As I stated in my last article about the feuding between the Republican Party under Dennis Bailey and the Women Republicans of Cleveland County (WeRCC) under Marge Hooper, I was going to visit the WeRCC Booth at the 7th Inning Stretch, purchase some Trump campaign stuff and mostly see what was going on.

That is exactly what I did this past Saturday afternoon (August 10, 2019).

The WeRCC booth just happened to be one of the first places I saw as I entered the Court Square area from where I had parked. So, I walked right over, introduced myself and started talking to some of those Republican women that were there. Dennis Bailey was there too. And other Republicans. I asked Dennis Bailey how he was doing and he replied “Cordial.” Good for Dennis Bailey. Marge Hooper was not there right at that time. I was told that she had just left, but was to return soon. I never was able to catch up with Marge Hooper that day. That was probably my fault as I had other things, I wanted to do that day, like walk all around downtown Shelby and determine, in my own mind, distressed areas that might end up getting some funding from this new sales tax increase referendum that will be on this Novembers Elections ballot. More on that later in this article.

As for the WeRCC booth, I ended up purchasing a new Trump for President 2020 Baseball cap, a Trump T-Shirt and a Trump 2020 bumper sticker.

In regard to the Republican feud, discussions went like this: Marge Hooper had come to the WeRCC executive board with the proposition that she stay the WeRCC President, but vest many of her authorities and responsibilities to the Vice-President and perhaps others. That she (Hooper) had been appointed to the Region 10 Trump Re-election team and other Trump and Republican related responsibilities, including receiving Awards, and was requesting assistance with her WeRCC responsibilities. Everybody was happy about that I was told. Remember, Hooper was not there.

As for the feud. Dennis Bailey said there was no feud. That he had himself encouraged more women to attend WeRCC meetings. Of course, I realized that was likely “Code” for Bailey sending Republican women allies to WeRCC meetings for a “hostile” takeover if need be. But, all-in-all, my conclusion was this is win-win for everybody. Marge Hooper is now free to work in a more friendly environment doing what she (and I) thinks is in the best interest of our country-reelecting President Donald J. Trump, avoiding any potential “cat-fights” over inconsequential things at the local level and rise above it all. The Cleveland County Republican Party and some in WeRCC get to declare a victory amongst themselves. While WeRCC returns to being the working arm of Republican men who are mostly too lazy to do anything themselves. And the Republican men get to keep on being lazy while the WeRCC women folks are doing all the work organizing and carrying out fundraising, (wo)manning the polls and other activities. Cooking, cleaning washing dishes, laundry and such. You know, women’s work. Barefoot and pregnant. Gals, just joking. Hopefully.

Of course, the next day a source called to say that the WeRCC folks had been coached on how to identify me if I came to their 7th Inning Stretch booth, what to say and to be in solidarity. But, like I said before, overall, it appears that the feud between WeRCC and the Republican Party men is over and all is well. “One big Happy Family” as I said to Denis Bailey. Now, I said to myself, there are other things to talk about among all these political people. Like the sales tax increase referendum coming up in November.

I asked Dennis Bailey why he had supported the sales tax increase for Cleveland County. Bailey immediately replied “I support “the people’s right to choose” whether or not to raise taxes. Of course, the next and obvious questions was, then “why did the commissioners not put the referendum on the 2020 Presidential year ballot when way more people would turn out to vote?” Bailey Replied “All I am going to say is I support the people’s right to choose.”. My reply was, Dennis, isn’t that just an “apple pie” statement? (“Apple Pie” meaning a standard political “talking point” like “Guns, God and Country.”) Again, Bailey replied “All I am going to say is I support the people’s right to choose.” Then, why don’t we put the Casino on a referendum? I asked-since the Commissioners all support the Casing and much of the population does not, said I. Bailey said that he did not gamble but some do and they should have the right to choose. Then Bailey said we have no say in the Casino anyway and 4,000 jobs would be welcome. All-in-all I found Dennis Bailey’s willingness to discuss a political issue, such as it was, rather refreshing. His developing talent to disagree without being disagreeable. Perhaps Dennis Bailey has learned a good lesson somewhere along the line.

Not every Republican was willing to discuss the new sales tax increase referendum and related stuff without being disagreeable. One missed the mark completely. That person being Dr. Jason Hurst of Cleveland Community College. That shocking episode deserves an article all on its own. Stay tuned for that one. In the meantime, let’s continue.

Commissioner Ronnie Whetstine and his wife were also there at the WeRCC booth. Ronnie, in and out. During one of his “in’s” I asked Ronnie what the tax increase was going to be spent on. Of course, I get all the apple pie stuff that part of the money will go to CCS, part to CCC and part to the municipalities. All apple pie. I say, “no Ronnie,” in particular, what individual projects or uses will this money actually be spent on. Now and the future. Ronnie then says, we are going to “educate the public” on all the good things we are going to use this new tax revenue on. I asked, when is this educating the public going to happen, the day after the election? It appears to me that the commissioners are wanting to raise taxes and then figure out where to spend the money. Inferring, “Just like the Democrats!”

Ronnie gets huffy because I am trying to get some straight answers from him about what this money is for and where it will go. Then Ronnie foolishly says, “it doesn’t matter what I say. You are going to write what you want anyway.” Of course I agree. What I want to write is the truth of the matter. And if Commissioner Vice-Chairman Ronnie Whetstine refuses to tell me the truth, that is exactly what I will write. With 100% accuracy. At that Ronnie Whetstine huffs off across the street to talk to someone else, apparently hoping that they are not seeking the truth from him like I was. Of course my thoughts are, If the Commissioners, CCC, CCS, and others are doing something good and wonderful, why are they refusing to talk about it? Apparently knowing that whatever they tell me, I will check it out for the actual facts. It is called “Checks and Balances.”
The foundation of our country. Whether Ronnie Whetstine or CCC’s Dr. Jason Hurst likes it or not.

