Stories written by Mark PellinAn 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).
There are people who seriously believe that Martin Sheen was one of this country’s greatest presidents, so this really shouldn’t surprise. Stephen Colbert is a great comedian and a good actor; the two key words there being ‘comedian’ and ‘actor.’ His parody of bloviator-in-chief Bill O’Reilly is as spot on as having him testify before a […]
September 23, 2010 | Posted in House Blends,Mark Pellin,National | Read More »
Who could’ve seen this coming, huh? Obamacare running into problems trying to manipulate the free market. Imagine that. This from The Washington Post: Some of the country’s most prominent health insurance companies have decided to stop offering new child-only plans, rather than comply with rules in the new health-care law that will require such plans […]
September 22, 2010 | Posted in House Blends,Mark Pellin,National | Read More »
Of the press, that is. Beverly Perdue’s office earlier this year snagged former Charlotte Observer political reporter Mark Johnson to become the governor’s deputy press secretary. Now it’s Raleigh News & Observer reporter Benjamin Niolet, who has been hired away from his beat to become the director of new media for the governor’s office. Gordon […]
September 22, 2010 | Posted in Carolinas,House Blends,Mark Pellin | Read More »
The Democrat majority on the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday night voted to reaffirm the county’s existing “Buy American” policy, which was originally adopted in 1985 and gives preference in purchasing American-made supplies except when they would cost more than the lowest qualified bidder or when the quality of material doesn’t meet desired […]
September 22, 2010 | Posted in Char-Meck Beat,County Beat,Mark Pellin | Read More »

They say that timing is everything in comedy. The same rule apparently applies in politics, where the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners last night set a public hearing for Nov. 3 to discuss the looming property revaluation. For those keeping track at home, that would be one day after those same commissioners appear on the […]
September 22, 2010 | Posted in County Beat,House Specials,Mark Pellin | Read More »
From West Charlotte and Independence to North Meck and the newly opened Hough High, accused felons are roaming the halls of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. According to district officials, 142 students currently enrolled in CMS have been charged with a variety of felony crimes, totaling a combined 319 charges (find defense attorneys to help you to clear […]
September 21, 2010 | Posted in Char-Meck Beat,CMS Beat,Mark Pellin | Read More »
Nearly $3 million in July – $2.65 million, to be more precise – according to Department of Social Services Director Mary Wilson, via a memo she provided to county commissioners in response to prompting from Republican Commissioner Bill James. We’ll have much more on this, but suffice now with the following e-mail blast James sent […]
September 21, 2010 | Posted in Char-Meck Beat,County Beat,Mark Pellin | Read More »

The producer of a local television show has stepped in to fill the void left by the League of Women Voters’ decision to scuttle its traditional debate between at-large candidates running for the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners. Cheryl Jones, producer of Speak Out Charlotte, said her show has received commitments from five of the […]
September 21, 2010 | Posted in County Beat,Mark Pellin | Read More »
In what has become an entirely too predictable and utterly disgraceful headline, we read of yet another case of a repeat offender accused of a violent crime, this time the abduction and murder of Valerie Hamilton. It is demonstrably clear that Mecklenburg County has a serious problem with its revolving-door criminal justice system, just ask […]
September 20, 2010 | Posted in Char-Meck Beat,County Beat,Mark Pellin | Read More »
Send us your favorite tunes (editor@pundithouse.com) and we’ll work them into the rotation. This is Fear the Boom and Bust, submitted by guest House DJ Adam Love.
September 18, 2010 | Posted in House Blends,Mark Pellin | Read More »