Is Brewer Siting on the Fence On Fencing?

City Law and Finance Committee Article Raises Questions

When preparing our last post, Brewer Has Sights Set On Chain Link Fences, the Sanford Herald's report on the city's Law and Finance Committee was not available. It turned out to offer much in the way of coincidental information.

For example, our post suggested in jest that this latest Brewer project was really an employment program. It turns out that the committee had been told that under-staffing was a problem. Research had shown that

"code enforcement depart­ments throughout the state were able to effectively handle about 700 complaints per officer per year. Sanford’s three-man code enforcement office got 4,000 complaints last year."

That would seem to suggest that the department needs to double and hire three more inspectors. And that is before the fence ordinance!! There goes some of the Brewer Privilege Tax money.

Guess which council member said this:

“We need to figure out how we can real­istically enforce what we’ve got on the books, and if we can’t enforce it, we should get rid of it.”

1. Linwood Mann
2. Steve Brewer
3. Charles Taylor
4. Mike Stone

If you said Steve Brewer, you either attended the meeting, read the paper, or should become one of those people at the carnival that guess what month you are born or how much you weigh. That comment might just be the hallmark of Brewer's term if he means it. It is not clear if Brewer was suggesting this to clear the way for his new "Save Sanford with a Fence Ordinance"or if perhaps he changed his mind about the intrusion of government into the private property rights of citizens.

After all, according to the Herald's report, the city attorney warned the council,

government intervention in private property aesthetics is­sues, when too intrusive, has gotten other cities sued. She reminded the council that the function of laws was to govern public health, safety and welfare.

“We’re talking about bigger government, more laws and more restric­tions here,” Patterson said, saying that hom­eowner’s associations might be the best avenue for neighborhoods with aesthetic concerns.

Perhaps this comment by Thomas Goodman on Brewer's blog made an impression that lead to some reconsideration:

By my recollection, there have been nearly a dozen people shot, another 3 or 4 murders (most unsolved), and numerous robberies in the last 3-5 months alone. Rumors are running around town about the serious rise in gang violence yet Mr. Brewer wants to focus on fences? I just don’t get it. It is the job of government to address problems, not create them. I was born and raised in this town and I talk “politics” every single day with my friends and neighbors. Not once have I every heard anyone talking about the “fence problems” in Sanford. NOT ONCE!

So, as you can see, it is hard to tell. Is Steve Brewer now "sitting on the fence?"

Maybe he will leave us a comment and clear this up. Or if he is now having trouble making up his mind, he could consult with Commissioner Jerry Lemmond. (See this post by clicking here.)

If you don't already subscribe to the Sanford Herald, you can still get the e-edition by clicking here and read the article in Thursday's edition.

Brewer Has Sights Set On Chain Link Fences

New "Crisis" Demanding Attention

Sanford Councilman Steve Brewer, leading proponent of the business privilege tax, has found something else to import here to Sanford--the regulation of chain link fences. In a post on his blog with 18 different pictures of houses with one form or another of chain link fence, he begins with spectra of:

Would you like a 6 foot, chain link, barbed wire fence in the front yard beside your house?

He has discovered that the city of Sanford has no ordinance for chain link fencing and is hot to see one. One can just imagine the day could come that the little dog in the picture can no longer sit beside his owner's protected garden and enjoy the sun in his private haven.

Most subdivisions in Sanford have covenants regarding fencing to address the impact of fencing on the appearance of a neighborhood. For those who have nightmares about fencing, that is a good choice of residence.

For other residents who have a legitimate need for fencing, the city council ought to stay out of their business. If an a newly widowed 82 year old woman finds that chain link fence gives her a sense of security that allows her to stay in her own home, why rob her of that with an invasive ordinance. Brewer notes that most fences are in East Sanford but are now "spreading." Here is a clue--they are not malignant and self-reproducing. If fencing is spreading, it is because the property owners want them and are willing to pay for them.

Having such an ordinance would create hundreds of "Local Joes." Hold on, I have got it now. This is a job creation program since the city has to hire a corp of fence inspectors to make sure whatever ordinance is passed is observed to the .25 inch.

The poet Robert Frost's "Mending Walls" is best known for the line "Good fences, make good neighbors." The poem's narrator displays a disdain for the expression and the walls erected between people, and yet he also shows a grudging acceptance (albeit sadly) of the line's truth in its application to human relationships. The line is listed by the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations as a mid 17th century proverb, which was given a boost in the American consciousness due to its prominence in the poem.

Heaven help the residents of Sanford if Mr. Brewer ever gets hold of the appearance ordinances in Pinehurst.

Capitlizing on BRAC Will Take Local Leadership

BRAC Briefing Just A Guess

The problem with massive planning efforts is that as the estimates get more precise, they also get more likely to be wrong. It works like this. If a produce manager is holding a sack of oranges and tells you it ways "about 3lbs", you know you are getting an informed estimate. Somehow if he says, 3.043 lbs, it suggests that it has been weighed on an accurate scale. If we fall into the trap of believing they can estimate the age groups of the children moving into Lee County, all their estimates must really be reliable.

