Though I’m new to actually commenting and contributing to this blog, I’ve been reading it on and off for a couple of months now, and I’m noticing that I’m probably the youngest reader by at least 10 years. That isn’t surprising to me, and shouldn’t be to anyone else, because conventional wisdom would suggest people my age (21), don’t understand, or care to understand local politics. This is a problem, as we’re going to be the next ones in line to deal with some of the same problems that our leaders are currently presented with.
But why the apathy? For one, talks about rezoning, the rising costs of healthcare, and the prescription drug discount card aren’t exactly subjects we feel we need to pay attention to. Candidates running for elected office tend to focus on issues geared at the older population, and why shouldn’t they when older people vote, while us college kids stay at home and play video games?
Cabarrus County is faced with serious issues that will have a great impact on my generation, and these should be addressed, and hopefully people my age will take note. In my lifetime alone, we’ve lost Cannon Mill, we’re losing Philip Morris, and countless other businesses that were central to our local economy. We’re spending Millions of dollars fixing a screw-up with Bruton Smith, and also loaning Kannapolis millions of dollars for the research campus.
These events mean that I will have a different experience of Concord than that of my grandparents, and even my parents. This election will start to pave the way of what road we’re going to go down, and I believe it is very important to foster the growth, and educate us 20-somethings on what the Cabarrus economy should, and will, look like in the years to come.
Due to being away at school for the past 3 years, I only personally know Liz Poole, of the candidates running for election this year. While speaking with her, I always feel assured that my concerns are not just those of a college student with no job, but the concerns of a young resident worried about the path that our local economy seems to be leading.
However, I’d like to open the question to anyone (candidate, or outside observer with an opinion). How does the election of 2008 effect the younger generation? What should be done to insure that jobs will be around for us in 10 or 20 years? How can we strengthen our economy, foster growth, but still maintain the feel of good ol’ Cabarrus County that we all know and love?
Though we may not be as vocal, the younger crowd is here, and we’ll pay attention if someone will talk to us.
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17 responses so far ↓
1 Aaron // Apr 15, 2008 at 7:48 am
Great post! You’ll do well here and wherever else you decide to ask these questions.
I’m sure Justin can point you to his well researched articles concerning the Cabarrus Youth Tax and the NCRC debates.
As for my own opinions, nothing matters more than the balance we achieve between growth and services. I’m with you in the idea that most of the candidates spend more time courting the seasoned citizens but it’s your generation that will bear the brunt of the negligence to make accomadations for the growth we continue to experience. When I was 16 it took me 25 minutes to get to uptown Charlotte Via I-85/I-77. It takes double that time now. It’s easy to imagine what that will be in 12 more years unless some major changes at all levels take place.
But again, you’re right, it’s hard to get the “teeny-boppers” away from Grand Theft Auto long enough to realize that the real world is changing and those that do usually take their voting advice from the Daily Show or “Rock the Vote.”
It’s up to folks like you to get it started in the right direction as I’m already getting to that age where the music is too loud and therefore, I’m too old…
2 Brad Spry // Apr 15, 2008 at 9:06 am
>>>How does the election of 2008 effect the younger generation?
On a local level, Kannapolis is the epicenter of North Carolina’s reinvention of itself. The transition from tobacco and textiles to biotechnology will be costly, just ask Murdock. Local government has done an excellent job laying the foundation, but their work has just begun. There will be more, more, more, deals to be struck, to attract businesses, academia and researchers. These are high risk endeavors as well, nobody should assume success, even with the very best equipment and people, but I am ever hopeful and cheering them on! Education will be job #1. You can already see Kannapolis City Schools and RCCC reinventing themselves to meet this challenge. Imagine the NCRC as a baby, which local, state and even federal governments must raise from cradle to grave. I can easily see 100 years out. My confidence is high. This is your mission, if you choose to accept it.
3 Justin Thibault // Apr 15, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Brad -
I couldn’t disagree more strongly.
The opportunity that this community is given is that our destiny isn’t in the hands of a quasi-feudal arrangement with a big company tied in with the local government. The TIF money for the NCRC is going to solid government projects (sewer, parking, roads, etc.). The government should do what it’s supposed to and well; and encourage innovation.
And the number one way it can encourage that innovation is getting out of the way.
4 Brad Spry // Apr 15, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Justin, I guess you’re missing the whole publicly-funded research aspect of the project. I’ll cut to the punchline: technology transfer. Public universities patent the novel works of their faculty (and staff) then license the patents to the private-sector. Universities also start their own businesses, which are often lead by the faculty (and graduate students) who originated the research.
I ask you, who is the ultimate beneficiary of this activity?
5 liz poole // Apr 15, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Not all Republicans make me want to stand up and cheer but Caleb Seamone makes me proud to be a Republican. He is our future because unlike some, he won’t be standing on the sidelines; he’ll be making the headlines. I gave Caleb a shoutout during my closing comments during the Chamber’s forum. He is an inspiration and one of the reasons that I am running for Cabarrus County Commissioner.
