April 16, 2009

Wilmington Annexation Abuse Part 2.5

Posted by Daren Bakst at 8:58 PM

This isn't Part III in the exciting Wilmington annexation abuse series--let's call it part 2.5.  Part III debuts on Friday.

Last week, I asked Wilmington what the total costs for Monkey Junction residents would be for having water and sewer services provided to their properties.  Yesterday was the deadline to make the request for these services.  On Tuesday (the day before the deadline), I asked Wilmington again to provide me the information and expressed my concern about how late it was in the process.

As of today (a day after the deadline), the city of Wilmington still hasn't provided me the information, presumably because even they don't know the total costs.  There's certainly no way to figure out the costs from any public documents and apparently the team of Wilmington city experts can't figure it out. 

Despite their own ignorance, they expect the annexation victims to make an informed choice as to whether they want to request water and sewer services.  I kind of think (maybe it is me) knowing the costs for water and sewer may be important for the Monkey Junction residents before they decide to request the services.

Wilmington, I ask you publicly:

What are the total costs?  Don't give me 2007 numbers and don't give me some vague estimate.  If you give me the numbers I will post it on this blog. 

Of course, giving the numbers now is moot to Monkey Junction residents, but at least it will show that you did know the costs.  While you are providing me the cost information, please tell me why you didn't think the public should know about it.

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Headline: Mean Police Hurt Violent Protestors' Feelings

Posted by Jay Schalin at 3:23 PM

Apparently, the unhinged radical punks of the Chapel Hill Students for a Democratic Society feel that the campus policemen were too tough on them when they tried to physically force their way into an overcrowded room where other radical punks were shouting down Tom Tancredo.

The SDS has had an increasing presence in the Chapel Hill area in the last couple of years. Many are not students, but are just riff-raff hanging around the Carrboro-Chapel Hill area. I argue that it's time for UNC to stop its 1960s nostalgia and kick these whack jobs off campus in this Human Events article about Tuesday night's abuse of Tancredo's right to speak.

Update: Photo. 

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Darn that archival video!

Posted by David N. Bass at 3:18 PM

CNN reporter Susan Roesgen probably would have preferred this report from three years ago be erased:

3:35 p.m. update: Tea partiers take Roesgen to task for her biased reporting. HT: Paul Chesser.

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Raleigh tea party

Posted by Michael Moore at 2:48 PM

Here are some photos from the two Raleigh tea parties on April 15th, the first was at the Terry Sanford Federal Building and then the crowd walked to the State Capital to the second tea party. 

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Greensboro tea party

Posted by Michael Moore at 2:46 PM

Here are some photos from the Greensboro, NC tea party.  Look out you may see the U.S. Revolution Gen. Nathaniel Greene, the namesake of Greensboro.

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CNN reporter has emotional meltdown over tea parties

Posted by David N. Bass at 2:04 PM

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VP exposed as extremely greedy

Posted by Dr. Roy Cordato at 1:22 PM

Tax return data for both President Obama and Vice President Biden has been released. What is appalling, and what should be extremely embarrassing, is the paltry amount that Joe Biden typically gives to charity. This year greedy Joe donated a miniscule .70 percent of his income to charity. What is truly amazing is that this is a much higher amount than is typical for him and is the highest amount that he has given for over a decade. In fact from 1998 to 2008 this was the only year where he gave more than .31 percent to charity. Over the last 11-years stingy Joe gave, on average, a measly .19 percent of his income to help others. A summary of the data can be seen here. Of course this is consistent with the progressive movement's definition of generocity which is measured by the extent to which you are willing to give away other people's money.

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Down East Tea Parties

Posted by Dr. Karen Y. Palasek at 11:56 AM

While much of the state was blessed with sunny and warm weather, the hearty souls in New Bern deserve a special round of congratulations, as the evening brought a cold and chilling wind in off the water. It didn't chill spirits at the event, however. corrected

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Beach Plan update

Posted by Mitch Kokai at 10:26 AM

The N.C. Department of Insurance is appealing a court ruling connected to its recent decision on Beach Plan insurance rates.

For more on the best way to handle the Beach Plan's future, see Eli Lehrer's recent report.

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Photos from Raleigh Tax Day tea party

Posted by David N. Bass at 10:24 AM

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Re: UNC must take action

Posted by Jon Sanders at 09:54 AM

I want to express how disappointed I am in what happened last night when former Congressman Tom Tancredo wasn't able to speak when a protest got out of hand, and our Department of Public Safety had to take action. Congressman Tancredo felt threatened and left without making his remarks

Mr. Tancredo was scheduled to speak about immigration. We expect protests about controversial subjects at Carolina. That's part of our culture. But we also pride ourselves on being a place where all points of view can be expressed and heard. There's a way to protest that respects free speech and allows people with opposing views to be heard. Here that's often meant that groups protesting a speaker have displayed signs or banners, silently expressing their opinions while the speaker had his or her say. That didn't happen last night.

On behalf of our University community, I called Mr. Tancredo today to apologize for how he was treated. In addition, our Department of Public Safety is investigating this incident. They will pursue criminal charges if any are warranted. Our Division of Student Affairs is also investigating student involvement in the protest. If that investigation determines sufficient evidence, participating students could face Honor Court proceedings.

Carolina's tradition of free speech is a fundamental part of what has made this place special for more than 200 years. Let's recommit ourselves to that ideal.

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Pete DuPont on the atrocious "energy" bill in the House

Posted by George Leef at 09:20 AM

Pete DuPont comments here on the atrocious Waxman-Markley "energy" bill moving in the House. It's more of an anti-energy bill that will make it most costly for everyone to use energy. If the U.S. is to have more energy at lower costs, it needs to allow the market to work. Naturally, that's exactly what the authoritarian central planners who run the Democratic agenda do not want.

The optimistic economic growth forecasts the Obama administration has put out look even more ridiculous when you consider the effects of mounting energy costs.

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Full video of the State Capitol Tea Party

Posted by Mitch Kokai at 07:47 AM

Watch the 1:15:50 video by clicking play below.

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Today's Carolina Journal Online features

Posted by Mitch Kokai at 06:48 AM

Today's Carolina Journal Online exclusive features the Center for Local Innovation's latest City and County Issue Guide, which offers ideas for local governments to pursue in protecting taxpayers' interests.

John Hood's Daily Journal revisits a past discussion of the value of physical education.

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