[Durham INC] New from the Rev-elution

Thu May 17 20:30:22 EDT 2012

I agree with Melissa. If by some strange fluke Foster didn't survive the November election, which I can't imagine, then he would only serve 6 months.  This is exactly the same outcome as if any of the alternates Kenney mentions were appointed. None of the alternatives were elected by voters in the recent primary, while Foster came in second. It baffles me, all this agonizing to find what seems to be an "anybody but Foster" candidate. 
It smells very fishy to me. 

Sent from my iPhone. Take typos and autocorrect errors lightly please. 

On May 17, 2012, at 5:44 PM, Melissa Rooney <mmr121570 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> If there is issue with Foster taking Bowser's interim commissioner position, then Wendy Jacobs is the next voter's choice. If that upsets anyone, then Will Wilson should be next in line -- if the commissioners are to do what their Durham constituents clearly want.
> 
> Melissa
> 
> 
> From: Carl Kenney <revcwkii at hotmail.com>
> To: inc-list at durhaminc.org 
> Sent: Thursday, 17 May 2012 3:17 PM
> Subject: [Durham INC] New from the Rev-elution
> 
> Anita Daniels deserves the nod to replace Joe Bowser on the Board of County Commissioners
> 
> 
> It’s only six months. Right? Selecting someone to complete the term vacated by Joe Bowser is no big deal. Right?  Members of the Durham Board of County Commissioners can easily make that decision. Right?
> 
> Hold on, wait a minute.  This is Durham, NC, and there is no such thing as an easy decision.  The last time members of the Board of County Commissioner were stuck with the same task they ended up picking Pam Karriker, a supporter of Amendment One.  Her short stint on the board is a reminder that not everyone living in Durham has tolerance oozing from their bones.
> 
>  Karriker, along with her four comrades, have been stuck with the charge of replacing Joe Bowser after he was taken to the wood shed and given an old fashion beat down during the primary.  Old Joe’s feelings were so hurt that he decided to take his toys and go home.
> 
> Picking a person to serve a six month term is a thorny task when placed within the context of Durham’s old school political culture.  The most heartbreaking part of how things get done in Durham is how virtually everything is tied to an antiquated system that fails to serve the average Jane and Joe citizen.  Those squeaky wheels get all of the attention, and, at the end of the day, what is best is often compromised to satisfy the interest of someone holding the perception of power.
> 
> That’s why the best person to replace Bowser – for six months – may get overlooked.  That person is Anita Daniels.
> 
> This six month term of duty is tied to a system that demands being fed bits of morsels from the table of power.  On that table are old names that represent, in the minds of those holding power, the essence of credibility.  Only a few are allowed to sit at the table.  It’s a system that feeds on its own while frustrating the growth within footsteps of actualization.
> 
> The characters at the table are few.  Fred Foster, Jr., who placed near the top among those receiving votes in the primary election, is the favorite among Bill Bell and others who have chimed in on Bowser’s replacement.  Foster’s showing during the primary, combined with Wendy Jacob’s willingness to bow out of taking office early, is why it will be difficult for Commissioners to pass on his taking office.
> 
> Hold my mule.  That may be politically advantageous, but Daniels is the one for the job. Why?
> 
> I take serious issue with Foster taking office prior to relinquishing his role as President of the Durham NAACP.  There is nothing within the guidelines of the NAACP or with the Board of County Commissioners that negate his right to hold both offices; however, serving in both capacities reflect a lack of sensitivity to the potential of serious conflicts of interest.  The work of the NAACP will be compromised by having a President who can’t speak on behalf of the organization due to his role as a member of the Board of County Commissioners. 
> 
> There is also the matter of the November election.   It appears that Omar Beasley will be placed on the ballot along with the five Democrats who survived the primary.  Although Foster was on top of the heap among those who collected votes, the will of the people is still in question, and we can’t assume that Foster will survive in November.  By appointing Foster before the November election, Foster is granted footing over others who remain in the competition. 
> 
