A friend of a friend sent me a message earlier this week asking me if I knew anything about an entry posted on a Facebook page under the heading Cleveland County News. The post was regarding the two Shelby ABC stores, some inventory records there obtained by a Public Records Request, and additional information. Note that ABC stands for Alcohol Beverage Control and ABC Stores in North Carolina are in some way regulated and run by the State and City of Shelby Government.
I replied to my friend that I had NOT done any research on the Shelby ABC stores, how they do business of who was operating the Cleveland County News on Facebook. I asked for more information.
I was told that there were certain “connoisseurs” of high priced bourbons and perhaps other Alcoholic Beverages in Cleveland County that had regularly visited the Shelby ABC Stores looking for these high priced bourbons (very similar to us target shooters checking out Walmart for a new shipment of .22 caliber ammunition) and never finding any on the shelves. Then, the Cleveland County News folks (whoever they are) obtain public records that show the Shelby ABC Stores regularly receive small shipments of these high-dollar liquors. Therefore, there is speculation that there is an “inside” operation at the Shelby ABC Stores that intercepts these high-dollar liquors and sells them on the internet for a profit that goes into their own pockets.
My friend says he knows of a guy that sometimes says “I smell a rat” and might want to check this out. Of course, that person is me.
So, first, I check out the internet looking for websites that sell high-priced bourbons. Almost immediately I find all kinds of bourbons that sell for $40, $50, $100, $200, and even $300 or more for a “Fifth” of Bourbon. Then I run across a Fifth Bottle of Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve that is aged for 23 years and costs $5,999.99 a bottle.
“Whoa,” I say to myself. I am immediately reminded of a saying that another friend has that “Everybody has a Hustle.” Diverting just a few bottles of this kind of stuff on a regular basis would tempt many people that work for a living. Even at an ABC Store. And other Facebook posters say that this kind of problem seems to be happening in the Shelby Stores only. And why not? Even the Shelby Mayor and certain others on the Shelby City Council and even the City Manager have been accused of alleged improper acts that benefit themselves financially.
So, I recommend everybody to also visit this Cleveland County News and follow what is happening in this and other posts. I find their articles to be well written and well researched. And informative. Hey, there appears to be corruption in government everywhere in Cleveland County and I believe anybody that raises the alarm against bad government acts is a welcome asset to Cleveland County. I feel sure that Cleveland County News is the source of much discussion within the Shelby “Good Ole Boy” circles and plans for their demise from Facebook will soon be made, In the meantime, I hope they can initiate a law enforcement investigation on several fronts. Including this one too. Keep up the good work.
Folks, I recommend YOU pay attention to what is going on around you. It is an election year and the District Attorney and Sheriff are up for reelection.
