Pat McCrory Unveils His 2012 NC Gubernatorial Campaign Agenda: Education, Jobs, Small Business & Transportation!

McCrory says 2012 campaign message won't change


Hours from formally entering the race, Republican candidate Pat McCrory said Monday that the departure of Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue from the 2012 gubernatorial campaign won't alter his message of overhauling North Carolina state government.

McCrory, who will kick off his campaign Tuesday at a Guilford County meeting hall, said he's sticking with the same plan he had before Perdue announced last week that she won't seek re-election a move that's created a Democratic primary race and sent other potential candidates scrambling.

McCrory, a former Charlotte mayor who narrowly lost to Perdue in the 2008 general election, said it wasn't a total shock that he would no longer face a once-likely rematch with Perdue this fall.

"Our schedule has not changed. Our message won't change and our strategy won't change," McCrory said. "This scenario is one we saw potentially happening, so it didn't come as a huge surprise because we knew she's been in trouble for various reasons, and part of it was me being a strong candidate."

McCrory said Perdue's departure would allow many Democrats who felt obliged to support their party's incumbent to back his campaign, noting that "phones have been ringing off the hook" in recent days.

He had already found some success during 2011 with receiving contributions from Democrats who had supported Perdue in 2008.

Still, he said, he expects the campaign to be hard-fought, regardless of his eventual opponent.

Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and state Rep. Bill Faison of Orange County already are running in the Democratic primary, and a half dozen others are considering whether to become gubernatorial candidates in a compressed time schedule filing starts in two weeks and the primary is May 8.

Thirteenth District Congressman Brad Miller and former State Treasurer Richard Moore released statements Monday that they're still considering bids, while Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines said he will not run.

Democrats also are encouraging former University of North Carolina President Erskine Bowles to run.

McCrory took aim at Perdue's plan to press lawmakers for more education spending, including her call for a 0.75-cent increase to the state sales tax rate to help restore some of the funds schools lost in last year's budget battle.

"She's asking for a 15 percent sales tax increase during one of the worst recessions and highest unemployment rates this state has seen (in) decades," he said. "That's the last thing we need to do.

"We need to reform and fix the (tax) system we have now before we ask the public and struggling businesses for any more money," he said.

He also began laying out his legislative priorities, such as paying teachers for performance, opening up North Carolina for more energy exploration and changing the system of incentives the state uses to attract businesses.

"It's gotten so bad that we have to offer cash upfront for outside companies to come to North Carolina, and there is no guarantee (of jobs), regardless of what they say," he said. "We should have a consistent policy for the whole team, including existing businesses."

McCrory declined to single out any potential Democratic opponent, but he said he believes all of the possible candidates have a common thread they enabled the Democratic policies of the past dozen years under Perdue and predecessor Mike Easley that he insists have broken state government.

"All of them have been closely linked with the Easley-Perdue culture and policy," he said, adding that he hopes to change the culture of state government.

"The only thing I take to my grave is my ethics," he said. "I take those values to the executive branch of North Carolina government as I did to the mayor's office in Charlotte."

If McCrory gets a clear path to the primary he's spent the past year trying to close out potential GOP competitors by running a quasi-campaign of speeches and fundraising he'll keep accumulating money while Democrats battle it out for at least three months to win their nomination.

McCrory "has the ability to focus on the November election and not the primary," said Paul Shumaker, a longtime Republican consultant whose clients have included U.S. Sen. Richard Burr. And with more than $2 million in his campaign coffers at the end of last year, McCrory has a definite money advantage over all of the announced candidates, Shumaker said.

But McCrory's campaign will have to do some retooling for another candidate, and the uncertainty of who that person will be could take him out of his comfort zone, said Dennis Wicker, the Democratic lieutenant governor from 1993 to 2001.

"It's a game change for Pat," Wicker said of Perdue's decision. "I'm sure it's thrown them off stride a little."


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Sources: WRAL, Google Maps

Pat McCrory's Strengths: He's Not Racist! He's Not Partisan! Risk Taker! Decision 2012

GOP activists say no one wants to take on McCrory

After Pat McCrory lost his campaign for governor in 2008, he had to find a new job. He also got a second chance to impress conservative Republicans and make deeper statewide political connections.

McCrory got the new job, working for a major law firm. And he worked the rubber-chicken circuit tirelessly, building up political IOUs during the 2010 mid-term elections.

As a result, he's the first Republican since Lt. Gov. Jim Gardner in 1992 to have a clear path to the GOP gubernatorial nomination. McCrory, the former Charlotte mayor, will announce his candidacy Tuesday night in Guilford County.

Normally, the governor's race produces a spirited Republican primary. The race was seen as particularly attractive to Republicans this year because polls suggested that Democratic incumbent Bev Perdue was politically vulnerable before her decision last week not to seek re-election.

McCrory, 55, lost to Perdue in 2008 by a 50-47 percent margin in the closest governor's race in the country that year.

In the past, Republicans who have lost races have not been successful in trying to come back the next election. But McCrory was given some slack by many GOP activists because 2008 was a strong Democratic year. Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole lost, and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama carried the state.

"He ran a very close race in a very big Democratic year and I suspect everyone said he would be virtually impossible to beat in a primary," said Bob Orr, who lost to McCrory in a GOP primary in 2008. "As a result, folks who would have considered running for governor opted not to."

When he lost in 2008, McCrory said politics was not foremost in his mind. He had a year left to serve in his part-time job as Charlotte mayor, where he served for a record 14 years. Because he had resigned his long-time job at Duke Energy to run for governor, McCrory had to find another way to make a living.

"I am trying to work that fine balance between making a living and public service, as I have done most of my life, because I am not independently wealthy," McCrory said in a recent interview. "I can't borrow money to run for elective office. The last time I ran for office, most people don't realize, but I quit my job and lived off savings."

McCrory said last week that his campaign anticipated that Perdue might not run. He declined to comment on the possibility of facing any other Democrat, including Charlotte's Anthony Foxx, his successor as mayor.

