Guarino

Zack's Police Proposal: What Motivates Him?

Councilman Zack Matheny floated a proposal last week to add overtime for Greensboro police to solve robberies and break-ins.  Arguably, it would be better to manage the police department in a manner that systematically minimizes crime without having to resort to high-profile periodic budgetary adjustments.  Fighting crime well ought to be part of the usual routine.

The proposal predictably gave Matheny some media coverage even though this is not really the best way to run a police department.

And thus, a multiple choice question arises.  In his political life, which factor most heavily motivates Councilman Zack Matheny?  Choose one best answer:

A. Whatever is best for all of Greensboro

B. Whatever is best for the downtown business establishment

C. Whatever is best for the Greensboro Coliseum complex

D. Whatever is best for the Simkins PAC

E. Whatever is best for conservative governance

F. Whatever is best for Zack Matheny

Reservations Regarding Newt

Newt Gingrich is the flavor of the month in the GOP presidential race.

He presents an interesting profile.  He is obviously very bright, and is filled to the brim with mostly good policy ideas.  He speaks well in debate, and consistently delivers lines that delight conservatives.  Some look back fondly on what he did during the 1990's.

He also has his down sides. 

The left in concert found him very easy to villainize and vilify during the 1990's.  Some of us remember how they transformed the name "Gingrich" to "grinch" in order to lampoon him.  We also remember his failed Medicare battle with Clinton.  He took a soaring victory and converted it into defeat, in part because of his personal behavior.  His frank speech can be used against him.

Some will presume genuine repentance with respect to matters in his personal life.  But it is hard to know.

Running for president, and leading as president, depend in part on likability.  Conservatives tend to like Newt; but the question is how independents and female voters will react to him in the long run.  I understand he is polling well among independents right now.

Newt also is among those who believe that the computerization and interconnectivity of medical records is the cure for our health care system.  Some of us doubt this wisdom for various reasons.  While it is not a major issue in the larger scheme of things, it nonetheless makes me wonder.

As I mentioned several days ago, it will be very interesting to see how Iowa chooses.      

Robbie Perkins Watch: Speaking on Greed

During my break, it was reported that new Greensboro Mayor Robbie Perkins will be speaking on the topic of greed at Triad Stage in a couple of weeks.  Sam Hieb called it a "can't believe my eyes moment". 

Others, I suppose, might call it a pot-and-kettle moment.

I found it interesting that the city's downtown arts establishment is embracing the new mayor, and apparently is welcoming him as one of their own.  Given the nature of his politics, this is perhaps understandable.  Local liberals have essentially relinquished their crusade against development-interests-disproportionately-affecting-local-government because they had other objectives during the last election cycle that they obviously regarded as more important.

It will be interesting to see how Robbie speaks on the topic of greed.  I will not be attending, but have contemplated the manner in which this topic might potentially be approached:

1. A diatribe against unenlightened local forces in opposition to higher taxes

2. A righteous defense of "investing" in the correct municipal priorities, and characterization of those who oppose such "investments" as greedy

3. A case made that the Greensboro residents, individually and collectively, are not greedy because of their enlightened policies and practices compared with other areas-- with a virtuous call for more of the same

 4. An ironic political commentary in stated opposition to private sector greed in general, with everyone laughing under their collective breaths at the unstated history

5. A humorous case made that divorcing spouses fighting for their respective economic interests does not constitute greed

6. A robust defense of the premise that the economic interests of those in the sector of real estate development lifts all boats to combat perceptions of greed

Readers are invited to identify other angles that Robbie might emphasize in his discussion.  I suppose that we will learn how it is played in a couple of weeks.

Land Deals and the New Airport High School

An item is on the county commissioners' agenda to pay $86,500 an acre for up to 125 acres for the new airport high school.  This is on land zoned "industrial" out toward Kernersville.  School bond monies would be used, of course, for land acquisition costs. 

The owners of the land in question include frequent campaign contributors.

It somehow seems unlikely this will fly.  But I wonder if it reflects crony capitalism; or if it merely reflects an inept school board narrowing its options when it insists upon spending bond monies unnecessarily for excessively large, new complexes.

Greensboro Chamber's Tie to the Governor's Scandal

An interesting coincidence was reported today.

It seems that one of the three folks indicted today from Governor Beverly Perdue's campaign staff used to be the president of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce.

