Epic fail in broadcast journalism, is the best way to describe Erica Bryant's one on one interview with Chief Rodney Monroe. No doubt there is a huge quid pro quo in play.
But in fairness you need to see for yourself. But don't blame Cedar Posts if you spit your coffee across the kitchen this morning.
Part 1 Monroe On Community Poll Results
Part 2 Monroe On Having More Officers, Community Involvement
Part 3 Monroe On His Goals For The Future
Part 4 Monroe On The DNC And Communicating With Feds
Part 5 Monroe On Balancing His Job, Family
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
CRVA - Everyone Gets a Turn With The Pony
My grandfather used to say that about the unions, and back office deals that ran the costs up on the shareholders during the days when labor unions were king. As long as you could tell the shareholders that sales were up and all the insiders profited then you had a good thing going, and everyone would be happy...
As long as all the everyone got a "turn with the pony".
And so it seems is the case with the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.
One company who has had their turn with the pony is Price Waterhouse Coopers. According to this engagement letter PwC was hired to do little more than share a cup of coffee and sit in on some meetings. Cost? $25,000.00 in the form of a "retainer" plus expenses.
A well deserved hat tip to http://www.citynewswatch.blogspot.com for providing the heads up and a copy of the letter.
As City News Watch points out PwC was to be paid, but “It is understood and agreed that PwC will "not" be responsible for any review and/or audit of the CRVA’s operating policies or organizational structure.”
In other words as they say in the "escort business" money exchanged is for companionship only.
Cedar Posts contacted Molly Hedrick Senior Director of Communications with the CRVA seeking comment on the content of the PwC letter, but received no reply.
We also wondered if the CRVA actually paid the $25,000.00 retainer and if maybe more was paid after the May 27th date.
You would think the members of Charlotte's City Council would be up in arms, demanding a full true audit and accept nothing less. Instead the CRVA board shuffles the deck, pushing Tim Newman to the back of the bus via this letter to Mayor Foxx and City Council then hires another consulting firm to conduct a "nation search for a new CEO".
Yes Sir Everyone Gets A Turn With The Pony!
Whose Next?
How Nancy Grace Is Killing CNN
Grace is the former Georgia prosecutor who became a television legal commentator, first on Court TV and, more recently, on Turner Broadcasting's HLN cable channel.
She's a snarling, angry presence whose habitual sneer is an epic chasm of contempt.
Her view of the criminal justice system is flawlessly Manichean. There are good people — police officers and prosecutors — and evil people — defendants and their lawyers. Grace appears to have never met someone arrested who she believed should not be charged, nor anyone charged who should not be convicted.
This cartoon version of the criminal courts is justified by a damp-eyed concern for crime victims that a practiced Grace attributes — at the slightest provocation — to the death of her fiance during a robbery.
Her own zealousness as an Atlanta prosecutor was such that the appellate courts three times cited her for failing to meet her ethical responsibilities. In 2005, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals wrote that it agreed with a lower-court magistrate that Grace had " 'played fast and loose' with her ethical duties" as a prosecutor.
Precisely the same can be said of her conduct as a television journalist.
Anyone who had occasion to watch her relentless coverage of the recently completed Casey Anthony murder trial witnessed something quite new to the American news media: a mainstream news organization giving one of its commentators a nightly forum from which to campaign for the conviction of a criminal defendant. It was a campaign that continued after Anthony's acquittal with virtually nonstop on-air abuse of the jurors and defense attorneys.
She's a snarling, angry presence whose habitual sneer is an epic chasm of contempt.
Her view of the criminal justice system is flawlessly Manichean. There are good people — police officers and prosecutors — and evil people — defendants and their lawyers. Grace appears to have never met someone arrested who she believed should not be charged, nor anyone charged who should not be convicted.
This cartoon version of the criminal courts is justified by a damp-eyed concern for crime victims that a practiced Grace attributes — at the slightest provocation — to the death of her fiance during a robbery.
Her own zealousness as an Atlanta prosecutor was such that the appellate courts three times cited her for failing to meet her ethical responsibilities. In 2005, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals wrote that it agreed with a lower-court magistrate that Grace had " 'played fast and loose' with her ethical duties" as a prosecutor.
Precisely the same can be said of her conduct as a television journalist.
Anyone who had occasion to watch her relentless coverage of the recently completed Casey Anthony murder trial witnessed something quite new to the American news media: a mainstream news organization giving one of its commentators a nightly forum from which to campaign for the conviction of a criminal defendant. It was a campaign that continued after Anthony's acquittal with virtually nonstop on-air abuse of the jurors and defense attorneys.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Lucas Smith and Carly Donohue: Spirits of Adventure
UPDATE: Friday 5:05 p.m. Formal Memorial Service for Lucas Smith will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the J. Henry Stuhr Mount Pleasant Chapel 1494 Mathis Ferry Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
From the Charleston Post and Courier's Andy Paras:
He was an old-school boat captain and businessman who squeezed adventure out of every living minute. She was a charming free spirit from Kentucky along for the ride.
Lucas Smith Photo by Cedar Posts
Carly Donohue Photo by Cedar Posts
Related story: Lucas Smith's father crushed
Together, Lucas Smith and Cara Lee Donohue, known by her friends as Carly, soared high above the waves Wednesday in a device best described as a flying boat -- a rubber raft connected to an engine and a parasail.
