Kenny Hardin, Salisbury City Councilman

♦ I received an email yesterday morning from a citizen in response to my article posted on the Rowan Free Press asking, “I would like to know specifically what you want in downtown Salisbury that will be conducive to the Black population’s support and participation.”

In response, I reached out to about 30 friends on Facebook that I felt were progressive thinkers who could offer some good ideas to respond to the query. The thread was lively and the discussion was productive. What was interesting were several responses where people said they’ve patronized the area, but didn’t feel welcomed or appreciated. Below is my response this morning to the email:

Good morning,

Thank you for responding to the article. I took the opportunity to share your question with about 30 of my friends on a Facebook chat thread. The number of responses and continued conversation throughout the day was overwhelming! Here are a few responses I received:

“I’m attracted to live music and interactive gaming at restaurants (trivia night, karaoke, etc). Further, I enjoy themed street festivals: art crawls, cultural exchanges, or even food themes – BBQ or food trucks.”

“The culture will change with diverse businesses like Kenny is talking about. Not a one time event, but something permanent.”

“Places that truthfully welcomes Blacks. They appreciate the money, but I don’t think a lot of the businesses appreciate the Black person.”

“Black performing arts theater.”

“A recording studio – to bring in artists from around the Carolinas.”

“Years ago Salisbury use to have City Fest at the City Park. It allows vendors of all types, games, crafts, music and a schedule of stage performers.”

“Nothing is actually appealing, out dated and ole fashion is not going to cut it. But I see what you are trying to accomplish.”

“If it’s not technology driven it will be difficult to sustain. Eateries and lounges are nice, but they only do well during certain times of the year and if the age of its customer base are the same. Technology driven projects tend to stay around much longer because the tech piece usually serves as a common denominator for all people.”

“A lounge for 30 and up, live music, more festivals geared toward our culture.”

“I’m assuming the call is for black-owned businesses and not just those that are white and will gladly take our money, but not us. Restaurants and maybe a jazz bar or lounge would be good. Capital is an issue to move into the so-called HRD (high rent district).”

“♡♡♡♡♡ the food truck idea! In Charlotte they have an area that I think the city maintains & they are there everyday. Also….how about a diversity initiative to bring in business. Find some businesses that we would like Uptown & approach them…maybe see if they would expand to Salisbury. City/County could work together for a brake in rent.”

“People go where they feel wanted, not tolerated.”

“Salisbury has a lot of music events in downtown during the summer, but it is not catered to us and like Derrick said, I went last Summer and the looks I got going into stores, I haven’t been back.”

I hope this answered your question. I think it’s a combination of things relevant to Black culture and interest as well as having a comfort level of being accepted in the area.

Kenny Hardin

RFP Staff

♦ Hardly a day goes by when one or several people, of all races, get viscously assaulted in Salisbury.  Whether its getting jacked up by a teenage wolf pack or being bagged by a lone hardcase with a rock, brass knuckles, a hunting knife, a busted wine bottle, or a bareknuckle sneak em’ KO, the result is usually the same: a painful ride to the emergency room at Novant Rowan Regional Medical Center or maybe getting helicoptered out for emergency surgery to Winston-Salem.  That is a reality shown almost daily in blotters.

Hopefully you won’t have to wait all day for multiple stiches, getting stab wounds cauterized, having your orbital bones, around eye sockets, reset, or stopping your oral cavity from hemorrhaging after getting your teeth got kicked out.  Or worse, maybe you’ll take that ride to the local mortuary where your family will hopefully be able to identify you with something other than DNA.  Almost up there with house and vehicle break-ins are street assaults.

The chances of getting assaulted on the streets or even in the hallway of public building are extremely high in many cities if you fail to take very basic precautions.  Here are the best tips available for avoiding Street Assaults:

• Make it a strict habit to avoid areas of a city or town where human U-boats prowl. In Salisbury that’s most of the city.

• Remain alert and aware of surroundings.  Never go “high” out on the streets day or night because that will compromise your awareness.  If the human U-boats prowling the streets spot someone acting high–they become automatic prey.  A tap on the shoulder and then BAM!  If you come too later, your head will be swollen from being stomped, kicked, or bo-jo jumped (Your opponent draws their knees to their chest and comes down on your head with both heels.  Heads can be pancaked by a good Bo-Jo jump.)

• Avoid walking alone during late-night hours. Walk in groups. Don’t carry packages around at night.

• Let the people close to you know your destination and when you expect to arrive.

• No doubt the single best protection is a pistol with a concealed carry permit and the training that goes with it. We don’t advise going out in most urban areas without a concealed carry permit and a pistol with plenty of knockdown power.  Sorry, pepper spray and cursory martial arts training is almost certain to make someone an easy victim for a now infuriated street criminal wanting your “dust”.

• If you see someone coming across the street at night toward you, at that point its strictly survival of the fittest and warn them that you intend to bring them untold harm if they advance further.  If they attempt to violate your perimeter–two to the core, one to the head.  Avoid shooting them if they turn and flee.   Know the Castle Doctrine:

N.C. Law for Defending Your Home, Vehicles, and Work Place: Castle Doctrine

• If you happen to be unarmed, give them a loud warning.  If you are unarmed, draw them in and go mad dog on their neck arteries with your teeth.  Do not relent until they are motionless.  Assume they had bad intentions.  It’s either you or them and we’d hope you’d prefer you.  In the white light of survival adrenalin go for the game ender.

• Never carry a pocketbook at night.  That’s inviting a purse snatch.  Keep your cards, as few as possible, on your person.

• Avoid parking lots after nightfall and during holiday seasons.  Great place for an attack or a carjack.  ATMs at night are a must to avoid.

• Walk in well-lit areas. Avoid alleys, lots, wooded areas, or secluded spots. Keep where traffic is present.

• Stay on sidewalk whenever possible. Walk closest to the street.

