Ken in Haiti for a Movie

The current situation in Haiti has saddened me deeply.  I spent about 6 months there dubbing a movie I made in the US into Haitian creole and producing a Haitian movie entitled La Rebelle.  I kept a blog while I was there and it can be found at http://movieinhaiti.blogspot.com

I developed a profound admiration and respect for the Haitian people while I was there.  Haitians are strong and extremely resilient.  They also depend on a close relationship to their faith (overwhelmingly Catholic).  Given the extreme poverty I was surprised to discover a sincere sense of hope that permeated the population.  I have not heard the status of the many friends I made there, but I recognized many of the photos as places I used to frequent.  It did not look good.

Check out the blog and the various comments.  I strongly recommend that you start with my very first entry and read them in sequence.  I left Haiti under less than good circumstances, but I love the people there and hope that they are able to come out of this tragedy with the help they so badly need and the will to create the nation they always hoped for.

The Great Misunderstanding

I've just survived my first Board of Aldermen meeting and I'm already being fitted for a noose.

The first order of business was to elect a Mayor Pro Tem who takes the mayor's place when he is absent or incapacitated.  It is a job with a great deal of responsibility and I took that into consideration with my vote.  The Mayor, 2 citizens and County Commissioner Charles Warren put in strong words of support for Nelson Adams.  He has been an Alderman for over 30 years, and has been Mayor Pro Tem in the past.  The other nominee was Mary Ellen Poole, a newly-elected Alderman who was the Chairman of the Southport Planning Board prior to the recent election. I respect Alderman Adams for his many years of experience and service to our city.  However, I voted for Alderman Poole because I feel she was the most qualified candidate.  She possesses excellent people skills and her expertise in running meetings are among the many reasons I voted for Alderman Poole.

This angered a large segment of the people in the audience and many departed immediately after that vote.

Shortly thereafter there was a discussion of the proposed international port terminal planned for riverfront property just north of our city.  It is a highly contentious issue and I have made my concerns about the port very clear.  I am in favor of rescinding a resolution made by the Board of Aldermen in July of 2006 that expressed support for the port project.  However, I agreed with Alderman Adams that we should be sure all points of view are expressed before a vote, and that the vote should be postponed until the next meeting (Jan 14) or during our retreat (Jan 16).  We would have a chance to solicit and receive public input (something that's never been done regarding this issue) and have the time for each alderman to fully express their position.  Unfortunately, a motion was raised to rescind the resolution.  Since I wanted to allow the additional input before any vote, I decided to vote against rescinding the resolution.  The motion was defeated when the 3 to 3 tie vote was broken by Mayor Howard.

Upon further reflection I realized my strategy was completely misunderstood, and ultimately misguided.  Most people who supported me based on my opposition to the port were confused and angry.  They felt deceived and betrayed.  Despite what I felt were legitimate reasons for delaying the vote (public input and an attempt to achieve some board unity) nobody saw it that way.  If I could rewind the tape I'd vote to rescind the resolution.  Fortunately I'll have that chance when the issue is revisited after public input and further discussion by board members in January.

I strongly encourage you to attend the January 14 board meeting and give your opinion during the public comments section.  I hope the board gets to hear from many citizens--both in favor of rescinding the resolution or against it.  Even if you feel the board should put off rescinding the resolution, please show up and be heard.  Spread the word as this will be the first time the board will have heard from the public on this issue, and you will be able to make a profound impression.  The re-vote will take place later at that meeting or at our retreat (open to the public) 2 days later on Jan 16.

Your comments are welcome, and please remember that I have worked tirelessly for the last 2 years doing research and giving presentations against the port project.  I just want to be sure all voices are heard on this issue.

Check out my website changes

I'll be officially sworn in on December 10 at the regular Board of Aldermen meeting at 7:30 PM at City Hall.  The first portion of the meeting will be the old board doing old business.

Be sure to come to the meeting and express your opinion on the plan for Ft. Johnston!

A typical Southport sunset

Alderman Paul Fisher wants the outgoing board to adopt the so-called "plan" for Ft. Johnston that is really not a plan.  It is the portion of the original application the city made back in 2006 in order to acquire the property from the National Park Service.  This document, entitled "Justification for Acquiring Property" was never intended to be a solid plan for Ft. Johnston.  The plan was to be formulated by a committee composed of citizens and aldermen.  But the committee never met because the aldermen members decided that public input was not needed and they proceeded to spend $10,000 of taxpayer money to purchase furniture for the Garrison House that is totally not of a style that fits in this historic building.  The "plan" also includes several items that many citizens do not want.  That makes sense because the "plan" was written by a few aldermen with no public input.

