Bertie County Patriot Archive: July 2006

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Peace On Earth Begins At Home

The Bertie County Human Relations Commission in partnership with the Roanoke-Chowan Domestic Violence Task Force and Roanoke-Chowan SAFE will sponsor a domestic violence awareness seminar.

When: August 14, 2006
Where: Merry Hill Community Building
Time: 7:00 PM
Cost: Free

All citizens are invited to attend to learn more about domestic violence.

The training will be followed by the regular meeting of the Bertie County Human Relations Commission.

Questions can be directed to the Bertie County Human Relations Commission at (252) 794-6110 or via email at bertie.humanrelations@ncmail.net.

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Laptop Project Update For Bertie Schools

There has been a lot of conversation about this computer project. Some have noted it is modeled on the Greene County laptop project where every student in middle school and high school was provided with an Apple Laptop Computer. The latest information about the Bertie County project was shared in the BOE meeting on Monday, where it was suggested that the project was going forward, but that it would go forward at a somewhat slower pace.

Specifically, it was suggested that the first step would be to purchase computers for teachers in two of the grades in the Middle School, and those teachers would be allowed to learn the computers and become more knowledgeable of the systems that Bertie County has selected. The preparation and training step for the teachers is an excellent step. I agree that whatever the reason the Bertie County Schools have decided to slow the project down and get the teachers training done first, it is an excellent decision.

However there is a problem. That problem is buying computers when we have not done our homework. We still cannot be said to have done a professional job of identifying the best computers to buy for Bertie County.

The stated goal of this project is to allow Bertie County students to become comfortable with the modern concept of carrying your computer around with you in business. This is certainly the norm in most business cultures today, however the reality of business clashes with Bertie County plans with respect to the type of computers to use. Modern business uses Microsoft Windows computers to an overwhelming degree. Gartner Group reports that Apple only garnered a 4.6% share of the market for the second quarter of 2006. Though Apple are reported by Macworld to get 23% of the U.S. Education Market, that still leaves them a far distant second to the leader, Microsoft Windows.

It would certainly appear reasonable to conclude that heavy preference would be given to the type of computers that our students will be exposed to when they get out of school. However the decision makers in this Bertie County project appear to have selected Apple with little investigation. My only reason for believing this is that I offered my services to help with doing a professional selection evaluation (this is what I did for a living when I was in Silicon Valley) and I was told "We are going to use the same computers they used in Greene County" so "we don't need your help".

When you look into it further though, it appears that the financing of the Apple iBooks was a part of the attraction of the Apple for Greene County. Is financing really the best issue to use for the selection of a technology that will so heavily impact our students future success?

Another recent news article said that Warren Buffett has contributed $37 Billion to The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Gates had already donated $29 billion himself, with a significant portion of the money directed to assist in educating poor children in developing countries. Though Bertie County is not a "developing country", we are certainly a poor county. You would think that someone from Bertie County Schools would set as a high priority contacting the Foundation to see what they can do to help with whatever we do with regards to computers for our children. However with the professional expertise that Gates has applied to everything that he has ever done, you would first want to be sure that all actions of our project have been conducted professionally. Writing off Microsoft and selecting Apple cannot be said to have been a professional decision.

Why will Bertie County not take the time they have (now that it is clear their Apple imposed deadline cannot be met) to rethink the decision for Apple? Apple paid to fly the BOE and Central Admin staff out to California, but does that really justify failing to consider the implications for our children of picking a minor player in the marketplace? Why are we picking Apple? Does anyone know?

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Will The Middle School Be Ready?

Mr. Richard Andrews, Vice President of DKW Architects, gave a Middle School Project Update to the Bertie County Board of Education yesterday. The initial issue he presented was a request by the contractor for a 36 day delay to the already delayed project, moving the completion day back to July 6, 2007. Since that would only be one month before the school is to be occupied, the Board of Education and the Superintendent were surprised. The original completion was supposed to be the previous December.

