End the Era of Entitlement

Guest Blogger: Daryl Barber
About Wayne Gay & Calvin Woodard
March 30, 2010

First thing, I do not support the incumbent sheriff for re-election and my county tax dollars support the school system. Why has Sheriff Gay got campaign signs posted all over county and school property. I know when you have been sheriff as long as he has been you get to where you feel you have free reign over the county and it belongs to you and you can do anything you like with it.

I supported Wayne when he was a young idealistic sheriff in his early days. I voted for him on many occasions even though I was a lifelong registered republican. I have grown weary of both parties and changed my party affiliation to independent or unaffiliated. Wayne has turned into a special interest, good ole boy politician that has gotten wealthy off his business connections with prominent attorneys, businessmen and developers. The job as Wilson County Sheriff seems more of a sideline and the substantial pay pales in comparison to all his extracurricular business activities.

Read More

Politics, Press and The People

Sheriff Candidate 
Calvin Woodard
I Won't Let You Down

Greetings, first, I would like to thank the editor for allowing information from my campaign to be placed in the paper. With due regards, however, it is obvious that Wilson Times is providing support for Wayne Gay.

Upon viewing the many captions that have been placed in the paper, none of my “Meet and Greets” were in large print or was at the top of the page. My fundraiser was never reported with my platform ideas as they did with Wayne Gay. In addition, all of my events were in black and white while all of his events were in color- I am sure that the cameras in this day and time are digital and color.

Read More

Don't Chastise Citizens Mr. Wiggins

The Headline: “ Don’t blame current council for 30 year-old decision.” An interesting perspective shared by some and not by others. It depends on who you ask. Everyone has an opinion. And it’s true you are entitled to yours.

Statements read with confidence at a council meeting do not validate the speaker as being politically accurate or correct. There are others in the community who may view your way of thinking as being a bit "clouded and construed."

The city’s current dilemma, Mr. Wiggins has nothing to do with blame. Please don't get it twisted. However, it has everything to do with “accountability.” The callous comments you read that insinuated your fellow Wilsonians were “blaming” city council for a 30 year old decision served as an insult to the integrity of this community. You affront us all with your anal viewpoint.

Read More

Wilson's Tea Party Formation Meeting

Masked with the motto "We're FOR limited government, lower taxes, free markets, individual responsibility, constitutional values & the end of wasteful spending" Wilsonians are urged to please go 2 www.wilsonncteaparty.ning.com & "Sign Up" 2 become a free-of-charge MEMBER of the non-partisan Wilson Co. NC Tea Party (Then you'll be notified of all upcoming rallies, protests, etc.) & help us spread the word ALL over the Wilson Co. area (Please send the aforementioned link 2 your email, facebook, myspace..., twitter, etc. lists). It's time to mobilize like never b4 for freedom which is now hanging by a fine thread. God bless u all. Joel M. Killion, founder of Inner Life Ministries will be hosting a planning meeting on Thursday, April 1, 2010 from 8pm tp 9pm @ the Killion Home. For more details go to ww.wilsonncteaparty.ning.com.

Read More

Local Tea Party Rally

Hundreds attend Tea Party rally
By Jim Holt
Rocky Mount Telegram
Friday, March 26, 2010

Robert Cressionnie of WHIG-TV’s “America in Danger” apologized for not having enough chairs for the concerned citizens at Thursday’s Tar River Tea Party.The event drew more than 400 people to the Gateway Convention Center, and organizers had to take down a dividing partition to free up more room and accommodate the crowd.

Read More

ElectriCities on Stablizing Utilities

Stability predicted for utilities - By John Henderson
Rocky Mount Telegram
Monday, March 22, 2010

Electric rates should remain stable for the next five years, barring any major surprises, officials with the company that supplies Rocky Mount’s power said. That’s music to the ears of business owners who have seen repeated rate increases in the last few years. “That sounds great,” said Ron Barnes, the owner of Superior Dry Cleaners on Winstead Avenue. Barnes’ February utility bill was $3,732. The electric portion of it was $1,796.

Read More

ElectriCities Annual Conference 2010

Oops! Forgot "They" ain't calling it that no more though. OK - here's a riddle for y'all.

What does Myrtle Beach SC and ElectriCities in Raleigh NC have in common? Perhaps we all need to contact Mr.Gregg Welch and inquire.

