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VIP visit prompts removal of 'Dale Trail' signs in Kannapolis

Friday, July 25, 2008 3:00 AM

Kannapolis city workers removed The Dale Trail flag on Dale Earnhardt Boulevard on Thursday. It was expected to take all day to remove the 100 flags from the poles. photo by Wayne Hinshaw, Salisbury Post



Disrespecting Dale? Some Kannapolis leaders say removing the banners at Murdock's request could offend the Earnhardt family. Photo by Wayne Hinshaw, Salisbury Post


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By Jessie Burchette

jburchette@salisburypost.com

The city of Kannapolis is taking its "Dale Trail" banners down at the request of Castle & Cooke, the developers of the N.C. Research Center — and they won't be going back up.

According to e-mails, California billionaire David Murdock, owner of Castle & Cook, is coming to town Saturday with a very important guest and wants to put the "best face on the city."

The banners along with a statue in Cannon Village honor the town's most famous native, Dale Earnhardt, who died in a last lap wreck in the Daytona 500 in 2001.

And according to the e-mails, Castle & Cooke doesn't want anything related to Dale Earnhardt to go back up.

The Dale Trail was developed after Murdock commissioned a 9-foot bronze statue of Earnhardt, the seven-time Winston Cup champion. The statue is located a small park in Cannon Village, which Murdock also owns.

No one is saying who the very important guest is, although some have speculated about Oprah Winfrey. Murdock previously announced he is working on a joint project with the entertainment billionaire.

In the past week, city officials, Castle & Cooke and the Cabarrus Convention and Visitors Bureau have exchanged e-mails about removing the Dale Trail banners and debated whether the NASCAR theme fits with re-inventing the city as the "Home to Science."

In a July 18 memo, City Manager Mike Legg advised councilmen and other officials of the decision to take down the banners, noting the Cabarrus Convention and Visitors Bureau is agreeable but wants to put up other flags or markers in the future.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau paid $14,000 for the banners and brackets.

"There may be a conflict as to what happens later," Legg wrote. "There are many (including everybody at Castle and Cooke) that do not want to see anything 'Dale related' go back up. Somewhere, there is the right mix between racing, tourism and life science, but that needs to be worked through."

Legg offered reasons for going slowly in agreeing to replace the banners or install Dale Trail markers or monuments along city streets.

He cited an idea offered by Lynn Scott Safrit, president of Castle & Cooke N.C., that the "city adopt the 'Home to Science' tagline on all we do."

Legg advised councilmen about an upcoming strategic planning session to develop a potential marketing program for the Home to Science initiative. "All the more reason to hold off on replacing the Dale Trail signs," Legg wrote in the July 18 memo.

He also cited a planned $20 million renovation of Loop Road/Dale Earnhardt Boulevard from the northern railroad crossing to the southern railroad crossing. He suggested taking a fresh look at city's regulations for signs, monuments, landscaping and lights.

In a July 17 e-mail, Phyllis Beaver, director of marketing for the N.C. Research Campus, questioned the benefit of the Dale Trail.

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In the e-mail to Safrit, which was copied to the city, Beaver suggested possibly having different seasonal flags which could include a racing theme.

She added, "The Dale Trail in Kannapolis consists of Ralph's (Earnhardt, Dale's father) tombstone at Centergrove and the statute here. Other than those two things, we are directing people through here to move on to other destinations, namely to DEI from the (Cannon) Village. Since Dale Jr. is no longer (with DEI), do we need to be sending them out there, or do they have Hendricks (Motorsports) on the Trail now?"

Dale Earnhardt Inc., founded by the driver before his death, is located in Mooresville on Mooresville Road, which the state changed from N.C. 136 to N.C. 3 in his honor.

In an earlier e-mail to DeSales Wagster, president of the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Beaver thanked Wagster for assistance in getting the "flags down before the arrival of important guests on July 26." Beaver noted many of the flags are dirty and several damaged by the wind.

Wagster said Thursday that the Visitors Bureau is committed to keeping the Dale Trail alive with the use of markers or a CD or other audio tour.

Wagster said she sees no conflict between motorsports and science.

"We're extremely proud of motorsports and what it has brought as we transition into one of the largest bio-tech areas," she said. "They are very compatible. There is truly room for both."

Visitors Bureau will sell the banners, Wagster said, noting anything connected to Earnhardt remains valuable.

The Visitors Bureau will pay the city for taking down the banners, she said.

Contacted by the Post, Councilman Richard Anderson said the idea of taking down the banners because Murdock has a guest coming is disrespectful to the Earnhardt family, including Dale's mother, Martha, a Kannapolis resident.

"From Day 1, it's been about exploiting Dale's fame. Kannapolis has never done anything except try to exploit the Earnhardt name. Murdock wanted the tribute, thinking it would bring a lot of business to Cannon Village. It never worked. People come and take pictures at the statue and go on to DEI."

For more information on the Dale Trail go to the web site www.daletrail.com.





What do you think? Post your comment below.

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Cordelia
Dale Trail Still Alive and Kicking! : Wednesday, August 20, 2008 9:51 AM

The Dale Trail is not dead! We at the Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau, who created The Dale Trail, are still very much committed to The Dale Trail. We are working with the city of Kananpolis to create historical markers and other enhancements. I invite you to check out the Dale Trail Blog at http://daletrail.wordpress.com for the latest updates. Thanks!
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YOU DON'T NEED FLAGS TO REMEMBER DALE EARNHARDT : Monday, August 11, 2008 10:11 PM

IS THIS PRINTING
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Gwen Peaden
Dear Stirring The Pot : Friday, August 01, 2008 12:38 PM

No, my feelings weren't hurt. I hope yours weren't either. I certainly didn't mean to if it did. I just don't think it's good to make such comments about a person after they are dead and unable to defend themselves. Hope you have a great weekend as well!!
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notable kannapolis residents : Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:20 AM

ralph earnhardt, dale sr., dale jr., george clinton, david regan (and a slew of other race car drivers, both 'minor'and major), george shinn, the cannons, etc. I don't see banners and statues (paid for by MURDOCK, none the less) for all of them. treat them all the same. if one gets banners, all should get banners. shoot, george shinn at least graduated from high school here WITH HONORS and did a little for the town, but i don't see a statue to him erected in a beautiful park. quit your b-tchin' about some ratty banners and be thankful for what you have.
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Nolan
RE:TO DEAR MR. WHO CARES : Tuesday, July 29, 2008 11:15 PM

I said before WHO CARES and i am saying it again WHO CARES there are more famous people from kannapolis than dale earnhardt TAKE THE BANNERS DOWN AND LET THEM STAY DOWN POST THEM AT THE RACE TRACK.
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CD
TAX PAYERS SHOULD HAVE THE SAY NOT MURDOCK OR THE VP. LET'S VOTE : Tuesday, July 29, 2008 11:56 AM

In regards to the banners that were taking down on Earnhardt BLVD. First and Foremost being a Kannapolis resident, we thank MR Murdock for what he is doing to bring back the economy for Kannapolis however the Dale Trail signs did not need to be brought down because of the Research center. I think the City and Mr murdock needs to put them back up for what Dale Earnhardt has done for the Town and being a local hero to everyone. Seasonal flags should stay on main st like they have been for years. PUT THE DALE FLAGS BACK UP!!!!!! I think the Residents of Kannapolis should vote if the flags stay or not since it is our tax dollars not MURDOCK's. TAKE A VOTE AND YOU WILL SEE EARNHARDT FANS AND THE RESIDENTS OF KANNAPOLIS WILL KEEP THE FLAGS IN PLACE NOT A GOOD MOVE VP OR MR MURDOCK. PUT THE FLAGS BACK UP!!!! CD
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: Monday, July 28, 2008 5:41 PM

Sorry, but comparing Dale to Muhammed Ali and Babe Ruth is preposterous! Dale's got a statue and museum, he doesn't need banners all over town, too. New technology, higher paying jobs, more intelligent citizens--bring it on Murdock!
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Billie
Citizens of town should have say : Monday, July 28, 2008 4:23 PM

Personaly I believe the citizens Kinnapolis should have a say whether the banners should come down or not. Some rich guy that isn't even from that town should not have any say as to whether they come down or not unless he owns the property that they banners are hanging from. I don't care the person is that put that town on the map. Any sign of honoring a person for their achievements should be able to be displayed. That to me shows the people of that town are proud. What is wrong with that? All in all if it's not on private property, I think the citizens should be able to have a vote as to what is done with those banners.
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Dear Mr Who cares : Monday, July 28, 2008 1:50 PM

