Former Democratic Congressman Bob Etheridge will take office today as director of the state Office of Economic Recovery and Investment, overseeing the spending of federal stimulus money.
Etheridge replaces Dempsey Benton, who had earlier stepped down after leading the office for more than a year and half.
Etheridge, 69, was defeated for re-election in November by Republican Renee Ellmers. He is a former superintendent of public of public instruction and a former legislator.
“As former congressman, Bob Etheridge knows how important it is to continue to create jobs and provide important services around the state,” Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue said in a statement.
“It is vitally important to continue to manage North Carolina Recovery funds responsibly and provide oversight as projects unfold, with an eye on the state's best use of recovery dollars in the coming months.”
The state has received more than $10.5 billion so far in federal stimulus money. Nearly 80 percent had been dispersed and the money will continue to flow through at least 2012.
UPDATE: Ethridge will earn $98,500 per year.
Comments
Bob
February 2, 2011 - 11:09am — julywestI think the act simply speaks for itself. I looked it up in the dictionary .. found it under Cronyism
cronyism [ˈkrəʊnɪˌɪzəm]
and the sad part
February 2, 2011 - 9:23am — esteban194980% of the stimulis money is already spent...so what is he gonna do ?? sit on the other 20%
I have been ringing the phones...and so far no one has bothered to call me back...yet. But I'm not gonna hold my breath!!
A good way to help balance
February 2, 2011 - 9:17am — esteban1949the budget by defunding the 98,000 plus dollars of Etheridge's salary...seeing he's getting a decent pension from us as it is...No double dipping !! but I'm just a tax payer what do i know ?/
Etheridge a job creator???
February 2, 2011 - 8:26am — iquickUNBELIEVABLE!!!.....we finally get Bob out of Washington and I'll be danged if the "Good Ole Boy" Club didn't come to his aid and give him a pie job in Raleigh. It seems that our politicians just don't get it. Bob was a "party" puppet and ignored the will of those he was supposed to be representing....he is NOT a job creator, but supported the 'health care' bill that is stifling growth.
However, I'm sure he won't have any problems doling out the $$$ to the special interest folks.
Disgusting!!!
Where are....
February 1, 2011 - 10:58pm — kirtlall the democrat supporters that can spin this into a positive. Surely there must be someone out there that agrees with this appointment and can tell the fine citizens of NC how this is a good thing for all of us. Why oh why would our Gov. do this if there wasn't a good side somewhere?
Suggestion for Bob
February 1, 2011 - 10:45pm — ViperRetHow about eliminating the "retirement" for Ex politicians who are given jobs after they are voted OUT of office. I guess this new job will prevent Bobby from drawing unemployment benefits.
He will try to "hang on" and keep his contacts....then will challenge Mrs. Ellmers in 2012.
If Egypt is ruled by the "Brotherhood", then Egypt will become Obama's "Iran" and we know what that did for Carter's second term.
Another LOSER Appointed
February 1, 2011 - 10:42pm — BAT_MANWell I see she has appointed another LOSER!!! First a judge that couldn't win and now this one. Well I like they say it comes in threes. Her, the judge and now this one.
The legislature needs to do something about this!!!
I cannot believe this!
February 1, 2011 - 10:09pm — clevelandbbqWhat's next Governor Perdue...Are you going to give John Edwards a job too? How many very valuable state employees will lose their jobs to supplement the appointments you are planning to make...I truly believe the North Carolina electorate sent your office a brand new mandate: No more business as usual! I am extremely disappointed in our Governor...AND of course, I am dismayed that Mr. Etheridge would consider staying in the limelight, considering the Left's terrible track record...
What's next????
February 1, 2011 - 10:00pm — clevelandbbqIt is now ultimately clear that the Governor is not listening to the people of North Carolina...What was she thinking??? This appointment simply says the Governor has nor remorse for the heart of the electorate...John Edwards must be waiting in the wings...Very Sad!
Are you freakin' kidding me!?!
