Truthseeker asked a very good question at the end of the last post and I shamelessly took it to use for my newest post:
Someone please tell me WHAT Mayor Campbell, Mr. Adams, Mr. Nowlin, and Mr. Hailey have done for the town and its citizens since they have been in office. They have all been in office long enough to have a record on issues. What have they done to make Brookneal a better place to live?
So step up and tell us what has been done that is positive. Don't ramble about the grants and such, the majority of work on those has been done by Region 2000 and Mrs. Hitchcock. I want to know WHAT they have done to attract new businesses, promote real estate growth, clean up blight, etc. Are the town employees happier than they were 6 years ago?
What is better about Brookneal?
Monday, May 5, 2008
A good question
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18 comments:
It's BLANK!!
This blog must be rigged somehow. I wrote a rather lengthy entry delineating the attributes of Mayor Campbell and Mr. Nowlin and the entry reads, "It's BLANK!!"
Second attemptat an answer:
Mayor Campbell--Look around you. The depot garden is beautiful, the planters in front of the buildings add much to the scenery. Yes, she is not solely responsible but I have seen her watering the plants from jugs in the trunk of her car on some of the hottest days. Is tis a mayor's responsibility? Town beautification goes a long way in attracting people to the town. Go in the town office. Pictures of local spots--some long ago demolished--are displayed on the walls. Some are by local artists. There is even a mug with the Owen tobacco planter on it. Does this not give the artists publicity? It certainly adds to the historical atmosphere the town wishes to project. She (and the council) can't do much about the blight of lower Main Street or the now defunct Ruth's Antiques, but she andthe Garden Club are trying.
People in the county administration say she is a good ambassador for the town. I have never seen her any way but gracious. No, I am not a member of Brookneal's "elite" and I do not move in the same social circles. I have never seen or heard a negative interview she has given and she certainly has never aired personnel matters in a public domain. She always portrays Brookneal in a positive light.
She also has the time to do the job. Unlike some mayors before her, she has time to be in the office, time to listen, and time to devote the the thankless job. She even uses her own money for some projects. I have seen her in local dining establishments getting food to take to work sessions.
Mr. Nowlin has been very helpful. He has time to listen to people, talk with his constituency, and comment on suggestions or ask for opinions. Certainly his association with Dominion Power aka VEPCO has been an asset. I have known him to personally contact officials about problems he has observed. He knows the right contact and how to get a job done. He is certainly not afraid of work either. He was well thought of in Altavista and is well thought of by people in Brookneal as evidenced by the number of people who vote for him.
Mr. Adams--has he been on the council six years? My how time flies.
Mr. Jennings was elected because he was a Brookneal native. I believe that was a part of his platform. He was not a leader when we were in school; he is a yes-man when he is at a meeting.
Mr. Hailey has been there six years, too? Yes, time does fly.
These elected people have to work with limited funds. The townspeople want them to put ten pounds of sugar in a five pound bag. It cannot be done. And now people are complaining about the budget and don't want to pass it. Please! I was always told you get what you pay for. We want better streets, better sidewalks, better and more police protection, new and improved water and sewer systems, and the town cleaned up. We are not going to get it like we are. Arguing and bickering does not help either. Airing our dirty laundry in public isn't very attractive either. These people who are on our town council are only human; they cannot please everyone. We elected them; the majority rules even if by only six votes. It is a thankless job; damn-if-you-do and damn-if-you-don't.
Anonymous wrote:
>The depot garden is beautiful, the planters in front of the buildings add much to the scenery.
The depot garden was pretty 9 years ago, well before Mrs. Campbell was mayor. Give credit where it is due. Billy Guthrie and his daughter Brenda Short do the flower planter boxes in front of his store, and it is cute .
>Go in the town office. Pictures of local spots--some long ago demolished--are displayed on the walls. Some are by local artists.
Again, give credit where due, those pictures have been in the town hall since well before the 2002 election.
>She (and the council) can't do much about the blight of lower Main Street or the now defunct Ruth's Antiques
Sure they can. In fact is was recommended that a building code be put in place, by the state agency that oversees the town improvement grants. Two gentlemen came and gave us a big stack of books to review in order to help us get grants and clean up the town. Guess what happened: NOTHING.
>she certainly has never aired personnel matters in a public domain.
You are incorrect. Ask anyone about the election where Shelton Miles was running. I was at the meet and greet Mr. Miles had at the Burgers Shakes and Cream. It was one of my first introductions to the towns people in mass, and I got an earful of comments on various people.The things that I personally heard Mayor Campbell say about the people that were not supporting Mr. Miles were enlightening, since I was still trying to connect names and relationships. I took photos of this meeting and have them in one of my Brookneal scrap books.