The rationale for the delay is the BOE request to re-design the school to eliminate some of the custom construction features and go to what is referred to as a pre-engineered building so that Bertie County could save money they needed for other projects. The contractor agreed to reduce his price with this redesign, and this request for a new schedule does not involve any money variance from that price agreement. It does seem logical that if the request to reduce money involves some additional time, that the contractor should be granted it. The question at this point is whether the contractor had an obligation to inform Bertie County of this delay at the same time the contractor agreed to the lower price. An alternative argument is that adjusting the price for the benefit of Bertie County should permit the contractor to look at the implications of schedule after the price agreement has been settled and inform Bertie County at this time.

The BOE Architect and BOE Lawyer will be talking with the contractor to discuss this issue as it relates to the terms and conditions of the contract. Since other contract changes are being requested to reduce the costs further, at least one question that has to be asked is who is driving these additional changes? A contract that is constantly changing is always at risk of delay, even when the changes reduce costs. Change is one of the most complex of the issues that most be dealt with in something as difficult as a construction project for a major building.

The BOE seemed surprised that the cost reduction would trigger the contractor's request to delay the building completion. What we need to understand is whether that surprise is reasonable or whether the BOE should have realized delay was possible as a result of their desire to reduce costs so they could spend the money on other projects. That last is the real key here. The BOE is not trying to save Bertie County tax payers any money. They are simply trying to cut costs so they can spend the money on other projects that they want.

At least one thing we know is that some of the presumed cost savings will not be realized since now they will be spent on lawyer fees to negotiate this time delay issue with the contractor.

June Adams - August Artist Of The Month

by Jeanette White - July 24, 2006 - Community Correspondent for BCAC

WINDSOR - June Adams of Harrellsville has been chosen Featured Artist of the Month by Bertie County Arts Council. An open house exhibiting Adams’ work is planned Thursday, August 10, from 4-6 PM at BCAC’s Gallery at 124 South King Street. The show is free and is open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

June Adams

Adams is a native of Kansas and lived in Arizona many years. She has had one show at the Arts Council and the mid-western influence was shown in much of her art. Now the artist has created new paintings of northeastern North Carolina sites and this new collection will be included in the August 10 exhibition. Some of the new paintings are watercolors and Adams’ work will be exhibited several weeks after the open house. She also paints in oils and acrylics.

Truett's Roses

Adams met and wed Bertie County native Truett Adams when he was serving with the military and was based near her home in the mid-west. She did not begin painting until their five children were grown. Then she studied at Garden City Community College in Kansas, at Scottsdale School of Art in Scottsdale, AZ, in Texas and in Colorado. She has had shows in Phoenix and Mesa, AZ, Kansas and Texas.

Summer Garden

The artist taught one successful oil painting class for BCAC a few months ago and another is planned October 18-20. Class will be limited to 10 students and cost will be $125 for BCAC members, $140 for non-members. The artist uses a unique style of painting wet-on-wet oils and a painting can be completed in one sitting.

For more information about this and other Bertie County Arts Council projects, call 794-9402 or email bertiearts@earthlink.net.

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Troubled Schools Miss Mark

by Todd Silberman - July 20th, 2006 - The News and Observer

North Carolina's lowest-performing high schools failed to make enough progress last year to escape a state judge's threats of penalties as stiff as replacing their principals or shutting down the schools.

None of the 17 schools, including Durham's Hillside and Southern, topped an overall passing rate of 55 percent on state exams, which means that state and local education leaders are under intense pressure to help the schools improve.

Judge Howard Manning Jr., who is overseeing the state's response to a court ruling on school quality, issued an ultimatum in March: Unless the schools exceeded the 55 percent passing rate, he would order them closed if their principals were not replaced and specific reform measures imposed. All of the schools had been below 55 percent for the four previous years.

