Area
Coltrain leads candidate spending
 E-mail to a friend
jburchette@salisburypost.com Raymond Coltrain, a Democratic candidate for county commissioner, continues to lead all local candidates in money raising and spending.Coltrain has raised $23,340 including $2,535 since April 20. During the most recent reporting period, which ran from April 20 through June 30, he spent $9,019. Coltrain still has $14,320 on hand as he campaigns in advance of the November election. Coltrain finished first in the Democratic primary with 7,200 votes. Among Coltrain's contributors for the April-to-June cycle were: Robert and Karen Knox of Cleveland, $250; Johnny Moore, Mount Ulla, $250; Vickie and Victor Wallace, Salisbury, $100; Phil Kirk, Raleigh, $200; and Fred Stanback, Salisbury, $500. On the Republican side of the ballot, incumbent Commissioner Jim Sides is operating a low-budget re-election campaign. Sides reported raising $3,010 — $250 in contributions and a $2,700 personal loan. He spent $1,328, mostly on yard signs, and reported having $1,681 on hand. Carl Ford, the other Republican candidate, took in $7,420, mostly in donations from his father and wife. M.D. Ford, his father, contributed $4,000. His wife Angela, contributed $2,000 and also contributed radio spots worth $1,000. She is co-owner of WRNA Radio in China Grove. Despite the family contributions, Ford's campaign is still in the red. He previously loaned his campaign several thousand dollars. As of June 30, his campaign deficit was $3,704. Ford spent most of the money on radio spots but bought $689 in fans and pencils from a New York agency. In the Republican primary, Sides netted 3,670 votes, with Ford collecting 3,546 votes and the second spot. Two Republican candidates who lost in the May 6 primary exceeded the $3,000 benchmark for filing reports. Mike Miller, of China Grove, raised $4,750 and spent $3,500. He finished third with 2,696 votes. Most of Miller's contributions came from businessmen including Paul Fisher, $500; Dwight F. "Dyke" Messinger, $500; Bradley L. Walser, $500; Bruce Jones, $300; Jake F. Alexander, $200; and William R. Wood, $250. Donna Peeler, of Faith, who finished fourth, raised $4,435, spent $4,203 and garnered 2,530 votes. Sheriff George Wilhelm, who has an an ongoing campaign committee, reported raising $60 during the period ending June 30 and spending $1,200. Wilhelm, who is not on the ballot this November, paid $300 to help sponsor the Reagan-Lincoln Day dinner and $600 to rent Salisbury Station. Wilhelm had $5,628 in his campaign account, according to his report. What do you think? Post your comment below. Comments
SalisburyPost.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Former Teacher
Ford and Sides have a good education : Thursday, August 14, 2008 1:05 PM"I can't believe a teacher would discredit the value of an education." Who is discrediting an education? There is more to an education than studying in books, however. Many valuable lessons are learned in running a business. Many valuable lessons are learned from one's parents. Ford and Sides have a great education. Both Ford and Sides also have a rare commodity: Common Sense.
Report AbuseOne Who Should Know Better
Sickness... : Thursday, August 14, 2008 11:19 AMReading this message thread is sort of like reading the tabloids while standing in line at the supermarket. You tell yourself that it is just idiotic, nauseating, half-truth trash, but by some strange, sick reason you still pick it up. Disgusting.
Report AbuseSpending leader not the only topic here : Thursday, August 14, 2008 8:49 AM It's an article about commission candidacies. So we don't need a "hall monitor" to keep discussions limited to one candidate's spending, now do we?
Report Abuse: Thursday, August 14, 2008 12:33 AM I may be mistaken - BUT WASNT THIS ARTICLE ABOUT RAYMOND LEADING CANDIDATE SPENDING? Just to get everyone back on topic.
Report AbuseBill Ward
Get your facts straight : Wednesday, August 13, 2008 7:20 PMTO THE MORON THAT WROTE THIS: "People like Bill Ward (pal of Ford and Sides) are making candidates' education an election issue on this forum because they and their supporters realize its a big weakness of Sides and Ford that neither one obtained a four year degree. So they bring it up and twist it around by saying "our guys don't have degrees, but everyone else is just a tax and spend pseudo-educated liberal, our guys have real smarts"... So therefore, all of the sudden, it seems like a NEGATIVE for someone to have worked hard and obtained a four-year (or more) college education. Its sort of the same strategy you see inner-city gangs employ to recruit members which makes it "not cool" to be smart or successful." FOR YOUR INFORMATION: With the exception of today (Wednesday) I haven't posted anything here for well over a week, except for last weekend, only to discover that the Post not only has an editorial staff but censors, as well. Most of the writings attributed to me were likely done when I was asleep. As to this education issue, both Carl and Jim started businesses from scratch and have done very well, intuitively. As for the nonsense about it "not being cool to be smart or successful," that certainly doesn't describe me. The 20-plus years of cumulative knowledge of each Jim Sides and Carl Ford would stand them in good stead "sitting across the table and trying to negotiate with executives (all of whom would likely have MBA's)...." Apparently you haven't read the book that I read a few years back titled, "What I Didn't Learn at Harvard Business School." There's a hellofalot to be said for street smarts. And to my knowledge, no school is offering either a degree of courses in motivation.
Report AbuseTo former teacher : Wednesday, August 13, 2008 6:34 PM Sides and Ford don't exactly run Fortune 500 companies. And I can't believe a teacher would discredit the value of an education. Shame on you.
Report AbuseFormer Teacher
Sides and Ford have valuable Business Experience : Wednesday, August 13, 2008 12:55 PMCommon sense and business experience are more valuable than degrees. Ever heard of educated fools? We have quite a few in this county. Business experience is quite valuable for county officials. Coltrain and Lyerly appear to have none. Sides and Ford both run their own business.
Report AbuseWhere are each of the candidates from, originally? : Wednesday, August 13, 2008 10:10 AM We've read about where the candidates all reside. Now we read about their education or lack thereof. Has anyone researched where each candidate came from? Where they attended high school? How far back their ties to Rowan County go? Jon Barber made his family's umpteen generations in Rowan County a big part of his campaign, but no one has mentioned the origins of this year's candidates.
Report Abuseread : Wednesday, August 13, 2008 6:13 AM If you read what Ford said he would have voted for the incentives period. However he did not like how it was done,Duke going through the process and then saying oh yea we also want incentives.That is the reluctant part.
Report AbuseCOLLEGE MAN
TO ALL THE EDUCATED SNOBS : Wednesday, August 13, 2008 5:22 AMEducation has not been an issue in the past,it is now because of the hate SOME have for Ford and Sides They both have there own company and deal with people every day that have more education than they do.Some have degrees some have common sense, few have both.there are thousands of us voting for FORD AND SIDES!!!!
Report AbuseHowever : Tuesday, August 12, 2008 11:11 PM Ford does (or used to) sit with Ward at commission meetings, they are pals... Ford also said he would have voted for the Duke incentives "reluctantly". What does that mean? I think he's against all incentives and is only saying that to get elected. Incidentally, how does the previous poster know Bill Ward's stance on the incentive issue?
Report AbuseBill Ward is not a pal of Carl Ford : Tuesday, August 12, 2008 10:50 PM Carl is for the Duke Power incentive. Bill is not.