He said Perdue's decision doesn't change his plan, which had always been to cast himself as the outsider.

"It doesn't change our focus," McCrory said. "We're going to let the Democratic Party work through their primary, and we look forward to debating the issues. Gov. Perdue would have been a very, very strong opponent, especially given the power of incumbency and the resources that come with it. The fact is, she was polling better against me than other Democratic leaders."

McCrory, who is not a lawyer, works for the law firm of Moore and Van Allen doing what he calls policy development work, advising clients on issues such as energy, land use, transportation and the environment.

He also does some consulting, including strategic planning for a Pennsylvania software company. He gives talks across the nation on infrastructure. He was recently in Amsterdam, where he gave a talk to European engineers on 3-D engineering software.

He says he does no lobbying.

Wooing Conservatives

After leaving the mayor's office, McCrory began moving around the state, becoming a regular on the GOP speaking circuit. He had not been able to do enough of that sort of grass-roots politicking during the 2008 Republican primary because he entered the race late. Still, his high visibility in the Charlotte media market allowed him to defeat state Sen. Fred Smith of Clayton and Orr, a former state Supreme Court justice.

McCrory was very visible during the 2010 elections, which were swept by Republicans. By the summer of that year, he had set up his own political action committee. During the Wake County school board elections last fall, he recorded calls for Republican candidate Heather Losurdo.

He also courted Republican conservatives. It was the group where he showed the most weakness during the 2008 primary; some were skeptical of his support for a sales tax hike to help finance a rapid light rail system in Charlotte.

"In my view, McCrory has a enthusiasm gap with some conservatives, particularly in the east," said Marc Rotterman, a Republican media strategist based in Raleigh. "I think he needs to explain his tenure as mayor of Charlotte, especially when it comes to the sales tax, which was used to fund light rail. Having said that, on his worst day, he is far preferable than any of the Democrat pretenders, and, with Perdue's exit, the Democrats now find themselves playing catch-up."

At the state GOP convention in Winston-Salem in 2010, McCrory called for passage of an Arizona-type law against illegal immigrants.

In perhaps his biggest move, McCrory formed a close working relationship with the state chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a conservative advocacy group with ties to Raleigh businessman Art Pope.

With AFP, he toured the state working to defeat President Barack Obama's health care bill. He recorded phone calls to state lawmakers to defeat a bill to extend public financing of elections to some statewide offices, and to pass a voter ID bill. He signed the group's pledge to a Taxpayer's Bill of Rights that would limit spending to inflation and population growth.

McCrory says he's had a chance to step "outside the political bubble."

"There's no doubt I'm the outsider looking in to the people who have been running state government for well over a decade," he said.

Blocking out opponents

McCrory's wooing of the right has brought catcalls from liberal commentators, such as Chris Fitzsimon of N.C. Policy Watch. Fitzsimon has labeled him "Mitt McCrory" because as Charlotte mayor he pushed for tax increases, catered to environmentalists, supported massive incentive packages, advocated for mass transit and other actions "surely sending shivers through the tea party crowd."

That is not how some of his fellow Republicans see it.

"Pat is an inherently conservative person, tempered by a Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte experience," Orr said.

"One thing he hadn't done four years ago that he has done now is sort of touch base with all those folks," Orr said. "He has gone to all the Lincoln Day dinners and precinct rallies and district rallies and county events. ... He has spent four years doing that. Whatever rumblings there might have been have been reduced substantially."

Jack Hawke, McCrory's chief strategist, says his candidate has been involved in "a wooing process." But, he said, "as far as I know, he has not changed any position. He has not gone back on his record."

"There remains a small group of people who think Pat is maybe not quite conservative enough," Hawke said. "But as people have gotten to know Pat and questioned him about his philosophy, they may not agree with him about everything, but they see that he is a conservative Republican."

Having run for governor, having spent the last couple of years traveling the state, and living in the state's largest metro area, McCrory started the current election cycle with a large advantage over any other potential GOP candidates.

"For somebody to just come into the race and develop the level of support McCrory has, or just the level of being known, would cost $1 million or $2 million," said Carter Wrenn, a veteran Republican strategist. "That would be hard for anybody to raise. Politically, he is in such a strong position no one wants to tackle him."

The McCrory campaign has also moved to head off potential competitors, lining up critical support from Sen. Richard Burr and the rest of the GOP members of the congressional delegation.

There was serious talk last year of state Sen. Pete Brunstetter of Winston-Salem, the deputy Republican leader, entering the race. Other names that were circulated included Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and Raleigh businessman Bob Luddy.

But McCrory, with the help of the Republican Governors' Association, brought in some big fundraising guns: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in November and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal in December.

There were a lot of Republicans willing to get on board the McCrory bandwagon because nearly all the polls of the past year showed him with a comfortable lead over Perdue. North Carolina Republicans are hungry for a victory; only two states in the country, Washington and Oregon, have had a longer run of Democratic governors than North Carolina.

It has been particularly frustrating for the Tar Heel GOP, because Republicans have increasingly dominated the South. Besides North Carolina, only Kentucky and Arkansas have Democratic governors.

"If you are a Republican activist and you have a year of polls showing Pat McCrory beating Bev Perdue," said Wrenn, "why would you look for someone else?"

McCrory as Charlotte's mayor

Pat McCrory was Charlotte's longest-serving mayor with 14 years in the office. During his tenure:

Charlotte built the state's first light rail system. McCrory championed the cause by pushing to increase the local sales tax by a half-cent to fund it. And in 2007, he helped defeat an attempt to repeal the tax.

After a voter referendum to build a new arena failed, he persuaded the NBA to promise an expansion franchise and used that promise to push through what is now Time Warner Cable Arena.

He successfully pushed for an increase in hotel taxes to pay for the city's NASCAR Hall of Fame.


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Sources: Charmeck.org, McClatchy Newspapers, Youtube, Google Maps

Charlotte Leaders Hike CATS Fare Again! But Reduce Service In Some BLACK Neighborhoods!

Please note that what you have viewed on the video above is NOT the way Charlotte's Mass Transportation System functions Citywide.

