Monthly Archives: February 2016

Congressional Distict Map Not Final Until Lower Court Says So

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On February 14th The News Fix published a story linked here:

Appellate Court’s Decision Could Do More Harm Than Good (Timing Was Intentional)

This article was in response to the liberal three judge panel that ruled the 2011 NC US Congressional District redistricting maps unconstitutional and ordered the NC General Assembly redraw them by February 19th (of course to their liking). Their chief complaint was that there was racial gerrymandering of at least three(3) Congressional Districts. The NC General Assembly has always held that the Districts were drawn for political advantages but race was never a factor.

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The new map was drawn and submitted as shown in this local news article:

Kinston Free Press Article

Which brings to the point of this article.

The press and general public have been led the public to believe this map is the “final deal”.  The truth is … it may be or may not be.  The map is still subject to review by the lower court who propagated this wild goose chase.

We have perused the major newspapers in the State and not one of them makes this point clear. Well there was one that mentioned it but we had to go to Chicago to find it…. HERE.

One thing is certain, since the US Supreme Court denied a stay allowing  North Carolina to proceed with the March 15th primaries as intended, there will be a later primary for the US Congressional races. That date has been set for June 7th.

What the news outlets are not telling the electorate (for whatever reason) is:

  • These liberal judges have cost to the taxpayers a cool $9 million by forcing North Carolina to add the June Congressional Primary.
  • The current Congressional Candidates must refile which allows others to enter those races after these candidates have spent months campaigning.
  • The lower court may approve the maps as drawn or send the maps back for changes.
  • The lower court may reject the NCGA version as drawn and attempt to draw their own lines. Scary proposition…. Let’s hope this is not the case.

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At this point in the process we can not assume this map is final. We believe this is a good District map. It keeps precincts and most counties intact and whole. In fact there are only thirteen(13) counties that are split. We think the NCGA did an outstanding job complying with this untimely request and applying common sense to drawing these boundaries.

One can only hope the lower court will accept these maps as drawn and let us move on with our election process.  They have already caused enough confusion and cost North Carolina taxpayers enough money.

Nepotism Defeated ~ Now On To The Real Issues Facing Kinston

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Residents of Kinston scored a big WIN Monday night, February 15th, when the Kinston City Council voted unanimously to reverse the September 8th Nepotism Policy Amendment. The 2015 “Amendment” gave the green light for family of City Council members, including the Mayor, to be hired on with the City of Kinston.

The “Amendment” was force fed to the public by three sitting Council members even though resident and business owner, Logan Thurman presented a petition with over 300 signatures opposing the change. The NAACP voiced concern publicly, as did the Daily News Fix. Even so, the measure passed on September 8th and became a contentious campaign issue.

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See last night’s victory video HERE

For the Daily News Fix it’s on to bigger and better things, more important issues, like getting residents gainfully employed and off welfare and food stamps, shutting down public housing in Kinston and moving residents into affordable housing owned and operated by the private sector.

The Welfare Model was designed as a “hand up”, not a way of life.  But it is now used by Democrats to control minorities and gain votes. Ironically in a town like Kinston where 69% of the population is black, Democrats retain around 86% of the vote. Think about that for a minute…… minorities are enslaved by this model while their personal liberty is stifled.

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The City of Kinston has never in its history elected a Republican to City Council. The first Republican Mayor, BJ Murphy, was elected 6 years ago and now in his second term.

Even though there has never been a Republican on City Council,  Republicans are consistently targeted for any problems Kinston might have.  Let that sink in for a minute…..   Non-partisan elections were “pre-approved” in 2013 by USDOJ after a US Supreme Court lawsuit for the reversal of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Non-partisan elections will help in a town the size of Kinston if we focus less on RACE and more on electing effective diverse representation.  This will only be breached through education and resolve.  During the 2015 municipal election cycle, for the first time ever, the NAACP and the Lenoir County Democrat Party did not endorse candidates in the non-partisan contest. That’s a step in the right direction.

The Nepotism Policy Amendment was the non-partisan issue that created a unique cohesiveness.  As a result, the election was issue-based whereby qualified and effective candidates were elected to office.