Manning has set a hearing for Aug. 18 to review the state's plans to rescue the troubled schools.

Bertie County was a part of those covered by Manning's letter to the governor so it is probably safe to think that Bertie County is still among those at risk. Clearly Mannning's August 18th meeting, mentioned in the article, will be an important day for our students.

The Bertie County Board of Education has called a special meeting for Monday at 10:00 AM without announcing the reason. It is possible Manning's meeting is the reason. The Patriot blogs will be covering whatever happens.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Drug Discount Program Widely Used

by Misty Edwards - July 11th 2006

Bertie County Prescription Drug Discount Program Widely Used In First 3 Months

July 11, 2006 — During the first 3 months since the introduction of the Bertie County free prescription drug discount program, County residents filled over 630 prescriptions with the cards at discounts averaging 26.77% per prescription, Board of Commissioners’ Chairman Rick Harrell announced today.

Bertie County launched the program to help consumers cope with the high price of prescription drugs. The County is making the free prescription drug discount cards available under a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) that offers average savings of 20% off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.

“We are very pleased with the initial participation in this program, which provides relief to those citizens who are uninsured and underinsured,” said Chairman Rick Harrell. “We urge citizens to take full advantage of this opportunity.”

The cards may be used by all County residents, regardless of age, income, or existing health coverage, and are accepted at most County and regional pharmacies. A national network of more than 57,000 participating retail pharmacies also honors the Bertie County Prescription Drug Discount Card.

Cards are available at the following locations:

Bertie County Manager’s Office
106 Dundee Street
Windsor, NC 27983

Bertie County Council on Aging
103 School Street
Windsor, NC 27983

Bertie County Department of Social Services
1006 Wayland Street
Windsor, NC 27983

Bertie County Health Department
102 Rhodes Avenue
Windsor, NC 27983

County residents can call toll free 1-877-321-2652 or visit
https://naco.advancerx.com
for assistance with the program.

“Using the NACo prescription discount card is easy,” said Vice-Chairman Norman M. Cherry, Sr. “Simply present it at a participating pharmacy. There is no enrollment form, no membership fee and no restrictions or limits on frequency of use. Cardholders and their family members may use the card any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance.”

The program is administered by Caremark Rx, Inc. and cards are still available for Bertie County citizens who need them.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

MCC - Digital Photography On Bertie Campus

The Fall Schedule of classes at Martin Community College has been released, and the extremely popular Digital Photography class has been scheduled for the Bertie Campus.

The class requires keyboarding, mouse and Windows XP basic skills.

Title: Digital Photography (BERTIE CAMPUS)
Hours: 33 -- Date: September 12, 2006
Instructor - Dean Stephens

You have a digital camera and though you have figured out how to take pictures with it, you need pointers in making those photos professional quality. This class will teach you how to use your camera, manage a library of photos and edit photos for effectiveness and quality.

The class will meet on Tuesday Days from 9:00 AM until 12:00 Noon, beginning on September 12, 2006 and ending on November 15. For more information or to pre-register for this class, call Denotra Cherry at 792-1521, Ext. 248.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Prayer Breakfast

The monthly prayer breakfast held at the Heritage House Restaurant continues to draw a number of regulars but has unfortunately not caught on as much as had been hoped. The idea of a prayer breakfast to bring together our church leaders and members, inter faith and inter race, was an excellent one. The purpose is to bridge differences with friendships. Here is hoping that it continues to grow!

This months crowd is shown below in the two pictures. Thanks for coming everyone!

From left on table rear, Tommy Kiker, Irving Coggins, Michael Bryant Michael Bailey, Aaron Lewis, Angela Lewis, Anthony Ward, Ralph White - From left on table front, Ed Davis, Al Jarrell, Eric Lockhart, Dallas Godard and Lloyd Cooper.

Robert Horton and Percell Whitaker

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Leadership Counts

One reason many elected officials are caught with their hands out is they don't think they can be convicted. They have learned to solicit bribes under the guise of campaign contributions and they simply feel it is okay.

