Lift Your Voice

Prayers for the People, their Peace and their Protection

In Savannah, Georgia & San Bernardino, California ~ Wednesday, December 2, 2015

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Rumor or Real

Dear Tom Joyner, Say It Ain't So

Well now, word is trending Tom Joyner, the original Fly Jock is being pushed out the door
'unwillingly'. What an ugly after birthday gift man....(November 23, 1949) & Happy Belated Birthday! (Musta' missed the show that day) ... and what folks are saying ain't kind to the ears right now. Since 1994, millions have listened to 'The Tom Joyner Morning Show'. Enjoyed the TJMS cruises and the charity benefits he contributes to each week. Even if this is true, Tom Joyner is ingenious enough to come up with another plan ... to keep it movin'. We've got that much confidence in the 'Man'. (...and ya better not let us down.)

Trending headlines >>> Tom Joyner double-crossed by bestfriend, Tom Joyner out, being forced into an early retirement, Tom Joyner getting the boot, and the list goes on.

Listen to Dr. Boyce Watkins break it down

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Oh, Donald

 

Trump, the Opportunistic Extortionist Extraordinaire

 

If this is true, you gotta know what some folk are thinking right about now. Was this request made before the meeting he had with those 100+ pastors or afterwards ? Either way, it doesn't pass the smell test. And another thang ... since when did running for public office require a payment for one to make an appearance, especially at a presidential debate? That's called a shake down in certain places. And extortion in others. Some may even misconstrue it as 'savvy business sense'. 

  

 

 

 HEY, FIVE MILLION BUCKS CNN or ELSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

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My Bad Black Brother in Baltimore

PREACH BLACK MAN

Y'ALL NEED TO KNOW  . . . about my 'BAD BLACK BROTHER in BALTI 'MO.

That's right, he's as real as it gets. He can lay you down, stretch you out and you'll never know from which direction the train came that hit cha'. 'Cause a man who stands for nothing will fall for anything; and with that being the case, you might as well let the train hit cha'.

If you're paying attention, you should have heard by now, Presidential candidate, Donald Trump tried to seduce or trick (your choice) Black pastors who gathered to meet with him on Monday into giving him a 'carte blance' endorsement. Shake your head or scratch your head. He did that.

OH, BUT ONE, dared to denounce what went down in New York City yesterday by stating he did not attend the meeting, though he was invited and that he was there "as preacher and a Black man to say that he vehemently oppose the candidacy of one who has been outlandishly offensive to every minority group in the country."

The Atlantic BlackStar headline read, 'Black Pastor Demolishes One of the Pastors That Met with Trump: ‘At Least Prostitutes Get Paid, You Got Nothing’'

His name, Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant, Empowerment Temple in Baltimore, Maryland.
And 'YES' he said that !

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A Community Message from the new Councilman

From the Desk of Councilman-elect Michael S. Bell

The election is over and we now have an opportunity to work together to make Wilson the most progressive city in the Eastern Region.

Residents of District 2, thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent you on the Wilson City Council. I plan to serve the city in a positive, practical, and purposeful way and work with all to find solutions to the challenges facing us.

As we go forward, there will be critical and challenging times; however, I believe that, as a community, we will prevail.

We have the assets, the skills and capacities of our residents, the strength of our business community, and the power of our local institutions and community groups to build on. Our city needs more innovative ways to create jobs and expand our tax base. Indeed, economic development must be a driver to lower our high unemployment rate. However, our workforce must be educated and skilled to take advantage of future opportunities.

We need look at a micro enterprise strategy to simulate jobs and services in the underserved areas of Wilson.

There are neighborhoods in our city that need attention.

To build healthy neighborhoods, we need to address blighted properties develop quality affordable housing, develop a skilled workforce, improve community leadership and community safety.

Our downtown development must continue to be strategically managed to ensure that our historical heritage and character is not destroyed. Our downtown amenities, businesses and housing must benefit all our residents. In my 12 years living in Wilson, we have talked about a civic center. It is time for us to seek investors and developers for partnerships to bring this to reality. A feasibility study on the current Wilson Mall is a good place to start.

