Perdue’s Budget would aid ECPS – Daily Southerner

RALEIGH — Despite her lame-duck status and a General Assembly controlled by the opposing party, Gov. Bev Perdue’s 2012-2013 budget, unveiled this past week, calls for a net increase of more than $562 million in K-12 school funding over what is currently planned for next year. (More)

News Alert: NC NAACP Petitions Governor to Pardon the Wilmington 10

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 17, 2012   For More Information:           Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President, 919-394-8137                                               Mrs. Amina J. Turner, Executive Director, 919-682-4700   DURHAM – The North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP is releasing a letter petitioning Governor Beverly Perdue to pardon the Wilmington 10.  The NC NAACP joined members of the Wilmington 10 and their attorneys for a news conference at the State Capitol on Thursday morning.   ### Download in PDF   May 17, 2012   Hon. Beverly Eaves Perdue Governor of North Carolina 20301 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-0301   RE:  Petition to Pardon the Wilmington Ten   Dear Governor Perdue:   In September 1972 ten young North Carolinians were tried and convicted of major felonies in New Hanover County.  After the dust settled, it turned out their main crime was trying to obey the Law, namely the requirements of the U.S. Constitution and the U.S. Supreme Court to dismantle the separate and unequal school systems of New Hanover County.  The young people were called the Wilmington Ten:  Ben Chavis, Wayne Moore, Marvin Patrick, Connie Tindall, James McKoy, Willie Vereen, Reginald Epps, Anne Shepard-Turner, William "Joe" Wright, and Jerry Jacobs.   In 1980, after many had served 8 years in prison, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled they had been victims of outrageous acts of prosecutorial misconduct. Chavez v. State of North Carolina, 637 F.2d 213.  In language that has become too familiar to those of us who believe in racial justice in North Carolina, the Appeals Court found: "The prosecution’s failure to produce . . . to defense counsel the ‘amended’ statement and the record of the hospitalization of the state’s key witness and the restrictions upon cross-examination of the key witness and another about favorable treatment which might have induced favorable testimony require us to overturn the convictions."   Such gross prosecutorial misconduct is often associated with the trials of poor minorities and civil rights activists.  Each time this linkage is validated by higher courts, it widens the breach in our human family. . . it aggravates the hurts of past indignities.  Our system does not empower our courts to repair and heal such breaches and wounds.  Our constitution, instead, places such acts of human compassion in your hands.    Therefore, on behalf of the North Carolina Conference of 125 adult, college and youth NAACP Branches across the state, I ask you to pardon the Wilmington Ten.  "And you shall be called, the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in." Isaiah 58:12.   Yours in the Spirit of Truth and Justice,   Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President                                                   North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP   ###    Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

 

Democrats fret about Parker’s defiance – WRAL

Raleigh, N.C. — Some Democrats are worried that the state party’s inability to rid itself of embattled chairman David Parker could hurt their candidates’ chances this fall.

At a chaotic six-hour meeting Saturday, Parker offered his resignation, then reversed himself when the state executive committee voted 269-203 to reject it. (More)

See related:

Divided Democrats reject chairman’s resignation – NBC 17

Parker out, then he’s in: Wild day to be a Democrat in N.C. – News & Observer

NC Democratic Party State Executive Meeting Was Damn Mess, Chair Steps Down and The SEC Voted 269 – 203 To Not Accept His Resignation

Will Democrats accept Parker’s resignation? – WRAL

David Parker Chair NC State Democratic Party

What Role Did Gov. Beverly Perdue, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton And Other Elected Officials Who Wanted David Parker NC State Democratic Party Chair To Resign, David Parker, NC State Executive Council and NC State Executive Committee

What role did Gov. Beverly Perdue, Lt. Gov. Walton Dalton And Other Elected Officials whom Wanted David Parker NC State Democratic Party Chair To Resign, David Parker, NC State Executive Council (around 60 plus members) and NC State Executive Committee around (600 plus members) play in the road to the meeting that should have never taken place.

Several weeks ago it surfaced about the negative events that were going on within the Democratic Party. Jay Parmley Executive Director was accused of sexually harassing a staff person and Parker and the attorney supposed handled the situation. However this brought on Parmley resigning, Sallie Leslie a longtime staff and I believe some others resigning their post as well.

