Joe Coladarci, High Rock Lake, N.C.
♦ I was pleased to attend the Chamber Forum Sunday afternoon. There was some mix up about who was invited. The School Board candidates were represented by only incumbents. I contacted the 3 challengers on Friday and each of them expressed they had not been invited and only knew of the event from the Rowan Free Press. The same response was given by Chris Cohen, an independent running for County Commissioner and Vince Coakley (R) running for the 12th US House seat. It is unfortunate the person in charge of inviting these men was unable to make personal contact. After speaking with the person that contacted the candidates, I believe it was due to the lateness of organizing the event. Both Vince Coakley and Dean Hunter where able to shake loose from other engagements and attend the event. To the credit of the Chamber they accommodated the men’s arrival and integrated them into the program.
So what did we learn?
The Gang of 4 incumbents on the Rowan-Salisbury School Board.
Richard Miller repeatedly reminded us he is the “chairman”, but as chair he organized sueing the Rowan taxpayers and the $440,000 waste of tax dollars associated with it’s legal fees. As a former executive of the N.C.A.E. its no wonder he could rise to Chairman of the School Board in his first 2 years even though the others in his Gang of 4 had vastly more experience on the Board.
Kay Wright Norman repeatedly talked about her 19 plus year reign on the board. She didn’t explain how she came in to the system that was in the TOP 25% ACHEIVMENT LEVEL and after 20 years of her guidance we have fallen to the bottom 25%. Please remember Mrs. Norman’s ideas and philosophies were in the majority over her tenure.
L.A. Overcash has been on and off the board since 2000 and has voted with Mrs. Norman throughout his various terms.
Mrs. Kennedy another long term member oversaw the demise of our School System for many years simple needs to be replaced.
A bright light in the afternoon was Vince Coakley (R) 12th US House. He talked about the problems facing his district and honest solutions that he hopes to implement if the people of the 12th give him a chance. Alma Adams was represented by a very nice young man that intimated, not to worry, the Federal Government will step in with an increase in the minimum wage.
Sheriff Auten did a wonderful job representing his department and deserves all of our support.
Jeff Barger also represented his department, County Clerk, well and deserves our support as well. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Register of Deeds, D- Sandra Sims Campbell, she spoke very well, and her experience and on the job training seems to be quite extensive.
The County Commission Candidates
Richard Locklear (D) though on the forum roster did not attend.
Leda Belk (D) and Raymond Coltrain (unaffiliated) both former members of the County Commission when the City of Salisbury stole the County Airport , these two did nothing to stop it.
Gene Miller (unaffiliated) retired school system Assistant Superintendent. His job was to get the Consolidated Central Office built. He failed. He also squandered $750,000 of tax payer’s money in his single minded pursuit of a building the people of Rowan did not want. He likes to blame the County Commissioners. Let’s think for a moment: in Gene’s 8 year reign of waste we had many different County Commissioners who all rejected his wasteful plans and yet he wants to now ascend to the office that rejected his grand plan.
To the three Republicans on the ballot I can’t support any of them. Most of the Republicans I know are as disappointed in them as I.
The good news is Chris Cohen will be the “third voice and vote” on the County Commission to stop the Daddy Warbucks of Salisbury for using County resources to line their collective pockets.
So how do we make that happen? Single Shot votes “Chris Cohen” for County Commission. . How does Single Shot voting work? It’s quite simple. Every additional person you vote for other than Chris makes it harder for Chris to prevail. Please remember Chris only needs to take 3rd in a race that will be split 8 ways. You have the right as a registered voter to vote for up to 3 of the 8 candidates you don’t have to cast all three votes. Whether Chris is the highest vote getter or the 3rd highest, the top three will receive a seat on the Commission. If Chris Cohen is not in the top three so he can work with the 2 remaining conservative incumbents, the balance of power will again be lost to the Daddy Warbucks and the myopic City of Salisbury.
Board of Education. We have watched our school system crumble under the guidance of the sitting board please stop the bleeding! Vote for Travis Allen – Dean Hunter – Phil Hardin
Many of you have seen the slanderous ads run in the Salisbury Post, by the Daddy Warbucks and the Salisbury elite. Please answer them at the ballot box. We must break this lord/serf mentality that pervades our County.
Daddy Warbucks and the Salisbury Elite refuse to admit that they are just the tail of a much larger dog called Rowan County.
