You get to provide the caption:
Friday, December 31, 2010
Rob Tufano's Email Regarding CMPD Officers Injured in Chase
From: Tufano, Robert
To: Tufano, Robert
Sent: Thu Dec 30 22:20:22 2010
Subject: Officer Grubb and Trietley
Officer Richard E. Grubb, assigned to the Hickory Grove Division and Officer Keith R. Trietley, assigned to the North Tryon Division were involved in separate motor vehicle wrecks this afternoon. The two officers were in the process of trying to apprehend a suspect who earlier assaulted one of the officers when the suspect intentionally rammed his truck into their cruisers.
Officer Grubb was transported to CMC Main after sustaining a broken tail bone.
Officer Trietley was also transported to CMC and sustained two broken arms and a broken leg.
The suspect in this case has been identified as Francisco Rodriguez, DOB: 10/07/1963. He has been charged with DWI and detectives are seeking warrants on multiple assaults charge and felony speeding to elude through the Magistrates Office.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Island Bound
Photo By The Author
Cedar Posts will be out of touch for the balance of the year.
It might look warm but truth is Green Turtle Cay won't get above 60 today and its pretty windy as well.
Look for a year end wrap up, a look forward and a Rodney Monroe behind the doors look at the Marcus Jackson arrest that is pure fiction, well kind of.... Coming on Friday.
Peace Cedar Out!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Hottie of the Week Princess Victoria
Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, Duchess of Västergötland and Cedar's final hottie of the week for 2010. If you look past the camo face paint you'll find a sexy as all 33 year trouble maker who will one day become the Queen of Sweden.
Meanwhile this globe trotting hottie plays a very active role in promoting Sweden's interests worldwide. Smart, articulate and if you must know, smoking hot in bikini or a little more as you can see here.
Being a "Royal" is not without risks and drama as there is always someone waiting in the wings to take your crown and your throne. Enter Princess Madeline, Victoria's much younger sister. Could she be the first Cedar Posts Hottie of 2011? We shall see....
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Charlotte Gets Snowbound Random Unedited Photos of a Snowy Sunday
Snow covered eagles at Morrocroft.
Ducks at Carson's pond are fearful of people because the neighborhood has declared war on waterfowl.
Snow falling on this fountain frosting on a 3 layer cake.
Chain link fence at Myers Park High School. Notice the Allison Fence badge. I'd guess its been there since at least 1969. The last year they used stamped badges.
Pooh Bear looking for some grass.
Snow covered trees along Charlotte's Queens Road.
Snow falling around the Phoenix better known as the "Disco Chicken".
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
A Christmas Manger
My wife is a Christmas addict, the 12 step program and the long road to recovery, at least so far has failed.
Experts say to correct any disorder you must first determine the cause. Last year, I accidentally discovered the source of my wife’s lifelong obsession with all things Christmas.
She is a person with Christmas boxes. Ornaments and lights, Santas and nativities, angels and stars, teddy bears and stockings all reside in boxes during the off season.
One rather large box has been around since our first Christmas together.
Over the years the box had become what my grandmother would call “dog eared” meaning the flaps to the box were so worn that they were no longer stiff but floppy like the ears on my Labrador Retrievers.
So last year well into January and with much discussion we agreed to replace the worn out box with a couple of plastic tubs.
It was my task to make the orderly transition, out of the old box and into the new tubs.
Deep Inside, at the very bottom of the old and tattered box, among crumpled old newspapers was a small wad of tissue.
So small, that it was almost thrown away.
In a split second of clarity my hand quickly backed away from the trash bag. The paper had just enough weight to cause suspicion. I carefully unwrapped the tissue to reveal a tiny paper box, no larger than an inch wide and two inches across.
A price of 10 Cents was stamped in ink on the top of the box with that symbol of a “C” with a line through it that somehow vanished during the transition of typewriter keyboard to computer keyboard decades ago.
The drawing on the outside of the box, depicted a manger scene complete with 3 lambs and a shepherd, a donkey, a cow, three wise men, Joseph and Mary and baby Jesus with an angel overhead.
Inside a plastic full color replica of the western world’s perception of the birth of Jesus.
The micro sized nativity scene complete with a manger was my wife’s first Christmas decoration purchase and the first hint of a life long love of all things involving her favorite winter holiday.
Her explanation was simple. In elementary school they had a bake and toy sale twice a year. Donated items were laid out on a table for students to peruse all morning, then during the 45 minute lunch break students would buy things that ranged from ten cents to a dollar.
Comic books, and silly putty are things she remembers, in addition to cookies and cupcakes. It seems the manger was a one of a kind.
The only one offered and during lunch while boys jostled for airplane models and the girls turned the pages of Nancy Drew story books my wife scored the tiny manger scene for 10 Cents.
Now nearly four decades later it is dwarfed by all that we possess, yet it is indeed one of the most valuable items in the home we share.
It is a part of her past, and finding it has allowed me to touch a part of her childhood and in the process to begin to understand her love of all things Christmas.
A Christmas Story (Remembering Al Rousso) Redux
This story was written a few years back but the "tradition" of shopping at the last minute continues....
My parents have been married now for more than 55 years and every Christmas my father does “his” Christmas shopping at the last minute.
Times may have changed; he has even embraced the internet with packages arriving through out the year via the Brown UPS Truck. But Christmas has always meant a last minute dash to the jewelry store.
A number of years have passed but for the longest time there was the annual Christmas Eve trip to Brownlee Jewelers in the Johnson Building on South Tryon Street in Uptown Charlotte.
One year, I was privileged enough to witness an event that had been occurring every Christmas Eve since at least the early 70’s.
The familiar jingle of a bell held over the door announced our entrance. Despite several customers crowed into the small store, the owner Al Rousso immediately spotted my father. Calling him by name: “Good to see you, I’ve been expecting you.”
A warm smile sprang to his face. “Come on in I got something I want to show you.” Al offered, as he opened the small half swing door that separated the customers from the other side of the glass counters and the jewelry salesmen.
As we were quickly swept into the back office, Al looked around, obviously checking for anyone within earshot. “I’ve been saving this just for you, something I know your wife (he knew her name as well) will really enjoy.”
My mother would have been happy with red and white Christmas pot holders the one’s with a reindeer on one side and a sleigh on the other. But my father always gave her something that sparkled and came in a small box.
Mr. Rousso reached down, opened a safe and withdrew a small six inch long box covered in navy blue velvet. He looked around again playing his role with exaggerated movements and came closer to my father and me. He opened the box just for the briefest of moments and immediately closed it.
“Well what do you think?” Al asked. “Wow! …. Oh My!…. Honey you shouldn’t have!” he added.
My father nods in agreement.
“I’ve been fighting off my employees for weeks but this I told them is for someone special.” Nervously he looks around and opens the box again. You would have thought we were about to buy a stolen gem the size of your fist. A back alley deal so good we should be arrested on the spot.
“And the price?” My father asks.
Al looks at the bottom of the box and hands it to my father, who shows it to me. Al interrupts by asking us to keep it out of sight for what he is about to do the other customers will most likely riot and all his employees might just quit on the spot.
“The price is blank but for you ….blank” My father looks like a deer in the headlights, no doubt the price is well beyond what he had in mind.
After a long painful pause Al concedes “But since its Christmas blank less blank”… and adds “please I beg you don’t tell anyone what a good deal I’m giving you.”
My father smiles and with a quick signature on a small three part carbon sales bill it is added to my father’s account. The yellow customer copy neatly folded and placed into his wallet and the gift slipped into his suit coat pocket. We all shake hands then the jingle above the door announces our departure, as Mr. Rousso and my father shout Merry Christmas to each other.
Down the glimmering marble lobby and through the heavy brass doors we step back out onto the street a brisk wind at our backs. And that was it, in less than five minutes our Christmas Eve mission was accomplished.
And so I was left to assume that the interchange between the Jewish jewelry store owner and my father the Christian buying a gift for his wife had repeated itself many times before and perhaps years after that, a simplistic ritual, nearly as old as time, merchant and client.
Al Rousso passed away in 2001 at the age of 76, but the small store at 212 South Tryon Street remains and the Rousso family continues the tradition of Brownlee Jewelers. Though I truly doubt it is with the level of theater and salesmanship I witnessed on Christmas Eve so long ago.
My parents have been married now for more than 55 years and every Christmas my father does “his” Christmas shopping at the last minute.
Times may have changed; he has even embraced the internet with packages arriving through out the year via the Brown UPS Truck. But Christmas has always meant a last minute dash to the jewelry store.
