Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Friday, May 30, 2008

CABLE VOTE WILL NOT BE MONDAY

Mooresville commissioners will not vote on Monday for the additional funding request by MI-Connection, after all.

While some commissioners expected the vote to be taken Monday, the issue was not included in the town board agenda. The board now expects to vote on the additional funding request in an upcoming budget meeting or the July town board meeting. When the meeting date is set, the town says it will be well publicized.

I'll keep you posted ...

Meanwhile, the Report poll will stay open through Monday, so (in case you haven't already) be sure to cast your vote on whether you think the towns of Mooresville and Davidson should fund the estimated additional $12.5 million.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

I smell something fishy here. Why would these MI-Connection people bother putting on their dog and pony show last night, just days before a town board meeting IF there wasn't going to be a vote Monday night on whether to give them the extra $12.5 million? Something tells me everything changed after the Gatton Report started blowing the whistle, and now suddenly there's no vote until July. Yep, and I was born yesterday. Well, whether it's Monday, next month, next year or next decade, read my lips: no more money into cable. The only people who want it are the people who'll make their living off of this rotten deal along with the elected officials who bought into the original dog and pony shows.

Jim said...

Seems a little weird they would just decide to not vote.

I wonder if there is any town rule or by-law that says they HAVE TO vote publically, or, for that matter, hold a public hearing before borrowing that much money.

Aside from making a bunch of people mad, which hasn't stopped them in the past, what is stopping them from just quietly approving it in a closed door budget session?

Anyone who was in attendance last night have any insight on what happened at the "world headquarters" of MI Connection?

Jim

Anonymous said...

I did not attend the meeting last night. I have not recognized the collective authority of this board for some time now, and I shall continue to not recognize it until I see tangible cleaning up of the town government. Terminating Jamie Justice was a good start, but there is a great deal left to be done. Getting us out of the shackles of the cable purchase would be another positive move. Hopefully, that will then be followed by replacing Erskine Smith with someone who has a more clear set of professional standards. Only then can this board collectively begin to hope that they may one day regain the trust and the respect of the people of this community.

Anonymous said...

do you only post what suits your cause?

Anonymous said...

I don't see any of these important meetings listed in The Tribune for public input or attendance. The Tribune will be singing the praises of the meeting and the strategy, but people don't miss the focus, this was a luxury to the tune of $80 Million + 12.5 because of a miscalculation! This was not a necessity such as water, sewer, police, fire, & education, it was an endeavor to increase a business atmosphere in Mooresville. The commissioners and mayor acted out of the scope of their empowerment by taking a chance on a luxury industry. The other players in this industry are publicly traded companys where stockholders can have an impact, but here we have 4 people voting YES to throw us into this deal. I just want to make an observation, alot of these "support" comments folks are written off as Rader,Abraham, or Thunberg coming in under "Anonymous," but beware readers. The M-I Team has alot at stake here. The top brass, Bristol, and others need this to fly to keep the money going, so I read alot of "professional PR" presence on the blog to post a "pro" argument for the town. I am aware of your intention to represent your client, but this town has more deals and expenses going out right now with a stagnant economy to say it softly. I predict next month they will vote to approve, since they have to let the "voices of Support" chirp for a month, just my bet.

Anonymous said...

Thanks May 30 10:15PM!!

A new politically correct term has been created just for you. The anonymous "closet blogger"!!

Curious on how you can say with a straight face(or is that a straight keyboard) that alot of the support comments come from these three, if they are as you say anonymous bloggers.

Are you into ESP? Is this what your sixth sense tells you? Have a good day, or did you already know I was going to say that.

Jim said...

Wow...so now anonymous bloggers are giving other anonymous bloggers grief for being anonymous.

I have no doubt that there are some outside voices out there that are pro-cable since there is a company's (Bristol-Virginia Utilities) reputation riding on making this thing successful.

I believe Jaime can easily tell where the people are commenting from.

If you live in Mooresville, don't be shy about posting a name...what are they gonna do...raise your taxes? raise your water/sewer bill? Looks like that's gonna happen anyway.