Then, later on I see CCS School Board member Danny Blanton and ask Blanton what he wants to do with the new tax money. Blanton was crystal clear. I don’t want any more money (for CCS) until we get the mess we got straightened out.” I knew exactly what he was talking about and got another reminder of that mess at the School Board meeting two days later. More on that later. Stay tuned.

Then, I made a walking tour around the Court Square, spiraling outward, block by block. My conclusion was, just like the report the Commissioners don’t want to admit, Cleveland County is a dying County and Shelby, as Cleveland County’s County Seat is a dying city. No matter how many free festivals are held in uptown Shelby financed by stolen tax dollars.

Oh Yes, stolen tax dollars by the $million funneled into the American Legion World Series by the Commissioners under the disguise of lies and deception. Never once recognizing, much less thanking, the taxpayer as the source of most of the money for ALWS. That too is an Eddie Holbrook shenanigan perpetuated by County Manager Brian Epley and the Commissioners. One piece of rock-solid evidence, a $275,000 chunk, is provided at the end of this article for those die-hard fools who refuse to believe or acknowledge that they have been had.

Back to my tour.

Vacant prime location buildings on DeKalb and other streets in the first block away from the Court Square. The buildings and industries along the railroad are closed and decrepit. The Old Rogers Theater appears to still be old, empty and shunned, likely due to who the owner is. Morgan street-shutdown buildings. Washington Street toward the Hospital, the same. It goes on and on. And those high dollar buildings, like the Bank of Ozarks, the so-called home town bank when the Ozarks are about 1,000 miles away. Everybody knows about the failure there of the original “home-town” bank. The Old Farmer’s Market still looks like the old Farmer’s Market since it was the scene of the Rick Howell orchestrated deal several years ago where the City of Shelby lost it to foreclosure. Don’t know about the inside now as that was the scene of luxury condo renovation. The Shelby Police Building looks good though. At Shelby taxpayer expense. The nice court square buildings, once decrepit due to owner negligence, now look good after round after round of grants to fix the building were obtained to pay for the upkeep the owners wouldn’t pay for. Even the Old Courthouse, now the Earl Scruggs Center can’t pay their bills without large infusions every year of taxpayer dollars. All this info is from memory as I didn’t take any notes.

So, is that where the new sales tax increase will go? To fix up Shelby real estate to the profit of rich owners who won’t pay to keep their property up. One family comes to mind. The family who almost put the peanut business in bankruptcy when they refused to maintain their out of town peanut plant in sanitary conditions. And all the rest of Cleveland County gets nothing to show for from this tax increase. If history is a guide, that will be how it goes.

Folks, that is about it for this article. I don’t get to downtown Shelby very often as I don’t, as many don’t, have much business to do there. Even the Shelby Shag Club couldn’t find a place to have their dances in Shelby. They have their Dances in Kings Mountain. Is that prophetic or what? You make the call.

Oh, one more observation. Who paid for the 7th Inning Stretch big and expensive stage?? Is that another secret ALWS taxpayer fraud??? What about that Mr. Eddie Holbrook?

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Editor’s Note: As you will see in this article, ti appears as though people in Shelby are blaming me for the horrible death and tragedy of Shelby Police Department Officer Tim Brackeen and the hurt of his family and friends. Of course I see it for what it is. A learned behavior by many in Cleveland County to attack the messenger bearing bad news instead of adequately reacting, understanding, and dealing appropriately with the significance of the message.

Folks, impress upon your District Attorney, Mike Miller, to do his job and do it now. And continue reading my articles about the other injustices coming out of the Cleveland County Courthouse that need fixing.

The message below was provided by Wayne King, a former President of the Cleveland County Republican Party, a member of the Cleveland Community College Board of Trustees, a member of the Political Smackdown team and an important Aide to a Conservative US Congressman. My reply is also included below and speaks for itself.

From: Wayne King September 7, 2019

To: Robert A. Williams

Robert,

Please delete me from these emails and any future emails on my personal email account. I’m appalled that you would stoop to such a level. The Brackeen family are personal friends of mine and I find it truly disturbing you would circulate such vile rumors.
Wayne King

From: Robert A. Williams August 7, 2019

To: Wayne King

Wayne, All,

I will NOT delete you or any others from my email distribution. This is an item of high public interest/concern and deserves to be looked into. You are also involved with Political Smackdown and may, in some way, voice your opinion in this matter to the public. If you have a better email address, I will change that.

Whether or not you chose to read my articles is up to you. But, you will not be able to say you were not informed of this issue.

Also, I have a Part II of this article and many more articles coming soon regarding major injustices in the Cleveland County “Justice” system. There is a murder trial that will be tried sometime in the near future. The truth of the matter will most likely come out then. One way or another. Be uninformed at your own risk.

And, you should know by now, that I take my sources seriously and protect their identity fiercely. In this case my sources would likely be subject to severe retribution but trusted me with the information in my article that he/she believes to be true and I believe might be. I went back and reviewed all the old news articles related to this situation before I decided to publish the article in question. And there are, in fact, parts of the story that support a self-defense claim by the accused that will likely be brought out in court.

Like I said before, this is a matter of high public interest and deserves being looked into. Remember, there is a real live person locked up in jail for three years facing the death penalty. I have no use for Irving Fenner, Jr. But an injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere. You either get that or you don’t.

