Mint Hill, North Carolina

Robbery at an upstanding Business Center!

Larry — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:51:58 +0000

The CBW Business Center was robbed on Wednesday, July 7th in during rush hour. No one was hurt.

Robbery or bad bet?

Like a lot of you I was not aware of this business and its operation.

It is said to appeal to those who wish to gamble and to what extent or how that is meant we are not sure.

A sign on the door asking folks to support the gambling lottery seems to indicate they are in that field.

We hope this type of thing does not continue and our Police, Mayor, City Council, Town Leaders and the like are keeping a better watch on this than they did that drug house we had.

They want more gambling according to the sign on the door.

Politicians helping each other to our taxes.

Larry — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 23:48:44 +0000

Anyone notice that the Town of Mint Hill is going to donate 175K to the library system.

First have we not paid our taxes to the county all these years and paid them on time?

Have we not paid our taxes to the town of Mint Hill and have we not paid them on time?

So why are these Politicians helping each other with our tax money.

The Country spent unwisely and now they want us to pay them even more through the loss of what we would have spent on things we needed here in Mint Hill that were our responsibility.

Call the Mint Hill Town Hall and ask them where you can send a blank check. Apparently the towns are now just helping keep the spending going and going.

Andrew Murray For Our DA!

Larry — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 16:55:06 +0000

The District Attorney may be elected, but he or she is much more than a politician.

They are the person who will fight for funds, get more prosecutors and be the person who will come out to our community to explain to us what needs to be done to fight crime in our area.

That is why we have decided to take the move to Endorse Andrew Murray For Our District Attorney.

We encourage you to look into the only candidate with extensive criminal prosecuting experience and a commitment to the law. We appreciate the other candidate but this job needs less a political figure and more of a go to person to take control of the growing gang problems and other revolving door criminals who we have seen get out only to do even more and worst crimes.

Go to his website www.MurrayforDA.com Click Here and see for your self why we feel he will be in our neighborhoods and at meeting with the citizens as well as being the kind of prosecutor who you can feel will make a difference in our community.

Let us know what you think by responding to this post.

Thanks

Larry and the Crew at Mint Hill.org

Larry@MintHill.org
?

Tucker or Shubert, we endorse Shubert.

Larry — Mon, 03 May 2010 11:10:31 +0000

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NC Senate District 35 – Candidate – Tommy Tucker (R)

Website: tommytucker4ncsenate.com

Phone Number: 704 6548410

Current Occupation: President Parks Heating and Cooling

Education–Highest Degree: High School some college

Most important organizations you belong to (up to three): State Board of Examiners
Union County Foundation of the Carolinas

List up to three (3) of your most important political/civic accomplishments in the last five (5) years. (150 word limit): past Chair of the CMC union hospital
Support of Turning Point (Battered Women’s Shelter)
2xalt Mentoring program
Big Brothers Big Sisters Program

What past experience do you have that best prepares you for this office? (150 word limit): Currently run a small business
Past Mayor Pro Tempore of Weddington
Past Union County Commissioner

Do you believe North Carolina has a comprehensive plan to increase jobs in the state? If not, do you have specific suggestions for increase jobs and decreasing unemployment? (200 word limit):
No, Cut the size of State Govt !0 %
Over three years and reaccess the budget at that time.
Reduce Coroporate Tax Rate
Revise the tax Code
Eliminate taxes on investment and savings and dividends

What will be your top priority in the coming year if elected? (150 word limit): Stop Spending

How can residents get involved in your campaign? Please include campaign manager or volunteer coordinator’s contact information.: Richard Helms 704 243 2855

NC Senate District 35 – Candidate – Fern Shubert (R)

Website: www.FernShubert.com

E-mail: fern.shubert@gmail.com

Phone Number: 704-296-2175

Facebook Page or URL: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Fern-Shubert-for-NC-Senate/293025849482?ref=ts

Current Occupation: CPA

Education–Highest Degree: College – Duke grad in Business Administration

Most important organizations you belong to (up to three): Marshville United Methodist Church,

National Right to Read Foundation (www.nrrf.org),

NC Association of CPAs

List up to three (3) of your most important political/civic accomplishments in the last five (5) years. (150 word limit): (1) Because I believe the public has a right to know what their government is doing, I helped block H802. H802 eliminated the public notification requirements for interbasin transfers between most North Carolina rivers. Had it passed, the Rocky River could have been converted to a massive treated wastewater disposal ditch without public notice.

