From: Walton, Jennifer Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 9:44 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Mrs.Wilson, The words in the letter must come from employee's who are feeling threaten by you. It does not make any sense we are all adults and if you are unhappy about the changes that are taking place find another job. I think you are doing great and you are exactly what DSS needed. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO! Keep doing what needs to be done.. Jennifer Walton Dist.#754 Mecklenburg County, DSS Foodstamp Case Manager 301-Billingsley Rd. Charlotte,NC 28211 Phone:(704)432-1307 Fax:(704)353-1328 jennifer.walton@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Walton, Jennifer Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 1:06 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: anonymous letter

Jennifer Walton Dist.#754 Mecklenburg County, DSS Foodstamp Case Manager 301-Billingsley Rd. Charlotte,NC 28211 Phone:(704)432-1307 Fax:(704)353-1328 jennifer.walton@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Walton, Jennifer Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 9:44 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Mrs.Wilson, The words in the letter must come from employee's who are feeling threaten by you. It does not make any sense we are all adults and if you are unhappy about the changes that are taking place find another job. I think you are doing great and you are exactly what DSS needed. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO! Keep doing what needs to be done.. Jennifer Walton Dist.#754 Mecklenburg County, DSS Foodstamp Case Manager 301-Billingsley Rd. Charlotte,NC 28211 Phone:(704)432-1307 Fax:(704)353-1328 jennifer.walton@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Sledge, Denise Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 8:54 AM To: Wilson, Mary Cc: Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: anonymous letter

From: Sledge, Denise Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 8:54 AM To: Wilson, Mary Cc: Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: anonymous letter

From: Sledge, Denise Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 8:54 AM To: Wilson, Mary Cc: Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: anonymous letter

From: Sledge, Denise Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 8:54 AM To: Wilson, Mary Cc: Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: anonymous letter

From: Collier, Brian [bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 10:43 PM To: Wilson, Mary; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Voignier, Clayton Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

From: Collier, Brian [bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 10:43 PM To: Wilson, Mary; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Voignier, Clayton Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

From: Collier, Brian [bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 10:43 PM To: Wilson, Mary; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Voignier, Clayton Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

From: Collier, Brian [bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 10:43 PM To: Wilson, Mary; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Voignier, Clayton Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners, Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS. I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader. Please see the attached email (below). Regards, Amy Heilman Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW Management Analyst Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services Office: 704.353.1541 Fax: 704.353.1898 E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson, I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one. Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS. I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it. Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us. Regards, Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners, Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS. I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader. Please see the attached email (below). Regards, Amy Heilman Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW Management Analyst Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services Office: 704.353.1541 Fax: 704.353.1898 E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson, I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one. Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS. I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it. Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us. Regards, Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners, Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS. I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader. Please see the attached email (below). Regards, Amy Heilman Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW Management Analyst Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services Office: 704.353.1541 Fax: 704.353.1898 E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson, I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one. Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS. I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it. Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us. Regards, Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners, Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS. I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader. Please see the attached email (below). Regards, Amy Heilman Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW Management Analyst Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services Office: 704.353.1541 Fax: 704.353.1898 E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson, I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one. Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS. I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it. Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us. Regards, Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:33 AM To: Wade, Tyrone C.; Lancaster, Michelle; Jackson, Janice; Shields, Bobbie; McGillicuddy, John; Diehl, Daniel Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson

fyi Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners, Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS. I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader. Please see the attached email (below). Regards, Amy Heilman Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW Management Analyst Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services Office: 704.353.1541 Fax: 704.353.1898 E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson, I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one. Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS. I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it. Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us. Regards, Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:33 AM To: Wade, Tyrone C.; Lancaster, Michelle; Jackson, Janice; Shields, Bobbie; McGillicuddy, John; Diehl, Daniel Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson

fyi Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners, Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS. I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader. Please see the attached email (below). Regards, Amy Heilman Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW Management Analyst Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services Office: 704.353.1541 Fax: 704.353.1898 E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson, I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one. Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS. I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it. Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us. Regards, Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:33 AM To: Wade, Tyrone C.; Lancaster, Michelle; Jackson, Janice; Shields, Bobbie; McGillicuddy, John; Diehl, Daniel Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson

fyi Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners, Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS. I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader. Please see the attached email (below). Regards, Amy Heilman Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW Management Analyst Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services Office: 704.353.1541 Fax: 704.353.1898 E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson, I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one. Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS. I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it. Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us. Regards, Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:33 AM To: Wade, Tyrone C.; Lancaster, Michelle; Jackson, Janice; Shields, Bobbie; McGillicuddy, John; Diehl, Daniel Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson

fyi Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners, Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS. I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader. Please see the attached email (below). Regards, Amy Heilman Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW Management Analyst Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services Office: 704.353.1541 Fax: 704.353.1898 E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson, I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one. Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS. I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it. Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us. Regards, Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Isler, Cynthia Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:10 AM To: Jones, Harry L. Cc: Wilson, Mary Subject: FW: anonymous letter

Could you please pass on to the County Commissioners. I am a very content county employee.

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:32 PM To: Isler, Cynthia Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Cynthia,

Thanks for your kind words of support and encouragement. I encourage you and others to share your positive feedback with the County Manager and the Board of County Commissioners. Don't let a few speak for you! Thanks again for at least giving change a chance! Take care, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Isler, Cynthia Sent: Mon 1/12/2009 9:52 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Mary, Keep your head up and press on. You are doing a fantastic job. Cynthia

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Isler, Cynthia Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:10 AM To: Jones, Harry L. Cc: Wilson, Mary Subject: FW: anonymous letter

Could you please pass on to the County Commissioners. I am a very content county employee.

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:32 PM To: Isler, Cynthia Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Cynthia,

Thanks for your kind words of support and encouragement. I encourage you and others to share your positive feedback with the County Manager and the Board of County Commissioners. Don't let a few speak for you! Thanks again for at least giving change a chance! Take care, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Isler, Cynthia Sent: Mon 1/12/2009 9:52 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Mary, Keep your head up and press on. You are doing a fantastic job. Cynthia

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:24 AM To: Paige, Janice; CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson

Importance: High

I got this from a management analyst regarding the letter about Mary Wilson that was sent to Channel 36 (WCNC).

The allegations in the letter is lengthy and I am sure Bill Warren is looking into the stuff about redecorating of offices and such. One of the questions was about the $20,000 for the ëChristmas partyí. That event and the costs said to be associated with it landed in the paper and in a WCNC news segment.

I have been asked about it and wanted to know some of the details of the expenditure. Vilma Leake made reference to a party at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church but I donít know if that is the $20,000 party that was being discussed.

I am asking about that directly because Ms. Wilson used to work for Friendship and frankly a predominantly Black church seems a strange place to hold a secular DSS (County Department) Christmas party (if that is what happened). If $20,000 was spent on a party there I would like to know what the costs were per person, how many actually attended, why there (as opposed to the Marriott, Westin, etcÖ), and how the pricing on the event was developed (whether bids were taken or did they look at various places before settling on Friendship).

If the cost per unit was high it would also be helpful to know the menu of what was served to make it that high. I recall Vlima saying something about the high quality of the food.

Of course, this may all be sour grapes from the person writing the letter but it could also be true which is why it is important to have the facts before this story gets legs.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Heilman, Amy [mailto:Amy.Heilman@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners,

Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS.

I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader.

Please see the attached email (below).

Regards,

Amy Heilman

Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW

Management Analyst

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services

Office: 704.353.1541

Fax: 704.353.1898

E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov

This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson,

I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one.

Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS.

I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it.

Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us.

Regards,

Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:24 AM To: Paige, Janice; CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson

Importance: High

I got this from a management analyst regarding the letter about Mary Wilson that was sent to Channel 36 (WCNC).

The allegations in the letter is lengthy and I am sure Bill Warren is looking into the stuff about redecorating of offices and such. One of the questions was about the $20,000 for the ëChristmas partyí. That event and the costs said to be associated with it landed in the paper and in a WCNC news segment.

I have been asked about it and wanted to know some of the details of the expenditure. Vilma Leake made reference to a party at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church but I donít know if that is the $20,000 party that was being discussed.

I am asking about that directly because Ms. Wilson used to work for Friendship and frankly a predominantly Black church seems a strange place to hold a secular DSS (County Department) Christmas party (if that is what happened). If $20,000 was spent on a party there I would like to know what the costs were per person, how many actually attended, why there (as opposed to the Marriott, Westin, etcÖ), and how the pricing on the event was developed (whether bids were taken or did they look at various places before settling on Friendship).

If the cost per unit was high it would also be helpful to know the menu of what was served to make it that high. I recall Vlima saying something about the high quality of the food.

Of course, this may all be sour grapes from the person writing the letter but it could also be true which is why it is important to have the facts before this story gets legs.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Heilman, Amy [mailto:Amy.Heilman@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners,

Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS.

I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader.

Please see the attached email (below).

Regards,

Amy Heilman

Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW

Management Analyst

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services

Office: 704.353.1541

Fax: 704.353.1898

E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov

This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson,

I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one.

Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS.

I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it.

Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us.

Regards,

Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Bentley, Karen Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:30 AM To: James, Bill; Paige, Janice; CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: Support for Director Wilson

Bill and BOCC Colleagues, I attended the "mandatory" Christmas party/training session you refer to below. My interest in attending was to assess the content - was this mostly a social event or was the main focus on training? Ms. Wilson started the program by recognizing several DSS employees with awards - well deserved, I'm sure. Once that was completed, employees dispersed into various self-directed sessions that were, in my observation, designed to make employees aware of the broader organization and the various vendors/non-profits associated with DSS. The employees had an activity (a sheet of questions that could only be answered by attending the breakout sessions) that they were asked to complete. I do not know how the completion of this activity was assessed by management and what, if any consequences, there were for not completing the activity. In my observation, the employees were fully engaged in the training activities and found them to be relevant and useful. Many expressed great appreciation to Ms. Wilson for the opportunity. It appeared that after the employees walked through the breakout sessions, they were free to proceed to the refreshments. I did not attend this part of the event, but glanced into the room prior to the beginning of the awards session. I will say that is was pretty extravagant for a government function, especially in a time when we all personally and corporately are tightening our belts significantly. Of the $20,000 budget for the event, approximately $15,000 of that was related to the reception (mostly for catering, but some for entertainment). The cost of the Christmas party last year was about $9500. The event was held at Grady Cole and involved no training. I believe Ms. Wilson is doing a great job at the helm of DSS. However, I do question her judgment about spending significant dollars (albeit small relative to the overall DSS budget) on an office remodel and an event where most of the expense was food/entertainment related. Regards, Karen Karen Bentley Mecklenburg County Commissioner, District One

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Tue 1/13/2009 10:24 AM To: Paige, Janice; CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson

I got this from a management analyst regarding the letter about Mary Wilson that was sent to Channel 36 (WCNC).

The allegations in the letter is lengthy and I am sure Bill Warren is looking into the stuff about redecorating of offices and such. One of the questions was about the $20,000 for the ëChristmas partyí. That event and the costs said to be associated with it landed in the paper and in a WCNC news segment.

I have been asked about it and wanted to know some of the details of the expenditure. Vilma Leake made reference to a party at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church but I donít know if that is the $20,000 party that was being discussed.

I am asking about that directly because Ms. Wilson used to work for Friendship and frankly a predominantly Black church seems a strange place to hold a secular DSS (County Department) Christmas party (if that is what happened). If $20,000 was spent on a party there I would like to know what the costs were per person, how many actually attended, why there (as opposed to the Marriott, Westin, etcÖ), and how the pricing on the event was developed (whether bids were taken or did they look at various places before settling on Friendship).

If the cost per unit was high it would also be helpful to know the menu of what was served to make it that high. I recall Vlima saying something about the high quality of the food.

Of course, this may all be sour grapes from the person writing the letter but it could also be true which is why it is important to have the facts before this story gets legs.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Heilman, Amy [mailto:Amy.Heilman@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners,

Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS.

I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader.

Please see the attached email (below).

Regards,

Amy Heilman

Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW

Management Analyst

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services

Office: 704.353.1541

Fax: 704.353.1898

E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov

This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson,

I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one.

Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS.

I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it.

Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us.

Regards,

Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Bentley, Karen Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:30 AM To: James, Bill; Paige, Janice; CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: Support for Director Wilson

Bill and BOCC Colleagues, I attended the "mandatory" Christmas party/training session you refer to below. My interest in attending was to assess the content - was this mostly a social event or was the main focus on training? Ms. Wilson started the program by recognizing several DSS employees with awards - well deserved, I'm sure. Once that was completed, employees dispersed into various self-directed sessions that were, in my observation, designed to make employees aware of the broader organization and the various vendors/non-profits associated with DSS. The employees had an activity (a sheet of questions that could only be answered by attending the breakout sessions) that they were asked to complete. I do not know how the completion of this activity was assessed by management and what, if any consequences, there were for not completing the activity. In my observation, the employees were fully engaged in the training activities and found them to be relevant and useful. Many expressed great appreciation to Ms. Wilson for the opportunity. It appeared that after the employees walked through the breakout sessions, they were free to proceed to the refreshments. I did not attend this part of the event, but glanced into the room prior to the beginning of the awards session. I will say that is was pretty extravagant for a government function, especially in a time when we all personally and corporately are tightening our belts significantly. Of the $20,000 budget for the event, approximately $15,000 of that was related to the reception (mostly for catering, but some for entertainment). The cost of the Christmas party last year was about $9500. The event was held at Grady Cole and involved no training. I believe Ms. Wilson is doing a great job at the helm of DSS. However, I do question her judgment about spending significant dollars (albeit small relative to the overall DSS budget) on an office remodel and an event where most of the expense was food/entertainment related. Regards, Karen Karen Bentley Mecklenburg County Commissioner, District One

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Tue 1/13/2009 10:24 AM To: Paige, Janice; CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson

I got this from a management analyst regarding the letter about Mary Wilson that was sent to Channel 36 (WCNC).

The allegations in the letter is lengthy and I am sure Bill Warren is looking into the stuff about redecorating of offices and such. One of the questions was about the $20,000 for the ëChristmas partyí. That event and the costs said to be associated with it landed in the paper and in a WCNC news segment.

I have been asked about it and wanted to know some of the details of the expenditure. Vilma Leake made reference to a party at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church but I donít know if that is the $20,000 party that was being discussed.

I am asking about that directly because Ms. Wilson used to work for Friendship and frankly a predominantly Black church seems a strange place to hold a secular DSS (County Department) Christmas party (if that is what happened). If $20,000 was spent on a party there I would like to know what the costs were per person, how many actually attended, why there (as opposed to the Marriott, Westin, etcÖ), and how the pricing on the event was developed (whether bids were taken or did they look at various places before settling on Friendship).

If the cost per unit was high it would also be helpful to know the menu of what was served to make it that high. I recall Vlima saying something about the high quality of the food.

Of course, this may all be sour grapes from the person writing the letter but it could also be true which is why it is important to have the facts before this story gets legs.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Heilman, Amy [mailto:Amy.Heilman@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners,

Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS.

I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader.

Please see the attached email (below).

Regards,

Amy Heilman

Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW

Management Analyst

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services

Office: 704.353.1541

Fax: 704.353.1898

E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov

This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson,

I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one.

Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS.

I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it.

Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us.

Regards,

Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Bentley, Karen Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:30 AM To: James, Bill; Paige, Janice; CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: Support for Director Wilson

Bill and BOCC Colleagues, I attended the "mandatory" Christmas party/training session you refer to below. My interest in attending was to assess the content - was this mostly a social event or was the main focus on training? Ms. Wilson started the program by recognizing several DSS employees with awards - well deserved, I'm sure. Once that was completed, employees dispersed into various self-directed sessions that were, in my observation, designed to make employees aware of the broader organization and the various vendors/non-profits associated with DSS. The employees had an activity (a sheet of questions that could only be answered by attending the breakout sessions) that they were asked to complete. I do not know how the completion of this activity was assessed by management and what, if any consequences, there were for not completing the activity. In my observation, the employees were fully engaged in the training activities and found them to be relevant and useful. Many expressed great appreciation to Ms. Wilson for the opportunity. It appeared that after the employees walked through the breakout sessions, they were free to proceed to the refreshments. I did not attend this part of the event, but glanced into the room prior to the beginning of the awards session. I will say that is was pretty extravagant for a government function, especially in a time when we all personally and corporately are tightening our belts significantly. Of the $20,000 budget for the event, approximately $15,000 of that was related to the reception (mostly for catering, but some for entertainment). The cost of the Christmas party last year was about $9500. The event was held at Grady Cole and involved no training. I believe Ms. Wilson is doing a great job at the helm of DSS. However, I do question her judgment about spending significant dollars (albeit small relative to the overall DSS budget) on an office remodel and an event where most of the expense was food/entertainment related. Regards, Karen Karen Bentley Mecklenburg County Commissioner, District One

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Tue 1/13/2009 10:24 AM To: Paige, Janice; CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson

I got this from a management analyst regarding the letter about Mary Wilson that was sent to Channel 36 (WCNC).

The allegations in the letter is lengthy and I am sure Bill Warren is looking into the stuff about redecorating of offices and such. One of the questions was about the $20,000 for the ëChristmas partyí. That event and the costs said to be associated with it landed in the paper and in a WCNC news segment.

I have been asked about it and wanted to know some of the details of the expenditure. Vilma Leake made reference to a party at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church but I donít know if that is the $20,000 party that was being discussed.

I am asking about that directly because Ms. Wilson used to work for Friendship and frankly a predominantly Black church seems a strange place to hold a secular DSS (County Department) Christmas party (if that is what happened). If $20,000 was spent on a party there I would like to know what the costs were per person, how many actually attended, why there (as opposed to the Marriott, Westin, etcÖ), and how the pricing on the event was developed (whether bids were taken or did they look at various places before settling on Friendship).

If the cost per unit was high it would also be helpful to know the menu of what was served to make it that high. I recall Vlima saying something about the high quality of the food.

Of course, this may all be sour grapes from the person writing the letter but it could also be true which is why it is important to have the facts before this story gets legs.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Heilman, Amy [mailto:Amy.Heilman@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners,

Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS.

I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader.

Please see the attached email (below).

Regards,

Amy Heilman

Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW

Management Analyst

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services

Office: 704.353.1541

Fax: 704.353.1898

E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov

This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson,

I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one.

Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS.

I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it.

Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us.

Regards,

Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Bentley, Karen Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:30 AM To: James, Bill; Paige, Janice; CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: Support for Director Wilson

Bill and BOCC Colleagues, I attended the "mandatory" Christmas party/training session you refer to below. My interest in attending was to assess the content - was this mostly a social event or was the main focus on training? Ms. Wilson started the program by recognizing several DSS employees with awards - well deserved, I'm sure. Once that was completed, employees dispersed into various self-directed sessions that were, in my observation, designed to make employees aware of the broader organization and the various vendors/non-profits associated with DSS. The employees had an activity (a sheet of questions that could only be answered by attending the breakout sessions) that they were asked to complete. I do not know how the completion of this activity was assessed by management and what, if any consequences, there were for not completing the activity. In my observation, the employees were fully engaged in the training activities and found them to be relevant and useful. Many expressed great appreciation to Ms. Wilson for the opportunity. It appeared that after the employees walked through the breakout sessions, they were free to proceed to the refreshments. I did not attend this part of the event, but glanced into the room prior to the beginning of the awards session. I will say that is was pretty extravagant for a government function, especially in a time when we all personally and corporately are tightening our belts significantly. Of the $20,000 budget for the event, approximately $15,000 of that was related to the reception (mostly for catering, but some for entertainment). The cost of the Christmas party last year was about $9500. The event was held at Grady Cole and involved no training. I believe Ms. Wilson is doing a great job at the helm of DSS. However, I do question her judgment about spending significant dollars (albeit small relative to the overall DSS budget) on an office remodel and an event where most of the expense was food/entertainment related. Regards, Karen Karen Bentley Mecklenburg County Commissioner, District One

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Tue 1/13/2009 10:24 AM To: Paige, Janice; CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson

I got this from a management analyst regarding the letter about Mary Wilson that was sent to Channel 36 (WCNC).

The allegations in the letter is lengthy and I am sure Bill Warren is looking into the stuff about redecorating of offices and such. One of the questions was about the $20,000 for the ëChristmas partyí. That event and the costs said to be associated with it landed in the paper and in a WCNC news segment.

I have been asked about it and wanted to know some of the details of the expenditure. Vilma Leake made reference to a party at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church but I donít know if that is the $20,000 party that was being discussed.

I am asking about that directly because Ms. Wilson used to work for Friendship and frankly a predominantly Black church seems a strange place to hold a secular DSS (County Department) Christmas party (if that is what happened). If $20,000 was spent on a party there I would like to know what the costs were per person, how many actually attended, why there (as opposed to the Marriott, Westin, etcÖ), and how the pricing on the event was developed (whether bids were taken or did they look at various places before settling on Friendship).

If the cost per unit was high it would also be helpful to know the menu of what was served to make it that high. I recall Vlima saying something about the high quality of the food.

Of course, this may all be sour grapes from the person writing the letter but it could also be true which is why it is important to have the facts before this story gets legs.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Heilman, Amy [mailto:Amy.Heilman@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners,

Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS.

I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader.

Please see the attached email (below).

Regards,

Amy Heilman

Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW

Management Analyst

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services

Office: 704.353.1541

Fax: 704.353.1898

E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov

This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson,

I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one.

Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS.

I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it.

Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us.

Regards,

Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:46 AM To: Wilson, Mary; McGillicuddy, John; Diehl, Daniel Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson

Importance: High

We have most of the answers to this; $17 per person based on 1200 employees. Mary has info on process used for site selection. Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:24 AM To: Paige, Janice; CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson Importance: High

I got this from a management analyst regarding the letter about Mary Wilson that was sent to Channel 36 (WCNC).

The allegations in the letter is lengthy and I am sure Bill Warren is looking into the stuff about redecorating of offices and such. One of the questions was about the $20,000 for the 'Christmas party'. That event and the costs said to be associated with it landed in the paper and in a WCNC news segment.

I have been asked about it and wanted to know some of the details of the expenditure. Vilma Leake made reference to a party at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church but I don't know if that is the $20,000 party that was being discussed.

I am asking about that directly because Ms. Wilson used to work for Friendship and frankly a predominantly Black church seems a strange place to hold a secular DSS (County Department) Christmas party (if that is what happened). If $20,000 was spent on a party there I would like to know what the costs were per person, how many actually attended, why there (as opposed to the Marriott, Westin, etc...), and how the pricing on the event was developed (whether bids were taken or did they look at various places before settling on Friendship).

If the cost per unit was high it would also be helpful to know the menu of what was served to make it that high. I recall Vlima saying something about the high quality of the food.

Of course, this may all be sour grapes from the person writing the letter but it could also be true which is why it is important to have the facts before this story gets legs.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Heilman, Amy [mailto:Amy.Heilman@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners,

Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS.

I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader.

Please see the attached email (below).

Regards,

Amy Heilman

Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW

Management Analyst

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services

Office: 704.353.1541

Fax: 704.353.1898

E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov

This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson,

I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one.

Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS.

I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it.

Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us.

Regards,

Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:46 AM To: Wilson, Mary; McGillicuddy, John; Diehl, Daniel Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson

Importance: High

We have most of the answers to this; $17 per person based on 1200 employees. Mary has info on process used for site selection. Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:24 AM To: Paige, Janice; CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson Importance: High

I got this from a management analyst regarding the letter about Mary Wilson that was sent to Channel 36 (WCNC).

The allegations in the letter is lengthy and I am sure Bill Warren is looking into the stuff about redecorating of offices and such. One of the questions was about the $20,000 for the 'Christmas party'. That event and the costs said to be associated with it landed in the paper and in a WCNC news segment.

I have been asked about it and wanted to know some of the details of the expenditure. Vilma Leake made reference to a party at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church but I don't know if that is the $20,000 party that was being discussed.

I am asking about that directly because Ms. Wilson used to work for Friendship and frankly a predominantly Black church seems a strange place to hold a secular DSS (County Department) Christmas party (if that is what happened). If $20,000 was spent on a party there I would like to know what the costs were per person, how many actually attended, why there (as opposed to the Marriott, Westin, etc...), and how the pricing on the event was developed (whether bids were taken or did they look at various places before settling on Friendship).

If the cost per unit was high it would also be helpful to know the menu of what was served to make it that high. I recall Vlima saying something about the high quality of the food.

Of course, this may all be sour grapes from the person writing the letter but it could also be true which is why it is important to have the facts before this story gets legs.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Heilman, Amy [mailto:Amy.Heilman@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners,

Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS.

I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader.

Please see the attached email (below).

Regards,

Amy Heilman

Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW

Management Analyst

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services

Office: 704.353.1541

Fax: 704.353.1898

E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov

This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson,

I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one.

Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS.

I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it.

Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us.

Regards,

Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:33 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; McGillicuddy, John; Diehl, Daniel Subject: RE: Support for Director Wilson

County Manager, The event held by Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS) on December 17, 2008 was a mandatory training and staff recognition event. It was the first time all 1200 DSS employees where permitted to attend an event together to (i) learn about core services across DSS divisions, (ii) receive information about the DSS re-organization, (iii) learn about resources available from community partners and (iv) receive well deserved recognition for employee innovation and service. One employee innovation team has saved the County $100,000 through the development of a more efficient and effective delivery of service mechanism for client referrals. Prior to my joining DSS, the agency hosted an annual Holiday Luncheon where approximately 50% of the employees attended. Those employees who did not attend sited (i) inconvenience of leaving work for an hour and then returning, (ii) poor food quality, (iii) drab location and (iv) uninformative, as the reasons they did not attend. This feedback was based on employee surveys conducted after the 2007 Holiday Luncheon. I requested permission from the Director for Social Services of the NC Department of Health and Human Services to close Mecklenburg County DSS for an afternoon to combine training and recognition for staff in place of the annual holiday luncheon. This permission was granted and my staff started planning this event in October of 2008. The prior 3 years budget was $10,000 with the expectation that 400-600 employees would attend the event. Attached please find a breakdown of the expenses for the Holiday Luncheon for FY '05, FY 07 and FY 08. Once we received permission to close DSS for 4 hours to accommodate this mandatory training and staff recognition I set the budget at $20,000 which was twice the prior budget to accommodate twice the projected attendance. A training committee of cross divisional staff members researched space locations, designed the training and invited the community partners to attend. In researching suitable sites they found the following costs: Grady Cole Center Not able to accommodate all 1200 employees, no training rooms Blake Hotel $4500 for space, not inclusive of food, no training rooms Convention Center $6000 for space, not inclusive of food, no training rooms Holiday Inn downtown Not able to accommodate all 1200 employees Scottish Rites Bldg Only seats 700, food cost for 700 would be $12,000, no training rooms Hilton (Univ.) Only seats 700, food cost for 700 would be $14,000, no training rooms While we have held DSS Town Hall meetings in predominately White churches (Church of Christ on Sardis and Calvary Baptist on Allegany) neither of these churches were big enough for all 1200 employees for training purposes. After attending a training conference hosted by the Council on Aging, the training committee recommended the Friendship Conference Center. The Conference Center has previously been used by CATS, CMS and Park & Rec to hold secular community forums and informational meetings in addition to being utilized by other non-profits in the community. The facility cost, inclusive of 2 floors of training rooms was $3200 and the food cost was $15,000. The space cost was covered by an anonymous donor. The food prepared served approximately 1200 staff and 150 guests (community partners and other guests). With additional recognition gifts and supplies, the total cost for the training and recognition was $19,797.53. This cost is $16.49 per person, not including our invited guests. The staff feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. At a time when our staff are seeing 32% increases of applicants coming in the front door for services, I firmly believe this was money well spent to educate staff about internal DSS programs, to provide them with knowledge about resources to help clients and to show our appreciation for their dedicated work as the frontline providing human services to all the citizens of Mecklenburg County. Regards, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:46 AM To: Wilson, Mary; McGillicuddy, John; Diehl, Daniel Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson Importance: High

We have most of the answers to this; $17 per person based on 1200 employees. Mary has info on process used for site selection. Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:24 AM To: Paige, Janice; CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson Importance: High

I got this from a management analyst regarding the letter about Mary Wilson that was sent to Channel 36 (WCNC).

The allegations in the letter is lengthy and I am sure Bill Warren is looking into the stuff about redecorating of offices and such. One of the questions was about the $20,000 for the 'Christmas party'. That event and the costs said to be associated with it landed in the paper and in a WCNC news segment.

I have been asked about it and wanted to know some of the details of the expenditure. Vilma Leake made reference to a party at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church but I don't know if that is the $20,000 party that was being discussed.

I am asking about that directly because Ms. Wilson used to work for Friendship and frankly a predominantly Black church seems a strange place to hold a secular DSS (County Department) Christmas party (if that is what happened). If $20,000 was spent on a party there I would like to know what the costs were per person, how many actually attended, why there (as opposed to the Marriott, Westin, etc...), and how the pricing on the event was developed (whether bids were taken or did they look at various places before settling on Friendship).

If the cost per unit was high it would also be helpful to know the menu of what was served to make it that high. I recall Vlima saying something about the high quality of the food.

Of course, this may all be sour grapes from the person writing the letter but it could also be true which is why it is important to have the facts before this story gets legs.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Heilman, Amy [mailto:Amy.Heilman@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners,

Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS.

I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader.

Please see the attached email (below).

Regards,

Amy Heilman

Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW

Management Analyst

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services

Office: 704.353.1541

Fax: 704.353.1898

E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov

This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson,

I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one.

Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS.

I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it.

Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us.

Regards,

Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:33 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; McGillicuddy, John; Diehl, Daniel Subject: RE: Support for Director Wilson

County Manager, The event held by Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS) on December 17, 2008 was a mandatory training and staff recognition event. It was the first time all 1200 DSS employees where permitted to attend an event together to (i) learn about core services across DSS divisions, (ii) receive information about the DSS re-organization, (iii) learn about resources available from community partners and (iv) receive well deserved recognition for employee innovation and service. One employee innovation team has saved the County $100,000 through the development of a more efficient and effective delivery of service mechanism for client referrals. Prior to my joining DSS, the agency hosted an annual Holiday Luncheon where approximately 50% of the employees attended. Those employees who did not attend sited (i) inconvenience of leaving work for an hour and then returning, (ii) poor food quality, (iii) drab location and (iv) uninformative, as the reasons they did not attend. This feedback was based on employee surveys conducted after the 2007 Holiday Luncheon. I requested permission from the Director for Social Services of the NC Department of Health and Human Services to close Mecklenburg County DSS for an afternoon to combine training and recognition for staff in place of the annual holiday luncheon. This permission was granted and my staff started planning this event in October of 2008. The prior 3 years budget was $10,000 with the expectation that 400-600 employees would attend the event. Attached please find a breakdown of the expenses for the Holiday Luncheon for FY '05, FY 07 and FY 08. Once we received permission to close DSS for 4 hours to accommodate this mandatory training and staff recognition I set the budget at $20,000 which was twice the prior budget to accommodate twice the projected attendance. A training committee of cross divisional staff members researched space locations, designed the training and invited the community partners to attend. In researching suitable sites they found the following costs: Grady Cole Center Not able to accommodate all 1200 employees, no training rooms Blake Hotel $4500 for space, not inclusive of food, no training rooms Convention Center $6000 for space, not inclusive of food, no training rooms Holiday Inn downtown Not able to accommodate all 1200 employees Scottish Rites Bldg Only seats 700, food cost for 700 would be $12,000, no training rooms Hilton (Univ.) Only seats 700, food cost for 700 would be $14,000, no training rooms While we have held DSS Town Hall meetings in predominately White churches (Church of Christ on Sardis and Calvary Baptist on Allegany) neither of these churches were big enough for all 1200 employees for training purposes. After attending a training conference hosted by the Council on Aging, the training committee recommended the Friendship Conference Center. The Conference Center has previously been used by CATS, CMS and Park & Rec to hold secular community forums and informational meetings in addition to being utilized by other non-profits in the community. The facility cost, inclusive of 2 floors of training rooms was $3200 and the food cost was $15,000. The space cost was covered by an anonymous donor. The food prepared served approximately 1200 staff and 150 guests (community partners and other guests). With additional recognition gifts and supplies, the total cost for the training and recognition was $19,797.53. This cost is $16.49 per person, not including our invited guests. The staff feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. At a time when our staff are seeing 32% increases of applicants coming in the front door for services, I firmly believe this was money well spent to educate staff about internal DSS programs, to provide them with knowledge about resources to help clients and to show our appreciation for their dedicated work as the frontline providing human services to all the citizens of Mecklenburg County. Regards, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:46 AM To: Wilson, Mary; McGillicuddy, John; Diehl, Daniel Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson Importance: High

We have most of the answers to this; $17 per person based on 1200 employees. Mary has info on process used for site selection. Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:24 AM To: Paige, Janice; CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson Importance: High

I got this from a management analyst regarding the letter about Mary Wilson that was sent to Channel 36 (WCNC).

The allegations in the letter is lengthy and I am sure Bill Warren is looking into the stuff about redecorating of offices and such. One of the questions was about the $20,000 for the 'Christmas party'. That event and the costs said to be associated with it landed in the paper and in a WCNC news segment.

I have been asked about it and wanted to know some of the details of the expenditure. Vilma Leake made reference to a party at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church but I don't know if that is the $20,000 party that was being discussed.

I am asking about that directly because Ms. Wilson used to work for Friendship and frankly a predominantly Black church seems a strange place to hold a secular DSS (County Department) Christmas party (if that is what happened). If $20,000 was spent on a party there I would like to know what the costs were per person, how many actually attended, why there (as opposed to the Marriott, Westin, etc...), and how the pricing on the event was developed (whether bids were taken or did they look at various places before settling on Friendship).

If the cost per unit was high it would also be helpful to know the menu of what was served to make it that high. I recall Vlima saying something about the high quality of the food.

Of course, this may all be sour grapes from the person writing the letter but it could also be true which is why it is important to have the facts before this story gets legs.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Heilman, Amy [mailto:Amy.Heilman@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners,

Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS.

I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader.

Please see the attached email (below).

Regards,

Amy Heilman

Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW

Management Analyst

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services

Office: 704.353.1541

Fax: 704.353.1898

E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov

This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson,

I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one.

Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS.

I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it.

Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us.

Regards,

Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:33 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; McGillicuddy, John; Diehl, Daniel Subject: RE: Support for Director Wilson

County Manager, The event held by Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS) on December 17, 2008 was a mandatory training and staff recognition event. It was the first time all 1200 DSS employees where permitted to attend an event together to (i) learn about core services across DSS divisions, (ii) receive information about the DSS re-organization, (iii) learn about resources available from community partners and (iv) receive well deserved recognition for employee innovation and service. One employee innovation team has saved the County $100,000 through the development of a more efficient and effective delivery of service mechanism for client referrals. Prior to my joining DSS, the agency hosted an annual Holiday Luncheon where approximately 50% of the employees attended. Those employees who did not attend sited (i) inconvenience of leaving work for an hour and then returning, (ii) poor food quality, (iii) drab location and (iv) uninformative, as the reasons they did not attend. This feedback was based on employee surveys conducted after the 2007 Holiday Luncheon. I requested permission from the Director for Social Services of the NC Department of Health and Human Services to close Mecklenburg County DSS for an afternoon to combine training and recognition for staff in place of the annual holiday luncheon. This permission was granted and my staff started planning this event in October of 2008. The prior 3 years budget was $10,000 with the expectation that 400-600 employees would attend the event. Attached please find a breakdown of the expenses for the Holiday Luncheon for FY '05, FY 07 and FY 08. Once we received permission to close DSS for 4 hours to accommodate this mandatory training and staff recognition I set the budget at $20,000 which was twice the prior budget to accommodate twice the projected attendance. A training committee of cross divisional staff members researched space locations, designed the training and invited the community partners to attend. In researching suitable sites they found the following costs: Grady Cole Center Not able to accommodate all 1200 employees, no training rooms Blake Hotel $4500 for space, not inclusive of food, no training rooms Convention Center $6000 for space, not inclusive of food, no training rooms Holiday Inn downtown Not able to accommodate all 1200 employees Scottish Rites Bldg Only seats 700, food cost for 700 would be $12,000, no training rooms Hilton (Univ.) Only seats 700, food cost for 700 would be $14,000, no training rooms While we have held DSS Town Hall meetings in predominately White churches (Church of Christ on Sardis and Calvary Baptist on Allegany) neither of these churches were big enough for all 1200 employees for training purposes. After attending a training conference hosted by the Council on Aging, the training committee recommended the Friendship Conference Center. The Conference Center has previously been used by CATS, CMS and Park & Rec to hold secular community forums and informational meetings in addition to being utilized by other non-profits in the community. The facility cost, inclusive of 2 floors of training rooms was $3200 and the food cost was $15,000. The space cost was covered by an anonymous donor. The food prepared served approximately 1200 staff and 150 guests (community partners and other guests). With additional recognition gifts and supplies, the total cost for the training and recognition was $19,797.53. This cost is $16.49 per person, not including our invited guests. The staff feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. At a time when our staff are seeing 32% increases of applicants coming in the front door for services, I firmly believe this was money well spent to educate staff about internal DSS programs, to provide them with knowledge about resources to help clients and to show our appreciation for their dedicated work as the frontline providing human services to all the citizens of Mecklenburg County. Regards, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:46 AM To: Wilson, Mary; McGillicuddy, John; Diehl, Daniel Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson Importance: High

We have most of the answers to this; $17 per person based on 1200 employees. Mary has info on process used for site selection. Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:24 AM To: Paige, Janice; CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson Importance: High

I got this from a management analyst regarding the letter about Mary Wilson that was sent to Channel 36 (WCNC).

The allegations in the letter is lengthy and I am sure Bill Warren is looking into the stuff about redecorating of offices and such. One of the questions was about the $20,000 for the 'Christmas party'. That event and the costs said to be associated with it landed in the paper and in a WCNC news segment.

I have been asked about it and wanted to know some of the details of the expenditure. Vilma Leake made reference to a party at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church but I don't know if that is the $20,000 party that was being discussed.

I am asking about that directly because Ms. Wilson used to work for Friendship and frankly a predominantly Black church seems a strange place to hold a secular DSS (County Department) Christmas party (if that is what happened). If $20,000 was spent on a party there I would like to know what the costs were per person, how many actually attended, why there (as opposed to the Marriott, Westin, etc...), and how the pricing on the event was developed (whether bids were taken or did they look at various places before settling on Friendship).

If the cost per unit was high it would also be helpful to know the menu of what was served to make it that high. I recall Vlima saying something about the high quality of the food.

Of course, this may all be sour grapes from the person writing the letter but it could also be true which is why it is important to have the facts before this story gets legs.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Heilman, Amy [mailto:Amy.Heilman@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners,

Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS.

I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader.

Please see the attached email (below).

Regards,

Amy Heilman

Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW

Management Analyst

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services

Office: 704.353.1541

Fax: 704.353.1898

E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov

This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson,

I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one.

Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS.

I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it.

Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us.

Regards,

Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:33 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; McGillicuddy, John; Diehl, Daniel Subject: RE: Support for Director Wilson

County Manager, The event held by Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS) on December 17, 2008 was a mandatory training and staff recognition event. It was the first time all 1200 DSS employees where permitted to attend an event together to (i) learn about core services across DSS divisions, (ii) receive information about the DSS re-organization, (iii) learn about resources available from community partners and (iv) receive well deserved recognition for employee innovation and service. One employee innovation team has saved the County $100,000 through the development of a more efficient and effective delivery of service mechanism for client referrals. Prior to my joining DSS, the agency hosted an annual Holiday Luncheon where approximately 50% of the employees attended. Those employees who did not attend sited (i) inconvenience of leaving work for an hour and then returning, (ii) poor food quality, (iii) drab location and (iv) uninformative, as the reasons they did not attend. This feedback was based on employee surveys conducted after the 2007 Holiday Luncheon. I requested permission from the Director for Social Services of the NC Department of Health and Human Services to close Mecklenburg County DSS for an afternoon to combine training and recognition for staff in place of the annual holiday luncheon. This permission was granted and my staff started planning this event in October of 2008. The prior 3 years budget was $10,000 with the expectation that 400-600 employees would attend the event. Attached please find a breakdown of the expenses for the Holiday Luncheon for FY '05, FY 07 and FY 08. Once we received permission to close DSS for 4 hours to accommodate this mandatory training and staff recognition I set the budget at $20,000 which was twice the prior budget to accommodate twice the projected attendance. A training committee of cross divisional staff members researched space locations, designed the training and invited the community partners to attend. In researching suitable sites they found the following costs: Grady Cole Center Not able to accommodate all 1200 employees, no training rooms Blake Hotel $4500 for space, not inclusive of food, no training rooms Convention Center $6000 for space, not inclusive of food, no training rooms Holiday Inn downtown Not able to accommodate all 1200 employees Scottish Rites Bldg Only seats 700, food cost for 700 would be $12,000, no training rooms Hilton (Univ.) Only seats 700, food cost for 700 would be $14,000, no training rooms While we have held DSS Town Hall meetings in predominately White churches (Church of Christ on Sardis and Calvary Baptist on Allegany) neither of these churches were big enough for all 1200 employees for training purposes. After attending a training conference hosted by the Council on Aging, the training committee recommended the Friendship Conference Center. The Conference Center has previously been used by CATS, CMS and Park & Rec to hold secular community forums and informational meetings in addition to being utilized by other non-profits in the community. The facility cost, inclusive of 2 floors of training rooms was $3200 and the food cost was $15,000. The space cost was covered by an anonymous donor. The food prepared served approximately 1200 staff and 150 guests (community partners and other guests). With additional recognition gifts and supplies, the total cost for the training and recognition was $19,797.53. This cost is $16.49 per person, not including our invited guests. The staff feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. At a time when our staff are seeing 32% increases of applicants coming in the front door for services, I firmly believe this was money well spent to educate staff about internal DSS programs, to provide them with knowledge about resources to help clients and to show our appreciation for their dedicated work as the frontline providing human services to all the citizens of Mecklenburg County. Regards, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:46 AM To: Wilson, Mary; McGillicuddy, John; Diehl, Daniel Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson Importance: High

We have most of the answers to this; $17 per person based on 1200 employees. Mary has info on process used for site selection. Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:24 AM To: Paige, Janice; CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Support for Director Wilson Importance: High

I got this from a management analyst regarding the letter about Mary Wilson that was sent to Channel 36 (WCNC).

The allegations in the letter is lengthy and I am sure Bill Warren is looking into the stuff about redecorating of offices and such. One of the questions was about the $20,000 for the 'Christmas party'. That event and the costs said to be associated with it landed in the paper and in a WCNC news segment.

I have been asked about it and wanted to know some of the details of the expenditure. Vilma Leake made reference to a party at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church but I don't know if that is the $20,000 party that was being discussed.

I am asking about that directly because Ms. Wilson used to work for Friendship and frankly a predominantly Black church seems a strange place to hold a secular DSS (County Department) Christmas party (if that is what happened). If $20,000 was spent on a party there I would like to know what the costs were per person, how many actually attended, why there (as opposed to the Marriott, Westin, etc...), and how the pricing on the event was developed (whether bids were taken or did they look at various places before settling on Friendship).

If the cost per unit was high it would also be helpful to know the menu of what was served to make it that high. I recall Vlima saying something about the high quality of the food.

Of course, this may all be sour grapes from the person writing the letter but it could also be true which is why it is important to have the facts before this story gets legs.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Heilman, Amy [mailto:Amy.Heilman@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:16 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; CountyCommissioners Subject: Support for Director Wilson

Dear County Manager and County Commissioners,

Good morning. I want to share my response I sent to Director Wilson regarding the appalling "anonymous letter" that she courageously shared with her Team at DSS.

I feel it is important that a few "anonymous letter writers" don't speak for me, or for the DSS Team collectively. I believe that the vast majority of us welcome and embrace the innovation and positive change Director Wilson brings to DSS. I am grateful that she is here as our leader.

Please see the attached email (below).

Regards,

Amy Heilman

Amy Heilman, MSW, LCSW

Management Analyst

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services

Office: 704.353.1541

Fax: 704.353.1898

E-mail: amy.heilman@mecklenburgcountyNC.gov

This message may contain information that is confidential and/or protected by law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or communication of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the message.

_____

From: Heilman, Amy Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Dear Director Wilson,

I support you 100%, and I believe that the re-organization you have accomplished in such a short period of time really does benefit the employees, customers and residents of Mecklenburg County. It is clear that you don't just talk about a more effective and efficient Department, you are creating one.

Unfortunately, there are some people who feel otherwise, and do not have the maturity to handle their grievances in a professional manner. In my opinion, the immaturity demonstrated by these letter writers is an indication of the how these letter writers must have conducted themselves in their positions at DSS.

I see something positive despite the negative nature of the letters. I think the letters are an indication that you are doing your job well. You are re-organizing the Department to create strong leadership. Re-assigning people to positions that they are better suited for is only going to make our Department better, even if that means that some people no longer have positions with authority. If this means that some people feel that this is unfair, then so be it.

Thank you for the work you do, and for all the motivational emails you send to us.

Regards,

Amy Heilman

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Mark Sorich [mark.s@facilitywizard.com] Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 8:31 AM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: Mecklenburg County Department Of Social Services

From: Mark Sorich [mark.s@facilitywizard.com] Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 8:31 AM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: Mecklenburg County Department Of Social Services

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 1:48 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: Increase Update

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 1:48 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: Increase Update

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 1:48 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: Increase Update

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 1:48 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: Increase Update

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 4:07 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

This is what I will present tomorrow. (we'll change typo on slide 3) Thanks, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Collier, Brian [mailto:bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 4:04 PM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Mary,

Here are the slides for your presentation tomorrow. Both agency heads will introduce their organizations. Carson will go first, then Annabelle.

Carson Dean, Executive Director, Uptown Shelter

Annabelle Suddreth, Executive Director, A Child's Place

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you !!

Brian

Brian Collier

Senior Vice President--Community Philanthropy

Foundation For The Carolinas

217 South Tryon Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

Direct: 704.973.4556

Cell: 704.517.8910

Fax: 704.973.4956

www.fftc.org

_____

From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 3:37 PM To: Collier, Brian Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Got my book. Reviewing now.

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Collier, Brian [mailto:bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 12:56 PM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

I don't have new numbers, but I can get you a few to add. Carson is ED at Uptown Shelter. I'll get you that info as well. Thanks! Did you get your book?

_____

From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 12:51 PM To: Collier, Brian Subject: Re: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Yes, do you have any new info. or do I need to gather?

Who is Carson Dean? Will you have a bio on each agency for the task members? If so, pls share a copy with me.