Almost every number you hear coming from BRAC is an "about." (click here for the BRAC Site) It isn't presented that way, but the truth is that other than some "hard data" from the military, it is an informed guess. For example, just one factor--how the traffic flows evolve in Spring Lake could push development in another direction.

It is expected that Fort Bragg will increase its numbers by about 20,000: 6,772 soldiers, 1,669 civilians and 12,000 family members, when two of the Army's largest command structures. Depending on the assumptions that number is quickly multiplied to 40,000 people in the area, 6100 estimated new residents in Lee County, 2200 potential new homes in Lee County, and 1,000 potential new jobs. Local demand for products and services could increase by $143 million with $77 million in sales to local businesses. The numbers drill down to the estimate that we will have 400 more students in our schools.

Problems with regional planning techniques should not lessen our interest in BRAC. Quite the contrary, it should tell us that the more concrete action we take now to get ready for the future, the more likely the future can be what we want it to be. We're back to the principle of citizen participation which is not a strong point in Lee County. This is the kind of issue the tired good ol' boy network can't handle. It is a mobilization of effort beyond what has ever been done before, and doing things the same old way will not make it happen.

For example, The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) (click here to link to site) is a collaborative effort between North Carolina business and industry and the North Carolina Community College System. Funded in 2004 by a grant from the North Carolina General Assembly, the NCMBC operates under the supervision of Fayetteville Technical Community College. It coordinates a program with other community colleges that Assisted firms who won 436 contracts - worth between $830 million and $1.645 billion - from the NCMBC’s opening in 2005 through mid-May 2008. It is likely that this "grant" from the legislature would be called an earmark.

The point is we have an excellent community college--top rated--what are we doing to help it become a major hub for other areas connected with the expected BRAC acitivity? We need to pay less attention to estimates and find our own "vision" for what we want BRAC to be and get visionary leaders and experienced implementers working for Lee County's good.

Chamber Urges Government To Buy Locally

Good, But Much Bigger Steps Are Needed

The message of the Chamber Chat written by Chamber Chairman Chet Mann was a plea to government entities in the county to to spend tax money locally to help the local economy. There is no complaint here, and this is happening now. With the sky rocketing cost of fuel being added to almost every product, it is certainly possible that some local vendors may now be able to compete with usually lower price, higher volume sellers else where. The concept clearly needs to be total cost not just lowest bid.

A larger challenge, however, for local business is not being addressed in a comprehensive way. Perhaps too much is expected of BRAC as our answer to the future; it will not be. What we need, however, is more focus on how Lee County competes in a global economy, especially the impact of the Internet. The economy is in the process of a dramatic restructuring, and our governmental policies, business processes and educational system are lagging far behind. It calls for a level of innovation and leadership that we are not likely to get from our current commissioners, but can be a job requirement in our search for a superintendent of schools.

Included in the column was a letter written to city and county managers, as well as our interim school superintendent, encouraging them to spend tax money locally. Of course, as the letter noted, in most cases these agencies are required to buy on the low bid model.

Mann should be fairly pleased with several purchases approved by the commissioners at their last meeting. A contract of up to $50,000 for scrap tire recycling and disposal was approved with a Cameron company. Now that is not quite in Lee County, but it is just over the border and some of the three dollars that Mann says recycles locally ought to reach our county.

The purchasing of new cars usually presents a challenge because local dealers simply cannot meet the volume prices offered by state contracts for those local agencies, like the sheriff's office, that can purchase through the state purchasing. But this time the sheriff's department purchased a new vehicle that was not on state contract for undercover drug enforcement. A local car dealer beat out dealers in Raleigh and Fayetteville, and the $22,270 purchase went to a local dealer. Also, the county fire marshal purchased a used 2005 Ford F-250 from a local dealer.

Not every commissioners meeting will have such good news for the local economy and, of course, not all purchases go through the commissioners. So the challenge is to look at the decisions we make with an eye to getting ready for a future that is really already here.

School Board To Use Search Firm

Why City and County Did It Wrong
Yesterday, the Sanford Herald' s editorial, strongly endorsed the use of the search firm and search process selected by the Board of Education for the hiring of the new school superintendent.

"The Lee County Board of Edu­cation is insisting on the same for this search — to make sure the community has input and buy­ing in before a decision is reached and an offer made to a potential superintendent."

In an earlier post (click here to read it) before a change in school superintendents was anticipated, the e-Lee Dispatch endorsed the kind of search process used by CCCC in selecting its new president. Both endorsements spoke strongly about the value of community involvement.

When the post was written the secretive, behind closed door searches conducted by the city council for a city manager and the commissioners for the county manager were top of mind. Why did two boards, acting independently, choose a good process for CCCC and the Lee County Schools, and the city council and commissioners take a directly opposite approach?

It is worthy of note that in both cases the two boards brought back individuals who had worked here, taking the less risk course of the known rather the unknown. It is too early to draw conclusions about the individuals selected; that is not the point.

