No Use Crying Over Spilled Booze: Self-Indulgent Musings With A Hard Twist

I knew the battle was lost before I even really dived into fighting it. It doesn't mean you don't fight.

I felt strongly that the people I grew up with . . . the people who raised me and and taught me and instilled in me all those small town values (the values that got me fired from Randolph Hospital) . . . the people who believed we are our brother's keeper . . . the people who were "AGAINST" alcohol saturating every nook and cranny of the town . . . needed a strong voice on the Internet.

I had an established local blog - with a small set of regular readers - some of them old friends who grew up here with me (all long gone). And burdened with professional memories/experiences I would just as soon not have . . . not to mention being possessive of an experience with "the whos" that gave me special insight into their motives and a palate against which to paint . . . I actually agreed with "the Drys" about what was best for Asheboro . . . although perhaps I have not lived the pristine/pure personal example.

Most of the hypocrisy in this town has nothing to do with booze.

These people - my people - had been abandoned . . . left out in the cold. Every other voice in our established local media (excepting the Randolph Guide - which offered a fairly even hand & pen) appeared to have been bought & paid for. Of course, our local daily newspapers stopped being the voice & watchdog of all the people long ago (I know that better than most). It's something I hope we can do something about. But I'll get to that.

Randolph Hospital executives & board members (incredibly to me, but alas, not surprisingly) publicly backed the referendum. Never-mind all those noble notions about health and wellness - and setting examples for young people . . . not to mention the fact that Randolph is a "non-profit" entity subsidized by public funds . . . and executives/board members should very arguably have remained publicly neutral (essentially the same argument "the whos" made about the Mayor - as they postured/prepared for lawsuits if they did not win).

After all, the Surgeon General does not "recommend" or endorse alcohol. In point of fact, the Surgeon General slathers warning labels all over every bottle of the stuff. (Thanks, Henry - here's your credit - unlike Jeri Rowe, I won't rip off your riff. I guess the newshounds do read my blog for all of their protestations to the contrary;)

The biggest thing that bothered me was the way the people-of-faith who opposed alcohol were being played and manipulated . . . by "prominent" people I know all too well . . . and have been fighting . . . for a decade. The "anti-whos" were really out-of-their element from day one. They had turned the other cheek for a little too long . . . gotten comfortable and complacent . . . looked the other way while individuals fighting the sporadic good fight were picked off . . . they had no idea what they were up against.

Those monkeys again.

For months I watched it go on - starting with that nauseating "Sacred Assembly". It reeked of mass manipulation . . . patronization . . . condescension . . . profound disrespect.

When the pastors/preachers would not sell their souls for the sake of economic development, that's when things got really ugly.

First, after over a year of behind-the-scenes machinations (borne of the consultant-heavy hose-job called "Asheboro 20/20") to bring in alcohol under the radar without a vote, there came the attempt to annex the affluent Dave's Mountain neighborhood (where nearly everyone - including me - has a bar in the closet). It was all and only about bringing in a voting block that would most certainly ensure victory in an alcohol referendum. That failed when Mountain residents stood together (for the very first time) to reject the second and third-rate services being offered by the city.

My prediction: It will not fail next time. Folks in the city who feel "the whos" forced something upon them will turn a deaf ear when the Mountain crowd complains again about having something forced upon them. Karma will get you every time. Alas, those of us who live on the Mountain who are not local business tycoons & "non-profit" millionaires . . . who did not want any of this . . . will pay the most.

If we're still there. It may be easier to cut ties now. The Asheboro I was holding onto by my fingernails died on Tuesday. The future is now. Rah-Rah! Cue the kegs at Fall Festival and call in Randy Parton (I hear he has some change to spare).

I can write (or sue for that matter) from anywhere. Perhaps I should take that cue from Thomas Wolfe and cede the home I've not been able to get back to.

When the referendum was forced upon them, I did not like the way the "Drys" were being portrayed, disrespected and maligned. For all of the ads later to appear in the Courier, it for-damned-sure wasn't very "neighborly". I especially did not like the way they were being criticized for putting their faith front and center . . . as a basis for approaching this issue in the community they built.

The "Wets" said "the Drys" did not have the "right" to impose their morality. The trouble with that theory is that, technically, prohibition is the law of the land unless alcohol is voted in. The "anti-who's . . . the "Drys" (as the Guide called them) were actually standing on the side of the law.

The "morality" being imposed had to be voted in.

So of course the "Drys" had the right to organize/petition/fight. It's right Number One. Freedom of religion and speech. Welcome to America. At least that's what J.B. Davis has said to everyone else who has found their way here from God-knows-where. We'll get to that too.