The Business of Public Power: Delivering Value, Managing Costs Public Power Policymakers Conference (formerly the ElectriCities Annual Conference) August 12-14, 2010 More information will be available soon. Please contact Gregg Welch at (800)768-7697 ext. 6353 with questions.

Wonder if they'd let us hang out wid em' at the Big Shin'Dig in Myrtle Beach. Got camper will travel. OK... So . . . who wants to go?

Read More

Recent Local Headline News

Articles Published by the Wilson Times

3/26/2010 - Superintendent defends cutbacks - Changes this fiscal year at the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf are not a back-door way of trying to close the school, says Dwight Pearson, superintendent for the N.C. Office of Education Services.

3/24/2010 - Hopkins takes oath - Wilson Police Chief Thomas Hopkins was surrounded by family, friends and colleagues Tuesday as he was sworn into office. City and county leaders congratulated Hopkins before he took the oath and his wife, Shon, pinned the chief's badge to his uniform.

3/24/2010 - Federal bailout for electricity debt unlikely - There may be no federal help in sight for Wilson's electric debt but city leaders may still stand a chance of pulling in some funding for other city projects. A recent road trip to Washington, D.C.

3/24/2010 - Satterly Foundation taking scholarship - applications for The Mary Claire Satterly Foundation has established a $1,000 scholarship for a graduating senior from any Wilson County high school student who will be attending a four-year accredited college or university.
 
3/22/2010 - Committee could tackle utility issues - Wilson City Councilman Donald Evans believes a utility advisory committee could help build public trust, serve as an information resource and offer recommendations to city council about utility issues.
 
3/20/2010 - Taxi cab company gets green light - The Wilson City Council voted to allow a third taxi company to operate in the city after considering the option off and on for the past six months. The council remained divided on the issue during a recent council meeting. Donald Evans, Gwen Burton, Logan Liles and James Johnson all voted in favorof the taxi service.
 
3/20/2010 - Principal charged with sex offense - Springfield Middle School Principal Ronald Earl Barringer was arrested Friday and charged with felonious third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, according to information from the N.C. Administrative Office of the Court.

Read More

Wlson Energy = Retail + 50

Guest Blogger: Dave Wood
Citzens' United For Change
Printed in Wilson Times 2/25/2010

Having watched the energy situation of the citizens of Wilson deteriorate to the point of crisis, I feel compelled to write to offer a different perspective of the situation. But first, I need every reader to first do a short math assignment with your last Wilson Energy electrical bill.

Read More

Continued Community Course of Actions

Community Press Release
Subject: Continued Community Course of Actions

Reverend Alonzo Braggs has called upon the community to continue the utility reduction usage. Each Thursday until further notice the community is asked to not use electricity from 6:00 am until 6:00 pm. Please make that all electrical items are unplugged with the exception of medical and food storage equipment. Under no circumstances should anyone compromise their medical needs. Each first Monday volunteers will monitor the meter readers to validate that citizen’s meters are being read. The next community meeting will be scheduled for the week of the council meeting. Time and place will be announced. Members of the community are asked to make copies of your bills and give them to Rev. Braggs or Rebecca Newton

Read More

Blackout Thursday in Wilson NC

REMEMBER Thursdays are "Blackout Days". Do not use utilities unless you have to between 6AM and 6PM. Unplug TV's and computers, shut down circuit breakers on hot water heaters, etc. This will have an effect if WE,THE PEOPLE will participant. And especially the Facebook Group, Tired of Paying High Utility Bills in Eastern NC. REMEMBER EVERY THURSDAY UNTIL CHANGE OCCURS! Thanks for your help.  Citizens United for Change

Read More

That's Despicable - Part I

Not long ago a Wilson citizen came before council to talk about what the council could do to help citizens find a better way to communicate with them ....Ahhh.... After recent comments and the reaction of council members yelling, challenging and mocking citizens - council needs a few lessons in ethics and anger management because your behavoir is DESPICABLE !

Read More

It Ain't Over

Has anybody heard the Fat Lady sing? Just wondering. After months of deliberating and debating and a little bit of dirty under the table politicking (at least it appears that way to citizens) Green Taxi has finally emerged triumphant in their quest to bring another taxi company to Wilson. We're wondering how council justifies this approval and violating a contact with the local companies already in existence? As we hear, only by way of a "need or necessity" was another taxi company supposedly permitted to set up shop. Current companies have proven that for the last couple years ridership has decreased and declined. So what validates approval?