Jim

Anonymous said...

Are you serious, 4:41? A first grader can tell you there are people who get their bread and butter off suckers like "us" (or should I say Thunberg/Rader/Carney/Herring acting as us) who bought into the cable bottomless pit. No crystal ball needed here. And no crystal ball needed as to why you may be so supportive of it. Never saw a dog who willingly let go of a nice juicy bone.

Jaime Gatton said...

A commenter asked me (above) if I only post what “suits my cause.” I appreciate the person’s directness, and my short answer to the question is “yes.”

I also see this particular person’s question as an opportunity to let my readers know exactly what my cause is. So, here is the long answer:

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines “cause” as a motive; a person or thing that brings about an effect or result; a principle or movement militantly defended or supported; a charitable undertaking.

My cause is to grow an existing movement of awake and alert citizens in the Mooresville/southern Iredell community who expect and demand open, transparent, honest and accountable government. My cause is to educate and empower area taxpayers, to discuss what matters to them, to embolden them to think critically and to encourage them to question their government. My cause is to “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable” and to provide uncut, uncensored, unrelenting information to the people of my community.

The cause will not be limited or defined by what any particular person or group of people will wish for it to be; however, it will be flexible and the focus of it may change from time to time according to public sentiment and/or the greater good.

The entries that people find here will not always reflect what they expected from me as a newspaper reporter. Sometimes, I will express my opinion. Occasionally, I will simply pass along information. Other times, I will ask questions to which taxpayers want and/or deserve an answer. But at all times, I will strive to encourage and promote open, honest dialogue among and between the people who matter most in our community: the taxpayers ... yes, even when one or two of those people would prefer to criticize a private citizen rather than focus their attention on public officials. If members of the public approach me with specific questions to which they want answers, or if they bring me a particular issue they want me to look into, I will do my very best to uncover and address it. That's my cause.

I created this blog to provide a space where I could freely write about issues of interest to me and other area taxpayers. I am a taxpayer who likes to volunteer time to a cause that is much, much larger than me. As another poster pointed out elsewhere on the blog, people seek out the Report for the kind of information it provides – clearly not for the sports section or the yard-sale ads. A vast number of people are joining the cause by reading the information contained here – and, even more importantly, by participating in the discussion.

I’ll allow the “numbers” to speak for themselves.

Thanks for "listening." ;o)

Jaime

Anonymous said...

I love The Cause Ms. Gatton. Count me in.

Anonymous said...

Hey Jim,

The sad thing is in this town, they will do what they want. The Town of Mooresville and many other organizations in this town will take many/any measures to take care of "dissenters" or "problem employees." We have seen cases of this in Pritchard, Martin, and McMillan. Let's don't forget the auditor who was fired for no reason, except maybe she was to close to figuring out the money trail. We still don't know the truth about Ms. Underwood. Because people have "rocked the boat" many have lost their jobs, or been "blackballed" or"blacklisted" in town. To the chase--people with power play nasty to keep it. People who want the power play nasty to get it. That is why this blog is the talk of Mooresville so keep it going, Jamie, and dissenters watch your backs and call Cliff Homesley.

Anonymous said...

The tide has turned. It's the PEOPLE who're holding the "power" in this town now and we've started communicating. The Stinking Thinking that took root during the Joe Knox regime is nearly at its end. And anybody who's not gotten with the program has figured that out real quick by being ousted. As far as being "blacklisted", it's the officials up to no good who're now getting that special treatment! The handful of people who still THINK they have the "power" are terribly outnumbered, and they now have their "fun" at great cost and great exposure. The gravy train and anybody on it is on full display, thanks to the Report. If you want to get on a nice gravy train that's out of eyesight and earshot, I suggest you try another town.

Jim said...

In case you ever wondered if this website was effectively reaching the citizens of our area...take a look at the poll.

In 4 days 59 people have voted. In last WEEK's Mooresville Tribune poll 58 people voted.