What is faith, except a framework - a guide - to live one's life and build one's community? I really, Really, REALLY respect people who have never touched alcohol on principle. The fact that Asheboro was dry for fifty years - because the citizenry acted on its beliefs - is admirable and charming - certainly far from "disgusting".

I've got to say, in terms of the Asheboro experience, I've really come full circle. Ten years ago, I might have been Ross Holt (a AHS schoolmate) . . . running with the "right" crowd and all gung-ho for "change". But I grew out of and beyond that mindset.

And I would proudly stand with the people who stood against alcohol any day.

I think - I actually know - that my Mother is prouder of me today . . . standing beside her . . . standing with Pastor Rogers . . . and all of the other "wrong people" (the logical step-off from some of "pros" public statements in the throws of victory) who worked so hard to do what they thought was right - than she would be if I had practiced unencumbered by the liars & thieves for ten years, and stood cheering/sipping champagne beside Mr. Schmidly.

(*8/1 Addendum/Afterthought: Everybody today is saying that "one" of the stumbling blocks to Asheboro's growth has been removed. Nobody on the "pro" side really wanted to talk about all the other stumbling blocks. Now that they have what they wanted, maybe "it's time" to start talking about that.)

Those are the self-indulgent musings.

Here's the hard twist. It's over. It's done. The well-funded "majority" has spoken. Alcohol is in and it's unlikely that could ever be reversed (not impossible, but very unlikely). There's a lot of talk about reconciliation now. It needs to be more than lip service - especially on the side of those who won (who so far have not demonstrated much class - OBTW, in terms of "credibility", anons don't do it for me - and I've never "slammed" anyone who did not flash the knives on me first). I think the disappointed/broken-hearted "anti-whos" can still be a force to be reckoned with. And here's how.

(1) "Control". The "Wets" talked a lot about it during the alcohol campaign - even as the Charlotte Observer reported that "control" in North Carolina is a huge joke. So I want to know what "alcoholic beverage control" means to Asheboro. How are alcohol permits issued - to whom do they go? What checks and balances are in place? If permit-holders screw up/cause harm/violate the law, how are they held accountable?

As local businesses rush to be the first to sell, I want to know that the people who sit on Asheboro's local ABC Board are not push-overs and suck-ups to every profit-monger who comes down the pike. Maybe it's something that the Christians (real Christians as opposed to show-Christians) who supported this referendum can step up to the plate and do . . . in conjunction with those of different faiths - or no faith - who may serve.

Perhaps a liaison to the "Drys" who don't want to serve on the Board - but don't want to be out of the loop - can be appointed. After all, Asheboro is unique - at least that's the argument that was presented by both sides. Perhaps we should act uniquely.

(2) Law Log. In the interest of "transparency" and real accountability, I would suggest (if it's not already being done) a law log of violent (murder/rape/gang violence/domestic & child abuse) and non-violent crime associated from alcohol . . . in other words, the human cost of alcohol . . . be kept from day one. That log would be presented at least once-a-year to the City Council.

During the "Wets" campaign there was a lot of talk about studies in Kentucky comparing wet vs. dry communities . . . and anecdotal opinions from Lexington/Thomasville were offered in some of the blogs . . . but not a lot of real hard/solid evidence about what happened to communities after they "turn" was presented - because it was not really there. That can change with Asheboro.

Some people have suggested billboards on major thoroughfares in town - keeping track of DWI's and DWI injuries/fatalities for all the public to see while they are behind the wheel (where it arguably might make the most impact). It's an idea that has been criticized as vindictive and distasteful (because it might promote the notion of "blood" on the "whos" hands), but I actually think it's a good idea. I've actually seen something like it in a few places during my travels. Death as a consequence to allowing easier access may be a sobering thought for those popping the champagne corks now - but it is what it is. You get what you vote for. And this would be one way to keep eyes open.

(3) Proactive (rather than reactive) Zoning. Do you think there is going to be a prize for the first establishment in Asheboro to legally sell a cold one?

Seriously, it's about restraint. I have it on good authority that folks in law enforcement are already worried about "scuzzy dive bars" popping up all over the place. Asheboro has communities in free-fall (ala East Asheboro) and communities in jeopardy from encroaching businesses and increasing crime. Gangs have taken hold in some areas. This is not going to get better with alcohol. As Fec said, it's like pouring Stoli on a fire.

Until now, the rule-of-thumb has pretty much been, "If you've got the money, we'll issue the permit." I remember one such development plan - which offended a group of neighbors living around the property in question. Alas, it was presented the night Dave's Mountain showed up with clubs & pitchforks, and the room was crammed with people who did not care about their fellow townspeople also getting the shaft. I observed several ordinary folks sitting in the back of the room as they watched the presentations (by the attorneys and well-heeled owners of the property) and listened to the council "debate" - not completely understanding what was going on. They were clearly not happy with the plan. Watching them and knowing that it was now or never, I prodded them to speak, but they were afraid/embarrassed. Suddenly it was all over. The zoning request (that they had opposed) had been approved. They were sitting there - bewildered - looking at one another - literally blinking like deer in headlights. They left the room, grumbling under their breath, about how nothing ever changes in Asheboro.