• Avoid talking to strangers at night. Be blunt if they pester you–“no thanks” and walk on. If they backtrail you loudly warn them you’re armed. Get that pistol out and be prepared to use it.

• Avoid car rides with strangers. If they get out of their car and close on you–pistol time. Give them enough warning and then be prepared to close the show.

• Report any suspicious activity or individuals to 911. Before entering your vehicle, check out the front and back seats for unwanted passengers.

• When driving, always park in well-lit places and lock your doors.

• Start hollering if assaulted or harassed.

• Know your neighborhood. Have a cell phone on which you can call 911.

The Most Famous Portrait of a One-Punch Street KO of all Time from the U.K.:

RFP Staff

♦ Video: Rowan County Commissioners Meeting Monday, April 4th at 3 P.M.:

http://rowancountync.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=579

BTReport.Net

♦ Windstream Goes Gigabit in Four Markets Including 1 Gig Internet Service to China Grove, Kannapolis, and Concord:

http://www.btreport.net/articles/2016/04/windstream-goes-gigabit-in-four-markets.html

Todd Paris, Associate Editor and Salisbury Attorney

♦ In many cities, governmental activities like downtown development and county development are performed by government departments. If this were done in Salisbury, we would have a City Department for Downtown Development and a city and county Office of Economic Development. In Salisbury no such offices exist because their functions were “handed- off” to private entities like RowanWorks (EDC) and Downtown Salisbury, Inc. There are more such organizations than these two.

DSI is a non-profit corporation under N.C. law and you will find its articles of incorporation below. I can’t find articles of incorporation for the EDC on the Secretary of State’s website. It may not be incorporated.

There was a name change certificate in 1990. An image is not available on-line. According to the original Articles of Incorporation, it was set up in 1983 to be a 501 (c)(3) corp. which under IRS Code allows it to not only to be tax exempt, but also have donations made to it tax deductable. Such a organization is required to file annual IRS 990 Forms that certify the amount of pay to officers and directors. The link to a public site that has DSI’s last Form 990, (2013) was provided by Paula Bohland at DSI. It may be found here:

http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990_pdf_archive/561/561432420/561432420_201406_990.pdf

IRS 990 Forms provide very limited information and appear to be focused on director and employee compensation. This is a good thing in that it would provide useful information to the public so as to determine which 501(c)(3) organizations were merely “fronts” for profit making ventures. In DSI’s case it’s clear this is not a problem as the directors are not compensated and employee expenses appear to be “over-all” reasonable. It tells nothing about their budget otherwise, like how much money they are losing on “The Empire Hotel” or was “Slide the City” profitable.

An oft cited argument for letting non-profits perform these quasi-governmental functions is that they may do certain things that the governmental units can not do. For instance, they may take prospective clients out for expensive meals and book expensive travels that the public may not “understand” and otherwise keep things secret. They may also pay their leadership more than the public might understand. I was told that the head of RowanWorks EDC has a higher salary than the county manager, however that is impossible to confirm because there are three employees on their website the last Form 990 only shows @250K in total salaries. There is no breakdown as to individual slaries. County Manager Aaron Church, as a governmental employee, makes 125K per year as revealed on the County’s website. A pdf is attached below. I have no idea what DSI’s Director Paula Bohland earns.

https://app.box.com/s/824p3tbo7ck872yp0jwsce0y1ycaq65v

The obvious downside to letting these quasi-governmental groups perform governmental tasks is that as private organizations are not subject to Freedom of Information requests from the public under state law and need not reveal their financial reports or budgets and are not publically audited to make sure they follow applicable law.

Under N.C. corporations law, they need not reveal their bylaws and disclose who and how people get elected to their Board of Directors. Are there rules that require so many directors nominated by City Council or Commission? We may never know.

Now all this may be “just fine” except that they receive public tax money as the lion’s share of their budgets. DSI, for instance is almost entirely funded by a special municipal service district property tax of 17.66 cents per thousand that goes straight to DSI. My MSD tax bill each year is $433.00. I was told my combined tax rate is the highest in the county.

This situation causes concerns. Recently, on “Politics This Week” a radio show on the Ford Broadcasting Network, hosted by Jeff Morris; County Commissioner and DSI Director Judy Klusman revealed, (reading from a prepared statement from Paula Bohland, head of DSI) that two requests for proposals (RFPs) for sale of the “Empire Hotel” (which is owned by DSI) were sent to developers and that exciting news was on its way.

This reporter contacted DSI through Paula Bohland and requested a copy of their budget and asked for an opportunity to interview someone at DSI. The response was:

“Thank you for contacting DSI. Since we are a not for profit organization, our for 990 is public record. You can review a copy of it at http://nccsweb.urban.org/PubApps/search.php?1.

There is currently no one available to provide an interview for your organization.”

Screenshots of the actual emails are attached for your information and edification below.

Subsequent questions would have included: Can you tell us who the Requests for Proposals were sent to? Can we have a copy of the requests for proposals? Why aren’t the requests for proposals on DSI’s site? If this building is for sale, why is it not listed on commercial real estate web sites? Why is this sale the best kept secret in Salisbury ? Who holds the certificates of deposit? Of course, they need not reply under the law.

Frankly, for my $433.00 annual contribution I expect more. Judy Klusman has suggested that if I want to learn more I should attend DSI meetings, and in all fairness, DSI past Director and former City Council Candidate Mark Lewis has suggested he will let me “see” last year’s budget over lunch. He wouldn’t give me a copy.

Perhaps we need a state law that says if a quasi-governmental non-profit receives more than 50% of it’s annual revenue from public taxes that it must: release it’s budget and bylaws and be subject to public freedom of information requests just like it would be if it were a department of the city or county, which of course it replaces or “stands in” for. After all, it’s our tax money, right?

