newsobserver.com projects - Jeanne Bonds - Comments

Re: Dems consider Coleman's replacement

brg78days — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:35:50 -0500

Donald Mial and James Roberson are state employees so the employment factor presents itself. Jackson, Bonds and Brown do not have that issue.

Re: Dems consider Coleman's replacement

brg78days — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:34:10 -0500

When I assess the demographics of the district, I think the obvious choices are Lindy Brown or Jeanne Bonds. There is a majority women. James Roberson was just elected to a town council and has not track record. Bonds and Brown have been elected and have track records to look to. Bonds' resume shows a lot of statewide involvement and Brown has county wide involvement. I heard Republicans say they would support Bonds. I think these two women could raise the money. Sorry guys, but there will be a battle for this seat and you have to go with the women and the money. I hope the committee is going to let these folks speak and add some objectivity to it.

Re: Coleman's successor in House

DonnaM52 — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:04:33 -0500

I agree. Doris Weaver needs to call all of these folks. Mayor Bonds name is being floated by high ranking Democrats. She can win this district and she is hearing from the people. We need to hear from all of them before decisions are made. We need to pick the person who can win this seat. She has spent her life working statewide and knows the state well which helps our district since she comes in with a track record, and years of experience with the legislature.

Re: Dems consider Coleman's replacement

DonnaM52 — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:56:44 -0500

Mayor Jeanne Milliken Bonds won her elections as the top vote getter each time. She is a proven record of success and she gets things done. We have good, planned development because of her leadership in Knightdale. In the words of the current Mayor Pro Tem "she put Knightdale on the map." Literally. She got maps out there showing our little town when we were 1500 with big plans. Parks, roads, she did it all and has a record. I think she helped Donald and Darren and they are great guys. But she can win and they may not be able to against a tough Republican. She is a proven fundraiser. Several high ranking democrats have been working to convince her to do it along with those of us who supported her previously. She has been asked to do it before and we are working to convince her to go for it.

Re: Dems consider Coleman's replacement

lorrinda — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:42:12 -0500

Who among us isn't looking for the "next step up?" It's our job to prepare for opportunity and be ready to say "yes" when opportunity knocks.

Re: Dems consider Coleman's replacement

tangoz — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:43:13 -0500

How about her Republican opponent Duane Cutlip? He actually ran against her with the desire to represent the people of State House 39. If Linda Coleman had any inkling about serving our next Governor, why did she run? Was Linda just looking for that next step up?

Re: Coleman's successor in House

mbrock49 — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:56:33 -0500

As to a meeting of all contenders, I agree. I got the names of those listed from party officials. As I said, I do not live in that District.

I think we can count on Doris Weaver, Party Chair, to be fair in this selection process.

Re: Coleman's successor in House

DianeinKnightdale — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:02:21 -0500

Sam Brewer ran in House 40 and does not live in House 39. I think it was Darren Jackson who ran previously and lost, not Daryl. James Roberson is brand new on the Knightdale Council and I have never heard of Daron Stroud.

Bonds served nine years in Knightdale, and eastern wake county is the bulk of this district.

I would hope the party is calling each person and asking them to appear at a meeting so we can see who will retain this seat in the future.

Re: Coleman's successor in House--other possible contenders

mbrock49 — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:22:28 -0500

While the Independent mentions only four possible contenders for the nomination by the Democrats in District 39, I have heard some others. I had not heard about Jeanne Bonds, but I did hear about Knightdale Town Council member James Roberson; Darryl Jackson, a former candidate for the seat; Daron Stroud; and Sam Brewer, a Garner attorney.

I don't live in the district and I am not supporting any candidate. Just thought everyone in the competition should get announced, and not just the few mentioned in the Independent article.

