Bloviations

Candidate filing for the 2009 municipal elections will begin Monday, July 6th and end at Noon on Friday, July 17th.

Filing fees (MS Excel) and more information on the municipal elections is available at the Onslow County Board of Elections website.

There are four seats (Willingham Ward 1, Sullivan Ward 2, Thomas (At-Large) and Williams (At-Large) on the Jacksonville City Council which will be on the November ballot. I’m interested to see who will be seeking re-election and who will be signing up to run against them.

July 3rd, 2009 | Tags: 2009 Elections, Alva Williams, City of Jacksonville NC, Jacksonville City Council, Jacksonville, NC, Jerome Willingham, Onslow County Board of Elections, Onslow County, NC, Politics, Randy Thomas, Reva Sullivan | Category: 2009 Elections, Alva Williams, City of Jacksonville NC, Jacksonville City Council, Jacksonville, NC, Jerome Willingham, Onslow County Board of Elections, Onslow County, NC, Politics, Randy Thomas, Reva Sullivan | Comments (1)

My week is almost over. I’m off tomorrow at Noon until Monday. So, yays for me.

If you thought recent dramas in Jacksonville were over, you were wrong. The folks at Americans for Prosperity have attacked Mr. Phillip Cherry (Director of the Onslow County Library System) for sending out an email requesting citizens speak at a recent Onslow County Commission meeting to advocate for library programs. Members of the Onslow County faction of AFP claim that Cherry has undertaken “political and partisan” action while using government systems and information. I find it odd that the chief advocate for the library would be attacked for advocating against serious cuts, but I think it’s more likely that the local group hasn’t gotten much play in the media. The AFP has been taking a more active and public role in attempting to force local governments into cutting budgets, laying off or furloughing employees and trimming services since their organized “TEA parties” (which they tried to pass off as “grassroots”). AFP is a group of right-wing zealots that believe in reducing anything that doesn’t directly benefit themselves (usually Social Security, MediCare and MedicAid, etc). It’s quite pathetic, actually.

There’s a new blog covering local politics. Onslow County Politics is written by a former-Onslow County employee and he’s got some good insight on stuff. Check him…Erm, his blog, rather…out on a regular basis.

The Onslow County Board of Education has approved a budget nearly $3 million smaller than they wanted. Among the results are deferments for non-essential building renovations and repairs and a hiring freeze (leaving nearly 200 vacant positions) are the results.

Freedom Communications, Inc has instituted a 5% pay cut across the board for employees. Freedom Communications has a firm grip on Eastern NC’s news sources as it owns the Jacksonville Daily News, New Bern Sun Journal, The Havelock News, The Kinston Free Press and other newspapers in the area. 

There’s a few other things rolling around, but none are currently…Ready for release. So. Keep an eye open.

What’s happening in your world?

June 30th, 2009 | Tags: 2009 Elections, 2010 Elections, Americans for Prosperity, Freedom ENC Communications, Havelock News, Jacksonville Daily News, Kinston Free Press, New Bern Sun Journal, Onslow County Board of Education, Onslow County Library System, Onslow County Politics, Onslow County, NC, Phillip Cherry | Category: 2009 Elections, 2010 Elections, Economy, Free market fundamentalists, Freedom ENC Communications, INC, Jacksonville Daily News, Kinston Free Press, Mainstream Media, New Bern Sun Journal, Onslow County, Onslow County Board of Education, Onslow County Politics, Onslow County, NC, Open Thread, Politics | Leave a comment

The Jacksonville City Council is still reeling from the aftershocks of the 4-2 vote to dismiss former City Manager Kristoff Bauer and revelation that Council-member Reva Sullivan may have been attempting to contact him inappropriately.

Bauer wrote a letter to the editor of the Jacksonville Daily News declaring his intent to waive any right to privacy regarding the issue. Council-member Willingham also wrote a letter to the editor.

While dealing with this stress, the Council has become unable to make good decisions. During a workshop today, the Council voted 4-2 in favor of delaying a contract for the development of a Parks and Recreations Level of Service/Master Plan. The four voting for delay (Willingham, Sullivan, Williams and Thomas) are the same four which voted for Bauer’s ouster. The contract would cost $112,000, which is quite a bit of money. The City had already budgeted this money and allocated it to the Parks and Recreation division. There would be no new monies required to support the contract. No funds would be shuffled from one project to another or from one division to Parks and Recreation. The lack of a valid Parks and Recreation Master Plan has already cost the city money in the forms of denied grants. Without this plan, the City will not be eligible for grants in FY 2010, either. This decision has cost the City and it’s residents tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars while not saving tax-payers any money.

The City of Jacksonville and its residents are suffering because of 4 members of the City Council holding the community hostage. Unfortunately, there appears to be no provision for recall elections. However, there is relief in sight: Election day is less than 5 months away and the seats held by Willingham, Sullivan, Williams and Thomas will be up for election. All the City needs are candidates to run.

