Bike Share: Something every city in NC should do

Similar pedaling operations have begun cropping up of late in cities across the country, as a required cool jewel to adorn any hipster urban core’s crown. So naturally, Charlotte needs one.

The program’s premise is fairly simple: stations equipped with payment kiosks and corrals for bicycles are set up at strategic locations throughout town; for a daily or hourly fee, or with a paid membership, people can take a bicycle from a station, ride it for a certain number of hours and return it to another bike station.

This is a great program that I would support 100% with my tax money.. It would help cut down traffic and promote a healthy lifestyle too. I think every city should invest in these.. Cities in other countries have these share bike programs, Lets bring them here..

Even if the main focus of this program is the DNC 2012 convention.. Click here to read more.

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Graphic Artists Guild is piss over a Contest for the DNC.

To the latest headache for the DNC: Late last month the Graphic Artists Guild sent a letter to Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz calling a poster contest run by the convention leadership "shameful" for underpaying graphic artists in violation of the guild's ethical and professional guidelines.

First off, it should be known that many Graphic artists’ works never see the light of day. Just like most photographers work. Most of these Artists sit and wait for their big day, hoping someone will give them a chance. For many this Contest is the very chance they are waiting for. Also it’s a way for them to show their work to the world. 

I know this was the case for me. I' consider myself  an amateur photographer; who is still waiting for my million dollar image. I was lucky enough once to get paid for my work.

One day back in summer of 1998 I was lucky enough to photograph a terrible auto accident. The driver of a medical supply truck hit the back of a propane tanker. Busting off the main valve and sitting off the gas.

A house was completely burned to the ground, the driver of the propane truck die inside of the cab. It took three fire depts. over 6 hours to putt this fire out, while till the all the propane burnt out that is. All they could do was to stop the other two homes catching on fire.

I told over 6 rolls of film of the fire. While standing on the sidelines, a news reporter from VA Beach asks me if I plan to sell any stops to my local paper. I told her no, since their photographer was on the scene. She suggested that I try VA pilot in Va Beach, since they are a daily paper and my local was a weekly one. I took her advice and travel to VA Beach. The paper brought ten shots of the accident and fire. This was the first time I was paid and publish in a newspaper.

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This lesson in hypocrisy brought to you by the letters “G-O-P”

You going to love this one,

While the Gop is bitching and Whining that the Dem’s aren’t doing enough to support and hire local non-union companies and in state workers for their 2012 convention in Charlotte. (see the resolution here)

Charlotte-area Rep. Becky Carney blasted Speaker Thom Tillis for wasting time and taxpayer dollars for a special session on a resolution having “nothing to do with the critical issues in this state right now.”

“We need to be up here talking about jobs for every North Carolinian that’s unemployed,” said Carney. “And what have we done here for three days? We have not talked about jobs.”

Yet they the GOP can do this,,

Unfortunately for North Carolina workers, state Republicans can’t be bothered to put their money where their mouth is. According to filings with the Federal Elections Commission, the NCGOP has outsourced its video production, logo design, and web services to a company in New Jersey.

Specifically, the NCGOP has paid one Mr. Riccardo Diaz, the Director of Media Affairs for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, $5,589.90 to produce web videos attacking the DNC and President Obama, to design the logo for its 2012 campaign, and to create the website for itself and for its own state convention!

To see more and the invoices click here

So who is really supporting the workers here in NC, Sure not the Damn GOP’ers.. Vote them out of OFFICE ASAP..  

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Hey for $35,800 you can get a Evening with Obama and more.

From Pam’s HouseBlend,

Pam Received the following in her Email,

We were elated to learn that President Barack Obama will once again keynote the Human Rights Campaign Dinner in Washington, DC. Many of our closest friends will be in town for the 3,000 person, sold-out event this Saturday, October 1st.

What is even more exciting, though, is that the President will be attending a small private LGBT-related event on Friday night, September 30, at the beautiful home of Dr. James D’Orta in Washington. The event is tiered to include a photo reception and private dinner with several contribution options.

Contribution Options and RSVP Links:
$35,800 Per Person (photo reception, dinner, and VIP clutch)(link removed)
$35,800 Per Couple (dinner and photo reception)(link removed)
$10,000 Per Person (photo reception)(link removed)

This will be a special moment for us to thank the President for his continued commitment to achieving full equality for LGBT Americans and to ensure he has the support necessary to make that goal a reality. If you are able to attend at any of these levels, please RSVP today.

This only proves in our community only those that Rich are important enough to meet the President for a Dinner, photo opt, and whatever the VIP Clutch?

See the RSVP Form..

Yes this is event will be hosted at a Private Home of Dr. James D’Orta in Washington.

My question is why so much, I mean for HRC Gala in DC the cost is much lower..

However this event is not tax deductible.

Contributions or gifts to Obama Victory Fund 2012 are not tax deductible.

The first $5,000 of a contribution to OVF 2012 will be allocated to Obama for America (with the first $2,500 designated for the primary election, and the next $2,500 for the general). The next $30,800 of a contribution will be allocated to the Democratic National Committee. A contributor may designate a contribution for a particular participant. This allocation formula may change if following it would result in an excessive contribution.

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For Immediate Release: Stone Calls for Transparency from DNC Convention Organizers

Candidate for Mayor Charges Charlotte Host Committee Lacking Transparency

Charlotte, NC – Republican nominee for Mayor Scott Stone called today for DNC convention organizers to be more transparent regarding the convention’s costs, logistical requirements, fundraising, and likely use of union labor. 

“The people of Charlotte have a right to know what to expect from next year’s Democratic National Convention,” said Scott Stone, Republican nominee in this fall’s election for Charlotte mayor. “We have a tremendous opportunity for positive national and international exposure for Charlotte. The last thing we want is to turn this positive event into a liability by hiding costs and facts.” 

Stone called on Mayor Anthony Foxx to personally hold himself accountable for ensuring transparency. “The mayor does not hesitate to go on CNN to discuss the convention, but neither he nor his Press Czar are available to local press for questions about convention costs or the Host Committee’s fundraising progress. If he wants to take credit for the convention, he must also be accountable for the details.”

Stone called on the Mayor and the DNC Host Committee to address the following aspects of next year’s convention:

• What role will union labor have in contracts and projects? The new Host Committee website, which allows businesses to register for convention opportunities, specifically requests information about union affiliation.
• Who is donating to the Host Committee and how much has it raised to date? Charlotte residents have a right to know who is financing the convention and how much has been raised.
• Who is on the hook for cost overruns? The DNC contract does not address any “what if” scenarios. The Mayor and the Host Committee must answer the question: do cost overruns fall to the city to cover expenses?
• What additional costs and impact to existing businesses will be required? There are already reports that the Transit Center will be moved, portions of Light Rail will be closed, and new capital projects are being planned or accelerated in preparation for the convention. What other hidden costs are Charlotte residents unaware of?

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