Thanks, Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Collier, Brian To: Wilson, Mary Sent: Wed Jan 14 11:16:57 2009 Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Mary,

Are you ok doing 5 minutes on the latest stats and then introducing Annabelle Suddreth and Carson Dean?

_____

From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:19 PM To: Collier, Brian Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Brian,

Do I have the grant requests?

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Collier, Brian [mailto:bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:14 PM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Mary, Could you let me know if your staff sees any red flags with any of the pending grant requests. I'm doing some due diligence, but wanted to avail myself of all the community resources! Brian

Brian Collier Senior Vice President, Community Philanthropy Foundation For The Carolinas

-----Original Message----- From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Fri 1/9/2009 3:52 PM To: Collier, Brian; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Voignier, Clayton Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Brian,

DSS has experienced a 32.4% increase in Food Stamps applications from first quarter FY08 to first quarter FY09. DSS has experienced a 19% increase in all applications for public assistance over the same period.

On January 5, 2009, 1,090 persons entered the Kuralt Centre lobby seeking assistance. 489 of those persons completed new applications for assistance. This is the largest number of new applications in one day to date. DSS had to ask some applicants to return the next day as we could not interview all that day. The remainder, 601, were seeking assistance with their existing cases.

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

________________________________

From: Collier, Brian [mailto:bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 11:02 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; Wilson, Mary Subject: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Harry/Mary

Michael would like a brief update on community issues at the next meeting. Are there new stats you're aware of that we can show the group? Mary, your stuff from the Tuesday meeting was terrific. I'm also planning to ask Annabelle Suddreth to come in and discuss Hall House.

Thanks!

Brian

Brian Collier

Senior Vice President--Community Philanthropy

Foundation For The Carolinas

217 South Tryon Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

Direct: 704.973.4556

Cell: 704.517.8910

Fax: 704.973.4956

www.fftc.org

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 4:07 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

This is what I will present tomorrow. (we'll change typo on slide 3) Thanks, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Collier, Brian [mailto:bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 4:04 PM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Mary,

Here are the slides for your presentation tomorrow. Both agency heads will introduce their organizations. Carson will go first, then Annabelle.

Carson Dean, Executive Director, Uptown Shelter

Annabelle Suddreth, Executive Director, A Child's Place

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you !!

Brian

Brian Collier

Senior Vice President--Community Philanthropy

Foundation For The Carolinas

217 South Tryon Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

Direct: 704.973.4556

Cell: 704.517.8910

Fax: 704.973.4956

www.fftc.org

_____

From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 3:37 PM To: Collier, Brian Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Got my book. Reviewing now.

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Collier, Brian [mailto:bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 12:56 PM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

I don't have new numbers, but I can get you a few to add. Carson is ED at Uptown Shelter. I'll get you that info as well. Thanks! Did you get your book?

_____

From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 12:51 PM To: Collier, Brian Subject: Re: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Yes, do you have any new info. or do I need to gather?

Who is Carson Dean? Will you have a bio on each agency for the task members? If so, pls share a copy with me.

Thanks, Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Collier, Brian To: Wilson, Mary Sent: Wed Jan 14 11:16:57 2009 Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Mary,

Are you ok doing 5 minutes on the latest stats and then introducing Annabelle Suddreth and Carson Dean?

_____

From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:19 PM To: Collier, Brian Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Brian,

Do I have the grant requests?

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Collier, Brian [mailto:bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:14 PM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Mary, Could you let me know if your staff sees any red flags with any of the pending grant requests. I'm doing some due diligence, but wanted to avail myself of all the community resources! Brian

Brian Collier Senior Vice President, Community Philanthropy Foundation For The Carolinas

-----Original Message----- From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Fri 1/9/2009 3:52 PM To: Collier, Brian; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Voignier, Clayton Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Brian,

DSS has experienced a 32.4% increase in Food Stamps applications from first quarter FY08 to first quarter FY09. DSS has experienced a 19% increase in all applications for public assistance over the same period.

On January 5, 2009, 1,090 persons entered the Kuralt Centre lobby seeking assistance. 489 of those persons completed new applications for assistance. This is the largest number of new applications in one day to date. DSS had to ask some applicants to return the next day as we could not interview all that day. The remainder, 601, were seeking assistance with their existing cases.

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

________________________________

From: Collier, Brian [mailto:bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 11:02 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; Wilson, Mary Subject: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Harry/Mary

Michael would like a brief update on community issues at the next meeting. Are there new stats you're aware of that we can show the group? Mary, your stuff from the Tuesday meeting was terrific. I'm also planning to ask Annabelle Suddreth to come in and discuss Hall House.

Thanks!

Brian

Brian Collier

Senior Vice President--Community Philanthropy

Foundation For The Carolinas

217 South Tryon Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

Direct: 704.973.4556

Cell: 704.517.8910

Fax: 704.973.4956

www.fftc.org

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 4:07 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

This is what I will present tomorrow. (we'll change typo on slide 3) Thanks, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Collier, Brian [mailto:bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 4:04 PM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Mary,

Here are the slides for your presentation tomorrow. Both agency heads will introduce their organizations. Carson will go first, then Annabelle.

Carson Dean, Executive Director, Uptown Shelter

Annabelle Suddreth, Executive Director, A Child's Place

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you !!

Brian

Brian Collier

Senior Vice President--Community Philanthropy

Foundation For The Carolinas

217 South Tryon Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

Direct: 704.973.4556

Cell: 704.517.8910

Fax: 704.973.4956

www.fftc.org

_____

From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 3:37 PM To: Collier, Brian Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Got my book. Reviewing now.

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Collier, Brian [mailto:bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 12:56 PM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

I don't have new numbers, but I can get you a few to add. Carson is ED at Uptown Shelter. I'll get you that info as well. Thanks! Did you get your book?

_____

From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 12:51 PM To: Collier, Brian Subject: Re: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Yes, do you have any new info. or do I need to gather?

Who is Carson Dean? Will you have a bio on each agency for the task members? If so, pls share a copy with me.

Thanks, Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Collier, Brian To: Wilson, Mary Sent: Wed Jan 14 11:16:57 2009 Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Mary,

Are you ok doing 5 minutes on the latest stats and then introducing Annabelle Suddreth and Carson Dean?

_____

From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:19 PM To: Collier, Brian Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Brian,

Do I have the grant requests?

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Collier, Brian [mailto:bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:14 PM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Mary, Could you let me know if your staff sees any red flags with any of the pending grant requests. I'm doing some due diligence, but wanted to avail myself of all the community resources! Brian

Brian Collier Senior Vice President, Community Philanthropy Foundation For The Carolinas

-----Original Message----- From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Fri 1/9/2009 3:52 PM To: Collier, Brian; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Voignier, Clayton Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Brian,

DSS has experienced a 32.4% increase in Food Stamps applications from first quarter FY08 to first quarter FY09. DSS has experienced a 19% increase in all applications for public assistance over the same period.

On January 5, 2009, 1,090 persons entered the Kuralt Centre lobby seeking assistance. 489 of those persons completed new applications for assistance. This is the largest number of new applications in one day to date. DSS had to ask some applicants to return the next day as we could not interview all that day. The remainder, 601, were seeking assistance with their existing cases.

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

________________________________

From: Collier, Brian [mailto:bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 11:02 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; Wilson, Mary Subject: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Harry/Mary

Michael would like a brief update on community issues at the next meeting. Are there new stats you're aware of that we can show the group? Mary, your stuff from the Tuesday meeting was terrific. I'm also planning to ask Annabelle Suddreth to come in and discuss Hall House.

Thanks!

Brian

Brian Collier

Senior Vice President--Community Philanthropy

Foundation For The Carolinas

217 South Tryon Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

Direct: 704.973.4556

Cell: 704.517.8910

Fax: 704.973.4956

www.fftc.org

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 4:07 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

This is what I will present tomorrow. (we'll change typo on slide 3) Thanks, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Collier, Brian [mailto:bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 4:04 PM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Mary,

Here are the slides for your presentation tomorrow. Both agency heads will introduce their organizations. Carson will go first, then Annabelle.

Carson Dean, Executive Director, Uptown Shelter

Annabelle Suddreth, Executive Director, A Child's Place

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you !!

Brian

Brian Collier

Senior Vice President--Community Philanthropy

Foundation For The Carolinas

217 South Tryon Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

Direct: 704.973.4556

Cell: 704.517.8910

Fax: 704.973.4956

www.fftc.org

_____

From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 3:37 PM To: Collier, Brian Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Got my book. Reviewing now.

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Collier, Brian [mailto:bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 12:56 PM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

I don't have new numbers, but I can get you a few to add. Carson is ED at Uptown Shelter. I'll get you that info as well. Thanks! Did you get your book?

_____

From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 12:51 PM To: Collier, Brian Subject: Re: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Yes, do you have any new info. or do I need to gather?

Who is Carson Dean? Will you have a bio on each agency for the task members? If so, pls share a copy with me.

Thanks, Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Collier, Brian To: Wilson, Mary Sent: Wed Jan 14 11:16:57 2009 Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Mary,

Are you ok doing 5 minutes on the latest stats and then introducing Annabelle Suddreth and Carson Dean?

_____

From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:19 PM To: Collier, Brian Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Brian,

Do I have the grant requests?

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Collier, Brian [mailto:bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:14 PM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Mary, Could you let me know if your staff sees any red flags with any of the pending grant requests. I'm doing some due diligence, but wanted to avail myself of all the community resources! Brian

Brian Collier Senior Vice President, Community Philanthropy Foundation For The Carolinas

-----Original Message----- From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Fri 1/9/2009 3:52 PM To: Collier, Brian; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Voignier, Clayton Subject: RE: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Brian,

DSS has experienced a 32.4% increase in Food Stamps applications from first quarter FY08 to first quarter FY09. DSS has experienced a 19% increase in all applications for public assistance over the same period.

On January 5, 2009, 1,090 persons entered the Kuralt Centre lobby seeking assistance. 489 of those persons completed new applications for assistance. This is the largest number of new applications in one day to date. DSS had to ask some applicants to return the next day as we could not interview all that day. The remainder, 601, were seeking assistance with their existing cases.

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

________________________________

From: Collier, Brian [mailto:bcollier@fftc.org] Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 11:02 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; Wilson, Mary Subject: Next Week's CRNF Meeting

Harry/Mary

Michael would like a brief update on community issues at the next meeting. Are there new stats you're aware of that we can show the group? Mary, your stuff from the Tuesday meeting was terrific. I'm also planning to ask Annabelle Suddreth to come in and discuss Hall House.

Thanks!

Brian

Brian Collier

Senior Vice President--Community Philanthropy

Foundation For The Carolinas

217 South Tryon Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

Direct: 704.973.4556

Cell: 704.517.8910

Fax: 704.973.4956

www.fftc.org

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 9:51 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; McGillicuddy, John; Diehl, Daniel Subject: Attendance at Prior Years Holiday Luncheon

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 12:11 PM To: Cox, Brian Cc: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: Executive Conference Update

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 12:11 PM To: Cox, Brian Cc: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: Executive Conference Update

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 12:11 PM To: Cox, Brian Cc: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: Executive Conference Update

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 12:11 PM To: Cox, Brian Cc: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: Executive Conference Update

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 12:11 PM To: Cox, Brian Cc: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: Executive Conference Update

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 12:11 PM To: Cox, Brian Cc: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: Executive Conference Update

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 12:11 PM To: Cox, Brian Cc: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: Executive Conference Update

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 12:11 PM To: Cox, Brian Cc: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: Executive Conference Update

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 12:42 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: Attendance at Prior Years Holiday Luncheon

From: Rupp, Sharon Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 1:21 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: Thank You!!!!!!!!!

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 5:13 PM To: Rupp, Sharon Subject: RE: Thank You!!!!!!!!!

From: Cox, Brian Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 4:00 PM To: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Executive Conference Update

From: Cox, Brian Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 4:00 PM To: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Executive Conference Update

From: Cox, Brian Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 4:00 PM To: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Executive Conference Update

From: Cox, Brian Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 4:00 PM To: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Executive Conference Update

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 5:29 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Thanks

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 5:29 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Thanks

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 5:29 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Thanks

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 5:29 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Thanks

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 5:29 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Thanks

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 5:29 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Thanks

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 5:29 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Thanks

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 5:29 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Thanks

From: Kuntz, Mark Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 7:27 AM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: anonymous letter

Mr. Jones, this was my response to an anonymous letter received by Mrs.. Wilson and after having shared my viewpoint, she thought it might be a good thing for you and the Board of County Commissioners to hear. I applaud what Mrs.. Wilson is attempting to do. So long as we choose to remain stuck in a rut and choose not to open our hearts and minds to new and sometimes more challenging ways, growth will not occur and we will become stagnant and ineffective to those whom we serve, which are the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 4:39 PM To: Kuntz, Mark Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Mark,

Thank you for your kind words. Please feel free to share your sentiment with the County Manager and the Board of County Commissioners. They need to hear the other side of the story, too. Thanks for giving change a chance! Take care, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Kuntz, Mark Sent: Tue 1/13/2009 7:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Mary, I may be just a small worker in the field when it comes to how big DSS is, but I do have a voice and mind to think with and I wanted to comment on the letter that was sent to you. All to often I have seen this kind of response from people who are stuck in a rut and do not want to accept change and embrace what change can do for the over all good of others involved. I am a leader outside of my position with DSS with in the church, and the one things that we always tend to have to deal with are people who are stuck inside the box and do want to get out of the box. We get stuck in that box because we become comfortable with the way things have always been, tradition, well we have always done it this way so it must be the right way. This is the kind of thinking that keeps any organization from growing effectively weather it is a church or business or any other type organization. I have personally discovered how exciting it is to step outside the box, and face the challenges and excitement of change. It is this kind of change, stepping outside the box and our comfort zone, that really produces growth and growth for our betterment. I applaud you for what you are doing, you are what we would call a mover and a shaker, and it is this kind of person that brings about good change. Keep up the good work, you have my full support. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to express myself to you and all of your staff. Sincerely, Mark W Kuntz

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Kuntz, Mark Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 7:27 AM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: anonymous letter

Mr. Jones, this was my response to an anonymous letter received by Mrs.. Wilson and after having shared my viewpoint, she thought it might be a good thing for you and the Board of County Commissioners to hear. I applaud what Mrs.. Wilson is attempting to do. So long as we choose to remain stuck in a rut and choose not to open our hearts and minds to new and sometimes more challenging ways, growth will not occur and we will become stagnant and ineffective to those whom we serve, which are the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 4:39 PM To: Kuntz, Mark Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Mark,

Thank you for your kind words. Please feel free to share your sentiment with the County Manager and the Board of County Commissioners. They need to hear the other side of the story, too. Thanks for giving change a chance! Take care, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Kuntz, Mark Sent: Tue 1/13/2009 7:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Mary, I may be just a small worker in the field when it comes to how big DSS is, but I do have a voice and mind to think with and I wanted to comment on the letter that was sent to you. All to often I have seen this kind of response from people who are stuck in a rut and do not want to accept change and embrace what change can do for the over all good of others involved. I am a leader outside of my position with DSS with in the church, and the one things that we always tend to have to deal with are people who are stuck inside the box and do want to get out of the box. We get stuck in that box because we become comfortable with the way things have always been, tradition, well we have always done it this way so it must be the right way. This is the kind of thinking that keeps any organization from growing effectively weather it is a church or business or any other type organization. I have personally discovered how exciting it is to step outside the box, and face the challenges and excitement of change. It is this kind of change, stepping outside the box and our comfort zone, that really produces growth and growth for our betterment. I applaud you for what you are doing, you are what we would call a mover and a shaker, and it is this kind of person that brings about good change. Keep up the good work, you have my full support. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to express myself to you and all of your staff. Sincerely, Mark W Kuntz

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Kuntz, Mark Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 7:27 AM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: anonymous letter

Mr. Jones, this was my response to an anonymous letter received by Mrs.. Wilson and after having shared my viewpoint, she thought it might be a good thing for you and the Board of County Commissioners to hear. I applaud what Mrs.. Wilson is attempting to do. So long as we choose to remain stuck in a rut and choose not to open our hearts and minds to new and sometimes more challenging ways, growth will not occur and we will become stagnant and ineffective to those whom we serve, which are the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 4:39 PM To: Kuntz, Mark Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Mark,

Thank you for your kind words. Please feel free to share your sentiment with the County Manager and the Board of County Commissioners. They need to hear the other side of the story, too. Thanks for giving change a chance! Take care, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Kuntz, Mark Sent: Tue 1/13/2009 7:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Mary, I may be just a small worker in the field when it comes to how big DSS is, but I do have a voice and mind to think with and I wanted to comment on the letter that was sent to you. All to often I have seen this kind of response from people who are stuck in a rut and do not want to accept change and embrace what change can do for the over all good of others involved. I am a leader outside of my position with DSS with in the church, and the one things that we always tend to have to deal with are people who are stuck inside the box and do want to get out of the box. We get stuck in that box because we become comfortable with the way things have always been, tradition, well we have always done it this way so it must be the right way. This is the kind of thinking that keeps any organization from growing effectively weather it is a church or business or any other type organization. I have personally discovered how exciting it is to step outside the box, and face the challenges and excitement of change. It is this kind of change, stepping outside the box and our comfort zone, that really produces growth and growth for our betterment. I applaud you for what you are doing, you are what we would call a mover and a shaker, and it is this kind of person that brings about good change. Keep up the good work, you have my full support. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to express myself to you and all of your staff. Sincerely, Mark W Kuntz

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Kuntz, Mark Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 7:27 AM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: anonymous letter

Mr. Jones, this was my response to an anonymous letter received by Mrs.. Wilson and after having shared my viewpoint, she thought it might be a good thing for you and the Board of County Commissioners to hear. I applaud what Mrs.. Wilson is attempting to do. So long as we choose to remain stuck in a rut and choose not to open our hearts and minds to new and sometimes more challenging ways, growth will not occur and we will become stagnant and ineffective to those whom we serve, which are the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 4:39 PM To: Kuntz, Mark Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Mark,

Thank you for your kind words. Please feel free to share your sentiment with the County Manager and the Board of County Commissioners. They need to hear the other side of the story, too. Thanks for giving change a chance! Take care, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Kuntz, Mark Sent: Tue 1/13/2009 7:24 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: RE: anonymous letter

Mary, I may be just a small worker in the field when it comes to how big DSS is, but I do have a voice and mind to think with and I wanted to comment on the letter that was sent to you. All to often I have seen this kind of response from people who are stuck in a rut and do not want to accept change and embrace what change can do for the over all good of others involved. I am a leader outside of my position with DSS with in the church, and the one things that we always tend to have to deal with are people who are stuck inside the box and do want to get out of the box. We get stuck in that box because we become comfortable with the way things have always been, tradition, well we have always done it this way so it must be the right way. This is the kind of thinking that keeps any organization from growing effectively weather it is a church or business or any other type organization. I have personally discovered how exciting it is to step outside the box, and face the challenges and excitement of change. It is this kind of change, stepping outside the box and our comfort zone, that really produces growth and growth for our betterment. I applaud you for what you are doing, you are what we would call a mover and a shaker, and it is this kind of person that brings about good change. Keep up the good work, you have my full support. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to express myself to you and all of your staff. Sincerely, Mark W Kuntz

_____

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:43 PM To: DSS-ALL Subject: anonymous letter

Dear Team:

The County Manager recently shared the attached letter with me. I requested permission to share this with all of you as I want to keep you informed. While I had hoped these letters would stop based upon the progress we have been making, unfortunately, they have not.

Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts to move the department from being good to great.

Over the past 6 months, I believe we have taken some significant strides together as an organization. We have held a DSS wide staff training and recognition that for the first time in the history of the organization, brought all 1200 employees together for training and recognition. We have implemented a tuition reimbursement program for the first time for all employees. We have aligned ourselves with County shared services which are already improving our access to resources. And we have engaged community partners and placed social workers in the community to meet the client where they are located.

Since I have come on Board at DSS I have taken the opportunity to get to know as many of you as I can through small group meetings, one on one sessions, meetings at different DSS locations and attending your staff meetings. I have met with hundreds of employees at every level of the organization and I will continue to do so. Over and over I have had employees tell me things such as, "Once again I want to thank you for listening to what we had to say. Once again I have that feeling that you really care about the front line workers. In all the years I have been at DSS, the director has always kept his distance from the front line workers, but ever since you have been here I have felt someone really does care about us."

What I have learned is that there are passionate people at DSS who love what they do but don't always have a way to have their voice heard at every level of the organization. You have questions and ideas and there is not always a non-threatening way to share ideas or get answers. My vision for DSS is that every employee will be valued as an important part of the team. It is my desire that each one of you would embrace this vision, to continue to move our organization forward.

Next week the Senior Executive Team will be involved in an offsite meeting to develop our vision and mission statement for DSS and our 6 month Strategic Plan. Once that is finalized, we will develop and publish a communication plan to keep you updated on how you can get involved to help make a difference. We will continue to communicate progress on all initiatives on a regular basis.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You are the BEST team and I look forward to working with you to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

From: Loftis, Brett [brett@cfcrights.org] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:00 PM To: Algire, Jen; Anderson, Bill; Barb Pellin; Crawford, Frank; Eagan, Peggy; Crockett, Grayce; Jones, Harry L.; Pierman, Mark; Rhett Mabry; Suddreth, Annabelle; Susan Patterson Cc: Bibb, Elizabeth Subject: Important Invitation

Importance: High

From: Loftis, Brett [brett@cfcrights.org] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:00 PM To: Algire, Jen; Anderson, Bill; Barb Pellin; Crawford, Frank; Eagan, Peggy; Crockett, Grayce; Jones, Harry L.; Pierman, Mark; Rhett Mabry; Suddreth, Annabelle; Susan Patterson Cc: Bibb, Elizabeth Subject: Important Invitation

Importance: High

From: Barbara Pellin [barb.pellin@cms.k12.nc.us] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 3:49 PM To: Loftis, Brett; Algire, Jen; Anderson, Bill; Crawford, Frank; Eagan, Peggy; Crockett, Grayce; Jones, Harry L.; Pierman, Mark; Rhett Mabry; Suddreth, Annabelle; Susan Patterson Cc: Bibb, Elizabeth; Patricia L Detrick Subject: RE: Important Invitation

From: Barbara Pellin [barb.pellin@cms.k12.nc.us] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 3:49 PM To: Loftis, Brett; Algire, Jen; Anderson, Bill; Crawford, Frank; Eagan, Peggy; Crockett, Grayce; Jones, Harry L.; Pierman, Mark; Rhett Mabry; Suddreth, Annabelle; Susan Patterson Cc: Bibb, Elizabeth; Patricia L Detrick Subject: RE: Important Invitation

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 1:28 PM To: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L.; McGillicuddy, John; Lancaster, Michelle; Shields, Bobbie Cc: Adams, Rodney; Benson, LaCinda; Cunningham, Darrell; Foxx, Samara; Johnson, Amy; McCoy, Peggy; Momoh, Isa; Risk, Paul M.; Voignier, Clayton; Wheeler, William; Wilkins, Judi Subject: FW: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

Dear Team, I just want to keep you updated on what we are hearing regarding possible loss of revenue at the State level for county social services. Wayne Black is the Chair of the NC Association of County Directors of Social Services (NCACDSS). I have been named a co-chair of the Association's Advocacy Committee and will be working with Wayne on this issue. Please advise if you have any questions.

Regards, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Wayne Black [mailto:wayne.black@ncmail.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 2:28 PM To: The ncdirect mailing list Subject: RE: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

Jim and Everyone,

Up to this point it is my understanding that State revenues to other systems: Health Departments and Mental Health, have been reduced as part of the State Budget cuts. Our Executive Committee has continued to ask about any potential cuts to State Aid to Counties, or other funding that comes to our Departments. The Division of Social Services has reiterated strong support for not cutting State Aid to counties - we use those funds to match Federal funds to administer Food and Nutrition and Medicaid, etc. At the last meeting in Raleigh, when 7% and possibly 10% cuts were being discussed I detected that there may be increasing pressure to look at State Aid to Counties as a possible source of cuts. Needless to say we have strongly advocated that this not be anywhere near the "chopping block" as this would have a devastating result on our operations as we are already being overwhelmed with many of us having no chance of having those cuts replace with county funds.

Here is where we are at the present time. Secretary of DHHS Lanier Cansler will join us at the Critical Needs Training Event in Winston-Salem and speak at the closing session on February 6. Our E.D., Tracy, will be setting up a meeting in early February for our leadership to meet and talk with Secretary Cansler about the enormous increases in applications and caseloads in our Departments. We will address the possible impact of program expansions that may be included in the Federal Stimulus Package as well as SCHIP expansion. We will advocate for any possible Federal administration dollars that come to the State through the Stimulus package as well as any other assistance with matching funds that can be directed to County Departments of Social Services. As 'first responders" to the economic crisis we have to have help to effectively respond to the needs of our citizens. Please forward to me any statistics or anecdotal information about your county situation. We will keep you informed! WB

_____

From: Jim Atkinson [mailto:jim.atkinson@ncmail.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:45 PM To: The ncdirect mailing list Subject: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

My county manager just called me to ask about a 7% withholding of administrative revenues from each state agency (he named mental health, health departments, and included DSS in this). He wanted to know if I had received anything from "the state" about this loss of revenue. I told him that I have not heard anything, official or unofficial, but I would ask my colleagues. So...do any of you know anything about this?

Jim Atkinson, Director

Watauga County DSS

828-265-8100

* -- You are currently subscribed to

ncdirect as: wayne.black@ncmail.net. To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-23875061-2152761.956644508da4ec3db745266d1609c9bf@listserv.unc.edu

* -- You are currently subscribed to

ncdirect as: Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov. To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-23875502-12301948.a0418f9805128457f03ba312a3e39aa6@listserv.unc.edu From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 1:28 PM To: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L.; McGillicuddy, John; Lancaster, Michelle; Shields, Bobbie Cc: Adams, Rodney; Benson, LaCinda; Cunningham, Darrell; Foxx, Samara; Johnson, Amy; McCoy, Peggy; Momoh, Isa; Risk, Paul M.; Voignier, Clayton; Wheeler, William; Wilkins, Judi Subject: FW: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

Dear Team, I just want to keep you updated on what we are hearing regarding possible loss of revenue at the State level for county social services. Wayne Black is the Chair of the NC Association of County Directors of Social Services (NCACDSS). I have been named a co-chair of the Association's Advocacy Committee and will be working with Wayne on this issue. Please advise if you have any questions.

Regards, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Wayne Black [mailto:wayne.black@ncmail.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 2:28 PM To: The ncdirect mailing list Subject: RE: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

Jim and Everyone,

Up to this point it is my understanding that State revenues to other systems: Health Departments and Mental Health, have been reduced as part of the State Budget cuts. Our Executive Committee has continued to ask about any potential cuts to State Aid to Counties, or other funding that comes to our Departments. The Division of Social Services has reiterated strong support for not cutting State Aid to counties - we use those funds to match Federal funds to administer Food and Nutrition and Medicaid, etc. At the last meeting in Raleigh, when 7% and possibly 10% cuts were being discussed I detected that there may be increasing pressure to look at State Aid to Counties as a possible source of cuts. Needless to say we have strongly advocated that this not be anywhere near the "chopping block" as this would have a devastating result on our operations as we are already being overwhelmed with many of us having no chance of having those cuts replace with county funds.

Here is where we are at the present time. Secretary of DHHS Lanier Cansler will join us at the Critical Needs Training Event in Winston-Salem and speak at the closing session on February 6. Our E.D., Tracy, will be setting up a meeting in early February for our leadership to meet and talk with Secretary Cansler about the enormous increases in applications and caseloads in our Departments. We will address the possible impact of program expansions that may be included in the Federal Stimulus Package as well as SCHIP expansion. We will advocate for any possible Federal administration dollars that come to the State through the Stimulus package as well as any other assistance with matching funds that can be directed to County Departments of Social Services. As 'first responders" to the economic crisis we have to have help to effectively respond to the needs of our citizens. Please forward to me any statistics or anecdotal information about your county situation. We will keep you informed! WB

_____

From: Jim Atkinson [mailto:jim.atkinson@ncmail.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:45 PM To: The ncdirect mailing list Subject: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

My county manager just called me to ask about a 7% withholding of administrative revenues from each state agency (he named mental health, health departments, and included DSS in this). He wanted to know if I had received anything from "the state" about this loss of revenue. I told him that I have not heard anything, official or unofficial, but I would ask my colleagues. So...do any of you know anything about this?

Jim Atkinson, Director

Watauga County DSS

828-265-8100

* -- You are currently subscribed to

ncdirect as: wayne.black@ncmail.net. To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-23875061-2152761.956644508da4ec3db745266d1609c9bf@listserv.unc.edu

* -- You are currently subscribed to

ncdirect as: Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov. To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-23875502-12301948.a0418f9805128457f03ba312a3e39aa6@listserv.unc.edu From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 1:28 PM To: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L.; McGillicuddy, John; Lancaster, Michelle; Shields, Bobbie Cc: Adams, Rodney; Benson, LaCinda; Cunningham, Darrell; Foxx, Samara; Johnson, Amy; McCoy, Peggy; Momoh, Isa; Risk, Paul M.; Voignier, Clayton; Wheeler, William; Wilkins, Judi Subject: FW: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

Dear Team, I just want to keep you updated on what we are hearing regarding possible loss of revenue at the State level for county social services. Wayne Black is the Chair of the NC Association of County Directors of Social Services (NCACDSS). I have been named a co-chair of the Association's Advocacy Committee and will be working with Wayne on this issue. Please advise if you have any questions.

Regards, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Wayne Black [mailto:wayne.black@ncmail.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 2:28 PM To: The ncdirect mailing list Subject: RE: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

Jim and Everyone,

Up to this point it is my understanding that State revenues to other systems: Health Departments and Mental Health, have been reduced as part of the State Budget cuts. Our Executive Committee has continued to ask about any potential cuts to State Aid to Counties, or other funding that comes to our Departments. The Division of Social Services has reiterated strong support for not cutting State Aid to counties - we use those funds to match Federal funds to administer Food and Nutrition and Medicaid, etc. At the last meeting in Raleigh, when 7% and possibly 10% cuts were being discussed I detected that there may be increasing pressure to look at State Aid to Counties as a possible source of cuts. Needless to say we have strongly advocated that this not be anywhere near the "chopping block" as this would have a devastating result on our operations as we are already being overwhelmed with many of us having no chance of having those cuts replace with county funds.

Here is where we are at the present time. Secretary of DHHS Lanier Cansler will join us at the Critical Needs Training Event in Winston-Salem and speak at the closing session on February 6. Our E.D., Tracy, will be setting up a meeting in early February for our leadership to meet and talk with Secretary Cansler about the enormous increases in applications and caseloads in our Departments. We will address the possible impact of program expansions that may be included in the Federal Stimulus Package as well as SCHIP expansion. We will advocate for any possible Federal administration dollars that come to the State through the Stimulus package as well as any other assistance with matching funds that can be directed to County Departments of Social Services. As 'first responders" to the economic crisis we have to have help to effectively respond to the needs of our citizens. Please forward to me any statistics or anecdotal information about your county situation. We will keep you informed! WB

_____

From: Jim Atkinson [mailto:jim.atkinson@ncmail.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:45 PM To: The ncdirect mailing list Subject: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

My county manager just called me to ask about a 7% withholding of administrative revenues from each state agency (he named mental health, health departments, and included DSS in this). He wanted to know if I had received anything from "the state" about this loss of revenue. I told him that I have not heard anything, official or unofficial, but I would ask my colleagues. So...do any of you know anything about this?

Jim Atkinson, Director

Watauga County DSS

828-265-8100

* -- You are currently subscribed to

ncdirect as: wayne.black@ncmail.net. To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-23875061-2152761.956644508da4ec3db745266d1609c9bf@listserv.unc.edu

* -- You are currently subscribed to

ncdirect as: Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov. To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-23875502-12301948.a0418f9805128457f03ba312a3e39aa6@listserv.unc.edu From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 1:28 PM To: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L.; McGillicuddy, John; Lancaster, Michelle; Shields, Bobbie Cc: Adams, Rodney; Benson, LaCinda; Cunningham, Darrell; Foxx, Samara; Johnson, Amy; McCoy, Peggy; Momoh, Isa; Risk, Paul M.; Voignier, Clayton; Wheeler, William; Wilkins, Judi Subject: FW: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

Dear Team, I just want to keep you updated on what we are hearing regarding possible loss of revenue at the State level for county social services. Wayne Black is the Chair of the NC Association of County Directors of Social Services (NCACDSS). I have been named a co-chair of the Association's Advocacy Committee and will be working with Wayne on this issue. Please advise if you have any questions.

Regards, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Wayne Black [mailto:wayne.black@ncmail.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 2:28 PM To: The ncdirect mailing list Subject: RE: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

Jim and Everyone,

Up to this point it is my understanding that State revenues to other systems: Health Departments and Mental Health, have been reduced as part of the State Budget cuts. Our Executive Committee has continued to ask about any potential cuts to State Aid to Counties, or other funding that comes to our Departments. The Division of Social Services has reiterated strong support for not cutting State Aid to counties - we use those funds to match Federal funds to administer Food and Nutrition and Medicaid, etc. At the last meeting in Raleigh, when 7% and possibly 10% cuts were being discussed I detected that there may be increasing pressure to look at State Aid to Counties as a possible source of cuts. Needless to say we have strongly advocated that this not be anywhere near the "chopping block" as this would have a devastating result on our operations as we are already being overwhelmed with many of us having no chance of having those cuts replace with county funds.

Here is where we are at the present time. Secretary of DHHS Lanier Cansler will join us at the Critical Needs Training Event in Winston-Salem and speak at the closing session on February 6. Our E.D., Tracy, will be setting up a meeting in early February for our leadership to meet and talk with Secretary Cansler about the enormous increases in applications and caseloads in our Departments. We will address the possible impact of program expansions that may be included in the Federal Stimulus Package as well as SCHIP expansion. We will advocate for any possible Federal administration dollars that come to the State through the Stimulus package as well as any other assistance with matching funds that can be directed to County Departments of Social Services. As 'first responders" to the economic crisis we have to have help to effectively respond to the needs of our citizens. Please forward to me any statistics or anecdotal information about your county situation. We will keep you informed! WB

_____

From: Jim Atkinson [mailto:jim.atkinson@ncmail.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:45 PM To: The ncdirect mailing list Subject: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

My county manager just called me to ask about a 7% withholding of administrative revenues from each state agency (he named mental health, health departments, and included DSS in this). He wanted to know if I had received anything from "the state" about this loss of revenue. I told him that I have not heard anything, official or unofficial, but I would ask my colleagues. So...do any of you know anything about this?

Jim Atkinson, Director

Watauga County DSS

828-265-8100

* -- You are currently subscribed to

ncdirect as: wayne.black@ncmail.net. To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-23875061-2152761.956644508da4ec3db745266d1609c9bf@listserv.unc.edu

* -- You are currently subscribed to

ncdirect as: Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov. To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-23875502-12301948.a0418f9805128457f03ba312a3e39aa6@listserv.unc.edu From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 1:28 PM To: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L.; McGillicuddy, John; Lancaster, Michelle; Shields, Bobbie Cc: Adams, Rodney; Benson, LaCinda; Cunningham, Darrell; Foxx, Samara; Johnson, Amy; McCoy, Peggy; Momoh, Isa; Risk, Paul M.; Voignier, Clayton; Wheeler, William; Wilkins, Judi Subject: FW: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

Dear Team, I just want to keep you updated on what we are hearing regarding possible loss of revenue at the State level for county social services. Wayne Black is the Chair of the NC Association of County Directors of Social Services (NCACDSS). I have been named a co-chair of the Association's Advocacy Committee and will be working with Wayne on this issue. Please advise if you have any questions.

Regards, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Wayne Black [mailto:wayne.black@ncmail.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 2:28 PM To: The ncdirect mailing list Subject: RE: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

Jim and Everyone,

Up to this point it is my understanding that State revenues to other systems: Health Departments and Mental Health, have been reduced as part of the State Budget cuts. Our Executive Committee has continued to ask about any potential cuts to State Aid to Counties, or other funding that comes to our Departments. The Division of Social Services has reiterated strong support for not cutting State Aid to counties - we use those funds to match Federal funds to administer Food and Nutrition and Medicaid, etc. At the last meeting in Raleigh, when 7% and possibly 10% cuts were being discussed I detected that there may be increasing pressure to look at State Aid to Counties as a possible source of cuts. Needless to say we have strongly advocated that this not be anywhere near the "chopping block" as this would have a devastating result on our operations as we are already being overwhelmed with many of us having no chance of having those cuts replace with county funds.

Here is where we are at the present time. Secretary of DHHS Lanier Cansler will join us at the Critical Needs Training Event in Winston-Salem and speak at the closing session on February 6. Our E.D., Tracy, will be setting up a meeting in early February for our leadership to meet and talk with Secretary Cansler about the enormous increases in applications and caseloads in our Departments. We will address the possible impact of program expansions that may be included in the Federal Stimulus Package as well as SCHIP expansion. We will advocate for any possible Federal administration dollars that come to the State through the Stimulus package as well as any other assistance with matching funds that can be directed to County Departments of Social Services. As 'first responders" to the economic crisis we have to have help to effectively respond to the needs of our citizens. Please forward to me any statistics or anecdotal information about your county situation. We will keep you informed! WB

_____

From: Jim Atkinson [mailto:jim.atkinson@ncmail.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:45 PM To: The ncdirect mailing list Subject: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

My county manager just called me to ask about a 7% withholding of administrative revenues from each state agency (he named mental health, health departments, and included DSS in this). He wanted to know if I had received anything from "the state" about this loss of revenue. I told him that I have not heard anything, official or unofficial, but I would ask my colleagues. So...do any of you know anything about this?

Jim Atkinson, Director

Watauga County DSS

828-265-8100

* -- You are currently subscribed to

ncdirect as: wayne.black@ncmail.net. To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-23875061-2152761.956644508da4ec3db745266d1609c9bf@listserv.unc.edu

* -- You are currently subscribed to

ncdirect as: Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov. To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-23875502-12301948.a0418f9805128457f03ba312a3e39aa6@listserv.unc.edu From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 1:28 PM To: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L.; McGillicuddy, John; Lancaster, Michelle; Shields, Bobbie Cc: Adams, Rodney; Benson, LaCinda; Cunningham, Darrell; Foxx, Samara; Johnson, Amy; McCoy, Peggy; Momoh, Isa; Risk, Paul M.; Voignier, Clayton; Wheeler, William; Wilkins, Judi Subject: FW: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

Dear Team, I just want to keep you updated on what we are hearing regarding possible loss of revenue at the State level for county social services. Wayne Black is the Chair of the NC Association of County Directors of Social Services (NCACDSS). I have been named a co-chair of the Association's Advocacy Committee and will be working with Wayne on this issue. Please advise if you have any questions.

Regards, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Wayne Black [mailto:wayne.black@ncmail.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 2:28 PM To: The ncdirect mailing list Subject: RE: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

Jim and Everyone,

Up to this point it is my understanding that State revenues to other systems: Health Departments and Mental Health, have been reduced as part of the State Budget cuts. Our Executive Committee has continued to ask about any potential cuts to State Aid to Counties, or other funding that comes to our Departments. The Division of Social Services has reiterated strong support for not cutting State Aid to counties - we use those funds to match Federal funds to administer Food and Nutrition and Medicaid, etc. At the last meeting in Raleigh, when 7% and possibly 10% cuts were being discussed I detected that there may be increasing pressure to look at State Aid to Counties as a possible source of cuts. Needless to say we have strongly advocated that this not be anywhere near the "chopping block" as this would have a devastating result on our operations as we are already being overwhelmed with many of us having no chance of having those cuts replace with county funds.

Here is where we are at the present time. Secretary of DHHS Lanier Cansler will join us at the Critical Needs Training Event in Winston-Salem and speak at the closing session on February 6. Our E.D., Tracy, will be setting up a meeting in early February for our leadership to meet and talk with Secretary Cansler about the enormous increases in applications and caseloads in our Departments. We will address the possible impact of program expansions that may be included in the Federal Stimulus Package as well as SCHIP expansion. We will advocate for any possible Federal administration dollars that come to the State through the Stimulus package as well as any other assistance with matching funds that can be directed to County Departments of Social Services. As 'first responders" to the economic crisis we have to have help to effectively respond to the needs of our citizens. Please forward to me any statistics or anecdotal information about your county situation. We will keep you informed! WB

_____

From: Jim Atkinson [mailto:jim.atkinson@ncmail.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:45 PM To: The ncdirect mailing list Subject: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

My county manager just called me to ask about a 7% withholding of administrative revenues from each state agency (he named mental health, health departments, and included DSS in this). He wanted to know if I had received anything from "the state" about this loss of revenue. I told him that I have not heard anything, official or unofficial, but I would ask my colleagues. So...do any of you know anything about this?

Jim Atkinson, Director

Watauga County DSS

828-265-8100

* -- You are currently subscribed to

ncdirect as: wayne.black@ncmail.net. To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-23875061-2152761.956644508da4ec3db745266d1609c9bf@listserv.unc.edu

* -- You are currently subscribed to

ncdirect as: Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov. To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-23875502-12301948.a0418f9805128457f03ba312a3e39aa6@listserv.unc.edu From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 1:28 PM To: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L.; McGillicuddy, John; Lancaster, Michelle; Shields, Bobbie Cc: Adams, Rodney; Benson, LaCinda; Cunningham, Darrell; Foxx, Samara; Johnson, Amy; McCoy, Peggy; Momoh, Isa; Risk, Paul M.; Voignier, Clayton; Wheeler, William; Wilkins, Judi Subject: FW: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

Dear Team, I just want to keep you updated on what we are hearing regarding possible loss of revenue at the State level for county social services. Wayne Black is the Chair of the NC Association of County Directors of Social Services (NCACDSS). I have been named a co-chair of the Association's Advocacy Committee and will be working with Wayne on this issue. Please advise if you have any questions.

Regards, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Wayne Black [mailto:wayne.black@ncmail.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 2:28 PM To: The ncdirect mailing list Subject: RE: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

Jim and Everyone,

Up to this point it is my understanding that State revenues to other systems: Health Departments and Mental Health, have been reduced as part of the State Budget cuts. Our Executive Committee has continued to ask about any potential cuts to State Aid to Counties, or other funding that comes to our Departments. The Division of Social Services has reiterated strong support for not cutting State Aid to counties - we use those funds to match Federal funds to administer Food and Nutrition and Medicaid, etc. At the last meeting in Raleigh, when 7% and possibly 10% cuts were being discussed I detected that there may be increasing pressure to look at State Aid to Counties as a possible source of cuts. Needless to say we have strongly advocated that this not be anywhere near the "chopping block" as this would have a devastating result on our operations as we are already being overwhelmed with many of us having no chance of having those cuts replace with county funds.

Here is where we are at the present time. Secretary of DHHS Lanier Cansler will join us at the Critical Needs Training Event in Winston-Salem and speak at the closing session on February 6. Our E.D., Tracy, will be setting up a meeting in early February for our leadership to meet and talk with Secretary Cansler about the enormous increases in applications and caseloads in our Departments. We will address the possible impact of program expansions that may be included in the Federal Stimulus Package as well as SCHIP expansion. We will advocate for any possible Federal administration dollars that come to the State through the Stimulus package as well as any other assistance with matching funds that can be directed to County Departments of Social Services. As 'first responders" to the economic crisis we have to have help to effectively respond to the needs of our citizens. Please forward to me any statistics or anecdotal information about your county situation. We will keep you informed! WB

_____

From: Jim Atkinson [mailto:jim.atkinson@ncmail.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:45 PM To: The ncdirect mailing list Subject: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

My county manager just called me to ask about a 7% withholding of administrative revenues from each state agency (he named mental health, health departments, and included DSS in this). He wanted to know if I had received anything from "the state" about this loss of revenue. I told him that I have not heard anything, official or unofficial, but I would ask my colleagues. So...do any of you know anything about this?

Jim Atkinson, Director

Watauga County DSS

828-265-8100

* -- You are currently subscribed to

ncdirect as: wayne.black@ncmail.net. To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-23875061-2152761.956644508da4ec3db745266d1609c9bf@listserv.unc.edu

* -- You are currently subscribed to

ncdirect as: Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov. To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-23875502-12301948.a0418f9805128457f03ba312a3e39aa6@listserv.unc.edu From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 1:28 PM To: Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L.; McGillicuddy, John; Lancaster, Michelle; Shields, Bobbie Cc: Adams, Rodney; Benson, LaCinda; Cunningham, Darrell; Foxx, Samara; Johnson, Amy; McCoy, Peggy; Momoh, Isa; Risk, Paul M.; Voignier, Clayton; Wheeler, William; Wilkins, Judi Subject: FW: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

Dear Team, I just want to keep you updated on what we are hearing regarding possible loss of revenue at the State level for county social services. Wayne Black is the Chair of the NC Association of County Directors of Social Services (NCACDSS). I have been named a co-chair of the Association's Advocacy Committee and will be working with Wayne on this issue. Please advise if you have any questions.

Regards, Mary Mary E. Wilson Director Department of Social Services 301 Billingsley Road Charlotte, NC 28211 W) 704-336-Mary C) 704-649-0568 mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: Wayne Black [mailto:wayne.black@ncmail.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 2:28 PM To: The ncdirect mailing list Subject: RE: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

Jim and Everyone,

Up to this point it is my understanding that State revenues to other systems: Health Departments and Mental Health, have been reduced as part of the State Budget cuts. Our Executive Committee has continued to ask about any potential cuts to State Aid to Counties, or other funding that comes to our Departments. The Division of Social Services has reiterated strong support for not cutting State Aid to counties - we use those funds to match Federal funds to administer Food and Nutrition and Medicaid, etc. At the last meeting in Raleigh, when 7% and possibly 10% cuts were being discussed I detected that there may be increasing pressure to look at State Aid to Counties as a possible source of cuts. Needless to say we have strongly advocated that this not be anywhere near the "chopping block" as this would have a devastating result on our operations as we are already being overwhelmed with many of us having no chance of having those cuts replace with county funds.