Gov. Beverly Perdue, Lt. Walton Dalton and some other elected officials asked David Parker to step down. It was reported that Parker met via telephone with the State Executive Council and Parker said that he had the support of the council. Well Gwen Wilkins 1st Vice Chair said that was not totally correct. I understand it was about 28 – 30 folks on the call however the body is made up of around 60 folks. I understand that during the call no one said anything much but 2 – 3 people said they supported Parker but no call for a vote. Sources say some who were not on the call expressed they didn’t agree to supporting Parker. Enough on that I believe you see where I am coming from unless you are one of those ignant damn folks at the meeting on yesterday whom claim they couldn’t understand the motions.

So after meeting with the State Executive Council Parker told Gov. Perdue and the others that he had the support of the State Executive Council so he thought their request for him to resign would go away. Nope they didn’t accept that.

Now because of the pressure being put on Parker by Gov. Perdue and the others now Parker had to call a special meeting with State Executive Committee. Well sources say that Parker was directed to set some rules for the meeting which included setting it up for a top elected official to chair the meeting hint name starts with a D. Well after we received the agenda and I seen Rule 8. Presiding chair of elections. The Presiding Officer shall not preside over his or her own election  in which case the parliamentarian designated at the convening of the meeting shall preside until such election is concluded, I knew there was something going on. However people ran to the mike to challenge that because the Democratic Party Plan of Organization reads as follows: Section 4.02 Elected officers reads: Vacancy and Succession for Elected State Executive Committee Officers. Vacancies occurring among the elected officers of the state executive committee shall be filled within sixty (60) days following the creation of the vacancy. The state chair shall call a meeting of the state executive committee to fill that vacancy and any other vacancies that might be caused by the action of such committee in filling the vacancy. If, for any reason, there should occur a vacancy in the office of state chair, the first vice chair, the second vice chair, the third vice chair, the secretary or the treasurer, in that order, shall preside and in the absence of all of the foregoing officers, any member of the state executive committee may preside.

So since Parker didn’t honor Gov. Perdue and the others request to step down when they didn’t accept his report from the State Executive Council why did he think they were going to support the report from the State Executive Committee? It appeared to me that Gov. Perdue and the others wanted him out and nothing was going to change that because dealing with Parker do not change anything bout the negative events that were going on within the Democratic Party that surfaced several weeks ago.

When the meeting was over yesterday the negative events still exist because keeping Parker on do not address them. However since he was a part of the negative events and there is nothing in place to address those events, why do anyone in their right mind think the issue of the negative events will just go away? I feel that when longtime staff worker Sallie Leslie resigned leaves many with unanswered questions that will not just go away.

Well I have learned some things since the meeting on yesterday about the role that Gov. Beverly Perdue, Lt. Gov. Walton Dalton And Other Elected Officials Who Wanted David Parker NC State Democratic Party Chair To Resign, David Parker, NC State Executive Council and NC State Executive Committee played.

If Parker felt he had not done anything wrong then he should have stood his ground. Gov. Perdue and the others didn’t put him in so it was up to the State Executive Committee to take him out. But Parker allowed the pressure of them to make him do what he did and at the expense of the 1st Vice Chair and the State Executive Committee and those who were proxies like myself. Again yesterday’s meeting was a damn waste. He knew he was not going to resign so why in the hell did he stand up there and do it? I don’t give a damn about what happened before yesterday. On yesterday I expected Parker to honor his word when he stood on the stage and gave his remarks and then officially stepping down.

Now I am waiting to see what role President Obama will play or if any.

I kind of sorta knew what was going to happen on yesterday after reading a couple of Facebook Groups but most of all the following report “Will Democrats accept Parker’s resignation? – WRAL” gave me the real heads up of what to expect.

