Marine Sergeant Bryan Gullett, of MCAS New River’s VMMT-204 Osprey training squadron, told a Jacksonville Police officer investigating the accident that he saw Roberson as he was motoring down Western Blvd’s outside southbound lane.

And the next thing Gullett knew was that he’d run into Roberson.

Gullett has been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle, failing to reduce speed to avoid a collision and failure to maintain lane. The maximum punishment for misdemeanor death by vehicle is 60-days in jail, thanks to State Law 2009-528. The other charges are traffic violations and will result in fines for Gullett.

Gullett was scheduled to appear in Onslow County’s District Court today, but the hearing has been rescheduled for September 1st.

Gullett will likely serve less than the maximum time in jail. He’ll probably feel more punished by the financial loss from having to pay fines and court costs. But he’ll get to move on and continue living.

Roberson doesn’t get timely justice, much less the opportunity to move on with his life.

You can read the letter below or visit the Jacksonville Daily News’ version, but be sure to read McHugh’s column first. Disagree with my letter? Support it? Let me know in the comments here or at the Jacksonville Daily News.

Dear Editor,

I was quite entertained by Mike McHugh’s latest column in which he lamented the "high gasoline prices" in our area. In the column, McHugh complained that the $2.729 he paid for a gallon of gasoline in Swansboro holds him "over the proverbial barrel". In reality, it doesn’t.

McHugh has chosen to play a victim to the gasoline industry instead of taking responsibility for his actions and expenses. McHugh can choose to consume gasoline or not. He can choose to drive only when absolutely necessary. He can choose to walk to destinations within 2 miles and choose to bicycle for longer trips. He can choose to invest in a vehicle that is more fuel efficient. He can choose to utilize the available public transportation options (Onslow United Transit System and Jacksonville Transit). But McHugh chooses not to do these things. He chooses to make no changes to his lifestyle; instead, he chooses to be a victim.

But where McHugh really goes off the rails is in his attack on the gasoline industry for its pricing practices. He even comes close to making accusations of price gouging. McHugh is a big fan of the "free-market" movement, which dictates that industries don’t set prices, the buyers set them. If that’s the case, then why doesn’t he accept that the fair market value for a gallon of gasoline in Swansboro is $2.729? Or, better still, why isn’t he advocating that his friends and neighbors, and everyone else, consume less gas, which would drive prices down?

McHugh also follows the "least government is best" ideology, but then calls for increased government regulation of gasoline commodity trading and crude futures, as well as increased monitoring for gouging. Both would require additional government authority and manpower.

I agree that the gasoline and oil industries require additional regulation. The ongoing disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is proof that these companies haven’t been properly overseen in decades. But McHugh is a supporter of deregulation in nearly every other sector of American life. His recommendation for more regulation doesn’t follow his previous writings.

McHugh has a platform for his opinions that the average Onslow County citizen doesn’t. That he wastes that on a topic as tired and played out as gasoline prices is disappointing, especially when he contradicts his own ideological beliefs in the piece and recommends more government oversight instead of changing his own behavior.

Why can’t he just admit that he lost, admit that his political career is over (much like his financial management career, I hear) and go away?

What is it with NC-03 candidates? Between McLaughlin and Weber, we must be the laughing stock of all the nation!

Incumbents:

• Reva Sullivan (Onslow) (Ward 2)
• Randy Thomas (Onslow) (At Large)
• Alva M. Williams (Onslow) (At Large)
• Jerome Willingham (Onslow) (Ward 1)

Challengers:

• Jerry A. Bittner (Onslow) (Ward 2)
• James Bryan (Onslow) (At Large)
• Hunter B. Hadley, Jr. (Onslow) (At Large)
• Kevin O’Connor (Onslow) (At Large)
• Lori B. Ready (Onslow) (At Large)
• Robert ‘Bob’ Warden (Onslow) (At Large)

This post is a mixed-bag of stuff that’s been floating around my head these few weeks.

The race for Jacksonville’s City Council

There hasn’t been much public campaigning. Mr. Hunter Hadley, Jr (At-Large) has yard signs posted. Councilwoman Reva Sullivan (Ward 2) is hosting a campaign kick-off event tonight (September 3rd) from 6pm to 9pm at Tony’s Seafood and Oyster Bar. Mr. James Bryan (At-Large) has a blog, but it’s fizzled (almost as badly as Bloviations!).

I was quite disappointed at the lack of campaigning at the National Night Out. Not one candidate for Jacksonville’s City Council visited the Recreation and Parks/Trails and Greenways commissions tents…Well, that’s not necessarily true…Council-members Alva Williams (At-Large) and Reva Sullivan walked by, but didn’t say anything to the Commission volunteers manning the tables. Ms. Sullivan even refused to accept information regarding Trails and Greenways and an upcoming Downeast Cyclists’ ride in October.

