Lumberton Informer

I usually don't blog on the weekend but Vanessa Underwood shared a post on my time line and I wanted to share it with you. Someone found and old newspaper clipping that featured a photograph of her mother, Mrs. Dorothy Franklin (affectionaly k own as Ms. Dot). Based on the picture, you can see she and others have their hands lifted in praise. I enlarged the photo to read the article written by Vance Evans of the Hattiesburg American . According to the article, the event was tne Second Annual Lumberton Day in the Park. Tne event was held at Wood-Hinton Park and the theme was hospitality. It was noted that several vendors were in attendance and festival goers were saying the event was headed for bigger things in the future. Vanessa said the photo took her back to a time when elected officials cared for the citizens they represented. Here's what she shared with me. "I'm not reposting this picture because its a picture of my mother. I'm posting because this pictu...

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...

Sadly, yesterday I seriously considered hanging up my blogging hat. I'm not naive, I've been attacked from the pulpit many times before. To have someone refer to you as a devil, to say they see no Jesus in you is enough to shake anyone. But thanks be to God, I know who I am as well as who's I am. One thing I've learned, when someone shows you who they are, believe them, the first time. I don't know what angered this reader but I've learned that people are generally truthful when they speak in anger. From the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Generally, when a person gets an opportunity to calm down and reflect on what they've said, they usually apologize but I even if I forgive them, I always remember what the said in anger because that's how they really felt. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that I'm the problem, that I'm talented but printing trash. I don't know how to take backhanded compliments because they...

Last night, Paul Ockmond responded to a post I made several days ago. Actually, it was a picture of the registration of a business established by Winston and Ockmond; Wheel and Deals, the former location of Dirt Cheap. Ockmond came to the defense of his busiess partner, Ben Winston by saying "what Ben does with Wheel and Deal is none of my business." On the contrary Paul, if Winston is using his business while trying to defraud the city, it is my business. As you know, Winston is grasping for straws; trying to change regulations to suit his needs. For example, he's trying to file a HubZone application, knowing they are designated for small businesses, not municipalities. Adlerwoman at Large, Cora Rogers pointed out this fact at the last board meeting, but Winston said "we have a city attorney and he would tell me if the application is wrong." Well, anyone that regularly attends the board meetings know Lindsey Carter rarely instruct the mayor and board on vi...

At the last two board meeting, Mayor Ben Winston said my blog is the reason why no one wants to come and help the City of Lumberton. Winston claims I'm running potential businesses away because of what I may post about them. For the record, reputable businesses are not afraid of being mentioned in the blog. Winston seems to think I'm as weak minded as his supporters. It is my belief that Winston is aware of the checkered past of the alleged band of crooks he's bringing to the city. It's his hope that we don't discover their true motives before he request his three votes; a far cry from his proclamation, when he was first elected, that he's looking to restore confidence and unify the board. Winston also said he was going to get an audit so we can know where we stand regarding the finances of the city. As of now, we can't get an accurate budget let alone an audit. Winston's promises are nothing more that political foder. One week from today, there wil...

I need to stop researching John Shavers, JESCO and J5Global before I discover where Jimmy Hoffa is buried. Winston said he's not concerned about a person's past but there's a lot of pending cases involving Shavers and his business ventures. It seems that everyone, including his wife, are trying to get their money. Perhaps I should refer to Ann Shavers as his ex-wife since their divorce is also pending. I can't find the divorce records but there was a motion to hold John Shavers in contempt of court for allegedly refusing to pay attorney fees. While researching Shavers, I came across a term I wasn't familiar with; involuntary bankruptcy. I looked up the bankruptcy case (12-50014-NPO) and I couldn't figure out why he was filing bankruptcy while showing considerable assets. Please keep in mind, the bankruptcy was for JESCO Construction, which is probably what led to the formation of J5Global. I looked up the definition for involuntary bankruptcy. Creditors ...

I thought I was finished blogging for the week, but since the rain interrupted my satellite feed, I decided to search the net since watching television was no longer an option. The first thing I researched was the HubZone application process. At the special called meeting, Alderwoman Cora Rogers asked to see the application. After researching the guidelines, I now know why. HUBZone is a United States Small Business Administration (SBA) program for small companies that operate and employ people in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones). The HUBZone program was created in response to the HUBZone Empowerment Act created by the US Congress in 1998. Based on the Act, small businesses will be designated as HUBZone certified if they have the following criteria: The firm must be a small business based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for size standards. The business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens, or a Community Develop...