I would like to see the incoming board instruct the Ft. Johnston Committee to hold public hearings and formulate a plan that does meet the approval of our citizens.  There is information the committee is seeking (estimates for remodeling the Garrison House into various configurations) that is essential before a plan can be drafted.  Rushing to approve the old "plan" when it is clearly outdated and ill conceived is not in the best interests of Southport and I encourage you to attend the meeting and express your feelings during the public comments section.

Anyway, I've made some changes to my website so it can be used as a communication and information vehicle between city government and the people.  Please check it out and utilize the added features.  Of particular importance is my e-mail newsletter list which I'll send out on a regular basis.  It will include all notices of public meetings, the Board of Aldermen meeting agenda each month, and other information all interested citizens should know.

Opening our city government to the public it serves was one of my key campaign promises.  My website will be one way you can stay in touch.

Just as a reminder, my website is www.ken4alderman.com

All the best and hope to see you soon.

I'm finally fully recovered

It has taken me a full 2 weeks to get my head around the fact that I am Alderman-elect for the City of Southport.  Election day was filled with turbulent emotions.  Sally and I arrived at the polls at 6:15 AM only to find that the other candidates had already put up their signs the night before.  We managed to locate a few spots for some signs that were visible to passing cars and those walking up to the polls.

There was a do-not-cross line of yellow tape (like they use at crime scenes--irony intended) beyond which no electioneering was allowed.  It seemed to be variably enforced as some (like me) were scolded for crossing it a time or two to greet someone while others (even some candidates) could walk into the polling place covered in campaign buttons and stickers.  This didn't really bother me as I assumed folks had pretty much made up their minds well before showing up at the polls.  I wasn't really sure why so many people spent the day in front of the polls, but it seemed like a traditional ritual for candidates so I played along.  My activity was restricted to greeting people I knew or had visited during my canvassing of the city.  No arm twisting, no handouts, no campaign rhetoric.  It was just a great time to be sociable and meet new people.

Probably one of the best things about the election day ritual was being able to meet and chat with all the other candidates.  It eased the tension and allowed for a friendly exchange of ideas and everyday chit chat.  By the time the polls closed at 7:30 PM I was ready for milk, cookies and a nice nap.  But the most exciting moments were still ahead of us.  We all went inside the polling station and gathered in one corner as the election workers counted the votes.  I was at Ward 1 and Sally was stationed at Ward 2.  My nervous system was in tatters. The culmination of 4 months of incredibly hard work would come down to a set of numbers read by the precinct manager.  I could barely bear it, so I sat on the hard linoleum floor, legs crossed, head down with my eyes closed.  If I had an empty paper coffee cup with me folks would have put spare change in it.

At around 8:38 PM I received a call from Sally.  Ward 2 results had come in and her first words through the cell phone were, "It's bad," followed by a long pause.  By this time I was ready for it to be over, win lose or draw.  She dutifully recited the numbers to me.  I was in third place, but on the basis of what I was expecting from Ward 2 I didn't think it was so bad. I told her to come over to Ward 1 and we could cry together.  For the next 10 minutes I went over in my mind how I was going to continue to be an advocate for the issues I raised in the campaign.  I also assessed my chances in the next election and what I might do differently.

Sally ran into the Ward 1 polling station just as the precinct manager was about to read the totals.  I don't remember drawing a breath for the several minutes it took her to announce the final tally.  When it came to the Ward 1 Alderman results I carefully wrote down the numbers.  I had the most votes, but now it became a math problem.  We had to add the totals from Ward 2 and reach a grand total.

Neither Sally or I could remember how to add.  I was using the back of a business card to make notes.  If I was expected to carry out a complex mental process like addition I needed more space.  Sally handed me the back of someone else's campaign flyer and I commenced to calculating.  My first effort was thwarted because I could not read the numbers I had written down.  After a few minutes of decifering my hyeroglyphics I entered the mathematical phase and finally arrived at a total.  It was a dead heat for first place between me and Mary Ellen Poole (my idealogical compatriot).  The next person was enough votes back that the absentees and early voting would not change the result.  There were 2 seats to be filled, and my big fat behind was going to be sitting in one of them.