Here is where we are at the present time. Secretary of DHHS Lanier Cansler will join us at the Critical Needs Training Event in Winston-Salem and speak at the closing session on February 6. Our E.D., Tracy, will be setting up a meeting in early February for our leadership to meet and talk with Secretary Cansler about the enormous increases in applications and caseloads in our Departments. We will address the possible impact of program expansions that may be included in the Federal Stimulus Package as well as SCHIP expansion. We will advocate for any possible Federal administration dollars that come to the State through the Stimulus package as well as any other assistance with matching funds that can be directed to County Departments of Social Services. As 'first responders" to the economic crisis we have to have help to effectively respond to the needs of our citizens. Please forward to me any statistics or anecdotal information about your county situation. We will keep you informed! WB

_____

From: Jim Atkinson [mailto:jim.atkinson@ncmail.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:45 PM To: The ncdirect mailing list Subject: [ncdirect] loss of revenues

My county manager just called me to ask about a 7% withholding of administrative revenues from each state agency (he named mental health, health departments, and included DSS in this). He wanted to know if I had received anything from "the state" about this loss of revenue. I told him that I have not heard anything, official or unofficial, but I would ask my colleagues. So...do any of you know anything about this?

Jim Atkinson, Director

Watauga County DSS

828-265-8100

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ncdirect as: wayne.black@ncmail.net. To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-23875061-2152761.956644508da4ec3db745266d1609c9bf@listserv.unc.edu

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ncdirect as: Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov. To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-23875502-12301948.a0418f9805128457f03ba312a3e39aa6@listserv.unc.edu From: Rupp, Jennifer Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 10:47 AM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Cogdell, Harold; Murrey, Daniel B; Bentley, Karen; Leake, Vilma; Dunlap, George; Cooksey, Neil; James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: A Message About Our FY2010 Budget

From: Rupp, Jennifer Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 10:47 AM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Cogdell, Harold; Murrey, Daniel B; Bentley, Karen; Leake, Vilma; Dunlap, George; Cooksey, Neil; James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: A Message About Our FY2010 Budget

From: Rupp, Jennifer Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 10:47 AM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Cogdell, Harold; Murrey, Daniel B; Bentley, Karen; Leake, Vilma; Dunlap, George; Cooksey, Neil; James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: A Message About Our FY2010 Budget

From: Rupp, Jennifer Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 10:47 AM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Cogdell, Harold; Murrey, Daniel B; Bentley, Karen; Leake, Vilma; Dunlap, George; Cooksey, Neil; James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: A Message About Our FY2010 Budget

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 10:12 PM To: CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: Public Boarding School (getting into the parenting business)

Importance: High

1-31-2008

Dear Jennifer, Dan, Harold, Karen, Vilma, George, Dumont, Neil and Harry:

In a follow-up to the conference and a comment I made about a 24-7 school to correct the achievement gap and low performance school issue I had some information to share below.

This is something I have talked about for about 5 years or so but it always seemed to fall under the weight of the turf battles between CMS and DSS or monetary considerations. Since CMS will have to re-work their 10 year capital plan anyway due to the bond rating issues this seemed to be an opportune time to see if we can evaluate the idea of a ëboarding schoolí to see if it would work here.

Essentially (in my opinion) we have a problem educating children in Mecklenburg ñ and in particular urban inner-city children.

This educational ëproblemí is not that these children canít learn is that that when they get to 3rd grade (approx) the negative influences of single-parent (or no parent) households begin to turn these children into their parents and leaving these children in their toxic home environment we end up creating another generation of problems.

There are several solutions to this. Harold and I (and Harry) discussed this at dinner the other night). Right now we have a study proposal for an ëarts schoolí for an individual in Philadelphia. Normally, his schools are not 24-7 but it could be.

What I believe is needed however is a school (or schools by age group) that are centered around a pod system that has surrogate parents that work with these kids in place of their parents during ëoff hoursí. These kids should live with these surrogate parents (not foster parents) in a home like setting on campus and then attend the school associated with this campus.

In many places like Virginia the facility includes both DSS and Schools. The money to operate the facility comes from the welfare payments that the Fedís pay for the child that would go to the parent. In essence, for those kids that need removal from their home environment, the child is transferred to the public boarding school and the money goes with them and Mecklenburg County would supplant that.

Below is a link to one example of this called the Seed Foundation that Oprah was involved with in one way or the other. Others are on the table in Wisconsin and Illinois.

http://www.seedfoundation.com/

in the 19th century, ëreformí schools were created by the liberals of that day to ëreformí and take children out of bad home environments and place them in a facility where they received both education and parental supervision. The ëreform schoolí model lasted until the 60ís when it was replace with the ëfoster homeí model. That model was used because it saved the government money and because the cash was going directly to individuals which had a political effect (for one party).

I think that we could establish this sort of facility by getting CMS to designate and form their own ìCharter Schoolî under the law (as opposed to independently owned Charter schools). A ëCMS Charterí would allow the hiring of specialists, the involvement of DSS, Mental Health and Public Health to create a campus that provides as normal a two parent family life as possible for these children starting with the youngest age.

The positives are obvious. The negatives are that we (the County through DSS) would have to remove these children we deem to be in harms way from these derelict home environments. We have the authority to do that but frankly, over the years we have refused to do so both for cost reasons and because it isnít ëiní to remove kids from an family life that is damaging the child.

Below is a link and a recent press report. Please review this and give it some thought.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

Archive for Friday, March 14, 2008

No small plan: Public boarding schools for Chicago School chief wants to launch first residential program as early as 2009

By Carlos Sadovi and Stephanie Banchero March 14, 2008

Public boarding schools where homeless children and those from troubledhomes could find the safety and stability to learn are being pursued byChicago Public Schools officials. Under the plan, still in the nascent stages, the first pilot residentialprogram could open as soon as fall 2009. District officials hope to launchas many as six such schools in the following years, including at least onethat would operate as a year-round school. The proposal puts Chicago at the forefront of urban school reform, ascities struggle to raise the academic achievement of students hampered bydysfunctional homes and other obstacles outside school. Some districts, including Chicago, have looked for solutions from smallschools to single-sex campuses. But residential schools are a bolder ñ andfar more expensive ñ proposition. Long an option for the affluent, boardingschools are virtually unheard of for the disadvantaged. Chicago Public Schools chief Arne Duncan said he does not want to be in theîparentingî business, but he worries that some homes and some neighborhoodsare unsafe, making education an afterthought. ìSome children should not go home at night; some of them we need 24-7,î hetold the Tribune. ìWe want to serve children who are really not getting enoughstructure at home. Thereís a certain point where dad is in jail or hasdisappeared and mom is on crack Ö where there isnít a stable grandmother,that child is being raised by the streets.î Chicago school officials are still working through details of the plan,and itís not clear whether the schools would be run by the district, outsideagencies or some combination of the two. Itís also not certain how the schools would be funded, who would shoulderthe liability of keeping students overnight or how students would be selected. In April, as part of its Renaissance 2010 new schools program, the districtwill put out a formal request for boarding school proposals. Officials havealready met with interested groups in Chicago. Officials have also visited several public and private boarding schoolsacross the country and asked some to submit proposals. Duncan said he has dreamed for years about opening boarding schools, butonly last year, when he hired Josh Edelman, son of Childrenís Defense Fundfounder Marian Wright Edelman, did the idea take off. The younger Edelman served for four years as the principal of The SEEDSchool, the nationís oldest and most successful urban boarding school. Locatedin Washington, D.C., the public, college preparatory campus serves 300students from 7th through 12th grades. Nearly 72 percent of SEED students, who hail from low-income and sometimestroubled backgrounds, go on to four-year colleges. Edelman said Chicago Public Schools officials are interested in severalmodels, including SEED, in which students live and attend school in the samebuilding. Other options would include an arrangement in which students livein one building and ride the bus to a nearby school or a large centraldormitory in which students live in one building but attend several schools. All of these settings could allow students to go home on weekends, or stayat the facility 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Officials said they wouldlook at both options or a combination. Edelman said his experience at The SEED School proved to him that familyand community involvement are paramount to making a boarding schoolsuccessful. In Chicago, children would attend the school only after the parents orguardian choose the option. Schools would then work with parents to ensurethat the studentsí academic and social needs are being met. ìThis is not about doing something to parents because parents are bad,îEdelman said. ìThis is about doing something in conjunction with parents andthe community.î Chicago flirted briefly with the idea of public school residentialfacilities in the mid-1990s, when a private group proposed transforming a16-story unit at the Robert Taylor Homes into a dormitory for 800 students.The proposal died when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developmenttook over the CHA. A few years later, then-schools chief Paul Vallas floated the idea ofopening a boarding school for neglected and homeless children. Students wouldlive at the school until the Department of Children and Family Services wasable to place them in foster care or with relatives. The plan collapsedbecause of the high price tag. Now the district is hoping to launch a pilot program in September 2009,operated by North Lawndale College Prep. The charter group, which runs twoChicago high schools, is working on a proposal to create an off-sitedormitory, initially for about 15 to 20 of its homeless students. The teenagers would live in the building 24 hours a day, seven days a week.Teen Living Program, which works with federal, state and city government toprovide shelter and support for homeless teens, would run the residentialunits. John Horan, director of expansion for the charter group, said officials arelooking for a building that could house the students and are working throughfunding and liability issues that go along with operating a residentialfacility. The charter group and Teen Living plan to present the proposal to theirrespective boards of directors in the summer. The proposal then would have togo before the Chicago Board of Education for final approval. Horan said between 6 and 8 percent of North Lawndaleís 400 students arehomeless, either because their parents are in prison or have disappeared. Someteachers have stepped in as parents, allowing students to bunk at their homesor, in some cases, taking temporary guardianship of the students. ìItís not sustainable; you canít really depend on your staff to do that,îHoran said. ìOur notion now is if you are going to be serious about providingcollege prep for kids who are from [poor] communities you have to deal withthe housing.î But housing is an expensive proposition. Illinois already has one residential school, the Illinois Math and ScienceAcademy, a state-funded 10th through 12th-grade college prep high school thatenrolls about 650 gifted students. The price tag: about $23,000 per studenteach year. Providing the same services for low-income urban students who face moresignificant life problems is certain to be most costly. The SEED School isopening a second school in Baltimore. The cost per student: $34,000. Chicago spends about $7,000 per pupil in operating costs. ìThis is a big idea that has residual effect beyond the kids,î said CheyeCalvo, director of expansion for The SEED School. ìIn the long term, this isbetter for society because the economic impact of failure affects us all. Butopening a boarding school requires political leadership to step forward andprovide the resources.î - - - SEED success 72% of students at The SEED School go on to four-year colleges. The school, thenationís oldest urban boarding school, serves students from 7th through 12thgrades in Washington, D.C. óóó- sbanchero@tribune.com csadovi@tribune.com

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 10:12 PM To: CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: Public Boarding School (getting into the parenting business)

Importance: High

1-31-2008

Dear Jennifer, Dan, Harold, Karen, Vilma, George, Dumont, Neil and Harry:

In a follow-up to the conference and a comment I made about a 24-7 school to correct the achievement gap and low performance school issue I had some information to share below.

This is something I have talked about for about 5 years or so but it always seemed to fall under the weight of the turf battles between CMS and DSS or monetary considerations. Since CMS will have to re-work their 10 year capital plan anyway due to the bond rating issues this seemed to be an opportune time to see if we can evaluate the idea of a ëboarding schoolí to see if it would work here.

Essentially (in my opinion) we have a problem educating children in Mecklenburg ñ and in particular urban inner-city children.

This educational ëproblemí is not that these children canít learn is that that when they get to 3rd grade (approx) the negative influences of single-parent (or no parent) households begin to turn these children into their parents and leaving these children in their toxic home environment we end up creating another generation of problems.

There are several solutions to this. Harold and I (and Harry) discussed this at dinner the other night). Right now we have a study proposal for an ëarts schoolí for an individual in Philadelphia. Normally, his schools are not 24-7 but it could be.

What I believe is needed however is a school (or schools by age group) that are centered around a pod system that has surrogate parents that work with these kids in place of their parents during ëoff hoursí. These kids should live with these surrogate parents (not foster parents) in a home like setting on campus and then attend the school associated with this campus.

In many places like Virginia the facility includes both DSS and Schools. The money to operate the facility comes from the welfare payments that the Fedís pay for the child that would go to the parent. In essence, for those kids that need removal from their home environment, the child is transferred to the public boarding school and the money goes with them and Mecklenburg County would supplant that.

Below is a link to one example of this called the Seed Foundation that Oprah was involved with in one way or the other. Others are on the table in Wisconsin and Illinois.

http://www.seedfoundation.com/

in the 19th century, ëreformí schools were created by the liberals of that day to ëreformí and take children out of bad home environments and place them in a facility where they received both education and parental supervision. The ëreform schoolí model lasted until the 60ís when it was replace with the ëfoster homeí model. That model was used because it saved the government money and because the cash was going directly to individuals which had a political effect (for one party).

I think that we could establish this sort of facility by getting CMS to designate and form their own ìCharter Schoolî under the law (as opposed to independently owned Charter schools). A ëCMS Charterí would allow the hiring of specialists, the involvement of DSS, Mental Health and Public Health to create a campus that provides as normal a two parent family life as possible for these children starting with the youngest age.

The positives are obvious. The negatives are that we (the County through DSS) would have to remove these children we deem to be in harms way from these derelict home environments. We have the authority to do that but frankly, over the years we have refused to do so both for cost reasons and because it isnít ëiní to remove kids from an family life that is damaging the child.

Below is a link and a recent press report. Please review this and give it some thought.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

Archive for Friday, March 14, 2008

No small plan: Public boarding schools for Chicago School chief wants to launch first residential program as early as 2009

By Carlos Sadovi and Stephanie Banchero March 14, 2008

Public boarding schools where homeless children and those from troubledhomes could find the safety and stability to learn are being pursued byChicago Public Schools officials. Under the plan, still in the nascent stages, the first pilot residentialprogram could open as soon as fall 2009. District officials hope to launchas many as six such schools in the following years, including at least onethat would operate as a year-round school. The proposal puts Chicago at the forefront of urban school reform, ascities struggle to raise the academic achievement of students hampered bydysfunctional homes and other obstacles outside school. Some districts, including Chicago, have looked for solutions from smallschools to single-sex campuses. But residential schools are a bolder ñ andfar more expensive ñ proposition. Long an option for the affluent, boardingschools are virtually unheard of for the disadvantaged. Chicago Public Schools chief Arne Duncan said he does not want to be in theîparentingî business, but he worries that some homes and some neighborhoodsare unsafe, making education an afterthought. ìSome children should not go home at night; some of them we need 24-7,î hetold the Tribune. ìWe want to serve children who are really not getting enoughstructure at home. Thereís a certain point where dad is in jail or hasdisappeared and mom is on crack Ö where there isnít a stable grandmother,that child is being raised by the streets.î Chicago school officials are still working through details of the plan,and itís not clear whether the schools would be run by the district, outsideagencies or some combination of the two. Itís also not certain how the schools would be funded, who would shoulderthe liability of keeping students overnight or how students would be selected. In April, as part of its Renaissance 2010 new schools program, the districtwill put out a formal request for boarding school proposals. Officials havealready met with interested groups in Chicago. Officials have also visited several public and private boarding schoolsacross the country and asked some to submit proposals. Duncan said he has dreamed for years about opening boarding schools, butonly last year, when he hired Josh Edelman, son of Childrenís Defense Fundfounder Marian Wright Edelman, did the idea take off. The younger Edelman served for four years as the principal of The SEEDSchool, the nationís oldest and most successful urban boarding school. Locatedin Washington, D.C., the public, college preparatory campus serves 300students from 7th through 12th grades. Nearly 72 percent of SEED students, who hail from low-income and sometimestroubled backgrounds, go on to four-year colleges. Edelman said Chicago Public Schools officials are interested in severalmodels, including SEED, in which students live and attend school in the samebuilding. Other options would include an arrangement in which students livein one building and ride the bus to a nearby school or a large centraldormitory in which students live in one building but attend several schools. All of these settings could allow students to go home on weekends, or stayat the facility 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Officials said they wouldlook at both options or a combination. Edelman said his experience at The SEED School proved to him that familyand community involvement are paramount to making a boarding schoolsuccessful. In Chicago, children would attend the school only after the parents orguardian choose the option. Schools would then work with parents to ensurethat the studentsí academic and social needs are being met. ìThis is not about doing something to parents because parents are bad,îEdelman said. ìThis is about doing something in conjunction with parents andthe community.î Chicago flirted briefly with the idea of public school residentialfacilities in the mid-1990s, when a private group proposed transforming a16-story unit at the Robert Taylor Homes into a dormitory for 800 students.The proposal died when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developmenttook over the CHA. A few years later, then-schools chief Paul Vallas floated the idea ofopening a boarding school for neglected and homeless children. Students wouldlive at the school until the Department of Children and Family Services wasable to place them in foster care or with relatives. The plan collapsedbecause of the high price tag. Now the district is hoping to launch a pilot program in September 2009,operated by North Lawndale College Prep. The charter group, which runs twoChicago high schools, is working on a proposal to create an off-sitedormitory, initially for about 15 to 20 of its homeless students. The teenagers would live in the building 24 hours a day, seven days a week.Teen Living Program, which works with federal, state and city government toprovide shelter and support for homeless teens, would run the residentialunits. John Horan, director of expansion for the charter group, said officials arelooking for a building that could house the students and are working throughfunding and liability issues that go along with operating a residentialfacility. The charter group and Teen Living plan to present the proposal to theirrespective boards of directors in the summer. The proposal then would have togo before the Chicago Board of Education for final approval. Horan said between 6 and 8 percent of North Lawndaleís 400 students arehomeless, either because their parents are in prison or have disappeared. Someteachers have stepped in as parents, allowing students to bunk at their homesor, in some cases, taking temporary guardianship of the students. ìItís not sustainable; you canít really depend on your staff to do that,îHoran said. ìOur notion now is if you are going to be serious about providingcollege prep for kids who are from [poor] communities you have to deal withthe housing.î But housing is an expensive proposition. Illinois already has one residential school, the Illinois Math and ScienceAcademy, a state-funded 10th through 12th-grade college prep high school thatenrolls about 650 gifted students. The price tag: about $23,000 per studenteach year. Providing the same services for low-income urban students who face moresignificant life problems is certain to be most costly. The SEED School isopening a second school in Baltimore. The cost per student: $34,000. Chicago spends about $7,000 per pupil in operating costs. ìThis is a big idea that has residual effect beyond the kids,î said CheyeCalvo, director of expansion for The SEED School. ìIn the long term, this isbetter for society because the economic impact of failure affects us all. Butopening a boarding school requires political leadership to step forward andprovide the resources.î - - - SEED success 72% of students at The SEED School go on to four-year colleges. The school, thenationís oldest urban boarding school, serves students from 7th through 12thgrades in Washington, D.C. óóó- sbanchero@tribune.com csadovi@tribune.com

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 11:40 AM To: CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: NYT welfare article

Importance: High

Saw this in the New York Times.

Evidently, they are claiming that DSS (welfare) aid is not growing as expected even with the slowing economy

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

Welfare Aid Isnít Growing as Economy Drops Off

Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

Michigan cut welfare rolls 13 percent despite the fact that its October unemployment rate topped 9 percent. An office cubicle at the welfare agency in Detroit.

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By JASON DEPARLE

Published: February 1, 2009

WASHINGTON ó Despite soaring unemployment and the worst economic crisis in decades, 18 states cut their welfare rolls last year, and nationally the number of people receiving cash assistance remained at or near the lowest in more than 40 years.

State-by-State Welfare Assistance

State

Welfare recipients, 2007

Welfare recipients, 2008

Pct. change in welfare recipients

Unemployment rate, 2007

Unemployment rate, 2008

Pct. pt. change in unemployment

Food stamp recipients, 2007

Food stamp recipients, 2008

Pct. change in food stamp recipients

North Carolina

47,898

49,653

3.7

4.7

7.1

2.4

896,913

1,012,481

12.9

Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

Unemployment applicants waiting at the Wayne County office of the welfare services division.

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The trends, based on an analysis of new state data collected by The New York Times, raise questions about how well a revamped welfare system with great state discretion is responding to growing hardships.

Michigan cut its welfare rolls 13 percent, though it was one of two states whose October unemployment rate topped 9 percent. Rhode Island, the other, had the nationís largest welfare decline, 17 percent.

Of the 12 states where joblessness grew most rapidly, eight reduced or kept constant the number of people receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the main cash welfare program for families with children. Nationally, for the 12 months ending October 2008, the rolls inched up a fraction of 1 percent.

The deepening recession offers a fresh challenge to the program, which was passed by a Republican Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996 amid bitter protest and became one of the most closely watched social experiments in modern memory.

The program, which mostly serves single mothers, ended a 60-year-old entitlement to cash aid, replacing it with time limits and work requirements, and giving states latitude to discourage people from joining the welfare rolls. While it was widely praised in the boom years that followed, skeptics warned it would fail the needy when times turned tough.

Supporters of the program say the flat caseloads may reflect a lag between the loss of a job and the decision to seek help. They also say the recession may have initially spared the low-skilled jobs that many poor people take.

But critics argue that years of pressure to cut the welfare rolls has left an obstacle-ridden program that chases off the poor, even when times are difficult.

Even some of the programís staunchest defenders are alarmed.

ìThere is ample reason to be concerned here,î said Ron Haskins, a former Republican Congressional aide who helped write the 1996 law overhauling the welfare system. ìThe overall structure is not working the way it was designed to work. We would expect, just on the face it, that when a deep recession happens, people could go back on welfare.î

ìWhen we started this, Democratic and Republican governors alike said, ëWe know whatís best for our state; weíre not going to let people starve,í î said Mr. Haskins, who is now a researcher at the Brookings Institution in Washington. ìAnd now that the chips are down, and unemployment is going up, most states are not doing enough to help families get back on the rolls.î

The programís structure ó fixed federal financing, despite caseload size ó may discourage states from helping more people because the states bear all of the increased costs. By contrast, the federal government pays virtually all food-stamp costs, and last year every state expanded its food-stamp rolls; nationally, the food program grew 12 percent.

The clashing trends in some states ó more food stamps, but less cash aid ó suggest a safety net at odds with itself. Georgia shrank the cash welfare rolls by nearly 11 percent and expanded food stamps by 17 percent. After years of pushing reductions, Congress is now considering a rare plan that would subsidize expansions of the cash welfare rolls. The economic stimulus bills pending in Congress would provide matching grants ó estimated at $2.5 billion over two years ó to states with caseload expansions.

Born from Mr. Clintonís pledge to ìend welfare as we know it,î the new program brought furious protests from people who predicted the poor would suffer. Then millions of people quickly left the rolls, employment rates rose and child poverty plunged.

But the economy of the late 1990s was unusually strong, and even then critics warned that officials placed too much stress on caseload reduction. With benefits harder to get, a small but growing share of families was left with neither welfare nor work and fell deeper into destitution.

ìTANF is not an especially attractive option for most people,î said Linda Blanchette, a top welfare official in Pennsylvania, which cut its rolls last year by 6 percent. ìPeople really do view it as a last resort.î

The data collected by The Times is the most recent available for every state and includes some similar programs financed solely by states, to give the broadest picture of cash aid. In a year when 1.1 million jobs disappeared, 18 states cut the rolls, 20 states expanded them, and caseloads in 12 states remained essentially flat, fluctuating less than 3 percent. (In addition, caseloads in the District of Columbia rose by nearly 5 percent.)

The rolls rose 7 percent in the West, stayed flat in the South, and fell in the Northeast by 4 percent and Midwest by 5 percent.

Seven states increased their rolls by double digits. Five states, including Texas and Michigan, made double-digit reductions. Of the 10 states with the highest child poverty rates, eight kept caseloads level or further reduced the rolls.

ìThis is evidence of a strikingly unresponsive system,î said Mark H. Greenberg, co-director of a poverty institute at the Georgetown University law school. Some administrators disagree.

ìWeíre still putting people to work,î said Larry Temple, who runs the job placement program for welfare recipients in Texas, where the rolls dropped 15 percent. ìA lot of the occupations that historically weíve been able to put the welfare people in are still hiring. Home health is a big one.î

Though some welfare recipients continue to find jobs, nationally their prospects have worsened. Joblessness among women ages 20 to 24 without a high school degree rose to 23.9 percent last year, from 17.9 percent the year before, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Some analysts offer a different reason for the Texas caseload declines: a policy that quickly halts all cash aid to recipients who fail to attend work programs.

ìWeíre really just pushing families off the program,î said Celia Hagert of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, a research and advocacy group in Austin, Tex.

Some officials predict the rolls will yet rise. ìThereís typically a one- to two-year lag between an economic downturn and an uptick in the welfare rolls,î said David Hansell, who oversees the program in New York State, where the rolls fell 4 percent.

Indeed, as the recession has worsened in recent months, some statesí rolls have just started to grow. Georgiaís caseload fell until July 2008, but has since risen 5 percent. Still, as of October the national caseloads remained down 70 percent from their peak in the early 1990s under the predecessor program, Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

Nationally, caseloads fell every year from 1994 to 2007, to about 4.1 million people, a level last seen in 1964. The federal total for 2008 has not been published, but the Times analysis of state data suggests they remained essentially flat.

Some recent caseload reduction has been driven by a 2006 law that required states to place more recipients in work programs, which can be costly and difficult to run. It threatened states with stiff fines but eased the targets for states that simply cut the rolls.

ìSome states decided they had to get tougher,î said Sharon Parrott of the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington research and advocacy group.

Rhode Island was among them. Previously, the state had reduced but not eliminated grants to families in which an adult had hit a 60-month limit. Last year, it closed those cases, removing 2,200 children from the rolls.

Under the new federal accounting rules, that made it easier to meet statistical goals and protected the state from fines.

Michigan also imposed new restrictions, forcing applicants to spend a month in a job-search program before collecting benefits. Critics say the up-front requirement poses obstacles to the neediest applicants, like those with physical or mental illnesses.

ìI think thatís a legitimate complaint,î said Ismael Ahmed, director of the Michigan Department of Human Services, though he blamed the federal rules. The program ìwas drawn for an economy that is not the economy most states are in.î

While food stamps usually grow faster than cash aid during recessions, the current contrast is stark. Many officials see cash aid in a negative light, as a form of dependency, while encouraging the use of food stamps and calling them nutritional support.

ìFood assistance is not considered welfare,î said Donalda Carlson, a Rhode Island welfare administrator.

Nationally, the temporary assistance program gives states $16.8 billion a year ó the same amount they received in the early 1990s, when caseloads were more than three times as high as they are now. Mr. Haskins, the programís architect, said that obliged them to ensure the needy could return to the rolls. ìStates have plenty of money,î he said.

But most states have shifted the money into other programs ó including child care and child welfare ó and say they cannot shift it back without causing other problems.

Oregon expanded its cash caseload 19 percent last year, so far without major backlash. ìThatís the purpose of the program ó to be there for that need,î said Vic Todd, a senior state official. But California officials expressed ambivalence about a 6 percent rise in the cash welfare rolls in that state when it is facing a $40 billion deficit. ìThereís some fine tuning of the program that needs to occur, to incentivize work,î said John Wagner, the state director of social services.

Among those sanguine about current caseload trends is Robert Rector, an analyst at the Heritage Foundation in Washington who is influential with conservative policy makers. He said the program had ìreduced poverty beyond anyoneís expectationsî and efforts to dilute its rigor would only harm the poor.

ìWe need to continue with the principle that you give assistance willingly, but you require the individual to prepare for self-sufficiency,î he said.

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 11:40 AM To: CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: NYT welfare article

Importance: High

Saw this in the New York Times.

Evidently, they are claiming that DSS (welfare) aid is not growing as expected even with the slowing economy

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

Welfare Aid Isnít Growing as Economy Drops Off

Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

Michigan cut welfare rolls 13 percent despite the fact that its October unemployment rate topped 9 percent. An office cubicle at the welfare agency in Detroit.

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By JASON DEPARLE

Published: February 1, 2009

WASHINGTON ó Despite soaring unemployment and the worst economic crisis in decades, 18 states cut their welfare rolls last year, and nationally the number of people receiving cash assistance remained at or near the lowest in more than 40 years.

State-by-State Welfare Assistance

State

Welfare recipients, 2007

Welfare recipients, 2008

Pct. change in welfare recipients

Unemployment rate, 2007

Unemployment rate, 2008

Pct. pt. change in unemployment

Food stamp recipients, 2007

Food stamp recipients, 2008

Pct. change in food stamp recipients

North Carolina

47,898

49,653

3.7

4.7

7.1

2.4

896,913

1,012,481

12.9

Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

Unemployment applicants waiting at the Wayne County office of the welfare services division.

Readers' Comments

Share your thoughts.

∑ Post a Comment ª

∑ Read All Comments (133) ª

The trends, based on an analysis of new state data collected by The New York Times, raise questions about how well a revamped welfare system with great state discretion is responding to growing hardships.

Michigan cut its welfare rolls 13 percent, though it was one of two states whose October unemployment rate topped 9 percent. Rhode Island, the other, had the nationís largest welfare decline, 17 percent.

Of the 12 states where joblessness grew most rapidly, eight reduced or kept constant the number of people receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the main cash welfare program for families with children. Nationally, for the 12 months ending October 2008, the rolls inched up a fraction of 1 percent.

The deepening recession offers a fresh challenge to the program, which was passed by a Republican Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996 amid bitter protest and became one of the most closely watched social experiments in modern memory.

The program, which mostly serves single mothers, ended a 60-year-old entitlement to cash aid, replacing it with time limits and work requirements, and giving states latitude to discourage people from joining the welfare rolls. While it was widely praised in the boom years that followed, skeptics warned it would fail the needy when times turned tough.

Supporters of the program say the flat caseloads may reflect a lag between the loss of a job and the decision to seek help. They also say the recession may have initially spared the low-skilled jobs that many poor people take.

But critics argue that years of pressure to cut the welfare rolls has left an obstacle-ridden program that chases off the poor, even when times are difficult.

Even some of the programís staunchest defenders are alarmed.

ìThere is ample reason to be concerned here,î said Ron Haskins, a former Republican Congressional aide who helped write the 1996 law overhauling the welfare system. ìThe overall structure is not working the way it was designed to work. We would expect, just on the face it, that when a deep recession happens, people could go back on welfare.î

ìWhen we started this, Democratic and Republican governors alike said, ëWe know whatís best for our state; weíre not going to let people starve,í î said Mr. Haskins, who is now a researcher at the Brookings Institution in Washington. ìAnd now that the chips are down, and unemployment is going up, most states are not doing enough to help families get back on the rolls.î

The programís structure ó fixed federal financing, despite caseload size ó may discourage states from helping more people because the states bear all of the increased costs. By contrast, the federal government pays virtually all food-stamp costs, and last year every state expanded its food-stamp rolls; nationally, the food program grew 12 percent.

The clashing trends in some states ó more food stamps, but less cash aid ó suggest a safety net at odds with itself. Georgia shrank the cash welfare rolls by nearly 11 percent and expanded food stamps by 17 percent. After years of pushing reductions, Congress is now considering a rare plan that would subsidize expansions of the cash welfare rolls. The economic stimulus bills pending in Congress would provide matching grants ó estimated at $2.5 billion over two years ó to states with caseload expansions.

Born from Mr. Clintonís pledge to ìend welfare as we know it,î the new program brought furious protests from people who predicted the poor would suffer. Then millions of people quickly left the rolls, employment rates rose and child poverty plunged.

But the economy of the late 1990s was unusually strong, and even then critics warned that officials placed too much stress on caseload reduction. With benefits harder to get, a small but growing share of families was left with neither welfare nor work and fell deeper into destitution.

ìTANF is not an especially attractive option for most people,î said Linda Blanchette, a top welfare official in Pennsylvania, which cut its rolls last year by 6 percent. ìPeople really do view it as a last resort.î

The data collected by The Times is the most recent available for every state and includes some similar programs financed solely by states, to give the broadest picture of cash aid. In a year when 1.1 million jobs disappeared, 18 states cut the rolls, 20 states expanded them, and caseloads in 12 states remained essentially flat, fluctuating less than 3 percent. (In addition, caseloads in the District of Columbia rose by nearly 5 percent.)

The rolls rose 7 percent in the West, stayed flat in the South, and fell in the Northeast by 4 percent and Midwest by 5 percent.

Seven states increased their rolls by double digits. Five states, including Texas and Michigan, made double-digit reductions. Of the 10 states with the highest child poverty rates, eight kept caseloads level or further reduced the rolls.

ìThis is evidence of a strikingly unresponsive system,î said Mark H. Greenberg, co-director of a poverty institute at the Georgetown University law school. Some administrators disagree.

ìWeíre still putting people to work,î said Larry Temple, who runs the job placement program for welfare recipients in Texas, where the rolls dropped 15 percent. ìA lot of the occupations that historically weíve been able to put the welfare people in are still hiring. Home health is a big one.î

Though some welfare recipients continue to find jobs, nationally their prospects have worsened. Joblessness among women ages 20 to 24 without a high school degree rose to 23.9 percent last year, from 17.9 percent the year before, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Some analysts offer a different reason for the Texas caseload declines: a policy that quickly halts all cash aid to recipients who fail to attend work programs.

ìWeíre really just pushing families off the program,î said Celia Hagert of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, a research and advocacy group in Austin, Tex.

Some officials predict the rolls will yet rise. ìThereís typically a one- to two-year lag between an economic downturn and an uptick in the welfare rolls,î said David Hansell, who oversees the program in New York State, where the rolls fell 4 percent.

Indeed, as the recession has worsened in recent months, some statesí rolls have just started to grow. Georgiaís caseload fell until July 2008, but has since risen 5 percent. Still, as of October the national caseloads remained down 70 percent from their peak in the early 1990s under the predecessor program, Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

Nationally, caseloads fell every year from 1994 to 2007, to about 4.1 million people, a level last seen in 1964. The federal total for 2008 has not been published, but the Times analysis of state data suggests they remained essentially flat.

Some recent caseload reduction has been driven by a 2006 law that required states to place more recipients in work programs, which can be costly and difficult to run. It threatened states with stiff fines but eased the targets for states that simply cut the rolls.

ìSome states decided they had to get tougher,î said Sharon Parrott of the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington research and advocacy group.

Rhode Island was among them. Previously, the state had reduced but not eliminated grants to families in which an adult had hit a 60-month limit. Last year, it closed those cases, removing 2,200 children from the rolls.

Under the new federal accounting rules, that made it easier to meet statistical goals and protected the state from fines.

Michigan also imposed new restrictions, forcing applicants to spend a month in a job-search program before collecting benefits. Critics say the up-front requirement poses obstacles to the neediest applicants, like those with physical or mental illnesses.

ìI think thatís a legitimate complaint,î said Ismael Ahmed, director of the Michigan Department of Human Services, though he blamed the federal rules. The program ìwas drawn for an economy that is not the economy most states are in.î

While food stamps usually grow faster than cash aid during recessions, the current contrast is stark. Many officials see cash aid in a negative light, as a form of dependency, while encouraging the use of food stamps and calling them nutritional support.

ìFood assistance is not considered welfare,î said Donalda Carlson, a Rhode Island welfare administrator.

Nationally, the temporary assistance program gives states $16.8 billion a year ó the same amount they received in the early 1990s, when caseloads were more than three times as high as they are now. Mr. Haskins, the programís architect, said that obliged them to ensure the needy could return to the rolls. ìStates have plenty of money,î he said.

But most states have shifted the money into other programs ó including child care and child welfare ó and say they cannot shift it back without causing other problems.

Oregon expanded its cash caseload 19 percent last year, so far without major backlash. ìThatís the purpose of the program ó to be there for that need,î said Vic Todd, a senior state official. But California officials expressed ambivalence about a 6 percent rise in the cash welfare rolls in that state when it is facing a $40 billion deficit. ìThereís some fine tuning of the program that needs to occur, to incentivize work,î said John Wagner, the state director of social services.

Among those sanguine about current caseload trends is Robert Rector, an analyst at the Heritage Foundation in Washington who is influential with conservative policy makers. He said the program had ìreduced poverty beyond anyoneís expectationsî and efforts to dilute its rigor would only harm the poor.

ìWe need to continue with the principle that you give assistance willingly, but you require the individual to prepare for self-sufficiency,î he said.

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 11:40 AM To: CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: NYT welfare article

Importance: High

Saw this in the New York Times.

Evidently, they are claiming that DSS (welfare) aid is not growing as expected even with the slowing economy

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

Welfare Aid Isnít Growing as Economy Drops Off

Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

Michigan cut welfare rolls 13 percent despite the fact that its October unemployment rate topped 9 percent. An office cubicle at the welfare agency in Detroit.

o Linkedin

o Digg

o Facebook

o Mixx

o Yahoo! Buzz

o Permalink

By JASON DEPARLE

Published: February 1, 2009

WASHINGTON ó Despite soaring unemployment and the worst economic crisis in decades, 18 states cut their welfare rolls last year, and nationally the number of people receiving cash assistance remained at or near the lowest in more than 40 years.

State-by-State Welfare Assistance

State

Welfare recipients, 2007

Welfare recipients, 2008

Pct. change in welfare recipients

Unemployment rate, 2007

Unemployment rate, 2008

Pct. pt. change in unemployment

Food stamp recipients, 2007

Food stamp recipients, 2008

Pct. change in food stamp recipients

North Carolina

47,898

49,653

3.7

4.7

7.1

2.4

896,913

1,012,481

12.9

Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

Unemployment applicants waiting at the Wayne County office of the welfare services division.

Readers' Comments

Share your thoughts.

∑ Post a Comment ª

∑ Read All Comments (133) ª

The trends, based on an analysis of new state data collected by The New York Times, raise questions about how well a revamped welfare system with great state discretion is responding to growing hardships.

Michigan cut its welfare rolls 13 percent, though it was one of two states whose October unemployment rate topped 9 percent. Rhode Island, the other, had the nationís largest welfare decline, 17 percent.

Of the 12 states where joblessness grew most rapidly, eight reduced or kept constant the number of people receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the main cash welfare program for families with children. Nationally, for the 12 months ending October 2008, the rolls inched up a fraction of 1 percent.

The deepening recession offers a fresh challenge to the program, which was passed by a Republican Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996 amid bitter protest and became one of the most closely watched social experiments in modern memory.

The program, which mostly serves single mothers, ended a 60-year-old entitlement to cash aid, replacing it with time limits and work requirements, and giving states latitude to discourage people from joining the welfare rolls. While it was widely praised in the boom years that followed, skeptics warned it would fail the needy when times turned tough.

Supporters of the program say the flat caseloads may reflect a lag between the loss of a job and the decision to seek help. They also say the recession may have initially spared the low-skilled jobs that many poor people take.

But critics argue that years of pressure to cut the welfare rolls has left an obstacle-ridden program that chases off the poor, even when times are difficult.

Even some of the programís staunchest defenders are alarmed.

ìThere is ample reason to be concerned here,î said Ron Haskins, a former Republican Congressional aide who helped write the 1996 law overhauling the welfare system. ìThe overall structure is not working the way it was designed to work. We would expect, just on the face it, that when a deep recession happens, people could go back on welfare.î

ìWhen we started this, Democratic and Republican governors alike said, ëWe know whatís best for our state; weíre not going to let people starve,í î said Mr. Haskins, who is now a researcher at the Brookings Institution in Washington. ìAnd now that the chips are down, and unemployment is going up, most states are not doing enough to help families get back on the rolls.î

The programís structure ó fixed federal financing, despite caseload size ó may discourage states from helping more people because the states bear all of the increased costs. By contrast, the federal government pays virtually all food-stamp costs, and last year every state expanded its food-stamp rolls; nationally, the food program grew 12 percent.

The clashing trends in some states ó more food stamps, but less cash aid ó suggest a safety net at odds with itself. Georgia shrank the cash welfare rolls by nearly 11 percent and expanded food stamps by 17 percent. After years of pushing reductions, Congress is now considering a rare plan that would subsidize expansions of the cash welfare rolls. The economic stimulus bills pending in Congress would provide matching grants ó estimated at $2.5 billion over two years ó to states with caseload expansions.

Born from Mr. Clintonís pledge to ìend welfare as we know it,î the new program brought furious protests from people who predicted the poor would suffer. Then millions of people quickly left the rolls, employment rates rose and child poverty plunged.

But the economy of the late 1990s was unusually strong, and even then critics warned that officials placed too much stress on caseload reduction. With benefits harder to get, a small but growing share of families was left with neither welfare nor work and fell deeper into destitution.

ìTANF is not an especially attractive option for most people,î said Linda Blanchette, a top welfare official in Pennsylvania, which cut its rolls last year by 6 percent. ìPeople really do view it as a last resort.î

The data collected by The Times is the most recent available for every state and includes some similar programs financed solely by states, to give the broadest picture of cash aid. In a year when 1.1 million jobs disappeared, 18 states cut the rolls, 20 states expanded them, and caseloads in 12 states remained essentially flat, fluctuating less than 3 percent. (In addition, caseloads in the District of Columbia rose by nearly 5 percent.)

The rolls rose 7 percent in the West, stayed flat in the South, and fell in the Northeast by 4 percent and Midwest by 5 percent.

Seven states increased their rolls by double digits. Five states, including Texas and Michigan, made double-digit reductions. Of the 10 states with the highest child poverty rates, eight kept caseloads level or further reduced the rolls.

ìThis is evidence of a strikingly unresponsive system,î said Mark H. Greenberg, co-director of a poverty institute at the Georgetown University law school. Some administrators disagree.

ìWeíre still putting people to work,î said Larry Temple, who runs the job placement program for welfare recipients in Texas, where the rolls dropped 15 percent. ìA lot of the occupations that historically weíve been able to put the welfare people in are still hiring. Home health is a big one.î

Though some welfare recipients continue to find jobs, nationally their prospects have worsened. Joblessness among women ages 20 to 24 without a high school degree rose to 23.9 percent last year, from 17.9 percent the year before, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Some analysts offer a different reason for the Texas caseload declines: a policy that quickly halts all cash aid to recipients who fail to attend work programs.

ìWeíre really just pushing families off the program,î said Celia Hagert of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, a research and advocacy group in Austin, Tex.

Some officials predict the rolls will yet rise. ìThereís typically a one- to two-year lag between an economic downturn and an uptick in the welfare rolls,î said David Hansell, who oversees the program in New York State, where the rolls fell 4 percent.

Indeed, as the recession has worsened in recent months, some statesí rolls have just started to grow. Georgiaís caseload fell until July 2008, but has since risen 5 percent. Still, as of October the national caseloads remained down 70 percent from their peak in the early 1990s under the predecessor program, Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

Nationally, caseloads fell every year from 1994 to 2007, to about 4.1 million people, a level last seen in 1964. The federal total for 2008 has not been published, but the Times analysis of state data suggests they remained essentially flat.

Some recent caseload reduction has been driven by a 2006 law that required states to place more recipients in work programs, which can be costly and difficult to run. It threatened states with stiff fines but eased the targets for states that simply cut the rolls.

ìSome states decided they had to get tougher,î said Sharon Parrott of the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington research and advocacy group.

Rhode Island was among them. Previously, the state had reduced but not eliminated grants to families in which an adult had hit a 60-month limit. Last year, it closed those cases, removing 2,200 children from the rolls.

Under the new federal accounting rules, that made it easier to meet statistical goals and protected the state from fines.

Michigan also imposed new restrictions, forcing applicants to spend a month in a job-search program before collecting benefits. Critics say the up-front requirement poses obstacles to the neediest applicants, like those with physical or mental illnesses.

ìI think thatís a legitimate complaint,î said Ismael Ahmed, director of the Michigan Department of Human Services, though he blamed the federal rules. The program ìwas drawn for an economy that is not the economy most states are in.î

While food stamps usually grow faster than cash aid during recessions, the current contrast is stark. Many officials see cash aid in a negative light, as a form of dependency, while encouraging the use of food stamps and calling them nutritional support.

ìFood assistance is not considered welfare,î said Donalda Carlson, a Rhode Island welfare administrator.

Nationally, the temporary assistance program gives states $16.8 billion a year ó the same amount they received in the early 1990s, when caseloads were more than three times as high as they are now. Mr. Haskins, the programís architect, said that obliged them to ensure the needy could return to the rolls. ìStates have plenty of money,î he said.

But most states have shifted the money into other programs ó including child care and child welfare ó and say they cannot shift it back without causing other problems.

Oregon expanded its cash caseload 19 percent last year, so far without major backlash. ìThatís the purpose of the program ó to be there for that need,î said Vic Todd, a senior state official. But California officials expressed ambivalence about a 6 percent rise in the cash welfare rolls in that state when it is facing a $40 billion deficit. ìThereís some fine tuning of the program that needs to occur, to incentivize work,î said John Wagner, the state director of social services.

Among those sanguine about current caseload trends is Robert Rector, an analyst at the Heritage Foundation in Washington who is influential with conservative policy makers. He said the program had ìreduced poverty beyond anyoneís expectationsî and efforts to dilute its rigor would only harm the poor.

ìWe need to continue with the principle that you give assistance willingly, but you require the individual to prepare for self-sufficiency,î he said.

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 11:40 AM To: CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: NYT welfare article

Importance: High

Saw this in the New York Times.

Evidently, they are claiming that DSS (welfare) aid is not growing as expected even with the slowing economy

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

Welfare Aid Isnít Growing as Economy Drops Off

Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

Michigan cut welfare rolls 13 percent despite the fact that its October unemployment rate topped 9 percent. An office cubicle at the welfare agency in Detroit.

o Linkedin

o Digg

o Facebook

o Mixx

o Yahoo! Buzz

o Permalink

By JASON DEPARLE

Published: February 1, 2009

WASHINGTON ó Despite soaring unemployment and the worst economic crisis in decades, 18 states cut their welfare rolls last year, and nationally the number of people receiving cash assistance remained at or near the lowest in more than 40 years.

State-by-State Welfare Assistance

State

Welfare recipients, 2007

Welfare recipients, 2008

Pct. change in welfare recipients

Unemployment rate, 2007

Unemployment rate, 2008

Pct. pt. change in unemployment

Food stamp recipients, 2007

Food stamp recipients, 2008

Pct. change in food stamp recipients

North Carolina

47,898

49,653

3.7

4.7

7.1

2.4

896,913

1,012,481

12.9

Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

Unemployment applicants waiting at the Wayne County office of the welfare services division.

Readers' Comments

Share your thoughts.

∑ Post a Comment ª

∑ Read All Comments (133) ª

The trends, based on an analysis of new state data collected by The New York Times, raise questions about how well a revamped welfare system with great state discretion is responding to growing hardships.

Michigan cut its welfare rolls 13 percent, though it was one of two states whose October unemployment rate topped 9 percent. Rhode Island, the other, had the nationís largest welfare decline, 17 percent.