Most large cities of our size have a civic center with multiple streams of income. Rocky Mount, New Bern and Greenville are examples of cities with civic centers that attract small to medium size conferences and events. We have the potential to divert some of these conferences to our beautiful city. A project of this magnitude will have its challenges. However, when we focus on the possibilities, the solutions to our problems will be apparent. We need the input of everyone to make Wilson a better place to live work and play. Our best days are ahead.

Michael S. Bell
City Councilman-elect

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2015 CIAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

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Upcoming Series - Who's Running Where

We're voting in March, those of us who are registered voters. December's not here yet and January will be here before you know. So, who's running for what where ? And who should we be voting for anyway ? No clue ?

We feel ya ! At this point in the game we're not sure 'who's who' either. BUT, we're gonna find out and when we do, WE GOT YOU !!!

Look for our new 'Upcoming Political Series 

Who's Running Where in 2016

 

A few folks have recently announced their candidacy, while some have been running for over a year. Betcha' didn't know that! Especially, if you haven't heard their name mentioned or have had the opportunity to see them on television or meet them in person.

Listen, did you know there's an African American man running for office to become the Governor for the State of North Carolina. There's also several candidates running to become the Lt. Governor. And while, Deborah Ross recently announced she's running to represent North Carolina in Washington as a Senator, taking on Richard Burr, there is an African American man who is also running. He is a military veteran who currently serves as Mayor of Spring Lake, NC. He announced he was running for the US Senate seat before she did. (Yeah, we know),
BUT WE GOT YOU !!!

Well, we're getting it all together for you. Info You Need to Know.
Posting Soon ! Look for It  !

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Coming Soon

In Theaters on December 4th

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Oh, For Goodness Sake

No need to pout, no need to cry, here's the reason, let me tell you why, while you’re gearing up for the Christmas holidays and all of its festivities, politicians will be doing the same…but for a different reason.

Thanks to the folk in Raleigh, you’ll be voting in March 2016 instead of in May. Tis the season for politicians to hit the campaign trail, hard & heavy.

 

Back in September, NC Republicans, in both the House and the Senate passed a bill that determined NC voters would cast their ballots seven weeks earlier than usual on March 15.

In making this move, it also hastens the process for those thinking about running for  office to make a decision much sooner. The filing period begins at Noon on this coming Tuesday, December 1^st and runs through December 21^st.

So while the majority of us are deciding what gifts to purchase for whom, politicians will be deciding what office they’re going to pursue, if they haven’t already done so. Oh wait a minute, on second thought, perhaps it's too late to already to make that decision.

We almost forgot this bill also specified a candidate must be affiliated with a political party for at least 75 days before filing to run as a candidate for that party's primary. Umm, this information came out towards the end of September. That requirement has surely passed its deadline. It’s certainly gonna be a 'holly jolly' Christmas this year, indeed.

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Nine injured, Gunman Kills 3

Amid the thoughts of holiday greetings and well wishes, we're rudely reminded it doesn't matter the season, evil is always lurking amongst us. The day after Thanksgiving in the State of Colorado, a gunman armed with an AK-47 stormed a Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs. In the aftermath, he shoots 11 people, leaving 3 dead, including a police officer.

How was it this man made it out alive?
How is it the police didn't take him out as they've done so many other Americans.

Why did they negotiate his surrender?
A five hour standoff before they apprehended him.
No bullets. No bruises. No blood.
Read More Here

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US Supreme Court Flips the Script back to NC

The US Supreme Court has tossed out a North Carolina court ruling that upheld Republican-drawn electoral districts for state and congressional lawmakers on the heels of a similar case involving a Alabama decision made last month.

The US justices ordered the state Supreme Court to reconsider whether the Republican led North Carolina legislature relied too heavily on race when it redrew voting districts following the 2010 census. (Hello, Mr. Rucho, Sir)... psst.

A similar ruling was issued last month involving a complaint from Alabama Black Legislative Caucus that the Republican-dominated legislature illegally packed African-American voters in already majority-minority voting districts.