Report AbuseEducation as an Election Issue : Tuesday, August 12, 2008 10:05 PM People like Bill Ward (pal of Ford and Sides) are making candidates' education an election issue on this forum because they and their supporters realize its a big weakness of Sides and Ford that neither one obtained a four year degree. So they bring it up and twist it around by saying "our guys don't have degrees, but everyone else is just a tax and spend pseudo-educated liberal, our guys have real smarts"... So therefore, all of the sudden, it seems like a NEGATIVE for someone to have worked hard and obtained a four-year (or more) college education. Its sort of the same strategy you see inner-city gangs employ to recruit members which makes it "not cool" to be smart or successful. Does anyone realize that if county voters fall for this trap, 2/5 of a group that controls millions of dollars in tax money wouldn't even have a four year degree? Nothing against Sides and Ford personally, I'm sure they are nice men, but do you want two people like that sitting across the table and trying to negotiate with executives (all of whom would likely have MBA's) at Duke Power or Freightliner, especially with hundreds of jobs on the line? I don't see it happening.
Report AbuseThank you... : Tuesday, August 12, 2008 8:33 PM My thoughts exactly - why is this being made an election issue? It's beyond me.
Report AbuseEducation doesn't mean they'll make a good commissioner : Tuesday, August 12, 2008 6:39 PM Steve Blount had a 4-year degree and now has obtained his Masters Degree in Public Administration. He was a Morehead Scholar in undergraduate school. But would we want him as a commissioner again? How 'bout as County Manager?
Report Abuse"why don't you tell us the education of the rest of the candidates." : Tuesday, August 12, 2008 6:11 PM Ford and Sides - high school. Coltrain and Lyerly - 4 year university degrees. Now, my question - why is this being made an election issue?
Report AbuseTerrible things : Tuesday, August 12, 2008 5:42 PM Doesn't Mark Lewis have the most intellectual sense of humor you've ever seen? My side hurts from laughing at his online comments. He really should consider stand-up comedy.
Report Abuse: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 4:39 PM Everyone needs to vote for Ford and Sides or terrible things will happen. For instance the school system will receive a building that is new and safe instead of the dangerous building they are in. Also, schools might be funded properly - the travesty! Also, economic development projects would not be leaked - imagine commissioners who refuse to leak information to the public and press! Also, we might start attracting new businesses with aggressive marketing and incentives! Oh My! TERRIBLE THINGS WILL HAPPEN!
Report AbusePUT FORD ON THE BOARD!!! : Tuesday, August 12, 2008 3:02 PM To the poster that continues to slam Mr. Ford, why don't you tell us the education of the rest of the candidates. Tell us where they go to church. I have yet to see any of this information.
Report AbuseAnother Friend of Carl Ford : Tuesday, August 12, 2008 2:00 PM Carlo Ford has taken a lot of his time to get involved with Rowan County issues. That is why he is on the Planning board, and the board of the Department of Social Services. He regularly attends the County Commission meetings. Which other candidates are doing as much? Carl Ford will make a fine County Commissioner.
Report AbuseCarl Ford and Jim Sides are needed : Tuesday, August 12, 2008 1:19 PM We can move Rowan County ahead better by keeping a low tax rate that will attract new businesses. Progress is not trying to bribe companies to come here with undeserved payments. Companies come here for a variety of reasons, and low taxes and a good work force are two of them. Having a community college here is helpful as well. Keeping taxes low will be a much better benefit for a company than any temporary payment to them. Progress is keeping high-spending liberals who will tax us to death off of our County Commission. That means that Ford and Sides will be a good choice.
Report AbuseWow, Lofty Standards : Tuesday, August 12, 2008 9:43 AM Carl Ford works hard and wears a suit. So? You've just described thousands of people. The fact remains his judgment is suspect, and he is wishy-washy on a number of issues, most disturbingly incentives. He has few supporters and even less campaign money in the bank (I'll concede your point of getting "fired up" when you get his campaign out of its $4,000 hole... and it would have been $11,000 had his relatives not bailed him out. Until then, words are as empty as Ford's campaign coffers). Ford will just be another "yes man" puppet for Jim Sides, a la Tina Hall. Its safe to say you won't see the word "progress" in anything describing Jim Sides or Carl Ford.
Report AbuseFriend of CARL FORD
COMMON FOLK : Tuesday, August 12, 2008 7:18 AMEvery forum Carl has worn a suit and his business has 14 employees and he has also worked for other companies in the past in leadership roles he has made tough decisions on the planning board and is the vice chairman of the DSS board voting on items for over three years.While he was attending college he was working 6 days a week and going to classes 5 hours per day ,and raising a family.in 2007 Carl was voted Rowan Republican of the year,Why? Because of hard work the same as DSS board and Planning board, he works very hard on every issue and NEVER misses a vote. PS if you are wanting all of us common folk to get fired up and work even harder on this campaign kudos it is working!
Report AbuseVote Sides and Ford Progress that Makes Sense! : Tuesday, August 12, 2008 4:10 AM The four-year graduation rate — of 67 percent — for Rowan County Schools is something to be proud about! Only 33 percent of students failed to seek a high school diploma! Like the man said there are more of us than those educated liberals!
Report AbuseFord and Sides are the answer to you liberals : Monday, August 11, 2008 7:16 PM people who have common sense will vote only for ford and sides. some person said that there are more of us then the people who went to college they are right. the reguler people will vote for ford and sides and they will win.
Report Abuse: Monday, August 11, 2008 7:11 PM Yes, I have seen those black helicopters fly in from the Centralina office in Charlotte. They are planning in incognito. The only thing that will scramble their regional planning signals is copius amounts of tin foil that will reflect their planning signals on your neighbors property. They are planning evil trails and greenways through my property, and the worst thing is that they are using my tax money to do so. They not only know our names but know the names of our unborn great great grandchilden and have assigned them future workforce jobs such as basket weaver and mud-potter in order to fulfill their agri-tourism vision. We will all be subjugated to serve under the larger MetroMeck complex that will consume all.
Report AbuseThe fact remains - Carl Ford has no formal education. : Monday, August 11, 2008 5:33 PM So how would he have sat down with business executives from Duke Energy and negotiated? What background business credentials would he have negotiatied from? A 3 person business versus a major corporation? Would he have worn a business suit? Watch the past public forums. Carl gets nervous in a public setting. Is this how he would react in front of major business executives when negotiating behind the scenes? Is this who you want negotiating the county's future?
Report AbuseUneducated : Monday, August 11, 2008 3:37 PM I know many educated conservatives who would disagree with you whole heartedly.
Report AbuseRegionalism Links : Monday, August 11, 2008 3:00 PM http://www.centralina.org/pdf/2004%20Annual%20Report.pdf (“Regionalism Has No Boundaries” report), http://www.seql.org/LandUse.htm (Regional Land Use Planning), http://www.4noboundaries.org/CEDS%2007%20-%20Revised%207-23-07.pdf (Economic Development Plan for the Region— p.96-97 lists regional greenway projects in Rowan), http://www.centralina.org/pdf/2006%20Annual%20Report.pdf (Annexation on p.11), are but a few links to regionalism plans coming from Charlotte. The growth coming our way has caused local leaders to cede immense authority (and funding) to regional planners, without asking very many questions about the local benefits.
