Charlotte City Council Thinks We're Stupid

Charlotte City Council votes to support corrupt contract

Tonight, after several hours of speakers who were overwhelmingly opposed to the contract with Cintra for building toll lanes on I-77 north of downtown Charlotte, and after acknowledging receiving many more private contacts also against the transaction, many Council members voted to punt on the upcoming CRPTO vote.  They fail in the opportunity to vote against this horrible, corrupt project.


Leadership FAIL

"Led" by new Mayor Jennifer Roberts' speech about how Charlotte's vote really wouldn't have any impact anyway because we were not on the NCDOT contract, those who voted to move ahead continued to say that they "supported the strategy."  It was the go-to catchphrase for the crew defending this indefensible contract.  

They literally had NOT ONE THING to say about benefits or positive financial or physical outcome of dealing with this company or building these toll roads in this way.  

They basically said "we're too dumb to figure out anything else and we've been threatened that if we ask questions or require anything better than this colossal waste of money which ties us to 50 years of gridlock and penalties to a foreign company, we will have to pay outrageous penalties even though we had no say-so in making this contract or choosing this company... but we're too weak and corrupt to say we stand up for our constituents and say "NO"."


MORE EMPTY THREATS

Charlotte's City Council knows or should know the threats about Charlotte paying penalties if the contracts are canceled are lies.  Not to mention the penalties are 'projected to be between $82MM and $300MM" (can you say fraud?).  State-level politicians put a fine point on the issue by taking time to stand in line with other citizens and speak directly to the point:  Charles Jeter, Jeff Tarte and Tricia Cotham spoke together with Jeter speaking clearly in response to all the phony threats from Raleigh, "The only people that can pass laws are standing right here."  They clearly indicated that forcing Charlotte to pay would require passing laws--and just as clearly indicated that would not happen with them in Raleigh.

Inexplicably, it didn't stop Charlotte Councilman Ed Driggs from repeating Roucho's empty threat that "there's no way the state's going to pay this penalty" and that Charlotte and other locals would.  Really?  It's not in the contract. How is it that only the STATE NCDOT can sign or change or cancel a contract but CHARLOTTE would have to pay?  This is a flat out lie.


Governor McCrory looking for scapegoat

County Commisioner Pat Cotham also waited to speak along with Commissioners Puckett and Leake.  Cotham said strongly, "Take out this one bad project.... the Governor needs a scapegoat and you (Charlotte Council) are his target! Call him out."


WHAT!?  TAXES?!

Cornelius Commissioner Milton came to speak and informed us that North Carolina tax payers are contracted to pay the. taxes for Cintra.  What?   What?

This is new information for Citynewswatch and probably for many people.  That's one more argument off the table for the "pro" group who has been touting the boost to our economy for the tax revenue generated by this private company.  We're paying them there, too. 


JOHN AUTRY's MAGIC BUS

Autry talked of how the people who ride buses need a lane where they can ride reliably and quickly, and they can do it on the new toll lanes.  Hey, John, this plan TAKES AWAY THE FREE H.O.V. lane that we already paid for and which is available to buses now and gives it to the foreign company to profit from--where buses will be slowed down by toll lanes, traffic jams, and other problems.  And we will pay their taxes in addition to losing that lane flexibility.

What about the impact of losing that lane for emergency vehicles?  Nobody has addressed that publicly.


AL AUSTIN SPEAKS SOME TRUTH


Councilman Al Austin said, "They knew this contract was one we wouldn't accept and they ACCELERATED it.  We need to put a bow on it and send it back."


LAWANA MAYFIELD REWARDED FOR HER SUPPORT(?)

Councilwoman Lawana Mayfield has been vocal in her opposition ahead of the meeting. One speaker accidentally addressed her as "Congresswoman Mayfield" and the temporary promotion garnered both laughter and applause in a light moment of the evening.

Patsy Kinsey made her usual moronic statement that she was voting for it but "holding her nose," as if that makes it okay.  Will tax payers be able to "hold their noses" long enough to sit on the interstate or when they have to sell their homes because they can't afford the taxes anymore?


PAT MCRORY, WHY IS THERE A SURPLUS EVERYWHERE ELSE?

Maybe we should all move to one of the counties where Pat McCrory has surplus road money to build bridges and roads--you know, where all our taxes are flowing.


Will the FBI please get busy here in Charlotte?  
And Raleigh.

After Mayor Patrick Cannon Arrested, Charlotte City Council Defers Choice

Charlotte City Council met tonight and voted to pass a motion postponing choice of a new Mayor of Charlotte until next Monday, April 7th.  Several members expressed that they wanted a little more time to hear from constituents, even though voters will not be given a direct voice.  Behind the scenes, it doesn't seem there is consensus supporting one candidate.

Some citizens have come forward asking for a new election in November, but that would require legislative intervention from State representatives, and many local elected officials balked at the notion of requesting assistance from Raleigh.  

Mayor Patrick Cannon has been arrested and charged last week on federal corruption charges, including violations of the Hobbs Extortion Act, using his office, Theft or Bribery, and Wire Fraud.  

CLICK HERE TO SEE REST OF THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT

The Complaint clearly states that the FBI undercover investigation began with another City of Charlotte employee, which then led to Cannon.  Cannon is quoted (in the Complaint) referencing a City employee that would be very helpful to the undercover agents:

(The) “city manager’s made (him/her) part of his executive team. (He/she) could be a city manager but (he/she) doesn’t want to. (He/she) wants to continue to do planning and all that kind of stuff.” 

The Complaint states after Cannon was given free use of a $2,100 per month apartment with special entry/exit, Cannon gave the name of a City Department Head to the undercover agent, explaining how helpful that person would be to the fake investors used in the FBI sting operation.

From Charmeck.org, the Manager's staff is listed:

City leadership bios

City Manager Ron Carlee Deputy City Manager Ron Kimble Assistant City Manager Eric Campbell Assistant City Manager Hyong Yi Executive Team Member Debra Campbell Chief of Staff Carol L. Jennings

Sentences if Cannon is convicted on charges:

Maximum 10 years in prison & $250,000 fine for THEFT and BRIBERY

Maximum 20 years in prison & $1,000,000 fine for FRAUD

Maximum 20 years in prison & $250,000 fine for EXTORTION

If convicted, there should be a hefty sentence to demonstrate that "leaders" are not above the law.  Cannon's wife is implicated in the affidavit, but she has not been arrested.  Pity and sadness should be for the Cannons' children.   

More arrests for corruption in Charlotte may be on the way.  Probably a number of locals are very nervous.  Remember that the $48,000 and other gifts allegedly accepted by Cannon are only the items documented in the undercover sting after other allegations surfaced.  There may be more.  And there may be other people who are finally caught.  Now that the FBI has finally gotten an investigation underway, why not clean house?