News-Record.com

Welcome to the party Debbie. I enjoyed our last campaign and am pleased to have you sign up. I hope the crowd that is still burning from the political trashing we took in High Point can learn to appreciate the hard work that you have done for our schools like I do. You have done much to really make a difference and whether you or I win High Point and all of Guilford County will be better for it.

That being said, I am sure the Board is praying for you because I have no intention on supporting a bond until they get their financial and public house in order. You are probably too kind a person to clean house and stir up the muck, I am not. The voters will probably have a clear choice between us, which is healthy.

My very best,
Garth

District 6 had been under the control of an Organ Grinding Monkey and anyone that Ms. Sykes publically endorses should be ample reason to cause mass hysteria.

According to the N&R there are a great deal of neutured dogs over at the shelter. Based on how Mr. Duncan was out maneuvered by HP's version of Thelma & Louise the other night let me see if we can find this unix some 4-legged competition.

There's no way of talking either Debbie or Garth into getting an apartment in District 4 or 6 and putting in a change of address over the weekend?

I would like to see both of you on the Board at the same time.

Check FNC sometimes they have current info on these kinds of things ???

Bruce, who's district do you live in? Ever thought of running?

I think the time has clearly come that it must be recognized that the same schoolboard rep cannot possibly represent Emerywood and North High Point. When you have Emerywood moms going to the Providence Place farce and asking for a map that doesn't move or affect their children in the least but forces north High Point moms' kids to the second worst-rated High school in the state just simply out of...I guess you'd have to call it "demographic envy", I think there just may be a slight compatibility problem here. This is a real and a continuing ferstering problem. Maybe Bruce could look into what you need to do to change the districting or change the numbers on the board etc.

Clearly they would never trust ANYONE from up here and vice versa. This is not going away in any of our lifetimes. Moms don't forget this kind of stuff. The commissioners or someone must do something. I just don't see how anyone could be served.

We've let a lot of comments slide the past few months, thinking that you all would self-police yourselves. Some of you have, some of you haven't.

You may have noticed some comments have disappeared from the Chalkboard. I deleted them. I talked to my boss about this to make sure it was all right. This is why I deleted the posts:

*They were derogatory to average citizens who were named, or easily identifiable
*They used profanity

I really hate having to spend the extra time to police the blog for these comments, which have no place here anyway.

Private citizens are not fair game for saying whatever you want about them. Public and elected figures, such as the superintendent and school board, are a different matter all together. Say what you want about them. However ...

I will delete profanity (or attempts to disguise profanity) as I come across it - that includes sign on names.

Just wanted to give you a heads up to the new rules. I've gone back only through the past few strands to clean them out. If I missed a post, let me know. I'll delete it. The new rules apply from here on out.

I want you all to continue debating the issues. There are some good discussions going on at the Chalkboard. But we don't need profanity to make a point. And we don't need to drag an average citizen's name through the mud.

Thanks,

Jennifer

C. Boy,

You have a great point about divisions within the district, but I doubt they would ever have an even number of people on the school board. Look at some of the districts now. Billy Yow's district and Anita's but some of the kids go to Southwest High who are in the county. They do not live in Jamestown. That is not technically Anita's school. We should be in Ragsdale, but you know that story.

Look at the kids who had been bused in the fixed lottery from Southwest to Andrews. Who was their rep? Not Walter but that school is in his district.

It is truly crazy. We had inquired about this after the lotto plan was voted in.

I have already planned my route to hammer Garth signs and have my list of hammering teenagers in mind. I know some teenage boys who play football who would just love this job. They move quick and hammer fast.

This is no offense to Debbie. She is a nice person and made a great appearance at the forum primaries at the church. She had much to contribute to the discussions.

I am officially supporting Garth. I know he has our children's best interest at heart. I know no one can fool him when it comes to numbers. I know if he was in there now you wouldn't be seeing parents and kids from Parkview on TV talking about how will they participate in school activities at SW. They have no transportation. I know he has integrity.

Garth believes you can educate children no matter what school they are in with the right help and resources. So do I. I have seen it. It's done in other cities and we can too. For every socioeconomic study out there, there is a study to counter it. It depends on which educational "expert" you believe.

Speaking of numbers...remember when we didn't even know Garth, heard him speak at the SW forum with his busing cost projections which were way more accurate then GCS's estimates (not even ballpark there). That didn't even figure the current fuel prices due to the oil situation. This alone speaks for itself on his budgeting abilities.

Also I don't believe Garth would have jerked Blairwood around "again".

Jennifer, what happened to "The Last Temptation of Pontius Duncan"? Your editors? Oh, oh somebody hiding behind censorship again. Who's standards are they protecting? Irving Park? I'm sure they were deeply offended. Funny, I remember several of the N&R editors mourning the passing of Hunter Thompson in print and we all know he was squeeky clean. Granted the author of Last Temptation is not of the quality of H.S.T. just like, despite it's left bias, nobody would compare the N&R with Rolling Stone. Please reconsider posting "Temptation" again after going through and editing to your standards. You can even change the content, if you want.

If the N&R wants to be a stickler about obscenity, please consider going back in the archives and removing some of the Johnson/ Clark editorials supporting "Dot's- Choice Plan".

ps you were correct in deleting the "Mendenhall Pledge" post. It was too mean.

I miss Bruce already.

Don't forget about all the references to people being in the KKK, particularly one editor had a reference to that also about some Halloween costumes of ghosts on little straw children.

Private citizens should not be attacked. I thought Temptation was about public officials. You could clean up the language.

When a person runs unopposed, don't expect much information on what they really think. They will won't to be a team player and they will probably go with the flow. What is very important to us is knowing whether, the candidate is going to operate in the education world or political world. I will not support people that think our only hope is thru more money from Washington, Raleigh and the county. We will never improve education if we don't take prime responsibility for improving it.

Amen Joe Stafford. Well said.

Barb, I just can't envision how after what's gone on that anybody could reconcile these two areas. Perhaps if whoever gets elected would take a pledge, their hand on the bible;

THE MENDENHALL PLEDGE

I Garth / Debbie Doe, hereby solemnly swear, that I will truly represent all the people in my district who have elected me.

I hereby pledge that I will never play one school in my district off against another.

I hereby pledge that I will never manipulate school demographics to enhance my own neighborhood school (which , by the way, I don't beleive in), alma mater, or property value, if said manipulation is done at the expense of others.

I hereby pledge that I will never compromise the education of a single child in my district no matter what color their skin or how much money their parents earn.

I hereby pledge that I will never abandon any of the parents I represent halfway through my term, leaving them without political representation, since this may turn previously normal people into crazed radicals who ceaselessly blog, write letters to the editor, go to schoolboard mtgs and just generally decompensate in multiple ways.

In the sacred name of Susan Mendenhall. I swear the above.

This blog sucks now..might as well change the name to the Blackboard. Where oh where did Brucie go...oh where or where did he go...?