Of the 12 states where joblessness grew most rapidly, eight reduced or kept constant the number of people receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the main cash welfare program for families with children. Nationally, for the 12 months ending October 2008, the rolls inched up a fraction of 1 percent.

The deepening recession offers a fresh challenge to the program, which was passed by a Republican Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996 amid bitter protest and became one of the most closely watched social experiments in modern memory.

The program, which mostly serves single mothers, ended a 60-year-old entitlement to cash aid, replacing it with time limits and work requirements, and giving states latitude to discourage people from joining the welfare rolls. While it was widely praised in the boom years that followed, skeptics warned it would fail the needy when times turned tough.

Supporters of the program say the flat caseloads may reflect a lag between the loss of a job and the decision to seek help. They also say the recession may have initially spared the low-skilled jobs that many poor people take.

But critics argue that years of pressure to cut the welfare rolls has left an obstacle-ridden program that chases off the poor, even when times are difficult.

Even some of the programís staunchest defenders are alarmed.

ìThere is ample reason to be concerned here,î said Ron Haskins, a former Republican Congressional aide who helped write the 1996 law overhauling the welfare system. ìThe overall structure is not working the way it was designed to work. We would expect, just on the face it, that when a deep recession happens, people could go back on welfare.î

ìWhen we started this, Democratic and Republican governors alike said, ëWe know whatís best for our state; weíre not going to let people starve,í î said Mr. Haskins, who is now a researcher at the Brookings Institution in Washington. ìAnd now that the chips are down, and unemployment is going up, most states are not doing enough to help families get back on the rolls.î

The programís structure ó fixed federal financing, despite caseload size ó may discourage states from helping more people because the states bear all of the increased costs. By contrast, the federal government pays virtually all food-stamp costs, and last year every state expanded its food-stamp rolls; nationally, the food program grew 12 percent.

The clashing trends in some states ó more food stamps, but less cash aid ó suggest a safety net at odds with itself. Georgia shrank the cash welfare rolls by nearly 11 percent and expanded food stamps by 17 percent. After years of pushing reductions, Congress is now considering a rare plan that would subsidize expansions of the cash welfare rolls. The economic stimulus bills pending in Congress would provide matching grants ó estimated at $2.5 billion over two years ó to states with caseload expansions.

Born from Mr. Clintonís pledge to ìend welfare as we know it,î the new program brought furious protests from people who predicted the poor would suffer. Then millions of people quickly left the rolls, employment rates rose and child poverty plunged.

But the economy of the late 1990s was unusually strong, and even then critics warned that officials placed too much stress on caseload reduction. With benefits harder to get, a small but growing share of families was left with neither welfare nor work and fell deeper into destitution.

ìTANF is not an especially attractive option for most people,î said Linda Blanchette, a top welfare official in Pennsylvania, which cut its rolls last year by 6 percent. ìPeople really do view it as a last resort.î

The data collected by The Times is the most recent available for every state and includes some similar programs financed solely by states, to give the broadest picture of cash aid. In a year when 1.1 million jobs disappeared, 18 states cut the rolls, 20 states expanded them, and caseloads in 12 states remained essentially flat, fluctuating less than 3 percent. (In addition, caseloads in the District of Columbia rose by nearly 5 percent.)

The rolls rose 7 percent in the West, stayed flat in the South, and fell in the Northeast by 4 percent and Midwest by 5 percent.

Seven states increased their rolls by double digits. Five states, including Texas and Michigan, made double-digit reductions. Of the 10 states with the highest child poverty rates, eight kept caseloads level or further reduced the rolls.

ìThis is evidence of a strikingly unresponsive system,î said Mark H. Greenberg, co-director of a poverty institute at the Georgetown University law school. Some administrators disagree.

ìWeíre still putting people to work,î said Larry Temple, who runs the job placement program for welfare recipients in Texas, where the rolls dropped 15 percent. ìA lot of the occupations that historically weíve been able to put the welfare people in are still hiring. Home health is a big one.î

Though some welfare recipients continue to find jobs, nationally their prospects have worsened. Joblessness among women ages 20 to 24 without a high school degree rose to 23.9 percent last year, from 17.9 percent the year before, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Some analysts offer a different reason for the Texas caseload declines: a policy that quickly halts all cash aid to recipients who fail to attend work programs.

ìWeíre really just pushing families off the program,î said Celia Hagert of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, a research and advocacy group in Austin, Tex.

Some officials predict the rolls will yet rise. ìThereís typically a one- to two-year lag between an economic downturn and an uptick in the welfare rolls,î said David Hansell, who oversees the program in New York State, where the rolls fell 4 percent.

Indeed, as the recession has worsened in recent months, some statesí rolls have just started to grow. Georgiaís caseload fell until July 2008, but has since risen 5 percent. Still, as of October the national caseloads remained down 70 percent from their peak in the early 1990s under the predecessor program, Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

Nationally, caseloads fell every year from 1994 to 2007, to about 4.1 million people, a level last seen in 1964. The federal total for 2008 has not been published, but the Times analysis of state data suggests they remained essentially flat.

Some recent caseload reduction has been driven by a 2006 law that required states to place more recipients in work programs, which can be costly and difficult to run. It threatened states with stiff fines but eased the targets for states that simply cut the rolls.

ìSome states decided they had to get tougher,î said Sharon Parrott of the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington research and advocacy group.

Rhode Island was among them. Previously, the state had reduced but not eliminated grants to families in which an adult had hit a 60-month limit. Last year, it closed those cases, removing 2,200 children from the rolls.

Under the new federal accounting rules, that made it easier to meet statistical goals and protected the state from fines.

Michigan also imposed new restrictions, forcing applicants to spend a month in a job-search program before collecting benefits. Critics say the up-front requirement poses obstacles to the neediest applicants, like those with physical or mental illnesses.

ìI think thatís a legitimate complaint,î said Ismael Ahmed, director of the Michigan Department of Human Services, though he blamed the federal rules. The program ìwas drawn for an economy that is not the economy most states are in.î

While food stamps usually grow faster than cash aid during recessions, the current contrast is stark. Many officials see cash aid in a negative light, as a form of dependency, while encouraging the use of food stamps and calling them nutritional support.

ìFood assistance is not considered welfare,î said Donalda Carlson, a Rhode Island welfare administrator.

Nationally, the temporary assistance program gives states $16.8 billion a year ó the same amount they received in the early 1990s, when caseloads were more than three times as high as they are now. Mr. Haskins, the programís architect, said that obliged them to ensure the needy could return to the rolls. ìStates have plenty of money,î he said.

But most states have shifted the money into other programs ó including child care and child welfare ó and say they cannot shift it back without causing other problems.

Oregon expanded its cash caseload 19 percent last year, so far without major backlash. ìThatís the purpose of the program ó to be there for that need,î said Vic Todd, a senior state official. But California officials expressed ambivalence about a 6 percent rise in the cash welfare rolls in that state when it is facing a $40 billion deficit. ìThereís some fine tuning of the program that needs to occur, to incentivize work,î said John Wagner, the state director of social services.

Among those sanguine about current caseload trends is Robert Rector, an analyst at the Heritage Foundation in Washington who is influential with conservative policy makers. He said the program had ìreduced poverty beyond anyoneís expectationsî and efforts to dilute its rigor would only harm the poor.

ìWe need to continue with the principle that you give assistance willingly, but you require the individual to prepare for self-sufficiency,î he said.

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 10:13 AM To: James, Bill Subject: RE: NYT welfare article

Thanks. We will continue to look at this...but our experience is growth at this point. Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 11:40 AM To: CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: NYT welfare article Importance: High

Saw this in the New York Times.

Evidently, they are claiming that DSS (welfare) aid is not growing as expected even with the slowing economy

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

Welfare Aid Isn't Growing as Economy Drops Off

Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

Michigan cut welfare rolls 13 percent despite the fact that its October unemployment rate topped 9 percent. An office cubicle at the welfare agency in Detroit.

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By JASON DEPARLE

Published: February 1, 2009

WASHINGTON - Despite soaring unemployment and the worst economic crisis in decades, 18 states cut their welfare rolls last year, and nationally the number of people receiving cash assistance remained at or near the lowest in more than 40 years.

State-by-State Welfare Assistance

State

Welfare recipients, 2007

Welfare recipients, 2008

Pct. change in welfare recipients

Unemployment rate, 2007

Unemployment rate, 2008

Pct. pt. change in unemployment

Food stamp recipients, 2007

Food stamp recipients, 2008

Pct. change in food stamp recipients

North Carolina

47,898

49,653

3.7

4.7

7.1

2.4

896,913

1,012,481

12.9

Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

Unemployment applicants waiting at the Wayne County office of the welfare services division.

Readers' Comments

Share your thoughts.

* Post a Comment >

* Read All Comments (133) >

The trends, based on an analysis of new state data collected by The New York Times, raise questions about how well a revamped welfare system with great state discretion is responding to growing hardships.

Michigan cut its welfare rolls 13 percent, though it was one of two states whose October unemployment rate topped 9 percent. Rhode Island, the other, had the nation's largest welfare decline, 17 percent.

Of the 12 states where joblessness grew most rapidly, eight reduced or kept constant the number of people receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the main cash welfare program for families with children. Nationally, for the 12 months ending October 2008, the rolls inched up a fraction of 1 percent.

The deepening recession offers a fresh challenge to the program, which was passed by a Republican Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996 amid bitter protest and became one of the most closely watched social experiments in modern memory.

The program, which mostly serves single mothers, ended a 60-year-old entitlement to cash aid, replacing it with time limits and work requirements, and giving states latitude to discourage people from joining the welfare rolls. While it was widely praised in the boom years that followed, skeptics warned it would fail the needy when times turned tough.

Supporters of the program say the flat caseloads may reflect a lag between the loss of a job and the decision to seek help. They also say the recession may have initially spared the low-skilled jobs that many poor people take.

But critics argue that years of pressure to cut the welfare rolls has left an obstacle-ridden program that chases off the poor, even when times are difficult.

Even some of the program's staunchest defenders are alarmed.

"There is ample reason to be concerned here," said Ron Haskins, a former Republican Congressional aide who helped write the 1996 law overhauling the welfare system. "The overall structure is not working the way it was designed to work. We would expect, just on the face it, that when a deep recession happens, people could go back on welfare."

"When we started this, Democratic and Republican governors alike said, 'We know what's best for our state; we're not going to let people starve,' " said Mr. Haskins, who is now a researcher at the Brookings Institution in Washington. "And now that the chips are down, and unemployment is going up, most states are not doing enough to help families get back on the rolls."

The program's structure - fixed federal financing, despite caseload size - may discourage states from helping more people because the states bear all of the increased costs. By contrast, the federal government pays virtually all food-stamp costs, and last year every state expanded its food-stamp rolls; nationally, the food program grew 12 percent.

The clashing trends in some states - more food stamps, but less cash aid - suggest a safety net at odds with itself. Georgia shrank the cash welfare rolls by nearly 11 percent and expanded food stamps by 17 percent. After years of pushing reductions, Congress is now considering a rare plan that would subsidize expansions of the cash welfare rolls. The economic stimulus bills pending in Congress would provide matching grants - estimated at $2.5 billion over two years - to states with caseload expansions.

Born from Mr. Clinton's pledge to "end welfare as we know it," the new program brought furious protests from people who predicted the poor would suffer. Then millions of people quickly left the rolls, employment rates rose and child poverty plunged.

But the economy of the late 1990s was unusually strong, and even then critics warned that officials placed too much stress on caseload reduction. With benefits harder to get, a small but growing share of families was left with neither welfare nor work and fell deeper into destitution.

"TANF is not an especially attractive option for most people," said Linda Blanchette, a top welfare official in Pennsylvania, which cut its rolls last year by 6 percent. "People really do view it as a last resort."

The data collected by The Times is the most recent available for every state and includes some similar programs financed solely by states, to give the broadest picture of cash aid. In a year when 1.1 million jobs disappeared, 18 states cut the rolls, 20 states expanded them, and caseloads in 12 states remained essentially flat, fluctuating less than 3 percent. (In addition, caseloads in the District of Columbia rose by nearly 5 percent.)

The rolls rose 7 percent in the West, stayed flat in the South, and fell in the Northeast by 4 percent and Midwest by 5 percent.

Seven states increased their rolls by double digits. Five states, including Texas and Michigan, made double-digit reductions. Of the 10 states with the highest child poverty rates, eight kept caseloads level or further reduced the rolls.

"This is evidence of a strikingly unresponsive system," said Mark H. Greenberg, co-director of a poverty institute at the Georgetown University law school. Some administrators disagree.

"We're still putting people to work," said Larry Temple, who runs the job placement program for welfare recipients in Texas, where the rolls dropped 15 percent. "A lot of the occupations that historically we've been able to put the welfare people in are still hiring. Home health is a big one."

Though some welfare recipients continue to find jobs, nationally their prospects have worsened. Joblessness among women ages 20 to 24 without a high school degree rose to 23.9 percent last year, from 17.9 percent the year before, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Some analysts offer a different reason for the Texas caseload declines: a policy that quickly halts all cash aid to recipients who fail to attend work programs.

"We're really just pushing families off the program," said Celia Hagert of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, a research and advocacy group in Austin, Tex.

Some officials predict the rolls will yet rise. "There's typically a one- to two-year lag between an economic downturn and an uptick in the welfare rolls," said David Hansell, who oversees the program in New York State, where the rolls fell 4 percent.

Indeed, as the recession has worsened in recent months, some states' rolls have just started to grow. Georgia's caseload fell until July 2008, but has since risen 5 percent. Still, as of October the national caseloads remained down 70 percent from their peak in the early 1990s under the predecessor program, Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

Nationally, caseloads fell every year from 1994 to 2007, to about 4.1 million people, a level last seen in 1964. The federal total for 2008 has not been published, but the Times analysis of state data suggests they remained essentially flat.

Some recent caseload reduction has been driven by a 2006 law that required states to place more recipients in work programs, which can be costly and difficult to run. It threatened states with stiff fines but eased the targets for states that simply cut the rolls.

"Some states decided they had to get tougher," said Sharon Parrott of the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington research and advocacy group.

Rhode Island was among them. Previously, the state had reduced but not eliminated grants to families in which an adult had hit a 60-month limit. Last year, it closed those cases, removing 2,200 children from the rolls.

Under the new federal accounting rules, that made it easier to meet statistical goals and protected the state from fines.

Michigan also imposed new restrictions, forcing applicants to spend a month in a job-search program before collecting benefits. Critics say the up-front requirement poses obstacles to the neediest applicants, like those with physical or mental illnesses.

"I think that's a legitimate complaint," said Ismael Ahmed, director of the Michigan Department of Human Services, though he blamed the federal rules. The program "was drawn for an economy that is not the economy most states are in."

While food stamps usually grow faster than cash aid during recessions, the current contrast is stark. Many officials see cash aid in a negative light, as a form of dependency, while encouraging the use of food stamps and calling them nutritional support.

"Food assistance is not considered welfare," said Donalda Carlson, a Rhode Island welfare administrator.

Nationally, the temporary assistance program gives states $16.8 billion a year - the same amount they received in the early 1990s, when caseloads were more than three times as high as they are now. Mr. Haskins, the program's architect, said that obliged them to ensure the needy could return to the rolls. "States have plenty of money," he said.

But most states have shifted the money into other programs - including child care and child welfare - and say they cannot shift it back without causing other problems.

Oregon expanded its cash caseload 19 percent last year, so far without major backlash. "That's the purpose of the program - to be there for that need," said Vic Todd, a senior state official. But California officials expressed ambivalence about a 6 percent rise in the cash welfare rolls in that state when it is facing a $40 billion deficit. "There's some fine tuning of the program that needs to occur, to incentivize work," said John Wagner, the state director of social services.

Among those sanguine about current caseload trends is Robert Rector, an analyst at the Heritage Foundation in Washington who is influential with conservative policy makers. He said the program had "reduced poverty beyond anyone's expectations" and efforts to dilute its rigor would only harm the poor.

"We need to continue with the principle that you give assistance willingly, but you require the individual to prepare for self-sufficiency," he said.

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 10:13 AM To: James, Bill Subject: RE: NYT welfare article

Thanks. We will continue to look at this...but our experience is growth at this point. Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 11:40 AM To: CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: NYT welfare article Importance: High

Saw this in the New York Times.

Evidently, they are claiming that DSS (welfare) aid is not growing as expected even with the slowing economy

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

Welfare Aid Isn't Growing as Economy Drops Off

Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

Michigan cut welfare rolls 13 percent despite the fact that its October unemployment rate topped 9 percent. An office cubicle at the welfare agency in Detroit.

o Linkedin

o Digg

o Facebook

o Mixx

o Yahoo! Buzz

o Permalink

By JASON DEPARLE

Published: February 1, 2009

WASHINGTON - Despite soaring unemployment and the worst economic crisis in decades, 18 states cut their welfare rolls last year, and nationally the number of people receiving cash assistance remained at or near the lowest in more than 40 years.

State-by-State Welfare Assistance

State

Welfare recipients, 2007

Welfare recipients, 2008

Pct. change in welfare recipients

Unemployment rate, 2007

Unemployment rate, 2008

Pct. pt. change in unemployment

Food stamp recipients, 2007

Food stamp recipients, 2008

Pct. change in food stamp recipients

North Carolina

47,898

49,653

3.7

4.7

7.1

2.4

896,913

1,012,481

12.9

Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

Unemployment applicants waiting at the Wayne County office of the welfare services division.

Readers' Comments

Share your thoughts.

* Post a Comment >

* Read All Comments (133) >

The trends, based on an analysis of new state data collected by The New York Times, raise questions about how well a revamped welfare system with great state discretion is responding to growing hardships.

Michigan cut its welfare rolls 13 percent, though it was one of two states whose October unemployment rate topped 9 percent. Rhode Island, the other, had the nation's largest welfare decline, 17 percent.

Of the 12 states where joblessness grew most rapidly, eight reduced or kept constant the number of people receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the main cash welfare program for families with children. Nationally, for the 12 months ending October 2008, the rolls inched up a fraction of 1 percent.

The deepening recession offers a fresh challenge to the program, which was passed by a Republican Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996 amid bitter protest and became one of the most closely watched social experiments in modern memory.

The program, which mostly serves single mothers, ended a 60-year-old entitlement to cash aid, replacing it with time limits and work requirements, and giving states latitude to discourage people from joining the welfare rolls. While it was widely praised in the boom years that followed, skeptics warned it would fail the needy when times turned tough.

Supporters of the program say the flat caseloads may reflect a lag between the loss of a job and the decision to seek help. They also say the recession may have initially spared the low-skilled jobs that many poor people take.

But critics argue that years of pressure to cut the welfare rolls has left an obstacle-ridden program that chases off the poor, even when times are difficult.

Even some of the program's staunchest defenders are alarmed.

"There is ample reason to be concerned here," said Ron Haskins, a former Republican Congressional aide who helped write the 1996 law overhauling the welfare system. "The overall structure is not working the way it was designed to work. We would expect, just on the face it, that when a deep recession happens, people could go back on welfare."

"When we started this, Democratic and Republican governors alike said, 'We know what's best for our state; we're not going to let people starve,' " said Mr. Haskins, who is now a researcher at the Brookings Institution in Washington. "And now that the chips are down, and unemployment is going up, most states are not doing enough to help families get back on the rolls."

The program's structure - fixed federal financing, despite caseload size - may discourage states from helping more people because the states bear all of the increased costs. By contrast, the federal government pays virtually all food-stamp costs, and last year every state expanded its food-stamp rolls; nationally, the food program grew 12 percent.

The clashing trends in some states - more food stamps, but less cash aid - suggest a safety net at odds with itself. Georgia shrank the cash welfare rolls by nearly 11 percent and expanded food stamps by 17 percent. After years of pushing reductions, Congress is now considering a rare plan that would subsidize expansions of the cash welfare rolls. The economic stimulus bills pending in Congress would provide matching grants - estimated at $2.5 billion over two years - to states with caseload expansions.

Born from Mr. Clinton's pledge to "end welfare as we know it," the new program brought furious protests from people who predicted the poor would suffer. Then millions of people quickly left the rolls, employment rates rose and child poverty plunged.

But the economy of the late 1990s was unusually strong, and even then critics warned that officials placed too much stress on caseload reduction. With benefits harder to get, a small but growing share of families was left with neither welfare nor work and fell deeper into destitution.

"TANF is not an especially attractive option for most people," said Linda Blanchette, a top welfare official in Pennsylvania, which cut its rolls last year by 6 percent. "People really do view it as a last resort."

The data collected by The Times is the most recent available for every state and includes some similar programs financed solely by states, to give the broadest picture of cash aid. In a year when 1.1 million jobs disappeared, 18 states cut the rolls, 20 states expanded them, and caseloads in 12 states remained essentially flat, fluctuating less than 3 percent. (In addition, caseloads in the District of Columbia rose by nearly 5 percent.)

The rolls rose 7 percent in the West, stayed flat in the South, and fell in the Northeast by 4 percent and Midwest by 5 percent.

Seven states increased their rolls by double digits. Five states, including Texas and Michigan, made double-digit reductions. Of the 10 states with the highest child poverty rates, eight kept caseloads level or further reduced the rolls.

"This is evidence of a strikingly unresponsive system," said Mark H. Greenberg, co-director of a poverty institute at the Georgetown University law school. Some administrators disagree.

"We're still putting people to work," said Larry Temple, who runs the job placement program for welfare recipients in Texas, where the rolls dropped 15 percent. "A lot of the occupations that historically we've been able to put the welfare people in are still hiring. Home health is a big one."

Though some welfare recipients continue to find jobs, nationally their prospects have worsened. Joblessness among women ages 20 to 24 without a high school degree rose to 23.9 percent last year, from 17.9 percent the year before, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Some analysts offer a different reason for the Texas caseload declines: a policy that quickly halts all cash aid to recipients who fail to attend work programs.

"We're really just pushing families off the program," said Celia Hagert of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, a research and advocacy group in Austin, Tex.

Some officials predict the rolls will yet rise. "There's typically a one- to two-year lag between an economic downturn and an uptick in the welfare rolls," said David Hansell, who oversees the program in New York State, where the rolls fell 4 percent.

Indeed, as the recession has worsened in recent months, some states' rolls have just started to grow. Georgia's caseload fell until July 2008, but has since risen 5 percent. Still, as of October the national caseloads remained down 70 percent from their peak in the early 1990s under the predecessor program, Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

Nationally, caseloads fell every year from 1994 to 2007, to about 4.1 million people, a level last seen in 1964. The federal total for 2008 has not been published, but the Times analysis of state data suggests they remained essentially flat.

Some recent caseload reduction has been driven by a 2006 law that required states to place more recipients in work programs, which can be costly and difficult to run. It threatened states with stiff fines but eased the targets for states that simply cut the rolls.

"Some states decided they had to get tougher," said Sharon Parrott of the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington research and advocacy group.

Rhode Island was among them. Previously, the state had reduced but not eliminated grants to families in which an adult had hit a 60-month limit. Last year, it closed those cases, removing 2,200 children from the rolls.

Under the new federal accounting rules, that made it easier to meet statistical goals and protected the state from fines.

Michigan also imposed new restrictions, forcing applicants to spend a month in a job-search program before collecting benefits. Critics say the up-front requirement poses obstacles to the neediest applicants, like those with physical or mental illnesses.

"I think that's a legitimate complaint," said Ismael Ahmed, director of the Michigan Department of Human Services, though he blamed the federal rules. The program "was drawn for an economy that is not the economy most states are in."

While food stamps usually grow faster than cash aid during recessions, the current contrast is stark. Many officials see cash aid in a negative light, as a form of dependency, while encouraging the use of food stamps and calling them nutritional support.

"Food assistance is not considered welfare," said Donalda Carlson, a Rhode Island welfare administrator.

Nationally, the temporary assistance program gives states $16.8 billion a year - the same amount they received in the early 1990s, when caseloads were more than three times as high as they are now. Mr. Haskins, the program's architect, said that obliged them to ensure the needy could return to the rolls. "States have plenty of money," he said.

But most states have shifted the money into other programs - including child care and child welfare - and say they cannot shift it back without causing other problems.

Oregon expanded its cash caseload 19 percent last year, so far without major backlash. "That's the purpose of the program - to be there for that need," said Vic Todd, a senior state official. But California officials expressed ambivalence about a 6 percent rise in the cash welfare rolls in that state when it is facing a $40 billion deficit. "There's some fine tuning of the program that needs to occur, to incentivize work," said John Wagner, the state director of social services.

Among those sanguine about current caseload trends is Robert Rector, an analyst at the Heritage Foundation in Washington who is influential with conservative policy makers. He said the program had "reduced poverty beyond anyone's expectations" and efforts to dilute its rigor would only harm the poor.

"We need to continue with the principle that you give assistance willingly, but you require the individual to prepare for self-sufficiency," he said.

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 10:13 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: FW: NYT welfare article

Importance: High

fyi Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 11:40 AM To: CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: NYT welfare article Importance: High

Saw this in the New York Times.

Evidently, they are claiming that DSS (welfare) aid is not growing as expected even with the slowing economy

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

Welfare Aid Isn't Growing as Economy Drops Off

Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

Michigan cut welfare rolls 13 percent despite the fact that its October unemployment rate topped 9 percent. An office cubicle at the welfare agency in Detroit.

o Linkedin

o Digg

o Facebook

o Mixx

o Yahoo! Buzz

o Permalink

By JASON DEPARLE

Published: February 1, 2009

WASHINGTON - Despite soaring unemployment and the worst economic crisis in decades, 18 states cut their welfare rolls last year, and nationally the number of people receiving cash assistance remained at or near the lowest in more than 40 years.

State-by-State Welfare Assistance

State

Welfare recipients, 2007

Welfare recipients, 2008

Pct. change in welfare recipients

Unemployment rate, 2007

Unemployment rate, 2008

Pct. pt. change in unemployment

Food stamp recipients, 2007

Food stamp recipients, 2008

Pct. change in food stamp recipients

North Carolina

47,898

49,653

3.7

4.7

7.1

2.4

896,913

1,012,481

12.9

Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

Unemployment applicants waiting at the Wayne County office of the welfare services division.

Readers' Comments

Share your thoughts.

* Post a Comment >

* Read All Comments (133) >

The trends, based on an analysis of new state data collected by The New York Times, raise questions about how well a revamped welfare system with great state discretion is responding to growing hardships.

Michigan cut its welfare rolls 13 percent, though it was one of two states whose October unemployment rate topped 9 percent. Rhode Island, the other, had the nation's largest welfare decline, 17 percent.

Of the 12 states where joblessness grew most rapidly, eight reduced or kept constant the number of people receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the main cash welfare program for families with children. Nationally, for the 12 months ending October 2008, the rolls inched up a fraction of 1 percent.

The deepening recession offers a fresh challenge to the program, which was passed by a Republican Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996 amid bitter protest and became one of the most closely watched social experiments in modern memory.

The program, which mostly serves single mothers, ended a 60-year-old entitlement to cash aid, replacing it with time limits and work requirements, and giving states latitude to discourage people from joining the welfare rolls. While it was widely praised in the boom years that followed, skeptics warned it would fail the needy when times turned tough.

Supporters of the program say the flat caseloads may reflect a lag between the loss of a job and the decision to seek help. They also say the recession may have initially spared the low-skilled jobs that many poor people take.

But critics argue that years of pressure to cut the welfare rolls has left an obstacle-ridden program that chases off the poor, even when times are difficult.

Even some of the program's staunchest defenders are alarmed.

"There is ample reason to be concerned here," said Ron Haskins, a former Republican Congressional aide who helped write the 1996 law overhauling the welfare system. "The overall structure is not working the way it was designed to work. We would expect, just on the face it, that when a deep recession happens, people could go back on welfare."

"When we started this, Democratic and Republican governors alike said, 'We know what's best for our state; we're not going to let people starve,' " said Mr. Haskins, who is now a researcher at the Brookings Institution in Washington. "And now that the chips are down, and unemployment is going up, most states are not doing enough to help families get back on the rolls."

The program's structure - fixed federal financing, despite caseload size - may discourage states from helping more people because the states bear all of the increased costs. By contrast, the federal government pays virtually all food-stamp costs, and last year every state expanded its food-stamp rolls; nationally, the food program grew 12 percent.

The clashing trends in some states - more food stamps, but less cash aid - suggest a safety net at odds with itself. Georgia shrank the cash welfare rolls by nearly 11 percent and expanded food stamps by 17 percent. After years of pushing reductions, Congress is now considering a rare plan that would subsidize expansions of the cash welfare rolls. The economic stimulus bills pending in Congress would provide matching grants - estimated at $2.5 billion over two years - to states with caseload expansions.

Born from Mr. Clinton's pledge to "end welfare as we know it," the new program brought furious protests from people who predicted the poor would suffer. Then millions of people quickly left the rolls, employment rates rose and child poverty plunged.

But the economy of the late 1990s was unusually strong, and even then critics warned that officials placed too much stress on caseload reduction. With benefits harder to get, a small but growing share of families was left with neither welfare nor work and fell deeper into destitution.

"TANF is not an especially attractive option for most people," said Linda Blanchette, a top welfare official in Pennsylvania, which cut its rolls last year by 6 percent. "People really do view it as a last resort."

The data collected by The Times is the most recent available for every state and includes some similar programs financed solely by states, to give the broadest picture of cash aid. In a year when 1.1 million jobs disappeared, 18 states cut the rolls, 20 states expanded them, and caseloads in 12 states remained essentially flat, fluctuating less than 3 percent. (In addition, caseloads in the District of Columbia rose by nearly 5 percent.)

The rolls rose 7 percent in the West, stayed flat in the South, and fell in the Northeast by 4 percent and Midwest by 5 percent.

Seven states increased their rolls by double digits. Five states, including Texas and Michigan, made double-digit reductions. Of the 10 states with the highest child poverty rates, eight kept caseloads level or further reduced the rolls.

"This is evidence of a strikingly unresponsive system," said Mark H. Greenberg, co-director of a poverty institute at the Georgetown University law school. Some administrators disagree.

"We're still putting people to work," said Larry Temple, who runs the job placement program for welfare recipients in Texas, where the rolls dropped 15 percent. "A lot of the occupations that historically we've been able to put the welfare people in are still hiring. Home health is a big one."

Though some welfare recipients continue to find jobs, nationally their prospects have worsened. Joblessness among women ages 20 to 24 without a high school degree rose to 23.9 percent last year, from 17.9 percent the year before, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Some analysts offer a different reason for the Texas caseload declines: a policy that quickly halts all cash aid to recipients who fail to attend work programs.

"We're really just pushing families off the program," said Celia Hagert of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, a research and advocacy group in Austin, Tex.

Some officials predict the rolls will yet rise. "There's typically a one- to two-year lag between an economic downturn and an uptick in the welfare rolls," said David Hansell, who oversees the program in New York State, where the rolls fell 4 percent.

Indeed, as the recession has worsened in recent months, some states' rolls have just started to grow. Georgia's caseload fell until July 2008, but has since risen 5 percent. Still, as of October the national caseloads remained down 70 percent from their peak in the early 1990s under the predecessor program, Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

Nationally, caseloads fell every year from 1994 to 2007, to about 4.1 million people, a level last seen in 1964. The federal total for 2008 has not been published, but the Times analysis of state data suggests they remained essentially flat.

Some recent caseload reduction has been driven by a 2006 law that required states to place more recipients in work programs, which can be costly and difficult to run. It threatened states with stiff fines but eased the targets for states that simply cut the rolls.

"Some states decided they had to get tougher," said Sharon Parrott of the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington research and advocacy group.

Rhode Island was among them. Previously, the state had reduced but not eliminated grants to families in which an adult had hit a 60-month limit. Last year, it closed those cases, removing 2,200 children from the rolls.

Under the new federal accounting rules, that made it easier to meet statistical goals and protected the state from fines.

Michigan also imposed new restrictions, forcing applicants to spend a month in a job-search program before collecting benefits. Critics say the up-front requirement poses obstacles to the neediest applicants, like those with physical or mental illnesses.

"I think that's a legitimate complaint," said Ismael Ahmed, director of the Michigan Department of Human Services, though he blamed the federal rules. The program "was drawn for an economy that is not the economy most states are in."

While food stamps usually grow faster than cash aid during recessions, the current contrast is stark. Many officials see cash aid in a negative light, as a form of dependency, while encouraging the use of food stamps and calling them nutritional support.

"Food assistance is not considered welfare," said Donalda Carlson, a Rhode Island welfare administrator.

Nationally, the temporary assistance program gives states $16.8 billion a year - the same amount they received in the early 1990s, when caseloads were more than three times as high as they are now. Mr. Haskins, the program's architect, said that obliged them to ensure the needy could return to the rolls. "States have plenty of money," he said.

But most states have shifted the money into other programs - including child care and child welfare - and say they cannot shift it back without causing other problems.

Oregon expanded its cash caseload 19 percent last year, so far without major backlash. "That's the purpose of the program - to be there for that need," said Vic Todd, a senior state official. But California officials expressed ambivalence about a 6 percent rise in the cash welfare rolls in that state when it is facing a $40 billion deficit. "There's some fine tuning of the program that needs to occur, to incentivize work," said John Wagner, the state director of social services.

Among those sanguine about current caseload trends is Robert Rector, an analyst at the Heritage Foundation in Washington who is influential with conservative policy makers. He said the program had "reduced poverty beyond anyone's expectations" and efforts to dilute its rigor would only harm the poor.

"We need to continue with the principle that you give assistance willingly, but you require the individual to prepare for self-sufficiency," he said.

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 10:13 AM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: FW: NYT welfare article

Importance: High

fyi Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 11:40 AM To: CountyCommissioners; Jones, Harry L. Subject: NYT welfare article Importance: High

Saw this in the New York Times.

Evidently, they are claiming that DSS (welfare) aid is not growing as expected even with the slowing economy

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

Welfare Aid Isn't Growing as Economy Drops Off

Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

Michigan cut welfare rolls 13 percent despite the fact that its October unemployment rate topped 9 percent. An office cubicle at the welfare agency in Detroit.

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By JASON DEPARLE

Published: February 1, 2009

WASHINGTON - Despite soaring unemployment and the worst economic crisis in decades, 18 states cut their welfare rolls last year, and nationally the number of people receiving cash assistance remained at or near the lowest in more than 40 years.

State-by-State Welfare Assistance

State

Welfare recipients, 2007

Welfare recipients, 2008

Pct. change in welfare recipients

Unemployment rate, 2007

Unemployment rate, 2008

Pct. pt. change in unemployment

Food stamp recipients, 2007

Food stamp recipients, 2008

Pct. change in food stamp recipients

North Carolina

47,898

49,653

3.7

4.7

7.1

2.4

896,913

1,012,481

12.9

Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

Unemployment applicants waiting at the Wayne County office of the welfare services division.

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The trends, based on an analysis of new state data collected by The New York Times, raise questions about how well a revamped welfare system with great state discretion is responding to growing hardships.

Michigan cut its welfare rolls 13 percent, though it was one of two states whose October unemployment rate topped 9 percent. Rhode Island, the other, had the nation's largest welfare decline, 17 percent.

Of the 12 states where joblessness grew most rapidly, eight reduced or kept constant the number of people receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the main cash welfare program for families with children. Nationally, for the 12 months ending October 2008, the rolls inched up a fraction of 1 percent.

The deepening recession offers a fresh challenge to the program, which was passed by a Republican Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996 amid bitter protest and became one of the most closely watched social experiments in modern memory.

The program, which mostly serves single mothers, ended a 60-year-old entitlement to cash aid, replacing it with time limits and work requirements, and giving states latitude to discourage people from joining the welfare rolls. While it was widely praised in the boom years that followed, skeptics warned it would fail the needy when times turned tough.

Supporters of the program say the flat caseloads may reflect a lag between the loss of a job and the decision to seek help. They also say the recession may have initially spared the low-skilled jobs that many poor people take.

But critics argue that years of pressure to cut the welfare rolls has left an obstacle-ridden program that chases off the poor, even when times are difficult.

Even some of the program's staunchest defenders are alarmed.

"There is ample reason to be concerned here," said Ron Haskins, a former Republican Congressional aide who helped write the 1996 law overhauling the welfare system. "The overall structure is not working the way it was designed to work. We would expect, just on the face it, that when a deep recession happens, people could go back on welfare."

"When we started this, Democratic and Republican governors alike said, 'We know what's best for our state; we're not going to let people starve,' " said Mr. Haskins, who is now a researcher at the Brookings Institution in Washington. "And now that the chips are down, and unemployment is going up, most states are not doing enough to help families get back on the rolls."

The program's structure - fixed federal financing, despite caseload size - may discourage states from helping more people because the states bear all of the increased costs. By contrast, the federal government pays virtually all food-stamp costs, and last year every state expanded its food-stamp rolls; nationally, the food program grew 12 percent.

The clashing trends in some states - more food stamps, but less cash aid - suggest a safety net at odds with itself. Georgia shrank the cash welfare rolls by nearly 11 percent and expanded food stamps by 17 percent. After years of pushing reductions, Congress is now considering a rare plan that would subsidize expansions of the cash welfare rolls. The economic stimulus bills pending in Congress would provide matching grants - estimated at $2.5 billion over two years - to states with caseload expansions.

Born from Mr. Clinton's pledge to "end welfare as we know it," the new program brought furious protests from people who predicted the poor would suffer. Then millions of people quickly left the rolls, employment rates rose and child poverty plunged.

But the economy of the late 1990s was unusually strong, and even then critics warned that officials placed too much stress on caseload reduction. With benefits harder to get, a small but growing share of families was left with neither welfare nor work and fell deeper into destitution.

"TANF is not an especially attractive option for most people," said Linda Blanchette, a top welfare official in Pennsylvania, which cut its rolls last year by 6 percent. "People really do view it as a last resort."

The data collected by The Times is the most recent available for every state and includes some similar programs financed solely by states, to give the broadest picture of cash aid. In a year when 1.1 million jobs disappeared, 18 states cut the rolls, 20 states expanded them, and caseloads in 12 states remained essentially flat, fluctuating less than 3 percent. (In addition, caseloads in the District of Columbia rose by nearly 5 percent.)

The rolls rose 7 percent in the West, stayed flat in the South, and fell in the Northeast by 4 percent and Midwest by 5 percent.

Seven states increased their rolls by double digits. Five states, including Texas and Michigan, made double-digit reductions. Of the 10 states with the highest child poverty rates, eight kept caseloads level or further reduced the rolls.

"This is evidence of a strikingly unresponsive system," said Mark H. Greenberg, co-director of a poverty institute at the Georgetown University law school. Some administrators disagree.

"We're still putting people to work," said Larry Temple, who runs the job placement program for welfare recipients in Texas, where the rolls dropped 15 percent. "A lot of the occupations that historically we've been able to put the welfare people in are still hiring. Home health is a big one."

Though some welfare recipients continue to find jobs, nationally their prospects have worsened. Joblessness among women ages 20 to 24 without a high school degree rose to 23.9 percent last year, from 17.9 percent the year before, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Some analysts offer a different reason for the Texas caseload declines: a policy that quickly halts all cash aid to recipients who fail to attend work programs.

"We're really just pushing families off the program," said Celia Hagert of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, a research and advocacy group in Austin, Tex.

Some officials predict the rolls will yet rise. "There's typically a one- to two-year lag between an economic downturn and an uptick in the welfare rolls," said David Hansell, who oversees the program in New York State, where the rolls fell 4 percent.

Indeed, as the recession has worsened in recent months, some states' rolls have just started to grow. Georgia's caseload fell until July 2008, but has since risen 5 percent. Still, as of October the national caseloads remained down 70 percent from their peak in the early 1990s under the predecessor program, Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

Nationally, caseloads fell every year from 1994 to 2007, to about 4.1 million people, a level last seen in 1964. The federal total for 2008 has not been published, but the Times analysis of state data suggests they remained essentially flat.

Some recent caseload reduction has been driven by a 2006 law that required states to place more recipients in work programs, which can be costly and difficult to run. It threatened states with stiff fines but eased the targets for states that simply cut the rolls.

"Some states decided they had to get tougher," said Sharon Parrott of the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington research and advocacy group.

Rhode Island was among them. Previously, the state had reduced but not eliminated grants to families in which an adult had hit a 60-month limit. Last year, it closed those cases, removing 2,200 children from the rolls.

Under the new federal accounting rules, that made it easier to meet statistical goals and protected the state from fines.

Michigan also imposed new restrictions, forcing applicants to spend a month in a job-search program before collecting benefits. Critics say the up-front requirement poses obstacles to the neediest applicants, like those with physical or mental illnesses.

"I think that's a legitimate complaint," said Ismael Ahmed, director of the Michigan Department of Human Services, though he blamed the federal rules. The program "was drawn for an economy that is not the economy most states are in."

While food stamps usually grow faster than cash aid during recessions, the current contrast is stark. Many officials see cash aid in a negative light, as a form of dependency, while encouraging the use of food stamps and calling them nutritional support.

"Food assistance is not considered welfare," said Donalda Carlson, a Rhode Island welfare administrator.

Nationally, the temporary assistance program gives states $16.8 billion a year - the same amount they received in the early 1990s, when caseloads were more than three times as high as they are now. Mr. Haskins, the program's architect, said that obliged them to ensure the needy could return to the rolls. "States have plenty of money," he said.

But most states have shifted the money into other programs - including child care and child welfare - and say they cannot shift it back without causing other problems.

Oregon expanded its cash caseload 19 percent last year, so far without major backlash. "That's the purpose of the program - to be there for that need," said Vic Todd, a senior state official. But California officials expressed ambivalence about a 6 percent rise in the cash welfare rolls in that state when it is facing a $40 billion deficit. "There's some fine tuning of the program that needs to occur, to incentivize work," said John Wagner, the state director of social services.

Among those sanguine about current caseload trends is Robert Rector, an analyst at the Heritage Foundation in Washington who is influential with conservative policy makers. He said the program had "reduced poverty beyond anyone's expectations" and efforts to dilute its rigor would only harm the poor.

"We need to continue with the principle that you give assistance willingly, but you require the individual to prepare for self-sufficiency," he said.

From: Employee News Now Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 3:12 PM To: Employee News Now Subject: DSS Annual Food Drive Starts Thursday!

From: Employee News Now Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 3:12 PM To: Employee News Now Subject: DSS Annual Food Drive Starts Thursday!

To: James, Bill; nrandolph@hushmail.com; Yi, Hyong Cc: Cooksey, Neil; Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice; Mele, Connie Subject: RE: County Budget

From: Crockett, Grayce Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 8:08 AM To: James, Bill; nrandolph@hushmail.com; Yi, Hyong Cc: Cooksey, Neil; Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice; Mele, Connie; Daughety, Julie Subject: RE: County Budget

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 11:03 AM To: CountyCommissioners; Bethune, Marvin; Jones, Harry L. Subject: non-sanctioned charity drives

Importance: High

Other non-sanctioned charity drives

Even though County policy is to prohibit solicitation on County property to only those that qualify (right now ASC and United Way for $); it seems that other unsanctioned things are going on outside of policy.

The two that are attached are related to DSS.

Obviously, there is a lack of understanding of what ënoí means regarding such fundraising drives on County policy.

As we work through the details of a new policy it is important that these non-sanctioned items stop as it is disruptive to employees.

This is also (I suspect) why County employees would rather have just ONE period for solicitation not multiple ones (though I know the ASC wouldnít like that).

I hope that someone can reiterate the policy that these things are not allowed and put a stop to them.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Rosene, Billie [mailto:Billie.Rosene@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 10:51 AM To: James, Bill Subject: Charities and Mecklenburg County Employees

Commissioner James:

These are two examples of fundraisers/contributions/charity donations that

Mecklenburg County employees are also involved with, in addition to United

Way and the Arts and Science Countcil. We donate/volunteer to DSS families

at Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the beginning of the school year with

backpacks, alarmclocks, and school supplies. Throughout the year we also

have situations that arise for our fellow employees and their families where

we contribute finacial help. I am also aware that the Sheriff's Department has

two fundraisers that raise money for children's programs.

The reason I am sending you this information is not to complain, but to

make you aware that County employees are very involved memebers of

the communityand participate on a regular basis. I just don't want us to

be targeted when we already are contributing in a large way.

Ms. Billie C. Rosene

Admin. Support Assistant

Financial Services

Area Mental Health

Billie.Rosene@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

704.432.2380

_____

From: Butterfield, Gayle Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 5:46 PM To: AMH-ALL Subject: FW: Valentine Cookie-gram Flier

The AMH Quality Improvement Department is conducting a fundraiser. 100 % of the funds collected will be used for various family adoption programs this 2009 holiday season. See our flier for more information and stay tuned for more fundraisers throughout the year!

Gayle Butterfield, NCCT, MA

Training Administrator

Mecklenburg County AMH

Carlton Watkins Center

3500 Ellington St.

704-432-0348 office

980-355-1717 cell

gayle.butterfield@mecklenburgcountync.gov

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message and any attachments included are from the Mecklenburg County Area Mental Health Authority and are for sole use by the intended recipient(s). The information contained herein may include confidential or privileged information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you received this message in error, or have reason to believe you are not authorized to receive it, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 11:03 AM To: CountyCommissioners; Bethune, Marvin; Jones, Harry L. Subject: non-sanctioned charity drives

Importance: High

Other non-sanctioned charity drives

Even though County policy is to prohibit solicitation on County property to only those that qualify (right now ASC and United Way for $); it seems that other unsanctioned things are going on outside of policy.

The two that are attached are related to DSS.

Obviously, there is a lack of understanding of what ënoí means regarding such fundraising drives on County policy.

As we work through the details of a new policy it is important that these non-sanctioned items stop as it is disruptive to employees.

This is also (I suspect) why County employees would rather have just ONE period for solicitation not multiple ones (though I know the ASC wouldnít like that).

I hope that someone can reiterate the policy that these things are not allowed and put a stop to them.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Rosene, Billie [mailto:Billie.Rosene@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 10:51 AM To: James, Bill Subject: Charities and Mecklenburg County Employees

Commissioner James:

These are two examples of fundraisers/contributions/charity donations that

Mecklenburg County employees are also involved with, in addition to United

Way and the Arts and Science Countcil. We donate/volunteer to DSS families

at Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the beginning of the school year with

backpacks, alarmclocks, and school supplies. Throughout the year we also

have situations that arise for our fellow employees and their families where

we contribute finacial help. I am also aware that the Sheriff's Department has

two fundraisers that raise money for children's programs.

The reason I am sending you this information is not to complain, but to

make you aware that County employees are very involved memebers of

the communityand participate on a regular basis. I just don't want us to

be targeted when we already are contributing in a large way.