June 23rd, 2009 | Tags: 2009 Elections, Activism, Alva Williams, City of Jacksonville NC, City of Jacksonville Recreation and Parks Department, Jacksonville City Council, Jerome Willingham, Kristoff Bauer, Politics, Randy Thomas, Reva Sullivan | Category: 2009 Elections, Activism, Alva Williams, City of Jacksonville NC, Jacksonville City Council, Jacksonville Daily News, Jacksonville, NC, Jerome Willingham, Politics, Randy Thomas, Reva Sullivan | Comments (6)

Jacksonville’s former City Manager, Kristoff Bauer, was fired in a 4-2 (Jerome Willingham, Reva Sullivan, Alva Williams and Randy Thomas for, Michael Lazzara and Fannie Coleman against, Sammy Phillips, as Mayor, only votes in ties) vote on June 9th.

After the firing, there was quite the bit of backlash from city employees and residents.

City Employees were stunned that such an excellent manager (Bauer was known for pushing his employees to excel as well as supporting better benefits and pay) would be so easily dismissed with no explanation.

Alva Williams suggested that Bauer had been informed of deficiencies and failed to correct them (or, rather, that’s what I think she meant by this):

"We had given him chance, after chance, after chance for the last year and it was time, it was just time."

Residents aren’t sure what to make of the firing, as Bauer had moved the City forward in the short years he’s been manager. And since details of the closed meeting in which he was fired can only be released by Bauer, residents are taking the only view available: Ego was at stake. Particularly the egos of Willingham, Sullivan, Williams and Thomas.

Peggy Voyles used the Council’s public comment time to voice her opinion:

"From my perspective as a citizen, Mr. Bauer was doing a fine job of managing the city…The citizens deserve an explanation … If you have problems dealing with him on a personal level, how is that the problem of the entire city? Can you not work it out? Why pay him nine months salary for doing nothing when he could be doing his job."

It’s an interesting turn of events in what would be an otherwise unusual municipal election year. Willingham (Ward 1), Sullivan (Ward 2), Williams (At-Large) and Thomas (At-Large) will be facing re-election in November (though you wouldn’t know that by reading the Jacksonville Daily News articles). Filing begins July 6th and this election will place council-members for the next 4 years.

There’s one Jacksonville resident (and former council-member) that I’m willing to bet a quarter on to try to win a seat.

Mr. Horace Mann, a ten-year council-member who lost his At-Large seat in 2007, wrote a letter printed in the Jacksonville Daily News, sent an email asking for participation at the last Council meeting and made a statement to the council there. Mann could run against Willingham in Ward 1 or seek a return to an At-Large seat. He hasn’t publicly committed to running, but I would guess he’ll file for an At-Large post.

I don’t know all the details of Bauer’s removal and no one outside the room probably ever will. I do know that Jacksonville has lost its most forward-thinking and progressive manager in many years. His absence, if not replaced by someone just as educated, just as smart and just as experienced, will be painfully felt for years.

It looks like our fair City may be heading back to the bad old days…

June 20th, 2009 | Tags: 2009 Elections, Alva Williams, City of Jacksonville NC, Horace Mann, Jacksonvile City Council, Jacksonville, Jacksonville City Manager, Jacksonville Daily News, Jerome Willingham, Kristoff Bauer, NC, Onslow County Politics, Randy Thomas, Reva Sullivan | Category: 2010 Elections, Alva Williams, City of Jacksonville NC, Fannie K. Coleman, Horace Mann, Jacksonville City Council, Jacksonville Daily News, Jacksonville, NC, Jerome Willingham, Michael Lazzara, Randy Thomas, Reva Sullivan, Sammy Phillips | Comments (3)

…And that the rate I’m breaking spokes (4th in as many weeks was today), I’m beginning to fear for my rear wheel. I was really hoping to not leave the apartment all weekend. Drat!

Other than that, this was a pretty uneventful week as far as adventures in bicycling.

June 19th, 2009 | Tags: Bicycle, Bicycle Repair, The Bicycle Shop | Category: Bicycling, Car-Free, Commuting | Comments (3)

…But not by much.

I could regale you with excuses of why I haven’t blogged in a few weeks, but I’ll save all that. Instead, I’ll just tell you what’s been going on…

Firstly, AM and I tried out hands at kayaking at one of the MCCS-sponsored tours of the New River. This was not the wisest of decisions. Neither AM nor I had kayaked before. The tour leader had exactly this much advice upon hearing that it was our first time out:

Oh, this’ll be fun. You’ll have a blast.