Enjoy your powertrip Jenn.

Jennifer,
it has always been obvious to me and many others that you don't like NHP parents. Many others that oppose us take comfort in calling us racsist and selfish etc. Thats the easy way out but,
we are in the end, just parents that love our children and want the best for them.
I think you are right to delete the bad posts but dont forget that above all you have to stay neutral.

Jennifer,

I think C. Boy said it best (this is not verbatim) that you have people in NOrth High Point who under other circumstances are normal, nice, etc., but mess with their kids and they turn into crazed, rebells!

Perhaps one day you will understand!!!! What they have done to us in wrong and some of us are mad beyond words.

Jennifer, I asked John over on his blog if this was going to extend to all the blogs or was this only selective censoring for politically correctness. What say you? Personally I can't see the justification for doing it on this one blog and not on all of them.
I will agree that if the entry does nothing to contribute to the subject and only seeks to draw attention to the one doing the entry or to simply put someone down because of an opinion then yes, delete.
Adding **** instead of spelling out the word is sometimes appropriate or necessary for expressing thoughts that one would rather not speak, for there are times when no other way to express outrage.I beleive that is called freedom of expression but yet not "yelling fire". It's like calling an ace and ace and a spade a spade There is no other word to do such.
There are many on the N&R blogs, not just this one who never make any contribution but only seek to put someone down or just get attention and to those they need to find another venue to play their games.

The N&R owns this blog lock, stock and barrel. They can have any rules they want. They have no obligation to posters at all. They can and will do what ever they want to do. And so can we.

Mr. Stafford,

Would you happen to live in Marti's district and might consider a run for the school board? I think you would do a great job and I think you would be fair and unaffected by politics.

Gospel,

I am not saying I disagee with you because it is so political.

The war of the North and South rages on. Funny how High Point leaders have talked about a divided city they want to improve, heal. They talk the talk but don't walk the walk. Now with how Map C THREE was invented a the midnight hour -three High Point reps supporting the midnight map (one supposed to be at large) the divide has just growth wider and deeper. Now with the secret map meetings between Mayor Becky and friends, Grier and the school's demographer, it has only deepened the lack of trust.

Look at the new, widespread boycott going on for downtown High Point businesses. People up North will only shop their end of town and in Greensboro. Listen to the rumbling about the market protests, the 3-D displays on Southwest Road. The problems have only escalated.

I don't disagree with you that there should be two reps; and strongly that the "at large" rep must make it a PRIORITY to pursue diversity now in Greensboro since she believes in it so much. I just know we won't see 12 reps. I do hope whoever is elected to District 2 and I feel confidant that Garth is the man for the job, will put education, discipline, safety, fairness, accountability first. And about all truth of what is really happnening in our schools, what needs to be addressed truthfully and proceed with a REAL plan. I hope whoever gets in District 2 will value parents, all of them.

And Mr. P, great suggestions about censorship. Sometimes there is just no other word for *3#!@&$!!!!! - it's tough.

If this blog is so tightly censored, all the N & R blogs need to be censored. I do agree with personal attacks/lies about private citizens. But it certainly goes on with other N & R blogs.

Sorry. I live in Anita's District.

Where does Mr. Van Deusen live? He would be far superior to any of the incumbents running, other than Ms Routh. I thought he always runs.

Thank you Barbara Ann. It seems John has taken offense to my question. Seems to me whatlimits goon one Blog should go on all. Otherwise I would call it selective censorship and that stemming from the fact that the officials who bear the heat on this blog are local ones it would point in the direction of political correctness. You know, not wanting to offend them or hurt their fragile egos.

I thought you were running Barbara? You would certainly light the fires of , well it ain't heavenly fires, under their hindsides.

Die Die High Point
Die Die High Point
Die Die High Point
We Will love to see you go broke

viva Las vegas

Mr. Produce,

The hypocrisy and bias that exists at this newspaper is staggering, and they don't mind showing it. They feel invincible as though the are the only news media in the county. Well, I am glad to say that we do have one viable media in this county that will report the news and not censor it - The Rhino.

I think that I am beginning to see why Bruce left for a better job. I suspect that he could no longer tolerate the stench that pervades this place. Jennifer, were you told to impose censorship on this blog? I suspect that it wasn't really your idea, but rather a certain editor. Was he given the word to put the lid on?

Dougie do right made her do it!!!!

Mr. P,

re: your first paragraph. YOU SAID IT ALL.

I was seriously considering running. I thought about it long and hard. I had been approached long before this year. My husband travels a lot with his job so I hold down the fort and a hectic schedule already.

I will still always fight for what I believe is right for children. We didn't want to split the ticket for Garth. Garth and I both have many of the same beliefs on accountability, education, truth, fair treatment of High Point, not wasting tax payers money, not shifting funds, etc., etc. etc. Garth doesn't cut to the chase.

I hope Garth orders lots of signs. He will have many worker bees buzzing to help.

Garth I will be glad to put signs out for you and spread the word.
Tim Brown

CENSORSHIP?

Many times we have to work under "guidelines" in life. It requires more creativity and discipline to do so. Were Jennifer to become to PC she would scare away to many and too much from this place and ruin a great creation that offers a lot to the community.

I have been offended by some of what I have seen here, but not much. Most posts are appropriate and creative. Many are hilarious. I never saw individuals named improperly, but language did get a bit spectacular in its’ self censured methodology.

Jennifer, I believe candidates have put themselves in the same light as elected officials. That being said, I don't mind being fair game, but Debbie M. has, to my knowledge been nothing but a caring parent and I am an old fashioned guy who has a hard time watching anyone disparage a lady. (Personal PC issue onboard)

Debbie and I have different bents and bring vastly different materials and skills tot he table. This deserves debate and serious discussion.

What we agree upon is that High Point will never be fixed until its’ council realizes they have a big problem. They are almost worthless to the community sitting on the proverbial fence playing dumb and ordering more studies. The redistricting lines are the most corrupt in the county and reflect the one sided ineptitude of High Point's representatives.

How anyone in North High Point/Jamestown can ever support a bond for either, city, county or school is beyond my ability to understand after the rot they have seen. Until responsible government returns the taps should be cut off. I personally believe budgets should include allowances so that public debt can be avoided and Bonds are just a way of not having a “balance” budget.

The schools refuse to enforce the law and discipline, therefore the police and sheriff should feel quite free to intervene to the very letter of the law. High Point and Guilford County should pass a law that requires any school official who has actual knowledge of a violent act, weapons violations (boy scouts who forget to take small pocket knife out of pocket from scout meeting exempted) drugs and defacement of public property to report it to a law enforcement agency and the school district. Failure to do so should be a criminal offense.