> Phil Cousins, chair of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, is a favorite among many.  Cousins is capable of entering the work with both feet on the ground due to having served as a County Commissioner.  He brings knowledge that will make for a smooth transition.  The problem with Cousins is his current role as Chair of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People.  Although the Durham Committee’s Political Committee is not chaired by Cousins, serving the Board of County Commissioners would be a major conflict of interest due to the November election.  Not to mention that Cousins has a tough task in convincing people that Lavonia Allison isn’t pulling the strings of the organization. 
> 
> Another option would be to seek the service of another former commissioner.  The most likely choice would be Maryann Black, who currently serves on the staff at Duke Medicine.  Becky Heron, who resigned from the board last year, is another possibility, but don’t hold your breath.
> 
> The other option would be to select from the list of those who lost during the primary.  There are two who stand out: Anita Daniels and Elaine Hyman. Both have experience in county government as department heads.  Daniels, in addition to her experience as an executive with the United Way, has worked in city government. 
> 
> Daniels gets the nod over Hyman due to her strong showing during the primary.  Although it’s only six months, those at the table are passing on the one waving to get their attention.
> 
> In my opinion, it's the best move to make. But, who am I? I'm not at the freaking table.
> 
> 
> 
> Dr. Carl W. Kenney II
> 15 Ocean Ct.
> Durham, NC 27704
> (919) 530-0582
> 
> Pastor of Compassion Ministries of Durham
> Author of  the novels Preacha' Man and Backslide (Trafford Publishing)
> Freelance columnist with The Durham News (www.thedurhamnews.com)
> Blogger at Rev-elution.blogspot.com
> 
> "Beyond the door of pain is the vision of a new day. Open that door"  
> Carl W. Kenney II from the soon to be released novel Rolling the Stones
> 
> 
> From: revcwkii at hotmail.com
> To: christinebbd at yahoo.com; inc-list at durhaminc.org
> Date: Thu, 17 May 2012 19:14:54 +0000
> Subject: Re: [Durham INC] SWCD should be at the table wrt Trinity Park Fitness Center site plan(s)
> 
> I love that Mike came to the defense of city staff. Class act!
> 
> 
> Dr. Carl W. Kenney II
> 15 Ocean Ct.
> Durham, NC 27704
> (919) 530-0582
> 
> Pastor of Compassion Ministries of Durham
> Author of  the novels Preacha' Man and Backslide (Trafford Publishing)
> Freelance columnist with The Durham News (www.thedurhamnews.com)
> Blogger at Rev-elution.blogspot.com
> 
> "Beyond the door of pain is the vision of a new day. Open that door"  
> Carl W. Kenney II from the soon to be released novel Rolling the Stones
> 
> 
> Date: Thu, 17 May 2012 12:10:05 -0700
> From: christinebbd at yahoo.com
> To: inc-list at durhaminc.org
> Subject: Re: [Durham INC] SWCD should be at the table wrt Trinity Park	Fitness Center site plan(s)
> 
> Hi Mike,   When I read Melissa's comment, I read it in the full context, and she was not saying our city staff would do a second rate job.  The way I understood it to read, she said  'reinventing the wheel' could create the possibility that a second rate job might be a result.  I thought I'd point this out, and hope this helps!
> 
> I agree that the SWCD staff is hard-working and very dedicated.  I've first hand experience in the past with Mike Dupree and Eddie Culbertson.  We are fortunate to have their talent working in Durham.
>  
> Christine Chamberlain
> Grove Park resident
> Master Gardener - Durham County Extension office
> Wonders of Wetlands Facilitator
> 
> From: Mike Woodard <mike at mikewoodard.com>
> To: Melissa Rooney <mmr121570 at yahoo.com>; INC <inc-list at rtpnet.org> 
> Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2012 12:56 PM
> Subject: Re: [Durham INC] SWCD should be at the table wrt Trinity Park Fitness Center site plan(s)
> 
> Melissa:
> 
> I will check on this request, but I have to be honest: your comment about the City staff ("...to likely do a second-rate job as a result.") was unfair. Our city is served by talented, hard-working, and dedicated professionals, including our Public Works staff.
> 
> Mike Woodard
> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________ Durham INC Mailing List list at durham-inc.org http://www.durham-inc.org/list.html
> 
> _______________________________________________ Durham INC Mailing List list at durham-inc.org http://www.durham-inc.org/list.html
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Durham INC Mailing List
> list at durham-inc.org
> http://www.durham-inc.org/list.html
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Durham INC Mailing List
> list at durham-inc.org
> http://www.durham-inc.org/list.html
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://rtpnet.org/pipermail/inc-list/attachments/20120517/1c97599d/attachment.html>