Report AbuseNot an educated fool
Wisdom or Educated Fools : Monday, August 11, 2008 1:17 PMSome of the stupidist people I know are supposedly well educated (at least a BS degree). Unfortunatedly attending college or even graduate school does not insure that one has wisdom. Wisdom is far more important than education. Lack of wisdom is why some of the educated fools make such poor decisions. I will trust a high school grad with wisdom over the liberal educated fools any time.
Report AbuseTo "Shoddy" : Monday, August 11, 2008 12:25 PM Can you send a link to such a "regionalism" plan? I've never heard of anything like this.
Report AbuseShoddy jobs for uneducated voters and their posterity : Monday, August 11, 2008 10:29 AM It's the "Regional" agenda that proposes to make our children the servants of our neighboring counties. It would inform our votes to know where each of the candidates stands on Charlotte Regionalism. That plan slates Rowan County for preservation efforts, in part to help Charlotte and Concord to gain all the good technology and manufacturing jobs. Rowan will be stuck with Agricultural Tourism (wow, that really pays big bucks!), agriculture, and motorsports. Where do our candidates stand on the Charlotte plan for Rowan?
Report AbuseTo Lack of Education... : Monday, August 11, 2008 9:45 AM Thank you and your kind for keeping Rowan County in the 1930's. Thank you for keeping our children underemployed and living marginal lifestyles. That way, they can become the servants of the children living in surrounding counties.
Report Abuse: Sunday, August 10, 2008 11:41 PM It is apparent who are the main instigators of this city county divide. The motivations of the commentors are just as important as the content of the comments.
Report AbuseA Vetoed Bill : Sunday, August 10, 2008 11:03 PM I am amazed that Bill Ward continues to anonymously comment on this forum despite everyone being able to spot his tired 1960's rhetoric, i.e., everyone who doesn't agree with him is a "liberal" or a "loser" or a "whiner" or "angry". I don't know whether to admire his persistence or pity its futility.
Report AbuseLack of Education will Pay Off on Election Day!
We ain't letin you back in to make another mess : Sunday, August 10, 2008 8:24 PMHolladay said 23 percent of Rowan County residents don't have so much as a high school diploma. Meanwhile, Holladay said, only 14 percent have bachelor's or master's degrees. Right on brother! Look at the stats there are more of us than there are those educated liberals! I say go Carl Ford and Jim Sides we are with you all the way! You should win big!
Report AbuseLosers : Sunday, August 10, 2008 2:33 PM The liberals that lost control of the county commission after the Russell fiasco still have not gotten over it have they? They still grip and whine about not getting their way. They think their way is the only way. The voters rose up and tossed them out of office and they don't like it!! Well too bad. Get used to it. We ain't letin you back in to make another mess that will have to be cleaned up.
Report AbuseUs Versus Them : Sunday, August 10, 2008 2:16 PM The actions of the Salisbury Silly Council has done plenty to stir up animosity. So talk about getting rid of the animosity or not stirr up more should be directed to them. Who attempted to rob nearby citizens? The Salisbury Silly Council. Who attempted to impose their will on nearby neighbors? The Salisbury Silly Council. Who shows disrepect for their neibgors? The Salisbury Sill Council? Who refuses to control crime, gangs and drugs? The Salisbury Silly council. Who shows disdain and disrepespect in its dealings with other towns in the county? The Salisbury Silly Council? The main culprit in the "Us vs Them" is the Salisbury Silly Council.
Report AbuseWho is Carl Ford? : Saturday, August 09, 2008 7:25 PM Tina Hall supports him. Why not you? "Thank you Rowan Co. Planning Board for your work, especially in this action. To those critizing Carl Ford in this, I answer - The essence of Property rights is to be able to enjoy your property as you see fit. How can someone quietly enjoy their property with a 250 person party going on next door several times a week? A party being held on an overcrowded plot, about to spill over onto adjoining properties? Yes, Carl could have simply spouted the "property rights" mantra of "Let them do whatever they want, it's their property". In Rowan County, this would play very well with many uninformed voters. Yet, Carl and the majority of the board had the good judgement to look at the big picture. Keep on making good decisions like this Carl. You'll make a great County Commissioner".
Report AbuseGet Over this... : Saturday, August 09, 2008 2:53 PM if you live at or near the current Salisbury City limits in a densely inhabited and fully developed neighborhood...you will be annexed. Not a matter of if...just when. So get over it.
Report Abuse: Saturday, August 09, 2008 1:39 PM Longest string of trash talk I have ever seen.
Report Abuse: Saturday, August 09, 2008 1:38 PM Doesnt say anything about forced annexation on those maps.
Report AbuseHall, Ward, Wright, etc. : Saturday, August 09, 2008 12:50 PM Get over yourselves and stop trying to stir up animosity. It is common knowledge that you are all privately bitter for various reasons, but don't drag the rest of us down with you. The only people perpetuating the "us versus them" mentality are the above mentioned people, plus Sides, Ford and their supporters. At least the Post has the good sense to write the truth once in awhile about the ridiculous/backward nature of you and your little group, even if they don't censor your anonymous whining on the comment board.
Report AbuseDirect From Salisbury's Own Website
TO: "They didn't annex you, so get over it" : Saturday, August 09, 2008 10:46 AMTo anyone who is ignorant enought to tell us that since we didn't get annexed, we should "get over it," I submit the Salisbury Strategic Growth Map, which outlines the City's aggressive "growth" strategy which is to be achieved through forced annexation between now and the year 2020: http://www.salisburync.gov/lm%26d/2020/pdfs/23-tabloidsizemaps.pdf
Report AbuseTo "Disappointed Citizen" : Friday, August 08, 2008 7:41 PM To rephrase your post: "also reduces the county share of sales tax revenue which alienates the County Commissioners". Sales tax distribution is a formula established by state statutes. Your issue should be taken with your local legistators. "Just ask China Grove how friendly the Salisbury City Council was when China Grove recently wanted to discuss their water contract". A previous China Grove board signed the current contract. So who negioated the concerns of today? What requirements were in the contract to establish the water rates? Minimum daily water consumption, perhaps? Including the "annexed" area?
Report Abuse: Friday, August 08, 2008 7:01 PM I think the problem is a small portion of posters that continue to bash our city and our county and stir up animosity. They didnt annex you! Get over it and stop your whining.
Report AbuseDisappointed Citizen
Part of the problem : Friday, August 08, 2008 2:03 PMThe people in the county and the city seem to get along pretty well. The problem is the Salisbury City Council wants to extend their empire further into the county. They have forced many county people , against their will, to become city residents. They tried recently to force more people into the city limits. People don't like to be forced into the city. This is one of the things they do that creates much ill will. The forced annexation also reduces the county share of sales tax revenue which alienates the County Commissioners to some degree. The Salisbury City Council fails to respect their neighbors. That takes many forms. Just ask China Grove how friendly the Salisbury City Council was when China Grove recently wanted to discuss their water contract.
