New Bern Sun Journal editor apologizes for editorial cartoon of Nelson Mandela...

Video and article Here:  http://www.wcti12.com/news/new-bern-sun-journal-cartoon-doesnt-have-many-people-laughing/-/13530444/23424994/-/14647mdz/-/index.html

Letter to the Editor: Far Right, by CCTA Education Chairman, Nancy Murdoch

Letter: Far right

Published: Wednesday, October 30, 2013 in Sun Journal New Bern

On a number of occasions the Sun Journal has identified certain members of the Craven County GOP as being “far right.” Perhaps that type of label sells newspapers, but exactly what does “far right” mean? According to Wikipedia: “The terms far right, or extreme right, describe the broad range of political groups and ideologies usually taken to be further to the right of the mainstream center-right on the traditional left-right spectrum. Far right politics commonly involves support for social inequality and social hierarchy, elements of social conservatism and opposition to most forms of liberalism and socialism. Both terms are also used to describe Nazi and fascist movements, and other groups who hold extreme nationalist, chauvinist, xenophobic, racist, religious fundamentalist or reactionary views. The most extreme right-wing movements have pursued oppression and genocide against groups of people on the basis of their alleged inferiority.”

After reading that definition, one might assume the Craven County GOP has been invaded by the Ku Klux Klan (who were Democrats) or some other such misguided group. However, that’s just not the case. The “faction” consists of individuals who believe every Republican in Craven County should have a voice as to who we support, we should hold our elected leaders accountable, and principles are important. 

Different scales have been used over the years to describe political beliefs. Many of us ascribe to the belief that on one end of that scale is anarchy and on the other is tyranny (what our Founders believe by the way). We prescribe to the balanced center, as we know that men are not angels and some government is required for a civilized society. In fact, “We The People” made a social compact to give the government enumerated powers as outlined in the Constitution, because government is instituted by the people and they derive their just powers from us. If the government follows the rules laid out in the Constitution, the social compact stays intact.  However, many of us in the GOP believe the social compact is broken, and we believe it depends on those among us who value the 4,400 words of the Constitution to get us back on track. Because we do not have blind allegiance to the GOP and we are aware that some in our own party have abused their power, we are attempting to restore the social compact to its rightful balance.

The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights protects the freedom of the press, among other things.  We implore the Sun Journal and all other media to use measured words, and to refrain from using slanted (and often incorrect) verbiage when reporting. Opinions belong on the editorial page, not the front page.

Nancy Murdoch, Havelock

http://www.newbernsj.com/opinion/letters/letter-far-right-1.227100

Nancy's letter was in response to the following article:

Craven GOP ‘tea party’ wing asserts influence

NEW BERN BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING--AUGUST 7, 2013

  CCTA WATCHDOG REPORT

NEW BERN BOARD OF ALDERMEN

SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF 7 AUGUST 2013

Meeting convened at 6 PM with Alderman Taylor being the only absentee.  There was only one agenda item, that being "Discussion of the approved 146-12 easement."  (important to note the word "approved" here).  The meeting was noticed at least on the City's Facebook page on Friday, Aug 2, 2013.  This agenda also appeared on the City website; however, contrary to previous practice, there was not a posting date listed.  Also, it was not published in the online edition of the NB Sun Journal.  My email to the newspaper asking if they received a notice has gone unanswered.    

However, according to the Aug 8 NB Sun Journal article, "Aldermen hold contentious meeting about marina easement",  this meeting was convened for the purpose of someone (board members, public, everyone?) discussing submitting the city's application for a 146-12 easement.  But, we all know that government proceedings and decisions do not rely on the media's interpretations of government documents.   If this easement is truly "approved", why does the agenda item read that the meeting's purpose is for discussion vice announcement of what this approved easement means to the citizens and marina users as well as other particulars about the actual approval?  Particulars such as:  I thought the NCGA had to approve a 146-12 easement?  Did that already happen? 