What makes Dale Earnhardt so special? Well consider this. He was one of the most popular sports figures in the ENTIRE WORLD!He was right up there with names like Muhammed Ali, Micky Mantle and even Babe Ruth you idiot. I'm not even a racing fan but I'm not stupid either. Don't you think that the home towns of the before mentioned take credit and pride for there birth place. So why shouldn't Kannapolis. I'll bet even the home town of Mr.Murdock himself probably claims him too.
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WHO IS THE VIP : Monday, July 28, 2008 11:54 AM

Kannapolis jumped to clear the banners for a VIP arrival on Saturday - Now it is Monday and still no report on the VIP's visit - how do we know there was a VIP visit and why shouldn't we know who we had to accomodate???
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What mystery guest? : Monday, July 28, 2008 9:24 AM

Monday, July 28: Thus far, no sightings reported by our local media. Salisbury Post are you gonna follow-up on this charade? Was there really an important entertainment billionaire in town with Murdock? Looks like King David has suckered us again.
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Ruth Mattern
Dale is synonymous : Monday, July 28, 2008 8:47 AM

I do not reside in Kannapolis but I do call North Carolina home. I take pride in my state. I take pride in the fact that Dale Earnhardt hails from Kannapolis, NC. Dale is synonymous with Kannapolis. I hope they think about this before making a final decision. If we can’t honor our heroes, who can we honor? How can we teach our children to be proud of their heritage? We need to show them that when they do something for others, it is not forgotten. It is not in vain. Dale’s accomplishments should not go unseen. He showed us that hard work and sacrifice pays off. It would be an atrocity if the signs are not replaced.
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Nolan
WHO CARES TAKE IT DOWN : Monday, July 28, 2008 1:03 AM

There were more well known people before dale from kannapolis that don't have banners, what makes him so special. take it down and leave it down.
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Barbara Moler
Visitor from Virginia : Sunday, July 27, 2008 12:58 PM

My husband and I visit Kannapolis 32-4 times q year staying in a area hotel. Yes we visit the Dale Earnhardt also we spend in your downtown business community between $200-300 per visit. We they were planning the park, they asked for donations for certain parts of the park and we dontated a large sum of money to help. I am interested to see what they are going to do with the park now.
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: Sunday, July 27, 2008 11:53 AM

Why dont you post all responces salisbury post mine didnt have a single bad word in it?
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roger h
who cares : Sunday, July 27, 2008 10:41 AM

who cares you bunch of rednecks..It amazes me on how many ignorant rednecks are in this region of nc.
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Suzanne, An Earnhardt fan
Down with Murdock : Sunday, July 27, 2008 9:18 AM

Dale Earnhardt accomplished a great feat in being a 7 time champion and he should be honored! Our family visited Kannapolis because of Dale Earnhardt (Sr. & Jr.). "Home of Science"? Give me a break! That will draw no one. This "important guest" may be an Earnhardt fan! But money talks in Kannapolis, they have sold out to Murdock. I bet the vistors bureau will get more than the $14,000 they paid for the banners if they sell them. Or is that idea? Money talks in this town!
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: Sunday, July 27, 2008 8:14 AM

MURDOCK COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE AREA OR THE PEOPLE LIVING LIVING HERE. HE IS CREATING ATTENTION FOR HIMSELF BY BUILDING A MONUMENT TO HIS NAME.
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Pathetic : Saturday, July 26, 2008 8:49 PM

It's not so much about the signs or about Dale Sr. as it is about the people in the area. There is a important guest coming to town and all of a sudden the tax payers who have been living here all along are causing embarrassment to this sad, pathetic man. What's next - we all have to wear uniforms on important guest day so we present the right image? There are so many more important things to worry about than signs along a road. He obviously has his agenda and his priorities and has lost sight of the fact that the taxpayers here are the important people.
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DEI - not part of the legacy??? : Saturday, July 26, 2008 10:20 AM

Phyllis Beaver does not even make sense. She says DEI should be off the trail because JR is no longer there - but it is still the company Dale Earnhardt built. She obviously has no more appreciation for the history he represents than she does for the people who still revere Dale more than they revere Murdock... One more reason not to trust Murdock and the people working for him.
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Kannapolis Resident
Conflict of interest, anyone? : Saturday, July 26, 2008 8:21 AM

It's really awful when a unit of local government is so completely under the thumb of a private interest. Economic interest or not (and that is debatable)this is the United States and the government of the city of Kannapolis needs to assert its independence from Castle and Cook, and Murdock. Oh, it has none? Gee....
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: Saturday, July 26, 2008 7:29 AM

Much ado about...if not nothing, then very, very little....
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get over it! : Saturday, July 26, 2008 2:39 AM

I have to laugh when people on here make it seem like Dale put the town on the map! Haha! Nobody outside of NC knows nothing about Kannapolis and could care less! He did nothing for this town anyways. It is just a stupid banner and they were a waste of money. This town is about to change for the better. Your just afraid of change and new ideas. Hate to inform you, but change is a fact of life. Either you can hop on board or you can get left behind!
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Johnny Dobro
Dale's Dead, deal with it... : Saturday, July 26, 2008 12:42 AM

Dale's 15 minutes of fame has come and gone. He lived and died a sore loser. He did nothing for anyone other than himself. Get over it race fans. NASCAR is nothing but a 500 mile commercial for things you already buy. Next they will have the Massengil Douche-bag of the day award for the driver who does something stupid.
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Lisa B. Propst
The Dale Trail : Saturday, July 26, 2008 12:16 AM

David Murdock should be ashamed. Kannapolis is NOT Murdockville and never will be. The Earnhardt family has been put through enough. Life long residents will prevail.
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Bring 'em down! : Saturday, July 26, 2008 12:15 AM

the "Dale Trail" was nothing but another one of way too many schemes to exploit Dale's name and legacy. Teresa's doing enough of that by herself.
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MysteryAngel 333
Are you kidding me?!? : Friday, July 25, 2008 11:38 PM

It was okay for tourism when The Man was alive!!!,Now to diss him and his Family after he's gone,Please! And for the 5-6 % that don't know who Dale is or was,go back under the rock you crawled out from till your beloved guest"O" arrives...Anyone who follows the sport knows ,If Dale were still with us would they pull this,I doubt it.Might hurt their campaign contribution$ Since they already know how valuable the Earnhardt name can be,just not right now?!?
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EARNHARDT IS HISTORY : Friday, July 25, 2008 11:01 PM

AS A LIFE LONG RESIDENT OF ROWAN COUNTY I FIND IT VERY UPSETTING THAT THE TOWN OF KANNAPOLIS IS KISSING THE FEET OF MURDOCK. WHEN POEPLE THINK OF KANNAPOLIS THEY THINK OF DALE!! NOW DALE DID NOT DO A LOT FOR KANNAPOLIS BUT HE PUT IT ON THE MAP. THE HOME TOWN OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR NASCAR DRIVER OF MY TIME IS HOW I REMEMBER THIS SLEEPY LITTLE MILL TOWN. AND TO THE RESIDENTS OF KANNAPOLIS I WOULD BE UPSET THAT MY HOME TOWN HERO IS BEING PUSHED TO THE SIDE FOR SOME CALIFORNIA SNOB. I SAY BEWARE CITY COUNCIL YOU ARE JUST ONE VOTE AWAY FROM THE FRONT DOOR.
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let go people : Friday, July 25, 2008 10:26 PM

dale is not now, or never was a hero. he was simply born here, he moved his whole business including his home out of ktown. let it go people. he was simply a man who was able to drive a race car... big deal. he didn't save any ones life or serve our country. he is not a hero... you may want to look up the meaning of the word hero. go murdock, i hope your dream of bringing jobs to ktown is a great sucess.
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don't hate dale, but ready to see new hope in ktown.
what ever.... : Friday, July 25, 2008 8:40 PM

last i knew dale no longer lived in ktown when he died, he had moved all his money out of ktown. he doesn't even have his little ol' dale building in our ktown... he has it in good ol' mtown... yep morresville... so what is the deal people. get over it. the man had done what he had to do to make a living. he raised his family, he raced cars, he simply was born in ktown....wooohooo.. big deal. i hated the flags, i thought it was tacky,i don't like the fact that he of all people was honored here. what about our men and women of the service, the doctors, the firefighters, the police men and women, the school teachers.... oh yea, dale didn't believe much in school did he... so, go ahead make fun of my grammer and spelling, i know how to spell, i know proper grammer... but most of the rednecks who believed so much in dale don't much care about my education or even the education or the future of our children...rest in peace dale, and my hats and heart goes out to his family. but he didn't make ktown his home... he didn't leave his business here in our town, he moved it to lake norman, and to morresville and to the race track. time to hang up the signs and make way for the futre.
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Proud Kannapolis Native
What Needs To Be Taken Down... : Friday, July 25, 2008 8:10 PM