Ms. Billie C. Rosene

Admin. Support Assistant

Financial Services

Area Mental Health

Billie.Rosene@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

704.432.2380

_____

From: Butterfield, Gayle Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 5:46 PM To: AMH-ALL Subject: FW: Valentine Cookie-gram Flier

The AMH Quality Improvement Department is conducting a fundraiser. 100 % of the funds collected will be used for various family adoption programs this 2009 holiday season. See our flier for more information and stay tuned for more fundraisers throughout the year!

Gayle Butterfield, NCCT, MA

Training Administrator

Mecklenburg County AMH

Carlton Watkins Center

3500 Ellington St.

704-432-0348 office

980-355-1717 cell

gayle.butterfield@mecklenburgcountync.gov

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message and any attachments included are from the Mecklenburg County Area Mental Health Authority and are for sole use by the intended recipient(s). The information contained herein may include confidential or privileged information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you received this message in error, or have reason to believe you are not authorized to receive it, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

From: Marvin A. Bethune [mbethune@rbcwb.com] Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 11:36 AM To: Peek, Chris; Wade, Tyrone C.; Thomas, Robert Cc: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: non-sanctioned charity drives

Importance: High

FYI from Commissioner James. Don't know if he is correct that these are not sanctioned, but he has raised the issue.

Marvin A. Bethune Mecklenburg County Attorney (O) (704) 377-1634 (FAX) (704) 342-3308 mbethune@rbcwb.com

-----Original Message----- From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 11:03 AM To: 'CountyCommissioners'; 'Marvin A. Bethune'; 'Jones, Harry L.' Subject: non-sanctioned charity drives Importance: High

Other non-sanctioned charity drives

Even though County policy is to prohibit solicitation on County property to only those that qualify (right now ASC and United Way for $); it seems that other unsanctioned things are going on outside of policy.

The two that are attached are related to DSS.

Obviously, there is a lack of understanding of what ënoí means regarding such fundraising drives on County policy.

As we work through the details of a new policy it is important that these non-sanctioned items stop as it is disruptive to employees.

This is also (I suspect) why County employees would rather have just ONE period for solicitation not multiple ones (though I know the ASC wouldnít like that).

I hope that someone can reiterate the policy that these things are not allowed and put a stop to them.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Rosene, Billie [mailto:Billie.Rosene@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 10:51 AM To: James, Bill Subject: Charities and Mecklenburg County Employees

Commissioner James:

These are two examples of fundraisers/contributions/charity donations that

Mecklenburg County employees are also involved with, in addition to United

Way and the Arts and Science Countcil. We donate/volunteer to DSS families

at Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the beginning of the school year with

backpacks, alarmclocks, and school supplies. Throughout the year we also

have situations that arise for our fellow employees and their families where

we contribute finacial help. I am also aware that the Sheriff's Department has

two fundraisers that raise money for children's programs.

The reason I am sending you this information is not to complain, but to

make you aware that County employees are very involved memebers of

the communityand participate on a regular basis. I just don't want us to

be targeted when we already are contributing in a large way.

Ms. Billie C. Rosene

Admin. Support Assistant

Financial Services

Area Mental Health

Billie.Rosene@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

704.432.2380

_____

From: Butterfield, Gayle Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 5:46 PM To: AMH-ALL Subject: FW: Valentine Cookie-gram Flier

The AMH Quality Improvement Department is conducting a fundraiser. 100 % of the funds collected will be used for various family adoption programs this 2009 holiday season. See our flier for more information and stay tuned for more fundraisers throughout the year!

Gayle Butterfield, NCCT, MA

Training Administrator

Mecklenburg County AMH

Carlton Watkins Center

3500 Ellington St.

704-432-0348 office

980-355-1717 cell

gayle.butterfield@mecklenburgcountync.gov

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message and any attachments included are from the Mecklenburg County Area Mental Health Authority and are for sole use by the intended recipient(s). The information contained herein may include confidential or privileged information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you received this message in error, or have reason to believe you are not authorized to receive it, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

From: Marvin A. Bethune [mbethune@rbcwb.com] Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 11:36 AM To: Peek, Chris; Wade, Tyrone C.; Thomas, Robert Cc: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: non-sanctioned charity drives

Importance: High

FYI from Commissioner James. Don't know if he is correct that these are not sanctioned, but he has raised the issue.

Marvin A. Bethune Mecklenburg County Attorney (O) (704) 377-1634 (FAX) (704) 342-3308 mbethune@rbcwb.com

-----Original Message----- From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 11:03 AM To: 'CountyCommissioners'; 'Marvin A. Bethune'; 'Jones, Harry L.' Subject: non-sanctioned charity drives Importance: High

Other non-sanctioned charity drives

Even though County policy is to prohibit solicitation on County property to only those that qualify (right now ASC and United Way for $); it seems that other unsanctioned things are going on outside of policy.

The two that are attached are related to DSS.

Obviously, there is a lack of understanding of what ënoí means regarding such fundraising drives on County policy.

As we work through the details of a new policy it is important that these non-sanctioned items stop as it is disruptive to employees.

This is also (I suspect) why County employees would rather have just ONE period for solicitation not multiple ones (though I know the ASC wouldnít like that).

I hope that someone can reiterate the policy that these things are not allowed and put a stop to them.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Rosene, Billie [mailto:Billie.Rosene@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 10:51 AM To: James, Bill Subject: Charities and Mecklenburg County Employees

Commissioner James:

These are two examples of fundraisers/contributions/charity donations that

Mecklenburg County employees are also involved with, in addition to United

Way and the Arts and Science Countcil. We donate/volunteer to DSS families

at Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the beginning of the school year with

backpacks, alarmclocks, and school supplies. Throughout the year we also

have situations that arise for our fellow employees and their families where

we contribute finacial help. I am also aware that the Sheriff's Department has

two fundraisers that raise money for children's programs.

The reason I am sending you this information is not to complain, but to

make you aware that County employees are very involved memebers of

the communityand participate on a regular basis. I just don't want us to

be targeted when we already are contributing in a large way.

Ms. Billie C. Rosene

Admin. Support Assistant

Financial Services

Area Mental Health

Billie.Rosene@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

704.432.2380

_____

From: Butterfield, Gayle Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 5:46 PM To: AMH-ALL Subject: FW: Valentine Cookie-gram Flier

The AMH Quality Improvement Department is conducting a fundraiser. 100 % of the funds collected will be used for various family adoption programs this 2009 holiday season. See our flier for more information and stay tuned for more fundraisers throughout the year!

Gayle Butterfield, NCCT, MA

Training Administrator

Mecklenburg County AMH

Carlton Watkins Center

3500 Ellington St.

704-432-0348 office

980-355-1717 cell

gayle.butterfield@mecklenburgcountync.gov

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message and any attachments included are from the Mecklenburg County Area Mental Health Authority and are for sole use by the intended recipient(s). The information contained herein may include confidential or privileged information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you received this message in error, or have reason to believe you are not authorized to receive it, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

To: Jones, Harry L.; Shields, Bobbie; Lancaster, Michelle; Jackson, Janice; Yi, Hyong; Cox, Brian; Diorio, Dena R.; Johnson, Leslie; Murchison, Gail; Reeves, Wanda; Bryant, Michael Cc: Peek, Chris Subject: potential impact

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 7:56 PM To: Hardy, Nyki; Daniel Murrey; Dumont Clarke; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; kwbmontana@msn.com; Leake, Vilma; mroberts5@carolina.rr.com; ncooksey@bellsouth.net Cc: Bethune, Marvin; Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; Shields, Bobbie; Paige, Janice Subject: RE: Washington, DC Contacts for next week

Thanks. I wanted to get the combined list so that I could review it and prioritize it and then send it back to them (you) to give to them.

The idea that a list prepared by staff is the basis for asking for $100 million + is more than absurd.

It is like they are printing money and it doesnít really matter what is on the list. I am not sure, but I think if I managed to get an addition on my house on that list Congress would give me the money to add it.

The football stadium (according to Dr. Dubois) UNCC didnít even know about and had no estimates for. Yet, it was listed as a ëshovel readyí project and a top priority. It is no more ëshovel readyí than building rec centers or a new center for DSS. I know it isnít a ëhigh priorityí as the board has NEVER voted to make it so. Yet, there it isÖÖout of nowhereÖÖÖÖ.

It concerns me that this process is so out of control that no one really knows where the lists come from, who is reviewing them, or if they are really have the support of the elected officials responsible for determining what is a ëhighí versus ëlowí priority.

How could that football stadium get on that list without the head of UNCC know or be aware of the cost?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Hardy, Nyki [mailto:Nykizza.Hardy@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 7:38 PM To: James, Bill; Daniel.murrey@orthocarolina.com; dumontclarke@mvalaw.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; kwbmontana@msn.com; Leake, Vilma; mroberts5@carolina.rr.com; ncooksey@bellsouth.net Cc: Bethune, Marvin; Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; Shields, Bobbie; Paige, Janice Subject: RE: Washington, DC Contacts for next week

From our lobbyist:

Emailing them is really not effective---I'd be glad to convey any message -- they do not have email addresses per se but you can go to their websites----links are:

www.burr.senate.gov

www.hagan.senate.gov

www.house.gov/watt

www.house.gov/myrick

www.house.gov/kissell

_____

From: Paige, Janice Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 2:26 PM To: James, Bill; CountyCommissioners Cc: Hardy, Nyki; Bethune, Marvin; Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; Shields, Bobbie Subject: RE: Washington, DC Contacts for next week

Commissioner James,

I'm forwarding your request to Nyki Hardy, whose filling in for Deborah Goldberg, since this is a matter under her purview.

Janice S. Paige

Clerk to the Board

Janice.Paige@mecklenburgcountync. gov

704-336-2659

Fax: 704-336-5887

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 1:11 PM To: CountyCommissioners; Paige, Janice Subject: Washington, DC Contacts for next week Importance: High

Janice ñ

Can you supply the Commissioners who are not going to Washington to the e-mail addresses of the various elected officials (a actually read e-mail address) so that we can contact them about the stimulus plan.

Since we have not had a chance to vote on the staff driven list, I would like to suggest that perhaps we use e-mail to rank the list staff came up with to give direction to these elected officials.

Using a system like the process for ranking priorities at the conference, we could ërankí the items on the staff driven final list and a accumulated list prepared and used for next weekís meeting.

We added the CPCC parking deck to this process but we have not trying to accumulate the list for City, County, CPCC, CMS.

Ranking the County portion will also insure that if something isnít on CMSí list we can include it and determine its place.

I would also like to see a combined list for all Mecklenburg County governments as well.

Harry ñ could we do ranking on this via e-mail like we did the ranking for the planning conference?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 7:56 PM To: Hardy, Nyki; Daniel Murrey; Dumont Clarke; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; kwbmontana@msn.com; Leake, Vilma; mroberts5@carolina.rr.com; ncooksey@bellsouth.net Cc: Bethune, Marvin; Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; Shields, Bobbie; Paige, Janice Subject: RE: Washington, DC Contacts for next week

Thanks. I wanted to get the combined list so that I could review it and prioritize it and then send it back to them (you) to give to them.

The idea that a list prepared by staff is the basis for asking for $100 million + is more than absurd.

It is like they are printing money and it doesnít really matter what is on the list. I am not sure, but I think if I managed to get an addition on my house on that list Congress would give me the money to add it.

The football stadium (according to Dr. Dubois) UNCC didnít even know about and had no estimates for. Yet, it was listed as a ëshovel readyí project and a top priority. It is no more ëshovel readyí than building rec centers or a new center for DSS. I know it isnít a ëhigh priorityí as the board has NEVER voted to make it so. Yet, there it isÖÖout of nowhereÖÖÖÖ.

It concerns me that this process is so out of control that no one really knows where the lists come from, who is reviewing them, or if they are really have the support of the elected officials responsible for determining what is a ëhighí versus ëlowí priority.

How could that football stadium get on that list without the head of UNCC know or be aware of the cost?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Hardy, Nyki [mailto:Nykizza.Hardy@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 7:38 PM To: James, Bill; Daniel.murrey@orthocarolina.com; dumontclarke@mvalaw.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; kwbmontana@msn.com; Leake, Vilma; mroberts5@carolina.rr.com; ncooksey@bellsouth.net Cc: Bethune, Marvin; Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; Shields, Bobbie; Paige, Janice Subject: RE: Washington, DC Contacts for next week

From our lobbyist:

Emailing them is really not effective---I'd be glad to convey any message -- they do not have email addresses per se but you can go to their websites----links are:

www.burr.senate.gov

www.hagan.senate.gov

www.house.gov/watt

www.house.gov/myrick

www.house.gov/kissell

_____

From: Paige, Janice Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 2:26 PM To: James, Bill; CountyCommissioners Cc: Hardy, Nyki; Bethune, Marvin; Jackson, Janice; Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; Shields, Bobbie Subject: RE: Washington, DC Contacts for next week

Commissioner James,

I'm forwarding your request to Nyki Hardy, whose filling in for Deborah Goldberg, since this is a matter under her purview.

Janice S. Paige

Clerk to the Board

Janice.Paige@mecklenburgcountync. gov

704-336-2659

Fax: 704-336-5887

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 1:11 PM To: CountyCommissioners; Paige, Janice Subject: Washington, DC Contacts for next week Importance: High

Janice ñ

Can you supply the Commissioners who are not going to Washington to the e-mail addresses of the various elected officials (a actually read e-mail address) so that we can contact them about the stimulus plan.

Since we have not had a chance to vote on the staff driven list, I would like to suggest that perhaps we use e-mail to rank the list staff came up with to give direction to these elected officials.

Using a system like the process for ranking priorities at the conference, we could ërankí the items on the staff driven final list and a accumulated list prepared and used for next weekís meeting.

We added the CPCC parking deck to this process but we have not trying to accumulate the list for City, County, CPCC, CMS.

Ranking the County portion will also insure that if something isnít on CMSí list we can include it and determine its place.

I would also like to see a combined list for all Mecklenburg County governments as well.

Harry ñ could we do ranking on this via e-mail like we did the ranking for the planning conference?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Employee News Now Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 4:30 PM To: Employee News Now Subject: Help out with the DSS Food Drive starting this week.

This information is available online at http://NewMeckWeb/News

This Week DSS Food Drive The drive will run from February 5 - 12.

New County Manager to Review Charitable Fundraising. Feedback will be sought from employees. "Fairy House Festival" Promises Enchanting Time For Youngsters At Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. Family Resources Toolkit A list public and private non-profit organizations in the area of family services which serve the families of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The Big Read Mecklenburg County is partnering with the Public Library to challenge the entire community to read the classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Family day at Discovery Place February 15 This Month Sign-Ups Begin February 1 For Adult Flag Football Leagues Organized By Mecklenburg Park & Recreation Friday Friends Festival at the Wachovia Atrium on Thursday, February 19. After-School Arts And Culture Academy Offered At Albemarle Road Recreation Center; Sign-Up Now Upcoming 'Batter Up:' Adult Softball Leagues Now Forming For Mecklenburg Park And Rec Play This Spring. Baby CIAA Basketball Tournament Bette Rae Thomas Rec Center on Saturday, February 21. Expanded List of Summer Camps The 2009 Summer Camps list was recently revised to add several additional camps. Registration begins February 2. Carolina Speed, Mecklenburg Park And Recreation Plan Youth Indoor Football League. In Spring Of 2009. Charlotte-area Athletic Event to Benefit Wounded and Recovering Marines. Walk the Course. Register now for the Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence. Help raise money and awarness to end domestic violence. Meck Steppers Competition May 31, 2009. 4th Annual Youth Violence Prevention Conference Thursday and Friday, March 26 and 27, 2009 at Friendship Baptist Church. Park Recreation Offers Spring Fling/Showcase March 21 A Chance To Learn About Many Fun Things To Do And See Newsletters CRC Link Winter 2009 Outlook Magazine January (2009 Calendar). Frontline Employees February 2009 Frontline Supervisors February 2009 Ongoing After-School Fun For Youngsters On School Days. Now Available At Park And Rec's Ray's Splash Planet. Learn Volleyball From Those Who Know The Game. Instructional Sessions At West Charlotte Rec Center. Get Healthy And Fit With "Cardiomix," Adult Exercise At West Charlotte Recreation Center Bette Rae Thomas Fitness Center Payroll Deduction Coupon: Employees get 1st month free. Teacher Workday Programs. Ivory Baker Recreation Center. Aquatic Center Has Plenty of Winter Activities. Public Library Programs.

Remote Access Available for More Employee Sites to email, myHR and MeckWeb.

Note these links will only work if you are logged into the County network. From home or away from the network go to: https://newmeckweb.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/news (you will need to use your network login and password). Internet Explorer 6+ is recommended. VPN users can use MeckWeb remotely just like in the office. Complete items need to be submitted by mid-day Wednesday to ensure accuracy and inclusion in the Employee News email. Questions? Please contact mcwebmaster@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call Eric Cavanaugh 2-1959. Thanks. Comments? From: Employee News Now Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 4:30 PM To: Employee News Now Subject: Help out with the DSS Food Drive starting this week.

This information is available online at http://NewMeckWeb/News

This Week DSS Food Drive The drive will run from February 5 - 12.

New County Manager to Review Charitable Fundraising. Feedback will be sought from employees. "Fairy House Festival" Promises Enchanting Time For Youngsters At Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. Family Resources Toolkit A list public and private non-profit organizations in the area of family services which serve the families of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The Big Read Mecklenburg County is partnering with the Public Library to challenge the entire community to read the classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Family day at Discovery Place February 15 This Month Sign-Ups Begin February 1 For Adult Flag Football Leagues Organized By Mecklenburg Park & Recreation Friday Friends Festival at the Wachovia Atrium on Thursday, February 19. After-School Arts And Culture Academy Offered At Albemarle Road Recreation Center; Sign-Up Now Upcoming 'Batter Up:' Adult Softball Leagues Now Forming For Mecklenburg Park And Rec Play This Spring. Baby CIAA Basketball Tournament Bette Rae Thomas Rec Center on Saturday, February 21. Expanded List of Summer Camps The 2009 Summer Camps list was recently revised to add several additional camps. Registration begins February 2. Carolina Speed, Mecklenburg Park And Recreation Plan Youth Indoor Football League. In Spring Of 2009. Charlotte-area Athletic Event to Benefit Wounded and Recovering Marines. Walk the Course. Register now for the Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence. Help raise money and awarness to end domestic violence. Meck Steppers Competition May 31, 2009. 4th Annual Youth Violence Prevention Conference Thursday and Friday, March 26 and 27, 2009 at Friendship Baptist Church. Park Recreation Offers Spring Fling/Showcase March 21 A Chance To Learn About Many Fun Things To Do And See Newsletters CRC Link Winter 2009 Outlook Magazine January (2009 Calendar). Frontline Employees February 2009 Frontline Supervisors February 2009 Ongoing After-School Fun For Youngsters On School Days. Now Available At Park And Rec's Ray's Splash Planet. Learn Volleyball From Those Who Know The Game. Instructional Sessions At West Charlotte Rec Center. Get Healthy And Fit With "Cardiomix," Adult Exercise At West Charlotte Recreation Center Bette Rae Thomas Fitness Center Payroll Deduction Coupon: Employees get 1st month free. Teacher Workday Programs. Ivory Baker Recreation Center. Aquatic Center Has Plenty of Winter Activities. Public Library Programs.

Remote Access Available for More Employee Sites to email, myHR and MeckWeb.

Note these links will only work if you are logged into the County network. From home or away from the network go to: https://newmeckweb.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/news (you will need to use your network login and password). Internet Explorer 6+ is recommended. VPN users can use MeckWeb remotely just like in the office. Complete items need to be submitted by mid-day Wednesday to ensure accuracy and inclusion in the Employee News email. Questions? Please contact mcwebmaster@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call Eric Cavanaugh 2-1959. Thanks. Comments? From: Mecklenburg News Now Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 2:17 PM To: Mecklenburg News Now Subject: DSS BRINGS INTAKE SERVICES TO WEST CHARLOTTE CORRIDOR

From: Mecklenburg News Now Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 2:17 PM To: Mecklenburg News Now Subject: DSS BRINGS INTAKE SERVICES TO WEST CHARLOTTE CORRIDOR

From: Mecklenburg News Now Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 2:17 PM To: Mecklenburg News Now Subject: DSS BRINGS INTAKE SERVICES TO WEST CHARLOTTE CORRIDOR

From: Mecklenburg News Now Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 2:17 PM To: Mecklenburg News Now Subject: DSS BRINGS INTAKE SERVICES TO WEST CHARLOTTE CORRIDOR

From: Murphy, Freda Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 4:17 PM To: Allen, Monica R.; Bisanar, Sandra; Broadie, Candice; Bryant, Michael; Cherry, Shirley; Cox, Brian; Edwards, Tracy R; Fulton, Marni; Hardy, Nyki; Harris, Rodney D.; Hart, Blake; Herbert, Rebecca; Hickey, Carol C.; Ireland, Jessica; Jackson, Janice; Jackson, Rhonda R.; Johnson, Leslie; Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; Leach, Faith P.; Leslie, Tameika; McDow, Teresa; McGillicuddy, John; Paige, Janice; Payne, Janet E.; Privuznak, Jamie L.; Safir, Peter; Scott, Kathy; Shields, Bobbie; Simmons, Beverly; Spears, Tonette; Tibbs, Timmothy M.; Tillman, Barbara; Voignier, Clayton; Wade, Tyrone C.; Warren, John ( Bill ); Weaks, Janet; Wesson, Delois; White, Tangela; Wilson, Billy A.; Yi, Hyong Subject: FW: DSS Food Drive

From: Murphy, Freda Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 4:17 PM To: Allen, Monica R.; Bisanar, Sandra; Broadie, Candice; Bryant, Michael; Cherry, Shirley; Cox, Brian; Edwards, Tracy R; Fulton, Marni; Hardy, Nyki; Harris, Rodney D.; Hart, Blake; Herbert, Rebecca; Hickey, Carol C.; Ireland, Jessica; Jackson, Janice; Jackson, Rhonda R.; Johnson, Leslie; Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; Leach, Faith P.; Leslie, Tameika; McDow, Teresa; McGillicuddy, John; Paige, Janice; Payne, Janet E.; Privuznak, Jamie L.; Safir, Peter; Scott, Kathy; Shields, Bobbie; Simmons, Beverly; Spears, Tonette; Tibbs, Timmothy M.; Tillman, Barbara; Voignier, Clayton; Wade, Tyrone C.; Warren, John ( Bill ); Weaks, Janet; Wesson, Delois; White, Tangela; Wilson, Billy A.; Yi, Hyong Subject: FW: DSS Food Drive

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 4:33 PM To: 'lawrence@sog.unc.edu' Subject: County core purposes

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 4:54 PM To: Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; Shields, Bobbie Subject: Fw: County core purposes

From: Mecklenburg News Now Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 1:59 PM To: Mecklenburg News Now Subject: COUNTY OFFICIALS TAKE STIMULUS WISH-LIST TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

NEWS RELEASE MECKLENBURG COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICE AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT Feb . 10, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COUNTY OFFICIALS TAKE STIMULUS WISH-LIST TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Mecklenburg County leaders have traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with the North Carolina Congressional Delegation, asking legislators to include the County in the proposed federal stimulus package. Board of County Commissioners Chairman Jennifer Roberts, Commissioner Vilma Leake and County Manager Harry Jones are seeking federal funds to support $430 million in local projects, including:

* CPCC's Harris Campus expansion

* CPCC parking deck

* Greenways/urban connectivity

* Memorial Stadium/Grady Cole Center renovations

* Several parks

* Freedom Center

* Solid waste facilities

* Storm water systems

* New schools

* School renovations and repairs

* Transit services

* Social Services and homelessness

Roberts, Leake and Jones are meeting with Sen. Kay Hagan, D-NC; Rep. Mel Watt, D-NC; Rep. Larry Kissell, D-NC; Sen. Richard Burr, R-NC, as well as Republican Rep. Sue Myrick's Washington chief of staff.

Feedback from Hagan's office suggested the $16 billion in school funding removed from the Senate version of the stimulus bill may not be put back in the final legislation. Jones said school construction funding would make a significant difference to Mecklenburg County for several reasons. "Since 60 percent of the County's budget is designated for schools, it's important that school construction is part of the stimulus package," he said. "Receiving those funds could allow us to avoid cutting County jobs and layoffs."

"We must continue to impress upon our legislators to support the education component of the stimulus," said Leake.

Roberts was in Washington earlier this month to express support for funding for alternative energy, air quality initiatives and decreased dependence on foreign oil. "We need energy money in the stimulus package," Roberts said. "Retrofitting schools and County facilities to be more energy efficient will create significant savings for taxpayers."

###

Media contacts: Bill Carroll, 704-432-0362 or William.Carroll@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov; or Roger Kortekaas, 704-336-2597 or Roger.Kortekaas@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

PEOPLE * PRIDE * PROGRESS * PARTNERSHIPS

600 East Fourth Street * Charlotte, North Carolina 28202-2838 * (704) 336-2475 Fax (704) 336-6600

www.MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

From: Mecklenburg News Now Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 1:59 PM To: Mecklenburg News Now Subject: COUNTY OFFICIALS TAKE STIMULUS WISH-LIST TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

NEWS RELEASE MECKLENBURG COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICE AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT Feb . 10, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COUNTY OFFICIALS TAKE STIMULUS WISH-LIST TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Mecklenburg County leaders have traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with the North Carolina Congressional Delegation, asking legislators to include the County in the proposed federal stimulus package. Board of County Commissioners Chairman Jennifer Roberts, Commissioner Vilma Leake and County Manager Harry Jones are seeking federal funds to support $430 million in local projects, including:

* CPCC's Harris Campus expansion

* CPCC parking deck

* Greenways/urban connectivity

* Memorial Stadium/Grady Cole Center renovations

* Several parks

* Freedom Center

* Solid waste facilities

* Storm water systems

* New schools

* School renovations and repairs

* Transit services

* Social Services and homelessness

Roberts, Leake and Jones are meeting with Sen. Kay Hagan, D-NC; Rep. Mel Watt, D-NC; Rep. Larry Kissell, D-NC; Sen. Richard Burr, R-NC, as well as Republican Rep. Sue Myrick's Washington chief of staff.

Feedback from Hagan's office suggested the $16 billion in school funding removed from the Senate version of the stimulus bill may not be put back in the final legislation. Jones said school construction funding would make a significant difference to Mecklenburg County for several reasons. "Since 60 percent of the County's budget is designated for schools, it's important that school construction is part of the stimulus package," he said. "Receiving those funds could allow us to avoid cutting County jobs and layoffs."

"We must continue to impress upon our legislators to support the education component of the stimulus," said Leake.

Roberts was in Washington earlier this month to express support for funding for alternative energy, air quality initiatives and decreased dependence on foreign oil. "We need energy money in the stimulus package," Roberts said. "Retrofitting schools and County facilities to be more energy efficient will create significant savings for taxpayers."

###

Media contacts: Bill Carroll, 704-432-0362 or William.Carroll@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov; or Roger Kortekaas, 704-336-2597 or Roger.Kortekaas@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

PEOPLE * PRIDE * PROGRESS * PARTNERSHIPS

600 East Fourth Street * Charlotte, North Carolina 28202-2838 * (704) 336-2475 Fax (704) 336-6600

www.MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

From: Mecklenburg News Now Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 1:59 PM To: Mecklenburg News Now Subject: COUNTY OFFICIALS TAKE STIMULUS WISH-LIST TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

NEWS RELEASE MECKLENBURG COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICE AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT Feb . 10, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COUNTY OFFICIALS TAKE STIMULUS WISH-LIST TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Mecklenburg County leaders have traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with the North Carolina Congressional Delegation, asking legislators to include the County in the proposed federal stimulus package. Board of County Commissioners Chairman Jennifer Roberts, Commissioner Vilma Leake and County Manager Harry Jones are seeking federal funds to support $430 million in local projects, including:

* CPCC's Harris Campus expansion

* CPCC parking deck

* Greenways/urban connectivity

* Memorial Stadium/Grady Cole Center renovations

* Several parks

* Freedom Center

* Solid waste facilities

* Storm water systems

* New schools

* School renovations and repairs

* Transit services

* Social Services and homelessness

Roberts, Leake and Jones are meeting with Sen. Kay Hagan, D-NC; Rep. Mel Watt, D-NC; Rep. Larry Kissell, D-NC; Sen. Richard Burr, R-NC, as well as Republican Rep. Sue Myrick's Washington chief of staff.

Feedback from Hagan's office suggested the $16 billion in school funding removed from the Senate version of the stimulus bill may not be put back in the final legislation. Jones said school construction funding would make a significant difference to Mecklenburg County for several reasons. "Since 60 percent of the County's budget is designated for schools, it's important that school construction is part of the stimulus package," he said. "Receiving those funds could allow us to avoid cutting County jobs and layoffs."

"We must continue to impress upon our legislators to support the education component of the stimulus," said Leake.

Roberts was in Washington earlier this month to express support for funding for alternative energy, air quality initiatives and decreased dependence on foreign oil. "We need energy money in the stimulus package," Roberts said. "Retrofitting schools and County facilities to be more energy efficient will create significant savings for taxpayers."

###

Media contacts: Bill Carroll, 704-432-0362 or William.Carroll@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov; or Roger Kortekaas, 704-336-2597 or Roger.Kortekaas@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

PEOPLE * PRIDE * PROGRESS * PARTNERSHIPS

600 East Fourth Street * Charlotte, North Carolina 28202-2838 * (704) 336-2475 Fax (704) 336-6600

www.MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

From: Mecklenburg News Now Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 1:59 PM To: Mecklenburg News Now Subject: COUNTY OFFICIALS TAKE STIMULUS WISH-LIST TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

NEWS RELEASE MECKLENBURG COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICE AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT Feb . 10, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COUNTY OFFICIALS TAKE STIMULUS WISH-LIST TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Mecklenburg County leaders have traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with the North Carolina Congressional Delegation, asking legislators to include the County in the proposed federal stimulus package. Board of County Commissioners Chairman Jennifer Roberts, Commissioner Vilma Leake and County Manager Harry Jones are seeking federal funds to support $430 million in local projects, including:

* CPCC's Harris Campus expansion

* CPCC parking deck

* Greenways/urban connectivity

* Memorial Stadium/Grady Cole Center renovations

* Several parks

* Freedom Center

* Solid waste facilities

* Storm water systems

* New schools

* School renovations and repairs

* Transit services

* Social Services and homelessness

Roberts, Leake and Jones are meeting with Sen. Kay Hagan, D-NC; Rep. Mel Watt, D-NC; Rep. Larry Kissell, D-NC; Sen. Richard Burr, R-NC, as well as Republican Rep. Sue Myrick's Washington chief of staff.

Feedback from Hagan's office suggested the $16 billion in school funding removed from the Senate version of the stimulus bill may not be put back in the final legislation. Jones said school construction funding would make a significant difference to Mecklenburg County for several reasons. "Since 60 percent of the County's budget is designated for schools, it's important that school construction is part of the stimulus package," he said. "Receiving those funds could allow us to avoid cutting County jobs and layoffs."

"We must continue to impress upon our legislators to support the education component of the stimulus," said Leake.

Roberts was in Washington earlier this month to express support for funding for alternative energy, air quality initiatives and decreased dependence on foreign oil. "We need energy money in the stimulus package," Roberts said. "Retrofitting schools and County facilities to be more energy efficient will create significant savings for taxpayers."

###

Media contacts: Bill Carroll, 704-432-0362 or William.Carroll@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov; or Roger Kortekaas, 704-336-2597 or Roger.Kortekaas@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

PEOPLE * PRIDE * PROGRESS * PARTNERSHIPS

600 East Fourth Street * Charlotte, North Carolina 28202-2838 * (704) 336-2475 Fax (704) 336-6600

www.MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 3:57 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; Shields, Bobbie; McGillicuddy, John; Jackson, Janice; Diehl, Daniel; Peek, Chris Cc: Adams, Rodney; Benson, LaCinda; Cunningham, Darrell; Foxx, Samara; Johnson, Amy; McCoy, Peggy; Momoh, Isa; Risk, Paul M.; Voignier, Clayton; Wheeler, William; Wilkins, Judi Subject: Record Numbers at DSS

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 3:57 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; Shields, Bobbie; McGillicuddy, John; Jackson, Janice; Diehl, Daniel; Peek, Chris Cc: Adams, Rodney; Benson, LaCinda; Cunningham, Darrell; Foxx, Samara; Johnson, Amy; McCoy, Peggy; Momoh, Isa; Risk, Paul M.; Voignier, Clayton; Wheeler, William; Wilkins, Judi Subject: Record Numbers at DSS

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 3:57 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; Shields, Bobbie; McGillicuddy, John; Jackson, Janice; Diehl, Daniel; Peek, Chris Cc: Adams, Rodney; Benson, LaCinda; Cunningham, Darrell; Foxx, Samara; Johnson, Amy; McCoy, Peggy; Momoh, Isa; Risk, Paul M.; Voignier, Clayton; Wheeler, William; Wilkins, Judi Subject: Record Numbers at DSS

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 3:57 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; Shields, Bobbie; McGillicuddy, John; Jackson, Janice; Diehl, Daniel; Peek, Chris Cc: Adams, Rodney; Benson, LaCinda; Cunningham, Darrell; Foxx, Samara; Johnson, Amy; McCoy, Peggy; Momoh, Isa; Risk, Paul M.; Voignier, Clayton; Wheeler, William; Wilkins, Judi Subject: Record Numbers at DSS

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 3:57 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; Shields, Bobbie; McGillicuddy, John; Jackson, Janice; Diehl, Daniel; Peek, Chris Cc: Adams, Rodney; Benson, LaCinda; Cunningham, Darrell; Foxx, Samara; Johnson, Amy; McCoy, Peggy; Momoh, Isa; Risk, Paul M.; Voignier, Clayton; Wheeler, William; Wilkins, Judi Subject: Record Numbers at DSS

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 3:57 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; Shields, Bobbie; McGillicuddy, John; Jackson, Janice; Diehl, Daniel; Peek, Chris Cc: Adams, Rodney; Benson, LaCinda; Cunningham, Darrell; Foxx, Samara; Johnson, Amy; McCoy, Peggy; Momoh, Isa; Risk, Paul M.; Voignier, Clayton; Wheeler, William; Wilkins, Judi Subject: Record Numbers at DSS

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 3:57 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; Shields, Bobbie; McGillicuddy, John; Jackson, Janice; Diehl, Daniel; Peek, Chris Cc: Adams, Rodney; Benson, LaCinda; Cunningham, Darrell; Foxx, Samara; Johnson, Amy; McCoy, Peggy; Momoh, Isa; Risk, Paul M.; Voignier, Clayton; Wheeler, William; Wilkins, Judi Subject: Record Numbers at DSS

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 3:57 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; Shields, Bobbie; McGillicuddy, John; Jackson, Janice; Diehl, Daniel; Peek, Chris Cc: Adams, Rodney; Benson, LaCinda; Cunningham, Darrell; Foxx, Samara; Johnson, Amy; McCoy, Peggy; Momoh, Isa; Risk, Paul M.; Voignier, Clayton; Wheeler, William; Wilkins, Judi Subject: Record Numbers at DSS

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:05 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Welfare denials

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:05 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Welfare denials

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:05 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Welfare denials

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:05 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Welfare denials

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:05 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Welfare denials

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:05 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Welfare denials

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:05 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Welfare denials

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:05 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Welfare denials

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:06 PM To: Wilson, Mary Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Welfare denials

Thanks. That is interesting. I would have thought the annual number would have been higher.

I am curious to know what the Obama administration is going to do about those 35.

Do you think that that number (35) would be the number denied on average per year (e.g. 2007, 2006, 2005)?

The aggregate of denials represents individuals (if they are still in Mecklenburg) are those that have fallen off the radar screen.

1% a year isnít as much as I figured for one year but it makes me wonder if the aggregate (since the change to Work First) is 20% or higher ( the cumulative effect of removal from work first).

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:05 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Welfare denials

Commissioner James,

Work First is the program that replaced the former welfare program. From January 2008 through December 2008 Mecklenburg approved 3017 Work First Applications. A total of 35 cases were denied for having received 60 months of Work First benefits. If those 35 had been approved it would have increased the number of approvals for 2008 by 1%. If all 35 of those cases were still active today, the total number of active cases would be 1% larger.

Please advise if you have further questions.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 9:04 PM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: Welfare denials Importance: High

Mary ñ

In reading through some of the details recently about the lack of significant increases in some states welfare roles, one of the factors that has contributed to limiting the increases most folks expected from the high level of unemployment is the 1996 Welfare reform signed by President Clinton.

That welfare reform limited individuals (with some exceptions) to 5 years on welfare. NC I believe elected to use that 5 years as two groups (2 years and then 3 years I think).

The net effect of this was that folks that went on welfare for 2 years would have to go off but could go back on for 3 more before being permanently barred.

Exceptions were made for mothers with children but there remained a pool of individuals who were on (and who would qualify for) welfare but for welfare reform.

I would like to know the number of individuals who have applied for welfare over the last year and which were denied because they had used up their ë5 yearsí.

In addition to the number, I am curious to know what percentage those applications would be of the total welfare cases if they had been approved. In other words, would welfare payments and roles be 5% higher because of the denials? 2%? or 10%?

This is for a discussion regarding the upcoming budget so there is time to compile the information.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:06 PM To: Wilson, Mary Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Welfare denials

Thanks. That is interesting. I would have thought the annual number would have been higher.

I am curious to know what the Obama administration is going to do about those 35.

Do you think that that number (35) would be the number denied on average per year (e.g. 2007, 2006, 2005)?

The aggregate of denials represents individuals (if they are still in Mecklenburg) are those that have fallen off the radar screen.

1% a year isnít as much as I figured for one year but it makes me wonder if the aggregate (since the change to Work First) is 20% or higher ( the cumulative effect of removal from work first).

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:05 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Welfare denials

Commissioner James,

Work First is the program that replaced the former welfare program. From January 2008 through December 2008 Mecklenburg approved 3017 Work First Applications. A total of 35 cases were denied for having received 60 months of Work First benefits. If those 35 had been approved it would have increased the number of approvals for 2008 by 1%. If all 35 of those cases were still active today, the total number of active cases would be 1% larger.

Please advise if you have further questions.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 9:04 PM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: Welfare denials Importance: High

Mary ñ

In reading through some of the details recently about the lack of significant increases in some states welfare roles, one of the factors that has contributed to limiting the increases most folks expected from the high level of unemployment is the 1996 Welfare reform signed by President Clinton.

That welfare reform limited individuals (with some exceptions) to 5 years on welfare. NC I believe elected to use that 5 years as two groups (2 years and then 3 years I think).

The net effect of this was that folks that went on welfare for 2 years would have to go off but could go back on for 3 more before being permanently barred.

Exceptions were made for mothers with children but there remained a pool of individuals who were on (and who would qualify for) welfare but for welfare reform.

I would like to know the number of individuals who have applied for welfare over the last year and which were denied because they had used up their ë5 yearsí.

In addition to the number, I am curious to know what percentage those applications would be of the total welfare cases if they had been approved. In other words, would welfare payments and roles be 5% higher because of the denials? 2%? or 10%?

This is for a discussion regarding the upcoming budget so there is time to compile the information.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:06 PM To: Wilson, Mary Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Welfare denials

Thanks. That is interesting. I would have thought the annual number would have been higher.

I am curious to know what the Obama administration is going to do about those 35.

Do you think that that number (35) would be the number denied on average per year (e.g. 2007, 2006, 2005)?

The aggregate of denials represents individuals (if they are still in Mecklenburg) are those that have fallen off the radar screen.

1% a year isnít as much as I figured for one year but it makes me wonder if the aggregate (since the change to Work First) is 20% or higher ( the cumulative effect of removal from work first).

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:05 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Welfare denials

Commissioner James,

Work First is the program that replaced the former welfare program. From January 2008 through December 2008 Mecklenburg approved 3017 Work First Applications. A total of 35 cases were denied for having received 60 months of Work First benefits. If those 35 had been approved it would have increased the number of approvals for 2008 by 1%. If all 35 of those cases were still active today, the total number of active cases would be 1% larger.

Please advise if you have further questions.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 9:04 PM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: Welfare denials Importance: High

Mary ñ

In reading through some of the details recently about the lack of significant increases in some states welfare roles, one of the factors that has contributed to limiting the increases most folks expected from the high level of unemployment is the 1996 Welfare reform signed by President Clinton.

That welfare reform limited individuals (with some exceptions) to 5 years on welfare. NC I believe elected to use that 5 years as two groups (2 years and then 3 years I think).

The net effect of this was that folks that went on welfare for 2 years would have to go off but could go back on for 3 more before being permanently barred.

Exceptions were made for mothers with children but there remained a pool of individuals who were on (and who would qualify for) welfare but for welfare reform.

I would like to know the number of individuals who have applied for welfare over the last year and which were denied because they had used up their ë5 yearsí.

In addition to the number, I am curious to know what percentage those applications would be of the total welfare cases if they had been approved. In other words, would welfare payments and roles be 5% higher because of the denials? 2%? or 10%?

This is for a discussion regarding the upcoming budget so there is time to compile the information.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:06 PM To: Wilson, Mary Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Welfare denials

Thanks. That is interesting. I would have thought the annual number would have been higher.

I am curious to know what the Obama administration is going to do about those 35.

Do you think that that number (35) would be the number denied on average per year (e.g. 2007, 2006, 2005)?

The aggregate of denials represents individuals (if they are still in Mecklenburg) are those that have fallen off the radar screen.

1% a year isnít as much as I figured for one year but it makes me wonder if the aggregate (since the change to Work First) is 20% or higher ( the cumulative effect of removal from work first).

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Wilson, Mary [mailto:Mary.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:05 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Welfare denials

Commissioner James,

Work First is the program that replaced the former welfare program. From January 2008 through December 2008 Mecklenburg approved 3017 Work First Applications. A total of 35 cases were denied for having received 60 months of Work First benefits. If those 35 had been approved it would have increased the number of approvals for 2008 by 1%. If all 35 of those cases were still active today, the total number of active cases would be 1% larger.

Please advise if you have further questions.

Regards,

Mary

Mary E. Wilson

Director

Department of Social Services

301 Billingsley Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

W) 704-336-Mary

C) 704-649-0568

mary.wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 9:04 PM To: Wilson, Mary Subject: Welfare denials Importance: High

Mary ñ

In reading through some of the details recently about the lack of significant increases in some states welfare roles, one of the factors that has contributed to limiting the increases most folks expected from the high level of unemployment is the 1996 Welfare reform signed by President Clinton.

That welfare reform limited individuals (with some exceptions) to 5 years on welfare. NC I believe elected to use that 5 years as two groups (2 years and then 3 years I think).

The net effect of this was that folks that went on welfare for 2 years would have to go off but could go back on for 3 more before being permanently barred.

Exceptions were made for mothers with children but there remained a pool of individuals who were on (and who would qualify for) welfare but for welfare reform.

I would like to know the number of individuals who have applied for welfare over the last year and which were denied because they had used up their ë5 yearsí.

In addition to the number, I am curious to know what percentage those applications would be of the total welfare cases if they had been approved. In other words, would welfare payments and roles be 5% higher because of the denials? 2%? or 10%?

This is for a discussion regarding the upcoming budget so there is time to compile the information.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Lawrence, David M [Lawrence@sog.unc.edu] Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 4:50 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: County core purposes

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 9:42 AM To: 'Lawrence, David M' Subject: RE: County core purposes

From: Jackson, Janice Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 5:56 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: Human Services Board training

From: Jackson, Janice Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 5:56 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: Human Services Board training

From: Jackson, Janice Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 5:56 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: Human Services Board training

From: Jackson, Janice Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 5:56 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: Human Services Board training

From: McGillicuddy, John Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 9:29 AM To: Yi, Hyong Cc: Cox, Brian; Diorio, Dena R.; Johnson, Leslie; Jones, Harry L.; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice; Lancaster, Michelle; Bryant, Michael; Murchison, Gail; Reeves, Wanda Subject: budget reductions

From: McGillicuddy, John Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 9:29 AM To: Yi, Hyong Cc: Cox, Brian; Diorio, Dena R.; Johnson, Leslie; Jones, Harry L.; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice; Lancaster, Michelle; Bryant, Michael; Murchison, Gail; Reeves, Wanda Subject: budget reductions

From: Ramsey, Rebecca R. Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 9:52 AM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: Budget cut suggestions

From: Lancaster, Michelle Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 11:13 AM To: McGillicuddy, John; Yi, Hyong Cc: Cox, Brian; Diorio, Dena R.; Johnson, Leslie; Jones, Harry L.; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice; Bryant, Michael; Murchison, Gail; Reeves, Wanda Subject: RE: budget reductions

From: Lancaster, Michelle Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 11:13 AM To: McGillicuddy, John; Yi, Hyong Cc: Cox, Brian; Diorio, Dena R.; Johnson, Leslie; Jones, Harry L.; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice; Bryant, Michael; Murchison, Gail; Reeves, Wanda Subject: RE: budget reductions

From: Jackson, Janice Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 11:25 AM To: Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; Yi, Hyong Cc: Cox, Brian; Diorio, Dena R.; Johnson, Leslie; Jones, Harry L.; Shields, Bobbie; Bryant, Michael; Murchison, Gail; Reeves, Wanda Subject: RE: budget reductions

From: Jackson, Janice Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 11:25 AM To: Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; Yi, Hyong Cc: Cox, Brian; Diorio, Dena R.; Johnson, Leslie; Jones, Harry L.; Shields, Bobbie; Bryant, Michael; Murchison, Gail; Reeves, Wanda Subject: RE: budget reductions

From: Bryant, Michael Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 2:52 PM To: Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; Yi, Hyong Cc: Cox, Brian; Diorio, Dena R.; Johnson, Leslie; Jones, Harry L.; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice; Murchison, Gail; Reeves, Wanda Subject: RE: budget reductions

From: Bryant, Michael Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 2:52 PM To: Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; Yi, Hyong Cc: Cox, Brian; Diorio, Dena R.; Johnson, Leslie; Jones, Harry L.; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice; Murchison, Gail; Reeves, Wanda Subject: RE: budget reductions

From: Mark Sorich [mark.s@facilitywizard.com] Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 8:31 AM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: Mecklenburg County Department Of Social Services

From: Mark Sorich [mark.s@facilitywizard.com] Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 8:31 AM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: Mecklenburg County Department Of Social Services

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 12:59 PM To: 'Loftis, Brett' Cc: Murphy, Freda; McGillicuddy, John Subject: RE: Important Invitation

From: Loftis, Brett [brett@cfcrights.org] Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 1:38 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: Important Invitation

Harry,

I understand and will do everything I can to keep you in the loop even if you miss the meeting.