Hmmm.  I thought that Chambers of Commerce were supposed to be conservative, and Republican, and pro-business, and all that jazz.

One Free Market Model for Medical Care

Dr. G. Keith Smith took his message to Washington.  A congressional briefing afforded the opportunity to tell the story of the Surgery Center of Oklahoma.  This is a facility that forsakes government money; is transparent with customers about prices; and makes a profit.  It offers an example of how the free market can provide affordable medical care:

Greensboro vs. other North Carolina Cities

Some data has recently been compiled comparing the city of Greensboro with other North Carolina cities.  It is pretty interesting:

Property tax rates:

Greensboro .6325

Charlotte: .4370

Raleigh .3735

Winston-Salem .4750

Property tax as a percentage of total revenue:

Greensboro 35%

Charlotte 18%

Raleigh 27%

Winston-Salem 22%

City employee wages/salaries as percent of total expenditures:

Greensboro 31%

Charlotte 23%

Raleigh 25%

Winston-Salem 24%

Here are some pertinent questions:

Why are Greensboro's property tax rates so much higher compared with other areas?

Why does such a higher portion of the city budget here get funded by property taxes compared with other areas?

Why do city employees' earnings command a much higher proportion of total expenditures here than other cities?

These are not marginal, slight differences.  Instead, these are major differences among cities.  For instance, our property tax rate is almost twice that of Raleigh.

Is this why we have to offer high incentives to attract employers here?  Are inflated amounts spent for salaries and wages here an indication of poor management by past city councils?  Does the excessive staff expense lead us to develop "make work" projects to justify the expense?  

 

City to "Buy Local"?

All of a sudden, we saw this morning a news article (unposted) and an editorial on the subject of the new Greensboro City Council seeking to award contracts to local companies even if they are not the low bidder.  I suppose this is the first in a series of jaw-dropping initiatives we will be seeing from the new council.

Let's recall all the feigned outrage we witnessed when the conservative coalition sought to award the landfill contract to a local vendor even though it was not, strictly speaking, the lowest bidder.  Recall all the hand-wringing over the "process" that was employed.

Now, we will have corrupt machine government in charge; so awarding contracts to local, other-than-the-lowest bidder is going to be perfectly acceptable.  Machine politicians Nancy Vaughan and Zack Matheny spoke in favor of the concept in today's news article.

This is going to be quite a ride.

Iowa, Economic Liberty and Social Conservatives

The Iowa caucuses, which will occur in a mere five weeks, have the potential to "anoint" the candidate who will be the main challenger to Mitt Romney for the GOP presidential nomination.

Iowa traditionally has selected a candidate with social conservative credentials.  This year, the state's social conservative establishment seems to be focusing on Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry and Rick Santorum.  It is certainly possible that any of these can build momentum, achieve a head of steam during the caucuses, and ultimately prevail. 

But this contest in Iowa is potentially different than those we saw in the past for several reasons.  First, concerns over the economy, the national debt, and Obama's push toward Eurosocialism have been preeminent in the eyes of many citizens.  Second, several candidates are running who can be described as bona fide social conservatives--not just one.  This can tend to divide the social conservative vote, and result in Iowa selecting another candidate.  Third, Ron Paul has a passionate base of supporters; and appeals to some voters who emphasize constitutional conservativism and economic liberty.  He can theoretically walk away with this contest, or otherwise act as a spoiler.  Fourth, many Iowa caucus participants might be focused most on the candidate they believe can beat Romney; or alternatively, on the candidate who can beat Obama.

For these reasons, Iowa seems very difficult to predict. 

A couple of weeks ago, Iowa social conservatives sponsored a forum.  It was reported in the media, but I do not think it was televised nationwide.  There is much in the forum that our culturally liberal friends will absolutely detest-- and even ridicule.  But I think the event is very instructive; and social conservatives should make it a point to watch.  It actually begins at the 38 minute mark: (HT: World Magazine blog)

Sicily; Blog Break

My friend, Fred Gregory, recently took a trip to Sicily and provided me with his photographs.  (Fred and I recently teamed to cover precinct G33 on behalf of Conservatives for Guilford County.)