What needs to be taken down are the members of the City Council who continually bow and cater to every whim and desire of David Murdock. The truth... Kannapolis was the Home of Cannon Mills and Dale Earnhardt. The only Science Kannapolis will be remembered for one hundred years from now is the science of "Bovine Scatology" that Castle and Cook, Atlantic American Properties, and those lackies who fall in lock-step with them have strewn throughout the city. This bunch has been at it for years and now we are expected to follow them down that Yellow Brick Road once again? No thanks!
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Charles
Cabarrus Visitors Bureau : Friday, July 25, 2008 7:59 PM

Folks, I don't know what they are trying to accomplish with this but I do know two things. One is that when the races are in Charlotte, or on occasional vacations, many race fans line up at the building for information on the race teams and such so there is a lot of interest there for tourists. Second, I am wondering who made Castle and Cooke Mayor of Kannapolis and how did they get the authority to say, "We don't like those, we are taking them down now" and the city said,"yes sir, how fast?" Billion dollar investment or not, shouldnt the tax payers who paid for those things have some say or at least some resonable compromise. Save me the whole, he helped fund this arguement because many of us are greatful of what he has done in the community but that doesn't mean you march things and think you walked into Burger King and got things your way. I am not a huge racing fan but I know that the economics of the sport in this area is tremendous and trying to be snobbish and ignore it is simply just as ignorant as some of you like to paint race fans.
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Nansi is right on target : Friday, July 25, 2008 7:46 PM

I don't see anyone around here talking about how the Cannon family sold out when they had the chance, only how wonderful JW and Charlie Cannon were and everyone wishes they were still here. If you want to blame someone, maybe the blame lies at the feet of the Cannon heirs - including Rep. Robin Hayes and his family. They are the ones that sold the mill and village for profit. Murdock just saw an opportunity and bought it. There's dirt on a lot of shoes around here, and I think the person who deserves the least of the mudslinging is David Murdock. At last check, David Murdock is a businessman, not a non-profit organization out to help the indigent. I don't believe he's ever claimed otherwise. Murdock is a man of great vision. Nobody's perfect and like many billionaires, he probably assumes that it would be okay. Not the best in PR, but really, the way folks carry on about every single thing David Murdock does, I doubt he could donate a billion dollars to the city and bend over and kiss Richard Anderson's nether-region and not get criticized. Danged if ya do, danged if ya don't.
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Jennifer
Dale Sr. : Friday, July 25, 2008 7:29 PM

He was a great race driver and he should be remember as one.
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: Friday, July 25, 2008 6:15 PM

They can't even find ?enough qualified people to work at the Research Campus. So where do they propose to get workers
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: Friday, July 25, 2008 6:14 PM

I for one am glad they decided to take down the flags, because Dale Earnhardt never done anything for Kannapolis anyway....If they were going to put a statue up and flags, they should have been for Charles Cannon. The founder of Cannon Mills.
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John
Let it go : Friday, July 25, 2008 6:13 PM

The Dale Trail was a neat concept, but looks trashy and desperate. I'm happy to see the flags come down. The NCRC will do more for Kannapolis and NC than Earnhardt ever did and I was a fan of his. Time moves on, times change and Kannapolis is trying to forge a new identity to seperate itself from the ultra blue color roots it's currently known for. You can hold on to your heritage with slapping a bunch of flags up for a dead guy who drove a car in circles.
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EJHill
This just in… Dale Earnhardt Sr. is still dead… : Friday, July 25, 2008 5:50 PM

Now, I watch about as much NASCAR as the next guy… but this I do not understand. Would you show up at a Yankee game with a huge “3? banner and scream at the top of your lungs about the greatness of Babe Ruth? Or Soldier Field with “N A G U R S K I ” painted across your chest? Or go to a Nets game in the the Meadowlands to start a chant of “PET-RO-VIC! PET-RO-VIC!”?? Attention, Earnhardt Nation! Dale is DEAD. Its been SEVEN years. Root like crazy for Junior if you must but this eternal mourning has now lasted longer than the Cup careers of Ryan Newman, Jamie McMurray, Kasey Kahne and Kyle Busch. Not only is he DEAD, he ain’t comin’ back! It is NOT a question of two tires or four. He has retired to the ETERNAL GARAGE AREA. God has loaded him onto the Holy Trailer and transported him back to the Heavenly Wind Tunnel for Testing Without End. The Obamassiah will not raise him. “Three” is just a number between “Two” and “Four.” Dale is D-E-A-D.
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Support Dale : Friday, July 25, 2008 5:33 PM

If people want to support Dale, why don't the go see the baseball team he once owned part of the Kannapolis Intimidators!
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: Friday, July 25, 2008 5:08 PM

For those saying what did Dale do for Kannapolis all i have to say is help put the name of Kannapolis in the fore front in advertising and is a native son of Kannapolis.I agree about the banners i never saw a reason to spend the money on something that had such a short life. But as far as Murdock helping the people of Kannapolis i don't see that all he has done is bring the research center here. You will see in the next few years a inflow of out of town people moveing in takeing all the jobs and the tax rate going up to where the people that worked in the mill can not even afford to live there.To think that the mill workers would see jobs from this are being naive. Even with schooling they are at a disadvantage.He may have saved a town but at the expense of the town people.
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Dale Earnhardt Trail : Friday, July 25, 2008 5:06 PM

I cannot believe that big money can buy the menory of Dale Earnhardt out of Kannapolis. Amazing what money can buy these days.
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P-l-e-a-s-e : Friday, July 25, 2008 4:53 PM

can we all just get along with each other ?!
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#3 Forever
This is the best entry on this blog so far : Friday, July 25, 2008 4:34 PM

Below is the best entry on this blog so far. It offers several good points to ponder. Basically , 1. if Dale Sr. walked on water it was because he knew where the rocks were and 2. a company town is a company town is a company town. Doesn't matter what we say here or whether we agree with decisions made about our town. It's out of our control and the wheels on the bus go round. P.S. This had to be posted by someone who knew Dale well or is related to him. I'm just glad the person did not quote the address of the house in Royal Oaks where Dale and Brenda lived when Dale Jr was born since I live nearby and don't want the street clogged with sightseers. Read this and think. 'A Couple of Things.. : Friday, July 25, 2008 8:25 AM As a K-town native, graduate of AL Brown and classmate of Dale Sr at Cannon Jr High (Dale never attended Brown -- he had failed 2 grades so, when he turned 16 in late April 1967, he was in the 9th grade and he quit school then only a month before the school year ended), I have not lived in K-town since the September I left for college in the early 1970's. Of course I've come back for visits every year but my perspective is different because I have not lived there as an adult. Here are some of my thoughts on this subject. Dale lived in Kannapolis until he made enough money to buy his house at Lake Norman on Dooley Road in the mid-1970's. He and his second wife were renting a house in Royal Oaks when Dale Jr was born. After he started making money and becoming famous, the town reached out to him to make him a "favorite" son. I had to LOL when I saw the photo of him holding up the A.L. Brown green letter jacket he was given. He never attended Brown, hated the notion of going to Brown and I have often wondered whether that letter jacket ended up on the floor of one of his chicken coops at his farm. His father had died of a heart attack at home in the early 1970's. Did Dale ever donate a heart wing at Cabarrus Hospital in memory of his dad? Did he ever start a scholarship at Brown for students to pursue mechanical engineering degrees ? Did he ever show any interest or invest any money in helping the community where he grew up? He may have been Nascar's Elvis but he didn't rally around K-town the way Elvis rallied around Memphis. Another thought here is that K-town is once again becoimg a "company town" -- the companies have changed, that's all. The Cannons passed the torch to David Murdock years ago. As long as K-town remains under the control of one person or one family, it will remain under the control of that person or family. In other words, the owner will do what he/she/they please and the residents can get behind it and support it or grumble about it or move away. I'm not offering an opinion on the Dale Trail Flags or Oprah or Murdock or Cannon Mills or anyone else. I am just tossing some thoughts out there. "
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Former Salisbury Resident Tracy W.
What The @#$%*??? : Friday, July 25, 2008 4:30 PM

