All you have to do is scroll back through my articles in the last several weeks to understand there is a big divide in the “Black Community” leadership. There is the Eddie Holbrook faction of black leaders who Holbrook and a few others have elevated to various appointed positions on Boards and groups as a payoff for their efforts to hold down the “Temperature” in the black community. Some would call this a group of “Uncle Toms.” Then, there is the NAACP which now appears to be mostly aligned with the Uncle Toms. Now, there is a new group of critical thinkers among the leadership in the black community that realize the Uncle Toms have pretty much neutered the NAACP as well as sold out the best interest of the black community for their own gain. This group calls themselves “People for a Stronger Cleveland County.” The “People” quickly organized a Candidates Forum for the Democrat Commissioner candidates (Massa Edie Holbrook, Chris Gash and Todd McIntosh) for April 10, 2018 at 6:00 PM in the School Board Chambers.
I attended this forum and this is my report and commentary.
First of all, in regard to my previous report on this upcoming forum, I noted a report to me that Mike Philbeck was trying to quash a question that the black community wanted answered regarding the Cleveland County Commissioners refusal to respond to a proposition by Willie Green to build a “Sports Complex” in partnership with the Commissioners and perhaps the Schools. I attended the Commissioner’s Meeting where Mr. Green presented his proposition and found the proposal, in my opinion, fair, needed and equitable. As this would be the first equitable partnership between Cleveland County and a “black” entrepreneur that I know of, and knowing how Cleveland County operates my silent prediction was the Commissioners would refuse to participate although they would not actually refuse. Just do nothing as that is their MO. And not explain what was obvious: their racial prejudices would not allow them to make any equitable arrangements with a black man. And, besides, They have pretty much bankrupted Cleveland County with all their other giveaway programs and projects to groups headed by white people but occasionally including an Uncle Tom.
As it turned out the question regarding the Sports Complex was not asked. Mike Philbeck had been asked to co-moderate the forum and refused to participate if that question was going to be asked. Philbeck allegedly stated to the forum organizers that such a question was “too Controversial.” I say “NO” to Philbeck’s logic. The question is not controversial at all. Willie Green had made an official proposal to the County Commissioners and they owed him a response. What would be controversial would be their truthful answer (that they won’t give for political reasons-Massa Eddie wants to lie and still get the black vote) that they don’t want to do equitable business with a black man. Hey, they never do. Isn’t that proof enough?
This “Sports Complex” question was a valid question for the group to ask and what I would have recommended them to do was to tell Mike Philbeck “thanks, but No thanks” and found another co-moderator. Mike Philbeck is known to be a big Massa Eddie Holbrook supporter anyway and it was probably a mistake to ask him to co-moderate the forum to start with. Read on for more along this line.
The forum itself was well attended by both the white and black community. I got there early and got way up front for better seeing and hearing. I always do that for School Board meetings too.
The Forum format was there were two moderators. Charles Webber, a black Democrat and Mike Philbeck, a white Republican. I didn’t understand why a Republican Moderator was needed for a Democrat Primary Election Forum, but that was the choice of the forum sponsors. The moderators would take turns asking prepared questions to the candidates who had two minutes to respond. A two minute opening statement and a two minute closing statement was allowed for each candidate. Massa Eddie Holbrook announced that he would have to leave early as he had a previously planned commitment. The exact timing of Massa’s exit was telling.