jim black

Jim Morrill at the Charlotte Observer has the story:

Former Republican Gov. Jim Martin plans to be among those asking federal officials to move former Democratic House Speaker Jim Black to a prison closer to home or commute his sentence altogether.

What do you think?

Since Jim Black checked into an extended-stay facility in Lewisburg, PA the metaphors surrounding Joe Sinsheimer have been flying thick and thin. Guest number 50655-056 at the USP Lewisburg probably has a few choice metaphors of his own given that he once called a reporter "A sorry sack of s**t", a metaphor that was not forgotten by the NC Capital Press Corps.

Under the Dome wrote a piece called A new sheriff in town? noting that

Gary Pearce and Carter Wrenn agree that Joe Sinsheimer has become a force to be reckoned with in Raleigh.

Pearce called him Joe Sledgehammer saying that:

He’s honest. He’s not beholden to anybody. And he’s a hell of a good political researcher. He knows how to get information, and he gets it right.

Stronger ethics laws are great. But what North Carolina really needs to clean up politics may just be more Sledgehammers.

The Insider is reporting that prosecutors say the mystery donor who loaned Jim Black $500,000 was Don Beason.
AP

Char-O

Dome, Binker

From the site, a partial list of clients:

Statement from Bob Hall, executive director of Democracy North Carolina, regarding the sentencing of former House Speaker Jim Black:

The ugly story of former Speaker Jim Black's abuse of power is not yet finished. New evidence of possible corruption involving a high-powered lobbyist linked to the video-poker industry demands the immediate and full attention of state and federal prosecutors.

From the beginning, Democracy North Carolina has pushed to hold the donors of illegal money accountable, not just the politicians. Now, with the revelation of a $500,000 "loan" from a video-poker lobbyist, we have come full circle from our original complaint in June 2004 alleging a conspiracy by the video-poker industry to funnel illegal donations into Jim Black's

Federal Judge James Dever removes himself from Jim Black's sentencing
     N & O | C O

Wilmington Journal has strong words:
     Open Letter to the NC Black Legislative Caucus

Charter School 100 cap should remain according to NC Center for Public Policy Research:
     AP @ CO | WLOS | NBC17

Charter schools performed about the same or slightly worse than traditional schools

UPDATE: Read the full report from NCPPR

The Charlotte Observer has this little blurb.

Tricia is an assistant principal at East Mecklenburg High School. More later.

Update I:

Here's a bit that will clue you in to her personality[Sorry, forgot to link to the CO for the quote]:

In their sole joint appearance, the four Charlotte Democrats vying to replace former N.C. House Speaker Jim Black agreed on most things at a Monday night forum. They would all try to revitalize east Charlotte, stop gang violence and get more state money for schools and courts.

So they sought to differentiate themselves in other ways.

"Your vote should be based on experience living in and knowing the district," said Lloyd Scher, a former Mecklenburg County commissioner. He was alluding to rival Tricia Cotham, who just got a home in the district last week.