newsobserver.com projects - Bill Ross - Comments

Re: Another name for Environment

WilmingtonDemocrat — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:20:24 -0500

Sandy Sands serves as a lobbyist for the American Petroleum Institute. Are you really serious about giving a lobbyist for big oil the job as the chief protector of the environment in the state?

PS, he also represents Blackwater, (the private security consultants in Iraq who are accused of falsely billing DOD for millions of dollars. He also represents Invista, the huge conglomerate owned by the Koch family, (the largest donors to the Republican Party in the country.)

Re: Another name for Environment

j1c2kp — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:05:12 -0500

Oh no not again, another name from the law firm that defends big business when faced with environmental pollution with their toxic tort litigation team. There has already been one name mentioned previously from that firm, can't they find someone who protects the environment not industry? Are there no qualified people within DENR that would be a good choice? Colleen Sullins perhaps?

Pull up Womble Carlyle and in the search bar type toxic.

Re: Garrou also up for Environment?

j1c2kp — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:12:27 -0500

What about Colleen Sullins if Bev is going to replace Ross? Seems like a pretty smart lady.

Re: Garrou also up for Environment?

j1c2kp — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:35:15 -0500

Wow I just looked at the list of lawyers for Womble and Carlyle. Massive. Can you imagine the connections going on there? Then there is the toxic tort legal team that defends companies when sued for environmental problems. Don't think that this would be the best choice for DENR chief.

Re: Garrou also up for Environment?

awbeal — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:48:19 -0500

Garrou has relevant experience -- he's not just "a lawyer for Womble Carlyle." He was also the co-chairman of the North Carolina Commission on Global Climate Change. And I'm not sure his wife being a senator is a conflict of interest. She could recuse herself from voting on his salary but other than that, I don't see where the conflict would necessarily arise.

Goose is to gander as innuendo is to (blank)

cornbread — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:34:36 -0500

"Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue will not necessarily make decisions on who to appoint to her Cabinet based on campaign donations, but that's not to say there's no link between the two."

How about....The N&O will not necessarily make decisions on how to write about elected officials based on their endorsment of their opponent, but that's not to say there's no link between the two.

$50 from someone's wife? Is this where we are?

Re: Garrou also up for Environment?

j1c2kp — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:56:04 -0500

If there is a God, please do not name a lawyer for Womble Carlyle and the husband of a senator (conflict of interest) to head of DENR....

Re: Hinton to step down Dec. 31

billybo — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 08:14:01 -0500

Reggie is resigning because someone has put a bug in his ear about not being retained.

Re: Who on Easley's Cabinet might stay?

woggie1 — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 07:59:46 -0500

Here we go again.Seems like Pat McCrory's ad about status quo Bev. was right on the mark!With problems in so many state agencies,why would she want to keep the same cast of characters?Health and Human Services has huge problems(poorly trained staff,etc.),and of course DOT(remember the survey that they tried to cover up the results from the media-the people at the top didn't like the findings(poor oversight of costs,poor inspection procedures-meaning contractors getting by with less than top quality work.)Come on Gov. elect,clean house and start over!!! Woggie1

Re: Who on Easley's Cabinet might stay?

FFC1304 — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:38:26 -0500

hopefully, Tippett will get a clue and scram.

Re: Names in the mix for Perdue's Cabinet?

FFC1304 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:44:01 -0500

if the people want it, we can deliver! its NEEDED NOW! 1 Senator for EVERY COUNTY in NC regardless of size!!!

Re: DOT appointment.

FFC1304 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:41:51 -0500

Soon there will be some really great exposition of corruption in the DOT, etc by the great Fern Shubert, who will continue in the role of de facto investigator in the absence of Les Merritt!

Fern Shubert should be our governor instead of Sugar Dumplin.

Re: Names in the mix for Perdue's Cabinet?

bellaparola — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:20:44 -0500

What about Valeria Lee? She is one of the second round of transition team leaders, and finished up at Golden Leaf earlier this year. Is she really retired, or would she like to wrap up her career as, say, Secretary of Administration? It wouldn't be too surprising if she was aiming for Commerce, either.

Re: N.C. Spin's names in the mix for Perdue

dahedgehog — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:14:15 -0500

"J.B. Buxton to remain advisor to the governor on education."

Buxton has been Deputy State Superintendent at DPI since January 2007.

DOT appointment.

SouthsideJohnny — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:39:15 -0500

The NCDOT is one of those organizations that has spun out of control. Too many people spending too much money for whatever results are generated. It definitely does not need another caretaker who will only perpetuate the joke that it is. A private organization with the budget of the NCDOT could pave the world.

Throw the NCDOT into the mix with the big Detroit three. Add water, simmer for 30 minutes, then dump in the fish tank.