Haney Bids Farewell; SP Council Appoints Fields
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After 14 years of public service — the first 10 as a council member and the past four as mayor — Mike Haney bade an emotional farewell Tuesday night
“I want to thank the citizens of this town for entrusting me with this office. It’s been an honor and a privilege,” Haney said Tuesday at the monthly town council meeting.
Haney, who choked up several times while unsuccessfully fighting back tears, also thanked his fellow council members, the town staff, his adversaries and his family, especially wife Carol.
“It’s just amazing to work with such fine people,” he said.
Haney was presented with the customary retirement putter, a photograph of the train depot, a resolution declaring today “Mike Haney Day” in Southern Pines and given the honorary title of “Town Ambassador.”
David McNeill, who defeated fellow council member Chris Smithson in last month’s mayoral race, was sworn in, as was new council member Jim Simeon.
Mike Fields, a former mayor who did not seek re-election to the council, also received a putter for his almost three years of service. Fields was appointed to the seat vacated by Abigail Dowd and then re-elected two years ago to fill the final two years of Dowd’s four-year term.
“The highlight of my civic service has come on the Southern Pines Town Council,” Fields said.
Fields hardly had time to take a few practice strokes with his new putter when, as expected, he was nominated to serve the final two years of the seat vacated by McNeill. There were no other nominations, although council member Chris Smithson lamented the fact that the council did not conduct a more open search.
“My problem is the process, not the person,” Smithson said. “I want to make it clear that I support Mike Fields.”
The council was only required by state law to fill the position. There was no mandated process.
“I think we’re very fortunate to have someone like Mr. Fields to step forward again,” McNeill said. “I think it’s very clear that the citizens of Southern Pines know what they’re getting.”
Fields was sworn in again and reappointed mayor pro tem.
More details about the meeting will appear in the Friday edition of The Pilot,
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Comments
greatbrit 1 year, 5 months ago
I am disenfranchised so take this with a pinch of salt but it always seems to be slightly incongrous when members appoint someone from their own inner circle without a broader vote or a more expansive search. I'm sure that Mr Fields makes an excellent candidate but the only one? It does somewhat taint the process as Mr Smithson makes clear.
JoeGarrison 1 year, 5 months ago
No Chris your problem is Mike Fields. You have shown over your time to be obsessed with more government and more regulation and what you wanted was someone else on the board who agreed with your liberal mindset. So don't give us this "problem with the process" crap. You wanted a more liberal choice like Marsh Smith or someone like Abigail Dowd. So be a man and admit it. And stop hiding behind this independent bilge. Your a liberal just say it. Trust me you'll feel better;)
native 1 year, 5 months ago
A view from a SOP resident... no one else was ever considered
enlightenme 1 year, 5 months ago
I witnessed cards passed out at the Douglas Center with the names of Mr. McNeill, Mr. Walden and Mr. Simeon on them on election day. Limos pulled up dropping off voters who could not drive themselves and were handed these cards, as if they lacked the intelligence to make their own choice, which saddened me deeply. I understand this practice is often a part of the voting process; however, there seemed to be a bit of brainwashing going on. I was told this procedure happened at every precinct; but, after working two other precincts myself and speaking with other pollsters, I found this statement not to be true. I am sorry the town council could not look further in their search to replace Mr. McNeill's seat. And I am even sorrier for the good citizens of West Southern Pines who seemed to be used in such blatant fashion to elect these three, as mayor and town council members. Now we have Mr. Fields appointed once again, making the circle almost complete. "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark" says Marcellus.
Toda 1 year, 5 months ago
I find labels to be the word of conversation these days. The 1%'ers who are pseudo - multimillionaires until they lose their jobs and incomes, rail against assisting those who are living on the margins of existence, those who are unemployed from corporate greed, and reinvestment in overseas corporations.
Last evening CBS News carried a piece about the 24,000 patients who are between 18 and 24 benefiting from the health initiative sponsored by the current administration. One nurse with Crones Disease would have died had it not been for the health care legislation. Those conservatives can tout all they want to using labels to identify those who extend human care and compassion, while they sit on the front pew at church chastising liberals?
While the conservatives are at it, why not sponsor the Kevorkian Health Care Solution ~ until one is without income or financial resources and has a sick child in need of intensive medical treatment. Then let's see how conservative one speaks. I guess it's all a matter of investment income, financial resources, and pre-existing conditions. And, if you have a job earning more than minimum wage!
JoeGarrison 1 year, 5 months ago
Toda conservatism is compassion. Conservatives believe in the power of the human heart and it's compacity to give and be generous. It is liberals like yourself who are uncompassionate. You would rather see government keep our minorities and the poor on wellfare that imprisons them to a life of dependency. We should help those who need it but help them up through the power of hard work and innovation not more programs that only enslave and do not liberate. But your language is the language of the left. True compassion is finding away to bring people into prosperity and into a greater quality of life. It can be done through free market capitalism and through limited government that we can bring the quality of life of others up. Not through your liberal methods which have been on display and have failed from FDR, to LBJ and now to your boy Barack Obama. You did vote for Obama, right? :) And your healthcare rant shows truly how out of touch with reality you are.