Regards,

Robert A. Williams

We are going to start with the Good news:

The Cleveland County Commissioners have become experts in doubletalk, deception and downright lies. The perfect example occurred at the August 6, 2019 Commissioners meeting where commissioners voted unanimously to approve a quarter cent sales tax increase that is expected to bring in $2,000,000 in additional revenue.

So, what does the County expect to do with the additional money. They say they want to give $1 Million to CCC and CCS and the other $1 million to the municipalities. Great, more money for education. Just what everybody needs, more education money. Same with the municipalities. Halleluiah for the great and wonderful Cleveland County Commissioners. More money for education and infrastructure. Hip-Hip-Hurray!!! Sis-boom-bah!! Rah, Rah, Rah!!

But, haven’t the Democrats been saying that for years? But the Democrats killed education with Common Core and stupid indoctrination curricula that takes instructional time away from the basics and adds nothing to workforce development. And infrastructure improvements? More and more tax dollars get spent on infrastructure but our streets and roads are still full of potholes and people like me pay more and more for Shelby sewer right here in Fallston even though many of us, like me, are not even connected. And don’t want to be.

But the Republican Commissioners, supported by the Cleveland County
Republican Party lead by the infamous Dennis Bailey, have that all figured out, don’t they? They have plans in place. Strategies to minimalize waste and all that. Don’t they??? Surely our Great and Wonderful Commissioners explained all that at the August 6, 2019 Commissioners Meeting? Surely they did!!!

Well, if you are ready to have your balloon popped, cover your ears right now. Because the truth is about to come out.

The truth is this whole sales tax thing is a scheme and a fraud. The deception is obvious from the start.

The first sign of a deception is the timing of the necessary “Resolution” that has to be voted on by the people during an election. The 2019 elections are all non-Partisan city mayors, councilmen, etc. Only the County Water Board elections plus municipal elections come close to being County-Wide enough that maybe everybody gets a chance to vote for somebody somewhere. These elections are usually very, very low with an actual turnout of less than 10%. So why didn’t the Commissioners choose to have their tax increase referendum vote in 2020, a Presidential Election year with a record voter turnout expected???

The answer to that question is simple. A low voter turnout brings out fewer people and allows special interests to stir up their supporters to pass a resolution with less effort. It works too. Such a vote as this brought Cleveland County liquor by the drink, A county school tax and a school merger that never merged. To just name a few. It also brought us the Kings Mountain dominated School Board that has been proven corrupt so many times that state laws had to be changed to make that election partisan and on the even year cycle with more voter participation. Starting in 2020.

Another key part of the commissioner’s deception is the fact that the county is broke and needs the extra cash to keep up with their tax and spend (I should say spend and tax) lifestyle.

This expected $2 Million extra revenue is per year. Not a one-time only tax for specified purposes. $2,000,000 per year, EVERY YEAR from now on. So, even if the Commissioners do give an additional $1 million to both CCC/CCS and municipalities this year for specified purposes, what about next year and the next???

Did the Commissioner’s Resolution or anything else tell us that? NOOooo is the answer to that.

But history tells us that when one tax increase goes to schools, the Commissioners lower other funding to schools to make up the difference. Go back and look at TOTAL County funding to schools before the County School tax and the school merger and after. Call me if you need more details on that switcheroo. Just another reason Burns and Crest never got swimming pools and auditoriums. And never will.

So Williams, what does the sales tax increase Resolution actually say? I will do you one better than that. I will attach the Resolution at the end of this article and let you read it yourself. Pay close attention to Sections 3 and 4 which state:

Section 3: It is the intention of the Cleveland County Commissioners to invest additional sales tax proceeds, up to $1,000,000, proportionately to Cleveland Community College and public schools in Cleveland County for the purpose of funding educational capital projects.

Section 4: It is the intention of the Cleveland County Commissioners to invest additional sales tax proceeds up to $1,000,000 to be used for Community Development projects through a competitive Municipal Grant Program of which all Cleveland County municipalities are eligible to apply.

Section 3 has no specific capital projects noted. One can only guess that this extra money will go to build a new girls softball field at Shelby High School to overcome a Federal Title IX violation. It’s hard to say what CCC will get as they already have $10-12 Million state grants for an Advanced Manufacturing Center without yet knowing just what equipment they will be putting in the AMC.

Section 4 also has no specific needs for any named municipality project. One can only guess, as history has shown, that 90%+ of this $1 million will go to the City of Shelby for some unnamed Community Development Project. Another educated guess is this money will get earmarked so the City of Shelby can begin to pay off Willie Green’s Federal Lawsuit against Shelby and Rick Howell. At this point in Mr. Green’s lawsuit, this money may not be enough.

Now, for the not-so-good news.

It has come to our attention that newly elected Commissioner Deb Hardin was subjected to intense and extreme pressure of some sort to vote in favor of this sales tax increase resolution. Pressure, in part, to show a phony public relations-based campaign that this commissioner’s vote was unanimous and for other unknown reasons. Many of Deb’s supporters in the animal control world are very upset that Deb caved to this pressure. They are also upset because of an incident at the animal control facility where a secret inspection request for a Raleigh based surprise inspection of the Cleveland County animal control facility was tipped off to local people and the “mess” was cleaned up before the Raleigh inspector arrived. It is a well justified suspicion, that knowing of Deb Hardin’s passion for animals, the Commissioner Chairman Susan Allen had a hand in pressuring Deb Hardin to vote for the tax increase in exchange for some better arrangements at the animal control facility.

