The Wake County Republican Party is jumping into the Jim Black land controversy by defending school board member Ron Margiotta's criticism of the deal and calling for an independent investigator to review the case.
In a press release sent late this afternoon, Wake GOP Chairman Claude E. Pope Jr. says that Wake Judge Donald Stephens' complaints about Margiotta were "extremely inappropriate." Pope fires some really harsh shots, saying the deal was a case of "the party in power cutting deals for its own fallen leader."
The Wake GOP has been really active in school affairs this election year. It has promised to back candidates who support neighborhood schools and complained about year-round school being open on Memorial Day.
Here's the GOP press release:
Wake County GOP Supports Wake County School Board Member Ron Margiotta’s Position on Black’s Land-for-Fine Deal
Lack of transparency and accountability kept Wake County Board of Education in the dark and cheated Wake taxpayers
RALEIGH, N.C., July 16, 2009 – Per recent news stories about disgraced former Democratic State House Speaker Jim Black’s land-for-fine deal, Wake County GOP Chairman Claude E. Pope, Jr. states that the Wake GOP fully supports Ron Margiotta’s position on the issue because he had every right to raise the serious concerns that he had about the backroom deal.
“The Wake GOP is truly concerned about the lack of accountability and transparency by all parties in this deal,” Pope said. “You would think that in a case that was all about corruption at the highest level of our state’s government, the judge, district attorney, and recipient school district administration would want to ensure that not even a hint of scandal would cloud the final settlement in this case. Instead, we have the party in power cutting deals for its own fallen leader, avoiding government accountability, allowing a man convicted of betraying the public trust to avoid personal responsibility of his crimes, and cheating the Wake County taxpayers out of some much-needed tax relief.
“Due to the size of the fine, we feel strongly that our duly-elected school board should have been made aware of the backroom negotiations between Wake County D.A. Colon Willoughby and Wake County School Board attorney Kris Gardner. We support Mr. Margiotta’s statements that Black should have been required to pay cash and that the land appraisal should have been done independently. Furthermore, Judge Stephens’ sharp-tongued remarks today toward Mr. Margiotta were extremely inappropriate,” said Pope.
Chairman Pope and the Wake GOP further:
demand that the parties publish the full appraisal so that Wake County taxpayers can assess the validity of the properties’ valuation; and
request the appointment of an independent investigator who will analyze the land value and make sure that the Wake County Board of Education receives the full $500,000 it is entitled to.
Comments
How to determine which land
Fri, 11/13/2009 - 05:41 — ninaninaHow to determine which land and what value of the land to be attributed in the negotiation? I like your idea, but you should also consider a second plan. classified ads |job search|bathroom vanity
Judicial Logic
Fri, 07/17/2009 - 20:43 — vickipirozziWhy am I not surprised at the shenanigans in NC! We have no one to blame but ourselves for this mess. (Be sure to vote!) I'm at a loss to understand the actions and comments from this court. I would like to comment on the judge's logic. "It's like giving your daughter a Toyota and her saying, "Dad, I'd rather have a BMW", Stephens said." The example is one of an ungrateful child receiving a GIFT. Black is paying his debt to society for his abuse of power, not giving Wake County a gift. The choice was simple - maximum sentence or $1 million fine. Wake County is only expecting what it is due. Am I missing something here? Ron M. is correct is raising questions about this deal. Will the county ever realize the $1 million?
Well..
Sat, 07/18/2009 - 10:27 — Bob_SconceThere's a decent chance that they will make back the $1M. There's also a chance that they won't. And, there's a very slim chance that this land will end up being an enormous liability to the district.
I have no issue in the school board deciding to take that sort of a gamble -- making those decisions is part of their job. But, in this case, the board did not decide to take that gamble -- the administration did. And, that's the problem.
What happens if, for example, a previous owner had dumped PCPs on the land that are now seeping into the ground water, and it will cost $20M to clean-up? Is that a liability that the administration should be allowed to incur on behalf of the district without the board's approval? Or what happens if there's some attractive nuisance on the land, and a child is killed? Did anybody actually go to Mecklenburg county to check this property out? Was there any due diligence done on the property?
Bob, All good
Sat, 07/18/2009 - 10:45 — CaryCurmudgeonBob,
All good questions/points. There was no responsible effort made to establish the value of this parcel. They used an informal evaluation from appraisers who were hired by Jim Black's son.
The proof's in the pudding, we'll see whether the property sells for $500K or more.
Judge Stephens needs to Go
Fri, 07/17/2009 - 07:38 — dmnynkee72Can someone explain how exactly a judge can reprimand a citizen not directly involved in a case before him?
I think someone (the judge) needs a swift kick in the pants - he is not a God, even though he is treated as such in Wake County. It's time to vote his (and his brother's) butt out - Clearly a case of the power has gone to his head.