Any race fan that lives in Cabarrus, Rowan or anywhere around Kannopolis should break out their banners and flags. To take down the banners along the Dale Trail is a slap in the face not only to Earnhardt, but to all the race fans in the community. The perception that all race fans are hillbilly rednecks makes my blood boil. I myself live just outside of Pittsburgh,PA in an upper middle class neighborhood. There are plenty of race fans in my neighborhood of O'Hara Township. The 80 year old lady that lives across the street from me proudly flies her Dale Sr. and Dale Jr. flags every weekend and lets me know about it when I don't have my Jr. flag up. If some VIP was to come to Pittsburgh and some big shot was to ask that all the Steeler and Penguin Banners be taken down they would be told to go somewhere. If the powers that be did say OK they would be out of a job real quick. All race fans in this area should make their way down to Cannon Village wearing their Earnhardt hats and shirts and carrying their flags. The powers that be in Kannapolis are a bunch of wimps to bow down to the ALMIGHTY MURDOCK. This butthead wants to wipe out all the history in this town, not just the Earnhardt legacy. I wonder if he sent Norfolk-Southern an email asking them not to send any trains through Kannapolis during his precious VIP's visit.
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Proceed with progress....FASTER!!!!!!!!!
Sorry Gwen Peadan : Friday, July 25, 2008 4:27 PM

Proceed with progress is me not David Murdock! By the way, thanks to the poster that pointed out that I misspelled Mr. Murdocks last name. Glad that was the best you could do! It must really make you two mad to hear the truth! Comparing the Statue of Liberty with Dale Earnhart trail signs is the MOST rediculous comparison I have ever heard. Guess you slept through the history lesson about the Statue of Liberty being Made in Paris by the French sculptor Bartholdi, in collaboration with Gustave Eiffel. It was placed on Ellis island where it would welcome immigrants that was, at the time where most came into America. She symbolizes freedom throughout the world. Its formal name is Liberty Enlightening the World. The statue depicts a woman escaping the chains of tyranny, which lie at her feet. I don't recall "good ole Dale" ever having that much prestige! Gwen, you are the perfect example of what I stated about getting an education! Check into it. Think about what this research park is going to do for future generations that are getting the education necessary to work there. Meanwhile, keep watching cars go in circles and do your minimum wage job! #3 fan, I thought people like you had inbred themselves out of existance!
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: Friday, July 25, 2008 4:24 PM

God help, I agree with Richard Anderson
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Clearing the way for another VIP in Kannapolis : Friday, July 25, 2008 4:20 PM

Murdock isn’t the problem in Kannapolis, per se. The real problem is the fourth generation cotton mill mentality that looks for a “mill boss” to provide the kind of leadership that no one else is willing or able to step forward to provide. The Cannons ran the town for most of the 20th Century, like hundreds of other mill towns all over the South. The elected officials of those towns typically did as the mill bosses wanted, or they didn’t get re-elected. Then when Kannapolis shifted from a cotton mill town to abject poverty, the elected leadership vacuum was never improved upon. The elected leadership are not “bad” people. It’s just all they’ve ever known to do—look to the mill boss. Now that Murdock has come in and been generous with his money, and our tax dollars, he is the new mill boss. True, he ain’t from around here, but he has a vision that elected officials are unwilling or incapable of. And it appears that his vision will ultimately bring us more prosperity than any of the prior mill bosses. So we, as its people, should be open to the path of prosperity that Murdock can bring us. After all, our elected officials are absolutely never going to go against the wishes of Murdock, because they don’t have any competing vision that would bring more prosperity, nor will they ever try to compose an alternate vision. It isn’t in our local leadership gene pool to buck the wishes of a mill boss. Now, whether the VIP is as famous as Oprah Winfrey or Barack Obama, or as infamous as Woody Allen or Martha Stewart, we should be willing to show our hospitality, and accept that Murdock knows best. The “Dale Trail” is not the kind of positive image for the town that we need as we launch into the technology era. And for those who want to cling to the past, it is not unrealistic that the city leaders would consider a reasonable request from Mrs. Earnhardt to relocate the statue to Mooresville. Racing can be their “thing,” and biotechnology can be our “thing.” In the meantime, “Can’t we just all get along?”
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not to be argumentative,but.. : Friday, July 25, 2008 4:16 PM

From what I understand,from friends that live in the area,Dale Earnhardt was really big into giving back to the community and beyond.I have been told by many that his contributions both large and small were not something he talked about,and he in fact asked people not to talk about them.. I think a tribute to a man who did not forget his roots,and who gave back to his community should be remembered.there has been too much cashing in on his name,and it is sad,but I see nothing wrong with a tribute in one way or another.
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Race Fans Should Ignore Kannapolis if they are going to ignore Dale! : Friday, July 25, 2008 4:10 PM

The whole thing in a complete nutshell is the Town has made lots of money off Dale Sr's Legacy, and that's a fact. They have no problem using marketing tools stating Kannapolis was Dale's Hometown to make money. The man is dead and for people to say he was rude is rude within itself. Was Dale not good enough to have his signs displayed while the cars of "VIP" dart through town? Most of the time the "VIP" are riding in the back of a car and would never even see the sign. Is there any other signs that need to come down like a fallen officer/war veteran, or are they good enough. The town should be ashamed to let this happen. Glad to not be leaving in Kannapolis, and will never stop and spend money there! How would Kannapolis feel if the race fans removed them from RACE WEEKS IN CONCORD. No more using the Hotels, Restaurants, or Shopping.
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Reggie White
Slowly we turn into Metropolis : Friday, July 25, 2008 4:06 PM

Everyone should see Metropolis, the old silent film. Or, read 1984. Both deal with similar overall concepts. People started out as true individuals. They thought differently, worked differently, and believed differently. Slowly, the "establishment" or "Big Brother" (or in this context, power-hungry Murdock) took over and erased all memory of the past to create their idea of Metropolis, their idea of a utopia. Eventually, people rebelled. I implore the people of Kannapolis to not allow your history to be forgotten. You have already lost a beautiful building, the old Cannon Mill. You have lost (or are losing) the memory of Dale Earnhardt. What more do you have to lose? I beg you to go to City Council meetings, put signs in your yard, go door-to-door, whatever it takes to keep the city alive. Don't allow Kannapolis to turn into a Metropolis!
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Sorry, not visiting the "home of science" : Friday, July 25, 2008 4:03 PM

I would have come to Kannapolis to visit and am interested in the racing history. But, I'm not taking a 14 hour trip to visit the 'home of science'. You still won't get people to come visit. Sorry Mr. Murdock.
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Time to move on... : Friday, July 25, 2008 3:59 PM

Did Dale help bild schools? Did he give back to Kannapolis? Did he defend our country or fight fires? Did he protect and serve? Did he teach our children values? No, he drove a race car. It's time to let go of the past Kannapolis. If you want to honor someone, honor the real heros of the area, not someone who was made famous on the track. You could have spent that $14,000 on you schools' needs!! This research center means growth and oppertunity for this area. Something we should look forward to. Change is on the way, we can either embrace it or be left in the dust as just another small backwood southern town.
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Take the Flags Down???! : Friday, July 25, 2008 3:54 PM

Who owns the town now? It would look like Murdock controls what goes on in the town since he had the flags taken down. I understand that he only owns the old textile mill site, so why doesn't he just have those taken down? It is a sad day when someone so prominent as Dale Sr has to have his memory taken out for the sake of some "mystery" guest who may or may not give a hoot about how things got started. Seems that big money always wins out in the long run.-
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Grunt
About Time : Friday, July 25, 2008 3:51 PM

those who had any dealing with Dale, except for his close friends, knew what a jerk he could be sometimes with his big head. Ktown needs to move forward and it is. Hats off to removing the signs.
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Ken Dennis
Dale Trail removed : Friday, July 25, 2008 3:49 PM

I would love to see this polltaken: Should tax revenue money, which pays for the Visitors Bureau, pay to have the signs removed because David Murdock wants them down before his guests arrive in town? OR Should all instructions of David Murdock be obeyed by the city of Kannapolis? I am only one person, I thought it was wrong that they were put up , only because of how they were paid for but the wishes of David Murdock, who also is only one person are granted no matter what any one else thinks or feels. I just am not rich and do not have the city in my pocket. The city sure has its hand in my pocket though.
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Nansi
Vanessa Ruffing : Friday, July 25, 2008 3:31 PM

Dear Vanessa, You asked who died and made him (Murdock) boss. The person who died was Charles A Cannon in April 1971. The people who made him (Murdock) boss are Charles A. Cannon's heirs who sold the town and the company to Murdock. Legend says Murdock did not realize he was buying the town -- he thought he was just buying the mill. Sometimes we get confused on who the villians are in this saga -- Murdock isn't the only one. He could not have bought a town that was not for sale. In some people's eyes, the Cannon family went from hero to zero real fast after selling us out.
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Bet you : Friday, July 25, 2008 3:22 PM

