Our Informer

Hickory used to advertise itself as the “Best Balanced City.” No one thought back then that have over 50 percent of jobs in manufacturing threatened that boast. But with less than 35 percent employment in manufacturing, Hickory and Catawba County may be better balanced. It is still top heavy compared to the U.S. average of 9.5 percent in manufacturing.

Allan Mackie, head of the Hickory offices for the Employment Security Commission, confirmed that in August the county’s unemployment rate topped 8 percent. But with some 500 jobs soon to be filled at the Target Distribution Center, several hundred at a call center, and over 150 at the William Sonoma furniture plant, Mackie is confident the county’s unemployment rate will decline. As more service jobs in foodservice, retailing and enterprises such as call centers are created, the region is better balanced. But take-home pay is another story.

PUBLIC REVENUE PICTURE: Foreclosures, store closings, and plant layoffs certainly will affect the cash flow going into government coffers. Last week, the governor’s office ordered state agencies to cut expenditures by 2 percent. This includes community colleges, healthcare services, and public education. Hickory and Catawba County could feel less pain because of sales taxes paid by regional shoppers. The half-cent levy adopted by commissioners earlier this year could make up for the loss of property tax revenue. The credit crunch and the manipulations in the gasoline supply system will take their toll on small locally-owned convenience stores and gas stations, a prominent Hickory banker predicts.

FADING LOVE AFFAIR? Several older Hickory men who enjoy drinking coffee together were energized by GOP Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin. As one-track Republicans, she represented the grit to grind down Democrats, something they feel is lacking in Sen. McCain. However, polls are showing that public skepticism over Palin’s ability to serve as president of the United States is rising. Her network interviews have reflected a lack of understanding and depth in national affairs. The old men grumble about Palin being “picked on” by the media. This scene reflects the division that will be played out in 35 days—old people who prefer the status quo and younger people wanting a change in American politics. The vast middle seems to be equally divided.

DOLE DOLDRUMS: Polls continue to show Democratic State Sen. Kay Hagen five to nine points ahead of incumbent Elizabeth Dole in the U.S. Senate race. Hard-hitting ads from the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee have been effective in getting Dole’s low ranking (93rd) in effectiveness among U.S. senators. And there is more to come. As President Bush was working hard to get approval of a $700 billion bailout for Wall Street, Dole was among those saying “no way.” With a vote on a weekend-negotiated deal scheduled for Wednesday in the Senate, Dole’s position will be watched.

Senator Dole has spent 93 days in North Carolina this year, according to Roll Call. Last year she was in her “home state” 55 days and in 2006 she was in the state 13 official days. Her office argues that these figures do not include days she was in North Carolina on personal business for which she paid her own transportation costs.

DUHHH: Rep. Patrick McHenry Sunday was complaining that Barack Obama was not reaching out to conservatives in his visits to North Carolina. He said Obama only stages rallies in areas with strong Democratic registration, and is trying to energize his base.

McHenry, whose agenda appeals to the strong right wing of his party, (some refer to them as snake handlers) also works at energizing his base. When has he tried to reach out to Democrats?

REMEMBERING MURRAY: E.Murray Tate who died Saturday was a leading figure in the Democratic Party for years. He came to Hickory in the early 1950s and was judge for Hickory Municipal Court. Gov. Terry Sanford appointed Tate to the State Highway Commission in 1961 and Tate Boulevard was named for him as a result of his leadership.

Tate, State Rep. Henry Hill Jr., Judge Marvin Wooten, Solictor Donald E. Greene, Jim Peden, Luther Boliek, John Miles Abernethy and their associates were lions of the successful Democratic Party until 1963. The civil rights movement and the rise of popular U.S. Rep. Jim Broyhill marked the turning point and within 15 years the Republican Party had total control of Catawba County as it does today.

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Area Democrat supporting gubernatorial candidate Beverly Perdue were in an upbeat mood at the Wednesday night reception which raised some $46,000. The site was the Lake Hickory home of John and Connie Cilley, set on 75 acres in Northeast Hickory with a sweeping panorama of Lake Hickory.

Caldwell and Alexander Democrats also were circulating, including Joel Harbison Alexander, former State Sen. Jim Edwards and party chair Beth Jones of Caldwell. Also freely mingling in the crowd was former Catawba County Rep. Charles Preston, a Republican. Preston also attended a fund-raiser for Rep. Ray Warren.

Perdue emphasized her commitment to public education and health services for the young and the older population. She also has assured supporters she will not forget Catawba County and northwestern North Carolina.

HILTON TARGETED: Rep. Mark Hilton of Conover, who ranks in the bottom of effective legislators, can expect to have significant opposition in 2010. A popular elected official in his district is building support and has been promised support from Perdue if she wins the governor’s race. Hilton has a free ride in the 2008 elections with no opposition. As a result, he is acting as manager for the campaign of former Rep. Mark Hollo of Taylorsville who is trying to reclaim the seat from incumbent Ray Warren.

