One Question For Charlotte Mayor and Charlotte City Council Candidates

On Friday Cedar Posts emailed a single question to all Charlotte City Council candidates and both candidates for Mayor.

The idea for emailing a single question was suggested by a Cedar Posts reader who pointed out: "Normally I never approve of "single issue" voters, but I would like to add (this question) into consideration when I decide whom to vote for......"

The question is as follows:

Do you wholeheartedly and unreservedly support the current Chief of Police and his Executive Staff?

Candidates were told that they could provide a simple yes or no, or a more detailed answer and explanation. The candidates were also told that their answers would be presented in their entirety without edit.

Additionally candidates were told:

"Should you choose not to reply or provide an answer, Cedar Posts will attempt to answer the question based on known sources such as main stream media, blogs and your promotional material and web site. Your answer is of course preferred."

Only Claire Fallon, Alexander G. Vuchnich, Christopher Hailey, Dennis Patterson, Mohamed Moustafa, Curtis Watkins and Andy Dulin provided answers.

Their responses are shown below, for those candidates who did not respond, Cedar Posts answered the question for them based on their own words or statements and voting records.

Mayor, City of Charlotte

Anthony Foxx - Democrat

Mayor Foxx did not respond to Cedar Posts' email request.

While Mr. Foxx seems to have a cozy relationship with Chief Monroe there is an underlying level of friction.

Mr. Foxx who was in favor of getting a look at Marcus Jackson's file was quoted as saying "We should have had the opportunity to ask the questions ourselves and get the answers ourselves".

Foxx went on to point out even if they decided not release the files, at least they could give the public more information as to why. "Even if we had decided not to disclose the records at the end of the day," he pointed out. "For us to glean the information we need to look citizens in the eye and let them know why there are good reasons it wasn't disclosed."

Web Site: http://www.anthonyfoxx.com/

Scott Stone - Republican

Mr. Stone did not respond to Cedar Posts' email request.

Based on this exchange from last week's Charlotte Observer "On-Line Chat" Cedar Posts feels Mr. Stone is less than 100% behind CMPD Chief Monroe.

Guest: How will you influence the gang troubles in Charlotte?

Scott Stone: "When we had riots in Uptown Memorial Day weekend, I was the first one to speak publicly about it. The mayor finally responded with a press conference several days later.

We do have gangs here and CMPD knows it and has officers assigned to it. I think it is an important step to admit we have a problem, so that we can discuss it openly and honestly. Sweeping under the rug will not help.

At my press conference on the Tuesday after Memorial Day, I was the first candidate / public official to bring up the curfew issue. I don't think it is being enforced strongly enough. Several politicians talked about it later that week, but we have heard very little since."

Web Site: http://www.electscottstone.com/

Charlotte City Council At-Large

Patrick D. Cannon - Democrat

Mr. Cannon did not respond to Cedar Posts' email request.

It is Cedar Posts belief and the record shows that Mr. Cannon supports Chief Monroe and his executive staff wholeheartedly and without reservation or question.

Web Site: http://www.patrickdcannon.com/

Claire Fallon - Democrat

Ms. Fallon's Response:

"I support our uniformed services in their endeavors to protect the public. I reserve the right to question decisions made by the administration as a thinking person. To date I have been pleased with the reduction in crime and seeing more uniformed officers on the street. That said I do not wholeheartedly and unreservedly support anyone without question. I believe it is my duty as a citizen to obtain all facts before coming to conclusions on events that happen. Claire Fallon - candidate city council at large. "

David Howard - Democrat

Mr. Howard did not respond to Cedar Posts' email request.

Mr. Howard was one of 4 council members that voted to review the Marcus Jackson personnel files. Cedar Posts does not have a good feel for Howard's position on Chief Monroe. However in the past Mr. Howard has been a strong supporter of Chief Monroe.

Web Site: http://www.votedavidhoward.com/

Beth Pickering - Democrat

Beth Pickering did not respond to Cedar Posts' email request.

Although her web site proclaims: "I would continue to support our Police Chief Monroe 100%". Cedar Posts does not considered her to be a serious candidate.

Web Site: http://www.voteforbethpickering.com/

Alexander G. Vuchnich - Libertarian

Mr. Vuchnich's response:

"I believe that the role of City Council is to set the strategic direction and overall goals for the department but that the best support that Council can provide to the Chief and his staff is to let them decide the best means by which to carry out their tasks. As long as Chief Monroe and his staff continue to meet the goals set by City Council, then any criticisms raised against CMPD should be directed at City Council not Chief Monroe as he is carrying out the plan that they have set.

I wholeheartedly and unreservedly believe that he and his staff have achieved the goals set forth by City Council and should be credited for carrying out the goals set before them."

Web Site: http://www.vuchnichforcitycouncil.org/

Christopher Hailey - Republican

Mr. Hailey's response:

"YES!"

Web Site: http://www.votehailey.com/

Mohamed Moustafa - Republican

Mr. Moustafa's Response:

"No No and NO"

"Some crime is down in Charlotte. While our police chief likes to take credit for that, the truth is that crime has been trending down somewhat all over the country. This trend has more to do with demographics and effective policing.

Is our community safe? Ask the convenience store operator. Or the lady walking to her car after dark. Or the victim of a burglary. Or the innocent victims of gang violence.

The police department has become politicized and more concerned about public image than public safety. If Charlotte is going to become safer, we need common sense community policing; policemen who actually know the neighborhood, who know the people and establish a positive relationship, thereby earning the trust and respect of the people they’re serving.

And while driving after enjoying a glass of wine with dinner, doing seventy in a sixty zone, driving with an expired license plate are matters of concern, the real crimes are the ones with victims. And it’s the real crimes our police should be concentrating on.

Our police need to be concentrating on crimes of violence, theft and destruction of property -- first. Victimless crimes are relatively easy to deal with and raise a lot of revenue, it’s the crimes against person and property that should be their top priority.

Remember: The first job of the police is to protect.

Mohamed Moustafa (R) Candidate for Charlotte City Council At-large"

Web Site: http://www.votemohamedmoustafa.com/

Edwin B. Peacock III - Republican

Mr. Peacock did not respond to Cedar Posts' email request.

The record shows that Mr. Peacock supports Chief Monroe and his executive staff wholeheartedly and without reservation or question.

From Peacock's Website: "Without a public that feels safe, our options for a bright future are limited. In a recent police ride along I completed with a CMPD officer, I learned first hand that our crime problems are complex and can not be solved with a single solution. "

Peacock's website contains the following statement, "These professionals must be well equipped and ready to protect our citizens." This goes along with Peacock's "no questions" asked mentality when it comes to police budget consent items.

Mr. Peacock, was one of 6 council members that voted against reviewing Marcus Jackson's personnel files.

When asked if he thought Charlotte City Council had done enough with regards to Marcus Jackson and the information the Chief had supplied Peacock replied:

"I think we've provided plenty of information about what Mr Jackson's done. I think the police chief has gone out of his way to explain everything and to expose as much as he possibly can."

A few days later is became clear the Chief Monroe had lied to Charlotte's City Council about his knowledge of Marcus Jackson's prior issues.

Web Site: http://www.edwinpeacock.com/

Curtis Watkins - Republican

Mr. Watkins response:

"The question leaves a lot to be desired...

While I do believe in supporting our law enforcement staff to the utmost ability, I very rarely will support anything "unreservedly" as context must always be applied.

Did they break rules or protocol while performing their duties or infringe on the constitutional rights of an individual? Are there specific grievances that can be addressed or discussed? Circumstance is too important in such an organization to blindly answer "yes" or "no" to this particular question."

Web Site: http://www.curtis-watkins.com/

Charlotte City Council District 1

Patsy Kinsey - Democrat

Ms. Kinsey did not respond to Cedar Posts' email request.

On January 25, 2010 Ms. Kinsey voted to not review the Marcus Jackson personnel file, siding with Chief Monroe and City Manager Curt Walton.

Ms. Kinsey has in the past expressed grave concerns regarding Chief Monroe. Much of which comes from the discovery that the Chief does not have what is considered by most as anything more than an honorary degree from Virgina Commonwealth University.

However, Ms. Kinsey has recently rubber stamped all CMPD consent items without question.

David Michael Rice - Republican

Mr. Rice did not respond to Cedar Posts' email request and Cedar Post's does not consider him a serious candidate.