In the same way we have for many years had a serious problem with some people in our education system here in Bertie County. They don't think they will be prosecuted and they feel it is okay for them to receive money that is supposed to be reimbursement for expenses. The recent Walker Audit, conducted on behalf of the Board of Education, is truly interesting reading and has some great examples of this attitude.

Some highlights of this audit are as follows:

1. A frequent pattern of simply not providing receipts for claimed reimbursements, thereby permitting employees to easily defraud the school system if they chose.
2. Numerous situations of blatantly submitting vouchers for meals when the meal was provided as a part of a conference. The reimbursement was still paid. (Notwithstanding the constant audit report claim that no fraud was found, how can this practice not constitute fraud?)
3. Having superiors pay on credit cards for the expenses of subordinates. No reimbursement was required and no documentation provided.
4. Purchase of gifts hypothetically for central administration staff and conference attendees at taxpayer expense. The recipients were not identified so there is no way to assure the gifts were even for school personnel.
5. Charging for Universal Studios visit on school credit cards.
6. Charging for phone service on credit card to avoid getting central office phones cut off after an employee failed to pay the bill for several months. (Was the employee fired? How much did the taxpayer suffer in late charges and interest on the credit card due to this incompetence?)
7. Executive retreat with total charges of around $15,000, with numerous spouses in attendance, and no indication that school system was reimbursed.
8. Taxpayers were constantly charged for late fees and penalties due to employees failing to pay credit card bills on time.
9. Purchase of items that required Purchase Orders on school credit cards, improperly avoiding the PO process. Therefore there is no record to determine whether these were appropriate or not.
10. Meals far beyond per diem allowance.
11. Gas charges where school car was not identified making it impossible to determine whether the charge was valid.
12. Violation of purchasing process using overpriced vendors.
13. Meals frequently charged within driving distance that would not make it business travel and for which there would not normally be a legal way to claim reimbursement. (Over $31,000 was charged during the two year audit period.)
14. Charging for alcohol.
15. Charging for personal membership renewals.
16. Excessive use of taxis under questionable circumstances.
17. Charging for tickets.
18 Charging for entertainment.
19. Purchase of office decoration items.
20. Staying extra days at conferences at school expense for convenience of employee.
21. 8 conferences in a 14 month period for a technical employee who could have easily obtained training over the Internet.
22. Charging for Christmas gifts without reimbursement.
23. Excessive mileage that was never challenged.
24. Two people noted in the audit report for actions that appear to be violations of their fiduciary duties were John Smith and Earnest Howard. (During this same period at least one of these employees was rewarded with huge bonuses for performing his duties in an outstanding fashion. Isn't adhering to fiduciary duties the most critical of management duties?)

It was noted in the audit report that this was simply a cursory examination and that a detailed and exhaustive study could prove to be quite expensive. I am truly concerned that the numerous actions documented here could easily be ignored if the tax payers of this county do not pay close attention to what is happening. This is simply the first of an ongoing series of reminders to the Bertie County tax payers that the SBI is conducting a criminal investigation of these matters. To the extent possible we must assure the truth is exposed. Neither the past leadership of the school system or the conduct of our criminal justice system provides reason for complacency and confidence that justice will prevail if we do not pay close attention to this investigation.

We also need to assure current leadership does not allow this to happen again.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Windsor Celebration - Spectatcular

Windsor’s Fireworks Celebration was held tonight at the Roanoke / Cashie River Center. There was great music, food, and spectacular Fireworks. The event is held on the 3rd so families can join other communities in their traditional firework shows on the Fourth of July. That way everyone gets two celebrations.

Crowd Came Back After The Rain

The crowd was a great turnout, considering the weather. Though many went back to their cars during the showers, all returned for the event when the showers stopped. This is an event that grows every year and next year will be even better.