(2) Because I believe the government should protect the public from those who profit by cutting corners, I helped block H643 which would have allowed treated wastewater to be disposed of by aquifer injection, endangering well water.

(3) For many years, I’ve written a column (Fern Shubert’s Raleigh Report) exposing “pay for play” permitting and other abuses of the public trust. When the developers of Cannonsgate bragged no other developer could have built there, they were right. Previously DENR would not permit the direct discharge of treated wastewater into groundwater, which appears to violate state law.

What past experience do you have that best prepares you for this office? (150 word limit): As a CPA, I have worked with all sizes and types of businesses, non-profits and government entities. I can read (and write) legalese and I’m very comfortable with numbers and budgets. I know from experience what works and what does not work, and I understand the difference between long range and short range planning and the consequences of a failure to plan.

In addition, I have previously served in the legislature (1995-1998 and 2001-2002 in the House and 2003-2004 in the Senate). I have served as the town manager of Indian Trail and I currently volunteer as NC State Director of the National Right to Read Foundation.

I was so effective as a Representative that I was elected Senate Republican Whip as a freshman Senator, giving me the opportunity to experience a leadership role at the state level. Yet I still remember fondly my first minimum wage job.

Do you believe North Carolina has a comprehensive plan to increase jobs in the state? If not, do you have specific suggestions for increase jobs and decreasing unemployment? (200 word limit): If we want job creation, we need to quit putting the tax squeeze on small businesses and existing businesses to subsidize political profiteers.
They’ll create more jobs if we get government off their backs.

The insider plan for many years has been to fool the public into thinking the state is creating jobs by bribing companies to come here with incentives so we can have highly publicized ribbon cuttings and the grateful recipients of the support will contribute to those who arranged it.
Unfortunately, paying for the incentives and the massive marketing apparatus built around them is sucking so much money out of existing companies that more jobs are killed than are created.

Google “Bastiat” or “Parable of the Broken Window.” We see the jobs “produced” by incentives, but the cost to the people of North Carolina in jobs destroyed is more than we can afford.

The best way to create jobs is to clean up state government so it no longer discourages honest employers from seeking to do business in North Carolina and so that resources are allocated effectively rather than being used to buy votes. We need to build roads where needed, not where politicos profit.

What will be your top priority in the coming year if elected? (150 word limit): My top priority will be promoting integrity in state government because all of my other goals can only be accomplished by emphasizing that goal.

We need jobs. I’d like to say “Jobs is job 1” but without stopping “pay for play” government you can’t expect a successful economy.

We need to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for all of our citizens. Closing libraries while subsidizing the business deals of political insiders is unacceptable, but without budget transparency it is hard for the public to realize how funds are being diverted.

We need to require DENR to protect the public instead of the profits of those who prosper by buying cheap land and cheap politicians (who will abuse their power to make the cheap land more valuable). Again, public health is an integrity issue.

Speaking engagements re ethics or water quality issues are particularly welcome.

How can residents get involved in your campaign? Please include campaign manager or volunteer coordinator’s contact information.: Please send an email giving your contact information (name, address, phone) to fern.shubert@gmail.com and express your area of interest. The more information included, the better job we can do in involving you in the campaign. All help welcome!