Charlotte City Council District 2

James (Smuggie) Mitchell, Jr. - Democrat

Mr. Mitchell did not respond to Cedar Posts' email request.

It is Cedar Posts belief and the record shows the Mr. Mitchell supports Chief Monroe and his executive staff wholeheartedly and without reservation or question.

On January 25, 2010 Mitchell voted to not review the Marcus Jackson personnel file, siding with Chief Monroe and City Manager Curt Walton.

Charlotte City Council District 3

LaWana Mayfield - Democrat

Ms. Mayfield failed to respond to Cedar Posts' email request.

Ms. Mayfield's primary victory made national news because Charlotte has never elected an openly LGBT city council member. If she wins Tuesday's general election it will be a first for Charlotte.

Web Site: http://www.lawanamayfield.com/

Ed Toney - Republican

Mr. Toney failed to respond to Cedar Posts' email request and is not considered a serious candidate for Warren Turner's council seat.

Charlotte City Council District 4
Michael D. Barnes - Democrat

Mr. Barnes failed to respond to Cedar Posts' email request.

Cedar Posts' notes that Mr. Barnes has shown in the past that he doesn't buy all that Chief Monroe is saying, most importantly when it comes to the department's ever expanding expenses.

On January 25, 2010 Barnes voted to review the Marcus Jackson personnel file, siding with the minority and Mayor Foxx.

Recently Barnes questioned along with Council member Andy Dulin a CMPD request for purchasing additional police cars.

Larry Shannon - Republican

Mr. Shannon failed to respond to Cedar Posts' email request and is not considered a serious challenger for Mr. Barnes' seat.

Charlotte City Council District 5

John Autry - Democrat

Mr Autry failed to respond to Cedar Posts' email request.

The following is from Mr. Autry's website:

"I will work to increase CMPD presence in our district. I applaud Mayor Foxx’s vision for an expanded police force that has an increased number of boots on the ground. The 5th District has only experienced a 5.3% drop in crime, compared to a citywide average of 10.8%. I will work to speed up the establishment of an Eastland Division CMPD precinct."

Web Site: http://www.johnautry.com/

Dennis Peterson - Republican

Mr. Peterson's Response:

"I do not wholeheartedly and unreservedly support Chief Monroe. There have been a number of incidents that have occurred during his tenure that cause me concern and I'm still troubled regarding the questions surrounding his college education.

However, while the CMPD is preparing its security plans for the Democratic National Convention, I would not advocate his removal. The City of Charlotte must have a fully prepared, trained, and resourced police force that can ensure the public safety during this critically important event.

My biggest concern is what happens to our police force after the DNC? Will we say the mission is over and cut staff -thereby increasing the threat to our citizens? Though the crime statistics paint a picture that says our city is safe - if a crime happens in your neighborhood, you don't feel secure. We cannot rest on our laurels while some people do not feel safe in their own homes."

Charlotte City Council District 6

Andy Dulin - Republican

Mr. Dulin's Response:

Good morning,

In response to the question about The Chief of Police and his executive staff:

I’m proud of the Monroe hire and pleased with the gains the PD has made to reduce crime and to give the community a better feeling of safety. That credit goes to the Officers!

That feeling does exist. I am in the neighborhoods virtually every Tues and Thurs night at HOA meetings and folks tell me and thank me. When they thank me I say, without reservation that it is not me, it’s the men and women of the CMPD. Have I heard some under tone rumblings about the Chief, yes, but as a Council member I do not see those first hand, only a rumble from time to time and it’s very rare.

As for the Chief’s exec staff, I assume you are referring to the four Deputy Chief’s? I have no problem with them but I do not frequent communications with them. In my opinion they are serving the City well.

Thank you, CP for the opportunity to answer your question,

Regards,

Andy Dulin

Web Site: http://www.voteandydulin.com/

Charlotte City Council District 7

Warren Cooksey - Republican

Warren Cooksey failed to respond to Cedar Post's email request.

But Mr. Cooksey has shown in the past he is a rabid supporter of Chief Monroe.

On January 25, 2010 Mr. Cooksey voted to not review the Marcus Jackson personnel file, siding with Chief Monroe and City Manager Curt Walton.

In September Cooksey told Pundit House:

"Monroe demonstrates a much-needed focus on both actually reducing crime and increasing the public’s perception of safety.

Since the Chief’s reorganization, Charlotte’s overall crime rate is down, the homicide rate is down, and calls for service are down. CMPD is developing a stronger partnership with the District Attorney’s office.

Admittedly, there have been some missteps. None, however, has been as bad as they seemed at the time after a review of the facts. The post-Speed Street shooting of two young men should not have happened. Nevertheless, a comparison with the type of mayhem experienced by Vancouver in June and the United Kingdom this summer shows that using the term “riot” for Charlotte’s incident is overstating the case."

Cedar Posts has taken issue with Mr. Cooksey minimization of the "riot/non-riot" see Monday After More Spin here. Chief Monroe's, and Mr. Cooksey's definition of a riot is far from CMPD's official definition of riot provided in the CMPD directives.

Web Site: http://www.warrencooksey.com/index.php

Monday's Odds and Ends - The CMPD Edition

How To End Up With The Watch Commander's Office Assignment

Most everyone knows that the Watch Commander's Office is the Chief's way of saying "Bad Cop No Donut". Seems a well respected Captain earned the demotion the equivalent of "window sitting" for Toyota, because get this, he was passing notes during a briefing conducted by Deputy Chief Katina Graue.

Graue was boring as usual, became incensed at the general inattention of those officers in attendance and took issue with the contents of the note which reportedly was nothing more the Chief Monroe's email tag line.

The Captain's next misdeed was to take a less than serious interest in church. If the facts check out the Captain who is an admitted agnostic (a person who believes that the existence of a greater power, such as a god, cannot be proven or disproved) made the mistake of saying he wasn't comfortable attending a church to represent the department but was ordered to attend the service anyway. After the first service the captain was told again to attend another service at the same church and he again protested.

Poof instant Watch Commander and Hello 3rd shift.

A Request From An Indianapolis Police Officer

Re: CMPD Baker One Domestic Battery Project

I am a patrolman in Indy looking for honest feedback from CMPD Officers who had experience with the Baker One Domestic Violence Project from 2001 to 2007.

We just began a similar initiative here in Indianapolis to link indicator crimes to dom. batt. cases. Our dept. has set the criteria for one to be a B1 offender as I understand it to be any person with 3 domestic reports in a three month period or 5 in a year. As part of this we are mandated to take a report on any domestic run.

This means that if they were only arguing verbally about taking out the trash and a neighbor calls in a disturbance, we have to file a police report. Three of these and they're flagged as a B1 offender.

Then should we identify early offenders we are to pursue them relentlessly and document every time we come into contact them for any reason and not exercise any discretion when we interact with them.

I am very apprehensive about the possibility of "harassment" claims this may generate. Any words on success and /or opinions would be appreciated.

Your can view the original post and respond here.

Spies Among Us - Occupy Charlotte Mole at CMPD?

This ought to get CMPD's Command Staff's Attention. The writer is Robert Tilford of Charlotte:

"This is also very sad, very sad indeed", says Jane Doe (not her real name) of Charlotte, N.C. a political operative who works inside the CMPD police department and is a self proclaimed "spy inside" for the Occupy Charlotte movement. Her husband, lets call him Paul, a county employee stand in solidarity with the Occupy movement and used to work as a lobbyist for a private hospital network. He says "the money and influence of special interests in Congress is amazing". Congress is basically "for sale" he says. Jane and Paul is among a number of people who are fed up with the political system and are seeking ways to change it."

The entire story is here.

UNCC SWAT Unit - File this under "You have got to be KIDDING!"

According to WCNC - The UNCC Police Department has formed a 13-member SWAT team with special training, special gear, and special tools and weapons.

"You can't just sit and wait for something to happen. You have to be ready at a moment's notice," said Lt. Josh Huffman of the UNCC Campus Police and SWAT team. "We can mobilize quickly. We have swat members on each squad, day shift and night shift.”

"I think it's very possible something like that could happen on campus," said sophomore Corbin Peters. Most of these students weren't in college yet when the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting happened, but it's something they remember. "It was kind of scary. I wasn't even there and I can only imagine how scary it was for the students," said sophomore Calinda Burrus. So learning their college campus has a SWAT team is very comforting.