I will be taking a break for a couple of weeks.  Several of Fred's pictures are found below (click to enlarge):

Greek temple at Agrigento

View of Mount Pellegrino near Palermo

Cathedral at Monreale with extensive mosaics

Greco-Roman amphitheater at Taormina

 
One of Cefalu's beaches and the dramatic coastal landscape

Restoration of a Local Party

I had the opportunity to visit with my cousin Guy Molinari over the summer. He told me about how he was engaged in an effort to take over the local Republican Party from the individuals who controlled it.  I exclaimed that this would be the second time for him, because I remembered the first time way back during the mid-1970's.  I was involved back then as a teen.  He corrected me and said, no, it would actually be the third time.

The party had been most recently controlled by former Congressman Vito Fossella and his family.  Fossella was driven from office because he had been caught driving drunk, philandering, and fathering a child out of wedlock with his D.C.-area mistress.

In any event, Guy and his team regained control of the local party six weeks ago.  Over 600 individuals attended the county convention.  He spoke, and even though he is now 83 years old, received a standing ovation in recognition of the quality of moral leadership he had provided for the party over a period of decades.  (In addition, he helped re-elect Staten Island's Republican district attorney this past week.)

The island has a population of roughly 475,000, and is heavily unionized.  The local party enjoys a very high level of involvement there because of the manner it had been led over a long period of time since the 1970's.  It is a local party that understands principled leadership; and how to secure citizen involvement and win elections in an adverse environment.  It is very difficult for Republicans to do well in New York City; but that particular local party discovered the formula.  It has been a very competitive local political environment that elects many Republicans to local, state and federal office-- in spite of all the disadvantages that are faced there.

Puff Centrist Hagan

Mark Binker has yet another in a series of puff pieces portraying Kay Hagan as a centrist.

Yes, this is Greensboro's own Senator Kay Hagan-- the same "centrist" who cast the deciding vote in favor of Obamacare, and made it the law of the land.

What is the Gay Sociopolitical Agenda?

This weekend, a pro-gay marriage conference was held in Greensboro.  It was dutifully covered two consecutive days by the N&R in spite of its putative lack of reporting resources locally on the weekend.  There was no attempt to present the opposite point of view.

Recently, I had reported about the city council candidates who we can infer favor the gay sociopolitical agenda as reflected by the Replacements Ltd. endorsement they received.  The new council will include a number of these including Robbie Perkins, Yvonne Johnson, Nancy Vaughan, Marikay AbuZuaiter, Zack Matheny, Nancy Hoffmann and Jim Kee.

When I used the term "gay sociopolitical agenda", some local liberals scoffed and seemed to deny that such a thing exists.  I found one website that summarizes the issue.  Although it is not particularly well-written, it provides a good list of issues advocated.

The bottom line?  It pursues the cultural and legal normalization, affirmation and legitimization of homosexuality.  It also seeks to change permanently the contours of marriage and the nuclear family to accommodate the arrangements adopted or pursued by members of the politically active gay community.  The interests of children are decidedly secondary.  The movement also seeks to restrict free speech and religious liberty. 

What have been the specific issues advocated?

1. Promoting gay marriage and civil unions

2. Rejecting the moral or religious basis against homosexual behavior

3. Claiming that genetic factors make homosexual behavior in a given individual inevitable

4. Framing speech against homosexual behavior as "hate speech"

5. Targeting the military and the Boy Scouts for the inclusion of avowed homosexuals

6. Fashioning "hate crimes" and anti-bullying legislation to list specifically homosexuals as a protected class

7. Using the public education establishment to teach tolerance of homosexual behavior

8. Advocating legal gay adoption

9. Pushing domestic partner benefits

10. Opposing or castigating psychological treatment efforts to convert those engaged in homosexual behavior

Coincident with this agenda is the effort to label those opposed to it as bigoted or homophobic; and to claim that opposition to agenda items is tantamount to discrimination.

I am not going to accept comments on this post because I do not want to initiate a prolonged 100+ comment thread.  It should be clear, however, that an agenda exists, and that some politicians support it. 

Frazier vs. Ali

All the guys at my lunch table at St. Christopher's School in Staten Island, NY were pulling for Joe Frazier over Muhammad Ali.  The media loved Ali; but it was difficult for many people to like him for various reasons.  He was a fairly controversial figure at the time.  All the people I knew, including myself, liked Frazier:

Detroit: Here We Come!

With the news that we are going to have an 8-1 liberal majority on the Greensboro City Council, and the restoration of corrupt machine politics, I decided to pull the old crystal ball out of the hall closet and dust it off to learn the series of events we might expect over the next year:

1. December – Prayer will be stripped from all City Council functions as a way to unite all citizens.

2. 20 speakers from the floor (all with No Dump t-shirts) will talk about how wonderful the new council is, how well it listens, and how respectfully it is treating the citizens.

