"According to the current officeholder, there have been only been 18 requests to the Register of Deeds office for online redaction of Social Security numbers since 2005. The lack of public awareness is unquestionable. In my investigation of this matter, I talked with two county commissioners and the county manager, and they all had not heard of a budget request for this serious problem. I’m glad to know that this important item was finally included in this year's budget. I’m surprised that it is costing Iredell nearly twice what another county of similar population has already paid, which is an important consideration as well.
"This situation should have been dealt with immediately, and yet for almost a year since the statute was amended allowing online redaction, my opponent failed to act. How many Iredell residents were the victims of identity theft while she did nothing? Protecting our citizens' identities are important enough to warrant an appearance before the Board of Commissioners to request an appropriation or shift other funds that were wasted, including a needless car and travel allowance, over a year ago before this law even went into effect. In fact, budget amendments are common in every bi-weekly board meeting. According to [Iredell Finance Director] Susan Blumenstein, 69 amendments were made before the board for FY2010 alone.
"My opponent has had since at the latest October of 2009 to rectify this, but her department didn’t make the purchase order until exactly one month ago (see attached purchase order). In this case it’s clear that proactive effort and common sense are lacking. My opponents actions are too little, too late."
(Click the copy of the purchase order below to enlarge.)
Posts
94 comments:
The PO doesnt enlarge on my puter.
Oops! Let me try that again. Thanks!
Jaime, is this the only race going on? It certainly seems to be the only one you're reporting on. Are you concerned someone could think you have a personal agenda?
MAN IT'S TIME TO CLEAN HOUSE,THE SHERIFF,REGISTER OF DEED,CLERKS OFFICE,LOOK AT TODAYS SALARIES IN SUNDAYS PAPER AND ADD ANOTHER 5 GRAND TO THEM,THEN IT MIGHT BE CLOSE,TO MANY PEOPLE IN THE S.O. MAKING BIG BUCKS,GETTING PROMOTED TO DO NOTHING,CLEAN HOUSE REVISE THE PAY AND MAYBE IREDELL COUNTY MAY HAVE A LITTLE MORE MONEY THAN THEY DO
Glad to see this follow up. Starting to make sense now. How much car allowance does the register of deeds get.
Current Races
Erin Green running against Rena Turner
Matt McCall running against Brenda Bell
COmmissioners (Pick three)
Steve Johnson
Marvin Norman
Renee Griffith
Theodore Geary
Special Election for commissioner
Chuck Gallyon against Frank Mitchell
Sherrif
Bill Stamey, Skip Alexander against Phil Redmond
Judges
Brandon Crouse (might be mis-spelled) against Tom Church
These are a few of the local races
7:37 You seem a bit upset about this information being reported. Could you possibly have a personal intrest in this race?
Anybody but griffth. No way I can support that woman. The r and l was given a list of her indiscretions but failed to report. Maybe gatton will have the guts
Can you say madame chairwoman? Better get used to it my friends. Renee is the real deal and will be victorious. Her grassroots campaign has trancended party lines. What a great campaigne
What house needs to be cleaned is the leadership of the local republican party. What a joke they are to watch. The disgraceful way they have treated the farmers in the north and many others is truly offensive.
What have they done to the farmers?
they haven't done anything to mistreat farmers. but anyone can post anything on the internet.
10:06 I am not sure I follow you on the farmer's comment. I do agree however the local republican party needs some changes. There is at least one bad egg in the bunch, and if the rest of them aren't willing to stand up for what is right, and challenge the actions of the one,then they all should go. I ready for some true conservatives not these people that are putting on a show for the citizens.
there was a group of farmers that didn't support the appointment of Frank Mitchell. the iredell republicans unanimously recommended mitchell and the commissioners approved it. mitchell was a friend of the farmer in raleigh.
Who's the bad egg?
Most anyone who has been in office over two terms is probubly a bad egg. What I have learned in the last year after becoming more politicaly involved in Iredell County is tht most of these so called republicans in power in Iredell County are not at all what they seem to be. They have fooled most of the people. including myself intil recently. I challenge everyone to become more aware of what is going on in this county it will make you sick. I don't blame the ones that say it must be false I know things for a fact and somedays myself don't beleive it could be true. Start going to the commissioners meeting. People need to get involved. There needs to be a major shift of power in Iredell County.
anonymous at 926 likes steve johnson about as much as she likes spell check
steve is the best.
but what does any of this have to do with the register of deeds race?
anyone who attacks people anonymously over the net is probably a bad egg
wait 945.......arent you anonymous? those in glass houses.......
i am anonymous. and you are too! we can start an anonymous anonymous group!