Both Debbie and I believe that we must find a "viable solution" for Andrews and Central other than busing. I believe we both can represent all of High Point and both of us will do a better job of representing Andrews even if it isn't in our "district". Walter Childs has done the poorest job representing those children of any person on the Board. He has abandoned those children to the point of incredulity. Dot and Susan have also failed the poor children in their own school, but have represented Emerywood quite well. Neither has offered anything to the city, or education, as a whole.

I will fight against Bonds, both city and School, until there is a viable working solution for High Point and the Bonds must include fast track building of a new Middle and High School to serve Colfax and Jamestown.

Lastly, Barbara, you are the greatest. I wish you were running instead of me.

Many of you don't see the HPE, but I thought that I would post a copy of their editorial today about the redistricting. This seems to represent the view in High Point rather well. It's what people have been saying for years. It's refreshing to see that a newspaper in Guilford County sees the light, which is more than I can say about the editors of the News-Record. They are stuck in the 70's. Diversity is more important than education.

Marti Sykes was wrong when she stated "Those kids need diversity". What they need is an EDUCATION, Marti.

Education takes back seat to diversity

The Guilford County Board of Education went back in time last week when it adopted new attendance zones for High Point’s three high schools. No, not just back to the pre­ High Point School Choice Plan days, but back to around the early 1970s.

That’s when many school systems across North Carolina instituted court-ordered student busing plans to transport black students into previously all white, or nearly all-white, public schools. That’s when the walls of school segregation in North Carolina began falling in earnest.

But, now, some people are concerned that High Point’s schools are becoming resegregated. Other people, however, both black and white, disagree. And still others don’t see any danger even if the phenomenon is occurring.

By a 6-5 margin last week, members of the Guilford County school board who fear resegregation or who want to achieve certain levels of racial and socioeconomic balance in schools got what they wanted. Board members Walter Childs, Dot Kearns, Susan Mendenhall, Marti Sykes, Kris Cooke and Deena Hayes voted to approve a redistricting plan for High Point that will bus several hundred students out of their community school areas and transport them to other schools to achieve the racial and socioeconomic balance they want.

Once again, as was the case 35 years ago, education has taken a back seat to the desire for diversity. Certainly, 35 years ago, such action to promote integration after the nation’s decades of segregation was justifiable. But today, efforts that place anything above providing a sound education in as close as possible to a community school setting are wrongheaded.

Proponents of this plan that shifts students between T.W. Andrews, High Point Central and Southwest Guilford highs will cite studies that say minority students perform better in schools that have a more diverse student population. But what about the notion that students of any race, ethnicity or economic status perform better when schools, no matter what the level of diversity, simply provide the resources and intensive instruction that students need to achieve?

The examples are growing here and across the state where low-performing, low-wealth, low-diversity schools are making tremendous progress after state and local authorities pump additional resources into those schools. The key to student achievement is not diversity. Achievement results when students are given all the resources necessary to succeed and are challenged to use them in seeking excellence.

And working toward these results in community school settings, instead of tearing communities apart by busing students here and yon, is the better way to proceed.
 

Thanks Stormy,

Busing is still illegal and I'm anxiously awaiting the lawsuit.

To all the people who feel that the News and Record editorial staff is hypocritical and biased, do what I did. I cancelled my subscription after 15 plus years.

The other suggestion I would make is to stop posting on these blogs. Without us they've got no blogs. It's not called the GREENSBORO News and Record for nothing.

I was told by a Greensboro resident that many people there disagree with how the School Board has treated the High Point area, but they do not dare join us for fear of reprisal by the Board.

Let's face it. We are overpowered and outnumbered. Greensboro politics owns Guilford County and we've chosen the wrong place to live.

I'm getting out as soon as possible!

I cancelled mine too.
They keep calling me to renew and I tell them that I dont like the paper because of its treatment of HP. They used to try and convince me.
Now they just put the phone down on me.
HEHEHEHE!

Legally Blonde,

While you are at it, don't forget our lovely High Point leaders. They drew first blood. Secret meetings, illegal meetings. Last minute maps that benefit you know who. Let the War of the North and South begin! In with the NEW out with the OLD. Remember where you now shop too!

I don't even let my chihuahua go poo in High Point! I'm sure if I did, I'd get an email from Dot Kearns saying that it's the wrong color for her fair city!

Good to see Jill Wilson, (Jill, I assume that's you-"Legally Blond") starting to post. Especially after imposing a strict gag order on all the SB members for the last 24 mos. Welcome.

Well (flipping my gorgeous blonde locks),

Thanks for the welcome C.Boy. I was wondering... does my hair look better UP or DOWN? I can never decide.

I better go, LOTS of stuff going on this morning.

Tootles!

You caught me C. Boy. I slapped Terry Grier's fingers with a ruler when he started typing on his keyboard after when he last posted on the CB.

Quit watching over my shoulder at BOE meetings. I want to check for hotel rooms and games scores without you looking over my shoulder. Stick to your Twizzlers and what you do best!

Shut down! I was crushed when I found out my kids might have to leave their school, but now I'm truly devastated.

"I wish you were running instead of me". Garth

Tnank you, Garth, for the compliment. I bet the School Board wishes it was me too, if you get my drift. You got the smarts and the heart and the buck to run a well financed advertising campaign.

You have the support of many. Others that have said they would have supported me will now support you. Can't get much better than that.

For everyone's edification, there is a new website committed to revealing wrong-doing in our public schools. Check it out, you'll be able to relate to some of the things happening righ there in Guilford County. Just copy and post the address into your browser.

http://www.peytonwolcott.com/WhatsWrong.html

THANKS FOR THE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION

To the School Board Six:

Thanks for the great contribution to my campaign. "My cup runneth over". Unfortunately, I cannot, in good conscience accept this huge donation. Please, undo the redistricting in High Point as I will be forced to hire staff just to answer the emails volunteering support and the accounting for donations. I was doing just fine without your elephantine assistance, thank you.

I have heard rumors that action Greensboro might be trying to connect with Debbie M. This would be a grievous error. Instead of a High Point Race, it would become a Greensboro race, and collateral damage would certainly do more than my planned controlled damage. School Bonds are fair game now, but it would be easier to target all bonds.

High Point, Jamestown has enough problems as is and Debbie and I can have a “friendly race”. This would not be “friendly” with outside influence.

Thanks to the majority of you who heeded my post about not using profanity or attacking people personally. I deleted about a dozen or so posts today, most of them because of profanity.

To answer some of your questions about this decision:

*I have not been comfortable for a long time with the way the blog has been used. A lot of what we would not publish in the paper seemed to find its way into the blog. I thought I had to let it all just slide. But when I asked my editor, he said we could delete profanity or personal attacks on regular citizens.

*I am NOT deleting comments about school board members or the superintendent (who are considered public figures) unless those posts include profanity or sexual references.

*I will delete posts in their entirety because I frankly don't have the time to line edit you.

*I will go back and delete the personal attacks that I have been requested to delete. But again, I don't have time to go back over a year of posts to edit them.

