Larry, Nick and Jimmy: Commissioners Made History on Jail

As of Friday, December 31, 2010

Newsmaker Tradition

The Pilot’s annual tradition of picking a Newsmaker is now in its 14th year.

Past designees include N.C. Rep. Richard Morgan for 1997; U.S. Sen. John Edwards for 1998; former Pinehurst Inc. President Patrick Corso for 1999; Michael Holden, former chairman of the Moore County Board of Commissioners, for 2000; Kelly Miller, CEO of Pine Needles and Mid Pines, for 2001; Charles Frock, CEO of FirstHealth of the Carolinas, for 2002; Dr. Patrick Russo, former superintendent of the Moore County school system, for 2003; lawyer and school board member Bruce Cunningham for 2004; Beth Kocher, chairwoman of the second U.S. Open at Pinehurst, for 2005; and N.C. Rep. (now former Rep.) Joe Boylan for 2006.

In 2007 as this year, we departed a bit from tradition, selecting a group of Newsmakers instead of a single individual. That year, we picked “the Gadflies,” four private individuals who were vociferously involved in the many controversies that had convulsed the county and its communities. They were Greg Zywocinski, of Southern Pines, Ralph Redmond and Doug Middaugh, of Pinehurst, and Elton Turner, of Vass.

The choice for 2008 was Pinecrest High School football coach Chris Metzger, and the 2009 Newsmaker was Justin Garner, the Carthage police officer who put an end to the Pinelake nursing home rampage by shooting alleged gunman Robert Kenneth Stewart.

Detractors say they vote in lockstep. Others call them the “Gang of Three.”

But Moore County Commis-sioners Larry Caddell, Jimmy Melton and Nick Picerno are puzzled when referred to as a collective political powerhouse. They prefer to think of themselves as separate individuals who differ as often as they agree.

The three do have much in common. All are natives of Moore County, and all have experience in finance, budgeting and payrolls, and they say that experience has made them practical and conservative. All are active in church and community.

What enmeshed Caddell, Melton and Picerno in controversy during the past year — and resulted in their designation by The Pilot as its collective Newsmakers of 2010 — was the way they stuck together in a series of 3-2 votes supporting a downtown Carthage site for a controversial new public safety-detention center and the issuance of limited obligation bonds to pay for it.

Voting against the $32 million construction project were Commissioners Tim Lea and Cindy Morgan, who responded to multiple issues raised by people opposing the location, the size of the jail and the payment method.

Opposition to the detention center project was most obvious in two venues: public comment periods held at commissioners’ meetings and in comments by readers on The Pilot’s website, thepilot.com, and in letters to the editor.

Website comments by those unidentified critics were often pungent, even vitriolic at times, and laced with personal attacks. The attacks were especially fierce in comments about Caddell and Picerno, who have a business relationship with Southern Software, the firm that has donated significant hunks of software to the county for use in law enforcement.

Picerno, who founded Southern Software, is no longer a stockholder, but Caddell continues as CEO.

Controversy surrounding the public safety-detention center has subsided with the bond issuance and the onset of construction work, but The Pilot wanted to find out what makes these three men tick.

More like this story

Arestorer 2 years, 4 months ago

Tick??? Personal gain!!

Amazed 2 years, 4 months ago

kinda funny that they are all dressed alike.

dustyrhoades 2 years, 4 months ago

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Bflat 2 years, 4 months ago

According to the Sec of State office, anyone can find out who the original founder of Southern Software and I've got some swamp land to sell to you if you think it was Mr. P.

And, as to labeling people as anti-jail, there isn't one of the group that is against a "little expansion of the jail," but we are against the location, size and costs as related to the overspending of taxpayer money in the present economy.

None 2 years, 4 months ago

Dusty that is uncalled for "the anti-jail loonies."

Perhaps those opposed to out of control spending would be more appropriate. Funny you didn’t mention the new Logan Hall at Sandhills Community College from the 88.2 million dollar bonds the people were suckered into.

New flash Pilot ~ Nick Picerno wasn't the founder of Federal Transportation which became Southern Software ~ ask Nick about Mr. White who served time in federal prison - his partner? You need to do your homework before going to press. Just like every other statement TPo3 make to The Pilot is gospel.

None 2 years, 4 months ago

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Zoey 2 years, 4 months ago

What's with all the joyless faces? It seems they would rather be somewhere else. Are they not happy with the birth of their new baby?

