Mecklenburg County Sheriff Daniel "Chipp" Bailey will officially file to retain The Office of Sheriff at Noon on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at the Board of Elections office located at 741 Kenilworth Ave., Suite 202, Charlotte, NC.

Sheriff Bailey's law enforcement career began with the Mecklenburg County Police in 1972. In the early 1990s, the Mecklenburg County Police and Charlotte Police Department merged. He supervises the new agency's Planning and Research Unit until joining Sheriff Jim Pendergraph in 1994 as Chief Deputy Sheriff. Chipp Bailey became Sheriff of Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, North Carolina on February 5, 2008.

Sheriff Bailey is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the largest sheriff's office in North and South Carolina. His responsibilities include: overseeing a jail system housing an average daily population of over 2600 inmates, providing security for over one million vistors to the County's courthouse each year, ensuring timely service of over 100,000 civil and criminal papers each year, receiving and booking over 40,000 arrestees a year, registering and monitoring over 700 sex offenders, and issuing gun purchase and concealed weapon permits.

"As your Sheriff, I pledge to continue my commitment to public safety and to upholding the highest possible standards within the Sheriff's office."  A native Charlottean, Chipp and his wife, Sharon, have two sons and are active members of Matthews United Methodist Church.

Campaign Contact: Dan McCorkle 704-737-4791 or cbsheriff2010@aol.com.

Website: www.chippbailey.com

Tag Building Character, Not Jails http://www.chippbailey.com/?p=1

What: Filing for re-election

Where: Board of Elections - 741 Kenilworth Ave, Charlotte NC 28204

When: Monday February 8 at 2:00 PM

Dear Democrats:

It is my pleasure to announce that Mecklenburg County Commission Chairman Jennifer Roberts will file for re-election the first day of filing, together with At Large County Commission colleagues Harold Cogdell and Dan Murrey.

Dan, Harold and Jennifer will file together Monday February 8 at 2:00 PM at the Board of Elections at 741 Kenilworth Ave.

Election 2010: North Carolina Senate

Friday, January 29, 2010

Incumbent Republican Richard Burr leads two potential leading Democratic challengers in this year’s U.S. Senate race in North Carolina. However, his numbers continue to display potential weakness.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely voters in North Carolina finds Burr ahead of Elaine Marshall 47% to 37%. Six percent (6%) favor another candidate, and 10% are undecided. That’s little changed since September.

Any incumbent who polls below 50% at this point in an election cycle is considered potentially vulnerable. It is striking to note that Burr remains below that 50% mark in a political environment that is very favorable for Republicans. If the political environment improves for Democrats between now and November, the incumbent could be facing a serious challenge. No incumbent has been reelected to the seat Burr holds since 1968.

The first-term Republican senator barely reaches the 50% mark in a match-up against former state Senator Cal Cunnignham. In that race, it’s Burr at 50% and Cunningham at 34%. Given that match-up, five percent (5%) like another candidate, and 11% are undecided.

Burr leads both Democrats by wide margins among male voters. Marshall holds a seven-point lead over Burr among female voters, while Cunningham and Burr run even among this group.

Marshall runs slightly stronger than Cunningham among Democrats, but voters not affiliated with either party overwhelmingly prefer the Republican.

Last year, Democrats considered Burr one of the most vulnerable Republican incumbents gong into this fall’s election. But they’ve become less optimistic about a pickup in North Carolina with the continuing bad economy and the national mood swing over the health care plan that culminated in last week’s surprise GOP Senate win in Massachusetts

It is "We the people." It is not "We the corporations."

Unfortunately, the Supreme Court last week called this principle into play. The stunning decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission will allow special interests - including the nation's largest corporations - to spend an unlimited amount of money to influence political campaigns, drowning out the voice of the American people and rolling back decades of progress to ensure elections are fair.

Many Republicans applauded the decision. It's time to call them out.

Click here to sign our petition. Join Democrats in demanding that Republicans support legislation to reduce runaway corporate spending on elections. Powerful corporations should not be allowed to drown out the voice of the American people!