More details are here.

Andrew Aitken "Andy" Rooney (January 14, 1919 – November 4, 2011)

Andy Rooney at his desk in 1978, his first year as a commentator on "60 Minutes"

By Bob Schieffer - CBS News

By now you have heard Andy Rooney died. When he retired last month, I talked about the thousands of things he said on television.

But for me, his lasting achievement is his book, "My War," a memoir of his days as a combat correspondent during World War II.

"My War" by Andy Rooney (Public Affairs Books)

It is at once a coming-of-age story, an adventure, and most of all, a book of wisdom.

"Most of us," he wrote, "use only a portion of our brains as we live our lives at half-speed and on schedule - sleeping when we are not tired, eating when we are not hungry." But war, he wrote, changes all that, "causing people to do things they didn't know they could do."

Yet, he didn't go to war movies, he wrote, because he didn't consider war entertainment.

He described war for those who survive as an experience like no other, but he said, "I've tried to empty my brain of those memories by writing them down."

For all his eccentricities, Andy was a wise man whose work in the age of texting and thoughtless instant discourse reminds us that the English language is among our most precious assets, and properly used, one of the most powerful weapons in the American arsenal.

Andy, you were one of a kind.

Cedar's Take: Andy Rooney, like Mike Royko and Paul Harvey was indeed one of a kind. They don't make these kind of guys any more. I'm not sure why. I'll leave that for another day. But they as well as so many other great commentators are gone. The last of the breed. Television, Newspaper, and Radio will never be the same.

Cedar's Bonus: New York Times - Andy Rooney, a Cranky Voice of CBS, Dies at 92 is here.

Cedar's Extra Credit: The Wall Street Journal's take on Andy Rooney's retirement is here.

Kevin Siers on Jerry Orr's ATM Monopoly

Shooting Suspect Arrested After Foot Chase

One man was hospitalized, an officer injured and one person taken into custody Friday afternoon, police said, after a shooting incident ended in a police foot chase for the suspect in south Charlotte.

Just after 1 p.m., Charlotte-Mecklenburg police were called to the 5900 block of South Boulevard, near Archdale Drive, after receiving a report that someone had been shot. When they arrived, police found a man suffering from a gunshot wound.

It took eight CMPD officers to subdue the suspect Pierre Cortez Leach after a brief foot case. One officer was taken to Presbyterian Hospital suffering from minor injuries.

According to WCNC reporters, Leach continued to battle with officers after he was tackled to the ground.

Leach who is 24 has been charged with resisting a public officer, assault on a government official employing aggressive physical force, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. He is being held at the Mecklenburg County Jail and his bond is set at $203,500.00

Leach has priors for drug and weapons charges.

Cedars Take: Again CMPD officers are put at risk because they lack Tasers. Mr. Leach should be thankful officers felt like getting in a work out because I doubt anyone would blame them for putting this animal down on the spot.

Friday Wrap Up!

Kevin Siers on Cain


More Siers here.

Let's face it, Republicans are toast. Cain was our last hope. He came across as genuine, smart and unpolitical. In the end and this is the end, Cain came across as nearly Clintontonian. "I did NOT sexually harass that woman". End of story.

Michele Bachmann peaked too soon, then had a number flubs and verbal slip ups. A number of staff changes and now she is just a footnote.

Singing Happy Birthday to Elvis Presley on the anniversary of his death, naming John Quincey Adams as a founding father of our country, he was nine when the declaration of Independence was drafted. It was his father John Adams who is his father and a founding father. She also confused John Wayne with serial killer John Wayne Gacey. These are just a few of the nearly two dozen gaffes she's uttered in the last six months.

Perry had a few too many of something this week. Look for him to jump up and down on a couch on some talk show and then he will be done.

Newt is too old, Ron Paul has that Timothy Leary thing going on which leaves us with Mitt Romney who has a hair and religion issue. I'm not sure the religion matters but the hair is a deal breaker.

Kid with a Gun - South Carolina officials say a 10-year-old trick-or-treater pulled a 9-mm handgun on a woman who joked that she'd steal his candy on Halloween.



The Augusta Chronicle reported Tuesday that a 28-year-old woman told authorities she recognized some youngsters Monday evening, and she joked she'd take their candy.

Aiken Public Safety Lt. David Turno said a 10-year-old in the group said no and pointed the handgun at her.

Turno said the gun wasn't loaded but the boy had a clip of ammunition. He was taken to the police station and was turned over to his parents.

Turno said the boy's 10-year-old brother told officials he also had a gun and both weapons were recovered by police. Turno said the boys got them from their grandfather without his permission.

Jerry Orr's Back Door Deal With Bank of America - The Charlotte Observer is reporting that CDIA has moved closer to making a deal to have BofA the airport's sole ATM provider.

According to the Observer "Aviation director Jerry Orr said the deal provides the most revenue for the airport, with BofA bidding more than Fifth Third Bank, the only other bank that took a shot at the exclusive deal."

Four banks currently have ATMs at the airport: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, BB&T and First Citizens. Each pays a set rent for its locations and a percentage of total receipts of its ATMs. The total last year earned the airport $256,556.00.

Officials said leasing to multiple banks would yield an estimated $1.21 million a year, leasing exclusively to Bank of America would yield about $1.61 million.

Although more customers might have to pay fees to withdraw money if Bank of America is the sole ATM provider, Orr said that since the bank is one of the country's largest retail banks, many of the airport's more than 38 million annual fliers have accounts there.

BofA is also entitled to $161,250 in airport advertisement a year as part of the deal, officials said.

More details can be found here at the Charlotte Observer.

Anthony Foxx For Governor? - Well no, I mean yes or no, or maybe depending on who you ask.

It all started with an on-line chat put together by the Charlotte Observer and quickly spiraled out of control, being picked up by Politico and the Drudge Report and later Republican press releases.

According to the Observer, "a questioner asked Foxx if he would challenge N.C. Gov. Bev Perdue, a fellow Democrat."

“I am happy being the mayor of Charlotte,” he replied.

Later, another questioner said, “You did not answer the question about challenging Gov. Perdue. Would you promise not to run against her in a primary?”

“Until you asked the question, I had never given the matter a second thought,” Foxx replied. “So no.”

Opps!

Later Foxx campaign manager Michael Halle stated:

“Categorically he is not running against Bev Perdue, he is a supporter, he thought the question was kind of a joke. It’s absolutely false.”

Mayor Foxx? The Governor is on the phone.

Today is Chevrolet's 100th Anniversary

Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911. Chevrolet was positioned by Alfred Sloan to sell a lineup of mainstream vehicles to directly compete against Henry Ford's Model T in the 1920s, with "Chevrolet" or "Chevy" being at times synonymous with GM.

A detailed overview of Chevrolet's history is here. (Note this is a very large pdf file.)

During GM's "Bail Out" these signs started to spring up around Detroit.











A complete collection of the billboards is here.

CMPD Vice Unit Collars Election Sign Thief

Updated and Corrected as of November 2, 2011

Cedar Posts has learned that Charlotte City Councilman Patrick Cannon was annoyed that a rather prolific campaign sign thief was stealing his re-elect Cannon signs in Charlotte's Foxcroft neighborhood.



Justine Tobin a local activist and "Occupy Charlotte" protester who has hosted at least one fund raiser at her home for Patrick Cannon, had seen a number of "Re-Elect Cannon" signs disappear from her yard as well as the yards of other Cannon supporting neighbors. The thief struck 3 times over a number of days last month.

Tobin made numerous calls to 911 to report the thefts but still the signs kept vanishing, so she contacted Patrick Cannon to see if something could be done.

Enraged apparently Cannon called CMPD Chief Monroe and gave the Chief a little arm twisting.



Never one to turn down a friend Monroe put CMPD's top cops on the case including CMPD Providence Division Detective Stephen Iyevbele.

According to an unnamed source within 24 hours CMPD's Vice and Narcotics Tactical Surveillance Unit had set up a sting operation on Beresford Road in CMPD's Providence Division. Vans, unmarked cars and wire less cameras were set up to monitor the Cannon signs.

The fully manned stake out came up empty handed 3 nights in a row but on the fourth night "Bingo" they got their perp or as it turns out perps.

