Gaddifi Reported Killed

**edit** Video Obituary by Al Jazeera:

It looks like Qadaffy Duck has been captured or killed near Sirte, Libya after a convoy he was travelling in was attacked by a formation of NATO jets. If the reports are true, this is a good thing. I suppose it is now only a matter of time before the Islamists steal Libya for their own purposes.

Photo source: BBC
Better Photo: UK Guardian







Live Coverage via Al Jazeera




Links via the Drudge Report:

SHOUTED 'DON'T SHOOT!'
U.S. CAN'T CONFIRM...
NATO PLANES BOMBED?
AFP PIC EMERGES...
BURIAL AT SEA?
REUTERS LIVE...

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Buncombe County Commissioners October 18, 2011

**edit** The public comment portion of this meeting got out of hand by some unruly political activists. I thought it appropriate to pull that portion of the meeting together into a dedicated video:






Here is the video of the October 18, 2011 meeting of the Buncombe County Commissioners:




And here is the agenda with download links to agenda items (right click links and choose download)

The Board of Commissioner's Regular Meeting from October 18, 2011.

1. Call to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance


3. Invocation


4. Discussion/Adjustment/Approval to Follow Agenda


5. Good News
     a. WNC Regional Livestock Center Update [WEBSITE]


6. Public Hearing
    a. Amendment to Chapter 78 of the County Code, Zoning

• Power Point
• Planning Board Resolution
• Ordinance Amending Chapter 78
• Text Certification

7. New Business
    a. Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association Lease

Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association Lease Equipment list Slides Power Point

     b. Appeal of Building Inspector's Decision/Order of Condemnation to Remedy old CTS Building dated 9/21/2011 


THIS ITEM HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE NOVEMBER 1 MEETING

Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes of October 4, 2011 Regular Meeting
Grant Projects Ordinance
School Capital Commission Fund Project Ordinance
Resolution Approving Pyrotechnic Experts for Firework Displays Request
Resolution Authorizing the Chairman to Execute Quitclaim Deed Deed
Release Report

8. Announcements

The next meeting of the Board will be November 1, 2011 beginning at 4:30 p.m.

9. Public Comment


10. Adjournment

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Republican Presidential Candidates in Las Vegas

Here is the video from the latest forum featuring the candidates competing in the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary.




**edit**
CNN has disabled embedding of this debate. 
Click here to watch it on Youtube.

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Double Rainbow

Double rainbow at my house in Franklin, NC.

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Buncombe County Planning Board 10-17-2011

This is Gary, from the Buncombe County Bureau of Conservative Thunder, reporting on the Buncombe County Planning Board meeting that occurred earlier this morning.


Despite President Obama being in Asheville, there was business being conducted in the halls of government. The Buncombe County Planning Board met this morning and the video and agenda are below: 




Agenda for Buncombe County Planning Board
October 17, 2011
9:30 a.m.
30 Valley Street
Asheville, NC  


1. Call to Order


2. Approval of Agenda


3. Approval of Minutes   
    a. October 3, 2011


4. Discussion of Lighting Standards to be included in the Zoning Ordinance


5. Public Comment


6. Adjourn


 

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Occupy Sylva Videos

On Saturday, October 15, 2011, I traveled over eastward over the mountain to Sylva, NC to cover the Occupy Sylva protest that was held in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street protest in the financial district in New York City. I disagree with virtually every thing these people stand for and hearing them speak was like hearing people from a Bizarro Universe. Surely these people had not been raised to believe in the same things I had, nor read the same US Constitution that I had. I thought about taking my copy of the US Constitution out of my pocket and asking some of them to show me where there beliefs were supported in that document, but that was not why I was there. I was there simply to get these people on the record and to show what transpired at the Fountain in Sylva, NC on October, 15, 2011, so that is what I did and here are the videos I took (plus one from someone else who was an ally of the groups participating who was also there), presented without further interpretation by me:



Full video of the portion of the event where the speechifying took place.



A portion of the event where Representative Phil Haire spoke (I previously posted it, along with a commentary Saturday night). He is the elected representative of the 119th NC House District.




This is video of Occupy Sylva shot by a local person who has a website and a Blog talk Radio Show.


And here are some very short videos I shot before the protest began of participants giving the reasons why they were there:

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Phil Haire Speaks at Occupy Sylva

I went to Sylva, NC this morning to cover the Occupy Sylva protest and this is the first video. It is Representative Phil Haire's remarks to the participants of the protest.

I disagree with everything that Phil Haire says in the video and present his speech here in full in the interest of making people aware of where he stands on the issues he spoke of this morning in Sylva, and so you can make up your own mind if you agree with him or not.

I disagree with his advice to the people of Sylva to not do business with the Roses Store located in Jackson Plaza just because the owner of that business donates money to the Republican Party.

What if all Americans did business that way? What if Americans chose their mechanic, grocer, doctor, landscaper or Realtor based on their political ideology? What right does an elected official have to recommend this type of behavior?

