With the filing period for 4 City Council seats fast approaching, I have been surprised that there hasn’t been a lot of discussion on taking our city back.
The following are some recent statistics on Henderson’s crime level as it relates to North Carolina as a whole. Looking it it, why should anyone re-elect Garry Daeke, Sara Coffey, Vernon Brown or Mike Inscoe?
I agree that three of the four need to go. The three have been in office long enough to own much of the problems within the city. One has gained financial wealth through his inside knowledge of government subsidized housing opportunities. One lacks the mental capacity to grasp the issues and needs guidance before voting. One will make you feel they understand the issues, imply they have concern for the issues, then vote as told. The fourth has demonstrated a willingness to speak their mind and challenge the inner working of government.
What is more unsettling is a Reader Submission without knowing the name of the submitter. At least Allen Pitts is willing to announce he has submitted his ramblings.
I should point out that I wasn’t clear by the email submission that they wanted their name noted. If the submitter would like to have their name noted, let me know and I will update this posting.
Also, to all, when emailing us submissions to our submit@homeinhenderson.com address please clarify if you’d like your name on it or not. To err on the side of caution, if you don’t specifically say, I will just say Reader Submission.
I agree that leadership in Henderson is corrupt and nonexistent. It’s like living on a freaking plantation. If I spelled plantation wrong, I’m still working on my GED. These fools downtown are in it for all the can steal. They all should be replaced. Particularly Mike Inscoe who use HUD funding under the Hope 6 grant to renovate downtown rental properies quit claimed to his daugther. A felony. I beleive ther statute of limitation has yet to run and a complaint to the OIG of HUD would at least take this ashole out of the running. Brenda Peace took kick backs from Rodgers and Rodges to vote in dangerous living conditions. The pending voting rights suit should take care of the rest.
There is no question regarding the existance of a big leadership void with the existing elected oficials. Unfortunately the problem includes all of them, including the Mayor. What must we do, What must we do? I thought at one time that we could not do worst so anyone who ran probably would be an improvement. Then I read a Sam Watkins comment quoting a statement Sam made that was posted on Home In Henderson that said something like Sam could not sleap at night worrying about how he could grow his business. I too can not sleap at night worrying about what Sam is going to do next in Henderson and Vance county. Currently many of the problems we face in this area result from many previous years of Sam’s actions both in public and behind the seans. Clearly the past actions are not working. Recent canditates, it seams, are either yes men who suport someone elses secreat agenda or Some do not pay taxes, some do not understand the issues , one could go on and on. I think there is a large number of citizens of all colors who are embarised and unsatisfied with where we are and where we are going or not going. I certainly hope we can find a way to improve candidates that are running for local ofices and at least start the process of moving forward not backwards.
Ladies and gentlemen, the political process in Henderson/Vance County works like this. A small group of people who wish to control various elected boards get together and raise money which is then distributed to the so called activists, some of whom are ministers. A list of endorsed candidates goes along with the money and the activists get out the vote, sometimes using church vans. In addition, the Black Caucus meets and endorses candidates, almost always the same candidates who are on the activists’ list.
Basically, this has been the process for many years. Sometimes a single issue, such as the inspection of rental property, unites the group. Other years, the power brokers want to get rid of candidates who think for themselves as witnessed the purging of Yount, Harper, Gupton and Wilkerson. Thus we got “The New Direction”. See where they have led us?
Post 3 4 and 5 are correct. The deafening silence is from the many who agree with what has been said–for one or more reasons will speak of it in private, but aren’t willing to voice out loud. Some of reasons for inaction : they own business here which would suffer if they stood up for themselves. Others have come before the meetings of city and county and been treated in a very rude way.
I honestly don’t see a way out of the problems.
Nor do I, prudence. I have learned, however, all things change. Patience isn’t easily learned and just about the time we think it is all to no avail, miracles happen in many lives, clustered together. Encourage those young people you know who are open minded, educated and community oriented to run for office. Nothing worth having is easy and there are no free lessons. Believing the best will prevail will give it energy to happen.
There is merit to every post on this thread. Great and progressive thoughts by the bloggers. In other cities, these thoughts would be called “normal”. In Henderson, we are merely 12 steps behind those places. But it needs to be said and I am glad you did.
