Editor’s Note: The old and longtime Shelby Caste System is never ever talked about, debated or discussed amongst Cleveland County’s “Polite Society.”. And everybody knows that it is a fact. The top of the list is reserved for those white folks having the most money. At the bottom of the list are the poorest white folks. Below that are ALL the black folks. Everything regarding social standing is based on net worth and race. Except for those, black or white, that speak out about corruption and for doing what is right. Those folks go straight to the bottom. No matter what race, color or creed they might be, they go to the bottom of the list. And that is just how it is. A perfect and recent example is Mr. O. Max Gardner III. From the top of the list as the grandson of a former NC Governor and a prominent Shelby Attorney in his own right, to the bottom of the list when he called out alleged financial and other shenanigans regarding Gardner-Webb University. And other related scandals and cover-ups.
(1) At the April 17, 2023 CCS School Board meeting the School Board approved giving Communities In -Schools $159,000 without discussion. Except for School Board Member Danny Blanton suggesting that CIS start providing the School Board with information to justify giving them the funding.
However, within days, the CIS posts on the Shelby Star’s Facebook page and their own website that CC Communities-In-Schools is hosting an Oyster Roast to benefit, support local students on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at the Spinning Leaf at the Vineyard Web complete with music and entertainment, a silent auction and a raffle of the of the CIS Boards favorite wines. The tickets cost $60 each, 2 for $100 or a table of 8 for $500. The meal includes one drink and a cash bar will be open for the entire indoor/outdoor event. The advertisement says “The evening event creates an opportunity for fellowship while supporting programming for vulnerable students in Cleveland County.”
After this posting on the Star was released, Robert A began receiving complaints regarding CIS supporting events where alcohol was being served-which is a major factor in the reason many of these “vulnerable children” are “vulnerable” in the first place. Drugs and Alcohol destroying the lives of these vulnerable children’s parents. So, Robert A has done some research along as mixing in things that he already knows.
First of all, the Cleveland County chapter of Communities-In-Schools is well known for the scandalous and salacious behavior of its high-level staff that is cover-ed up by the CIS Board. Robert A has personally attended school board meetings where questions were asked regarding the scandal de jour at CIS and the School Board member who was, at that time, also Chairman of the CIS Board and refused to answer the questions that were asked. All he would say was “It has been taken care of.” But it was NOT taken care of.
Robert A also researched the Spinning Leaf at the Vineyard and found that it appeared to mostly cater to “Yuppie” (rich young white folks) events with their clientele coming from all over the surrounding states. Wine taste-ings aplenty.
Also, Robert A in his years of working at the Shipyards at Norfolk and Newport News, Virginia, in addition to working at the Brunswick Nuclear Plant near Southport and Oak Island, NC has had numerous occasions to attend and host “oyster roasts.” Robert A even proudly owns his own personal stainless-steel professional Dexter-Russell Made in USA oyster shucking knife. Robert A was surprised to read on the CIS website for attendees of this CIS oyster roast to bring their own charcuterie boards. Robert A has never seen a charcuterie board and wine tastings (always beer-and NOT Bud Light) at an oyster roast in “real” oyster country. Much less smoked chicken, a potato bar and a salad bar. Or pay $60 a ticket. It must be a Yuppie thing?
Robert A’s basic questions here are (1) will this event, hosted by CIS, really generate any real cash for the purpose of helping disadvantaged CCS school children, or just a Yuppie tax deductible “soiree” (swaa-ray pronounced with a Southern accent) staged for the celebration of CIS fleecing taxpayers out of the $159,000 they got from the School Board on April 17th, 2023? And (2) What will happen if the NC Highway Patrol or CC Sheriff’s Officers show up with Breathalyzers and stops the cars leaving this CIS wine tasting event at 1414 Metcalf Road near Shelby, NC??? Robert A wonders if the Shelby Star would print the names of any DWI arrests amongst the wine tasting event attendees?
(2) Bullying is alive and well at Cleveland County Schools and CCS will NOT do anything about it. Even though CCS policies and Code of Student Conduct documents spell out in clear and cogent details what they can do to stop bullying on a dime, CCS flat out refuses to do anything effective to reduce and eliminate bullying. Also, bullying causes students to want to NOT go to school. Which is also under the purview of what Communities in Schools says they want to help these students. But they don’t lift a finger to help these children.
Parents Against Bullying NC, Inc. was formed by grassroots parent’s efforts and CCS refuses to even talk to them, much less give them any funding or even recognition. Parents Against Bullying shows up in numbers at CCS School Board meetings and are NOT recognized, while Chairman Robert Queen always recognizes NCEA members even though they rarely show up.
But Parents Against Bullying has persevered. They formed a Not for Profit organization, speak up at School Board meetings, carry Protest Signs to School Board meetings and do their own events that directly benefit children at CCS. The do school supply events. They do bookbag events. They did a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser for $10 per meal and not one CCS or CIS person showed up in support.
This coming Saturday, April 22, 2023, Parents Against Bullying is having, amongst other things a meal-seminar event at the Creekside Clock Restaurant in Shelby. The meal of your choice costs $15. The time is 11am to 2 I wonder if the Shelby
Star pm. The topic is “Talking Bullying.” Parents of bullied children are invited to tell their story and seek advice on what to do about it. While the CIS event at the Spinning Leaf is an eat, socialize and pat yourself on the back event, this Parents against Bullying is an eat and work event. Working together on solving problems that CCS refuses to solve.
It will be interesting to see if anybody associated with CIS and CCS shows up at this event. Although no politicking will be allowed at this Parents Against Bullying event, Robert A predicts that any School Board member up for election in 2024 that does NOT attend this event will be defeated in the 2024 Republican Primary Elections.