According to CMPD five teenagers had been stealing the signs as an ongoing prank. All where issued civil summons rather than being arrested. Three of the perps; Brandon Bower, Rhodes Marley, and Henry Davis are students at the nearby Charlotte Country Day School.

Tobin tells Cedar Posts that CMPD Officers were successful in recovering at least 20 campaign signs belonging to Patrick Cannon and others. The signs are valued at nearly $500.00.

The cost of the surveillance operation, nearly $15,000.00 according to one CMPD officer.

Cedar Posts has emailed Patrick Cannon, CMPD's Vice Unit and CMPD's Providence Division Captain Martha Dozier and Public Information Officers Tufano and Cunningham seeking comment and verification of these facts, still nothing but Crickets.

A quick tour of the Foxcroft neighborhood last week showed a number of Patrick Cannon signs. The area remains secure.

Copy of CMPD Incident Report One

Copy of CMPD Incident Report Two

Copy of CMPD Incident Report Three

Patrick Cannon's Campaign Finance Report Tobin Contributions Detailed on page 17

November 4th Update:

Creative Loafing put an interesting spin on the Pundit House take on this shaggy dog story. At this point I'm not sure if all the dots leading to the use of TSU to bust the kids is valid. Cannon tells Pundit he didn't do anything, but Cedar hasn't rec'd a reply from Cannon so I'll stick with the "arm twisting".

There are 3 officers listed on the paperwork, and the dates cover four days so that looks right. But again no reply from CMPD so we'll stick with that as well.

Then there is the email allegedly from Brandon Bower who says that women is wacked and that he wasn't even there. So who knows.

Props to the CP reader who sent over the photo of Tobin's corner sign.

Bank of America Blinks!

Bank of America has dropped plans to charge a $5 monthly fee on debit cards.

“We have listened to our customers very closely over the last few weeks and recognize their concern with our proposed debit usage fee,” David Darnell, co-chief operating officer, said in a statement from the Charlotte, North Carolina-based lender today. “As a result, we are not currently charging the fee and will not be moving forward with any additional plans to do so.”

The Official Press Release is here.

According to Bloomberg:

Bank of America reversed course after competitors including Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC), the No. 2 debit-card issuer, decided not to charge similar fees. Atlanta-based SunTrust Banks Inc. (STI) and Regions Financial Corp., based in Birmingham, Alabama, said yesterday they will eliminate their check-card fees after customers rebelled.

Cedar Posts Take:

The Bank of America debit card fee, the worst idea since "new coke" is one of many issues driving the Occupy Wall Street movement which was quick to claim a victory. But several groups have vowed to continue the fight against Bank of America claiming the greed rules at the bank and that nothing short of bringing the once powerful bank to it's knees will be accepted.

Mayor Foxx Much Criticized PR Assistant Quits

With a little more than a week before the election Erica Johnson, one of two full time communications assistants to Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, has resigned.



According to Glenn Burkins with QCityMetro.com:

"She informed the mayor of her departure in an email dated Saturday, Oct. 29.

Johnson began working with the mayor in the winter of 2010 to help coordinate events with the media and residents. Her email notice did not state a reason for her leaving, and efforts to reach her were unsuccessful. Johnson had been on medical leave earlier this year but had returned.

Foxx was criticized by some Republicans when he hired Johnson shortly after he was elected in Nov. 2009. Critics accused the mayor of wasting tax dollars at a time when the city, like the rest of the nation, was mired in an economic slump.

In her email to Foxx, Johnson thanked the mayor for a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve you and the citizens of Charlotte as communications manager in the Office of the Mayor,” she wrote.

QCityMetro.com is an on line news source targeting Charlotte African American community that broke the story yesterday. Emails to Mayor Foxx remain unanswered.

CMPD Chief Monroe Conducts A Traffic Stop

Not sure why but the who is without question. This morning around 8:30 Charlotte Police Chief Rodney Monroe was seen conducting a traffic stop on I-85 near NC 16 with his unmarked Crown Victoria.

He had pulled over a late model Cadillac and was seen talking to the driver an older black male.

Cedar Posts doesn't know if this was a good will gesture or if the Chief didn't like the way the other driver was handling his car.

One thing is for sure you can't miss Chief Monroe when he is standing on the side of the road. That snappy jacket stands out like a gold glittering beacon. Not to mention the black Crown Victoria with the Whelen "top of the line" Unmarked Code Three package.

Cedar Posts Update: November 1st, CP has emailed CMPD's Tufano and Cunningham seeking a response regarding Chief Monroe's traffic stop and requesting a copy of the chief's dash cam video of the stop. Nothing but crickets. Cold quiet crickets. Mainstream Media Ditto.

Monday's Odds and Ends

Google Carves Up Some Pumpkins - The time lapse video is here.



Carolina Panthers - Sunday's game left a lot to be desired. From the start the Panther's looked out of sorts. I don't think I've ever seen so many bone head errors, from the opening missed tackle to the game ending field goal attempt that went wide to the left.

What the hay!

On the bright side, when Cam Newton connects with Steve Smith it is nothing short of pure artistry.

Wilson-Shelton House - All Hallow's Eve and no house in Charlotte could have been spookier than the abandoned Wilson-Shelton Mansion at the corner of Queens and Providence.

Today there is nothing but a church parking lot on the 2 1/2 acre site, but 25 years ago the Shelton Mansion stood on the corner. It was a rambling Tudor master piece designed by the same architect that laid down the plans for the Latta Arcade and Duke Mansion less than 2 blocks away.

On a dare five high school students spent Halloween night in the deserted home, I was one of them. Mr. Thomas Shelton had committed suicide in 1974 and his ex-wife was locked away in a mental institution or so we where told. Shelton some had recalled was very reclusive and eccentric.

Near the rear of the house there was a "Florida" room with windows on three sides. What once would have been a wonderful gathering room had for years been Mr. Shelton's reading room. On that night the piles of old newspapers and National Geographic reached two and three feet tall. In the center of the room an old rocker. Dusty the rocker has not be used for at least a decade.

I would guess there were close to ten years of newspapers. it was clear Shelton was a hoarder.

The rest of the three story home was a maze of rooms and stairways. In the attic was a collection on antiques that today would have collected a handsome sum.

Most of the home furnishing had be removed what was left was covered in sheets.

Two things from that night remain etched in my mind. First the rocker. While everyone explored the rest of the house I returned to the "Florida" room, and when I opened the double french doors the rocker was moving. I stood there silently watching the old black rocker move back and forth as if someone had just stood up. The rocker's motions slowed and then stopped.

I tired to make the rocker move, I closed the door and opened it again. Nothing. I closed the door and pulled the door open quickly trying to make a draft of wind to make the rocker move. Still nothing. I looked for an answer, something that had fallen struck the chair, perhaps a paper from one of the stacks. But I could find nothing. Till this day I have no explanation.

Then there is this - We had a key and therefore by proxy permission, at least somewhat to be there. Being as considerate as we could we made every effort to leave things as we found them which meant turning off all the lights. Some how in our hast one of us had left the attic light on. We could see it shining from the street.

So back into the house we go. The only trouble is when we finally make our way up to the attic the light is out.

A few minutes later on that chilly Halloween we are back in our cars we again look to make sure all the lights are out. Now even the attic is dark.

We decide to stop at Providence Sundries for something to eat. But an hour later as we turn the corner at Providence and Queens I happened to catch out of the corner of my eye that the attic light is on again.

Two years later the house was torn down:


In the above photo you can see the dormer window which Cedar Posts saw the light.

Cedar Bonus: More about the Wilson Shelton house is here. Over the years I've heard other people speak of the house and even an account of a cold draft one warm summmer night that was felt in the now Church parking lot.

CMPD Auto Theft Numbers - Cedar Posts has been looking at arrest reports for the month of October. Funny thing are the numbers of "Unauthorised Use of a Motor Vehicle" charges vs "Larceny of a Motor Vehicle" charges. This sampling which is hardly scientific came up with 29 Unauthorized and 2 Larceny charges. The UUMV is of course a misdemeanor and is not reported as part of the crime stats.

Dumbing down the crime numbers? I'm not sure but it seems there are an awful lot of people "borrowing" their neighbor's cars without permission. Here just a few of the UUMV arrests.


Darrie Lee Rogers


Jeffery King


Barron Johnson


Walter Brown


Roseann Beaty

Cedar Bonus: King was arrested for the same offense back in June that arrest record is here.