3. Sustainability Plan will be “adopted” with a budget of $9 million over the next 5 years. N&R reports it will ultimately save the City $23 million in energy costs.

4. Taking credit for the election results, Jordan Green interviews for the N&R editorial position vacated by John Robinson. Word leaks that it was extreme halitosis that sunk the interview.

5. Compensation Study released that shows Greensboro falling behind peer cities in salary and benefits. The planned merit-based pay which conservative council members initiated will be trashed as “unfair to those hard-working employees who won’t get a raise.” An across-the-board 3% pay raise is enacted.

6. ITG (Cone Mills) gets another year of $750,000 of city resources in methane gas. Robbie says this is a commitment to small businesses, and no one has worked longer at becoming a small business than Cone.

7. Congressman Howard Coble announces he will run for “one last term”.

8. January – Robbie will announce the hiring of Ed Kitchen as “Acting City Manager” to “help us get through this difficult budget process, and no one knows the City budget better than Ed”. He will sit up on the dais. Pressure will be applied by Bellamy-Small, Kee and Johnson to keep Denise Turner at her current City Manager pay, effectively costing the taxpayers two full-time City Managers.

9. “To close a chapter dividing our City”, Council will settle with the 40 police officers, setting up a $2.5- $4 million fund to be divided by the plaintiffs. At least 6-12 new lawsuits will ensue.

10. Asst. City Manager Mike Speedling announces his retirement. N&R says it has nothing to do with council relationships.

11. Robbie announces his “Shared Vision” for the 21 things Greensboro will focus on to reinvent itself.  Among those, Greensboro will be a: hip place for young professionals to live ($500,000 grant to Action G’boro); city with shovel ready sites for future east Greensboro development “for when the economy turns” ($4 million to Roy Carroll, John Lomax and Jim Kee); a city of downtown revitalization ($800,000 to DGI to clean sidewalks); Tournament Town (prepared food tax revenues to CVB and Sports Commission); and the Silicon Valley of the East ($350,000 to G’boro Partnership & NC A&T for joint recruitment efforts).

12. February – Robbie announces collective bargaining agreement within the City.

13. Council ignores recommendation by staff to dissolve the Commission on the Status of Women, merges it with MWBE and adds two additional FTE's.

14. With no business before the Council, and the prospect of having to run against Phil Berger, Don Vaughan announces he will run for the US House seat against Rep. Howard Coble.

15. Pricey Harrison gets Nancy Hoffman to pass a motion to proceed with Jordan Lake Rules payments in the name of regional cooperation. N&R says it’s our obligation and duty as North Carolinians.

16. March – County presents property valuation report showing a 4% decrease in property values. This results in a revenue decrease of $10 million to the City budget.

17. An associate legal counsel with Steve Bowden & Assoc. is tapped for the position of City Attorney. Press release says her experience with workplace injuries and local bailiffs prepares her well for the job.

18. Council contracts with Alan Williams & Associates to assist the City in water/sewer infrastructure needs. $150,000 contract – no other bids or RFPs required.

19. April – Robbie Perkins changes his voter registration to Democrat.

20. 24 non-profit agencies come before Council for funding in the new budget year. 18 get funded.

21. Marikay AbuZuaiter, formerly of the "human relations commission", motions to give its Complaint Review Committee full subpoena power. Passes 5-4.

22. May – Robbie holds press conference, with 7 Council members standing behind him, to announce that bold visions require big investments. Says the previous council left the city in poor financial shape, and therefore, shared sacrifice is needed.  He says it will only be a 6 cent “adjustment to our revenue pool.” N&R calls it courageous and fair.

23. In an effort to “maintain our bond rating and rebuild a crumbling infrastructure”, Perkins presents a report by a professional consultant calling for a 4% water rate adjustment.

24. June – Denise Turner accepts position as Public Policy Director in Alexandria, VA. N&R calls it an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.

25. $55 million in bond debt is approved in the budget on an 8-1 vote. Robbie says there’s a little something for everyone in the budget, but no one got everything they wanted.

26. 8 months after securing City funding, New Bessemer Shopping Ctr. still sits dormant.

27. With another $2.1 million spent, Action Greensboro holds news conference on the latest ¼ mile of Greenway development. WFMY interviews student from Guilford College who says this is why he chose Greensboro as a place to study. Robbie runs the entire 1 ¼ mile in under 5 minutes.

