newsobserver.com projects - Basnight supports fundraiser for DOT head - Comments

Re: Basnight supports fundraiser for DOT head

Notsurewhere_NC — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:58:04 -0500

We will find out very soon that it's possible to build a LOOP around Wilmington

Bev, Do what your Father says!!!!

concerned53 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:09:43 -0500

Maybe a freudian slip, but bniolet was accurate when Basnight "told" Beverly that she should pick Wilson as Transportation Secretary. Not only did Basnight groom Beverly over the years but how much did he and Rand contribute (thru the state democratic party) to her campaign in the closing weeks?

Given what is now happening in Fayetteville, expect the same status quo from Beverly.

Heck, she hasn't even started paying back the Cherokee Indians, Unions, other DOT members, Highway Patrol, etc. for their huge contributions to her campaign.

How about choosing someone who is professionally qualified?

Real_Americans_Think — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:31:50 -0500

I know this is a radical idea, but how about choosing someone who is actually an expert in transportation, and not just a political hack, to run the NCDOT. Wouldn't that be a nice change? NCDOT is way too political as it is, regardless of who is in office.

Re: Basnight supports fundraiser for DOT head

GrayJ — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:39:52 -0500

"She never did listen to me"

Who took down this quote? How big was the grin on his face? I know he could not possibly say this with a straight face.

Re: Basnight supports fundraiser for DOT head

FFC1304 — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:29:40 -0500

MORE CORRUPTION WITHOUT INTERRUPTION! Status Quo Bev!

Re: Basnight supports fundraiser for DOT head

billybo — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:42:30 -0500

Marc contiues to DICATE, Wilson will be appointed. N@O why is the crook Louis Sewell's name still on this bridge in Jacksonville?

Re: Basnight supports fundraiser for DOT head

j1c2kp — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:48:39 -0500

How much money has Lanny Wilson and his family donated to political campaigns recently? It is always the same, the people that have the cash to give to politicians are the ones appointed to boards, etc. Look at the Campbell boys. Mac and McQueen, very wealthy oil and gas family, give very generously to campaigns, fly the governor for years on their private planes. Mac---Dept of Transportation, McQueen---Board of Trustees for University system.

Money = priviledge Money = favors Money - power

Not saying Lanny isn't qualified it just gets sad following the money all the time.

Basnight supports fundraiser for DOT head

bniolet — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:58:50 -0500

Senate leader Marc Basnight said he has told Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue that Transportation Board member Lanny Wilson would be a good pick for transportation secretary.

Wilson would be no stranger to Perdue. He is one of a handful of board members who were also fundraisers for her gubernatorial campaign. Two other transportation board members who raised money for Perdue resigned during the campaign. Thomas Betts pressured a city official to raise money for Perdue and Louis Sewell steered roadwork to commercial properties in Jacksonville that he or his son co-owned.

Perdue pledged to use executive orders to take much of the specific road-building decisions away from transportation board members, who are appointed by the governor.

Basnight said that Wilson's fundraising activities wouldn't raise any problems with him running the transportation department.

"I wish she would appoint him. I asked her to," Basnight told reporters Thursday. "I think Lanny would be outstanding.

"He never wants anything for himself. Never has. He's a fundraiser because he cares. And there's not a governor in this country that I'm aware of who will not appoint people who raise money for them," Basnight said. "I would not shy from it. Now she may well do that. She never did listen to me."

Efforts to reach Wilson Thursday afternoon failed. A message to a Perdue spokesman was not immediately returned.

More reasons for Basnight's support and why he wouldn't change the board after the jump.