In order to further cast “sunshine” upon these two organizations, and prepare for future articles, I have filed a FOIA with the City of Salisbury asking for:

1. Any copies of budgets, budget audits and (or) IRS 990 forms and (or) other financial information since 2006 from “RowanWorks” (Salisbury-Rowan County Economic Development Commission EDC) or Downtown Salisbury, Inc. or similarly named entity, that receives funds from the City of Salisbury directly or indirectly or from the MSD taxes. I realize they are separate organizations, but surely if we are giving them tax dollars we must have demanded a copy of their budgets in the exercise of due diligence.

2. Any financial statements or other documents presented by either of these entities as to their costs and expenses, income and (or) finances in the City’s possession for the same time period.

3. All emails between Downtown Salisbury, Inc., its employees and (or) directors and employees and (or) Council members of the City of Salisbury for the same time period.

4. All emails between “RowanWorks” (Salisbury-Rowan County Economic Development Commission EDC) and (or) its directors and employees and employees and (or) Council members of the City of Salisbury for the same time period.

Please provide these electronically and if possible as “Word Documents” so as to reduce the cost to the citizens of Salisbury .

I realize they are separate organizations, but surely if we are giving them tax dollars the City must have demanded a copy of their budgets in the exercise of due diligence. Right?

I realize they are separate organizations, but surely if we are giving them tax dollars the City must have demanded a copy of their budgets in the exercise of due diligence. Right? The final “rub?” In exchange for my $433.00 annual contribution to DSI through my MSD tax, I thought I would at least get an interview.

CEDMagazine.com/Laura Hamilton

♦ Roku Ups Power, Portability with Its New Quad Core Streaming Stick:

http://www.cedmagazine.com/news/2016/04/roku-ups-power-portability-its-new-streaming-stick

RFP Staff

Update: Keith Daniel Litaker arrested Wednesday Afternoon. Under a secured $50,000 dollar bond, Litaker is now in the Rowan County Detention Center.

♦ A manhunt is on for convicted felon Keith Daniel Litaker, 45, from Salisbury, for the tuesday night shooting of Gotti Pacino Litaker, 25, at a relative’s house on 354 Litaker Road in Mt. Ulla.  Gotti Pacino Litaker was gut shot, bleeding profusely, and suffered from labored breathing when Rowan County Sheriff’s deputies cautiously entered the shooting house. Keith Litaker already fled the house through the backdoor.

After receiving emergency care at the scene, Gotti Pacino Litaker was airlifted to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.  As of two hours ago he is said to still be alive and had been in surgery. Gotti’s condition has not yet released.

According to witnesses at the Mt. Ulla house Keith and Gotti, allegedly hanging out and drinking most of the day, got into a heated argument when Keith allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot him.  Gotti is said to be Keith’s cousin. Witnesses said they heard multiple shots coming from the house, but only a single shell casing was found on the floor near the wounded man.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office has warrants Keith Daniel Litaker’s arrest on the charges of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill (felony).

Keith Daniel Litaker’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0242941&searchLastName=litaker&searchFirstName=keith&searchMiddleName=D&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

If anyone knows the whereabouts of Keith Daniel Litaker, considered armed and dangerous, please call the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at 704-216-8700 or contact Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This article will be updated as more information arrives.**

Keith Daniel Litaker:

RFP Staff

♦ Keith Daniel Litaker, 45, of Salisbury, sought for the shooting Tuesday night shooting of Gotti Pacino Litaker, 25, in Mt. Ulla, was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill (felony).

Under a secured $50,000 bond, Litaker was held in the Rowan County Detention Center and later released upon making bail.

**This article will updated as more information is arrives.**

Keith Daniel Litaker:

The RFP article posted this morning:

“A manhunt is on for convicted felon Keith Daniel Litaker, 45, from Salisbury, for the tuesday night shooting of Gotti Pacino Litaker, 25, at a relative’s house on 354 Litaker Road in Mt. Ulla. Gotti Pacino Litaker was gut shot, bleeding profusely, and suffered from labored breathing when Rowan County Sheriff’s deputies cautiously entered the shooting house. Keith Litaker already fled the house through the backdoor.

After receiving emergency care at the scene, Gotti Pacino Litaker was airlifted to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. As of two hours ago he is said to still be alive and had been in surgery. Gotti’s condition has not yet released.

According to witnesses at the Mt. Ulla house Keith and Gotti, allegedly hanging out and drinking most of the day, got into a heated argument when Keith allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot him. Gotti is said to be Keith’s cousin. Witnesses said they heard multiple shots coming from the house, but only a single shell casing was found on the floor near the wounded man.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office has warrants Keith Daniel Litaker’s arrest on the charges of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill (felony).

Keith Daniel Litaker’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0242941&searchLastName=litaker&searchFirstName=keith&searchMiddleName=D&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

If anyone knows the whereabouts of Keith Daniel Litaker, considered armed and dangerous, please call the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at 704-216-8700 or contact Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

Keith Daniel Litaker:

RFP Staff

♦ Since Sunday morning when an unidentified white male body was discovered during a fire call at 6:45 p.m. to Alexander Place Apartments at 632 Hamilton Drive in Salisbury, the murder victim Joseph David Walker, 37, of Salisbury has become less of a mystery man. Since the body of Joseph David Walker was discovered, the Salisbury Police joined forces with the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) in the homicide investigation.

To date investigators have not described the murder method employed or have named any suspects. This tight lipped approach to be expected because some individuals, knowing such information, might step forward and claim they murdered the victim out of misplaced sense of guilt or want a peculiar fling at the limelight.

The Late Joseph David Walker in His Earlier Years:

Here’s what we know about Joseph Davis Walker:

He was born on June 6th, 1978 and graduated from High School in Clinton, Maryland.

On Thursday the Walker family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cumby Funeral Home in Archdale, N.C.