*I have no control over what other journalist bloggers at the paper do with comments on their sites. Some seem to be more diligent in their editing than others. This is still a fairly new medium for us and we're feeling our way as we go.

If you look at the remaining comments on this strand, you will notice that a lot of great conversation is going on without profanity. Good arguments are being made, without personally attacking "average citizens."

See, it can be done.

And believe me, this is no power trip. I hate wasting my time on this. I would much rather be out there reporting, trying to talk to people about redistricting, the budget and other issues that affect you.

I miss you Bruce. I feel like my mother is scolding me again!

Bruce would hate this. I can see why he left. Mother Hen Jennifer thinks this is a real job. hahahahahaahha

Doesn't GAP pay more? Please to there full time.

I kept my subscription and especially enjoy reading the Sunday edition, with particular attention given to the IDEA section.

Garth is gonna get stomped again. Barbara Ann, please reconsider your decision, please run, we need a Mother Figure on the BOE to give our education system guidance. Shame on your husband for not letting you run. BAD HUSBAND.

Jenn, you have some issues. Please see Leonard Pitt's latest. Hope you'll get some help.

Jenn, I am relieved you are not on a power trip, BUT, and just for good measure mind you, you'll take the little liberty (maybe nobody will notice) of removing what YOU think is offensive just like Dot and Deena are not on power trip, they'll just move what they think is offensive. We get it.

Jennifer,

Keep up the good work. You're immediately setting the standard right away on how you want the affairs of the Chalkboard to be conducted, and that's good.

Of course, you're gonna get some pushback from some of the adults (I mean children), but like all good classmates, they'll fall in line and do what teacher wants.

Cussing and such shouldn't be allowed in any classroom. I've been called some vile names in the past at the Chalkboard that were cutting and unnecessary.

And, well just possibly, I've also let a few things slip and needed a slap on the knuckles as a reminder to behave as well.

Quick Bubba, here comes the boss man. Get back out there in that field and pick more cotton!!!

Hey Bubba,

My husband has encouraged me to run. He thought I would be perfect for the job. He knows my passion when I set my mind to something. It is my decision and what I feel is best for District 2 considering the big picture.

I won't split the support when Garth and I believe in many of the same issues that will help the children and our schools succeed. I have received many e-mails from friends who say they did want me to run but would support who I support. Having known me for several years now, they trust my judgment. No one will get past Garth on budgets, for one thing.

I met Debbie during the primaries in 04. She is a nice lady. But even in the primaries of 04, Garth's votes far outweighed Debbie's. At that time the votes where split between Garth and Jim Kirkpatrick. That won't be happening now.

But thank you, Bubba, for your endorsement. Keep loving Jesus who does love the children.

BRUCE DE LARGO VIVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup Bubba,

you have been pretty insulting in the past and have given as good as you gave.
I would be interested in your view of the final outcome.
DO you know the Whites Mill area? It is a travesty that this area has been stripped away from SW. Those people there are devastated.
In regards the Parkview area many parents were interviewed on TV and were just as livid. Are they right? Do they deserve consideration or do you think them so stupid they dont know what is good for them?

Yup,

Corporate bodies sometimes have to make difficult decisions that in the end impact someone or some entity adversely, but on the whole will benefit the organization better.

When was the last time you prayed for our BOE members that Jesus would give them direction and guidance in this most difficult of circumstances?

Yup probably turns to Nope in this endeavor, as probably all of us have fallen short in this regard.

Barbara Ann,

I retract the despicable and cruel things I earlier said about your husband. His encouragement for you to pursue your convictions is a lesson of great character for all of us.

Now Bubba, I just ask you a simple question and you start throwing out the sly comments.Next you will probably be calling me a white male from a"clicky" white neighborhood. I asked you a question and you didnt directly answer.

I can say with all honesty that I have prayed about the school Board.

Greetings from the Kingdom of Kearns. I find it interesting how The N&R has resorted to censorship at this time. Can't you see, that's what this whole thing has always been about-CENSORSHIP by those in power. Forum after forum people just ignored, not listened to, views cast aside, removed. This is exactly what you are re-capitulating here, Jenn. Now I can understand something that is absolutely libelous having to be removed from the blog or maybe you could get sued. I don't think asking to have Jill Wilson to walk on our backs with high heels would be taken serious enough by anyone to be considered libelous. As far as "Last Temptation", I think the N&R and the SB Dictators were much more afraid of the content than any implied profanity, but who's to say. Please think, that's all we're asking.

C. Boy, the barrier for libel against someone who isn't a public figure is fairly low. You may not think what you've written above is libelous, but I wouldn't want to find out in court. Especially when you're writing about someone who is not likely to be considered a public figure by a judge.

If I'm going to court on a libel case, it's going to be for something I wrote or had a hand in editing -- not a reader comment from a blog.

When it comes to public figures the rules are very different. It'd be difficult, although not impossible, to prove libel against an elected official just by the nature of latitude in libel law with public officials.

There were many posts in some of the previous discussions that I felt clearly crossed the line. I personally was uncomfortable with them being on the Web site and I'm glad Jennifer took them down.

When it comes to the posts containing profanity or implied profanity, I would have removed or edited them from the blogs I keep track of for the N&R as well.

Who are you protecting, Jonathan? Jill Wlson is a public figure. She's paidwith taxpayer money, pretty well it appears. Thereis no way she's a private citizen protecting thiscompletely outlaw rogue state we have in guilford co. known as GCS.

Look at that..Jonathan agrees with Jennifer. cute.

Let the blog die. We don't need it. What we're all seeing is that the media and the politicians will attempt to control the flow of information. Forget them all. What these folks don't want to realize, is that the citizens who have been relocated by business to NHP are well educated, intelligent professionals, who care passionately about their children and the education of their children. We've seen this horrid city and county fail us and our families in ways too numerous to mention.

This place is awful. Let the market go to Vegas, let the lunatics continue to run the assylum and we'll see where High Point and Guilford County are 5 years down the road.

C.Boy,

I didn't delete all the posts that were about Jill Wilson or seemed to pertain to her, only the ones that had a sexual overtone to them.

Feel free to repost the "Last Temptation." It was very funny. Just do it without the profanity.

Look folks, many of you have argued repeatedly here for zero tolerance in the schools. How many times have I heard that kids who misbehave and can't follow established rules should be kicked out?

I'm not asking any more from you then you expect from them.

I had sworn off the blog, but C. Boy told me you were offering a half-posteriored apology so here I am.

Jennifer, you insult me. I am an ARTISTE, Gosh-dang-it. Who the fudge are you protecting?
If you really want to protect the public from obcenity, you should have been publishing blankin' editorials against "Dot's choice plan", not flippin' in favor of it.

Jennifer, please re-post and edit 'Last Temptation" to your liking, then we can learn what's obcene and what isn't. Thanks.

ps thank you for saying it was funny

C.Boy, I'm not protecting anyone. I just gave my thoughts on the situation.