Austin or Brawley, we endose Brawley

Larry — Mon, 03 May 2010 11:05:32 +0000

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NC House District 103 – Candidate – Lloyd Austin (R)

Website: www.Lloyd Austin NC House 103.com

E-mail: Lloydaustin@carolina.rr.com

Phone Number: 704.545.0184

Facebook Page or URL: Lloyd Austin

Current Occupation: Barber

Education–Highest Degree: Attended CPCC

Most important organizations you belong to (up to three): Lions Club
Mint Hill Lodge 742
Shriners

List up to three (3) of your most important political/civic accomplishments in the last five (5) years. (150 word limit): Commissioner of Mint Hill We have not raised taxes in the last 12 years.
We started our Police Dept. which is very sucessfull. In charge on Mint Hill 5K run.

What past experience do you have that best prepares you for this office? (150 word limit): Serving as a Commissioner on Mint Hill for the last 12 Years. Serving as a executive board member for Matthews,Mint Hill on Centralina Council of Govt. Being able to meet with the citizens when they need me.

Do you believe North Carolina has a comprehensive plan to increase jobs in the state? If not, do you have specific suggestions for increase jobs and decreasing unemployment? (200 word limit): The state has one of the highest taxes on business in the southeast. If we cut the business taxes the private business can hire more workers.

What will be your top priority in the coming year if elected? (150 word limit): More privite Jobs through tax cut on business. Cut spending so North Carolina will be a State so new business will come to our State.

How can residents get involved in your campaign? Please include campaign manager or volunteer coordinator’s contact information.: I can be reached at 704.545.0184 or by email Lloydaustin@carolina.rr.com. I am at Mint Hill Barber Shop Tuesday- Saturday if someone wants to come by to meet me an talk. We have a page on facebook Lloyd Austin House 103 that I can be reached at.

NC House District 103 – Candidate – Bill Brawley (R)

E-mail: bill_brawley@yahoo.com

Phone Number: 704-574-0894

Current Occupation: Commercial Real Estate Broker

Education–Highest Degree: BS Accounting, UNC Charlotte

Most important organizations you belong to (up to three): CUMC Hurricane Katrina Relief Task Force

List up to three (3) of your most important political/civic accomplishments in the last five (5) years. (150 word limit): Everything I have accomplished was as part of team effort. The three most recent issues on which I worked were a Community School in Mint Hill (2009), Charlotte Rental Registration Ordinance (2009), and Library Funding (2009 and currently).

What past experience do you have that best prepares you for this office? (150 word limit): Matthews Town Council 4 years; Mecklenburg Park Commissioner 11 years; Catawba Lands Conservancy Board 2 years; Chaired Mecklenburg Greenway Committee 2 years; Four Park Bond Committees; Charlotte Chamber Land Use 5 years; Commercial Board of Realtors Legislative Affairs Committee 1 year; Centralina Council of Governments Executive Committee 2 years; Chaired Citizens Environmental Advisory Council 2 years; Citizens Blue Ribbon Committe on County Governance 1992; Fellow of the NCIOPL; Matthews Mayoral Task Force on Schools.

Do you believe North Carolina has a comprehensive plan to increase jobs in the state? If not, do you have specific suggestions for increase jobs and decreasing unemployment? (200 word limit): No. Reducing taxes and regulation to improve the business climate and encourage the creation of PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS. Focus education money on the classroom. Prevent transfers from Trust Funds to the General Fund. Stop industrial recruitment incentives (Why spend tax money to help a new company to compete with our existing industry? Let the market decide)

What will be your top priority in the coming year if elected? (150 word limit): Improve the quality of life in NC by: encouraging private sector jobs through improving the business climate; enhancing public safety by increasing the number DAs and Courts in metro areas and adding cells for those convicted; rationalizing the spending on infrastructure to address the real needs of the citizens.

How can residents get involved in your campaign? Please include campaign manager or volunteer coordinator’s contact information.: Please contact me directly at 704-574-0894 or at bill_brawley@yahoo.com

Campaign Lie or Attack, You Decide!

