05/31/07
Excerpts from:
Mayor King says he will seek re-election
click the title to see the whole story
with my annotated comments in maroon
BOLD added for emphasis
So when people asked him whether or not he would run for another term as Goldsboro's mayor, he had no answer -- just a few words about his "best friend" and how much he would love to retire again and hit the road with him.
"This has been one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make," King said. "My wife has been on my butt. She said, 'Stop. You need to run. You're the best thing for this city.' I told her I was thinking about it. And then, something happened. I realized I just can't walk away from this city."
It's not really a tough decision, you just have to ask yourself, Do you want to serve the city or not?
Not when there are so many projects underway, he said...And not when there is still work to do. It's hard to walk away from progress in motion, he added.
There will always be projects underway, Al, and there will always be work to do. We just need qualified leaders with vision and insight to discern which ones are progress and which ones are a waste of tax payer's money.
"We have a lot of irons in the fire, a lot of projects going on," King said. "These projects are long-term and they have taken lots of planning, thought and commitment. If I don't run, I'm turning my back on that and I won't."
All of city council, not just you, are responsible for biting off more than they can chew.
There are too many irons in the fire, some are good and others fruitless. But the council must follow through with them to save face.
There are so many issues overlooked such as streets, personnel and drainage problems, and the list goes on, that need attention now! These irons have caused the city budget to dry up and there is not enough money available to complete them all, let alone take care of more important issues.
And he won't turn his back on the residents who show up at his office, pleading for help with drugs and crime in their neighborhoods.
Hire more officers and pay them better wages to stay here to fight drugs and crime! We are loosing our first line of defense between civilization and chaos.
"Gangs -- now that's a problem and we're going to have to deal with it. And drugs have always been a problem," King said.
Again, I repeat myself Hire more officers...........
Because at the end of the day, the citizens are what matters -- not the money, tax revenue or fancy buildings.
Or a Multi-Million Dollar Water Park in a FLOOD ZONE?
King said. "As long as I sit in this chair, I guarantee there are going to be things we need to do to improve the quality of life for all our citizens."
Thank you for being honest, now please, Al, get out of the chair, throw it away and let's get Goldsboro started in a positive direction!
So he will spend the next few months planning and executing his campaign -- knowing that this might be his last ride.
But it doesn't phase him. King said he knows that when his time to give up Goldsboro's high seat comes, he will be ready to embrace whatever role he is thrown into next.
"This is really not about me anymore --... After the election, if I don't win, I'll know they're saying, 'Hey, you are out of here. Thanks, but we're finished with you.' Then I could walk away. I'll fly with my son, I'll get in my car and drive, I'll go play golf. But that hasn't happened yet."
It never should have been about you, in the first place. I'm sure you have done the best that you could, given what (or who) you had to work with. But it's time to pass the torch to a new generation of leadership.
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on May 31, 2007 01:46 PM
06/03/07
Excerpts from:
Chatman to seek re-election
click the title to see the whole story
with my annotated comments in maroon
BOLD added for emphasis
"Somebody out there thinks I'm doing OK."...
"But I think that once they are completed, you have got to stay focused on progress -- making sure that domino or snowball effect keeps happening."
The domino and snowball effects are Negative Results. These are uncontrollable concepts that occur when situations get out of hand. This is one thing that Goldsboro does not need!
06/07/07
Excerpts from:
Waller announces for City Council
click the title to see the whole story
with my annotated comments in maroon
BOLD added for emphasis
...Thursday, District 2 representative Bob Waller became the fourth member of the City Council to announce his pursuit of re-election.
"I thought I would give it one more try. Four more years." "I try to serve the whole city," Waller said. "We've got to look after all these folks."
One way to do just that is to finish ongoing efforts at the Paramount Theater, City Hall and Community Building sites, he said.
Mr. Waller, you forgot to mention the ongoing Forced Annexations, Phase XI (1,1,00 people) and Phase XII (2,400 people), or did you think that it may be harmful for your re-election efforts and cost you a few votes?
But looking to the future is of equal importance -- a civic center, revamped Stoney Creek Park, (also know as Waller Park) revitalized downtown and more, perhaps.
"I think we've got a lot of great things going on," Waller said. "But we can't stop there. All these are important projects but I would hope, in the near future, we could do something about a civic center."
High-dollar projects will be a part of the future, he added, but taking care of the less expensive things is just as important.