28. July - Ken Miller announces resignation to become Police Chief in Wilmington, NC. Says it was a family decision and had nothing to do with Greensboro.

29. US Junior Water Polo Association withdraws contract with Greensboro Aquatic Center due to lab reports of dangerous levels of fecal matter in the pool. Zack Matheny declares, as a matter of public safety and economic development, that all community and recreational use of the the center be prohibited. Motion passes 7-2 with TDBS and Wade dissenting.

30. Robbie attends DNC National Convention in Charlotte with 5 other Council members, paid for with travel advance funds. Andrew Brod reports the economic impact to Greensboro “could be in the millions”.

31. Under pressure from Sav-A-Lot, council allows developers to accept city loan with Bessemer Ctr @ 50% occupied (2 stores). Developers cash out at closing with $300,000 in developer fees. One year later, owners default on loan, and bank sells center to Kee Management, Inc. for $240,000 and a promise to pay.

32. Nussbaum Center falls $2 million short of their $4 million goal to decorate building given to them by DH Griffin. Gets kicked out of Revolution Mill, and secures “in kind” gift of used City furniture.

33. After persistent questioning of city staff on the US Department of Energy grant funds, Trudy Wade discovers that no one qualified for the loan proceeds, and the program failed to materialize. Bellamy-Small and Johnson blame the previous council.

34. August – 3 years to the date when Council began discussions of waste disposal, there is still no solution.

35. Trudy Wade asks about the joint water monies the county is holding. After realizing Skip has been playing him for a year, Robbie reports back that Wade's divisive questions are halting regional cooperation.

36. September – Citing higher than expected operational expenses, Matt Brown, backed by the War Memorial Commission, the CVB, the Sports Commision, Cone Health and the Bryan Foundation, asks the city for a “one-time” funding mechanism of $1.25 million to offset the deficit created by the withdrawal of the US Jr. Water Polo Association. Brown suggests that the council appoint an independent board that will monitor every penny that is spent. Independent Nancy Vaughan will be the council liaison.

37. October – City spends $615,000 in police, fire, staging and logistical support to bring Obama back to Greensboro for the fourth time in 6 months. Andrew Brod reports that the economic impact “could be in the millions, but even if it’s not, you can’t put a price tag on the PR value we will receive around the world.”

38. November – Obama carries Greensboro, loses election. All cry – for different reasons.

 

Triad Flight of Honor Tomorrow

From John Hayes:

The last ever Piedmont Triad Flight of Honor (11th I think) will depart from PTIA tomorrow-- Veterans Day. If you have never come out to see them off at 8 AM, or welcome them upon return at 8 PM (more fun), please do.

 

This is your last chance to honor the people who preserved for you everything good in your life, as Jeff Miller puts it in this video. Jeff is himself a hero for catalyzing this nationwide movement created right here in North Carolina, so long overdue.

 

http://www.honorair.com/showvideoc045.html?id=honorair#

A New Alternative Conservative Local Media: Transcending the Rhino

I was a huge fan of the Rhino Times' reporting on the GPD fiasco and its publication of the Bledsoe series.  In fact, long-term readers will recall that I published summaries of each installment here.  That was gutsy, risky reporting undertaken to expose a profound injustice that had been perpetrated by the city of Greensboro.

Notwithstanding that admiration, it should also be apparent that the Rhinoceros Times represents a certain brand of conservatism. 

During this campaign season, editor John Hammer decided on a particular gambit regarding the Greensboro City Council at-large race.  He would "single-shot" the challenger, Chris Lawyer.  In addition, he decided to try to destroy Councilman Danny Thompson's political career over campaign finance reporting.  Hammer's thinking was that one of those at-large council seats was historically Republican/conservative; and if voters would "single-shot" Lawyer, we would win an at-large seat.

Of course, both Lawyer and Thompson failed to win the third seat; and Marikay Abuzuaiter prevailed.

The biggest contributor to this outcome is the racial bloc voting that takes place in east Greensboro.  There were other factors as well.

