Why Herman Cain would be a selfish bastard if he dropped out of race – Source: AAReports

I am in a panicked mood right now. The mere prospect of Herman Cain dropping out of the race for the republican nomination for president has me nervous as hell. (Read more)

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Herman Cain

Edgecombe County – What Are Your Thoughts On The North East Prep Charter School Application That Has Been Submitted To The North Carolina Department of Public Instructions?

First of all I want to make it clear that I have no problem with a group of folks wanting to start a charter school. I am just curious to know who are behind it all.

Was there a public meeting held asking for community input?

Do you know the names that were submitted to serve as board members? Interesting!

Will you be interested in sending your child to the charter school?

If yes, why?

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North East Prep School

Edgecombe County Public Schools

Ex-player says Riverside hoop program founder Lorch paid him millions to stay quiet about sex abuse – Source: New York Daily News

Sean McCray took Ernest Lorch‘s money for more than 10 years, thousands of dollars every month to launder uniforms and run errands for the founder of the prestigious Riverside Church basketball program – and to remain silent about how Lorch had sexually abused him 30 years ago. (Read more)

The Republican Debate – Another Ignant Moment In History – "Ignorance will never end. Even those with money can’t buy SENSE!!" Author: Curmilus Dancy II The Political Agitator

The Republican Debate tonight on CNN – Another Ignant Moment In History – "Ignorance will never end. Even those with money can’t buy SENSE!!" Author: Curmilus Dancy II The Political Agitator

I listened to some of the debate in my car on XM Sirrus Radio while traveling and it was right comical.

Where Is “Big Daddy Cain?” I Can’t Hear You!

So where is “Big Daddy Cain?” I can’t hear you! At one time that was all that I could hear. Can someone tell me have you seen him?

I guess everything runs it’s course and I just wonder has he ran his so soon. LMBO!!

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Herman Cain

Edgecombe County Public School Board To Meet Monday November 21, 2011, John D. Westberg Lawsuit Is On The Agenda

Board of Education to meet Monday, Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m. The Edgecombe County Board of Education will meet Monday, Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m. in regular session in the Central Office Board Rooms View Agenda…

Twin County Visioning & Strategic Planning Kick-Off – Nov. 29 You are invited to the Twin County Visioning & Strategic Planning Kick-Off Nov. 29 at 5:30 p.m. in the Imperial Centre Theatre (270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount), hosted by the Edge. and Nash Co. Boards of Commissioners and the Rocky Mount City Council.

Board approves calendar changes to reflect makeup days At the Sept. 12 meeting, the Edgecombe County Board of Education approved changes made to the 2011-2012 calendar to reflect makeup days for those missed during Hurricane Irene View Calendar….

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Edgecombe County Public Schools

City manager to represent Wilson on ElectriCities board – Source: Wilson Times

The city of Wilson will continue to have a presence on the ElectriCities Board of Directors for the next three years.

The N.C. Eastern Municipal Power Agency board voted to appoint Grant Goings, Wilson city manager, to the board. Goings will fill the seat of Mayor Bruce Rose whose second, three-year term ends in December. The NCEMPA board, which met at the Wilson Operations Center Wednesday, cast 93 votes for Goings and 38 votes for Andre Knight, Rocky Mount councilman. Goings and Knight were nominated for the seat on the ElectriCities Board of Directors, a 14-member board that oversees ElectriCities and the two public power agencies it manages, NCEMPA and the N.C. Municipal Power Agency 1. (Read more)

Response: This was right interesting. Read the following agreement between Wilson and Rocky Mount Municipalities however Wilson County didn’t vote fore Knight. Curmilus Dancy II – The Political Agitator

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Wilson County Advocate Ricardo Dew Has Been Following ElectriCities And Holding His Local Wilson County City Government Accountable For Their Actions

ElectriCities

Oakland an example of risk in ranked-choice voting

`Ranked-choice voting is a failed experiment," according to Supervisor Mark Farrell. Today, Farrell and Supervisor Sean Elsbernd will propose a charter amendment to end ranked-choice voting in San Francisco. It will need a majority of votes from the Board of Supervisors to get on the ballot in June, but I can’t imagine any supervisor will be able to vote against it after the spectacle we are about to witness as we calculate the votes in this mayoral race.