We urge Commissioner Deb Hardin to go public with the illegal acts of pressure put upon her to vote for tax increases that she otherwise would have voted against. And when I say illegal acts, North Carolina Open Meeting laws require that all public business conducted by Commissioners is to be conducted in meetings that are open to the public. We believe that such pressures as alleged to have been put upon Commissioner Deb Hardin would never occur in any open session of a Commissioners meeting. Any county business conducted outside a public meeting is a clear and blatant violation of state law. Although it is never prosecuted in Cleveland County

Now, after all tis is said and done, this Sales tax increase resolution will be placed on the November 5, 2019 Cleveland County General Election Ballot. It is the people’s opportunity to speak. The ballot language is simple. It says:

Local sales and use tax at the rate of one quarter percent (0.25%) in addition to all other State and local sales and use taxes.
[ ] FOR [X] AGAINST

All us simple country bumpkin Cleveland County voters have to do is mark AGAINST this tax increase, like we did the last time, and this battle and all the silly commissioner and County Manager games are over and done with. At least until the next battle in 2020 when the Three problem Commissioners: Susan Allen, Ronnie Whetstine and Johnny Hutchins are up for re-election and can be gotten rid of. All you good conservative Commissioner candidates step up and take our county back. Just say NO to waste and tax increases to cover waste and corruption. And hire a County Manager who will follow the Conservative message.

Editor’s Note: It is natural that the good name of Shelby Police Officer Tim Brackeen be honored for his good service to the City of Shelby and others. However, the previous report I published seems to indicate a situation that might be a critical part of the Court Trial defense of a person accused of murder. If Irving Fenner, Jr, is tried and convicted unfairly by information withheld by the District Attorney, this wound to our society may fester for years and years in the many mandatory hearings, appeals and such that always takes place when the death sentence is levied. If there is corruption in our legal system in Cleveland County, it will be found out in those years of litigation that will ultimately torture the Brackeen family forever. Justice must be done fairly and according to the rule of law. Anything else is just another tragedy that will be repeated over and over as long as those involved get away with it.

This message below was provided by Andy Dedmon, a former member of the NC House or Representatives. My reply is also included below and speaks for itself.

Hopefully all readers will prevail upon the Cleveland and Lincoln County District Attorney, Mike Miller, to try this case in September, 2019 in a fair and just manner, according to the rule of law. And in such a way that Cleveland County, Shelby, Law Enforcement everywhere and most of all the Brackeen family can reach a moment of healing in our society that is becoming more and more violent and corrupt it seems every day.

From: Andy Dedmon Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2019 10:16 AM

To: Robert A. Williams

Subject: RE: Shocking News-Tim Brackeen Murder Trial in September-WeRCC, ALWS and New Jail

Robert,

This is so uncalled for it is stunning. Nothing good will come from this especially when the man can’t defend himself.

Please don’t publish this. (Regarding my original article-text added by editor for clarity)

My Reply to Andy

To: Andy Dedmon August 7, 2019

From: Robert A. Williams

Andy,

What I find stunning is Cleveland County has 5 people locked up in jail for 3 years and counting, waiting for a “speedy trial” in this very same case. There are others in jail for years because the DA wants to force them into doing a plea deal for time served. Remember the woman who recently spent years in jail for the murder of her grandmother, only to be turned loose scot free on the very day of her scheduled trial?

What is stunning is the fact that this so called “gossip” has been circulating around law enforcement and lawyer circles for years before anyone told me about it.

I am glad you think this is uncalled for and stunning. I hope every citizen in Cleveland County reads this article and finds it stunning too. The solution is simple. Every citizen and voter should demand that the mess down at the Cleveland County Courthouse (and elsewhere) be cleaned up and justice be served. And stop attacking the messenger and attack the real problem. In this particular instance, if Irvin Fenner. Jr. had been tried two years ago, the truth would have come out then and this would all be over and done with by now.

But Cleveland County has this dirty little habit of sticking their heads in the sand to avoid hearing news they consider uncalled for. News they don’t want to get involved with. Like the county funding $millions to the American Legion World Series Baseball, Inc., (Eddie Holbrook’s crowd) and lying about it. Like the Penastar murder of Judith McMurray in 1992 with the suspect (Chris Brooks) charged twice and in jail for years, still without trial. The murder death of 2 1/2 year old Jodice Peeler 25 years ago with the murder trial thrown to cover-up for DSS. The false testimony and dirty tricks down at the Courthouse that cost Highway Patrolman Bryan Ledbetter his job. Former School Teacher Mindy Morrow being falsely convicted of stealing from Cleveland County Schools to cover-up a sex scandal at Shelby Middle School that Mindy had complained about (Ask Tim Quattlebaum). All these incidents and more will be the subject of articles to come.

Just remember that “an injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere.”

Perhaps you folks down at Political Smack-down should think about what you can do to help clean up Cleveland County-and rise above the attack the messenger MO.

Andy, thanks for your message. It shows that you care. I hope you and others will focus this caring into action to clean up the mess wherever it is found. And then I would have nothing else “stunning” or “uncalled for” to write about.

Robert A. Williams

Editor’s Note: As I have noted several times, Cleveland County Good-ole-boys and girls will go a long way to keep their doings a secret. And, when I report what they do, instead of answering to the truth of the matter, they just say everything I write is gossip and doesn’t deserve a reply. They never will admit to the truth. And probably never will as it could land them in prison. So, I just humor them and now report everything is gossip. And let the readers sort it out. But no matter, as the truth of the matter always comes out, gossip or gospel.

Trusted sources today revealed shocking news, uhh, gossip, about the circumstances surrounding the shootout killing of Shelby Police Department Officer Timothy Brackeen almost three years ago and the wounding of Irving Louis Fenner, Jr. Officer Brackeen died of his injuries. Fenner, also wounded, escaped Shelby and Cleveland County with some help from friends and relatives, but was later apprehended in Rhode Island. Where the Rhode Island State Troopers were about to kill Fenner at the slightest provocation.

