Chipp Bailey: Best Choice For Charlotte-Meck. Sheriff In 2010: Bi-Partisanship

For Mecklenburg Sheriff: Chipp Bailey


Bailey vs. Hailey has the ring of an energetic, powerhouse match-up. But the race between Chipp Bailey and Christopher Hailey for Mecklenburg County sheriff has been a low-key affair. Many people might not know there's a contest.

But there is, and it's an important one. The sheriff oversees 1,400 employees, 2,500 inmates and three jails. The office also provides courthouse security and serves legal papers.

In this job, effective management skills and a deep understanding of criminal justice issues are crucial. We think Bailey has more than proven himself in the job these past three years. And he had to do so while repairing community relations and political divisions that erupted from the crazy process that eventually led to his appointment in 2008. He replaced Sheriff Jim Pendergraph, who resigned in 2007 to take a job with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Pendergraph had served only one year of a four-year term.

Bailey was chief deputy at the time, and had been since 1994. He was appointed sheriff after a bizarre set of events. By state law, the sheriff's political party - in this case Democrats - got to pick Pendergraph's replacement. They picked Nick Mackey, whose qualifications and background were questioned. The selection was voided after a Democratic review panel determined there were irregularities in precinct organizing. Bailey was subsequently appointed sheriff by the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners.

Since then he has run the department well. His experience has been extremely valuable, especially as the county has cut costs because of the dire economy. Bailey has rightly focused on preserving key programs such as substance abuse counseling and education programs to help reduce the number of repeat offenders.

There are things that concern us about Bailey. He continues to believe in the efficacy of the 287(g) immigration program, which allows the sheriff's office to identify illegal immigrants in the jail. Illegal immigrants who commit serious crimes should be deported, but studies have shown that the 287(g) program far more often deports minor offenders. We don't think the program is worthwhile.

We also are disappointed in Bailey's use of a county database of his employees for campaign purposes. That's an apparent violation of state law. Bailey said he first spoke with a deputy county attorney who raised no concerns about the matter. He also said he doesn't feel he broke the law because the names of the employees had been downloaded to a disc and not taken directly from an office computer.

That sounds like parsing words, and skirting the intent of law. He did say he'd happily return the donation of anyone who felt coerced to donate. But we wish he had been more contrite and acknowledged forthrightly that he erred.

Still, Christopher Hailey has not made a compelling case for ousting the sheriff. Hailey, a former state Highway Patrol officer who currently heads Central Piedmont Community College's public safety training program, is smart, personable and qualified. But there's not much difference between him and Bailey on several issues, including the 287(g) program.

Hailey has said he'd address morale and promotions problems within the sheriff's office. He contends there is dissatisfaction among many employees. But in a county employee survey last spring, the sheriff's office received an 83 percent score for worker satisfaction. Those results were consistent with countywide ratings.

Chipp Bailey has been endorsed by several groups, including the Fraternal Order of Police and the Charlotte Fire Fighters Association. They were right to endorse him. He's experienced, capable and has shown he can do the job. We give him our endorsement as well.


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Sources: McClatchy Newspapers, News14, Youtube, Google Maps

Beverly Earle, Malcolm Graham, Nick Mackey: Charlotte's Worst Black "Leaders"?

3 Black Charlotte Politicians Take Worst Attendance Honors


Two Charlotte area legislators gained the unfortunate distinction of worst attendance record during last year's legislative session.

And the whole issue of absences has deteriorated into a dispute between Rep. Nick Mackey and Rep. Beverly Earle, both Charlotte Democrats.

Sen. Malcolm Graham, a Charlotte Democrat, and Rep. Jeff Barnhart, a Concord Republican, accumulated the worst attendance records in their respective chambers, with the exception of fellow lawmakers who were ill or had surgery during session.

The records were tallied by the non-partisan N.C. Center for Public Policy Research.

Graham attended 91 of 112 legislative days for an 81 percent attendance rate. The only lower record was that of Sen. Richard Stevens, a Cary Republican, who was sidelined with a broken kneecap.

"Not only am I a state senator, but I work for a living as well," Malcolm Graham said, adding that the supposed part-time job is full time. "I try to balance the responsibilities of serving as well as making a living at the same time."

Legislators receive less than $14,000 a year in salary, plus $559 per month for expenses.

Barnhart made it to 95 of 114 days, or 83 percent. Earle, who underwent two back surgeries last year, and Rep. Becky Carney, who was out for two months after suffering cardiac arrest, had lower attendance figures.


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Sources: NCGA, McClatchy Newspapers, N.C. Center for Public Policy Research, Google Maps

Park Helms Refuses To Resign, Will Jennifer Roberts Remove Him?

So Charlotte-Mecklenburg ABC Board Chairman Park Helms refuses to step down even after an investigation conducted by NC Alcohol Law Enforcement Officials proved he violated state Alcohol laws for basically "bribing" a liquor company.