Well its pretty easy to figure out who the person is making the comments about the iredell gop.
Who is the bad egg. I think it is you
Funny how one particular cc candidate kissed the ass of the two incumbents then threw them under the bus.
people do really need to find out more about these candidates and their reputations before voting. for example: who knows what the register of deeds office, or the clerks office for that matter actually does for the county? they are responsible for all the great service that we receive in these offices for sure. both of these ladies are hard workers with a lot of experience in getting a good job done. what proof do their challengers have of being responsible hard workers? to think of programs that ms. turner had started for the clerks office to make it run more smoothly and efficiently for people going thru difficult times, and then read someones comments that another candidate would be a better fit for that job just because of their party affiliation is discouraging. why are these ladies really being challenged? not for their work, but for the opposing parties to win "a point"? is it really worth it?
the new register of deeds and the new clerk, and the new commissioners, will all make the same salary...won't they?
They're being challenged becaused that's how democracy works. These jobs belong to taxpayers not to the incumbents. I'm voting to kick all incumbents out!
9:46 anonymous...no. they receive very different salaries. and i am pretty sure only the register of deeds has a car allowance. that's the height of arrogance.
ms. bell doesn't do a good job in my opinion.
I hope it is obvious to those on this board that the comments saying that both Brenda and Rena are doing a good job are clearly coming from employees of the county in the respective offices. I find it appalling that these post are occurring during office hours. I have heard from more than one of these employees defending these bureaucrats They are just trying to hold onto their GOVERNMENT JOB.
Perhaps these posters should get back to work. If Rena and Brenda really were doing there jobs, they would FIRE the folks posting immediately!
I see a reputation from these two incumbents of complete disregard for the citizens of Iredell County. They have been sitting pretty for years, earning a fat paycheck, going to fancy conferences and now what do we have to show for it? Nothing!
It is amazing that a 26 year old teenager who has never been employed and has no resume or work record can come forward and trash a person who has paid her dues by working up the ladder and all he wants to do is bad mouth her. Would you give your financial matters to a teenager rather than a mature responsible person? This person still has the personal habits that he had in younger years. I do not know the Register of deeds personally and am not one of her employees but she should not be subject to this trash
anonymous 304-what facts do you have to back this up? I know for a fact that he is employed.
And how has anyone been bad mouthed except for what is being said against McCall. I have personally met this gentleman recently and he is respectful and responsible. He has never once made this personal and has stuck to the issues.
Regarding financial matters, they aren't being handle responsibly by the current office holder. She cares more about getting a travel allowance and going on trips than she does about the citizens of Iredell.
I was one of those people whose social security numbers were online. Without Matt telling me, I would have never known.
This is a shameless attack on a very responsible person. I guess this is what happens when there is someone of great caliber running for an office.
a 26 year old teenager? What? I thought you stopped being a teenager at 19? Sounds like some fuzzy democrat math and an attempt to smear someone. From what I've read here and heard, McCall has never attacked Ms. Dowdle-Bell personally. He simply pointed out a major security breach.
shameless nepotism hapenning all over iredell...brenda is the sister of the chief deputy, she hires her cousins and next door neighbors to work off my tax dollar. im sick and tired of all these cousins being leeches on the system and thats a fact not a smear.
McCall to his credit has focused on the issues. And a very serious issue at that. Some of Brenda's supporters are taking the low road, and personally attacking with untrue personal attacks on this site.
The goon squad attacking Matt is desperate and it is very disappointing. It's as bad as some of the crap on TV being said by Kissell and Spratt. Two more left wing democrats trying to hold on to power.
Matt McCall has earned my vote. There is no way I can support Ms. Bell.
I HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR ALL YOU BELL SUPPORTERS. NAME ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW ANY OF MCCALLS STATEMENTS HAVE "TRASHED" HER?
NAME ONE AND I'LL BUY YOU A HARDEE BURGER. COUSINS AND NEIGHBORS ARE WELCOME TO RESPOND.
hmmmm i love hardees!