It will only be rivaled by the dramatic scene across the Bay, where we are watching Oakland Mayor Jean Quan continue her "reign of error." (Read more)

Response: Thank you Joyce McCloy for sharing this. Curmilus Dancy II – The Political Agitator

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Closer Look: Criticism Mounting Over Ranked Choice Voting

Instant Runoff Voting 

NCVote

PRESS RELEASE: Butterfield Says Internet Gaming Hearings Are Not Comprehensive Enough, Need Testimony of Federal Entities

U.S. Representative G. K. Butterfield

First District of North Carolina

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For Release:  Immediate Date:  November 18, 2011

Contact: Kezmiché "Kim" Atterbury Phone: (202) 225.3101 Mobile: (202) 465-5125

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Butterfield Says Internet Gaming Hearings Are Not Comprehensive Enough, Need Testimony of Federal Entities

WASHINGTON, DC — During a House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) released a letter to Chairman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) criticizing convening a second hearing on Internet gaming that failed to include testimony from representatives of federal agencies that would potentially implement and govern online gambling.  Butterfield said that while he appreciates the Chairman’s consideration of this issue, “If the Subcommittee is to proceed with the federal legalization and regulation of online gambling, it must do it right by hearing testimony from those entities that would be integral to its implementation and oversight.  Thus far, the Subcommittee has heard testimony from representatives of National Indian Gaming Association, National Council on Problem Gambling, and the American Gaming Association, to name a few.  However, to fully understand the legalization of Internet gaming, we must learn the concerns such agencies as the Departments of Justice, Treasury, and Commerce might have since they would be tasked with producing a national Internet gaming framework.”

Last month, the Subcommittee held its first hearing on Internet gaming, which evaluated the current prohibition and possible economic benefit of online gambling.

The full text of Butterfield’s letter follows.

The Honorable Mary Bono Mack

Chairman

Subcommittee on Commerce,

Manufacturing, and Trade

U.S. House of Representatives

2125 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Bono Mack:

Today, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade convened its second hearing this session on Internet gambling.  As Ranking Member, I want to thank you for scheduling time for us to consider this complex topic and evaluate proposed legislation.  However, I am concerned that the Subcommittee has not yet received testimony from federal entities that would oversee and implement key regulations governing a potential new system of legalized online gambling.  These entities include, among others, the Departments of Justice, the Treasury, and Commerce, and the Federal Trade Commission.

At the Subcommittee hearing on October 25, 2011, you indicated that an essential goal of the hearing was to determine the proper role for federal regulators.  You asked, “Can online gambling be regulated effectively?  And what role should the federal government play to protect American consumers from ‘sharks?’”   I strongly agree that both questions are central to our oversight of this topic.  But we cannot obtain informed answers about the effectiveness of gambling regulation or consumer protection if we fail to invite key federal government agencies to testify as witnesses.

Legalizing Internet gambling nationwide would involve several federal entities, each with different roles to play.  Currently, the Department of Justice enforces the Wire Act, and has used that statute to treat online gambling as illegal.  The Department of Justice also enforces the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which bans gambling enterprises from accepting checks, credit card charges, electronic transfers, and other payments connected to unlawful online bets or wagers.  For its part, the Department of the Treasury was required under UIGEA to prescribe regulations requiring financial transaction providers to establish policies and procedures to “identify and block or otherwise prevent or prohibit restricted transactions.”  

Under H.R. 1174, introduced by Representatives John Campbell and Barney Frank, Treasury would implement a licensing program for Internet gambling sites.  Under H.R. 2366, introduced by Chairman Emeritus Joe Barton, the Department of Commerce would oversee the state or tribal licensure of online poker vendors.  Finally, although it has been left out of current proposals, the Federal Trade Commission enforces fair business and marketing practices and possesses the appropriate e-commerce expertise to protect online gamblers’ personal data and privacy.

It should be no mystery why strong oversight of online gambling would be required.  In addition to monitoring industry practices, preventing fraud, and providing protections for individuals with gambling problems, regulators must ensure that children and teens are completely excluded from gambling activities.