Some seasoned pilots said they wouldn't dare strap into a similar light-sport aircraft, but Smith had flown it around Mount Pleasant and his hometown of Sullivan's Island for a decade or more without so much as a scratch, sometimes taking tourists to the top of the Morris Island Lighthouse just for the fun of it.
"He was about as experienced with that thing as you can be," friend and harbor pilot John Thomas said.
But something went wrong Wednesday. Witnesses said the aircraft plummeted into the ocean between Dewees Island and the Isle of Palms at 6:19 p.m. Rescuers pulled them from the wrecked aircraft and rushed them to the Isle of Palms Marina.
Smith, a 40-year-old father of two, and Donohue, his 27-year-old first mate, were pronounced dead at the scene.
"All I can guess is it was a catastrophic failure of some kind," friend and business partner Chris McIntire said.
The Federal Aviation Administration spent much of the day Thursday investigating the cause of the crash, but a final determination could take months, if not longer.
An FAA spokeswoman said the aircraft should have been registered with the federal agency and subject to inspections by airworthiness inspectors, but was not. There also is no record that Smith had the sport pilot certificate required to fly the aircraft.
Daring but not careless
The news surprised friends, who said Smith lived life to the extreme but wasn't reckless.
As captain of his beloved Osprey, a popular charter boat Smith bought on eBay and worked on for three years, he made each trip feel as safe and fun as possible, Thomas said.
"I would trust Lucas with my life, hands down, on the water," Thomas said. "He was always extremely professional. Always safety first."
Thomas and McIntire said Smith was one of the finest boat captains they've ever seen, and told about how he could essentially parallel park a 75-foot Hatteras in gale-force winds without blinking an eye.
Thomas said Smith had old-school skills.
"People don't realize how good he was at what he did and how much he loved life," Thomas said. "He definitely enjoyed every bit of it."
A dream come true
Smith, McIntire said, definitely ran on all cylinders, captaining charter boats and operating his dry-clean business.
Carly Donohue used this photo and herself and Lucas Smith as her profile photo on her Facebook page.
"He lived with his hair on fire," McIntire said. "He was the type of guy to buy the first round. To lose him and Carly is beyond words."
Smith had wanted to charter his own boat ever since he got his captain's license. Just over three years ago his dream came true when he found the boat on eBay for $3,500.
"I suggested he sell it for scrap," McIntire said. "But he loved that boat."
He rechristened the boat Osprey and went to work.
"He put his life into that boat," Thomas said.
Through word of mouth, the Osprey quickly became a popular charter boat. A host and 48 of his or her closest friends could be treated to a two-hour harbor cruise, captained by Smith and his crew.
From cocktails and hors d'oeuvres to a full-blown oyster roast, guests could design their harbor tour to fit their needs.
The boat's popularity grew. More and more trips were being booked. Despite the fact that everyone on his crew knew how to operate that boat, it was always Smith behind the wheel.
Charm and grace
The work was time-consuming, and after two years Smith hired a young Donohue. She was originally from Kentucky but could crew on any size or type boat.
She not only came on as a crew member of the Osprey but also took over the marketing as well. On harbor cruises, she served as a bartender for the guests.
Carly Donohue used this photo and herself and Lucas Smith as her profile photo on her Facebook page.
Jose Hernandez, a longtime friend of Donohue and Smith, said he was happy Donohue found Smith.
"She was willing to not only be there for each trip but to take the boat's success to the next level," he said.
Chad Shores, owner of FINZ, said he knew Donohue well.
"She was just a fun girl. She was a free spirit and had a great outlook on life," Shores said. "She was very uplifting and everybody liked her. She just made you happy and put you in a good mood."
Their deaths cast a pall over the boating community Thursday. The Charleston City Marina flew its flag at half-staff in their memory.
Charleston City Marina Photo by Cedar Posts
Eddie Taylor, a friend of Smith for 25 years, said he will remember him as living life to the fullest.
"We had some fun times and took many road trips. One time on the way back from a ski trip he got three speeding tickets from North Carolina to Charleston. He lived on the edge," Taylor said. "If he was looking down he would say he died a happy man, doing what he loved to do."
Read the story, along with crazy comments some haters but mostly thoughtful and kind here.
Denise James' blog post about Carly is here.
More Details here and here.
From the Charleston Post and Courier's Andy Paras:
He was an old-school boat captain and businessman who squeezed adventure out of every living minute. She was a charming free spirit from Kentucky along for the ride.
Lucas Smith Photo by Cedar Posts
Carly Donohue Photo by Cedar Posts
Related story: Lucas Smith's father crushed
Together, Lucas Smith and Cara Lee Donohue, known by her friends as Carly, soared high above the waves Wednesday in a device best described as a flying boat -- a rubber raft connected to an engine and a parasail.
Some seasoned pilots said they wouldn't dare strap into a similar light-sport aircraft, but Smith had flown it around Mount Pleasant and his hometown of Sullivan's Island for a decade or more without so much as a scratch, sometimes taking tourists to the top of the Morris Island Lighthouse just for the fun of it.
"He was about as experienced with that thing as you can be," friend and harbor pilot John Thomas said.
But something went wrong Wednesday. Witnesses said the aircraft plummeted into the ocean between Dewees Island and the Isle of Palms at 6:19 p.m. Rescuers pulled them from the wrecked aircraft and rushed them to the Isle of Palms Marina.