Report Abuse: Thursday, August 07, 2008 11:32 PM I live out in the county and have no problem with the city. It has been nice to see them revitalize the downtown, and I have been helped by them before. I still remember they listened and didnt put that asphalt plant near my house. I was mad at them at the time, but then they went my way. They seem to listen. What I am sick of is the comments on this board that are so spiteful involving county politics. I dont know a single person that talks of hating people that live in the city, and I dont know a person in the city that hates county folks. I guess I dont know any of the below posters. It seems everything is motivated by politics. If you scare the voters into thinking each other are evil, then you can mobilize them and get votes. But this county and city animousity I have never seen it personally. We just need some level headed folks in office that can get along like us regular folks.
Report AbuseThat Old Chestnut (part of it was left off!) : Thursday, August 07, 2008 11:00 PM 10:49am blogger -- haven't we already gone round and round about that issue? Please join with the rest of the bloggers by continuing to move this discussion in a variety of directions. That way, we can know more about the issues Rowan County people are suffering from. So far we know they: 1) are ticked off about forced annexation 2) don't trust people who live in the city 3) don't trust people who live in the county 4) distrust anyone who has a last name that resembles that of a wealthy person 5) believe there are farms on Confederate Avenue 6) dislike attractive brickwork 7) don’t give a rats a___ about statements made by the Grim Reaper 8) Consider Salisbury a quaint little town 9) Consider Salisbury a sinister metropolis 10) would like to see a snake handler on the County Commission 10) believe everyone else is an uneducated idiot 11) take themselves too seriously.
Report AbuseThat old chestnut... : Thursday, August 07, 2008 8:19 PM 10:49am blogger -- haven't we already gone round and round about that issue? Please join with the rest of the bloggers by continuing to take the discussion in a variety of directions. This way, we can know more about the issues Rowan County people are suffering from. So far we know they: 1) are ticked off about forced annexation 2) don't trust people who live in the city 3) Don't trust people who live in the county 4) Distrust anyone who has a last name that resembles a wealthy person 5)
Report AbuseLyerly and Coltrain for City Council : Thursday, August 07, 2008 1:49 PM "Don't "dis" the people of this City just because we've elected doddering fools who follow the lead of the City Manager" That is exactly why some of us are careful to say "Salisbury City Council". However, electing doddering fools is not exactly a strong recommendation. That said, seemingly good candidates most often forget their promises during the camppaign. However, another election is coming up in 2009. Maybe Coltrain and Lyerly will ask Treme's permission for a run for the City Council. He is the de facto boss. Both are city residents and would fit in quite nicely with the other City Council members.
Report AbuseSalisbury's greatness includes wealthy : Thursday, August 07, 2008 7:37 AM I agree that the people of Salisbury, including the rich country clubbers, are what make it great. Well written, whoever you are!
Report AbuseTo 2:13AM Poster : Wednesday, August 06, 2008 5:24 PM You made many good points in your post. I'll give you some advise though and that is don't waste anymore of your time trying to explain something to that person because whoever it is obviously can't think. I happen to live in the county and I like what they did on on E. Fisher Street. Again thank you for sharing your thoughts in a civil manner.
Report AbuseSalisbury's people, including wealthy, make for a great city! : Wednesday, August 06, 2008 3:11 PM Don't "dis" the people of this City just because we've elected doddering fools who follow the lead of the City Manager. The people of this City, regardless of who are its leaders, are good, wholesome, law-abiding, hard-working folks for the most part. And the resentment of the Wallaces is VERY MUCH uncalled for. My late father came to know the elder Mr. Wallace fairly well. Although the man is a multi-millionaire, he was always fair and honest in his business dealings, and treated my father (who was a blue collar worker) with the utmost respect, just as if he were his equal. And Ms. Wallace-Coltrain is a person with a heart of gold. I met her when she was still married to Tom Smith, and you couldn't ask for a more down-to-earth and cheerful example of a lady who is very approachable, and manifests the traits of a very good upbringing. There are lots of wealthy people in Salisbury who would give you the shirt off their backs, and who give generously to local nonprofit organizations and churches to improve the quality of life throughout the county. So please learn to separate the problems we have with our City's leadership from the decent people who really make this a wonderful place to call "home."
Report AbuseLarry Wright
One More Reason : Wednesday, August 06, 2008 2:57 PMDon't forget the Salisbury City Council's view on forced annexation either. They need to be more considerate of their neighbors.
Report AbuseThe Real Reason : Wednesday, August 06, 2008 2:53 PM "Apparently the writer I was addressing doesn't like someone just because of where they live." You would be wrong about that. Do you get your excercise by jumping to conclusions? Liking someone and thinking they would make a good County Commissioner are two entirely different things. People generally live in the city because they like the city. Nothing wrong with that. Some may feel that people living in the city may favor the city over the county. Some people in other cities may feel that a Salisbury resident would favor Salisbury over Landis, Rockwell (or other city). Some of us would not want that person on the County Commission. Nothing wrong with that either. Another point to be considered is the Salisbury City Council. When you like at the problems they have failed to solve after many years, why would you want Salisbury people on the County Commission to mess it up like they have done to Salisbury? The waste they perpetrated with the East Fisher Street screw up and the Brenner Ave fiasco immediately come to mind. You can think of others as well. The failure to deal well with the drug, crime, and gang problem is there as well. Now do you begin to understand why many people don't want Salisbury people on the County Commission? They need to concentrate in making Salisbury a pleasant and safe place to live and put an effective and efficient City Council in place that governs well. Now do you understand?
Report AbuseNo Country Boy is He : Wednesday, August 06, 2008 2:33 PM "residence at 518 Confederate Avenue is owned by Catherine Wallace Coltrain" So Coltrain's wife is a Wallace - that is an interesting little bit. Is Coltrain a stand in for the Wallaces trying to get more Salisbury influence on County Commission? The last time we had Salisbury hacks on the County Commission (Remember Arey and Blount) we had a disaster on our hands. We threw them out a short time ago. We don't need more Salisbury hacks this time either. A town is not a city just because its charter mentions it. Besides, that post was intended (I suspect) to deflate the ego of Salisbury so their big head will fit in the world once again. Can't you read between the lines? Would you have liked it better if the poster referred to the insignificant CITY of Salisbury?
Report AbuseTown : Wednesday, August 06, 2008 12:03 PM OK, so the charter says it's a city. Obviously you've never been anywhere. Salisbury is a small town (a nice one at that). I like the smallness after having lived in urban areas in the past. Besides, you're taking everything too seriously looking up address info and such.
Report AbuseLet's get the facts straight : Wednesday, August 06, 2008 8:02 AM To answer the question of home ownership and residency, the search of public records indicates that the residence at 518 Confederate Avenue is owned by Catherine Wallace Coltrain, and passed through a will in 1996. Also, to the idiot who said Salisbury is not a city, its charter begs to differ. Also, the City of Salisbury is a member of the NC Metropolitan Coaliton, an off-shoot of the NC League of Municipalities.
Report Abuse: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 7:59 AM Thank you 2:13am poster. A very sound and unemotional way of looking at the situation. People live all sorts of places. It doesn't affect who they really are.