A number of years have passed but for the longest time there was the annual Christmas Eve trip to Brownlee Jewelers in the Johnson Building on South Tryon Street in Uptown Charlotte.
One year, I was privileged enough to witness an event that had been occurring every Christmas Eve since at least the early 70’s.
The familiar jingle of a bell held over the door announced our entrance. Despite several customers crowed into the small store, the owner Al Rousso immediately spotted my father. Calling him by name: “Good to see you, I’ve been expecting you.”
A warm smile sprang to his face. “Come on in I got something I want to show you.” Al offered, as he opened the small half swing door that separated the customers from the other side of the glass counters and the jewelry salesmen.
As we were quickly swept into the back office, Al looked around, obviously checking for anyone within earshot. “I’ve been saving this just for you, something I know your wife (he knew her name as well) will really enjoy.”
My mother would have been happy with red and white Christmas pot holders the one’s with a reindeer on one side and a sleigh on the other. But my father always gave her something that sparkled and came in a small box.
Mr. Rousso reached down, opened a safe and withdrew a small six inch long box covered in navy blue velvet. He looked around again playing his role with exaggerated movements and came closer to my father and me. He opened the box just for the briefest of moments and immediately closed it.
“Well what do you think?” Al asked. “Wow! …. Oh My!…. Honey you shouldn’t have!” he added.
My father nods in agreement.
“I’ve been fighting off my employees for weeks but this I told them is for someone special.” Nervously he looks around and opens the box again. You would have thought we were about to buy a stolen gem the size of your fist. A back alley deal so good we should be arrested on the spot.
“And the price?” My father asks.
Al looks at the bottom of the box and hands it to my father, who shows it to me. Al interrupts by asking us to keep it out of sight for what he is about to do the other customers will most likely riot and all his employees might just quit on the spot.
“The price is blank but for you ….blank” My father looks like a deer in the headlights, no doubt the price is well beyond what he had in mind.
After a long painful pause Al concedes “But since its Christmas blank less blank”… and adds “please I beg you don’t tell anyone what a good deal I’m giving you.”
My father smiles and with a quick signature on a small three part carbon sales bill it is added to my father’s account. The yellow customer copy neatly folded and placed into his wallet and the gift slipped into his suit coat pocket. We all shake hands then the jingle above the door announces our departure, as Mr. Rousso and my father shout Merry Christmas to each other.
Down the glimmering marble lobby and through the heavy brass doors we step back out onto the street a brisk wind at our backs. And that was it, in less than five minutes our Christmas Eve mission was accomplished.
And so I was left to assume that the interchange between the Jewish jewelry store owner and my father the Christian buying a gift for his wife had repeated itself many times before and perhaps years after that, a simplistic ritual, nearly as old as time, merchant and client.
Al Rousso passed away in 2001 at the age of 76, but the small store at 212 South Tryon Street remains and the Rousso family continues the tradition of Brownlee Jewelers. Though I truly doubt it is with the level of theater and salesmanship I witnessed on Christmas Eve so long ago.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Forest Ridge Murder Suspect Taken Down By CMPD VCAT Unit
WSOC is reporting that Charlotte Mecklenburg Police have charged Tre Barber with the murder of Chaufa Johnson.
He was taken into custody shortly before 4 p.m. this afternoon by CMPD's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT).
Officers tracked down Barber in a car, driven by a friend of his and VCAT officers initiated a traffic stop. The car was subsequently involved in a crash. No other vehicles were involved, police said.
Barber and the woman who was driving the car were taken to Carolinas Medical Center-University City for observation.
According to police Barber and Johnson knew each other and when they encountered each other in the parking lot on Wednesday, Barber pulled a handgun out and shot her.
He was taken into custody shortly before 4 p.m. this afternoon by CMPD's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT).
Officers tracked down Barber in a car, driven by a friend of his and VCAT officers initiated a traffic stop. The car was subsequently involved in a crash. No other vehicles were involved, police said.
Barber and the woman who was driving the car were taken to Carolinas Medical Center-University City for observation.
According to police Barber and Johnson knew each other and when they encountered each other in the parking lot on Wednesday, Barber pulled a handgun out and shot her.
Annoying Christmas Cards
I get a lot of Christmas cards, most are wonderful and bring to mind fond memories of friends and family.
For some reason more and more of these annual greetings are in some form of Christmas letter as if the sender feels inclined to detail their entire life just in case they might be considered for Time Magazine's "Person of the Year".
Often these are entertaining, but most are either outright bragging or filled with personal medical details that I'd rather not know.
Come on, I didn't take early retirement this year, I didn't go to Spain or Antarctica, my son didn't earn his 3rd PhD and I darn sure don't want to read about your hip replacement, breast enhancement or that thankfully noncancerous lump they removed from your backside. And pleeeesze don't send me pictures of the above.
While Christmas letters are bad, so are those tasteless humor cards, with dead reindeer, Christmas party jokes or drunk and naked St Nick passed out in front of a Christmas tree.
But by far the most annoying Christmas cards are those sent by friends who have landed the perfect gig aboard mega yachts that have fled the cold and are sitting somewhere in gin clear waters, with cobalt blue skies over head. In this case the location is Antigua.
It's bad enough I have to scrape ice off my windshield but what is up with the pine with fake holly berries border?
Another Shooting at Forest Ridge
Just before 5PM on Wednesday Chaufa Johnson was shot at an East Charlotte apartment complex that has become a hot bed of criminal activity and shootings.
Police said there was an altercation in the parking lot of the Forest Ridge Apartments, and several shots were fired at Johnson. She was struck once and died while being transported to CMC Main.
The shooting appears to be a drug deal gone bad, as witnesses report a small bag was taken from Johnson as she lay on the ground.
According to WSOC TV, Johnson graduated from East Meck High School in June. She was enrolled at CPCC and was set to begin classes in January.
"That was my best friend. That was my everything. And she's gone," said Carlon Johnson, the victim's brother. "She's gone and there ain't no coming back."
Police have not named a suspect, but news media reports indicate there were plenty of witnesses, who spoke to detectives after the shooting.
Johnson had been arrested multiple times as a juvenile and at least 3 times this year for crimes ranging from marijuana, assault on a government official, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
The "Local Paper" quotes Valerie Porter, who lives in the apartment above Johnson's family, "It's not uncommon to hear gunshots in the area."
CMPD is reporting that they have no suspects at this time.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Snow Forecast for Charlotte Christmas Morning?
Could be, according to the National Weather Service office in Greenville computer models are cranking out numbers that are calling for 3 or more inches during the Friday Midnight to Sunday Morning period. How much and when the snow starts to fall is still a guess but Cedar Posts will go all in and say you'll wake to a white Christmas the morning of the 25th.
According to the National Weather Service a "White Christmas" would assume at least a inch accumulation on Christmas Day either on the ground or falling by midnight on the 25th of December. If the forecast hold true it would be the first time since 1947 that Charlotte has a "White Christmas".
Normally its a question of rain vs snow, but temps have been well below the freezing mark and another push of cold air will cover the area in advance of the weather system on Thursday.
Having said this, wouldn't it be better if it was all a surprise?
Wednesday's Check This Out!
Yes that's a Porta John on Roswell Avenue in Charlotte's Upscale Myers Park neighborhood.
Mecklenburg County Manager Throws Another Employee Under The Bus
Mecklenburg County Manager Harry Jones told County Commissioners that mental health director Grayce Crockett had resigned Tuesday. Did anyone else here the flub, dub of Crockett being thrown under the Harry Jone's bus?
Crockett's resignation, effective Jan. 11, follows a host of revelations about Mecklenburg Open Door, one of the county's largest mental health contractors.
According to the "Local Paper" Harry Jones put Crockett on leave in September amid questions about her department's handling of private contractor Open Door.
Mecklenburg commissioners also learned that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will ask the county to repay $465,000 it had received to manage a federal mental health program.
In an audit of how the department oversaw the federal Shelter Plus Care program, HUD found "significant failures," while Mike Moseley, a consultant hired by the county, has concluded the mental health department needs major restructuring.
Based of Moseley's suggestion, Jones told commissioners he plans to consolidate the financial management functions of all county human services departments.
In a year that has seen unimaginable misconduct and outright theft it continues to amaze Cedar Posts that Harry Jones still has a job.
When Harry Jones hired an outside consultant to review the county's mental health department who did he hire? Mike Moseley, who served as North Carolina's mental health leader for four years, and resigned from that job in 2008 following reports of widespread failures in the state's mental health system.
Is anyone even paying attention?
In another Mecklenburg County development Harry Jones announced that he and City Manager Curt Walton want to delay consolidation talks for at least six months, and Jones has argued in a letter some of the proposed mergers don't make sense.