6 Justin Thibault // Apr 15, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Brad - I’ll grant the point that there will be some technology transfer from universities; but it’s important that this doesn’t get perceived as some giant, govco venture. Most “technology transfer” comes from within the private sector. I know - I live it every day.
One of the issues that was brought up during in the SWOT analysis - Page 4:
This type of network does not come from an educational bureacracy - it comes from business leaders. I know what that would look like (successful local business leaders recruiting talent and capital in, around, and about the NCRC); and getting it started might take some gladhanding by the local officials; but it’s not something that requires major expenditures.
It looks like the NCRC is well on its way to becoming a magnet for private-sector innovation. Limiting government involvement will keep the odds better that will be sustained in the future.
7 Justin Thibault // Apr 15, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Liz - Yes, Caleb has already made a headline. Scroll up to the top of this screen.
8 MarkMartin // Apr 16, 2008 at 10:24 am
Liz - What are some of the other reasons why you are running? What plans do you have for Cabarrus County?
Also:
“I gave Caleb a shoutout during my closing comments during the Chamber’s forum. He is an inspiration and one of the reasons that I am running for Cabarrus County Commissioner.”
Do you use ’shoutout’ in your daily vocabulary or was this your attempt at reaching out to the ‘Next Generation’? When I read your comment, I had flashbacks of Bill Clinton playing sax on TV.
Anyway, please tell us more about your plans, ideas, etc… One of my votes is already secured for Bob Carruth, but I have not decided on how to use the 2nd vote.
9 Caleb Seamone // Apr 16, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I don’t think you can look at liz differently for saying “shoutout”, when I was subjected to a “ROTFLMAO” in the post about prospect theory.
10 Caleb Seamone // Apr 16, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Also, the candidate’s forum online is very informative. As Justin said, You might as well watch it, because you’ve already paid for it. Its about an hour and a half, but its worth the watch. Growth, tax incentives, roads, education, and a lot of other topics are covered. In my opinion, Bob and Liz definitely had the best responses to most of the questions.
11 Justin Thibault // Apr 16, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Caleb - I think that Steve is making the point that while that was not the first time that I’ve used “ROTFLMAO” or “LOL” that he’s skeptical that Liz uses “shout out” every day.
I dunno. Liz is full of surprises.
12 Megan Poole // Apr 16, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Mark - No, she does not use “shout out” in her every day vocabulary. That is what she gets from living with myself (21 years old) and my brother (19).
She already has a lot of the Next Generation that looks up to her. I think with her involvement with the school system and caring for so many kids, that the next generation looks up to her greatly. She says that we inspired her to run for county commissioner, but I think it goes both ways. She is a wonderful role model, leader and inspiration for me every day.
Who knows, maybe one day it’ll be Caleb and I running for a local office together. And you all will be the older generations voting for us.
13 Steve Smith // Apr 16, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Steve didn’t say that about Liz but it does sound like pandering to a generation. I just don’t know which one. LOL
Caleb
Were you listening to the same forum that I saw???? All I heard was schools, schools, schools.
I need to hear more about the other 50% of the County Business….
14 Caleb Seamone // Apr 16, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Steve
It had to be the same one, haha.
A lot of the questions were about schools, but there were also questions on tax incentives, philip morris, growth via attracting new business or from within, roads, etc. I guess the moderator felt that if they addressed everything, they’d be there for 4 hours at least.
15 Brad Spry // Apr 16, 2008 at 8:54 pm
n, pandering 2 a gnr8n wud L%k somTIN lIk a txt msg.
16 MarkMartin // Apr 17, 2008 at 9:48 am
Caleb - I didn’t say I was looking at Liz differently, in fact, I was pointing out tactics used by politicians everyday to win votes. So she is not different, she is the norm.
Megan - I understand your viewpoint and your comments:
“She already has a lot of the Next Generation that looks up to her. I think with her involvement with the school system and caring for so many kids, that the next generation looks up to her greatly. ”
Perhaps the same could be said about Holly Blackwelder. She is also on the school board and has been very involved with education. One would have to assume that because of her work on the school board that she too cares for so many kids.
I am happy that you consider her your inspiration and role model (she should be). This world would be better if we had more parents who recognize how important it is to be role models and inspirations to their kids. I mean, come on, read the Bible. God commands parents to do so.
I am not going to cast my 2nd vote based on someone saying “I am on the school board, vote for me.” There is a bigger picture.
17 Cabarrus Cheap Seats // Apr 20, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Cabarrus County Commissioner Candidate: Joy Lane…
A Joy Lane supporter paid us a visit on Caleb’s young voter thread and I’m moving some of the comments over here. While Joy herself has left us a comment on a question from the 2006 election - we haven’t seen a lot of her. She doe…
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