Last month the justices determined that an Alabama court's ruling backing that state's redistricting plan "legally erroneous." Justice Stephen Breyer, writing for the majority in the Alabama case, said the lower court should have considered the claims district-by-district rather than focusing on the state as a whole.The Supreme Court has advised the NC judges to revisit their ruling in light of the Alabama decision.

State lawmakers have argued their maps sufficiently satisfied the requirements of the Voting Rights Act, a federal law aimed at protecting minority voting rights. Perhaps not well enough.

 

 

 

Photo: NC State Fans Nation

Photo: NC Policy Watch

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Walmart's Coming here, but leaving there

Trending headlines, says it all, Walmart suddenly closes five stores in four states

leaving 2200 without jobs.

But, of course that's no reflection with what's about to happen here in Wilson, NC.
This city is getting not one, but TWO (count em' up) two new neighborhood Walmarts in the coming months. Never mind, we already have a version of a so-called superstore (if that's what you really wanna call it.) It has no auto/tire service and no deli where you can buy their version home-cooked meals like you can in most other "SUPERSTORES". Demolition is already underway on one with the other soon to follow. If all goes according to plans.

However, in other parts of the country city officials are scratching their heads and wondering what the heck is going on ...and why have these stores closed? The cities where these stores were closed include: Brandon, Florida; Pico Rivera, California; Livingston, Texas; Midland, Texas; and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Commissioner Victor Crist, who represents the Brandon, Florida district where one of the stores closed said, "I just find what's going on very odd."

Walmart claims the stores closings were related to plumbing issues. Wow. Really ... in all FIVE of them at varying locations. Ironically, it's being reported there have been no plumbing permits pulled in any of the cities where the stores were closed. Now, that's not just odd. That's just downright suspicious.

The stores are expected to reopen in six months, however that's a long time to be out work. It's reported that all workers will receive paid leave for two months. After that, full-time workers could become eligible for severance, according to CNN Money. However, part-time workers will have to fend for themselves.

That's no way to treat employees Walmart. Here's hoping Wilson won't one day meet the same fate.


Photo: Getty Images/ Tim Boyle

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IF ONLY ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

LUTHER VANDROSS

 

 

April 20, 1951 - July 1, 2005

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I Wanna Hold Your Hand

And her point is....
I must admit I've asked myself, what was this all about ... Anastasia Pittman is her name. She is a Oklahoma State Senator. I understand compassion. I understand forgiveness. I get reaching out across the aisle to help another...but this, I'm not so sure about.

I watched the 'breaking news' story yesterday about Levi Pettit making a statement or rather reading one, apologizing for his role in that infamous chant heard around the world. You know the one.

I didn't bother to listen to the apology in its entirety. It seemed a bit disingenuous. Michael Eric Dyson's  captured my sentiments on spot when he called it choreographed. Yep. That's exactly what it was. The question is ...why so?
 

zM

Photo Source: Internet Images

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The Double-Edged Sword - Freedom Has A Price

It was an exuberant time back in September 2014, just six months ago in Robeson County when two men were exonerated from a 30 year ordeal that wrongly accused them of rape and murder. Ironically, it just so happened, they were half brothers. Henry McCollum and Leon Brown.

Thirty years is a long time. Being on death row even longer. The NC Innocence Inquiry commission took on this project and a judge declared the men had nothing to do with the rape and murder of the young girl Sabrina Buie. He ordered their immediate release.

The double edged sword ...  freedom without compensation is still incarceration of a different kind. This story is hardly over though it's disappeared from the headlines. Since their release, McCollum & Brown received $45 each from the State of North Carolina. Nothing more. Nothing less. That was six months ago. Ask yourself, could you do that. Live your life on $45 bucks for six months.

Governor Pat McCrory hasn't come forth to grant them an official pardon though it's been noted he's said it's a 'top priority.'  Ah, Governor McCrory, can we get a more definitive deadline for this transaction to occur, Sir. We know you know a pardon would allow them compensation fully due them for the three decades they served time and were denied an opportunity to earn a living for themselves. Only with the help of family, friends and charity from the community have they been able to minimally exist since their release. Don't you think 30 years is long enough to pay for a crime they did not commit and yet robbed them as well.

