Monday 1-23-06


Highlights of Subjects discussed...

Open letter to the city council and citizen's of Asheville from Dr. Mumpower, concerning the removal of Dr Dunn from the Airport Board. Dr Mumpower's was letter was read over the air. Matt also mentioned the time limit that was being considered by the progressive city council for discussion of issues by each council member.

The ethical question of discussing council business after recessing from their retreat was discussed. Tim Peck called in and told Matt that the facilitator had informed all council members, during the retreat about what was lawful and ethical concerning any discussions outside of official council meetings.

Peter Dawes called to say that members on the airport board must be a sitting city council member. Matt said he needed to research that.

Bill Lack called to continue the conversation about conservatives, and whether they would still be allowed to continue on city boards.

Leslee Kulba called and voiced her concern about some of the actions of the liberal council. Her comments were ... politics is mostly about doing the right thing and standing by it. She was totally outraged by the maneuvering of council. She said before the election the progressives campaigned on Democracy, Democracy, Democracy which of course to her is reprehensible. They should know this is not a Democracy, but a Constitutional Republic. The council is acting like little tyrants in trying to maneuver key people to where they want them. Now it seems power is just going to their heads. As Leslee was running late, she meet Jan Davis, and said surely they won't start without you. Jan responded, "They can do whatever they like." She "has" been surprised by Terry Bellamy's attempts at being even handed. Terry has talked about fairness. Mayor Bellamy has shown signs of strong leadership, and maybe could be prevailed upon to help control the actions of the council. But overall, she is just not liking what she is seeing.

Matt said, Dr. Mumpower wondered if these were attempts to silence conservative view points on the city council? Matt wondered if there was going to be a summer of censorship in the city of Asheville by the majority progressive city council? Whether conservative viewpoints were going to be eradicated from local boards, committees and civic dialog? Perception would seem to indicate that.

All callers had negitive comments concerning the questionable activities of the progressive city council.


Topic...The Highpoint ABC Board was being compared to the local ABC concerning the possible violation of the state open meetings law, The Board agreed to spend $18,000 hire an attorney to represent the Board pertaining to allegations of corruption.

Discussed Buncombe County not being eligible for lottery school construction funds because of the formula used to distribute funds. Only 10 to 17 percent of lottery funds will got to school construction anyway. The way the General Assembly has set up the lottery distribution formula it encourages local governments, if they want a slice of the lottery pie to raise property tax. This formula encourages higher property tax rates by local government. The way the formula is written, if your county is at, or below 59.7 per $100.00, your county will not receive any of those construction funds. And right now Buncombe County is already at the property tax rate of not qualifying for the lottery funds. Doing a revenue neutral would further remove Buncombe from receiving the lottery school construction funds. In other words the higher the property tax the more lottery funds will be received.

Eric Gorny called to agree with the utter failure and corruption associated with the lottery. Folks that want a lottery, if they knew the real story of this one they would trash it.

Don Yelton called to discuss the connection of the money handed out by Advantage West to buy votes. And the corruption going on concerning Red Oak School. Follow the money.

Side note... Majority Leader Tony Rand is from Bladen County. And Bladen County stands to gain some of the largest dividends off this formula. Coincidence?

Discussed the political contributions to Jim Black and then, he used the slush funds to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars to nonprofit organizations in Mecklenburg County where Black is from.


Some of the articles discussed in red. Monday 1/23/06

Officials say that lottery punishes government efficiency

Physicians give state ERs below-average grade

Proposed land trade prompts area concerns

Iran oil threat cuts 2 ways

Respecting the owner-pet bond with pet Chaplains

Town doles out money in secret

Poll- Voters see corruption on both sides of the aisle

Town's ABC officials resign

Lawmaker to appeal for nuclear plant

Last herd of caribou fighting for survival

U.S. Navy Seizes Pirate Ship Off Somalia

Charges dropped against ex-prosecutors

Painful end for Panthers

E! correspondent- Hands off!

Local doctor recounts time spent at Abu Ghraib prison