Cedar's Halloween Collection - The Everette Wilson story is here. A "Pile of Leaves" is here.

Bank of America - Feeling the pressure from both consumers and elected officials, Bank of American tried a little PR spin, taking out a full size page three ads in several Sunday newspapers including the Charlotte Observer.

The ad highlighted BoA's small business lending, volunteer work and charitable contributions. The pomp pomps and pep rally theme ad did not mention the debit card fee directly but it was clearly directed at those who have been negative and very vocal about the bank and the planned roll out of the $5.00 per month charge.

Cedar's Take: Bank of American just doesn't get it.

Injun Summer 1907 By John T. McCutcheon

Yep, sonny this is sure enough Injun summer. Don't know what that is, I reckon, do you?

Well, that's when all the homesick Injuns come back to play; You know, a long time ago, long afore yer granddaddy was born even, there used to be heaps of Injuns around here—thousands—millions, I reckon, far as that's concerned. Reg'lar sure 'nough Injuns—none o' yer cigar store Injuns, not much. They wuz all around here—right here where you're standin'.

Don't be skeered—hain't none around here now, leastways no live ones. They been gone this many a year.



They all went away and died, so they ain't no more left.

But every year, 'long about now, they all come back, leastways their sperrits do. They're here now. You can see 'em off across the fields. Look real hard. See that kind o' hazy misty look out yonder? Well, them's Injuns—Injun sperrits marchin' along an' dancin' in the sunlight. That's what makes that kind o' haze that's everywhere—it's jest the sperrits of the Injuns all come back.

They're all around us now.



See off yonder; see them tepees? They kind o' look like corn shocks from here, but them's Injun tents, sure as you're a foot high. See 'em now? Sure, I knowed you could. Smell that smoky sort o' smell in the air? That's the campfires a-burnin' and their pipes a-goin'.

Lots o' people say it's just leaves burnin', but it ain't. It's the campfires, an' th' Injuns are hoppin' 'round 'em t'beat the old Harry.

You jest come out here tonight when the moon is hangin' over the hill off yonder an' the harvest fields is all swimmin' in the moonlight, an' you can see the Injuns and the tepees jest as plain as kin be. You can, eh? I knowed you would after a little while.

Jever notice how the leaves turn red 'bout this time o' year? That's jest another sign o' redskins. That's when an old Injun sperrit gits tired dancin' an' goes up an' squats on a leaf t'rest. Why I kin hear 'em rustlin' an' whisper in' an' creepin' 'round among the leaves all the time; an' ever' once'n a while a leaf gives way under some fat old Injun ghost and comes floatin' down to the ground. See—here's one now. See how red it is? That's the war paint rubbed off'n an Injun ghost, sure's you're born.

Purty soon all the Injuns'll go marchin' away agin, back to the happy huntin' ground, but next year you'll see 'em troopin' back—th' sky jest hazy with 'em and their campfires smolderin' away jest like they are now.

Cedar's Take: Is here on last year's post.

Rodney Monroe's Trouble With Federal Grants

WSOC is reporting the following:

"Some Mecklenburg County Commissioners raised questions about a grant for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police aimed at helping young people transition out of gangs.

The commissioners wanted to know why four months after the center housing the program opened its doors, the program itself has not started.


CMPD Chief Monroe at the June 2011 ribbon cutting for the Greenville Center.

"It has taken a little longer to get the program up and running than anticipated," County Commission Chairperson Jennifer Roberts said of the Gang of One Culinary Arts program."

Whoa really a "little longer"?

CMPD received a federal grant of $340,000.00 to reopen the shuttered Greenville rec center on Spring Street in January of 2011. But the program to help teens learn job culinary skills hasn't started yet, in fact the only thing that has happened is the spending of the money.

WSOC's report says CMPD has spent $255,000.00 of the grant on transportation, job trainers and a "center coordinator".

The most important piece of the program it seems would be a kitchen. But the center doesn't have a functional kitchen.

According to WSOC "They said the kitchen needs serious upgrades and that an architecture firm has been working on plans since June."

CMPD Major John Diggs added: "As far as the kitchen being built, that's just not a snap your fingers and be done overnight thing," Diggs said.

Roberts said police have updated her and she's satisfied with their response.

"I think the message has gotten through and I think they're going to do everything they can to make sure that it happens quickly now," she said.

And CMPD says that the program will be up and running by next spring. WSOC's full report is here.

Cedar's Take: I am just amazed that Commissioner Roberts thinks this is acceptable. As far as Diggs he's an idiot. I could have opened the doors and had the program up and running inside of six weeks.

This of course is just one grant, Rodney Monroe's trail of grant spending troubles leads from Charlotte to Richmond and all the way back to Macon, Georgia.

There's this from last year:

A couple of sources tell Cedar Posts that Charlotte's Police Chief has been served a Federal Subpoena in the Macon Georgia Police Department investigation and how the department handled a federal grant. Keep in mind that Monroe left Macon in 2005.

That same year a Macon city councilman was at the center of a federal probe into how he funded some of his local youth programs and why he cashed grant checks at a liquor store.

Macon Police Chief Rodney Monroe confirmed the FBI has been investigating for eight months whether Charles Dudley improperly spent $2,000 in checks made out to the Unionville Improvement Association, a nonprofit organization that spearheads various community projects. Monroe declined to comment further, citing a "gag order."

Then there is this 2008 story "Macon's Handling of Federal Grant In Question" from the Macon Telegraph:

The U.S. Department of Justice has warned it could sue the city of Macon for more than $1 million for allegedly misusing money from a federal grant and making false claims about how the money was spent.

The program was operated by the police department under then-Police Chief Rodney Monroe, who left Macon to become chief of police in Richmond, Va. Monroe did not return Telegraph calls Monday, and he has not returned Telegraph calls seeking comment about this grant and the subsequent investigations since he moved to Richmond. He is now a finalist to be Charlotte, N.C.'s police chief, according to a report on the Richmond Times-Dispatch's Web site Monday.

CMPD receives hundreds of thousands of dollars in Federal Grants. If the oversight is left up to people like Commissioner Roberts the citizens of Charlotte are going to get a raw deal.

Cedar's Bonus:

I'm sure you think CMPD's "Gang of One" is a great and much needs program. The idea of a police department providing an alternative to gangs is commendable. But as the department's pathetic website illustrates it is nothing more than your tax dollars flushed down a hole in the ground.

Cedar Posts Update: The WSOC story is a follow-up of the story Mark Pellin posted to Pundit House back on October 20th. That story is here.

The New Small Town Feel of the Charlotte Observer

Anyone who knows Cedar Posts understands my longing for a simpler time. I really liked Charlotte 20 years ago. She was big enough for a basketball team, yet small enough that everyone knew my name at Myers Park Hardware or the NCNB branch at SouthPark.

Today I enjoy the feel of small Carolina towns like Camden, and Hendersonville. Flat Rock is peaceful this time of year, and I love the fact that downtown Beaufort rolls up the sidewalks around 10PM most nights.

My wife's family is from a small town in Maine with a population of 5,234. I got laugh a couple of weeks ago when the town's local paper ran a head line in tempo type "Major Drug Bust" and the sub hed declared that more than a pound of pot was seized along with $500 dollars.

The Lincoln News has a staff of nine. The paper's editor is also the staff photographer, crime beat reporter, salesman and part time accounting staff. Sports is covered by the same staff that run the presses and drive the one delivery truck.

This morning I was surprised to see a "local" story where the photographer and reporter was none other than Charlotte Observer Editor Rick Thames.



The Saint Andrews community of Piper Glen lost water for a period overnight when a valve failed in a water main at Piper Glen Drive and Links Drive. The incident opened up a sinkhole eight to 10 feet wide. Partial water pressure had been restored by this morning. RICK THAMES, rthames@charlotteobserver.com

It made me smile, now if I could just close my eyes and make all this 485 traffic disappear.

Don Spivey Kingsport Tennessee Golfer Friend

Donald Wayne Spivey died peacefully at his home on October 12, 2011.