According to the Sun Journal article, a portion of the reporting developed from interviews with city officials and overheard discussions held in the hallway outside the meeting room and after the actual BOA meeting.  It noted that Alderman Bucher disagrees with both Alderman Outlaw and Mayor Bettis that an actual vote on this matter was taken.  If the easement was approved, how could that be when the local aldermen aren't even certain if they voted the application to be moved along to the NCGA?  Or, if Alderman Bucher is correct that there was not a vote, yet this 146-12 easement is indeed approved, is it now subject to being rescinded?   Why is it acceptable or appropriate for Mayor Bettis and Aldermen Outlaw and Bucher to gnash teeth, outside of the public meeting yet in the midst of some of the public and at least one reporter, over whether a legal vote approving either an application for the easement or the easement itself was taken during a prior City of New Bern board meeting?       

An email I obtained from a city official in February 2013 (when I was seeking info about how the BOA approval for the $30K in total for the City Manager's bonus came to be during a planning retreat) which included the board members' discussion of subject easement and its resulting decisions from the Saturday morning Feb 16, 2013 Board Retreat chronicles the proceedings in these ways:  

(a)  A Feb 18, 2013 email from City Manager Epperson to the Mayor and Board members forwarded Mr. Epperson's notes on the Retreat's proceedings regarding this subject and reads,  

To clarify what the City can and can't do that permits it to apply for this easement now, and to try to validate Mayor Bettis' claim within the last paragraph of the same Sun Journal article that "the city already has the authority to apply for a G.S. 146-12 easement because it was voted on...", may end up requiring a legal opinion on what the meaning of the word "and" is.  I wonder if this will require another expenditure of taxpayer money on yet another out-of-town attorney to render the opinion? 

• "Discuss application for 146-12 waterfront easement -

• The BOA discussed the history of the waterfront development directly behind the Double Tree Hotel and the associated easements that have been issued to the marina owner.  There was further discussion regarding concerns over the access to our waterfront and concerns over the current financial status of the marina ownership.  Several members of the BOA expressed concerns over the appropriateness of previous easements being issued by the NC Department of Real Estate. Direction was given to bring forth a future resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign application for a 146-12 easement on behalf of the City of New Bern.  Further direction was given to begin to evaluate the feasibility of the City purchasing the marina."  (Note:  the underline was done by the City Mgr). 

(b)  A Feb 19, 2013 email from Alderman Bengel to City Manager Epperson forwarding her notes about the Retreat reads:

"2. Discussion on waterfront easement
Directed mr epperson to look at purchase of marina and
applying for 146 -12"

The official BOA minutes of Feb 16, 2013 read: 

(c)  Discuss application for 146-12 waterfront easement

The waterfront easement was discussed. The Board directed Mr. Epperson to look at purchasing the marina and applying for a 146-12 easement."
 

I remind the readers that compiling the minutes for the Feb 16Retreat required lengthy, heated Board discussion during two regular BOA meetings (2-26-13 and 3-26-13) and a March 6, 2013 special called BOA session, wherein the City Attorney delivered a brief on what kind of Board member information constitutes minutes (notes, memory recollections, and/or video & audio recordings) and legal public meeting noticing.  Reason being is a similar disagreement arose over whether or not an official vote was taken to approve a $10,000 bonus for each of 3 years for City Manager Epperson.  Recall that the contentious discussions surrounding this previous Board member-and-citizen-contested agenda item also rested on the answer of "who approved what when, if at all?".    Despite all of those discussions, it still took an amended version of the minutes (and an extra 20 minutes to produce the appropriate wording) regarding that bonus vote to receive final Board approval at the March 26, 2013 board meeting.            