The point is that the city council (before the election) and the commissioners took a "closed room" approach to major decisions with an attitude that they, and not the public, always know best. With the city, it was the business privilege tax in which public input was ignored. With the commissioners, the most notable were the manner in which those who supported Lee County High School were handled, and then the advice ignored about the sales tax referendum which they were sure would pass. The arrogance of the commissioners in refusing such things as broadcasting finance committee meetings (which was also an issue in the city), are yet another example that the participation of citizens in government is just not understood by these commissioners. Seeking meaningful citizen participation in the development of the new county public access would have made a better document. (More on that later.) Instead, it was drafted, taken to the board, and adopted without public participation.

The municipal election began the process of changing the city council as voters lacked only a few votes of turning it over. They will most likely finish the task next year. At first chance, county voters sent a message to the commissioners by failing to renominate their chairman. They are tired of "Just trust us."

This secretive, "closed group" attitude is the way they think and look at problems. They won't change. It is an ingrained part of the good ol' boy network mindset that is in the early stages of death in the path our community's progress. The only way to fix it is to change the people who sit in the chairs. That is where the fall election comes in to play.

Update: No Annexation Moratorium This Year

Senate Uses Technicality To Stall Bill To Death

The bill that proposed a nine-month moratorium on involuntary annexation in North Carolina has died before making it to the Senate floor for a vote. Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand, chairman of the Senate Committee of Rules and Operations, elected not to put the House Bill 2367 on the Senate calendar for a decision despite having nearly three weeks to debate it within the committee. The N.C. General Assembly adjourned Friday until Jan. 28, 2009, effectively killing the legislation before any action could be taken.

Senator Tony Rand, who chairs that committee, said the bill will die because of a technicality. To be heard in the short session, a bill must be the result of a joint study by the House and the Senate, and this bill isn't. When asked why the House would have bothered putting the bill together, debating it, and passing if it didn't meet the criteria, Rand suggested it may have been an attempt to bring attention to the issue.

Senator Rand said now they will launch a joint study on the annexation issue, but it will be next year at the earliest before any action is taken.

Lee County's Representative Jimmy Love played a key role when the bill was in the Judiciary Committee. Some moratorium advocates claim the amendment "gutted the bill" because it shortened the moratorium. Others agree with Representative Love that without the amendment the bill would not have cleared the committee. To see a short video of the Judiciary Committee pass the amendment by Representative Love click here. (47 seconds)

Editors Note: This is a follow-up to other posts on annexation. The legislature adjourned last week so this is not news, but it may be to the readers. It may be especially of interest to those who do not wish to get gobbled up by Sanford and pay all those taxes to support a golf club. And for those who have video, I thought the little video excerpt of Jimmy Love at work might be interesting.

Steve Brewer Starts Re-Election Campaign

The "Brewer City Privilege Tax" Left Out of Blog Post

Councilman Steve Brewer has started a blog. He wrote his first post on July 16, but reportedly decided to officially “launch” it now. This is probably also his start to an election campaign.

In his last post (click here to read it) he shows a comparison of cities and their tax rate and gives a text-bookish explanation of why the rate varies. One factor he fails to mention is the business privilege tax. Based on his hard fought efforts to see that Sanford has the widely opposed tax, it could be expected that it would be at the center of his post. I suspect he hopes everyone else forgets it too.

It is good to see more bloggers in Lee County. He lists links to local blogs on his site but apparently doesn't know the e-Lee Dispatch is here. By the time the municipal election roles around, he will probably have noticed that it is.

Uncommon Sense - July 23, 2008 Sanford Hearld

Local GOP moving up

The Lee County Republican Party faces the fall election with unprecedented opportunity. Voters think things are moving in the wrong direction, and oddly enough, at the state and local level, it may well benefit Republican candidates.

National polls show 75% believe this nation is headed in the wrong direction. Traditionally that is bad news for John McCain and his party down the ticket. There are signs, however, that this poll statistic is good news for the Lee County's GOP. Witness Lee County voters kicking out board of commissioners chair Bob Brown due to lack of leadership under Robert Reives’ influence.

Voters have grown tired of the commissioners and feel that the commissioners do not listen and do whatever suits them with few limits. For example, there is recent evidence that three county commissioners, Robert Reives, Jerry Lemmond, and Jamie Kelly used official county letterhead in an attempt to collectively influence the Board of Trustees of Central Carolina Community College's selection of its new president. In a statement full of multiple implications, one local leader said it was like your banker telling you who to hire. This Reives-style intimidation, this time caught in print, is why, no doubt, the county finance committees are not recorded for public viewing.

Nothing seems to motivate Republican enthusiasm more than the opportunity to elect a governor and the chances this year look good. The McCrory campaign is in uncharted but pleasant waters. Since the advent of polling, no Republican running for an open gubernatorial seat has ever enjoyed such a favorable position in the polls in July. Recent surveys by the conservative Civitas Institute, Democratic firm Public Policy Polling, and Survey USA show the race a virtual dead heat. Usually it is at least early October before such favorable numbers appear. After eight years of Governor Easley's reckless spending on government programs, recent disclosure of his tax payer-paid high spending life style, and his wife's $80,000 raise, no wonder voters are ready for a change in Raleigh.