Call Paula Bryant, who used to cover the meetings for the Union Star. Paula was kind enough NOT to print the worst depredations of the council and mayor. These meetings are on tape, so they can be verified.
>Mr. Jennings was elected because he was a Brookneal native. I believe that was a part of his platform. He was not a leader when we were in school; he is a yes-man when he is at a meeting.
How odd, I don't believe Kenneth was very "yes man" at the last meeting. In fact I got the distinct opinion that certain people were upset that he was being a NO man.
Since the council meeting audiences are usually non-existant I find it funny that so many people seem to know who says what. Usually what the paper prints is just a highlight of the meeting. This last story is a perfect example. We were in there almost 4 hours, yet we garnered just a few paragraphs, and I was completely misquoted.
And to be fair, I do know Mayor Campbell does attend supervisor meetings and such. But attending meetings isn't attracting new residents or businesses.
People seem hung up on this "airing dirty laundry" business. First of all, Brookneal is a public entity. There should be NO secrets. If there IS dirty laundry then that IS a problem. There should be NO dirty little secrets that need to be hidden. There should be NO issues that come as a shock to the residents. If stuff needs to be hidden then the people who want to hide it are the problem, not the whistleblowers.
This is what I find ironic about the issues in this town. People get mad at someone that points out there is a problem, but not mad at the person creating the problem. If something is illegal, it's illegal, regardless of who is doing it. If something in unethical then it is unethical,
again, no matter who is doing it. If something is bad for the town, especially financially, then it is the wrong thing to do, no matter who suggests it.
I've been emailed and asked by several people why I'm replying on this blog, and putting up with the attacks. There is a simple reason: Now I can answer questions point blank and circumvent the rumor mill. I know the mill churns 24/7. Every time I return from a trip I get to hear about what I was doing in town while I was gone. Some of it is laughable, and really, the rumor spreaders should check to see if I'm available for the weekend they want to spread rumors.
I understand the motives of people trying to defend their little bastions of power. I think it's stupid and ridiculous, but I do understand. Some people simply have to feel they are ruling a little kingdom, instead or realizing they are actually the servants of the town.
Tracy Meisenbach
www.trinityapp.com
http://thehorsediary.blogspot.com/ (updated 4-30-2008)
Thank you, Tracy. You jumped right on this like a duck on a juney bug--as I knew you would. You have answered a myraid of questions. When asked why you respond, to edify yourself. This is your forum to "answer point blank and circunvent the runor mill." Go for it, girl! You got the power here!!
Our "bastions of power" have served us well for over 200 years. We are in the same positions as other towns and cities all over the United States and especially the southern states where tobacco was the major crop. Oh, yes, we are the town founded in a tobacco warehouse, how silly of me. Look at Danville; just like Brookneal it put its faith in textiles and tobacco.
You did make one error, the question posed said not to "ramble" on about grants and you did mention grants--not fair--even if you didn't really ramble.
Yes, Tracy, I will leave you with the last word. "I shall play the devil [whatever-you-want-to-call-me] no longer." I was directed to this blog Monday, and I take my leave from it today. I will stop stooping to your level and dignifying you babble with a response.
Mrs. Campbell nor town council can't do it all, does anyone really have any interest in changing this town? If yes why does no one ever attend meetings? The only meetings i see that have a real good crowd are @ Burgar Shakes & Cream for breakfast every morning. If you voice a concern nothing gets done and that has gone on for some many years everone is just use to it. Why would anyone continue to waste time and not get any results. It only causes problems and in a small town you don't want that. Money is what draws people, not flowers and bushes and flags or pictures. Everyone needs to face it the sooner the town is turned over to the county the better off everyone will be. The comments left on this blog prove that. Good luck to Brookneal.
Well, I have enough information to know that Mayor Campbell and Vice Mayor Nowlin would make excellent dinner guest, but that's about it.
When I asked this question, I seriously wanted to know with specificity, what these people had done FOR the citizens of the Town of Brookneal. While I agree that flowers make the town look better, flowers do not help my bottom line. Yes, many towns are in the same predicament, does that me we turn a blind eye and do nothing?
I remember something being printed in the Union Star a few years back about Mr. Adams stating that he was going to bring business into the town. He was going to start a committee comprised of council, citizens, and other interested parties and actively go out and solicit businesses for our little town. Did that ever happen? No, it was yet another politician spewing lies...being a "yes" man...saying what someone wanted to hear at the time.
The blight that has been referred to on here is blight that is owned by council members. Mr. Adams owns the dilapidated establishment on Lynchburg ave., just across the railroad tracks from Main Street. Mr. Jean owns another one adjacent to the one Mr. Adams owns. Could they do something to improve it? SHOULD they do something to improve it? Certainly they cannot (and will not) enforce any sort of building code if they are not even willing to clean up their own messes.