It's a shame that there is no City3TV video of this 2013 BOA Retreat, no professionally trained city clerk present that typically records the proceedings that will be voted into official minutes, was no live press coverage and that the only citizen who showed up (expressly to learn what the Board decided about the 146-12 easement, marina purchase and special appropriations' funding) was regular citizen Mr. Tony Bonnici who is presently a candidate for Ward 1 alderman.  He is also one of the original petitioners with the New Bern AWARE group (Against Water Access Right Encroachment) that hired now-Mayor Lee Bettis as their attorney in 2007.  The group's intent was to gain public access to the public trust waters that lie in the City.  It felt that would be accomplished by petitioning that year's Board of Aldermen to have the City file for an easement in the City's name; it did so at the Nov 27, 2007 BOA meeting.  Mr. Bonnici has kept up with and active in this issue unwaveringly ever since.  Unfortunately, to attend this Retreat, he had to find a Tryon Place NC History Center security guard to unlock doors and escort him to the upstairs meeting room where this open, legally noticed, public meeting convened.  If it had been recorded, it would have quickly cleared up two issues that have served to agitate the public and the taxpayers. (There is City3TV video posted for all other BOA meetings beginning with 1st live broadcast Apr 5, 2011, with one exception being the April 21, 2011 special town hall held at the downtown NB Library to discuss the city's intervention of the Duke Progress Merger and its estimated costs.  There is also video of a couple of March 2011 meetings pulled from other sources),  Word to the wise is to check the City website daily for the BOA agenda.

It often times is helpful for citizens to consult the city website under the Development Services Department tab and read the agendas for the other city boards, attend any of their meetings or watch them live, or view City3TV videos regarding issues they find will affect them.   Many of the issues that directly affect citizens, such as issuance of certificates of appropriateness (COAs) and zoning rulings originate during these boards' deliberations.  One of these boards' duties is to make recommendations to the Board of Aldermen prior to the aldermen voting.  Sometimes a solution or answers can be found by contacting overseeing staff members for these boards.  According to a source familiar with issues involving the marina, that advice may have helped in this instance 

The purpose of this meeting was not adjudicated due to members of the gallery disrupting the Board proceedings. Perhaps if the agenda had read, "Board discussion of submitting an application for the approval of a 146-12 easement", the gallery members would not have attended with the preconceived notion that their city government had enacted another done deal that affected an important aspect of their life or with expectations that they would allowed to voice their opinions as well as ask questions, and the meeting would have proceeded with proper decorum and could have been concluded?  Although I do not condone disruption of public meetings, many in the audience live on their boats at the marina and had true concerns for their safety and the environment that their domicile was located within.   For even more info on what transpired after the meeting, please read the NB Sun Journal newspaper article previously mentioned in this report.

Rhonda Taylor

CCTA Watchdog Reporter for NB Bd of Aldermen

Ward 6 

CCTA Watchdog Report -New Bern Board of Alderman -Special Supplement

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO CCTA WATCHDOG REPORT

NEW BERN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, MAY 11, 2013

On Friday, May 10th, Ward 2 Alderman Victor Taylor announced he would join Ward 6 Alderman Dana Outlaw in petitioning New Bern City Manager Mike Epperson to convene a special called meeting of the New Bern Board of Alderman (BOA). This will be announced in a timely fashion in accordance with the NC statutes which require 48-hours' notice to the Board members and the public.

Based on recent accounts in various local media of statements attributed to Alderman Outlaw, the subjects of this meeting are to be Mayor Bettis's legal entanglements and actions of this week, to discuss whether Mayor Bettis should resign, and the leadership and direction of the City. This week's events that brought the Board to this point began with Mayor Bettis being cited at 7:49am this past Monday morning with a DWI and two infractions of failure to maintain lane control and designated lane violations. The Havelock PD press release states the investigators said the charges are based on how Mr. Bettis was driving, as well as results from field sobriety tests.

