And, consider this. The industries that are here can’t find qualified workers to fill those jobs. The Economic Development crowd Holbrook has hidden over at the LeGrand Center have already christened a website called “Charlotte’s Backyard” trying to lure workers from Charlotte. So, how will bringing in workers from Charlotte help Cleveland County workers who are on Foodstamps???
Then, Holbrook says that the population in Cleveland County is declining and he wants more Jobs, Jobs, Jobs which means more giveaway incentives. Holbrook never ever gets around to explaining why we need more jobs when a 4.1% unemployment rate means Cleveland County is at full employment already. A circle of lies that just keeps on going around and around with no end. Of course the fact that Cleveland County Schools have not prepared several generations of students to qualify for the jobs that are here never gets mentioned either.
Holbrook goes on a tear about Workforce Development, I should say lack of. I recently submitted totally legal requests from Cleveland County Schools, Cleveland Community College, the Commissioners (including a copy directly to Eddie Holbrook) and the Economic Development Partnership through Commissioner Holbrook and Cleveland County DSS asking for documents and records regarding Cleveland County’s Workforce Development Program. I have received absolutely nothing from anybody as such records and plans do not exist. Yet, they refuse to acknowledge that such Workforce Development plans do not exist. No wonder there are not enough workers qualified for Cleveland County jobs and no plans to put 20,000+ Foodstamp recipients to work making meaningful wages. And nobody knows what to do except the new President at Cleveland Community College who just got here.
Then, Holbrook plays a campaign video that he says was put together that very day. An obvious tall tale as it is very professional and to my knowledge the people who he said put it together do not have such expertise.
The video restates much of what Holbrook had already said. And then, the race card. The Rev. Lamont Littlejohn, according to many in the black community a top flight Uncle Tom, comes on endorsing Eddie Holbrook.
Holbrook says another video will be coming out May, 2nd.
Holbrook brings up School Board member Danny Blanton with some election statistics on that day’s early voting. About 256 total votes with so many Democrats, so many Republicans, so many white voters, so many black voters, so many men and so many women and two that didn’t know what they were. So, keeping track of the numbers and demographics is big in Holbrooks campaign. Overall, the first day of early voting means very little. But everybody already knows that turnout is key. The black candidates know they represent 40% of the electorate and the white democrats represent 60% They know that Republican registered voters can’t vote in the Democrat Primary but unaffiliated voters can. (It has been reported that Holbrook’s wife is recruiting on Facebook for Unaffiliated voters to vote in the Democrat Primary and vote for Eddie.) So, somebody is looking close at all the angles and maybe creating some too to help Holbrook get re-elected. And looking at the big picture, some professional assistance is in play. Which costs plenty of money that Eddie’s County Club cronies are ready and willing to put up.
Then Holbrook goes into this long and drawn out appeal for those in attendance to vote for him, share the video and bring others to the polls to vote for him. Playing on a self generated fear that if Holbrook loses Cleveland County will go to Hell in a Handbasket. An unqualified appeal to the White Democrats that Holbrook needs them to single shot vote for him. Clearly a page out to the Jesse Helms playbook of several years ago. Spend your resources on turning out your base and forget everybody else.
That’s my report and analysis. With a little fact checking thrown in.
Get yourself informed and turn out to vote on Primary Election day, May 8th. I always recommend voting on election day as there is less chance of vote tampering when you vote and have your vote counted that same day. If you count RINO Debbie Clary, the Democrats have taken over at the Cleveland County Board of Elections. 3-1.