And a point: being on the public payroll doesn't make you a public figure. For example, the police chief is, but a rookie officer is not. The law is pretty clear on that. In a school system a superintendent is a public figure, a principal may or may not be depending on the circumstance, a teacher is almost never a public figure, and it would be a unique circumstance to move a cafeteria worker into that category.

PROFANITY

1. I played Waterpolo in High School and College and rule 1 was profanity 1st offense - out for quarter, second out for game. Coach was a bit harsher than the rules, Out for Game = Off team. I still remember "Oh Peanut Butter" and "Fudge" and other not so innovative inflections. It did teach discipline though and we still chuckle today and most of us have never sworn since. I am still trying to give up on “darn it” and “twit” and my worst inflective still stuck from the old days in the tank, “fruit cake”. Great lesson from Old Testament, "the tongue is an unruly member..."

2. One of my sons has taken a sabbatical at "the Piedmont School" to help him with a slight organizational learning disability. He can hardly wait to return to Southwest this fall and has said repeatedly that the cussing at this little school is worse than public school ever was.

I do not even allow the term "dude" to be used in our discussions as it shows a lack of respect for a persons given name.

Language is a gift used by sentient creatures (I include dolphins, whales etc). I wish our schools would teach language skills, but alas, that is why I am running. I would like to have this blog be a place where kids could read and see that parents can be restrained and responsible. Thankfully, very little on blog has been too extreme and I respect Ms. Fernandez in her efforts, and as anyone knows I am not too good at kissing up. I still find her viewpoint substantially different than my own. It is a healthy difference though.

Gospel,

If I recall the piece correctly, I didn't delete if for obscenity but rather profanity. I feel certain that you know what constitutes swearing (or psuedo swearing) and could avoid such language in any rewrite.

Jenn, please supply suitable defintion of such.

Gospel,

Think back to when you were a kid. Remember when your mother put soap in your mouth for using bad language?

If you'd prefer a more modern definition: What words won't you let your kids say (even under their breath as they're walking away from you)?

That's the kind of language that also has no place here.

Jennifer, hate to dis-illusion you. My mom was a college lit prof. She gave me "On the Road" for my fifteenth birthday. Also gave me "Tropic of Cancer", "Naked Lunch", "The Deer ParK,'"Soul on Ice" and she was buried with a copy of "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas". Thank you very much

Gospel,

Profanity in a literary context is not the same as using it in conversation (which is what these blogs are supposed to be - online conversations with readers) or printing it in a newspaper. We wouldn't print it in the paper edition so it's not going online. End of story.

You are right. 'Last Temptation" was a conversation-a conversation between lunatics.

They're doing a pushback on you Jennifer.

Imagine, a poster goes by the name of Gospel arguing the merits of profanity.

What's this world coming to?

Gospel means truth. Claims of profanity are a mechanism of obscuring truth as it has been used throughout history. Jews were thought profane as were people that died under the Inguisition. The lists goes on and on. The people with the power define profanity for their own ends, as in this case Frau Jennifer BLOGMEISTER EXTRAODINAIRE and her lackey, Paris er... I mean, Bubba...

Gospel,

Stop being a child and whining that you're not getting your way with Jennifer.

For all intents and purposes, the N&R owns this blog and their requirement that profanity & any other matters of disrepute will not be tolerated is sensible and makes them good stewards of the blog.

Perhaps if you and your kind had acted with greater civility toward the BOE instead of the putrefaction that spewed forth from many of you toward certain of the members, just possibly they would have considered yourselves to be a voice of reason worth listening to. Would you have gotten all of your demands realized & approved, probably not, but just possibly a compromise would have been a step in the right direction with the realization of incremental victories to have come down the road.

In most cases, a "may I make a suggestion" goes a lot further than an "either or."

thank you, bubba. You are, of course, right.

ps "Getting my way with Jennifer" this could be walking the line here, I don't know. Somebody out there could be offended, (probably none more than Jennfier herself. In any case, please strike this entry of bubba's from the blog.

thanks

JENNIFER, BELOW IS A CUT & PASTE OF AN E-MAIL I RECEIVED. I DID NOT RESPOND. WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?? DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS?? I DO NOT KNOW WHO THIS IS. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT IF YOU GET THIS, YOU DO NOT RESPOND.

My name is Robin Roger and I am conducting research in the School of
Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill. I'm studying the blogs at the Greensboro News & Record
website. If you have 15 minutes, please complete

I did NOT appreciate the N&R giving out email addresses to UNC.

Were they paid for this service?

Bubba you have no idea what you are talking about. Compromises were tried. Nice was done. It is politics in High Point. And above all, it has NOTHING to do with education. Parents in High Point aren't going to beg for something the rest of the county has. People didn't move here for THIS.

They have left the public school system or are moving far away. There are tons of better place to live than here and it doesn't take much.

Baba and Adios

John Robinson explains the UNC student's school project on his blog, the Editor's Log.

Oh shoot. I didn't mean that as a scatalogicial reference. The Editor's L*g is actually the name of the editor's blog, and I think he's referring to a log book and not something, you know, that's inappropriate.

Received the email. The student's questionaire took about 2 minutes, hope the kid gets a good grade. Go UNC.

Hum, only one contested race for the School Board, and I've been lead to believe that the the Guilford County school system was a maelstrom of chaos and the bums were gonna be thrown out.

"so how come no one filed against the incumbents?" Bruce

Incumbents are hard to beat. People are tired of the entire school situation. Parents have going to private schools. People do not even want to be associated with the public schools in any way. One word, APATHY, in many cases. But above all, the public will not be voting for any bonds for public schools.

I think few people would consider running because, 1) it's easier to complain than try to change things 2) its a thankless and time consuming position 3)the education of this county is so messed up, it will take years to get things going in a positive direction 4) its expensive to run, and as said above it is hard to defeat an incumbent

Hey Bubba, what you still doing here? Your sisters' getting that bored look on her face. Why don't you get on along now.

As Bubba writes I read Deena's words?

Are they one and the same?

Running without oposition is bad for the candidate, it is bad for the county, and it is bad for better educaiton. I am depressed. Even if Garth wins, he will be isolated. Don't expect too much.

C. Boy,

You still in choke mode at the Chalkboard? Need some more chalk to answer that question about 42?

Apathy,

Let me be perfectly clear on this.

Your kids have been kidnapped by the BOE.
House values in High Point are plummeting as we speak because of redistricting.
Diversity in the schools is running rampant in NHP.
It's only a matter of time before the Market is gonna be a complete Las Vegas thing because of the actions of the BOE.
Dot somebody is Attila the Hun.
Fantasia has forsaken us by moving to Charlotte.
And Halliburton Dick shot his only friend.

