Ed Driggs (is) The Problem With Re-Zoning (Opinion)

Over the past several months I’ve heard from many supporters of our Charlotte City Council District 7 Representative Ed Driggs. I’ve also heard from dozens of citizens who are not exactly fans of Mr. Driggs. 

Charlotte City Council District 7 Member Ed Driggs

But rather than just hyperbole, here are some facts:

In the last five years Ed Driggs has basically run unopposed in a strongly republican district, (he is unopposed again this year barring a legitimate write in candidate) yet he has raised $188,442.00 in campaign donations over the last five years according to NC State Board of Elections Records. 

Of the reported funds raised, as much as 70% came from individuals within Charlotte's real estate and property development industry.

The names of contributors read like the who’s who of Charlotte’s, most successful real estate investment firms and affiliated companies. Names like Fred Klein, Peter Pappas, Daniel Levine, Johnny Harris, and real estate attorneys like Bailey Patrick, Richard Vinroot, and John Carmichael who represents the Gillespie Property developers RK Investments, LLC. 

In fact, RK Investments, LLC (the developers behind the Gillespie Property rezoning request) have made frequent almost yearly contributors with funds received from principles Russell Ranson, Neil Kapadia, and others during the period of 2018-2022.  

Noticeably absent, however are contributions from those associated with RK Investments, LLC during the current (2023) election year, which is understandable as the optics would be somewhat unattractive. 

However, a contribution from Landworks Design Group, PA the lead design firm hired by RK Investments, LLC on the Gillespie Property stands out on the 2023 list of contributions as if the take the place of RK Investments..

 

In fairness there is nothing wrong or illegal with any Charlotte citizen, including developers contributing to a Charlotte City Council candidate’s campaign. 

However, when the council member refuses to commit to a no vote, and continuously stresses some sort of compromise even in the face of overwhelming opposition (more than 14,000 have signed the petition asking for a NO VOTE) to a project from a solid base of neighborhood taxpayers and citizens, something is strikingly wrong. 

If you're just an average taxpayer in Charlotte you need to understand, Mr. Drigg's continued support of the Gillespie project is simply saying not only does your voice not matter, but in fact you have no voice at all because you haven't paid for it.

Rather than pushing his "compromise" agenda on behalf of RK Investments, LLC Mr. Driggs needs to firmly commit to a NO VOTE and press other council members even the democrats for a NO VOTE as well. Anything less than 100% opposition and commitment to seeing that this proposal is defeated is disingenuous at best and clearly a failure to represent his neighbors the voters who reside in District 7.

Chip Starr

You wanna hear a prison story? Amiri King

In Kentucky, before you go to PRISON prison, you go to a place called the Roederer farm for classification. It’s right by the reformatory. And yes. It’s very much a prison as well. 

You go there to have your security level assessed and they eventually decide what prison you are going to. It’s a mix of everybody, from petty thieves to stone cold killers. 

One time in the middle of the night, the doom squad rushed in the wing and snatched up the guy on the bunk next to me. They took him away. He had the fucking death penalty and somehow fell through the administrative cracks. 

So one day they bring in this guy that I recognized from school. A guy named Tim. I went to Buechel Metropolitan in Louisville Kentucky. The most dangerous school in the entire state. 

You get sent there as punishment if you brought a gun to a public school, or had gang affiliations, sold drugs, got into fights, etc. 

Well Tim went there too (for reasons unknown to me) and that’s how I knew him. 

So Tim gets put in our wing and we start chopping it up for a couple of days. Played a lot of chess. I was young. Only 18. The older cats knew I was a ‘fish.’ A term used for someone serving their very first prison sentence. 

Tim was a fish as well. He was a pale, hefty, awkward kind of guy. On the nerdy side. He wasn’t a street motherfucker is what I’m saying. 

We were both fish and naivety was par for the course. Sometimes your inexperience could get you a pass from some of the ‘old numbers.’ Sometimes it didn’t. 

Well. One day someone stole Tim’s lock off his locker. Tim had A LOT of commissary. 

He had a very supportive grandmother on the outside. He came to me and was freaking out that someone stole his lock. He feared he was about to get robbed. I said, ‘here man,’ and took the lock off my locker and gave it to him. 

I said, ‘put this on your shit. I don’t have much to take.’ And he put it on his shit. 

Later on that day I was in the shower. These two big street motherfuckers named Bobby Bottoms and Joel Sanchez ran up on me. Yes. In the shower. Bobby was a big son of a bitch. Joel was too. Bobby was a clean cut guy with tattoos all over the place. A real street motherfucker from a tough Louisville neighborhood called Portland. 

