The importance of Tyler Childers, a lesson on POD's and a very eventful Christmas parade. It's all part of The Journey. 🎄
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On Wednesday morning, immediately following the election, I was a guest on The Bryan Hanks Show. Since mayors across the country have different levels of authority, I took a moment to remind his audience and our community what the mayor's role in Kinston is.
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At the close of our Election Results Show Tuesday night, I admonished the residents of the City of Kinston for not voting. Like it or not you may complain about the road conditions, wasteful spending, crime rates, property transfers, etc., but I don't have to listen to you if you don't care enough to vote. Of the last 5 mayoral elections, this race had the 4th worst number of votes EVEN WITH 4 CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR. One would think that more candidates would equate to more voters. It's simply pathetic.
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On Wednesday morning, BJ and community leader Danny Rice went on the Bryan Hanks Show to give some post-election analysis. We spoke with incumbent winner Robbie Swinson and newcomer Chris Suggs. We discussed the accountability of office holders, big decisions coming soon, the role of the mayor, and much more.
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RANT ALERT: I’ve been bombarded with requests to publish so-called “dirt” on candidates for office. Here’s my response…
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I am more concerned about the next four years for Kinston today than I was four years ago.
The impasses we face with the City of Kinston pose significant challenges for our community’s future, and we need leaders to step up at a time such as this. The mayor’s seat and two councilmembers’ seats are up for grabs, and the $10 filing fee period ends on Friday, July 16th at 12:00 pm.
Now is not the time to complain. Now is not the time to critique. Instead, if you feel led to run or compelled to serve your community greater than your role today, here is your opportunity to influence or shape the change you desire.
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Aleatha and I consider "Neuse News: The Musical", we plan a team outing and I give four things you can do when complaining about politics. And what's our show without a few laughs?
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This OTR was so much fun, we've made it a two-part episode. How many banks are on the south side? What gives BJ anxiety? Aleatha explains why BJ is a part of the problem. And BJ's OTR Commentary addresses the need for two Kinston City Councilmen to resign.
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Sadly for the second year in a row, the Kinston City Council has sought these personal increases, yet this year's discussion is distracting from the fact that they are also raising property taxes. The cost to the taxpayers if approved would be $670,000. Despite the fact the Kinston City Council has already voted on their increases, they could amend the budget tonight, by stripping the salaries and allowances back to the FY20 funding and passing a revised budget.
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Kinston city manager Tony Sears joins me and Aleatha on Off the Record. And we spoke about everything but the City of Kinston. And in my sidebar commentary, I discuss managing finances and the best way to handle debt.
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Roughly one year ago, Governor Cooper declared a state of emergency regarding COVID-19, and while an emergency is typically seen as a momentary crisis, this has been harnessed into the “new normal”, expanding bureaucratic control over citizens’ lives for an alarming period of time. Regardless of the continued state of emergency, our local officials are holding themselves to a different standard. The Kinston City Council and Lenoir County School Board continue to meet outside of their chambers and only through Facebook or Zoom. Are they afraid for their safety while asking their staff to be dismissive of their own? Are they worried about facing parents and the community in a real public forum again?
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The nation is probably as divided as it has been since the American Civil War in the 1860s. The supposed blue wave tsunami that was predicted by the media and pundits did not materialize in the numbers that they proclaimed. The White House may be changing parties, but Republicans picked up several House seats and look to maintain a Senate majority come January.
Despite COVID, lockdowns, a battered economy, partisan hoopla, racial issues, social unrest, riots, and a huge backlash against Trump, the nation is still bitterly divided, almost down the middle of its population. The polls were wrong--again, and many are losing faith in journalists, news, media, and the entire political system.
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At the October 5th Kinston City Council meeting, the elected members unanimously approved two motions allowing city employees new vacation days for June 19 and Election Day. With roughly less than five minutes of discussion, both motions passed.
The City of Kinston has 378 positions on payroll and have about 350 positions filled at this time. Let’s assume all 350 are eligible to vote. If 70% take the time to vote, that will equate to approximately 245 employees exercising that right. If 61.2% have already cast their ballots in our area, it would mean about 214 employees have already done so.
Based on historical numbers, the cost per vote on Election Day (31) is roughly $1,729, plus time and a half for our police, fire and other essential employees.
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Councilman Sammy Aiken and I served together for 6 years. We probably disagreed on only about 5% of matters before our board. I'd attest it was largely because we rarely got caught up in national politics on a local level.
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Have you ever had something gnaw at you long enough that you finally had to address it?
Last month the City of Kinston requested that Neuse News run a Public Notice informing the community of the proposed Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget. Having served for eight years as mayor, I know the budget process and numbers well. Glaring to me was the proposed $26,100 increase in the mayor and council’s salary line item. Surely that was a mistake. Surely in a time like this that would not be on the table.
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