Here lies the $64M question: Does Jennifer Roberts (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners Chairperson) have enough guts to remove him?

Don't forget Helms (also a former Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Commissioner) was once Roberts' Mentor.

Let's see....

Jennifer Roberts had NO problem refusing to allow Nick Mackey from serving as Charlotte-Mecklenburg's First Black Sheriff ever.

In fact she made a big stink about it all the way to the NC Democratic Board State Officials until they overturned Mackey's election.

Don't misjudge me on this one because after the local Media exposed all of Mackey's dirt including how he'd wronged his clients (Mackey is a Licensed Attorney), I too agree he should NOT have been allowed to serve as County Sheriff.

However my point is how quickly Roberts moved to act on ensuring Mackey would NOT serve.

Due to the Racial backlash Jennifer Roberts suffered over Mackey, it doesn't take rocket science to see that's why she refuses to remove allegedly Corrupt Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Manager Harry Jones who also happens to be Black, from his job.

Here's a little secret Jennifer, if you remove Harry Jones from his job it would be an Asset to Charlotte and would probably save your Political career.

Park Helms refuses to step down.

Jennifer Roberts has yet to remove both Harry Jones and Park Helms after proven evidence surfaced showing that both Men deserved to be relieved of their duties.

Has anyone forgotten that Charlotte-Mecklenburg DSS (which Jones oversees)is under investigation by a Grand Jury?

Of course not!

The Partisan Charlotte Observer (Community Nickname: "Charlotte Disturber") doesn't want to go there anymore for fear of perhaps losing Democrat advertising dollars.

Jennifer the ball is in your court.

Either way I think your finished because Charlotteans are tired of Corruption both Public and Political.








Park Helms Rejects Call To Resign From ABC Board


Mecklenburg County ABC Board chairman Parks Helms on Monday rejected a request from fellow ABC directors to resign "in the best interests of the Mecklenburg County ABC system."

"I have carefully considered your request that I resign as Chairman of the ABC Board so that you could '...begin to restore trust in the system and its management by the public,'" Helms wrote in an e-mail. 'I respectfully disagree... and will not resign."

But pressure for his resignation continued to rise Monday as Mecklenburg County commissioners chair Jennifer Roberts suggested he give it "serious consideration."

"I would hope that Parks would give it serious consideration to remove himself... so we can all focus on the issues going forward," she said.

A former Mecklenburg County commissioners chairman, Helms has been under fire since a Nov. 18 dinner hosted by the liquor company Diageo.

Diageo spent $12,700 on the dinner at Del Frisco's steakhouse for 28 ABC Board employees and their guests. The $4,900 bar tab included $1,000 for four bottles of Dom Perignon.

After news accounts, ABC employees and Helms repaid $9,334. The company picked up the bill for its two employees and their spouses as well as the $2,032 tip.

Last week Alcohol Law Enforcement agents issued a report alleging that Diageo, its N.C. marketing director and the Mecklenburg ABC Board violated laws on giving and accepting anything of value.

Based on their findings, the N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission has since launched a statewide probe into possible violations of liquor laws in Asheville, Greensboro, Winston-Salem and at least four other cities.

The local ABC directors sent Helms a two-line e-mail Sunday night asking him to resign "effective immediately."

"I guess what we wanted was to basically start over," director Elton Shoemaker said Monday. "We just felt like a change should be made, and if the county commissioners wanted to appoint a new chair they could."

Shoemaker signed the request with directors Mary Richardson, Angeles Ortega-Moore and Jim Polk.

Helms declined to elaborate on his reply.

In the each of the past three years, records show, the board chairman was paid $6,000 a year. Board members earned $5,000.

Helms was the only Mecklenburg ABC director at the dinner. Richardson, Polk and Ortega-Moore told the Observer last week they didn't know about it. Shoemaker declined to comment.

Helms faces scrutiny over the dinner from the two groups that could remove him: the Mecklenburg County commissioners and the state ABC Commission.

Agnes Stevens, spokeswoman for the state ABC commission, said Monday the commission is in touch with Mecklenburg commissioners. Conversations, she said, are ongoing.

Roberts said the controversy has become a distraction.

"Sometimes we all recognize there comes a point when we as officials may be more of a distraction than a support to whatever issue it is we need to move forward with," she said.

"I respect Parks, he has been a tremendous public servant. We all make mistakes sometimes and it takes a big person to admit that. I'm sure there will be other things we can turn to him for service in other ways."

Republican commissioner Karen Bentley has said the county board should remove Helms.

Mary Richardson, the ABC Board director, hinted at the board's decision to write Helms last week.

"If you're doing wrong and you know you're doing wrong, you should suffer the consequences," she said.



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Sources: McClatchy Newspapers, Charlotte Observer, WCNC, NC General Assembly, Charmeck.org, Google Maps