Well, now it had better.

(4) Law Enforcement. The people of Asheboro/Randolph County do not want the corruption of Greensboro on their police force or in their sheriff's department. We want good cops (like the one Mitch Johnson fired) . . . not the dirty kind that Jerry Bledsoe writes about. I know, from talking to others who have felt the screw of what they believed to be prosecutorial neglect or misconduct, that we need a competent/aggressive DA's office that does not pander.

We need to know that when one of the very important "whos" gets their first DWI, it's not buried or glossed over by a DA who "has to live in this town".

As an aside, I guess the lawyers are happy.

(5) Corporate Responsibility/Stewardship. This is the big one. For the last decade or so, industry in Asheboro has pretty done whatever it wanted to - to whomever it wanted to. Forests and historical landmarks were decimated, and folks were treated like cattle/disposable goods. Asheboro has always been a land of "haves" and "have-nots" - with those of us in the middle taking it from both sides. It made a few people a lot of money, but didn't get anybody else very far - as the manufacturing jobs that are Asheboro's base evaporated or went overseas. Now these same people want us to believe that they can turn the place into a mecca for tourists.

One suggestion. Tourism is an industry that is all about treating people well and keeping them happy. If it's going to fly here, Asheboro has a lot to learn.

As an example, its certainly not news that, in the late nineties and early 00's, Klaussner and the other big guns attracted loads of illegal aliens in to staff their mills . . . but did very little to assuage the tremendous burden that cultural influx placed on the towns educational and medical systems. My Mother spent her last few years in the school system teaching English as a second-language to children who would then go home and teach their parents. Over at Randolph Hospital, Bob and Steve closed Pediatric units, slashed staffing (trading out RN's for LPN's & techs) and would not hire full-time translators to deal with the young families/new citizens . . . something that some doctors who did speak Spanish used like a weapon against those of us who didn't. Every time I think about that I have the urge to bathe.

Taking critical-care back-up call 24-7 and cleaning up the messes (I was supposed to keep quiet about), like I had time to learn conversational Spanish.

If a working Mama had to be out for days with a sick baby, oftentimes doctors notes fell on the deaf/unsympathetic ears of mill supervisors. The women were treated like dirt.

And to demonstrate that in Asheboro's mill-town environment, some people are just more important that others, on the same day a certain "prominent" Mother was screaming for my head because I would not give her child a vaccine the Health Department said she did not need, I was dealing with another Mother . . . beaten black and blue by her alcoholic husband . . . who had left her home with nothing but her kids and the clothes on her back. No one cared about her - and, as it turns out, no one had my back.

But I was supposed to jump for the "who's who" . . . grovel and give her whatever she wanted.

The consequences of the decisions that Asheboro's "who's whos" made, often fell up on others to deal with. There needs to be an attitude adjustment in Asheboro.

"It's time" these companies/owners/executives did their part. Some of the research Dr. Rogers did during the campaign would indicate that alcohol extracts a huge hidden cost in our society . . . a cost that dwarfs anything tax revenue (and even "growth") might balance. "It's time" for the "whos" to get out the check-books and start really giving back to the community that some of them have taken so much from. They got the "change" they wanted. Some of them are going to get rich. They can't expect us to pick up their bar tab with smiles on our faces. "It's time" to roll up the sleeves. The "Dine-Arounds" won't cut it anymore.

(6) Elected Officials. It is my lowly opinion that this referendum could have been handled with far more grace/respect for Asheboro's history traditions than it was given. The people-of-faith who opposed alcohol were certainly taken for an ugly ride.

Reconciliation is a fine notion. But some things cannot be undone. It's no secret. I think Keith Criscoe has behaved like a snake and he needs to go. Walker Moffit, master road-builder, needs to be right behind him out the council door. I am more ambivalent about the other two Horsemen (David Smith really puzzles me - somehow I expected something different - something more) . . . but I think both the "Wets" and the "Drys" in Asheboro deserve better representation than they've had. The "council within a council" crap definitely has to go. The newspapers (we'll get to one of them shortly) sneer at this kind of "retribution" at the polls, but I think there are enough disgusted/angry "Drys" in town to make it so. In "normal" local elections, with so much apathy and voter turnout generally poor, as little as 200-500 votes would be all it took.

In the interest of openness and transparency, I also think there needs to be a way to keep public tabs on the financial interests of council members (especially as it pertains to interests which hinge upon alcohol) - and to make sure conflicts of interest are avoided.