Less than 48 hours later, a 911 call to Carteret County dispatch recorded his wife accusing him of abusing her by shoving her down stairs and choking her. The next day, Thursday, Susan Namowicz, Bettis Law Firm's business manager who also said she was the family's personal assistant, conducted a press conference to convey a prepared statement from Mayor Bettis succinctly stating that he would be taking a 2-month leave of absence "to take care of his family". Mr. Bettis was not present at this event. His assistant said the mayor wanted her to read his prepared statement "in which he could not be here for which he is in court - delayed in court - as he is an attorney". It is Alderman Outlaw's conviction that the mayor should resign both as a result of his actions during this week as well as his intended length of leave, which he believes "leaves the city in a void of leadership that is not good for the city". When asked her opinion of the impact of Mayor Bettis's circumstances on the city, Alderman Sabrina Bengel has been quoted in the Sun Journal as responding , "As mayor pro tem, I will lead the meetings in his absence - he is still mayor of New Bern. The publicity has not affected city staff. The work of the city is going on, and it is good work". Mr. (City Manager Mike) Epperson is at the helm, and it is business as usual."

According to a brief that City Attorney Scott Davis gave at the 3-6-13 BOA meeting, this special called meeting will be a public meeting. However, as Alderman Outlaw pointed out in a 5-10-13 Sun Journal article, it is possible the Board could vote to go into closed session at some point during that meeting. Late Friday afternoon, a new BOA agenda was posted for a regular meeting to be held on Tuesday, May 14th @ 7pm, presided over by Mayor Bettis. This meeting date was previously listed on the BOA Calendar for the FY2013/14 city budget overview (Agenda Item #5). However, Agenda item #24 is listed to be a closed session, although no statute is cited that would give a clue as to what would be discussed. Petition of Citizens is also on the agenda at item #3. This is the opportunity for the public to address the Board for four (4) minutes on concerns they may have.

Other possible items of interest to CCTA members are:

(a) Agenda item #4. "Adopt Resolution Authorizing City to be a Co-Applicant with New Bern Housing Authority in the Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant and Authorizing City Manager to Sign Memorandum of Understanding.

(Ward 1) The New Bern Housing Authority has requested the City partner with them on a Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant. The grant assists with plans for modernization of public housing as well as overall improvements in the surrounding community. The grant will require a dollar-for-dollar cash match over the next two years of an amount not to exceed $30,000. The Resolution authorizes the City to join the Housing Authority as a co-applicant and authorizes the City Manager to sign a Memorandum of Understanding and to approve the expenditures up to $30,000 for the required match."

(b) Agenda item #8. Adopt a resolution approving Interlocal Tax Collection Agreement wherein the County and City tax offices are recommended to be consolidated effective 7-1-13.

(c) Agenda item #14. Adopt a resolution approving financing terms for Advanced Metering Project (AMI/DSM) and the Hwy 17S Sewer Improvements Project not to exceed $1.4 million and refinancing four (4) debt contracts totaling $15,960,528.92 to save the City $1.5 million.

(d) Agenda item #16. Adopt a resolution to provide for the creation of a new position of MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) Administrator under the Development Services Dept. Funded by an 80% match from the U.S. Dept of Transportation and a 20% match from local member jurisdictions. Membership consists of New Bern's director of development services, MPO coordinator, city engineer; Craven County's planning director and operations and facilities director; town managers from Trent Woods, Bridgeton and River Bend; CARTS; Coastal Carolina Regional Airport Authority; New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce; and federal, state and local transportation officials. The pay scale range is $36,978 to $60,181.

In the early morning of May 10th, City Attorney Scott Davis was kind and patient enough to participate in an email interview with me. It centered around the subject of Mayor Bettis's leave status and his continuing to be paid despite the manner in which his leave of absence came about.