Fenner is presently held in the Lincoln County Jail. Three women and one man who helped Fenner escape and gave him refuge are held in the Cleveland County Jail. All awaiting trial for almost three years now.

Brackeen left a wife and family. After his struggle for life was lost, Brackeen was honored by then Governor Pat McCrory, Shelby Officials, Honor Guards and many others.

All this is public news and remembered by many. In Cleveland County and elsewhere.

Now, as sources report, Fenner’s trial is tentatively set for sometime next month. The actual date in September 2019 is unknown. Many have wondered why this trial has taken so very long to occur.

Sources report that there are reasons, beyond the general inefficiency and often incompetence of the Cleveland and Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office. Those reasons related to me were very shocking to say the least. But I will get to the point as I was told that theses shocking allegations are about to be disclosed in Court in Fenner’s trial. That Fenner’s attorney may offer testimony that Fenner shot Brackeen in self-defense and that many in law enforcement have known about and talked about the circumstances for years.

This is the jist of my sources report. Time will tell if it is true or not. But, no matter, this trial, if it is not further delayed by this article, may bring out things that will shock and offend many. “Most” is probably the better word. And will bring additional grief to those in the Brackeen family.

The shocking report alleges that Brackeen and Fenner had both been “seeing” the same woman. That they knew about each other and hated each other as often happens when rivals are caught in a “lover’s triangle.” That they had met somehow and decided to settle the matter. And that was perhaps why Brackeen had left his K-9 Officer in his police vehicle. Then the encounter became violent, shots were fired by both Brackeen and Fenner and Brackeen’s injuries were fatal. And Fenner, also wounded, fled the scene, Shelby, Cleveland County and North Carolina for parts unknown at the time.

So folks, stay tuned. I plan to do some Court Watching of Fenner’s trial-whether in Cleveland or Lincoln County. Or wherever and whenever. You come and join me. We will see for ourselves what happens. Especially if Fenner is found guilty and sentenced to death. Or acquitted. Or released for time already served.

Now, there are other not so shocking news related to the stupid and outrageous feud between the Cleveland County Republican Party under Chairman Dennis Bailey and the “Federated” WeRCC (Women Republicans of Cleveland County) under President Marge Hooper.

As previously reported, Bailey and Republican allies such as Ted Alexander, Ronnie Whetstine, Doug Bridges have enlisted their wives and others to “pressuring” Hooper to “resign” herself from the active duties of running the Federated WeRCC organization and act only as a “Figure-Head” President so nobody will know what they are up to. Present reports are that Hooper has agreed to either resign altogether or “resign” and be the Figurehead. Reports indicate that most other women, who should be condemning the wrongdoing, are interested only in staying out of the way of the infighting by not attending the WeRCC meetings. Just don’t want to get involved.

I say to Marge Hooper and the WeRCC women who don’t want to do what is right, to just not get involved. Either Fight for what is right (getting your party’s candidates elected to public office) or get out all the way from WeRCC. An organization that cannot seem to be able to purge its own ranks of bad apples doesn’t deserve to exist at all. I could and do say the same thing to the Democrat and Republican Parties themselves.

But what I find weird about the WeRCC-Republican Party-Dennis Bailey Feud are the reports that all of them are trying to figure out who my sources are. It’s like they will do all sorts of evil things as long as nobody finds out about it- or tells.

Since WeRCC is supposed to be at the 7th Inning Stretch Saturday, selling Donald Trump hats, T-Shirts, etc., I am laughing out loud thinking about going to the WeRCC Booth, purchase another Trump hat and ask them all for an interview. What a hoot that should be. Maybe Dennis Bailey, Ted Alexander, Wes Westmoreland and others will also be there and I will ask them for an interview too. Again, a double hoot.

One more item. Remember not long ago when two inmates were in a holding cell waiting for their Court appearance and one killed the other? Sources also tell me that the SBI came in crawling all over the jail and courthouse and found the special window (Cell 105) for that holding cell was damaged and could NOT be seen through, allowing the murder to not be seen until the door was finally opened. Allegedly the SBI told Jail officials that they would likely be sued for that. Further reports indicate the window for that cell has been fixed. Other reports are the mother of the murdered inmate stated she would not sue Cleveland County. That her son had become addicted to drugs and was “lost” anyway.

Nevertheless, Perhaps I should request the Sheriff allow me to tour the jail facility for a personal inspection. Of course with proper protection. Since the Commissioners have already been requested to fund construction of a new Courthouse, Jail and DSS building, I would like to inspect them all. To determine for myself and my readers what reasons have been given to justify such requests and see for myself the actual conditions of those buildings. As an Engineer myself, I am qualified for such an inspection. I will put that on my “To Do List.”

Back to the 7th Inning Stretch. All taxpayers should attend this Saturday’s event and see what your money is being used for. Cleveland County Commissioners have directly funded the American Legion World Series, Baseball, Inc (Under Chairman Eddie Holbrook) another $450, 000 this year and indirectly funded another estimated $50,000 through the LeGrand Center. So, for every man woman and child in Cleveland County, that is $5 apiece. If only Taxpayers are Counted, that amounts to over $10 apiece. But if that appears cheap to you, consider that from its inception to now, the ALWS has received a total of $5,500,000 in county tax dollars. Enough for build a new Auditorium at either Burns or Crest High Schools. Put that into your pipe and smoke over it when you mark your ballots in the 2020 Elections. The selections are easy. Vote against all incumbent Commissioners and School Board members and you can’t go wrong.