See related:

Divided Democrats reject chairman’s resignation – NBC 17 

Parker out, then he’s in: Wild day to be a Democrat in N.C. – News & Observer 

NC Democratic Party State Executive Meeting Was Damn Mess, Chair Steps Down and The SEC Voted 269 – 203 To Not Accept His Resignation 

Will Democrats accept Parker’s resignation? – WRAL

David Parker Chair NC State Democratic Party

Chairman to step down after NC Dems elect successor–WRAL

North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman David Parker said Thursday that he won’t resign over his handling of a sexual harassment complaint that forced out the party’s executive director. Instead, he called for a new chairman to be elected next month. (More)

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Democratic Party of North Carolina

PRESS RELEASE: Butterfield Congratulates Judge A. Leon Stanback, Jr. on Appointment as Interim District Attorney

 

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For Release:  Immediate     Date:  February 2, 2012

Contact: Kezmiché "Kim" Atterbury  Phone:  (202) 225.3101                                                    Mobile: (202) 465.5125

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Butterfield Congratulates Judge A. Leon Stanback, Jr. on Appointment as Interim District Attorney

 

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G.K. Butterfield (NC-01) today called retired Judge A. Leon Stanback, Jr. to congratulate him on his recent appointment by Governor Bev Perdue to serve as interim District Attorney for Durham County.  Judge Stanback was asked to serve until the controversy involving the county’s current District Attorney is resolved.

 

“I have known Leon Stanback for more than 45 years, dating back to when we both attended North Carolina Central University,” said Butterfield.  “Judge Stanback is a very capable individual who understands the totality of the criminal justice system.  I have no doubt that he will be a valuable asset to the county and city of Durham.  Governor Perdue could not have made a better choice.”

 

Judge Stanback worked in several notable capacities within the criminal justice system during his long and distinguished legal career.  He served as an Assistant District Attorney in Guilford County, a defense attorney, and as a member of the North Carolina Parole Commission before being elected as a Superior Court judge for Durham County.  Judge Stanback served on the bench for twenty years before retiring in 2009.

 

 

http://www.Butterfield.House.Gov

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Perdue: Decision not to run again was personal–WRAL

Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue told WRAL News in an exclusive interview Sunday that her decision not seek re-election in 2012 was a very personal one and that she "will not go away" when it comes to fighting for public education.

"There were a lot of personal reasons involved in this decision that I’ll never discuss in public," she said at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, in her first media interview since she announced her decision Thursday. (More)

See related:

NC Dems Feel Relief, Worry Over Perdue Decision

Governor Beverly Perdue 

NC NAACP Statement on Governor Perdue’s Decision Not to Run for Re-Election

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 26, 2012   For More Information:           Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President, 919-394-8137                                                 Mrs. Amina Turner, Executive Director, 919-682-4700   (DURHAM) – Gov. Beverly Perdue is a stalwart friend of justice.  With her strong voice and her steady veto-pen, she has stood on the side of justice against the frontal assault against minorities’ rights by the ultra conservatives in the General Assembly.  She has taken seriously her oath to uphold the Constitution, which requires those in government to govern for the good of the whole, to protect and strengthen public education, to create economic vitality, to protect civil rights, to ensure equal protection and racial justice under the law.   Gov. Perdue has remained true to her love of all our children and their fullest development.  When she had to choose between what was good for North Carolina children and all of its citizens, and what was good for her own career, she took the road of principle.  This is how history will record of the legacy of the first of many women governors we will have.  The civil rights community prays she will remain strong in the remaining days in office, and that she will continue to fight for the good of the whole . . .for the good of all North Carolinians.   ###   Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

 

Gov. Bev Perdue Will Not Seek Re-Election – Her Statment

Dear Friend –   Like the rest of the nation, North Carolina has been facing difficult economic times — demanding many difficult decisions.  I have had to make painful budget cuts in important areas of government.  But I believe I have approached this challenge in a way that is consistent with my values and the values that have made our state a wonderful place to live and raise a family.  I have spent my tenure in office – and, in fact, my adult lifetime – fighting for things that I care deeply about.  And as anyone who knows me will tell you, I do not back down from tough fights. But I understand this:  We live in highly partisan times, where some people seem more worried about scoring political points than working together to address the real challenges our state faces.  And it is clear to me that my race for re-election will only further politicize the fight to adequately fund our schools.   A re-election campaign in this already divisive environment will make it more difficult to find any bipartisan solutions. The thing I care about most right now is making sure that our schools and schoolchildren do not continue to be the victims of shortsighted legislative actions and severe budget cuts inflicted by a legislative majority with the wrong priorities.  Therefore, I am announcing today that I have decided not to seek re-election.  I hope this decision will open the door to an honest and bipartisan effort to help our schools. To those of you who have supported me throughout my years of public service, I will always be grateful for the confidence you have placed in me. In my remaining months in office, I look forward to continuing to fight for the priorities we share, by putting North Carolinians back to work and investing in our children’s future. To my children and grandchildren, and especially to my husband Bob, thank you for always being there for me – especially as I’ve weighed this difficult decision. Thank you all, and God bless North Carolina.   Sincerely, Bev

