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North Carolina Central University

Friday, April 30, 2010

WRAL Airs Wilson Sheriff's Race

The Wise Up Challenge

Amy Grant, for those of you who know the artist, once sang " you gotta use your head to guard your heart. You better wise up." HOME is where the HEART is. It's about time you start to take care of "HOME". Any time citizens have a chance to use the power of voting -it's a big deal. A BIG darn deal. And there are too many citizens who don't understand why. WHY do I have to vote. My vote don't count. Reasons & excuses for you not to do the right thing. And you're absolutely right. IT DOESN'T COUNT when YOU DON'T vote. If you're smart enough to figure that much out - how about taking a gander at the rest.

SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE IS COUNTING ON YOU - TO KEEP DOING WHAT YOU DO YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT WHEN IT COMES TO YOU SHOWING UP AT THE POLLS TO CAST YOUR VOTE.

Wise Up Challenge

Things that Make You Go Hmmmm

One local news headline reads - The future of electric rates. Interesting. ElectriCities rates likely not to increase or decrease. Hold on . . . wait a minute . . . blog readers haven't we heard that somewhere before already? OK... let's do a little researching here. Momentito.

YES! We have right here on the blog BACK ON MARCH 27th ... That information was shared by Community Blogger Daryl Barber and the article that appeared in the Rocky Mount Telegram was posted over a month ago. Stability predicted for utilities - By John Henderson Rocky Mount Telegram published Monday, March 22, 2010. Geez, wonder why it took so long for Wilson folks to get this news. Another something to make you go...hmmm. AND just for old time sakes ... be sure to revisit our blog post from A MONTH AGO that relates to the article you're about to read now.

Citizen's Opinion - Calvin Woodard for Sheriff

Woodard is Highly Qualified

I am writing this letter to the editor to show my support for Calvin Woodard in his campaign for the position of the next Wilson County sheriff. In my opinion and personal knowledge of current sheriff Wayne Gay, that in the few times I have had occasion to speak to Wayne Gay, he has either ignored me or snubbed me.

Two relations of mine were charged in the past instead of what I believe to be the actual perpetrators. Fortunately, their attorneys were very good attorneys. Due to the sole detective work of then-detective Calvin Woodard, they were found not guilty by a jury of their peers.

One Day til Early Voting Ends

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Dumbing Down the Community

By Deliberate Design or Destiny . . . an awful lot of "coincidental circumstances" have occurred of late where you can't get the two sheriff candidates in the most contested race this county has ever seen in the same place at the same time. WONDER WHY? We dare say it's by ... wait for it ... DESIGN. We'll be taking a closer look at that viewpoint on tomorrow. Y'all come back now - you hear!

Sheriff Candidate Forum Review

"Informative and productive" was how Rev. Alonzo Braggs described the May Primary Candidates forum held last evening at Bethel AME Zion church in Stantonsburg. Citizens from around the city and county converged to hear the issues, platforms and ask questions of the candidates running for Wilson County Sheriff. Calvin Woodard was in attendance. It was reported due to a previous engagement Wayne Gay was not available. Supporters for both candidates had opportunity to ask questions and engage in conversation relative to the sheriff's race.

Two Days til Early Voting Ends

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Candidates Forum Tonight

There will be a Candidates Forum Held at the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church on Wednesday April 27, 2010 at 7:00 pm. This forum is sponsored by the faith community of the local area churches. It is important that all persons have an opportunity to make an informed decision when voting in the primary. Therefore the faith community has decided to host this forum and invite the candidates for Sheriff to come and share their views and platforms at that time. Please pass this information on to all who reside in your neighborhoods. While this is primarily targeted to getting the information out to those in the far east of Wilson County, anyone can attend.

Three Days til Early Voting Ends

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Early Voting Ends Saturday

There's still time for you to vote early if you don't want to get caught in long lines at the polls on Tuesday, May 4th. Early voting continues now through May 1st at the Board of Elections located at 112 Douglas Street. The hours this week are 8am until 6pm. On Saturday, May 1st doors open at 8am and close at 1pm.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Early Voting starts Today

Early voting starts today at the Wilson County Board of Elections office at 112 Douglas St. Hours today and Friday are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office will be open April 19-23 and April 26-30 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday early voting hours are from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 17, 24 and May 1.

Early voting gives registered voters the chance to vote before the May 4 primary. New registrations will be accepted during early voting hours and those registering will be able to vote the same day.

The Wilson County Board of Elections decided in late March to extend early voting hours to better accommodate voters before the primary.

Support Swings Both Ways

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 10:06 AM

Resident shows support for Woodard
As a recently retired first sergeant from the N.C. Highway Patrol, I do not presume to indicate that my personal support of the candidate Calvin Woodard who is challenging Sheriff Gay is by any ways implying the endorsement of any law enforcement agency.

Where I do believe there are a large number in the Wilson County law enforcement community who are not able to clearly indicate who they truly support, I felt it necessary to speak out myself after the resent letters being placed in the paper.

With all respect to Sheriff Gay, the office of the Sheriff and the deputies who make up the department, I am submitting this letter. As a resident of Wilson County and a former supervisor of a law enforcement agency, I feel very confident in saying that Calvin Woodard has the ability, knowledge and experience to be the sheriff of Wilson County and lead this department. He has shown me a very strong concern and love for all people who are law abiding, as well as the determination to make this county safer by the removal of the criminal elements from Wilson County.