Report AbuseRe: 8/5/08 7:26PM : Wednesday, August 06, 2008 5:13 AM Let me try again. If you will read and comprehend, this is what I said. "It doesn't matter where one lives, he or she should be judged on the type of person they are". Apparently the writer I was addressing doesn't like someone just because of where they live. Many fine folks live in the country club as do some SOB's. This is true of any area in Rowan County. A lot of doctors and lawyers live in the country club. If the poster doesn't like someone just because of where they live, then the poster may want to ask his doctor or lawyer where they live before he asks them for help. Are you jealous of someone because they've done well in their life and elected to live somewhere other than where you live? Also, have you even considered that some people that have done well may have a second home somewhere? I don't know Mr. Coltrain nor do I know where he lives or how many homes he has, but I do know a lot of folks that live in the county that I respect that have worked with him over the years that speak very highly of him. I know that's probably a shock to you. Have a great life.
Report AbuseRe: advice to Country Boy : Tuesday, August 05, 2008 10:26 PM Your comment makes no sense at all. Did you get beyond the 2nd grade? So you think one is a counry boy if he lives in country club? Is that what you are saying?
Report Abuse: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 9:20 PM Salisbury is not a city. It is a tiny town in a mostly rural county.
Report AbuseBack up you false claim : Tuesday, August 05, 2008 1:47 PM And who is forcing their beliefs on others? Give us an example!
Report AbuseQuestion : Tuesday, August 05, 2008 1:44 PM So why is a so-called "Country Boy" living in the city? It don't make sense to me either!
Report AbuseTo Country Boy : Tuesday, August 05, 2008 10:10 AM Good dialectical writing! I doubt you really write (or talk) that way.
Report AbuseNRA Member : Tuesday, August 05, 2008 8:27 AM Thanks Bill Ward for your endorsement.
Report AbuseNRA member
rights : Tuesday, August 05, 2008 7:51 AMCarl would not trample anyones rights he believes in an individuals rights guns,religion,property,speech and more so you really don't know what you're talking about.
Report Abuselong time church member
Mr. Ford's church : Tuesday, August 05, 2008 6:58 AMWe should not talk about a mans church especially when we don't know what we are talking about.Garland Faw is no longer pastor,there have never been any snakes,and there is much more that you don't know.
Report AbuseRe: Morals & Character are One Thing : Tuesday, August 05, 2008 6:51 AM You said it perfectly. While everyone is free to worship however they please, it's the one's that force their beliefs on others that I'm not comfortable with.
Report AbuseAdvice for Country Boy : Tuesday, August 05, 2008 6:47 AM The next time you need the services of a professional like a doctor or lawyer you should ask them where they live before they assist you. If they live in the country club, you may want to try and find someone else. I was raised not to judge someone by where they live, but rather judge them on the kind of person they are. Think about it.
Report AbuseTry Telling the Truth
You are a discredit to your candidate : Tuesday, August 05, 2008 2:05 AMThe poster who wrote "wildest fundamental, snake handling cult in Rowan County" absolutely does not know what he is talking about. Apparantly he has no effective arguments to make in support of his candidate, so he tell lies about others and slings mud. If one has no effective argument to make, it is better to keep quiet than to open your mouth and confirm that vitroil, hatred and lies will spew forth from your mouth.
Report AbuseCountry Boy
A country boy living in the city? You kiddin me? : Monday, August 04, 2008 10:22 PM They ain't many farms, tractors and fields in country club. Why does he live in country club if he likes to work with a tractor in the field all day? Something ain't sounding right. A real country boy shore don't want to live in the city, he wants to live in the country. A city boy would live in country club. You pullin my leg? ;You think that wife of hisn is makin him live in the city stead of the country? You think he's henpecked? How bout tryin and explain that to me agin.
Report AbuseMORALS AND CHARACTER ARE ONE THING... : Monday, August 04, 2008 4:06 PM Voting for elected officials who have decent moral standards and character is important, but Sides and Ford both go way over the top and are RELIGIOUS ZEALOTS!! Sides with his holier-than-thou attitude and Ford belongs to the wildest fundamental, snake handling cult in Rowan County. With his daddy-in-law Garland Faw, the Grand Poobah of Truth Temple, in tow, Mr Ford would gladly trample the rights of every human being on Earth that they would lead their life as HE sees fit. DO NOT VOTE FOR SIDE OR FORD.
Report AbuseAnother County Voter
You can take the boy out of the country...but you can't take the country out of the boy! : Monday, August 04, 2008 9:53 AMI've heard Coltrain have conversations with county farmers and he's extremely comfortable and knows what he's talking about. The farmers like him. I heard him say his favorite thing to do is work with a tractor in the field all day. (And from what other people tell me, that's really the way he is.) Now is that city-fied?
Report AbuseCounty Voter
Add Carl Ford - Keep Jim Sides : Monday, August 04, 2008 12:02 AM"Who better to have on the board when the county is growing so quickly?" We should add Carl Ford to the County Commission Board, and keep Jim Sides. Jim Sides takes his County Commission position seriously, and works very hard to serve our county. Carl Ford is currently serving on the planning board and the DSS board as well as attending County Commission meetings. He will put what he has learned to good use when he is elected in November. Neither one is beholden to Salisbury as are the other two candidates.
Report Abuse: Sunday, August 03, 2008 9:26 PM Coltrain knows this county inside and out. He's an agricultural guy. Who better to have on the board when the county is growing so quickly?
Report AbuseFor Change--Me too! : Sunday, August 03, 2008 7:00 PM I know we should mean what we say and mean what we do but people who don't work for the county don't understand that we can't say what we really feel. I live here to and want to save the county money but when you see your boss almost get fired for speaking up you learn what you have to do. All of these men are honorable but I will only support those who support the employees. What good is it for us to spend our tax money training people then they leave to get better jobs in other countys? No one talks about how much money we have spent training people to work for other countys.
Report AbuseFor Change
I AGREE WITH LB : Sunday, August 03, 2008 12:51 PMMost county employees know that it's smart to praise the present board and not say anything that might upset them. We have seen what happens to the bosses who stand up to them or challenge their opinion. We will be voting for change and it can't happen soon enough.
Report AbuseRe;LB - For and Sides are Best Choice : Sunday, August 03, 2008 8:14 AM You must have a very small number of friends among the county employees. Maybe you should consider diversity as a virtue and enlarge your circle of friends and acquaintances. Those of us that are for efficient use of county funds want County Commissioners that carefully spend our money. The Mr. Sides and Mr. Ford will do just that. Salisbury city folks seem to elect people who tax and spend (and not very wisely). So the tax and spenders really need to run where they will fit in. That is for the city council. Actually one of them has already run for the city council. Both live in the city, so the city council would be a natural fit for them both.
Report Abuse9th Grader
Hey Friday Aug 1 : Saturday, August 02, 2008 5:06 PMYou flunked again. Grim Reaper figered it out. Everybody but you knows who fired Russell. Only timid, insecure, and inconsequential people would have considered Common Sense letters threatening. In school, we called them fraidy cats. By the way, you forgot to address the wisdom, or lack thereof, of the city council on the Fisher st fiasco, and the Brenner Ave debacle.
Report AbuseLB
County Employee for Mr. R. and I don't care where he lives! : Saturday, August 02, 2008 4:58 PMI don't know of one county employee who is going to vote for Jim Sides or Carl Ford. Why would they? I will only vote for people who don't tear us down but build us up. I don't care where this man lives or who he is married to. What I care about is that appreciates the job my husband does and asks him what he can do to help.