I bet you that David Murdock does not even know a thing about the banners being taken down or probably that they even existed. It was probably the idea of his local employees wanting some of the ripped weathered banners taken down and it grew to all of them, since they did not really lead to anywhere. By the way, Murdock did know Dale because he let him go fishing in Kannapolis Lake with Neil Bonnett in the 1980's. So I guess if Dale was still alive he wouldn't be too mad about the banners being removed as long as he could still go fishing. At least the CCVB is going to sell the old banners and recoup some of my tax money spent on the $14,000 banners.
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Stirring the Pot...even more
Dear Gwen Peaden : Friday, July 25, 2008 3:13 PM

Like I said in my posting, I am not taking sides or saying anyone is wrong. I am just tossing facts out there. If you are offended or your feelings are hurt by those facts I presented, maybe you should stop reading this blog. Have a wonderful weekend, Gwen !
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Murdock owes Cannon : Friday, July 25, 2008 2:51 PM

Murdock is the man who took the Cannon pensions and ran off. Why has Kannapolis bent over for him? He is only going to screw you over and over and over. You think ANY of his investments are really going to help any of you? ASK SOMEONE WHO LOST EVERYTHING WHEN THE PLANT CLOSED HOW GREAT A MAN HE IS.
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Jennifer
Praise the Lord : Friday, July 25, 2008 2:51 PM

It's about time we took those signs down, it was corny to start with.
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Dale Trail : Friday, July 25, 2008 2:50 PM

It's about time.Get rid of the Redneck signs.Highway 3 is enough to remember someone that done nothing for Kannapols.
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Citizen for the future of Kannapolis
You just don't get : Friday, July 25, 2008 2:45 PM

You really don't get. I'm from Kannapolis and I left sometime ago to attend school at UNC. I studied chemistry and ulimately received a job in the Raleigh area. We really need to think about the future of our City. But you are correct, the Research Campus is not necessarily for the old timers, but the great part about the Research Campus is it will provide great opportunities for our children. How awesome is it to think that once our kids go off to college that they can actually come back to Kannapolis and get a job-a high paying job. Let's stop complaining about the Flags. We are better than that! Let's stop being selfish and support what is going to help our kids. It is time for those banners to come down; they were a ridiculous idea in the first place. Why is it that Kannapolis is so bent on recognizing a man that granted was born here but never did one thing for this town? Truth be told the majority of Kannapolis residents that knew Dale Earnhardt Sr. felt anything but love for the man. He's not the hometown hero, he is simply a man from the town that made a name for himself driving a car in circles. I would much rather the town I grew up in be known as the "Home of Science" than Earnhardt Country. As for the comments about the Research Campus not helping Kannapolis, foolish. Granted the people who are hired to work there will have to be educated and there is nothing wrong with that; taking the time and pride in yourself to actually get an education is something you should be rewarded for. There are people in Kannapolis who went to school and actually made something of themselves and those who didn't made that choice all on their own. When the mill closed down people were paid unemployment while they went to school if they chose, if they didn't then it's their own fault. The research campus is going to help Kannapolis out tremendously and those who want us to stay that little redneck town that worships Dale Sr. need to take a look at the big picture.
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In Reference to PLAIN AND SIMPLE'S remarks: : Friday, July 25, 2008 2:41 PM

Talk about education !! You need to learn how to spell "MURDOCK".
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Gwen Peaden
Removal of the Dale Trail : Friday, July 25, 2008 2:39 PM

This is the most dishonable thing I have ever heard of!! It doesn't matter who the "visitor" is nor how rich he/she may be. When you come to the Kannapolis/Concord area, you need to expect to embrace the history of the area. This issue is not totally about Dale, let's face it not everyone is/was a fan, it's more about history and heritage. How would everyone feel about NY taking down the Statue of Liberty because foreign visitors might not like what it stands for? Give me a break, how could anyone from North Carolina be in favor of this? And BTW, I think certain posters here like "Sirring the pot" and "Proceed with progress" might really be Murdock in disguise.
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John in Mooresville
The Dale Trail : Friday, July 25, 2008 2:31 PM

In my opinion that is a smack in the face to the Earnhardt family, Earnhardt fans, and Kannapolis area. The Earnhardt family has brought so much to the area and I think the town of Kannapolis should just come out and say "it's all about the money..."
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Patti
Dale and Oprah and Dennis Rodman Dale and Oprah and Dennis Rodman : Friday, July 25, 2008 2:31 PM

I can't remember exactly what happened but maybe somebody can refresh my memory. Isn't there a history of bad blood between Oprah and Dale? Didn't she invite him on her show years ago and then leave him sitting in the green room for the entire show because she was so wrapped up in interviewing Dennis Rodman about why he was dressed up as a bride? Or did I dream that ? If she is the "Mystery Guest" tomorrow and I am correct about her show that day, that would explain why David's dudes are scurrying around to hide everything in sight with a #3 on it. Forget the Confederate flags -- get out your #3 flags and wave them high and proud all day tomorrow !
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Mark Huddleston
Murdock is a bully like Smith : Friday, July 25, 2008 2:24 PM

When billionares don't get their way they stomp and cry. Dale Earnhardt will always be remembered for what he did for Cabarrus County and will have more people vist because of him and not a food research county. Murdock needs to remember he is in NASCAR central and there are more fans of raceing than sicence
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Big Bad John
The Bottom Line : Friday, July 25, 2008 2:23 PM

THE BOTTTOM LINE IS THAT THE MAN OWNS THE TOWN. IT'S BOUGHT AND PAID FOR. HE CAN CHANGE HIS MIND ABOUT DALE TRAIL FLAGS AND ANYTHING ELSE HE WANTS TO CHANGE HIS MIND ABOUT AT ANY TIME. ONE OF THE PREVIOUS POSTINGS SAYS IT ALL -- "IT'S STILL A COMPANY TOWN."
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: Friday, July 25, 2008 2:22 PM

Murdock doesn't own all the mill houses anymore. Atlantic American (Murdock) only owns a small portion. The owner of the majority of Oak Ave mill houses can't do anything with them, due to the original mill workers having lifetime rights to the homes. When they die, the owner said he's keeping them b/c property value is soaring. He's not selling anytime soon I know.
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Dale Trail : Friday, July 25, 2008 2:21 PM

Get Bruton Smith to threaten to leave and take the track again- a joke to begin with, still a joke- that should get attention and real, metal Dale Trail signs, plus another $40 million or so for Bruton- although it might be fun to see which bag of hot air would win this one.
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#3 Fan
Here's an idea Here's an idea... : Friday, July 25, 2008 2:08 PM

We should all run out today and buy a Confederate flag and then line the streets of downtown tomorrow wavin' those flags as they arrive...show 'em the good ole' Stars and Bars...a TRUE Southern welcome...
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Vanessa Ruffing
Dale Trail signs : Friday, July 25, 2008 2:05 PM

They should stay up. Who cares about a billionaire coming to town? Who cares about Murdock? Who died and left him boss anyway?
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Louise Norman
Dale E. Story : Friday, July 25, 2008 2:04 PM

Hi, I think Jessie Burchette did a great job covering this. She is an excellent writer.
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Miss Priss
Are you really that surprised ? : Friday, July 25, 2008 1:57 PM

Did Mr. Murdock supply the funds for the Textile Museum in Kannapolis ? if he didn't do that, why would he be interested in "preserving" any reminders of Dale Earnhardt ? In his mind, our lives began the day he arrived in town. He thinks we were (are) ignorant peasants till he got here to save us. My big concern is where all those renters in the mill houses are going to live after he kicks them out. Lots of them are retired Cannon workers who can't afford to pay high rent in some apartment complex. Hopefully, their families are reading the writing on the wall and already making plans to help them.
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The Dale Trail Signs : Friday, July 25, 2008 1:41 PM

They need to stay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Dale worked hard to get where is was and deserves the recogition. The citizens of this area are proud of the #3!!!!! The Dale Trail is great for tourisim.
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Sunny Day in the 'hood
What about Phoenix NC ? : Friday, July 25, 2008 1:40 PM

After all, the town is rising from it's own ashes like the mythical bird...and the phoenix was a firebird so what about Firebird, NC ?
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Suzy Q
history lover's 9:35 posting is correct... : Friday, July 25, 2008 1:31 PM