McCrory has already shown unprecedented attention to Lee County. In less than three weeks, he has been to two events, a free pancake supper and upscale fund raiser. Combined with Jay Calendine's successful and growing effort to involve Republicans under 40 through the Young Republicans, there are going to be more motivated volunteers and party workers at an earlier stage in the campaign than ever before.

Making Lee County's position even more unique is an odd twist on the Presidential race. Traditionally Republicans have done well when the national ticket sweeps the state, but this is not a traditional year.

This year Lee County Republicans might be running in a state that is “in play.” Ever since last month when polls like Rasmussen put the McCain (45%)-Obama (43%) contest within the ±4% margin of error in North Carolina, a state that has consistently voted Republican since 1980, political commentators and the blogasphere have buzzed with the prospect of Obama “putting the state in play.”

“In play” may mean thousands of Obama volunteers and millions in the advertising money Obama now has to spend, having broken his promise to adhere to public spending limitations, coming to our state. A real battle for our state's electoral votes could turn out to be a positive for local Republicans. While Obama beat Hillary Clinton in the North Carolina primary by a double-digit margin, he got only 42% of the votes in Lee County. This was Hillary Country.

While the black vote is not negligible in Lee County, the county lacks a large student population and the kind of young professionals that have been attracted to Obama in more urban areas. Instead, whatever additional black voters Obama brings out may be swamped by normally apathetic white voters enthusiastic about voting for a war hero like McCain.

Odds are that you won't see local Democrats like Jerry Lemmond driving around with Obama stickers plastered on their cars. Meanwhile, the Republicans will be delighted if Obama is flooding the airwaves with his liberal message that fires up new voters for their local candidates.

Although Lee Republicans are still at a significant registration disadvantage, Lee County has filled a county wide office with a Sheriff who has become far more popular than his original narrow margin. So-called “non-partisan” elections are staying that way to the dismay of many. Lora Wright assured me she would defeat Mike Stone in the non-partisan city elections because “This is Sanford and I am the Democrat.” Stone went on to garner 60% of the vote. Dr. Lynn Smith, a registered Republican, led the school board field in that “non-partisan race.”

Lee County voters might sweep in a Republican slate looking for a change in leadership that will at least get our county moving in the right direction.

Public Access To Records Made More Difficult

Commissioners : Let's Just Keep Citizens Waiting

Robert Reives led the county commissioner's down the path of poor standards of customer service as the commissioners considered the county's new access to public information policy. The policy, as drafted by the county manager, said that the county would have up to 15 days to respond to a request for information. The county attorney noted that the law gave the county up to 25 days. It is unusual for Mr. Hoyle to be wrong. The Public Records Law imposes no specific time limits on either requests or responses. G.S. § 132-6 states that a custodian of public records shall make them available "at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision by any person, and shall, as promptly as possible, furnish copies thereof upon payment of any fees as may be prescribed by law."

Upon hearing that Mr. Hoyle felt the law allowed up to a 25 day period, Commissioner Reives, who is a state bureaucrat in Raleigh, quickly said, "Why box ourselves in. If the law gives us 25 days to respond, why have the policy say 15 days when we can take 25?" The policy draft was quickly changed to the 25 days as Commissioner Reives suggested. In other words, let us not put ourselves into the position of giving the public any faster service than they are absolutely entitled. Let's not over burden ourselves. Let the public wait.

This government before the people attitude has become the typical of the commissioner's view of the citizens they are supposed to serve.

Somehow the county manager was able to put a positive spin on the county's newly adopted policy regarding public access to information. It even managed to get a "thumbs up" from the Herald on Sunday--but the new policy says it does not apply to the media. Since the public's right to access public records in a timely matter is an important part of a democratic government, you will be reading more about this policy in coming posts.

Although possible legislation by the General Assembly was given as the reason for coming forward with the formal procedures now, it seems very coincidental that public access to information is being made more complicated after a letter signed by three commissioners on county stationary came to light after a public information request. The three commissioners were attempting to inappropriately influence the selection of the president of CCCC. (Cick here to see prior post)

Editor's note: The Clerk to the Board and County Manager have always been very cooperative with requests for public information.

School Test Scores A Mixed Bag

Parents in particular may be very interested to know that the The Sanford Herald is reporting that only 3 of 14 schools in the Lee County System meet Federal No Child Left Behind Requirement's. Because these measures are the result of very complicated state and federal requirements, the e-Dispatch is not going to duplicate the news here.

Even if you are not a subscriber to the Sanford Herald e-edition, today (Tuesday) you can read the story free by clicking here. To subscribe to the Sanford Herald e-edition click here.

Individual Lee County school results and explanations can be found here and state results here.

Lemmond Trys To Vote Both Ways

Seeing Is Believing

The stories have circulated for years, "I have seen Jerry Lemmond" try to vote both ways on the same issue. At yesterday's commissioner's meeting that is exactly what he wanted to do, but he was stopped by his fellow comm missioners under a procedural rule.