MD11Fr8Dog 1 year, 5 months ago
Does Mike Fields have to give his putter back now?
Arestorer 1 year, 5 months ago
JoeGarrison; that all sounds great, but where are the million jobs needed to get these people back on their feet????? Corperate greed has nearly killed the middle class of America.....And unless we are willing, as a country,to lower our standard of living,we will still be without jobs... One World Economy--------No thank you.
JoeGarrison 1 year, 5 months ago
Arestorer- corporate greed or the as we in the real world like to call it, the profit incentive is what is being penalized in this country and thats why there is no jobs and as long as their are people who think the way you do in places of power then there won't be more jobs. Obama and his cohorts in the liberal media and ignorant souls like yourself are the reason there is no jobs. People who have capital aka the horrible rich folks are scared to invest, they are demonized and they are simply keeping their money, through taxes and overregulation, small businesses and even big corporations are not hiring. But again explaining the way the economy works to you is pointless because like harleyman you think that bigger government, more taxes, and more spending and more porkulus bills and government rationed healthcare is actually helping the economy. So with the unemployment rate still in double digits if you really count the true numbers of people who have given up looking for work and people who are chronically underemployed and all of this done on Obama's watch, who I am sure you voted for and will do so again, it is pointless arguing because you again show your collosal ignorance. Obama wants a bad economy so he can push for more government and more people can be dependent on him and the government. Can I please sell you some oceanfront property in Arizona? :)
Toda 1 year, 5 months ago
"JoeGarrison 15 minutes ago"
~ http://management.about.com/cs/people/a/offshoring104.htm
"As well as innovation". I'm sure with your Associates Degree in Business you are very innovative. When will you consider teaching Economics at the University level?
">>You would rather see government keep our minorities and the poor on wellfare that imprisons them to a life of dependency"
Home Ownership and President Bush by PicturePusher
Aw the American Dream of Home Ownership created by none other than GW.
Toda 1 year, 5 months ago
Oh let's not forget my "And your healthcare rant shows truly how out of touch with reality you are."
By the way Joey that is CBS News not Tommy Davis' rant!
Toda 1 year, 5 months ago
"ignorant souls like yourself " Good God Joey Boy ... you don't pull punches when it comes to having a loud mouth and a condescending attitude. Does Nick know you are writing this crap?
Toda 1 year, 5 months ago
Lets try that again... http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7391715n&tag=contentMain;contentBody
JoeGarrison 1 year, 5 months ago
Oh ok so CBS is now a reliable source. Oh yes they should have won a Peabody when they ran the Dan Rather piece on George W. Bush's service record.....Oh wait it wasn't true. Good example Toda. Let me guess you probably consider the New York Times a good source of information too and probably have a fathead on your wall of Chris Matthews. Yep, your not out of touch with reality lol;)
Toda 1 year, 5 months ago
"and now to your boy Barack Obama." Where is the NAACP when you need them? Joe you are a condescending bigot! No wonder you are a member of the Poorer County Tea Patriots. Like minded people have similar interests!!
Toda 1 year, 5 months ago
"it is pointless arguing because you again show your collosal ignorance." Arestorer 58 minutes ago...take no prisoners Joey boy... what makes you such a scholar?
JoeGarrison 1 year, 5 months ago
:)
JoeGarrison 1 year, 5 months ago
shhhhhhh...........Be very quiet Doda is hunting wabbits.
Arestorer 1 year, 5 months ago
Joe, we've never really had this political conversation before; so I dont know why you are saying,that I think or feel a certain way about your statement or the situation we are ALL in... 1- How has my ignorance cost someone else their jobs????? 2- You are the one with your head in the sand,if you think (rich) people arent investing..Their just not investing in America.. 3- I am a small business owner..Im not hiring because of demand, not government intrusion. 4- When I need a pimple faced kid to tell me how the economy works, Ill call you. 5- My statement about greed, should have also listed them as un-patriotic...
Toda 1 year, 5 months ago
"JoeGarrison 3 minutes ago shhhhhhh...........Be very quiet Doda is hunting wabbits." Immature people are childish...
JoeGarrison 1 year, 5 months ago
im_a_harleyman- yep just stick a bag over your mouth:) Toda perfected it.
Toda 1 year, 5 months ago
JoeGarrison 56 minutes ago => and facts are so difficult to deal with whether it is local or national. Children resort to childish tactics and name calling....has your daddy in law phoned you yet?
Arestorer 1 year, 5 months ago
im_a_harleyman0 minutes ago;; Joe is trying to hold down one of the precious few jobs in Moore county.... But Im sure being a consevative and all, that He would gladly give his job to someone trying to get off of Welfare...Or maybe, He could pull one out of his magic hat for them..
Arestorer 1 year, 5 months ago
Lets all give thanks to our government for NAFTA......I personally would prefer them being charged with Treason..
jjsmom35 1 year, 5 months ago
to joegarrison-can you run for president? :)
RonCoffmanJr 1 year, 5 months ago
The comments on the article - from the 5th one (Toda) on down - have nothing to do with the article.