On Friday a Memorial Service will be held for the late Mr. Walker at 2 p.m. at the Cumby Family Funeral Home on 206 Trindale Road in Archdale, N.C. in Forsyth County. Rev. Morris Little will officiate a committal service at Mt. Gur Cemetery Columbarium in Kernersville with full military honors accorded by the Randolph County Honor Guard.

He worked in administration at Delhaize group (Food Lion) in Salisbury.

He received a B.A. in Business Administration from UNC Greensboro in 2013.

He lived at one time in Brevard County Florida and was a U.S. Air Force Veteran in Iraq (2004). Walker served in the Air Force from 2000 to 2007.

According to a neighbor Walker was a very private person and had a female friend who visited on occaision.

According to one obituary Walker was a gamer, liked computers, and played a saxophone.

Walker has no criminal record in the state of North Carolina and was cited for expired tags in Forsyth County a few years back.

Neighbors said Walker has only lived at Alexander Place several months, having left Kernersville, N.C. where he lived in a modest home at 6120 Fording Creek Lane prior to Salisbury and earlier at 1456 Hammer Mill Lane, Apt. E.  Prior to Kernersville his previous address was Hanscom AFB in Bedford, Ma.

Residents living at Alexander Place were both surprised and alarmed that the killing and the apparent arson took place. Alexander Place is not far from Jake Alexander Blvd.

Sources told us the apartment fire likely was an arson set to cover the homicide.

If someone has information about either the fire or the murder please call the Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333 or Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This article will be updated as more information arrives.**

Alexander Place Apartments 632 Hamilton Drive Top floor:

Kenny Hardin, Salisbury City Councilman

♦ The Game Plan for Life Team came to Hornet Country earlier this afternoon and immersed themselves in the red, black and gold pride that is Salisbury High School. A packed auditorium from the ground level seats to the balcony welcomed the GPFL presenters, local business leaders, the Sheriff, the Police Chief Brian Stallings and local political representatives.

Salisbury High Principal, Luke Brown, opened the session by ensuring calm and discipline before turning things over to Rowan Kannapolis Alcohol Beverage Control Board CEO, Terry Osborne. Terry kicked things off in his usual style of expertly drawing the audience in with a realistic message of the dangers of underage drinking and driving under the influence. He flawlessly interwove fatal accident statistics with a message of genuine caring. He used personal real life examples of tragic outcomes if students opted to drink and drive. His approach was not heavy handed nor was it overly preachy. He effectively got his message across with a genuine undertone of fatherly concern that resonated with the crowd of young people.

Terry turned the microphone over to Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten, a 1979 graduate of Salisbury High School, and a good athlete in his days of youth at SHS. Sheriff Auten had the privilege of introducing the first speaker, Perry Tuttle, who he called a personal friend and an athletic foe during his high school days. The Sheriff made mention of Tuttle’s illustrious All-American college football career at Clemson, but weighed in heavier on his strong personal character as a great father and as an advocate for youth education.

As any greatly accomplished person would naturally do, Tuttle showed amazing humility and graciousness from the outset. He didn’t begin his remarks as if he was conducting a speech for a crowded auditorium of 9th – 12th graders, but more of a conversation with an extension of his own six kids. He shared personal stories of his interactions with his children detailing how he wanted them to know him on a deeper and personal level as they began to age out of their teenaged years. He told of interactions where he allowed his children to ask him 15 questions on any topic and he would answer honestly. From those question and answer sessions, he turned it into a best-selling guide book for other parents to use.

He wove a story of how in the 3rd grade, a teacher who had difficulty with him and didn’t take the time to invest in him, labeled him as “stupid” and “dumb.” As a result, she placed him in Special Education classes and failed him his 3rd grade year. When he finally reached the 4th grade, a football coach did believe in him and told him that he would someday play in the NFL. He said that the confidence shown in him by the coach motivated and propelled him to achieve for the remainder of his formative educational years.

He wowed the crowd with stories of his being highly recruited as a High School senior by Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State and other big name Division I schools. He finally decided on Clemson and blazed a path of athletic excellence and dominance as a wide receiver before moving on to be drafted by the Buffalo Bills.

He held up a copy of the cover of the 1982 Sports Illustrated magazine that showed his game winning catch that secured the national championship for Clemson over Nebraska. Tuttle, with football in hand, re-lived that moment for the auditorium letting everyone in on the huddle conversation between him and the QB. He then demonstrated the play from calling the signal, the snap, the throw and his game winning catch that was captured for the world to see. But, what he did next was better than that catch and brought a valuable point home to the students.

He placed the football on the floor and stomped down on it. He asked the room if he could stand on the football and a resounding “no” came from the crowd. Point made. He urged the students to find something sturdier in life to stand on. He honestly shared how football made him rich enough to buy all the things he had dreamed of, but owning all the toys and materialism never brought him true fulfilment.

He made numerous additional strong points that were as valuable as the football stand, but the one that resonated with me and many others was his position on reading. He said that when he met his future wife, she asked him what books he had read. He replied that he was in the NFL and didn’t need to read. Her response to him was that a person who doesn’t read is no different than a person who can’t read. He said that statement woke him up and changed his mindset about the importance of reading.

Tuttle ended his remarks focusing on trust and implored the students to believe that their teachers and parents had their best interest in mind. He closed by going back to the teacher who failed him in the 3rd grade, but reiterated how much the Coach who helped him believe and dream meant so much more. He encouraged the students to dream as he walked off to thunderous and appreciative applause.

As we waited for the next speaker to arrive, Terry allowed me the opportunity to briefly address the crowd. This was special to me as a 1983 Salisbury High graduate. I told the Students to never stop and accept where they were because it’s not where you start, but where you finish. I then had the honor of introducing 2011 SHS graduate Jay Watkins. Jay received a rousing welcome from the Hornet faithful. He shared a brief story of his travels, challenges and successes since leaving SHS and as a graduate of UNC-Charlotte. His story was well received and was a great segue way for the next GPFL speaker.

