At this point, since I have reviewed the attached draft meeting minutes and found them relatively accurate regarding what was said, I suggest readers be sure to read those minutes that are found at the end of this article. But first, before you read the draft minutes, there are a few things that were left out of the minutes and a few things to remember:
1. Comment. Notice that some of the public participants words appear to be improperly transcribed. Patsy Rose’s statements included words “weld, weld” and other examples where Mrs. Rose did not say “weld, weld.” Something is amiss there. And in a few other places. Please go back and read my previous article that included Mrs. Rose’s prepared remarks. Also, other speakers words were also misused or misrepresented. Most likely to confuse the record of what they said.
2. The minutes leave out a critical point from the statements Mr. Williamson, the State Community College invited visitor. Mr. Williamson stated if need be an “interim President could be appointed in one day.” This omission was most likely left out so the record will show that replacing Thornburg could be done immediately if the CCC Board really wanted to move that fast. Also note that in a previous article I presented an email between the CCC Board Attorney and the Board that Dr. Thornburg had retained attorney Bob Yelton and a lawsuit was threatened. Also note that the agenda for the July 11, 2017 includes a closed session where Attorney Meekins will be addressing the CCC Board. I predict this closed session will be about Thornburg’s threatened lawsuit. I would also not be surprised if the CCC Board pays off Thornburg in a big settlement. Taxpayers will be screwed again because the CCC Board has refused to do their duty in effective manner. So much for gridlock.
3. The June 9, 2017 CCC Board meeting did not include any changes to the time, date or schedule of any future meeting that is required by law before making such changes. The draft agenda for the July 11, 2017 shows the meeting starts at 12:30 PM, which would be an illegal change of meeting time. This again shows that the CCC Board does what they want in spite of what state law says. Obviously the CCC Board wants their meal and eat the meal in private. As for me, the law allows me (and the public) to attend meeting when a quorum of Board members are present and I intend to be in that Board Room at 12:00 PM (noon) sharp. If the Board just sits there and eats their fancy meal, I will bring a brown bag lunch consisting of a can of Beanie-Wienies and a bottle of water and just join in. I suggest others do the same.
The “discovered” minutes of the June 9, 2017 meeting as well as the “discovered” agenda for the July 11, 2017 CCC Board meeting are attached below for your convenience. Come on out to the July 11, 2017 meeting and join us.
PS: If the CCC Board of Trustees ever wises up they will stop their fancy meals at taxpayer expense; eat their meals somewhere else, separately, and before they come together to conduct CCC business; start following the law regarding open meetings, start following the law in scheduling of rescheduling meetings, stop gathering in private, and move their meetings to another room where it is convenient for public attendance. Otherwise, they should all resign and let those that appoint them appoint someone who will conduct proper and legal meetings.
PS 2: Right now the CCC Board of Trustees have elevated themselves to become the major scandal at CCC. Information has come to me that some of the issues and scandals of today were problems 12 years ago. I don’t expect the citizens of Cleveland County have the patience to allow CCC problems, issues and scandals to go for another 12 years before the Board takes action. Perhaps it is time to just pull the plug on Cleveland Community College and Cleveland County students go to Gaston College, Isothermal or Catawba Valley Tech in Hickory.