Thanks,

Brett

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. [mailto:Harry.Jones@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 12:59 PM To: Loftis, Brett Cc: Murphy, Freda; McGillicuddy, John Subject: RE: Important Invitation

Brett

Have Karen contact Freda Murphy of my office. She is my office assistant. Given my budget constraints, please understand that I am protecting my calendar for budget discussions/review and any commitment made will be tentative.

Harry L. Jones, Sr.

County Manager

Mecklenburg County

704-336-2087 -O

704-319-9458-fax

Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Loftis, Brett [mailto:brett@cfcrights.org] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:00 PM To: Algire, Jen; Anderson, Bill; Barb Pellin; Crawford, Frank; Eagan, Peggy; Crockett, Grayce; Jones, Harry L.; Pierman, Mark; Rhett Mabry; Suddreth, Annabelle; Susan Patterson Cc: Bibb, Elizabeth Subject: Important Invitation Importance: High

Community Partner,

As you know, the Council for Childrenís Rights (CFCR) is undertaking a project to create a business and implementation plan for the creation of a new Childrenís Intermediary Organization in Charlotte/Mecklenburg. This intermediary organization is charged with working to ensure that every child locally is safe, healthy, and educated. To assist with the planning for this endeavor, we have enlisted The Bridgespan Group. The Bridgespan Group is a nonprofit that provides management consulting advice, with the mission of helping nonprofit and philanthropic leaders develop strategies and build organizations that inspire and accelerate social change.

An important element of this project is to elicit the input of partner organizations regarding the future direction of the Childrenís Intermediary Organization. To that end, CFCR and Bridgespan team would very much appreciate your participation in two forms ñ first, through an interview with you between now and the end of February, and second, through your participation in an advisory committee, which will meet three times between now and the end of June. The first meeting is Monday, February 9th from 3:30pm ñ 5:00pm at the Children and Family Services Center.

Andrew Belton, Elizabeth Bibb, and Kirk Kramer are leading the Bridgespan team. Karen Anahory from their office will be contacting your office in the next two weeks to schedule a time for a forty-five minute interview. Please contact me should you have any questions regarding this interview, the advisory committee, or the project overall, or if you would prefer not to be included in the interviews and/or committee. Thank you in advance for your assistance with this important effort.

Best Regards,

Brett A. Loftis

Executive Director

Child Advocate Attorney

Council for Children's Rights

601 E. 5th St. Suite 510

Charlotte, NC 28202

visit us at www.cfcrights.org

From: Mecklenburg News Now Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 4:28 PM To: Mecklenburg News Now Subject: DSS AND LOCAL UNIVERSITY PARTNER TO BRING PROGRAMS BENEFITING FOSTER YOUTH

NEWS RELEASE MECKLENBURG COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES Feb. 17, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DSS AND LOCAL UNIVERSITY PARTNER TO BRING PROGRAMS BENEFITING FOSTER YOUTH

CHARLOTTE, NC - Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS) and Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) are teaming up to enhance the County's foster care system and help foster youth discover opportunities to succeed in adulthood.

In March, DSS Director Mary E. Wilson will meet more than 300 foster youth on the JCSU campus in a series of focus groups. The youth will share their personal experiences in the County's foster care system and provide valuable feedback on how it addresses their needs. JCSU admissions staff and students will be on hand to answer questions and conduct tours of the campus.

"The perspective of youth who live in foster care is often very different from that of foster parents or DSS staff," said Wilson. "It is imperative that we give these young people a voice to speak about their experience. By seeing their point of view, we can adapt our program and strengthen outcomes for all foster children in Mecklenburg County. We are surveying all 300 of the young people to get their input on ways we can improve and meet their needs so that they can be successful in the future."

The focus groups at JCSU will fulfill a requirement set forth by North Carolina's Program Improvement Plan, which evaluates child welfare divisions across the state. The plan requires DSS directors in all counties to meet face-to-face with every foster youth in the County ages 13 to 21.

The partnership began when JCSU President Dr. Ronald L. Carter - himself a former foster parent - approached Wilson and DSS's Youth and Family Services Division Director Paul Risk about piloting an innovative program designed to help 16- and 17-year-old foster youth transition from foster care to adulthood. Independent living staff from DSS's Phoenix Project will identify the foster youth who will be paired with JCSU student "ambassadors." The program will kick off this month with a training session for ambassadors and a mixer with the foster youth. On February 24, each foster youth is invited to watch the CIAA Tournament with one of their foster parents in Dr. Carter's private box at Time Warner Cable Arena.

This partnership helps fulfill an important strategic goal of the Social, Education and Economic Opportunity Focus Area Leadership Team to increase citizen self-sufficiency by collaborating with community partners to create services that help people transition from various levels of dependency.

"I believe we have a moral obligation not to simply tell these children to fend for themselves when they age out of foster care," Dr. Carter said. "This program will help them build a personal support network, expose them to educational opportunities and give them a way to be there for each other."

Wilson and Dr. Carter's vision for the partnership extends beyond Mecklenburg County. They hope it will inspire similar programs in counties across the state so that, in the future, all North Carolina county programs can come together annually for workshops and social activities.

"Who knows, there might be another (President) Obama in the group to lead the next generation," Dr. Carter said.

# # #

Media Contact: Tabitha Carnes, 704.432.2099 or 704.621.5279 (mobile)

Tabitha.Carnes@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

____________________________________________ PEOPLE * PRIDE * PROGRESS * PARTNERSHIPS 600 East Fourth Street * Charlotte, North Carolina 28202-2838 For more information about Mecklenburg County programs and services, click on: www.MecklenburgCountyNC.gov From: Mecklenburg News Now Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 4:28 PM To: Mecklenburg News Now Subject: DSS AND LOCAL UNIVERSITY PARTNER TO BRING PROGRAMS BENEFITING FOSTER YOUTH

NEWS RELEASE MECKLENBURG COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES Feb. 17, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DSS AND LOCAL UNIVERSITY PARTNER TO BRING PROGRAMS BENEFITING FOSTER YOUTH

CHARLOTTE, NC - Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS) and Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) are teaming up to enhance the County's foster care system and help foster youth discover opportunities to succeed in adulthood.

In March, DSS Director Mary E. Wilson will meet more than 300 foster youth on the JCSU campus in a series of focus groups. The youth will share their personal experiences in the County's foster care system and provide valuable feedback on how it addresses their needs. JCSU admissions staff and students will be on hand to answer questions and conduct tours of the campus.

"The perspective of youth who live in foster care is often very different from that of foster parents or DSS staff," said Wilson. "It is imperative that we give these young people a voice to speak about their experience. By seeing their point of view, we can adapt our program and strengthen outcomes for all foster children in Mecklenburg County. We are surveying all 300 of the young people to get their input on ways we can improve and meet their needs so that they can be successful in the future."

The focus groups at JCSU will fulfill a requirement set forth by North Carolina's Program Improvement Plan, which evaluates child welfare divisions across the state. The plan requires DSS directors in all counties to meet face-to-face with every foster youth in the County ages 13 to 21.

The partnership began when JCSU President Dr. Ronald L. Carter - himself a former foster parent - approached Wilson and DSS's Youth and Family Services Division Director Paul Risk about piloting an innovative program designed to help 16- and 17-year-old foster youth transition from foster care to adulthood. Independent living staff from DSS's Phoenix Project will identify the foster youth who will be paired with JCSU student "ambassadors." The program will kick off this month with a training session for ambassadors and a mixer with the foster youth. On February 24, each foster youth is invited to watch the CIAA Tournament with one of their foster parents in Dr. Carter's private box at Time Warner Cable Arena.

This partnership helps fulfill an important strategic goal of the Social, Education and Economic Opportunity Focus Area Leadership Team to increase citizen self-sufficiency by collaborating with community partners to create services that help people transition from various levels of dependency.

"I believe we have a moral obligation not to simply tell these children to fend for themselves when they age out of foster care," Dr. Carter said. "This program will help them build a personal support network, expose them to educational opportunities and give them a way to be there for each other."

Wilson and Dr. Carter's vision for the partnership extends beyond Mecklenburg County. They hope it will inspire similar programs in counties across the state so that, in the future, all North Carolina county programs can come together annually for workshops and social activities.

"Who knows, there might be another (President) Obama in the group to lead the next generation," Dr. Carter said.

# # #

Media Contact: Tabitha Carnes, 704.432.2099 or 704.621.5279 (mobile)

Tabitha.Carnes@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

____________________________________________ PEOPLE * PRIDE * PROGRESS * PARTNERSHIPS 600 East Fourth Street * Charlotte, North Carolina 28202-2838 For more information about Mecklenburg County programs and services, click on: www.MecklenburgCountyNC.gov From: Lancaster, Michelle Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 7:01 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Another opportunity

From: Lancaster, Michelle Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 7:01 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Another opportunity

From: Lancaster, Michelle Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 7:01 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Another opportunity

From: Lancaster, Michelle Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 7:01 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: FW: Another opportunity

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 9:39 AM To: especkman@kelloggdevelopment.com; Spence, Charlotte Cc: RKellogg@kelloggdevelopment.com; mark.haun@mecklenburgcountync.gov; Jones, Harry L.; Diorio, Dena R.; McNeil, Jacqueline; Foxx, Samara Subject: Re: $2 Million Savings Plan for Mecklenburg County!

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 9:39 AM To: especkman@kelloggdevelopment.com; Spence, Charlotte Cc: RKellogg@kelloggdevelopment.com; mark.haun@mecklenburgcountync.gov; Jones, Harry L.; Diorio, Dena R.; McNeil, Jacqueline; Foxx, Samara Subject: Re: $2 Million Savings Plan for Mecklenburg County!

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 9:39 AM To: especkman@kelloggdevelopment.com; Spence, Charlotte Cc: RKellogg@kelloggdevelopment.com; mark.haun@mecklenburgcountync.gov; Jones, Harry L.; Diorio, Dena R.; McNeil, Jacqueline; Foxx, Samara Subject: Re: $2 Million Savings Plan for Mecklenburg County!

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 9:39 AM To: especkman@kelloggdevelopment.com; Spence, Charlotte Cc: RKellogg@kelloggdevelopment.com; mark.haun@mecklenburgcountync.gov; Jones, Harry L.; Diorio, Dena R.; McNeil, Jacqueline; Foxx, Samara Subject: Re: $2 Million Savings Plan for Mecklenburg County!

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 9:39 AM To: especkman@kelloggdevelopment.com; Spence, Charlotte Cc: RKellogg@kelloggdevelopment.com; mark.haun@mecklenburgcountync.gov; Jones, Harry L.; Diorio, Dena R.; McNeil, Jacqueline; Foxx, Samara Subject: Re: $2 Million Savings Plan for Mecklenburg County!

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 9:39 AM To: especkman@kelloggdevelopment.com; Spence, Charlotte Cc: RKellogg@kelloggdevelopment.com; mark.haun@mecklenburgcountync.gov; Jones, Harry L.; Diorio, Dena R.; McNeil, Jacqueline; Foxx, Samara Subject: Re: $2 Million Savings Plan for Mecklenburg County!

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 9:39 AM To: especkman@kelloggdevelopment.com; Spence, Charlotte Cc: RKellogg@kelloggdevelopment.com; mark.haun@mecklenburgcountync.gov; Jones, Harry L.; Diorio, Dena R.; McNeil, Jacqueline; Foxx, Samara Subject: Re: $2 Million Savings Plan for Mecklenburg County!

From: Wilson, Mary Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 9:39 AM To: especkman@kelloggdevelopment.com; Spence, Charlotte Cc: RKellogg@kelloggdevelopment.com; mark.haun@mecklenburgcountync.gov; Jones, Harry L.; Diorio, Dena R.; McNeil, Jacqueline; Foxx, Samara Subject: Re: $2 Million Savings Plan for Mecklenburg County!

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 2:04 PM To: Yi, Hyong; Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; 'Jennifer Roberts'; Daniel Murrey; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bethune, Marvin Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; 'Brown, Charles'; 'Joe Penner'; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary; 'Bethea, April'; 'Boone, Mark'; 'D. A. Russell'; scrump@wbtv.com; pkaliner@wbt.com; 'Tara Servatius'; 'Jeff Rivenbark'; 'Nbc6'; 'Assignment (CTV-Charlotte)'; 'News Desk'; 'News Desk'; newsdesk@fox18wccb.com; 'Breaking News'; 'Shoemaker, Phillis'; 'Batten, Taylor' Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Importance: High

Harry ñ

I agree that we should close Gatling. That is a cut I completely agree with. The Republicanís proposed this several years ago because of the costs and issues regarding State responsibility but the suggestion was rejected by Parks and the Democrats. I am glad to see you have revived it.

I have some questions about some of the other items. In particular, there is listed a cut to ëdevelopment disabilitiesí but little or no cut to ëfighting backí (a patronage area that was initially established by a grant and subsequently made ëpermanentí about 10 years ago). This particular department hands out money to folks in poor neighborhoods to get them to teach ëhealthly lifestylesí to their neighbors (among other things). Developmental disabilities represent help to the parents of children who were born with severe birth defects. I donít see how ëfighting backí could get a $3 thousand dollar cut but developmental disability help for children with birth defects could get $759 thousand. To me, that is flat backwards.

I would also like to understand some of the ones that I have outlined below and get an answer on whether CMS will agree to give back the $2.5 million.

Also ñ these cuts total (if CMS agrees) to about $20 million however the ëgoalí was $46 million. Do we plan additional cuts for this fiscal year to make up the difference or are we just going to assume that the $26 million in remaining reductions are from Fund Balance?

PRK

Park_Fields_Recreation Centers

PARK OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (PRK)

4

$ 726,925

DSS

Economic_Financial Assistance

CHILDCARE SERVICES (DSS)

4

$ 350,000

PUB HLT

Communicable Illness Prevention_Treatment

STD/HIV TRACKING & INVESTIGATIONS (HLT)

3

$ 355,186

AMH

Disability Prevention_Treatment

DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES SERVICES (AMH)

4

$ 759,404

CMO

Legal Counsel

ATTORNEY (MGR)

3

$ 402,317

What attorney are we eliminating from the Managerís office? Tyrone Wade whom we just hired or Marvin Bethune?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:53 AM To: Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bill James Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; Brown, Charles; Joe Penner; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary Subject: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioners,

Attached is a memo with two attachments regarding FY2009 Budget Reductions. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Hyong Yi

Hyong Yi

Management and Budget Director

704-336-6945

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 2:04 PM To: Yi, Hyong; Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; 'Jennifer Roberts'; Daniel Murrey; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bethune, Marvin Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; 'Brown, Charles'; 'Joe Penner'; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary; 'Bethea, April'; 'Boone, Mark'; 'D. A. Russell'; scrump@wbtv.com; pkaliner@wbt.com; 'Tara Servatius'; 'Jeff Rivenbark'; 'Nbc6'; 'Assignment (CTV-Charlotte)'; 'News Desk'; 'News Desk'; newsdesk@fox18wccb.com; 'Breaking News'; 'Shoemaker, Phillis'; 'Batten, Taylor' Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Importance: High

Harry ñ

I agree that we should close Gatling. That is a cut I completely agree with. The Republicanís proposed this several years ago because of the costs and issues regarding State responsibility but the suggestion was rejected by Parks and the Democrats. I am glad to see you have revived it.

I have some questions about some of the other items. In particular, there is listed a cut to ëdevelopment disabilitiesí but little or no cut to ëfighting backí (a patronage area that was initially established by a grant and subsequently made ëpermanentí about 10 years ago). This particular department hands out money to folks in poor neighborhoods to get them to teach ëhealthly lifestylesí to their neighbors (among other things). Developmental disabilities represent help to the parents of children who were born with severe birth defects. I donít see how ëfighting backí could get a $3 thousand dollar cut but developmental disability help for children with birth defects could get $759 thousand. To me, that is flat backwards.

I would also like to understand some of the ones that I have outlined below and get an answer on whether CMS will agree to give back the $2.5 million.

Also ñ these cuts total (if CMS agrees) to about $20 million however the ëgoalí was $46 million. Do we plan additional cuts for this fiscal year to make up the difference or are we just going to assume that the $26 million in remaining reductions are from Fund Balance?

PRK

Park_Fields_Recreation Centers

PARK OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (PRK)

4

$ 726,925

DSS

Economic_Financial Assistance

CHILDCARE SERVICES (DSS)

4

$ 350,000

PUB HLT

Communicable Illness Prevention_Treatment

STD/HIV TRACKING & INVESTIGATIONS (HLT)

3

$ 355,186

AMH

Disability Prevention_Treatment

DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES SERVICES (AMH)

4

$ 759,404

CMO

Legal Counsel

ATTORNEY (MGR)

3

$ 402,317

What attorney are we eliminating from the Managerís office? Tyrone Wade whom we just hired or Marvin Bethune?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:53 AM To: Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bill James Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; Brown, Charles; Joe Penner; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary Subject: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioners,

Attached is a memo with two attachments regarding FY2009 Budget Reductions. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Hyong Yi

Hyong Yi

Management and Budget Director

704-336-6945

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 2:40 PM To: Yi, Hyong Subject: FW: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Importance: High

responses please Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 2:04 PM To: Yi, Hyong; Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; 'Jennifer Roberts'; Daniel Murrey; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bethune, Marvin Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; 'Brown, Charles'; 'Joe Penner'; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary; 'Bethea, April'; 'Boone, Mark'; 'D. A. Russell'; scrump@wbtv.com; pkaliner@wbt.com; 'Tara Servatius'; 'Jeff Rivenbark'; 'Nbc6'; 'Assignment (CTV-Charlotte)'; 'News Desk'; 'News Desk'; newsdesk@fox18wccb.com; 'Breaking News'; 'Shoemaker, Phillis'; 'Batten, Taylor' Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions Importance: High

Harry -

I agree that we should close Gatling. That is a cut I completely agree with. The Republican's proposed this several years ago because of the costs and issues regarding State responsibility but the suggestion was rejected by Parks and the Democrats. I am glad to see you have revived it.

I have some questions about some of the other items. In particular, there is listed a cut to 'development disabilities' but little or no cut to 'fighting back' (a patronage area that was initially established by a grant and subsequently made 'permanent' about 10 years ago). This particular department hands out money to folks in poor neighborhoods to get them to teach 'healthly lifestyles' to their neighbors (among other things). Developmental disabilities represent help to the parents of children who were born with severe birth defects. I don't see how 'fighting back' could get a $3 thousand dollar cut but developmental disability help for children with birth defects could get $759 thousand. To me, that is flat backwards.

I would also like to understand some of the ones that I have outlined below and get an answer on whether CMS will agree to give back the $2.5 million.

Also - these cuts total (if CMS agrees) to about $20 million however the 'goal' was $46 million. Do we plan additional cuts for this fiscal year to make up the difference or are we just going to assume that the $26 million in remaining reductions are from Fund Balance?

PRK

Park_Fields_Recreation Centers

PARK OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (PRK)

4

$ 726,925

DSS

Economic_Financial Assistance

CHILDCARE SERVICES (DSS)

4

$ 350,000

PUB HLT

Communicable Illness Prevention_Treatment

STD/HIV TRACKING & INVESTIGATIONS (HLT)

3

$ 355,186

AMH

Disability Prevention_Treatment

DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES SERVICES (AMH)

4

$ 759,404

CMO

Legal Counsel

ATTORNEY (MGR)

3

$ 402,317

What attorney are we eliminating from the Manager's office? Tyrone Wade whom we just hired or Marvin Bethune?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:53 AM To: Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bill James Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; Brown, Charles; Joe Penner; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary Subject: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioners,

Attached is a memo with two attachments regarding FY2009 Budget Reductions. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Hyong Yi

Hyong Yi

Management and Budget Director

704-336-6945

From: Morgan, Bob [bmorgan@charlottechamber.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 2:45 PM To: Patrick McCrory; jennifer@jenniferroberts.net; Kimble, Ron; Cauble, Boyd; Jones, Harry L.; Walton, Curt; Turner, Betty M; walter.price@wachovia.com Cc: Tim_Belk@belk.com; Darnell, David C Subject: Confidential/ Inter City Visit Request...

Folks,

Thank you for treating this subject with confidentiality.

FYI, a press conference is scheduled for March 3rd at 3pm here at the Chamber with Jennifer Roberts, Pat McCrory and Tim Belk to announce the decision to conduct this yearís InterCity Visit to Charlotte.

In the meantime, please provide feedback on the draft document below. Specifically, what topics would you add and which to you consider to be the five most important? All topics, venues and speakers are just suggestions at this point. Your input will be helpful.

Thanks and have a great day.

Bob Morgan

President Charlotte Chamber of Commerce

Phone: (704) 378-1330

MEMORANDUM

FROM: Bob Morgan

DATE: February 18, 2009

RE: Inter City Visit 2009/Venue and Topic Ideas

Topic: Attracting Young People to Charlotte

Venue: U.S. Whitewater Center

Speakers:

Topic: The Energy Sector & Charlotte as Clean Tech Capital of the U.S.

Venue: UNC Charlotte

Speakers: Jim Rogers

Keith Crisco

Topic: Transportation Today and in the Future

Venue: Tour of Lynx Line

Speakers: Keith Parker

Pat McCrory

Gene Conti

Ned Curran

Brad Wilson

Topic: Charlotteís Airport: The Crown Jewel of our Economy

Venue: Tour of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport

Speakers: Jerry Orr

Norfolk Southern

US Airways

Topic: Tourism

Venues: Whitewater/Billy Graham Library/NASCAR Hall of Fame

Speakers: Tim Newman

Franklin Graham

Jeff Wise

Winston Kelley

Topic: Health Care as an Economic Driver

Venue: North Carolina Research Campus

Speakers: Michael Tarwater

Carl Armato

Topic: Biomedical Industry Potential

Speakers: David Murdoch

Lynn Scott Safrit

Topic: Extension of Transit to NCRC

Speakers: Keith Parker

Curt Walton

Topic: Higher Education as an Economic Driver

Venue: UNC Charlotte

Speakers: Phil Dubois

Pamela Lewis

Tony Zeiss

Art Gallagher

Ron Carter

Topic: NASCAR/Motorsports

Venue: Loweís Motor Speedway or Hendrick Motorsports

Speakers: Paul Brooks

Marcus Smith

Jimmy Johnson

Rick Hendrick

Topic: Redevelopment of the Urban Core

- Eastland Mall

- CMDC

Venue: Eastland Mall

Speakers: Bob Sweeney

Henry Faison

Todd Mansfield

Nancy Crown

Topic: Baseball in Charlotte

(Knights are in town for a home game on Friday, June 19th)

Venue: Knights Stadium

Speakers: Don Beaver

Bobbie Shields

Michael Smith

Topic: Open Space/Quality of Life/Carolina Thread Trail

Venue: Ann Close Springs Greenway, Fort Mill or Morehead to 7th Trail

Speakers: Crandall Bowles

Dave Cable

Topic: Public Safety

Venue: County Courthouse/Jail

Speakers: Peter Gilchrist

Mark Calloway

Rodney Monroe

Chipp Bailey

Lisa Bell

Topics: Social Services

Mental Health

Venue: Freedom Mall

Speakers: Jennifer Roberts

Harry Jones

Mary Wilson

Topic: Public Education K-12

Venue: High School

Speakers: Pete Gorman

Molly Griffin

Krista Tillman

Kathy Ridge

Topic: A New Vision for Center City

Venue: Center City

Speakers: Michael Smith

Harvey Gantt

Hugh McColl

Jennifer Appleby

Topic: North Carolina and the Economic Stimulus Package

Venue:

Speakers: North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue

North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Keith Crisco

Topic: North Carolinaís Mega Region

Venue:

Speaker: Mac Holladay

Topic: Benchmarking Charlotte: How Are We Doing?

Venue:

Speakers: John Stumpf

Ken Lewis

Pat McCrory

Jennifer Roberts

Pete Gorman

Mark Vitner

Tony Crumbley

Jeff Edge

Ronnie Bryant

Topic: Crossroads Addressing Social Equity

Venue: Johnson C. Smith University

Speakers: Ron Carter

Claude Alexander

Michael Marsicano

Diane English

Anthony Foxx

John Lassiter

From: Marvin A. Bethune [mbethune@rbcwb.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 2:52 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Yi, Hyong Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Bill, Harry or Hyong will have to definitively answer your question about which attorney, but to the best of my knowledge the answer is neither (and I sure hope that is the correct answer given all that needs to be done). Other material sent out shows the following reduction from the Legal Counsel part of the Manager's budget:

County Managerís Office Reduction: $402,317 ñ Funding for settlement claims.

Marvin A. Bethune Mecklenburg County Attorney (O) (704) 377-1634 (FAX) (704) 342-3308 mbethune@rbcwb.com

-----Original Message----- From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 2:04 PM To: 'Yi, Hyong'; 'Jackson, Janice'; 'McGillicuddy, John'; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; 'Leake, Vilma'; 'Paige, Janice'; 'Jennifer Roberts'; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; 'Jones, Harry L.'; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; 'Shields, Bobbie'; 'Bentley, Karen'; 'Dumont Clarke'; 'Lancaster, Michelle'; 'Marvin A. Bethune' Cc: 'Saul, Cary'; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; 'Brown, Charles'; 'Joe Penner'; 'Pinkard, Jerry'; 'Garges, James R'; 'Diehl, Daniel'; 'Cox, Brian'; 'Mabry, Earl'; 'Spears, Cornita'; 'Crockett, Grayce'; 'Granberry, David'; 'Lowry, Stacy M.'; 'Johnson, Leslie'; 'Diorio, Dena R.'; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; 'Sullivan, James'; 'Hahn, Mark'; 'Peek, Chris'; 'Bryant, Michael'; 'Bailey, Daniel'; 'Wilson, Mary'; 'Bethea, April'; 'Boone, Mark'; 'D. A. Russell'; scrump@wbtv.com; pkaliner@wbt.com; 'Tara Servatius'; 'Jeff Rivenbark'; 'Nbc6'; 'Assignment (CTV-Charlotte)'; 'News Desk'; 'News Desk'; newsdesk@fox18wccb.com; 'Breaking News'; 'Shoemaker, Phillis'; 'Batten, Taylor' Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions Importance: High

Harry ñ

I agree that we should close Gatling. That is a cut I completely agree with. The Republicanís proposed this several years ago because of the costs and issues regarding State responsibility but the suggestion was rejected by Parks and the Democrats. I am glad to see you have revived it.

I have some questions about some of the other items. In particular, there is listed a cut to ëdevelopment disabilitiesí but little or no cut to ëfighting backí (a patronage area that was initially established by a grant and subsequently made ëpermanentí about 10 years ago). This particular department hands out money to folks in poor neighborhoods to get them to teach ëhealthly lifestylesí to their neighbors (among other things). Developmental disabilities represent help to the parents of children who were born with severe birth defects. I donít see how ëfighting backí could get a $3 thousand dollar cut but developmental disability help for children with birth defects could get $759 thousand. To me, that is flat backwards.

I would also like to understand some of the ones that I have outlined below and get an answer on whether CMS will agree to give back the $2.5 million.

Also ñ these cuts total (if CMS agrees) to about $20 million however the ëgoalí was $46 million. Do we plan additional cuts for this fiscal year to make up the difference or are we just going to assume that the $26 million in remaining reductions are from Fund Balance?

PRK

Park_Fields_Recreation Centers

PARK OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (PRK)

4

$ 726,925

DSS

Economic_Financial Assistance

CHILDCARE SERVICES (DSS)

4

$ 350,000

PUB HLT

Communicable Illness Prevention_Treatment

STD/HIV TRACKING & INVESTIGATIONS (HLT)

3

$ 355,186

AMH

Disability Prevention_Treatment

DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES SERVICES (AMH)

4

$ 759,404

CMO

Legal Counsel

ATTORNEY (MGR)

3

$ 402,317

What attorney are we eliminating from the Managerís office? Tyrone Wade whom we just hired or Marvin Bethune?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:53 AM To: Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bill James Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; Brown, Charles; Joe Penner; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary Subject: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioners,

Attached is a memo with two attachments regarding FY2009 Budget Reductions. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Hyong Yi

Hyong Yi

Management and Budget Director

704-336-6945

From: Yi, Hyong Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 3:27 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

working on it.

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Fri 2/20/2009 2:39 PM To: Yi, Hyong Subject: FW: FY2009 Budget Reductions

responses please Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 2:04 PM To: Yi, Hyong; Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; 'Jennifer Roberts'; Daniel Murrey; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bethune, Marvin Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; 'Brown, Charles'; 'Joe Penner'; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary; 'Bethea, April'; 'Boone, Mark'; 'D. A. Russell'; scrump@wbtv.com; pkaliner@wbt.com; 'Tara Servatius'; 'Jeff Rivenbark'; 'Nbc6'; 'Assignment (CTV-Charlotte)'; 'News Desk'; 'News Desk'; newsdesk@fox18wccb.com; 'Breaking News'; 'Shoemaker, Phillis'; 'Batten, Taylor' Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions Importance: High

Harry ñ

I agree that we should close Gatling. That is a cut I completely agree with. The Republicanís proposed this several years ago because of the costs and issues regarding State responsibility but the suggestion was rejected by Parks and the Democrats. I am glad to see you have revived it.

I have some questions about some of the other items. In particular, there is listed a cut to ëdevelopment disabilitiesí but little or no cut to ëfighting backí (a patronage area that was initially established by a grant and subsequently made ëpermanentí about 10 years ago). This particular department hands out money to folks in poor neighborhoods to get them to teach ëhealthly lifestylesí to their neighbors (among other things). Developmental disabilities represent help to the parents of children who were born with severe birth defects. I donít see how ëfighting backí could get a $3 thousand dollar cut but developmental disability help for children with birth defects could get $759 thousand. To me, that is flat backwards.

I would also like to understand some of the ones that I have outlined below and get an answer on whether CMS will agree to give back the $2.5 million.

Also ñ these cuts total (if CMS agrees) to about $20 million however the ëgoalí was $46 million. Do we plan additional cuts for this fiscal year to make up the difference or are we just going to assume that the $26 million in remaining reductions are from Fund Balance?

PRK

Park_Fields_Recreation Centers

PARK OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (PRK)

4

$ 726,925

DSS

Economic_Financial Assistance

CHILDCARE SERVICES (DSS)

4

$ 350,000

PUB HLT

Communicable Illness Prevention_Treatment

STD/HIV TRACKING & INVESTIGATIONS (HLT)

3

$ 355,186

AMH

Disability Prevention_Treatment

DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES SERVICES (AMH)

4

$ 759,404

CMO

Legal Counsel

ATTORNEY (MGR)

3

$ 402,317

What attorney are we eliminating from the Managerís office? Tyrone Wade whom we just hired or Marvin Bethune?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:53 AM To: Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bill James Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; Brown, Charles; Joe Penner; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary Subject: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioners,

Attached is a memo with two attachments regarding FY2009 Budget Reductions. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Hyong Yi

Hyong Yi

Management and Budget Director

704-336-6945

From: Yi, Hyong Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 3:32 PM To: James, Bill; Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel Murrey; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bethune, Marvin Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; Brown, Charles; Joe Penner; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary; Bethea, April; Boone, Mark; D. A. Russell; scrump@wbtv.com; pkaliner@wbt.com; Tara Servatius; Jeff Rivenbark; Nbc6; Assignment (CTV-Charlotte); News Desk; News Desk; newsdesk@fox18wccb.com; Breaking News; Shoemaker, Phillis; Batten, Taylor Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioner James We are working on your questions. We will work to have responses for you by the Public Policy Workshop next Tuesday if not sooner. Thank you. Hyong Yi Hyong Yi Management and Budget Director Mecklenburg County

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Fri 2/20/2009 2:03 PM To: Yi, Hyong; Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; 'Jennifer Roberts'; Daniel Murrey; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bethune, Marvin Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; 'Brown, Charles'; 'Joe Penner'; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary; 'Bethea, April'; 'Boone, Mark'; 'D. A. Russell'; scrump@wbtv.com; pkaliner@wbt.com; 'Tara Servatius'; 'Jeff Rivenbark'; 'Nbc6'; 'Assignment (CTV-Charlotte)'; 'News Desk'; 'News Desk'; newsdesk@fox18wccb.com; 'Breaking News'; 'Shoemaker, Phillis'; 'Batten, Taylor' Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Harry ñ

I agree that we should close Gatling. That is a cut I completely agree with. The Republicanís proposed this several years ago because of the costs and issues regarding State responsibility but the suggestion was rejected by Parks and the Democrats. I am glad to see you have revived it.

I have some questions about some of the other items. In particular, there is listed a cut to ëdevelopment disabilitiesí but little or no cut to ëfighting backí (a patronage area that was initially established by a grant and subsequently made ëpermanentí about 10 years ago). This particular department hands out money to folks in poor neighborhoods to get them to teach ëhealthly lifestylesí to their neighbors (among other things). Developmental disabilities represent help to the parents of children who were born with severe birth defects. I donít see how ëfighting backí could get a $3 thousand dollar cut but developmental disability help for children with birth defects could get $759 thousand. To me, that is flat backwards.

I would also like to understand some of the ones that I have outlined below and get an answer on whether CMS will agree to give back the $2.5 million.

Also ñ these cuts total (if CMS agrees) to about $20 million however the ëgoalí was $46 million. Do we plan additional cuts for this fiscal year to make up the difference or are we just going to assume that the $26 million in remaining reductions are from Fund Balance?

PRK

Park_Fields_Recreation Centers

PARK OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (PRK)

4

$ 726,925

DSS

Economic_Financial Assistance

CHILDCARE SERVICES (DSS)

4

$ 350,000

PUB HLT

Communicable Illness Prevention_Treatment

STD/HIV TRACKING & INVESTIGATIONS (HLT)

3

$ 355,186

AMH

Disability Prevention_Treatment

DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES SERVICES (AMH)

4

$ 759,404

CMO

Legal Counsel

ATTORNEY (MGR)

3

$ 402,317

What attorney are we eliminating from the Managerís office? Tyrone Wade whom we just hired or Marvin Bethune?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:53 AM To: Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bill James Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; Brown, Charles; Joe Penner; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary Subject: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioners,

Attached is a memo with two attachments regarding FY2009 Budget Reductions. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Hyong Yi

Hyong Yi

Management and Budget Director

704-336-6945

From: Yi, Hyong Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 3:32 PM To: James, Bill; Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel Murrey; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bethune, Marvin Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; Brown, Charles; Joe Penner; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary; Bethea, April; Boone, Mark; D. A. Russell; scrump@wbtv.com; pkaliner@wbt.com; Tara Servatius; Jeff Rivenbark; Nbc6; Assignment (CTV-Charlotte); News Desk; News Desk; newsdesk@fox18wccb.com; Breaking News; Shoemaker, Phillis; Batten, Taylor Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioner James We are working on your questions. We will work to have responses for you by the Public Policy Workshop next Tuesday if not sooner. Thank you. Hyong Yi Hyong Yi Management and Budget Director Mecklenburg County

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Fri 2/20/2009 2:03 PM To: Yi, Hyong; Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; 'Jennifer Roberts'; Daniel Murrey; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bethune, Marvin Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; 'Brown, Charles'; 'Joe Penner'; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary; 'Bethea, April'; 'Boone, Mark'; 'D. A. Russell'; scrump@wbtv.com; pkaliner@wbt.com; 'Tara Servatius'; 'Jeff Rivenbark'; 'Nbc6'; 'Assignment (CTV-Charlotte)'; 'News Desk'; 'News Desk'; newsdesk@fox18wccb.com; 'Breaking News'; 'Shoemaker, Phillis'; 'Batten, Taylor' Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Harry ñ

I agree that we should close Gatling. That is a cut I completely agree with. The Republicanís proposed this several years ago because of the costs and issues regarding State responsibility but the suggestion was rejected by Parks and the Democrats. I am glad to see you have revived it.

I have some questions about some of the other items. In particular, there is listed a cut to ëdevelopment disabilitiesí but little or no cut to ëfighting backí (a patronage area that was initially established by a grant and subsequently made ëpermanentí about 10 years ago). This particular department hands out money to folks in poor neighborhoods to get them to teach ëhealthly lifestylesí to their neighbors (among other things). Developmental disabilities represent help to the parents of children who were born with severe birth defects. I donít see how ëfighting backí could get a $3 thousand dollar cut but developmental disability help for children with birth defects could get $759 thousand. To me, that is flat backwards.

I would also like to understand some of the ones that I have outlined below and get an answer on whether CMS will agree to give back the $2.5 million.

Also ñ these cuts total (if CMS agrees) to about $20 million however the ëgoalí was $46 million. Do we plan additional cuts for this fiscal year to make up the difference or are we just going to assume that the $26 million in remaining reductions are from Fund Balance?

PRK

Park_Fields_Recreation Centers

PARK OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (PRK)

4

$ 726,925

DSS

Economic_Financial Assistance

CHILDCARE SERVICES (DSS)

4

$ 350,000

PUB HLT

Communicable Illness Prevention_Treatment

STD/HIV TRACKING & INVESTIGATIONS (HLT)

3

$ 355,186

AMH

Disability Prevention_Treatment

DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES SERVICES (AMH)

4

$ 759,404

CMO

Legal Counsel

ATTORNEY (MGR)

3

$ 402,317

What attorney are we eliminating from the Managerís office? Tyrone Wade whom we just hired or Marvin Bethune?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:53 AM To: Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bill James Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; Brown, Charles; Joe Penner; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary Subject: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioners,

Attached is a memo with two attachments regarding FY2009 Budget Reductions. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Hyong Yi

Hyong Yi

Management and Budget Director

704-336-6945

From: Yi, Hyong Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 3:38 PM To: Bethune, Marvin; James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Marvin is correct. No positions are being reduced. The funds are coming from the account that we have for settlements and judgments.

_____

From: Marvin A. Bethune [mailto:mbethune@rbcwb.com] Sent: Fri 2/20/2009 2:52 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Yi, Hyong Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Bill, Harry or Hyong will have to definitively answer your question about which attorney, but to the best of my knowledge the answer is neither (and I sure hope that is the correct answer given all that needs to be done). Other material sent out shows the following reduction from the Legal Counsel part of the Manager's budget:

County Managerís Office Reduction: $402,317 ñ Funding for settlement claims.

Marvin A. Bethune Mecklenburg County Attorney (O) (704) 377-1634 (FAX) (704) 342-3308 mbethune@rbcwb.com

-----Original Message----- From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 2:04 PM To: 'Yi, Hyong'; 'Jackson, Janice'; 'McGillicuddy, John'; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; 'Leake, Vilma'; 'Paige, Janice'; 'Jennifer Roberts'; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; 'Jones, Harry L.'; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; 'Shields, Bobbie'; 'Bentley, Karen'; 'Dumont Clarke'; 'Lancaster, Michelle'; 'Marvin A. Bethune' Cc: 'Saul, Cary'; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; 'Brown, Charles'; 'Joe Penner'; 'Pinkard, Jerry'; 'Garges, James R'; 'Diehl, Daniel'; 'Cox, Brian'; 'Mabry, Earl'; 'Spears, Cornita'; 'Crockett, Grayce'; 'Granberry, David'; 'Lowry, Stacy M.'; 'Johnson, Leslie'; 'Diorio, Dena R.'; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; 'Sullivan, James'; 'Hahn, Mark'; 'Peek, Chris'; 'Bryant, Michael'; 'Bailey, Daniel'; 'Wilson, Mary'; 'Bethea, April'; 'Boone, Mark'; 'D. A. Russell'; scrump@wbtv.com; pkaliner@wbt.com; 'Tara Servatius'; 'Jeff Rivenbark'; 'Nbc6'; 'Assignment (CTV-Charlotte)'; 'News Desk'; 'News Desk'; newsdesk@fox18wccb.com; 'Breaking News'; 'Shoemaker, Phillis'; 'Batten, Taylor' Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions Importance: High

Harry ñ

I agree that we should close Gatling. That is a cut I completely agree with. The Republicanís proposed this several years ago because of the costs and issues regarding State responsibility but the suggestion was rejected by Parks and the Democrats. I am glad to see you have revived it.

I have some questions about some of the other items. In particular, there is listed a cut to ëdevelopment disabilitiesí but little or no cut to ëfighting backí (a patronage area that was initially established by a grant and subsequently made ëpermanentí about 10 years ago). This particular department hands out money to folks in poor neighborhoods to get them to teach ëhealthly lifestylesí to their neighbors (among other things). Developmental disabilities represent help to the parents of children who were born with severe birth defects. I donít see how ëfighting backí could get a $3 thousand dollar cut but developmental disability help for children with birth defects could get $759 thousand. To me, that is flat backwards.

I would also like to understand some of the ones that I have outlined below and get an answer on whether CMS will agree to give back the $2.5 million.

Also ñ these cuts total (if CMS agrees) to about $20 million however the ëgoalí was $46 million. Do we plan additional cuts for this fiscal year to make up the difference or are we just going to assume that the $26 million in remaining reductions are from Fund Balance?

PRK

Park_Fields_Recreation Centers

PARK OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (PRK)

4

$ 726,925

DSS

Economic_Financial Assistance

CHILDCARE SERVICES (DSS)

4

$ 350,000

PUB HLT

Communicable Illness Prevention_Treatment

STD/HIV TRACKING & INVESTIGATIONS (HLT)

3

$ 355,186

AMH

Disability Prevention_Treatment

DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES SERVICES (AMH)

4

$ 759,404

CMO

Legal Counsel

ATTORNEY (MGR)

3

$ 402,317

What attorney are we eliminating from the Managerís office? Tyrone Wade whom we just hired or Marvin Bethune?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:53 AM To: Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bill James Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; Brown, Charles; Joe Penner; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary Subject: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioners,

Attached is a memo with two attachments regarding FY2009 Budget Reductions. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Hyong Yi

Hyong Yi

Management and Budget Director

704-336-6945

From: Yi, Hyong Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 3:39 PM To: Jones, Harry L. Cc: McGillicuddy, John; Bryant, Michael Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Harry I have contact all the department heads with service responsibility for the ones that Bill James has picked out. Given his email, we're not quite sure what he is looking for so I'm going to get more clarity from him. I don't expect to have responses today to any of his questions. My plan was to start the workshop next off with tha Q&A session so if they had any questions, they could ask them. Please let me know if you would like different action than what this outlines. Thanks Hyong

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Fri 2/20/2009 2:39 PM To: Yi, Hyong Subject: FW: FY2009 Budget Reductions

responses please Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 2:04 PM To: Yi, Hyong; Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; 'Jennifer Roberts'; Daniel Murrey; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bethune, Marvin Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; 'Brown, Charles'; 'Joe Penner'; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary; 'Bethea, April'; 'Boone, Mark'; 'D. A. Russell'; scrump@wbtv.com; pkaliner@wbt.com; 'Tara Servatius'; 'Jeff Rivenbark'; 'Nbc6'; 'Assignment (CTV-Charlotte)'; 'News Desk'; 'News Desk'; newsdesk@fox18wccb.com; 'Breaking News'; 'Shoemaker, Phillis'; 'Batten, Taylor' Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions Importance: High

Harry ñ

I agree that we should close Gatling. That is a cut I completely agree with. The Republicanís proposed this several years ago because of the costs and issues regarding State responsibility but the suggestion was rejected by Parks and the Democrats. I am glad to see you have revived it.

I have some questions about some of the other items. In particular, there is listed a cut to ëdevelopment disabilitiesí but little or no cut to ëfighting backí (a patronage area that was initially established by a grant and subsequently made ëpermanentí about 10 years ago). This particular department hands out money to folks in poor neighborhoods to get them to teach ëhealthly lifestylesí to their neighbors (among other things). Developmental disabilities represent help to the parents of children who were born with severe birth defects. I donít see how ëfighting backí could get a $3 thousand dollar cut but developmental disability help for children with birth defects could get $759 thousand. To me, that is flat backwards.

I would also like to understand some of the ones that I have outlined below and get an answer on whether CMS will agree to give back the $2.5 million.

Also ñ these cuts total (if CMS agrees) to about $20 million however the ëgoalí was $46 million. Do we plan additional cuts for this fiscal year to make up the difference or are we just going to assume that the $26 million in remaining reductions are from Fund Balance?

PRK

Park_Fields_Recreation Centers

PARK OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (PRK)

4

$ 726,925

DSS

Economic_Financial Assistance

CHILDCARE SERVICES (DSS)

4

$ 350,000

PUB HLT

Communicable Illness Prevention_Treatment

STD/HIV TRACKING & INVESTIGATIONS (HLT)

3

$ 355,186

AMH

Disability Prevention_Treatment

DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES SERVICES (AMH)

4

$ 759,404

CMO

Legal Counsel

ATTORNEY (MGR)

3

$ 402,317

What attorney are we eliminating from the Managerís office? Tyrone Wade whom we just hired or Marvin Bethune?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:53 AM To: Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bill James Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; Brown, Charles; Joe Penner; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary Subject: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioners,

Attached is a memo with two attachments regarding FY2009 Budget Reductions. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Hyong Yi

Hyong Yi

Management and Budget Director

704-336-6945

From: Marvin A. Bethune [mbethune@rbcwb.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 4:06 PM To: Yi, Hyong Cc: Wade, Tyrone C.; Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Hyone, It might be helpful to "reply to all" with information about no positions being reduced so that the others receiving Bill's e-mail will also have that information. Otherwise Tyrone and I might start getting calls with job offers or, more likely given the economy, start receiving sympathy cards. Marvin A. Bethune Mecklenburg County Attorney (O) (704) 377-1634 (FAX) (704) 342-3308 mbethune@rbcwb.com

-----Original Message----- From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 3:38 PM To: Marvin A. Bethune; James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Marvin is correct. No positions are being reduced. The funds are coming from the account that we have for settlements and judgments.

_____

From: Marvin A. Bethune [mailto:mbethune@rbcwb.com] Sent: Fri 2/20/2009 2:52 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Yi, Hyong Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Bill, Harry or Hyong will have to definitively answer your question about which attorney, but to the best of my knowledge the answer is neither (and I sure hope that is the correct answer given all that needs to be done). Other material sent out shows the following reduction from the Legal Counsel part of the Manager's budget:

County Managerís Office Reduction: $402,317 ñ Funding for settlement claims.