Arestorer 2 years, 4 months ago

@Dustyrhoades, Take long deep breathes..:)

RmeMP 2 years, 4 months ago

i am not trying to offend "the gang of three", or any of their supporters; but, do you think they could have maybe posed for this picture like a group of respectable men representing the county - instead of a "gang of three"?!

you wonder why people refer to them as such, well this picture speaks volumes - they look like they have the " i don't care what you think, because we have all the power" expression on their mugs...

just an observation of mine, i may be totally wrong :)

dustyrhoades 2 years, 4 months ago

As I tried to say before, I think they're deliberately trying to provoke a reaction.

RmeMP 2 years, 4 months ago

with all due respect (as i am now trying to get along with everyone - even you DR) i don't think that county commissioners should be "trying to provoke a reaction"...

i mean really? isn't that something that a bully does in middle school to start a fight? that isn't who i want deciding how to spend my tax dollars, and setting up the future for my son in this county.

kinda reverts back to "ethics" again - tell them to grow up and act professionally; please.

dustyrhoades 2 years, 4 months ago

Actually, the "they" I was talking about is the Pilot, who arranged for and ran the pic, and FOUR articles about the Commissioners a certain small group of people love to hate. It's like waving a red flag in front of...certain people.

bigD 2 years, 4 months ago

Why let them get to you?

Ross 2 years, 4 months ago

They would provoke reaction dressed as "angels" - wings and all!

dustyrhoades 2 years, 4 months ago

Hee! Four, count 'em four stories about the "power of three"...some people are going to wear their typing fingers down to nubs....

deidretg 2 years, 4 months ago

Interesting reaction, Mr. Pilot and certainly understandable.

RmeMP 2 years, 4 months ago

myself and DR haven't always gotten along, rarely actually, but i am trying to be nice for the new year and see how long i can.

i have come to the conclusion that i have my views, he has his, and instead of belittling each other - i would try to understand a little more.

reformgov1 2 years, 4 months ago

Yes, they are trying to provoke a reaction because they think they're better than their "people" and it boosts their ego to continue rubbing it in the face of all their enemies. LC is a conceded bully and always has been. He pushed his weight around for personnal gain as mayor and has simply expanded his control. Welcome to Chicago politics! And the Pilot, they just love the controversy because they need to sell papers and no body want to read DR's opinion.

camesh 2 years, 4 months ago

The gang of three RICH men who have no problem spending the working man or poor mans tax dollars.

Michelle75 2 years, 4 months ago

Especially when there are going to be more Jail beds. In this economy you could create or keep the Probation Officers jobs. If the Jail is built how are you going to pay the present employees and more people for the Jail? Borrow more money?

Michelle75 2 years, 4 months ago

Larry and Nick are Rich men from Southern Software and Larry is a customer of Melton's Yamaha Shop.

GoldenDreams 2 years, 4 months ago

Another amusing thought is if we saw that same picture of them in a high school paper, they really would like a gang. They're like three teenage boys trying to be imposing and tough. And that's whos's running our county? Scary!

irishman 2 years, 4 months ago

In the picture, is that Tony Soprano and company?

jamjam 2 years, 4 months ago

I think they should have stood in the center of the decaying business district. There they could have shown us exactly how things are improving. they could showcase their grand plan for all of Carthage instead of a few select interest. Makes me think that their view is extremily short sighted.

TinMan 2 years, 4 months ago

Honestly! I think a couple of bloggers on here who post quite often against TPo3 & jail issues are jerking us around like a chain on a French toilet.

Generating polar politics has been done before to distract citizens by creating controversy. One ponders if some of the bloggers get paid to do this?

Naah! That's not possible.

burn2cinder 2 years, 4 months ago

I agree with TinMan...and Dusty, you should know better than to provoke me..

Michelle75 2 years, 4 months ago

If building the Jail has ethical issues go to Southern Software's Website www.southernsoftware.com and look at their customer page. You will see most of the Town Halls and Police Departments there in Moore County that includes the Sheriff's Office also. I doubt very seriously that all the software is donated to the Sheriff's Department. However, this is a Jail issue and I would imagine it would cost the county more if the Jail is built than it would for the Software.

Bflat 2 years, 4 months ago

Beta testing and development sites, ongoing support and equipment, expanding to other markets=$$$$, no matter how much software was developed. And, as a regular poster, consider that Sec of State filings, court documents and other infomation are all fully available to the public that knows how to research the information.

Michelle75 2 years, 4 months ago

I agree with you people who have intuitive and rational minds can find the information. In my post above I wanted to show that nothing is free even if some things are donated. Good post!

Bflat 2 years, 4 months ago

Exactly! Nothing is free. There is more to the story. Just stand by.