"I want to make sure we have adequate water, adequate sewer and adequate police and fire protection," he said. "We need to look after the young people. They're going to be running this city before too long."
Stopping emerging gangs is another way to help future generations, he added.
Waller had over 4 years to address this issue, it's strange not much is being done about it until NEXT TERM.
"I would like to see (the City Council) become more involved in the fight against gangs," Waller said. "Gangs bother me and people are afraid of them. We need to look very closely at that and find a way to stop them."
Try hiring more officers, and give them specialized training in related areas, (and a decent salary to keep them here in Goldsboro to enforce it)
Still, there are dozens of problems that need to be addressed, too many to list, he added.
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on June 7, 2007 01:46 PM
06/14/07
As I attended the Downtown Jam this evening, I spoke with a police officer who told me that the Goldsboro Police Department was down by 20 officers. Something has to be done! At this rate there won't be anyone to protect the citizens of Goldsboro by the end of the year. Why are they all leaving? And why are there none that are taking their place? I knew we were loosing a number of officers, , but didn't realize it was this serious. Hopefully, as the mayor and city council read this, they will try to remedy the situation. Not just by some campaign promise, but by actually doing something to get the department up to par.
Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy
You're read about firemen that start fires to become a hero, and mothers that bring their babies near death, just to get attention. I would pray that this is not the case with city hall to win an election...waiting until the last minute before election to bring in the much need officers to make them look good. They had all year to do this.
Either way, it will be my goal to maintain the police department to full strength (and then some) with minimum turnover.
06/14/07
WARNING !! 09/27/07 Recreation survey to determine residents' wishes
In the First Place, I suggested this type of survey way back to get the public's opinion on certain issues.
It is listed under "People's Choice" on the "Other Issues" page. I'm glad City Council is reading my website.
In the Second Place, all those nice things mentioned is what the carnival calls a "Flash Show" glitter and all that stuff.
It is a desperate attempt to make it look like the council actually cares near election time.
In the Third Place, watch it when they say:
This survey will also help the department with the comprehensive parks and recreation master plan as well as Stoney Creek Park. For Stoney Creek Park, the survey could mean receiving the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant that the Stoney Creek Park Alliance has been working toward. It looks like they are trying to sneak an official Survey in under your nose that will be used to go ahead with the $2 Million (that will turn into $5 Million) park, you know that one nick named WALLER SWAMP at the bottom of Ash street in the FLOOD ZONE.
Make sure you let them know that WE DON'T NEED (or want) ANOTHER PARK. Especially, since we can't even keep the 12 other parks clean and in good repair. There are 5 WATER RELATED activities on the survey form. I will tell you now, in order to get the numbers they need, they will count each water related activity checked as one person's vote. If you check it, it shows that you want it (at a costly price) if you don't, it doesn't say that you are against it. That makes this a slighted survey (and illegit). But watch them push it. The best thing for you to do, it to NOT fill it out or send it in. When there is a lack of interest, they will have to start filling out bogus surveys to get the numbers they want. Without a name or address, the survey will not be considered by the State.
Candidates for mayor, council speak out at NAACP forum
This was a very interesting meeting, and not all of it made it to the newspaper. Evidently Charles Williams and Chuck Allen didn't feel that it was important for them to show up since they are the only ones on the ballot for their districts. The Mayor had to leave early for another engagement so the meeting was tailored to suit him. The 2 minute introduction was waived, "Mayor" questions were asked first, and then he scooted out the door.
The moderator did not have her act together, and wasn't aware that the candidates were to be given a 3 minute conclusion. She was informed of such and tried to whittle it down to two minutes. The excuse was that we had to be out of there so they could clean up and close up. Foresight was definitely not an ingredient in this forum.
When asked the question about having 2 city hall buildings. I responded that Goldsboro decided to get a new building, so a councilman went out and bought the adjoining property and sold it to Goldsboro (at a nice profit) so they could expand City Hall. I heard councilman Bob Waller at the other end of the forum table cry out. "THAT'S NOT THE TRUTH"!
Unfortunately, we were not allowed to debate issues, so the rest of the TRUTH didn't come out. I closed by saying that if you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one that yelps the loudest is the one you hit. I know I hit a tender nerve.
The matter is under investigation at this time and I will give you an update a little further down this page as soon as the information is complete. Meanwhile I am taking complaints and information relating to any criminal activity that has occur with the city council of Goldsboro. You will remain anonymous. email me at dstuart@nc.rr.com
...and as you can see, it didn't take long.......keep the information coming in!