From the maps, drawings, sketches I have seen, the streets in the area from Loop Rd all the way up to what is now known as Mooresville Hwy/Hwy 3 and West "C" Street and over to West "A" Street all the way to N. Main will be condos and patio homes...don't know how they will handle buying the property of private owners in that area but it will be easy to move the renters out. We all remember how easily, quickly and ruthlessly that first wave of displacing renters was done by Mr Murdock's people (some of whom are natives of Kannapolis and have lived here all their lives) in the early to mid 80's..that is the reason the houses on and near South Main Street just south of the old Cabarrus Mill site have been vacant for so long now...just waiting for their turn with the bulldozers...the Christmas carol "Once in Royal David's City" comes to mind. Next on the agenda is the changing of the town's name to Murdockville or Murdock City or Davidia or maybe a name that is actually an abbreviation like RTP is used for Research Triangle Park NC. We may be eventually live in NCRC, NC !
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proceed with progress!
Plain and simple : Friday, July 25, 2008 1:15 PM

You people in Ktown need to stop complaining about every little thing Murdoch does. If he hadn't bought out the mills in the 90's you wouldn't have had jobs as long as you did. If he hadn't removed the mills and replaced it with the research campus, you would have a run down pile of buildings as an eyesore to complain about. Those still complaining about being undereducated for the jobs at the research campus need to rethink this! You were given the opportunity to go back to school and get a better education which may have led to landing a job there. Did most of you? NO. You were to ignorant to take advantage of something that could have bettered your lives at someone else's expense! Don't blame Murdoch for your stupidity and laziness. I can guarantee you that the research campus will eventually bring more money to Ktown than DEI ever dared to. If Murdoch decides to remove Dale Earnhardt's statue he has the right to, guess who paid for it! HE DID! Let Dales second wife and DEI pay to keep Dale's legacy alive if they want. I have no more compassion for her than she did for her stepson, or have you all forgotten that! That family has made tons off of exploiting his death (and with thanks to David Murdochs help). History is to be preserved but not lived every day! You can still honor your legend without tacky "flags" that are torn and weathered dangeling from the roadsides. Why don't you fans of Dale's get together and pay for a museum (out of your pockets) if you are so concerned about it! That will keep taxpayers from having anything to do with it, but you will still find something to complain about. Be thankful SOMEONE has enough interest in nowhere Ktown to try to bring something new to it to keep it on the map. If you moved your butt off the sofa and off the race track and went back to school you wouldn't have these things to complain about! It's called progress people, there is no excuse for lack of education!
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history lover : Friday, July 25, 2008 12:35 PM

some news for the Mill homes. they are going to be gone soon and condos are going up in there place. they city just hasn't told ya'll yet
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Pulaski
Progress, but at what cost : Friday, July 25, 2008 11:53 AM

The research campus may represent progress, but progress does not require that history be forgotten. Shame on David Murdock for this clumsy act that dishonors Kannapolis and its residents.
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Janet Dennis
VIP Visit Prompts Removal : Friday, July 25, 2008 11:30 AM

July 26, I have some people that are just as VIP to me coming in as the mystery guest visiting David Murdock is to him. I have my grandson and Tony Phillips who I understand is coming in to work on his motorcycle.Being deeply offended by the exploitation of the taxpayers of Kannapolis, Cabarrus and Rowan counties, I therefore request that all banners, signs , billboards, referring in any way to David Murdock, and any businesses, real estate companies, or any other items related to the profits he will make at the expense of the good taxpayers be removed because they deeply offend my delicate sensibilities, and feel it also will offend my guest. I do not want them to know that the taxpayers in our area are so compliant that they continue to reelect, nuch less fail to remove from office, all the elected officials who are allowing our money to give public welfare to this billionaire in order to further enrich him.It has to make us all look bad.
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Renee' Wilhelm
If you can't stand for something you will fall for anything... : Friday, July 25, 2008 11:29 AM

Whether you liked Dale Earnhardt or not is irrelavent...we all know he was from Kannapolis. There are hundreds of thousands of people that loved and hated him as a NASCAR driver. He was the MAN in his hey day. The fact of the matter is that David Murdock came to Kannapolis proclaiming to be some saviour, first to save the mill and the jobs but he didn't. Neither did the UNION! Now that cotton is no longer king here in our South, jobs are going to Mexico and over seas (thanks for NAFTA, Bill Clinton) our people are no longer needed. Citizens of Kannapolis are now "Owned" by his fake charms. His promise of jobs are not for the people of Kannapolis, they are for higher educated people that will come from out of state that will try to change our small southern town. The fact of the matter is that EVERY citizen in Kannapolis should protest EVERYTHING David Murdock has a hand in. Do NOT patronize his Research Park, his Forty-Six Restaurant, his out-of-state hotels, resorts, golf courses, his business developments, Dole Foods nor HIS roads. My hopes for his Research Park is that the old Cannon Lake continues to refuse to die and sinks his copper-topped core building straight on down beyond.
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Stirring the Pot
A Couple of Things.. : Friday, July 25, 2008 11:25 AM

As a K-town native, graduate of AL Brown and classmate of Dale Sr at Cannon Jr High (Dale never attended Brown -- he had failed 2 grades so, when he turned 16 in late April 1967, he was in the 9th grade and he quit school then only a month before the school year ended), I have not lived in K-town since the September I left for college in the early 1970's. Of course I've come back for visits every year but my perspective is different because I have not lived there as an adult. Here are some of my thoughts on this subject. Dale lived in Kannapolis until he made enough money to buy his house at Lake Norman on Dooley Road in the mid-1970's. He and his second wife were renting a house in Royal Oaks when Dale Jr was born. After he started making money and becoming famous, the town reached out to him to make him a "favorite" son. I had to LOL when I saw the photo of him holding up the A.L. Brown green letter jacket he was given. He never attended Brown, hated the notion of going to Brown and I have often wondered whether that letter jacket ended up on the floor of one of his chicken coops at his farm. His father had died of a heart attack at home in the early 1970's. Did Dale ever donate a heart wing at Cabarrus Hospital in memory of his dad? Did he ever start a scholarship at Brown for students to pursue mechanical engineering degrees ? Did he ever show any interest or invest any money in helping the community where he grew up? He may have been Nascar's Elvis but he didn't rally around K-town the way Elvis rallied around Memphis. Another thought here is that K-town is once again becoimg a "company town" -- the companies have changed, that's all. The Cannons passed the torch to David Murdock years ago. As long as K-town remains under the control of one person or one family, it will remain under the control of that person or family. In other words, the owner will do what he/she/they please and the residents can get behind it and support it or grumble about it or move away. I'm not offering an opinion on the Dale Trail Flags or Oprah or Murdock or Cannon Mills or anyone else. I am just tossing some thoughts out there.
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Banners Down : Friday, July 25, 2008 11:17 AM

If the visitors bureau was not also under the command of Murdock, they would have told him if he wants them down and they agree to his request then he can reimburse them the amount of money they paid for the banners and all promotion costs with the campaign, and pay to have them removed.
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Poor Dale : Friday, July 25, 2008 11:16 AM

He never did anything for Kannapolis, He wouldn't even admit that he was from here I think they need to take that Stupid Statue to Mooresville where it belongs since that is where he claims to be from anyway. The only thing he did for Kannapolis was costed us tax dollars by builiding that park with his stupid staute in.
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If it is Oprah..... : Friday, July 25, 2008 11:14 AM

Will it be the fat, whiney Oprah? Or will it be the lean, whiney Oprah? And if it is Oprah, you can bet that she will be campaigning for Obama while she is here. I grew up in Kannapolis, back when it was a more decent town, before it became a city. Then this wonderful man, David Murdock came to towm to save it. He saved it alright. Ask the thousands of Cannon Mills employees their opinion. Make sure Oprah knows the history, maybe we can tell her we are all starving little school girls from a far away country, that don't have any shoes, and she will bring her film crew when she hands out presents. Or maybe Tom Cruise will be with her to dedicate a Looney Bin er.. Scientology Church on the Research Campus.
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: Friday, July 25, 2008 11:12 AM

You have to be honest about the signs, they are kind of stupid!! "dale trail" a trail to what? Im sure someone will put them on E-bay and some red neck will spend his car payment to buy one. Sometimes you have to let things go, im sure in a couple years the flags would have been damaged by weather and would have came down anyway. Maybe they should put something up about Richard Petty since he was from Ktown. The real race king!!
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Dales home town
Dales Fame : Friday, July 25, 2008 11:11 AM

If you think its ,,ok to remove them,,YOU are a yankee,,move back where you came from,,This is the south,,,We ain;t fer-gettin , We were here before Murdock and we will be here way after he,s gone,, Long live Dales Name and fame
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Clearer paragraph : Friday, July 25, 2008 11:08 AM