Charlotte, NC like most Southern Cities is still 20 years behind Major Metropolitan Cities as it relates to the benefit Of Mass Public Transportation.
Especially Major Metropolitan Cities on the East Coast.
Charlotte City Leaders like other Southern City Leaders, believe ONLY Low Income Citizens use Public Transportation, thus they rarely invest in Improving that segment of Public Service.
Of course Nothing could be further from the Truth!
More than 85% Of New York City & New Jersey residents including Very Well-To-Do Citizens, frequently use Mass Public Transportation traveling to & from Work on a Daily basis.
In fact there are many, many New Yorkers who have NEVER possessed a Drivers' License due to the city's Very Efficient Public Transportation System. i.e., Amtrak, Subway, Buses, Ferry.
This includes thousands of Wall Street employees who live in Connecticut & Pennsylvania but prefer to travel via Public Transportation versus Driving hundreds of miles.
By providing Efficient means of Mass Public Transportation in BLACK, Latino & WHITE Communities, in return those East Coast Major Metropolitan Cities reap HUGE Revenue Profits Annually from the Passengers!
So it would be to the benefit of Charlotte's future to STOP Stereotyping the type of Passengers who utilize its Mass Public Transportation System & just invest in improving the entire Freaking System Citywide NOT just in Charlotte's WHITE Communities!
Thank You







Bus, rail fare hike sought

Still struggling with stagnant sales-tax revenue, the Charlotte Area Transit System is seeking a fare increase for bus and light rail - its fourth hike since 2008.

CATS is proposing to raise the one-way local fare for buses and trains to $2, up from $1.75.

The fare hike is expected to generate an additional $2.5 million in revenue. The transit system expects ridership to decline by 3 percent because of the hike.

CATS receives roughly half of its budget from the half-cent sales tax dedicated for transit. But since the 2008 recession began, tax revenues have plummeted.

Olaf Kinard, CATS director of marketing and communications, said the sales tax is stuck at 2005 levels.

"We have reduced over $23 million in expenses," Kinard said. "But you run against the sales tax. We don't know yet what will truly happen."

In 1998, the cost of a local one-way bus fare was 80 cents. The next fare hike was in 2004, when it increased to $1.10.

CATS has continued to have increases, in 2006 ($1.20); 2008 ($1.30); 2009 ($1.50); 2010 ($1.75) and now 2012 ($2).

The cost of express buses also would go up.

One-way express bus fares within Mecklenburg County would go from $2.40 to $2.75; one-way express bus fares outside of the county would go from $3.50 to $4.

The Metropolitan Transit Commission will hold a public hearing on the increases at its March 28 meeting.


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Sources: CATS, Charmeck.org, McClatchy Newspapers, WCNC, Youtube, Google Maps

Charlotte "CATS" Receives More Funding & Opens New Transportation Center (Clean Air Project)

RENOVATED NORTH DAVIDSON BUS FACILITY REOPENS ITS DOORS
Charlotte, N.C., July 26, 2011 — Construction is almost complete and you are invited to come take a look inside the Charlotte Area Transit System’s (CATS) North DavidsonBus Facility Renovation and Expansion Project on Thursday, July 28 at 10 a.m. at 901 North Davidson Street.

Join Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, CATS CEO Carolyn Flowers, District 1 City Council Member Patsy Kinsey and Director of the Governor’s Piedmont Regional Office Bud Berro to see the refurbished facility that will improve the efficiency of bus operations and maintenance for up to 200 buses. Attendees can park in CATS Bus Lots 5 and 6 on McGill Garden Way. Signs will be posted.

The renovation and expansion project is the recipient of $20.7 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus funds through the Transit Capital Assistance Urbanized Program.

“CATS ridership has increased 100 percent within the past decade; this facility will be key in sustaining operations now and well into the future,” Mayor Anthony Foxx said. “This project was a bright spot during a time when we needed it most, it has helped put Charlotte businesses and citizens to work. Approximately 150 jobs were created throughout the last two years at this facility.

There are currently 21 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) contracts in the amount of over $1.4 million awarded as part of this project, which is extremely important for the sustainability of small businesses in our city,” said Foxx.

The renovations allow operational and maintenance improvements for up to 200 transit buses. Updated facility conditions include mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems as well as bus maintenance equipment. CATS Special Transportation Service, which operates 83 vehicles, will move its administration and operations to the North Davidson campus to provide more consolidated operations. A new, multi-level parking garage will provide ample space for employees working out of this facility.

“We are very excited to provide transit employees a more efficient building with added environmental benefits such as passive lighting and dual bus usage,” said Carolyn Flowers, CATS CEO. “The exterior changes also allow the buildings to better blend into the fabric of the nearby communities. None of this would have been possible at this time without the support and assistance received by this stimulus grant through the Federal Transit Administration.”

Exterior panels on the buildings, designed by North Carolina artist Jimmy O’Neal, depict the visual translations of actual sounds recorded at the facility. The maintenance building includes images from the sound of a bus operator’s announcement to passengers, a worker’s tool, the message heard by CATS bus operators when they start up a bus and the sound of bus brakes. The administration building images are from the sounds of a bus horn and wheel.

The CATS North Davidson Bus Facility is expected to resume full operations in late summer 2011. The facility was originally constructed in 1981 and includes a two-story administration/operations building, a three-level maintenance building and a fuel and wash facility.

To learn more about CATS and its services, please call 704-336-7433 or visit us on the web at www.ridetransit.org.

Jean Leier (704) 432-0496



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Sources: CATS, Charmeck.org, WCNC, Google Maps

Lareko Williams Killed By CMPD At Charlotte Light Rail Station! Discrimination Lawsuits? CATS & CMPD

Last Wednesday Another Another Young, BLACK Man Was Killed Via Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officers Wielding Taser Guns.

21 Year-Old Lareko Williams Was Pronounced DEAD At A Charlotte Hospital After Being Tasered By A CMPD Officer Who Responded To A Scene Involving Williams Allegedly Abusing A Woman Presumed To Be His Girlfriend.