Original stories may be found here and here.

Stay tuned for the rest of the news and gossip. You will most likely only find the truth here.

In my first report about the feud between the Republican Party Chairman Dennis Bailey and the Women Republicans of Cleveland County (WeRCC-pronounced “We Rock”), I called it a feud, then a Civil War. Now I have to say it is an un-Civil War using old-time Cleveland County guerrilla tactics, proxy attacks, lies, disloyalty, cronyism, dirty tricks and all kinds of uncouth behavior with an underlying mix of Planation Politics. All rolled into one. Then I have to say, it’s actually worse than that!!!

This whole thing started when Democrat newcomer Violet Arth Dukes unseated Shelby City Councilman Dennis Bailey, a Republican, back in 2017. Freeing up Republican insider Dennis Bailey to take over as the Cleveland County Republican Party Chairman. Soon, Bailey stirs up the WeRCC women, the people who usually do all the actual work within the Republican Party umbrella to elect Republican Candidates across the Board. And not just the favored few who practice a corrupt brand of cronyism within the Republican Party establishment.

Folks, if you are a bit confused. The Republican Party of Cleveland County and the WeRCC women are all Republicans, but each organization is separate and independent from each other. With independent fundraising. However, in the past the Republican Party guys are too lazy to actually work for their funds. Instead they basically scheme to defraud the WeRCC women of the funds that the women raise by themselves. It is an old and very dirty trick.

So, Dennis Bailey being Dennis Bailey, he demands the WeRCC financial reports with the obvious intention of then demanding their funds. But the new WeRCC President, Marge Hooper, says no and calls on the WeRCC Federation people in Raleigh for back-up. And Marge gets the backup she asked for. The Federated Republican Women headquarters comes down on Dennis Bailey and tells Bailey to leave WeRCC alone. Pretty simple, Right??

Wrong!!! Dennis Bailey and his allies call on Republican Office Holders Commissioner Ronnie Whetstine, NC Senate member Ted Alexander and perhaps others for help in running off WeRCC President Marge Hooper. Dirty tricks start to fly.

Mrs. Ronnie Whetstine, Mrs. Doug Bridges, Mrs. Ted Alexander and some-maybe all, of the Cleveland County Commissioners, among other things, start sniping at WeRCC President Marge Hooper falsely claiming that Hooper started all the feuding with Dennis Bailey when Hooper refused, correctly, to give Bailey WeRCC financial information and documents. Somewhere along the line WeRCC Member and Shelby Mayoral Candidate Tanzy Wallace confronts WeRCC Marge Hooper and demands Hooper sign some kind of documents Wallace caused of just had drawn up. Sources were not able to describe exactly what these papers said, although such actions are totally unprecedented. And there is more.

The WeRCC executive board, under pressure from those noted above, have initiated pressure and intimidation battle tactics against WeRCC President Marge Hooper to, in fact, take away her Office of President authority and responsibilities but leave her in Office as President. A President in name only, with somebody else calling all the shots and making all the decisions. All done in secrecy, where the biggest concern amongst the schemers and scammers in WeRCC and the Cleveland County Republican Party is them trying to keep me from finding out what is going on. And telling on them.

Of course, as you read this article you will certainly recognize that secrecy stuff doesn’t work with me. Sooner or later I find out about the dirt being swept under the rug by the county agencies as well as the WeRCC and Republicans. Democrats too. Commissioners, CCS, CCC, DSS, the Health Department. The Elections of 2019 and 2020 are upon us and I guarantee that I am going to tell the citizens and voters what is going on in Cleveland County elections and politics. If all these clowns would think about it a bit, they would ‘fess up while they can and do right from now on.

But there is more. The alleged Tanzy Wallace documents are troubling. Tanzy is a WeRCC member and one of the few Afro-American women in Cleveland County who is a registered Republican. Will those white men Republicans like Mike Philbeck, Dennis Bailey, Ronnie Whetstine, Doug Bridges, Ted Alexander, and others, who are allegedly anti-Donald J. Trump, support Tanzy Wallace for the Mayor of Shelby??? I remember the last time a Black person ran for the Mayor of Shelby, Andrew Hopper, the battle cry was this question: “Do we want a black face to represent the City of Shelby?” And Andrew lost that election. Although Hopper is back into politics as he is running against Dickie Amaya for the Shelby City Council.

Another troubling thought about all this political turmoil and the Tanzy Wallace candidacy is whether or not Plantation Politics will raise its ugly head in this 2019 Shelby Mayoral Election. If you recall, the 2018 Election for County Commissioners was full of Plantation Politics, especially in the Eddie Holbrook campaign. Holbrook spent $68,000, helped dispose of two qualified Black Men in the Commissioner’s race and still went down in disgrace and defeat in the 2018 General Election.

Now, only one year later, you have to wonder how the Candidacy of the black and female Tanzy Wallace will play out in the Primary and General Elections? Statistics show that the City of Shelby is 53% white and 47% Black and people of color. Black voters turning out in numbers could easily overwhelm Incumbent Shelby Mayor Stan Anthony in the 2019 Shelby Primary Election. Then cruise to victory in the Shelby General Election.

So, why would Tanzy Wallace get herself involved with a crazy Republican insider feud with WeRCC President Marge Hooper? Is there some white “Massa” lurking within the Republicans pulling Tanzy’s strings?? Susan Allen maybe? Susan is up for re-election in 2020 and will likely be defeated, deservedly, unless there is a rabbit pulled out of some hat somewhere. Does Susan think that if she supported Tanzy for Mayor, Tanzy won’t run for Commissioner in 2020. Taking lots of black Democrat votes along with her. Or will some presently secret Write-In candidate for the Mayor of Shelby emerge right before the November election and steal the show from everybody that signed up to run? Somebody with a quiet campaign intended to lull voters into staying home on election day and take the Mayor’s race with just a few voters turning out. It’s an old trick that has often worked.