Our property taxes are going up 3.5 cents to 62 cents on the $100.00 valuation. UNBELIEVABLE. Some on the city council did not vote for this junk and others who did. Either way it passed. It just so happens that some of the ones who voted to approve the budget represent districts that are overwhelmingly rampant with subsidized rental property or standard rental property; meaning those residents or “voters” do not pay property taxes. So, why worry about it? Maybe the tax increase will be passed on to the renters? However, I have never heard one bit of outcry over that. If that were such an issue, we would have heard something. What those voters should worry about is the sanitation increase, which, from what I understand, their representatives were. They cannot escape that fee. Still, it affects us all. Find another piggy bank. Cut the DSS budget and hold tax deadbeats accountable. Put their names and pictures in print for all to see all the time. Shame them in to shutting down or paying up. Either way, Henderson is better off. Real simple, if you cannot pay to play, then be wise, and do not play.
There has to be a way to make necessary cuts, provide for our needs and allow our city to prosper at the same time. This is not wishful thinking, this is what can be reality if we put forth the effort. Why don’t we reach out to those who figure this kind of thing out for a living? Perhaps a university or consulting group. Consultants mean money, unless we can offer something else. Believe it or not, we can figure out what that commodity is. Where there is a will, there most certainly is a way. I am probably off base here, but this took all of 30 seconds to think of and it got the ball rolling. Imagine is several people thought on this subject of a few months?
Our new direction is taking us down the same old path. Sorry, to bust anyone’s bubble by saying the words “new direction” but were are worse off then when that marketing ploy began. We are living in a time where we cannot afford to have our cake and eat it too. Who wants to start a company in Henderson or Vance County? Not many. If they will not put people to work here, then we will never have tax paying citizens raising their families here. Our taxes are so high because those that do work for a living have to pay to take care of the services that everyone uses. It is time to wake up.
People need to understand that teachers are there to educate, not teach children manners, how to tie their shoes, use the restroom or use dining utensils. Citizens must gravitate towards self improvement, not the Department of Social Services. Voters must realize they have a mind of their own and not rely on others to literally hand them a list and tell them what to do. Those “leaders” are taking their followers own freedoms away and they are too blind to see it. Disgraceful. Medical care goes a whole lot further than the emergency room. Want to have a wild Saturday night? Hang out at Maria Parham Medical Center’s ER. No telling how many of our tax dollars are spent on the vending machines there so “family” can have a snack while a distant relative gets an x-ray. If churches are preaching God’s true word, why are they not practicing it outside of the sanctuary? What I outlines here does not discriminate. All types of people are guilty of these actions.
If government wants to make a difference, start by teaching us, the people, that it does not pay to be lazy. A big wake-up call is heading Henderson and Vance County’s way from the outside. Just like a good work out, it will hurt at first but the end result will far exceed the pain and we will be better off.
I am so tired of being the only person is line at the grocery store and holding my piece of plastic with a banks name on it while all the other folks staring at me in line hold a similar piece of plastic in their hands but their cards are all the same. Their cards hold a picture of the American Flag. And people are so naive as to think that equality is about race or gender?
For what it is worth, I happened to be in the Dennis Building on Monday morning. I asked when one could file their intentions to run for city council. (Note, I live in the county and have no interest in moving to the city.) The window to file opens July 5 and closes July 19. That is two weeks for those interested to file for the opportunity to correct the course set by the mis-directed. If the filing results is like the last city and county election expect no change.
Mr. Mojo Risin, nice rant. I know you said you did not have time to spare; I suggest you take another look at your personal calendar. You have expressed more ideas than I have heard from three city council members combined.
Somebody help me, please. It is my understanding that the company that owns Maria Parham Hospital paid their property tax, even though they are protesting the tax evaluation. Now at a rate of 60 cents per hundred dollars, if the evaluation amounts to around $50 million, that brings approximately $300,000 into the city coffers for the first time…money we did not have before. You mean to tell me that even with that much “new” money, we had to increase taxes, sanitation and sewer fees?
RR my understanding is that Duke paid their taxes. I could be wrong about this. A call to the tax office would solve the mystery since it is public information. You bring up a good point. Does this budget already include this new revenue or does it not?
Sorry for my rant, glad you liked if Michael. Had to get some things out there that I was thinking. A blog is a good place to do it. I firmly believe that people of elected power read this.
Sometimes a rant is appropriate, especially regarding issues that affect us all.