He was born on October 24, 1955 and resided his entire life in Kingsport, Tennessee, a town of which he was very proud to be a resident. He is survived by his parents, Carl and Dorothy Spivey of Kingsport, his son, Joseph Carl Spivey of Richmond VA, his brother Richard Spivey and wife Sandra Spivey of Kingsport

Don was fortunate enough to belong to a very strong and loving family including his nephew Matthew Alan Spivey and wife Rebecca Spivey of Atlanta, GA, his cousin/brother, Stephen Edward Harville and wife Cynthia Ann Harville of Kingsport, his cousin/brother, Patrick Hagan "Mickey" Spivey, III and wife, Teresa of Kingsport, his cousin /sister, Terri Lynn Weaver of Kingsport, his aunt/mother Irene Harville of Kingsport, his aunt/mother, Jean Spivey of Kingsport, his cousin/nephews Joshua Stephen Harville & wife Jennifer, Jordan Edward Harville and Jaron McKay Harville and cousin/nieces Alyssa Meghan Harville, Haley Dietrich and husband Andy, Brandi Slayer and husband Tony, Chesney Spivey, Megan Stout and husband Josh and Abby Weaver, all of Kingsport.

Don is also survived by his aunt Nina Ford of Atlanta, GA, aunt Florence Locke of Kingsport, cousins Harold Ford of Atlanta, GA, David Spivey of Chattanooga, David Locke, Walter Locke and Mike Locke of Kingsport.

Don was fortunate enough to have a special angel, Robin Dennison, in his life. She was his constant companion and loved him in health as well as in his time of distress. Her amazing love and support during his illness truly cannot be described in words. Robin's children Adam and Meg Dennison were also very special to Don.

Don was a graduate of Dobyns Bennett High School and East Tennessee State University and was a well respected insurance executive employed by BB&T/KDC Insurance Services where he spent his entire working life. He considered his co-employees his family as well.

Don's passion was announcing sports as the voice of the Indians and as the public address announcer for the Kingsport Mets at Hunter Wright Stadium. He was an avid golfer and coached youth basketball for over 30 years, touching the lives of many young people in this area. He loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest. He had many friends and loved them dearly.

At Don's request, the family is having a private ceremony. Don asked that all his dear friends do something that they enjoy the most, in his memory. He will be deeply missed by his family and the Kingsport community.

Officiating at the service will be David Cagle and Marvin Cameron who were true friends to him during his time of need.

Anyone wishing to show their respect to Don can do so my making a contribution to the Kingsport Boys and Girls Club.

Carter-Trent Funeral Home downtown Kingsport is in charge of the arrangements.

Carter-Trent Funeral Home obituaries at www.cartertrent.com

Submitted by Don Lane

Cedar's Take:

I met Don by pure chance. You see my first conversation with Don Spivey was by mistake, a wrong number that I had dialed trying to reach a client in Bristol Tennessee. That wrong number lead to a number of successful business deals and a friendship that I will truly miss.

Don was kind enough to introduce me to a circle of clients and friends in the Tri-Cities area that produced a tremendous amount of business for us both. 

After one very successful year my company sponsored Don in a pro-am tournament at Charlotte's famed Quail Hollow Country Club at what was then the PGA Tour's Senior tour stop. The night of the pairing lottery, Don's name was drawn to be paired with none other than Arnold Palmer. Even years later he was still convinced that the lottery was rigged and that I some how arranged it so he could play with what even today is still the most recognizable name in Golf.

Over the years I'd have the pleasure of playing with Don several rounds of golf, his game flawless, and mine just a few strokes this side of embarrassing. Yet, Don was always encouraging, always kind, even if I stepped on his putting line.

I lost touch with Don around 2006 when I sold my business. It happens I suppose to even good friends who are separated by distance. But he was always on my list to do list, to visit, to buy a beer or just call to see how his swing was doing.

Thanks to Don, terms like "Little Buddy" and "Rotate" (his term for attending a Rotary meeting) and "Cod Lock" are forever engraved in my memory.

Charleston's Mayor Riley Won't Correct Flag Pole at the Waterfront Park

Flags around Charleston seem to cause a lot of trouble. Besides the "Confederate" flag aka Rebel flag, Battle Flag, Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia and so on issue there are a number of people who take issue with our United States flag and how and were it is flown.

Flying any flag incorrectly stirs up a lot of emotion. A few years back incorrectly flying the National Flag of Canada, nearly sparked an international incident in Ft Mill South Carolina. One Saturdayday evening the Knight’s baseball stadium crew thought the Canadian flag which features a “Maple Leaf” should look like a leaf hanging from a tree. The visiting team from Toronto was understandably upset when their normally proud Maple Leaf appeared to be rather wilted as it rose to the top of the flag pole upside down.

Then there is the gaff rigged flag pole at Charleston'a Waterfront Park, which this summer elected to fly the United States Flag also know as the National Ensign, incorrectly.



At issue is the placement of the United States Flag on the flag pole at the end of the dock. The trouble is that sea rules differ slightly from land rules and while the top of the pole would seem to be the correct location it is not the “place of honor” which on a mast is the “gaff” that being the pole extending outward.

The City of Charleston is not alone in the confusion and ongoing battle regarding a “gaff” rigged flag poles.

The National Park Service personnel at Biscayne National Park finally had to place a sign with the picture below and the following explanation at their front desk.



“Nautical style flag poles with yardarm and gaff are meant to represent the sailing vessels of our maritime history. On these flag poles, naval tradition requires that the United States Flag (or Ensign) not be flown from the top of the “mast”, but must be flown from the position of honor — the gaff.”

The "place on honor" on a gaff rigged poles is the same through the world:

“If the flagpole is fitted with a gaff the flag on the gaff has the position of honour, although the national flag is then lower than another flag flying from the peak. This tradition originated in the days of sailing ships and was designed to keep the flag from the ship's rigging.



The correct placement of the national flag on a gaft rigged flag pole is the same around the world.

Taken from the Australian National Flag Association flag etiquette manual.

Below is the National Flag of Canada, being correctly flown on a "gaff" rigged flag pole, notice the "Maple Leaf" is upright.




When the Black Rock Oyster Bar and Grill opened in Fairfield Connecticut a few years ago they bought a used gaff rigged flag pole to compliment their nautical theme.



Soon passers-by and customers were calling the Dana Loehn castigating him for what they thought was a disrespectful display of the American flag.

People have even, he said, taken to sending him printouts of proper flag etiquette.

The only problem is that people were confusing the gaff-rigged pole with the more traditional single flag staff.

While on a single pole, the American flag should be in the top spot, the place of honor on a gaff-rigged pole, with its seagoing origins, is different.

"I'm trying to extend the nautical theme," Loehn said. "It's not at all what we thought would happen; we expected people to say 'this is really nice." Instead, he said people have actually started swearing at him and vowing never to eat at the restaurant.

The same trouble was reported at the Corpus Christi City Marina when they installed a new $22,000.00 gaff rigged flag pole on their Lawrence Street T Head. As soon as they raised the flag to the gaff the calls started coming, as well as emails and letters to the local paper.



According to the United States Power Squadron: “The Palm Coast Yacht Club near St. Augustine, Florida had a continuing battle with a local veterans group which insisted the club was showing disrespect for the flag by flying it at the gaff of the club's flagstaff, a point physically lower than the club's burgee which is flown at the masthead. The matter was settled only after the club obtained a letter from the Secretary of the Navy confirming the fact that in the world of yacht clubs the highest physical point of a flagpole is not necessarily the place of honor”.

Illustration from the United States Power Squadron Manual:



So there you have it the official word as to why Yacht Clubs, Marina’s, Naval Bases, National Parks and even Oyster Bars are correct when the fly the United States Flag from the gaff and not the top of the flag pole.

But it doesn't end with gaff rigged poles in Charleston, The Courtyard by Marriott on Lockwood Drive has been flying their Courtyard and South Carolina flags two feet lower than the US Flag. All three magistic poles front the Lockwood Drive complex and the lowered two flags are the result of Courtyard Mangement's agreement with one uninformed citizen.

Word is that some old curmudgon, is telling people that he served in the United States Army and how deeply offended he is by their ingornance of flag etiquette. He goes on to demand that the United States Flag be flown higher than any other flag.

The fact is the Courtyard by Marriott is not only flying the flags wrong it looks stupid. The United States Flag should be to the far left when viewed from the street and all the flags should be hoisted to the top of each pole since they are all the same height.

Cedar Posts has contaced both the mayor's office and the Marriott By Courtyard and will let readers know if there is any response.