Before Terry Osborne took to the mic again, Principal Luke Brown called the Boys State Championship Soccer Team to the stage where they all received their state champion rings. It was great to be a part of that celebration. Hornet Pride!

Afterwards, Terry introduced former UNC Tarheel basketball legend and NBA great Al Wood. Due to travel delay issues, Wood’s remarks were brief but very powerful. He took to the mic and exhibited a high energy presentation where he challenged the students to think and make good decisions. Wood pulled no punches and introduced himself to the crowd as having a PhD in making bad decisions earlier in his life. He clarified by saying he didn’t make detrimental decisions, but could’ve made better ones. As he closed out, he had the entire auditorium repeat a pledge that they will own their lives, not follow the crowd and make positive choices.

Another great GPFL session. I’m extremely appreciative of my Brother Chris Sifford and Terry Osborne for allowing me to take part in this important initiative.

Game Plan for Life:

Best Selling Book “Game Plan for Life” by Coach Joe Gibbs:

Salisbury High School Auditorium Packed with Students for Game Plan for Life Program:

NFL and Clemson Football Immortal Perry Tuttle with City Councilman Kenny Hardin:

SHS Principal Luke Brown and Sheriff Kevin Auten Address the Students:

Terry Osborne was a Hit with the Students:

Jay and Jeff Watkins:

SHS State Soccer Champions being Honored:

Kenny Hardin tells the Game Plan for Life Assembly: “Its Not Where You Start, It’s Where You Finish.”:

Breaking Bread:

NBA and North Carolina Basketball Great Al Wood:

Terry Osborne, Sheriff Kevin Auten, Perry Tuttle, Al Wood, and Kenny Hardin

Sheriff Autin, Perry Tuttle with Student Body President Tarik Woods:

RFP Staff

♦ A worker identified as Chris Richard Phillips, 50, of Salisbury tragically fell to his death Thursday from the roof at the DuraFiber Technologies plant on 7401 Statesville Boulevard in Salisbury at around 3 p.m.  Phillips, examining an exhaust fan, apparently fell to his death when he broke through a skylight opening in the roof.  Coworkers found him on the floor of the motor control room with his tools scattered around him.

A 911 emergency dispatch went out for EMS. Emergency workers pronounced Phillips dead at the scene.

Mr. Phillips was an employee of DuraFiber Technologies.

DuraFiber Technologies, formerly known as Performance Fibers, is a manufacturer of high-grade fiber products

EMS, the Salisbury Fire Department, and the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call.

**This article will be updated as more information arrives.**

DuraFiber Technologies Campus:

RFP Staff

♦ The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education at Thursday’s day-long retreat discussed the potential closing of six elementary schools.  Besides Cleveland and Woodleaf Schools, already positioned to be consolidated into one school, the plan tossed about on Thursday by the school board includes the possible closing of Enochville, Mt. Ulla, Faith, and Morgan Elementary schools.

When word spread through the grapevine that six schools were getting groomed for closure you would’ve thought the schoolboard and the school system were planning to torture cats, dogs, and goldfish.  It set off one of the larger barrages of emails to the RFP in recent months.  On April the 25th when the School Board has scheduled a “business meeting” they should expect all the seats in the Wallace Educational Forum to be packed with angry residents and parents deadset against the closing of “their” local elementary schools.

The outpouring of public wrath against the school board’s latest call for “saving money” at the expense of local residents and parents may well eclipse the county’s outpouring about 2 years ago for keeping Bible education alive in the public schools.  Talk about emotionally charged.

Cut back to yesterday’s retreat.  SfL+a Architects and the Operational Research and Education Laboratory presented a population forecast that foresaw a significant student decline over the next 5 years.  Many persons in opposition to the school closing wonder aloud if this “laboratory” was chosen to serve up a forecast for what the school system desired.  After all the mass consolidation would allegedly save money and lead to “new construction”.  Do we hear a nest of greedy Salisbury snakes licking their fangs and sniffing overage money?

Residents and parents are getting stoked for this fight.  Could it change the course of the next schoolboard election?

The picture put forward by the lab was that the new western elementary school would pick up the 3 western elementary schools to be shuttered.  Millbridge elementary attendance area would expand to take in Enochville.  Rockwell would absorb Morgan’s attendance area.

Allegedly “attendance barriers” would be redrawn to ensure that no school was overcapacity.  New boundaries would prioritize  students attending the elementary closest to them.  It would require a shift of more than 4,000 students which will leave many working parents concerned about major changes in “their” schedules, new fuel expenses, taking slices out of their sleep time, new stresses, their child’s safety, and other major hassles in time and money.  Sure it might save the school system a few bucks, but most assuredly it will cost parents both time, money, and stress. When your school is much further away it means travel time and changes in schedule.  Do you have a spare granny to take care of biz early in the morning?

Many parents have expressed anger about several school board members saying the opposition is emotionally driven.  Many parents don’t like the hardships being thrust on them and their families in transplanting their children to more distant locations.

The changes and closings are projected to come fast.  Keep in mind though this axing of 6 schools has not yet been approved by the current school board.  On April the 25th the school board will meet for business, but there will be no decision at that time.  According to sources several town halls will take place around the county for the school board to get a feel what local people want. On April the 25th the residents and public can express their displeasure to the school board.  Three of them are up for reelection this fall.

**This article will be updated when new information arrives.**

RFP Staff

♦ Morgan Taylor “Moogie” McDuffie, 22, formerly of 245 Gallimore Road in Salisbury, a registered sex offender convicted crimes against nature (felony) and kidnapping a minor (felony) in Davidson County, was arrested in Walmart on South Arlington Street in Salisbury on Thursday evening by Rowan County Sheriff’s deputies.