Smith, a 40-year-old father of two, and Donohue, his 27-year-old first mate, were pronounced dead at the scene.
"All I can guess is it was a catastrophic failure of some kind," friend and business partner Chris McIntire said.
The Federal Aviation Administration spent much of the day Thursday investigating the cause of the crash, but a final determination could take months, if not longer.
An FAA spokeswoman said the aircraft should have been registered with the federal agency and subject to inspections by airworthiness inspectors, but was not. There also is no record that Smith had the sport pilot certificate required to fly the aircraft.
Daring but not careless
The news surprised friends, who said Smith lived life to the extreme but wasn't reckless.
As captain of his beloved Osprey, a popular charter boat Smith bought on eBay and worked on for three years, he made each trip feel as safe and fun as possible, Thomas said.
"I would trust Lucas with my life, hands down, on the water," Thomas said. "He was always extremely professional. Always safety first."
Thomas and McIntire said Smith was one of the finest boat captains they've ever seen, and told about how he could essentially parallel park a 75-foot Hatteras in gale-force winds without blinking an eye.
Thomas said Smith had old-school skills.
"People don't realize how good he was at what he did and how much he loved life," Thomas said. "He definitely enjoyed every bit of it."
A dream come true
Smith, McIntire said, definitely ran on all cylinders, captaining charter boats and operating his dry-clean business.
Carly Donohue used this photo and herself and Lucas Smith as her profile photo on her Facebook page.
"He lived with his hair on fire," McIntire said. "He was the type of guy to buy the first round. To lose him and Carly is beyond words."
Smith had wanted to charter his own boat ever since he got his captain's license. Just over three years ago his dream came true when he found the boat on eBay for $3,500.
"I suggested he sell it for scrap," McIntire said. "But he loved that boat."
He rechristened the boat Osprey and went to work.
"He put his life into that boat," Thomas said.
Through word of mouth, the Osprey quickly became a popular charter boat. A host and 48 of his or her closest friends could be treated to a two-hour harbor cruise, captained by Smith and his crew.
From cocktails and hors d'oeuvres to a full-blown oyster roast, guests could design their harbor tour to fit their needs.
The boat's popularity grew. More and more trips were being booked. Despite the fact that everyone on his crew knew how to operate that boat, it was always Smith behind the wheel.
Charm and grace
The work was time-consuming, and after two years Smith hired a young Donohue. She was originally from Kentucky but could crew on any size or type boat.
She not only came on as a crew member of the Osprey but also took over the marketing as well. On harbor cruises, she served as a bartender for the guests.
Carly Donohue used this photo and herself and Lucas Smith as her profile photo on her Facebook page.
Jose Hernandez, a longtime friend of Donohue and Smith, said he was happy Donohue found Smith.
"She was willing to not only be there for each trip but to take the boat's success to the next level," he said.
Chad Shores, owner of FINZ, said he knew Donohue well.
"She was just a fun girl. She was a free spirit and had a great outlook on life," Shores said. "She was very uplifting and everybody liked her. She just made you happy and put you in a good mood."
Their deaths cast a pall over the boating community Thursday. The Charleston City Marina flew its flag at half-staff in their memory.
Charleston City Marina Photo by Cedar Posts
Eddie Taylor, a friend of Smith for 25 years, said he will remember him as living life to the fullest.
"We had some fun times and took many road trips. One time on the way back from a ski trip he got three speeding tickets from North Carolina to Charleston. He lived on the edge," Taylor said. "If he was looking down he would say he died a happy man, doing what he loved to do."
Read the story, along with crazy comments some haters but mostly thoughtful and kind here.
Denise James' blog post about Carly is here.
More Details here and here.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Cedar Posts Standing Down
All hands:
I'm the kinda guy who has dozens of friends most are girls and few, very few are guys.
Today I lost one of my guys, Lucas Smith. Not just a friend but a business partner, fellow pilot, fellow captain and a never ending source of entertainment.
Lucas was always bigger than life.
And I'll leave it at that.
The Post and Courier's story is here.
Killed along with Lucas was one of Cedar's part time employees and good friend Carly Donohue.
They will be missed beyond words.
I'll be back I just need a few days to sort all this out.
That is all.
I'm the kinda guy who has dozens of friends most are girls and few, very few are guys.
Today I lost one of my guys, Lucas Smith. Not just a friend but a business partner, fellow pilot, fellow captain and a never ending source of entertainment.
Lucas was always bigger than life.
And I'll leave it at that.
The Post and Courier's story is here.
Killed along with Lucas was one of Cedar's part time employees and good friend Carly Donohue.
They will be missed beyond words.
I'll be back I just need a few days to sort all this out.
That is all.
MSC Bruxelles Arrives in Charleston
South Carolina welcomed the largest container ship to ever call the Port of Charleston when the MSC BRUXELLES docked at the Wando Welch Terminal today.
The 109,000-ton ship is more than 1,100 feet long and 150 feet wide. It can carry the equivalent of nearly 9,200 twenty-foot long shipping containers and has a maximum draft.
The BRUXELLES is operated by Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC), the world's second-largest container shipping line and a major employer in the Port of Charleston. The ship is deployed on MSC’s “Golden Gate Service” between the U.S. East Coast and China, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
The vessel arrived from Norfolk and sails to Freeport before heading to China through the Suez Canal.
The 109,000-ton ship is more than 1,100 feet long and 150 feet wide. It can carry the equivalent of nearly 9,200 twenty-foot long shipping containers and has a maximum draft.
