As a registered Democrat, I am appalled at the actions of the Democratic Guilford County commissioners. They gave themselves a 41 percent pay increase when a lot of people are losing their jobs; gas, meat and medication prices are skyrocketing; and everyone's savings are dwindling to nothing.
Bruce Davis states, "I put more hours in this job being a commissioner than that $1,500 could ever compensate." Maybe if he didn't waste all of his time investigating the county tax collector and spent more time on real county business, it would be worth it.
But as far as I am concerned, the results that we have received are no better than the judgments that recent juries have passed down. With that thought, they should receive the same amount a juror receives for a day's work.
And to add insult to injury, they gave the Civil Rights Museum $250,000 but slashed five patrol positions from the budget that Sheriff Barnes needed. I want to know how Skip Alston was able to vote on this when there was obviously a conflict of interest.
We get all this and a tax increase. Wow, are we ever lucky.
David Austin
Greensboro
Comments (14)
"Bruce Davis states, "I put more hours in this job being a commissioner than that $1,500 could ever compensate.""
Hey Bruce, if money is your interest you should concentrate on your real job instead of sucking off the teats of the taxpayers.
Posted by hugh | July 11, 2005 7:39 AM
Since when has Skippy ever worried about something being a conflict of interest? You have to have a personal code of ethics to be concerned about such things. My observations of Skippy is that insignificant things like ethics don't get in the way of getting what he wants. And, if anyone objects, he just plays the race card on you to muddy the water.
Posted by Dean Wormer | July 11, 2005 8:01 AM
According to the State Board of Elections, there is no David Austin registered as a Democrat in Guilford County.
Posted by Roch101 | July 11, 2005 10:31 AM
That is so COOL, Roch 101.
My only statement is this. Bruce Davis knew how much the job paid when he ran for election. If he wasn't interested in doing the job, then he could have saved himself and US a lot of trouble and just not ran for it.
Posted by truth | July 11, 2005 11:32 AM
Roch101,
So??? Perhaps "David Austin" uses his middle name and is registered under his first or full legal name. Perhaps "David" is a nickname. Regardless, it's a moot point and in bringing it up, you're grasping at straws. Face it, Mr. Austin's letter is right on the money!
Posted by bunny | July 11, 2005 12:01 PM
Bunny, the search was for any first name starting with d-a-v and last name "austin", middle name is irrelvevant. You may be right that his real first name is something other than David, but his claim to be a Democrat is relevant to the substance of his opinion. It also adds to the continuing call for the N&R to check claims of fact made by letter writers. Maybe they did. I'd like to know.
Posted by Roch101 | July 11, 2005 12:19 PM
Roach, your asking the NR to become responsible journalists. What's wrong with you?
Posted by hugh | July 11, 2005 1:46 PM
David Austin never said he resided in guilford co. Hey David,had enough of your party raising taxes and spending the money on pet projects? (Guilford co. is not alone here) Had enough of the democrats badmouthing EVERYTHING american? Had enough of Ted Kennedy and Robert KKK Byrd being the mouthpieces of the party? Well,come on over my friend!
Hey roach101 you gonna check and see if there is a Yard Dog registered in Guilford co.?
Posted by Yard Dog | July 11, 2005 6:31 PM
Roch101,
You wrote: "...but his claim to be a Democrat is relevant to the substance of his opinion." I disagree! Believe it or not, some people actually look at things without having their vision clouded by political affiliation! David Austin's party affiliation is NOT of relevance to the substance of his opinion because, as a taxpayer AND regardless of party affiliation, EVERYONE should be VERY disturbed at Skippy's little activities.
Posted by bunny | July 11, 2005 7:07 PM
Yard Dog, Greensboro is in Guilford County.
Bunny, if the writer's political affiliation is irrelevant, why did he mention it? His letter would surely be taken differently if it had began with "As a registered Republican."
I agree with you that some people look at things regardless of political affiliation. The writer, however, makes party affiliation a foundation for his perspective.
Posted by Roch101 | July 11, 2005 8:43 PM
Roch, just can't stand the idea that a Democrat has finally seen the light? I guess you are an ardent Skip & Bruce supporter?
Posted by Dan | July 11, 2005 10:27 PM
No, Dan. Neither of your assumptions are correct.
Posted by Roch101 | July 12, 2005 1:39 AM
I gotta agree with Roch on this one. The guy made it a point to say he was a registered democrat. It isn't a stretch to presume that he identified himself as a democrat to make his statements even more poignant. You think Zell Miller would have spoken at the Republican Convention had he not been a 'registered democrat'?
Posted by truth | July 12, 2005 9:04 AM
I got a big surprise for everyone out there. You can be a Democrat and disagree with how some of the Democratic leadership behaves. Likewise if you're a Republican. These morons on the board need to just do what's right and ethical regardless of their party affiliation.
Furthermore, I know David - that's the name he goes by. Those people discounting him because of his name have as much intelligence as our illustrious commissions. There's no reason for him to state his *entire* birth name for a letter to the editor. Stick to the topic.
Posted by j12 | July 12, 2005 8:12 PM