Cedar Posts Bonus: It's half staff everywhere except a ship or Navy base, where it is half mast. I'm not sure about Marines but I expect it is "half mast" as well. Extra Credit in Canada it is "Half Mast" everywhere.

What The Hell?

Cedar's Take: I really am speechless. I mean what could I possibly say?

The Departure of Ray Ray

The departure of Ray Tarasovic "Ray Ray" surprised many people, as he was billed as Chief Monroe’s right hand man. In the wake of his departure many people have written Cedar Posts with suggestions, information, emails and scuttlebutt with regards to Tarasovic’s return to Richmond. Often his departure is linked to the Marcus Jackson case.

The following events and statements are simply nothing more than conjecture, therefore:

All characters and events – even those based on real people – are entirely FICTIONAL.

The light rain had been falling for about an hour when the black Crown Victoria wheeled onto Charlotte’s Trade Street. The sounds of rain splashed pot holes and city buses gave way to the unmarked police cruiser as it blew through a red stop light and headed up the rain slick pavement.

Behind the wheel of the speeding Crown Vic sat the Chief of North Carolina’s largest Police department, Rodney Monroe.

Three blocks later as another traffic light turned red, Monroe managed to bring the sedan to a stop in the middle of the cross walk.

In the shadow of the city's largest buildings and rain eased to a fine mist. The wipers of the Ford slammed rapidly back and forth across the windshield until they began to clatter across the dryness. It took awhile for Monroe's mind to connect the noise from the windshield wipers as they bounced across the dry windshield, to the lack of rain and adjust the wiper setting from fast to intermittent.

Impatiently waiting for the light to change he subconsciously began to rub his short stubby fingers across the two stars that adorned the collar of his white uniform shirt.

He hated the two stars; in his mind a chief deserved four stars, just as Cathy Lanier the Police Chief of DC Metro wore. That a job he once thought would be his, and with the four stars he felt he was due. He reached for the switch that controled the Crown Vic's the interior lights, and adjusted the mirror’s reflection to view his collar.

“Damn it! Two f-ing stars!” he mumbled to himself.

“Eisen”houser” had four stars, hell no that f-er had five stars and I want five f-ing stars on this uniform damn it!” To hell with tradition in Charlotte, the whole city is full of morons! No one here knows anything about how to run an f-ing police department! I swear if hear one more time from Putney about the tradition of the Charlot Meckburg Po lease Dee Partment, I’ll have that “Uncle Tom” sent back to patrol. I wonder how he’d like to see his name as watch commander?”

The traffic light turned green, and Monroe stomped the gas pedal forcing the Crown Vic to roar up the next block, squarely hitting a puddle at the corner of Trade and Tryon Streets, sending a shower of water towards two young Bank of America employees trying to get out of his way.

Monroe glanced in the rear view mirror and through the rain speckled back window he could see that both girls are now soaked.

“They should be arrested for jay walking anyway!” He muttered out loud.

Ten minutes later as expected, the interstate is a parking lot and he’s crawling along at a slug’s pace. But a half of a mile before his exit, the chief hits the blues concealed in the grill and the breakdown lane of the road at the same time.

A dozen miles away, deep within the offices of Charlotte’s transportation department a couple of city employees are watching the traffic back up along I-85 via the NCDOT traffic cameras. The images they view are crystal clear streaming real time video of everything that happens along I-85 and hundreds of other intersections and roadways around Charlotte. Watching the monitors they notice the Chief's Crown Victoria running up the shoulder.

“There he goes”, notes one of the employees.

“Yep right on time”, replies the other.

“Must be nice to be King Rodney” they both say together with a chuckle.

The Chief’s car heads up the exit ramp and the traffic managers turn their attention towards the more important matter of an overturned 18 wheeler.

Rodney Monroe is less than two miles from home when his personal Black Berry cell phone starts playing his MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This” ring tone. The only people who know the number are the close CMPD officers known as the "inner circle", his Richmond henchman Raymond Tarasovic, and two very trusted close female friends.

Monroe knew that whenever Ray calls, it isn’t good news.

“Hey Buddy we have a problem” Tarasovic tells the Chief.

Ray’s voice is calm as always since nothing ever worried Ray. Monroe long ago figured it was either the alcohol or Xanax that Ray ate like Tic-Tacs, or Both that kept Ray's emotions under wraps.

“They just arrested Jackson” continued Tarasovic.

“Damn it! Who the hell authorized?” Monroe screamed.

“Internal Affairs” replied Tarasovic.

“What the “F”? I told them it was just a couple of Mexicans they aren’t even in the country legally” Monroe’s voice was now an octave higher.

Ray started to reply but Monroe cut him off.

The Chief was already turning his Crown Victoria around to head back to “Uptown” Charlotte.

Ray listened to the onslaught of expletives from the Chief followed by “….I told them it didn’t matter and I’d handle it.”

Ray could only listen, he glanced at his watch which read 6:05 and wished he’d left his office an hour earlier. He would have missed the call from Internal Affairs and would be slamming back drinks on his favorite bar stool. A place called Vinnie’s Raw Bar at Mountain Island Lake. The place suited him, hooters waitresses without the hooters prices.

Monroe had run out of four letter words and was now trying to verbally justify his actions regarding Jackson’s hiring.

“How am I going to explain this F-ing mess” the Chief asked Tarasovic.

Marcus Ramon Jackson was a rookie CMPD officer that Monroe had personally pushed through CMPD’s selection process and training class. Jackson had screwed up twice formally and a dozen times off the record since he arrived at CMPD. But this time it was serious.

“God damn it who authorized the arrest!” Monroe asked again.

“There’s more….” Ray’s voice tapered off.

“How much more?” the Chief demanded.

Monroe was now listening intently as Ray read over the brief placed in his hands moments before.

“Meet me at 1035 in 15” barked the Chief.

1035 was the number of a suite at the Ritz-Carlton, a perk that the Chief often used for meetings when he didn’t want a big audience.

Monroe had access to the room 24/7 a freebie offered to Monroe after he helped the hotel manager quietly deal with a CMPD Vice Unit sting of an ongoing prostitution ring that was based in the hotel.

Monroe pushed the red end call button on his Black Berry cell phone and then base lined the Crown Vic down the right side of the interstate. Punching the gas hard the Ford P-71 4.6 liter V-8 roared back down I-85’s slick concrete pavement toward Uptown Charlotte and the Ritz-Carlton.

Eight miles away Ray looked out the window of his office, the rain a steady mixture of wind and tiny cold droplets pressed against the glass. He wondered why he ever followed Rodney to Charlotte, at least it wasn’t snowing, he thought to himself. Richmond and the Washington DC area were already covered in the white stuff, and that he didn't miss. He hated the cold.

20 minutes later Ray Tarasovic was at the Ritz –Carlton Hotel. Ray was no stranger to Monroe's perks, but the suite was way over the top even for Rodney. The suite was lavish, overlooking Uptown from above it had a full sized bar, glass top dinning table for eight that doubled as a conference table. The marble and granite bath room was equally ostentatious.



What made it worse was the chief made no effort to hide the hotel perk even going so far as to complain to Charlotte's City Council about the noise that drifted up from EpiCenter, a collection of bars and restaurants located next door to the hotel. Monroe had more than once sought a city ordinance that would allow him to arrest bar owners for too much noise.

Once inside Tarasovic sensed that Monroe was about to have one of his famous fits of anger, which never scared him before, but now Monroe was a sworn police officer and he insisted on wearing his service weapon at all times.

The thought of the little Webster sized man waving his gun around like Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi on a wild rant scared the crap out of Tarasovic. Thankfully the tension in the room eased when Rob Tufano entered the spacious suite. Tarasovic didn’t like the former WBTV reporter but this time he was happy to have someone of at least a little sanity in the room.

Over the next 45 minutes Rob, Ray and Rodney planned out their spin on the Marcus Jackson arrest.

The plan was simple throw Jackson under the bus, but more importantly throw him under the former Police Chief Darrell Stephen’s bus.

Stephens was an understated bureaucrat who rarely made headlines, but he had been well respected by CMPD officers. Within days of arriving in Charlotte, Monroe had every trace of Chief Stephens removed from the CMPD headquarters. Monroe refused to drive Stephen's unmarked Impala instead ordering a custom Crown Victoria out fitted to the extreme. He also fired Stephens' assistant and had ordered a million dollar renovation of the command staff offices. As far as Monroe was concerned Stephens would take the fall for hiring Jackson.