The 3rd paragraph in your story is not clear. It somewhat sounds as if the statue is being taken down also. If the statue is taken down, will it be replaced by a bronze bowl of fruit? And while we're at it, let's put up banners for the "DOLE" trail. For those of you who are not aware, Mr. Murdock owns the company "Dole". As in fruits and vegetables.
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a mom : Friday, July 25, 2008 11:04 AM

WHAT A BUMMER. I WAS THERE TWO YEARS AGO AND THOUGHT IT WAS REAL NICE AND ALSO MET MOM EARNHARDT. THAT WHOLE AREA IS RACING. DOES THAT MILLIONAIRE NEED TO UPSET EVERYTHING IN HIS WAY. IF IT'S OPRA, THERE IS ANOTHER REASON WHY I DON'T WATCH HER. IT'S $$$$$$$$$$
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Prepare ye, the way of the Murdock : Friday, July 25, 2008 10:47 AM

I'm so happy we're replacing Dale's Trail! Praise be for David Murdock, our messiah! Instead of Dale's Trail, why don't we have "Murdock's Meandering" or "Dave's Drive"? Better still, how about "Research Rio Drive"? Let's get rid of the Dale statue and erect a huge bust of Murdock (a skinny old man delusional enough to think he's going to live to be 150) that we can all turn to and pray periodically throughout the day!
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C'mon now... : Friday, July 25, 2008 10:45 AM

I think it is a disgrace this man Murdock came in and had those mill buildings torn down. They should have been left standing forever more as a memorial to the Cannons. And how dare he spend his money in Kannapolis! Should have done like Dale,Sr. and built his research campus in Mooresville. At least they might appreciate it.
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Banners Removed : Friday, July 25, 2008 10:34 AM

I never thought the banners should have been up in the first place, but that is not the point. The point is if any other business person, or individual, or company would have the nerve to tell the city they wanted the banners removed because they had a special guest coming to town, they would be laughed out of tow. I wish there was a line of rednecks mooning Murdock and his special guest all the way into town.
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NC Native
Castle & Cooke are handling things clumsily : Friday, July 25, 2008 10:32 AM

I continue to watch how clumsy Castle & Cooke are handling things. They had an influence in the Dale Trail and now have to dis-own it. They love to promote in their materials that Kannapolis has an active arts community, specifically the wonderful Piedmont Dance Theatre, but now through arrogance and clumsiness, are forcing the troupe to move essentially out of the Kannapolis area. Thanks again, C & C!
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The Retirement Fund : Friday, July 25, 2008 10:27 AM

I wish the truth was out there about the retirement fund that every thinks was stolen. The facts are the the only money taken and not rolled over into a retirement fund was an excess fund created by Cannon Mills for a tax write off, it was money that "overfunded" the retirement plan and could not be used in the actual fund. No money from the actual retirement plan was taken it was transferred to another retirement plan. I worked at Cannon when this happened and know the real true facts. Actually the benefits improved when Murdock purchased the mill. Also, maybe people need to remember after Fieldcrest purchase the mill and the retirement plan had troubles in the earlt 90's, it was Murdock who made sure local retires received their money not Fieldcrest. Let's look forward and be positive for all the things we have and should thank God for our blessings..
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Tellin it like it is
Time for Real Change : Friday, July 25, 2008 10:24 AM

Dale Trail, How stupid.. All banners like these are a huge waste of out tax dollars. Kannapolis and Salisbury have 30+ year old antiquated traffic lights, poor roads, etc. But those in power choose to waste money on banners and man power instead of traffic flow and other issues everyday drivers have to deal with.. The banners around the square in Salisbury are another example.. Dale Earnhardt was only liked by so many old school fans because he raced dirty and wrecked people.. How much of the DEI millions were ever spent to better his home town ??? They should have never been put up in the first place !!
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Pathetic!! : Friday, July 25, 2008 10:23 AM

He ripped the people off one time and he will do it again. This man is out for David and no one else, anything that will line his pockets (bank account) is all he cares about. The banners on the Dale Trail must remind him that Dale Earnhardt was loved and David Murdock is not. Thousands of people visit Kannapolis yearly because of Dale Earnhardt and will continue to do so long after David Murdock is gone. Dale Earnhardt is an icon nationwide and you can't remove him from the hearts of the American racing community. I would not walk from my house to my mailbox to see Davis Murdock or Oprah Winfrey, they are manipulators and users.
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you got to be kidding me : Friday, July 25, 2008 10:21 AM

im very upset with this. i was raised on dale earnhardt. never did i miss a race and even with him gone i still dont. kann is the man's hometown and should be honored to be. i cant believe they are going to let one person change that.
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Heather Jessee
Very Disappointed in the City of Kannapolis : Friday, July 25, 2008 10:02 AM

I believe taking down the Dale Trail banners for a wealthly individual is not right. There are many Dale fans in Kannapolis and surrounding areas that might never dream of the money that Murdock has but always knows what the phrase "honoring a Legend" means to them. I am very disappointed in the city of Kannapolis especially for all the The Earnhardt family has done for them.
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Remember : Friday, July 25, 2008 10:01 AM

Isn't it funny everyone forgets the Murdock donated the land for and paid for most the atatue. The Dale Trail has outlived its purpose, really to drive by his fathers grave and his mothers house. The real outcry should be the CCVB spending $14,000 for this. It was not the City of Kannapolis. I just wonder why people can not be more realistic and be thankful for what this area has had in the past and has in the future, people like the Cannon's, Earnhardt's and Murdock's who strive and work hard to make their dream come true.
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Paul Eversing
Time to Move ON : Friday, July 25, 2008 10:00 AM

His son and his wife couldn't agree so what, in 20 years who will care. There will be jobs here of importance. It's time to say goodbye to Dale. he was good at racin.Yahoo.
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: Friday, July 25, 2008 9:56 AM

To many of us Kannapolis natives, the Dale Trail was a cheesy attempt by the Cabarrus CVB (which, BTW, has always been run by non-Cabarrus County natives) to capitalize on the death of our favorite son. And, NOT everyone in Kannapolis thought it was a good idea to point out Mrs. Earnhardt's home to anyone and everyone passing through Kannapolis. And, shame on the Salisbury Post for #1) sensationalizing the taking down of old, ratty, dirty flags that have been there too long anyway, and #2) for not getting the most important quote of all, one from an official representative of the Earnhardt family. I encourage Post readers to please make sure you read the entire story and look beyond this article's "spin." By their own admission, the CVB says that the Dale Trail is not going away; it's simply not going to be advertised anymore with $14,000 in flags.
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Get Over It : Friday, July 25, 2008 9:52 AM

Money talks people! I see the removal of those banners as an improvement anyway.
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: Friday, July 25, 2008 9:44 AM

It is time for those banners to come down; they were a ridiculous idea in the first place. Why is it that Kannapolis is so bent on recognizing a man that granted was born here but never did one thing for this town? Truth be told the majority of Kannapolis residents that knew Dale Earnhardt Sr. felt anything but love for the man. He's not the hometown hero, he is simply a man from the town that made a name for himself driving a car in circles. I would much rather the town I grew up in be known as the "Home of Science" than Earnhardt Country. As for the comments about the Research Campus not helping Kannapolis, foolish. Granted the people who are hired to work there will have to be educated and there is nothing wrong with that; taking the time and pride in yourself to actually get an education is something you should be rewarded for. There are people in Kannapolis who went to school and actually made something of themselves and those who didn't made that choice all on their own. When the mill closed down people were paid unemployment while they went to school if they chose, if they didn't then it's their own fault. The research campus is going to help Kannapolis out tremendously and those who want us to stay that little redneck town that worships Dale Sr. need to take a look at the big picture.
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: Friday, July 25, 2008 9:30 AM

So the Dale Trail banners are down thanks to King David and his main grunt at Castle & Crooke (not a typo)just in time for Saturday's "special guest". Good citizens and Dale fans owning property or living along the Dale Trail might want to post their own signs or fly their own flags on their respective properties in support of the memory of Dale and in protest to King David's heartless and disrespectful act of removing the banners.
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Post write about the comments your readers are meaking!!! : Friday, July 25, 2008 9:25 AM

Thank You, to the people that wrote in! Where is the name of Cannons who founded that town and took care of the Kannapolis people. As well for Dale, people of the town are proud that of where he is from and so was he. David Murdock is not out to help the residents of Kannpolis. If he cared he would not have stripped the workers out of their retirement when he sold the mill. Research it!!! The truth is out there. That man outrages me!!!! I would like to see Emily Ford write about the comments that are being made and how alot of the residents really feel. I would appreciate it! I am sure this is not the end of it, he will do more..... Come on Post, place these comments in the paper so everyone can see.
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curious
A guest? : Friday, July 25, 2008 9:25 AM