C'mon Governor, we're all waiting for an official pardon, removal of the convictions from their records and a clean slate with restitution to financially provide for themselves. These men truly deserve more than the minimum requirement the state is obligated. The pardon would allow them to get $750,000 in compensation each from the state. Do the right thing.

A Pardon. Compensation & Restitution. Clean & Clear Slates.

Photo Source: Internet Images

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It Ain't Closed Yet

That won't come until June of this year. There's a planned expansion of Wilson's 'Chick Fil A' in the works, so all you 'Chick fans' have time to prepare your mind and body for the forthcoming withdrawal of your favorite meal.

The Wilson Times recently printed an article detailing the upcoming closing.

You can read that story here. If you get desperate for some nuggets or a sandwich Rocky Mount is just twenty miles away ... depending on how you go.

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Info You Need To Know - Small Business Seminar

Wilson Community College Small Business Center presents “The Realities of Owning & Operating a Small Business,” featuring Christy Proctor, owner of the local Chick Fil A along with Paul Farris, retired owner of Farris Motors in Rocky Mount.

The seminar is scheduled for Monday, March 30th from 6 to 8 p.m. in Building G, room # G240 on the college campus.

Proctor also serves on the Wilson Chamber of Commerce board, BB&T advisory board, Wilson 20/20 and the Wilson Education Partnership.

Paul Farris is the Wilson County ABC Board Chair and serves on the N.C. ABC advisory board.

Interested individuals are encouraged to attend. This event is free.
 For more information contact call 246-1232

To register for the class, Follow the Link -  www.wilsoncc.edu/coned/sbc.cfm or www.facebook.com/wcc.sbc.

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Info You Need To Know - Scholarship Application

The Darden High School Alumni Association, Inc. has placed scholarship applications in all the three area high schools, Beddingfield, Fike, Hunt and Wilson Early College.

The application deadline is April 21. Applications may also be picked up at the Darden Alumni Center, 1600 Lipscomb Road. For more information, call Faye Winstead at 245-2183.

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Fike High School Under Siege

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED !!!

WILSON COUNTY SCHOOLS ASSAILANT TRAINING EXERCISE
APRIL 9th - Wilson NC - 8 am - 12 noon

FIKE HIGH SCHOOL will undergo a transformation the likes this community has never seen. The Wilson Police Department will host a mock assailant drill on April 9th, 2015. Volunteers are needed to help out in the process. Students and staff will be on spring break during this time. Applications are being accepted until the end of the month. You must be at least 21 years old. There is an application on the school's website for those interested in volunteering.

The school system is collaborating with law enforcement, emergency management, EMS, fire, rescue and 911 to create this training scenario. It's an opportunity to gauge our community response in the event a real life event occurred. Volunteers are needed to serve as actors and play the role of teachers, students and victims.

If you want to participate sign up here - WCS Active Assailant Training Exercise Form

Follow the link for more information at www.wilsonschoolsnc.net under the school news section.

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That Tweet Did It

THIS is Mo'ne Davis

Her bio states she was born in 2001. Do the math. That means she's somewhere between 13-14 years old. She gained worldwide attention last year when she was one of two girls who played in the 2014 Little League World Series. They call her by her nickname 'Mo'.

According to wikipedia, she is the 18th girl overall to play, the sixth to get a hit, and the first African-American girl to play in the Little League World Series. She is also the first Little League baseball player to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a Little League player.

She's a kid superstar and a great baseball player!



THIS is Joey Casselberry.

He's a junior in college and attends Bloomberg University. He was in the baseball team, but just got kicked off because of a derogatory tweet about the kid superstar that he evidently envied.

THIS is the tweet ... 

THIS is what Mo'ne said ...

"Everyone makes mistakes and everyone needs a second chance,”  She asks Bloomberg University to reinstate Casselberry in spite of what he said and how he treated her.

A Kid Superstar in her 'league'. You Go Girl !

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Good News After All

S.C. State University is NOT closing after all due to budget cuts. That's great news !

Amid concerns about the future of South Carolina State University, a state senator said recent troubles surrounding the institution are on the path to correction.