In a Dec. 17 letter to the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, Jones listed a number of reasons he believes the city and county should not consolidate four functions: permitting; Medic and fire; government TV; and human resources.
All of this tells Cedar Posts that Harry Jones doesn't get it. Jones lives in a black hole with little understanding of what is up and what is down, a place where red ink looks the same as black ink and where no one is accountable.
A black hole that sucks down taxpayer's money at an amazing rate, that no one seems to notice.
The Local Paper's detailed coverage of Jone's objection to merger discussions is here.
Crockett's resignation, effective Jan. 11, follows a host of revelations about Mecklenburg Open Door, one of the county's largest mental health contractors.
According to the "Local Paper" Harry Jones put Crockett on leave in September amid questions about her department's handling of private contractor Open Door.
Mecklenburg commissioners also learned that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will ask the county to repay $465,000 it had received to manage a federal mental health program.
In an audit of how the department oversaw the federal Shelter Plus Care program, HUD found "significant failures," while Mike Moseley, a consultant hired by the county, has concluded the mental health department needs major restructuring.
Based of Moseley's suggestion, Jones told commissioners he plans to consolidate the financial management functions of all county human services departments.
In a year that has seen unimaginable misconduct and outright theft it continues to amaze Cedar Posts that Harry Jones still has a job.
When Harry Jones hired an outside consultant to review the county's mental health department who did he hire? Mike Moseley, who served as North Carolina's mental health leader for four years, and resigned from that job in 2008 following reports of widespread failures in the state's mental health system.
Is anyone even paying attention?
In another Mecklenburg County development Harry Jones announced that he and City Manager Curt Walton want to delay consolidation talks for at least six months, and Jones has argued in a letter some of the proposed mergers don't make sense.
In a Dec. 17 letter to the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, Jones listed a number of reasons he believes the city and county should not consolidate four functions: permitting; Medic and fire; government TV; and human resources.
All of this tells Cedar Posts that Harry Jones doesn't get it. Jones lives in a black hole with little understanding of what is up and what is down, a place where red ink looks the same as black ink and where no one is accountable.
A black hole that sucks down taxpayer's money at an amazing rate, that no one seems to notice.
The Local Paper's detailed coverage of Jone's objection to merger discussions is here.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
NC Trooper M. J. "Curly" Hastings Fundraiser
A barbecue fundraiser for Trooper M.J. "Curly" Hastings will be held Wednesday, Dec. 22. Tickets are $8, with additional donations accepted.
One barbecue will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cramer Mountain Country Club. A second barbecue will be on the same day from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Gastonia City Club on South New Hope Road.
Tickets will be available from Cramer Mountain Country Club, Gastonia City Club, Cramerton Town Hall, N.C. State Highway Patrol office at 2560 W. Franklin Blvd. Gastonia, or at the event.
Barbecue can be eaten at the two venues or taken out.
34-year-old Hastings suffered a severe brain injury from a fall while walking down a stairwell December 10th in New York City while attending a social function with other law enforcement officers.
Hastings, a father of two young children who also coaches baseball at Cramerton Middle School, remains on life support and had not regained consciousness as of a week ago. Doctors list his condition as critical and he remains in the intensive care unit at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens.
More details here.
Breaking News WSOC Off the Air
A woman has entered WSOC TV studios with a gun, shots fired employees are exiting the back of the building and WSOC is off the air.
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Update 5:48PM Police have a woman in custody after massive CMPD response. All WSOC staff accounted for and safe. Meanwhile the lost income due to dead air time continues to add up as the station remains off the air.
Update: 6:08PM WSOC back on the air Wendy Naidis age 51 taken to CMC Main and under arrest. Reports of shots fired are in error. Ms. Naidis never entered the station other than the entrance lobby.
Both Blair Miller and anchor Natalie Pasquarella were well into the 5 PM newscast when Pasquarella suddenly announced "We'll be right back." and the station began a series of commercials. From Cedar Posts perspective it seemed like an odd time for a commercial break, but Pasquarella didn't seem concerned or upset, in fact now knowing what was going on all I can say is Natalie Pasquarella is one cool under pressure lady.
Read Blair Miller's personal account of the afternoon's events here and a video of the woman surrendering to police is here.
In an interview with the "Local Paper", Pasquarella described what happened after she signed off.
"I look back and I see everyone in the newsroom leaving. I grabbed my shoes and I started going out ... I didn't even take my coat.
"The one moment when I had real fear was when I heard ... 'Someone is in the newsroom with a gun.'"
Unable to broadcast because the building was locked down, reporters and others from the station began using cell phones and laptops to post updates and pictures on Twitter and the station's website.
"We are all in back lot," producer Katie Rutland tweeted at one point. "Evacuation happened approx. 5:05 during my show. Screamed at anchors to evacuate..."
The broadcast's other anchor, Blair Miller, tweeted: "Don't know if anyone is with distraught woman with gun in lobby."
Cedar's Take: Wendy Naidas is clearly a local nut case. While her MySpace page looks considerably more tame than Zahara Baker's step mother there are hints of being loony tunes on Wendy's Facebook page.
Chief Monroe rushed to the crime scene from some unknown location. He arrived long after Naidas was in custody but was seen searching out cameras to be interviewed. Some reports via twitter suggested that Monroe wanted to address all the WSOC TV employees before they were allowed to return to their offices.
>
Update 5:48PM Police have a woman in custody after massive CMPD response. All WSOC staff accounted for and safe. Meanwhile the lost income due to dead air time continues to add up as the station remains off the air.
Update: 6:08PM WSOC back on the air Wendy Naidis age 51 taken to CMC Main and under arrest. Reports of shots fired are in error. Ms. Naidis never entered the station other than the entrance lobby.
Both Blair Miller and anchor Natalie Pasquarella were well into the 5 PM newscast when Pasquarella suddenly announced "We'll be right back." and the station began a series of commercials. From Cedar Posts perspective it seemed like an odd time for a commercial break, but Pasquarella didn't seem concerned or upset, in fact now knowing what was going on all I can say is Natalie Pasquarella is one cool under pressure lady.
Read Blair Miller's personal account of the afternoon's events here and a video of the woman surrendering to police is here.
In an interview with the "Local Paper", Pasquarella described what happened after she signed off.
"I look back and I see everyone in the newsroom leaving. I grabbed my shoes and I started going out ... I didn't even take my coat.
"The one moment when I had real fear was when I heard ... 'Someone is in the newsroom with a gun.'"
Unable to broadcast because the building was locked down, reporters and others from the station began using cell phones and laptops to post updates and pictures on Twitter and the station's website.
"We are all in back lot," producer Katie Rutland tweeted at one point. "Evacuation happened approx. 5:05 during my show. Screamed at anchors to evacuate..."
The broadcast's other anchor, Blair Miller, tweeted: "Don't know if anyone is with distraught woman with gun in lobby."
Cedar's Take: Wendy Naidas is clearly a local nut case. While her MySpace page looks considerably more tame than Zahara Baker's step mother there are hints of being loony tunes on Wendy's Facebook page.
Chief Monroe rushed to the crime scene from some unknown location. He arrived long after Naidas was in custody but was seen searching out cameras to be interviewed. Some reports via twitter suggested that Monroe wanted to address all the WSOC TV employees before they were allowed to return to their offices.
NCDOT and Charlotte DOT 485 Fail!
In news passed over by the "Local Paper" even though it affects more than 140,000 people in South Charlotte, North Carolina transportation officials announced earlier this month that they are scrapping the North Bound 521/Johnston Road Flyover at I-485 in favor of adding an extra left turn lane to the ramp for 485 Inner, and extending that land all the way to NC Hwy 51/Pineville Matthews Road.
The removal of the fly-over will save around a million dollars or 20% of the project's cost.
The flyover, as proposed, would have taken the place of the left-turn lane drivers now use as they go north out of Ballantyne. The flyover which is already graded would start on the right side of Johnston Road northbound and take drivers over the roadway before merging in the on-ramp for the I-485 inner loop.
The extra cost of the flyover bridge, which would not require drivers to wait to turn, “would be the best million dollars ever spent,” one resident at the meeting said, drawing a round of applause according to the South Charlotte Weekly.
Twanna Brooks, a project engineer for the DOT, said her agency was planning construction of a flyover bridge until "Charlotte transportation leaders" said they preferred the extra turn lane off of Johnston Road. State and city officials decided to take the less expensive option that gives drivers the extra lane connecting Johnston and Pineville-Matthews roads.