Report AbusePlain ol Ordinary Citizen with Common Sense
Re: DSS Employee : Saturday, August 02, 2008 4:52 PMYou made a strong point about who is known for service (Ford and Sides) and who serves is known for campaign spending. If you don't have a strong message and a good record of service, one must spend lots of money in an attempt to convince voters you have something to offer. Last time,it did not work. Smart voters who want a County Coummission that is not subserviant to Salisbury will see be very reluctant to elect city residents like the two Democrats to the County Commission. The election of Tina Hall seems to bear that out. She is a Democrat, but she is dedicated to serving all of the county people and not just Salisbury. The county voters understood that and elected her. She has done a fine job. Likewise, city residents in Spencer, East Spencer, Cleveland, Granite Quarry, Rockwell, Faith, Landis, China Grove, and part of Kannapolis will be reluctant to elect someone (the two Democrats) that live in Salisbury and will put Salisbury interests ahead of the other town's interest. Salisbury city officials have proven time and time again that they always put Salisbury first, and expect the rest of us to cow tow their every wish. Just recently they refused to help China Grove by renegotiating their water contract. They also charge residents in other towns more for water than they charge their own citizens.
Report AbuseMisconstrued, Mistaken, and Contorted Agendas : Saturday, August 02, 2008 11:02 AM The Common Sense letters were NOT threatening. Just ask Sheriff Wilhelm, DA Bill Kenerly, the SBI, and the US Postal Inspector, all of whom Tim Russell had squandered his time with to try to find an excuse for having a criminal investigation launched. All of these folks said, "NO THREATS, NO CRIME." And still, Russell slicked 23 grand of tax dollars in an unsuccessful attempt to find the anonymous author. What exactly he would have done if he'd located the author is uncertain, but when he fingered Chamberlain, we know the reaction was a WORLDWIDE media frenzy about the audacity of a local government official squandering tax dollars on a clandestine investigation, which included a political candidate (Chamberlain) who was running against a Russell crony (Belk, who secretly authorized the money to be spent, even DURING the campaign season). Seems that the people who make the excuses for Russell want the rest of us to come down with a collective case of amnesia. But the truth still is not helpful to that desperate crowd who wants to destroy Jim Sides and Carl Ford by making this election about Arnold Chamberlain.
Report AbuseGET REAL
DSS Employees that would vote for Sides and Ford : Friday, August 01, 2008 11:00 PMI would find it difficult to believe that any county employee nor teacher would vote for either Ford or Sides. If Sides and Ford make it on to the board you say goodbye to progress and hello to regression. Sides has voted against the cost of living raises for the county employees. He also does not support our education system and the much needed improvements.
Report Abuse"Uptown church full of country clubbers?" : Friday, August 01, 2008 7:57 PM I take offense to that sweeping generalization by the DSS employee. I am not a city resident (definitely not a country clubber!) and I attend church at St. John's with Mr. Coltrain. He's not only nice, he has the humble spirit of a Christian, moderate political views, and a willingness to serve the unfortunate in our community. His most recent position there was chairman of the service board. By the way, St. John's is a refreshingly open church. I was surprised when I went there early on by how its people reach out to anyone, no matter what part of the county they're from. I hope some of you out there will give us a try!
Report AbuseGrim Reaper
Re: Friday 12:30 PM and the 9th Grader : Friday, August 01, 2008 7:04 PMDear 9th Grader: The problem with the person that you responded to is that "He / She is Not Smarter Than a 5th Grader." We just came back from from New York City, where the people are moderately rude and a little dumb. Down here, most are too dumb and undereducated to even know if they are being rude. And while we're on the subject of dumb, you people need to stop giving credit to others for my posts on these idiot commentaries. The Reaper is still lurking and watching, but not threatening as some duh-head has suggested. But then he / she could not even spell "threatening." Probably too nervous looking over their shoulder to see if the Reaper was there. When the Reaper wants his / her presence to be known, we'll let you know.
Report Abuse: Friday, August 01, 2008 5:42 PM I'll try 1 more time. I'm going to use ome words you may have trouble with but consult Webster (that's the dictionary). I gather that you are a county resident. Correct me if I'm mistaken. If true, you pay no city tax and as a result you don't have a dog in the hunt concerning city elected officials. That's for city residends to decide on at the next election. You still didn't answer my question. Who fired the former county manager? Let me pose a theoretical question (look up the word if you're not sure). The former county manager initiated an investigation after numerous letters were received by elected officials from "Common Sense". Some of these letters I took as threating as would any intelligent human being. Now stay with me, suppose this "nut" that sent these letters actually harmed an elected official. It's not that unusual in this day and time if you read the news outside of Rowan County. Had the county manager not done anything, would you have called for his head? I hope you don't think it would have been a good idea to harm anyone. I think anyone with "common sense" knows who sent those letters. And thank God he's not seeking re-election. I know for a fact that the current chairmain during his campaign said "the first thing I'm going to do is fire Mr. Russell". All I'm saying if he had taken the time to read Mr. Russell's contract the taxpayers wouldn't have been out of approximately $180,000. Thats incompetence any way you look at it. It's still not to late for you to get your high school diploma.
Report Abuse9th Grader
Re:Friday 12:30 PM : Friday, August 01, 2008 4:27 PMWhy don't you read the posting more than once if you have trouble understanding what is being said. Obviously, you have no understanding of it. Try again. Maybe your third grader can tell you what it says. Your comprehension is near zero. I have a 9th grade education and I understand it. You are wrong. Can't you figure it out? Don't comment if you can't read and comprehend.
Report Abuse: Friday, August 01, 2008 3:30 PM You make about as much sense as this wall I'm looking at. If the commissioners didn't fire him, please tell me who did. Oh, I guess it was a city elitist. You are truly a plain 'ol ordinary citizen without any common sense.
Report AbusePlain 'ol Ordinary Citizen with Common Sense
We Commissioners Independent of Salisbury. : Friday, August 01, 2008 3:00 PMRussell had to be fired. He had grown too big for his britches. Wasting money trying to find out who "Common Sense " was did him in. What would Russell have done if he had identified "Common Sense"? Telling the thruth about politicians or rogue county mangers is not against the law. Remember that the SBI would not touch the case. No laws were broken. Who signed his contract with the "golden parachute" in it for the $180,000? It surely wasn't the Commissioners that fired him. I strongly suspect that it was the Salisbury crowd that controlled the County Commission a few years ago. Blame them. As regards incompetent leadership, what about the nearly 1 million dollars the city council spent on tearing up the perfectly good pavement on East Fisher street and putting brickk s down in its place? What about the Salsbury city council ripping up the four lanes on Brenner Avenue that had just been completed and making it two lanes again? That was a double waste. If they wanted it to be only two lanes, why did they widen it to four lanes in the first place? This was really really stupid on their part. Part of the problem between the county officials and the city officials is the city officials are mostly elitists that think they know best and must make all the decisions for their dumb electorate. The county officials give their electorate credit for having common sense and know that we will hold them accoutable for spending our money wisely. The two Democrat Salisbury candidates for the County Commission are better suited for the city council with their wild spending ways. For the County Commission, we need people who will carefully spend our tax money and will mange the county funds efficiently.
Report AbusePay no attention to the man behind the curtain... : Friday, August 01, 2008 1:55 PM Well sounds like one more mystery solved...
