Posts by Caleb Seamone:
Hayes “Top Gun” at Congressional Shooting Contest
May 15th, 2008 · 3 Comments
Our favorite Congressman Robin Hayes took the award of “Top Gun” at the annual Congressional Shoot-Out this year. I think this should make top campaign news across the district, but that might just be me. Who better to represent our district for two more years than a straight shooter on the issues, and with a rifle? Check the link to read the story, I thought it might be worth mentioning on here.
→ 3 CommentsTags: Robin Hayes
Gateway to Center City: Where’s the meat?
April 22nd, 2008 · 4 Comments
Over the past 5 years, the areas surrounding downtown Concord have changed drastically. Several of the neighborhoods seem to be deteriorating and becoming populated by the ever growing Hispanic community we have in the area. Anyone that has driven down Cabarrus avenue towards Old Charlotte Road and the 601 bypass in this time will notice the work that has been put in to making that strip look more pleasing to the eye. However, I fail to see the necessity of this public project. The planning website for the city states that it will “enhance the overall appearance and marketability of Cabarrus Avenue and will provide stimulation for an economically challenged area”. However, the only new businesses in the area seem to be small convenience stores, or are painted a weird lime green color.
I think there needs to be a little more substance to this predominately aesthetic plan. The area these streets lead to just aren’t exactly the best place to start a business. So what should we do? Do you think this was money well spent, or, should we take another approach? Personally, I would hope that a group of elected officials and public administrators could come up with a better plan for revitalization than a roundabout and some medians. What do you think? Is this plan worth our tax dollars, or is it back to the drawing board?
→ 4 CommentsTags: Concord
The Next Generation: We’re here, I promise.
April 15th, 2008 · 17 Comments
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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