The BRUXELLES is operated by Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC), the world's second-largest container shipping line and a major employer in the Port of Charleston. The ship is deployed on MSC’s “Golden Gate Service” between the U.S. East Coast and China, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
The vessel arrived from Norfolk and sails to Freeport before heading to China through the Suez Canal.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Danielle Holmes Arrested For Armed Robbery While Awaiting Trial For Murder
According the the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office accused murderer Danielle Holmes was arrested late Saturday night for armed robbery, simple possession of marijuana and heroin.
She will have a formal bond hearing Monday Morning. Ms. Holmes is currently being held in the Cabarrus County Jail on 1 Million dollars bond.
Holmes was free on bond while awaiting trial for the murder of Oscar Chavez in Mecklenburg County. That trial is set to begin on September 1, 2011.
Cedar Posts prior coverage of Danielle Holmes is here.
Mega Props to the Cedar Posts reader for the "heads up"!
Four Mile Greek Greenway Parking Lot "Re-Visited"
Cedar Posts took a lot of heat for a photo of a black woman who went to great effort while parking her car at the Shops at Piper Glen Parking lot so she could walk the Four Mile Creek Greenway. The post "Portrait of a Four Mile Greenway Parking Lot Scofflaw". 9311 views and 23 comments, many that were cries of Racist! and Bigot!
So here we have the white Mr. and Mrs. "The Rules Don't Apply To Me". Who justified use of the "15 Minute" parking spot, by shopping at Trader Joe's after their 40 minute run.
I'm sorry I don't see color, what I do see are people who don't think the rules apply to them. People who are so self absorbed that they don't have the ability to understand why their actions cause others harm.
I am surrounded by people who think the rules are for other people, and live in a city where common courtesy has gone to shit. The "me" generation has become the "me and up yours" generation.
The best comment is from Nate who added: "I have been to that shopping center a hundred times, they have 1/2 the parking they should have there. I would argue the developer got greedy and stuck more revenue making buildings on that plot than the parking could sustain."
So In the world according to Nate developers should build really big parking lots, with room for people to park even if they are not shopping. I'd guess there should be a law requiring parking for Motor homes, and for selling your car. Maybe some "extra" spaces for changing your oil, and few discrete places for extramarital hooks ups. Interesting way to look at things.
So here we have the white Mr. and Mrs. "The Rules Don't Apply To Me". Who justified use of the "15 Minute" parking spot, by shopping at Trader Joe's after their 40 minute run.
I'm sorry I don't see color, what I do see are people who don't think the rules apply to them. People who are so self absorbed that they don't have the ability to understand why their actions cause others harm.
I am surrounded by people who think the rules are for other people, and live in a city where common courtesy has gone to shit. The "me" generation has become the "me and up yours" generation.
The best comment is from Nate who added: "I have been to that shopping center a hundred times, they have 1/2 the parking they should have there. I would argue the developer got greedy and stuck more revenue making buildings on that plot than the parking could sustain."
So In the world according to Nate developers should build really big parking lots, with room for people to park even if they are not shopping. I'd guess there should be a law requiring parking for Motor homes, and for selling your car. Maybe some "extra" spaces for changing your oil, and few discrete places for extramarital hooks ups. Interesting way to look at things.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Jerry Orr Speaks His Mind
This past week Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CDIA) director Jerry Orr traveled to Washington, blamed everyone, slammed the TSA and did a lot of finger pointing over the Tisdale security breach.
Orr spoke in Washington on Wednesday before a congressional committee on airport security the Charlotte Observer's coverage is here.
Meanwhile extensive changes and improvements in Charlotte's airport security are being undertaken at great expense as CDIA prepares to welcome the President and delegates to the Democratic National Convention and 1000's of news media to the Queen City.
Below is just a small sample of security improvements made to CDIA's security at the direction of Jerry Orr.
One of more than two dozen "security enhancements" recently
completed by CDIA staff or contractors.
The Charlotte Observer reported last month that Charlotte airport director Jerry Orr stated that the airport spends "a great deal of money and effort" to keep unauthorized people off its airfield. But he declined to talk about what his airport does - or how much it spends - to protect its perimeter, saying he does not want to compromise security.
Well Cedar Posts went behind the scenes and as the photo above proves Jerry Orr is a man of his words.
Orr spoke in Washington on Wednesday before a congressional committee on airport security the Charlotte Observer's coverage is here.
Meanwhile extensive changes and improvements in Charlotte's airport security are being undertaken at great expense as CDIA prepares to welcome the President and delegates to the Democratic National Convention and 1000's of news media to the Queen City.
Below is just a small sample of security improvements made to CDIA's security at the direction of Jerry Orr.
One of more than two dozen "security enhancements" recently
completed by CDIA staff or contractors.
The Charlotte Observer reported last month that Charlotte airport director Jerry Orr stated that the airport spends "a great deal of money and effort" to keep unauthorized people off its airfield. But he declined to talk about what his airport does - or how much it spends - to protect its perimeter, saying he does not want to compromise security.
Well Cedar Posts went behind the scenes and as the photo above proves Jerry Orr is a man of his words.
CMPD Reports Uptown Car Jacking
The Charlotte Observer is reporting:
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say a mother and her children were carjacked Wednesday afternoon after visiting Discovery Place in Charlotte's uptown.
