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My dream is that you'll retire.

As 30 year resident of High Point, counting time at High Point College I would have to go with Keith Holliday as mayor, Becky is clueless; High Point would be better off with Mayor McCheese or the Hamburgler.

We finally agree on one thing, BRUCE DAVIS WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED.

Six council members, let's see:

Linda Shaw
Tim Brown
Sandy Carmeny
Mike Winstead
Billy Yow
Skip Alston

If you'll notice, High Point is currently rudderless, that's why no current members on this imaginary board. I say give Tim Brown a chance, he has to be better than a Becky-clone.

With the exception of Alston, I think no one has influence on real estate because I feel that anyone in real estate should be excluded from elected office.

Why keep Alston? As a CONSTANT REMINDER FOR HOW BAD THINGS CAN BE.

Becky Smothers is your 'fantasy' mayor? With all due respect, frankly I am shocked anybody informed on the issues facing High Point would select her as a 'fantasy' anything, other than 'fantasy standard bearer for the developers'. I'm not arguing that her competition is any better, it'll be a cold day in Hades before I vote Steve 'blowin in the wind' Wood for anything (some of us don't forget, Mr. Wood). BUT, Ms. Smothers has shown that she is on the side of developers and Terry Grier. The people in North High Point are nothing but a paycheck to her. Look at the Deep River Road developments. Look at the decision to tie Willard road into Highway 68, despite bitter opposition by the current residents. Ms. Smothers doesn't care about us, her constituency, but sadly, I'm going to have to vote for her if for no other reason than because her opposition is even worse. Mayor Smothers acknowledged we don't have the educational resources in place for new developments, and then promptly absolved herself and the council and voted to approve new developments anyway, claiming it's up to the school board to keep up with the developers. Baloney. We need somebody who represents the citizens, not the developers and not act as Terry Grier's mouthpiece. Sadly, we don't have that option. It's a pity you cannot vote none of the above.

Having once last go at it Doug!

Abuse of position yet again!!!!

Vote WODDnBrown to stop the abduction of our children!

Doug,

Unfortunately, a review of your fantasy list of political leaders in Guilford County only proves how starved this county is for real leadership. If the list that you offered-up is the dream team of leadership in this county, we are in huge trouble (perhaps we already knew that). I'll give you a gimme with Trudy Wade, but what does that say that she wasn't re-elected?

Becky Smothers is the class of the politicians? Now, that is a very good joke. This list isn't a fantasy team, it's a nightmare come true. This "leadership" in this county is so bad, it gives politicians a bad name.

Doug,

I forgot to ask why Dot Kearns and Susan Mendenhall weren't on your fantasy team. They live in Fantasyland anyway, so they would have been great matches for your fantasy team of leaders.

Will someone please explain how dad's posting of his opionions on his blog is abuse of power? First, that's what blogs are for, isn't it? Second, what power is he abusing. He's not forcing anyone to vote one way or another. I grew up in his household and never felt pressured to vote for any particular candidate. So I don't think you can classify it as abuse of power, but I guess making sense has never been a pre-requisite to posting here.

Also, have Steve Wood and/or Tim Brown promised to get rid of the choice plan? If so, how to they explain they will do this? If not, why do you think electing them will get that accomplished?

Doug, I know you think that the people that ride you about the choice plan don't like you, but really, we know anybody can make a mistake etc. and let's face it, you perform a valuble "outlet" function for the frustrated parents who have had to endure the joke that they unknowingly settled in and are raising their kids in...surprise---DOTTYWOOD. Given the myriad things one could fantasize about, the very fact that you you would fantasize about the above raises grave concerns, even among the most jaded of us, as to your mental health. Please Doug, if you don't get help at Charter, get help somewhere!!! You owe it to yourself...you owe it to your readers.

This really relates more to the Lisa Stahlman/Tim Brown decision (please see my comments above w/ regards to my opinions on Steve Wood). But... I haven't seen Lisa Stahlman talk about managing growth anywhere. Granted, I haven't heard Tim Brown say all that much on the matter either, but, in my mind, Lisa Stahlman is a clone of Becky Smothers (much as Tim Brown seems to be in step with Steve Wood). Why would I want yet another voice on the Council for this unfettered, irresponsible, growth at any cost approach Ms. Smothers seems to favor?

Is it too much to ask that our City Council will stop and evaluate how to deal with the residential issues we currently face (noise impact zones, traffic patterns, crime, etc) before opening up any new developments? I mean, I know we need to keep Kavanagh Homes and the others in the green, but really... have you seen Oak Hollow Lake lately?

Kenny,

which school did your Dad get you sent to.

Seems like you need an extra dose of grammar.

Sorry, I don't tend to proofread internet posts. I noticed that your post isn't perfect grammatically either, but I was able to get the point, which is the important thing, isn't it?

To answer your question, I spent three years at Ferndale Middle School and four at (gasp!) High Point Central. I am currently in my fifth year at Wake Forest. In May, I will graduate with my BS in analytical finance as well as my masters of accountancy. But you're right, I haven't had much of an education.