On the subject of leave benefits and procedures for elected officials: Mr. Davis stated that "elected officials are not subject to the city's personnel policies regarding leave. Therefore, the Mayor's leave is general in nature unless the Mayor decides to provide more specificity". I asked him if Mayor Bettis informed anyone on the BOA, the City Manager, someone in Human Resources or Mr. Davis, himself, that he was embarking on this 2-month leave of absence prior to issuing his statement through his representative at the May 8th Noon press conference? Mr. Davis replied, "The Mayor did not inform me of his plans. I do not know what he may have told others. To what may be a minor point, it's not been made clear to me what the Mayor intends by his "leave". I don't know if he will be performing some functions but not others, or none at all, or for exactly how long. Under such circumstances, the Mayor Pro Tem performs the functions of the Mayor to the extent necessary".

On the issue of the Mayor's and other elected officials' pay for both leave and active status: Mr. Davis explained in our email interview that "city employees are subject to different rules regarding pay and compensation, and have different benefits regarding sick leave and vacation" as compared to elected officials. "City employees may or may not receive compensation while on leave depending on the facts". Elected officials are not required to be placed in a designated leave status such as sick leave or personal leave or vacation/annual leave. Mr. Davis said, "I'm not aware of any public official of any local government that I represent who has not received pay while on leave. There may be examples out there of which I'm not aware". I asked Mr. Davis if the Board could hold a BOA meeting during which an amendment to either the budget or to Mayor Bettis's employment contract could be motioned and voted on should it be determined by some means that it is no longer incumbent on the city to pay him while he is on this leave of absence. Mr. Davis answered, "No. Public officials have no employment contracts. The Board sets its annual compensation (and the Mayor's) as part of the annual budget ordinance. Once fixed, it may not be changed until the next budget year".

In a Sun Journal article posted @ 3:57 pm on Friday, May 10th, City Mgr Epperson said that Mayor Bettis sent him a clarification to his leave period stating it will be less than the 2-months he originally released to the public. Mayor Bettis said it was possible that he would not be attending BOA meetings for up to six (6) weeks. Mr. Epperson was also reported to have said that the Mayor's primary activities are presiding over the BOA meetings and some ceremonial roles. (This reporter would add that another primary duty is that the Mayor is allowed to vote on all issues coming before the Board). Mr. Epperson said that Mayor Pro Tem Bengel will assume those duties, or possibly delegate some of the ceremonial duties to other Board members. Mr. Epperson also said that as of (this 3:57pm posting) the afternoon of May 10th, he had not heard a request for a special council meeting from any Alderman.

The Board and city staff are currently in the process of formulating the FY2013/14 budget. Regarding the budget There is one more public BOA meeting for the budget overview presentation on this Tuesday May 14th @ 7pm and two more public budget workshops (5-21-13 and 5-23-13, both @ 6pm) to be held. When the budget ordinance is passed, it will become effective July 1, 2013. If Mayor Bettis's stated 60-day leave was to be calculated from the date of his assistant's press conference on May 9th that would put his return at noon on July 9th, 2013. An earlier return at six weeks would bring the date to June 20th.


Rhonda Taylor
CCTA Watchdog Reporter for City of New Bern
New Bern, NC

Back in forth in the New Bern Sun Journal!

Recently, our chairman Nancy Murdoch read the following letter in the Sun-Journal:



January 31, 2012
New Bern by rail

I recently came to New Bern Jan. 21 on the Amtrak train from New York to Wilson, NC. I was there to visit my mother wishing her a happy 76th birthday with family and a host of friends. After riding eight hours on the train, a friend of the family picked me up in Wilson to take me to my final destination, New Bern. The ride took two hours. I enjoy coming to New Bern with all the historical sites; I will visit as many as I can. Someone please tell me why with all the train tracks in North Carolina, there’s not a train coming into New Bern, James City, Cherry Point or Kinston. I understand there’s a nearby airport, but many seniors and disabled people cannot fly and many as myself have a problem with flying. Who can I voice my concerns to?