The woman told police she and her children were returning to their SUV on Hearn Place, a short distance from Discovery Place. She said a man armed with a gun ordered them to hand over the keys, and she said the assailant struck her 14-year-old son on the head during the incident.
The man drove off in the Infiniti QX56, headed toward North Graham Street, police say. The man left his weapon behind, and police say the gun was a fake.
The teen's injuries were not serious, police say. The family had traveled from Easley, S.C., near Greenville, to visit Discovery Place. Police did not release a description of the assailant, or the license tag number of the vehicle.
Funny ad at the bottom of the article says: Recommended Stories,
Man's penis cut off, put through garbage disposal | 670 people recommend this.
WBT terminates Tara Servatius | 546 people recommend this.
I wonder is there some connection between the two stories?
Monday, July 11, 2011
Monday's Odds and Ends
Tiger Woods - plans to make a "special announcement" today on the Golf Channel, but there is not even a hint of what is on golf's former number one player's mind.
Woods has not played competitively since pulling out of the Players Championship back in May, and has not been on top of his game remaining winless since late 2009.
The announcement will take place Monday at 11 a.m. ET, when he will sit down with the Golf Channel's Kelly Tilghman.
Trader Joe's - Things you might not know about Trader Joe's, like the chain is owned by German retail giant Aldi Group.
There are only two Trader Joe's in South Carolina, the newest store opens in Charleston this month joing the lone store in Greenville, there are six in North Carolina 3 in Charlotte and 3 in the Research Triangle area.
Trader Joe's likes to shadow Whole Foods, which means a South Park store in Charlotte might be on the horizon, once the Whole Foods on Fairview Road opens next month.
Charles Shaw wines from California oft called "Two Buck Chuck" is really $3.99 in Charlotte but under 3 dollars in Greenville. You don't need a "VIP" card to save money at Trader Joe's, the company doesn't offer sales, promotions or discount cards. They will accept coupon's but since most the items are private label the manufactures coupons are worthless.
Trader Joe's adds about a dozen new items every week which also means an equal number of items are removed. And then there are the bells, which they use in lieu of the time honored intercom system.
Another Biker Dies - A Charleston physician was killed last Tuesday when the bicycle he was riding was struck from behind by an AT&T Company van. The force of the impact propelled him over the side of the James Island connector to his death.
According to Charleston police, 54-year-old Mitchell Hollon was riding a bicycle on the westbound side of the bridge about 8:40 a.m. when an AT&T utility van being driven by a 44-year-old man drifted to the right and struck the bicycle, knocking Hollon over the side of the bridge and into the marsh, 40 feet below.
Authorities on airboats recovered Hollon's body from the marsh about an hour later. His bicycle and helmet were still on the shoulder, not far from the van with a shattered windshield and large dent in its passenger side.
CMPD Officer Under Investigation - Seems yet another CMPD officer has been arrested for domestic violence. Details are sparse but Cedar Posts understands this case involves a veteran officer.
File This Under You Got To Be Kidding - This November, voters in San Francisco are expected to weigh in on a controversial topic: whether parents should be allowed to circumcise their baby boys.
The proposition, backed by members of an anti-circumcision group that calls its members "intactivists," has ignited heated debate.
It's hardly a new issue. Historians have found evidence of circumcision dating to ancient Egypt. Since then, the practice has gone in and out of public favor for myriad reasons, including hygiene, religion, cultural norms and beliefs about masculinity. Circumcised men are now in the minority worldwide, but they are the vast majority in the U.S.
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that circumcision has both risks and benefits and that parents should be given all the information available to make an informed decision.
In the meantime, those in favor of circumcision say it promotes health and hygiene, while those opposed say it's an unnecessary medical procedure that amounts to mutilation.
Cedar's Take: A few years ago CFD and Medic were called to a home with an obviously very drunk young man who had tired to circumcise himself with predictably painful results. When asked why he had taken a razor to his penis he stated his girlfriend had broken up him because she preferred her previous partner who was "circumcised".
Woods has not played competitively since pulling out of the Players Championship back in May, and has not been on top of his game remaining winless since late 2009.
The announcement will take place Monday at 11 a.m. ET, when he will sit down with the Golf Channel's Kelly Tilghman.
Trader Joe's - Things you might not know about Trader Joe's, like the chain is owned by German retail giant Aldi Group.
There are only two Trader Joe's in South Carolina, the newest store opens in Charleston this month joing the lone store in Greenville, there are six in North Carolina 3 in Charlotte and 3 in the Research Triangle area.
Trader Joe's likes to shadow Whole Foods, which means a South Park store in Charlotte might be on the horizon, once the Whole Foods on Fairview Road opens next month.
Charles Shaw wines from California oft called "Two Buck Chuck" is really $3.99 in Charlotte but under 3 dollars in Greenville. You don't need a "VIP" card to save money at Trader Joe's, the company doesn't offer sales, promotions or discount cards. They will accept coupon's but since most the items are private label the manufactures coupons are worthless.
Trader Joe's adds about a dozen new items every week which also means an equal number of items are removed. And then there are the bells, which they use in lieu of the time honored intercom system.
Another Biker Dies - A Charleston physician was killed last Tuesday when the bicycle he was riding was struck from behind by an AT&T Company van. The force of the impact propelled him over the side of the James Island connector to his death.
