Jerry Meek Responds to Les Merritt

Submitted by Betsy Muse on Wed, 09/12/2007 - 8:46am

Jerry Meek has responded to Leslie Merritt's whining letter to the editor printed in yesterday's Charlotte Observer.

Yeah. It's pretty much a slam. Jerry is young and he doesn't have kids, but this letter sounds like a parent's response to their whining child. That should be doubly embarrassing to Merritt.

In response to "Serving on bank board fits my job description" (Sept. 11 Forum):

State Auditor Les Merritt says taking a side job as director for a local bank will help him stay "connected to real people."

What is Mr. Merritt thinking? It's wrong to serve as a bank director when your office audits the state agency that regulates banks.

In 2005 it was wrong for him to run ads soliciting clients for his side business as a certified financial planner -- even offering coupons for a "1 Hour Free Consultation." And earlier this year it was wrong for him to announce he was starting yet another side business, providing retirement planning advice.

"Real people" think public officials shouldn't use their position for personal gain. And they think someone paid for a full-time job should work full-time.

Jerry Meek

Ouch. Apparently, Merritt isn't in touch with what "real people" expect when they pay him $120,000 to do a full-time job.

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Jerimee and Jerry

Submitted by Betsy Muse on Wed, 09/12/2007 - 8:52am.

have been all over this. It's kinda fun to beat this drum. Merritt's so stoopit the drum almost beats itself. :)

Heading out to walk with the women from the neighborhood. I'll be back in an hour or so. Our jaws get as much exercise as our legs. :)

Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.



***************************
Vote Democratic, the ass you save may be your own.

Merritt's desire to serve on that board

Submitted by Linda on Wed, 09/12/2007 - 9:04am.

tells me he's worried about his job security, and is busy "networking" to build up his contacts for post-election position.

I'm not sure this meets actual "conflict of interest" standards, but it sure is a questionable relationship. I'm not sure it shows terrific judgment on the part of the bank.

While Merritt is not benefiting personally from his relationship with this bank at this time, he is certainly putting the bank at risk for questions about its relationship with the regulatory agency. I think I'd want my money in a bank that I was assured was independently audited by a non-interested party.

Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi

There might not be monetary benefits at this time

Submitted by Betsy Muse on Wed, 09/12/2007 - 10:41am.

but Merritt is benefitting from his position.

Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.



***************************
Vote Democratic, the ass you save may be your own.

How was the walk?

Submitted by Robert P. on Wed, 09/12/2007 - 11:48am.

One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me

Excellent! Thanks for asking.

Submitted by Betsy Muse on Wed, 09/12/2007 - 1:34pm.

Our little route is 3.25 miles and we've walked it 8 straight days, now. We even have a rain contingency plan - pilates in the home gym. We like the walking b/c we like the talking. :)


Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.



***************************
Vote Democratic, the ass you save may be your own.

How much Wood?

Submitted by James on Wed, 09/12/2007 - 11:54am.

Looks like Leslie is going to take a beating from a real woman.

Beth Wood is running for the Democratic nomination for state auditor. The Raleigh accountant announced her candidacy in an e-mail today, although she's been unofficially running since chatting with party activists at the Sanford-Hunt dinner in late August.

Wood cites her 15 years with the state auditor's office, her work as an accountant for the state treasurer's office and her teaching with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She also took a subtle dig at Auditor Les Merritt, who has been criticized by some Democrats for side work.

"I'm going to be the people's full-time financial watchdog," she told Dome. "I just believe that the office could do a better job than what we've been doing."

Do good. Be nice. Have fun.