It is hard to do the Calculus in the 2019 Elections much less the calculus in 2020. But one thing is sure, the Cleveland County Republican men and women feuding and actually going to war against one another is a bad sign that clearly shows the stupidity of the CC Republicans; men and women.

But one thing is certain, as time passes and closer examinations are made, the truth will come out. And I am going to tell it.

Stay Tuned!!!

Introduction:
Most folks in Cleveland County consider “conflicts of interest” to be what Webster’s Dictionary says it is: “a conflict between the private interests and the official responsibilities of a person in a position of trust.” An elected officer or an officer appointed by elected officers is considered a position of trust.
For example, Commissioner Doug Bridges is an elected official in a position of trust to best represent the interests of ALL the citizens of Cleveland County. However, Commissioner Doug Bridges allowed himself to be appointed to the Fair Association, Inc. Board of Directors. The Fair Board of Directors has the responsibility to maximize profits from the Cleveland County Fair so as to pay the Fair Association stockholders the maximum dividend.
So, Doug Bridges the commissioner has a responsibility to minimize costs of government for the citizens and taxpayers of Cleveland County. (I received my tax bill in the mail today and you probably did too.) And Doug Bridges, a Director on the Fair Board has the responsibility to maximize profits for the Fair Association Stockholders.

Now consider the situation of the new fence building project at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds that is budgeted for $303,000.

There is no conflict of interest for Doug Bridges in this situation as long as the Fair Association is paying for the fence 100%. But what happens when the Fair Association comes to the Cleveland County Commissioners for $150,000 to pay half the cost for the new fence project. Now Bridges, the Commissioner and Bridges the Fair Board of Directors member is in a direct conflict of interest. His first responsibility is to the taxpayers so Bridges should vote NO. Instead, Bridges votes yes as do all the other commissioners.

By rights, the citizens of Cleveland County pay for the fence and everything else related to the Fair when they attend the Fair, buy their tickets and pay for their food and rides. For the Commissioners, the $150,000 is an unbudgeted county expense for a private entity, not the citizens. So, Bridges the Commissioner should have voted against the commissioners chipping in the $150,000 in taxpayer’s money to the Fair. For Bridges the Fair Association Director, obtaining the $150,000 for the Fair fence is like obtaining a big present from Santa Claus. A present to the Fair stockholders, not the citizens of Cleveland County. For a self-proclaimed fiscal conservative Republican Commissioner, Doug Bridges fails the test.

Doug Bridges and the rest of the Commissioners can avoid such conflicts of interest by doing just one simple thing. Refuse to allow themselves to be appointed to any other Board while they are actively serving as an elected member of the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners.

But, is Commissioner Doug Bridges doing anything unethical or even illegal by serving as a commissioner and the Fair Board at the same time when the Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the $150,000 to the Fair Board or giving away taxpayer money for any private entity that cannot pay for itself. Like the Fair or the American Legion World Series.

There are also other things to consider here. The biggest thing is that no commissioner or other county government official has ever been investigated and prosecuted for conflicts of interest or any other crimes related to their official duties in Cleveland County for the past 178 years-that I know of. Even the fraudulent use of Cleveland County Schools credit cards that was investigated by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) but was not prosecuted by the Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office. That will be the topic of other conversations, but this fact clearly shows that eliminating conflicts of interest in Cleveland County must be accomplished at the ballot box and NOT the jury box as the DA will not prosecute even the most egregious of white color crime as committed by county officials.

Therefore, let’s talk about the ballot box then as the only way unethical and criminal activity.by our elected so-called leadership Cleveland County will ever be cleaned up.

Despite no prosecutions of elected officials in Cleveland County for Conflicts of Interest/Self-Dealing, North Carolina law is very specific and obviously applies in many circumstances. And the Elections of 2019 for the Mayor of Shelby is upon us. So, the following message involving Conflicts of Interest/ Self-Dealing was sent to Shelby Mayor Stan Anthony on July 11, 2019. Mayor Anthony, three weeks later, has refused to respond to this message. So, now it is time to bring out this situation for voters to decide just how they vote in the Mayor of Shelby Primary and General Elections:

From: Robert A. Williams-Sent July 11, 2019

To: Shelby Mayor Stan Anthony

Mayor Anthony,

Back in early 2017 you provided me a copy of a letter (attached) that you wrote to the Cleveland Community College Board of Trustees regarding an obvious conflict of interest between a CCC BoT member in regard to the CCC BoT awarding an architectural contract for the new Advanced Manufacturing Center building at CCC to Holland and Hamrick Architects. In your letter you requested the CCC BoT to reconsider their award to H&H. And, to my knowledge, the CCC BoTs never responded with any logical explanation or basis to your letter and just carried on with Holland And Hamrick without comment. I considered that a miscarriage of justice on CCC’s part, then as I do now.

Very recently I happened to drive down Earl Road in Shelby and saw a sign on the Willie Green property stating this was the future site for his planned sports complex that is now in dispute with the City of Shelby that is presently in Federal Court. Mr. Green’s sign had a logo on it from your architectural firm that caught my eye. A call to Mr. Green indicated that your firm was paid to do some preliminary architectural work on the planned sports complex, that included the sign, but Mr. Green did not select your firm to do the main body of the architectural work on the complex.

