Charlotte, NC

Okay, I guess none of us were surprised, really, with the results of yesterday’s election. The main thing to do now, though, is to take those results and make a better future for the QC area.

I’ve heard a lotta folks say that Pat McCrory should’ve stepped down; that he’s (as one person near Archdale Rd. put it) “overkilling” the mayorship. But when ya look at the facts, you’ll see that C-Town has experienced a greater and more beneficial growth during his terms than at any other given time! Taking him outta the race would’ve been like taking the star quarterback from the Panthers simply because he’s been played too much. Glad he made it back in (but, by the same token, props to his opponent for putting up a great fight).

And kudos to the people of Charlotte for voting “yes” on the all-important school bond. There are thousands of youngsters who, one day, will thank you for it … Of course, the transportation tax-repeal was nixed … and (forgive me, Martha Stewart) that’s a good thing. Y’see, it’s needed if we’re gonna continue updating the CATS (including the light-rail) system.

Of course, I’m not close to being surprised at Pineville’s elite (Mayor George Fowler, Councilfolk Libby Boatright, Les Gladden, David Phillips and Jim Eschert) making it to their respective offices. Having known these for most of my life (and watching David and Les grow up), I can tell you that Pineville’s in goooooooood hands!!

Noticed that Richard Stilwell, Jr., didn’t get the mayoral seat in Cornelius. I wonder if it’s the same one I worked with in ‘71? If so, the dude is definitely smart enough to give it another try in the next election …

But next year’s big vote is what everybody’s talkin’ about now. With Giuliani now getting an ally out of 700 Club televangelist Pat Robertson, folks around here say he’s just “shot himself in the foot.” And the “Hillbillary” campaign mix may just send the other Dem front-runner “Barack” to Congressional status. John Edwards would still make an extremely competent and confident Prez. But they’re all hoping they can get through the campaign without Gore.

A coupla other things (see? Toldja!): Word from the street is that those three people arrested for the prostitution ring are getting some serious come-uppance from our local gendarmes! Personally, I’m waitin’ until the jury’s decided, but … if it’s true, one of them better think back to November, ‘64, when that person told me how I’d “never amount to anything” because I was from Pineville, while that person was “going to be rich and famous someday”. I wonder … is this the way you got your wish??

Also, word on the street is that “Dog” Chapman should have a chance to clear his name without takin’ his show off-the-road (or off-the-air, anyway). Still, we’ve gotta remember that the N-word is one of hate. Our thoughts and feelings about anyone should be based on their actions … not their skin color.

Only one of those things can be changed.

Now … the partying’s over until this time next year. It’s time to see how this is all gonna work out for us. ‘Til then, I’m goin’ back to bed …