Friday, March 03, 2006

Why the need for speed?

Regarding the Scott Darnell fiasco, I guess the question I'm hearing the most is: Why was there such a need for speed? Why not make one more effort to work things out? That is an especially pertinent quetsion given this big trip he was about to take at the invitation of the N.C. Sec. of Commerce which, theoretically, could have been a high-profile event for Cleveland County.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's a shame that personal issues could not be worked through. You would think that two grown men could eliminate personality conflicts for the sake of the greater good. I'm not sure that Stuart didn't bite off more than he cares to chew. Is there a wager on the time horizon for HIS departure?

Anonymous said...

It is clear the Chamber is losing members, wants to live off the government teat, and is increasingly marginalized.

There was no reason for this week's events. YOu don't go in and give someone an ultimatum to resign or get fired IMMEDIATELY. If they're worthy of immediate firing, you just do it; if they're worthy of being allowed to resign you give them time to find a job. the purpose of being allowed to resign is to save face." Thus, you defeat the purpose if make it IMMEDIATE. Without another job, is there any saving face?

Stuart Gilbert best be putting out his resume. The Chamber will continue to lose members; and 20/20 will now implode. Mark it down; it's over, all except waitng for July 1, and a new fiscal year for the county.

Anonymous said...

According to Star articles, the board met and discussed problems on Monday. McIntosh and Craver may appear upset but they were at the meeting ....the discussions were taking place over personality conflict and personnel policy. Maybe it's the board leadership that needs to change.

Stuart Gilbert or Scott Darnell? Doesn't matter...if you've got Board members at a meeting of this caliber that don't know what the heck is going on once the meeting is over..there in is the problem. How can these guys possibly say now that they didn't know what was going on?

So before I advocated a public hanging for Gilbert...I'd get a rope for Mcintosh and Craver. You people need to tune in at the Board meetings. Jobs? What jobs? Was someone talking about jobs? Apparently, there have been a number of meetings where no one was listening.

If you are running a political campaign or a bank and don't have time for the 20/20 Board...get off. You were not qualified to be there in the first place.

Anonymous said...

willie is ok; he cannot help that the 20/20 group was led one way and then the Chamber did something entirely different.

watch this in the the county budget process; i expect 20/20 is dead unless the county gets some control back over having some personnel control where taxpayer money goes...

Anonymous said...

Sound likes typical Cleveland County. Scott Darnell had an amazing respect by the elected officials and top business leaders in the Community. Scott's only fault was putting so much effort and energy towards a community that has very little leadership.

In April it was the EDC, in March it is the VP of ED's fault, when is the community going to finally realize that the Chamber and its leadeship isn't helping, but hurting this community.

Out of respect for Scott, I hope the 20/20 Investors will walk away and say goodbye to the Chambers blatant disrespect of this community.

Anonymous said...

If you want to see progress, look at Lincoln County and their industrial park. There is contruction of new business going up right and left. They have the right formula working for them and a chamber that is making ours look like its standing still.
Which it is. Our best man just got canned due to a power struggle.
Happens all the time.

Anonymous said...

The word on the street, we have seen the calm, but the storm is coming. Scott had a strong following in every part of Cleveland County. The Chamber has dropped the ball on everything they have attempted to do, but when our economic developer started doing the right thing, they quickly got rid of him.

If there is any leadership in this County, Scott will be reinstated and the Chamber President will be gone. Scott is 20/20, that will never change.

Anonymous said...

When will Gilbert be fired or resign?

Anonymous said...

Where are our leaders? Scott protected the elected officials for years regarding the economy, now, where are they?

Anonymous said...

I don't know how Darnell gets credit for the "strong" economic growth in cleveland county. We've had NO growth since he's been on board. He's done absolutely nothing for economic development. We are losing new jobs to Lincoln county and his answer is that they are closer to an interstate? Our elected leaders on the commission have their heads in the sand if they feel that Darnell is that "answer"

Anonymous said...

The Chamber President should be resigning today!

Anonymous said...

unemployment rate has been cut in half since Darnell was hired, he must have been doing something right.

Anonymous said...

Is it not a conflict to have scott darnell's mother-in-law on the 20/20 advisory board? Hmmm

Anonymous said...

there are conflicts at all levels in this county. if we cleaned house, there would not be a house.

Anonymous said...

What will be Scott's next opportunity? I have heard rumors that this chamber vs. Scott thing is going to put him in total control.

Anonymous said...

So sad for our County!

Anonymous said...

Yes, it is indeed a conflict of interest having Scott's mother-in-law on the 20/20 advisory board.

Someone mentioned that employment has been cut in half since Scott was hired. Where are the statistics to prove that? I am seeing conflicting statistics on the US Census and Labor Bureau Report. Are you sure employment hasn't improved because people have left our county seeking employment elsewhere, additionally causing a slight decrease in population?

Anonymous said...