To coin a phrase we've heard quite often during this process, "we don't have a dog in the fight," ... and we don't. We're just wondering has the city set itself up for legal ramifications behind this decision. What violation of your ordinances and the contract with the local taxi companines are you breaking to push this issue through.

Like we said . . . we don't think its over til the Fat Lady sings -

Read More

Congratulations Citizens of Wilson

A GREAT BIG ROUND of APPLAUSE TO THOSE OF YOU WHO STAYED UNTIL THE END of the CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY NIGHT and for ENDEARING ALL THE PUBLIC RELATIONS TACTICS and STAGED  STRATEGIES PRESENTED BY LOCAL BUSINESSES WHO WERE CONTACTED EARLIER IN THE WEEK AND INVITED TO PREPARE A PRESENTATION AND COME TO CITY HALL TO TALK ABOUT WHAT A WONDERFUL PLACE WILSON NC IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DAMAGE CONTROL TO HELP CLEAN UP THE IMAGE OF THE CITY AND MR.MAYOR. WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE. WE APPRECIATE YOUR CITIZEN COMMITTMENT. WE APPLAUDE YOUR TENACITY. WE, THE PEOPLE VOTED THESE FOLKS IN THESE POSITIONS AND THEY WILL BE REMINDED OF THAT WHEN THE NEXT TIME COMES ALONG. WE, THE PEOPLE ARE ALREADY PREPARING FOR THAT TIME NOW.

Read More

Shazam! Wilson Needs SuperHero

TRUTH, JUSTICE & THE AMERICAN WAY

Read More

In A Show of Solidarity

A crowd of Wilson Citizens banned together on the court house steps in a show of solidarity. Dissatisfaction with recent high utility rates brought them together from all sides of the community. Even in the midst was a supporter who drove from the Raleigh area to lend support for the cause. The peaceful protest drew a crowd of our 100 residents. Community Activist, Rev. Alzono Braggs greeted and welcomed the crowd. He shared a heart-tugging email he had received from a citizen who had fallen on desparate times. Flyers were handed out which list the  Community Course of Action and includes the short, mid and long range goals.

Read More

AfterThoughts:Citizen Recaps Meeting

Guest Blogger: JoAnn Samuels Wood
Citizens' United For Change
Interesting night. Many folks, all hurting and frustrated by utility bills taking most of their income over the past few months, gathered on the courthouse stairs to express our need for answers...a City Council meeting where so much on all sides of the issue was put out for consideration... I now feel I need to step back and think...

Read More

PEACEFUL PROTEST TONIGHT

Citizens are asked to meet at the Court House steps this evening from 6:00 pm til 6:30pm for a peaceful demonstartion in response to the high utility bills. Citizens participating are asked to bring a copy of their utility bill with all personal information blacked out. They will be collected and given to state officials in a presentation to legislators forth coming. A petition will also be available to sign that will be forward as well.

City Council meeting starts at 7:00 pm

Read More

Black Out Thursday Underway!

Wilson residents were told by local elected leaders to do their part in helping to reduce their monthly utility bill. While weatherization was stressed by Mr. Mayor and company, citizens decided recently at a local community meeting that in a concerted effort they would participate in what is deemed as "BLACKOUT THURSDAY." Today from 6am til 6pm citizens are asked to limit their usage consumption of electricity by using as little as they possibly can. Turn off unnecessary lights, unplug appliances that you're not using, limit laundry duties prior to 6am or after 6pm. Those with medical condition are urged to govern their situations accordingly. If you need your appliances and the use of electricity to maintain your medical equipment by all means continue to do so. Your safety and your health is of utmost importance. Citizens are encouraged to actively participate to the degree that you can on BLACKOUT THURSDAY!

Read More

Wilson Community Church Food Drive

WCC FOOD DRIVE,  Saturday, March 20, 2010 > Location: All Over Wilson. Wilson Community Church is a church dedicated to being the Body of Christ and fulfilling His Great Commission in this generation.
Call 237.6608 for more information.

Read More

Utility Meeting Discussion Today

There will be a community meeting held on March 16, 2010 at 6:30 at First Baptist Church on Nash street next to Piggly Wiggly. This is an invitation for leaders of the faith community to come and join the citizens of Wilson as this matter is moved forward and other actions are taken. Everyone is invited!


 

Read More

Arts Council of Wilson Fund Drive Today

 All Arts Council of Wilson, Inc., Fans. Come and help with our fund drive tomorrow from 11 am to 2 pm. Chick-fil-A is providing lunch and we are going to call all of Wilson to contribute to the cause of the Arts and our mission to serve. So, come, spend one hour calling your friends, and help fin...d those who will be contributors to the ARTS COUNCIL OF WILSON, INC.