The Incident Occurred At A Charlotte Light Rail Station.

i.e., Lynx Blue Line Trains Operated By CATS.

Earlier This Week The Family Of Another Young, BLACK Also Killed By Charlotte Police Officer Via A Taser Gun, Was Awarded $10 Million In A Lawsuit Against The Manufacturer Of Taser Guns Used By CMPD.

Since This Incident Occurred At A Charlotte Light Rail Station Its Imperative I Touch On Several Related Key Elements.

BLACK Citizens Who Ride Charlotte Light Rail Trains Are Treated Very Poorly By Both Charlotte Police Officers & CATS Employees.

Were It Not For BLACK Citizens Using Charlotte's Mass Public Transportation System, CATS Would Make Hardly Any Money To Operate The System Because Most Of Its Passengers Are In Fact BLACK.

Yet.....

Those Same BLACK Passengers Which Keeps CATS Functioning Are Treated Very Poorly i.e., Obvious, Blatant RACISM!

Yes RACISM!!

Whether Charlotte's Scared BLACK Mayor & Scared BLACK City Council Officials Wish To Ever Admit It, And Even Though Charlotte Won The 2012 DNC Bid, Charlotte, North Carolina Is STILL A City Largely Troubled & Divided By Centuries Old KKK Institutionalized RACISM!!

When BLACK Passengers Ride The Charlotte Light Rail If A BLACK Passenger Is Found To Be Riding The Light Rail Without A Ticket, They Are Immediately Given A $50.00 Citation Ticket By Either A CMPD Officer Or A CATS Light Rail Employee.

However....

If A WHITE Passenger Is Found To Be Riding Charlotte's Light Rail System Without A Ticket That WHITE Light Rail Passenger Is NEVER Given A Ticket!

Instead They Are Simply Allowed To Exit The Train At The Next Stop & All Is Well.

If That Isn't A Blatant Example Of Racism Then Please Explain To Me What Is??

If BLACK Passengers Are Loud & Rowdy On Charlotte's Light Rail Trains They Are Either Arrested By CMPD Officers Or Made To Exit At The Nearest Stop.

However....

If WHITE Passengers Are Loud & Rowdy On Charlotte's Light Rail Trains They Are Allowed To Continue Riding Without ANY Interference From CMPD Officers Or CATS Light Rail Employees.

If That Isn't Another Blatant Example Of Racism Then Please Explain To Me What Is??

In Charlotte's WHITE Or Predominantly Communities The Buses Are ALWAYS ON TIME.

However....

In Charlotte's BLACK Or Predominantly BLACK Communities (East, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, West Charlotte) The Buses Are NEVER On Time!!

If That Isn't Another Blatant Example Of Racism Then Please Explain To Me What Is??

In Charlotte's WHITE Or Predominantly Communities The Buses Are ALWAYS Clean, NEW Or Well Maintained.

However.....

In Charlotte's BLACK Or Predominantly BLACK Communities (East, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, West Charlotte) The Buses Are ALWAYS OLD, Raggedy, Roach-Infested & Poorly Maintained.

Despite The Fact That Both Charlotte's BLACK & WHITE Citizens Pay The SAME Fares To Use CATS Services, Its Quite Obvious Charlotte's WHITE Citizens Are Clearly Getting A Better Bang For Their Buck!

However....

If Charlotte's WHITE Citizens Choose To Complain About Charlotte's CATS Already GREAT Services In Their Communities, Charlotte Officials Including Mayor Anthony Foxx Immediately Sees To It Their Concerns Are Heard & Corrected.

However....

If Charlotte's BLACK Citizens Choose To Complain About Charlotte's CATS Blatantly POOR Services In Their Communities (East, Northwest, Southwest, West Charlotte), Charlotte Officials Including Mayor Anthony Foxx Immediately Sees To It Their Concerns Are NOT Heard & The Already POOR CATS Services In Charlotte's BLACK Communities (East, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, West Charlotte) Gets WORSE!!

i.e., RETALIATION FOR SPEAKING UP!!!

Again I Ask If That Isn't Another Blatant Example Of Racism Then Please Explain To Me What Is??

In Addition Charlotte's Light Rail System Was Built On Charlotte's South Side, An Area Of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Predominantly Occupied By Charlotte's Wealthy, WHITE Citizens.

But Where Did The Money Come From To Construct Charlotte's Light Rail System?

Charlotte's BLACK Citizens (East, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, West Charlotte) Because Charlotte's Public Mass Transportation System (CATS) Is Utilized By More BLACK Citizens Than WHITE Citizens At Least 10:1!

However.....

Despite This Fact Charlotte's BLACK Communities (East, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, West Charlotte) Have ONLY Been Given An Old Trolley & Raggedy, OLD, Roach-Infested Buses Which NEVER Run On Time!

Charlotte's 2nd BLACK Mayor In The City's History Anthony Foxx & Other BLACK City Council Officials Are Well Aware Of How POORLY Charlotte's BLACK Citizens (East, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, West Charlotte) Are Treated By CATS (Charlotte's Mass Public Transportation System) But Don't Seem To Care Or Give A Darn.

NO They Don't Seem To Give A Darn!

Even Though Were It NOT For Charlotte's BLACK Voters (East, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, West Charlotte) Neither Anthony Foxx, Nor Patrick Cannon, Warren Turner, James Mitchell, David Howard (All BLACK) Would Currently Be Serving In Public Office.

All Of That Brings Us Back To The Recent Situation At Hand About Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officers Using Unnecessary Force On Charlotte's BLACK Residents ((East, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, West Charlotte)) Whenever They Are Called To Respond To An Incident.

Especially If It Involves An Incident Which May Adversely Impact Charlotte's WHITE Citizens Who Ride The Light Rail Line. i.e., Lynx Blue Line.

As Mentioned Above Young, BLACK Male Citizen Mr. Lareko Williams (Now Deceased) Was Apparently Allegedgly Hitting His Presumed Girlfriend At A Charlotte Light Rail Station When CMPD Officers Were Called To The Scene By A Witness.