Republicans like to complain about "activist judges" who make law instead of interpreting it. That is, until they feel a decision will benefit them. Then they're all about pushing the "little people" aside for the interests of their deep-pocketed beneficiaries.

Even Sen. John McCain, who used to be a strong voice for reform, is rolling over on behalf of the special interests. Campaign finance reform is dead, he said. He's among Republicans refusing to fight.

The Seventh Congressional District will celebrate Black History Month on Sunday, January 31, 2010 at the Wilmington City Hall located at 102 North Third Street in Wilmington, North Carolina. The guest speakers are Congressman James Clyburn of South Carolina who is the Majority Whip, which is the third highest ranking position in the US House of Representatives. Also, our very own Seventh Congressional District Congressman Mike McIntyre. Refreshments Will Be Provided.

Help build a vibrant economy, healthy children, and strong communities by checking "Democratic" in the N.C. Political Parties Financing Fund box located on your income tax forms. Your $3 donation will not reduce your tax refund or increase taxes owed. But it will help strengthen local parties in all 100 counties.

It's an easy way to help elect Democrats who will work to turn our economy around, put people back to work, and make sure everyone has access to affordable health care. Check "yes" for Democrats or tell your tax preparer to check "Democratic" in the NC Political Parties Financing Fund.

The number of older adults in Charlotte-Mecklenburg is growing faster than has been predicted a decade ago. Today, 14% of Mecklenburg's population is 60 years of age or older. In just five years, the number of seniors will increase by 41%. To understand and meet the needs of aging adults, Council on Aging (CoA) is hosting its annual Legislative Agenda on Aging 2010. This event will be held on Monday, February 15, 2010, from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. at Tyvola Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Road, Charlotte,NC 28210. ( Doors open at 8:00 a.m.)

This year's Legislative Agenda on Aging 2010 will provide an opportunity for selected officials to present their vision for the future and highlight their efforts to address the needs and concerns of older adults in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Elected Offiicials can also meet informally with constituents and take away a better understanding of the issues affecting the aging pooulation. Council on Aging advocates for senior-friendly community with emphasis on transportation, housing and caregiving. CoA is a lead agency implenting a Community Resource Connection in this community. You may have a particular interest in these issues or other aging - related concerns. The Legislative Agenda on Aging 2010 is the first opportunity for elected officials to meet with this key demographic and to take advantage of the extended question and answer period.

We are delighted to have confirmed Anthony Foxx, Charlotte's first new Mayor in over a decade as a keynote speaker and appreciate that so may elected officials attend this event each year. Please ensure your place at this event with an RSVP by Febraury 8, 2010, to Katie Kutcher, Education Program Manager at (704) 391-5216 ext. 202 or kkutcher@charmeckcoc.org.

Wednesday night the Executive Committee of Senate District 19 met to select a successor to the retiring Senator Tony Rand of Cumberland County. The Meeting was held in the Old Cumberland County Court House in Fayetteville. The Executive Committee Members were the following:

1. Bladen County Commissioner - Dr. Delilah Blanks recieved 54 votes
2. Bladen County - Attorney Allen Johnson recieved 54 votes
3. Fayetteville City Council - Kady-Ann Davy recieved 480 votes
4. Cumberland County - Strong Democrat Candidate recieved 480 votes

Candidates who ran to fill this vacancy:

1. Attorney Dave Boliek of Cumberland County
2. State Representative Margaret Dickson of Cumberland County

Both candidates made execellent speeches and gave good answers to a question from Committee Member Allen Johnson. As each Executive Committee member stood to vote, they paid complimentary tributes to Mr. Boliek and then each of them cast their votes for Representative Margaret Dickson. She was elected by a unanimous vote. After making her acceptance remarks, Senator Dickson and Mr. Boliek exchanged hugs. In spirit of unity and harmony, the crowd gave Mr. Boliek a standing ovation.