“The future of this institution is good,” said Sen. John W. Matthews Jr. during a Monday panel on campus. “It will not be closed; we’ve made that decision and I think the House has concurred.”
Matthews’ comments came as an assurance to many who have been outraged over the Feb. 11 vote by a House panel to close the campus for at least three semesters; a move the state Senate never supported.

Alumni, faculty, friends and leaders gathered on campus for a town hall meeting called by conservative political pundit and SCSU alum Armstrong Williams to discuss the future of the institution.

Keep Reading, Follow the link.

Source: Diverse - Issues in Higher Education

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Thom Tillis is showing ALL of America

What An Asshole ... he really is.

Every once in a while you've just gotta cut one loose. 'Cause, you'll bust a gut holding that shi'diggity in. And it ain't worth that contamination in your system.

Thom Tillis is one prejudice jerk ... Yeah, I know. And there is nothing honorable about what he's doing either. And for those of you who certified him by casting your vote for him, you reap what you sow. 

There's no logical reason for Tillis not supporting a native daughter of North Carolina for a prestigious position in Washington, DC. His ass ain't even from here himself...BUT it's ok for him to represent this State as a US Senator, BUT NOT ok for Loretta Lynch to represent as the US Attorney General. Considering the platform he's putting forth.

So, Thom Tilly (as the lady called you back during the general elections), who's really committed fraud when announcing to the public in 2013 that the NC Voter ID Law REALLY didn't have too much to do with fraud at all. Remember, YOU SAID THAT back on MSNBC. Look, Remember.

And then, Thom Tilly, had the nerve to say he'd pass legislation where restaurant workers didn't need to wash their hands. Oh, REALLY! You remember saying that Ole Thommy-Boy. You gotta, you just recently said it and Jon Stewart has now bequeathed you a new name... Senator Dung-Hands von Fecal-Fingers. Now, ain't that some shi'diggity.

During the 2014 general election, Thom Tilly, came to Wilson County and spent a couple days, meeting with his constituents and eating over at Amy Jo's Country Restaurant. Local GOP were elated having Tillis in town. Now, that he's been elected, Thom Tillis is currently thanking the citizens of Wilson who voted for him by sponsoring legislation that will nullify state municipal broadband laws. Right after the FCC ruled it was ok for Wilson to sell high speed internet outside the city limits. Giving Wilson the greenlight for its broadband project called GreenLight. Don't believe it. Read It.

Thom Tilly went to Washington and told Wilson, 

chew tobacco, chew tobacco, chew tobacco, Spit.

Dang, Senator, Dung . . . 

folks who voted for you back home really stepped in it, h'uh.

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Move Your Clock Up Tonight

HAPPENING TONIGHT

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When You Get Hungry Today

HAPPENING TODAY

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Attorneys on Call - WRAL

WRAL is hosting it's community project 

"Attorneys on Call"  

Get free information about topics 

including family, employment, housing and debt. 

Call 919-744-3861. 

Phone lines are open until 7 p.m.

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Forward Together Movement & NAACP

Going On Today in Raleigh

People's Grand Jury on Medicaid Expansion Part II

WHERE:

North Carolina General Assembly
16 W Jones St - Room 423
Raleigh, NC 27601

On Monday, February 16th, the NAACP heard the testimony of North Carolinians who are suffering the consequences of the NC Legislature's decision to deny Medicaid Expansion. One ofo the participants they listened to was a fast food worker, mother of 2 suffering from cervical cancer who falls in the Medicaid gap and cannot afford health insurance.

Today, the conversation resumes to determine if they will seek mitigation against the State of North Carolina on their failure to provide Medicaid Expansion to the citizens. In today's discussion they're expected to hear from healthcare providers and advocates.

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Gold Heist in Wilson County

Source: WRAL

$4M in gold stolen along I-95/ Wilson County

The FBI and Wilson County authorities are investigating the theft of an estimated $4 million worth of gold reportedly stolen during an armed robbery along Interstate 95 near Wilson Sunday evening, the sheriff's office says.

Two armed security guards told authorities that they were traveling from Miami to Massachusetts with a shipment of silver and gold when they pulled over at mile marker 114 after mechanical problems with their truck.