And with all that has transpired since 2004 in High Point education you can face your little Bobbie or Susie and tell them that daddy/mommy doesn't care for your education because INCUMBENCY prevents you from making a difference in your child's life?

Where are the Vernon Robinson's among us who will run regardless of the odds or the district that he doesn't reside in?

Is it permissable to do a write-in in November for the BOE? If so I plan to vote for Barbara Ann early and often throughout the day, even though she did recently refer me to as a donkey's hindquarter which sort of hurt.

How much does BUbba understand about the election process? DoeS he know that you can only run for school board in the district in which you liVe? DOes he understand that Greensboro is probably haPPy with their inCUMbents?

BCKMA,

My reference to Vernon Robinson and out of district is that he is running for Brad Miller's seat even though he doesn't live in the NC 13th congressional district (surprisingly this is legal). Your comprehension factor needs some finetuning. I'm fully aware you can't/not supposed to vote outside your district for local elections.

Yes apparently, people are pleased with the current makeup of the BOE, which causes me to wonder what's the big fuss been about as a result of the lack of concern (uncontested seats) about change at the BOE. I guess my earlier sarcasm flew right by you on that subject also.

Bubba,

Are you suggesting that these people commit voter fraud by voting illegally and knowingly in the wrong district? Shocking.

Jennifer, I know you don't write editorials, but I just had to laugh at today's editorial sort of lamenting that more people don't want to run for SB. Why would anyone want to run for SB? When the election comes around, the N&R will support the same old person for SB who's run the schools into the ground, who's been kept in office by the same machine for 12 yrs.? Why would anyone want to run, when all that has to happen is the engineeers driving the gravy train give their charges a piece of paper with someone's name on and that person is the board rep for another four years?

Now Bubba would say this is good. "The children will settle down after awhile". That' right Bubba, we'll just lay down and and ask for it again, harder. Because Bubba told us that it's right, and just, and part of God's plan.

Good points C. Boy. But, you forgot to mention how effective the bumper-sticker-and-yard-signs strategy has been.

The yard signs and bumper stickers have been very effective.

I attended a baseball game in Forsyth County yesterday and when the parents from the other team saw that we were from High Point, they immediately began talking about the school board. They couldn't believe what they had read in the papers and seen on TV. A couple employees of large firms were there and they admitted that they advise relocating employees NOT to live in HP!

My husband has accounts in Miami, Atlanta, Birmingham, and many other large cities. Some of his customers are moving to this area. They were telling him this last year about the choice plan, what they have read on line about our schools and our administration. Most told him outright they are choosing another county to live in. One of them was choosing Grimsley district, however, but we know how that goes. It is Greensboro, remember. It is "different" from High Point. We are told that over and over.

My friend works for Microsoft. They have also informed their employees to not buy houses in High Point.

We studied schools for one year before me moved here. In Virginia Beach, schools are good, better and best. When we tell our friends about how backwards this area is and all the smalltown Southern politics, they think we are making it up.

Incidently, my husband is in Birmingham this week. Anyone who is familiar with Alabama knows it is one of the poorer states. He said he drove by a nice, fairly new high school yesterday. There was not ONE trailer on the site, and this is Alabama.

Why does it take 17 years to build a school here?

Emawould

They're a lot more effective than the Kerry/Edwards stickers on your Volvo. "W" is still here. Time to peel them off now and say "uncle".

The ironic part about the yellow SOS signs and magnets is the message has spread so far and wide about Guilford County Schools. The career efforts toward upward mobility have been hampered
for MANY highly paid employees who really want to get "outta here" while the gettin is good.

Barbara Ann,

There probably weren't many HS students inside the school either because Alabama has a large dropout rate. I've heard it's illiteracy rate is similar to some third world countries.

Of course, it would be terrific if all our kids were being educated in buildings made of bricks & mortar, but like most growing communities, trailers are a stop gap measure until school construction catches up with growth.

The important question should be....are our kids getting the quality of education that we expect as taxpayers & parents.....to that, I can say yes.

What's the big deal about trailers anyway since many of the children in our community live in one.

Bubba said, "The important question should be....are our kids getting the quality of education we expect as taxpayers and parents.....to that, I can say yes."

Bubba has LOW expectations. Bubba nor bubba's children will get very far in life if they are relying on Dot Kearns to take them there.

Bubba:

The expensive High Point study has clearly put to bed any issue of quality education in our schools. Southwest was almost at the state average...almost, but that has changed. Maybe when the rest of Guilford County descends to the High Point implementation of school reform enough people will get involved to make a difference.

Private Schools cannot handle the new load, more houses are for sale than ever before and High Point City Council wants more studies...

Executives buying homes in High Point are becoming as rare as 3 dollar bills. Businesses relocating in High Point... Oh heck they are probably going to give a Hot Dog stand a grant and incentives to not relocate and take 2 employees out of the city.

Vote no on any bond, and I mean any. Maybe someone will listen then.

Nero vs Rome
GCS vs High Point

Who said histroy doesn't repeat itself?

Garth,

I'm afraid you're going to cost yourself support by making statements that are simply not supported by the facts.

Borrowing from the North High Point blog's report on the High Point Realtors Association, I'll post their report on home sales in 2005, but I'll first say that it's likely that the lottery scheme created much more apprehension among homebuyers than solidly drawn redistricting lines will.

I'll also say that yesterday's approval of a new North High Point development with more than 250 homes attests to the fact that demand for housing in High Point is rising, not falling.

or Sale: High Point

The Greensboro Regional Realtors Association has put out its fourth quarter 2005 report on the High Point housing market. There's some interesting stuff in there.

Among the notables:

High Point houses that are selling are sitting on the market for less time than they did in the fourth quarters of 2003 and 2004, respectively. In 2003 houses sat for 133 days. In '04 that number was 134. Last year it was 92 days.

The number of houses sold dropped 9 percent compared with 2005's third quarter, when 321 houses sold, and 23 percent from fourth quarter of 2004, when 381 homes sold. In the last quarter of '05, 291 homes sold.

Most of the houses sold in High Point were in North High Point. The 27265 zip code saw 137 home sales. Next best was the 27282 zip code, which includes Jamestown, at 67 homes sold. It also had the highest average home price, just under $199,000.

Barbara Ann,

I don't like Garth's pessimistic outlook on the cultural aspirations of High Point, do you? It's probably a byproduct of his accounting profession. Always negative and out of balance.

We deserve someone more optimistic & visionary; someone.....like you.

My commitment to you on election day is that I'll write your name in on the ballot, and I'll also do some absentee balloting for you courtesy of some of the occupants of local cemeteries in my neck of the woods.

My proposed Chicago City brand of electioneering just might put you in the winners seat. It might be a tad borderline unethical but because of the severity of the situation I see the need to engage in a little Situation Ethics to rectify the matter; the END justifies the MEANS.

Everything Garth said is true. Sad?..yes. Hard to swallow?..sure, but all true.