McDuffie, a 2013 West Rowan High Grad, was charged with failure to register as a sex offender (felony).  Under a secured $25,000 bond, he remains in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Morgan Taylor McDuffie’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1390684&searchLastName=McDuffie&searchFirstName=Morgan&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

StatisticalAtlas.com

♦ The Demographic Statistical Atlas of the United States: Race and Ethnicity in the Rowan-Salisbury Schools, North Carolina. An Accurate Look at Race and Ethnicity in the Rowan-Salisbury Schools:

http://statisticalatlas.com/school-district/North-Carolina/Rowan-Salisbury-Schools/Race-and-Ethnicity#top

Press Release

♦ Brooke Baucom has been named North Carolina Connections Academy Teacher of the Year.  North Carolina Connections Academy is North Carolina newest and online virtual public school.  Ms. Baucom teaches 4^th grade at North Carolina Connections Academy and previously taught in the Rowan Salisbury Schools at Mill Bridge Elementary.   “I chose to work in a virtual school, because I wanted to experience a new challenge in teaching. After working in a brick and mortar classroom, I saw many things that weren’t working for some students. I saw the virtual environment as an innovative solution for many of the challenges in a regular school.

Parent Sandie Dennis states, Ms. Baucom is simply amazing. She provides feedback on every single portfolio and regular checks in with me to see how things are going and is truly interested.

Principal Nathan Currie believes that the virtual environment is meeting the needs of many children and school districts across North Carolina and with teachers like Ms. Baucom we will continue building a world-class educational system through innovation.

North Carolina Connections Academy is a free online public school serving students from grades K-10.  To learn more please visit:

http://www.connectionsacademy.com/north-carolina-virtual-school

Kenny Hardin, Salisbury City Councilman

♦ At the April 5th City Council meeting I shared during my updates that I would be conducting Customer Service improvement training with the Staff at the water bill/Fibrant office on Martin Luther King Drive.

I wanted to share this update that the training has been cancelled by the City Manager with a series of “explanations.”

I want to provide some background on how this training request came about and what had transpired in the last 48 hours to ensure clarity for our citizens.

Back in February, I took a tour of the Fibrant operations and met for a one to one meeting with the Fibrant Director. He was very gracious and answered all my questions. As our tour winded down, we met the Customer Service Manager in the hallway. She was equally gracious in providing insight into her area and spoke of her commitment to provide optimal customer service to customers.

She shared with me some of the challenges her staff face with customers and spoke of the need for additional training. I responded that I have taught very effective and well received customer service classes at leading Hospitals throughout NC and around the Country. I listed Carolinas Healthcare System, Duke University, and other Hospitals in Missouri and South Carolina.

I told her about successes I’ve had in helping several Hospital and Healthcare organizations move to the top 1% in customer satisfaction. I also shared that I’ve provided customer service consulting services to profit businesses, non profits, city governments, school systems, colleges, churches, Home Health agencies, physician practices and the mental health division of the Departmentt of Health & Human Services on multiple occasions,

I provided insight into the various customer service training models I have certifications and expertise in. The Manager was interested and asked if I would be willing to provide training to her staff. I agreed and asked her to provide me approvals and specifics on date, number of attendees and length. She sent correspondence that her Director approved the training, so I created a presentation and forwarded for their approval. I received an email acknowledging they were extremely pleased with the content in the presentation and felt it would be a great fit for staff needs.

I announced the training in the City Council meeting Tuesday evening. On the following afternoon, I received a voicemail from the Manager stating there were concerns about payment and a conflict of interest. I called and spoke with the Manager personally and the discomfort was obvious in her live voice as it was in her voice mail. I explained to her that I would waive any fees and provide the training at no cost.

On the next day, I received a voice mail from the City Manager stating that he nor the Director, who had initially approved the training, was aware and that they had someone to conduct customer service training. No mention was made of fees or my conducting the training at zero cost with this new “explanation.”

Yesterday, I spoke with the Manager at the State Legislative breakfast. Again the discomfort in her voice was obvious and she apologized for the way things had developed. Shortly afterwards, I was approached by the City Manager. He asked if I had received his voice mail and offered another “explanation” that they contract with someone for training and hoped I understood. No mention was made of waived fees.

I explained they reached out to me and I was ok either way. I told the City Manager that I thought his decision was personal and had nothing to do with fees or conflict of interest.

I shared my displeasure with the Mayor about the unprofessional way this was handled. I told her my intentions in responding to the training request was in line with the often repeated, but cliché  Team Player word the City Manager often uses but rarely engages in consistently. This is why mistrust and poor communication continue to hamper positive relationships.

It’s unclear to me why any opportunity to provide additional training and knowledge to foster better performance and improved internal and external customer relationships would be avoided? One perspective should not be the only perspective regardless of who is teaching it.

We have great people working for the City but customer service failures will occur. So, if you don’t get the service you deserve or if someone exceeds your expectations and provides exemplary service, please reach out to our City Manager at (704) 798-8221.

RFP Staff

♦ Paul Anthony Ewing, 39, of Evelyn Avenue in Kannapolis, was arrested Thursday for alleged repeated break-ins and robberies at Salisbury’s primo hookah lounge: The King Tut Café and Hookah Lounge at 5 Easy Street in Downtown Salisbury.

Under a secured $37,000 bond, Ewing remains in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Ewing was charged with 2 counts of breaking and entering-building (felony), breaking and entering-building (misdemeanor), 2 charges of Larceny (felony), breaking into paper currency machines (misdemeanor).

Paul Anthony Ewing Displays a Tat:

March 30th article appearing in the RFP: “King Tut Café and Hookah Lounge on 5 Easy Street in Downtown Salisbury Suffers Another Break-in and Robbery on Monday”:

In a seemingly never ending string of break-ins and robberies plaguing the King Tut Café and Hookah Lounge on 5 Easy Street in Downtown Salisbury, the King Tut suffered yet another break-in and robbery sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning when it was reported to the Salisbury Police at 11 a.m. A window and a door were damaged when they were pried open. The perpetrator(s) allegedly helped themselves $550 in cash. The owners can at least be thankful that their windows were not shot out and no one was stabbed.