The Rhino Times claims upwards of 100,000 readers, plus or minus.  That is a profound, extensive reach-- far above and beyond that which this blog can claim.  The language that was used to withhold the endorsement from Danny Thompson was perhaps more harsh than any I had seen directed toward any elected official in the local media, at least according to my memory.  It sought to impugn his character and integrity in a fundamental way.  There was no comparable language extended toward folks like Robbie Perkins, Yvonne Johnson, Zack Matheny, Marikay Abuzuaiter, Wayne Abraham or Nancy Vaughan-- even though each deserved to be exposed in a critical light, each in their own way. 

Is John Hammer truly maintaining that Zack Matheny is a more honorable individual than Danny Thompson?  Check out the language in the Simkins PAC's endorsement letter regarding Zack:

“We believe we can count on his support in the future.”

Some parties might find it interesting that it was Matheny who went public with his mock sense of aggrievement over Thompson's campaign ads. 

The Simkins PAC is largely comprised of liberal Democrats.  Yet Hammer endorsed Matheny, but not Thompson.  We were led to believe for months that Matheny was a solid member of the conservative coalition on the council.

Doug Clark had a column yesterday that detailed campaign finance reporting irregularities and omissions on the part of folks like Wayne Abraham, Nancy Hoffmann and Yvonne Johnson (unposted).  I had previously reported about Nancy Hoffmann's large illegal contributions from Washington state.

Roch Smith had a post that revealed apparently illegal donations to people like Marikay, Nancy Hoffmann, Robbie Perkins and Yvonne Johnson.

And yet, Danny Thompson's issue apparently merited, in the eyes of John Hammer, a complete evisceration of his city council career.  It was a matter that was prominently discussed several times in the Rhino over the last month or so.  And conservatives now have no at-large seat on the council.

I do not know whether Hammer had any other motivations regarding the non-endorsement of Thompson than those he stated.  But I think the situation merits a retrospective on the Rhino's reporting on Greensboro politics, and some commentary on its brand of conservatism.

Years ago, the Rhino was quite supportive of the entire premise behind the Simkins PAC-- which is based again on racial bloc voting, and comprised almost exclusively of liberal Democrats.  In fact, the PAC was previously discussed quite favorably in the Rhino. 

The paper has also taken a robust stance in favor of rezonings for development interests.  Free markets and property rights are legitimate conservative policy positions.  But the fact is that our local politics has oft consisted of an alliance between development interests and the Simkins PAC.  Some observers have historically decried the disproportionate influence that development interests have in our local politics; and the extent to which campaign contributions might correlate with favorable political treatment.

The Rhino receives many advertising dollars from the real estate sector of the local economy.

Certainly, there has been a history of support in the Rhino for some of the old-line moderate Republican presence in Guilford County.  Robbie Perkins used to get great press in the Rhino years ago.  Linda Shaw was endorsed over Sam Spagnola last year.  Matheny was endorsed over George Hartzman.

In addition, years ago, the Rhino wrote quite favorably of the Rev. Michael King who led Project Homestead.  Skip Alston has also received favorable press in the Rhino in the past.  Skip, of course, derives his power base from the PAC.

I am not suggesting that Danny Thompson is without fault.  He clearly stubbed his toe on a couple of matters recently.  His toe-stubs, however, in the eyes of John Hammer, merited a harsh case for exclusion from elective office, whereas many other major matters involving local elected officials have escaped such treatment. 

Thompson had high name recognition and all the advantages of incumbency.  The Rhino, with its huge readership, could have swayed enough readers to support Thompson; and we might now have two conservatives on the council instead of one.

All these circumstances have led me to wonder whether it is time for more alternative conservative local media in Guilford County.  But it turns out that such a publication is perhaps on the horizon.

An online publication is being conceptualized called the Guilford Guardian.  It will be led by Charles Davenport; and will consist of news, editorials, commentary and various features.  A number of local writers already have committed to participate.  I expect to be a contributor.

It is anticipated that the publication will start slowly-- perhaps quarterly-- and then increase in frequency as it becomes more established.  It is in the planning stages right now, and there is no guarantee it will happen.

But it is clear that local conservatives and Republicans need to have another perspective regarding local politics.  The Rhino's contributions are appreciated, but it represents its own brand of conservatism.  My hope is that the Guilford Guardian will provide a broader perspective for local conservatives and Republicans. 

 

Finger-Pointing Regarding the City Council Election Results: Is Greensboro more like Detroit or Houston?

There was a horrible article on the front page of the News and Record that attempts to assign blame for the three city council conservatives losing their re-election bids (unposted).  It was detestable.  The county Republican Party blamed C4GC driving council members too far to the right.  Perkins, I believe, cited the council conservatives' "divisiveness".  Holliday cited "negative" campaigning.  Once again, the idea was floated that they were "too conservative". 