I've made sure my kids are well protected from School politics. But I'm watching my taxes closely.

Thank you Garth for your willingness to hold officials accountable. Meaning well is one thing, getting in the ring is another.

Thank you, thank you. You have my vote. Please start distributing the signs, stickers, etc.

I hope when Bubba is submitting his absentee ballots from the cemetary, Dot's name is on one.

Realty?

My neighborhood avg home is 400k in North High Point, oops, almost no public school kids in my neighborhood.

Look at the for sale signs just now popping up. Look where the largest concentration of Private School children is. I have made millions in Real estate and I tell you simply, I am buying commercial in Very North High Point - just spent 2 mill there, I am also spending in residential and commercial in Myrtle Beach as well as other undiscovered targets.

People in my circle joke about Guilford County and ask why I still live here. (they are sane, as for myself, I'm the first to question my own sanity so jump on board with bubba)

I wouldn't touch residential in North High Point. I had lunch with an elected official in Randolph County, he said to say thanks to our schools system. Randolph county is enjoying the growth and the teachers they are getting from Guilford. One former teacher is now in Myrtle Beach teaching and thinks she has attained Nirvana.

So Realty, make yourself smug, but reality is different from realty, and our kids deserve so much more. I know first hand the executives from American Express, Nortel and unnamed pharms that are selling and relocating, so "quoteth all" but the truth is we need help and High Point deserves better. One young lady I talked with complained of how far behind her classes here are compared to the classes she was taking in Denver. If the plan is so good for High Point, why does the rest of Guilford fear it like the plague?

Forgive me if you can, but it is the Realtors point of view that sits on the Board now, I have never found a profession that feeds so much on it’s own distortions of the facts.

correction to previous post I made:

I meant to say my friend works for "RF Micro" - some reason I had Microsoft on my brain.

Anyway, RF Micro's people ARE NOT buying houses in High Point. The word is out.

Garth, how does the real estate market in the Parkview area look right now? If you could aquire some rental properties, I think you could have them ALL rented by the next school year. Better hurry though, or Dot might get the jump on you. (And God knows, you wouldn't want her to jump on you!)

Reality Realtor,

I have a friend I trust who is a realtor. If houses are selling but they have NOT appreciated. People are getting into Jamesford Meadows at bargain prices. Ride down Skeet Club Road and count the for sale signs. It doesn't take rocket science when someone come to an area and sees all the signs to wonder what's going on. Top schools are a number one priority that people seek when they move.

Bubba,

I hear what you are saying about Alabama. My husband and I know this. I have seen it in the classes my neice received in a small town from there. His point was "even Alabama has a building".

I hardly think that anyone who campaigns for accountability of our tax dollars is negative campaigning. The truth hurts and in this case really stings. There is "negative" and then there is "truth". I hurts my daughter when she has to work to buy her extra clothes. It seems negative to her, but it is a reality lesson for her. You want the extras, you work for it.

People in North High Point are tired of their tax dollars going to support the old Southern politics and the market. What are they getting for their tax dollars? It is certainly not great schools?

As to why about trailers. Ever been in a trailer when a tornado is coming? Trailers go for $60,000 a crack. Why didn't this county put money into bricks and mortar when they needed it? I hardly think a 20 year old trailer is "temporary". People moving her know how progressive the rest of the country is. They expect to find the same great schools they came from. Why don't builders here pay impact fees, donate land like other communities do throughout this country? It's the good ol boy network through and through.

Garth,

Seems to me that RR's figures are unimpeachable unless you have statistics that indicate otherwise.

HP may be the butt of jokes in your circle of influence, but according to RR's numbers many are expressing confidence in HP's future.

As I've pointed out before, give this redistricting some time to work itself out and as adults we'll look back to this day, after our kids have left the nest with diploma in hand, shake our heads and realize that in many ways how unadultlike some of us acted in this matter.

Garth, Doug over at the N&R Off the Record Blog has pretty much already declared you the winner in November.

Let me be the first to congratulate you.

Garth:

What specific changes have to be made before you will support another bond issue?

Unilateral opposition to bonds may label you as anti-education. Even if the vote is 10-1 for bonds, you will ignore the majority and campaign against them? Am I missing something?

Garth,

I like your style. Once your mind is made up, you'll ignore objective facts and instead support your viewpoint with anecdotal information and personal opinion. Seems like we need a lot more of that on the School Board.

As for Barbara Ann, the Realtors Report from January does indeed show that not only has there not been a huge jump in home sales in High Point, but that houses are selling faster and the average selling price INCREASED 7.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 05 versus the same period in 04.

Gotta fly. Time for my water polo match.

School Board also has unimpeachable facts...

Trouble is statistics do not give the full facts that underly the numbers. That is why those who bet against the "numbers" usually win. When everyone says DOT com is here to stay, find out if it can be supported.

Enron couldn't go under, yet it did.

Dig a bit deeper REALTY, the real facts are there, you cannot take face value on numbers, they seldom reflect the underlying material.

Deena did not vote for the last bond referendum. Deena has threatened not to vote for them again if she doesn't have her minority contractors on the job. This might be true for Walter and Amos too the way things are going. Then again Parkview is getting bused 11 miles north with no transportation for after school activities. Deena and Walter voted to transport the poor black communities.

Let's not forget about Jamestown Middle funds twindling away. Ragsdale bond funds gone. Smith building a new building to segragate the gangs with bond funds. I don't remember seeing Smith on the last bond ref. Bait and switch tactics are well known now.

It will be questionable how many board members will even support bonds.

Joe, Realtor, et al.,

Lighten up on Garth about his concern about the future of school bonds in this county. Here are some quotes from a recent Rhino story:

"The future is what I’m concerned about,” Garrett said. “We have this redistricting plan and that is not going to resolve the overcrowding.”

Garrett questioned what is to come next if the school board is unable to complete all of the 28 projects under the $300 million bond voters passed in 2003.

“Are we going to get [residents] to come out and vote for another bond?” Garrett asked. “We have so many needs. If we don’t use the public’s money in a responsible way, we’re not going to get another bond.”

Sounds like Garth might have some support on the board for a responsible and responsive board. Note: Darlene is right. If the voters continue to see irresponsibility with the public's money, bonds are history. And, I, of one, have a lot of respect when Darlene Garret speaks.

Joe,

It doesn't matter what the vote on the board is for school bonds. The important thing is whether the voters and taxpayers will support them. They are the ultimate authority on the bonds. What Garth is trying to communicate is that if the community loses trust in the board to be responsible with bonds, they won't approve any additional ones. That is what happened in Charlotte. The voters killed the school bond referendum. If the board loses the public trust, they will have a very difficult time of it. The board has to prove that it is responsible with public funds. They haven't been so with the 2003 bonds. It's been bait and switch.

