE

Then we have ed cone as well chiming in on what was said CLICKHERE .

Here is what was said in the post by the brand new Greensboro City Manager ,

"But one Greensboro tradition he won’t continue is being a blog reader. Dayton had its share of blogs, too, Young said. And they served as an unneeded distraction.
“I don’t have time for the noise,” Young said."

Blogs are a unneeded distraction and he doesn't have time for the noise. Nice way to greet us bloggers in the neighborhood, you better watch out because local blogger FEC CLICKHERE might have a few words of wisdom.

There has been a lot great post by plenty of people all over this area when it comes to certain aspects of life in the triad area of North Carolina. To hear a new city manager say things like what was said above is enough to make sure that he knows that this noise from the triad blogosphere will not go away and will probably be a loud humming in his ear for a long time to come so get accustomed to many aspects of the blogosphere from Triadwatch and plenty of other bloggers as well.

Good luck with the noise and be on the look out for some freedom of information "foi" request in the future.

State Limits on Contributions to Candidates with a Colored Map and PDF Link

Campaign Contribution Limits map above
Various Limits (37 states + D.C.)
Ban on Corporate Contributions; No Other Limits (4 states)
Limit on Corporate Contributions; No Other Limits (3 states)
No Limits from Any Source (6 states) in White

Updated April 20, 2009 from Natinal Conference of State Legislatures CLICKHERE

States commonly place limits on contributions to candidates from various sources, and also on contributions to political action committees (PACs) and political parties. Just six states - Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Virginia - place no limits on contributions at all.

Another seven states - Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Texas - have minimal contribution limits. [NOTE: New Mexico passed contribution limits in the 2009 legislative session. They will take effect the day after the November 2010 elections.]

At least seven states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Montana, Ohio and Washington) index their contribution limits. All seven states tie them to the Consumer Price Index.

Contribution to Candidates map above
$1,000 or less (7 states)
$1,001 - $5,000 (15 states and D.C.)
$5,001 - $10,000 (10 states)
> $10,000 (4 states)
No Limits (14 states) in white

updated April 20, 2009

To see a complete pdf version of all the state limits on campaign contributions click on the title above. It is amazing to know that there are 14 states who have no limit on campaign contributions.

Median and Average Contribution Limits -- 2010 Elections

For contributions from an individual to a statewide candidate, the national mean is $4,000 per election cycle; the average is $7,762. For legislative candidates, the national median is $2,000 per election cycle; the average is $3,784for a state senate candidate and $3,412for a state house candidate. The lowest limits nationwide are found in Massachusetts and Montana. The highest limits are in New York and Ohio.

All of this above was from the National Conference of State Legislatures CLICKHERE

Greensboro City Council to Vote on Ethics Disclosure on Tuesday, Let The Sunshine In

Item #42 for the Greensboro City Council meeting on Tuesday 10-20-2009 .
Resolution imposing the responsibility on persons elected to the Greensboro City Council to anually file financial and personal interest disclosure forms as required by persons covered by the State of North Carolina Government Ethics Act Chapter 138-a.



To see the whole agenda with attachments click on the title above and this agenda item is on page 163 to 190.Or to see just the agenda item CLICKHERE then proceed to October 20, 2009 agenda.



Reading the background of this agenda item it was brought up by Greensboro City Council member Trudy Wade to bring more transparency and ethics to local government which is sorely needed in the local municipalities. There has been plenty of talk about ethics and transparency in the local campaigns who are running for office . At large candidate Nancy Vaughan started it out with a ethics challenge to all the candidates and now we have the Greensboro City Council agenda item #42 addressing this issue.



It will be very interesting to see what certain sitting Greensboro City Council members have to say about this disclosure form that they are going to vote on to be more transparent and ethical . Here is what local developer and Greensboro City Council member Robbie Perkins had to say back on September 13, 2009 in the Greensboro News & Record with the title "Candidates Call for New Financial Disclosures" CLICKHERE and here is the quote

"Councilman Robbie Perkins said: “It’s a campaign ploy. When the state requires it, I’ll do it.”


