Friday, May, 9 2008

Wachovia Fiddles with Deck Chairs
Posted May 9th, 2008 at 7:42 AM by Jeff Taylor

Lost in the election rush — big co-inky-dink there, huh? — was Wachovia’s breathtaking announcement Tuesday that the company Q1 loss almost doubled to $708m. Now we get the second part of this well-managed PR cover-up, the announcement that Ken Thompson is stepping away from the Chairman slot, but keeping the CEO hat.
It will not […]

(more...)

Talley’s. Meh
Posted May 9th, 2008 at 6:30 AM by Jeff Taylor

Folks sound way too eager to blame the demise of Talley’s Green Grocer on “chains” without mentioning the pumps — gas pumps.
Consumers need a very compelling reason to drive 15 or 20 minutes each way past other grocery stores in order to get to a niche outlet like Talley’s. And Talley’s was very niche. I […]

(more...)

Who Killed Irina?
Posted May 8th, 2008 at 5:41 PM by Jeff Taylor

I’m gonna go way, way out on a limb and say a violent repeat offender who has recently been engaged in property crime in and around University City.
Let’s do the standard check of ATMs in the area — and ignore the standard spin that young females in college communities are not being targeted by violent […]

(more...)

No. DO Admit Illegals Says Easley
Posted May 8th, 2008 at 3:27 PM by Jeff Taylor

This is turning into a who’s-on-first routine.
Now Gov. Mike Easley says the AG is wrong, and the state should admit illegals to public colleges and universities.
What do you bet this comes up in some political campaign? Where does Bev Perdue stand, with her governor or with her AG? If it is the latter, she should […]

(more...)

• Ghost Riders Boarding Lynx
  Operations of the CATS’ South Corridor light rail have become a little more transparent with two recent data points explains Jeff Taylor.
• Charter School Funding
  Michael Lowrey explains why the N.C. Court of Appeals ruled that CMS was underfunding five local charter schools.
• Charlotte’s Misery Index
  Jeff Taylor says that Charlotte’s inclusion in Forbes’ list of the 10 most miserable cities in America shows how far local civic leaders are into denial.
• 2008: A Taxing Year
  Jeff Taylor analyzes the prospects for an additional ¼-cent sales tax or land transfer tax in Mecklenburg County. Expect to see one on ballot in November.
• Bad Call By The NCHSAA
  Jeff Taylor takes the North Carolina High School Athletic Association to task for ending South Mecklenburg’s football season.
• Pro Taxers Like Transit Plan
  Jeff Taylor describes how transit tax proponents will make any argument while denying the facts in an attempt to keep the tax and the plan it supports in place.
• See More Hits

Loans Still Flow in NC
Despite the national student loan crisis, NC college students should be in good shape next year, officials say. In the Charlotte Observer.

City budget debate to focus on crime
CHARLOTTE — City leaders said Tuesday that the price tag for fighting crime would likely be a major part of the budget debate beginning next week. The Charlotte City Council begins discussing the city’s $1.6 billion budget Monday. And while public safety funding will not carry the biggest price tag, several council members acknowledged Tuesday that it will probably be the hottest topic.

Mecklenburg handgun applications are up
CHARLOTTE — More Mecklenburg County residents are arming themselves for protection. Since 2005, there’s been a steady increase in applications to buy handguns, capped by a spike so far this year: a 38 percent jump in applications for the first three months compared to the same time a year ago. Officials can’t pinpoint a single reason for the rise. But experts say people turn to guns when they have a fear of real or perceived crime and have lost confidence in police.

Foreclosure’s tax bite
CHARLOTTE — The tax bill for Charlotte’s foreclosures is coming due. Mecklenburg County appraisers are estimating property values for the first time since lax lending and exotic mortgages enabled people to buy homes they could not afford. The resulting wave of foreclosures here and nationwide has eroded property values.

Charlotte council: Examine police priorities
CHARLOTTE — Charlotte City Council members, facing news about rising crime and neighborhood groups frightened by the spike, said Wednesday that the city and police should re-examine its philosophies and priorities for law enforcement. The rise needn’t touch off a wholesale change. But they said the council should look carefully at how it’s funding police, and police need to assess whether their tactics are working everywhere.

Charlotte crime surges as fear grows
CHARLOTTE — For weeks, fearful residents have convened meetings, questioned police and, in one neighborhood, paid off-duty officers to patrol streets. On Tuesday, police confirmed what people suspected: Crime is spiking in Charlotte. The number of violent crimes and property crimes both jumped about 11 percent in March from the month before.

More headlines »

Un-Affordable Housing: Cities keep low- and middle-income families from home ownership
Many North Carolina cities use affordable-housing policies to provide housing to low-income citizens. No doubt started with the best intentions, those policies ignore fundamental economic realities and produce the opposite effect than was intended.

Does Gaston need a sales tax increase?
The Gaston County commissioners are asking voters to approve a sales-tax increase on May 6. This report identifies $54.4 million in revenue and savings the county could use to meet its needs — almost 12 times the amount that the proposed tax increase would produce.

Does Lincoln need a sales tax increase?
The Lincoln County commissioners are asking voters to approve a sales-tax increase on May 6. This report identifies $26.3 million in revenue and savings the county could use to meet its needs — over 17 times the amount that the proposed tax increase would produce.

Does Stanly need a sales tax increase?
The Stanly County commissioners are asking voters to approve a sales-tax increase on May 6. This report identifies $23 million in revenue and savings the county could use to meet its needs — over 16.7 times the amount that the proposed tax increase would produce.