Anonymous mentions the lovely pictures in the town office. I agree those are really nice. But I'll bet they have been there for 20 years or more. How is this a reflection on the Mayor when she had nothing to do with them being there?
Mr. Nowlin, now there's your yes man. Always voting the way the last person that got to him wants him to vote. Calling Mr. Jennings a yes man when the real yes man is sitting beside the Mayor. He's about as two faced as they come. Just ask Chief Cousins!
Mr. Hailey is just a wife beater. Oh, wait, when he was running for office he told the public that he was going to bring a Wal-Mart into town. LOL A little lofty in his aspirations, wasn't he? Although I think he never stood a chance of this happening, did he even try?
Oh, and one more thing about the budget. I would not have a problem with the council passing the budget (they never stick to it anyway) were it not for the incredibly ridiculous raise that they are giving Mr. Crews, aka Mr. Felony. They have not budgeted for a new town manager, and yes, you do get what you pay for. So when the town dries up and there are nothing but tumbleweeds to look at on main street, drive over to Mike Crews' house...that, my dear, is what you paid for!!
I don't believe that there is one single person in this town that can give me a GOOD reason to keep these people in office. All I keep hearing is fluff, no substance. I'm waiting though...just in case.
anonymous said...
"She also has the time to do the job. Unlike some mayors before her, she has time to be in the office, time to listen, and time to devote the the thankless job."
I had to come back and comment on this one. The fact that she has the time to devote to this job is really reason, in your mind, for her to have it? If that's the case, there are a ton of unemployed citizens that are fully qualified for the position! Please, give me a break!
And taking the time to listen is an excellent attribute, if you take all of what you hear and act on it. Mayor Campbell loves to listen to the good stuff, but seems to turn a blind eye to the bad stuff...sweeping it under the rug, keeping secrets, hoping no one will be the wiser.
I believe Mr. Adams' mother owns the property to which truthseeker refers, at least she did. Mr. Jean owns the old funeral home beside where Puckette and Associates was, and he certainly has improved its looks. Have you looked at Mr. Jennings' homeplace? Have you looked at Trinity Appalossa Farm's yard?
New businesses, hum????????? Shapes, the bison meat market, the massage place, Nails by Alicia, two new beauty shops, the possibility of a new restaurant or something coming in the old Brookneal Drug Store. These are not old established businesses. True, no council member can take credit for them. Oops!
anonymous,
Mr. Adams had led me to believe that he owned the property, but, I don't know if that is still the case.
I have not seen Trinity Appaloosa Farm or Mr. Jenning's property as both of those are off the beaten path, so to speak. I will concede that when Mr. Jennings lived at another location in town (when he was first elected to council) his place was a real eye sore. So, you may very well be correct about his place now. I really don't know. Having said all of that, I go back to what I said before, why would a council full of people that own run down properties enforce any laws regarding the upkeep of property in town. It would not be in their own best interested, now would it? ;)
I also think that there are some great little businesses in town. I frequent a great many of them. But how many jobs do they provide? We need service oriented businesses, which most of these are. But we really need jobs.
What is the council doing to bring real jobs to the town? These little businesses will not be able to survive if no one is living here because there is no where to work. They won't survive if people don't have money to spend in their establishments because they've lost their job.
Jobs will not just fall in our lap! Someone is going to have to go out there and find them. Does anyone really think Campbell County is going to do it? Please, we're the step child of the county. Far enough away to be forgotten most of the time. Every now and then they toss us a bone so we think they're looking out for us, but they're not.
It's up to us, the people, and the people we elect to office, to do something. It won't happen overnight, it may not happen at all, but at least I'd like to know someone tried.
Amen to your last paragraph! We need to try, to stick together, to be welcoming and supporative, not at each others' throats.
What has Mike Davidson been doing to bring jobs to the area? Isn't that his job? The only place really growing is the Wards Road corridor. I, too, frequent many of the businesses; they deserve and need our support. One big problem is the water rates. But it is a catch 22--we need the income to repair the system and for the grant, but it is too much for a new business.
I applaud you response!
Anonymous wrote( obviously missing the intestinal fortitude to use their name)
>Have you looked at Trinity Appalossa Farm's yard?
My YARD? My yard is mowed and weed eated the majority of the time. I don't do it every day, but I keep it better than 3/4s of the places in town.
If you're remarking on the construction stuff from putting an entire new roof on, repainting the house and rebuilding the porch then just say so. We're working to fix something that was let go for along time before we bought it.