According to Charleston police, 54-year-old Mitchell Hollon was riding a bicycle on the westbound side of the bridge about 8:40 a.m. when an AT&T utility van being driven by a 44-year-old man drifted to the right and struck the bicycle, knocking Hollon over the side of the bridge and into the marsh, 40 feet below.
Authorities on airboats recovered Hollon's body from the marsh about an hour later. His bicycle and helmet were still on the shoulder, not far from the van with a shattered windshield and large dent in its passenger side.
CMPD Officer Under Investigation - Seems yet another CMPD officer has been arrested for domestic violence. Details are sparse but Cedar Posts understands this case involves a veteran officer.
File This Under You Got To Be Kidding - This November, voters in San Francisco are expected to weigh in on a controversial topic: whether parents should be allowed to circumcise their baby boys.
The proposition, backed by members of an anti-circumcision group that calls its members "intactivists," has ignited heated debate.
It's hardly a new issue. Historians have found evidence of circumcision dating to ancient Egypt. Since then, the practice has gone in and out of public favor for myriad reasons, including hygiene, religion, cultural norms and beliefs about masculinity. Circumcised men are now in the minority worldwide, but they are the vast majority in the U.S.
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that circumcision has both risks and benefits and that parents should be given all the information available to make an informed decision.
In the meantime, those in favor of circumcision say it promotes health and hygiene, while those opposed say it's an unnecessary medical procedure that amounts to mutilation.
Cedar's Take: A few years ago CFD and Medic were called to a home with an obviously very drunk young man who had tired to circumcise himself with predictably painful results. When asked why he had taken a razor to his penis he stated his girlfriend had broken up him because she preferred her previous partner who was "circumcised".
Saturday, July 9, 2011
CMPD Blue Hornets
It might surprise you that Charlotte has a new baseball team, made up of some pretty top notch players, many who played competitive baseball during their high school and college days.
In fact the team is doing pretty well in their first season, with a 6-1 record that might go to 7-1 depending on the outcome of today's 10AM game in Charlotte.
It's also surprising that the semi-pro team doesn't generate a lot of press.
Members of the CMPD Blue Hornets and Chicago Finest
April 9, 2011 at Knight's Stadium Fort Mill, SC
CMPD Blue Hornets Baseball club, is a team "comprised of fully sworn officers" from all divisions of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
The team takes it's name from the phrase the "Thin Blue Line" that represents the men and women of law enforcement who stand between the criminals and the law abiding public and the area's historic revolutionary war skirmish against British commander General Cornwallis who wrote that Mecklenburg was “A Hornets Nest of Rebellion”.
According to the team's web site their Mission is to "give officers an outlet to play competitive baseball while raising funds for non-profit organizations" . The web site futher states: "Our goal is to establish program reliability that will open more opportunities to participate in local and national tournaments, charitable fundraisers and community events."
The team's face book page adds this: "The CMPD Blue Hornets were formed to allow fully sworn members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to play competitive baseball on the local and national levels. In addition to giving it our all on the field we will be playing to raise monies for different Charities. 2011 will be the Inaugural season for the Blue Hornets whom are the only officially recognized baseball team of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg P.D. "
CMPD Blue Hornets Logo By Ryan Trammell
If all the facts check out CMPD officers that play for the team, are doing so only during their off duty time and must provide for their own insurance.
Yet a couple of items have floated to the top, first there are reports that the funding for the Blue Hornets, and believe me putting a baseball team on the road is not cheap, has come from police seizures. That is the Autos, cash, guns and other items seized during the commission of a crime most often involving drugs that are claimed by police and used to fund drug interdiction operations, support youth and anti gang efforts.
Officially the formal CMPD line is: "If the money seized by police was used to facilitate or represents proceeds of a crime, the CMPD can request the forfeiture of that money. If the money is awarded to the department, those funds can be used for training, equipment or other purposes deemed appropriate by the Chief of Police with City Council approval."
Yet scouring City Council Minutes there seems to be no such request or approval of city council for a first class baseball team.
Who pays for the team's equipment, uniforms, and travel expenses? When the team travels to New York next month will they fly first class or hit the road like most "Single A" teams riding the team bus?
You might recall a rather odd request back in the early spring where Chief Monroe asked for permission to spend some insane amounts on a new mobile crime lab truck, and other items. Remember, Charlotte City Council members sat mute, with councilman Andy Dulin asking the only question.
You don't suppose the CMPD Blue Hornets were a part of the "other"?
Sunday Update: The Observer didn't take long to catch up to the story, though I suspect they either had this story in a drawer, or it is a 'PR" response to the question of finances. But check it out here.
Charlotte Fire Department Drains Lake Finds Car - Fish - Trash and Jimmy Hofa?
Photo Thanks to Bill Fehr
If you drain a lake there is bound to be something interesting uncovered as the water recedes, in this case a car.
The draining of Forest Lake started Thursday after heavy rains weakened the already under stress dam. Charlotte officials had feared the dam might fail and requested assistance from the Charlotte Fire Department.
Once the Fire Deparment pumps began the task, it wasn't long before the roof of a car was visible, and Charlotte Police were also called to the scene. Word late on Friday was that the car did not contain a body and foul play seems to be limited to auto theft or insurance fraud.
More photos of the operation and some great details from Bill Fehr here and less details and even less photos from the Charlotte Observer here.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Charlotte Woman With Gun Dispatches Would-Be Robber
Several media outlets including the Charlotte Observer are reporting that a woman shot and killed one of two men who forced their way into her house in an apparent botched robbery.