A public hearing on the proposed work, should be scheduled early next year, but don't get too excited as the NCDOT's time table calls for completion not until 2015.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Another Shooting In Charlotte Another Teenage Murder Victim Jamall Pickney
Murder had taken a holiday in Charlotte for the last several weeks with most crimes of violence taking place in communities outside of CMPD jurisdiction and across the state line in South Carolina.
But last night 16 year old Bryon Sadler who had been arrested as recently as December 3rd decided he'd had enough of 18 year Jamall Pickney and shot the victim at close range.
Sadler Mug Shot From December 3, 2010 Arrest for Communicating Threats
Initially the murder at 3720 Ottington Place in the University City Division was reported as an accidental shooting, but CMPD homicide defectives charged Sadler with murder early this morning after gathering evidence and interviewing several witnesses.
The Ottington Place home owned by Nancine R. Bowman.
According to Fox News: University City Division officers responded to a call for service in reference to a person at the residence who had been shot. The call to 911 was placed by a friend of the victim, who stated that he and the victim, along with a third subject, were in the backyard shed when the victim was shot.
Medic pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
But last night 16 year old Bryon Sadler who had been arrested as recently as December 3rd decided he'd had enough of 18 year Jamall Pickney and shot the victim at close range.
Sadler Mug Shot From December 3, 2010 Arrest for Communicating Threats
Initially the murder at 3720 Ottington Place in the University City Division was reported as an accidental shooting, but CMPD homicide defectives charged Sadler with murder early this morning after gathering evidence and interviewing several witnesses.
The Ottington Place home owned by Nancine R. Bowman.
According to Fox News: University City Division officers responded to a call for service in reference to a person at the residence who had been shot. The call to 911 was placed by a friend of the victim, who stated that he and the victim, along with a third subject, were in the backyard shed when the victim was shot.
Medic pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
Charlotte Awaits Lunar Eclipse Doomsday? or Good Excuse to Drink Irish Coffee at 3AM?
A total lunar eclipse combined with the winter solstice should get the local pagans excited tonight. Space dorks and NASA nerds will unite with twitards and Stonehenge fans and take to back yards across the USA in the early hours of December 21st to watch a total eclipse event that runs from 1:33 to 5:01 AM.
Using the Hash Tag #eclipse and following @NASAJPL should give tweeps something to tweet about and for those of the non social network lifestyle you can just visit NASA's Eclipse page which is here, for much info, live feeds and on line chat.
YOU can also hook up with other people in your city by texting IMTHERE to 67463 and the folks at NASA's JPL California provide you with running comentary and viewing suggestions.
Want to share or flip through photos of the eclipsed moon? Join NASA JPL's lunar eclipse Flickr group and connect with other professional and amateur photographers as they capture the moon's path through the Earth's shadow. NASA will choose one lucky photographer to have his or her work featured as official JPL wallpaper at http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/wallpaper.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Tweet of the Weekend!
@brofroiwannakno Brotha' Fred: I've almost cried about 10 times in the last 3 days. I have a lot of people to make proud...I hope I can do it.
The Man Who Hated Christmas
Every once and a while I stumble upon a fun read in the "local paper" and usually it's a Tommy Tomlinson story. Another source for a good read is Ken Burger of Charleston's Post and Courier. But when all else fails this southerner turns to of all things the New York Times.
Beal's Island Maine Lobster Pot Christmas Tree which has nothing to do with the story Cedar just thought it was a cool pic.
And so it goes with "The Man Who Hated Christmas:
BOB liked to say how much he hated Christmas. This amazed me and my sister. We’d look at each other: How could anyone hate Christmas? But he’d say it again and again: “Bess, I hate Christmas.” He had a variation on this: “Bess, I hate Christmas trees.” He’d shake his head thoughtfully and chuckle: “They’re nothing but trouble. You struggle with them and fight over them and then they die and drop needles everywhere and you have to drag them out on the street.”
He usually said this while my sister, my mother and I struggled and fought over the tree in our living room, trying to get it to stand up straight on the round wooden table next to the television set. Sagging and dust-covered cardboard boxes of waiting ornaments, just retrieved from the basement, would crowd the floor around us. Radiators would hiss. A football game would be on the television, which was old and tinted everything blue, and was watched by Bob and no one else.
“Bob, is it straight? Can you look for just a moment?” my mother — the aforementioned Bess, or Bessie — would ask him in a voice edged with increasing irritation. She held the top of the tree, leaning; I was beneath it, grasping the trunk, the lower branches scraping my scalp.
Bob would look up, make a visible show of being aggrieved at the interruption, squint and tell us no — a bit more to the right, or a bit more to the left. We’d all struggle and fight some more until we got it straight. He’d go back to his game.
Read the rest of "The Man Who Hated Christmas" by Wendell Jamieson, an editor at The New York Times, who is also the author of “Father Knows Less” (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2007.) here.
Beal's Island Maine Lobster Pot Christmas Tree which has nothing to do with the story Cedar just thought it was a cool pic.
And so it goes with "The Man Who Hated Christmas:
BOB liked to say how much he hated Christmas. This amazed me and my sister. We’d look at each other: How could anyone hate Christmas? But he’d say it again and again: “Bess, I hate Christmas.” He had a variation on this: “Bess, I hate Christmas trees.” He’d shake his head thoughtfully and chuckle: “They’re nothing but trouble. You struggle with them and fight over them and then they die and drop needles everywhere and you have to drag them out on the street.”
He usually said this while my sister, my mother and I struggled and fought over the tree in our living room, trying to get it to stand up straight on the round wooden table next to the television set. Sagging and dust-covered cardboard boxes of waiting ornaments, just retrieved from the basement, would crowd the floor around us. Radiators would hiss. A football game would be on the television, which was old and tinted everything blue, and was watched by Bob and no one else.
“Bob, is it straight? Can you look for just a moment?” my mother — the aforementioned Bess, or Bessie — would ask him in a voice edged with increasing irritation. She held the top of the tree, leaning; I was beneath it, grasping the trunk, the lower branches scraping my scalp.
Bob would look up, make a visible show of being aggrieved at the interruption, squint and tell us no — a bit more to the right, or a bit more to the left. We’d all struggle and fight some more until we got it straight. He’d go back to his game.
Read the rest of "The Man Who Hated Christmas" by Wendell Jamieson, an editor at The New York Times, who is also the author of “Father Knows Less” (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2007.) here.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
CMPD's Major Vicki Foster Spins Murder Arrests
From WSOC News and Other Sources: Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said they have made arrests in 45 out of the 56 homicides in 2010, continuing a trend of clearing more homicides than the national average.
Maj. Vicki Foster held a presser at CMPD Headquarters sans her white CMPD Command Staff uniform to say that the department's 80 percent clearance rate in 2010 is down from 91 percent in 2009, but still well ahead of the national average of 63 percent.
“We're being more proactive on our side as far as getting out into the community and asking people what have they seen and what have they heard," Foster said. “We've had an increase in tips coming in, so we definitely want to say the community is really engaged and really involved.”
Foster goes on to say: "If you commit a murder in Charlotte-Mecklenburg then we are going to catch you. What I say it's just a matter of time,"
Watch some of Major Foster's Presser here.
Maj. Vicki Foster held a presser at CMPD Headquarters sans her white CMPD Command Staff uniform to say that the department's 80 percent clearance rate in 2010 is down from 91 percent in 2009, but still well ahead of the national average of 63 percent.
“We're being more proactive on our side as far as getting out into the community and asking people what have they seen and what have they heard," Foster said. “We've had an increase in tips coming in, so we definitely want to say the community is really engaged and really involved.”
Foster goes on to say: "If you commit a murder in Charlotte-Mecklenburg then we are going to catch you. What I say it's just a matter of time,"
Watch some of Major Foster's Presser here.
Chipotle Grill Rocks
Cedar Posts is totally anti fast food, but my life running wide open means at least 3 out of 7 nights a week its bag food.
Chipotle Mexican Grill Cotswold to the rescue!
The stuff is good, fresh, fast and real. The guys who work at the Cotswold location are awesome, never anything but top shelf service. Made to order good food to go in Charlotte is hard to find but Chipotle is on target everytime.
Prices: under 20 bucks for two!
Chipotle Mexican Grill
2921 Providence Road
Suite 100
Charlotte, NC 28211
(704) 366-7280
Google Map Location is here.
Bonus info: CMPD and CFD, dinner is on Chipotle.
Chipotle Mexican Grill Cotswold to the rescue!
The stuff is good, fresh, fast and real. The guys who work at the Cotswold location are awesome, never anything but top shelf service. Made to order good food to go in Charlotte is hard to find but Chipotle is on target everytime.