I believe the Tribune may be a little older than The Gatton Report....but the Report is certainly gaining momentum.

Congrats Jaime!


Jim

Anonymous said...

This is totally off the subject, BUT - I just got my Town Voice and noticed with relief that there was no self-serving dribble from Erskine Smith in it - our so-called Interim Town Manager. He'd had two back-to-back nonsense pieces the past two months. I guess your "They've Had Their Say Now We Get Ours" may have taught him a lesson. Thank God for little favors.

Jim said...

OK....I'm confused.....My new edition of "Town Voice" says:

MI-Connection has added 775 customers since the December take over representing a 4.9% increase.

Jaime says:

"MI-Connection ended the month of April with 16,399 subscribers, representing a net gain of 573 subscribers since December … but a net loss of 203 subscribers since March 31. Also at the end of April, MI-Connection had 136 pending installations … and 127 pending disconnections."

Does the Town Voice forget to mention disconnections? Seems like a fairly misleading little omission. Can we have all of the facts or just the ones you want us to hear?


Jim

Jaime Gatton said...

Very interesting point, Jim. Just FYI, here's the exact paragraph from MI-Connection's April 2008
"Financial & Statistical Reporting Package":

"For the month ending April MI-Connection had 16,399 subscribers. This represents a net decline of 203 subs from March 31st, however a 573 net gain from the acquisition month of December 2007. At the end of April, there were 136 pending installations and 127 pending disconnections. It is a challenge and will continue to be, to remain at a neutral gain / loss position as we continue and complete the system upgrade, which is well underway."

Anonymous said...

So, am I understanding correctly that "They" (Thunberg, Erskine and cronies) are using the Town Voice once again for "Their" own government propaganda?

Anonymous said...

Novel idea. The Town Voice is a taxpayer publication, so how about allowing some opposing views to be included. I think that would be a great idea, by the way, did the Town of Mooresville ever get reimbursed by Alice Lee, Frank Owen, etc. for their insert(10K + copies) in that water bill explaining their position on CH2MHill..Jamie do you know?

Jaime Gatton said...

Hey, 1:35 p.m.! Thanks for your question. To my knowledge, the former town commissioners never intended to reimburse the taxpayers for that insert, unfortunately.

Anonymous said...

The thing I love about "Townies" is their sense of entitlement. They should be happy that we have elevated the gene pool.

Anonymous said...

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/06/05/ap5087409.html

TIME WARNER BABY!!!

Jim said...

Congratulations...you found an article about Time Warner Cable and bad service in Los Angeles. They underestimated how bad the Adelphia system they took over was....sound familiar?

Interesting article...but not any way related to here in NC. I guess the people in Huntersville, Troutman, and Statesville are too busy enjoying video on demand, digital phone, and dozens of HD channels to read it.

Jim

Anonymous said...

REMEMBERING VERY CLEARLY, HOW THE TOM OFFICIALS, AND ENGINEERS RAMRODDED THE SOUTH SHERRIL ST. DOWN OUR THROATS, AND UP A CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE, I UNDERSTAND WHY THE VOTE WILL BE IN JULY. THEY DID THE SAME TO US, MAKING SURE EVERBODY WILL BE AWAY ON VACATION, AND THE UNSYMPATHETIC MAYOR, WON'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO TOO MANY PEOPLE, AND GET THE DAMN VOTE PASSED. YOU SEE, I ATTEND ALL TOWN MEETINGS AND TRUST ME I SEE VERY CLEARLY, THE MAYOR AND HIS ALLIES DOING THEIR BUSINESS AND NOT THE TOWN'S BUSINESS. CAN'T WAIT FOR THE ELECTION, WHEN THEY WILL ALL BE BOOTED OUT ON THEIR POSTERIORS. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY WILL HAVE DONE OUR TOWN A GREAT DISSERVICE AND WE'LL ALL HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES. BETTER LATE THAN EVER, BOOT THEM OUT, C'MON GET REAL AND SEE WHAT THEY ARE DOING.