A lady came before the commissioners seeking a refund because an error had been made in the appraisal of her home. Acting primarily on the advice of Dick Hoyle, board attorney, Lemmond voted "yes" with a 5-2 majority to deny her appeal of her 2007 tax payment. At the end of the meeting, Lemmond announced that he wanted to go back and change his vote to grant her appeal. This required a vote to reconsider the motion, but it failed by a vote of 4-3. This meant he could not technically change his vote--but he sure wanted too. Perhaps his felllow commissioners didn't want another "Jerry votes both ways" story floating. No matter - it is clear to all that in the end he had taken both sides on the issue.

There is a note of irony here. At the end of the meeting Commissioner Robert Reives created a stir when he moved to devote the meeting to the memory of former U. S. Senator Jesse Helms. By way of explanation he said, "At least when he (Helms) took a position he stood with his position which is more than some of you do." The stunned group unanimously approved the motion. It was almost immediately after that when Lemmond tried to change his position.

There is a reason Jerry Lemmond usually follows Robert Reives--he looks likes he knows what he is doing when he does.

McCrory To Visit Sanford

Update: The turnout was good, the food great, and the candidate will be the next governor.

McCrory Fund Raiser Tomorrow Night

Mayor Pat McCrory, Republican candidate for Governor, will be the guest of honor at a reception at Chef Paul Restaurant from 6:00 to 7:30 pm . Hosts for the business/casual dress affair will be contributing $1000 per couple, while co-hosts contribute $500 per couple. Jennifer and Mike Stone are among the list of hosts for the event. Guests are $50 per person. McCrory previously attended a free pancake supper at the VFW in Sanford on June 30.

Although responses were requested by July 19, individuals wishing to attend may contact 704-554-5009 or Mike Stone to determine if space is still available. (It probably is!)

Recent polls have shown McCrory in a close race. According to a recent poll by the conservative Civitas Institute, Democratic nominee Beverly Perdue received 43 percent support, Republican Pat McCrory received 40 percent, and Libertarian Mike Munger received two percent. Fourteen percent were undecided.

Board of Education Offering Video of Meetings

Now You Can Watch the "Shawn Williams Show"

A video of the July 14, 2008 Called Board of Education meeting is now available for viewing at the Lee County Board of Education Site (click here to go to site) For, now you will need Windows Media Player 9 or above to view.

The Lee County Board of Education is working on making videos of its meetings easily available to the public via the Internet. Since it has a much smaller technical staff than the county commissioners, the complete roll-out of its capabilities is not yet completed. Videos of future meetings should be available at the Board of Education web site.

Note: Commissioner Reives still refuses to make videos of the County Finance Committee available to the public.

Alienation Suit Involves Keller Family

Some Used Suit To Threaten Tatum's Re-election

This should have been a good summer for Oscar Keller. He had been recognized with unanimous endorsement's with the naming of the the first phase of the U. S. 421 bypass. Instead he finds his grandson, Sherrill Normann, Jr dealing with the alleged infidelity of his wife Margaret Normann with former school superintendent James McCormick making what should be a sensitive personal matter TV news. Martial infidelity always hurts a lot of people, but the nature of this allegation must hurt and anger more because of its notoriety

By filing suit, Sherill Normann places the blame on James McCormick painting him as essentially a predator. He alleges that McCormick "used his position as Superintendent of Lee County Schools."

Now that was all that was needed for some Keller associates, who have a political interest in blaming the school board for the defeat of the sales tax and a personal dislike for Bill Tatum's style, to try to paint this marital issue as the fault of the Board of Education. Some others, most notably Jamie Kelly, are upset because Tatum, along with some school board members, have Republican commissioner Herb Hinck's bumper stickers on their cars.

Late last week calls started going out to school board members, other elected office holders, and some civic and community leaders with the message supposedly from "the Kellers." "This McCormick thing is getting ready to turn legal and very nasty and Bill Tatum is right in the middle of it. You better steer clear of Tatum and stay out of it." There is no doubt that part of this message was to shake the firm support he had from four members of the school board.

It is an interesting coincidence that the suit was filed in the early afternoon just before the swearing in of the school board and the election of chairman. As Tatum became aware of the circumstances and understanding the pressure the other members were under, he called his four supporters and released them from any commitments they may have made to support him given the new developments. He also communicated that he was not intimidated and would serve if elected. As it turned out, all remained committed.

Ironically, it may have been the handling of the "affair" that demonstrated to them that they needed to keep a strong leader. When a board is dealing with a standard superintendent's contract, it faces either a huge financial buyout or a long drawn out procedure for establishing misconduct and then still some buyout. On the advice of the school board legal counsel, the board had a policy of not acting on rumors. Tatum was strongly counseled by the board attorney to have evidence first. When questioned, Tatum confirmed that on June 24, 2008 he was presented with evidence for the first time. The next day all school board members were informed. By June 25, 2008 the school attorney had the Superintendent's resignation in hand with the only payout unused vacation pay as provided by law. Individuals with various political agenda's began leaking information--some false and some correct. By June 30 as soon as meeting notices could be met, the resignation was accepted and the Superintendent was gone.

Some were not and will not be satisfied with this course of action. They wanted an indictment and trial by the school board, but that was not in the interest of the students and schools, nor did it represent a way to protect the taxpayer. Others, perhaps with the possibility of an alienation of affection suit in the works, wanted the school board to delve into the details of "immoral conduct." No doubt the pressure to blame the school board for what is essentially a personal family matter will continue when depositions are taken. No matter who had been elected school board chairman, those with various agendas will be eagerly awaiting the depositions and testimony. They may find it as disappointing as last night's chairman's election outcome.