We will see what type of campaign ploy Robbie Perkins will produce on tuesday if he votes "no" on this resolution. It will also be interesting to see if Sandra Anderson Groat will not be in favor of this as well because in the past she was concerned about having to have family members also fill out the form as well.



Then we have Greensboro City Council member Zack Matheny who still to this day hasn't come clean on his anonymous investors getting in to the development game off of highway 68 , here is that post titled "Greensboro City Council Member Zack Matheny Still Won't Come Clean on His Anonymous Investors Off of Highway 68", CLICKHERE . We all know that Zack Matheny reads the blogs and also post comments as well because in the past few days he was posted on guarino's blog CLICKHERE and also on ed cone's blog CLICKHERE . The clock is still running with no response as to who all was involved in the development game off of highway 68.



This agenda item will be great to see just how your local sitting Greensboro City Council members feel about transparency and ethics. Will the Mayor Yvonne Johnson be in favor of this and if not can Bill Knight make a campaign issue out of this.



Then we also have the candidates for the at large races in incumbents Robbie Perkins and Sandra Anderson Groat will they say no to this and can the other challengers make an issue of this before the citizens vote. Will post more after the Greensboro City Council meeting and with time to watch the video of the council meeting as well.

Simkins PAC Illegal Contribution from Action Greensboro on Campaign Contribution Form Mid Year

Below is the mid year 2009 disclosure report where Action Greensboro a non profit illegally gave the Simkins Political Action Committee $5,000, but had to send this money to the North Carolina Penalty and Forfeiture Fund.
20090806_77275

Early Voting in Guilford County Starts Thursday, VOTE EARLY AND ONCE NOT OFTEN

GUILFORD COUNTY IN-PERSON EARLY VOTING SCHEDULES
FOR THE NOVEMBER 3, 2009 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

2 OFFICE SITES DATES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS:
Thursday & Friday October 15 & 16 .............................8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday October 19 - 23...............................8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday October 26 – 30...............................8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Old Courthouse - Blue Room
301 W. Market Street
1st Floor, Blue Room Room
Greensboro, NC

High Point Elections Office

505 East Green Drive

Room #103

High Point N.C.

5 ADDITIONAL SITES DATES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS:
(Authorized by G.S. 227.2(g))

Saturday October 24 ......................................10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday October 26 – 30...............................10:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Saturday October 31.......................................10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Leonard Recreation Center

6324 Ballinger Road

Greensboro NC

Bur Mil Club - Clubhouse

5834 Bur Mil Club Road

Greensboro NC

Ag Center (Barn
3309 Burlington Road

Greensboro, NC

Craft Recreation Center
3911 Yanceyville Street
Greensboro, NC

Brown Recreation Center

302 East Vandalia Road

Greensboro NC

ELECTION DAY IS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3
VOTING WILL BE HELD AT THE
POLLING PLACES
FROM
6:30 A.M. TO 7:30 P.M.

If you have any questions or want to vote for the first time call the phone numbers below or CLICKHERE
Guilford County Board of Elections: Greensboro 641-3936
High Point 845-7895

Shining A Little Sunshine on the City of Greensboro

BorgBlog: Little Mister Sunshine picture above CLICKHERE

Below is a press release from the City of Greensboro on learning more about public record request.

City and Sunshine Center Offer Workshops on Managing and Requesting Public Records

GREENSBORO, NC -- (October 9, 2009) – The City of Greensboro and the Sunshine Center of the NC Open Government Coalition have scheduled two workshops on how to manage and request public records. The meetings will be held Thursday, October 22, at 2 pm and 7 pm, at the Greensboro Historical Museum, 130 Summit Ave.
The first workshop, held at 2 pm, will be directed toward City employees and will focus on managing public record requests from the media. The second workshop, held at 7 pm, will focus on how to request public records. Both workshops are free and open to the public.
Also, at each workshop, an update on state legislation concerning public records and information on the Freedom of Information Act will be provided by the Elon University School of Law.
For more information about the workshops, contact Pat Boswell, Director of Public Affairs for the City, at 336-373-3302.