Prices: under 20 bucks for two!
Chipotle Mexican Grill
2921 Providence Road
Suite 100
Charlotte, NC 28211
(704) 366-7280
Google Map Location is here.
Bonus info: CMPD and CFD, dinner is on Chipotle.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Musical Interlude
Changing things up just a little, Cedar Posts is hearing a lot of bitching and moaning about the cold weather here in the Carolina's and all I can say is try spending a winter in Russia.
The video below was shot in the city of Chelyabinsk, located in the foothills of the Ural Mountains, where the forecast this weekend includes a rather balmy high of 4F and nice cool low of -23F. But that is not a big deal since five months of winter is normal in this place comrade.
During the Cold War the city did not appear on any official maps and was a closed off atomic zone, which produced tanks and the first atomic bombs of the Soviet Union. Chelyabinsk, was closed to all foreigners and journalists for 45 years. Then in January of 1992 President Boris Yeltsin signed a decree that openned this city to the world.
For decades the atomic complex Mayak has let out radioactive water directly into the Techa - Chelyabinsk's largest river. Scientists and environmental organizations call the area, "one of the the most polluted places" on earth.
In a stunning contrast to its war industry, the city has a very vibrant dance scene. Masha Greif featured in the video is well known through out Eastern Europe but completely unknown in the West.
The song "Eyes on Fire" by Blue Foundation will be familiar to Twilight fans, its haunting lyrics and vocals combined with images of Chelyabinsk's cold post soviet look, should give you an idea what real cold weather is like.
But once you embrace the cold there is much to do in this city of 1 million, check out Christmas at Chelyabinsk's Revolution Square here.
Cedar Says:
Погода может быть холодно, но русские девушки так жарко.
The video below was shot in the city of Chelyabinsk, located in the foothills of the Ural Mountains, where the forecast this weekend includes a rather balmy high of 4F and nice cool low of -23F. But that is not a big deal since five months of winter is normal in this place comrade.
During the Cold War the city did not appear on any official maps and was a closed off atomic zone, which produced tanks and the first atomic bombs of the Soviet Union. Chelyabinsk, was closed to all foreigners and journalists for 45 years. Then in January of 1992 President Boris Yeltsin signed a decree that openned this city to the world.
For decades the atomic complex Mayak has let out radioactive water directly into the Techa - Chelyabinsk's largest river. Scientists and environmental organizations call the area, "one of the the most polluted places" on earth.
In a stunning contrast to its war industry, the city has a very vibrant dance scene. Masha Greif featured in the video is well known through out Eastern Europe but completely unknown in the West.
The song "Eyes on Fire" by Blue Foundation will be familiar to Twilight fans, its haunting lyrics and vocals combined with images of Chelyabinsk's cold post soviet look, should give you an idea what real cold weather is like.
But once you embrace the cold there is much to do in this city of 1 million, check out Christmas at Chelyabinsk's Revolution Square here.
Cedar Says:
Погода может быть холодно, но русские девушки так жарко.
Tweet of the Week!
@NicoleDarin: Somehow locked myself out of my own bedroom so I had to go all Steven Seagal & kick the door down! Exhilarating! http://yfrog.com/h329sbrj
Runner Up:
@washingtonpost: Urine damage to Harvard books on gay issues an accident http://wapo.st/dLSTSq
Runner Up:
@washingtonpost: Urine damage to Harvard books on gay issues an accident http://wapo.st/dLSTSq
Thursday, December 16, 2010
DA Gilchrist Sued by Former ADA
The "local paper" is reporting that a former Mecklenburg prosecutor Sean Smith who won a district court judgeship last month is suing outgoing District Attorney Peter Gilchrist, claiming he was improperly fired after giving an on-camera interview.
Sean Smith defeated Mecklenburg District Court Judge Tyywadi Hands in November's general election, and will be sworn in this January.
Smith's six-year career as a Mecklenburg prosecutor ended in July, when Gilchrist fired him just days after he criticized a local defensive driving school in a televised interview.
"Plaintiff's right to free speech was violated because he was terminated for making statements on a matter of public concern and in order to silence and discredit him from speaking further," Smith's lawsuit says.
Gilchrist wouldn't discuss at the time why he fired Smith. On Thursday, Gilchrist said he hadn't yet been served with the lawsuit and couldn't comment. He also declined to discuss Smith's firing.
Cedar Posts has obtained a copy of the filing which is here and copies of plaintiff's exhibits "1" and "2".
The rest of the "local paper" coverage is here.
Sean Smith defeated Mecklenburg District Court Judge Tyywadi Hands in November's general election, and will be sworn in this January.
Smith's six-year career as a Mecklenburg prosecutor ended in July, when Gilchrist fired him just days after he criticized a local defensive driving school in a televised interview.
"Plaintiff's right to free speech was violated because he was terminated for making statements on a matter of public concern and in order to silence and discredit him from speaking further," Smith's lawsuit says.
Gilchrist wouldn't discuss at the time why he fired Smith. On Thursday, Gilchrist said he hadn't yet been served with the lawsuit and couldn't comment. He also declined to discuss Smith's firing.
Cedar Posts has obtained a copy of the filing which is here and copies of plaintiff's exhibits "1" and "2".
The rest of the "local paper" coverage is here.
Tisdale Got On The Plane How?
According to News Channel 14 Cedar Posts is wrong!
Delvonte Tisdale didn't climb a fence under the cover of darkness, he simply walked through the airport ducked out an unlocked door and climbed aboard a parked aircraft right under the noses of everyone.
While I think my answer is plausible, even understandable, this newest revelation might explain Jerry Orr's hubris attitude and no comment hunker down posture. This is the same curmudgeon who happily slammed the TSA right before Thanksgiving, giving countless on camera interviews.
Delvonte Tisdale didn't climb a fence under the cover of darkness, he simply walked through the airport ducked out an unlocked door and climbed aboard a parked aircraft right under the noses of everyone.
While I think my answer is plausible, even understandable, this newest revelation might explain Jerry Orr's hubris attitude and no comment hunker down posture. This is the same curmudgeon who happily slammed the TSA right before Thanksgiving, giving countless on camera interviews.
From News Channel 14: "A teenager who stowed away in the wheel well of a plane gained access to the runway from inside Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, two sources with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday.
The sources, who didn't want to be identified, work directly with the Transportation Security Administration. They said speculation Delvonte Tisdale breached security by getting through or over a perimeter fence is incorrect. Although the sources described how he accessed the plane, News 14 Carolina is choosing not to reveal that information for security reasons.
"That kind of security glitch raises a concern that somebody could do it with the intent to cause harm to people on the plane," said Dr. Cindy Combs, a UNC Charlotte professor who has assisted the Homeland Security Department on counter-terrorism for more than a decade.
Combs said it's very plausible Tisdale did get onto the tarmac by getting around security inside the airport. She said the incident sheds light on a lack of vigilance among those who work on the runway; they're required to watch out for and report anyone not wearing proper identification.
"Most of the breakdown is in, what we call 'operational breakdown,'" Combs said. "The people know theoretically what they're supposed to do, realistically, in a busy system, you're not going to check."
An airport spokesperson wouldn't comment on the open investigation, but did say this is the first time she's heard Tisdale went through the airport.
Airport officials are hoping to learn more about what happened. Aviation Director Jerry Orr asked Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police to assemble a task force to investigate the incident. It'll include CMPD officers, as well as federal authorities.
If true Cedar Posts is wrong and and security at Charlotte Douglas International is worse than I expected. In any case expect much finger pointing in the coming weeks.
Salvation Army Bell Ringers Redux
It's that time of year again and I have to admit I love the sound of the Salvation Army bell as it echos across the parking lot. I know ringing the bell is not easy work on a cold night.
Last night, I watched a guy go out of his way, wide circle to the right at Harris Teeter just to avoid walking past the Army bell ringer working the Stonecrest store.
Guilt is such a powerful force! Give it up! It won't kill you!
I don't know why but I like the process of folding a ten dollar bill in half and then half again and pushing it into the red kettle or maybe its just the joy in saying Merry Christmas on a cold winter's night.
Even more so when it's Mrs. Cedar ringing the bell.
Last year's post about the Salvation Army is here.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
CMPD Grabs More Than Perps
Cedar Posts is a little late with this news, but it seems that don't ask don't tell has become don't grab or I'll tell at least under Rodney Monroe.
Case #1 Involves two sergeants one who got a handful of the other's backside. The grabbee, didn't take kindly to the unwanted attention and has sued CMPD for the usual reasons, distress, humiliation, PTSD and so on. The grabber is still at large, or on the loose in the same position as before, while the grabbee/plaintiff has been reassigned.