Don't miss today's other post. (click here)

Final Smoke and Fire-Chamber President Plays Role In School Board Selection

Board of Education Members Say Chamber Executive Sought to Oust Tatum As Chairman

The final installment of "Where There Is Smoke There Is Fire" was held until after the Lee County School Board selected a chairman. In this case, Bill Tatum was re-elected. It was noted in this series that information was being held so as to not influence the outcome of some events. In this case it was the election for school board chair.

Once false notion is that the member of the school board who gets the most votes should be chairman. That was a view quickly advanced by Richard Littiken, County GOP Chairman, since Dr. Lynn Smith is a registered Republican. (Interestingly, Dr. Smith says he wants nothing to do with Littiken.) The facts show that Frank Thompson has led the ballot in the two most recent elections and was Tatum's strongest supporter for chair in those elections.

Shortly after the school board election, Lee County Chamber President Bob Joyce began a series of meetings with certain members of the Lee County School Board. All heard the same message--the problem with communication with the commissioners was Board Chairman Bill Tatum and Tatum needed to go. Shawn Williams played a supporting role at one point trying to line up votes for himself. At least one board member felt it was strongly intimated that the commissioners would be more generous with the school board's budget if Tatum were not re-elected.

Joyce describes his role differently--as a series of discussions about how to improve communication between the school board and the commissioners. Bill Tatum was just one issue discussed. He indicated that members of the chamber board were concerned about communication between the two boards--especially Lee County High School. As a private organization, he declined to disclose any minutes addressing that subject.

Some of those school board members with whom he spoke felt he had been recruited for this task by a commissioner. As noted, Joyce denies this. After the attempt of three commissioners to dominate the selection of the CCCC president, it does not seem entirely implausible. (see previous post click here) It fits the pattern--just another attempt to place the blame for failure--poor communications with the board of education--some place other than the commissioners led by Robert Reives.

Joyce did not want to characterize the commissioners on the record.

This is the same Robert Reives who has ignored an April 23rd request from board of education chairman Bill Tatum for a joint meeting of the finance committees of the two boards. It is 84 days, or 2 months, 7,257,600 seconds, 120,960 minutes, 2016 hours, or 12 weeks.
Perhaps Reives can argue that since the election he has been hoping for a new finance committee. But now that is done. The schools face inadequate funds for diesel fuel, the commissioners want a new budget format, and other issues that need addressing. Perhaps Robert Reives will stop playing power politics with our children's education and meet in a recorded session with the school finance committee.

Bob Joyce's activities appeared to abruptly stop when several members of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors were contacted about the conversations. They may have stopped, however, because Joyce was not getting anywhere with the Board members.

News Now Reporting Suit Against McCormick

BREAKING NEWS Started About 4:30.
Updates: Click Here To Read The Suit
New Post Tomorrow--Family and Political Connections

WRAL and the Sanford Herald (click here to see what the Herald has posted) are reporting that Sherrill Normann, Jr filed suit Monday against former Lee County School Superintendent James McCormick, alleging McCormick had an affair with the man's wife Margaret Dossenbach Normann for at least two years. Margaret Normann is a Lee County teacher. (Click here to read what WRAL has posted.)

More details tomorrow in the Sanford Herald tomorrow. (Click here.)

The Dispatch has expected this development. Check back later for additional details.

Big Announcement Coming--UPDATED!!!

Update: E-Lee Dispatch Editor To Begin
Regular Sanford Herald Column--more later

Not Just Talking New Board of Education Either

Be on the look out for a big announcement about a new source for serious analysis of Lee County governmental and political news coming any day now.

Final details still need to be worked out but it is, as they say, a done deal.

In the meantime, check out our new features on our web page. If you are not technically inclined, check over the coming days for instructions on how to use these features in our new companion blog, E-Dispatch Plus.
Learn more about behind the scenes and some new kinds of posts.

Littiken-Love Email Shows Interesting Politics

Believe it or not, some highly partisan email between Lee County Republican Chairman Richard Littiken and Democrat Representative Jimmy Love shows some agreement on the issue of Mary Easley's huge raise at NC State, but soon turned into a partisan challenge. (To see WRAL's coverage of the raise, click here.)

Bill Horner's blog, B'3, has an excellent post on the Littiken-Love exchange. (Read by clicking here.)

Linda Shook's comment to the Dispatch was "I expected this from Jimmy's camp. They cannot run on the issues, so they will attack. They attack at their own peril!!!"

Official Capacity Used To Influence CCCC Search

Collective Letter Applies Pressure

Three county commissioners, Robert Reives, Jerry Lemmond, and Jamie Kelly used official county letterhead to officially endorse John Slade as the new president of Central Carolina Community College and to use their collective positions as Commissioners to influence the Board of Trustees on Slade's behalf. Slade is vice president of instruction/chief academic officer.