Notable Quotables from Newsbusters

Taking a sampling from the Media Research Center’s bi-weekly publication of Notable Quotables, a compilation of the liberal media’s latest and most outrageous sound bites, NewsBusters bloggers have created a new comedy web show for readers to enjoy.
Take a look and let them know what you think

Editorial Cartoons of the Week October 8th 2009 Compliments of William Warren

Editorial cartoons for the week of October 8th 2009 on TRIADWATCH

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.

State House Representative Pricey Harrison on C-Span

Greensboro State House Representative Pricey Harrison on C-Span for global climate change legislation.

Guilford County North Carolina - Election Results

Guilford - Election Results

Click on the above link to see the results of the Guilford County N.C. primary results.

Out of 197,847 registered voters there was 11,862 ballots cast for a voter turnout of 6%.

Now the general election will get turned up a notch and time for the fun to begin. Happy campaigning.

Pigs, Poultry and Kiss The Ass of the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition

Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition (TREBIC) has a annual gathering in it's 10th year called Pigs, Poultry, and Politics- Old Fashioned Political Rally. Click on the title above or CLICKHERE

If this is a old fashioned political rally it sure is composed of the most connected sponsors who give plenty of campaign contributions to the local politicians. Let's take a closer look at who is sponsoring this political rally.

Thanks to our
2009 Sponsorship Congress members:
President:

Carroll Companies;
Signature Property Group.

Governor: Fairway Outdoor Advertising;
Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP

Senator: BB&T; Brown Investment Properties;
D.R. Horton Homes; ECS, Ltd.;
Isaacson Isaacson Sheridan & Fountain, LLP;
John Davenport Engineering;
John S. Clark Construction.

Commissioner: Arvista Homes;
Higgins Benjamin; K. Hovnanian Homes;
McNairy & Associates Real Estate Appraisers;
Pest Management Inc.

________________________________________________________

This old fashioned political rally is where TREBIC can tell all the local politicians who runs Guilford County and where do you get your campaign contributions from.This is where Marlene Sanford President of TREBIC can say to the local politicians just how many more TREBIC members can we fit on these boards and commissions in Guilford County especially in the City of Greensboro .

Presidential sponsor:

Carroll Companies and it's main kingpin Roy Carroll and his political action committee called "North Carolinians for Leadership in Government", which in this years election it seems like the PAC is dead and he is giving personally to the campaigns . As noted before on TRIADWATCH, Roy Carroll has a real cozy relationship with Greensboro City Council Member Robbie Perkins CLICKHEREor CLICKHERE for more on Roy Carroll.Also,let's see if Mr. Roy Carroll plans on maybe having a booth set up at the event showing the inside of his personal jet hopefully letting them know that this is off limits as an elected official and all you need to do is ask ex Governor Mike Easley or locally ask the Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson about the ethical aspects of flying on Roy Carroll's private jet.To see more on this here was the post with a title "This Trip on Local Developer Roy Carroll's Plane Stinks To High Heaven",

CLICKHERE

Governor Sponsor:

Fairway Outdoor Advertising and it's main kingpin W.S. Morris III from Augusta Georgia, between the in kind contributions from Fairway Outdoor Advertising and the campaign contributions to local politicians he is one of the most generous campaign contributors in this county and he doesn't even live here.Once all the campaign forms are turned in we will see how much he has given locally because W.S. Morris likes to give to the campaigns late in the process.

Commissioner Sponsor:

Isaaacson, Isaacson & Sheridan. We like to call them King Zoning Stud Henry Isaacson and his son Little King Zoning Stud Marc Isaacson because if you want to get a zoning case passed in Greensboro or Guilford County these are the one's who give plenty of money to the local politicians campaign coffers and if you haven't seen their DOG AND PONY SHOW it is a masterpiece just go to a Greensboro City Zoning meeting to witness King Zoning Stud in action.

These are just a few of the usual suspects who will be at this Old fashioned political rally. The influence of TREBIC on the local politicians needs to come to an end. When you hear certain politicians come out and say TREBIC has been contacted and TREBIC has some interest, it only goes to show that the FOX is guarding the Hen House and each year they want everyone to know who the FOX actually is.

Anyone Miss Former Fox 8 Reporter Tera Williams? Raise Your Hand

Above is a video of former Fox 8 reporter Tera Williams, glad to see her doing well in Chicago.