Time will tell as to the effectiveness of this new team.  We are delighted they kept their campaign promises to reverse this bad policy.  Now it’s up to you, the residents of Kinston, whether you pay property taxes or not, to get involved in the process.

  • Go to City Council meetings
  • Apply to sit on a Board or Commission (an eye opening experience)
  • Contact your Council members and ask questions on the issues important to you

NOW, let’s get to work!

Kinston City Council Campaign Promises About To Play Out

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The City of Kinston Nepotism Policy was rewritten in the latter part of 2015 and swiftly passed through Council just a few months prior to the November election. Incumbent Sammy Aiken was a vocal opponent of the amendment to this policy which, as written, now allows family of City Council and the Mayor to be hired on at the City.

Mayor Pro Tem, Robbie Swinson, IV went with Sammy on this one, opposing the changes that came about when Council member, Wynn Whittington, questioned the rule.  Whittington’s brother had applied for a couple of jobs with the City and was turned away because of his relationship to the Councilman.

One thing you don’t do as an elected official is help your family members out publicly.  That’s called favoritism and Mr. Whittington blatantly did so.

The Daily News Fix was out front on this development (See HERE) and there was much debate.  So much debate, in fact, that the NAACP readily opposed this form of cronyism and made it part of their line of questioning in the public forum they put on in which all the candidates were asked the question, “If you are elected to City Council will you work to repeal the Nepotism Policy amendment?” (paraphrased)

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All the candidates made a public pledge to repeal the amendment once elected with the exception of, then Councilwoman, Kelly Jarman.  She lost her seat on Council, coming in fifth place in the eight candidate contest. Ironically she was the top vote-getter in 2011. Her refusal to admit she was wrong and her allegiance vote with Whittington cost her that seat. See October prediction HERE

The repeal of this Amendment is on the table Monday, February 15th at the 7 PM City Council meeting at Kinston City Hall.  Why would the reversal of this amendment be a problem?  It should be a 4 to 1 landslide at worst.

Maybe Whittington will even concede if he shows up for the vote.  He’s been MIA(absent) three(3) of the last four(4) Council meetings.

Everyone sitting on Council made a promise to their constituents to repeal the amendment except for Whittington.  If this amendment is not reversed after Monday’s meeting, the consequences for this Council could be earth shattering.

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Lets’s get this done people. This is a no-brainer.  Next order of business should be how to move all public housing located in the City of Kinston into private sector housing, work to get residents off welfare and food stamps and onto a payroll while curbing crime in the process. That takes representation with guts and resolve.  If this Council can’t handle this simple task Monday….. well, we’ll talk about that next time!

Other links October Article 1 Whittington Lashes Out

Appellate Court’s Decision Could Do More Harm Than Good (Timing Was Intentional)

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Friday’s big news…. an order written by Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Roger Gregory, part of a US appeals court panel, states that North Carolina Congressional Districts were racially gerrymandered during the 2011 redistricting and must be redrawn within two weeks (by February 19th).

Even though North Carolina primaries are scheduled for March 15th, this order bars elections in the 1st and 12th districts, both majority black districts,….. until the new maps are approved.

The timing of this ‘decree’ calling the 2011 redistricting plan unconstitutional is unfortunate and well timed by the plaintiffs for maximum impact.

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District 1 is represented by G.K. Butterfield, while the 12th Distict is represented by Alma Adams, both of whom are black. Historically, even prior to redistricting, blacks had no problem getting elected in either district.  But the 2011 redistricting added minority voters to both Districts.

The 1st Congressional District weaves through 24 counties and takes in 5 complete counties. The dimensions for the 12th District?…  120 miles long and 20 miles at it’s widest point.

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Three plaintiffs filed suit in 2013 in an effort to invalidate the newly drawn districts, the premise being Republicans were being handed an advantage in adjacent Districts through the redistricting process. Read the 100 page decision by the appellate court HERE.

A Republican controlled legislature drew the lines in 2011. The plaintiffs claim race was a motivating factor as to where those boundary lines fell. At the center of this controversy are State Senator Bob Rucho and House member David Lewis, both of whom had strong influence in how these lines were drawn and helped design the maps. You can view district maps at the NC General Assembly site HERE.