I checked my math several times, rechecked the totals from the voting machine print-out, asked other people what they came up with, then checked my math again.  That night I went to every website covering our election to check their numbers.  Although I was practically paralyzed by exhaustion, I slept very little on Tuesday night.

When I woke up on Wednesday I checked both the Wilmington Star News and the State Port Pilot. I double checked the county Board of Elections website. All the totals seemed to confirm that I would be extremely busy over the next 4 years as a first term Alderman.

Immediately I knew what I had to do:  pick up all the signs we placed throughout the city.  Yesterday they were political marketing.  Today they're litter.  I gulped a double espresso and began my first duty as an Alderman.  By 1:00 PM all the signs were off the streets and stacked in my front yard.

Now the truly hard work begins.  I can't wait!

Critical Vote On Tuesday

You're probably tired of hearing that a particular election is critical, but the fact is just about every election (local, state or federal) is important.  It is the only time when the citizens themselves can directly effect change in their government.  Since local government has the most direct impact on our lives, and this is a local election, all signs point towards getting your tail to the polls tomorrow.

Southport, as most residents will tell you, has been run by a small but influential group that feels general public input is both annoying and unnecessary.  Their decisions have been in the best interests of someone, but not the citizens of Southport.  The result has been too much secrecy, too much money being spent on the wrong things, and far too much arrogance on the part of the ruling class.

I'm confident that will change after tomorrow's vote is in.  Things did improve 2 years ago when a mayor and 3 aldermen replaced longstanding incumbents.  Unfortunately, since 3 other longstanding incumbents were still on the board (and one of the new members joined that group) the result was a board so divided that very little could be accomplished.  If this election can bring in 2 free thinking, open minded individuals to the board I believe they will be able to work with the existing members to create a body that will be able to discuss issues openly and make decisions that are in alignment with the desires of our citizens.  If this does not take place, it will be business as usual.

As I've emphasized many times we do not need 6 board members and a mayor who all agree on everything.  We need creative thinkers who are willing to listen to the public, fellow aldermen, city staff and any other advisors the city may designate.  Once the listening is done they must discuss all potential decisions in a free and open format wherein each alderman and the mayor can express his/her ideas without being ridiculed, personally attacked or dismissed.  It may take longer than the old way of doing things but the result will be the best possible decision that can be made given the information at that time.  If more information is needed, the board must show patience so that no stone is left unturned.

I hope this all makes sense, because it sure isn't how things have been done in Southport up to this point.  Please know as much as you possibly can about the candidates before you vote, be absolutely sure they do not have a hidden agenda, and go to the polls with the confidence that you've made the best choice.  By Wednesday morning we'll know whether there's hope for the city government of Southport.

Proposed Port and the City of Southport

The photo to the above is the wetland area on the Cape Fear River side of the proposed port property.  What you see here will be destroyed if the port terminal is built.  The NC State Ports Authority will "mitigate" this destruction by purchasing wetlands elsewhere (sometimes in another state!) and placing a conservation easement on them.  That doesn't do much for our Cape Fear River, but that's the way the rules are written.

I have not stated my position regarding the proposed port in most of my campaign literature because I wanted to focus on more immediate concerns.  However, I've received numerous questions about my position so I felt compelled to state it here.

I've been a member of the No Port Southport NC, Inc. Steering Committee since its inception.  My focus has been research, primarily on the environmental effects of large container port terminals.  I've also immersed myself in the research and analysis of the economic aspects of the port project (called NCIT for North Carolina International Terminal) and whether or not it is a good business decision for our state and the US government to invest what is now estimated to be $4 billion in such a risky venture.  I've given a number of educational presentations around Brunswick County and to various environmental groups.  I feel if the citizens know the facts they can decide for themselves whether or not they'd like to have the port in our area.  I've also been involved in educating legislators (both municipal, state and federal) about the project and the potential issues surrounding its construction and operation.

As a private citizen I am adamantly against the NCIT as both an environmental disaster and a ridiculously bad business decision.  I am the webmaster of www.noportsouthport.org (and looking for someone to help or take my place, in case you're interested) so I've digested a massive amount of information on the various issues involved.  The bottom line is that the NC State Ports Authority cannot make a good (or even a decent) business case for the port without grossly distorting the projections for shipping traffic, jobs and economic prosperity for our region.  A deep water container terminal here cannot compete with those in Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.  All of those ports have expansion projects underway and the port here could never catch up and secure enough market share to be a viable business.  The downside is the loss of at least $4 billion in our tax dollars with nothing to show for it.

