Raleigh
Bert Coffer
Dr. Bert Coffer of Raleigh, who died last week, was one of the finest people I ever met in politics. I feel that way even though Bert was one of Jesse Helms’ best friends and strongest supporters. I got to know Bert working on a health-care issue several years ago. He was a friendly, unassuming…
Read MoreCameras in the Sewer Pipes
A lot of folks thought maybe the City Council had been out in the sun too long when it up and out of a clear blue sky voted to ban garbage disposals. Well, it turns out taking on the housewives of Raleigh is a lot tougher assignment then vilifying developers. The ladies of Raleigh have…
Read MoreSledgehammer Conspiracy?
The most ludicrous assertion made in Raleigh this week (no mean feat) was the suggestion by disgraced Rep. Thomas Wright’s attorney that avenging blogger Joe (the Sledgehammer) Sinsheimer targeted Wright because Wright fell “out of favor with the power structure in the North Carolina House.” Ludicrous because Sinsheimer’s crusade against corruption was about as welcome…
Read MoreHigher Taxes for Raleigh
Well, the City Council has gotten serious about raising ‘impact’ fees – taxes on new homes and buildings – and there’s bad news for churches, schools, and people buying houses in Raleigh. For instance, The News and Observer reports the new tax increase will cost Wake Cross Roads Baptist church $20,256 – when it expands.…
Read MoreUnique Thinking
City Councilman Rodger Koopman has a unique way of analyzing Raleigh’s problems with laser-like precision. For instance, yesterday, at the City Council meeting, he announced to support the troops in Iraq…Raleigh should ban garbage disposals. He said: “If you support the troops, be willing to suck it up just a little bit.” Now, there’s a…
Read MoreSex in China – Denver Prostitute Visits Raleigh
According to the newspaper last Monday morning a sexual revolution is underway in China. Quote: ‘The simple but tidy rooms in the no-tell hotels in the Beijing University district pulsate with sex.’ Now, there are a billion people in China. And they’ve just discovered sex? It seems they’ve known quite a bit for quite a…
Read MoreThe Liberals Turn on Meeker
You can’t help but be intrigued – if by nothing else – by the irrationality of local politics. The last three elections Mayor Meeker has swept himself, and his allies, into office as no-growth, anti-evil developer, pro-sugar plum fairy candidates. But now we learn – from a charter-member of the Mayor’s anti-growth club – liberal…
Read MoreGoofy
The debate on Raleigh’s City Council’s to stop people inside the beltline from tearing down older homes and building new ones has turned a bit goofy. For instance, consider the latest broadside from Mayor Meeker’s close ally and amigo Roger Koopman. Councilman Koopman says that building newer homes – he calls them ‘monstrous McMansions’ –…
Read MoreThe Great Scam
Last election Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker and Rodger Koopman and Nancy McFarlane pummeled their opponents in North Raleigh for being cozy with developers. They said mushrooming growth was out of hand, the developer-villains were out of hand, and Council members Jessie Taliafero and Tommy Craven were bosom buddies with developers – they scared the willies…
Read MoreMayor Crowder
Raleigh’s realtors and homebuilders, unless they wake up politically, are about to get another does of castor oil from the City Council. After trouncing ‘developers’ in the last two elections the Mayor’s got a Council that’s more anti-growth – than, well, Charles Meeker. In fact, once the Council’s new ringleader, Thomas Crowder, gets through bashing…
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