As yet no suspect was named in this break-in and no arrests were yet made.

March 25th RFP article on the break-in and robbery at the at the King Tut Café and Hookah Lounge:

On Wednesday morning the King Tut Café and Hookah Lounge, on 5 Easy Street in Downtown Salisbury, suffered another burglary attempt. Salisbury Police were summoned to the popular café and lounge to investigate signs of forcible entry. King Tut was burglarized several times in early 2016 allegedly by the same contractor who previously worked on the Café and Lounge. On Wednesday nothing was reported stolen.

An RFP article appeared about the previous burglary on March 17th 2016: “SHOTZBURY TOKEZ: Paul Ewing Busted Wednesday For Allegedly Breaking into Downtown Salisbury’s King Tut Café and Hookah Lounge”:

“Salisbury, N.C.’s premier hookah parlor and café and a huge favorite among those who dare to adventure Downtown after dark, the King Tut Café and Hookah Lounge on Easy Street was allegedly broken into for a second time on Wednesday by Paul Anthony Ewing, 39, of Evelyn Avenue in Kannapolis. The felon and now suspected “Egyptologist”, once worked as a contractor in the mysterious and enchanting King Tut Café and Hookah Lounge. What secrets were revealed? Did he break the alleged curse?

The Salisbury Police allege that Ewing helped himself to money from the cash register and a juke box. Praise be unto King Tutankhamun that the suspect wasn’t felled by a cobra attack in the lounge area.

Ewing was charged with 2 counts breaking into a building (felony) and 2 counts of larceny (felony). He was detained in the Rowan County Detention Center and was released on bond.”

Paul Anthony Ewing’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0688174&searchLastName=ewing&searchFirstName=paul&searchMiddleName=a&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

Todd Paris, Associate Editor and Salisbury Attorney

♦ I read with great trepidation that our school board paid money for a study that supports local school closures and are now considering closing elementary schools at Faith, Morgan, Mt. Ulla, and Enochville. This appears to be set in motion by the necessary consolidation of Cleveland and Woodleaf elementary schools due to a “bad” well. The rest of these consolidations have no such urgency.

In 2015, it was reported that all three schools received a “C” grade from the state, which does not sound impressive, however it was the highest grade awarded to any elementary school in the district, with many scoring lower. Faith was the highest-rated school in math in the RSS system and Mount Ulla raised its math scores eight points.

At the recent Board of Education retreat Chuck Hughes called for these schools to be closed as soon as possible while forecasting a $2 million savings. The entire discussion surrounded how and when these schools should be closed and not “if.” East representative Josh Wagner appears to be on board as well. There seemed to be little concern over the increased cost in fuel, wear, and tear on buses, and hardships to parents and children affected by longer travel times to schools much further away. Also, the indication was clear they would make the decision first and worry about logistics later.

The idea of closing schools to save maintenance costs seems logical, but only if you abandon these buildings and allow them to become eyesores and blights upon the community, (the school board’s habit.) But aren’t we still going to have to mow the grounds and keep them minimally heated to keep pipes from bursting in the winter? Used school buildings have very little utility for any other purpose and little commercial value. Will the BoE commit to demolition, asbestos removal, and cleaning up environmental hazards for these abandoned facilities so the land can be sold and returned to commerce? That hasn’t happened in East Spencer now saddled with two dilapidated school structures, one burnt and unsalable.

Savings from a reduction in force from laying off dozens of administrative personnel at these schools gains the county very little as these salaries are primarily paid by the state, and not the county. Perhaps the more prosperous counties will send us a thank you note for freeing up state funds to hire more administrators.

No provision was made for determining which facilities have newer versus older structures. Most of these facilities have new, energy efficient additions erected since the eighties. Do we abandon these?

Out in the county the real estate market is just beginning to rebound. Those thinking of buying a house in Rowan might want to hold-off till they see how this is resolved. School choice is an important issue for many homebuyers as they don’t want theirs kids to leave the school they are already in, and many take into account the state’s published grades for each school before they move.

Travel time and length of bus rides are also a factor. If you want to live at High Rock Lake and work in Stanly or Davidson counties and you drive your kids to school, driving to Rockwell twice a day might make buying “across the river” a much better choice. Elementary school aged children are the most vulnerable as they need the most sleep and generally adapt less well to changes in their schedules and living circumstances. I hazard a guess as to how long the bus ride would be from Panther Point to Rockwell Elementary instead of Morgan or how early those children would have to awaken in the morning.

It would seem that a county wealthy enough to spend millions on renovating the West End Plaza should be able to afford to keep these schools open for the convenience of these communities, their children, and the taxpayers.

The only successful abandoned school re-use that I recall is Wiley School which was transformed into housing for the aged and disabled. I understand this re-use was considered for the latest abandoned facility in East Spencer as well. I fear closing down elementary schools and converting them into old folk’s homes may be seen by potential outside economic investors as the bellwether of a dying county. Maybe the new 500K rebranding project now underway could adopt the marketing slogan, “Rowan County – Last one out, turn out the lights.”

We can do better. A properly functioning school and economic development system can get people moving back into Rowan. The chicken or egg cycle of the economic development folks blaming bad school scores for their lack of success and the schools blaming lack of economic development and poverty on low scores has to stop. Maybe new leadership is needed on both fronts.

RFP Staff

♦ The blight multiplies in the South Main Badlands with the wide-open spaces left by the loss of both Hometown Furniture, shuttering after 43 years at 510 South Main Street and by Salisbury Power Equipment wisely exits to 1514 Jake Alexander Boulevard West.