Report AbuseLet's re-think the interesting thought on "Common Sense" : Friday, August 01, 2008 11:55 AM Given the fact that a clandestine investigation brought down the liberal "junta" that once reigned over our county, it is amazing that anyone would have the gall to suggest another investigation for something that: (1) was not a crime, and (2) only got the "goats" of the liberals who once terorized local taxpayers. In the end, it ended the career of the former county manager, and dashed the future political aspirations of two former commissioners. A third went to his grave not knowing who goat his goat. So it should be asked, Does it really matter who was "Common Sense"? If it was Bill Ward, we should throw a party in the man's honor.
Report Abuse: Friday, August 01, 2008 11:46 AM It's a shame that there appears to be this us against them (city vs county) mentality going on here. Just for the record, I live in the city and I didn't think the annexation issue was right. What the people of this county need to understand is that we need to elect the best qualified people to public office regardless if they live in the city or county. These people need to have open minds and be receptive to among other things like bringing new business to Rowan County. New business means new tax revenue and right or wrong you sometimes have to offer incentives. If the current county commission was a business, several members would/should have been fired. Tim Russell spent $25M to investigate some nut who was sending letters, some of which I thought were threating. As soon as the new members were sworn in they decided to fire Mr. Russell without even taking the time to read his contract. As a result the taxpayers had to fork over about $180,000. This folks is an example of incompetent leadership.
Report AbuseInteresting thought... Interesting thought : Friday, August 01, 2008 11:28 AM Has the possibility been investigated that Bill Ward was "Common Sense"? Given his God complex and penchant for rambling under anonymous names, it would sound like an easy fit. He certainly likes to refer back to that incident.
Report AbuseResponse to Common Sense : Friday, August 01, 2008 9:51 AM Just remember, Buddy, that each of the country club elitists has only one vote. That is why common folks like us need to go out and beg our neighbors to register, and go to the polls in November.
Report Abusenot so sure they look after us : Friday, August 01, 2008 9:45 AM If people think the current commission looks after the taxpayer he needs to looks at how many thousands were spent on the firing of the county manager. He could have been assigned a lesser job to finish his contract and not paid out the huge severence pay or the huge lawyer's fee. And while mentioning lawyers fees I think you should look at the EXPLODING lawyer fees since John Holshouser saw the light and threw in the towel. Obviously he was doing the job for a lot less money. Our current commissioners use the lawyers too much for trivial matters running up the fees.
Report AbusePlain 'ol Ordinary Citizen but with Copmmon Sense
I have faith in Rowan voters : Friday, August 01, 2008 8:53 AMRecently they threw out of office the Salisbury crowd that brought us the white elephant ball park and the insane investigation of "Common Sense" both of which costs us thousands of taxapayer dollars. The Rowan voters gave us a County Commission that gives thoughtful consideration to county needs and the ability of us voters to pay for them. One poster thinks we are all dumb and says most of us don't have a high school education. It does not take much education to realize that the tax and spend liberals running for the County Commission are out of step with county voters. My grandfather only went to the 3rd grade, but he was a smart man and had common sense. Common sense is not learned in school. Common sense is all that is required to judge whether candidates for office are good or bad. The elitists look down their nose at us common people, but we have common sense and they do not. We will elect the candidates and they will not. The elitists think money and position makes them better than us common people. They are wrong again. The elitists are better suited for the Salisbury City Council with Queen Susan. Many people with common sense will decide to elect people to the County Commission that do not have an allegance to Salisbury as the Democrat candidates for the County Commission have. We want a County Commission that considers the needs of all county people and not just the needs Salisbury. The two Democrats running both live in Salisbury, so where do you think there allegance is?
Report Abuse: Friday, August 01, 2008 8:51 AM The reason he received so many votes and contributions is because he's the best man for the job. He will help Rowan County grow.
Report AbuseRe: Bill Ward : Friday, August 01, 2008 8:29 AM Bill, I was surprised when someone attributed my anonymous post to you ("Buying an Election'). I suppose the poster's crystal ball was not working very well or the poster was not nearly as smart as he thought he was. If and when I discuss campaign contributions, I do have the facts as I went to the Board of Elections and got copies of them. Anyone can do the same. You only pay copying costs.
Report AbuseAdieu : Thursday, July 31, 2008 10:55 PM Bill, we know what you've written, and based on your history we know how much weight to give your words (none).
Report AbuseDSS employee
Some known for service, others for campaign spending : Thursday, July 31, 2008 10:11 PMThe money trail goes only so far. "Good Will" goes further. At the Department of Social Services, Carl Ford has been a pleasant surprise. Before he served on our board, we blindly accepted what others had told us about him, and feared what he would do when he came to serve on our board. Yes, he expects us to get all our ducks in a row when we ask him to approach the Commissioners with funding requests, but he's never been unfair. Mr. Ford, along with another surprise advocate Jim Sides, have backed up our DSS every step of the way. We will be getting a new building to consolidate our offices under one roof thanks to the full support of our board, including Jim Sides and Carl Ford. If you ask DSS employees, you'll find a surprising number of Democrats who will be voting for Obama for President, but will split our ticket and vote for Jim Sides and Carl Ford for county commissioners. Mr. Coltrain is a nice enough man, but his board service is at the country club, at an uptown church of mostly country clubbers, and for the exclusive Rotary Club. He has never gone out and fought in the trenches for the disadvantaged, the elderly, the chilren and minorities of this county like Jim Sides and Carl Ford have proven with their own service to the community. I now see for myself without listening to what people with political agendas have. And I'm a Democrat who would not have even thought about voting for Republicans before Jim Sides and Carl Ford served on the DSS board.
Report AbuseBill Ward
Reply to: "Buying an election?" is Bill Ward : : Thursday, July 31, 2008 7:44 PMI am constantly amused at all of the things I allegedly do or write or have written, yet I don't derive any conscious satisfaction from any of them. That's because I don't do them. Some of you people who write things in these silly comments need to get a life, and I mean in a big way. For the record, and in my own words, I don't believe Raymond Coltrain is a good choice for the Rowan County Commission. I've never heard the man utter a sentence that makes sense, and he's too liberal. Somebody else wrote, "[I]ts interesting to watch Hall, Ward and other Sides supporters comment here and try to spin Coltrain's contributions...." This is the first comment that I have made here. Perhaps the writer is confusing a much clearer, symbolic act, such as Mike Miller, Donna Peeler (Republicans?), Raymond Coltrain, and Laura Lyerly (Democrats) having their primary campaign signs clustered together in four-part harmony by Jon Barber -- in front of Barber's farmette and along the road where he lives (make that five-part harmony). Next item: to call what I did during the last city council election a (write-in) campaign, or campaign of any sort, is a stretch. I put out a few yard signs (which I made); handed out a few cards (which I made) and bought space for a few newspaper ads. I hardly got off my butt and got 159 votes. The many phone calls and emails I received afterward all carried a similar thought: "That wasn't bad for the effort. What could you do if you really tried?" Well, compare the votes I got against what I spent (less than $1k) to what Susie Klutz and Mark Lewis, and other incumbents, spent (along with their name recognition), and consider the fact that I did not show up for any public meetings, and you figure it. And for the next local election that comes along, I may just run an active campaign for the commission or city council. Stay tuned. As to the "Grim Reaper," so called, I hope the time comes soon, Mr. Reaper, that you choose to reveal your true identity so you can stop being confused with me, or vice versa. Many of us still have fresh memories of Arnold Chamberlain and "Common Sense." Was he or wasn't he? BILL WARD
Report Abusepoor man
Do we need a Country Cluber on the Commission? : Thursday, July 31, 2008 6:33 PMSomeone commented that one of the Democrats running for the County Commission lives in the Salisbury Country Club area. How can someone who lives a life of luxury represent most county residents?