Notice I Said This Incident Occurred At A Charlotte Light Rail Station.

You Know The SAME Light Rail System Built Primarily To Service Charlotte's WHITE Citizens, At The Expense Of Charlotte's BLACK CATS Passengers Who Use Charlotte's CATS Services 10:1.

Now Since I Was NOT At The Scene Of The Crime, I Don't Know What Actually Happened.

But It Is Clear That Mr. Williams Did NOT Have A Gun Of Any Type On His Person, Nor Did He Pull A Weapon Of Any Type At The CMPD Officer Called To The Scene.

So Why Was He Tasered To DEATH??

Notice I Said To DEATH!!

As In The Officer Continued To Taser Mr. Williams Until He Died From Cardiac Arrest!

For The Record I Do NOT Advocate Or Endorse Domestic Violence Period?

NO I Don't!! Of Course Not!

Except The Way I See It Is Violence Is Violence Whether Its Perpetrated By A Regular Citizen Or An CMPD Officer.

Excuse Me But.....

Didn't The City Of Charlotte Just Pay Out A HUGE Settlement To The Family Of Another Young, BLACK Male Citizen, Darryl Turner Who Died After Being Tasered TO DEATH By Another CMPD Officer?

As In The Officer Continued To Taser Mr. Turner Until He Too Died From Cardiac Arrest?

YES!!

Excuse Me But.....

Didn't Darryl Turner's Family Recently Win A $10 Million Settlement From The Manufacturer Of Taser Guns Used By CMPD Officers?

YES!!

Neither Young, BLACK Male Citizen Killed By CMPD Officers Via Taser Guns, Were Carrying Weapons Or Threatened CMPD Officers With Weapons.

Unless....

Weapons Were Planted On Mr. Williams' & Mr. Turner's Person By CMPD Officers.

Or....

Unless CMPD Investigators Lied In Their Reports That Both Men DID Have Weapons In Their Possession When CMPD Officers Responded To The Calls Involving Both Men.

So Why Were Those Two Young, BLACK Male Citizens Killed By CMPD Officers??

Why Were Darryl Turner & Lareko Williams Tasered Until DEATH Occurred??

i.e., INTENTIONAL ACT; MURDER; MANSLAUGHTER!

Does Legally Wearing A Police Uniform & Police Badge Give CMPD Officers A License To Just Randomly KILL Young, BLACK Male Citizens Or Young, BLACK Female Citizens At Will???

NO!! At Least It Shouldn't!

Well Then Why Is It That Charlotte's Chief Of Police & Charlotte's Mayor (Both BLACK Men) Have Continued To Allow CMPD Officers To Use & KILL Charlotte's Young, BLACK Citizens With Taser Guns??

Is It Just To Make Charlotte's WHITE Citizens Feel Safe & To Prevent WHITE Flight From The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Region ?

(i.e., Charlotte's New 2020 Vision Plan)

What About Making Charlotte's BLACK Citizens (East, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, West Charlotte) Feel SAFE Too?

Why Is It CMPD Officers REFUSE To Protect Charlotte's BLACK Citizens From Crime & Refuse To Help Solve Murders Against Charlotte's BLACK Citizens (East, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, West Charlotte) In A Timely Manner Vs. How Quickly They Diligently Work To Solve Murders & Crime Committed Against Charlotte's WHITE Citizens?

But Yet.....

CMPD Officers Appear To Have NO Problem Working Diligently To Protect, Investigate & Solve Crimes/ Murders Against Charlotte's WHITE Citizens?

Such Injustices & Disparities Against BLACK Citizens Should NOT Be Happening In A Major, So-Called Metropolitan City, Run By A BLACK Mayor In The Year 2011!

After All Since Charlotte's BLACK Mayor Anthony Foxx & His BLACK City Council Colleagues (Patrick Cannon, Warren Turner, James Mitchell, David Howard) Frequently Boasts About "Charlotte Being A Diverse City", Why Have Charlotte's BLACK Citizens Been Treated More Poorly, More Unfairly & Been Offered Fewer Opportunities For Success Only AFTER Anthony Foxx Was Elected??

Inquiring Minds Would Like To Know! Like Yesterday!

Meanwhile Perhaps It Will Take More HUGE Lawsuit Settlements Against The City Of Charlotte & More HUGE Lawsuit Settlements Against The Manufacturer Of Taser Guns Used By CMPD Officers, Until The City Of Charlotte Is BROKE!!! Before Civil Rights & Equal Rights Is Truly Demonstrated To Charlotte's BLACK Citizens.

To The Family Of Mr. Lareko Williams, I'm So Sorry For Your Loss.

I Suggest You Hire An EXCELLENT Attorney Like The One Hired By Darryl Turner's Family, NOW!!!

Or Just Hire The SAME Attorney If Need Be Since He's Already Familiar With CMPD Officers Use Of Excessive Force Against Charlotte's Young, BLACK Citizens.

I Repeat: Such Injustices & Disparities Against BLACK Citizens (East, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, West Charlotte) Should NOT Be Happening In A Major, So-Called Metropolitan City, Run By A BLACK Mayor In The Year 2011!

As A BLACK Woman I Do Believe In Supporting BLACK Leaders.

But Only If Those Same BLACK Leaders Also Support Their BLACK Constituents AFTER Being Elected By BLACK Voters.

I Somehow Feel Obligated To Help Re-Elect Pres. Obama Because Whether I Agree With ALL Of His Policies Or Not, Barack Obama Is PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!

To The Contrary Mayor Anthony Foxx Is Just Leader of ONE City.

Its Not Hard For Anthony Foxx To Demonstrate Equality & Fairness On His Level As A Mayor.

Anthony Foxx Is Managing a City NOT An Entire Nation!

i.e., FOXX Is NOT U.S. President Barack Obama, Thus He Has NO Excuse For NOT Demonstrating Equality & Fairness To ALL Of Charlotte's Citizens Versus Just Charlotte's WHITE Citizens.