MARCH 17, 2003
Present:
Mayor Alfonzo King, Presiding
Mayor Pro Tem J. B. Rhodes, Sr.
Councilmember Bob Waller
Councilmember William C. Goodman, Jr.
Councilmember Charles J. Williams, Sr.
Councilmember Chuck Allen
Councilmember Delmus Bridgers
Budget Ordinance and Option to Purchase Agreement for Purchase of Property from JBA Properties, LLC Authorized. Ordinance Adopted. Prior to discussion of this matter, a motion to excuse Councilmember Allen due to a conflict of interest was made by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Bridgers and unanimously carried.
The City of Goldsboro has been interested in consolidating into one building the municipal services currently housed in the City Hall and City Hall Annex. In an effort to minimize deficiencies in both structures, over the years, funds have been appropriated for minor renovations. No further renovations are economically feasible short of a major expansion. Several alternatives to correct this situation have been explored by the Council. Property surrounding City Hall to the south and east were recently purchased by JBA Properties, LLC. This company is in the ownership of Councilmember Chuck Allen. The properties in question are located at 200-212 North Center, 103 East Mulberry Street, 119 East Mulberry Street, 201 North John Street, 105-113 East Mulberry Street and 115 East Mulberry Street. All structures on the properties have been demolished and the property is being marketed for sale.
Prior to focusing on the City’s facility needs, the Council had to decide if City Hall should be expanded at its current location or if these operations should be relocated elsewhere within the downtown area. In closed session on September 9, 2002, the Council authorized the City Manager to secure an appraisal of the JBA Properties’ land. An appraisal by Littleton Appraisal Service, Inc, of the seven tracts was determined to be $291,000. Council further discussed this matter in closed sessions on January 21, 2003 and February 3, 2003. At the latter meeting, Council reached a general consensus that City Hall facilities should be expanded at their current location and authorized the City Manager to negotiate the purchase of said property. Mr. Allen did not attend the September 9, 2002, January 21, 2003 or February 3, 2003 meetings.
JBA Properties, LLC is asking $283,000 for the land, $100,000 for demolition, and $14,396 for closing costs and interest charges for a total of $397,396. Demolition costs would have been incurred by the City if these properties had been purchased from the previous owners. Therefore, estimates were obtained from three local companies as follows:
| Company | Proposal |
|
| Ready Contractors, Inc. | $151,000 |
|
| Best Sand & Gravel, Inc. | $135,200 |
|
| A/K Grading and Demolition, Inc. | $ 48,900* |
*It is questionable if A/K Grading and Demolition, Inc. possesses the capabilities of demolishing the buildings as expeditiously as achieved by Mr. Allen. However, no time table was mentioned.
At the closed session of January 21, 2003, it was the consensus of the Council that Mr. Allen’s asking price was reasonable and approximated the cost the City would have incurred if the property had been purchased from its previous owners. No funds are contained within the Operating Budget of the current fiscal year to purchase these lots. It is recommended that the City enter into an Option to Purchase agreement paying the owner a non-refundable deposit of $100,000 upon execution of the agreement with the balance ($297,396) being paid at the closing without interest. A closing date for the remaining balance would be scheduled for July 3, 2003. A budget Ordinance has been submitted for Council’s consideration.
A motion to adopt the following entitled Ordinance appropriating $100,000 to be paid upon the execution of an Option to Purchase agreement for land owned by JBA Properties, LLC and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute said Option to Purchase for the purchase of property located at 200-212 North Center Street, 103 East Mulberry Street, 119 East Mulberry Street, 201 North John Street, 105-113 East Mulberry Street, and 115 East Mulberry Street at a total cost of $397,396 was made by Councilmember Waller with a second by Councilmember Bridgers. Mayor Pro Tem Rhodes expressed concern that the City spend monies for property when it already owns property at the end of Center Street in the vicinity of the Fire/Police Complex. Councilmember Goodman expressed concern that nothing is being done to revitalize the South Center Street area. All were in consensus that the existing City Hall would remain intact. Following a lengthy discussion, those voting in favor of the motion as stated were Mayor King, Councilmember Waller, Councilmember Williams, and Councilmember Bridgers. Dissenting votes were cast by Mayor Pro Tem Rhodes and Councilmember Goodman. Motion carried 4-2.
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