February 1, 2011 - 9:17pm — tiara1972How can this kind of thing happen? Where is the real story about how these decisions are made and vetted? Please, please publicize this....I believe his first action in this new position should be to lay himself off and freeze the position. How many other really good state employees are in jeopardy this year, including teachers? Really?!?! I am confounded by this decision and now out of words.
perdue and etheridge
February 1, 2011 - 8:39pm — SweetsieBob Etheridge and his wife both have fed so long at the public trough that it is ridiculous. Both are drawing cushy retirement packages at our expense. Every private job he ever tried never worked out so after a much needed booting out of office this democrat hack is back at the public slop trough again. He didn't even take time to burp from his last decades long public slopping. Perdue has no sense and is part of the gang that put our state in financial peril. They all have to go and so do mushy RINO's.
Well, we kicked him out-
February 1, 2011 - 8:30pm — FireStormTypical Democrat politics. We kicked him out of the 2nd district seat, and darned if Bev didn't rehire him. The only good thing about it is he will be fired again in less than two years when we fire Bev!
where is the like button for these comments
February 1, 2011 - 8:23pm — j1c2kpThese comments are great, wish I could press the like button on them! Shame on dumpling.
This is just plain disgusting
February 1, 2011 - 8:07pm — nancyncIf there was ever a doubt about her inability to understand her constituents and the voters who want to see some restraint and stop the corruption of politics, this seals her fate.
She's pathetic, that's the kindest word I dare post.
This is a problem....
February 1, 2011 - 7:59pm — kirtlAren't we looking or ways to cut expenses at the state level? How does this expenditure help us run more efficiently?
Weeelllll. We're waiting!
Luv Our Guv
February 1, 2011 - 7:40pm — Rollo_TomasiGov. Bev Perdue called the decision fantastic news for North Carolina regardless of your political party. A national political convention is a keystone event that will boost North Carolina's economy, while the city would have to raise about $45 million to meet DNC requirements.
“As former congressman, Bob Etheridge knows how important it is to continue to create jobs and provide important services around the state,” Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue said in a statement
Her days are numbered...
I knew he couldn't find an honest job.
February 1, 2011 - 7:10pm — PlatowasrightBack on the public trought there Bobo, couldn't stay off could you.
Better start looking for another job now, we will replace your democrat governess in 2012.
69 and still taking federal money
February 1, 2011 - 6:42pm — PACK_MIKE77Where is the blogger that slammed the new Wake School Superintendnet for taking the salary offered by the WCPSS because he had such a fat pension from his days as General?
Etheridge is far worse, he is of retirement age and gets a fat pension from Congress. I am sure there is an uemployed professional out there that is fully qualified to hand out free money from the government.
How long will it take to get rid of the democrat slime in this state?
Bozo is back!
February 1, 2011 - 6:39pm — BourbonStWill Etheridge EVER go away?!!! The man was a disaster when he was over the N. C. Department of Education, and he fared little better in the U. S. House. I'd not trust him as far I could throw him, but apparently he has fooled someone, probably Perdue. Neither of them could find their way out of a wet paper bag! North Carolina has already demonstrated that it doesn't have a clue as to how to wisely spend federal "stimulus" money. And, we think we're in trouble now, just wait a few months 'til Etheridge has put North Carolina further in hock to the feds. LOL Etheridge is "earning" $98,500? He couldn't :"earn" $15,000 annually working fulltime in McDonalds; he'd be booted his first week on the job.
Wow!
February 1, 2011 - 6:29pm — InspectorPittI cannot believe Gov. Perdue did this.
I hope this solidifies her one-term Governorship.
Snakes
February 1, 2011 - 6:02pm — Joseph_de_MaistreThere is reason why people take care of snakes in the way that they do when they want to be rid of them and be sure that they won't be bothered again.
W H O decided this???
February 1, 2011 - 6:00pm — BitterEXdemocratWHO made this decision?
Good ole democrackkk boys at work again
February 1, 2011 - 5:57pm — BitterEXdemocratthey are hard to get rid of ...
this is an outrage.
