Cabarrus Cheap Seats

Here’s the deal. Harold would never say what he said - out loud - about fellow male. Men, in business, pretty much assume that other men, especially those that look like them are professional, competent, and qualified. Women, on the other hand, have to prove themselves. It’s plainly obvious from Harold’s post that anyone lacking a Y chromosome (which would make them male, for those that failed Biology) is not fit for business, unless they “prove” otherwise to him.

The Juba Resume

Now that we all realize that Joni Juba qualifications are in question. That her background, according to Harold, was in nursing - prior to joining Juba Aluminum 11 years ago. A commenter to an earlier Politics in an Odd-Numbered Year post mentioned that she was a bank teller.
But what claim does Juba Aluminum make about their CEO’s construction experience?

Joni Juba is responsible for the overall operation of Juba Aluminum Products, including overseeing all of the company’s management and policies. Together with company president John Juba, she is actively involved in decisions that affect the daily operation of the corporation as well as in designing the future direction of the business as it relates to the construction industry. Juba has more than 10 years of experience in complex administrative and business management activities including 10 years of experience in the financial and banking industry.

Even Juba Aluminum states that she’s not drawing up the plans at the job site. However, something else is going on here.

I have my own theory. Why would someone lead, not just a double-life - as Harold claims; but a triple life? Why would someone got to such pains to cover-up their real identity? What type of person would take on such an active public life - yet their professional life is an untraceable web? There’s only one person, one figure, that could possess such a duality as to crave anonymity - yet still have a hunger for the spotlight…and that person is:

LUGNUT!!! Yes, you heard it here first…Joni Juba is Lugnut. Lugnut - that lovable mascot from the Speedway. Think about it. She’s about the right height to be a mascot. She’s in pretty good shape. She’s up there at the BOC meetings, in the spotlight - yet, she doesn’t talk near as much as any of the other commissioners. Obviously, mascot material. Yes, Mrs. Juba - some may call you “Joni”, some may say it “Johnny”, some may even call you “Commissioner Juba”…but to me, as I’m on to your clever ruse, I shall call you “Commissioner Lugnut”

The World News of Cabarrus County

Now, y’all might remember last week that I broke from my role as detached-observer blogger and became obnoxious, “open letter” writer guy (proving that for an instant, this humble county has room for more than one of those). I confronted Mr. Smith on his claims that he’s made about Lugnut…here was his response: “Stay tune for more updates”

After reading his last post this week, I shudder to think what would have happened had I had stayed “tuned“

September 8, 2005: Alert #12: JubaÂ?s Admitted “Conflict of Interest”
“The Juba Scandal” - The Cover-up????
Commissioner Juba, “Is it true that you met with all the employees of Juba Aluminum Products and told the employees to keep their mouths shut?” “Did you tell Juba employee that the FBI, SBI and the Sheriff Department was investigating leaks from your office?”
When will Commissioner Carpenter realize that the Juba Scandal is not going away until the Board takes corrective action?
Did you read the Charlotte Observer Wednesday? Governor Easley has called for an investigation of Transportation Board member Larry Helms for “Conflict of Interest” violations.
“Leaders of First Baptist Church Indian Trail, Department of Transportation staffers, Union sheriff’s deputies and Helms met at the church in mid-August to discuss the impact of widening Indian Trail Fairview Road, which runs next to the church.”
“At issue is Helms’ role in the meeting because he’s also a member of the church, said Ashley Memory, public information officer for Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett.”
“Seven years ago, the state reformed the board after the Observer and other newspapers detailed how Transportation Board members had pushed and voted on rbenefitedts that potentially benefitted their businesses or relatives.”
Newspapers, “Do your job. Serve the citizens. Expose the “Juba Scandal.” Harold Smith

Officials are commonly involved in “conflict of interest” scandals. Patronage is a by-product of democracy. There are laws to do away with it; but people sometimes, well, break those laws. Very often, they get caught. The papers get a hold of the evidence and report it. Harold Smith has yet to get a hold of any evidence even suggestion of a Conflict of interest” on CommissionerLugnut’s part. But he not making it all up. He’s got something better than evidence - he’s got rumors. Yes, Harold Smith’s site is the Cabarrus Tabloid - The World News of Cabarrus County.

He states that Juba Aluminum is under investigation by county, state, and federal officials about “leaks” from her office. Think about that for a moment. If something is leaked, than that means that Juba Aluminum or Commissioner Lugnut should be hiding something under law. If Juba Aluminum as an organization would be possessing secrets that were fundamental to national security (why else would the FBI be there) or had leaked something else that would cause the Sheriff to show up - it would only be prudent to “plug the leak” and keep employees quiet.

I, myself, am bound by several confidentiality agreements with my employer, clients, suppliers, etc. (No, I won’t tell you who, Silly). So, if Juba Aluminum possesses secrets it is only prudent that they should keep them away from people and to instruct employees to be quiet. If they “leak” said secrets - then they would be in trouble.

However, it is singularly impossible for Juba Aluminum to have simultaneously “leaked” something and not fully-disclose an alleged conflict of interest and commit a mythical violation of Open Meetings Law.

Here’s what’s probably going on. Harold and his friends have a perceived injustice to correct. They don’t like the fact that their candidate (Richard Suggs) lost in 2004 to a woman. They don’t like the fact that she’s more popular than their standard-bearers. In addition, I’m sure Juba Aluminum has unhappy employees - like any company. So, these two hungers for vengeance meet, political opportunity is born. However, the only thing that bear fruit from political opportunity are facts. Yes, if only they had facts would the unholy union of employee dissatisfaction and political humiliation could be fully completed. However, when the facts aren’t present, all that will be formed are rumors. While rumors can masquerade as facts, they get settled out sooner or later.

Look, there’s a possibility that Juba Aluminum is up to no good. There’s a possibility that YOU are up to no good (yes, you, I’m looking at you). Sometimes, there are those of us who are up to no good. However, in a civilized society, you can’t get up and merely suspect something and craft an accusation from it. It takes facts. Something that Harold Smith and his ilk have yet to turn up.