Freedom Communications, Inc Files for Bankruptcy

The company which owns the Jacksonville Daily News, and other eastern NC newspapers, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. JDNews publisher Elliott Potter says it’s “business as usual” at Jacksonville’s only newspaper.

Speaking of the Jacksonville Daily News…

The paper’s opinion page reads more like a Republican-funded political rag than a libertarian-based newspaper. It’s no wonder that younger folks aren’t interested in paper news when all you see are screeds that accuse President Obama of being a “socialist” at best and the anti-christ at worst.

Some Cool Bicycle Poetry

Thoughts on My Bike and There’s a Flower in My Pedal by Andrya Dorfman. Tip o’ the bicycle helmet to Cycleicio.us

While We’re on Bicycles…

Did you know that less than 10% of accidents that include a bicycle are the bicyclists’ fault?

Blowing my Own Horn or Ringing my Own Bell

As of August 15th, it’s been 12 full months of bicycle-commuting. As of earlier this week, I’ve bicycled over 4,000 miles. Whoever says you can’t live in Jacksonville without a car is wrong.

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?

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.

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…

During last week’s DownEast Cyclist Club meeting, I heard that one of the bicyclists that routinely ride the Jacksonville Rails-to-Trails multi-use path had been involved in a nasty crash along the fenced area of Highway 24/Lejeune Blvd near the Camp Lejeune Main Gate. The culprit in the bicyclist’s fall? A tattered “welcome” sign fashioned from a bed-sheet. The sheet had been ripped free of three corners and was flapping into the path. It snagged the cyclist’s bicycle and pulled her to the ground. The group was nearly certain she’d broken a collar bone, but apparently it was just a bad bruise. If only Camp Lejeune had been warned about the dangers of these sheets and signs to bicyclists and pedestrians. Oh, that’s RIGHT! They were. And Camp Lejeune’s Deputy Safety Manager for Marine Corps Base dismissed the concern as “not their responsibility.”

Late last week, Mr. Richard Sparks was killed when he was hit by a car while attempting to cross Highway 17/Marine Blvd near the intersection with Western Blvd. Mr. Sparks was visiting Jacksonville to watch his son graduate from a Marine Corps training. It was late (about 10 o’clock P.M.) and there is no marked crosswalk at the intersection. The Jacksonville Police Department and Onslow County’s District Attorney Dewey Hudson will not press charges against the driver, Mr. Charles Adams. This is the second pedestrian death in 2009 in Jacksonville (Ms. Talissa Hatchell was killed in February) and Mr. Hudson had some pretty tough words for the City of Jacksonville.

How many people have to die before the city protects pedestrians?

Jacksonville Daily News writer Lindell Kay blogged about the accident. He noted that Mr. Sparks had previously spoke to family about being concerned about the safety of crossing Highway 17/Marine Blvd, but attempted to do so, anyway. Mr. Mike McHugh, an employee of the Jacksonville Daily News, made an interesting recommendation to the City in a comment:

The city should consider constructing pedestrian “bridges” enclosed with chain linked fencing above the roadway, high enough to allow trucks and other tall vehicles to pass below.

These walk ways are common in larger cities such as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York.

The reason this recommendation is interesting is that a project of such magnitude would be pretty darned expensive, especially considering that sidewalks would have to be constructed leading to these pedestrian overpasses. Mr. McHugh is known for his “fiscal conservatism”, is even a member of the Daily News’ editorial staff and has spoken out against the Rails-to-Trails and the pedestrian bridge which crosses Highway 24/Lejeune Blvd.

The City of Jacksonville and the State of North Carolina are stuck in a fight over who has jurisdiction over the streets in this City. Unfortunately for pedestrians, this fight is prohibiting anyone from doing anything. So, like Mr. Hudson, I have to ask, how many people have to die before someone (anyone!) does something? 

It was 2,100 miles and 8 months in the making, but I had my first bicycle crash this week.

It was raining pretty hard and had been for a while. The roads were wet and puddles lined the edges of Stone Street aboard Camp Lejeune. Camp Lejeune isn’t known for its road maintenance (Really, where in NC is?) and the edges of most roads are crumbling and have large cracks. I must have been paying too much attention to traffic and not enough to the road’s edge and caught a crack in the pavement. I was brought down, pretty hard, but didn’t have any real damage. A scraped up left knee and some bruises.  Fortunately, I was on my way home and didn’t have to work a whole day feeling beaten up. The bicycle is fine, too, just some scratched paint and I had to realign the chain.

I guess the point to all this is: I’m glad the week is over.