Scott' mother n law happens to be a leader and business owner in the community. When she pays her money at the advisory level she ahs every right to attend the board meetings!
I support Scott Darnell and I am willing to withdraw my support from 20/20 at this point. I feel too much damage has taken place at this time. Our Chamber did not have the best interest of the community at heart when they allowed Darnell to be terminated ( I am in the business community and was taught early in my career you DO NOT use the word "fired")
I think that the focus needs to be turned on to the chamber with their staff leaving instead of 20/20!! I am truly shocked also that Misty will be leaving. Adrien Hamrick was hired recently and I can only image what she may be thinking about the turmoil she has joined?

Anonymous said...

Now would be a good time for sunlight to be directed at the chamber. I know their focus is on the county...but what can Darnell or Gilbert lay claim to doing for the City of Shelby? Where is the return on the city's investment in the chamber's eceonomic development efforts? Shelby would benefit from charting their own direction in economic development. The city is in much worse shape in terms of tax base than the county. Shelby needs new industry NOW! Even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then.

Anonymous said...

The City of Shelby needs to break off on their own. The City needs their own direction, not one dictated by the County or Kings Mountain. Shelby will never go anywhere as long as they keep trying to partner with the County

Anonymous said...

as for darnell's "big trip invitation" from the secretary of commerce...i believe that further research would show that it was not necessarily a reflection on darnell's abilities, or a bone thrown at cleveland county. he was merely part of a blanket invitation to economic development professionals throughout the state. his position at the chamber got him on the mailing list, nothing more. if darnell indicated otherwise, it begs the question 'why would he portray it as a personal invitation or something that he arranged for the benefit of the county?'. such behavior may not be worthy of termination, but taken as a part of a pattern, might begin to shed new light on the issue.

Anonymous said...

What is the problem - from my view point it is very simple. A highly respected VP, Scot Darnell has been humilated and judged by people that really don't know what his hard work was doing for Cleveland County. I have lived in this county all my life and it was very hopeful when we had such a motivated person working to bring industry to our community. As I see it a huge mistake has been made by firing this individual, yes I have been told that the Chamber had the authority but I also know those invovled have not listend to or asked for the entire story . Hurrah for them - my question is why didn't they have enough respect for our county leaders and our county to hear the other side of the story. And could someone please tell me if the president of the Chamber is such a great leader why is everyone leaving their jobs at the Chamber. I was raised to admit my mistakes and correct them. I always thought that part of an economic developer's job was public relations - Look at how Stuart Gilbert handles public relations!!! What is the Chamber waiting on- they need to reinstate Scott and replace the current President. They need to admit their mistake.

Anonymous said...

One word... "Go back to Canada"!! Oops, that was four words! So fire me!

Anonymous said...

What the hell? Canada?
Who's Canadian?

Anonymous said...

Can Chamber handle economic development? Jury out. Off to a bad start. But it's first quarter. Give 'em a chance to overcome bad start.

Anonymous said...

The Chamber has no credibility or staff, how can they lead economic development. We don't need more ribbon cuttings, we need leadership.

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm....regarding the previous person's post...
Don't ribbon cuttings = economic development?

Anonymous said...

Certainly nothing wrong with ribbon cutting ceremonies...but the chamber hasn't gotten the job
done. It's all flash and mirrors.
They will get credit when they sucessfully recruit one or more new industries to the area. The immediate need is for industries that will employ hundreds of people. As the old lady in the Wendy's commercial once said..."where's the beef?"

Anonymous said...

I hear they are going to replace Scott. When are they going to wake up and realize ED is going to leave the Chamber. I thought Stuart was a hot shot ED person.When are they going to get some leadership in the Chamber. Including the chamber executive committee.

Anonymous said...

Last post hit the nail on the head about the chamber. Not only is the exec. director a disappointment in
ED but when you look at all the money channelled into the chamber over the last few years you have to ask...to what end? Plenty of blame to share in that shop...including the executive committee. Once upon a time the chamber landed multiple industries without the benefit of LBD and with a full time staff of two. What's wrong with this picture?

Anonymous said...

The Chamber cannot survive without the government money that is supposed to be used for ED. The Chamber has been sitting back using government money to fund their mission, and still cannot make it.

20/20 will not survive under the Chamber's leadership. Economic Development needs to be separate from a group of good ole boys that has the only interest to pad their own pockets.

Anonymous said...

the chamber never did economic development with a staff of two. however, the former cleveland county economic development commission did plenty of economic development with a staff of two, and had quite a number of successes. more new jobs were created in cleveland county in the decade preceding the chamber's overtaking economic development, than at any time in the history of the county. furthermore, they managed the staff of two did the bulk of travel and tourism marketing at the same time, and did that well. the person who said the chamber is using the government's money was exactly right. moving economic development to the chamber seems to have been a way to compensate for dwindling memberships and weakening community support in an antiquated organization. it's a shame that a successful program of the county had to be lost in order to keep a private organization afloat. and along with it the county has lost many opportunities for true economic development and new jobs for our community. we are all paying the price.

Anonymous said...

To the earlier writer - ribbon cuttings do not = economic development. That may be how the Chamber of Commerce is touting them, but they are far from the same thing. Ribbon cutting are a photo op, often a PR ploy for both the Chamber of Commerce and a member business. Nothing more. Businesses that do not choose to be members of the Chamber of Commerce,for whatever reason, do not get ribbon cuttings.