Read More

March Madness vs Mr. Mayor

The Headline: Public comment, or grandstanding?  Written By Bruce Rose - Mayor of Wilson

Preface: Before we EVEN GET started.

WE WOULD HAVE COMMENTED on the ASININE LETTER supposedly written by Mr. MAYOR last week, BUT IT’S MARCH MADNESS TIME and the ACC TOURNAMENT was getting underway AND FOLKS, WE REALLY DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO BE BOTHERED WITH MR. MAYOR AND HIS COHORTS. ALRIGHTY, WITH THAT SAID, WE’RE BACK NOW – AND READY FOR DUTY. SO, Let’s have at it.

GRANDSTANDING – Mr. Mayor IS what YOU and the rest of the ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN DOING FOR FAR TOO LONG TO THE RESIDENTS OF THIS CITY.

Read More

The Principles of Politics

North Carolina is the most corrupt states in the country with all due respect to Louisiana, Illinois and New Jersey. From City Hall, to the County Courthouse, to the halls of the State Legislature and the Governors Mansion, NC has quietly, under the radar, become known as the most corrupt state in the country.

Read More

Bruce Rose Defends Council Comments & Actions

In  a recent letter to the WilsonTimes, Mayor Bruce Rose had this to say.

Read More

A Dose of Reality

A Message from Ricardo Dew:

While people are talking about what they think and what they would like to see happen, I ask that you take a 'reality check" of all that's going on. I want you to understand something . . . ElectriCities does not hold our debt. The only thing ElectriCities does for the 32 municipalities within the NCEMPA is to manage them. They don't sell, buy or transmit power. They manage what we have in the power plants. There are five power plants and we get our power from all of them.

Read More

Citizens Speak Out on City Council Comments

Facebook Group Members Speak Out 

JoAnn Samuels Wood
After coming off the high of the meeting last night and hearing about some beginnings of real action, the WT article about the City Council meeting just blew me away this morning. Initially it was exciting to hear the Council not chucking all the blame on citizens, but THEN I came to the public criticism section. The last time I checked, PUBLIC meant something available to everyone, no matter who they are, what opinions they have, where they live, and who they are. They hold their meetings in a room hardly big enough for 25 people, and they want to take it off public television???? I am embarassed that the Council person who supposedly represents me calls public comments and reaction to poor government "grandstanding". He has definitely lost all the votes of people I know.

Read More

Community Meeting @ First Baptist Church

Mark Your Calendar Folks! Organizers & members of Wilson's Faith-based Community will be hosting a Community Meeting on Tuesday, March 16th at 6:30pm at First Baptist Church located at 311 W. Nash St. across from Piggly Wiggly. Doug Murray is the pastor.

The conversation continues and discussion will focus on community course of actions regarding high utility rates and what short-term strategies city council can implement. Mid-range and long-term goals will also be discussed. This is a special invitation for leaders of the various churches in the community to come and join the citizens of Wilson as this matter is moved forward and other actions are taken. Everyone is invited to attend!

Read More

Hey Google. . . Go GreenLight

Guest Blogger: Daryl Barber



Here's a suggestion for the Mayor and City Council sell greenlight to google. If Google is looking for a city to experiment with broadband service Wilson would be perfect as we already have the infrastructure in place. Sell green light to google and use the proceeds to pay off part of Wilson's obligations to the ElectiCities/NCEMPA debt.

However, the greedy arrogant city officials probably don't want to do that just like they didnt want to sell our utility distribution back in 1989 when we could have gotten out of this mess. They love the goose that lays the golden egg and love having the ability to adjust rates up to meet their wants at any time. If greenlight doesn't end up paying its own way then we will have another ElectriCities on our hands."

Read More

Wilson Citizens Plan To Protest

The Citizens of Wilson are gearing up to participate in a "Peaceful Protest Rally' planned by community leaders, organizers and concerned citizens of the City of Wilson. 

It's scheduled for March 18 from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Citizens are asked to meet on the steps of the Wilson County Courthouse before the City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Residents urged to bring copies of their utility bills in a show of solidarity. Everyone who is serious about speaking out and letting city council know enough is enough are urged to attend and bring a friend.