As we have become friends he has shown me that he believes in God and prayer as the basis to raising his family, that when you lead others you should lead by example and that, he is willing to accept the responsibility for the action of those he leads. Wilson County residents have the opportunity to vote for the candidate of their choice without the worry of anyone knowing who they voted for on Tuesday, May 4th. It is important that everyone make sure they vote for the candidate they wish to see lead the Sheriff's Department for the next four years! Each person's vote is their voice and can make a difference in how the sheriff's office is governed during these next four years in Wilson County.

Thank you for the opportunity to express my feelings to everyone in Wilson County,

Retired First Sergeant R.T. Futrell,

Wilson


Article published in the WilsonTimes Letter to the Editor section

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Looking for Solutions... Make That Change.

CHANGE . . . Depending on its benefits . . . Depending on the circumstances… Depending on your state of mind. . . AND . . . Depending on WHO you ask . . . Can Be A “Good Thing.”

NOW, on the other hand, CHANGE . . . Depending on who you are and whether or not you’ve got your hand in the cookie jar might not be such a “good thang” because you fear you’re gonna lose some “privileged benefits” you may currently have.

SO again, depending on WHO – YOU ask - CHANGE may or may not be a good thang. Let’s look at the situation.

CHANGE – when you’re talking about the East side of town – Well, things haven’t changed much in the past 15 years or so… and 15 years is a long doggone time for nothing to have happened in the terms of growth, expansion, prospering opportunities and a better quality of life for yourself, your family and your friends who live on this side of town.

Citizen to Citizen - Go Vote

Community Blogger: Daryl Barber
"If you have not changed your party affiliation to unaffiliated or democrat it is too late. Friday, April 9, 2010 was the deadline. Any unregistered voters can do one stop voting starting Thursday, April 15, 2010 thru Saturday, May 5, 2010 in the early voting process. Urge everyone you can to vote early and take registered or unregistered voter with them to vote. Only we can make a change and make a difference!"


This public service announcement has been brought to you by Citizens United for Change in Wilson, NC

Monday, April 12, 2010

This Week in Wilson

Here are the Boards, Commissions, Committees events going on in the city this week.

Safety Presentation
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Calendar: Police Calendar
Location: Reid St. Community Center
Officer John Little will be a this community health fair hosted by the Wilson Parks and Recreation Department.

City Council Meeting
Thursday, April 15, 2010, 7pm
Calendar: Government Calendar
Category: City Council
Location: Council Chambers

Friday, April 9, 2010

Wilson Arts Council

Southern Comedy featuring Jerry Carrol & Larry Weaver will be at the Boykin Center on April 16th! Don't miss this show...it is an event for the whole family! Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students & seniors. Call the Arts Council of Wilson to reserve your ticket today at (252)291-4329

Community Blogger: Daryl Barber

KNOW OF ANY MUNICIPALITY(IN THEIR RIGHT MINDS) ANYWHERE THAT LAST FISCAL YEAR INCREASED THEIR BUDGET SPENDING BY THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS , WHICH EQUATES TO ABOUT A TEN PERCENT INCREASE.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

South District Neighborhoods United

WOW! WHAT A TURN OUT! THANK YOU EACH & EVERYONE SO VERY MUCH FOR ATTENDING THE SOUTH DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS community meeting & FOR THE INSIGHT GIVEN FROM A COMMUNITY UNITED FOR CHANGE for this city. WOW!

Blog Reader Question Answered

Recently a Blog Reader asked:

What's the difference between NCEMPA and Electricities? Same city membership? And despite the skyrocketing electric rates Electricities owns 18% of the Brunswick Nuclear Power plant and Progress Energy owns the rest? Is NCMPA 1 experiencing similar rate increases amongst it city membership? NCMPA1 draws its electricity from a different nuclear power plant doesn't it?

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

One Shining Moment Tribute

PAUSE for the CAUSE

CONGRATULATIONS . . .  DUKE BLUE DEVILS 2010 NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! HARD FOUGHT. HARD EARNED. HEARTFELT! THANK YOU FOR MAKING US PROUD IN THE TAR HEEL STATE! WHAT A GAME. WHAT A SHINING MOMENT!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Rocky Mount Mirrors Wilson

Guest Blogger: JoAnn Wood
"A solution we have been saying now in print in Rocky Mt!"
You must read this article!

http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/theres-no-advantage-staying-electricities-18119

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Census Due Today...Yikes!

Four Questions on the Census
by Mike Krumboltz

This is not an April Fools' Day joke.
Census forms are due today for almost all citizens of the United States.

The due date, well publicized on commercials and print advertisements, has led many to wonder of the consequences of not filling out their form. Web searches on "what happens if I don't fill out my census" are on the rise, as are related lookups on "is it against the law not to fill out census." Wondering yourself? Here are answers, straight from the official source (PDF), Census.gov.

Heavy Makes You Happy

Community Blogger: Ricardo Dew
"No Longer Alone"

In 2008, when I first heard that we may be getting 14-percent rate increase, I went to a rate committee meeting over in Rocky Mount. I asked the committee why there was a need for a rate increase of that amount. Curious to know if the large increase was due to the rise in fuel or coal cost or was it because of ElectriCities. The committee could not give me an answer.

After that, I started attending city council meetings asking for answers and asking if they could start looking into some of the actions of ElectriCities. It was my concern then that the city needed to start looking into doing something to help those who would not be able to pay their light bills. That was two years ago and the same problems still exist. Actually, it has escalated to the degree of where we are now with citizens outraged at the high utility bills and unable to pay them.

Blackout Thursday Today

REMEMBER
     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!

Sponsored by Citizens United for Change