Re: Coleman's successor in House

DianeinKnightdale — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:45:55 -0500

Former Mayor Jeanne Bonds is the perfect pick. She was tagged in 1996 by the party to run for this seat but decided not to run. She did a great job for us in Knightdale and I was on her committee each time she ran for Council. She is solid, well spoken, smart and a relentless advocate for whoever or whatever she represents. This is a no brainer. She can fundraise, legislate and she works across party lines so well, she would possibly not have an opponent. We need to get her to do this. Our district needs common sense, smart and dedicated representation. Come on Mayor Jeanne Bonds - We need you!
The state employees in this district need you. You were one of us.

Re: Bonds out

southportsailor — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 15:57:32 -0400

Some of the employees at Progress Energy have verified the salary stuff. Apparently someone been braggin bout his money and apparently fired Progress Energy people end up at ElectriCities and then we all get screwed on our rates to pay for them. There needs to be an investigation of the CEO and his activities and behavior. The salary is out of bounds with NC government and my legislator told me he agreed. Bloggers statewide are on the issue and a new group TAEC is on the move. Looks like we finally got some momentum to get something done.

Re: Bonds out

taec24 — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 12:25:47 -0400

The CEO Jesse Tilton has an issue with women - two senior level women in 2003, 2007 and then a lawsuit in progress with another woman. Sounds like the $500,000 salary does not stop him from running up legal bills. Someone needs to put a stop to this. That is why we are forming Taxpayers Against ElectriCities and taking action.

Re: Bonds out

janef73 — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 17:08:53 -0400

ditto.

Re: Bonds

janef73 — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:56:07 -0400

I agree. I am part of a large group of ratepayers in electric cities in the eastern part of the state where we cannot afford the electric rates - sometimes our electric bills are more than rent. We are gathering information and finding reckless spending is directly relevant to the cost of electricity. The problem is the "middle man" Electricities which costs us in our electric bills. See Letter in Rocky Mount paper below.

The CEO makes $500,000 a year - more than the UNC and NCSU Chancellors and Erskine Bowles. This is inconceivable. City managers in very large cities make now where near this much. The CEO has run up astronomical legal fees -$500,000 + a year for who knows what. We have been told he has an issue with women, hence Alice Garland in 2003 and then Jeannie Bonds in 2007, both leaving. Good for them - it is 2007 and no one should have to put up with that junk in America.

The CEO gave huge raises to people there - some got 15 and 20% pay raises in one year and BONUSES. They should get what cities get - 4-5%. This is unheard of. And this is what makes the electric rates so high.

The issue is the CEO and a Board who hires someone like this and keeps them. The truth will come out.

Rocky Mount Telegram October 2, 2007
Letter: Utility bills force store to close

By Tina Burgess
Nashville

Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Elias' Butcher Shoppe is the greatest thing to happen to Rocky Mount in the last year.
I am now heartbroken the only butcher shop in town is moving away.
The reason: Rocky Mount utility prices are too much for the growing business to handle.
I live in Nashville, but I have heard the horror stories of astronomical light bills in Rocky Mount. I don't know how families struggle with these giant bills every month.
Why can't Progress Energy come in and provide utilities outright instead of Rocky Mount buying it from them?
Because someone is making money by taking advantage of the residents of Rocky Mount.
That's why.
Tina Burgess
Nashville

Re: Bonds out

alman — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 14:31:10 -0400

For FFC1304, check your facts. Estherine Davis is the ElectriCities staff who knew Jim Black and Meredith Norris and recommended Meredith Norris as a contract lobbyist. She was all over them for years.

For bvmoore, you are just upset because you were fired by ElectriCities. By the way Jessie Tilton, the CEO, demanded it.

For the News and Observer, get your facts. Alice Garland left ElectriCities in 2003 and Jeanne Bonds in 2007. They were both effective and both held the same position. Seems to me the problem is the CEO Jessie Tilton who I hear makes more money than the President of the UNC System at a whopping $500,000 a year and spends taxpayer money like there is no tomorrow. Seems ElectriCities CEO is the common denominator in two senior level women leaving.