 

Bev Perdue NC Governor won’t seek re-election – WTVD

RALEIGH, NC (WTVD) — North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue said Thursday she will not seek re-election this fall.

"We live in highly partisan times, where some people seem more worried about scoring political points than working together to address the real challenges our state faces. And it is clear to me that my race for re-election will only further politicize the fight to adequately fund our schools. A re-election campaign in this already divisive environment will make it more difficult to find any bipartisan solutions," she said in part in a statement. (More)

[Office of Governor Bev Perdue] Invest in Our Children’s Future

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Gov. Perdue: Invest in Our Children’s Future
"We owe it to our kids and to our state to stop these cuts and make education a priority again." Friends, Education has always been part of the fabric of who we are as a people in North Carolina, and it’s the key to our future. We must stop the deep and unnecessary cuts that are going on in North Carolina’s schools. That’s why I’m for temporarily restoring three-quarters of the one-cent sales tax that the Republican-controlled General Assembly eliminated and for dedicating those funds to North Carolina schools. I have cut spending to eliminate waste and make government more efficient. But we cannot allow the legislature’s extreme education cuts to continue. The N.C. Association of School Administrators reported recently that North Carolina has fallen to 49th in the nation in per-pupil funding. The legislature’s budget has hurt education at all levels — from pre-k all the way through higher education — and has led to higher class sizes and the loss of thousands of teacher and teaching assistant positions. And their budget forces even more teacher layoffs next year — we must act to prevent these additional cuts. Our children’s future is so important that I want to let you know that when I present my budget this spring, I will once again call on the Republican-controlled General Assembly to temporarily restore three-quarters of the one-cent sales tax as a vital step to funding our schools. Also, in the days ahead I will be speaking with you about other budgetary matters that affect North Carolina families. Education is the key to our children’s future and to North Carolina’s economic future. Investing in education is central to our ability to attract new jobs and businesses to our state. We owe it to our children and our state to stop these cuts and make education a priority again — a fraction of a penny for progress.
Office of the Governor – 20301 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699 – (919)733-4240

Perdue to propose restoring sales-tax increase – News & Observer

Gov. Bev Perdue will propose restoring a three-quarter cent sales tax increase in the next budget to stop "deep and unnecessary cuts" to schools.

Perdue announced her proposal Tuesday afternoon, when she was scheduled to speak at a Greensboro elementary school.

Revenue from the increase would be dedicated to schools, Perdue said. (More)

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Governor Beverly Perdue

Perdue signs order extending unemployment benefits – News & Observer

RALEIGH — Gov. Bev Perdue issued an executive order Wednesday extending unemployment benefits for the state’s long-term employed.

The action means about 25,000 people in North Carolina will have their benefits extended until the end of February, instead of having them end on Jan. 28. (More)

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Governor Beverly Perdue

Perdue blames bad economy for NC endowment setback Source: The News & Observer

RALEIGH, N.C. — Wrapping up a fierce election cycle in which her campaign raised or borrowed $18 million, Beverly Perdue declared three years ago she wanted to find a way to reduce the money chase in North Carolina gubernatorial politics.

The Democrat said during her 2008 campaign that once elected she would form a panel designed to lay the groundwork for a private foundation. The foundation would offer money to candidates in 2012 who agree to strict outside fundraising limits and avoid negative campaigning. (Read more)

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Governor Beverly Perdue

More charges likely in probe of Perdue campaign flights – Source: WRAL

Raleigh, N.C. — A state investigation into Gov. Beverly Perdue’s campaign finances is close to wrapping up, and Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby said Thursday that he expects it to result in more criminal charges. (Read more)