Bobby looked at me, pissed, with daggers coming out of his eyes and said, ‘get your fucking lock off that locker NOW. You have no idea what the fuck you are doing.’ Affirmative. 

I grabbed my towel, I dried off, got dressed, and I went to Tim. I told him I needed my lock back. He took it off his locker and handed it to me and that was that. 

I won’t say what happened after that, but let’s just say Tim drove a bus for special needs adults and had sexually abused some of them and everybody knew but me. 

They handed out justice ‘A La inmate’ and I never saw Tim again. 

Later that same night, in the dark prison wing, I heard someone behind me sneaking up to my bunk. I turned around and it was Bobby Bottoms. All I could see was his silhouette but there was no mistaking this motherfucker. He looked at me and whispered, ‘Lesson number one. Mind your fucking business. That’s your first lesson, and that one was for free.’ 

I never forgot that.

(Photo circa 1998, my mother and I on visit at Northpoint ‘the point of no return.’)

Cedar's Take: Amiri King is a mess. And yet he posts some crazy sh*t. To say he's been around is an understatement. He's an undiscovered talent. If someone was smart they'd give him an hour slot on cable post late night. He'd wipe the floor with someone like Trevor Noah or Seth Myers.'Not Kidding. If I was 20 years younger I'd bank roll the project myself. I know people well not people like Amiri knows. 

True Story (y'all need to lighten up right?)

A Harley Biker is sitting on his Harley, drinking a beer, by the Zoo in Washington, DC when he sees a little girl leaning into the lion's cage.

Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the collar of her jacket and tries to pull her inside to slaughter her, under the eyes of her screaming parents.

The biker jumps off his Harley, runs to the cage and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch. Whimpering from the pain the lion jumps back letting go of the girl, and the biker brings the girl to her terrified parents, who thank him endlessly. A reporter has watched the whole event.

The reporter addressing the Harley rider says, “Sir, this was the most gallant and bravest thing I've seen a man do in my whole life.”

The Harley rider replies, “Why, it was nothing, really. The lion was behind bars. I just saw this little kid in danger, and acted as I felt right.”

The reporter says, “Well, I'll make sure this won't go unnoticed. I'm a journalist, you know, and tomorrow's paper will have this story on the front page. So, what do you do for a living, and what political affiliation do you have?”

The biker replies "I'm a Marine, a Republican and I’m voting for Trump."

The journalist leaves.

The following morning the biker buys the paper to see if it indeed brings news of his actions, and reads, on the front page:

“U.S. MARINE ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT & STEALS HIS LUNCH”

Off Duty American Airlines Flight Attendants Attacked In Charlotte

Two American Airlines flight attendants were attacked while waiting for an employee shuttle at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Friday September 15th

Apparently the altercation began when they were approached by Yolanda Davenport Trueheart and her husband Stanton Trueheart (age 58) who had just arrived from Houston, Texas aboard an American Airlines flight.

The unnamed flight attendants were two of several people waiting outside on the arrivals level of the airport and failed to notice Ms.Trueheart and her husband approach.

In a video posted by Ms. Trueheart a voice can be heard asking to have a seat. As the video image closes in on one of the flight attendants a voice can be heard saying "I'm a passenger" then the image suddenly becomes jumbled. As the image stabilizes a black man is seen punching and pushing one of the flight attendants down on the bench before the other flight attendant intervens. 

 

Apparently Ms. Trueheart was offended that one of the flight attendants was occupying the entire metal benches forcing her to stand while waiting for her ride.

When the flight attendants failed to look up and acknowledge her she began to film them and apparently tried to force her way onto the small bench

"I TRIED to get his attention to see if I could have a seat, he ignored me so I just sat down because clearly he was doing it on purpose." Ms. Trueheart posted on X.

She later posted the above video tagging American Airlines and saying:

@AmericanAir

 "#americanairline Is this how you train your #flightattendants to treat passengers when they ask if they can have a seat while waiting for a shuttle?"

Then she added follow-up posts:

"So I took out my phone to record, to show #americanairlines how insensitive their employee/flight attendants are. Boy, was I correct!! The video will speak for itself."

"So I said to myself, oh an #AmericanAirlineflightattendant then his "husband" that was sitting next to me overheard what I said and started getting on my case. I told him that I wasn't talking to him. I felt in my spirit that this was going downhill real fast"

"@americanair

 your employee knocked my phone to the ground and my husband did what he did.

He LATER said he was sick and had covid which is why he did what he did. Well he could have said that in the very beginning but instead he decided to be a #Ken. Now #BlackTwitter let's make him famous for his very rude behavior. And 

@americanair

 do better!!!"