Report AbuseConservative voter
Just Curious : Thursday, July 31, 2008 6:29 PMMuch has been said about Carl Ford being on several county boards etc. What county boards or other involvment with county affairs have the two two Democrats been into? Does anyone know? Or maybe they will respond directly?
Report AbuseOrdinary Voter
Ford and Sides Represent us common people : Thursday, July 31, 2008 6:25 PMIt looks like Ford and Sides represent us ordinary plain folks. Both were outspent in the primary, but both won. Ford and Sides both advocate careful spending of county money. Ford and Sides will represent all county citizens and not just the Salisbury residents. Ford is from the southern part of the county. Sides is from the western part of the county. The othere two are both from Salisbury. Ford and Sides will likely be outspent in the general election, but we know who represent us, and we know who represents the elitists. There are a lot more of us common people than there are elitists.
Report AbuseSpin Away is wrong : Thursday, July 31, 2008 6:13 PM Obviously you know very little about Coltrain's campaign contributors. Until you do, it would be best not to show your ignorance. Coltrains's largest contibutors were not even mentioned in the article. Do you even know his address? He is a Salisbury resident.
Report AbuseLoosing Faith in the Voters of Rowan
Win Raymond Win Raymond Win : Thursday, July 31, 2008 5:55 PMToo bad the majority of Rowan County's residents barely have a high school diploma. These voters will more than likely to vote Sides and Ford into office to complete the picture of a dismal future for this county. Instead of progressive dialogue about economic development, we can look forward to more irate "Dale" fans, failing schools, and very few economic development opportunities. Our cause for celebration will be that we have cheerleaders going on to a higher competition, our Little Miss Contests---and let's not forget the commentaries on Billy Ray Cyrus' daughter and American Idol. Here in Rowan County we can tell the world what's important and it's not "education." We are still waiting for the mills to come back and reopen and we vote for the people that have that very mentality!
Report Abuse"Buying an election?" is Bill Ward : Thursday, July 31, 2008 3:31 PM Poor Bill, I mean "Grim Reaper"...won't sign his name anymore. He lives more or less a 1/2 mile from Raymonde' Cooltrain (as he portrays him) in the country club so how can Raymonde' be an elitist and not him? Bill ran a great write-in campaign for Salisbury City Council. What were the results?
Report Abuse: Thursday, July 31, 2008 11:50 AM As a registered republican, I wish Mr. Coltrain the best and hope he is elected. If elected, he will bring some much needed dignity to the commission as well as a level headed approach.
Report AbuseCounty man
in hole : Thursday, July 31, 2008 11:46 AMthe reason Carl is in the hole is borrowed money on a credit card from his campaign 2 years ago (the paper work on this is at the board of elections) and according to what i read this is close to being paid off.To me the story is the money that has been given to Coltrain (a failed camping from 2 years ago), and Miller ,and the list of elite Salisburians that gave to his failed campaign
Report AbuseSpin Away, You'll Get Dizzy : Thursday, July 31, 2008 11:34 AM As someone who lives in the county, its interesting to watch Hall, Ward and other Sides supporters comment here and try to spin Coltrain's contributions. But the fact is Raymond has not said anything about increasing taxes, and has a broad base of support in the county AND the city (note that only the top contributors are mentioned in this article). The big story in this article is that Ford is in the hole over $3,000 because no one is giving to his failing campaign, and Sides hasn't had to spend any money because he gets all his publicity for free from the Post by spouting nonsense.
Report AbuseRich Wife : Thursday, July 31, 2008 11:12 AM With a rich wife, why did he need to have a big fundraiser and ask for money from others? Oh - I forgot - Democrats always like to spend someone else's money and keep their own.
Report AbuseBuying an election? : Thursday, July 31, 2008 11:10 AM Mr. Coltrain has two strikes against him 1 - He is a former government employee and not a business man. 2 - He is a Salisbury city man. He lives in Salisbury and most of his campaign money came from the city and 3 city councilmen and the city attorney contributed to his campaign. I can see why Salisbury people might vote for him, but people in other towns and the county may prefer someone else who is conservative and independent of Salisbury influence. He belongs on the Salisbury City Council. Their election is in 2009. Maybe David Treme will let him run.
Report Abuseon to him
agree : Thursday, July 31, 2008 10:32 AMyes he speaks in a cryptic manner, like he would like to share something that he thinks you already knows but he is not quite sure what you know, very weird.
Report AbuseMARK TWAIN
HEY BIG SPENDER!!! : Thursday, July 31, 2008 10:14 AMWHAT IS THE NEWS? COLTRAIN HAS SAID HE WILL RAISE TAXES AND SPEND WHATEVER HE NEEDS TO IF ELECTED TO THE COUNTY COMMISSION, SO WHY THE SURPRISE THAT HE IS THE BIG SPENDER IN THE CAMPAIGN? HE NEEDS TO TAKE THAT MONEY AND SPEND ON SPEECH LESSONS AND NOT SPEAK IN THE GARBLED MANNER THAT HE DOES.
Report AbuseSpend, Spend, Spend : Thursday, July 31, 2008 9:55 AM Then after election, tax and spend, spend, spend.
Report Abuse |
Other Headlines
Love of history: Teacher's ability to reach students leads to honor
Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 11:50 PM
Cornerstone Baptist adds concession stand at its ballfield
Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 5:51 PM
Faith briefs: Vacation Bible School starts Monday at Gethsemane Baptist
Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 6:13 PM
Gebhard column: Letter to John Calvin
Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 5:51 PM
Beloved black bear dies at Dan Nicholas Park
Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 8:05 PM
Thunder, Mouth of the South face off in Apple Ugly contest
Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 8:05 PM
Kennerly chosen to serve on Board of Social Services
Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 8:05 PM
Salisbury woman hopes youth, community will gather for prayer
Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 8:05 PM
Symphony, fireworks bring crowd out in Kannapolis
Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 7:59 AM
Prospects uncertain for law on annexation; finance panel clears bill before sending it to full House
Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 7:56 AM
Today's Newspaper Ads
AnnouncementsAutomotive & Vehicles
Community
Home Improvement & Gardening
Real Estate & Rentals
Services
Apparel & Jewelry
Business & Finance
Dining & Entertainment
Medical
Recreation
Shopping
Website Forms
Birth AnnouncementBirthdays
Business News
Celebrations Forms
Employee News
Feedback
Graduations
Hold your paper delivery
Letter to the Editor
Mailing List
Sponsorship
Subscribe
Worship directory submission
Special Sections
A Day In The LifeAutos Only Baby of the Year
Biotech 101
Bridal Page
Celebrations
Explorer
Faith 4th
Living Here
NC Statewide Classified Line Ad Network
Pops at the Post
Prime Time
Shop Local
Spring Home Improvement
Summer Fun
Taste of Home
Worship Directory
View All