Let me say again i met McCall an liked him,was going to vote for him until i heard jamie (whats her name) was helping him on her blog!!!ANYONE jamies for I WILL NOT VOTE FOR!!!!!
anonymous at 122 pm is not all that bright. you will not vote for someone because the blog you read you perceive is for a candidate.
if this blog told you to look both ways before crossing the street, would you refuse to prove a point?
if you liked mccall and was going to vote for him, you would really change your mind solely because someone you don't like MAY be supporting him? seriously?
I HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR ALL YOU BELL SUPPORTERS. NAME ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW ANY OF MCCALLS STATEMENTS HAVE "TRASHED" HER?
NAME ONE AND I'LL BUY YOU A HARDEE BURGER. COUSINS AND NEIGHBORS ARE WELCOME TO RESPOND.
Anonymous @ 133:
You hear the crickets? You won't have to buy anyone a Hardee Burger cause McCall hasn't trashed her.
either crickets or the employees down at the ROD were told to stop posting on here!!!
She promoted her own niece over other people that had more time and experience....HELLO????
who is her neice
Has anyone looked at Mr. McCalls soon to be wife's facebook pictures? The majority of the pictures are of her drinking, or at drinking parties, or her drunk, or her with an alcoholic beverage in her hand. Seriously, is this the type of behavior we want from a potential leader's wife? The captions under some of the pictures are "Shotgun time" and "Drunken night with the girls."
He is in many of the pictures with a drink in his hand. There are the lovely ones of him shirtless with entirely too much to drink. This is not the type of behavior we need from elected officials or their soon to be wives! Wow and the worse thing he can think of that Ms. Bell has done is take a car allowance. Iredell definitely deserves better than Mr. McCall!
mccall is on the lake, way to twist something that doesn't need to be twisted!
typical democrat smear. they know what's coming.
Blame everything on the democrats? Could there possibly be some self respecting republicans that actually don't want Mr. McCall? This is politics and posted internet pictures are fair game. Maybe he and his future wife are still in their partying stage and are not mature and ready to be prominent leaders in Iredell county.
I am absolutely appalled by these shameless attacks that continue against Matt. I have been following this blog since I met Matt and he told be about the reckless disregard of current ROD with my Social Security Number.
NOW, to see this very personal attack against Matt's fiance is unacceptable. I would think the current ROD should focus more on her on MANY, MANY shortcomings over the past 34 years than attacking someone who clearly gets what it takes to fix the problems in this office.
Absolutely shameful.
if you are a self-respecting republican, say who you are.
I am disgusted by the tactics of the people attacking Matt McCall. I am going to volunteer to support him and will be writing a check to his campaign. The attacks posted here are beyond the pale.
This is probably the same self-respecting Republican that complained to the newspaper when the Young Republican Club (a group of twenty and thirtysomethings) had a social at the brewery in Mooresville. Get a life!
Likewise.......I believe you were the coward who posted a personal attack.
1050 who are you referring to?
Everyone is a tough guy on a blog post
or tough lady
self-respecting republican who are you?
self respecting...theres a little vanity in that title
i hope bell wasnt on the payroll when she was at the board of elections today but it wouldnt surprise me if she was!
most people who show a little vanity are really ugly individuals.
your so vain, i bet you think this blog is about you, don't you?
Wow.....Anon 1004. way to start fire storm. I don't know either one of these folks, I just happened this article due to the sheriff article being forwarded to me. Given this kind of attack, I am not sure I would vote for the current office holder. She seems a little desperate to me. I dont have facebook and dont know much about it though.
Hopefully I will get meet both of these folks tomorrow when I go vote.
I am supporting McCall 100%. He has stuck to the issues that matter.
My question is has anyone seen brenda bell gyrating on facebook with bill stamey and barbara orr? I don't think that is very appropriate for a career politician if you ask me.
excuse me.....jeff cheek
There have been lots of personal attacks by both sides on these blogs during this race. Both sides are equally guilty at throwing mud and starting stuff.
The McCall camp shouldn't sound so high and mighty.
with Jeff Cheek and Barbara Orr at the Kennedy-Carter dinner?
where are the personal attacks from the McCall camp 1116? There's a Hardee burger on the line.
1116. What mud has been slung by McCall. I haven't heard anything, but clearly doesnt mean it aint happende. Just curious so I can be better informed.
geez who cares its the register of deeds race
Anyone of these anonymous post could be Mr. McCall or someone from his camp. Please lay off the "when has Mr. McCall ........."
yall r just jealous cause his lady is hot
This completely inappropriate attacks. The candidate is fair game, the candidate future wife is not.
