TRIADWATCH

Amanda: "Mr. Perkins goes to Washington"

2012-01-27T14:59:00.000-05:00

"Mayor Robbie Perkins took his first lobbying trip to our nation's capital last week.

He had two jam-packed days of meetings with staff members from the local federal delegation, the governor's D.C. representative, and staff for the DOJ and DOT.

The trip was arranged by the city's brand new lobbyist.

Who Robbie has known since our lobbyist was six

and whose parents donated to Robbie's campaign?

Journalism Ethics: "About Politicians’ Private Lives" Michael Kinsley on extramarital activities

2012-01-27T10:56:00.002-05:00

Journalism Ethics: "About Politicians’ Private Lives" Michael Kinsley on extramarital activities
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Someone should run for Governor of North Carolina as an independent, backed by an unaffiliated Super Pac.

2012-01-26T22:30:00.000-05:00

Someone should run for Governor of North Carolina
as a Super Pac with no known contributors
spends more than $100 million on marketing
within one and a half month of the election.

The fellow that can only see a week ahead

is always the popular fellow, for he is looking with the crowd.

But the one that can see years ahead,

he has a telescope but he can't make anybody believe that he has it.

Will Rogers

Any election can now be purchased
in the United States of America.

When buying and selling are controlled by legislation,

the first thing to be bought and sold are legislators.

P. J. O'Rourke

The candidate wouldn’t take any contributions,
as they all flow through the Super Pac
with which the candidate has no affiliation.

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent,

but the one most responsive to change.

Charles Darwin

The candidate advocates for mandatory health care cost cuts
To create a low tax, low debt, low healthcare cost industrial state.

A job magnate.

Increase the efficiency of the health care industry
through school for work education.

People who have what they want

are fond of telling people who haven't what they want,

that they really don't want it.

Ogden Nash

Bring North Carolina more than 1 million new jobs
by insurers sending out of state, higher cost patients
and an increased manufacturing base
for companies looking for lower cost domestic production.

…the earth belongs to each of these generations during its course,

fully and in its own right.

The second generation receives it clear

of the debts and incumbrances of the first, the third of the second, and so on.

For if the first could charge it with a debt,

then the earth would belong to the dead and not to the living generation.

Then, no generation can contract debts greater than may be paid

during the course of its own existence.

Thomas Jefferson to James Madison

Yes Weekly on Matt Brown, the Coliseum and the Performance Arts Center

2012-01-26T18:37:00.003-05:00

"The city — and by proxy, the taxpayers — own the coliseum...

...Brown seems to be acting like a favored child, who wants everything at the expense of his siblings, and we are here to tell him to share his toys.
Read more »

What Have We Learned In the Past 13 Years?

2012-01-25T14:07:00.000-05:00

"We have learned nothing since 1999 except the Central State and Central Bank will intervene in the market to bend price and risk to serve the Status Quo.
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Why would some want to spend everyone else's money on a Performance Arts Center, instead of spending the money on creating more manufacturing jobs?

2012-01-25T06:10:00.001-05:00

Do low wage service jobs
create localized economic prosperity?

Do high levels of debt and taxation?
Read more »

"The City Council agreed Tuesday to pursue a bond referendum for a performing arts center, ideally to be built downtown."

2012-01-24T21:13:00.000-05:00

"A downtown theater would cost upward of $29 million more
than a theater proposed at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex,
according to rough city staff estimates.

How about fixing up the Carolina Theater

and put in needed parking for the jail?

Where are the estimates?

That difference would have to be made up with private funds,
council members said Tuesday at their annual retreat.

Like the Aquatic Center?

Zack Matheny on Crony Capitalism, Roy Carroll, Robbie Perkins, Rock Creek and etc...

2012-01-24T13:38:00.000-05:00

“I think that we do need to expand the water-sewer pump station out near Rock Creek
where [the American Express data center] is going.

How much property does Roy Carroll own near Rock Creek?

Who else would profit handsomely from the pump station?

When AmEx comes on line, that pump system’s going to be at maximum capacity.

Why?

We’ve got to increase that,
because what happens if we get the next American Express that needs water and sewer?

Shouldn't Roy Carroll, who profited from the Amex deal

right after they fired 1,500 across town

pay for water and sewer to his outlying properties?

