Comment Archives: Stories: News: Last 30 Days
Re: “This week in disappointment: rolling back the environment, reproductive rights and more”
this is what happens when believers override the will of the not so stupid. However that being said these incredibly ignorant backward fools were VOTED into office. Shame on anyone voting for anyone associating themselves with the religious right. Next time ask what would Jesus do? He would do the exact opposite of the actions of the NC Legislature. This is the textbook example of why separation of church and state is such a fantastically good idea. don't vote for religious nuts...they are insane and destructive.
Re: “This week in disappointment: rolling back the environment, reproductive rights and more”
What is happening to this wonderful state I love so much? We are being overrun by small-minded theocrats and legislators that care more about their special interest patrons and less about the people they are supposed to be serving. We need to put the brakes on this.
Re: “This week in disappointment: more terrible Republican bills”
If you've ever read any of the permit applications for charter schools, you'll begin to understand where SB 337 came from. One would think that people who want to make a living educating would at least have a basic grasp of written English. It was at once eye-opening and horrifying.
Re: “Raleigh City Manager Russell Allen is out. What's next?”
Ideology that favors dense urban development is no longer the primary issue. This is plain power politics. Forces who own and develop ITB property stand to profit mightily if that's where the newcomers go. Forces who own and develop OTB property don't want to see the City focus exclusively on downtown. Growth OTB hasn't subsided; many and perhaps most of those 12K newcomers are still landing OTB, to the consternation of ITB advocates. Sprawl isn't really the issue for Raleigh any longer because the City has very little left to annex. So, density will necessarily increase as Raleigh grows. The question is whether it's ITB density or OTB density that will increase.
Re: “A 278-year-old error over the N.C.–S.C. border is riling residents”
Not just tax revenue, but questions like which state has jurisdiction if a crime is committed, etc.
Re: “Support group Straight Talk helps families of prisoners”
Hi Drew,
That information is not online but came from the Department of Public Safety.
Thanks,
Denise
Re: “Support group Straight Talk helps families of prisoners”
Could you please provide the links on the NC Dept of Public Safety page that justify your telephone calling rate claims? I found contradictory information. First, it appears that inmate telephone calls are limited to ten (10) minutes, thereby making fifteen (15) phone calls very unlikely. Source: NC Division of Prisons, Policy & Procedures, Chapter D, Section .0800, http://www.doc.state.nc.us/dop/policy_proc…. Second, the only rate information I could find online concerned the fees that families are charged to setup prepay accounts with Global Tel*Link. Source: https://www.ncdps.gov/Index2.cfm?a=000003,….
Thank you,
Drew Kukorowski
http://www.prisonpolicy.org/phones/#please…
Re: “A 278-year-old error over the N.C.–S.C. border is riling residents”
"If we've lived this way for 200 years, why in heck's name would you want to change it now?" he says. "Nobody's given me an answer on that."
Tax revenue.
Re: “The GOP's free-market reforms are aimed at public education”
Well, Now we know we have a wealthy landowner developer citing the education statistics. I could have sworn the PKS-NC stood for the Piedmont Kennel Society of NC.....I don't need any statistics now!
Re: “The GOP's free-market reforms are aimed at public education”
Note to Page McCullough: Sorry, I forgot. With the statistics cited by Mr. Price, and if the studies do exist, could you ask him to inform us if the researcher(s) used a null hypothesis and if the researchers were successful in rejecting the null hypothesis. Thank you.
Re: “The GOP's free-market reforms are aimed at public education”
Note to Page McCullough: When you get those statistics and methodologies from Mr. Price, could you forward me a copy? If he is kind enough to include references, whether this is a longitudinal study or one of control groups, and whether the analysis, if comparable, is significant at the p = ..05 or .01 levels, could you send that along too? Thank you.