Case #2 You might recall was a frontside grab to Deputy Chief Kerr Putney by former CMPD super hero Lisa Shores, the settlement was a pretty good amount of change so we hear. And Major Shores resigned. Or so we can assume since she didn't make the top 400 list released by CMPD a couple of weeks ago.
Case #1 Involves two sergeants one who got a handful of the other's backside. The grabbee, didn't take kindly to the unwanted attention and has sued CMPD for the usual reasons, distress, humiliation, PTSD and so on. The grabber is still at large, or on the loose in the same position as before, while the grabbee/plaintiff has been reassigned.
Case #2 You might recall was a frontside grab to Deputy Chief Kerr Putney by former CMPD super hero Lisa Shores, the settlement was a pretty good amount of change so we hear. And Major Shores resigned. Or so we can assume since she didn't make the top 400 list released by CMPD a couple of weeks ago.
Wednesday's Check This Out!
Making a Difference in Haiti - On January 12, 2010, at 4:53 pm local time the island nation of Haiti was struck by a magnitude 7.0 or greater earthquake, the official death toll in excess of 230,000. The toll on those who remain continues to be unimaginable.
12 months after the live news crews announced "we're clear" for the last time and our flat screen televisions in the states faded to black and the headline writing news reporters have moved on, life in Haiti continues to struggle as best it can.
But there are those among us who have ventured back to Haiti. Those among us who are willing to help beyond writing a check to the Red Cross. Those among us, who are getting their hands dirty for they are the "boots on the ground" in Haiti.
One among us has stepped forward to make a difference and his name is Billy Fehr.
In his own words:
Down in Haiti, in a small town called Babancourt there is a schoolhouse with a need that I feel compelled to try and fill. Either new or used LAPTOP Computers are in great demand at the primary and middle school.
Photo Billy Fehr
These computers will not be used to surf the Internet, so they do not have to be the latest, greatest or fastest new machines available.
The computers will be loaded with education software that will help teach the children language skills, mathematics and science and help the children acquire basic computer skills often taken for granted in the modern western world.
With that said, I know that the problems in Haiti will not be solved by me or anyone else for a long time to come. There is no need to try and solve the greater problems on the large scale if some of the smaller basic needs cannot be taken care of.
If you have the resources, I ask that you donate a new or used Laptop Computer to the school in Babancourt through Pastor Lyonel's Haiti Mission in Port Au Prince.
No nay saying, here's how this will work:
-I will be running this "Laptop Round Up for the Real" for the next month. The closing day for this computer drive will be January 15, 2011.
-Contact me immediately at whereonearthisbill@gmail.com with any donations you may have and
I will explain all of the logistical details at that time.
You can read Billy's entire post at Laptop Round Up
Cedar's Take:
The call to action is simple, give up that old laptop by emailing Billy Fehr or Cedar Posts. Let's dig up a bunch of laptops for the kids in Babancourt.
And check out his amazing photos of Haiti here, here and here.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Charlotte Douglas International Airport Not Secure? Why You Shouldn't Be Surprised.
Photo Washu Otaku
Charlotte Douglas aviation director Jerry Orr addressed the Charlotte City Council Monday night and told council that the airport doesn't plan any special review of security after a teenager apparently stowed away in the wheel well of a US Airways jet bound for Boston's Logan International.
According to the "local paper" the TSA is responsible for screening passengers and luggage but the City of Charlotte is responsible for security measures such as fencing, locks on doors and other ways to restrict access to planes.
"We'll take a look at that," Orr told reporters before the City Council meeting on Monday night. "But we take a look at that all the time." he quipped.
Photo Washu Otaku
"The Massachusetts police (are) investigating," Orr went on to say. "All we know is what we have read in the paper."
On Friday, Norfolk, MA, District Attorney William Keating called the incident a serious public safety issue. "It appears more likely than not that Mr. Tisdale was able to breach airport security and hide in the wheel well of a commercial jet airliner without being detected by airport security," Keating said.
The fear is that if a 16-year-old could climb into a passenger jet's wheel well, a terrorist could do the same.
The TSA told the "local paper" last week it was planning to investigate but the federal agency declined to comment further.
Orr said the airport didn't have a lot of information yet about the apparent breach, which happened a month ago and refused to speculate on how Tisdale might have gotten onto the tarmac and into the plane's wheel well.
Orr said the airport is surrounded by a 6-foot-high chain-link fence, topped by strands of barbed wire.
A US Airways spokeswoman reached by the "local paper" late Monday declined to comment on what investigation the airline was doing into the incident, citing the ongoing probe in Massachusetts. She also would not comment on how Tisdale might have gotten into the plane.
City Manager Curt Walton, who is Orr's boss, said he hadn't spoken with Orr about security at the city-owned airport.
Airport security wasn't discussed at the City Council's dinner meeting Monday. After the meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Cannon said he expected a report from city staff about security measures. "We need to know that security is as stringent as it should be," Cannon said.
Cedar's Take: Wake up Charlotte not one of your city leaders has stepped up to address this issue. Jerry Orr is an old goat who should be forced into retirement. Walton and the City Council have thier collective heads in the sand and the TSA and Homeland Security are clueless.
Charlotte Douglas is not secure and I'll go on record that two easy entry points, the "old" Carolina's Aviation Museum and the General Aviation ramp may have been familiar to the young Air Force Junior ROTC member. And between the two, 145th Airlift Wing also known as NC Air National Guard.
Photo Washu Otaku
The above photo was taken on April 3, 2010 at the "old" location of the Carolinas Aviation Museum. Click on the photo for the big view. What do you notice? Broken pipes, loose wires and sign that says "All Maintenance Stands Must Be Locked and Chained to the Fence"! Nothing like making it easy.
And in the background a US Airways Jet bound for Boston. They are so close you can throw rocks at the planes.
Anyone who understands night ops at an airport knows you are blind on the ground from a cockpit. You see nothing but lights and anyone could run up behind a plane waiting just off the the runway.
I quick drive around the airport and you will find a dozen points of entry. Open gates, broken fencing, and areas that are overgrown with cover.
The "old" Carolina's Aviation Museum is where Cedar Posts believes Tisdale found his last ride.
Cedar's Update:
In a two-paragraph statement Tuesday, police in Charlotte said Jerry Orr, the director of the airport, asked CMPD Chief Rodney Monroe to investigate the incident.
The department is organizing a task force that will include "various disciplines within the department as well as federal partners," the statement says.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Charlotte City Council Member Dulin to Target CMPD Retirement Benefits
Last Thursday morning Charlotte City Council member Andy Dulin told WBT's Stacey Simms and Al Gardener that Charlotte's Police Officers and firefighters retirement benefits are too rich.
Council member Dulin on a "bed of nails" at Charlotte's Discovery Place.
Dulin the republican who represents Charlotte's Council District 6 was commenting on the recent report issued by Mayor Anthony Foxx that suggests Charlotte's budget will not have enough money to pay the city's firefighters or police officers within two years.
Dulin suggests that the problem is the retirement packages and the retirement ages of CMPD and CFD employees.
Dulin: "We have retired city employees that are making $100,000 a year and there is no way a community can sustain that."
Dulin goes on to explain his problem with the age that some CMPD officers retire.
Employees "that are hired at 20 or 25 years of age are retiring in 30 years and are still very young and have their retirement packages for their life. And so we've got folks who are retiring at 55 years, that we pay for another 40 years if they live a long time.
It really does come to catch up with you and its coming to catch up with the City of Charlotte in two years."
Dulin promises that the Charlotte City Council will be discussing the pensions during the upcoming budget talks.
Dulin: "It will be a major topic of our budget discussions this year and after voting no for the last couple of years on pay raises I hope this year that the majority on council will start listening to me."
Cedar's Take: Andy Dulin has long been the court jester of Charlotte's City Council. While his quips are often funny and his posture conservative he sometimes lacks a basic understanding of the fundamentals of City Government.
Along those same lines Dulin also seems to lack an understanding of basic pension fundamentals or the understanding that without a pension many CMPD officers would have quit long ago.
But we must remember Dulin is a city councilman, and as Charlotte's Jeff Taylor notes, members of City Council are nothing more than potted plants. Nice to have around but rarely bearing fruit.
Council member Dulin on a "bed of nails" at Charlotte's Discovery Place.
Dulin the republican who represents Charlotte's Council District 6 was commenting on the recent report issued by Mayor Anthony Foxx that suggests Charlotte's budget will not have enough money to pay the city's firefighters or police officers within two years.
Dulin suggests that the problem is the retirement packages and the retirement ages of CMPD and CFD employees.