The Public and The News Media are Invited

A meeting will be held for the State Senate District 19 seat. The executive committee will meet on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 in Courthouse #3 at the Old Cumberland County Courthouse  located at 130 Gillespie Street in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The Building will be open at 6:30pm. All Democrats living in Senate District 19 who would like to be a candidate for this State Senate seat are invited to come, nominate yourself, and speak to the executive committee ( up to seven minutes). Melvin Williams Chair, Seventh Congressional District Democratic Party- Post Office Box 321, Beulaville, NC 28518                            

A massive earthquake devastated Haiti on Tuesday, killing tens of thousands and trapping thousands more in the rubble. More than three million people are thought to be directly affected by the worst earthquake to hit the region in more than 200 years. Wednesday, President Obama pledged the full force and resources of the U.S. government to Haiti to save lives, manage the disaster and provide critical humanitarian relief. The Obama Administration, especially USAID and the Departments of State and Defense, are working closely with regional partners to account for U.S. embassy personnel and their families and other Americans living and working in Haiti; spearhead an aggressive rescue and recovery effort; and act in a coordinated, unified way with other agencies and humanitarian organizations on the ground.

President Obama urged Americans to contribute what they could to the recovery and relief efforts and ensured the Haitian people that America would stand with them: "To the people of Haiti, we say clearly, and with conviction, you will not be forsaken; you will not be forgotten. In this, your hour of greatest need, America stands with you. The world stands with you. We know that you are a strong and resilient people. You have endured a history of slavery and struggle, of natural disaster and recovery. And through it all, your spirit has been unbroken and your faith has been unwavering.

American trying to find loved ones in Haiti are encouraged to call the State Department at (888) 407-4747 or visit www.state.gov. Learn about relief efforts and how you can help by visiting http://my.barackobama.com/Haiti.

The nation’s biggest health insurers have been funneling money quietly to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to air lie-filled, scare-mongering commercials about health care reform.

Like Capt. Renault, who discovered there was gambling going on at Rick’s Café Américain in Casablanca, we are: “Shocked, shocked….” Yeah, right.

Most observers of the health care reform fight suspected the major insurers that make up the America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) were helping to foot the bill for the latest round of ads by two “business coalitions” subsidized by the Chamber. But it wasn’t until Peter Stone at the National Journal connected the dots that we had proof.

Dan Pfeiffer, White House communications director, says the report confirmsone of Washington’s worst-kept secrets—which is big insurance companies are fighting tooth and nail to kill health reform that will wrest power from their hands and give it to American families.

Democrat Ann Newman is expected to announce her candidacy for the N.C. House from District 103 at Wednesday's meeting of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Women.

Newman would be at least the third candidate to announce for the seat held by Republican Rep. Jim Gulley. He's retiring after seven terms.

Mint Hill commissioner Lloyd Austin and Bill Brawley of Matthews, both Republicans, also plan to run.

Newman will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the YWCA, 3420 Park Road. Refreshments at 6:30 p.m.

Original Story: 

The race for Mecklenburg County district attorney heated up Monday as one Charlotte City Council member entered the race and a former mayoral candidate said he's mulling it.

Democratic council member Michael Barnes announced his candidacy for the job held for 36 years by Democrat Peter Gilchrist, who has announced that he'll retire this year.

Republican John Lassiter, a former council member who lost Charlotte's mayoral race in November, said he's considering a bid for DA. Republican attorney Andrew Murray already has announced.

Filing opens next month.

Barnes, who represents northeast District 4, said he would use his experience and connections to lobby for more resources for the DA's office.

As we begin a new year we can celebrate the success of Democrats from the White House to the Court House. President Barack Obama, Governor Beverly Perdue, Mayor Anthony Foxx and MCDP Chair Joel D.M. Ford have been chosen to lead us through one of the most difficult periods in the life of our community. History has shown that Democrats have been called upon to lead in challenging times..... and we are called upon to lead again.

We have the opportunity to shape the course and direction of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County and North Caolina under the leadership of a legislature, a city council and a county commission dominated by Democrats and that is why Carolina Blue Crew training is so important in our 2010 elections. On Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Carolina Blue Crew Training sessions will be at the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party Headquarters, located at 500 East Morehead Street, Suite 106 Charlotte, North Carolina 28202.

Who Should Join? Precinct Chairs; Precinct Vice Presidents; Precinct Secretaries; Precinct Treasuries; County Party Officers; Auxiliary Groups; Local Activists; Obama Change Crew Members; Strong Democrats; Volunteers; and Unaffiliated Voters who supported Democratic Principals.