Re: “13 documents you should read about the JFK assassination”
Note to Sour Peppers: Based on your recommendation, I am buying the book you recommend. Do you know anything that will verify or deny the role of Senator B. Everette Jordan, NC (deceased). Ben Bulla (dec) who wrote the false autobiography, told, me "Honz I found out some extremely negative stuff about Jordan. I don't know what to do about printing" About a year later, he denied conversation ever existed and became a different person...He did not appear to enjoy finishing the book....and the Jordan family seemed to be the prime editors....Two different attempts on Bulla life, burning of his buildings, disappearance of his brother James Bulla, who was reported "sent to Texas" to live. Ben Bulla and his sister Elizabeth died in Alamance County Hospital. I am curious that Blanche Moore, serial murdered, (Bulla's wife maiden name is June Moore in same county). Elizabeth Bulla died of cancer in the same hospital. Reverend Dwight Moore was in the hospital at the same time dying from Blanche Moore ant poison. However Rev. Moore was the only one that lived due to intervention by another hospital. When my wife and I visited Elizabeth Bulla she was dying of cancer with no obvious treatment plan at all. Ben Bulla died there. Could Alamance County Hospital be the "killing fields" to dispose of Senator Jordan's deeds? Never has understood the non-treatment of patients I saw in that hospital. Thanks you, Honz
Re: “This week in disappointment: guns, housing and energy”
The article on the PRIP program is disingenious at best. The reason you don't see Durham politicos signing on at the state level is because the income the licenses will generate is too enticing. The fact is, across the country, cities and counties have long had the ability to "keep tabs on slumlords, protect renters and allow responsible landlords to maintain their property values"'; they failed to do so. This, like other rental programs around the country, just creates another "license" fee (i.e. - another tax) for ALL landlords to pay whether they've had complaints or not (read the program FAQ's more closely, it's not just for those with violations - http://durhamnc.gov/ich/cb/nis/Pages/NIS_P…). It's a fairly typical government approach to finally getting around to dealing with problematic issues; don't use the tools available to them for years to deal with troublemakers and then create a new ordinance or law that applies to all, even those who have never had issues. If they're doing this to "protect the renters", what's to keep them from extending this to annual "proactive" inspections of owner-occupied housing? They already have the right to perform inspections of poorly maintained owner-occupied housing. I would imagine that those that have worked so hard to renovate or build new homes in the "designated" area would be up in arms if they were asked to pay an annual license fee and be subjected to annual inspections all because the City didn't do its job enforcing an existing code on the house down the street.
Re: “N.C. State finds buyer for 80,000-acre Hofmann Forest”
The sale strategy of the Hoffman Forest in Onslow County, NC reflects the corporate mentality of the current board and dean of the DNR at NCSU. The sale represents the conflict of ideas between the two sectors in society. A corporation analyzes an asset in terms of what it needs at the moment with the assumption that it paid for it at one time. The college received a gift which cost it nothing and generates $2 million a year.
Placing an investment in the stock market, which may return 3% per year on average, may boost the income from yield to 3.5%. The logic seems sound, almost doubling the yield without maintenance costs of land, depending on portfolio costs by the broker. The stock market looks promising. Yields are high. Profits of certain sectors and companies are good. Forecasts are splendiforous, as expected. The timing, however, is questionable.
Washington pundits say that there is recovery, yet there are few jobs being generated. Another school of experts say that the American economy is perilously close to disaster. The real estate and banking collapses demonstrate credible examples of the second condition. Asset analysis of both private and public sector enterprises reveals an unsure footing for recovery and growth. Most of the faulty decisions made by corporations were prefaced by a change to short term thinking, not toward long term gain and stability.
What would be the harm of holding the forest until the economy demonstrates stability and proven growth as an interim strategy? If, at that time, the sale and reinvestment is desired, then, sell the parcel.
The losses experienced in 2008-9 were catastrophic for some investors and retirement funds. Whole stock broker companies failed, Banks failed. Some lost all in the precursor to the promise of a massive economic melt down. The Dow Jones index lost more than 50%, an event unseen in the last fifty years of reports.
Until we return to the stability of the 1950's, the model for increasing revenue for the college is flawed by the potential for loss of value on the market. The trees standing in the forest will remain until harvest, barring forest fire. The market for lumber is relatively constant. The "asset" will continue to grow no matter what happens to the stock market.
Compare the risks and rewards without the cloud of current corporate cogitation.
Re: “Affordable housing takes a hit in Chapel Hill”
You imply town leaders are the ones working to solve the problem, but fail to recognize that it is town leaders who CREATED the problem.
In Chapel Hill, you can't build up and you can't build out. So, by design, elected leaders have created an artificial island, inflating prices by restricting supply. As all zoning and land-use restrictions do, these policies benefit the current stakeholders (property owners) at the expense of future ones (renters, those in the lowest quintiles, those who hope to one day own).
'Inclusionary zoning' is the latest fad among planners and policy makers who somehow fail to recognize that requiring developers to sell some % of units at a LOSS, forces them to RAISE prices on the other units. Thus, it makes housing LESS affordable for all but a lucky few. It adds to the problem. It does the exact opposite of what it's intended to do.
For the very very very few who get to live in these affordable units, they just hit the lottery. They are getting a mid-market product for a sub-market price. Those advocating such solutions are celebrating lottery winners, not solving any problem.
So long as Chapel Hill remains anti-development, affordable housing will remain under-provided. No silver-bullet policy or tinkering by the 'experts' is going to change that.
Re: “JFK, Oswald and the Raleigh connection”
Mr. Benson, Senator B. Everrtte Jordon of NC played a major role. I married Ben Bulla's daughter, who was Jordan's controller at Sellers Manufacturing, Graham, NC. I posted my thoughts, while perhaps with too much emotion, under 16 things u need to know about Oswald. Ben Bulla was commissioned by the Jordan family to right Jordan's false biography. I allege Jordan handled the money transfer via Johnson, if u review my article. Since 1990 to 2000, I went to numerous events, family and political, that now make sense after 23 years. Bulla has 1.6 million sq ft of property, will lake, two buildings, and it is practically all of Lindsey Mill Road in Saxaphaw, NC. The tax value is listed less than $90,000. This is a $400,000 piece of real estate. Jordan family lives just down the road. Further Bulla, dirt poor at birth, has holding throughout the USA, including a Hilton in Orlando, numerous condos in Sanford at Carolina Lakes and no one could figure out how this was acquired. He handled the money for Jordan, who was chairman of the Rules Committee. They used Bobby Baker as the fall guy. But when Bulla interviewed persons for the book (you can hear the audio on unc Southern Hertigage--Ben Bulla), nobody could remember much about Bobby Baker, some obvious lies by all. I have the same chill you describe and I saw the inside of it.. I have always been one of principle. Thank you for your time and article.