We're also planning on repainting the barn this year as soon as the weather gets warm enough.
So what exactly about my yard is so offensive? I've got no dead cars, appliances or trampolines in evidence. And considering the eyesore I've had to live next door to for 9 years my place looks like a palace.
To the first anonymous:
Get a grip. You came here to push your views and make comments while hiding behind an anonymous id. You're typical of the hit and run people that spread the rumors in this town. You know nothing about me in reality, but you adore the excitement of getting in the debate, and getting your pat on the head.
I've never had a problem saying exactly what I mean. I never have a problem admitting I said something. And I don't hide behind other people.
Tracy Meisenbach
www.trinityapp.com
http://thehorsediary.blogspot.com/ (updated 4-30-2008)
anonymous wrote:
>This blog must be rigged somehow. I wrote a rather lengthy entry delineating the attributes of Mayor Campbell and Mr. Nowlin and the entry reads, "It's BLANK!!"
Google runs this site, nothing I do determines if a post goes through or not. My guess is maybe Google backwashed at the ingestion of some of your statements.
>but she andthe Garden Club are trying
Mrs. Harper, can't think of her first name right now, is the one that does the flower beds. I have seen her and her helper out there several times and have even stopped and chatted with her. My impression from speaking with her is that she has no political affiliation.
>Mr. Adams--has he been on the council six years?
4 years, he's up for election this year. Someone else mentioned the economic plan he was supposed to be developing. I remember when it was mentioned in the paper.
the other anonymous ( or maybe the same one) wrote:Our "bastions of power" have served us well for over 200 years. We are in the same positions as other towns and cities all over the United States and especially the southern states where tobacco was the major crop.
Oh you're well served. I'm sure you'd like the status quo to just keep on keeping on. Nothing like watching the town slowly die while other small towns are revitalizing and cleaning up. You keep preaching domestic bliss with the current council, but attack one of the few people trying to save the town money.
>I will stop stooping to your level and dignifying you babble with a response.
You really are strange. What level of stooping? You're hiding, and posting from an out of town ISP, but claim someone who answers a question is a problem. No wonder people don't speak up.
>Have you looked at Mr. Jennings' >homeplace? Have you looked at Trinity Appalossa Farm's yard?
Just out of curiosity I drove past Mr. Jennings house and it looked fine to me. Does he own another property in town. I also drove down past Ms. Meisenbach's farm and it looked fine. There are some saw horses on the porch, but nothing offensive from what I can see. I didn't go up the driveway, but nothing seen from the road looks bad.
I have seen far worse properties, especially on Main Street and 40.
As an FYI to people that read this blog: I do have Google analytics on this page. We've had visits from several different places, but the majority of posts come from the local area, except for the person on Hughes Net that has popped in several times in defense of the mayor. That isp is not local.
PEOPLE GET A LIFE! THIS TOWN HAS NOT IMPROVED IN SIX YEARS, IT HAS GONE DOWNHILL. WE HAVE HAD POOR TOWN MANAGERS AND POOR LEADERSHIP. I CAN'T BELIEVE THE SPITEFUL BEHAVIOR THAT I'VE WITNESSED FROM SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS. I ATTENDED A FEW COUNCIL MEETINGS, THEY ARE A JOKE. ANYONE THAT DISAGREES WITH THE MAYOR GETS GAVELLED DOWN. IF YOU AGREE WITH THE MAYOR YOU CAN SAY WHATEVER YOU WANT.
I THOUGHT THE MAYOR OWED MR CARWILE A BIG APOLOGY FOR LETTING MR GELLISPI LIE TO HIM RIGHT THERE IN THE MEETING. I MISS MR CARWILE, HE USED TO MAKE THE MEETINGS LIVELY.
Speaking of good things about the mayor, I noticed her photo on theback of the Union Star. I have to commed her for picking such a low carbon impact vehicle for getting around town. And the fact that she could carry it with her, so as not to take up parking space is even more in her favor.
You go Mayor Campbell, go green or Oh Cedar, whichever suits you better.
danascarfan,
Thank you for giving credit where it is due, and in such a funny way.
How soon we forget those who have stepped forward when the people called and said find us leaders. Forgotten quickly for what they aspired to, but remembered for what you have judged them to be. When one doesn't have the grit to stand in the forefront , they usually have the salt to throw darts from the rear. As we all can attest to darts is an "ENGLISH" pasttime and we've already kicked their butts. Join in the fray, downtown on mainstreet, town hall , 2nd Tuesday,each month 7:00 P.M. , not from the safety of your P.C. keyboards, where you can't taste the blood or smell the rage. Or maybe , go positive and come up with your own working plan to submit to council. Who knows there might be a valid thought in your vapid heads.
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