North Tryon Division officers responded to 2404 Finchley Drive to investigate the report of one person who had been shot.
When officers arrived on scene, they located an unresponsive male inside the residence; he was pronounced deceased on scene.
Based upon initial witness statements, a male was sitting outside the house in a vehicle when he was approached by two armed black males. The suspects forced the male inside the residence at gunpoint and began assaulting him.
When the female resident heard the commotion, she fired a firearm at the suspects, killing one of them. The second suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction of travel. Patrol officers and detectives are currently searching for the second suspect.
Update 6:39 PM The Charlotte Observer is reporting the following:
A next-door neighbor, who asked not to be named, said the man who lives at the home, 51-year-old Andre Allison, came to her house bleeding profusely from his head and asked her to call 911. Allison's girlfriend and 21-year-old daughter were home at the time of the attack, the neighbor said.
Andre Allison - Photo Courtesy Mecklenburg County Sheriff
The neighbor's son, who also asked that his name be withheld, said it was Allison's girlfriend who shot his attacker. He said he saw her run up and down the street "in hysterics, saying there was a dead man in the back of her den."
Update Saturday July 9, 2011: CMPD has identified the dead man as Jonthan Kendrell Boddie age 29.
Jonthan Kendrell Boddie - Photo Courtesy Mecklenburg County Sheriff
Cedar's Take: Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is the fourth time in the last 8 months that a thug has taken the express elevator at the hands of a armed citizen.
Note: This case remains a homicide investigation.
North Tryon Division officers responded to 2404 Finchley Drive to investigate the report of one person who had been shot.
When officers arrived on scene, they located an unresponsive male inside the residence; he was pronounced deceased on scene.
Based upon initial witness statements, a male was sitting outside the house in a vehicle when he was approached by two armed black males. The suspects forced the male inside the residence at gunpoint and began assaulting him.
When the female resident heard the commotion, she fired a firearm at the suspects, killing one of them. The second suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction of travel. Patrol officers and detectives are currently searching for the second suspect.
Update 6:39 PM The Charlotte Observer is reporting the following:
A next-door neighbor, who asked not to be named, said the man who lives at the home, 51-year-old Andre Allison, came to her house bleeding profusely from his head and asked her to call 911. Allison's girlfriend and 21-year-old daughter were home at the time of the attack, the neighbor said.
Andre Allison - Photo Courtesy Mecklenburg County Sheriff
The neighbor's son, who also asked that his name be withheld, said it was Allison's girlfriend who shot his attacker. He said he saw her run up and down the street "in hysterics, saying there was a dead man in the back of her den."
Update Saturday July 9, 2011: CMPD has identified the dead man as Jonthan Kendrell Boddie age 29.
Jonthan Kendrell Boddie - Photo Courtesy Mecklenburg County Sheriff
Cedar's Take: Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is the fourth time in the last 8 months that a thug has taken the express elevator at the hands of a armed citizen.
Note: This case remains a homicide investigation.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
CMPD Declares Independence Day Celebration a Major Success
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police declare their strict enforcement and massive show of force a major success with only four arrests and less than a dozen juvenile curfew violations.
CMPD Spokesman Rob Turfano made the following points in an email released at 1 AM email:
"The operations plan was thoroughly coordinated and successfully implemented."
"Officers aggressively enforced laws and intervened early to deter any activity that could have escalated."
"Critical partnerships with the Department of Social Services, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, MEDIC and the Charlotte Fire Department in particular provided key support in the operation’s success."
Cedar's Take: No doubt the local main stream media will pile on the praise during this morning's newscasts, yet those who are on the street know the real truth and will wonder why no one will point out the obvious or ask the tough questions.
Clearly the rain and thunderstorms early in the evening limited the crowds, and keep most of the thugs home.
The most obvious question, if more police and "aggressively" enforcing laws is the key to success and keeping the peace at uptown events, then what happened to the planning for "Speed Street".
The answer, the request for more boots on the street over the Memorial Day weekend was made via the chain of command and was declined.
But will anyone from Charlotte's City Council ask the though questions?
Monday, July 4, 2011
Carolina Volunteer Fire Department Closing Station 2
No official word yet but Keller Willams has a sign out in front of the Carolina VFD Station 2 (Formerly Carmel VFD) which seems to be going the way of Mallard Creek and Newell departments which have recently closed.
The history of the Carmel Volunteer Fire Department (Originally Sharon VFD) dates back nearly 59 years. In the 1990's Carmel megred with Carolina Volunteer Fire Department as annexation closed in around the station.
According to the Carolina Volunteer Fire Department's web site Station 2 houses Ladder 1, Service 8, Retired Rescue 12 and Rretired Brush 7.
The 3500 square foot prefab building built in 1981 has a tax value of $217,500.00 is listd with Keller Willams for $195,000.00
A recent story in the "Local Paper" detailed the closing of Mallard Creek and Newell departments that story is here.
According to Mecklenburg County there are still 16 volunteer and rescue agencies serving portions of unincorporated Mecklenburg County.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Local Paper Runs Story "Recording Police Can Create Clashes"
Good story by Jim Morrill and really a "couple of levels above" the normal Sunday Paper yawn. The story ran with the subhed (we used to call it the dek):
"Crime blogger says she was threatened with arrest when she tried to take a photo of police"
And this great photo:
Photo Credit: Todd Sumlin "Local Paper"
"Her encounter with police drew the attention of the chief, the city manager and even the American Civil Liberties Union. It has become grist for bloggers across the country who see it as the latest test of First Amendment rights in the digital age."
