Stories written by Mark Pellin
An award-winning journalist and former editor of The Rhinoceros Times in Charlotte, Pellin has been called everything from a misguided troglodyte to a professional agitator. He prefers the label of a realist, the guy in the crowd telling everybody that not only doesn’t the emperor have any clothes; he’s trying to steal ours. Pellin has covered the Char-Meck scene for the better part of two decades, earning his fair share of fans and more than a few critics who wish he’d move to Nome, Alaska, and be eaten by wild bears. When he’s not writing, he stays busy enjoying time with his wife and two kids. When he can break away for some R&R, he likes to fly fish (even if he doesn’t catch anything) and camp (even if it rains).

Ants In Gaston County

Fat, lazy grasshoppers in Mecklenburg, by way of Aesop’s fable that teaches to, “prepare for want before it comes.” County Manager Jan Winters explains how Gaston was able to avoid a tax hike this year, even while selling off the first load of bonds voters approved three years ago to build a new high school, […]

June 1, 2010 | Posted in County Beat,House Blends,Mark Pellin | Read More »

Speed Street Hits Uptown

Photos by: Glen Simmons The Sixteenth Annual Food Lion Speed Street races through uptown Charlotte as part of the 600 Festival. [nggallery id=42]

May 31, 2010 | Posted in Photos Not Featured | Read More »

Living History Day at Latta

Photos by: Glen Simmons Folks had fun with learning at Living History Day at Latta Plantation on Saturday, May 29. [nggallery id=43]

May 31, 2010 | Posted in Photos Not Featured | Read More »

Congress Doing What It Does Best

And no surprise that it entails hiking taxes and spending copious amounts of other people’s money. The latest from The Heritage Foundation reports that Congress is on a binge, increasing spending by $174 billion and adding $134 billion to the deficit, while hiding it under the guise of so-called “must pass” tax provisions. The gruesome […]

May 29, 2010 | Posted in House Blends,Mark Pellin,National | Read More »

GovCo Growing Jobs

And doing so at the alarming expense of the private sector, which from 2001 to 2009 lost nearly 50,000 jobs. At the same time, state government ballooned by adding almost 35,000 jobs, a staggering increase of 12.3 percent, according to a recent report by the John W. Pope Civitas Institute. “The growth in state government […]

May 28, 2010 | Posted in Carolinas,House Blends,Mark Pellin | Read More »

Bad Numbers For Team BO

According to the latest Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, an eye-popping 40% of the nation’s voters strongly disapprove of Barack Obama’s performance as President, while only 28% strongly approve of the same. Digging a little deeper, overall, 48% of voters said the at least somewhat approve of the president’s performance; 51% disapprove. In other […]

May 28, 2010 | Posted in House Blends,Mark Pellin,National | Read More »

Look For The Union Label

Possibly right below the badges of Char-Meck police officers and firefighters, if Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has his way. Reid, facing an uphill re-election bid in a state rife with union power and sway, is pushing federal legislation that would give public safety workers in North Carolina collective bargaining rights when negotiating for pay […]

May 27, 2010 | Posted in Carolinas,House Blends,Mark Pellin | Read More »

Why Does Anthony Foxx Hate Teachers?

Can only assume that he does, or at least not like or appreciate them as much as, say, librarians or social service workers or veterans. While we’re at it, might as well add district attorneys, court clerks and sheriff deputies into the mix, as well. How else to explain Foxx’s wholly irresponsible threat to veto […]

May 27, 2010 | Posted in Char-Meck Beat,City Beat,Mark Pellin | Read More »

What Is Pat McCrory Pitching?

Charlotte’s former boy mayor’s latest adventure in the political realm is the New Leadership PAC, which the site informs that McCrory established “to promote issues that he feels are critical to the future of North Carolina.” The organization purports as a goal identifying and supporting “future leaders and candidates” and concentrating on voter outreach efforts. […]

May 26, 2010 | Posted in Carolinas,House Blends,Mark Pellin | Read More »

Food For Thought

Taking a page from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ free- and reduced-price lunch program – latest motto, “We feed anybody, just ask” – the state is easing income restrictions for food stamp eligibility. The Wilmington Star-News has the rundown here. In a nutshell: The state’s federally funded Food and Nutrition Services program, commonly called food stamps, is currently […]

May 26, 2010 | Posted in Carolinas,House Blends,Mark Pellin | Read More »

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