Marvin A. Bethune Mecklenburg County Attorney (O) (704) 377-1634 (FAX) (704) 342-3308 mbethune@rbcwb.com

-----Original Message----- From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 2:04 PM To: 'Yi, Hyong'; 'Jackson, Janice'; 'McGillicuddy, John'; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; 'Leake, Vilma'; 'Paige, Janice'; 'Jennifer Roberts'; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; 'Jones, Harry L.'; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; 'Shields, Bobbie'; 'Bentley, Karen'; 'Dumont Clarke'; 'Lancaster, Michelle'; 'Marvin A. Bethune' Cc: 'Saul, Cary'; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; 'Brown, Charles'; 'Joe Penner'; 'Pinkard, Jerry'; 'Garges, James R'; 'Diehl, Daniel'; 'Cox, Brian'; 'Mabry, Earl'; 'Spears, Cornita'; 'Crockett, Grayce'; 'Granberry, David'; 'Lowry, Stacy M.'; 'Johnson, Leslie'; 'Diorio, Dena R.'; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; 'Sullivan, James'; 'Hahn, Mark'; 'Peek, Chris'; 'Bryant, Michael'; 'Bailey, Daniel'; 'Wilson, Mary'; 'Bethea, April'; 'Boone, Mark'; 'D. A. Russell'; scrump@wbtv.com; pkaliner@wbt.com; 'Tara Servatius'; 'Jeff Rivenbark'; 'Nbc6'; 'Assignment (CTV-Charlotte)'; 'News Desk'; 'News Desk'; newsdesk@fox18wccb.com; 'Breaking News'; 'Shoemaker, Phillis'; 'Batten, Taylor' Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions Importance: High

Harry ñ

I agree that we should close Gatling. That is a cut I completely agree with. The Republicanís proposed this several years ago because of the costs and issues regarding State responsibility but the suggestion was rejected by Parks and the Democrats. I am glad to see you have revived it.

I have some questions about some of the other items. In particular, there is listed a cut to ëdevelopment disabilitiesí but little or no cut to ëfighting backí (a patronage area that was initially established by a grant and subsequently made ëpermanentí about 10 years ago). This particular department hands out money to folks in poor neighborhoods to get them to teach ëhealthly lifestylesí to their neighbors (among other things). Developmental disabilities represent help to the parents of children who were born with severe birth defects. I donít see how ëfighting backí could get a $3 thousand dollar cut but developmental disability help for children with birth defects could get $759 thousand. To me, that is flat backwards.

I would also like to understand some of the ones that I have outlined below and get an answer on whether CMS will agree to give back the $2.5 million.

Also ñ these cuts total (if CMS agrees) to about $20 million however the ëgoalí was $46 million. Do we plan additional cuts for this fiscal year to make up the difference or are we just going to assume that the $26 million in remaining reductions are from Fund Balance?

PRK

Park_Fields_Recreation Centers

PARK OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (PRK)

4

$ 726,925

DSS

Economic_Financial Assistance

CHILDCARE SERVICES (DSS)

4

$ 350,000

PUB HLT

Communicable Illness Prevention_Treatment

STD/HIV TRACKING & INVESTIGATIONS (HLT)

3

$ 355,186

AMH

Disability Prevention_Treatment

DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES SERVICES (AMH)

4

$ 759,404

CMO

Legal Counsel

ATTORNEY (MGR)

3

$ 402,317

What attorney are we eliminating from the Managerís office? Tyrone Wade whom we just hired or Marvin Bethune?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

untitled

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:53 AM To: Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bill James Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; Brown, Charles; Joe Penner; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary Subject: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioners,

Attached is a memo with two attachments regarding FY2009 Budget Reductions. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Hyong Yi

Hyong Yi

Management and Budget Director

704-336-6945

From: Jennifer Watson Roberts [mroberts5@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 4:12 PM To: 'Morgan, Bob'; 'Patrick McCrory'; jennifer@jenniferroberts.net; Kimble, Ron; Cauble, Boyd; Jones, Harry L.; Walton, Curt; 'Turner, Betty M'; walter.price@wachovia.com Cc: Tim_Belk@belk.com; 'Darnell, David C' Subject: RE: Confidential/ Inter City Visit Request...

This is a great list and I think you could probably combine some of the topics that are connected (healthcare/biomedical, for example)

I think we should expand on the Mega-Region. There are numerous regional initiatives underway, Transit / Regional Partnership / Regional Air Quality Board / CONNECT council / COG , to name a few, and the fact that we work across state lines is a unique situation.

I also believe we should definitely include education, and it would be great to have a K-12 tour as well as a higher ed tour. There are a lot of things going on in our schools that people are not aware of (such as our amazingly successful foreign language immersion school, which will soon be doing exchange programs with China) and it will be a good time for an update on where budget and achievement issues stand as well.

In thinking about priorities, I would not include baseball at this time because of all the current difficulties with it and the fact that there are still lawsuits outstanding.

My top five? I am going to combine some to get more in there, but I still had to keep 6:

Energy as a growing sector and Charlotte as a leaderóDefinitely!

K-12 and Higher ed, the backbone of our region

Mega-region: transportation planning, econ dev, environmental initiatives, collaboration

Center city and urban core: what is happening to development patterns, and how do we re-think development around transit

Tourism: Charlotte has got a lot that many people donít know about, and an update would be great

Healthcare industry/ developments

Thanks!

Jennifer

_____

From: Morgan, Bob [mailto:bmorgan@charlottechamber.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 2:45 PM To: Patrick McCrory; jennifer@jenniferroberts.net; rkimble@ci.charlotte.nc.us; bcauble@ci.charlotte.nc.us; Jones, Harry L.; cwalton@ci.charlotte.nc.us; Turner, Betty M; walter.price@wachovia.com Cc: Tim_Belk@belk.com; Darnell, David C Subject: Confidential/ Inter City Visit Request...

Folks,

Thank you for treating this subject with confidentiality.

FYI, a press conference is scheduled for March 3rd at 3pm here at the Chamber with Jennifer Roberts, Pat McCrory and Tim Belk to announce the decision to conduct this yearís InterCity Visit to Charlotte.

In the meantime, please provide feedback on the draft document below. Specifically, what topics would you add and which to you consider to be the five most important? All topics, venues and speakers are just suggestions at this point. Your input will be helpful.

Thanks and have a great day.

Bob Morgan

President Charlotte Chamber of Commerce

Phone: (704) 378-1330

MEMORANDUM

FROM: Bob Morgan

DATE: February 18, 2009

RE: Inter City Visit 2009/Venue and Topic Ideas

Topic: Attracting Young People to Charlotte

Venue: U.S. Whitewater Center

Speakers:

Topic: The Energy Sector & Charlotte as Clean Tech Capital of the U.S.

Venue: UNC Charlotte

Speakers: Jim Rogers

Keith Crisco

Topic: Transportation Today and in the Future

Venue: Tour of Lynx Line

Speakers: Keith Parker

Pat McCrory

Gene Conti

Ned Curran

Brad Wilson

Topic: Charlotteís Airport: The Crown Jewel of our Economy

Venue: Tour of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport

Speakers: Jerry Orr

Norfolk Southern

US Airways

Topic: Tourism

Venues: Whitewater/Billy Graham Library/NASCAR Hall of Fame

Speakers: Tim Newman

Franklin Graham

Jeff Wise

Winston Kelley

Topic: Health Care as an Economic Driver

Venue: North Carolina Research Campus

Speakers: Michael Tarwater

Carl Armato

Topic: Biomedical Industry Potential

Speakers: David Murdoch

Lynn Scott Safrit

Topic: Extension of Transit to NCRC

Speakers: Keith Parker

Curt Walton

Topic: Higher Education as an Economic Driver

Venue: UNC Charlotte

Speakers: Phil Dubois

Pamela Lewis

Tony Zeiss

Art Gallagher

Ron Carter

Topic: NASCAR/Motorsports

Venue: Loweís Motor Speedway or Hendrick Motorsports

Speakers: Paul Brooks

Marcus Smith

Jimmy Johnson

Rick Hendrick

Topic: Redevelopment of the Urban Core

- Eastland Mall

- CMDC

Venue: Eastland Mall

Speakers: Bob Sweeney

Henry Faison

Todd Mansfield

Nancy Crown

Topic: Baseball in Charlotte

(Knights are in town for a home game on Friday, June 19th)

Venue: Knights Stadium

Speakers: Don Beaver

Bobbie Shields

Michael Smith

Topic: Open Space/Quality of Life/Carolina Thread Trail

Venue: Ann Close Springs Greenway, Fort Mill or Morehead to 7th Trail

Speakers: Crandall Bowles

Dave Cable

Topic: Public Safety

Venue: County Courthouse/Jail

Speakers: Peter Gilchrist

Mark Calloway

Rodney Monroe

Chipp Bailey

Lisa Bell

Topics: Social Services

Mental Health

Venue: Freedom Mall

Speakers: Jennifer Roberts

Harry Jones

Mary Wilson

Topic: Public Education K-12

Venue: High School

Speakers: Pete Gorman

Molly Griffin

Krista Tillman

Kathy Ridge

Topic: A New Vision for Center City

Venue: Center City

Speakers: Michael Smith

Harvey Gantt

Hugh McColl

Jennifer Appleby

Topic: North Carolina and the Economic Stimulus Package

Venue:

Speakers: North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue

North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Keith Crisco

Topic: North Carolinaís Mega Region

Venue:

Speaker: Mac Holladay

Topic: Benchmarking Charlotte: How Are We Doing?

Venue:

Speakers: John Stumpf

Ken Lewis

Pat McCrory

Jennifer Roberts

Pete Gorman

Mark Vitner

Tony Crumbley

Jeff Edge

Ronnie Bryant

Topic: Crossroads Addressing Social Equity

Venue: Johnson C. Smith University

Speakers: Ron Carter

Claude Alexander

Michael Marsicano

Diane English

Anthony Foxx

John Lassiter

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 6:08 PM To: Bethune, Marvin; Yi, Hyong Cc: Wade, Tyrone C. Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Hyong Marvin and Tyrone are indispensable (:)

_____

From: Marvin A. Bethune [mailto:mbethune@rbcwb.com] Sent: Fri 2/20/2009 4:05 PM To: Yi, Hyong Cc: Wade, Tyrone C.; Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Hyone, It might be helpful to "reply to all" with information about no positions being reduced so that the others receiving Bill's e-mail will also have that information. Otherwise Tyrone and I might start getting calls with job offers or, more likely given the economy, start receiving sympathy cards. Marvin A. Bethune Mecklenburg County Attorney (O) (704) 377-1634 (FAX) (704) 342-3308 mbethune@rbcwb.com

-----Original Message----- From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 3:38 PM To: Marvin A. Bethune; James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Marvin is correct. No positions are being reduced. The funds are coming from the account that we have for settlements and judgments.

_____

From: Marvin A. Bethune [mailto:mbethune@rbcwb.com] Sent: Fri 2/20/2009 2:52 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Yi, Hyong Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Bill, Harry or Hyong will have to definitively answer your question about which attorney, but to the best of my knowledge the answer is neither (and I sure hope that is the correct answer given all that needs to be done). Other material sent out shows the following reduction from the Legal Counsel part of the Manager's budget:

County Managerís Office Reduction: $402,317 ñ Funding for settlement claims.

Marvin A. Bethune Mecklenburg County Attorney (O) (704) 377-1634 (FAX) (704) 342-3308 mbethune@rbcwb.com

-----Original Message----- From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 2:04 PM To: 'Yi, Hyong'; 'Jackson, Janice'; 'McGillicuddy, John'; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; 'Leake, Vilma'; 'Paige, Janice'; 'Jennifer Roberts'; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; 'Jones, Harry L.'; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; 'Shields, Bobbie'; 'Bentley, Karen'; 'Dumont Clarke'; 'Lancaster, Michelle'; 'Marvin A. Bethune' Cc: 'Saul, Cary'; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; 'Brown, Charles'; 'Joe Penner'; 'Pinkard, Jerry'; 'Garges, James R'; 'Diehl, Daniel'; 'Cox, Brian'; 'Mabry, Earl'; 'Spears, Cornita'; 'Crockett, Grayce'; 'Granberry, David'; 'Lowry, Stacy M.'; 'Johnson, Leslie'; 'Diorio, Dena R.'; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; 'Sullivan, James'; 'Hahn, Mark'; 'Peek, Chris'; 'Bryant, Michael'; 'Bailey, Daniel'; 'Wilson, Mary'; 'Bethea, April'; 'Boone, Mark'; 'D. A. Russell'; scrump@wbtv.com; pkaliner@wbt.com; 'Tara Servatius'; 'Jeff Rivenbark'; 'Nbc6'; 'Assignment (CTV-Charlotte)'; 'News Desk'; 'News Desk'; newsdesk@fox18wccb.com; 'Breaking News'; 'Shoemaker, Phillis'; 'Batten, Taylor' Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions Importance: High

Harry ñ

I agree that we should close Gatling. That is a cut I completely agree with. The Republicanís proposed this several years ago because of the costs and issues regarding State responsibility but the suggestion was rejected by Parks and the Democrats. I am glad to see you have revived it.

I have some questions about some of the other items. In particular, there is listed a cut to ëdevelopment disabilitiesí but little or no cut to ëfighting backí (a patronage area that was initially established by a grant and subsequently made ëpermanentí about 10 years ago). This particular department hands out money to folks in poor neighborhoods to get them to teach ëhealthly lifestylesí to their neighbors (among other things). Developmental disabilities represent help to the parents of children who were born with severe birth defects. I donít see how ëfighting backí could get a $3 thousand dollar cut but developmental disability help for children with birth defects could get $759 thousand. To me, that is flat backwards.

I would also like to understand some of the ones that I have outlined below and get an answer on whether CMS will agree to give back the $2.5 million.

Also ñ these cuts total (if CMS agrees) to about $20 million however the ëgoalí was $46 million. Do we plan additional cuts for this fiscal year to make up the difference or are we just going to assume that the $26 million in remaining reductions are from Fund Balance?

PRK

Park_Fields_Recreation Centers

PARK OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (PRK)

4

$ 726,925

DSS

Economic_Financial Assistance

CHILDCARE SERVICES (DSS)

4

$ 350,000

PUB HLT

Communicable Illness Prevention_Treatment

STD/HIV TRACKING & INVESTIGATIONS (HLT)

3

$ 355,186

AMH

Disability Prevention_Treatment

DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES SERVICES (AMH)

4

$ 759,404

CMO

Legal Counsel

ATTORNEY (MGR)

3

$ 402,317

What attorney are we eliminating from the Managerís office? Tyrone Wade whom we just hired or Marvin Bethune?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

untitled

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:53 AM To: Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bill James Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; Brown, Charles; Joe Penner; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary Subject: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioners,

Attached is a memo with two attachments regarding FY2009 Budget Reductions. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Hyong Yi

Hyong Yi

Management and Budget Director

704-336-6945

From: Yi, Hyong Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 8:37 PM To: James, Bill; Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel Murrey; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bethune, Marvin; Wade, Tyrone C. Cc: Cox, Brian; Johnson, Leslie; Bryant, Michael Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioners, We're working on providing responses to these questions, but I can answer one right now. Commissioner James asked which attorney (Tyrone or Marvin) we were eliminating from County government (see last question in his email). No positions are being eliminated from the Manager's Office. The funds are coming from the account that we have for settlements and judgments, not salaries. Thank you and have a nice weekend. Hyong

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Fri 2/20/2009 2:03 PM To: Yi, Hyong; Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; 'Jennifer Roberts'; Daniel Murrey; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bethune, Marvin Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; 'Brown, Charles'; 'Joe Penner'; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary; 'Bethea, April'; 'Boone, Mark'; 'D. A. Russell'; scrump@wbtv.com; pkaliner@wbt.com; 'Tara Servatius'; 'Jeff Rivenbark'; 'Nbc6'; 'Assignment (CTV-Charlotte)'; 'News Desk'; 'News Desk'; newsdesk@fox18wccb.com; 'Breaking News'; 'Shoemaker, Phillis'; 'Batten, Taylor' Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Harry ñ

I agree that we should close Gatling. That is a cut I completely agree with. The Republicanís proposed this several years ago because of the costs and issues regarding State responsibility but the suggestion was rejected by Parks and the Democrats. I am glad to see you have revived it.

I have some questions about some of the other items. In particular, there is listed a cut to ëdevelopment disabilitiesí but little or no cut to ëfighting backí (a patronage area that was initially established by a grant and subsequently made ëpermanentí about 10 years ago). This particular department hands out money to folks in poor neighborhoods to get them to teach ëhealthly lifestylesí to their neighbors (among other things). Developmental disabilities represent help to the parents of children who were born with severe birth defects. I donít see how ëfighting backí could get a $3 thousand dollar cut but developmental disability help for children with birth defects could get $759 thousand. To me, that is flat backwards.

I would also like to understand some of the ones that I have outlined below and get an answer on whether CMS will agree to give back the $2.5 million.

Also ñ these cuts total (if CMS agrees) to about $20 million however the ëgoalí was $46 million. Do we plan additional cuts for this fiscal year to make up the difference or are we just going to assume that the $26 million in remaining reductions are from Fund Balance?

PRK

Park_Fields_Recreation Centers

PARK OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (PRK)

4

$ 726,925

DSS

Economic_Financial Assistance

CHILDCARE SERVICES (DSS)

4

$ 350,000

PUB HLT

Communicable Illness Prevention_Treatment

STD/HIV TRACKING & INVESTIGATIONS (HLT)

3

$ 355,186

AMH

Disability Prevention_Treatment

DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES SERVICES (AMH)

4

$ 759,404

CMO

Legal Counsel

ATTORNEY (MGR)

3

$ 402,317

What attorney are we eliminating from the Managerís office? Tyrone Wade whom we just hired or Marvin Bethune?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:53 AM To: Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bill James Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; Brown, Charles; Joe Penner; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary Subject: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioners,

Attached is a memo with two attachments regarding FY2009 Budget Reductions. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Hyong Yi

Hyong Yi

Management and Budget Director

704-336-6945

From: Yi, Hyong Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 8:37 PM To: James, Bill; Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel Murrey; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bethune, Marvin; Wade, Tyrone C. Cc: Cox, Brian; Johnson, Leslie; Bryant, Michael Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioners, We're working on providing responses to these questions, but I can answer one right now. Commissioner James asked which attorney (Tyrone or Marvin) we were eliminating from County government (see last question in his email). No positions are being eliminated from the Manager's Office. The funds are coming from the account that we have for settlements and judgments, not salaries. Thank you and have a nice weekend. Hyong

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Fri 2/20/2009 2:03 PM To: Yi, Hyong; Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; 'Jennifer Roberts'; Daniel Murrey; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bethune, Marvin Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; 'Brown, Charles'; 'Joe Penner'; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary; 'Bethea, April'; 'Boone, Mark'; 'D. A. Russell'; scrump@wbtv.com; pkaliner@wbt.com; 'Tara Servatius'; 'Jeff Rivenbark'; 'Nbc6'; 'Assignment (CTV-Charlotte)'; 'News Desk'; 'News Desk'; newsdesk@fox18wccb.com; 'Breaking News'; 'Shoemaker, Phillis'; 'Batten, Taylor' Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Harry ñ

I agree that we should close Gatling. That is a cut I completely agree with. The Republicanís proposed this several years ago because of the costs and issues regarding State responsibility but the suggestion was rejected by Parks and the Democrats. I am glad to see you have revived it.

I have some questions about some of the other items. In particular, there is listed a cut to ëdevelopment disabilitiesí but little or no cut to ëfighting backí (a patronage area that was initially established by a grant and subsequently made ëpermanentí about 10 years ago). This particular department hands out money to folks in poor neighborhoods to get them to teach ëhealthly lifestylesí to their neighbors (among other things). Developmental disabilities represent help to the parents of children who were born with severe birth defects. I donít see how ëfighting backí could get a $3 thousand dollar cut but developmental disability help for children with birth defects could get $759 thousand. To me, that is flat backwards.

I would also like to understand some of the ones that I have outlined below and get an answer on whether CMS will agree to give back the $2.5 million.

Also ñ these cuts total (if CMS agrees) to about $20 million however the ëgoalí was $46 million. Do we plan additional cuts for this fiscal year to make up the difference or are we just going to assume that the $26 million in remaining reductions are from Fund Balance?

PRK

Park_Fields_Recreation Centers

PARK OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (PRK)

4

$ 726,925

DSS

Economic_Financial Assistance

CHILDCARE SERVICES (DSS)

4

$ 350,000

PUB HLT

Communicable Illness Prevention_Treatment

STD/HIV TRACKING & INVESTIGATIONS (HLT)

3

$ 355,186

AMH

Disability Prevention_Treatment

DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES SERVICES (AMH)

4

$ 759,404

CMO

Legal Counsel

ATTORNEY (MGR)

3

$ 402,317

What attorney are we eliminating from the Managerís office? Tyrone Wade whom we just hired or Marvin Bethune?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:53 AM To: Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bill James Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; Brown, Charles; Joe Penner; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary Subject: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioners,

Attached is a memo with two attachments regarding FY2009 Budget Reductions. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Hyong Yi

Hyong Yi

Management and Budget Director

704-336-6945

From: Marvin A. Bethune [mbethune@rbcwb.com] Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 9:38 AM To: Jones, Harry L. Cc: Wade, Tyrone C. Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Harry, Thanks for the vote of confidence in our worth to the County.

Marvin A. Bethune Mecklenburg County Attorney (O) (704) 377-1634 (FAX) (704) 342-3308 mbethune@rbcwb.com

-----Original Message----- From: Jones, Harry L. [mailto:Harry.Jones@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 6:08 PM To: Marvin A. Bethune; Yi, Hyong Cc: Wade, Tyrone C. Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Hyong Marvin and Tyrone are indispensable (:)

_____

From: Marvin A. Bethune [mailto:mbethune@rbcwb.com] Sent: Fri 2/20/2009 4:05 PM To: Yi, Hyong Cc: Wade, Tyrone C.; Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Hyone, It might be helpful to "reply to all" with information about no positions being reduced so that the others receiving Bill's e-mail will also have that information. Otherwise Tyrone and I might start getting calls with job offers or, more likely given the economy, start receiving sympathy cards. Marvin A. Bethune Mecklenburg County Attorney (O) (704) 377-1634 (FAX) (704) 342-3308 mbethune@rbcwb.com

-----Original Message----- From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 3:38 PM To: Marvin A. Bethune; James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Marvin is correct. No positions are being reduced. The funds are coming from the account that we have for settlements and judgments.

_____

From: Marvin A. Bethune [mailto:mbethune@rbcwb.com] Sent: Fri 2/20/2009 2:52 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Yi, Hyong Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Bill, Harry or Hyong will have to definitively answer your question about which attorney, but to the best of my knowledge the answer is neither (and I sure hope that is the correct answer given all that needs to be done). Other material sent out shows the following reduction from the Legal Counsel part of the Manager's budget:

County Managerís Office Reduction: $402,317 ñ Funding for settlement claims.

Marvin A. Bethune Mecklenburg County Attorney (O) (704) 377-1634 (FAX) (704) 342-3308 mbethune@rbcwb.com

-----Original Message----- From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 2:04 PM To: 'Yi, Hyong'; 'Jackson, Janice'; 'McGillicuddy, John'; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; 'Leake, Vilma'; 'Paige, Janice'; 'Jennifer Roberts'; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; 'Jones, Harry L.'; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; 'Shields, Bobbie'; 'Bentley, Karen'; 'Dumont Clarke'; 'Lancaster, Michelle'; 'Marvin A. Bethune' Cc: 'Saul, Cary'; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; 'Brown, Charles'; 'Joe Penner'; 'Pinkard, Jerry'; 'Garges, James R'; 'Diehl, Daniel'; 'Cox, Brian'; 'Mabry, Earl'; 'Spears, Cornita'; 'Crockett, Grayce'; 'Granberry, David'; 'Lowry, Stacy M.'; 'Johnson, Leslie'; 'Diorio, Dena R.'; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; 'Sullivan, James'; 'Hahn, Mark'; 'Peek, Chris'; 'Bryant, Michael'; 'Bailey, Daniel'; 'Wilson, Mary'; 'Bethea, April'; 'Boone, Mark'; 'D. A. Russell'; scrump@wbtv.com; pkaliner@wbt.com; 'Tara Servatius'; 'Jeff Rivenbark'; 'Nbc6'; 'Assignment (CTV-Charlotte)'; 'News Desk'; 'News Desk'; newsdesk@fox18wccb.com; 'Breaking News'; 'Shoemaker, Phillis'; 'Batten, Taylor' Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions Importance: High

Harry ñ

I agree that we should close Gatling. That is a cut I completely agree with. The Republicanís proposed this several years ago because of the costs and issues regarding State responsibility but the suggestion was rejected by Parks and the Democrats. I am glad to see you have revived it.

I have some questions about some of the other items. In particular, there is listed a cut to ëdevelopment disabilitiesí but little or no cut to ëfighting backí (a patronage area that was initially established by a grant and subsequently made ëpermanentí about 10 years ago). This particular department hands out money to folks in poor neighborhoods to get them to teach ëhealthly lifestylesí to their neighbors (among other things). Developmental disabilities represent help to the parents of children who were born with severe birth defects. I donít see how ëfighting backí could get a $3 thousand dollar cut but developmental disability help for children with birth defects could get $759 thousand. To me, that is flat backwards.

I would also like to understand some of the ones that I have outlined below and get an answer on whether CMS will agree to give back the $2.5 million.

Also ñ these cuts total (if CMS agrees) to about $20 million however the ëgoalí was $46 million. Do we plan additional cuts for this fiscal year to make up the difference or are we just going to assume that the $26 million in remaining reductions are from Fund Balance?

PRK

Park_Fields_Recreation Centers

PARK OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (PRK)

4

$ 726,925

DSS

Economic_Financial Assistance

CHILDCARE SERVICES (DSS)

4

$ 350,000

PUB HLT

Communicable Illness Prevention_Treatment

STD/HIV TRACKING & INVESTIGATIONS (HLT)

3

$ 355,186

AMH

Disability Prevention_Treatment

DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES SERVICES (AMH)

4

$ 759,404

CMO

Legal Counsel

ATTORNEY (MGR)

3

$ 402,317

What attorney are we eliminating from the Managerís office? Tyrone Wade whom we just hired or Marvin Bethune?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

untitled

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:53 AM To: Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bill James Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; Brown, Charles; Joe Penner; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary Subject: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioners,

Attached is a memo with two attachments regarding FY2009 Budget Reductions. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Hyong Yi

Hyong Yi

Management and Budget Director

704-336-6945

From: Wade, Tyrone C. Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 9:41 AM To: Bethune, Marvin; Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Indeed!

_____

From: Marvin A. Bethune [mailto:mbethune@rbcwb.com] Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 9:38 AM To: Jones, Harry L. Cc: Wade, Tyrone C. Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Harry, Thanks for the vote of confidence in our worth to the County.

Marvin A. Bethune Mecklenburg County Attorney (O) (704) 377-1634 (FAX) (704) 342-3308 mbethune@rbcwb.com

-----Original Message----- From: Jones, Harry L. [mailto:Harry.Jones@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 6:08 PM To: Marvin A. Bethune; Yi, Hyong Cc: Wade, Tyrone C. Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Hyong Marvin and Tyrone are indispensable (:)

_____

From: Marvin A. Bethune [mailto:mbethune@rbcwb.com] Sent: Fri 2/20/2009 4:05 PM To: Yi, Hyong Cc: Wade, Tyrone C.; Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Hyone, It might be helpful to "reply to all" with information about no positions being reduced so that the others receiving Bill's e-mail will also have that information. Otherwise Tyrone and I might start getting calls with job offers or, more likely given the economy, start receiving sympathy cards. Marvin A. Bethune Mecklenburg County Attorney (O) (704) 377-1634 (FAX) (704) 342-3308 mbethune@rbcwb.com

-----Original Message----- From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 3:38 PM To: Marvin A. Bethune; James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L. Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Marvin is correct. No positions are being reduced. The funds are coming from the account that we have for settlements and judgments.

_____

From: Marvin A. Bethune [mailto:mbethune@rbcwb.com] Sent: Fri 2/20/2009 2:52 PM To: James, Bill Cc: Jones, Harry L.; Yi, Hyong Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Bill, Harry or Hyong will have to definitively answer your question about which attorney, but to the best of my knowledge the answer is neither (and I sure hope that is the correct answer given all that needs to be done). Other material sent out shows the following reduction from the Legal Counsel part of the Manager's budget:

County Manager's Office Reduction: $402,317 - Funding for settlement claims.

Marvin A. Bethune Mecklenburg County Attorney (O) (704) 377-1634 (FAX) (704) 342-3308 mbethune@rbcwb.com

-----Original Message----- From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 2:04 PM To: 'Yi, Hyong'; 'Jackson, Janice'; 'McGillicuddy, John'; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; 'Leake, Vilma'; 'Paige, Janice'; 'Jennifer Roberts'; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; 'Jones, Harry L.'; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; 'Shields, Bobbie'; 'Bentley, Karen'; 'Dumont Clarke'; 'Lancaster, Michelle'; 'Marvin A. Bethune' Cc: 'Saul, Cary'; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; 'Brown, Charles'; 'Joe Penner'; 'Pinkard, Jerry'; 'Garges, James R'; 'Diehl, Daniel'; 'Cox, Brian'; 'Mabry, Earl'; 'Spears, Cornita'; 'Crockett, Grayce'; 'Granberry, David'; 'Lowry, Stacy M.'; 'Johnson, Leslie'; 'Diorio, Dena R.'; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; 'Sullivan, James'; 'Hahn, Mark'; 'Peek, Chris'; 'Bryant, Michael'; 'Bailey, Daniel'; 'Wilson, Mary'; 'Bethea, April'; 'Boone, Mark'; 'D. A. Russell'; scrump@wbtv.com; pkaliner@wbt.com; 'Tara Servatius'; 'Jeff Rivenbark'; 'Nbc6'; 'Assignment (CTV-Charlotte)'; 'News Desk'; 'News Desk'; newsdesk@fox18wccb.com; 'Breaking News'; 'Shoemaker, Phillis'; 'Batten, Taylor' Subject: RE: FY2009 Budget Reductions Importance: High

Harry -

I agree that we should close Gatling. That is a cut I completely agree with. The Republican's proposed this several years ago because of the costs and issues regarding State responsibility but the suggestion was rejected by Parks and the Democrats. I am glad to see you have revived it.

I have some questions about some of the other items. In particular, there is listed a cut to 'development disabilities' but little or no cut to 'fighting back' (a patronage area that was initially established by a grant and subsequently made 'permanent' about 10 years ago). This particular department hands out money to folks in poor neighborhoods to get them to teach 'healthly lifestyles' to their neighbors (among other things). Developmental disabilities represent help to the parents of children who were born with severe birth defects. I don't see how 'fighting back' could get a $3 thousand dollar cut but developmental disability help for children with birth defects could get $759 thousand. To me, that is flat backwards.

I would also like to understand some of the ones that I have outlined below and get an answer on whether CMS will agree to give back the $2.5 million.

Also - these cuts total (if CMS agrees) to about $20 million however the 'goal' was $46 million. Do we plan additional cuts for this fiscal year to make up the difference or are we just going to assume that the $26 million in remaining reductions are from Fund Balance?

PRK

Park_Fields_Recreation Centers

PARK OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (PRK)

4

$ 726,925

DSS

Economic_Financial Assistance

CHILDCARE SERVICES (DSS)

4

$ 350,000

PUB HLT

Communicable Illness Prevention_Treatment

STD/HIV TRACKING & INVESTIGATIONS (HLT)

3

$ 355,186

AMH

Disability Prevention_Treatment

DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES SERVICES (AMH)

4

$ 759,404

CMO

Legal Counsel

ATTORNEY (MGR)

3

$ 402,317

What attorney are we eliminating from the Manager's office? Tyrone Wade whom we just hired or Marvin Bethune?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

untitled

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:53 AM To: Jackson, Janice; McGillicuddy, John; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma; Paige, Janice; Jennifer Roberts; Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com; Jones, Harry L.; Harold@attorneycogdell.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; Shields, Bobbie; Bentley, Karen; Dumont Clarke; Lancaster, Michelle; Bill James Cc: Saul, Cary; tony.zeiss@cpcc.edu; Brown, Charles; Joe Penner; Pinkard, Jerry; Garges, James R; Diehl, Daniel; Cox, Brian; Mabry, Earl; Spears, Cornita; Crockett, Grayce; Granberry, David; Lowry, Stacy M.; Johnson, Leslie; Diorio, Dena R.; peter.gorman@cms.k12.nc.us; Sullivan, James; Hahn, Mark; Peek, Chris; Bryant, Michael; Bailey, Daniel; Wilson, Mary Subject: FY2009 Budget Reductions

Commissioners,

Attached is a memo with two attachments regarding FY2009 Budget Reductions. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Hyong Yi

Hyong Yi

Management and Budget Director

704-336-6945

From: Herbert, Rebecca Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 3:53 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John Subject: Human Services Board.doc

I copied the information re: Human Service Board and saved it on the shared drive under the Board's files. But here's an electronic copy for you. _____

January 2, 2008

(12) Mecklenburg County Consolidated Human Services Board

Adopt a Resolution setting a public hearing for February 5, 2008 at 6:30 pm on the exercise by the Board of County Commissioners of its powers under G.S. 153A-77 to assume control of the activities of a consolidated human services board.

Note: On November 7, 2007 the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners requested the development of a plan to create a consolidated human services agency in Mecklenburg County. This decision was prompted by recent changes in state personnel rules that were deemed by the Board to be less favorable for county employees than the current county human resources policies and procedures. The consolidated human services agency will not be subject to the State Personnel Act and will allow Mecklenburg County to continue to develop and maintain policies that are in the best interests of its employees.

February 5, 2008

4) Public Hearings Mecklenburg County Consolidated Human Services Board

Motion was made by Commissioner Helms, seconded by Commissioner James and unanimously carried with Commissioners Bishop, Clarke, Helms, James, Mitchell, Ramirez, Roberts and Woodard voting yes, to open a public hearing on the Board of County Commissioners exercising its powers under G.S. 153A-77 to assume control of the activities of a consolidated human services board.

No one appeared to speak.

Motion was made by Commissioner Helms, seconded by Commissioner Bishop and unanimously carried with Commissioners Bishop, Clarke, Helms, James, Mitchell, Ramirez, Roberts and Woodard voting yes, to close the public hearing on the Board of County Commissioners exercising its powers under G.S. 153A-77 to assume control of the activities of a consolidated human services board; and approve the exercising of the Board of County Commissioners' powers under G.S. 153A-77 to assume control of the activities of a consolidated human services board by adopting a resolution entitled,

Resolution Of The Mecklenburg County Board Of Commissioners Exercising Its Powers To Assume Control Of The Activities Of A Consolidated Human Services Board. Note: This decision was prompted by recent changes in state personnel rules that were deemed by the Board to be less favorable for county employees than the current County Human

Resources policies and procedures. The consolidated human services agency will not be subject to the State Personnel Act and will allow Mecklenburg County to continue to develop and maintain policies that are in the best interests of its employees.

RESOLUTION OF THE MECKLENBURG COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

EXERCISING ITS POWERS TO ASSUME CONTROL OF THE ACTIVITIES

OF A CONSOLIDATED HUMAN SERVICES BOARD

WHEREAS, since 1985 Mecklenburg County has operated a personnel system that has been designated by the State Personnel Commission pursuant to G.S. 126-11 as being substantially equivalent to the State system of personnel administration as the same applies to certain employees of the Department of Social Services, the Health Department, and the Area Mental Health Authority; and

WHEREAS, the State Personnel Commission has made recent changes to the rules with respect to substantial equivalency that would necessitate changes to the County's personnel polices and procedures that the County believes would be less favorable for county employees than the current policies and procedures; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to G.S. 153A-77(d), local employees who serve as staff of a consolidated county human services agency are subject to county personnel policies and ordinances only and are not subject to the provisions of the State Personnel Act; and

WHEREAS, accordingly the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners has considered creating a consolidated county human services agency governed by a consolidated human services board, pursuant to G.S. 153A-77(b), and assuming the power, responsibilities and duties of the consolidated human services board in accordance with G.S. 153A-76 and 153A-77(a); and

WHEREAS, before the Board of Commissioners may exercise the power and the authority contained in G.S. 153A-77 to assume the power, responsibilities and duties of the consolidated human services board, it must hold a public hearing pursuant to 30 days' notice given in a newspaper of general circulation, which public hearing has been held at this meeting upon notice duly given. Now, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED by the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners that pursuant to G.S. 153A-76 and G.S. 153A-77:

1. It creates a consolidated county human services agency having the authority to carry out the functions of the local health department, the county department of social services, and the area mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services authority; and

2. It creates a consolidated human services board having the powers conferred by subsection (c) of G.S. 153A-77, and further assumes all power, responsibilities and duties of said consolidated human services board pursuant to G.S. 153A-76 and G.S. 153-77(a) upon notice duly given of a public hearing conducted this day; and

3. It consolidates the provision of human services in Mecklenburg County under the direct control of the County Manager who shall exercise all power, responsibilities and duties of a human services director as the same is described in G.S. 153A-77(b).

From: Herbert, Rebecca Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 3:53 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John Subject: Human Services Board.doc

I copied the information re: Human Service Board and saved it on the shared drive under the Board's files. But here's an electronic copy for you. _____

January 2, 2008

(12) Mecklenburg County Consolidated Human Services Board

Adopt a Resolution setting a public hearing for February 5, 2008 at 6:30 pm on the exercise by the Board of County Commissioners of its powers under G.S. 153A-77 to assume control of the activities of a consolidated human services board.

Note: On November 7, 2007 the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners requested the development of a plan to create a consolidated human services agency in Mecklenburg County. This decision was prompted by recent changes in state personnel rules that were deemed by the Board to be less favorable for county employees than the current county human resources policies and procedures. The consolidated human services agency will not be subject to the State Personnel Act and will allow Mecklenburg County to continue to develop and maintain policies that are in the best interests of its employees.

February 5, 2008

4) Public Hearings Mecklenburg County Consolidated Human Services Board

Motion was made by Commissioner Helms, seconded by Commissioner James and unanimously carried with Commissioners Bishop, Clarke, Helms, James, Mitchell, Ramirez, Roberts and Woodard voting yes, to open a public hearing on the Board of County Commissioners exercising its powers under G.S. 153A-77 to assume control of the activities of a consolidated human services board.

No one appeared to speak.

Motion was made by Commissioner Helms, seconded by Commissioner Bishop and unanimously carried with Commissioners Bishop, Clarke, Helms, James, Mitchell, Ramirez, Roberts and Woodard voting yes, to close the public hearing on the Board of County Commissioners exercising its powers under G.S. 153A-77 to assume control of the activities of a consolidated human services board; and approve the exercising of the Board of County Commissioners' powers under G.S. 153A-77 to assume control of the activities of a consolidated human services board by adopting a resolution entitled,

Resolution Of The Mecklenburg County Board Of Commissioners Exercising Its Powers To Assume Control Of The Activities Of A Consolidated Human Services Board. Note: This decision was prompted by recent changes in state personnel rules that were deemed by the Board to be less favorable for county employees than the current County Human

Resources policies and procedures. The consolidated human services agency will not be subject to the State Personnel Act and will allow Mecklenburg County to continue to develop and maintain policies that are in the best interests of its employees.

RESOLUTION OF THE MECKLENBURG COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

EXERCISING ITS POWERS TO ASSUME CONTROL OF THE ACTIVITIES

OF A CONSOLIDATED HUMAN SERVICES BOARD

WHEREAS, since 1985 Mecklenburg County has operated a personnel system that has been designated by the State Personnel Commission pursuant to G.S. 126-11 as being substantially equivalent to the State system of personnel administration as the same applies to certain employees of the Department of Social Services, the Health Department, and the Area Mental Health Authority; and

WHEREAS, the State Personnel Commission has made recent changes to the rules with respect to substantial equivalency that would necessitate changes to the County's personnel polices and procedures that the County believes would be less favorable for county employees than the current policies and procedures; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to G.S. 153A-77(d), local employees who serve as staff of a consolidated county human services agency are subject to county personnel policies and ordinances only and are not subject to the provisions of the State Personnel Act; and

WHEREAS, accordingly the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners has considered creating a consolidated county human services agency governed by a consolidated human services board, pursuant to G.S. 153A-77(b), and assuming the power, responsibilities and duties of the consolidated human services board in accordance with G.S. 153A-76 and 153A-77(a); and

WHEREAS, before the Board of Commissioners may exercise the power and the authority contained in G.S. 153A-77 to assume the power, responsibilities and duties of the consolidated human services board, it must hold a public hearing pursuant to 30 days' notice given in a newspaper of general circulation, which public hearing has been held at this meeting upon notice duly given. Now, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED by the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners that pursuant to G.S. 153A-76 and G.S. 153A-77:

1. It creates a consolidated county human services agency having the authority to carry out the functions of the local health department, the county department of social services, and the area mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services authority; and

2. It creates a consolidated human services board having the powers conferred by subsection (c) of G.S. 153A-77, and further assumes all power, responsibilities and duties of said consolidated human services board pursuant to G.S. 153A-76 and G.S. 153-77(a) upon notice duly given of a public hearing conducted this day; and

3. It consolidates the provision of human services in Mecklenburg County under the direct control of the County Manager who shall exercise all power, responsibilities and duties of a human services director as the same is described in G.S. 153A-77(b).

From: James, Bill Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 12:27 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 12:27 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: James, Bill; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time. _____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: James, Bill; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time. _____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: James, Bill Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:22 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

20% across the board for all areas or targeted 20%?

In addition to the 17 million or including it?

I thought that the idea was to do ëtargetedí cuts to avoid across the board.

Borrowing a phrase from President Obama ìa scalpel versus a cleaverî.

As a Commissioner it is ëmyí budget situation as well.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Jones, Harry L. [mailto:Harry.Jones@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill

I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time.

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:22 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

20% across the board for all areas or targeted 20%?

In addition to the 17 million or including it?

I thought that the idea was to do ëtargetedí cuts to avoid across the board.

Borrowing a phrase from President Obama ìa scalpel versus a cleaverî.

As a Commissioner it is ëmyí budget situation as well.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Jones, Harry L. [mailto:Harry.Jones@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill

I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time.

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 3:45 PM To: James, Bill; Jones, Harry L.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Commissioner James:

County Manager Jones asked that I respond to your most recent email question regarding the 20% reduction scenarios. In preparation for the FY2010 budget, County Manager Jones directed County departments and agencies to develop scenarios that include up to 20% reductions from current year funding. This does not mean that every department will experience a 20% reduction. However, we need the departments to identify funding priorities and the potential impact of the reductions so we can evaluate the various choices and consequences in developing a recommended budget. Departments are hard at work on these scenarios at this time. In addition, the County Manager also has requested that CMS, CPCC and WTVI consider 10% reductions in current year funding as they prepare funding requests for next fiscal year. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Hyong Yi Management and Budget Director Mecklenburg County, NC 704-336-6945 Hyong.Yi@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:22 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

20% across the board for all areas or targeted 20%?

In addition to the 17 million or including it?

I thought that the idea was to do 'targeted' cuts to avoid across the board.

Borrowing a phrase from President Obama "a scalpel versus a cleaver".

As a Commissioner it is 'my' budget situation as well.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Jones, Harry L. [mailto:Harry.Jones@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill

I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time.

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

* Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CD's or Video's can be downloaded anyway)

* Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

* Eliminate (close) 'small' pools and their operations for the summer

* Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an 'advocacy' agency not an agency that actually 'helps' with programs)

* Eliminate 'Displaced Homemakers' program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

* Close Libraries on weekend's

* Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of 'remaining' funds not sent (see exceptions below)

* Eliminate Advantage Carolina

* Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

* Reduce ASC's direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

* Reduce Housing Partnership's remaining funding by 50%

* Eliminate Community and Rural Development

* Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

* Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

* Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

* Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

* Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

* Eliminate POST funding

* Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

* Eliminate Park and Rec 'summer Camp' program

* Reduce Park "marketing and sponsorship' by 50% of remaining funds

* Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

* Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

* Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

* Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesn't directly help people)

* Reduce 'civil Legal Assistance' by 75% of remaining funds

* Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

* Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

* Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

* Reduce 'Contracted Lobbying' by 50% of remaining funds

* Reduce "association dues" by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

* Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

* Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

* Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

* Reduce by 50% funds for 'Inmate Library Services'

* Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

* Reduce "Prevention Wellness" remaining funding by 25%

* Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

* Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

* Eliminate 'Voter Education Outreach'

* Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

* Reduce by 50% Sheriff's 'public info' budget

* Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSS' Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

* Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

* Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

* Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

* Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

* Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

* Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

* Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

* Reduce remaining 'HR training' budget by 50%

* Eliminate 'diversity' training in DSS and outside contract now under way

* Eliminate 'model diversity organization ' program funding

* Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

* Eliminate any remaining funds for 'regional planning'

* Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

* Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

* Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

* Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

* Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the 'house of grace'

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting 'list'

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 3:45 PM To: James, Bill; Jones, Harry L.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Commissioner James:

County Manager Jones asked that I respond to your most recent email question regarding the 20% reduction scenarios. In preparation for the FY2010 budget, County Manager Jones directed County departments and agencies to develop scenarios that include up to 20% reductions from current year funding. This does not mean that every department will experience a 20% reduction. However, we need the departments to identify funding priorities and the potential impact of the reductions so we can evaluate the various choices and consequences in developing a recommended budget. Departments are hard at work on these scenarios at this time. In addition, the County Manager also has requested that CMS, CPCC and WTVI consider 10% reductions in current year funding as they prepare funding requests for next fiscal year. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Hyong Yi Management and Budget Director Mecklenburg County, NC 704-336-6945 Hyong.Yi@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:22 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

20% across the board for all areas or targeted 20%?

In addition to the 17 million or including it?

I thought that the idea was to do 'targeted' cuts to avoid across the board.

Borrowing a phrase from President Obama "a scalpel versus a cleaver".

As a Commissioner it is 'my' budget situation as well.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Jones, Harry L. [mailto:Harry.Jones@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill

I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time.