Larry — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 22:35:00 +0000

We received this from our friend Fern Shubert.

We ask her opponent to respond.

Last week my opponent put out a mailer that said “In the General Assembly, Fern Shubert Sponsored or Co-Sponsored 100 bills (in the 2003-2004 Legislative Session) How many passed? Z-E-R-O
Fern Shubert is ineffective. We can do better.”

This week he put out a mailer that said “If She’s Elected, Fern Shubert will raise your taxes. How Can You Be Sure? She’s Worked Hard To Raise Your Taxes Before – So You Know She’ll Do It Again.”

After the first mailer came out, I asked Mark Johnson of The Charlotte Observer/Raleigh News & Observer if his papers would do a truth check of the ads. He said they didn’t have the resources. If he doesn’t know that ad was dishonest or can’t discover the dishonesty in less than a minute on the internet, he doesn’t know much about the legislature he has theoretically covered for years.

I expected Mark’s response. I did not expect organizations I have supported for years to ignore such blatant dishonesty.

Two years ago SEIU ran a candidate in a Republican Primary in Union County. Fortunately, he lost.

This year’s Republican(?) primary features a candidate (not me) who boasts of being endorsed by Lynn Raye (check who he supports financially at the NC SBOE web site) and has stated publicly that “You don’t need to put your name on a bill if you don’t think it’s going to pass.” So I guess if the folks in charge don’t like Right-to-Life bills, oppose raising the charter cap, and don’t want to reduce taxes we should just not bother filing bills that our constituents want?

Is there a Republican Party in North Carolina? If so, what does it stand for?

If you want to see the ads before responding, his mailers are posted on my website: www.fernshubert.com

Fern Shubert is our Choice

Larry — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:09:56 +0000

We sat down and talked to Fern Shubert who is running for District 35. Which Covers our Mint Hill area.

We think you should look at her rich history, accomplishments and plans for the future of NC and our area.

Click here for www.FernShubert.com

Fern Shubert, Duke Graduate, Dist 35.

Mint Hill Library to close

Larry — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:33:57 +0000

I am sure you have heard that the Mint Hill Library is one of the many to close.

They know it will be no problem as we in Mint Hill never fight for what is right.

Our Mayor and the majority of the board are all the best thing our City and County Government could have ever hoped for.

So we continue along the path that will eventually lead to “wasn’t there once a town called Mint Hill?”.

Mint Hill Police need our support.

Larry — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:01:40 +0000

The recent story in the Observer suggested the Mint Hill Police may have erred in handling the case of a CMPD Officer.

I support our Mint Hill Police. Did they give special consideration? Of course they did! All Police do, why do you think Officers and their families have that FOP and code blue stuff on their cars? But Leford has integrity and knows the limits, and would make sure what is done is right.

Keep up the good work guys and gals.

Bill James to run for 8th term!

Larry — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:51:54 +0000

We are happy to report that Bill is running for office again.

Bill James to run for re-election to District 6

Key Accomplishments (forcing the debt diet and recording of closed sessions)

2-5-2010

I have decided to run for another term (term 8 if folks are counting). I have been on the County Commission now for 14 years.

These last two years have been my most successful as an elected official, since I helped overturn the busing decision 10 years ago (in 1999). I cite two key accomplishments (plus a third compilation list of other recent successes):

1. Forcing Mecklenburg County to push away from the debt table (letter to rating agencies):

My biggest accomplishment over the last year or so was in forcing the County to reduce the amount of debt it could borrow. What management now calls the ‘debt diet’ was the singular result of my decision to write directly to rating agencies going around management and the Board’s Democrats.

How did I do that? Well, for starters I took it on my own initiative to write to the various rating agencies last fall outlining the frivolous and out-of-control spending that the County Commission majority was engaging in and, in particular, their inability to live under the guidelines they themselves instituted, and their efforts to gut pay-go. Mecklenburg County had been pretending to be fiscally sound while actually spending bond dollars like a drunken sailor on shore leave.