Another Democrat politics as usual deal!
February 1, 2011 - 5:47pm — night_hunterAnd exactly what accounting qualifications does this man have? Not to mention what happened to the State hiring freeze?
Not only am I going to vote Republican in the next election, I'm going to vote with my dollars, too, by purchasing out of state.
ENOUGH BOB
February 1, 2011 - 5:09pm — sicsempertyrannisCan this guy not hold down a real job does he have to get paid out of my taxes, I thought the message in Novemebr was clear, he is not wanted in the public domain. Bob get your hands off of my tax dollars.
Who, who are you
February 1, 2011 - 9:04pm — Notsurewhere_NC3.7 billion dollar hole in the Banana Republic of NC's budget, plenty of opportuntiy to set an example of fiscal responsibility, and what does Dumplin do? Goes out and hires another ousted democrack into a hacks and cronies position vacated by yet another hack/cronny that no one ever know what he did in the position or worse yet, know he even left. The recycling of washed up dems continues. In case no has told the governor yet, there are NO MORE Obie stimuli monies. The Fed is BROKE the banana republic is BROKE, and now we have a broken down washed up politician supposedly managing the remaining 20% of the Obie bribery funds for the next couple of years. What a unbelieveable JOKE.
When two of you upcoming laid off 50k per year teachers hit the streets, think of your education gooberner, and let her know you understand. You know its about the kids, you know the kids.
2012 cannot get here fast enough.
Who are you? Just more
February 1, 2011 - 4:46pm — PhantomLordWho are you?
Just more cronyism in the democrat machine here in NC.
How Many Checks Does THIS Make?
February 1, 2011 - 4:19pm — MissVLet's see: SS check, State of NC retirement check, Congress retirement check, now a State of NC paycheck, free Medicare...how much must a retired politician take home to insure s/he isn't bagging groceries like other seniors?
Jobs for the boys!
February 1, 2011 - 3:58pm — The_Nags_HeadI'm glad to note that the update to the story contains his salary. Hey, almost a hundred grand a year to do . . . what, exactly? And how about that staff and the office and probably the state car he'll need in performance of these unspecified duties - let's be charitable and add another hundred grand a year for all that.
Now I'm sorry I had my kids take college courses that would get them real jobs in the real world. I should have told them just to join the NC Democratic Party and they would have well-paid, cushy jobs for life - no work or career aspirations needed.
retreads ....
February 1, 2011 - 3:56pm — AgentPierceIf it isn't Dems hiring out-of-work Dem politicians, its Dems hiring "laid-off" N&O reporters as their "communication directors". Like recycled NBA coaches these galoots never really go away.
Etheridge
February 1, 2011 - 3:54pm — hh0314Perhaps his first act could be to discontinue wasting the roughly half million dolars they spend on the road signs telling us about the economic stimulus. Of coarse if you make signs, I guess the stimulus works for you............
A perfect job for marble mouth!
February 1, 2011 - 3:54pm — TheLibertineSpending other people's money!
Amazing
February 1, 2011 - 3:50pm — paidanywayVoted out of office by constituents and put back in to handle the money flowing in from the Feds. Guess the majority of those in his district were either misguided, uniformed, or just didn't understand what a treasure he really is when it comes to making everything all better..........."Who Are You?"
Who are you???
February 1, 2011 - 3:48pm — Fedup09Who better to spend our tax money? Wasn't that why we voted him out of office?
Jobs Program
February 1, 2011 - 3:46pm — PackMan97...for unemployed Democratic Politicians. Leave no democrat behind.
What a horrible move here. Ethridge was fired for because Democrats have had control of the US House since 2006 and he did nothing to stop this mess from happening, he has done nothing to fix and in fact the bills he's helped passed the past two years are responsible for making the problem worse.
Way to go Bev!
Really???
February 1, 2011 - 3:28pm — jap1212Etheridge voted for and followed policies that were job killers.........now he gets this job? God help us.