Please call Sonya Young, Volunteer Coordinator to RSVP at (704) 525-5843.

The Winter 2010 SEC Meeting will be held on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010

Durham Marriott Convention Center

201 Foster Street

Dear Friend:

I am writing to ask for your support of my candidacy for election to the North Carolina Supreme Court in the nonpartisan November 2010 election.  As you probably know, I have served eleven years on the North Carolina Court of Appeals and would like to continue my service in the judiciary by being elected to the Supreme Court.  The seat for which I am running is currently held by Ed Brady, who has notified his colleagues on the Court that he will not be seeking re-election.

I am also asking you to consider contributing to my campaign and attending a Charlotte Campaign Fundraiser from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, January 26 at Luce Ristorante in the Hearst Tower, 214 N. Tryon Street. 

I hope you and your family are enjoying a well-deserved rest and an enjoyable holiday season. 

On behalf of our family, Samara and I want to thank you for your support and friendship. We could not have made it through this past year without you.  As we turn the page from 2009 to 2010, we wish you and your family health, happiness and prosperity in the coming year.

Since the November 4, 2009 election, things have been moving at a whirlwind pace. After the December 7, 2009 oath of office ceremony, I have been working to move Charlotte forward:

From: John Autry

Just finished a video that my good friend and long time collaborator Rick Fitts and I shot earlier in the fall.  North Carolina residents speak to their elected representatives on health care reform.  "Faces For Reform" a film by Rick Fitts and John Autry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM-Mm8j3ciw

Please view, rate comment and share. Use the share features on YouTube to share on your Facebook, My Space or Twitter accounts. Use your email lists to send people directly to the YouTube page with the above URL.Use the embed code on YouTube to put the video on your web page or blog. Any and all assistance getting this seen far and wide is greatly appreciated.

Peace and Justice

2009 - Year in Review

Comprehensive health care reform can no longer wait. Rapidly escalating health care costs are crushing family, business, and government budgets. 

Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have doubled in the last nine years, a rate three times faster than cumulative wage increases. This forces families to sit around the kitchen table making impossible choices between paying rent or paying health premiums. Given all that we spend on health care, American families should not have to make that  choice.

Americans spend more on health care than on housing or food. If rapid health cost growth persists, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that by 2025, one out of every four dollars in our national economy will be tied up in the health system. This growing burden will limit other investments and priorities that are needed to grow our economy. Rising health care costs also affect our economic competitiveness in the global economy, as American companies compete against companies in other countries that have dramatically lower health care costs.

But as we get closer to moving this critical legislation to a vote, we are seeing more and more misinformation from the right wing -- claims about death panels and cuts to Medicare, all meant to scare us and protect the obscene profits of insurance companies at the expense of America families.

The President has vowed that the health reform process will be different in his Administration – an open, inclusive, and transparent process where all ideas are encouraged and all parties work together to find a solution to the health care crisis. Working together with members of Congress, doctors and hospitals, businesses and unions, and other key health care stakeholders, the President is committed to making sure we finally enact comprehensive health care reform.

The Administration believes that comprehensive health reform should:

We need to step up the pressure now to win this year.

The Democratic National Committee will send Requests for Proposals in early 2010 to several cities asking about their interest in hosting the 2012 Democratic National Convention. A site selection committee will be appointed by Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, chairman of the DNC, who will make the decision in 2010.

Charlotte is going for it! We believe we are a strategic choice - a southern state that flipped from red to blue in the 2008 Presidential race, not only voting for President Obama, but ousting a Republican US  Senator and electing Sen. Kay Hagan to the seat.

Region 1 – West – C. Jane Johnson: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Davie, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, Yancey

Region 3 – North Central – Jeff Mallare: Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Orange, Person, Randolph, Rockingham, Wake

Region 4 – South East – Steve Mallinson: Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Wayne

Region – North East – Alicia Davis: Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Edgecombe, Franklin, Gates, Granville, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, Tyrell, Vance, Warren, Washington, Wilson

Click here for great new photos of President Obama