Ms. Trueheart goes on:

"When I sat down I saw on his luggage his #American bag tag.

I did get a phone call from #AmericanAirline, and they apologized, and they are doing an investigation. 

They wish I had gotten their names. 

Twitter, can yall help me find out who these #flightattendants are? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you! When you are in uniform, shouldn't you act becoming???"

The best part of her rant is including D L Hughley I guess looking for her 15 mins of fame?

Cedar's Take:

I’ve been on flights with those two flight attendants and they are crazy flaming gay. They are also super nice and always professional.

Comments were quick to condemn Yolanda Trueheart as a hubris entitled bitch and her husband as a thug. Many saying both should arrested and be banned from air travel for life.

Unlike the other American Airlines video of the Texas TMFINR woman where the comments were fairly divided Ms. Trueheart has received widespread unanimous condemnation.

For those who don't know these flight attendants are not there to serve anyone. They are off duty the moment they step off the plane. They have likely been on their feet for hours. Given the flight bags I'd guess they are Charlotte based senior crew members. I suspect they have just wrapped up a four day effort and have had enough of passenger idiocy.

If American Airlines doesn't come to their defense I hope the AFA-CWA steps up because this is nonsense.

Many have asked why they were not arrested. As CP understands it, CMPD Airport Officers handle these matters with the if I arrest them your are going to jail as well. (Correct me if I'm wrong) Clearly the flight attendant was assaulted. The use of deadly force would have been justified.

CP's advice is if you find yourself on an American Airlines flight in coach with these two give them a wide berth. 

Ella Lukse Fatal Crash Investigation in the CMPD South Division

The death of 15 year old Ella Lukse hits hard. Raintree is where I grew up. This is where my parents raised four children and lived from the time Raintree was developed until 2020, and this is madness. It was once a safe and attractive neighborhood. 

From CMPD:

Charlotte, N.C. – (Tuesday, September 5, 2023) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Major Crash Investigation Unit are investigating a serious injury motor vehicle crash in the South Division.

On Sunday, September 3, 2023, at approximately 8:57 p.m., South Division officers responded to a motor vehicle collision with injuries in the 8200 block of Raintree Lane.  Upon arrival, officers located a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee overturned and a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta badly damaged in the roadway. MEDIC responded to the scene and transported two passengers from the Jeep and both occupants of the Volkswagen to Atrium Health Main due to their injuries.  The driver of the Jeep, Gorden Ware Fleming, IV (DOB: 10/09/2005), was uninjured and remained on scene.

Detectives with the Major Crash Investigation Unit, DWI Task Force, and Crime Scene Search responded to the scene to conduct their investigation.  The preliminary investigation indicates the driver of the Jeep was traveling south on Raintree Lane when his jeep struck the right side of the Volkswagen driven by Tokla Parker Chhem, Jr. (DOB: 04/25/2007).  The impact of the crash caused the Jeep to overturn and the Volkswagen to go off of the roadway and into a tree.  A 15-year-old passenger in the Volkswagen suffered severe, life-threatening injuries.

Excessive speed is believed to be a factor.  Mr. Fleming was found not to be impaired but had consumed alcohol prior to the collision.  He was arrested and charged with Driving After Consuming Under 21 and Reckless Driving.  Additional charges could be forthcoming pending the result of the continued investigation.

The investigation into this crash is active and ongoing.  As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD’s Public Affairs Office.  Any person who witnessed the crash or has information about this case is asked to call Detective Pressley at 704-432-2169, extension 2.  The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.  For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20230903-2057-02.

And then this sad update:

On Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at approximately 10:23 p.m., 15-year-old Ella Lukse (DOB: 02/13/2008), succumbed to the injuries sustained in the crash and was pronounced deceased at Atrium Health Main.  Ella’s family members were present when she passed away.

On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, detectives with CMPD’s Major Crash Investigation Unit obtained a Secure Custody Order for Gorden Ware Fleming, IV (DOB: 10/09/2005) for Involuntary Manslaughter.  Fleming was arrested at his home and transported to the Law Enforcement Center (601 E. Trade St.) in Uptown for questioning.  At the conclusion of the interview, he was transferred into the custody of the Stonewall Jackson Juvenile Correctional Facility in Cabarrus County.

Ella Lukse’s family has been notified of the arrest.

The investigation into this crash is active and ongoing.  As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD’s Public Affairs Office.  Any person who witnessed the crash or has information about this case is asked to call Detective Pressley at 704-432-2169, extension 2.  The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.  For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20230903-2057-02.