Democrats are always trying to claim that Republicans are trying to create divisions between people. It seems to me that if this type of behavior were taken to heart by people...we would be creating two nations, a house divided against itself in economic warfare.

Imagine if this event had been a Tea Party and a state representative had advised participants not to do business with a certain  business because the owner of that business donated money to the Democratic Party. I think it is safe to say that there would be outrage over the incident.

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Republican Candidates Forum on Bloomberg TV

Here is the full video of the forum (I refuse to call these things debates) that aired on Bloomberg TV from the other night. 

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Macon County Commissioners 10-11-2011 Meeting

**11.10pm** Here is the audio of the marathon meeting we had tonight of the Macon County Commissioners. This audio is 3 hours, 19 minutes and 45 seconds long. 


Download MP3

The video will take a bit longer, and I will be splitting it into two parts.






The Macon County Commissioners will be meeting at 6pm tonight in the Commissioners Boardroom on the 3rd floor of the Macon County Courthouse. I will be there, recording video of the meeting and tweeting the proceedings. You may follow along on your favorite twitter client using the hashtag #MaconGov or on the twitter widget below the meeting agenda. If you wish to communicate with me during the meeting, please send them to my @WPIG account.


I will upload the audio of the meeting tonight and (if the meeting doesn't turn into a 3 hour marathon) video of the entire meeting on this blog entry by 6pm tomorrow.

AGENDA

1. Call to order and welcome by Chairman McClellan

2. Announcements – Recognition of Finance Department for Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

3. Invocation

4. Pledge of Allegiance

5. Public Hearing(s) – North Carolina Department of Transportation Secondary Roads Construction Program

NOTE: Consideration of program approval will immediately follow the public meeting.

6. Public Comment Period

7. Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

8. Reports/Presentations
   1. Proposed dog park along the Little Tennessee River Greenway – Steve Philo/Friends of the Greenway
   2. Proclamation for Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Bonnie Peggs/Angel Medical Center
   3. Mental Illness Awareness Week – Debbie Roberts/National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

9. Old Business
   1. Discussion regarding construction standards
   2. Discussion regarding revaluation schedule

10. New Business
    1. Resolution of adoption of multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan update– David Key
    2. Appointment of Firemen’s Relief Fund board members – David Key
    3. Resolution regarding approval of purchase of property by Smoky Mountain Center
    4. Proposal from Martin-Starnes regarding audit services – Evelyn Southard
    5. Consideration of lease agreement for proposed NC Highway Patrol telecommunications facility on Addington Bridge Road

11. Consent Agenda – Attachment #11

All items below are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion. No separate discussion will be held except on request of a member of the Board of Commissioners.

1. Minutes
2. Budget revisions
3. Tax releases
4. Revised fee for laboratory test at Health Center

12. Appointments
    1. Highlands Tourism Development Commission (2)
    2. Discussion regarding term limits for appointed advisory boards

13. Closed session
    1. Per G.S. 143-318.11(3), to preserve the attorney/client privilege
    2. Per G.S. 143-381.11(6), with regard to personnel matters

14. Adjournment/Recess

Twitter Coverage: Tweets are in reverse chronological order
(widget will be replaced with tweets sent during the meeting as soon as I am able)

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov I've uploaded audio of the Macon County Commissioner meeting. bit.ly/11M1011

11.14pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov I am not waiting for the Commissioners to come out of closed session. Will get the audio out by midnight.

9.47pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners will be having a closed session per G.S. 143-318.11(3), to preserve the attorney/clien… (cont)deck.ly/~QNMvN

9.40pm

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon County Commissioners have gone into a closed session to discuss acquiring the Old Cartoogechaye School from the School Board

9.39pm

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioner Beale just admitted that this whole term limit disco is about the Planning Board.

9.28pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners have asked County Manager Jack Horton and County Attorney Chester Jones to investigat… (cont)deck.ly/~WywQ1

9.25pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov This disco re term limits is mainly about the Planning Board. There have been people on that board for a very long time.

9.05pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioner Ronnie Beale is speaking for certain boards to NOT have term limits b/c the members need to tbe very knowledgeable

9.01pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners are now having a discussion regarding term limits for appointed advisory boards

8.58pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners have 2 appointments to the Highlands Tourism Development Commission, Tucker Chambers & Chris Alley

8.56pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners have passed the Consent Agenda

8.56pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The macon County Commissioners are praising the retiring County Finance Officer, Evelyn Southard, for her service to the county

8.52pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co Commissioners now taking up the Consent Agenda (#10 on the agenda at bit.ly/11M1011 )

8.47pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon County Commissioners have passed a resolution allowing the NC Hwy Patrol to build a VIPER Tower on Addington Bridge Rd

8.47pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners considering a lease agreement for proposed NC Highway Patrol VIPER Tower on Addington Bridge Rd [800 Mhz]

8.42pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The 3 year audit contract from Martin-Starnes is 2011-$56,200/2012-$57,900/2013-$59,600. Commissioners pass the resolution.

8.41pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Evelyn Southard, Macon County Finance Officer, has a proposal from Martin-Starnes regarding audit services

8.39pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioner Ronnie Beale is providing details regarding the property being purchased by Smoky Mtn Center. Motion passes.