Brenda Bell should be ashamed of herself.
Wow....you step away from this blog and the mud starts flying.
What kind of background does McCall have? That seems a lot more relevant to whether I'd vote for him than the fact that there are pictures of his future wife with a drink in her hand.
(drinking is still legal...isn't it?)
Vying Register of Deeds candidates, incumbent Democrat Brenda Bell and GOP challenger Matt McCall, were chatting it up.
“That’s what’s great about running for office in America,” Bell said as the two candidates stood side by side handing out their own campaign materials.
Added McCall, “There’s no need to be nasty to each other.”
Was Ms. Dowdle-Bell on her lunch break all day the the board of elections or did she use vacation time?
Has Ms. Bell worked in the private sector? Mr. McCall has by the way.
Is she a college graduate, and if so, where? Mr. McCall is a grad of NC State. A fine school.
Personally, I think a Bachelor's degree should be required for holding either Register of Deeds or Clerk of Court. Not everyone may agree with that but it's my belief.
Also, I want elected officials with business experience. Mr. McCall has this. Ms. Bell may too but I haven't heard about it, just her governement service. Maybe her supporters will educate me about that. I am much more interested in qualifications, than whether a candidate's spouse or future spouse has a drink in hand on the internet.
If Ms. Bell is re elected she will continue to do a good job. If Mr. McCall is elected he will do a good job. Either way Iredell is the winner.
Dowdle-Bell is just another life long government worker waiting on retirement.
She isn't a college grad, i'll assure you of that. I think she went to beauty school if that counts...
CRYSTAL DOWDLE MAYES Iredell County ASST REG OF DEEDS I
Move past this please. Give both of these candidates a rest!
I SUPPORT BRENDA BELL BECAUSE SHE IS A REAL GOOD CHRISTIAN SOUTHERN WOMAN WHO HELP OUR PEOPLE FROM IREDELL COUNTY AND HAVE THE EXPERIENCE AND IN THAT OFFICE ONLY WORK A GOOD GROUP OF WOMEN FORM IREDELL COUNTY AND THEY GOT THE LAST SALARY INCREASE 3 YEARS AGO. COMPARE TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND MANY DEPARTMENT'S GETTING A GOOD SALARY INCREASE EVERY YEAR. TELL ME WHAT MCCALL CAN BRING HERE?
NO EXPERIENCE AT THE REGISTER OF DEEDS AND CLEAN THE HOUSE HOW?... BRINGING ALL HIS COLLEGE LITTLE FRIENDS? PEOPLE OUT OF IREDELL..
JUST THINK ABOUT IT
anonymous at 1015 am:
you are proof at how desparate Ms. Bell's supporters are now. Just think about that.
republicans don't take car allowance? LOL!!!
every one!!!
mccall... seems like you're busy checking all the gossip...
What kind of english is this? I can barely understand any of this. This kind of crap doesn't even deserve a response. I would agree with 11:38, it is pretty desperate not to mention the poster seems to lack the intelligence of a flea.
And 1202, I doubt he is "checking the gossip" When I went to vote this AM he was busy meeting voters telling them what a difference he will make for Iredell County.
get a life!!!
to whom are you referring?
The "people out of Iredell" stuff is what holds our county back.
Mr. McCall is a native. He is a citizen of this county, and he would have to be to even run. He's not from out of Iredell.
Iredell's best county commissioner, Steve Johnson, is a South Carolina native.
I am more concerned with people's values and principles than where they were born and who is their cousin.
http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2008/clinton/clinton043008prnc.html
Does Ms. Bell support the planks of the liberal Democrat party platform?
We got 3 decades experience but not a ounce of common sense. Leave social security numbers onlline? I don't think so!
how many of bells kin work for her
At least 2.....
I think this is very sad who care who works for who that is not what this is about you say " for iredell" yet all of you continue to bash each side. This is very sad when you can sit and have time to bash people who work hard to get where they are or want to be better at what they do. Why are we not focusing on the actual issues instead of their social pages!!!
Could anyone tell us if those social security numbers that McCall zeroed in as a campaign issue in the ROD been redacted? Seems if they were such a law breaking issue as was said, that should be his first priority instead of getting his picture in the paper self bragging about his first 3 days. He said in a statement during the campaign that it should have been dealt with immediately. His self bragging seems a little immature to me, or maybe there's more to the job than he thought. You can't demand loyality, you earn it.
Easy bess
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