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

* Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CD's or Video's can be downloaded anyway)

* Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

* Eliminate (close) 'small' pools and their operations for the summer

* Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an 'advocacy' agency not an agency that actually 'helps' with programs)

* Eliminate 'Displaced Homemakers' program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

* Close Libraries on weekend's

* Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of 'remaining' funds not sent (see exceptions below)

* Eliminate Advantage Carolina

* Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

* Reduce ASC's direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

* Reduce Housing Partnership's remaining funding by 50%

* Eliminate Community and Rural Development

* Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

* Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

* Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

* Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

* Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

* Eliminate POST funding

* Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

* Eliminate Park and Rec 'summer Camp' program

* Reduce Park "marketing and sponsorship' by 50% of remaining funds

* Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

* Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

* Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

* Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesn't directly help people)

* Reduce 'civil Legal Assistance' by 75% of remaining funds

* Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

* Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

* Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

* Reduce 'Contracted Lobbying' by 50% of remaining funds

* Reduce "association dues" by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

* Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

* Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

* Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

* Reduce by 50% funds for 'Inmate Library Services'

* Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

* Reduce "Prevention Wellness" remaining funding by 25%

* Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

* Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

* Eliminate 'Voter Education Outreach'

* Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

* Reduce by 50% Sheriff's 'public info' budget

* Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSS' Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

* Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

* Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

* Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

* Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

* Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

* Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

* Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

* Reduce remaining 'HR training' budget by 50%

* Eliminate 'diversity' training in DSS and outside contract now under way

* Eliminate 'model diversity organization ' program funding

* Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

* Eliminate any remaining funds for 'regional planning'

* Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

* Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

* Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

* Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

* Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the 'house of grace'

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting 'list'

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: James, Bill Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 4:06 PM To: Yi, Hyong; Jones, Harry L.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Importance: High

Well, that is good to know but it doesnít exactly answer my question.

I donít mean to be obtuse I just want to understand.

We have some sales tax info from Dena (and CATS info) that indicates that the deficit from sales tax lost revenue could be as high as $23 million (not the $12 million discussed).

It seems clear that since we only took $17 million in cuts on an initial deficit of $46 million that we determined to use fund balance for the lionís share of $28 million. Good business practices dictate that we cannot do that for any additional current year deficits (I am concerned that we may be tempted to increase our ëfund balanceí usage as a result of these new numbers draining fund balance we will need to balance the 2010 and 2011 budgets). Accordingly I am looking for an answer to that by trying to tie down the real anticipated loss on Sales Taxes that I think exceeds the $12 million number presented on Tuesday.

What I am trying to determine is whether these ë20% reductionsí are reductions that we are developing to implement for the current budget or whether they are as you said ëin preparation for the 2010 budgetí.

If they are ëin preparation forí does that mean that we are going to be considering another round of cuts for the current year in the next week or so? (Time is running short). Is the plan to present to the Board another round of cuts and (if so) then when would that occur.

Your note says that the ëmanager has requested that CMS, CPCC and WTVI consider 10% reductions in current year fundingí. 10% of CMS would be $30 million approximately. There is to be an agenda item for next Tuesday to reduce CMSí budget unilaterally that was discussed for $5 million.

If the Manager believes that CMS should take a 10% cut (which is what you said) of $30 million in the current year then will Tuesdayís proposal be a $30 million cut or a $5 million cut (or does he support my hybrid approach that moves $25 million of CMSí money into a restricted contingency)? If he believes in the $30 million has Dr. Gorman been notified? If he doesnít then why ërequestí a cut for which CMS will reject out of hand.

If the plan is to have another round of 20% cuts what is the dollar total of ë20%í equal? In other words, what dollar goal are we shooting for regarding this second round. Are we trying to get CMS to give $30 million and have the County side come up with $30 million?

I believe it is clear that since Tuesday new information shows that the current year loss not be an additional $12 million but closer to an additional $23 million.

I have asked Dena for her professional opinion on that but whatever the number is, the question is what dollar value of cuts we are shooting for and when we believe we will impliment it. Given that it is the first of March we need to act fast to stop the deficit from being spent. To do that means cuts need to come immediately not over the next 4 to 6 weeks.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 3:45 PM To: James, Bill; Jones, Harry L.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Commissioner James:

County Manager Jones asked that I respond to your most recent email question regarding the 20% reduction scenarios. In preparation for the FY2010 budget, County Manager Jones directed County departments and agencies to develop scenarios that include up to 20% reductions from current year funding. This does not mean that every department will experience a 20% reduction. However, we need the departments to identify funding priorities and the potential impact of the reductions so we can evaluate the various choices and consequences in developing a recommended budget. Departments are hard at work on these scenarios at this time. In addition, the County Manager also has requested that CMS, CPCC and WTVI consider 10% reductions in current year funding as they prepare funding requests for next fiscal year. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Hyong Yi

Management and Budget Director

Mecklenburg County, NC

704-336-6945

Hyong.Yi@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:22 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

20% across the board for all areas or targeted 20%?

In addition to the 17 million or including it?

I thought that the idea was to do ëtargetedí cuts to avoid across the board.

Borrowing a phrase from President Obama ìa scalpel versus a cleaverî.

As a Commissioner it is ëmyí budget situation as well.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Jones, Harry L. [mailto:Harry.Jones@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill

I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time.

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 4:07 PM To: HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; Dumont Clarke; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Cc: James, Bill; mroberts5@carolina.rr.com Subject: FW: Possible cuts

I failed to copy you on the attached communication to Commissioner James Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time. _____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

* Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CD's or Video's can be downloaded anyway)

* Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

* Eliminate (close) 'small' pools and their operations for the summer

* Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an 'advocacy' agency not an agency that actually 'helps' with programs)

* Eliminate 'Displaced Homemakers' program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

* Close Libraries on weekend's

* Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of 'remaining' funds not sent (see exceptions below)

* Eliminate Advantage Carolina

* Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

* Reduce ASC's direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

* Reduce Housing Partnership's remaining funding by 50%

* Eliminate Community and Rural Development

* Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

* Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

* Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

* Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

* Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

* Eliminate POST funding

* Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

* Eliminate Park and Rec 'summer Camp' program

* Reduce Park "marketing and sponsorship' by 50% of remaining funds

* Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

* Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

* Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

* Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesn't directly help people)

* Reduce 'civil Legal Assistance' by 75% of remaining funds

* Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

* Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

* Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

* Reduce 'Contracted Lobbying' by 50% of remaining funds

* Reduce "association dues" by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

* Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

* Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

* Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

* Reduce by 50% funds for 'Inmate Library Services'

* Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

* Reduce "Prevention Wellness" remaining funding by 25%

* Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

* Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

* Eliminate 'Voter Education Outreach'

* Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

* Reduce by 50% Sheriff's 'public info' budget

* Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSS' Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

* Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

* Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

* Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

* Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

* Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

* Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

* Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

* Reduce remaining 'HR training' budget by 50%

* Eliminate 'diversity' training in DSS and outside contract now under way

* Eliminate 'model diversity organization ' program funding

* Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

* Eliminate any remaining funds for 'regional planning'

* Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

* Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

* Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

* Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

* Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the 'house of grace'

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting 'list'

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 4:07 PM To: HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; Dumont Clarke; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Cc: James, Bill; mroberts5@carolina.rr.com Subject: FW: Possible cuts

I failed to copy you on the attached communication to Commissioner James Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time. _____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

* Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CD's or Video's can be downloaded anyway)

* Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

* Eliminate (close) 'small' pools and their operations for the summer

* Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an 'advocacy' agency not an agency that actually 'helps' with programs)

* Eliminate 'Displaced Homemakers' program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

* Close Libraries on weekend's

* Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of 'remaining' funds not sent (see exceptions below)

* Eliminate Advantage Carolina

* Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

* Reduce ASC's direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

* Reduce Housing Partnership's remaining funding by 50%

* Eliminate Community and Rural Development

* Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

* Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

* Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

* Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

* Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

* Eliminate POST funding

* Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

* Eliminate Park and Rec 'summer Camp' program

* Reduce Park "marketing and sponsorship' by 50% of remaining funds

* Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

* Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

* Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

* Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesn't directly help people)

* Reduce 'civil Legal Assistance' by 75% of remaining funds

* Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

* Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

* Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

* Reduce 'Contracted Lobbying' by 50% of remaining funds

* Reduce "association dues" by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

* Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

* Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

* Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

* Reduce by 50% funds for 'Inmate Library Services'

* Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

* Reduce "Prevention Wellness" remaining funding by 25%

* Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

* Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

* Eliminate 'Voter Education Outreach'

* Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

* Reduce by 50% Sheriff's 'public info' budget

* Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSS' Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

* Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

* Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

* Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

* Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

* Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

* Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

* Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

* Reduce remaining 'HR training' budget by 50%

* Eliminate 'diversity' training in DSS and outside contract now under way

* Eliminate 'model diversity organization ' program funding

* Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

* Eliminate any remaining funds for 'regional planning'

* Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

* Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

* Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

* Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

* Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the 'house of grace'

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting 'list'

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 4:06 PM To: Yi, Hyong; Jones, Harry L.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Importance: High

Well, that is good to know but it doesnít exactly answer my question.

I donít mean to be obtuse I just want to understand.

We have some sales tax info from Dena (and CATS info) that indicates that the deficit from sales tax lost revenue could be as high as $23 million (not the $12 million discussed).

It seems clear that since we only took $17 million in cuts on an initial deficit of $46 million that we determined to use fund balance for the lionís share of $28 million. Good business practices dictate that we cannot do that for any additional current year deficits (I am concerned that we may be tempted to increase our ëfund balanceí usage as a result of these new numbers draining fund balance we will need to balance the 2010 and 2011 budgets). Accordingly I am looking for an answer to that by trying to tie down the real anticipated loss on Sales Taxes that I think exceeds the $12 million number presented on Tuesday.

What I am trying to determine is whether these ë20% reductionsí are reductions that we are developing to implement for the current budget or whether they are as you said ëin preparation for the 2010 budgetí.

If they are ëin preparation forí does that mean that we are going to be considering another round of cuts for the current year in the next week or so? (Time is running short). Is the plan to present to the Board another round of cuts and (if so) then when would that occur.

Your note says that the ëmanager has requested that CMS, CPCC and WTVI consider 10% reductions in current year fundingí. 10% of CMS would be $30 million approximately. There is to be an agenda item for next Tuesday to reduce CMSí budget unilaterally that was discussed for $5 million.

If the Manager believes that CMS should take a 10% cut (which is what you said) of $30 million in the current year then will Tuesdayís proposal be a $30 million cut or a $5 million cut (or does he support my hybrid approach that moves $25 million of CMSí money into a restricted contingency)? If he believes in the $30 million has Dr. Gorman been notified? If he doesnít then why ërequestí a cut for which CMS will reject out of hand.

If the plan is to have another round of 20% cuts what is the dollar total of ë20%í equal? In other words, what dollar goal are we shooting for regarding this second round. Are we trying to get CMS to give $30 million and have the County side come up with $30 million?

I believe it is clear that since Tuesday new information shows that the current year loss not be an additional $12 million but closer to an additional $23 million.

I have asked Dena for her professional opinion on that but whatever the number is, the question is what dollar value of cuts we are shooting for and when we believe we will impliment it. Given that it is the first of March we need to act fast to stop the deficit from being spent. To do that means cuts need to come immediately not over the next 4 to 6 weeks.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Yi, Hyong [mailto:Hyong.Yi@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 3:45 PM To: James, Bill; Jones, Harry L.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Commissioner James:

County Manager Jones asked that I respond to your most recent email question regarding the 20% reduction scenarios. In preparation for the FY2010 budget, County Manager Jones directed County departments and agencies to develop scenarios that include up to 20% reductions from current year funding. This does not mean that every department will experience a 20% reduction. However, we need the departments to identify funding priorities and the potential impact of the reductions so we can evaluate the various choices and consequences in developing a recommended budget. Departments are hard at work on these scenarios at this time. In addition, the County Manager also has requested that CMS, CPCC and WTVI consider 10% reductions in current year funding as they prepare funding requests for next fiscal year. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Hyong Yi

Management and Budget Director

Mecklenburg County, NC

704-336-6945

Hyong.Yi@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:22 PM To: Jones, Harry L.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

20% across the board for all areas or targeted 20%?

In addition to the 17 million or including it?

I thought that the idea was to do ëtargetedí cuts to avoid across the board.

Borrowing a phrase from President Obama ìa scalpel versus a cleaverî.

As a Commissioner it is ëmyí budget situation as well.

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Jones, Harry L. [mailto:Harry.Jones@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill

I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time.

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 1:48 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; Dumont Clarke; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Cc: James, Bill Subject: Re: Possible cuts

Harry

Thank you for sharing this exchange with the entire board. There have been some other emails as well from Commissioner James about CMS cuts.

It is evident that Bill has certain priorities for cuts that the rest of us do not necessarily share. There may be some of his items we agree with, but I am sure each of us could come up with our own individual lists of 20 to 30 areas that could be cut or reduced and if staff had to price out each of those things they would never have time to respond to their own departments for the crisis at hand. In addition, some of the items mentioned by Bill are governed by specific contracts or laws that may not allow the changes he suggests. I would think that the staff working directly in each of these areas knows best where the budget is flexible and what is mandatory or discretionary.

Therefore I believe we need to let our staff do their jobs, and let Harry do his job of getting us the information in the most efficient way by presenting to us at a board meeting where we can all discuss board priorities.

For the record, I do not agree with a $20 to $30 million additional cut for CMS in this current fiscal year and believe there are other areas that are less vital. We voted to rank CMS funding very high in our planning retreat prioritizations. I do believe that there are still some savings to be gained in combining resources and consolidating more functions among the city, CMS, and the county (TV stations and public info could be a good start) but I know that these discussions take time, and I am just one commissioner with one view.

I look forward to our continued discussions, and hope to hear more from each commissioner, about our priorities and about the budget updates we will hear as a board next week.

Jennifer

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

_____

From: "Jones, Harry L." Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:07:02 -0500 To: ; Dumont Clarke; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ; Leake, Vilma Subject: FW: Possible cuts

I failed to copy you on the attached communication to Commissioner James Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time. _____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 1:48 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; Dumont Clarke; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Cc: James, Bill Subject: Re: Possible cuts

Harry

Thank you for sharing this exchange with the entire board. There have been some other emails as well from Commissioner James about CMS cuts.

It is evident that Bill has certain priorities for cuts that the rest of us do not necessarily share. There may be some of his items we agree with, but I am sure each of us could come up with our own individual lists of 20 to 30 areas that could be cut or reduced and if staff had to price out each of those things they would never have time to respond to their own departments for the crisis at hand. In addition, some of the items mentioned by Bill are governed by specific contracts or laws that may not allow the changes he suggests. I would think that the staff working directly in each of these areas knows best where the budget is flexible and what is mandatory or discretionary.

Therefore I believe we need to let our staff do their jobs, and let Harry do his job of getting us the information in the most efficient way by presenting to us at a board meeting where we can all discuss board priorities.

For the record, I do not agree with a $20 to $30 million additional cut for CMS in this current fiscal year and believe there are other areas that are less vital. We voted to rank CMS funding very high in our planning retreat prioritizations. I do believe that there are still some savings to be gained in combining resources and consolidating more functions among the city, CMS, and the county (TV stations and public info could be a good start) but I know that these discussions take time, and I am just one commissioner with one view.

I look forward to our continued discussions, and hope to hear more from each commissioner, about our priorities and about the budget updates we will hear as a board next week.

Jennifer

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

_____

From: "Jones, Harry L." Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:07:02 -0500 To: ; Dumont Clarke; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ; Leake, Vilma Subject: FW: Possible cuts

I failed to copy you on the attached communication to Commissioner James Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time. _____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: James, Bill Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 9:26 AM To: Daniel Murrey; mroberts5@carolina.rr.com; Jones, Harry L.; harold@attorneycogdell.com; Dumont Clarke; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; kwbmontana@msn.com; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Thatís OK with me but what exactly are the dollar value of the cuts we are shooting for?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Daniel Murrey, MD [mailto:Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com] Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 9:15 AM To: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com; Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov; harold@attorneycogdell.com; dumontclarke@mvalaw.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; kwbmontana@msn.com; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Vilma.Leake@mecklenburgcountync.gov Cc: Wjames@carolina.rr.com Subject: Re: Possible cuts

I agree. I'd like to see staff's list of priorities as a baseline before we start too much debate about specific programs. We need to let them do their work so they can get it to us as quickly as possible. Dan -------------------------- Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

_____

From: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com To: Jones, Harry L. ; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM ; dumontclarke@mvalaw.com ; George Dunlap ; Daniel Murrey, MD; Karen Bentley ; ncooksey@bellsouth.net ; Leake, Vilma Cc: Bill James Sent: Fri Feb 27 01:48:11 2009 Subject: Re: Possible cuts

Harry

Thank you for sharing this exchange with the entire board. There have been some other emails as well from Commissioner James about CMS cuts.

It is evident that Bill has certain priorities for cuts that the rest of us do not necessarily share. There may be some of his items we agree with, but I am sure each of us could come up with our own individual lists of 20 to 30 areas that could be cut or reduced and if staff had to price out each of those things they would never have time to respond to their own departments for the crisis at hand. In addition, some of the items mentioned by Bill are governed by specific contracts or laws that may not allow the changes he suggests. I would think that the staff working directly in each of these areas knows best where the budget is flexible and what is mandatory or discretionary.

Therefore I believe we need to let our staff do their jobs, and let Harry do his job of getting us the information in the most efficient way by presenting to us at a board meeting where we can all discuss board priorities.

For the record, I do not agree with a $20 to $30 million additional cut for CMS in this current fiscal year and believe there are other areas that are less vital. We voted to rank CMS funding very high in our planning retreat prioritizations. I do believe that there are still some savings to be gained in combining resources and consolidating more functions among the city, CMS, and the county (TV stations and public info could be a good start) but I know that these discussions take time, and I am just one commissioner with one view.

I look forward to our continued discussions, and hope to hear more from each commissioner, about our priorities and about the budget updates we will hear as a board next week.

Jennifer

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

_____

From: "Jones, Harry L." Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:07:02 -0500 To: ; Dumont Clarke; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ; Leake, Vilma Subject: FW: Possible cuts

I failed to copy you on the attached communication to Commissioner James

Harry L. Jones, Sr.

County Manager

Mecklenburg County

704-336-2087 -O

704-319-9458-fax

Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill

I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time.

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: James, Bill [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 9:26 AM To: Daniel Murrey; mroberts5@carolina.rr.com; Jones, Harry L.; harold@attorneycogdell.com; Dumont Clarke; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; kwbmontana@msn.com; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Thatís OK with me but what exactly are the dollar value of the cuts we are shooting for?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Daniel Murrey, MD [mailto:Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com] Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 9:15 AM To: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com; Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov; harold@attorneycogdell.com; dumontclarke@mvalaw.com; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; kwbmontana@msn.com; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Vilma.Leake@mecklenburgcountync.gov Cc: Wjames@carolina.rr.com Subject: Re: Possible cuts

I agree. I'd like to see staff's list of priorities as a baseline before we start too much debate about specific programs. We need to let them do their work so they can get it to us as quickly as possible. Dan -------------------------- Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

_____

From: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com To: Jones, Harry L. ; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM ; dumontclarke@mvalaw.com ; George Dunlap ; Daniel Murrey, MD; Karen Bentley ; ncooksey@bellsouth.net ; Leake, Vilma Cc: Bill James Sent: Fri Feb 27 01:48:11 2009 Subject: Re: Possible cuts

Harry

Thank you for sharing this exchange with the entire board. There have been some other emails as well from Commissioner James about CMS cuts.

It is evident that Bill has certain priorities for cuts that the rest of us do not necessarily share. There may be some of his items we agree with, but I am sure each of us could come up with our own individual lists of 20 to 30 areas that could be cut or reduced and if staff had to price out each of those things they would never have time to respond to their own departments for the crisis at hand. In addition, some of the items mentioned by Bill are governed by specific contracts or laws that may not allow the changes he suggests. I would think that the staff working directly in each of these areas knows best where the budget is flexible and what is mandatory or discretionary.

Therefore I believe we need to let our staff do their jobs, and let Harry do his job of getting us the information in the most efficient way by presenting to us at a board meeting where we can all discuss board priorities.

For the record, I do not agree with a $20 to $30 million additional cut for CMS in this current fiscal year and believe there are other areas that are less vital. We voted to rank CMS funding very high in our planning retreat prioritizations. I do believe that there are still some savings to be gained in combining resources and consolidating more functions among the city, CMS, and the county (TV stations and public info could be a good start) but I know that these discussions take time, and I am just one commissioner with one view.

I look forward to our continued discussions, and hope to hear more from each commissioner, about our priorities and about the budget updates we will hear as a board next week.

Jennifer

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

_____

From: "Jones, Harry L." Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:07:02 -0500 To: ; Dumont Clarke; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ; Leake, Vilma Subject: FW: Possible cuts

I failed to copy you on the attached communication to Commissioner James

Harry L. Jones, Sr.

County Manager

Mecklenburg County

704-336-2087 -O

704-319-9458-fax

Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill

I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time.

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Daniel Murrey Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 9:15 AM To: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com; Jones, Harry L.; harold@attorneycogdell.com; Dumont Clarke; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; kwbmontana@msn.com; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Cc: James, Bill Subject: Re: Possible cuts

I agree. I'd like to see staff's list of priorities as a baseline before we start too much debate about specific programs. We need to let them do their work so they can get it to us as quickly as possible. Dan -------------------------- Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

_____

From: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com To: Jones, Harry L. ; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM ; dumontclarke@mvalaw.com ; George Dunlap ; Daniel Murrey, MD; Karen Bentley ; ncooksey@bellsouth.net ; Leake, Vilma Cc: Bill James Sent: Fri Feb 27 01:48:11 2009 Subject: Re: Possible cuts

Harry

Thank you for sharing this exchange with the entire board. There have been some other emails as well from Commissioner James about CMS cuts.

It is evident that Bill has certain priorities for cuts that the rest of us do not necessarily share. There may be some of his items we agree with, but I am sure each of us could come up with our own individual lists of 20 to 30 areas that could be cut or reduced and if staff had to price out each of those things they would never have time to respond to their own departments for the crisis at hand. In addition, some of the items mentioned by Bill are governed by specific contracts or laws that may not allow the changes he suggests. I would think that the staff working directly in each of these areas knows best where the budget is flexible and what is mandatory or discretionary.

Therefore I believe we need to let our staff do their jobs, and let Harry do his job of getting us the information in the most efficient way by presenting to us at a board meeting where we can all discuss board priorities.

For the record, I do not agree with a $20 to $30 million additional cut for CMS in this current fiscal year and believe there are other areas that are less vital. We voted to rank CMS funding very high in our planning retreat prioritizations. I do believe that there are still some savings to be gained in combining resources and consolidating more functions among the city, CMS, and the county (TV stations and public info could be a good start) but I know that these discussions take time, and I am just one commissioner with one view.

I look forward to our continued discussions, and hope to hear more from each commissioner, about our priorities and about the budget updates we will hear as a board next week.

Jennifer

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

_____

From: "Jones, Harry L." Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:07:02 -0500 To: ; Dumont Clarke; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ; Leake, Vilma Subject: FW: Possible cuts

I failed to copy you on the attached communication to Commissioner James Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time. _____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Daniel Murrey, MD [Daniel.Murrey@orthocarolina.com] Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 9:15 AM To: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com; Jones, Harry L.; harold@attorneycogdell.com; Dumont Clarke; gdunlap@bellsouth.net; kwbmontana@msn.com; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Cc: James, Bill Subject: Re: Possible cuts

I agree. I'd like to see staff's list of priorities as a baseline before we start too much debate about specific programs. We need to let them do their work so they can get it to us as quickly as possible. Dan -------------------------- Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

_____

From: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com To: Jones, Harry L. ; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM ; dumontclarke@mvalaw.com ; George Dunlap ; Daniel Murrey, MD; Karen Bentley ; ncooksey@bellsouth.net ; Leake, Vilma Cc: Bill James Sent: Fri Feb 27 01:48:11 2009 Subject: Re: Possible cuts

Harry

Thank you for sharing this exchange with the entire board. There have been some other emails as well from Commissioner James about CMS cuts.

It is evident that Bill has certain priorities for cuts that the rest of us do not necessarily share. There may be some of his items we agree with, but I am sure each of us could come up with our own individual lists of 20 to 30 areas that could be cut or reduced and if staff had to price out each of those things they would never have time to respond to their own departments for the crisis at hand. In addition, some of the items mentioned by Bill are governed by specific contracts or laws that may not allow the changes he suggests. I would think that the staff working directly in each of these areas knows best where the budget is flexible and what is mandatory or discretionary.

Therefore I believe we need to let our staff do their jobs, and let Harry do his job of getting us the information in the most efficient way by presenting to us at a board meeting where we can all discuss board priorities.

For the record, I do not agree with a $20 to $30 million additional cut for CMS in this current fiscal year and believe there are other areas that are less vital. We voted to rank CMS funding very high in our planning retreat prioritizations. I do believe that there are still some savings to be gained in combining resources and consolidating more functions among the city, CMS, and the county (TV stations and public info could be a good start) but I know that these discussions take time, and I am just one commissioner with one view.

I look forward to our continued discussions, and hope to hear more from each commissioner, about our priorities and about the budget updates we will hear as a board next week.

Jennifer

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

_____

From: "Jones, Harry L." Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:07:02 -0500 To: ; Dumont Clarke; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ; Leake, Vilma Subject: FW: Possible cuts

I failed to copy you on the attached communication to Commissioner James Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time. _____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Dumont Clarke Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 10:45 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Cc: James, Bill; mroberts5@carolina.rr.com Subject: /p RE: Possible cuts/Our shared legacy

February 28, 2009

In Revision, G.D.P. Shrank at 6.2% Rate at the End of 2008

By CATHERINE RAMPELL

The economy at the end of last year contracted at a far faster rate than initially estimated, a government report released Friday said.

The decline in the gross domestic product ó a measure of a countryís total output of goods and services ó in the last quarter of 2008 was the worst since the 1982 recession, and indicates that the recession has been deeper than previously believed.

With the exception of government spending, every major component of the economy shrank.

ìItís bigger revision than anticipated, although I do have to say that itís a lot more plausible than the initial report,î said Nigel Gault, chief United States economist at IHS Global Insight.

Output fell 6.2 percent at an annualized rate in the fourth quarter of 2008, revised downward from a previous estimate of a 3.8 percent decline. The drop was even steeper than many economists had feared, and was much lower than the 0.5 percent contraction from the previous quarter.

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. [mailto:Harry.Jones@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 4:07 PM To: HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; Dumont Clarke; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Cc: James, Bill; mroberts5@carolina.rr.com Subject: FW: Possible cuts

I failed to copy you on the attached communication to Commissioner James Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time. _____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

_____

To comply with certain U.S. Treasury regulations, we inform you that, unless expressly stated otherwise, any U.S. Federal tax advice contained in this e-mail, including attachments, is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any person for the purpose of avoiding any penalties that may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. _____

CONFIDENTIAL & PRIVILEGED Unless otherwise indicated or obvious from the nature of the following communication, the information contained herein is attorney-client privileged and confidential information/work product. The communication is intended for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this transmission is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error or are not sure whether it is privileged, please immediately notify us by return e-mail and destroy any copies, electronic, paper or otherwise, which you may have of this communication. _____

From: Dumont Clarke [dumontclarke@mvalaw.com] Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 10:45 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Cc: James, Bill; mroberts5@carolina.rr.com Subject: /p RE: Possible cuts/Our shared legacy

February 28, 2009

In Revision, G.D.P. Shrank at 6.2% Rate at the End of 2008

By CATHERINE RAMPELL

The economy at the end of last year contracted at a far faster rate than initially estimated, a government report released Friday said.

The decline in the gross domestic product ó a measure of a countryís total output of goods and services ó in the last quarter of 2008 was the worst since the 1982 recession, and indicates that the recession has been deeper than previously believed.

With the exception of government spending, every major component of the economy shrank.

ìItís bigger revision than anticipated, although I do have to say that itís a lot more plausible than the initial report,î said Nigel Gault, chief United States economist at IHS Global Insight.

Output fell 6.2 percent at an annualized rate in the fourth quarter of 2008, revised downward from a previous estimate of a 3.8 percent decline. The drop was even steeper than many economists had feared, and was much lower than the 0.5 percent contraction from the previous quarter.

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. [mailto:Harry.Jones@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 4:07 PM To: HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; Dumont Clarke; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Cc: James, Bill; mroberts5@carolina.rr.com Subject: FW: Possible cuts

I failed to copy you on the attached communication to Commissioner James Harry L. Jones, Sr. County Manager Mecklenburg County 704-336-2087 -O 704-319-9458-fax Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time. _____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

_____

To comply with certain U.S. Treasury regulations, we inform you that, unless expressly stated otherwise, any U.S. Federal tax advice contained in this e-mail, including attachments, is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any person for the purpose of avoiding any penalties that may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. _____

CONFIDENTIAL & PRIVILEGED Unless otherwise indicated or obvious from the nature of the following communication, the information contained herein is attorney-client privileged and confidential information/work product. The communication is intended for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this transmission is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error or are not sure whether it is privileged, please immediately notify us by return e-mail and destroy any copies, electronic, paper or otherwise, which you may have of this communication. _____

From: James, Bill Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 9:06 AM To: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com; Jones, Harry L.; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; Dumont Clarke; 'George Dunlap'; Daniel Murrey; 'Karen Bentley'; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Subject: RE: Possible cuts

What I canít seem to get a straight answer to is why the Manager believes that CMS should ëconsiderí 10% cuts, he himself is only willing to request 1.5% in the face of mounting current year losses. I have not also received the official revisions upward of the sales tax numbers based on Decemberís estimates alone.

Frankly, if folks want to take the entire amount out of DSS and Social Programs that is OK with me as well.

Given the ever escalating shortage in the current year however what exactly are the dollar amounts of the round of current year cuts being worked up and what is the planned date to present them to the Board?

How much are these? Does 20% have a number?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com [mailto:mroberts5@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 1:48 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; dumontclarke@mvalaw.com; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Cc: Bill James Subject: Re: Possible cuts

Harry

Thank you for sharing this exchange with the entire board. There have been some other emails as well from Commissioner James about CMS cuts.

It is evident that Bill has certain priorities for cuts that the rest of us do not necessarily share. There may be some of his items we agree with, but I am sure each of us could come up with our own individual lists of 20 to 30 areas that could be cut or reduced and if staff had to price out each of those things they would never have time to respond to their own departments for the crisis at hand. In addition, some of the items mentioned by Bill are governed by specific contracts or laws that may not allow the changes he suggests. I would think that the staff working directly in each of these areas knows best where the budget is flexible and what is mandatory or discretionary.

Therefore I believe we need to let our staff do their jobs, and let Harry do his job of getting us the information in the most efficient way by presenting to us at a board meeting where we can all discuss board priorities.

For the record, I do not agree with a $20 to $30 million additional cut for CMS in this current fiscal year and believe there are other areas that are less vital. We voted to rank CMS funding very high in our planning retreat prioritizations. I do believe that there are still some savings to be gained in combining resources and consolidating more functions among the city, CMS, and the county (TV stations and public info could be a good start) but I know that these discussions take time, and I am just one commissioner with one view.

I look forward to our continued discussions, and hope to hear more from each commissioner, about our priorities and about the budget updates we will hear as a board next week.

Jennifer

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

_____

From: "Jones, Harry L." Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:07:02 -0500 To: ; Dumont Clarke; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ; Leake, Vilma Subject: FW: Possible cuts

I failed to copy you on the attached communication to Commissioner James

Harry L. Jones, Sr.

County Manager

Mecklenburg County

704-336-2087 -O

704-319-9458-fax

Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill

I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time.

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: James, Bill Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 9:06 AM To: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com; Jones, Harry L.; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; Dumont Clarke; 'George Dunlap'; Daniel Murrey; 'Karen Bentley'; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Subject: RE: Possible cuts

What I canít seem to get a straight answer to is why the Manager believes that CMS should ëconsiderí 10% cuts, he himself is only willing to request 1.5% in the face of mounting current year losses. I have not also received the official revisions upward of the sales tax numbers based on Decemberís estimates alone.

Frankly, if folks want to take the entire amount out of DSS and Social Programs that is OK with me as well.

Given the ever escalating shortage in the current year however what exactly are the dollar amounts of the round of current year cuts being worked up and what is the planned date to present them to the Board?

How much are these? Does 20% have a number?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com [mailto:mroberts5@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 1:48 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; dumontclarke@mvalaw.com; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Cc: Bill James Subject: Re: Possible cuts

Harry

Thank you for sharing this exchange with the entire board. There have been some other emails as well from Commissioner James about CMS cuts.

It is evident that Bill has certain priorities for cuts that the rest of us do not necessarily share. There may be some of his items we agree with, but I am sure each of us could come up with our own individual lists of 20 to 30 areas that could be cut or reduced and if staff had to price out each of those things they would never have time to respond to their own departments for the crisis at hand. In addition, some of the items mentioned by Bill are governed by specific contracts or laws that may not allow the changes he suggests. I would think that the staff working directly in each of these areas knows best where the budget is flexible and what is mandatory or discretionary.

Therefore I believe we need to let our staff do their jobs, and let Harry do his job of getting us the information in the most efficient way by presenting to us at a board meeting where we can all discuss board priorities.

For the record, I do not agree with a $20 to $30 million additional cut for CMS in this current fiscal year and believe there are other areas that are less vital. We voted to rank CMS funding very high in our planning retreat prioritizations. I do believe that there are still some savings to be gained in combining resources and consolidating more functions among the city, CMS, and the county (TV stations and public info could be a good start) but I know that these discussions take time, and I am just one commissioner with one view.

I look forward to our continued discussions, and hope to hear more from each commissioner, about our priorities and about the budget updates we will hear as a board next week.

Jennifer

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

_____

From: "Jones, Harry L." Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:07:02 -0500 To: ; Dumont Clarke; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ; Leake, Vilma Subject: FW: Possible cuts

I failed to copy you on the attached communication to Commissioner James

Harry L. Jones, Sr.

County Manager

Mecklenburg County

704-336-2087 -O

704-319-9458-fax

Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill

I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time.

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 9:06 AM To: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com; Jones, Harry L.; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; Dumont Clarke; 'George Dunlap'; Daniel Murrey; 'Karen Bentley'; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Subject: RE: Possible cuts

What I canít seem to get a straight answer to is why the Manager believes that CMS should ëconsiderí 10% cuts, he himself is only willing to request 1.5% in the face of mounting current year losses. I have not also received the official revisions upward of the sales tax numbers based on Decemberís estimates alone.

Frankly, if folks want to take the entire amount out of DSS and Social Programs that is OK with me as well.

Given the ever escalating shortage in the current year however what exactly are the dollar amounts of the round of current year cuts being worked up and what is the planned date to present them to the Board?

How much are these? Does 20% have a number?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com [mailto:mroberts5@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 1:48 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; dumontclarke@mvalaw.com; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Cc: Bill James Subject: Re: Possible cuts

Harry

Thank you for sharing this exchange with the entire board. There have been some other emails as well from Commissioner James about CMS cuts.

It is evident that Bill has certain priorities for cuts that the rest of us do not necessarily share. There may be some of his items we agree with, but I am sure each of us could come up with our own individual lists of 20 to 30 areas that could be cut or reduced and if staff had to price out each of those things they would never have time to respond to their own departments for the crisis at hand. In addition, some of the items mentioned by Bill are governed by specific contracts or laws that may not allow the changes he suggests. I would think that the staff working directly in each of these areas knows best where the budget is flexible and what is mandatory or discretionary.

Therefore I believe we need to let our staff do their jobs, and let Harry do his job of getting us the information in the most efficient way by presenting to us at a board meeting where we can all discuss board priorities.

For the record, I do not agree with a $20 to $30 million additional cut for CMS in this current fiscal year and believe there are other areas that are less vital. We voted to rank CMS funding very high in our planning retreat prioritizations. I do believe that there are still some savings to be gained in combining resources and consolidating more functions among the city, CMS, and the county (TV stations and public info could be a good start) but I know that these discussions take time, and I am just one commissioner with one view.

I look forward to our continued discussions, and hope to hear more from each commissioner, about our priorities and about the budget updates we will hear as a board next week.

Jennifer

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

_____

From: "Jones, Harry L." Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:07:02 -0500 To: ; Dumont Clarke; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ; Leake, Vilma Subject: FW: Possible cuts

I failed to copy you on the attached communication to Commissioner James

Harry L. Jones, Sr.

County Manager

Mecklenburg County

704-336-2087 -O

704-319-9458-fax

Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill

I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time.

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: William F. James, Jr. [wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 9:06 AM To: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com; Jones, Harry L.; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; Dumont Clarke; 'George Dunlap'; Daniel Murrey; 'Karen Bentley'; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Subject: RE: Possible cuts

What I canít seem to get a straight answer to is why the Manager believes that CMS should ëconsiderí 10% cuts, he himself is only willing to request 1.5% in the face of mounting current year losses. I have not also received the official revisions upward of the sales tax numbers based on Decemberís estimates alone.

Frankly, if folks want to take the entire amount out of DSS and Social Programs that is OK with me as well.

Given the ever escalating shortage in the current year however what exactly are the dollar amounts of the round of current year cuts being worked up and what is the planned date to present them to the Board?

How much are these? Does 20% have a number?

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com [mailto:mroberts5@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 1:48 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; dumontclarke@mvalaw.com; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Cc: Bill James Subject: Re: Possible cuts

Harry

Thank you for sharing this exchange with the entire board. There have been some other emails as well from Commissioner James about CMS cuts.

It is evident that Bill has certain priorities for cuts that the rest of us do not necessarily share. There may be some of his items we agree with, but I am sure each of us could come up with our own individual lists of 20 to 30 areas that could be cut or reduced and if staff had to price out each of those things they would never have time to respond to their own departments for the crisis at hand. In addition, some of the items mentioned by Bill are governed by specific contracts or laws that may not allow the changes he suggests. I would think that the staff working directly in each of these areas knows best where the budget is flexible and what is mandatory or discretionary.

Therefore I believe we need to let our staff do their jobs, and let Harry do his job of getting us the information in the most efficient way by presenting to us at a board meeting where we can all discuss board priorities.

For the record, I do not agree with a $20 to $30 million additional cut for CMS in this current fiscal year and believe there are other areas that are less vital. We voted to rank CMS funding very high in our planning retreat prioritizations. I do believe that there are still some savings to be gained in combining resources and consolidating more functions among the city, CMS, and the county (TV stations and public info could be a good start) but I know that these discussions take time, and I am just one commissioner with one view.

I look forward to our continued discussions, and hope to hear more from each commissioner, about our priorities and about the budget updates we will hear as a board next week.

Jennifer

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

_____

From: "Jones, Harry L." Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:07:02 -0500 To: ; Dumont Clarke; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ; Leake, Vilma Subject: FW: Possible cuts

I failed to copy you on the attached communication to Commissioner James

Harry L. Jones, Sr.

County Manager

Mecklenburg County

704-336-2087 -O

704-319-9458-fax

Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill

I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time.

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: James, Bill Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 11:02 AM To: Dumont Clarke; Jones, Harry L.; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; 'George Dunlap'; Daniel Murrey; 'Karen Bentley'; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Cc: mroberts5@carolina.rr.com Subject: RE: /p RE: Possible cuts/Our shared legacy

Importance: High

Yes, that is why I think we have to cut our Sales tax numbers for the current year more than the $12 million adjustment discussed on Tuesday.

CATS reported a 15% decline in Sales tax revenue in December alone.

The question is, if that 15% holds how much of a current year reduction is needed? If the 15% reduction increases to 17% or 20% (Jan to June 09) what would we need?

That is why I think that the second round of County current year budget cuts need to be approximately $25-$30 million (less if we take more than $5 million from CMS)

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

From: Dumont Clarke [mailto:dumontclarke@mvalaw.com] Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 10:45 AM To: Jones, Harry L.; HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Cc: James, Bill; mroberts5@carolina.rr.com Subject: /p RE: Possible cuts/Our shared legacy

February 28, 2009

In Revision, G.D.P. Shrank at 6.2% Rate at the End of 2008

By CATHERINE RAMPELL

The economy at the end of last year contracted at a far faster rate than initially estimated, a government report released Friday said.

The decline in the gross domestic product ó a measure of a countryís total output of goods and services ó in the last quarter of 2008 was the worst since the 1982 recession, and indicates that the recession has been deeper than previously believed.

With the exception of government spending, every major component of the economy shrank.

ìItís bigger revision than anticipated, although I do have to say that itís a lot more plausible than the initial report,î said Nigel Gault, chief United States economist at IHS Global Insight.

Output fell 6.2 percent at an annualized rate in the fourth quarter of 2008, revised downward from a previous estimate of a 3.8 percent decline. The drop was even steeper than many economists had feared, and was much lower than the 0.5 percent contraction from the previous quarter.

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. [mailto:Harry.Jones@mecklenburgcountync.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 4:07 PM To: HAROLD@ATTORNEYCOGDELL.COM; Dumont Clarke; George Dunlap; Daniel Murrey; Karen Bentley; ncooksey@bellsouth.net; Leake, Vilma Cc: James, Bill; mroberts5@carolina.rr.com Subject: FW: Possible cuts

I failed to copy you on the attached communication to Commissioner James

Harry L. Jones, Sr.

County Manager

Mecklenburg County

704-336-2087 -O

704-319-9458-fax

Harry.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_____

From: Jones, Harry L. Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:15 PM To: William F. James, Jr.; Roberts, Jennifer Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle; McGillicuddy, John; McGillicuddy, John; Diorio, Dena R.; Yi, Hyong; Shields, Bobbie; Jackson, Janice Subject: RE: Possible cuts

Bill

I really appreciate your interest in our budget situation. My staff is currently preparing 20% reduction scenarios. This effort is very time-consuming and stressful for them. Accordingly, I will not direct my staff to undertake this "pricing" request, at this time.

_____

From: William F. James, Jr. [mailto:wjames@carolina.rr.com] Sent: Thu 2/26/2009 12:26 PM To: Roberts, Jennifer; Jones, Harry L. Cc: Yi, Hyong; Lancaster, Michelle Subject: Possible cuts

Here are some ideas for some cuts that I would like to get priced out:

∑ Eliminate library CD and Video loans and collections (everything on CDís or Videoís can be downloaded anyway)

∑ Eliminate Four H and Cooperative Extension local funding for remainder of year

∑ Eliminate (close) ësmallí pools and their operations for the summer

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Council on Aging (basically an ëadvocacyí agency not an agency that actually ëhelpsí with programs)

∑ Eliminate ëDisplaced Homemakersí program (there are other programs that handle the same thing)

∑ Close Libraries on weekendís

∑ Reduce Outside Agencies by 1/3 of ëremainingí funds not sent (see exceptions below)

∑ Eliminate Advantage Carolina

∑ Reduce Fighting Back by 1/3 of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ASCís direct funding by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Housing Partnershipís remaining funding by 50%

∑ Eliminate Community and Rural Development

∑ Eliminate Community Cultural Connections

∑ Reduce NCCJ by 50% of remaining funding

∑ Reduce Latin American Coalition funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Mi Casa Su Casa funding by 50% of remaining

∑ Reduce Senior Center programs by eliminating night and week-end program offerings

∑ Eliminate POST funding

∑ Cut Communities in Schools funding by 50% for the remaining year

∑ Eliminate Park and Rec ësummer Campí program

∑ Reduce Park ìmarketing and sponsorshipí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce funding for Nature Museum by 50% of remaining

∑ Freeze Salaries for all employees and Commissioners until the start of the 2011 budget

∑ Eliminate funding for ECO (Energy Committed for Offenders)

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Community Building Initiative (also a think tank that doesnít directly help people)

∑ Reduce ëcivil Legal Assistanceí by 75% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce Substance Abuse Prevention treatment by excluding from treatment anyone who has gone through the program once in the last 12 months

∑ Eliminate MAP (Metrolina Aids Project) funding (given current legal issues and allow County to reevaluate in upcoming budget)

∑ Eliminate County funding for any out of state patients (previously referred to other out of state facilities and paid by Mecklenburg)

∑ Reduce ëContracted Lobbyingí by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Reduce ìassociation duesî by not renewing groups that are not deemed to be essential in this environment (revaluate in 12 months). Examples would be memberships in the AICPA or other such groups that may be paid with County dollars

∑ Consider reduced funding for Lake Commissions (could not be legal to do so)

∑ Reduce Senior Nutrition-Sense program by 25% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate (stop) funds for Greenway Park planning and development

∑ Reduce by 50% funds for ëInmate Library Servicesí

∑ Reduce by 10% funds for the Public Library (could be offset by week-end closures or closure of non-essential branches)

∑ Reduce ìPrevention Wellnessî remaining funding by 25%

∑ Eliminate Spirit Square funding and cancel leases, shutter building

∑ Reduce WTVI funding by 50% of remaining balance

∑ Eliminate ëVoter Education Outreachí

∑ Price out merger of CMSTV3, City GOVTV and County PSI departments

∑ Reduce by 50% Sheriffís ëpublic infoí budget

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining funds DSSí Mecklenburg Transport and Medicaid Transport as allowed by law

∑ Reduce funding by 50% of remaining funds for Court Day Care

∑ Eliminate funding for Charlotte Regional Partnership

∑ Eliminate funding for Advantage Carolina (if any)

∑ Reduce by 25% of remaining balance MWBE department budget

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for AroboCop

∑ Eliminate any remaining funding for Historic graveyard identification program

∑ Close County Care Fitness facilities for two days a week and any afterhours usage

∑ Reduce remaining ëHR trainingí budget by 50%

∑ Eliminate ëdiversityí training in DSS and outside contract now under way

∑ Eliminate ëmodel diversity organization ë program funding

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for Catawba Lands Conservancy

∑ Eliminate any remaining funds for ëregional planningí

∑ Reduce any remaining COG (Council of Governments) by 50% of remaining funds

∑ Eliminate funding for Latta Plantation for the remainder of the year

∑ Eliminate remaining funding for the Catawba Valley Scottish Society

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for Historic Landmarks project management and African-American Historic Resource Program

∑ Eliminate 50% of remaining funding for the ëhouse of graceí

I am sure there could be more but this is my starting ëlistí

Regards,

Commissioner Bill James (R, District 6)

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

600 East Fourth Street, 11th Floor

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

HTTP://billjames.org

Confidentiality Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address regarding public matters pertaining to Mecklenburg County business may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records law "NCGS Ch 132" and may be disclosed to third parties. This electronic mail transmission may contain information that is confidential, priviledged, or proprietary. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete the message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify me immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender (me) to waive any priviledge that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation.

_____

To comply with certain U.S. Treasury regulations, we inform you that, unless expressly stated otherwise, any U.S. Federal tax advice contained in this e-mail, including attachments, is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any person for the purpose of avoiding any penalties that may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.

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Unless otherwise indicated or obvious from the nature of the following communication, the information contained herein is attorney-client privileged and confidential information/work product. The communication is intended for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this transmission is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error or are not sure whether it is privileged, please immediately notify us by return e-mail and destroy any copies, electronic, paper or otherwise, which you may have of this communication.

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