Re: “8 early researchers into the JFK assassination”
Everette Jordon, nc senator, had had picked the result of the Warren commission before Kennedy's body was moved from the hospital and delivered all payoff through Bobby Baker and Nancy Tyler. Then they kill tyler in a plane gliding accident where Baker just happened to be on the shore to recover her body. Tyler was Mary Jo Kopechen roomate.....add it up....Terry Sanford was supposed to be on the ticket with Kennedy and johnson offered the vp, hoping he would decline. NC senators handled the money and corruption part of the plot, mad because their man, Terry Sanford didn't get on the ticket.
Re: “13 documents you should read about the JFK assassination”
NORTH CAROLINA SENATORS KILLED PRESIDENT KENNEDY: (650 hours research): JFK picks Johnson for running mate, because J has the "woman" file on JFK. This was a goodwill move to silence the woman file. JFK never expected Johnson to accept (they hated each other). JFK wanted Terry Sanford as his running mate. JFK was to drop Johnson and pick Sanford for the re-election. Senator Everette Jordan made sure $100,000 and a $540 stereo was delivered to Bobby Baker. Senator D. Everette Jordan was charged with delivering $100,000 to Texas for the payoff and the cover up. Nancy Tyler, Mary Jo Kopechen roomate, dies in a glider plane accident with Bobby Baker standing on the beach waiting for the glider plane to crash. Don Reynolds, assist NY crime family ( Sammy, the Bull) to place Serve U machines (most likely the company now is Serveomation) in a govt DC building. Baker and Tyler apply for mortgage as cousins (illegal) on documents. When questioned the response, "We were kissing cousins". Terry Sanford may have not known any of the plot. Sanford may hae been kept in the dark, except that he thought he was to be the VP candidate. The Jordan family commissions Ben Bulla to write a "history changing" book on Everette Jordan. Ben Bulla was an Alamance County Boy Scout Leader who was responsible for protecting NC Boy Scout molestors----His code was his license plate, BSA-BEN,. In 2007, they tried to kill Bulla and burned down the Ben Bulla Boy Scout Clubhouse. Everette Jordan framed Ben Bulla and Bobby Baker, a $19,600 a year page. Everett knew Bulla has the Boy Scout Perversion files and was covering up well. HOW DO I KNOW.? I married Beth Bulla and divorced Beth Bulla her in 2000. None of this comes from Bill Riley, Jesse V., etc. I was on the inside and just this year, put together the pieces. I sat with the Sanfords for dinner at the Jordan Book Dedication. Ben Bulla was rather ignorant. They never let Bulla speak a word at the release of his own book. He was required to sit on the stage in silence, cause if he opened his mouth, he may say too much. NC has no statute of limitations on child molestation. If you were a boy scout in NC and a victim, Ben Bulla's covered up any reporting. Kelly Clark, Oregon Atty. got the first ruling by the Supreme Courts. But 1,000's of NC victims are still out there. Kennedy would have made the Dominican Republic the mafia gambling spot, but a dictator took over, so they looked to Cuba. When Cuba says no, hence the Cuban missle crisis......Bobby Baker was from South Carolina. All the other killers/conspirators were our own grand OLD NORTH STATE OF NC. Cuba had nothing to do with killing Kennedy--that's why they hate the USA. These are the facts. Could care less if i have any believers---i lived it and it took 13 years to put the pieces together
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Re: “Raleigh quarry quandry: neighbors, creek or greenway?”
I am just now reading about this issue, as I have wondered for years about the crabtree creek trail. It is sad and pathetic that the city allowed a few rich land rapers like the Alverez's to keep us all from having a beautiful trail and waterfall and quarry to run through every day. UNBELIEVABLE the horrid decision making that goes on this nation in the name of personal freedom for the rich. The ones who live in that neighborhood are like the top .1% of all humanity. OH BOO HOO, the quarry will make a little noise. Give me a break. Im dumbfounded the city buckled to those folks. This is perfect microexample of the kind of thinking that has caused our nation to slip over last 30 years. NONE OF THESE YUPPIES EVER COMPROMISE! Those rich houses will be full of california and NY transplants. Nice move Raleigh. morons.
Re: “Why Aqua NC customers are furious about their service”
Our community has had several residents complain to Aqua's so-called President, only to get the same form letter back from them saying the exact same thing.