In fact, the PRAG guidelines adopted years ago at my insistence were then roundly ignored by the Democrat majority as they kept issuing growing mounds of debt ignoring their own loose limits. Eventually, the Democrats on the Commission voted to relax the standards even more in the fall of 2008 which was (to me) proof that the majority had absolutely no intention of acting in a fiscally responsible manner without being pressured. At that point I took it upon myself to air the ‘dirty bond debt laundry’ directly with rating agencies in New York.

By sending a detailed and specific letter outlining the County Commission’s debt misdeeds directly to Moody’s, S&P, Fitch and others just before the Chair and management were to sit down with these rating agencies in December 2008 I was able to force the majority and management onto the carpet as they took their trip to New York. The rating agencies received the letter via e-mail the day before Mecklenburg County officials sat down with them. That led to a dressing down of Mecklenburg County leadership by these rating agencies (who agreed with my summary of their spendthrift ways) and resulted in the announced ‘debt diet’ in February of 2009 that stopped 75% of the planned debt sales in its tracks.

Ultimately, writing this letter and delivering it to the appropriate people forced the Democrat majority to do what to that point they collectively had steadfastly refused to (namely to restrict the amount of annual debt and prioritize). The effect of doing so would be to cut most debt allocations by 75% over what the majority had planned to spend. Instead of CMS getting $250 million to $300 million a year, they will get $80 to $100 million. Instead of Park and Rec getting $150 million a year, they will get $30 to $50 million.

My willingness to take on the majority using that letter to go around them resulted in real positive financial change for the residents of Mecklenburg County. The Democrats will likely claim that they would have reduced debt anyway but that is untrue. They had just approved new ‘relaxed’ standards for increasing MORE debt just days before I sent the letter. The letter was not collaborative with other GOP though I did make them aware of it after it had gone out.

2. Forcing the recording of Closed Session minutes (spy pen):

For some 14 years, I have tried to get the County Commission to record what occurred during closed session. There was always some excuse proffered by the Democrats as to why this was a bad idea. Here is a editorial cartoon from 2001 showing the Democrats opposition to my idea.

About a year ago I used my own money to purchase a spy pen and used it to record closed sessions announcing that I would prefer to have the Board do it but if they did not, I would take on that role.

The idea of me controlling the recordings of closed session events was enough to force the board to vote to start recording them and to approving a policy that would allow the recordings to be kept for a minimum period of 2 years. This will provide more open and transparent government and would not have occurred had I not purchased the Spy Pen and started using it.

3. Other accomplishments:

Helped the folks of Shanamara Subdivision get money back from double property taxation.
Pushed and got adopted new rules allowing 5,000 County employees to give to more than just the ASC and United Way (now called the ‘combined campaign’).
Pushed for and got adopted 287g program to arrest illegals and continues to support this program for ALL inmates that are booked (not just those arrested for specific acts).
Pushed for ‘no illegals’ policy at CPCC to comply with Federal law (it is illegal for County dollars to go towards the education of illegals).
Supports the expansion of Charter Schools and allowing Charter Schools to have access to County Capital dollars (current litigation underway against County).
Helped force disclosure of 60% + fraud rate from CMS’ Free and Reduced Lunch program.
Opposes expansion of the sales tax base (requested by the Democrats as a ‘revenue’ enhancement) which would force working men and women in trades (plumbers, electricians, etc..) to collect sales taxes on their services.
Supported and got Board approval for additional COUNTY funding for DA’s office ($1.5 million) to prosecute more cases.
Opposes County Management & Commissioners from serving on non-profit boards or businesses that get money from the County. Democrats refuse to adopt.
Did not raise taxes even though there was a push to do so to ‘save county services’.

Bill James

County Commission

Bill James (R, District 6)

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