Shirley Aikens, Brooklyn, N.Y.
http://www.newbernsj.com/articles/rail-103996-bern-letter.html

THEN.. our Nancy responded with the following letter:
February 01, 2012
Amtrak and Democrats

I read with interest the letter written by the lady from Brooklyn wondering why there is no train from Wilson and points beyond. Her question draws attention to why we have a national debt quickly approaching the $16 trillion mark. Perhaps she is unaware that Amtrak is subsidized by the rest of the taxpayers, most of whom will never ride the train. Eastern NC is not New York nor Europe. I can’t fathom how much it would cost to have Amtrak come to New Bern or how many people would use it. I would guess that the first amount would be astronomical, and the second number would be quite low. And I’m fairly confident the present administration would think it a grand idea; nothing beats spending taxpayer money for boondoggle projects that serve a few. If the fair lady from Brooklyn is a Democrat, she should write the President. With the right sized contribution to the Democrat party and the reelect Obama campaign, she might see her dream come true.


Nancy Murdoch, Havelock

And then that letter solicited the following response:

February 02, 2012
Be Civil

I am troubled by what I see as a lack of civility in the language being used in a number of Letters to the Editor. A recent example is the Feb. 2 letter titled “Amtrak and Democrats.”


The first part of the letter raised legitimate concerns about the cost of operating Amtrak and extending the line to New Bern. Fair enough. The part that I find troubling is: “If the fair lady from Brooklyn is a Democrat, she should write the President. With the right sized contribution to the Democrat (sp) party and the reelect Obama campaign, she might see her dream come true.”


The editor I feel has a responsibility to control the tone of the letters being written to and published in the paper. Unless the editor will allow the person who is being chided to respond to the negative/sarcastic language, then the editor should edit out such language. The editor states at the bottom of the Letters to the Editor: “All letters may be edited or abridged by the editor.”


To those who write using sarcasm before hitting the send button, ask yourself the following question: Would you want to be on the receiving end of what you are writing and how would you feel about it?


I fear that as this election cycle moves on the sarcasm will only get worse. Let’s not be like the candidates running for the presidency and the negativity of their language. Let’s be above that and treat each other with respect.

Tom Balsanek, New Bern

Dog gone it, I did not even realize just how sarcastic and uncivil Ms. Nancy was!  Of course I get confused sometimes cause liberals can call us tea baggers, terrorists, bigots and racists.  I just can't keep up!
~ Lynn

Sun Journal Letter to the Editor: Violence at AFP Summit in DC, by CCTA Vice Chairman, Nancy Murdoch

At 4:30 a.m. last Friday morning, my husband and I, along with a number of Eastern N.C. patriots got on a bus heading to Washington, D.C. to attend the “Defending the American Dream Summit", sponsored by Americans for Prosperity. We paid our own way to the event.


After arriving, we attended the opening events and the dinner honoring President Reagan, where we were fortunate to hear many amazing speakers. As Judge Andrew Napolitano began his remarks, he was interrupted by an infiltrator that began screaming at the crowd. As he was removed, the Judge affirmed the protesters’ right to his convictions, as much as he disagreed with them.

Later in the festivities we were shown a video of what was occurring outside the Convention Center. A number of protesters had shown up from the “Occupy” movement with a large “fat cat” balloon. We were advised to stay in groups and not engage with the protesters when we walked back to our hotel.

Those believing that the “Occupy” movement is non-violent are very mistaken. At one time no one was able to leave the building as the protesters blocked the entrances, banging on the glass and screaming. Eventually police were able to clear the doors and we were allowed to leave. Unfortunately, several older women were knocked down and suffered some minor injuries that could have easily been serious. A woman in a wheelchair was not allowed to leave, and a child was separated from her mother. The situation was chaotic, with the protesters being in charge more than the police. Traffic was blocked, and someone was run over by a vehicle. Anyone doubting the veracity of my statements can find videos online covering the events.