And then our kayaks and us were pushed into the extremely rough New River waters…Where AM quite quickly rolled over. It was shallow and she likes water, so that wasn’t so bad. I ended up getting a bit ahead of her. She rolled over a few more times and eventually called it quits and went back to shore while I kept going (and wasn’t aware that she had turned around). On my return, I rolled over. In the middle of the New River. Where there wasn’t ground for me to stand on. And I can’t swim. Somehow I made it to the shallow end and walked/dragged-the-kayak the half-mile back to the dock in the water.

I was more irritated that the tour guide offered nearly no help or useful advice prior to heading out on the trip. No helpful hints, no secrets or tips.

There are other tours held in areas with much more calm waters. Unfortunately, they’re only offered in the middle of the work-day. It was bad enough that AM had to take an hour off just to make this trip, but a whole half-day?

Then there was the work week from Hades. In my office all the worker-bees are separated into groups (or, you know, squads…Blech). All the members of my group were out ill or on leave but me and there was a 47-package report due. So, I had to do the following:

1. Figure out how to review the packages
2. Review 42 packages in 3 days
3. Make corrections to some problems in the packages

Not my happiest week.

But the best weekend ever followed. And that’s all I’m saying about that.

And this past week hasn’t been without incident, either. AM and I have had bicycle troubles. We’ve had flat tires and bicycle computer problems.

This weekend was a much-needed break…Though, I could use another one.

June 14th, 2009 | Tags: Bicycling, Commuting, Entertainment, Kayaking, MCCS, New River, Work | Category: Bicycling, Commuting, Entertainment, Work | Comments (4)

The City of Jacksonville’s Trails and Greenways, Parks and Recreations and Beautification and Appearance commissions met Monday, May 18th for their annual joint meeting. The agenda is here.

All commissions previous meeting minutes were approved.

The chairmen of each commission made reports on each the actions of each commission:

Parks and Recreation: Work on the recreation Capital Improvement Plan is ongoing, as is work on a parks and recreation level of service master plan.

Beautification and Appearance: The Arbor Day even was a success. The Commission wants to work with Parks and Recreations and Trails and Greenways commissions to create a cleaner, more pleasing Jacksonville.

Trails and Greenways: Goals and objectives of FY-10 are being developed in coordination with the City Council’s goals. The Adopt-a-Trail is a success. The Hwy 24/Lejeune Blvd trail is being planned. The 2009 Foot Race was in April. Planning for National Night Out is ongoing. Education efforts include a new brochure and publicizing of the Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan.

The Beautification and Appearance Commission has a treasure’s fund to purchase and plant memorial trees on request. The fund’s current balance is $2,957 or $2,597. (I confess, I really wasn’t paying attention and was involved in cross-talk with another commission member).

Old business to be discussed was the Hwy 24/Lejeune Blvd trail which is currently being planned. Unfortunately, the individual that was going to make a presentation was called out of the meeting and this portion was deferred to a future meeting.

New business to be discussed was the request from the Down East Cyclists’ club for support of their Family Fun Bicycle Ride which will be held in October. The Trails and Greenways and Parks and Recreation commissions are interested in supporting the event. A representative from the cyclists’ club will be making presentations to each commission at their next meetings.

Mr. Tim Chesnutt, Direction of Parks and Recreations Department, reported on the proposal for a level of service master plan for parks and recreation. The City Manager is reviewing the proposals received and that the City Council will be making a decision during a May council meeting. Councilman Randy Thomas questioned the use of funds for a parks and recreation master plan when budgets are tight. He also questioned if the work would be redundant to the recreations study completed by ECU students in 2007. Mr. Chesnutt responded that the 2007 study was not a master plan and that the data collected was flawed. Councilwoman Coleman responded that the Commission meeting is not the best place to debate the merits of the proposals for a recreation master plan and it should wait until the full Council is presented wtih the proposals.

Mr. Michael Liquori, Parks Superintendent, reported that the City’s banners and flags will be hung in coming weeks. Trees are being planted near the Jacksonville Commons trails. The Beautification and Appearance commission will be creating subcommittees to plan upcoming events. Work is ongoing at the Market St Park. The Beautification and Appearance Commission traditionally holds a breakfast for sanitation workers. There is discussion that a different group of city workers be recognized by a breakfast this year. The City’s weeding program is robust and proper considerations are made for water run-off risks, environmental protections and toxicity.

Mr. Michael Wetzel, Recreation Superintendent, reported that the Summer 2009 program has been published. There are numerous programs for children, adults and seniors planned for the summer. Notable events planned this summer: Neighborhood Block Party at the Kerr St Recreation Center on June 13th from 1pm – 3pm. The next Starlight Friday is May 22nd at the Jacksonville Commons Recreation Complex at 6:30pm. Wall-E will be shown. The Pops Picnic in the Park will be May 26th at the Jacksonville Commons Recreation Complex at 6:15pm. The Jacksonville High School Orchestra will be playing a free concert. The Kerr St tennis courts will be rebuilt.