However If Anthony Foxx Is Afraid To Demonstrate Equality & Fairness For ALL Of Charlotte's Citizens, Then Perhaps He Should NOT Be Re-Elected Mayor Of Charlotte.

If On The Other Hand Mayor Anthony Foxx Is NOT Afraid To Demonstrate Equality & Fairness For ALL Of Charlotte's Citizens Versus Just Charlotte's WHITE Citizens, Then Please Begin To Show It To Charlotte's BLACK Voters Prior To This Fall's Local Elections.

Let Us Pray & Vote Responsibly When Returning To The Polls This Fall.

R.I.P. Lareko Williams & Darryl Turner.





Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police shelve Tasers for now after another suspect dies

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is taking all of its Tasers off the streets for as many as 45 days, after a suspect died when he was shocked by an officer's X26 Taser at a Lynx light rail station.

Police say Lareko Williams, 21, was beating and choking a woman when confronted by Officer Michael Forbes at the station on Woodlawn Road around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. Williams was pronounced dead about an hour later.

The death came just a day after a federal jury in Charlotte awarded $10 million to the family of 17-year-old Darryl Wayne Turner, who died in 2008 after a CMPD officer shocked him with a Taser.

In response to the jury's award against the company that makes Tasers, Charlotte City Attorney Mac McCarley said police officers would continue to use the weapons.

"It is still a very effective, nonlethal force to control a situation," he told the Observer Wednesday, just hours before the confrontation at the light rail station.

But the $10 million verdict and Wednesday's death are certain to revive debate over the weapons. Tasers can deliver a 50,000-volt shock that temporarily paralyzes suspects, and have been linked to hundreds of deaths across the country.

Earlier this year, the Union County town of Stallings stopped using Tasers because of liability issues.

CMPD on Thursday suspended use of its roughly 1,200 Tasers for 30 to 45 days as the weapons are tested to make sure they're working properly. The Taser used on Williams will be sent to an independent laboratory to be tested, police said.

The department will also review its Taser policies and procedures to ensure they're in line with established national standards.

Foxx supports chief's action

Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx said Thursday that he wants to see the results of the CMPD review before taking any further action.

"I have spoken with Police Chief Rodney Monroe several times in the last 24 hours and he has assured me that all aspects of this incident will be reviewed thoroughly," Foxx said in a statement. "I also support his effort to inspect all Taser devices and protocols related to their use."

Police didn't respond to questions about Officer Forbes' training with the Taser. They also didn't respond to questions about where Williams was struck with the Taser prongs or how long he was shocked.

On Thursday, McCarley stood by his statements about Tasers being effective in helping officers control situations.

"In the vast majority of cases, fewer officers and fewer suspects sustain any sort of physical or permanent injuries," he said, speaking of Tasers. "But the other steps available are usually hard physical contact, something like a baton. And that is much more likely to cause some type of immediate or lasting physical harm."

But Ken Harris, who has represented Turner's family since the teen's death three years ago, said Williams' death may illustrate the Taser's dangers.

"This incident is just another example of why we have been so persistent in arguing that the Taser is a lethal weapon," Harris said.

"We wanted Darryl's legacy to be a reduction in the number of deaths related to the use of Tasers. This is just another tragedy."

At Woodlawn Lynx station

On Wednesday night, Williams and a female friend were riding the Lynx line home after watching a movie at the AMC movie theater on South Boulevard, said Ariel Terry, a friend of Williams who says she dated him for a year. At some point, he got into an argument with the woman, Terry said.

At 10:39 p.m., someone called police reporting that man was beating a woman at the Woodlawn Lynx station, a raised platform along the 4700 block of Old Pineville Road, according to a police statement.

Forbes was the first officer to respond.

Monroe told reporters Forbes fired his department-issued Taser as Williams was about to strike the woman again. Forbes used the Taser "in an attempt to gain compliance," according to a police statement.

Forbes soon realized the suspect was unresponsive and radioed for paramedics.

Terry said Williams treated her well when they dated. But she did acknowledge that Williams had been previously charged with assault on a female and other crimes.

She said Williams has a 1-year-old child and two children on the way. He was attending classes at Central Piedmont Community College, she said, trying to get his graduate equivalent diploma.

Monroe told reporters that investigators are analyzing video that apparently showed what happened during the confrontation.

"A host of cameras (are) in and around the area," Monroe said. "We're going through a very methodical process analyzing the data from those cameras."

Williams' family declined to comment. The Observer's news partner, WCNC-TV, reported that they had hired a lawyer.

Largest award against maker

A day before Williams died, Darryl Turner's family was awarded $10 million after a jury found that Taser International failed to warn that the weapon could cause cardiac arrest. The award was the largest ever against the makers of the Taser. The company said it will appeal.

The city of Charlotte paid $625,000 to Turner's family in 2009, though it denied wrongdoing.

Turner died in March 2008 after Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Jerry Dawson Jr. shocked him at a Food Lion grocery store in northeast Charlotte.

Turner, who worked at the store, died from cardiac arrest. The autopsy showed the teenager's heart was pumping so fast and chaotically from the Taser shot and stress from the confrontation that it stopped pumping blood properly. The autopsy found no pre-existing heart problems.

Dawson was not charged with any crime. Prosecutors said the officer was justified in using the Taser during the confrontation with Turner, who was found with three small bags of marijuana in his socks after the incident. He was also "agitated" and threw something at a manager, police said.

Dawson was suspended for five days without pay and required to undergo additional training. After Turner's death, all officers were required to undergo more training with Tasers.

Police didn't respond to questions about Forbes' training Thursday, but under the department's training regimen, he would have completed the additional training at least twice.








17-year-old's family wins $10 million in Taser verdict


Taser International must pay $10 million to the family of a Charlotte teenager who died in 2008 after being shocked by a police officer - the biggest jury award ever against the company.

The lawyers for Darryl Turner's parents said Wednesday the federal jury found that Taser International failed to warn that discharging its Taser into the chest of a suspect near the heart poses a substantial risk of cardiac arrest. The company's animal studies, they said, demonstrated the risk.

