Editor’s Note: Robert A has published enough information about the poor leadership in Cleveland County and the City of Shelby to make the calmest of persons “swimmy-headed.” This article is no different. The leadership in Cleveland County and the City of Shelby must be just “stuck on stupid.” And, this article provides just one more very large dollop of proof that every man, woman, child and especially taxpayers will soon be paying $MILLION$ more than necessary for our elected official’s poor judgment.
These are undisputable historical facts:
- Gang activity everywhere in America has increased exponentially in recent years for a variety of reasons. Including the City of Shelby and Cleveland County
- Public officials everywhere are struggling with solutions to gang and crime problems. Some places are taking a proactive approach while Shelby and Cleveland County officials just don’t talk about it. Much less do anything about it. Except, maybe, facilitate the arming of gang members.
- Gang related and drug related violent crimes occur on a regular basis in Shelby and Cleveland County.
- Willie Green’s proposals to build a Sports Complex in Shelby, NC to, in part, fight juvenile crime and gang related activities was rejected by the City of Shelby and Cleveland County elected officials.
- The City of Athens and Clark County, Georgia called together a large group of Athens and Clark County stakeholders to seek solutions to gang related activity. Mr. Willie Green was invited to attend this meeting in Athens, Georgia. Mr. Green’s home town.
During this large stakeholder’s meeting in Athens GA, Mr. Green stated his intentions and purposes for purchasing and renovating a large event center in Athens’ West Side for the purposes of “community building” as well as multiple sports training and competition. The Athens Police Department immediately followed up with partnerships with Mr. Green to use Athens PD Officers to provide referees and coaching services to Mr. Green’s facility as well as use Mr. Green’s facilities to support the Athens PD “Cadet Program” where high school students are screened and recruited to enter the program as an entry portal to jobs with the Athens’ Police Department. Ultimately, Mr. Green was awarded an Honorary Recognition and Badge for helping out the Athens Police Department.
In the meantime, as Mr. Green was completing his phased renovation of his facilities, Mr. Green was approached by various factions of the Athens/Clarke County Community, Sports teams, Clubs, Civic Organizations, Community Organizations. Parents whose children were getting married and looking for places to hold the various events, and about everything else under the sun. All looking for a safe place to hold their events. Mr. Green accommodated them all as his renovations progressed. Mr. Green also purchase additional land adjoining his original purchase for expansion, even before his original renovations were completed.
Now, Mr. Green is at the point of “officially” opening his Athens Sports Arena for business next week and his facilities are already booked seven days a week. Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Pickleball, Travel ball, gymnastics, volleyball, wrestling, wedding receptions, club meeting, etc. And Community building. Even newly re-elected Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has had conversations with Mr. Green about possible collaboration. The Amateur Athletics Union (AAU) has offered to make Mr. Green’s Arena and AAU sanctioned facility. Mr. Green also pays his employees above average wages to become qualified in CPR and receive active shooter training. Also training on working with children and older adults.
Community Development. A study by the University of Illinois found that recreation programs that offer spaces to play sports help youth learn life skills and expose them to positive role models. The study also said these recreation programs can help address youth gang involvement.
And Mr. Willie Green has used his very own financial resources to develop his Athens Sports Arena. Just like Mr. Green used his own financing to purchase land and arrange construction of his proposed Sports Complex Project in Shelby, NC. A Project that was completely rejected by the City of Shelby as well as Cleveland County Commissioners. But, was completely embraced By the Athens/Clarke County Georgia governmental agencies. The Athens Police Department, various community leaders and even the Governor of Georgia.
With all this being said, us simple folks up here in Fallston and the rest of Cleveland County, NC have to do some “wondering.”
Since Mr. Green first proposed his Sports Complex in 2018 to the City of Shelby and the County Commissioners, we have to wonder why this privately financed project was rejected. We have to wonder even more, what has the City of Shelby or the Cleveland County Commissioners found that was better than this-and implemented it. The bottom line is that Shelby and the Commissioners have found NOTHING better than this.
Instead, the Commissioners have decided to build a $250 Million new jail project. The Commissioners and the City of Shelby have completely ignored our youth. Not only in this Sports Complex prospective, but in Schools and Community building too. They ( Kevin “Mad Dog Gordon, Ronnie Whetstine, Johnny Hutchins, Doug Bridges, Deb Hardin, Robert “Luke” Queen, Ron Humphries, Joel Shores, Rodney Fitch, Greg Taylor, Kevin Whisnant, Dennis Bailey, David Allen, Guy Smith, Hayden Soloway, Pam Keller, Wes Westmoreland and other Rogue Republicans) would rather spend $250 Million on building new jails than building new schools. Would rather have a Casino, organized gambling and perhaps organized crime (See Front Page of the November 7, 2022 Charlotte Observer) and such, than wholesome community event centers.
Folks, go to the next several County Commissioner’s meetings and ask the Commissioners, during public participation, why are they doing such stupid stuff as this? And why are they trying to raise sales taxes when the people have told them NO, three times in a row. And will continue to do so ‘til Hell freezes over. Go ask your Commissioners about this and see what happens. Nothing, likely the first time. But continue to ask. Until you receive an answer. And that answer will likely be the Commissioners will have you removed from the meeting by law enforcement.
But this is America! You might say. We have rights to freedom of speech!! But, don’t tell Robert A about YOUR rights to freedom of speech and other such stuff. He will belly laugh and dare you to go to a Commissioners meeting and find out for yourself just how much Cleveland County is in America and Kevin “Mad Dog” Gordon gives a hoot about YOUR right to free speech under the US Constitution. Especially since us nitwit voters voted against his sales tax increases. Three times in a row.
But folks. Mad Dog Gordon and other Rogue Republicans will probably not answer your questions and deny everything I have written. So, don’t believe a word that I have written. Google Athens Sports Arena and read for yourself. Be Brave, have yourself an adventure by searching for the truth of this matter. Be prepared to be lied to by YOUR
Cleveland County Commissioners. And the City of Shelby officials too.
And, when you get to this point, remember this: when Robert A gets elected Commissioner in 2024, this kind of mess will certainly stop. Robert A unjustly takes no person’s Constitutional rights away. Not even Kevin Whisnant’s.
Back to Mr. Willie Green and his Sports Complex in Shelby.
Since Mr. Green is doing very well with his endeavors in Athens, GA, he probably doesn’t give a good hoot about the City of Shelby and the Commissioners huge transgressions against him. But, Mr. Green’s sale of part of the property intended for the Sports Complex to Tractor Supply has left a veritable “Mountain” of dirt right there where the City of Shelby intends to build that Rail Trail (or Thread Trail) at the intersection of Earl Road and Dixon Boulevard (74 Bypass). Every time Robert A passes by there, he sees that mountain of dirt, like a Monument, to the folly or the Commissioners and the Shelby City Council. It always brings a smile. Of course, the City of Shelby could build their trail on the other side of Hickory Creek. And, clean up all the petroleum pollution over there in the process. Or risk seeing all the Camp Lejeune style lawyer advertisements on TV seeking pollution affected victims of leaking underground fuel storage tanks. Who knows how much pollution has already run-down Hickory Creek over all these years? While the City of Shelby officials have done nothing to clean up a known mess. Just like the US Marine Corp did nothing for so long at Camp Lejeune. And kind of like all the asbestos in the old and aging Cleveland County Schools facilities that nobody talks about.