Hey maybe his special visitor is Parliment's George Clinton. Afterall he is a Kannapolis native. Ha Ha!
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Keeping history alive : Friday, July 25, 2008 9:23 AM

Yea here we go someone with some money thinking they can do what ever they want again. Thats ok you can take down the banners BUT you will never take Dale out of our hearts!! He is a big part of our history and regardless what is in store for the future you always keep the history alive! I dont care who the special guest is I think they would find it awesome how Dale touched the lives of so many people even outside his own home town!
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: Friday, July 25, 2008 9:16 AM

If I lived on Dale Earnhardt Blvd, I would put up plywood signs that say "That's Racin'" in spraypaint or the like just for spite. Can't do anything on private property, Mr. Murdock. You and Oprah can't take it with you either.
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Very Important Guest (?) : Friday, July 25, 2008 9:00 AM

Regardless of who David Murdock is bringing to Kannapolis, the people should stay away as a show of their frustration for the way he runs their town. He couldn't bring anyone that has meant more to Kannapolis than Dale Earnhardt has.
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: Friday, July 25, 2008 8:57 AM

Nascar was here before Murdock. I liked seeing the flags. If it is Oprah he is bringing, does she know that she is coming to a part of the county that loves God and racing???? I think everyone should put up any and all Dale Earnhardt memorabilia that they have.
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: Friday, July 25, 2008 8:55 AM

Perhaps this is why whenever Dale Jr. is introduced before a race, he's from Cleveland, NC now rather than Kannapolis, NC.
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Linda Johnson
Dale Trail Banners : Friday, July 25, 2008 8:50 AM

Why can't Mr. Murdock celebrate both? If you ask someone who is not from this area of the US, what is Kannapolis known for- they won't say Cannon Mills, they will answer Dale Earnhardt from stockcar racing. Why would removing Dale Trail signs permanently put a "best face" on Kannapolis? Mr. Murdock not only offends the Earnhardt family, he is offending many residents of the town. Wealth and power does make for a cold heart.
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Finally : Friday, July 25, 2008 8:48 AM

I have avoided that area of Kannapolis for a long time just because I am sick of hearing about some dead guy who drove in circles. Everyone made him out as some kind of hero...he drove a car for a living. Sheesh!
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: Friday, July 25, 2008 8:46 AM

It's not like any of the citizens in Kannapolis are going to work there. The majority will be college graduate students and professors, as well as people holding degrees. The last I've noticed, Kannapolis people aren't meeting those requirements. These people are in for a rude awakening when they are wondering where all these jobs went!
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history lover
cannon history : Friday, July 25, 2008 8:44 AM

I am a native of K-Town, and I can't beleive how David has taken Charles Cannon out of Kannopolis (Which by the way means City of Looms) If it wasn't for Charles Cannon, David would not even have a city to play with. I wish they would have left some memorial about the mill in town. There is nothing but old mill homes left to tell the history of our mill town. Cannon Mills was the only mill in NC to actually make profit during most years of the depression. I'm just so upset that all this rich mill history Kannapolis had is gone! Sorry I know I'm ranting!
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Anna Lynne
It's his way or the highway : Friday, July 25, 2008 8:33 AM

Does anyone really think that his "important guest" doesn't know they're coming to racing country? Does anyone really think they don't know they're going to see racing themes all throughout the area? This is just another way for Murdock to get what he wants. Next think you know Dale Earnhardt Blvd will become David Murdock Blvd and the Dale statute in Cannon Village will be replaced with one of Murdock. What a crock! Someone needs to tell him to get off his high horse and realize there is space for EVERYTHING here.
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Former Kannapolis Resident
City Bows to Murdoch : Friday, July 25, 2008 8:22 AM

King David is coming to town. Everyone will bow to his every wish. Well, David, I won't bow to you and you certainly don't want to see the salute that I would give to you. Why don't you get off your high horse?
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Dale Trail : Friday, July 25, 2008 8:22 AM

I am so glad those things are finally coming down, they were such a waste of money, that man (Dale) never did anything for Kannapolis anyways so what was the point of glorifing someone when he did not give a rip about the city he was from to begin with. Atleast now I can start to think about some other than racing when I ride through town.
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Who's town is this? : Friday, July 25, 2008 8:21 AM

Don't you think there are more tax paying citizens in Kannapolis and surrounding Rowan and Cabarrus counties who care more about Nascar then the bio-tech. Sure is funny that Kannapolis was put on the map by Cannon Mills and Dale Earnhardt, now you have done away with both. Kannapolis sure doesn't mind using Dale Earnhardt as "their" celebrity when people come from miles around to visit. Whomever, Murdock is bringing to Kannapolis will not be as famous or as "flag-worthy" as Dale Earnhardt. Racing will always be first, get over it Murdock!!
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Leave Dale Alone : Friday, July 25, 2008 8:21 AM

I am proud to have the research campus brought to the Kannapolis area. It will start a new history for us, but I am also very proud of our racing history and our home town hero Dale Earnhardt.
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sensible
move on : Friday, July 25, 2008 8:01 AM

It's time.
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Tired of supplementing billionaires : Friday, July 25, 2008 8:00 AM

I guess Kannapolis will follow Concord's lead next and re-name Dale Earnhardt Blvd. to "Murdock Blvd". This county is run by 2 billionaries, we have sold our souls.......
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Disgusting : Friday, July 25, 2008 7:56 AM

The City Manager is just another puppet for Murdock and his company. Whatever Murdock wants, Murdock is going to get. What a shame that the memory of Dale Earnhardt is deemed not acceptable to Murdock and his minions. I promise you Dale Earnhardt's name is much more recognizable than Murdock's and it always will be. Also, I'll guarantee anyone that there is no comparison between the number of visitors that come to Kannapolis to follow the Dale Trail than come to see Murdock's monument ( aka NC Research Campus). These visitors put money in the local economy that I'm sure is much appreciated. The Visitors Bureau should also be ashamed for agreeing to go along with this. I don't know why the city of Kannapolis now needs a City Manager now that they have Mr. Murdock because he and his company make all the decisions for the city. Mr. Anderson is quiet correct in saying this is a slap in the face of the Earnhardt family. I doubt seriously that the good hard working folks in Kannapolis are ashamed or embarrassed by the Dale Trail banners. What a shame that there doesn't appear to be anyone in Kannapolis with enough backbone to say NO to Murdock and his puppets every time they want something.
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Long live Dale Jr. : Friday, July 25, 2008 7:52 AM

I am positive more people recognize the Earnhardt name,than "Murdock"
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Banner Coming Down : Friday, July 25, 2008 7:49 AM

As my husband and I were riding past the banners just two weeks ago, we were saying, well that is another thing Murdock will be getting rid of, we could not believe he had not already. His wish is their command. And, snap to it.
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Dale Trail : Friday, July 25, 2008 7:24 AM

One person matters, and one company, in Kannapolis, and that is David Murdoch and Castle Cooke, the people paying for everything , except for the things which will result in huge profits for Murdoch, are 100% irrelevant. The Dale Trail and the statue were exploitation, there is no doubt about it. Lots of tax money has been used in pprevious attempts to enrich special interst, nothing on the scale that it is now. The retreat by the mayor and City Council has been held each year in the past at the home of David Murdoch at For Pitys Sake. All these people dso is wait to hear what he wants them to do and what he wants the citizens of Kannapolis to pay for, and then they rush to do his bidding. The statue will be moved . There is no question about that, it is just when. Davidapolis, Murdocholis,what ever the new name will be we taxpayers will wait and see. If he could get rid of every one in Kannapolis and still figure out how to get them to pay for everything, he would do that.
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: Friday, July 25, 2008 7:23 AM

JUST CHANGE KANNAPOLIS TO MURDOCK TOWN WHO CARES
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Jose J
: Friday, July 25, 2008 7:18 AM

This is something that needs to be done. Kannapolis needs to embrace the wonderful opportunity that is at its feet. Unforunately something like this can rub the wrong way but people can move forward while still being proud that the Earnhardt legacy has meant to the city.
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: Friday, July 25, 2008 7:17 AM

I JUST DON'T SEE HOW A LITTLE SQUIRT LIKE MURDOCK CAN BE SO MEAN HE WILL HAVE TO MEET GOD ONE DAY AND HE NEEDS TO HAVE SOME COMPASSION ON LEAVING SOMETHINGS ALONE
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Lint Head
history : Friday, July 25, 2008 7:02 AM

Well here we go first it was everything to do with CANNON now Dale Earnhardt whats next the Wonders,Cannon blvd. Dale Earnhardt Blvd, GOD forbid . welcome to the city of David---- Murdoch that is.
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