Read More

Comical Relief Wilson Style

Read More

Eric Carl's "Afric's Muse" @ Barton College

Eric Carl's "Afric's Muse" opened on stage in Barton's new Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre on Thursday; However, you still have time to catch an evening performance tonight at 8 p.m. and on Sunday afternoon, March 7, at 3 p.m.

Read More

Wilson City Council Gone Bananas

Council's ideas

Councilwoman Gwen Burton suggested a $1 million reward to anyone who can find a workable solution to the city's debt.

Councilman AP Coleman suggested as a way to help with the workload of the city's five full-time and two part-time meter readers, recruiting "citizen" volunteers.

Chairman of the Board of Directors for ElectriCities & Mayor of the City of Wilson, C. Bruce Rose said to the citizens struggling to pay their utility bill - "We've got one of the best systems in the state of North Carolina. In about four or five years, we're going to be able to cut our rates. We've got a good system and I'm not in favor of selling our system. I think we ought to stay the course."

Read More

The Raleigh N&O Wants to Know

Wilson has captured the attention of others wondering what's going on with skyrocketing utility bills. Wilson makes headline news in the Raleigh News & Observer. Check it out for yourself http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/03/05/371177/utility-customers-say-their-heating.html

Read More

Open House - 2030 Comprehensive Plan

Wilson - Growing Together is the theme for the City of Wilson's 2030 Comprehsive Plan. After 17 months in the making, the City's draft Comprehensive Plan is ready for public input.

Read More

Neighborhood Associations Leadership Summit

Neighborhood Association Leaders from around the city will covene on Saturday, March 13th for the 2010 Spring Leadership Summit. Attendees share updates regarding their associations and discuss goals, concerns and strategies with one another in an effort to network the neighborhoods.

Unity in the community, how to increase membership and a presentation on the 2010 US Census will be discussed. Contact the Human Relations office at 252.399.2308 for more information.

Read More

Better Than IHOP

Pancake Supper Today @ Mount Lebanon Masonic Lodge from 5-7 pm. Eat in or Take out. West Nash St., Wilson

Read More

Calvin Woodard, Man on a Mission

For close to 17 years, Sheriff Candidate, Calvin Woodard has served the citizens of Wilson County and the State of North Carolina as a law enforcement officer. He is currently a special agent with the SBI. Prior to this position, Calvin worked at the Wilson County Sheriff's office for 15 years. Now he's on a mission to become the new sheriff in town and he's well qualified for the job. Visit his website http://cw4wcsheriff.com/

Read More

Wilson Community City-Wide Meeting Tonite

The NAACP local chapter president, Rev. Alonzo Braggs has sent forth a call to all citizens interested to attend tonight's meeting where the topic of the utility issues will be addressed. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm and the location is the Charles Branford Resource center in the Adventura East subdivision. 2208 Howard Jones court. The sub-division sits on MLK Jr Pkwy, just beyond the Dollar General and Happy Valley golf course.

Read More

Wilson FB Group WTVD Comment Challenge

Dear "Tired of Paying High Utility bills in Eastern NC" Facebook Group,

We've mentioned a challenge to you folks that you might wanna give some serious consideration:
The following is part of the message shared with you by Ricardo Dew. After reviewing the WTVD website again this morning I see no one has added to the comment section.

We figure IF it's not worth you guys (and you're close to 3,000 folks in the count) BOTHERING at the least to place a comment about this cause on their website where you know somebody is paying attention NOW then may be WTVD is considering the same where your cause is concerned. SO, in the interest of telling you ONE MORE TIME we're re-publishing the message below. You can also view the only 2 comments currently on their website.

Read More

City-Wide Community Meeting Called

A Message from Rev. Alonzo Braggs

Wilson County, Neighboring Communities, Community Organizations & Concerned Citizens,

You are all invited to the monthly meeting of the NAACP at 7:00 pm on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at the Branford Center - 2208 Howard Jones Court, Adventura East Subdivision - Wilson, North Carolina 27893. The monthly business of the branch will be addressed and community complaints and concerns will be heard and updates on present concerns will be published.

Read More

A Message from Daryl Barber

A News and observer reporter called me and interviewed about high utility bills. He would like to talk to a bunch of people whose bills were outrageously high. His contact info is on my discussion posts on “Tired of paying high electric bills” website or contact me and I will give you his contact info. It would be nice if some of you would contact him for his report coverage in a statewide newspaper article would I think be very beneficial to our cause.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=263898601633&ref=search&sid=100000798122600.2283470628..1

Read More