If you have watched Charlotte TV News lately, you would know that President Donald Trump came to Charlotte this past Friday to attend and address a Meeting regarding “Opportunity Zones” held at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC.
And guess who from Cleveland County received a special front row VIP Invitation from President Trump??? If you guessed the only “black” businessman of in Cleveland County, Mr. Willie Green, with property in an “Opportunity Zone,” you are right. If you guessed the only “black” businessman of such stature, Mr. Willie Green, you are right again. If you guessed the “black” businessman who has had so much trouble with the Shelby Mayor, Shelby City Council and the Cleveland County Commissioners, Mr. Willie Green, you win the prize three times in a row.
Oh, there were also a lot of politicians from, or representing Cleveland County present. Commissioners Deb Hardin, Doug Bridges and Ronnie Whetstine were there, Tim Moore, Kelly Hastings, Patrick McHenry, Thom Tillis and Betsy Harnage. Tanzy Wallace and her husband were also there. But the only businessman; black or white, from Cleveland County, that I can confirm, was Mr. Willie Green. And Mr. Green didn’t just show up. Mr. Willie Green had a special VIP Invitation from President Trump and his staff. A VIP ticket to set up front, right next to the Secret Service. And an invitation to go backstage with some “one-on-one time” with some of President Trump’s people to discuss business opportunities in Cleveland County with Mr. Willie Green. And, apparently ONLY Mr. Willie Green from Cleveland County!
Although Mr. Green is not free to discuss the details of his conversations with President Trump’s “ground-game” Opportunity Zone people, Mr. Green reported that he had extended an invitation to President Trump to “Cut the Ribbon” at Mr. Green’s Sports Complex ground-breaking ceremony when the construction is about to begin. What a coup for Shelby, Cleveland County and North Carolina when this happens. Perhaps President Trump will also bring his wife Melania and daughter Ivanka to accompany him to the ceremony. A Big National News story for sure.
Mr. Willie Green, a Republican, also told me that he was in wonder at why so many members of the black community were in lockstep with the Democrat Party. Mr. Green opined, what have the Democrats done for black people? The Democrats just use and abuse the black community and then expect black voters to support the white Democrat candidates come Election time. Mr. Green went on to state that all he gets from the Democrats running the City of Shelby and the School Board is opposition to everything he is trying to do to “give back” to the community. From sending kids to college to helping break the poverty cycle that includes drugs and crime and incarceration. Even turning down Mr. Green’s offer to purchase the old North Shelby School at a much better price than the School Board approved without even discussing his proposal-at Four times the value. Of course, I had no answer for Mr. Green. I often wonder the very same thing.
Also, see below some pictures taken at the event by Betsy Harnage, the Cleveland County Register of Deeds.
The Picture with the Arrow pointing at a person up front is Mr. Green, standing up front talking to some people. Sen. Ted Alexander can also be seen in the left foreground. See if you recognize anybody in the other picture.
