NC SURPLUS

So according to the news NC has a $600 million dollar surplus!!!! Apparently from the story they don't seem to understand how they got it either or what to do with it. I have an idea for them, why not put the past few years worth of ROAD MONEY you took to cover your shortfalls in the general budget back into the DOT budget so we could get roads built, repaired, and even possibly get the Monroe Bypass completed without being a toll road before I get too old to drive on it??????? For years the state has been taking road money ($80 million) the last time for their mismanagement of the states budget...its time to pay back the money. Of course that brings up another conundrum the DOT would have the money and we all know that organization has questions about honesty. So choose your poison? Which one will it be? Any other suggestions about the $600 million surplus?

INDIAN TRAIL TOWN COUNCIL GETTING ALONG?

Having attended the Town Council meeting April 25,2006 it seems that the members of the council are seemingly getting along. At least on the surface, it seems they are now concentrating on actions for the betterment of the town rather than fighting on every occasion. It shows great strides on all the members to try and work together rather than fight, and I for one am glad to see it. Unknown what lies just below the surface though, and hopefully nothing bubbles to the top. Its important to be able to agree to disagree and then get the job done. Seems the new town clerk (Peggy) has hit her stride and is performing above the satisfaction of the council. After a 3-2 vote to hire Mr. Canseler as the attorney, it seems that after hearing him speak and his knowledge the town made a wise investment to get him. Seems the entire council favors the new attorney rather than just the 3 members that voted for him originally. I realize that the interim town manager (Fern Shubert) brought with her baggage from all over the county but it seems for the most part she is doing what they brought her in to do and rapidly getting the budget set for the coming year. I say baggage because due to her outspoken nature, she seems to have as many detractors as supporters. Now if we could just get some sort of sound system in that place for meetings we would be doing excellent. We have to be able to afford some wireless microphones for the podium and council table. I think there must be a way to do it even if we buy the stuff through ebay...Anyone have ideas????Please contact me or comment on this blog.

Education Forum

The candidates for County Commissioners were grilled with questions from 3 students of SunValley High school on April 20th. Judging from the response of the candidates they stated the questions were thoughtful, insightful, and deeply meaningful and nothing like this had been experienced throughout the other forums. Instead of rehashing old topics, the students represented themselves, their families, their school, and County with honor. The disappointing part of the evening was the lack of voter turnout to hear the candidates speak. The education topic is at the forfront of the county responsibilities and affects everyone in this county due to the fact that .60 cents or more of tax dollars go to schools. They people that were too busy, didn't care, or just didn't want to get involved missed a fast paced and some heated discussions. Unfortunately, Apathy in this county has been the big winner so far in this election period.

ROAD MONEY NOT WHAT IT APPEARS

In recent days the press has indicated that Indian Trail is sitting on millions of dollars for roads. Mr. Larry Helms indicated in the town hall meeting that the town should use it or lose it (friendly threat). That in turn caused citizens to start complaining of road issues. Trouble is that the money used for roads is clear as mud. I am not an expert on this subject but know a little bit and will gladly share it. The town of Indian Trail receives Powell Bill funds which are to be used on town maintained roads (Indian Trail has 6+ miles). Those funds can be used for new road projects, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and repair of said roads. Thats it...if the state maintains a road that is in disrepair the town can't use that money. Through the DOT the town has 4 million dollars of money designated for Indian Trail road...problem is that the DOT would like to 4 lane it but there is not enough room and the previous council didn't want it so the money has sat there unused. This is not free money either, the town has to put up a million dollars for a project for a total of 5 million in order to get the DOT share (4 mil). The money is designated for Indian Trail road and nothing else. In order for it to be moved to another project, the town has to do a resolution and send it to DOT and hope they go along with the new ideas for the money. The way I understand it, that would not include repair of existing roads. That again is a function of the DOT and if you have read articles in the paper, you would know that the repair budget for this area took a 6 million dollar hit that to Speaker Black (he gave it to Mint Hill). So you see the road money is anything but crystal clear. Bottom line is if there is a road repair issue more than likely you should call the DOT representatives and express to them what your concerns are.

