Approximately six weeks out and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce is still in hiding. After being embarrassed on WECT (a story that was mysteriously removed) the Chamber then gets another buried story on not releasing ANY information from their two surveys. From the StarNews:
The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce will not be releasing results of telephone poll gauging opinions about a proposed baseball stadium. “We’re not going to release those poll results,” said Chamber President and CEO Connie Majure-Rhett, who has supported a baseball stadium. In August, Majure-Rhett said the Chamber was conducting research that included polling. “We just did it to test messaging,” she said. The poll was commissioned by Capstrat, a large Raleigh-based public relations firm that is working with baseball supporters. Majure-Rhett said they would use the polls to help hone their messaging in advertisements and speeches.
Short version, they know the public doesn’t support it. They know they can’t make rational arguments for it. And they can only be TOLD how to speak in public via a public relations firm because they have no common sense ability to speak for themselves. It is a sad commentary to see the Chamber fall so far. It is also sad to see WECT pull a story which makes their integrity questionable as well. Funny how most of the Chamber Board of Directors are almost in hiding over this one.
Read full article » No Comments »There is much that can be said, but the fact that anyone in Columbus would honor Senator Soles is troublesome. Do democrats really want to be close to this odd fixture? Why not invite former Gov. Easley?
Former state Sen. R.C. Soles Jr. will be honored Thursday by the Brunswick County Democratic Party, according to a press release from Ouida Hewett. The celebration is in honor of Soles’ 42 years of service representing Brunswick and Columbus counties in the N.C. House and Senate, the release says. Mary Mitchell of Holden Beach will be present to represent Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, who is running for governor.
No word on whether Frog Strickland, BJ Wright, Kyle Blackburn or any of the other deeply troubled men from RC’s recent past will be present or even mentioned. Probably no mention of the ColCor scandal either. RC likes his skeletons in his past. . . . maybe in his closet. Also a great opportunity for the media to ask aspiring Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton if he thinks RC represents NC values since he will also be represented at the dinner.
Apparently, the answer is, “VERY” according to researchers:
If you were asked about a moral issue, say prostitution or illegal immigration, and were then asked about it again a few moments later, would you hold the same belief? You might think so, but new research from Sweden shows there’s not only a good chance that you will change your mind, but that you will vehemently defend the very opposite of the position you reported merely moments ago.
Might well explain how the city leaders might believe that a taxpayer funded stadium is a good idea while also reading the overwhelming studied research against that being the case. In other words, they can defend both positions and still feel comfortable.
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It is clearly controversial to discuss anything less than having the Kenan Fountain remain where it is at the intersection of 5th and Market. In the 50s, the federal highway folks recommended moving it, built in 1921, it has been hit dozens and dozens of times and has been costly to taxpayers to maintain. BUT it does make for an interesting argument.
Should the fountain be altered, moved, painted, lit up, redesigned, etc. . . due to the people’s irresponsible behavior or should it remain and be subjected to a constant barrage of tire scrubbing and actual impacts because it’s at a busy intersection?
That’s the discussion. While insurance will pay for the repair (almost $80k) the city is considering spending $400k to update, modify, alter everything around it. At what cost does the public bear the burden for the irresponsible people who hit it or the poor location of the fountain to begin with?
Read full article » No Comments »New Hanover County Commissioner Brian Berger (R) finds himself in the hot seat once again for NOT showing up at a meeting, this time one he got a scholarship to attend in Chapel Hill.
(Port City Daily) – After New Hanover County Commissioner Brian Berger said he’d received an unwelcome reception when he offered to settle his travel debt with the county, County Manager Chris Coudriet sent Berger an email saying he had a much different recollection of the issue.
Truth is, it shouldn’t be this complicated. It isn’t for county commissioners and other local officials across the state. If you register for a conference, attend it. Staff works to get the schedules and details taken care of, go. But this has become a sad habit with Berger and is simply a distraction from the issues that he should be focused on solving.
He ran as a conservative that would stop wasteful spending and expose corruption. To date, he has been more of a story than the issues he claimed to champiom.
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