The upcoming meetings schedule is:

Questions, comments, suggestions or ideas? Tell me about them!

May 22nd, 2009 | Tags: Activism, City of Jacksonville NC, City of Jacksonville Recreation and Parks Department, City of Jacksonville Trails and Greenways Commission, Fannie Coleman, Jacksonville City Council, Jacksonville, NC, Randy Thomas | Category: Activism, Car-Free, City of Jacksonville NC, Fannie K. Coleman, Jacksonville City Council, Jacksonville, NC, Randy Thomas, Recreation and Parks Commission, Trails and Greenways Commission | Comments (2)

The Jacksonville Trails and Greenways Commission is meeting Monday, May 18th at 6pm in the Choate Room at the Jacksonville Commons Senior Center. This is a public meeting and all City residents are invited and welcome to come.

The agenda is below.

• I. Call to Order
• II. Approval of Previous Meeting’s Minutes
  • a. Recreation & Parks Commission
  • b. Beautification & Appearance Commission
  • c. Trails & Greenways Commission
• III. Chairman’s Report
  • a. Recreation & Parks Commission
  • b. Beautification & Appearance Commission
  • c. Trails & Greenways Commission
• IV. Treasurer’s Report
  • a. Recreation & Parks Commission
• V. Old Business
  • a. Power point Presentation & discussion – Trails
• VI. New Business
  • a. Family Fun bicycle Ride – Thomas Brock
• VII. Director’s Report
  • a. Recreation and Parks Level of Service Master Plan
  • b. City Council FY ’10 Goals
  • c. Commission FY ’10 Goals
• VIII. Superintendent’s Reports
  • a. Michael Liquori, Parks Superintendent
  • b. Mike Wetzel, Recreation Superintendent
• IX. Next Meeting Dates
  • a. Recreation & Parks Commission: (Changed to monthly from bi-monthly)
    • · June 22nd
    • · July 27th
    • · August 24th
    • · September 28th (Joint meeting with Onslow Recreation and Parks Commission)
    • · October 26th
    • · November 23rd
    • · December 29th (City offices closed for Christmas Holiday on the 28th)
  • b. Beautification & Appearance Commission: June 3rd
  • c. Trails & Greenways Commission: June 15th

May 17th, 2009 | Tags: Alva Williams, DownEast Cyclists, Fannie Coleman, Jacksonville Beautification and Appearance Commission, Jacksonville City Council, Jacksonville Recreation and Parks Commission, Jacksonville Recreation and Parks Department, Jacksonville Trails and Greenways Commission, Jacksonville, NC, Randy Thomas | Category: Alva Williams, City of Jacksonville NC, Fannie K. Coleman, Jacksonville City Council, Jacksonville, NC, Randy Thomas, Recreation and Parks Commission, Trails and Greenways Commission | Leave a comment

Earlier this evening, HB 1451 – Bicycle Protection Act was removed from the NC House Transportation Committee agenda for tomorrow. This week is the legislative deadline for passing measures which do not involve money. There were no appropriations in the Bicycle Protection Act, so it is effectively dead.

It’s at once irritating (the committee doesn’t feel bicyclists are worth protecting?) and encouraging (we can urge legislators to write a better bill). Bruce Rosar’s earlier comment isn’t completely off the mark. The bill as written by Ms. Harrison (D-NC House 57) is weak, especially considering our Sister State to the South has enacted a $1,000 punishment to motorists that harass cyclists.

So, let’s begin here. Let’s write a bicyclist protection law worth enacting in NC.

Here’s my list:

Bigger penalties for harassing a bicyclist. SC’s $1,000 fine sounds good.

Add penalties to motorists that block bicycle lanes.

More flexible language regarding lane placement. Bruce mentioned a particularly painful sticking point:

“A bicyclist may ride in a lane other than the right-hand lane if only one lane is available that permits the bicyclist to continue on his intended route.”

Take that literally, and it means, “if there’s only one left turn lane, you can use it to turn left. If there are two left turn lanes, you can’t use either of them, but must stay in the right lane.” And note that even this isn’t an exception to the bike lane requirement, only to the more general “as far right as practicable” section.

I would suggest something like :

A bicyclist may ride in a lane other than the right-hand lane if the right-most lane will not allow the bicyclist to continue on his intended route. A bicyclist must ride as far right as safe (as determined by the bicyclist) in the right-most lane which allows him to continue on his intended route.

Have suggestions? Put them in the comments.

May 11th, 2009 | Tags: bicycle advocacy, Bicycle Protection Act, Bicycling, Legislation, NC General Assembly, NC House of Representatives, NC House Transportation Committee, Pricey Harrison | Category: Activism, Bicycling, George Cleveland (Rep Incumbent), Legislation, NC House 14, NC House Transportation Committee, North Carolina, North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina House of Representatives, Politics | Comments (8)