Warren carried Alexander County in 2006 and lost Hickory by 1,200 votes. However Warren has proven his effectiveness with his support of Hickory initiatives and programs for CVCC. Hickory Republicans acknowledge the momentum is not with Hollo.

CVCC ARTS INITIATIVES: Supporters of the arts have found a friend in Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, president of Catawba Valley Community College. Hinshaw has announced plans for a sweeping arts program, including dramatic arts, costuming, arts management, and pottery. Nationally known potter Kim Ellington has been employed to head up a pottery program that will include construction classes and seminars.

Ellington has extensive contacts throughout the pottery world. Hinshaw envisions workshops and programs that will attract visitors from throughout North Carolina. “We see the arts as important to economic development,” Hinshaw said this week. The tradition of Catawba Valley pottery in Catawba and Lincoln Counties goes back two centuries.

REMEMBERING MONK: J.J. (Monk) Harrington, a giant in the N.C. Senate for more than 30 years, died this week. Harrington represented Bertie County and nearby counties in Eastern North Carolina and was host for a famous deer hunt each fall. Hundreds of legislators, lobbyists, and politicos gathered at this farm for venison, barbecue, sweet potatoes, collards, oysters and bourbon. If didn’t hunt, you had better eat the venison. If you missed your shot at a deer, your shirttail was cut off. The Balls Creek fish fry is a very pale version of Monk’s downeast gathering, but both served to rally political operatives.

Monk became president pro-tem of the Senate. He represented a district that has a black majority and bowing to the inevitable, he retired in 1988. He was succeeded as president pro-tem of the Senate by Marc Basnight. Tom Inman, who was editor of the Hickory Daily Record in the 1980s, and the late Curt Vaught were among Catawba County faces at Harrington’s gathering for a couple of years. The Informer also enjoyed Harrington’s hospitality.

DOLE IN CATAWBA COUNTY: Republicans, too, are mining Catawba County for money, including U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole who unexpectedly is finding herself in a tight race. Sen. Dole is bringing former Gov. Jim Martin to a fund-raiser Sept. 20 at the some of Sibyle and Greg Hager in Conover. Hosts include Lynn and Leroy Lail and Sybil and David Stewart and Adelle Hutton and Sonny Roseman.

SPEAKER MORGAN? Richard Morgan of Pinehurst is sending out letters seeking funds from Political Action Committees. His campaign material identifies him as “Speaker Morgan.” Morgan was a powerful legislator, serving as Rules Chairman for House Speaker Harold Brubaker, and co-Speaker in a historic election that also elected Jim Black. It is unusual for former legislators to try to retain their titles. Morgan is running for Superintendent of Public Education, a position now held by June Atkinson, sister-in-law of Barry Huffman of Hickory.

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With the close of the Republican convention, the election season moves into full swing. The hundreds of millions of dollars that will be spent in the presidential campaign will have a bearing on local and statewide races. And in the Hickory Metro area, this could have mixed results.

How will the selection of Gov. Sarah Palin as Sen. John McCain’s vice president running mate play with area Republicans. Earlier in the summer, Democratic congressional candidate Daniel Johnson was picking up Republican support. Will that erode? Or will Obama’s decision to compete aggressively in North Carolina keep his momentum among young voters who were added to the registration roles by the hundreds in Catawba County?

Johnson has raised more money than any 10th District Democratic candidate in recent history. Reportedly, he has earmarked $200,000 for TV advertising. That will buy less than 100 30-second spots on the major network stations. As an incumbent, Rep. McHenry will be able to outspend Johnson through PAC contributions. Johnson’s grassroots efforts and ability to tell his story could make the difference.

DOLE-HAGAN: For Democrats, the dead-even race with State Sen. Kay Hagan and incumbent U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole is a surprise. For Republicans, a shocker. Hagan’s TV ads showing Dole ranks 93rd in the U.S. Senate for effectiveness delivers a simple message that is easily understood. Now Dole is running ads attacking Hagan’s character, calling her a liar.

A funds-raising reception for Hagan at the Catawba County home of Mitchell Gold in August reportedly raised $30,000. The national Democratic Senate Campaign reportedly has committed $5 million to Hagan’s race. Over the next two months one can determine which negative ad works more effectively.

WELL GOING DRY: Next week a reception at the home of John and Connie Cilley on Lake Hickory is expected to raise $50,000 for Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue. Events for Perdue, Johnson, Hagan, Ray Warren and Obama during the year have raised close to $180,000 from Catawba County supporters of the Democratic candidates.

Sensing that the water in the well is getting low, Democrats have cancelled plans for a Century Club funds-raiser for the party. Instead, a picnic at the home of Von Sigmon near Newton is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14. Some party faithful are asked to contribute some money to support a get-out-the-vote drive later in the season. The Democratic party is promoting the picnic.

Republican faithful also have been shelling out for Dole, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory and McHenry. A lot of people are looking forward to Nov. 4 will smaller pocketbooks.

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