Tarasovic handed the Chief, Officer Jackson's file. Monroe put on his reading glasses, and looked at the words, but read nothing of the contents. “So what the hell does all this say” Monroe demanded.

Tarasovic started to explain, he had often wondered why Monroe even made an effort to read a file because he would always ask for someone to explain the contents to him. It was almost as if Monroe couldn't read.

Marcus Jackson was a momma’s boy and early in 2008 when she learned through a friend that Charlotte’s new police chief would be an African American, she encouraged Marcus to apply. The job would be a lock since she had the contacts with in the group who was bringing Monroe to Charlotte.

Long before the formal announcement was made, even while the finalist interviews and public forum was conducted, Monroe had privately been given the job. Only a select few at CMPD and the City Manager’s Office knew the fix was in, while the public saw a parade of candidates in a feel good gesture no one suspected that the choice had already been made.

Jackson had applied to CMPD three weeks before Monroe’s official hire date. It wasn’t much but surely it would be enough to provide cover for Monroe. It wasn’t Monroe’s fault that Jackson wore the CMPD uniform, he was hired before Rodney came to Charlotte. That would be the Chief’s story and he would stick with it.

Rob Tufano would be give a presser 8 PM and Monroe would read only a prepared statement.

Tufano suggested that they also hold another press conference first thing in the morning and Tarasovic and Monroe agreed.

Tarasovic pointed out that Jackson wasn’t formally hired until he was sworn as a police officer and the media would pick up on that fact. But Monroe persisted he would tell the press that Jackson was hired before he became chief and that would be the end of it.

“This is Stephens fault, his staff recruited the guy and have already fired them all” Monroe announced with his back to both men. When he turned around both Tarasovic and Tufano were shocked to see that Monroe's expression was turning to rage something Ray was used to seeing but Rob had not quite adjusted to.

30 minutes later the three were at CMPD headquarters.

Deputy Kerr Putney stepped into the room holding a file in his hand. Putney was at one time considered of CMPD’s best. He was by the book and had the look of a Marine Corps drill sergeant. Putney’s face said it all. He had opted to stay on after Monroe arrived something he often regretted.

Putney knew Monroe would spin the arrest but he had hoped the Chief would want to come clean, up front. But he also knew better, Chief Monroe would never admit fault regardless of how inconsequential it was.

Monroe flipped through Jackson’s file. The domestic incident reports from 2003 and 2005 stood out as did the copy of the court issued restraining order. All of this documentation had been removed from Jackson’s Civil Service Board summary and so Jackson’s approval request sailed through without even a second thought.

The Chief pulled the CMPD disciplinary forms from the file and handed the file back to Putney. Puntey started to remind the chief he that the originals needed to remain in the file but decided against starting a battle he would lose.

Monroe then picked up the Internal Affairs file. Read just the first two sentences and slammed his fist hard on the table.

Ray Tarasvoic started to speak but stayed quiet.

After Monroe calmed down, Tarasvoic advised the Chief against the idea of trying to “spin” the Jackson story. As Tarasvoic saw it the best plan would be to come clean all at once. Rob Tufano agreed, the media would digest the facts report it and then move on. Making the whole mess public wouldn’t be pleasant, in fact it would be painful, but long term it would be better than having the media thinking there was more to this story.

But Monroe objected, and insisted that the story be spun his way. He even wanted to publicly encourage other victims to come forward and ordered that a Latino detective take the lead on the case. This too was against Tufano and Tarasvoic’s wishes.

When they both asked Putney his thoughts he just shook his head and suggested that detective Mike Melendez take the lead on the Jackson case.

It wouldn’t be the first time Monroe was wrong, Tarasovic had cautioned Monroe about conducting a public survey of the department, but Monroe felt that the negative rumors were only a handful of disgruntled employees. The survey provided otherwise and the Charlotte Observer printed a number of excerpts that were leaked by someone in the command staff.

After the leak of the survey Monroe was livid; he trusted no one and was convinced someone on the command staff was out to “get” him.

The survey was doomed from the beginning and when the results didn't turn out the way Monroe had hoped he tried to discount the comments. But what really pissed him off was that someone had leaked the results 24 hours before he had even seen the report.

Once in Charlotte, Monroe had quickly determined that CMPD was not like Richmond. Rank and file as well as command staff in Charlotte was substantially stand up, a really hard working group of people. But Monroe would only trust those who had encouraged him to apply for the job, people of color were the only ones he could trust. Even that cracker Walton had an agenda Monroe sensed.

As soon as Monroe was hired news broke that his college degree from Virginia Commonwealth was in it’s most positive form “honorary” in reality it was totally bogus. Monroe however believed he was the chosen one, above reproach, and that only his inner circle really understood how to run a police department.

An hour later while Monroe was giving his spin on Jackson to the media, Tarasovic slipped into Monroe’s office using his own key and laid his letter of resignation on the Chief’s desk.

Walking out of the CMPD headquarters into the cold night air Ray Tarasovic noticed the rain had stopped and he suddenly felt that a world of weight had been lifted from his chest. He would return to Virginia and look forward to a life away from the madness of Rodney Monroe and for the first time in a dozen months he didn’t feel like he needed a drink.

As he drove down Trade Street he glanced in the rear view mirror and marveled at the number of TV trucks parked along the street in front of the Law Enforcement Center. One day he thought, one day this house of cards will crumble and it will be EPIC.

All characters and events – even those based on real people – are entirely fictional.

Marcus Ramon Jacskon was convicted of several sex offenses on December 9, 2010 and is serving a 39 month sentence in state prison. Jackson is currently held at the North Carolina Department of Corrections Pamlico Correctional Institution Medium Security Faculty in Bayboro, North Carolina.

Jackson has been held since his arrest in December of 2009 and has an expected release date of May 2012.

In Case You Missed It Charlotte Observer's "Applaud CMPD" Editorial

From the Charlotte Observer's Editorial Board:

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police provided some numbers to cheer last week: a 7.8 percent drop in the number of crimes in the city from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, compared to 2010. Property crime fell 8.2 percent in that period, and violent crime 4.8 percent, and those numbers continue a significant decline in the number of crimes - 23 percent - in the past three years in Charlotte.

How did the city get there? Certainly, CMPD deserves applause for its police work, but criminologists warn that the underlying reasons for crime drops are complex and varied. Charlotte's numbers, in fact, mirror national drops in property and violent crimes, both short and long term.

The number of violent crimes in the United States fell 5.5 percent last year to the lowest rate in nearly four decades, according to FBI reports, perplexing experts who expected crime to rise during a period of economic hardship. Violent and property crime also have experienced long-term, sustained declines across the country, with violent crimes dropping steadily in the 1990s after a spike the decade before.

Criminologists offer several possible reasons for the declines, UNC Charlotte professor of criminal justice and criminology professor Robert Brame told the editorial board last week. Many cities increased the size of their police forces in the 1990s, Brame said, and a strong economy may have pulled criminals from the dangerous crack cocaine business into legitimate jobs.

Another factor: A large increase in the prison population, thanks to states widening the number of offenses that could lead to imprisonment.

Brame cautions, however, that crime numbers don't tell the complete story in cities. A U.S. Justice Department study showed about half of violent crimes and 60 percent of property crimes went unreported in 2009. Those numbers can vary from city to city - and neighborhood to neighborhood - based on factors that include confidence in police and an increase in Latinos, who historically are reluctant to report crimes.

But Brame also says that research affirms what common sense tells us - that more police on the street should lead to less crime. Credit for that in Charlotte goes to the City Council, which in 2006 voted to raise taxes, a third of which put 70 additional police officers on the street, and to CMPD for reassigning officers from specialty units to patrols.

CMPD also has put a priority on repeat offenders and vigorously increased its neighborhood policing efforts. The results of the latter move were illustrated in an Observer story last week that detailed how CMPD has successfully rid a North Davidson intersection of prostitutes and drugs.

CMPD Chief Rodney Monroe has had a sometimes bumpy tenure since he began in 2008. That includes a slow response to an uptown melee this summer, along with an officer, Marcus Jackson, being convicted of sexually assaulting six women after department screening didn't seem to produce red flags that might have prevented him from being hired.

But last week, good numbers arrived. Monroe and CMPD should be applauded for their role.