Stormy,

Yes, the board needs to prove that they are responsible with public funds, that should be a given. More importantly and first and foremost, the board needs to prove that they are responsible with our children!

House prices jumped up in NHP in January because the choice plan ended in december.
Now it will be a strange situation as Whites mill will be not selling. In the last couple of days four houses have gone up for sale in one development. More to come.

Reality Realtor,

You are way out of touch on "Reality" about Garth. Too bad you missed the Southwest forum in winter 04 when he spoke about the REAL busing costs of the High Point Choice Plan. It was amazing how REAL his busing costs figures were for the High Point Choice Plan. It was so UNREAL what GCS busing department projected. The must have watched too many "Magic School Bus" videos in our schools.

Let's see there was the cost of adding all the buses, the routes considered, that didn't even include the cost increase of fuel because of Katrina (no one knew that one), then we had the first day of school in August 04 when kids left in the morning and some were "lost" until dark.

And the jump in January was DEFINITELY due to the demise of the FIXED LOTTO GAME for SWH.

Garth,

I wonder what you make of today's news about the success of High Point's economic development efforts last year.

WIth 2,500 jobs created, that doesn't seem to support the oft-stated view that companies are shunning High Point.

Here's Sue Schultz's story from today:

'05 report touts 2,300 new jobs

By Sue Schultz
Staff Writer
HIGH POINT -- More than 2,300 jobs were created or announced for the city last year, thanks to economic growth associated with more than 20 companies that expanded existing operations or relocated here, the High Point Economic Development Corp. said in its annual report released Wednesday.

Manufacturing facilities, office parks, distribution centers, showrooms, auto parts manufacturing, and ongoing expansion projects at High Point University were among the city's major developments.

Economic officials estimate that during 2005, more than 1,000 more jobs were created than in the previous year. Officials couldn't provide any comparison figures on how many jobs were lost during that period.

But both local and regional projects such as the new Dell plant in Forsyth County, and the planned FedEx hub at Piedmont Triad International Airport will provide new opportunities for High Point. In August, World Wide Technology became the first Dell supplier to locate in High Point.

"High Point was always a blue-collar town, but its expanding into different industries," said Dean Sink, president of Mickey Truck Bodies, a 102-year-old company in south High Point. "Even though we are an older company, we're still experiencing growth."

Mickey Truck Bodies announced plans last year to add 85 jobs at its Trinity Avenue manufacturing facility.

In addition to growth in the manufacturing sector, the city continued to reap the benefits of attracting new industries such as distribution warehouses and customer service call centers.

American Express Travel Division in September opened a new call center in a north High Point office park, with an announced goal to hire 300 people to staff it.

And the city's furnishings market downtown continued to thrive with new investments in showrooms -- despite the threat of a new show that opened last summer in Las Vegas.

Last year, the Capstone Property Group, led by local developer Coy Willard, purchased about 1 million square feet in showroom space, including the Showplace building. The group plans to convert the former GE Capital office into a showroom building later this year.

"We have some exciting plans for Showplace West," said Willard, referring to the proposed name for the GE Capital property.

Willard told economic leaders the new showroom could be open for the March 2007 market.

Lifestyle Enterprises, a furniture importer on Commerce Avenue, also announced plans in 2005 to expand its showroom facility.

The showroom hosted its own minimarket in January for 400 visitors.

They will work in High Point boundaries. There are lots of great deals on open land, Piedmont Center area. Large companies are telling their employees no to buy homes in High Point. This is a fact. Call some of the CEO's and find out for yourself. See what Volvo, RF Micro and Dell have to say. They read the news too.

Reality, you gotta be loving what's happened here. Realors thrive on people re-locating moving in moving out, instability, chaos. Keep it churning. What's a disaster for parents is music to your ears. If I was a realtor I'd be kissing dot Kearns feet and driving her limo. Your pardigms are totally difffernt. There is easily enough older people and people going to private schools and people who just plain don't know any better who will continue to move into N. High Point. I think we should just make N;High point the "Sun City" of the east. Have dot and you there to shake hands when they move in. We know you love it! And why not. ca ching ca-ching.

I'm certain nobodies like you and me can pick up the phone, get access to the CEO of a multi billion dollar company and discuss the affairs of housing in High Point. Get real.

"...people relocating moving in and out." Sounds like a vibrant community to me.

RR's statistics are unimpeachable and beyond reproach.

Some of the biggest failures in our country were justified by the numbers, all the while the facts behind those numbers were ignored. Note in your report, unable to count jobs lost, great phone center and warehouse jobs. I guess your kids or grandkids will do well assembling computers, waiting tables, cooking and cleaning houses for those who can afford to work in the High Paying jobs, send their kids to private schools and could give a hoot about the community.

I spend all day reading numbers, only when you understand the reality those numbers represent can you make adequate use of them. What about today’s report that kids drop out because of boredom. What does that say about our poor children. School has not connected with their lives. Now you bus them from where they are comfortable and expect them not to be bored?

Worse, to say home sales are up in an area where they should be up even more significantly doesn't account for 125 kids who disappeared under "choice". from 8th grade to 9th grade last year 125 kids fell off the earth or at least out of our schools. Did they get GED's. Did they get held back? (policy is not to hold them back, I believe the actual number held back was 1, in Greensboro).

That was more than 12% of our riding 9th graders... worse it represented over 20% of one schools class, most of which would have helped our statistics. We can hope they went to private schools. But if half moved, and your numbers churning in sales suggest just that, then they were replaced by younger families, or older families. The net negative was a loss to our community of public school children of 125.

I am very optimistic about the growth here. Unfortunately, it is not the growth that will provide freedom for the children of High Point. It will enslave yet another generation in the old south mentality that keeps our community from blossoming.

Garth

On Wednesday you said:

"Executives buying homes in High Point are becoming as rare as 3 dollar bills. Businesses relocating in High Point... Oh heck they are probably going to give a Hot Dog stand a grant and incentives to not relocate and take 2 employees out of the city."

On Thursday you say: "Worse to say, home sales are up in an area where they should be up even more significantly" and the commercial growth isn't the kind I want. And, what about this and what about that?

It seems the current school board has a hard time facing up to the facts when it's wrong... I'm hoping any new additions to the school board will be willing to admit mistakes not reject information that doesn't fit preconceived viewpoints.

Garth,

You are going to hold bond issue hostage for what? I need specifics.

Best regards,

I cannot hold them hostage, I am just one man. The county has already placed them (bonds) in the most vulnerable position possible. Tossing millions at the Choice Plan that actually reduced classroms, diverting another million just a month ago. You do not play with public trust and not expect someone to realize your a con artist.

My position is that I have little faith in the existing board and therefore why trust them with more? I can only do what the voters agree to. But my vote is, withhold more money until overstuffed execs on Board are put on a diet. Make the Board accountable for education. Do not hold redistricting hearings, then ignore them, what a slap in the voters face.

What would your take be Joe? How would y