List of questions:
1. Explain how Commissioners fit in with Cleveland County’s County Manager form of government works:
McIntosh-Commissioners work with the Community and advise County Manager
Holbrook-County Manager runs the day by day operation of the county. Not the responsibility of the Commissioners to hire employees except County Manager. Be the eyes and ears of County Manager.
Gash-Commissioners provide the “vision” to the County Manager and the CM carries out that vision
2. Explain the appropriate relationship between industry and county utilities:
Holbrook-Shelby and Kings Mountain compliment each other.
Gash- Such “partnerships should include Cleveland County utilities too.
McIntosh- We are Cleveland County. We need to support all.
Editor’s note: Just about all (maybe all) of Massa Eddie’s Economic Development plans leave out Cleveland County Water and County Fire Protection.
3. Explain the relationship between the County and the other 13 municipalities.
Gash-Help other municipalities with equitable opportunities, allow them to work together.
McIntosh-The County needs to communicate with all municipalities,, not just Shelby and Kings Mountain. Upper Cleveland County feels totally left out.
Holbrook-There would have been no $6.5 Billion increase in property tax valuation or the 5,000 jobs without the commissioners. Agriculture needs to grow and more recreation and park facilities need to be built.
Editor’s note: Apparently Holbrook wants to keep everybody outside KM and Shelby picking cotton and milking cows. Just shows the “Massa Eddie” nickname was appropriate. Also little to no money provided by Massa’s Eddie’s commissioners for building county parks and a Sports Complex.
4. Regardless of laws, how should county award diversity in business contracts?
Gash- Be intentional with diversity contracts. Research opportunities.
McIntosh- Look local first.
Holbrook- Mandated by state to go to low bidder. Make awarding diversity contracts difficult. Need diversity on Boards.
Editor’s Notes: Believe this low bidder being mandated is wrong. Otherwise Massa Eddie’s buddy Roger Holland would not get all the county architect work. Also, if Holbrook supported diversity on Boards he would have already appointed them. Diversity on County Boards appear to be reserved for Uncle Toms.
5. Taxes. Cleveland County raised taxes in the County Fire District.
McIntosh- Would have to study hard before raising any taxes.
Holbrook- Says fire tax lower than surrounding counties. We have to be competitive or we will lose fire fighters.
Gash- Look hard at waste before raising taxes. Be open with Citizens if a tax increase is necessary.
Editor’s Note: Massa Eddie raised the fire tax 75% for no good reason. Especially after the 1/4 cent sales tax referendum was voted down by the citizens by a wide margin. The Massa thinks he knows best, even when the citizens say NO.
6. Raising sales tax 1/4 cent and other taxes and fees.
Holbrook- The 1/4 cent sales tax would have generated $2 Million for the county. Also could have collected from people passing through.
Gash- Nothing would be off the table but have to study hard before raising taxes. Would do what was right and fair.
McIntosh- Would not raise taxes without great study on the greater good for the county. Be Honest, Open and Transparent with citizens.
Editor’s note: Massa never mentioned a word about the pawnshop sale of the Hospital for $100 million. All of which is spent or spoken for without a dime going back to the Citizens who actually owned it.
7. List the Greatest accomplishments of the Commissioners in recent years.
Editor’s note: This question was a set up to make Massa Eddie Holbrook look good. This was covered in the introductory part of this article. Holbrook left the premises after this loaded question.
