Red Clay Citizen

NC Conservative Icon Peter Batton Passes

Anytime in the last 40 years whenever a conservative made a move in North Carolina they were more than likely photographed by Peter Batton.  (That's Pete on the right, of course, with Retired Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake.) Despite battling chronic illness from his childhood and cancer later in life, Batton served the people of North Carolina as a probation officer and later chronicled the rise of the conservative movement that led to North Carolina becoming a two party state. 

I remember an event late in Senator Jesse Helms' career where he was being honored.  As always, Peter was there, camera in hand, recording the occasion for posterity.  After taking many, many photos of the senator with the crowd, Helms loooked up at Batton and asked, "Peter, old friend, how long have you been taking my picture?"  Batton responded that it had been quite a while.  Helms then said, "You know, I don't believe I have a picture of you.  If you trust someone else to hold that camera, let's get you in a picture for my desk."  With those kind words from the conservative leader of the US Senate, Peter's face lit up and he came to Helms' side for a most memorable picture.  I would love to have a copy of that picture to remember two great men with.

When I heard of Peter's passing, I had to remember that he wasn't indestructible.  His health had betrayed him but that tough, old bird would not let it slow him down.  He continued to take pictures of candidates, senators and leaders.  Peter was Civitas' photographer for any occasion.  When we hosted a dinner with Michael Reagan, I was not quick enough to get into a photo for Peter's liking and his directorial talents took over.  He always made sure to get the shot right.  We will miss Peter and so will the conservative movement in North Carolina.  I'll bet he's having a conversation with ol' Jess right now.

PETER CASE BATTON (1942-2009)

Peter Case "Raw Hyde" Batton, 66, of 4924 Knightsbridge Way, died Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at his home after years of declining health. Peter was born April 21, 1942, a native of Wilson County, to the late Ernest Batton and Eloise Case Batton. He retired from the NC State Department of Corrections as a probation officer with 28 years of service. He was also widely known for his photography of wildlife and political functions.

Memorial Service: 7:00 pm, Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service Chapel, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale, NC 27545 with Jim Hastings officiating.

The family will receive relatives and friends immediately following the service.

Surviving: Wife: Mary Ellen "Nicky" Batton Daughter: Eloise Brinson of Asheville

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to CCNC Dedicated to the Fight Fund, 4101 Macon Pond Road, Raleigh, NC 27607. Please send condolences to the family here.

UNC System Salary Database

The Charlotte Observer continues its series of posting searchable government salary databases online with today's update of UNC System Salaries.

Yep, Mary Easley is in there.  So is Roy Williams.

Hospital employees dominate the highest compensated with Thomas B. Ferguson of ECU's Medical School taking the title as highest paid UNC employee pulling in a cool $733,000.  17 employees make $500,000 or greater.

And don't forget their other database of state government employee salaries.

Walmart, Snow, Bread & Innovation

During the latest four inches of Gore's Global Warming here in Raleigh, I made the obligatory, pre-snow trip to the grocery store in order to buy the required snow bread, snow eggs and snow milk.  I was not surprised to find the bread aisle empty of any bread after a long day of the paranoid hoarding of staples. 

What did surprise me was the same bread aisle was fully stocked the next day after the snow.  Despite the run on grain products, the terrible road conditions and the resulting employee absenteeism, Walmart somehow managed to get bread back on the shelf in less than 24 hours.  How does this happen?

One of the most innovative companies in the world, Walmart’s ability to move goods from place to place at low cost is unparalleled.  What is often overlooked is the company's empowerment of lower level employees.  Each stock clerk has the ability to assess their aisle's needs and change the store's order from a handheld electronic inventory device that is directly connected to the corporate supply chain.  When there is a run on bread in Raleigh, trucks are on the move.

I really saw how dramatic an impact a well run company can have on a community in need during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  Slidell, Louisiana was hit with a 12 foot wall of water and yet, Walmart was open for business the following week with tactor trailers headed in from all over the country.  These trucks were loaded with clean up supplies, water, ice and countless other essentials.  For those of us in the disaster recovery game at the time, Walmart was the only place to get food, water, clothing or even cash an out of state check.

So, the next time you get the snow bread at Walmart, just remember that it took innovative thought and hard work to get it there and not a government program.

Inauguration Spellcheck

You would think if you paid $30,000 for the privilege of sponsoring part of the governor-elect's inauguration, you could at least have your name spelled right on the invitation.  Not so the case for Mega-law firm McGuireWoods.The official invite listed the Richmond based firm as McQuireWoods (sic) (but has since been updated online).

The firm has over 900 lawyers in 17 offices in such far flung places as Raleigh and Kazakhstan and are sponsoring the Inauguration Council of State Reception on Thursday, January 8th. 

Hopefully, the firm can get a little more respect in the future for their $30,000.

Booze it up for Obama!

Going to DC to celebrate Obama's inauguration?

Well, if so, you can visit your favorite DC watering hole until 5 am during inauguration week!

"The D.C. Council approved emergency legislation this evening that will allow District bars, nightclubs and restaurants to serve alcohol until 5 a.m. — three hours later than usual — and remain open for food around the clock from Jan. 17 until the morning after Obama’s swearing-in Jan. 20."

Ah, yes, nothing says "safety" like packing a couple of million extra people into DC and letting them get sauced until the sun comes up.  Good times!

Thanks Max

Just wanted to take a moment to thank Max Borders for everything he has done in getting Red Clay Citizen off the ground and everything he had done for Civitas. 

Anyone who was familiar with our old website or old magazine and compare them to our current ones will see Max's handiwork.  But not only that, Max has made Civitas a more effective organization, internally and externally, and for that we are greatful.

On a personal note, Max has been an invaluable resource to me and has given me new perspective, ideas and creativity on this crazy world we live in and the policies that govern it.  I am a better thinker and better writer because of him.

While he is off to bigger and badder things, I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of him around here.

Thanks, Max, and best of luck.

Chris

Wednesday's Required Reading

Two must read articles today:

1. The Washington Post takes a lengthy look at NC's changing ways and its impact on the elections.
2. The New Republic with a profile of SurveyUSA pollster Jay Leve and a great overview of the world of polling.

N&O Ironic Headlines

Two of the three top headlines on the N&O website right now:

Agents seize Blackwater firearms

High court affirms gun rights in historic decision

WhoTube? Complexity and Economics

Wanted to share these video entries to the APEE/MBM Communicators contest. Check 'em out while gnoshing your lunch, maybe learn a lil something:

Part One

Part Two

Thanks,
Max Borders

10 Years Ago Today

I remember the day like it was yesterday.  Rumor was spreading like wildfire across the campus.  Everywhere people were in total shock.  A state of disbelief, grasping for reassurance that the rumors weren't accurate.

(Remember, this was in the infancy of the Internet in 1997.  There was no Drudge Report to break the news with a big flashing siren and red letters).

"Have you heard?"
"It can't be true."
"What do we do from here?"

Luckily for me and a few friends, we had a source on the inside at the local newspaper.  So we frantically called him, and he confirmed our worst fears.  He was heading down to the press conference as he spoke to us.

Dean Smith was retiring.

It was a crushing blow.  The entire town was somber.  Many students raced down to the building named in his honor to try and watch.  Others trudged like zombies around campus unable to imagine Carolina basketball without Coach Smith.

I still have a copy of The Daily Tar Heel and The Chapel Hill News from the following day.  The newsprint may be yellowing with age, but the memories of that day are just as fresh with me now as they were then.  It's quite remarkable what sticks with you later in life.  But that was just one of those things.

(Now back to your regularly scheduled policy discussions).