Jon’s response reminds me of another down payment the state made on an unfunded, unlegislated “commitment” to Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte:
Black wrote in a letter May 23, 2002 to University President Jack Yena: ?You have my personal commitment of support for a $10 million investment over the next five years by the State of North Carolina for this project.? Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight and Gov. Mike Easley also wrote letters of support to Yena.
In an interview November 2002 with Carolina Journal, Johnson & Wales spokeswoman Judith Johnson said, ?Jack Yena has said that we would not come without the $10 million.? Asked what assurance the school had, Johnson said, ?We believe in business by a handshake. The legal documents are being worked up.?
However, beyond the three state leaders? personal letters of support, no legal documents committing the state exist.
Promises, promises. Do you doubt that the money will somehow be found?