Does the 99% have to pay?

City of Greensboro and Guilford County Information Requests

2012-01-24T11:36:00.000-05:00

Please provide any documents including communications
involving improvements to water and sewer service
along Interstate 40-85 near Rock Creek Dairy Road.

"Perkins said growth in the area,

including Rock Creek Center, is already near capacity."

WGHP

Yes Weekly on RUCO and the Curfew: Really?: How far is Brian's head up Robbie's Rectum?

2012-01-24T07:57:00.002-05:00

"...a dysfunctional Greensboro City Council

...the tenure of a council founded in malcontent and disinformation...
Read more »

Mayor Perkins $22 Million Gift to Crony Capitalist Developer Roy Carroll in Eastern Guilford County

2012-01-23T23:45:00.000-05:00

HAT TIP FOX 8 CLICKHERE

Who owns the most property in the area in question Landport Investments LLC
with principal officer in Roy Carroll. Ever since the American Express secret deal to Roy Carroll was exposed now we have this.

Everybody wants to talk about this land and the need for water and sewer but nobody want to report as to who will benefit from this whole deal. Now you know,

Gingrich avoided $69,000 in Medicare tax in 2010?

2012-01-23T19:01:00.002-05:00

Really GN&R? "29 percent of Americans owned at least one tablet or e-reader"

2012-01-23T14:32:00.000-05:00

"Study finds tablet, e-book ownership soared

Tablets and e-readers were a popular gift over the holidays,
so much so that the number of people who own them
nearly doubled between mid-December and January...

Really?

...29 percent of Americans owned at least one tablet or e-reader
as of the beginning of this month.

That's up from 18 percent who said the same in December."

GN&R

Tim Flowers at Progress for Greensboro on a Performing Arts Center: Socialist Rhetoric Alert?

2012-01-23T13:19:00.000-05:00

"...I'd love to live in a world where private investors take the initiative
and build all the things our society needs,
but history shows that is just a fantasy.

Do we need a Performing Arts Center?

"The Corporate Media in the U.S. is a handmaiden to the Financial and Political Elites"

2012-01-22T22:42:00.000-05:00

"The Corporate Media in the U.S. is a handmaiden to the Financial and Political Elites, issuing simulacra of "news" and "analysis" in service of the Status Quo.

If there is any America "industry" ripe for widespread discrediting, it is the U.S. Corporate Media--the six corporations that own most of the media outlets the conventional American sees, hears and reads.
Read more »

Nancy McLaughlin: "Where technology [and everyone else's money?] joins compassion": Cone Health

2012-01-22T13:02:00.001-05:00

"A walk through of the expanded Cone Health Cancer Center...

...From an outdoor wind chime with more than 1,500 individual butterflies attached — part of a “healing landscape” — to the latest technology (first in the state) targeting tumors deep within the body, the fruits of the $15 million expansion are notable.

...It’s a 38,000-square-foot expansion and renovation.

Yet Cone Health built it with intimacy in mind, thanks in part to $5 million from private donors.

...there’s a multi-disciplinary clinic with medical staff offices, exam rooms and waiting areas for breast cancer patients and families. The patient is visited in one place by each doctor — no longer having to make separate appointments that can delay planning treatments.

“They walk out with a summary of 'This is the plan,’” said Dr. Stacy Wentworth , a radiation oncologist. “It’s these are my doctors’ recommendations, these are my next appointments, this is when I’m going to chemotherapy class.’”

What is the average cost compared to elsewhere in the region?

Does Cone Health disclose how much they are charging whom for what?

Fec on Monday's Court at Anton's

2012-01-22T06:21:00.001-05:00

"...the movers and the shakers are free to move about under the light of day,
while economic and social conditions continue to be abysmal
and are getting worse.

...Until things get a whole lot better around here for the least of us,
I want these [ph]uckers afraid to leave the cloisters of their country clubs.
Read more »

Greensboro Downtown Economic Development Strategy: Project Committee, Advisory Group and Community Stakeholders

2012-01-22T00:57:00.000-05:00

Performing Arts Center: "LOCATION"

2012-01-22T00:30:00.000-05:00

It is difficult to get a man to understand something

when his salary depends on his not understanding it.