As to his threats to "give serious thought to whether he would levy fines in the future that would benefit the Wake County school system" - Poor Baby, actually being expected to do his job since "Under the state constitution, state fines and forfeitures go to local school systems" -- doesn't say anything about the judge having a say.
I would think this comment on the record would force the judges Stephens to remove themselves from any cases regarding WCPSS.
Hold on...
Fri, 07/17/2009 - 09:11 — Bob_SconceSo, if I recall correctly, he reprimanded the district's attorney, not Ron. The attorney is an officer of the court, which (IIRC) subjects him to being chewed out by judges. And, the attorney did appear in the case, agreeing to the land deal.
nope, he never outright
Fri, 07/17/2009 - 09:30 — AngelaWnope, he never outright named Ron but reference School Board "comments" (the ones the N&O attributed to Ron)
Enough corruption already
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 22:05 — freedom12This backroom deal is the cherry on top of Black's pathetic train wreck. Good for the Wake GOP and Ron M. to call them out on it. Voters need to wake up and realize that the status quo corrupt Dems in this state have gotta GO! Shame on Judge Stephens - he needs to go too.
Office Cleaning out party.
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 22:18 — Jeff_morseWe need to take up a collection to buy moving boxes for some of the people.
Step one
Donate to www.wakegop.org
Step two
Help elect good candidates
Step Three
Help deliver moving boxes to the corrupt democrats.
Step Four
Keep building our base for 2010!
I'll vote for the GOP....
Fri, 07/17/2009 - 07:05 — acidqueen...when they decide to turf the Radical Religious Reich and their attempts to turn this country into a Christofascist theocracy.
And when they decide that they're once more behind such "unpatriotic" causes as civil liberties and less government interference in private life.
Since I know that won't happen, I don't think I'll be voting for the GOP any time soon.
Another way to look at this....
Fri, 07/17/2009 - 15:01 — kirtlYou may not want to vote for the GOP, but you will continue to vote for the very group that continues to give us the same types of people with the same thoughts and same motivations that have put us in this very position. The democrats have been in power for a very long time. If they were so much better than the GOP, shouldn't we be better than we are right now?
Democrats can improve their credibility if they would just use there power to make things improve rather than spend all their time complaining about republicans. Or is it only about beating republicans and not at all about improving education?
My refusal to support a
Sat, 07/18/2009 - 07:21 — acidqueenMy refusal to support a party that has effectively said it doesn't want me around does not automatically mean that I vote Democrat.
I find it interesting that you and several other commenters immediately assumed such. Very interesting indeed....
Ditto ... move away from
Fri, 07/17/2009 - 09:19 — user1234Ditto ... move away from the "NO" and "WAR" party ... find your compassion in conservative … embrace the environment for more that a place to be toss waste for big business …find a way to make nice with the growing immigrant, black, gay populations so you don’t become irrelevant. Get out of the business of telling people how to live their lives and spend your time protecting their freedom and purse.
LOL
Fri, 07/17/2009 - 14:53 — Chris_HYou can seriously write that witha striaght face that the Demorcratic Party is not in " business of telling people how to live their lives". And if you want to talk about waste - talk about Big Governement - what a joke.
Interesting...
Fri, 07/17/2009 - 09:17 — Bob_SconceTurn it around:
"I'll vote for the democrats when they decide to turn the Radical Socialist Reich and their attempts to turn this country into a communist state. And when they decide that they're once more behind such 'unpatriotic' causes as allowing people to live with less government interference in how they live their lives and use their property. "
Amazing how easy it is to slander the bases of both parties, isn't it?
Fail.
Sat, 07/18/2009 - 07:22 — acidqueenYou fail at turning it around--the Democrats are no different from the Republicans.
Yes, it is amazing
Fri, 07/17/2009 - 15:58 — FalcMaybe as more people go to Diversity training, more people will put down their broad brushes or as someone else put it use them to paint houses, (not groups or individuals).
Definition of Diversity
The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual.
Here, here
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 20:48 — kmisegadesClaude Pope is already doing a terrific job in his new role as head of the Wake GOP. Same could be said for Tom Fetzer for the state GOP. But it will take the support from the rank-and-file Conservatives to turn this ship around. If it's important to you, look in the mirror to find tomorrow's Conservative leaders.
Carolina Journal has done some great reporting on this
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 19:33 — dvberwynhttp://carolinajournal.com/exclusives/display_exclusive.html?id=5509
http://www.carolinajournal.com/articles/display_story.html?id=5492
Here's how the N&O covered it today:
http://www.newsobserver.com/front/story/1610060.html
At last
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 19:21 — sky5714Hallelujah!
The Republicans have finally woken up from their slumber.
We need to STOP accepting corruption and/or incompetence as an expected result from our elected representatives, whether legislators or judges or district attorneys. And as the entrenched party in power, it's Democrats who are at fault.
This deal stinks to high heaven. There are a lot of details not reported here, including how those particular properties were chosen to satisfy the fine.