Lumberton Informer

If former mayor, Ben Winston didn't teach us anything else; he taught us that anything can be done in Lumberton with three votes. He managed to wrangle three supporters for everything that blocked progress in Lumberton but our community has three representatives on the board and they can't seem to do anything to take control. In other words, we have a set of house ninjas in office waiting on the crumbs from massahas table. We have the majority because the mayor cannot vote, unless there's a tie. So ask yourself what Tommy Dukes and Cora Rogers won't support Quincy Rogers when he vote for or against certain items? For the most part, Quincy is going to do the right thing but the board will fight him every step of the way. Regardless of what the rest of the board members do, he should know that he has the backing of Cora and Tommy but he don't and they're always kicking against the prick. If Quincy was not an honorable, level he...

The readers of this blog know that I am being sued by the Lumberton City Clerk. It seems that she is offended by the fact that I exercise my freedom of speech. On Tuesday, September 22, 2015 we will go to court and see if Freedom of Speech as unwanted in the City of Lumberton as progress. Since no one was subpoenaed for this case, it will be interesting to see who attends this trial. I am certain that most of the elected officials of Lumberton will be there despite their record of telling half-truths, stealing and other durrrty deeds. It's possible that a former elected official may be ready to take the stands as well. The fact that elected officials and candidate in the upcoming election have a vested interest in shutting down my freedom of speech speaks volumes of their agenda. It is my belief that we need more people speaking out. Contrary to popular belief, the City of Lumberton is not overrun with free thinkers; it's overrun with sheep and conformists....

I reveived calls, texts from concerned readers wondering if I take the attacks personally. As a blogger, I know if I dish it I must be able to take it. The difference is I point out faults within the scope of the duties and responsibilities but when they make references about me it's about my weight, my job (their belief that I never worked) and the claim that I'm living rent free (if that were true I need a refund). I know who I am and I live by the mantra, if they don't know me personally, I don't take the tnings they say personal. I don't care if the critics never believe I have a job. I'll just sit at my desk and imagine I'm home. At one time, someone challenged me to post a copy of my degrees online. Unless you're offering me a job or writing me a check to pay these student loans, you are not getting access to the most expensive framed art I ever purchased. When I see people post about my weight or boast that their business partner will pay mor...

We celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. each January with a day in his honor. We remember his gifts, laud his accomplishments and pay homage to his legacy. But at no time since Martin Luther King Day was established in 1983 has his legacy been in greater jeopardy. This year we need more than a celebration of the past. We need to fight for our future. As I reflect on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I think of all the risks he took. In order to fight for the civil rights, he risked life and limb for justice for all. Dr. King formed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with 60 ministers during a time when taking a stand could lead to the loss of finances, as well as the bombing of the church where they served as pastor. Dr. King was a shepherd but today, there's very few pastors but an abundance of hirelings. The Bible lays out the definitions of both an overseer (under shepherd) and a hireling. John 10:11-13 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd ...

If you thought the mayor and board would be on their best behavior for the last meeting of the year but think again. The first agenda item was a violation of the Open Meeting Act. Not because they went into executive session, but because they went into executive session to discuss personnel with Sheriff Riegel. Last time I checked, he wasn't employed by the City of Lumberton. After 45 minutes in executive session, they returned with their usual line, no action was taken. There was a surprisingly brief update from Gary Hickman. The board approved the use of Wood Hinton Park on December 13, 2014 for a Car and Bike Show sponsored by Chris Wright of Wright's Custom Woodwork. The show is to benefit veterans. For more information ,contact Chris Wright. The department heads gave their reports. Not much has changed in the police department. The officers are doing ticket blitzs, so please buckle up. Danny Davis said they're in a crunch because businesses are no longer giving th...

Before beginning today's blog post, I would like to address some concerns that were raised yesterday. To the person that advised me to look into the Willie Lynch Theory, I have briefly read the article but I will need to do more research into the legitimacy of the so called theory before going into more details. However, based on what I have read thus far, I think you are pretty much on the money in your assessment. To the others, well the one person, that felt my post yesterday was a racist rant. Well, I only can see things from my perspective. You call it a racist rant and I call it reality. A few years ago, I had no qualms with police officers; I had never received any tickets or felt that they were out to get me. Unfortunately, that all changed once Hobson was given the key to the city. There are those that claimed I had "gotten away" with breaking laws; which is not true and that I was finally "getting what I deserved." If I had broken the law, not some ...

I have been trying to find the words to describe/ encompass how I'm feeling. Today, the mayor and board of alderpersons will put the final nail in the coffin of police protection for the City of Lumberton. It saddens me thatmmore people are not concerned about the ramifications of this decision to essentially leave Lumberton unprotected. It feels like the board is thrusting us into a movie; a cross between The Purge and Alien vs. Predator. Not only are they endangering the residents and local businesses but they're endangering the lives of the officers that are being forced to patrol alone for 12 hours. The saddest part of this decision is the fact that no one knows how this happened or they're just not willing to discuss this matter with concerned citizens. The meeting that was recessed will reconvene this afternoon but it seems more like a memorial service than a meeting. I just don't understand how a mayor that prays for a city on Main Street every Saturday do...

There was a special called meeting held tonight. There was one agenda item...."Order to discuss and vote to have an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters for the Cit of Lumberton." The mayor and board members went into the back room and held a 45 minute discussion about something. We don't know what was discussed because Mayor Winston never exited the executive session to inform the citizens about what they decided to discuss; which is an ethics violation. I guess it's time to submit formal complaints because these violations are not getting addressed or directed. When the board members exited the session, the city clerk was instructed to read what was discussed. After 45 minutes of discussion, the board decided they're going to make budget cuts in every department and they will be meeting again on Monday, June 30, 2014 @ 6 to make a decision on the proposed cuts prior to the regular meeting that will be held the following day. Last I heard, the City of...

as Pastor of Sweet Beulah Missionary Baptist Church.I don't know if this move was spiritually or politically motivated. According to my sources, Winston used his resignation announcement speech to discuss the "dump" (his words not mine). He said, allegedly speaking of course, that the people that were funding the dump had plans to also purchase the Custom Precast property to bring some jobs to the area but since there are citizens opposing the dump; they've changed their minds. I guess there's always room to throw in a little extortion; even from the pulpit. Before now,there wasn't anything mentioned about any other developments. It's interesting that once the plan was exposed;other tactics are now being employed to garner support. For quite some time, there has been rumors that Winston wanted to have the Baptist members convert to a Seventh Day Adventist church but those rumors have yet to be verified. There are some that may be wondering why this ...

I have been going through the City of Lumberton's budget, and I found that they are not getting the most bang for their buck. (By the way, this information is public information.) I am looking at the amount the city is paying for fuel. I've checked out the Fuelman site, and I don't think the city is getting any rewards for using Fuelman. However, if our city were to switch to a Shell Corporate account, the city would get 7% back on their purchases.(That would be a return of $70 for every $1,000 they spend.) This is also beneficial when the Chief and Public Works Director has to go on trips out-of town, they could get their fuel at a Shell Station and pay at the pump without going through the hassels of using the Fuelman Card. Also, each employee would have their own card, and their own pin number. This would allow the city to see how the fuel cards are being used, rather than having one card and pin number for each vechile. We have four new alderperson on this board, and...