The full story is here.
The Cedar Posts story "CMPD Independence Officer Goes Postal Over Blogger With A Camera" that ran a week ago is here.
"Crime blogger says she was threatened with arrest when she tried to take a photo of police"
And this great photo:
Photo Credit: Todd Sumlin "Local Paper"
"Her encounter with police drew the attention of the chief, the city manager and even the American Civil Liberties Union. It has become grist for bloggers across the country who see it as the latest test of First Amendment rights in the digital age."
The full story is here.
The Cedar Posts story "CMPD Independence Officer Goes Postal Over Blogger With A Camera" that ran a week ago is here.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Cedar Says: "Hat Tip To Chief Monroe"
While this blog has often sent flaming arrows in the direction of Chief Monroe, the paragraph below deserves a formal acknowledgement.
"Based on the recent incident with CiC, we will reinforce to our officers that photographs may be taken as long as no one’s safety is jeopardized and the officers have an adequate safe zone in which to do their work. We will also review our written directives to ensure they are clear on this matter."
While I certainly disagree with the Chief on many issues, I am pleased to see that he takes the concept of civil liberties, and more importantly the 1st Amendment and the rights of the press very seriously.
I have to give credit to Chief Monroe for making the above commitment. This is a huge change from Chief Monroe's normal modus operandi. This is such a major change from the prior hubris, that I must give a full hat tip and salute to this change in tenor on Independence Day Weekend no less.
Thank You Chief Rodney Monroe!
"Based on the recent incident with CiC, we will reinforce to our officers that photographs may be taken as long as no one’s safety is jeopardized and the officers have an adequate safe zone in which to do their work. We will also review our written directives to ensure they are clear on this matter."
While I certainly disagree with the Chief on many issues, I am pleased to see that he takes the concept of civil liberties, and more importantly the 1st Amendment and the rights of the press very seriously.
I have to give credit to Chief Monroe for making the above commitment. This is a huge change from Chief Monroe's normal modus operandi. This is such a major change from the prior hubris, that I must give a full hat tip and salute to this change in tenor on Independence Day Weekend no less.
Thank You Chief Rodney Monroe!
Mayor Foxx And Charlotte City Council Ask Curt Walton About CMPD 1st Amendment Violations
It seems a number of people have emailed, called or written to Mayor Foxx and Charlotte City Council members about the CMPD attack on the blogger who pens Crime in Charlotte.
City Manager Curt Walton answered the concern via email.
Here is a report on the Crime in Charlotte photography issue. I believe Police reacted appropriately. The right to take pictures, which CMPD acknowledges, is not accompanied by the right to be anywhere the photographer chooses to be.
The report Walton speaks of is here, and is pretty one sided and based solely on the word of the two officers involved. But Cedar Posts understands a completely different chain of events where a lone women standing at a distance of more than 20 feet is threatened with arrest for wanting to take a photo.
The issue of what is acceptable distance seems to be pretty arbitrary and in this case very much after the fact.
As the videos previously posted indicate, CMPD officers allow some pretty shady people to get pretty darn close. So why did two officers feel threatened by a woman who is an outstanding and open supporter of the Police Department? What made them determine that she was a threat by standing far away in the parking lot outside of her own home?
Something just doesn't add up.
City Manager Curt Walton answered the concern via email.
Here is a report on the Crime in Charlotte photography issue. I believe Police reacted appropriately. The right to take pictures, which CMPD acknowledges, is not accompanied by the right to be anywhere the photographer chooses to be.
The report Walton speaks of is here, and is pretty one sided and based solely on the word of the two officers involved. But Cedar Posts understands a completely different chain of events where a lone women standing at a distance of more than 20 feet is threatened with arrest for wanting to take a photo.
The issue of what is acceptable distance seems to be pretty arbitrary and in this case very much after the fact.
As the videos previously posted indicate, CMPD officers allow some pretty shady people to get pretty darn close. So why did two officers feel threatened by a woman who is an outstanding and open supporter of the Police Department? What made them determine that she was a threat by standing far away in the parking lot outside of her own home?
Something just doesn't add up.
Another Video and Another Arrest and Another and Another
Here's something Cedar Posts dug up. Watch the crazies running around while CMPD officers try to sort out what is going on. In the process of all the yammering and screaming, the guy with the video camera keeps running his mouth and getting in the way. Yet for the most part the CMPD officers stay cool.
Cedar's take: The officers in this video had every right to lock down the guy with the camera, but they didn't and in the end the video shows the truth; a bunch of out of control people acting like idiots and some good cops trying to sort out all the madness.
Imagine how it would have looked if at 3:12 the older officer slammed the guy with the video camera instead of walking away. Clearly the guy with the video was annoying, but our CMPD officer keeps his control and stays on task.
Cedar's take: The officers in this video had every right to lock down the guy with the camera, but they didn't and in the end the video shows the truth; a bunch of out of control people acting like idiots and some good cops trying to sort out all the madness.
Imagine how it would have looked if at 3:12 the older officer slammed the guy with the video camera instead of walking away. Clearly the guy with the video was annoying, but our CMPD officer keeps his control and stays on task.
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