John Burton, lead counsel for Turner's parents, Devoid Turner and Tammy Lou Fontenot, said Taser International has been irresponsible in representing its product's safety.

"Hopefully, this verdict will sound the alarm to police officers around the world that firing these weapons into the chests of people should be avoided," said Burton, whose law offices are in Pasadena, Calif. "No other family should have to endure the tragedy that the Turner and Fontenot families have experienced."

Taser International sought to persuade the jury that Turner, 17, had a medical condition that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest in young adults. The company's lawyers also presented evidence about a U.S. Justice Department study, released in May, which said current research does not support a substantially increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia even if the Taser darts strike the front of the chest.

The company's lawyers intend to appeal the verdict.

Darryl Turner died in March 2008 after being shocked with a Taser by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Jerry Dawson Jr. at a Food Lion grocery store in north Charlotte.

Turner, who worked at the store, died from cardiac arrest. The autopsy showed the teenager's heart was pumping so fast and chaotically from the Taser shot and stress from the confrontation that it stopped pumping blood properly. The autopsy found no pre-existing heart problems.

Dawson was not charged with any crime. Prosecutors said the officer was justified in using the Taser during the confrontation with Turner, who was found with three small bags of marijuana in his socks after the incident. He was also "agitated" and threw something at a manager, police said.

Dawson was suspended for five days without pay and required to undergo additional training. Police said Dawson had violated policy when he shocked Turner with the Taser gun for about 37 seconds. Dawson held the trigger until Turner fell to the floor, according to police.

The city of Charlotte paid $625,000 to Turner's family in 2009, though the city denied wrongdoing. It was the largest police-related claim the city had paid out in nearly a decade.

City Attorney Mac McCarley told the Observer Wednesday that the city will continue to use Tasers.

"It is still a very effective, nonlethal force to control a situation," McCarley said.

After Turner's death, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police mandated additional training for all officers on the proper use of Tasers and other electronic control devices, said spokesman Rob Tufano.

The training "emphasized that repeated and prolonged deployment and exposure of the device is a strict violation of department policy," Tufano said. Police also trained personnel to look for other areas of the body to target with Tasers, like the lower abdomen and upper leg.

The use of Tasers by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police has decreased since 2007, when police shocked people with the devices nearly 140 times. In 2008, that number had dropped to about 120 and in 2009, the latest year for which figures are available, police deployed Tasers fewer than 80 times.

The Stallings Police Department in January abandoned the use of Tasers to reduce its liability risk.

Taser International, in a statement on its website about Tuesday's verdict, said there's been only one other adverse jury verdict against the company. That was for more than $7 million in 2008. Taser International appealed, and the verdict was reduced to about $200,000, the statement said.

"This was a sad and tragic incident, and our hearts go out to Mr. Turner's family," Doug Klint, Taser International's president and general counsel, said in a statement.

"We can certainly understand how the jury felt deep compassion for Mr. Turner's family, and how this compassion may have overwhelmed the scientific evidence presented in this case. However, given the important nature of this case and the exclusion of key evidence that occurred, Taser International intends to appeal this verdict."

Taser International said U.S. District Judge Bob Conrad didn't allow the jury to hear evidence that Darryl Turner had three baggies of marijuana in his sock during the incident. The company said a screen for marijuana and other drugs was not performed at the autopsy or before the lab destroyed the teenager's blood evidence.

Taser International said the judge also did not instruct the jury on contributory negligence. Under N.C. law, the company said, if plaintiffs act in a negligent manner that contributes to their damages, they are barred from recovering damages from a third party.

The statement said the company's lawyers believe Turner's behavior at the grocery store was negligent and "necessitated the use of force by police."

Police were called to the store where Turner worked after the store manager had asked him to leave and he refused, according to court documents.

Store surveillance video showed Turner at the customer service desk, knocking over a display and throwing an umbrella. He then moved closer to a store manager and employee, at one point raising his arm and pointing at the manager.

Later, the soundless video shows Officer Dawson entering the store with a Taser in his hand. Turner took a step toward the officer, and police say that's when Dawson fired the Taser. Turner continued to walk past the officer with the Taser probes in his chest.

Taser International said its insurance will pay about $6 million of the award if the company is not successful on its appeal.

Charlotte attorney Ken Harris, who represents Turner's parents, said: "This has been a long and difficult journey for the family. We have consistently stated that no judgment would be sufficient to compensate the family relative to Darryl's loss.

"We are very happy with this benchmark result and the impact that it may have ... concerning the use of the Taser."


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Sources: CATS, Charmeck.org, McClatchy Newspapers, WBTV, WCNC, Youtube, Google Maps

Charlotte Light Rail Passenger Station Crime Increases: Robberies

Robbery At Knife Point In Lynx Charlotte Light-Rail Station


A Charlotte man was robbed at knife point at the I-485/South Boulevard Lynx light-rail station Friday evening, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. The suspect hit the victim, took his wallet and fled on foot.

Police said two suspects were found in the bathroom of the Target store in the nearby Carolina Pavilion Shopping Center. Both were taken into custody, but officers had not released their names Saturday afternoon.

A CATS representative said she was not aware of any other recent armed robberies or major crime at light-rail stations.

In May, police suspected a man used the light-rail to get away after two robberies along the Lynx line, though authorities later said the man never got on the train.

Those robberies happened around 11 p.m. on a Friday in late May, police said. An employee at the Greek Isles restaurant on East Bland Street leaving work and a man walking out of Sullivan’s steakhouse were both robbed at gunpoint within minutes of each other.

CATS spokeswoman Krystel Green said the company would work to continue making sure law enforcement officials were visible.

There are a total of nine company police officers and four CMPD officers stationed along the light-rail line, she said.

“We want to remind people to continue to be aware of surroundings…and to stay in well-lit areas, just like you would anywhere else,” Green said.


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Sources: McClatchy Newspapers, Google Maps

Foxx's Streetcar Idea Borrowed From DC's Adrian Fenty?

