Where Do We Go From Here?

At the trial of Robert Holder, Sr. the judge encouraged the elected officials of Lumberton to work together. I didn't agree with the verdict, but it is what it is. I feel that if one was found guilty then both should have been found guilty. Even the prosecutor, Brad Touchstone stated said the state felt confident "that it had put on a case that both men were guilty of disturbing the peace." Moving right along. I also took issue with another statement made by Judge Anderson. He said that now we have city employees that are in jeopardy of losing their jobs because of their testimony. It apparent that he knows nothing about the politics of Lumberton. Every city employee that testified did so because they know that their jobs are not in jeopardy. None of those testify on behalf of Kent Crider were subpoenaed to testify because they knew that Bobby Gibson, Kent Crider, Rebecca Hale and Timothy Johnson would make sure they were paid for their testimony,even if it meant that only one clerk was left to man the Lumberton office. But this is supposed to be a unifying post so I guess I will leave all of that alone; at least for the moment.
Rebecca Hale testified about the length of the board meetings and the constant disruptions. On November 1, 2011, the City of Lumberton will hold its regularly scheduled board meeting. The board meetings are long because the aldermen make the board meeting long. Bobby Gibson and Timothy Johnson has said on multiple occasions that "we have the votes" then why are they discussing issues ad nausesum when "they have the vote"? Vote on it and move on. It's not like they haven't already discussed their votes with each other. And my advice to Mayor Miriam R. Holder is to stop trying to teach the aldermen, the clerks and the city attorney about the law. If there's something you don't agree with, state that you disagree based on Attorney General Opinion #___ and tell the clerk that you want it reflected in the minutes and keep on moving.
Bobby Gibson has made it clear that he's running things. While you were out, he made the changes to the employee policy, fired Chief Fortenberry and several other good police officers. Unfortunately, we can't do anything about it until the next election, but trust there will be some intervention at some point. So, Mayor Holder, don't resign, but make sure you're covered by stating your opposition and making sure its included in the minutes. Since Bobby Gibson, Kent Crider, Rebecca Hale, and Timothy Johnson are patting themselves on the back for the continual downward slope of the City of Lumberton, let them continue to dig their own graves. When the City of Lumberton has to file bankruptcy because they now want 3-5 police officers per shift in comparison to the 1-2 officers per shift when Chief Fortenberry was on the payroll just remember that Gibson and his crew has the votes and that's what they wanted. When the water bill and sewer rates are increased because Gibson and associates don't want accountability at city hall just remember that they have the votes. When we don't get another viable company to open in Lumberton because of the slew of reports aired on WDAM just remember that Gibson has the votes and that's what they wanted. We can continue to hope things get better, but the definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing while hoping for different results. If we don't get another hospital, it's not because of Mayor Holder it is because the board didn't vote for one. Like Bobby Gibson said for months, "we have the votes". If they wanted business in this city they would have voted to get business in this city, if they wanted the water department fixed, they would have voted to have the water department fixed, the list goes on and on. Azalea Gardens is about to start building here in Lumberton and it's another endeavor that was put into action prior to this board taking office just like the renovations taking place on Main Street and the creation of green spaces is also something that was done by the previous board. This board has managed to do nothing positive for the City of Lumberton. I wonder who they're going to blame when they don't have any money in the reserves when the next board is elected?