Dulin: "We have retired city employees that are making $100,000 a year and there is no way a community can sustain that."
Dulin goes on to explain his problem with the age that some CMPD officers retire.
Employees "that are hired at 20 or 25 years of age are retiring in 30 years and are still very young and have their retirement packages for their life. And so we've got folks who are retiring at 55 years, that we pay for another 40 years if they live a long time.
It really does come to catch up with you and its coming to catch up with the City of Charlotte in two years."
Dulin promises that the Charlotte City Council will be discussing the pensions during the upcoming budget talks.
Dulin: "It will be a major topic of our budget discussions this year and after voting no for the last couple of years on pay raises I hope this year that the majority on council will start listening to me."
Cedar's Take: Andy Dulin has long been the court jester of Charlotte's City Council. While his quips are often funny and his posture conservative he sometimes lacks a basic understanding of the fundamentals of City Government.
Along those same lines Dulin also seems to lack an understanding of basic pension fundamentals or the understanding that without a pension many CMPD officers would have quit long ago.
But we must remember Dulin is a city councilman, and as Charlotte's Jeff Taylor notes, members of City Council are nothing more than potted plants. Nice to have around but rarely bearing fruit.
Hottie of the Week Ashley Greene
And you are thinking to yourself, where have I seen this girl before? Any guy who has sat through one or more of the Twilight movies knows this raven haired 20 something as Alice Cullen. But more recently she's been watching you fumble for your Harris Teeter VIC card from the cover of the January 2011 Cosmo which is here in case you haven't noticed.
News from the "Local Paper"
Sometimes what pops up at the "Local Paper" on line addition is just dumb. But it's always fun dumb.
A few weeks ago the paper reported that someone was "killed dead" a few days later there a car accident that was reported as "...the women accidentally drove off the road to have the accident."
Here's today's gem:
Police are looking for a man in a ski mask who they say carjacked a woman and sexually assaulted her in northeast Charlotte.
The assault was reported just after 9 p.m.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Capt. William Boger said officers had only a vague description of the man -- a white man, of average build, wearing a ski mask and armed with a knife -- but believe he fled on foot.
Boger said the woman thought she was having car trouble on East W.T. Harris Boulevard. She pulled over to take a look, and that's when she saw the man with the ski mask and the knife, Boger said.
The man forced her to an area near Rocky River Road and sexually assaulted her, then locked her in the trunk of her car, Boger said.
Anyone with information on the crime or the man's whereabouts should call 911.
A few weeks ago the paper reported that someone was "killed dead" a few days later there a car accident that was reported as "...the women accidentally drove off the road to have the accident."
Here's today's gem:
Police are looking for a man in a ski mask who they say carjacked a woman and sexually assaulted her in northeast Charlotte.
The assault was reported just after 9 p.m.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Capt. William Boger said officers had only a vague description of the man -- a white man, of average build, wearing a ski mask and armed with a knife -- but believe he fled on foot.
Boger said the woman thought she was having car trouble on East W.T. Harris Boulevard. She pulled over to take a look, and that's when she saw the man with the ski mask and the knife, Boger said.
The man forced her to an area near Rocky River Road and sexually assaulted her, then locked her in the trunk of her car, Boger said.
Anyone with information on the crime or the man's whereabouts should call 911.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Wreaths Across America
Morrill Worcester received little attention when his company Worcester Wreath Company requested permission to deliver 5000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery 1992.
The idea of was to honor our country's fallen servicemembers by laying the Christmas wreaths a the base of headstones in Arlington. A tradition that was repeated annually with little notice.
Then in 2005 Worcester received nationwide attention after a photo of a snow covered Arlington Cemetery decorated with wreaths started circulating via email. Some people even thought the photo was a fake.
A volunteer carries wreaths during Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery, Dec. 11, 2010. More than 7,000 volunteers placed 24,000 wreaths on the headstones of fallen servicemembers. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jared Forsyth
On Saturday 24,000 wreaths were placed at Arlington National Cemetery by volunteers, as this act of remembrance was repeated across the country and overseas at more than 500 locations.
One man's thoughtful gesture, a single photo, and someone with enough sense at Arlington National Cementary to think outside the box and say "OK" has become a national event of amazing protortions. Just think if that person said I don't think we can to that, or its against the rules.
The non-profit group Wreaths Across America was officially established by the Worcester Family in 2007. You can read more about the Arlington story here.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Coco and St. Nick
This story first ran in the Post and Courier's online blog edition. But I like it and this is my show so I'm posting it again!
Things have turned quiet at the Charleston City Marina. Gone are the mega yachts, those gleaming white ships made of spotless fiberglass, bright shinny chrome and their perfectly tanned crew members.The cruising crowd has gone south as well. Those retired couples, enjoying their life aboard fuel efficient trawlers that have become the floating equivalent of motor homes.
On the vast and now mostly empty mega dock a straggler of the snow bird procession arrives in a sailboat with a faded yellow hull, that chalks away in a yellow and white cloud of dust. The boat is a 1977 Erwin sloop 28 feet long named Elizabeth. A boat that has been floating since what appears to be time began.
Two weeks before Christmas and I'd swear that his name might as well be St. Nicolas or even Santa Claus. Nick or at least his near likeness is really named George, complete with a pipe whose smoke encircles his head like a wreath, a full neatly trimmed gray beard and a head full of thick silver hair tucked up under a red wool cap.
I guess that George is nearly 70 though he could be 100, he is an attractive man for his age, with strong weathered features and a crooked smile like that of Harrison Ford.
His only passenger is Coco, an overly excitable Chocolate Lab that bounds off the boat the second the first dock line touches the cleats.
Coco has spotted a dolphin and wants everyone to know about it. Running back and forth along the dock and barking endlessly with George yelling Coco, Coco, CooooooCooooo!
Finally Coco obeys and wanders with his head hung low back to the sailboat but still his tail wags nonstop.
I suspect that George has traveled a lot with Coco as they both seem well suited to each other. Coco knows his job is to be the dolphin spotter, and George over looks Coco's inability to truly fulfill his role as first mate.
George doesn't offer many answers, not even a last name, not that he's unfriendly more so just private. His wife Elizabeth I learn, passed away nearly 15 years ago, he has a daughter in Texas and a son in Florida, neither, I decide he has seen or spoke to in a number of years.
To the question of where is home? George simply points to the boat. Where are you heading? And he points south.
Coco needs some private time on some green terra firma and so George and Coco head down the dock.
I glance at the boat and discreetly try to appraise the boat’s seaworthiness. Yellow, Red and Blue Plastic jugs are lashed to the life lines running along both sides. The hull hasn’t seen soapy water, a brush or wax in at least a decade but it seems sound, except where the deck is cracked in three places. Elsewhere rust abounds, duct tape holds a port light closed and I determine that I'd not sleep on this boat even if I was wearing a life jacket and cradling a fire extinguisher.
But I should not judge, for one man's love of the sea and a life of travel is not always what another would wish or tolerate.
It's not long and George is back, “too expensive for me to stay here” he says. “They (the dock office) gave me an hour”. “I'll do some shopping and I'll be on my way”. “Might just anchor over yonder”, George continues while pointing to the mooring area just off the mega dock.
He repacks his pipe as Coco spots another dolphin and of course he’s off on a run barking with George in pursuit, a noticeable stiffness in his stride.
The last of the winters light has faded by the time George and Coco have moved off the mega dock and anchored on the other side of the Ashley River Channel.
After night fall, by the dim light of a Coleman lantern I can make out the silhouette of Coco and George and I imagine them enjoying a fine dinner of the beanie weenies and Miller Lite I helped them load aboard upon their return from shopping. I wish to join them and simply listen to all the tales George would offer.
All I can think of is Captain Jack Sparrow singing quietly…
"Yo Ho Haul Together
Hoist the Colors High
Heave Ho Thieves and Beggars
Never Shall We Die"
His voice echos across the stillness of a cold winter night.
Dawn and George and Coco have already pulled up anchor. The sea birds circle overhead and though the morning mist I can make out the two of them motoring slowly towards the connector to a destination not yet known but heading south none the less.
I suspect that Christmas Eve aboard Elizabeth will be spent like most every night, watching the stars and enjoying the quiet except when Coco hears a dolphin break the surface 100 yards distant. I fear that should something happen to George and Coco, no one will ever know, much less care. But then the song returns.....
"Yo Ho Haul Together
Hoist the Colors High
Heave Ho Thieves and Beggars
Never Shall We Die"
And it reminds me that Dogs, Pirates and St. Nick will live on forever.