The article was remarkable with regard to the various speakers' abuse of language, abandonment of logic and all the posturing of a self-serving nature.

I think a couple of insights came from Jordan Green, with whom I almost always disagree:

The year 2009 was an anomaly in more than one way: Many political observers have noted that conditions were uniquely favorable to help elect a conservative council that year.

Yes, there was complacency on the liberal side that year; and right out of the starting gate, they were determined not to repeat that performance.

Different constituencies were mobilized this time around. In 2009, residents of the Cardinal miffed at being annexed against their will showed up... (T)he only reason conservative voters had to show up, aside from civic duty, was the vague threat of future tax and water rate increases if a more liberal council needs to finance big-ticket spending.

There were various dynamics at play for each respective race and candidate.  I won't get into those details.

One of the factors we must consider is that the conservative candidates faced crushing liberal media bias, nearly from the outset of their period of service, from the News and Record and also from the local TV stations-- especially WFMY, but also even WGHP.  Radio was not much better.  This kind of media bias inevitably colors the perceptions of local residents.

But there is another dynamic we must consider: the panoply of interest groups and identity groups working toward the success of the liberal slate.  Consider the following:

1. The Simkins PAC

2. The Pulpit Forum PAC

3. Unions representing city employees

4. The local gay population

5. Local black churches operating illegally

6. Local university and college students, including those from out-of-town-- many of whom have little clue as to how the world works

7. Occupy Greensboro

8. The local Muslim community

9. Goldie Wells' organization, which likely bridged and mobilized some of the other interest groups in east Greensboro

10. Labor PAC's

11. The usual Melderec crowd

On the conservative side, we simply don't have such a wide variety of interest/identity groups and media mobilizing in support of our candidates.  What do we have?  C4GC and the Rhino, and that's about it.  And these days, I even have questions about the Rhino.

The fact that the new 8-1 liberal majority on the city council serves such a large number of special interest/identity groups augurs very poorly for our city.  Recently, an article by Mario Loyola was published that compared the fortunes of Houston, TX with those of Detroit, MI.  Houston continues to be amazingly prosperous, whereas Detroit has long been in major decline.  Loyola writes:

What Houston did for itself is not merely a model for any city facing the danger of sudden economic decline: The policies that Houston and Texas have followed are proof of concept for the conservative vision of government, which is, essentially, to keep the government off the people’s backs and let a free society find its own way to prosperity.

Detroit, conversely, is proof of concept for the liberal vision of government, which seeks to solve every problem through government, to shape economic development through government, to redress grievances through government, to attain social justice through government, and, finally, to insinuate government into every aspect of our lives. The problems Detroit faced in the latter half of the 20th century would have been enormously challenging no matter what policies it embraced. But it embraced the worst ones and so plunged recklessly down the slope of decline.

Each city has offered a nearly pure exposition of a particular philosophy of government and a vivid demonstration of the results. In the degree of collusion between business and government, in the power of labor unions, in the method of economic development, in the burden of taxation and regulation, in the tolerance for diversity — in all these ways and more, the two cities stand as diametric opposites in the choices a society can make.

I regret to inform readers that the city council election results Tuesday night bring Greensboro much closer to Detroit, and much further away from Houston. 

Greensboro, like Detroit, is a city in decline; and makes choices that exacerbate its condition.  Let the triumphalism and the recriminations continue.

Summerfield Mayoral Election

The News and Record reported this morning that in the non-partisan Summerfield mayoral election, incumbent Democrat Mark Brown won re-election with 50.74% of the vote.  Republican Don Wendelken had 49.2% of the vote.  A grand total of 26 votes separated the two men.

I had reported a few days ago that Republican Sheriff B.J. Barnes endorsed Brown, the Democrat.  I wonder what the impact might have been had he endorsed Wendelken in a highly public way.

On a brighter note, it appears George McClellan won a seat on the Oak Ridge town council.

Simkins District Attorney and Pulpit Forum

The Carolina Peacemaker has reported that the Pulpit Forum has prevailed upon Simkins District Attorney Douglas Henderson to pursue criminal indictments against an assistant Greensboro police chief.  I expect this is in connection with discipline against certain current or former GPD employees.

Here we go. 

Let's see how the DA responds.