8.38pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners now taking up resolution regarding approval of purchase of property by Smoky Mountain Center (no cost to county)

8.37pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon County Commissioners have voted to put off property tax revaluations until 2015.

8.36pm

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov There is considerable back and forth regarding the property revaluations. It is my opinion that they're going to delay the revaluations for two years. They're looking for justifications for their position.  via deck.ly/~IQb9t

8.24pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners now having a discussion regarding property tax revaluation schedule

8.14pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon County Commissioners have scheduled a work session on October 25th at 6pm to discuss proposed construction standards

8.13pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioner Bobby Kuppers has suggested that they hold a work session on the proposed construction standards to hear from experts

8.09pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners are now turning to Old Business: Discussion regarding construction standards (Planning Board)

8.08pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon County Commissioners are back from their short break. See agenda here: bit.ly/11M1011

8.07pm

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The Macon County Commissioners are taking a short break. Back in 5 to 10 minutes.

7.50pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon County Commissioners have approved the list of representatives that David Key provided

7.49pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov David Key also has a list of 16 firefighters that chiefs of eight county VFDs have submitted for app… (cont) deck.ly/~EnqiS

7.48pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners pass a resolution of adoption of multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan as presented by David Key

7.48pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov update presentation on the adoption of multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan by David Key

7.46pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioner Bobby Kuppers is giving an update on the swimming hole in Nantahala Community. The Rocky Branch site does not look good from the State Fish & Wildlife point of view (via)deck.ly/~eFXop

7.44pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon County Commissioners have proclamed the week of Oct 2-10 Mental Illness Awareness Week

7.42pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov I apologize for not uploading any pics tonight. I left my SD Card Reader at home & am afraid that the SD Card Slot on my laptop will force my machine to reboot if I use it due to static electricity issue in this room. (via) deck.ly/~JXllz

7.37pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Debbie Roberts/National Alliance on Mental Illness is presenting a proclamation for Mental Illness Awareness Week

7.34pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The Macon County commissioners have declared October Breast Cancer Awareness Month

7.33pm 

Ridgekeeper Cynthia Wadsworth 

RT @wpig: #MaconGov Edgar (?) Stiles is discussing the public housing project and a program that will pay mortgages for a year when home owners can't. (via)deck.ly/~Jbyrv

7.27pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Bonnie Peggs/Angel Medical Center presenting a proclamation for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

7.27pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners voted to approve proposed dog park along the Little Tennessee River Greenway

7.26pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Philo says the materials for the dog park will be $6,000 and paid for by donations, as well as the labor.

7.22pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Philo says that this dog park will be essentially a fenced in area where dogs can run free inside the Greenway

7.20pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Edgar (?) Stiles is discussing the public housing project and a program that will pay mortgages for a year when home owners can't.

7.16pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners have approved the adjustments to and approved the agenda bit.ly/11M1011

7.15pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners are discussing adjustments to and approval of the agenda bit.ly/11M1011

7.12pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov We are less than halfway through the agenda and an hour into the County Commission meeting.

7.09pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Another guy (didn't catch his name) is speaking in favor of an earlier property tax revaluation.

7.07pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Vic Drummond is speaking in favor of doing property tax revaluations earlier rather than later. Wants it done in 2013.

7.04pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Public Comment Period is underway at the Macon County Commissioners meeting. David Dennis is 1st, addressing the truck turn around on Hwy 28 (via)deck.ly/~gKF77

6.53pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Five people have signed up to speak at the public hearing on #NCDOT Secondary Roads Program

6.31pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioner Bobby Kuppers has asked for a time frame on the McCoy Bridge Project. Setzer declined to answer.

6.29pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Joel Setzer says that the earliest the #NCDOT could do anything about the intersection is 4 to 6 months just to get approval

6.28pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioner Beale asked #NCDOT rep Joel Setzer regarding the very congested intersection at Mountai… (cont)deck.ly/~sQmhu

6.24pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Wesley Grindstaff is going over each of the proposed road repair & improvements in Macon County

6.20pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Wesley Grindstaff, another #NCDOT representative, is addressing the Macon Co Commissioners in the public hearing.

6.17pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The #NCDOT has proposed to spend $919,277 on road improvement projects in Macon County and $0 on new roads.

6.12pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Joel Setzer, #NCDOT representative, is discussing this years budget for road construction and repair. No new roads are scheduled

6.12pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Public Hearing is now underway regarding the #NCDOT Secondary Roads Construction Program for Macon County

6.10pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The Macon Co Finance Dept is being recognized for receiving a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

6.02pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Chairman Brian Mcclellan has called the meeting of Macon County Commissioners to order.

6.02pm 

»

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The Commissioners Boardroom is standing room only for the Macon County Commission meeting tonight.

6.01pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The Macon County Commissioners will be meeting at 6pm. Here is the agenda and coverage widgets: bit.ly/11M1011

5.53pm 

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