MooreNorth 2 years, 4 months ago

I've learned that the Sec of State filings, court documents, and other information are no longer available to the general public. It's all been moved to a hanger at Area 51, Roswell, New Mexico.

Bflat 2 years, 4 months ago

It's probably Hangar 18 in Area 51 on the Nevada side. :))

deidretg 2 years, 4 months ago

Michelle75 "If building the Jail has ethical issues go to Southern Software Website..."

I suggest a more compelling site for seeing the ethical issues of TPo3 is the Moore County Records of BOC meetings. Start with 2006 and read every page until Dec 2010 and you will be amazed at what you find in the official record.

EXAMPLE #1: Moore County Original Building Priority List

   ------Book 94 Page 417, Nov 20, 2007--------

"Status of County Building Projects: Cary McSwain, County Manager"

Project #1. GOVERNMENT COMPLEX "The Government Complex is primarily the same amount of space as originally determined"

Project #2. PUBLIC SAFETY "The size of the Public Safety building has increased significantly. The original estimate was 43,123 sq. ft. while the new proposal by LS3P indicates a building with gross sq. ft. of 55,428.

Project #3. DETENTION CENTER "Changes to the Detention Center are currently unknown but current estimated cost is $25,000,000."

You see, the employees of Moore County used to be #1 on the priority list before the TPo3 got hold of the process. Another interesting note; The Public Safety Complex dramatically increased in size after Southern Software donated $350,000 (the total stated by Caddell as having been donated earlier in 2007) in Public Safety computer systems software. This alone raises all kind of ethical questions.

EXAMPLE #2: County Attorney's Comment on Legality of This Issue

          --------Book 94  Page 523-524, Dec 13, 2007------
                       "Item C.  Southern Software"

Page 523. "Nick Picerno, Chairman and founder of Southern Software, stated that he is from Carthage and that his company employees approximately fifty-two employees, which are primarily Moore County employees.....Additionally, the records management package was also donated to the Sheriff's Office." Page 524. "Commissioner Lea asked the County Attorney if she believed this statement protected the County from any liability by the above referenced language being incorporated into the document. Ms. Leland indicated that she believed the County was protected in the sense that the only liability the statute references is voided contracts, etc. If the statute is violated, Commissioner Caddell could be charged and convicted with a misdemeanor. Ms. Leland stated that there could be some value attached to the donations and the problem is determining the value."

Michelle75, add the following together and see if Ethics/Conflict of Interest don't magically appear in this picture:

      $350,000 (Caddell's stated value of donated software)
        $24,002 (Picerno's stated total for Southern Software)
 _____________

     $374,002

(14 times over the legal limit at which one could be charged with a crime. See N.C.G.S. 14-234 Public Officers or Employees Benefiting From Public Contracts)

Michelle75 2 years, 4 months ago

Thanks for the information. All that was contributed must have been software related for the most part because the Sheriff Deputies still have to pull up close to their office to load what is on their laptop to the server inside and vise versa. Other Sheriff's Departments do not have to do that because of Wireless Technology and can be miles away. That software must be really expensive.

deidretg 2 years, 4 months ago

Michelle75

The obvious push by Southern Software/Larry Caddell/Nick Picerno toward getting Moore County to today's Federal Sized Detention Center can be clearly seen with this $350,000 donation back in 2007. Their miscalculation with this was the unexpected economic downturn that was just beginning as they were throwing out big dollars to their future corporate benefit. The sleazy "Where as this, Whereas that, Whereas the other thing" method they used to try to make this legit certainly didn't get a ringing endorsement from the County Attorney or Tim Lea. This explanation runs from Book 94, Page 586 to Book 94, Page 619 with multiple Southern Software contracts(July & August 2006 that weren't presented and signed until after the Election 2006 so as not to expose the same kind of ethical problems that Larry Caddell has today) T. Cary McSwain signed those contracts on November 13, 2006 with a note below his signature "for 7/1/06 payment". What he was noting was that Moore County had paid the $4,400.00 and $9,453.00 respectively back in July(and waited a politically convenient 5 months to publicly authorize the expenditure). To Tim Lea's credit, he questioned the propriety of this kind of conduct to Chairman McKenzie. Anyway, as you can see there are multitude rabbit trails to run down in this saga, the economic downturn had the effect of reducing the need for the Jail addition, much less a Federal Sized Detention Center envisioned by the TPo3. In March 2007 Moore County received a glowing evaluation of its Jail by the NC Dept of Health and Human Services, Jail and Detention Branch. In Book 90, Page 202 under the heading 'Manager's Report' T. Cary McSwain says "Mr. McSwain offered congratulations to Sheriff Lane Carter, Chief Deputy Neil Godfrey and Captain Eddie Johnson on an excellent report from the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Facility Services, Jail and Detention Section." This approval rating from the state does not fit with the "State will take us over if we don't build this Federal Sized Detention Center" mantra spewed forth by the TPo3. In fact, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, which reports annual Jail populations of all 100 counties in NC, lists the last full year on record (2009) for Moore County a reduction during the economic downturn (mirrors the nation as a whole with less crimes being and less inmates in jails) until for the year 2009 Moore County's daily average inmate population was 106 with a Jail capacity of 110.