Upton Sinclair

"A PAC typically requires a multi acre site.

Potential assemblages exist at these public or foundation owned sites:

The Weaver and Greensboro Transit Authority parcels Page 45

Next to the News & Record Property?

...The triangular area between N. Elm, Summit and Lindsay

...The News and Record Parking lot (PO 12)"

Lying by omission

One lies by omission by omitting an important fact,

deliberately leaving another person with a misconception.

Lying by omission includes failures to correct pre-existing misconceptions.

…Propaganda is an example of lying by omission.

Wikipedia

Should the News & Record have disclosed
the locations mentioned by DGI and the Greensboro Partnership?

Did anyone notice what the annual operating costs were projected to be for the new taxpayer funded Theater?

2012-01-21T18:23:00.000-05:00

The partisan, when engaged in a dispute,

cares nothing about the rights of the question,

but is anxious only to convince his hearers of his own assertions.

Plato

How about total annual costs that could be saved
for more police?

Why not use the money to pay off

the misleadingly sold swim center?

If the venue will be taxpayer owned

how much are most expected to pay on average

per event

for a family of four?

Do some believe they are living in 1999?

Why not drop $10 million on the Carolina Theatre,

build some parking near by which is going to be needed anyway

for the jail designed without sufficient parking,

and create a win win?

Or drop nothing.

But if we blow big millions,

what are the projected audience totals,

and where do they come from?

Who did the economic impact study?

The Durham facility seems to have about the same kind of events

that we do now.

Is the Durham facility profitable,

if not, how much,

and what are the demographics of the clientele?

Journalism Ethics: Should Amanda Lehmert use an "Alternative Close" to promote Greensboro's Performing Arts Center?

2012-01-21T12:08:00.000-05:00

An alternative close

offers more than one alternative

The number of choices should be limited

between those supporting the questioner's ends:

two or three is preffered.

If there are too many alternatives,

including "No", or an undesired outcome of the salesperson,

the prospect may be faced with more complexity,

limiting the seller's ability to close.

"Coliseum advocates may have to work overtime
to convince city voters that the complex
needs a new $36 million performing arts center.

But first, they must contend with folks who support the idea
of a new theater but don’t want it built at the coliseum.
Read more »

Pay attention Greensboro City Council

2012-01-20T23:11:00.000-05:00

"(a) ...no public servant...authorized to perform an official action
requiring the exercise of discretion,
shall participate in an official action by the employing entity
...if the public servant .
...may incur a reasonably foreseeable financial benefit
...which ...would impair the public servant's independence of judgment
or from which it could reasonably be inferred
that the financial benefit would influence
the public servant's participation in the official action.

...(c) A public servant shall take appropriate steps,
...to remove himself or herself to the extent necessary,
to protect the public interest
...from any proceeding in which the public servant's impartiality
might reasonably be questioned
due to the public servant's familial, personal, or financial relationship
with a participant in the proceeding.

§ 138A‑36. Public servant participation in official actions.

"Any officer, department head or employee
who has financial interest, direct or indirect,

in any proposed contract with the city

or in a proposed sale of any land, material, supplies, or services

to the city or to a contractor supplying the city,

shall make known that interest
and shall refrain from voting upon or otherwise participating in
the making of such contract or sale.

Any officer, department head, or employee
who willfully conceals such a financial interest

or willfully violates the requirements of this Section

shall be guilty of malfeasance in office or position
and shall forfeit his office or position.

Violation of this Section with the knowledge

expressed or implied of the person or corporation
contracting with or making a sale to the city

shall render the contract void."

Sec. 4.131. - Conflict of interest:
Greensboro Code of Ordinances, City Charter

Are John King and whoever said the first question was a good idea...?

2012-01-19T21:21:00.000-05:00

Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of stupidity.

Frank Leahy

I R Fun Ear & Air

2012-01-19T20:57:00.000-05:00

http://www.news-record.com/blog/55399/entry/135947

http://www.news-record.com/node/135950#comment-184585

"The Manipulation of Fear", by Noam Chomsky

2012-01-19T13:19:00.000-05:00

"The resort to fear by systems of power to discipline the domestic population has left a long and terrible trail of bloodshed and suffering which we ignore at our peril. Recent history provides many shocking illustrations.
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