Things have turned quiet at the Charleston City Marina. Gone are the mega yachts, those gleaming white ships made of spotless fiberglass, bright shinny chrome and their perfectly tanned crew members.The cruising crowd has gone south as well. Those retired couples, enjoying their life aboard fuel efficient trawlers that have become the floating equivalent of motor homes.
On the vast and now mostly empty mega dock a straggler of the snow bird procession arrives in a sailboat with a faded yellow hull, that chalks away in a yellow and white cloud of dust. The boat is a 1977 Erwin sloop 28 feet long named Elizabeth. A boat that has been floating since what appears to be time began.
Two weeks before Christmas and I'd swear that his name might as well be St. Nicolas or even Santa Claus. Nick or at least his near likeness is really named George, complete with a pipe whose smoke encircles his head like a wreath, a full neatly trimmed gray beard and a head full of thick silver hair tucked up under a red wool cap.
I guess that George is nearly 70 though he could be 100, he is an attractive man for his age, with strong weathered features and a crooked smile like that of Harrison Ford.
His only passenger is Coco, an overly excitable Chocolate Lab that bounds off the boat the second the first dock line touches the cleats.
Coco has spotted a dolphin and wants everyone to know about it. Running back and forth along the dock and barking endlessly with George yelling Coco, Coco, CooooooCooooo!
Finally Coco obeys and wanders with his head hung low back to the sailboat but still his tail wags nonstop.
I suspect that George has traveled a lot with Coco as they both seem well suited to each other. Coco knows his job is to be the dolphin spotter, and George over looks Coco's inability to truly fulfill his role as first mate.
George doesn't offer many answers, not even a last name, not that he's unfriendly more so just private. His wife Elizabeth I learn, passed away nearly 15 years ago, he has a daughter in Texas and a son in Florida, neither, I decide he has seen or spoke to in a number of years.
To the question of where is home? George simply points to the boat. Where are you heading? And he points south.
Coco needs some private time on some green terra firma and so George and Coco head down the dock.
I glance at the boat and discreetly try to appraise the boat’s seaworthiness. Yellow, Red and Blue Plastic jugs are lashed to the life lines running along both sides. The hull hasn’t seen soapy water, a brush or wax in at least a decade but it seems sound, except where the deck is cracked in three places. Elsewhere rust abounds, duct tape holds a port light closed and I determine that I'd not sleep on this boat even if I was wearing a life jacket and cradling a fire extinguisher.
But I should not judge, for one man's love of the sea and a life of travel is not always what another would wish or tolerate.
It's not long and George is back, “too expensive for me to stay here” he says. “They (the dock office) gave me an hour”. “I'll do some shopping and I'll be on my way”. “Might just anchor over yonder”, George continues while pointing to the mooring area just off the mega dock.
He repacks his pipe as Coco spots another dolphin and of course he’s off on a run barking with George in pursuit, a noticeable stiffness in his stride.
The last of the winters light has faded by the time George and Coco have moved off the mega dock and anchored on the other side of the Ashley River Channel.
After night fall, by the dim light of a Coleman lantern I can make out the silhouette of Coco and George and I imagine them enjoying a fine dinner of the beanie weenies and Miller Lite I helped them load aboard upon their return from shopping. I wish to join them and simply listen to all the tales George would offer.
All I can think of is Captain Jack Sparrow singing quietly…
"Yo Ho Haul Together
Hoist the Colors High
Heave Ho Thieves and Beggars
Never Shall We Die"
His voice echos across the stillness of a cold winter night.
Dawn and George and Coco have already pulled up anchor. The sea birds circle overhead and though the morning mist I can make out the two of them motoring slowly towards the connector to a destination not yet known but heading south none the less.
I suspect that Christmas Eve aboard Elizabeth will be spent like most every night, watching the stars and enjoying the quiet except when Coco hears a dolphin break the surface 100 yards distant. I fear that should something happen to George and Coco, no one will ever know, much less care. But then the song returns.....
"Yo Ho Haul Together
Hoist the Colors High
Heave Ho Thieves and Beggars
Never Shall We Die"
And it reminds me that Dogs, Pirates and St. Nick will live on forever.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Friday's Check This Out!
Arvin Fant - Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have suspended former homicide detective Arvin Fant without pay.
Fant had been on administrative leave with pay since August. The process to terminate Fant is all but complete and opens up a can of worms regarding other cases the former detective may have been involved with. The civil service board must approve the firing, which should happen within the next sixty days. Stay turned.
A Few Good.... Women?
(Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
That's right boy scouts these 3 girls are Marines.
Say hello to Sargent Sheena Adams, 25, and Lance Corporal Kristi Baker, 21, and Hospital Corpsman Shannon Crowley, 22, US Marines with the FET (Female Engagement Team) 1st Battalion 8th Marines, Regimental Combat team II pose at their forward operating base on November 17, 2010 in Musa Qala, Afghanistan.
There are only 48 women working the volatile front lines of the war in Afghanistan. More photos of the "All Female Engagement Team by Paula Bronstein are here.
Marcus Jackson - In a very smooth deal, Assistant District Attorney Samantha Pendergrass told the judge that all of Jackson's crimes – low-level felonies and misdemeanors – could be punishable by probation for a defendant like Jackson, who has no prior criminal record.
The ADA's suggestion of probation and not asking for the maximum that could have reached into the 10 range comes as no surprise. A deal was apparently made that gave Jackson the option of a guilty plea or a full court press and the possibility of a very long sentence if he went to trial.
Judge Yvonne Mims Evans clearly saw the ADA's suggestion of probation as not acceptable and ordered Jackson serve at least 25 months as well as register as a sex offender.
Jackson's nearly one year in jail awaiting trial will count towards his sentence of 25-39 months, meaning Jackson could be out as early as February 2012.
But the guilty plea means we may never know the truth about Jackson, and how this scumbag was not only recruited into our police department but how he was turned loose on Charlotte's streets and who had first hand knowledge of Jackson's background.
Charlotte Christmas Lights Display Locator Updated - Also known as tacky Christmas lights list has grown again.
I've noticed that Penguins are showing up all around Charlotte though I suspect that they have been partying over at 501 Mammoth Oaks Drive for sometime.
Tune into 100.1 FM before entering Mammoth Oaks Drive. The signal reaches all the way to the to the corner of Providence and Fairview Roads. Be sure to hang around long enough for the Hot Chocolate song from Polar Express.
The complete Cedar Posts Christmas lights list is here.
Fant had been on administrative leave with pay since August. The process to terminate Fant is all but complete and opens up a can of worms regarding other cases the former detective may have been involved with. The civil service board must approve the firing, which should happen within the next sixty days. Stay turned.
A Few Good.... Women?
(Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
That's right boy scouts these 3 girls are Marines.
Say hello to Sargent Sheena Adams, 25, and Lance Corporal Kristi Baker, 21, and Hospital Corpsman Shannon Crowley, 22, US Marines with the FET (Female Engagement Team) 1st Battalion 8th Marines, Regimental Combat team II pose at their forward operating base on November 17, 2010 in Musa Qala, Afghanistan.
There are only 48 women working the volatile front lines of the war in Afghanistan. More photos of the "All Female Engagement Team by Paula Bronstein are here.
Marcus Jackson - In a very smooth deal, Assistant District Attorney Samantha Pendergrass told the judge that all of Jackson's crimes – low-level felonies and misdemeanors – could be punishable by probation for a defendant like Jackson, who has no prior criminal record.
The ADA's suggestion of probation and not asking for the maximum that could have reached into the 10 range comes as no surprise. A deal was apparently made that gave Jackson the option of a guilty plea or a full court press and the possibility of a very long sentence if he went to trial.
Judge Yvonne Mims Evans clearly saw the ADA's suggestion of probation as not acceptable and ordered Jackson serve at least 25 months as well as register as a sex offender.
Jackson's nearly one year in jail awaiting trial will count towards his sentence of 25-39 months, meaning Jackson could be out as early as February 2012.
But the guilty plea means we may never know the truth about Jackson, and how this scumbag was not only recruited into our police department but how he was turned loose on Charlotte's streets and who had first hand knowledge of Jackson's background.
Charlotte Christmas Lights Display Locator Updated - Also known as tacky Christmas lights list has grown again.
I've noticed that Penguins are showing up all around Charlotte though I suspect that they have been partying over at 501 Mammoth Oaks Drive for sometime.
Tune into 100.1 FM before entering Mammoth Oaks Drive. The signal reaches all the way to the to the corner of Providence and Fairview Roads. Be sure to hang around long enough for the Hot Chocolate song from Polar Express.
The complete Cedar Posts Christmas lights list is here.
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