I have attended a number of tea parties, and have never seen violence of any kind, and no arrests. The “Occupy” movement has resulted in almost 3,000 arrests to date, rapes, assaults, a death, injuries, destruction of private property, and the loss of safety and movement for others. To compare these statistics to the Tea Parties is a joke, and would only be made by someone with a warped agenda. Media and politicians pushing the “Occupy” movement as representative of the American people will pay a price. To ignore the violence and applaud this type of disgusting behavior is an injustice to us all.

Nancy Murdoch
CCTA Vice Chairman
Havelock, NC

CCTA CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR TAXPAYERS!

Coastal Carolina Taxpayers Association (CCTA) guided by Hal James, Chairman, Watchdog Committee along with other hardworking patriots have made great strides in looking into our local Craven County Govenment and particularly, property tax assesments.  Much more work is ahead!  We appreciat their hard work on our behalf!  See Hal's message to members below.

CCTA MEMBERS AND FRIENDSWell, we're off to another year of looking out for the citizens and taxpayers. Thanks to each of you who have given of your time, money and talents on behalf the taxpayers.

Please don't feel you have to wait for a monthly report to the CCTA to let me know what has gone on that you want us all to know about. Let's have running dialog.

Yesterday I attended the Craven County Board of Commissioners meeting. From our point of view it was much improved over the activities of the previous board, but still has a long way to go to really be informative and responsive to the citizens and taxpayers of Craven County.

First, much to his credit, Scott Dacey orchestrated input from "stake holders" on the issue of moving the magistrates to the Jail complex at Clarks. Many representatives of the law enforcement community were heard from. Sheriffs, police chiefs, the State Patrol, deputies, etc. all made their opinions known. All of these people wanted to move the magistrates to Clarks for the safety and convenience of their people. Sheriff Monette made a case for it saving about $1,000,000 per year of taxpayers' money.

The Clerk's office and magistrates were also heard from. The consensus among them seemed to be a concern for the paperwork and inconvience of the magistrates in handling their work if they move out to Clarks. the Bar Association was also heard from. Gary Clemmons, civil lawyer, made the point that Chief District Court Judge Jerry Waddell has the power to put the magistrates where he wants to and not the Board of Commissioners. The County Attorney agreed. But, to me, the most interesting points were made by Kyle Smith, criminal lawyer, that there would be great inconvience and cost to the citizens if the magistrates were moved to Clarks. He pointed out that law enforcement officers will not get a warrant for the arrest of a citizen for a misdemeanor. So in a domestic disturbance, the wife or aggrieved party would have to get to the magistrate out at Clarks and swear out a warrant. The same would be true of a small business person wanting to get a warrant for passing a bad check. Probably just would not go to the trouble. Commissioner Sampson agreed that a lot of people from his District have to walk to the courthouse and would be adversely affected.

Another interesting aspect of all this was the input of the Bondsman, Reginald Beaslely. It had to do with getting prisoners released promptly when they are eligible for parole. He said Craven County is the only county that requires a magistrate to sign the release. The rest of the counties allow the bondsmen to handle releases directly with the jail personnel. He said changing this to handle it as other counies do could solve the problem of releasing these people promptly and cut down on the prison population and save the taxpayers money and treat citizens more fairly and compassionately too.

A piece of good news came from Erin Burridge, director of Elections Department. She stated that more of her records would be placed on the county's website and available that way to the public. Halleluiah!

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LEGAL OPINION ON ASSESSING LAND USE VALUE FOR FARMERS?  In his report at he end of the meeting, Jeff Taylor thanked Tyker Gonzales for all her hard work on behalf of the farmers in his District and the whole county. He read an email from Michael Brown of the NC Dept of Revenue, stating that the statues on present value land use for farmers was very clear and that the county owes McCoy Farms a refund. After the meeting I asked Jeff why he had not told the "rest of the story." He did not know what I was talking about. Mr. Brown, Dept of Revenue, had sent another email telling Dan Jenkins of the assessors office that 28 farmers in Craven county had been overtaxed and were due a refund. I gave a copy of that email to Jeff and he said he would take it up with the other commissioners.