The City of Southport has been ignored by the NC State Ports Authority (NCSPA) because the Board of Aldermen in 2006 passed a resolution--WITHOUT ANY PUBLIC INPUT OR DISCUSSION--giving the NCSPA and the NCIT complete and unconditional support.  This position clearly does not reflect that of the citizens of our city and prevents us from being a part of any discussions about the port and the connecting infrastructure.  Our new Board of Aldermen must repeal this resolution and go to the NCSPA and insist that a representative from Southport be present at all meetings concerning the design, construction and operation of the NCIT.  We do not have a vote on whether or not the port will be built, but as a major stakeholder we have significant concerns that must be addressed.  If this facility does come to pass, our city needs to get the most we can out of the project and a strong adversarial position at this stage might prevent that from happening.

Once we get a seat at the table with the NCSPA we can ask them the difficult questions they have been reluctant to answer thus far.  They've claimed ignorance on many matters that new documents have shown they had prior knowledge about, and they keep saying we need to see what the US Army Corps of Engineer studies have to say before making certain information public.  If the project proceeds past the Corps current reconnaissance and feasibility studies, the last study for permit purposes, the Environmental Impact Study, will only serve to identify areas that the NCSPA will have to mitigate (see beginning of this post).  It will not halt the project.

If elected, I will vote to withdraw our unconditional support for the port.  This should get the attention of the NCSPA.  If we continue to be ignored or our concerns are not addressed, I will vote to pass a resolution against the port and do everything I can as your Alderman to stop the project.  We will work with surrounding municipalities, businesses related to tourism, environmental groups, state & federal agencies, No Port Southport, our legislators, attorneys, and whomever else we can get on board.

Any project that can potentially bring jobs and economic prosperity to our region should be examined thoroughly. But we don't want to wait until it's too late to do anything about it if the project looks to be a financial boondoggle or an environmental disaster for us.  That is why the City of Southport must be engaged in the process immediately.

If you'd like more information or clarification from me, please leave a comment here or send me an e-mail to aldermanken@bellsouth.net

Who Can You Trust?

Campaign slogans, signs, ads, speeches, one-on-one chats, the word of friends, your gut feeling--all of these and more are >> 

Ken, Isabelle & Clarice at Waterfront Park

>> considered by the voting public before an election.  Which is the most reliable indicator of a candidate's worthiness?  The answer is all of them...and none of them.  If this sounds confusing to you, you're in very good company.

Voters are at the mercy of the candidates who will usually tell them what they want to hear.  Many times all the candidates seem to be saying the same thing. In that case, deciding who to vote for gets down to how well you like their kin, whether they're a long time resident of the city, do they like dogs (see photo above), if you've seen them drunk down at the Provision Company, or who makes the best deviled eggs.  Not very good criteria for deciding who should be your elected representative (except liking dogs) but what else can a voter do?  Herewith are a few suggestions.  Please note that I have a dog in this fight, so keep that in mind when considering my advice.

A candidate forum was held last Sunday (October 11) at the Longshoreman's Hall.  All of the candidates were present and had plenty of opportunity to get their message across to those in attendance.  It is one of those rare occasions when a voter can get beyond the rhetoric and catch a glimpse of who these candidates really are.  When you can look the candidate right in the eye, there's no place for them to hide.

Red flags should go up if the candidate constantly speaks in platitudes, broad concepts, or in phrases nobody can disagree with ("The live oak trees are an important part of Southport!").  While not all questions have a simple answer, look out for overly complex explanations that avoid getting to the point.  That's known as "smoke & mirrors" because it's like magic: designed to trick you into thinking something's there when it isn't.  If specific questions are followed by vague answers, that should also set off an alarm.  A candidate should admit immediately if he/she does not have the answer, but they should show interest in investigating the question and getting an answer within a reasonable amount of time.  Is there anything more annoying than someone who rambles on about something they know nothing about?

If a candidate brings up an issue, or claims to share your particular concern, be sure they have a plan to deal with it.  It's not enough just to be concerned.  Citizens expect action from their leaders and the candidate should know which course of action is best for a given situation.

The bottom line:  look for substance in all of the messages the candidate sends you.  This may sound simple, but have a good look at the political rhetoric around this election and see how much substance you can find.  The candidate with the most substance on the issues you are most concerned about is the one who should get your vote.