Read more follow this link to WRAL.

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Greenlight Under Scrutiny

If you live in Wilson, this Carolina Journal article may be of interest to you. 

Are you a Greenlight subscriber?

While most of the Internet-related headlines today will deal with the Federal Communications Commission’s ruling (along party lines) to treat Internet Service Providers like regulated utilities, another party-line ruling also hits close to home: The commission voted to overturn laws in North Carolina and other states limiting the ability of cities to expand broadband access beyond their jurisdictions. (Already-operating services such as Greenlight were exempted from some of the restrictions in the 2011 law but not allowed to operate outside their jurisdictions.)

The challenge to North Carolina’s law was brought by Wilson, which wanted to expand its government-owned Greenlight service beyond Wilson County limits. A law passed by the 2011 General Assembly banned cities from doing this, and from issuing debt to expand service unless first getting the approval of voters (muni broadband services previously could go into debt by using Certificates of Participation, which don’t require a vote of the people).


Previously in another post on the same subject ... FCC Could Overturn State Broadband Law

Excerpt - North Carolina’s law, passed in 2011, subjects approval of funding sources for new municipal broadband services to a public vote and limits Wilson’s Greenlight network from offering broadband services outside Wilson County.

Wilson borrowed $28 million to launch Greenlight using Certificates of Participation, which do not require a public vote.

Such a funding source for broadband bothered Rep. Marilyn Avila, R-Wake, a primary sponsor of House Bill 129.

“They didn’t ask their citizens if they wanted to pay for it, if they saw it as a core service,” Avila told reporters following final approval of the bill. “We have a lot of people in these cities whose voices have been muted. They do have a voice in the elections, but by then it’s too late. They’re committed to COPs for 15 to 20 years and there’s nothing they can do to get out of it.”

Wilson officials are “cautiously optimistic” that the FCC will rule in their favor so they can expand into surrounding counties where infrastructure is already in place.

Source: Carolina Journal

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Thom Tillis's attempt to lynch Loretta Lynch

The Greensboro News & Record ~ Editorial Staff wrote;

Thom Tillis said it was his most difficult decision in 45 days as a U.S. senator to oppose Greensboro native Loretta Lynch’s confirmation as attorney general.

It didn’t seem hard for him at all. While he made condescending comments about Lynch’s family “beaming with pride” at her confirmation hearing last month, noting “she was raised right,” he was clearly against her from the start.

“By all indications, Ms. Lynch would continue to pursue the costly and frivolous lawsuit against the state of North Carolina to overturn a common-sense and constitutionally sound voter ID law,” Tillis said in a statement issued before Thursday’s Senate Judiciary Committee meeting.


Read the entire editorial.

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Congratulations to Wilson resident

This year’s ACLU Frank Porter Graham Award, the highest honor awarded for longstanding and significant contributions to the fight for individual freedom and civil liberties in North Carolina, is being presented to Dr. Jim Grant, who has worked to advance and defend civil liberties in North Carolina for nearly as long as the ACLU of North Carolina has existed.

Mr. Grant was incarcerated for nearly four years in the 1970s after being arrested and charged as a “political terrorist” in a case in which the government paid witnesses against him and two other African American men, known collectively as the “Charlotte Three.”

Mr. Grant received the longest sentence of 25 years. The many injustices around the case garnered national attention, and their sentences were eventually commuted.

He will be honored at the ACLU-NC’s 2015 Frank Porter Graham Awards Dinner in Chapel Hill on Saturday, February 28, featuring keynote speaker, National ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero.

Source: ACLU/NC

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CONGRATULATIONS Joe Davis

Sitting in a meeting recently , waiting to get started, a friend shared an article about a man who was in the running for the position of superintendent in a place considered volatile after the shooting of Michael Brown. That place of course being Ferguson, Missouri. That friend being his mother, Wanda Davis. As I handed her back her cell phone, I asked her how she felt about that. She nodded and said "It's alright. As long as it's alright with him. I love my son and I back my children."
A mother's support and love is always a blessing to behold. Congratulations to you both.