All this caused me to raise several issues in my mind:

1. Does not your firm’s work and potential work on Mr. Green’s Sports Complex represent the exact same conflict of interest that your letter to the CCC BoTs raised back in late 2016 and early 2017? Are you, as Mayor of Shelby, not in an identical situation as Greg Melton was in regard to the CCC Advanced Manufacturing Center architectural contract award?

2. Are you aware of any CCC BoT investigation or any legal decisions from anyone into the basis of the violations of State Laws that you raised in your November 15, 2016 letter to CCC?

3. If nobody in Cleveland County cared about the State law defined contract of interest violation regarding the CCC AMC building, did you just consider that it was OK for your firm to do the same thing?

4. Last, but not least, did the fact that Mr. Green chose another architect firm to do the main body of the architectural work on his proposed Sports Complex have any bearing on the City of Shelby’s cooling of interest in such a Sports Complex Partnership with Mr. Green as Mr. Green had proposed to the City of Shelby in response to the City of Shelby’s 10-Year Master Plan that called for just such a Sports Complex Partnership relationship.

I would appreciate any enlightenment on the questions noted above as soon as possible.

Also, I am certain that you are aware of the several articles I have written regarding Mr. Willie Green’s Federal Lawsuit against the City of Shelby and Rick Howell, where I have publicly stated that my opinion is Mr. Green should prevail in his lawsuit against the City of Shelby based on the merits of that lawsuit as described in his complaint, which the City of Shelby has not answered-that I am presently aware of. I am also fairly certain that you are aware that I attended a recent City of Shelby Council meeting where several speakers from a large gathering spoke in no uncertain terms in favor of Mr. Green’s sports complex proposal.

All this is said to acknowledge that perhaps you might not want to answer these questions that I have posed as noted above. However, according to the Cleveland County Board of Elections, you have filed for re-election as the Mayor of Shelby. And, as of yesterday, a Ms. Tanzy Wallace has also filed for that very same office.

Such a challenge for the office of the Mayor of the City of Shelby in this 2019 Election year will bring a lot of discussion, political forums, etc. where issues such as described herein would be of interest to a lot of people and a lot of voters. And, you know Shelby and their “whispering campaigns” where the truth is not much of a consequence. Also, a pending Federal lawsuit will generate much interest in this matter.

Therefore, I am requesting that you be as forthcoming with answering the above noted questions as possible. And you can rest assured that I will also be questioning your opponent’s position on issues as well.

Thanks,

Robert A. Williams
Citizens For Good Government

PS: Also, at the Shelby City Council Meeting I attended as noted above, the report on the very poor condition of the Shelby City sewer system alarmed me in regard to the obvious large cost to upgrade the system. Also, the fact that the Cleveland County Commissioners “gave” the City of Shelby $11.5 Million, supposedly half of the $23 million projected cost to run water and sewer to the new Clearwater Paper Expansion Project. Since Shelby Sewer lines run in front of my home in Fallston and I am paying sewer rates to the City of Shelby that have steadily increased (although I am not connected to the system), I suspect something “secret” has gone on between Shelby and the Commissioners in this regard.

Now, based on my message to Mayor Anthony, a request from Rev. Dante Murphy of SCEPUL (Southern Coalition for Equal Protection Under the Law) was made to Mayor Anthony on July 13, 2019 to specifically confirm or deny the issues I had raised to Mayor Anthony. And when no response was provided, Rev. Murphy made a formal request for an investigation of Mayor Anthony’s potential conflict and Self-Dealing Violations to both Shelby Police Chief Jeff Ledford as well as Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman bn July 15, 2019

Rev. Murphy’s messages stated:

Mayor Stan Anthony,
Please confirm or deny the validity of this email produced by Robert Williams, specifically, that you have business dealings with the development of the proposed sports complex by Mr. Green. If so, SCEPUL will ask law enforcement to open a criminal investigation that will likely end up in the hands of the SBI due to conflicts of interest in the matter. It is only fair that you be notified of this action as to avoid any unwarranted actions against you. I have copied both Mr. Green and Mr. Williams on this email to avoid any misunderstandings. I will also forward this message to North Carolina Attorney Josh Stein as his office will have a say in this matter should it arise to that level.

Rev. Dante Murphy
SCEPUL

Chief Ledford or Sheriff Norman,

Please indicate the law enforcement agency that will accept this complaint for investigation. Based on the information provided Mayor Stan Anthony would have committed a crime if he was profiting or seeking to profit from his elected position. The sign on Mr. Green’s property indicate that Mayor Anthony is seeking to engage in a “pay to play” scheme. Aside from profiting from his elected position, is the potential that he has engaged in bribery, in that, he is offering his influence with expedited permits, etc. in exchange for being the designer for Mr. Green’s complex. In the event I do not hear from you by tomorrow I will contact the Attorney General’s Office.

If this email is valid for a complaint, I would ask that you send me the file number.

Rev. Dante Murphy

So far Chief Ledford and Sheriff Norman have NOT replied to Rev. Murphy’s request and Rev. Murphy, to my knowledge, has forwarded his concerns to NC Attorney General Josh Stein. An no reply has been made by the NC Attorney General. Just another reason why citizens should inform themselves of what is going on in their governmental agencies and make their wishes known at the ballot box come election time.

So, Shelby residents that are registered to vote in the 2019 Primary and General Elections, what will be your conclusion on who you cast your vote for in the election for the Mayor of Shelby???

But maybe you Shelby city voters shouldn’t decide too quickly. At least not until you read my next several articles. And hopefully you will ask some questions of your own to the candidates for Mayor. And don’t be surprised if there is a last-minute Write-In Candidate for the Mayor of Shelby in the November 2019 General Election!!

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