JoeGarrison 1 year, 5 months ago
jjsmon35- ;) Hey you never know. I just want someone like Reagan, Someone who when he or she speaks can inspire Americans to believe in themselves again. Someone who loves our Constitution and will defend it. There are three candidates out there that are good people. Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann, and Rick Perry. Don't believe the elites and media when they say it's a two man race. There are conservative choices out there that would clean the liberals and Obama's clock and that's why the liberal media, from the right and the left, are ignoring these three. Because they know a true conservative can win, and a moderate like Romney or even Gingrich or an idiot like Ron Paul give Obama a better shot. Conservatism wins. Reagan was cast as a nut, a fool, and a radical, yet he through his economic program of tax cuts, and less regulation brought America back from economic collapse. His strength and courage to face down communism and champion liberty led to the fall of the Berlin Wall. He won republicans, democrats, independents, blacks, hispanics, you name it because he was conservative. We can do it again.
JoeGarrison 1 year, 5 months ago
You are right Ron which brings us to the original point that Mike Fields is well qualified and was the best choice, and that Chris Smithson is mad that a liberal like him was not selected. :)
Toda 1 year, 5 months ago
Hey Ron ~ your buddy Joey Boy opened the conversation which led from the topic when he so eloquently said, "And stop hiding behind this independent bilge. Your [you're] a liberal just say it. Trust me you'll feel better;)" and "you wanted was someone else on the board who agreed with your liberal mindset"
Toda 1 year, 5 months ago
"Michele Bachmann, and Rick Perry" Huh? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLPgTb...
Toda 1 year, 5 months ago
Rick Perry is going to cut three - aw three - Aw anyhow watch him make a fool out of himself on live TV during a freaky GOP debate:
Embarrassing Catastrophic Moment for Rick Perry- Forgets What He Wants To Say At Presidential Debate by UnfilteredView
justmyopinion 1 year, 5 months ago
...and o-lame-a's been to 57 states. Corpse-man. What's your point... Liberals are perfect??
Toda 1 year, 5 months ago
"justmyopinion 4 minutes ago" => not trying to make a point...Perry and Bachmann are the ones speaking on the videos. At least Obama knows which state he's in when he's talking. Bachmann can't remember where she was born? Was it Gacy or John Wayne from her home town....;-)"
RonCoffmanJr 1 year, 5 months ago
@ Toda - This article is about the Southern Pines Town Council. Marsh Smith and Chris Smithson are active local politicians. If you want to trash the other side, then trash David McNeil, Mike Fields, etc. Rick Perry and Michelle Bachman have never heard of Southern Pines.
There are plenty of editorials on The Pilot's website about Obama and the republican candidates where you can properly express your hatred and lack of respect.
OldPilot 1 year, 5 months ago
Fields was bought and paid for by developers years ago. He's the last of the "honest" politicians. Once bought and paid for, always bought and paid for.
Toda 1 year, 5 months ago
"RonCoffmanJr 10 hours, 25 minutes ago"
Toda 1 year, 5 months ago
"RonCoffmanJr 10 hours, 25 minutes ago" Opps' I must have forgotten to respond to your memory lapse similar to Perry and Bachmann:
JoeGarrison 1 year, 5 months ago
It is not hateful to call a liberal a liberal. I find it funny that liberals are always so quick to accuse me the conservative in this case of being mean when you have liberals like Toda who is a constant source of bile and meanness. Mike Fields is a good man and yet you have the liberals on this blog deriding him as being bought without one shred of evidence to back it up. Again it's time for conservatives to stand up and fight back. To you liberals compromise or civility is us the conservatives bending over and grabbing the ankles and letting you liberals get your way. The era of big government and the era of liberalism has failed. From FDR's programs to LBJ's war on poverty, to the failure of federal government centralized education, to Obama's porkulus bill and his Obamacare which if Toda was being honest is as Kavorkian as we will get. Liberalism has failed. So again just because you liberals are being called out is no excuse to hide behind so called "civility". Again the issue is this, Chris Smithson, Marsh Smith, Abigail Dowd, are liberals. My point in the beginning is that Mr. Smithson continues to hide behind the veneer of an independent yet he is a liberal in his ideaology and practice. Congrats to Mike Fields.
RonCoffmanJr 1 year, 5 months ago
Why don't you guys just email each other. Everyone doesn't need to know how close minded you are.
JoeGarrison 1 year, 5 months ago
Mr. Coffman if you are offended you don't have to read them.
herecomesthescience 1 year, 5 months ago
so over 40 comments and only about 4 of them about the article, the rest are just these two nuts on and on about how much liberals hate conservatives and conservatives hate liberals. Mr. Coffman has a point...it's just plain borish and pointleess. You two should just go ahead and get a room and spare us all the blathering. Or a better idea...can the Pilot just provide a page for this same tired arguement so the usual suspects can rail on against each other in private? Every story on here gets hijacked by loons on the left or right who are hell bent on turning every local story into some national level political debate.
Toda 1 year, 5 months ago
herecomesthescience 8 hours, 10 minutes ago