WHY AREN'T THEY DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS? I guess time will tell. These assessors are unlawfully taking taxpayer money and now the North Carolina Dept of Revenue agrees. GREAT JOB, TYKER!

Jason Jones, President of the Craven County Farm Bureau and until last month, a member of the Craven County Board of Commissioners, has written a letter to the editor of the Sun Journal that he has titled "A Craven County Hero." In it he outlines what Tyker has achieved in helping farmers and landowners in Craven County receive fair and equitable treatment in the tax values assigned their property. Wow! That is great. I can't wait to see it in print.

The "dog and pony" shows the Commissioners put on to convence us of what a great job directors of the various departments of the county government are doing is a big waste of time and totally uninformative to the citizens and taxpayers. These directors are constantly referring to the "package" the commissioners have that no one else is privy to and the public can't follow the proceedings without them. They often don't seem to know the cost/benefit of their departments and can't answer simple questions when they are asked of them. Yet, they are let off the hook and sent on their way with a pat on the head and a smile and a compliment about what a good job they are doing.

And, oh yes, the commissioners still vote unanimously to spend our federal and state tax money (as long as there are no county contributions) as if money grows on trees or the treasury or Federal Reserve Bank can just print more indefinitely. This meeting saw $122,084 dollars of taxpayer money go to the Department of Social Rip Off for Crisis Intervention. Whatever the heck that is. (sorry, I'm just getting so disgusted). This goes on all over our nation. When will it ever be stopped?

After the meeting I talked to Sue Brook, reporter for the Sun Journal about the assessors rip off of the farmers. She said she would look into it.

One of our newest members, Tony Bonnici, sent me an email showing the result of his research about the Soliel Group. In New Bern they own The Hilton, formerly the Sheraton, the Marina and Sky Sail Condos. Tony's research shows that they owe the taxpayers of the City and County $966.807.89 (almost a million bucks). I have more details on this if anyone wants to see it.

Keep up the good work and please keep me informed.

Hal James
Chairman, CCTA Watchdog Committee

FOR MORE INFORMATION READ THE FOLLOWING:

County may have no authority to move magistrate to Clarks jail

http://www.newbernsj.com/news/county-94107-jail-clarks.html
Aldermen to consider sculpture plan
http://www.newbernsj.com/news/sculpture-90517-commissioners-county.html

Woman's research helps lower neighbors' tax bill.

http://www.newbernsj.com/sections/article/gallery/?pic=1&id=91227

Law vs. rules:  http://www.newbernsj.com/articles/reading-93831-rules-article.html


County to seek legal opinion on assessing farmland taxes

http://www.newbernsj.com/news/county-93723-seek-attorney.html

To: CCTA Members:

RE:  SUN JOURNAL ARTICLE BY P.CHRISTINE SMITH AND CRAVEN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
In an otherwise informative and positive article P. Christine Smith left out one very important fact. She stated that "The county recently prevailed in a lawsuit it had filed against an architectural firm and an engineering firm that had worked on the center's construction projet. Through an out-of-court settlement, the county received $1.1 million."

What she failed to add was that over $750,000 of that settlement went to the lawyers and not back to the taxpayers of Craven County. This "Prevailing" in the lawsuit netted the taxpayers almost exactly what the architectural and engineering firms offered over two years ago without the lawyers being paid $750,000. It seems to me to be favorable only to lawyers and county staff! Ms. Smith knows this. Why did she put such a favorable face on it to present to the public? Is it possible that the county staff is controlling what is fed to the public through the Sun Journal? I certainly hope not.



Hal James

Chairman
CCTA Watchdog Committee

To read the original Sun Journal article by P. Christine Smith, "County lawsuit involving convention center settled", click here: 
http://www.newbernsj.com/news/lawsuit-92961-settled-center.html