Wilsonian becomes new Ferguson-Florissant Superindentent,

Joe Davis

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The Wilson Solar Owners Network

The Wilson Solar Owners Network is a group of residential solar system owners challenging the City of Wilson (COW) for their right to produce solar energy and use it on their own systems. Sounds pretty straightforward doesn't it.

So what's the problem. The COW, Wilson Energy and the right of  a citizen to exercise their rights in Wilson NC. Sounds familiar doesn't it. There's a term used often these days that applies to this situation ... It's called government over-reach.

We recently came across this group of solar homeowners on facebook and connected the dots when we read a recent news article, 'Council stalls energy policy change'.

Here are a couple posts from their FB page. We all can lend our community support to this worthy cause. Stop by and LIKE their page. We all know the cost of high utility bills in Wilson.

(Feb 20th)
Every day...especially on bright sunny days like today...the 11 or so homes that have installed solar panels in the Wilson Energy distribution system are cranking out clean, renewable energy. BUT...Wilson Energy SEIZES all that solar energy. They won't allow the owners to use the energy they are producing! Wilson Energy SEIZES the energy, pays the owner about 4 cents per kilowatt hour, then resells that energy to to the owner at the retail rate of 13.1 cents per kilowatt hour.... The owner NEVER gets to uses his solar power before it is sent to Wilson Energy. This is outrageous and is the reason there are so few residential or small business solar panel systems in the 30,000 customer base of Wilson Energy. How can a City Council allow this unjust, unethical practice to go on? The same reason our electric rates are among the highest in the state? When is Wilson going to get on board with renewable energy, saving the planet and reversing climate change?


(Feb 19th)
Wilson City Council DOES hate solar. We thought we were on the precipice of a change that would make solar generation system ownership more attractive in our community. However, tonight at the City Council meeting, in the 11th hour, after months of negotiation and compromise, Councilman Logan Liles asked that the Council delay the vote on the revised Renewable Energy Policy - the very one that the City Staff met with us on just last week - until the Duke buyout is complete later in the year. All Council members except Tom Fyle, voted to table the matter. Thank you, Mr. Fyle for taking a stand...just too bad you were alone.

We should have anticipated this turn of events given the City Manager "threatened" in an email to us back on January 30th to recommend delaying the action - just like it happened.
If you want change in Wilson, please email or call your Council Representative and demand that Wilson join this century and encourage solar generation rather than squash it. Green, clean energy is the future. Why is Wilson so slow to join the fight to save the planet? Why does Wilson want to continue to support dirty Duke energy that is causing so much damage to the environment and to the climate? As it stands now, the City of Wilson continues to steal solar energy from system owners and stay dependent on dirty energy. It is a sad state of affairs.
We will continue to fight for solar justice. It's the right thing to do and way past time for the City's antiquated policy to change. We are not going away. We will continue to fight.

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Piggly Wiggly or Walmart

Is there really room enough for both ...

Wilson City Council Members approved a rezoning plan that paves the way for a second Walmart Neighborhood Market to locate across the street from Piggly Wiggly on Ward Blvd. Never mind there's already a Superstore located less than TWO MILES away.

At the recent Council meeting, an attorney representing Piggly Wiggly, voiced the company's concern to build a grocery store across from theirs. So much for 'shop local' efforts in our small town community against such a conglomerate as Walmart.

Attorney Robert Rountree indicated Piggly Wiggly company leaders are considering their presence to remain open in the Wilson area should Walmart locate at the planned site.

Rountree commented,"I would hope that the council would consider the impact of losing a grocer that has been operating in Wilson and in other small eastern North Carolina towns for over 20 years.”

"I realize this is a relatively straight forward zoning issue,” Rountree said. "Yet, I think, it has huge implications for the future of our city.”

Keep Reading ...Follow This Link

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School Closings Link

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Enough Is Enough

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Solar Energy is the Future

Did You Know ...
Wilson NC has a Solar Owners Network? If you've driven along 301 Hwy going North toward Rocky Mount, you've probably noticed a beautiful array of solar panels are lined strategically in a field off to the right.

Not knowing, we thought it was a project the COW had initiated.
However, not so. Check this out ! 

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