Reives and Kelly are two of three members of the finance committee. Lemmond follows Reives on most matters. The board of commissioners provides funding for the college and has been dealing for a request for a new building. The board of commissioners also names two members of the board of trustees.

A single letter signed by three commissioners on county letterhead could be seen as significant pressure and perhaps an abuse of their elected positions.

The letter was addressed to Bobby Powell, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and dated on the day of the meet and greet for Slade.

The letter was not filed with other commissioner correspondence and was written on stationary from the county manager's office. As a result, a copy could not be obtained through normal procedures for obtaining such information. The copy was finally obtained by direct request for the assistance of the county manager once it was clear that the letter's existence was known.

This letter has been known to the Dispatch but publication was withheld until, based on reliable sources, the publicity around the letter would not effect the selection process. While not part of the "Where There Is Smoke There is Fire Series', this letter will add credibility to a future installment of that series.--Editor

Sanford Radio Host Honored By WRAL As Radio Pioneer

Margaret Murchison the News and Public Affairs Director for WWGP-1050AM was honored with a feature in the Carolina Traveler Series on WRAL-TV yesterday. The story comes on her 30th anniversary with WWGP. (You can see the video by clicking here.)

(Read more about Margaret Murchison by clicking here.)

Mandatory Annexation Law Dies In Senate

Love's Efforts To Save Bill Not Enough For Critics

Editor's Note: The Sanford Herald has a story on this in Tuesday's edition. That story was initiated by press release from Linda Shook's campaign which was not made available to the e-Lee Dispatch. (For Tuesday's edition only, you can read the Sanford Herald's story online by clicking here.)

The moratorium on mandatory annexations is dead. The role played by Lee County Representative Jimmy Love depends on who you talk to and when.

Democrat leaders of the NC Senate have said they will not consider this bill this year. It passed the House by a wide margin, but some advocates argued that the bill was essentially gutted by amendments, included one introduced in committee by Lee County's Representative Jimmy Love. Love, however, said that the amendment was a compromise to keep the bill alive--something seemingly verified by a unanimous vote for the amendment in committee including an aye vote from the bill's main sponsor.

On the other hand, the bill's main opponents, the NC League of Municipalities' legislative bulletin said towns and cities owed special thanks to the members who voted against a "harmful amendment" bill on the floor of the House and named Representative Love among that group. Thanks from that group would make it appear that the no vote was anti-moratorium.

In the end, Love voted for the bill and said that the issue of forced annexations "needed to be looked at in the next session. (See WRAL video on this issue)

Williams Makes Another Innuendo

Why Not Just Come Out And Say What You Mean?

When the Sanford Herald endorsed Shawn Williams for Board of Education it did so with "equal parts enthusiasm and caution."

The caution side is showing itself.

Thursday night The Lee County Board of Education discussed having a temporary superintendent to serve until an official Interim Superintendent can be named in time to be in place by August 18 when school opens. Shawn Williams was odd man out again. Williams wanted to name one of the two current assistant superintendents.

The rest of the board disagreed, coming to an informal agreement that it was in the best interest of the schools to let the two current assistant superintendents continue to focus on their current duties during the next six weeks and consider them at the time, if either applied, for the Interim Superintendent.

After considering a long list of possibilities brought to the table by other board members, Gary Jackson, retired Lee County Schools educator and administrator was elected 5-2. Jackson had previous returned to be the interim principal for Floyd L. Knight/The Children’s Center and Southern Lee High School. Dissenting ballots came from Chairman Bill Tatum, who voted for retired Lee County Schools educator and admini­strator Charles Alexander, and from board member Shawn Williams, who cast his ballot for Assistant Superinten­dent Jim Atkinson. Both dissenting votes were for African-Americans. All board members agreed later in the meeting to make the decision unanimous by ac­clamation. (Read more about Gary Jackson by clicking here.)

Following the vote Williams again made vague accusations according to a report in the Sanford Herald :

After the vote, Williams said he was troubled by phone calls he’d gotten from people before the meeting accurately predicting the board’s appointee. “I don’t know how the community knows what we are going to do before we do it, but it is very dishearten­ing."

Here Shawn goes again with a statement hinting at allegations without actually coming out and making them. Given the fact that the board had gone twice to Gary Jackson before for interim positions in which he performed well, those who follow the board's action could hardly have found that surprising. It is about as mysterious as a sports announcer guessing who a baseball coach is going to bring to the mound in the bottom of the ninth.

This is the second time for this kind of comment. Shawn Williams was the one school board member to vote against John Bonardi as a member of the CCCC Board, saying the recommendation of Bonardi was" unethical", an answer that touched off a wave of speculation as to what he meant. (Click here to see post and interesting comments.) I think that one has a plausible explanation. Another applicant for that appointment was Margaret Murchison, President of The Council for Effective Actions and Decisions (CEAD), the leading group of African Americans in Lee County. CEAD had endorsed Shawn Williams for Board of Education. Perhaps he felt he had a political debt to repay. Given her civic contributions he could hardly have been criticized. The selection committee, however, did not recommend her. Whatever his reason for favoring her, why did he not nominate her and just vote for her?