Personal future corporate benefits that are guaranteed to Southern Software/Larry Caddell/Nick Picerno by the building of this Federal Sized Detention Center screams all the way to the bank 'Conflict of Interest'.

Meanwhile, the long suffering citizens and especially the county workers that these three claim to be interested in will be paying the $55,200,000+.

SoPinesNo1 2 years, 4 months ago

It is still foolish for the jailmates to believe that donations of software by Southern Software is to reap future financial gain. Southern Software has hundreds and hundreds of clients in several states. The loss of Moore County as a client would not significantly effect their profit margin, just as the addition of Moore County as a client did not, and will not in the future.

Arestorer 2 years, 4 months ago

So, why dont they drop Moore county as a client??? Because of $$$$ !!

SoPinesNo1 2 years, 4 months ago

If they dropped Moore COunty it would be more costly to the County, and taxpayers to switch at this point in time. I suggested that they do just that months ago in these blogs so that the jailmates would no longer have that to rant about.

deidretg 2 years, 4 months ago

When the County Attorney responds to a question about the legality of what Larry Caddell/Nick Picerno did in the summer of 2007 ($350,000.00) donation to Moore County with the following statement "If the statute is violated, Commissioner Caddell could be charged and convicted with a misdemeanor. Ms. Leland stated that there could be some value to the donations and the problem is determining the value." then if we can determine the value we will know whether or not Larry Caddell could be charged and convicted.

Larry Caddell, himself, provides us with that value ($350,000):

The Pilot Saturday, July 3, 2010 David Sinclair

"Sheriff's Office Pleased With System"

"In April 2003, the Board of Commissioners approved contracting with Southern Software for the records management system for the Sheriff's Office and jail and computer-aid dispatch (CAD). The county paid the company $13,000, which covered the installation of software, training and maintenance, according to Godfrey."

"That October, the Commissioners approved an additional expenditure of $29,875 to put computers in patrol cars that could access the database, called a mobile CAD, according to Godfrey. The total cost was actually $55,000, according to Caddell. The county received a $29,000 grant to cover the rest of the cost."

"It was not taxpayers' money," Caddell said."

"Caddell's company donated about $350,000 in software to the County in 2007, since the state law at the time barred the county from spending more than $25,000 with a company in which a commisioner had a direct financial benefit."

Now, sweetheart, the only way this illegal situation (According to N.C.G.S. 14-234 Public Officers or Employees Benefiting From Public Contracts) ever got off the ground was for the County Attorney not to determine the "value attached to the donations" as she stated. Mr. Caddell has done that for us and this whole thing is 14 times beyond the exception to the law where it becomes an obvious "CONFLICT OF INTEREST".

Add to all of this the removal of the long awaited county PROJECT #1 (Governmental Building for County employees) and its replacement with the Federal Sized Detention Center that the TPo3 rammed through without the benefit of our ancient right to vote on it and the "Conflict of Interest" gets bigger when you consider that their is no future guaranteed corporate financial gain to Southern Software/Larry Caddell in the Governmental Building for county employees but there is $350,000 worth of already provided equipment just waiting for the Federal Sized Detention Center to rise up out of the ground compliments of the TPo3. The guaranteed future corporate financial benefit for Larry/Nick screams "CONFLICT OF INTEREST" all the way to their bank.

None 2 years, 4 months ago

Toda

Understandable given what's out there still.

None 2 years, 4 months ago

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Bflat 2 years, 4 months ago

There is future financial gain in form of ongoing support and equipment sales and services to the County which will add up over the years....has been and will be with ongoing contracts. It also will be with SCC "police" with ongoing software support. It will springboard to other campuses. History and documents speak loudly and even louder than the "stomping of the foot" like a snively child during a commish meeting. Why is there such need for a 4 story Federal Sized Detention Center/JAIL in the middle of Carthage? Who is now in charge of the JAIL and how does Sheriff Carter feel about it?

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