Anthony Foxx's dreams of developing a Streetcar line in Charlotte may have come from none other than his "buddy" DC Mayor Adrian Fenty.

Why do you think Foxx keeps running to DC?

Apparently he wants to become a Political "Star" like Fenty i.e., Personal Gain.

Yes Foxx has found a new political idol and now wants to turn Charlotte into a Washington, DC "lookalike".

Let's see Adrian Fenty doesn't really want to help the Homeless or DC's less fortunate and neither does Anthony Foxx.

Seems Fenty only wants to invest money into helping provide for DC's Elite, ditto for Foxx.

Does anyone remember last Winter when Adrian Fenty had city crews to plow and shovel DC's Wealthy communities first while leaving the city's less Wealthier citizens to fend for themselves?

Fenty wants to develop a Streetcar line, ditto for Foxx.

What's wrong with Anthony Foxx wanting to follow in Fenty's footsteps?

Well for starters Washington, DC already has a Modern, well-developed Public Mass Transportation system with high ridership.

Charlotte on the other hand does NOT!

Charlotte's Public Mass Transportation consists of a Segregated City Bus system.

Nice, Clean, well-maintained, on-schedule buses for Charlotte's White citizens and Bankers.

Raggedy, Cold/Hot, Late buses for Charlotte's Black citizens.

All of this even though both Black & White citizens pay the SAME exact fares.

Charlotte does have a Light Rail system but its incomplete.

Instead of Anthony Foxx using Federal funding to help expand the Light Rail as he promised while serving on the Charlotte City Council back in 2007, he wants to funnel millions of dollars into a 1.5 mile Streetcar.

Has Mayor Foxx ever considered that what works for DC might NOT be what's best for Charlotte at this time? (a Recession)




Well now you know where Mayor Anthony Foxx borrowed his Streetcar idea from.

Why doesn't Foxx focus on helping to lower Charlotte's extremely HIGH Crime rate and expanding the city's Light Rail system before copying his "buddy" Adrian Fenty's Streetcar project idea?

If Anthony Foxx forces the City Council to develop his "Streetcar named Desire" at this time during one of Charlotte's worst Economic crisis, do you think he will more than likely be a one-term Mayor?

I'll leave that decision up to Charlotte's voters in 2011.

I'm just saying.

Check out the articles and videos below.






Extra Car Could Be Added To Charlotte Lynx Light Rail


Crowded commuters on the city's light rail line could be getting some relief after transit officials this week proposed the addition of a third car on Lynx trains during peak travel times.

Longer trains would require the extension of passenger platforms and more powerful electrical systems to propel the additional car. Engineers believe the modifications would cost $66.9 million.

About 16,000 passengers ride the south corridor line each day, far exceeding original projections for the two year-old service, said Carolyn Flowers, CEO of the Charlotte Area Transit System.

Three-car trains were originally planned, Flowers said, but the project was scaled back due to concerns about the cost of the line from I-485, near Pineville, to Uptown.

During the evening rush hour, Lynx trains are filled to near capacity, said Reggie Smith, a south Charlotte resident who said he has been riding the train since the service was launched in November 2007.

"You’re barely moving, and when the doors open up you’re praying 'please don’t let anyone else come on because I’m about to die'," Smith told NewsChannel 36.

An extension of the Lynx system is planned for northeast Charlotte, including stops along North Tryon, UNC-Charlotte, and I-485 in University City. Cost estimates for the project top $1 billion, and transit planners have said a recent decline in local funding could delay the start of service for the expanded system until 2019.

Officials have said the modifications on the south corridor could be made at the same time the new line is constructed.

The three-car trains will be required along the full length of the expanded light-rail system, transit planners have said, because the Lynx line is projected to draw nearly 25,000 daily passengers by 2030.

Still, some transit leaders are questioning the proposal to modify an existing train service when funding for other rail projects remains uncertain.

"It’s very difficult for me to justify expanding a line that is successful until we provide rail to the other areas who need it," Huntersville Mayor Jill Swain said during Wednesday's meeting of the Metropolitan Transit Commission.

A sharp decline in money collected from Mecklenburg's half-cent sales tax for transit has sparked recent debate among MTC members about which transit projects should be built first.

The commission is scheduled to decide next month whether to pursue federal funding for at least part of the modifications to the south corridor.

Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx said said the MTC will continue to weigh the plans for modifying existing transit service against the funding that is available for all construction.

"There are other projects that are in line for support and we have to listen to the professionals and then make a decision," he said.

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D.C. Mayor Says Federal Funds On The Way For Snowstorm Cleanup


The federal government will reimburse Washington authorities for snow cleanup in the wake of two massive snowstorms that recently hit the region, according to D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty.

The mayor said that city agencies have done the best possible job clearing snow from roadways and sidewalks, but that the federal government will kick in disaster relief funds in order to defray growing costs for local governments.

Asked on MSNBC if the city has done the best job possible, Fenty said, "There's no question," but admitted that "there's always things you could do better."

Fenty also said that he spoke with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on Wednesday, who assured him that the federal government will reimburse the cost to the D.C. government, a move he called "a big help."

Many area residents have become frustrated with the D.C. city government as well as Virginia and Maryland authorities because they believe not enough has been done to clear roads, sidewalks and transit lines.

But Fenty said D.C. averages 15 inches of snow per winter, and does not have the capacity to handle the 65 inches that have fallen on the city this year. He did say that in the future, the city would seek to expand agreements with private contractors and keep snow removal equipment better maintained.

Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D) said Wednesday that federal disaster relief funds administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, are likely on the way for the region.

Over 30 inches of snow has fallen on the region since last Friday, essentially paralyzing the city. The federal government has been closed all week and the House of Representatives has called off its votes for the rest of the week.

The Senate voted Tuesday, but it is unlikely it will vote again this week.

Both the House and the Senate are expected to keep their Presidents Day recess next week, meaning they will not return for votes until the following week.


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Sources: CNN, MSNBC, The Hill, Washington Post, WCNC, Google Maps