Shawn Williams may have some good ideas for improving the schools or the operation of the school board. He may have some real problems with the way that the board is being operated. Why not just lay his cards on the table?

YR's, Dan Mansell Show Up to Greet Etheridge

Lee's Young Republican's Make Presence Felt

When U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) showed up at the Kangaroo gas station on South Horner Bou­levard Tuesday to announce that he had introduced a bill that would end excessive gas prices, Young Republicans were on hand to let people know Etheridge is not their only choice for Congress this year. Dan Mansell, a Selma Republican, seeking to unseat Etheridge was also on hand with Young Republicans lining the side walk holding Mansell signs. Jay Calendine, president of the YR's, said that his group looks for ways to show support for all Republican candidates.

Etheridge announced that he had introduced a bill to “ensure that inves­tors are not artificially raising energy costs for their own gain while hard­working Americans are suffering.” Of course, hundreds of bills are introduced and most, like this, are for the purpose of generating press releases. The causes of the current price hikes in gasoline are complex and they show up in the financial markets where oil is traded. Blaming the financial markets is like blaming your bank because you don't have enough money in your checking account.

(For an easy to understand article on why it is our government policy that has produced this shortage of oil, click here.)

Acting Superintendent

The school board chose Gary Jackson as acting superintendent Wednesday. Jackson, the short-term replacement, is a retired educator of 30-years. Check the Sanford Herald (click here) which should have more details in today's edition.

Follow Ups On Previous Posts

Fayetteville Observer Covers Latest on School Boards Actions
(click here)

Lemmond Blows Motion

Normally Robert Reives makes the motions, and Jerry Lemmond just votes yes. In his motion to redeem himself on the law enforcement issue, he blew it. The clerk to the board, Gaynell Lee is a Certified Municiple Clerk and as good as clerk as one will find. Lemmond talked and talked and somewhere in all the manure made a motion recorded by the clerk as:

"To amend the Sheriff's Department budget to allow him to use the five (5) positions recommended by the County Manager in any combination he chooses, and approve additional funding if required."

Well, the whole point was that the two road deputies were not recommended by the County Manager. So a literal reading of the motion would not get the sheriff his patrol deputies. As you can see from correspondence below, it will be a later budget amendment--not Lemmond's motion--that actually gets the road deputies. But gosh, Lemmond tries hard and you can see why Commissioner Reives usually handles the motions himself.

But that is what the County Manager seems to get paid for--cleaning up the commissioner's messes. Here was John Crumpton's reply:

I am going to go by what I thought the intent was which was to allow him to use the 3 non-grant positions in anyway he sees fit. Unless he chooses to go with what I recommended we would have to amend the budget anyway. So it is up to him to use any combination he sees fit and I will go to the Board and make sure the positions are funded properly.

Sheriff and County Manager To Meet Today To Discuss Issue

Sheriff Tracy Carter and Chief Deputy Randal Butler are scheduled to meet with the county manager today to discuss options and reach an agreement that will have to go back to the board of commissioners at their July 21 meeting. This means a three week delay into the fiscal year before the sheriff's budget is resolved. Normally, the commissioners meet twice each month. If they are really serious about public safety, Chairman Brown should call a special meeting to settle the matter once and for all--something that Commissioner Lemmond could already have done if he had voted for the 2 deputies. And, this time, for gosh sakes, let someone else come up with the motion. Back to you Mr. Reives.

Lemmond Trys Shell Game To Get Off Hook

Commissioner's Attempt to Dodge Sheriff's Request For 2 Deputies

Whoever Commissioner Jerry Lemmond paid to come up with a clever trick to try to create the impression he was supporting 2 more patrol deputies for the sheriff's office should give his money back. It was embarrassingly hokey and political at the same time.When Commissioner Shook offered a motion to add 2 patrol deputies to the sheriff's budget, Commissioners Quiggle and Pascal voted with Shook for the motion. Lemmond, who attempts to pass himself off as a law enforcement advocate, joined Commissioners Brown, Kelly, and Reives is voting no. Had Lemmond had the courage to buck Reives and vote "yes", the sheriff's budget would have been increased to add the two deputies by a 4-3 vote.

Then came the Lemmond Solution--stick the sheriff with a shell game. He moved that the sheriff be allowed to use the 3 new positions approved (2 dispatchers and one jailer) for any 3 positions the sheriff wants, " including 2 road deputies." His democrat buddies voted with him.
Lemmond, who has never managed anything of consequence, couldn't get it through his head that the sheriff had said that he had to have those three positions just to maintain operations and needed the 2 patrol deputies to complete his shifts of deputies. (Click here to read prior post on sheriff's position)

Lemmond figures that now his own refusal to support the 2 deputies has nothing to do with the Sheriff not getting to have the 2 patrol deputies he needed when there was $120,000 unallocated from the manager's proposed budget. He now thinks he can keep on campaigning as a big supporter of law enforcement. Instead he comes across as a not-so-clever politician.

A sheriff is an odd choice to try as a mark in a shell game but no one has ever accused "Shell Game Lemmond" of being very smart. Of course the whole problem here was that the county commissioners and county manager have been playing games with the sheriff about this budget all along. More details later.