The involvement of minors in gambling is particular problematic – and already happens all too often.  An October 2010 study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that 6.2% of boys age 14 to 17 (roughly 530,000 teenage boys) had used an Internet gambling site in the previous month – and while participation rates by girls were lower, they were increasing.   Moreover, in the past month, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and USA Today both reported that offshore betting sites are profiting from wagers on televised high school football games.   The founder of one such site was quoted as saying, “[t]he customers who bet the games don’t have a problem with morality.  If the customers are happy, I am happy.”  Commenting on the scope of the problem in countries where gambling is legal, he said, “Walk to any street corner in the United Kingdom.  You can bet on under 16-year-old soccer events, boys or girls.  Any match, just about any amount.”   This practice represents the type of enforcement challenges federal regulators will face if online gambling is made legal.

If the Subcommittee is to proceed with the federal legalization and regulation of Internet gambling, it must do it right.  I respectfully request that our Subcommittee seek formal comments from federal entities that would be involved with any legalized gambling regime.

Sincerely,

G.K. Butterfield

Ranking Member

Subcommittee on Commerce,

Manufacturing, and Trade

See related:

Congressman G.K. Butterfield

NCEMPA budget passes; Evans votes in opposition

The N.C. Eastern Municipal Power Agency board approved its 2012 budget but not without some opposition.

Wilson City Councilman Donald Evans voted against the $719.6 million budget because it includes funding for merit pay increases, based on individual performance, and funding to retain or recognize employees. The budget includes a 3 percent merit pool and $45,000 for retention and recognition. (Read more)

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NCEMPA

Wilson County Advocate Ricardo Dew Has Been Following ElectriCities And Holding His Local Wilson County City Government Accountable For Their Actions

The following was sent to the Wilson City Council.

I want to thank you all for the job you do. I also want to thank you for taking time to read this letter. I came by this letter weeks ago and was not sure what to do with it. As I looked in to this I see that the Mayors place on the Board of Director of ElectriCities is up in December. The mayor wants Grant to take his place. That with in itself is not good . the people of Wilson need to know what is going on. With the committee that is studying ways to help us with these bills and the Mayor wants to do something that is not illegal  but has some moral issues. A story that the people need to know. Is that not what news all about.

Ricardo Dew

 

 

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ElectriCities

Rocky Mount fights merger of utility companies – Source: Rocky Mount Telegram

The city of Rocky Mount has decided to continue its fight against a proposed merger of Duke Energy and Progress Energy after being dissatisfied with a settlement agreement.

Rocky Mount and New Bern are proceeding in the legal fight against the advice of ElectriCities, the administrative and lobbying arm of the N.C. Eastern Municipal Power Agency of which both cities are members. (Read more)

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ElectriCities

How Music Makes Black People Turn ‘Ignant’ – Source: Your Black World

This video reminds us of the dumb habits that our kids pick up from the music on the radio.  Should black people boycott this stuff?  We think that maybe this is called for. (Read more)

Response: A must see, this video hits home. I bet you see these things happening daily. Curmilus Dancy II – DCN Publisher

Football Friday: One last effort: North Edgecombe’s state title run falls short; Ward’s career closes

LEGGETT – The stands on either side of the field had been empty for 20 minutes.

The Trenton Jones activity bus slowly pulled out of the North Edgecombe High School parking lot. His players and coaches had walked off the field and most already were in the locker room, but North Edgecombe coach Danny Ward stood at the 50-yard line with his family – thinking, talking, remembering. (Read more)

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Football Friday

Football Friday: Tarboro Vikings Will Play At Home Friday, November 25, 2011, 2 Games Before The State Championship

Tarboro Vikings defeated Edenton Holmes 28 – 21 in Edenton on Friday night. Tarboro regained the lead late in the 4th quarter and held Edenton Holmes offense scoreless in the last final minutes.

Tarboro will finally get to play at home Friday night after Thanksgiving 7:30 PM hosting South Columbus.

Congratulations Tarboro Vikings.

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Football Friday

Tarboro advances to fourth consecutive East Region final – Rocky Mount Telegram