Indian Trail Road Money

On Tuesday April 11, 2006 the Town of Indian Trail was politely told by Larry Helms (DOT) representative that monies the town has will have to be used soon or face losing it back to the state. After years of hoarding the money (John Munn former Town Manager) the DOT now states that the money has to be spent? Seems odd that this type of warning happens shortly after the firing of John Munn? Maybe Mr. Helms is going around telling all the towns their road money has to be spent? Needless to say the few millions of dollars that Indian Trail has will only go so far. It would only be a drop in the bucket for something like Williams Rescue Road estimated at $25 million or more. Monroe road could use all the money it can get but problem with that is you have to involve Matthews, Stallings, and Indian Trail to accomplish anything on that road. It seems that if road conditions are to improve in this area, the bypass has to be built as soon as possible. There are 3 sections A, B, C. B and C are supposedly funded and A has everything in place to fund but details are being worked out and nothing is set in stone yet. Section A in my opinion needs to meet up with B and then connect to 485. Limited access off the bypass, and no dumping traffic into Indian Trail and Stallings because that doesn't make sense.
Unfortunately, there is no telling how traffic will be affected by the bypass until its built. Until then, there is no money in the system for new road projects and MUMPO is having to look at eliminating 50 million dollars more from projects already scheduled. Can you say MISMANAGEMENT!!!

COUNTY POLITICAL RACES

The primary is May 2, 2006. I am encouraging everyone that is able to vote in the primary to do so. It is imperative that as many people cast votes as possible Republicans and Unaffiliated alike. The state of the County is up for grabs and could go back to set up much like the late 1990's. In case you forgot or don't know, that is when the developers were running everything. The actions of the past board are directly responsible for the overcrowded schools, roads, and higher taxes.
Please get involved, do your homework and VOTE.

Another race not getting much attention is the race for Clerk of Distrit Court. In this primary republicans Lucy Drake and J.R. Rowell face off to see which candidate will face the Democratic incumbent Tripp Helms in the fall. This office has been held by a Democrat for the past 30+ years that I know of. Mr. Helms was given the job in September 2005 after the long time incumbent left office before the term had ended. Which ever candidate comes out of the primary the fall race will definitely be an interesting one. With the commissioners race over in May...not many races will be decided in the fall. The Democrats will be working hard to retain this seat.

BLOOD DRIVE IN STALLINGS

If you are willing and able to give blood, the Red Cross office in Stallings will be having a blood drive on April 18, 2006 from 2pm - 6:30pm. The last time they held a blood drive all of 8 people gave blood. Please make an effort to give blood, it only costs a little bit of your time.

Question #1 from the Edge, kind of Dull

I happened to have read the EDGE (3/31/06). In the paper was question #1 for the Candidates for Commissioner. The question: "Amid the concerns that Union County has become increasingly divisive, leading to narrow votes and bickering among the Board of Commissioners, further pitting an east versus west mentality, do you support district representation and/or expansion of the board that you seek? Please explain in your response how better county equity could be obtained."
All the candidates but two answered in a way that makes you think they could work with others on the board. The other two seem to dance to the beat of a different drummer. In particular, Clayton Loflin. He stated early on he was going to "bring common sense back, laugh with the board, not at...and something about civility." Trouble is he hasn't missed an opportunity to attack others in the race and on the current board. He stated "the quick and easy way to bring harmony to the board is to elect 3 conservatives(one being him)" Its important to look at "quick and easy" there are no quick and easy alternatives and anyone telling you that might have swampland to sell you. Apparently Mr. Loflin knows where "friction on the board" comes from and will "show him the door on May 2." Funny thing, I thought he was friends with Stony Rushing? Now apparently he wants to show him the door. Go figure!
That brings me to my next candidate, Mr. Stony Rushing. Instead of answering the question in a mature manner and actually answering the question he does exactly the same thing he does on the board, he trots out 3 year old emails? Apparently showing that Hughie Sexton has strong opinions about people and issues. (Strawberry Queen or not, I have seen Mr. Sexton and Mrs. Anderson at MUMPO meetings and they seem to work together) I am not sure what Mr. Rushing is trying to prove? I have watched the Commissioners meetings on TV and ok I get it you and Hughie don't get along. Move on, grow up...focus on the job at hand. Burying your head in the sand, not taking classes and voting "NO" on most everything is not the answer. Correct me if I am wrong but Mr. Rushing voted NO on expanding 911 operations? How is that possible, 911 (wouldn't that help the citizens of Union?) I could go on but why? You get my point. An added note, Mr. Rushing and Loflin are against districts. Mr. Loflin is against expanding the board and Mr. Rushing never answered that part of the question.

May 2 is very important to the citizens of Union County, voters should listen and exam questions being posed to the candidates. Do not fall for the "OZ Politics" where they are saying one thing so you won't look behind the curtain. Do your homework and make good choices on May 2.