The immediate impact of this decision could mean:

  • Delay of the primary
  • Voter disenfranchisement/confusion
  • Absentee ballots already cast could be nullified
  • Additional lawsuits filed
  • If the NC General Assembly is called back into session it will be at the tax payer’s expense

Most disturbing of all is the fact that the Federal government is telling the State of North Carolina how to run its elections.

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In 2013, the US Supreme Court ruled in Shelby County v. Holder in favor of the plaintiff which reversed Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act. A case paralleling the Shelby case was Nix v. Holder seeking reversal of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. The reversal of Section 4 nullifies Section 5. However, because Shelby was not decided in 2011 this Appellate Court has decided to retroactively rule on this redistricting boondoggle.

We’ll keep you informed. Tune in often and subscribe to this blog for the Daily New Fix.

A Matter of Accountability

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“When it comes to privacy and accountability, people always demand the former for themselves and the latter for everyone else.” ~ David Brin

Part One (State)

Elected officials have obligations to their constituents. In the case of North Carolina State Attorney General Roy Cooper, he has an obligation to defend the State of North Carolina and uphold the State Constitution. He has shirked those responsibilities repeatedly.  AG Cooper refused to defend the State against Affordable Care Act, AKA Obamacare. Cooper refused to defend the Voter ID bill passed in 2013 by the North Carolina legislature causing Governor Pat McCrory to hire outside legal council paid for by the taxpayers. He has repeatedly abused his position of authority and influence and even used “his own office to do President Obama’s political bidding and fill his campaign coffers”.  All along he should have been looking out for the interests of North Carolinians. 

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Attorney General Roy Cooper failed to defend the State against Obama’s illegal mandate on immigration. Cooper is a real piece of work. He had to defend himself in a libel suit. He showed up for that, no problem.  But, he has not shown up to perform his sworn duties to the people of North Carolina. 

Part Two (Local)

Kinston City Council member Wynn Whittington has missed three (3) out of the last four (4) City Council meetings. The Councilman was elected in 2013 and was at the heart of the Nepotism Amendment controversy that most likely helped usher in some new in the 2015 election. Mr. Whittington has not stated publicly why he missed these important meetings.  Whittington is one of five (5) PAID City Council members. 

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This is NOT a partisan issue. We learned that the City of Kinston does not have an attendance policy for City Council members. We think an attendance policy similar to some of the City’s commissions and boards should be considered and the by-laws amended accordingly.  The Utilities Advisory Commission, for instance, has a policy that considers it an automatic resignation when a Commissioner misses three consecutive meetings unless the UAC determines, by majority vote, that the absence was for good cause.  

There is a difference, however that must be considered.  Commissioners and board members are unpaid appointed volunteer positions. City Council members are elected by the people and paid for their services. Elected officials can be impeached or reprimanded but not fired.  They are accountable to the people, the residents of Kinston.

WE suggest that an independent review board be set up consisting of two Council members and three private residents. Once any Council member misses three (3) consecutive Council meetings his/her case would be considered for censure or given an opportunity to resign.

Personal hardship is a fact of life, but when it conflicts with elected duties it is time to step down. Job conflicts and vacation don’t count as hardship. Elected officials know the responsibilities they are taking on prior to taking the oath of office.

The review may be closed to the public but the minutes would be made public.  This review process would be for any elected official serving City residents.

WE also suggest an avenue for impeachment of under performing or habitually absent elected officials, brought by residents, should also be placed in the by-laws. 

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Elected officials are responsible to all residents. They are elected to perform a duty and are expected to participate in public meetings. They have a moral obligation to uphold the highest standards putting the welfare and safety of Kinston residents first, even ahead of their own needs.    

We have immense respect for anyone who would subject themselves to public service at any level. It takes a special person to withstand the pressures of public office.  

In closing…. We think there needs to be a better system of checks and balances for elected officials in Kinston City government. Four years is too long to wait to replace a Council member or Mayor that is under-performing, incompetent, or just doesn’t show up for work; all the while making decisions with our tax dollars that affects our health, safety and well-being. Our residents deserve accountability and transparency, if not for the fact we are paying for that service. Implementing the above mentioned measures would be a good start in holding elected public servants accountable.