NC SPIN Online

Convention Center Opens
The Capital City opened a new $300 million convention center in downtown Raleigh last week. One of the first major events was the Raleigh Hall of Fame banquet Tuesday evening. Over 400 guests enjoyed the beautiful new facility, had a delicious meal with great service, and heard tributes to people who have made significant contributions to Raleigh.

What all agreed was a most enjoyable and impressive evening came close to being ruined when many patrons tried to leave. A parking deck located beneath the Bank of America building had closed. When the 100 or more guests parked in that deck finally found their way to their cars they were forced to wait in line more than 30 minutes to exit. They were charged $10 for parking but the delay came because a security guard collecting the fees wrote down the license number and other information about every car leaving and required the driver to sign the form on which the information was written, taking five to ten minutes to clear each vehicle from the deck. Drivers became irate, honked horns, even engaged in shouting matches with the guard. The gatekeeper ran out of printed forms and had to hand write the information on sheets of paper, causing even greater delays.

One person said this was the first time the new convention center was used for such a night event and the first time this situation had occurred, adding he hoped it didn’t happen again.

Gubernatorial candidates to appear on NC SPIN
In order for you to get to know the candidates running for governor better, NC SPIN will feature each candidate by himself or herself on a full edition of our program. Moderator Tom Campbell, along with panelists John Hood and Chris Fitzsimon, will conduct a “Meet the Press” type format asking questions and allowing the candidate to answer. Libertarian Michael Munger will appear on the October 19th program and Republican Pat McCrory will be on October 26th as we ask them the questions you want answered.

As of this writing Democrat Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue hasn’t responded to our invitation to appear.

New poll
Public Policy Polling results released this week:

President
John McCain (r) 48%
Barack Obama (d) 44%
Bob Barr (l) 4%

Governor:
Beverly Perdue (d) 41%
Pat McCrory (r) 40%
Mike Munger (l) 5%
Undecided 13%

U.S. Senate:
Kay Hagan (d) 43%
Elizabeth Dole (r) 42%
Chris Cole (l) 6%
Undecided 9%

Survey USA poll released Tuesday:
President:
John McCain (r) 58%
Barack Obama (d) 38%
Other 2%
Undecided 2%

Governor:
Pat McCrory (r) 49%
Beverly Perdue (d) 41%
Mike Munger (l) 5%
Undecided 5%

Comments:
From time to time polls can have unusual results. The Survey USA Poll looks like it may have experienced one this week. While John McCain may have gotten a boost from the Republican National Convention, we tend to think a twenty point margin may be a bit much and suspect the Public Policy Poll to be more accurate. PPP is certainly more consistent with what we’ve been seeing recently and is consistent with the Democracy Corps poll we reported last week.

Regardless of who you believe, these contests are close in North Carolina and could go either way in the next two months. For more discussion about these and other races be sure to watch this week’s NC SPIN.

WRAL-TV debate sparks
The televised debate between Perdue-McCrory drew lots of reaction Tuesday night. The candidates attacked each other and so did the moderators, who showed little tolerance for a candidate refusing to directly answer a question. NC SPIN moderator Tom Campbell praised David Crabtree and Pam Saulsby for being more assertive and holding candidates accountable for answering questions. For more of Campbell’s comments on the matter be sure to read this week’s My Spin.

Smith acts up again
We reported some months ago how billionaire Bruton Smith, owner of the Lowe’s Motor Speedway, had blackmailed officials in Concord and Cabarrus County for $80 million in incentives, threatening to close the speedway and move to another location. Government officials caved and gave him the deal. Now Smith is upset because the incentives won’t come right away but will be forgiven as the taxes due on the property come due, which could take up to 40 years. He’s raising a fuss over the deal. Wonder what officials will do now?

Race issue escalates
Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell stepped in the proverbial doo-doo last week when a News and Observer reporter who followed him around for a few days wrote an article about the Sheriff and his opinions about Hispanics. In the course of the time spent together, Bizzell said Mexicans were “trashy,” adding, "All they do is work and make love, I think." He continued "I do respect 'em for one thing," he says of Hispanic immigrants. "They work hard.”

It will come as no surprise that Bizzell’s comments were like a lightning rod, drawing both support and outrage. Some are calling for an investigation as to how impartial his department enforces the law. Others want his badge. The ACLU has jumped into the fray. But others (mostly in Johnston County) are highly supportive of the outspoken sheriff. Look for more on this on next week’s NC SPIN.

Johnston County DWI irregularities
The Johnston County Sheriff isn’t the only one creating controversy in this growing county. The SBI is investigating charges that dozens of DWI cases have mysteriously been dismissed because forms have been tampered with and altered. The DA for the County asked the Attorney General to investigate and even though no arrests have been made as yet there is a strong hint some are forthcoming.

More pay for legislators?
While some may disagree, most believe that the 170 men and women who serve in our legislature are underpaid. Lawmakers have refused to increase their compensation for years because they fear repercussions at the ballot box. They currently make $13,951 annually and haven't received a raise since 1995 but the issue may be raised in the 2009 session.

A legislative study commission will examine the pay for judges, council of state, cabinet level officials and elected state leaders. The only problem is that no one has been named to the committee, creating questions as to whether or not anything might happen next year.

Office Depot clips state
It wasn’t long after Britt Cobb took over as Secretary of Administration that he discovered problems in the state Purchasing and Contract Division. One involved the contract to purchase office supplies and a contract with Office Depot that was awarded improperly. Turns out the request for proposal was resubmitted and Office Depot won again. But State Auditor Les Merritt revealed that Office Depot overcharged the state almost $300,000 for office supplies over a six month period and the state failed to properly monitor or uncover the overcharges.

Merritt said the state had every reason to be vigilant in dealing with the company because other states have had problems with being overcharged. But North Carolina didn’t do so. Cobb has asked the SBI to investigate to see if there is reason for a criminal investigation.

But some are asking if the state should stop doing business with Office Depot?

DOT Cash Crunch
Faced with a cash crunch resulting from a decrease in federal funds DOT officials have instituted a hiring freeze in the department. DOT leaders responded to an anticipated shortfall of some $300 million in the Federal Highway Trust Fund, freezing 1,700 positions until the problems with the feds can be rectified.

Harrington goes to big deer hunt in the sky
J.J. “Monk” Harrington was a larger than life figure in North Carolina political circles. You knew you had arrived on the political scene if you were invited to his legendary annual deer hunt near his home in Lewiston. After the hunt Monk’s hunting cabin was the scene of a huge gathering featuring delicacies like pigtail soup, venison stew, bear, collard greens, and a table groaning with other foods. Lots of “likker” and gossip was passed around.

Monk was a fixture in the senate; lumbering around, glad handing, but knowing what he wanted and how to get it. Jimmy Green, Kenneth Royal, and Monk Harrington were three of the power brokers one needed to get legislation passed in the Senate in the late 1970’s into the 1980’s. Monk passed away this week at age 89. He will be remembered.