Anyone proofing for grammer or spelling on a blog evidently has little to do or is just needing someting to pick at or nag at. Frankly , who give a rat's royal if anythin is speld write or da grammer is good.
Best thang to do is turn off the puter, got play in the traffic , if that's all ya got to do.

Doug, found it interesting in this am.'s editorial re; the city council (HP) results, you mentioned how one of Lisa Stahlmann's tasks will now be to "Diffuse anger over the HP choice plan" . I mean, lets not waste any time exhorting her to perform her Dottywood function protecting the status quo. The only problem is that after talking to her at the poll last night, unless she is an abject fibber, this is not what the lady is about. She seems like she has a foot in both worlds that the schoolboard and other political leaders, either out of ignorance or design, have divided High Point into, and is in a unique position to end this insanity. God Bless her.

There is no "diffusing anger" about the HPCP. It's the gift that's designed to keep on giving.

Once again,big business, the ol boyz of HP together with Emoneywood and Doug have raped and pilaged NHP.

Dont you worry Doug, we will never give in and there will be more coming because as Savage says the NHP Choice plan just keeps on giving.

WE SHALL DEFEND OUR ISLAND!

Skeet Club Savage,

You're on to something. That "Gift that keeps on Giving" should be available to everyone! I've called Santa and told him to make sure ALL the kids in Guilford county get one of those gifts.

He's got his elves working on it right now. So expect a little School "Plan" is EVERYONE's stocking this year!!

MERRY CHRISTIMAS GUILFORD COUNTY!

And remember, everytime a bell rings, and angel gets it's wings!

Doug,

Since you probably wrote today's editorial about the High Point elections, would you explain to us how Lisa Stahlmann plans to difuse the anger in NHP about the choice plan? The only plausible way that she could do it would be to undo the plan. I don't see people in NHP getting over this one until that one happens. Does she have the power and influence to undo this egregious insult to NHP? I don't think some anger management courses for the whole comunity will get it done.

Thanks for the comments, and thanks, Savage, for the concern for my mental health.

No, I didn't write today's edit. I've been in Norfolk all week for training at Landmark Communications HQ. I did check the election results last night and congratulate the winners. I suggest that everyone accept the results and get on with trying to improve our communities.

Thanks for reading.

Lisa is going to diffuse the anger of the North High Point residents. PLEASE!!!! The only way my anger will be diffused is when HELL freezes over!!! Or when the taxpayers wake up and start electing officials who don't make decisions based on backdoor politics!!! Whatever comes first!!!!

"Get on with trying to improve our communities"...did I miss something here? When did this getting on get started? What improvements? Hey, WHERE'S EVEN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF IMPROVEMENT??? I'd understand if it was that witch smashed into a pole on SW school Rd. THAT would be a good beginning if it really was that wicked witch from Old High Point.

"Get on with trying to improve our community" that's a fricking laugh and a half, Doug. You should just stay out of the pubs. You've got your beer goggles on. Now get to class and see what more you can learn about bringing Socialism to High Point.

If asked directly, I'm sure Ms Stallmann wouldn't be nearly as arrogant as your editorial sets her up to be. There is NO WAY this city will even consider reuniting until ALL facets of this worthless plan are gone.

Congratulations to the winners. Now comes the hard work...... Help get rid of forced busing for North High Point and assist the schools in fixing the problem (i.e. encouraging business partnerships, mentoring programs through local churches, etc)

Time to stop putting your hands in the air saying "That's not our responsibility". This mess has divided the community. It has had a negative economic impact. Our kids grades have suffered.

Y'all didn't create the mess, however, now it's up to you to help fix it.

Diffusing this ticking bomb will only occur when the lottery is eliminated. PERIOD! As nice of a person as she is, there is no way Ms Stallmann will have any impact on the situation as it stands today. We're all tired of the rhetoric. GET IT GONE!

Patty,

You are a girl after my own Irish heart!!! But don't encourage Dougie-do-right to learn more about bringing more socialism to High Point. I think we have had enough!!!

DOug, what do you think about a person who says the following?
When faced with the problem of not have enough minority participation in the 330 million bond one board member asks.

"There are a couple of colored gentlemen architects on the design team". "Have you asked them if they know of any minority Companies"?

This is the calibre of people we have on the SB. Doug what do you think about such a comment?

Doug, any answer?

ADmit it DOug, the person who said it must have a pea brain or is an out an out racist.

Sorry, I guess I missed that quote while I was out of town. In general, I'm not a proponent of quotas or set-asides.

Doug,

have you thought of being a politician? You haven't answered my question?
Hypothetically speaking lets say? What do you tink of such a person?
What do you think of their IQ? Should they be in a position of power?

Yes, Doug, what do you think of a person who would say such a thing and this person is in a position of power?

I can't believe that a person would make such a statement in a public forum. HOw about if people get hired to do a job based on their abilities and qualifications not by someone's political agendas.