A celebration and gathering of her family and friends will be held Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 1pm to 5pm at McEwen Funeral Service, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC 28212

Ella Lukse

Gorden Ware Fleming, IV 17 has a history of recklessness according to several posts on social media.

No one has yet offered as reason the Fleming was traveling by some accounts at nearly twice the speed limit of 35 mph, down Raintree Lane. While the street to the Raintree Country Club goes on to connect to Providence Road at the Charlotte Latin School it is not a time saving cut through.

Gorden Ware Fleming, IV

Fleming who resided with his parents on Robinhood Road was uninjured in the crash. 

His father Gorden Fleming who is a pastor at Hope Community Church on Sharon Amity Road, has not spoken publicly about the death of Miss Luske or the arrest of his son.

Cedar's Take: As I have said this is madness. We have become a lawless society with kids raised by parents who are utter failures at teaching integrity, honesty and responsibility.

No family should have to endure this. 

When we were kids Raintree was a safe place. My brothers and sister and I felt safe, except some little guy named Mick Mulvaney who followed my sister around like a lost puppy. And Peter Pappas who was an annoying little kid who liked to play golf and drove us older kids working in the pro shop crazy when he'd lose a pitching wedge on the course. And Chip Sella whose father was the CEO of Fortune 500 company American Cyanamid. We were well off kids from six figure income families, but we didn't act like entitled brats. We were not always angels but we understood that our actions had consequences. We obeyed traffic laws and took driving seriously. I could give you a dozen names of families that raised their kids in Raintree and nothing like this ever happened. Now its just heartbreaking madness. 

 

Why Do Charlotte City Council Members Love Developers?

As you can see above Ed Driggs saw nearly 70% of his past campaign contributions coming real estate developers including RK Investors. 

A review of the most recent campaign finance report from the North Carolina State Board of Elections shows Ed Driggs taking money from the usual suspects: Levine, Pappas, Northwood and Charter Properties. All big names in the real estate development game in Charlotte.

Noticeably absent are contributions from RK Investors who gave handsomely during the previous election cycles. 

So forget Ed Driggs' democrat vs republican excuse, or his blame shifting to the "affordable housing" liberal agenda.

It is not just Driggs who is in bed with developers, across the political spectrum decisions about Charlotte's future are made by not the taxpayers and citizens but real estate developers who have bought and paid the sole of our elected officials.

If you have not signed or shared our Petition objecting to this rezoning request, we encourage you to do so. We'd like to reach our goal of 15,000 signatures before we deliver printed copies of our petition to Charlotte City Council Members.

Our concerns about the Gillespie Project are:

• Increased Traffic (Rea Road, Elm Lane, and NC 51).
• Over Crowded Schools (Already 130% of Capacity).
• Threatened Wildlife including a pair of American Bald Eagles.
• Loss of Tree Canopy more than 70% of the 53 Acres.
• Increased Stormwater Runoff (Already a Serious Issue in South CLT).
• Overloaded Infrastructure (Police, Sanitation, Utilities Under Duress).
• Unreasonable Project Size (Population Density 1,520% Greater Than the Surrounding Area).

Again thank you for your continued support.

One Man's Story 9/11

There are things that tie this nation together, Pearl Harbor, Challenger, and 9/11 as it has come to be known. But now 22 years on, many people not directly affected by the great loss of life or living in New York at the time may have forgotten the hours immediately after the first plane roared into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

The current president Joe Biden will skip today's ceremonies in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. It is his belief that it is time for our Nation to move on. He has said the same about Pearl Harbor in the past.

Certainly anyone over the age of 30 understands what happened that day, but still only a small number of Americans know what New York was like during the attack and in the first hours after.

CP was thankfully not in New York on September 11th having left the city two days prior. I watched the second plane impact the South Tower live on television. The rest of the day is a distant memory, except for the silence in the air that afternoon. Unknown to me one of my colleagues a fellow investment professional was at ground zero.

His story arrived 2 days later via fax at my office. The following images are of that fax that I've kept in my top desk drawer for the last 22 years. Today I'm sharing one man's story unedited (note you will have to click on each image to enlarge) someday maybe today I'll transcribe the letter, an effort I have once before attempted but found it to difficult to type the words:

Cedar's Take: I'm still stunned at what happened that crystal clear Carolina morning in September and while I lost no friends or family in the attack the pain is just as if I had. 

My grandfather a Navy vet never hated the Germans but he despised the "Japs". I never understood why until 9/11. It takes a pretty horrific event to make an entire group of people the most hated and despised of the world's population. Muslims have unfortunately accomplished just that.