Hometown Furniture Closes After 43 Years on Hardscrabble South Main:

Salisbury Power Equipment Goes Where the Action is on Jake Avenue Boulevard West:

The Empty Former Goodwill Building Now Vacated by Salisbury Power Equipment:

Kenny Hardin, Salisbury City Councilman with Chris Sifford, Community Advocate

♦ Chris Sifford Asks: Kenny Hardin since your election you have opened the eyes of many residents here in Salisbury to the local political negligence. I have one question for you; why is that folks want to censor your openness, but in the same breath the same folk call, inbox, and email you their agendas in an attempt to be pushed by the same intensity that you use to reveal the truth?

Kenny Hardin Responds: Siff, there are so many different ways I can respond to answer your questions, but I’ll try to be focused. It’s funny how people have tried to temper me down, censor me and get visibly upset by me exposing ignorance, idiocy, injustice, hate, racism and political bullshit. I’ve heard complaints about my passion, my anger, my straightforwardness, and how I make people uncomfortable with my tone and approach. What’s funny is that not one person has been able to refute, show untruthfulness or call into question anything I’ve said since I’ve been in office or over the last 26 years I’ve been speaking up and out. So, the way I see it is if you have trouble with me fighting for equality, trying to give a voice to those in the margins, and fighting to ensure everyone is included in the process, then there’s something wrong with your character not mine. If my raising my voice, exposing cowardice in your actions, pointing out the lack of equity and calling out the hypocrisy that exists and you can’t refute or defend it; then why try to impugn my character or direct your insecurities and frustrations at me.

What is most disappointing to me has been the Black folk who have called me telling me to stop scaring and offending White people because I’m messing things up for other Black folk. I’ve never said anything hate filled or engaged in similar divisive vitriolic rhetoric so I finally had to tell these misguided fools to stop calling me with that nonsense. I find it curious that we have those Blacks who will fight harder to ensure that the sensibilities and feelings of White people are not hurt rather than speak out and fight to end the hateful and divisive actions and attitudes. We’ve got Black people who won’t even Like a Facebook post for fear they will lose favor with the people who care nothing about them anyway.

But to your point Siff, yes I’ve had those same people who criticize me for having the courage to speak out, call me in private asking me to assist when they get their wake up moments. I had a Church on the West End call me several weeks ago and ask me to assist them with an issue with the City. Let me put my refusal to assist in perspective. In the last election, there were over 2600 people registered to vote on the West End, but only 213 total voted. I didn’t even get all 213 of those votes. After me, Karen Alexander and Maggie Blackwell received the highest number of votes on the West End, not William Peoples. But when there is a problem, I can assure you they call me and William first and only. During the election, I had Black people on the West End who refused to allow me to put my signs in their yard because they said they had promised it to the Karen or Maggie.

A month after the election I was asked real funky like by one of those two why I supported the Black community so much when it was White people who put me in Office. She then said even funkier, that I don’t even live in the Black community, that I live in a nice neighborhood. She closed out her disrespectful rant by asking me why I don’t try to work harder to get along with White people and that I should not use such a big hammer when I do. Again nor refuting anything I’m saying , but God forbid I speak loudly and honestly. I responded that I care more about being able to walk through the Black community with my head held high than what she had to say. I told her that when she has been Black for more than 30 minutes I would give a damn about her opinions. I then asked her why must I do all the compromising when people are coming at me sideways. I wonder if they’re ever questioned about where they opt to live or about their loyalty to the White Community? I had another Council member call me and say that every time I drop the F-word his people email him and complain. I told him I hoped that would be just as concerned every time I was called a Nigger too.

Siff, it’s been eye opening for me the last 4 four months in office. I told the City Manager that he doesn’t truly care about the Black community and that all he does is patronize and tolerate those in it. These Community conversations are nothing more than time wasting halfhearted efforts to appease Black people and give the impression that things are being done to improve relations. What I’ve discovered is that unless you’re pushing for economic inclusion and equity and trying to get a piece of the financial pie they really don’t care about you screaming and shouting about social issues. That’s a distraction to keep you from asking questions about real things that matter, so they’ll play the game with these forums.

When I tried to get Black people to get on more than feel good Boards that have no decision making power, people lashed out at me. Just as we flock to the Human Relations and MLK committees, let’s get on the Planning, Zoning and other Boards that give us a voice and a seat at the table. Do you know we don’t even have enough Black owned businesses in Salisbury to get a statistic from the State? But, I hurt someone’s feelings by being honest, yet when decisions have been made that don’t work in the favor of them or the Black community, I get calls for angry Kenny to fight on their behalf. I get people that make secret side deals with the City about things without keeping me in the loop. Then, when it goes sour or they find out it wasn’t what they thought, then I get calls to fix the mess. I get calls from people who are angry about the condition they’re in and want me to fight, but ask me to keep their name out of it. I get calls from Black people who vent about the inequity and disparage those responsible in private, but in public keep grinning and skinning. But they don’t have to worry about me exposing them, they have to live with that two-faced cowardice.

Siff, I’ve said this many times, I don’t hate anyone, any culture or any demographic. I just want to help end the suffering of those undervalued and underrepresented. I want everyone to feel like they are truly a part of the progress of this City. My fighting spirit for those in the margins does not have a color requirement attached to it. I will fight for everyone. But, I’ve been Black all my life and I’m constantly reminded of it so that’s where my fight happens more often. During the campaign, two well know leaders in the White community showed what I’m constantly up against. One said they were only going to allow one Black on the Council and the other said if he had his way, he wouldn’t let any Black on. Is anybody upset about those statements, probably not. But they get really upset at me for fighting to ensure I don’t allow that mentality to take root and prevail.

I’ve got some people like you, William Peoples, Chris Sharpe, Yolanda Meade Byrd, Steve Mensing, Craig Pierce (Melissa Pierce), Alex Clark and a few others who have been extremely supportive and loyal and I appreciate that. But I’ve got some who have shown their cowardice too.

I’m tired of taking bullets, slings and arrows and getting criticized by those I’m doing it for‬