(7) Health Care. Along the lines of the law log, Randolph Hospital (whose CEO & Executive Vice President - in conjunction with several board members - supported this referendum) needs to step up to the accountability plate (I know, it will be a huge stretch) and start keeping data on alcohol-related pathology. Robert Morrison liked to talk about "evidence" (even as he dodged my evidence like a slithering snake). Now he can collect some.

And again, he should be required to present it to the City Council once a year (*assuming I do not see him fired/prosecuted for his crimes in the meantime).

Substance-abuse centers need to be front and center - and the first thing (as opposed to the last) that any tax revenue from the sale of alcohol funds. The hospital wanted alcohol - perhaps it should sponsor alcohol-education programs in the schools and community.

Now that it's all over and done - and he's gotten what he wanted (yet again), I want to take this opportunity to send a personal message to Bob Morrison, CEO of Randolph Hospital:

Hello Bob. First and foremost, let me say to you that, as a physician, I think that the CEO of a "non-profit" hospital openly supporting increased alcohol in the community (especially one that has been dry for 50 years) was grossly insensitive and irresponsible. Like so many things you've done over the years, it was not about what you could legally (or even illegally) slip under the radar, but what you should have considered as a leader in healthcare supposedly concerned with the public good/welfare (as opposed to your own). A substantial chunk of the people who use your hospital did not want this. But I'm sure you're already consulting to see how you can spin it.

I could tell, from the early news coverage, that you itched to be front and center in this campaign . . . but you evaporated into the background when I made the referendum a central issue here on Housecalls. Call me "crazy" or "mentally anguished" (the first defense of people who don't have one) but until you, your flunkie (Steve Eblin) and your hospital take responsiblity for what you-all did to a good Pediatrician going above-and-beyond-the-call-of-duty (in order to help a patient that your bad advertising & poor judgement put in danger), every time you get near the spotlight, I will be there, Bob. I will be on this blog. And I will be other blogs. I will show up at city council meetings and public hearings and especially sacred assemblies. I will continue to write letters and send e-mails to regulatory agencies and state officials. I will continue to give interviews - maybe even write a book. I'm giving serious consideration to filing suit against the state just to demonstrate what a fundamental joke hospital/medical oversight can be. I hope to make them so tired of me that they go after you to get rid of me. I will chat up doctors (especially young ones) and nurses wherever I go . . . online and off . . . and tell them all about how they can expect to be treated (as "valued professionals") in Asheboro, North Carolina. Asheboro is not going to shiskaBob another Pediatrician if I have anything to do with it. I will chase you and call you what you are - what you cannot ever run from because your lies are imortalized in black and white - and graced with your signature. All the consultants in the world are not going to be able to make this not-so-young-anymore doctor . . . raised in Asheboro . . . whose life and dream you destroyed . . . "just go away". Fred Goldman is going to look like a toy-poodle compared to me.

It's not obscession. It's not extortion. It's justice. Justice denied. Call it a hobby (if you'd left me alone I might have taken up pottery). I've had no peace, so you don't get any. The people who have protected you and shielded you don't get any. You will become a liability to them - if they do not already see you that way. "Reconcilliation" is not going to happen without accountability.

Cheap grace is so not going to cut it.

Whew! I feel better now. And parody that, Dr. D! You can't. You're not in Fec's league. And the real thing - the real issue - is better reading/more disturbing than anything you could dream up.

(8) Newspaper. This one is near and dear to my heart. The "team" of David Renfro (publisher of the Courier Tribune) and Bonnie Renfro (head guru at the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation) needs, corporately speaking, a "divorce".

The relationship fuels a massive conflict of interest that no one in this town has ever had the gumption to challenge/address. There are NO checks or balances in terms of the propaganda constantly fed to the public . . . and the Courier has become a corporate mouthpiece that people have to pay to read . . . rather than a community watchdog and voice of (all) the people.

The long and short of it is that many, many people are beyond disgusted with the way this paper does business. Roughly 2500 "Drys" voted in this referendum. I heard from a number of them who felt their points of views were drowned out in favor of those who followed Asheboro's unwritten Golden Rule (those who have the most gold rule). If all of these people - or even just 300 to 500 hundred of them cancelled their subscriptions on or about the same day (not just let the subscription run out, but cancel it), I can guarantee you that the Stephens Media Group (the coporate owners in Nevada) would sit up and listen - and the community might just get the journalistic change it needs to move into the future that is now.

There apparently is local precedence. Mr. Renfro might even wind up with a pink slip. You'll forgive me if I'm not sympathetic - since he did not care about how I came to get one.

Well. That's it. I'm done with this thing now. I know that I've made a lot of very important people in Asheboro mad over the course of the last few months and I really don't care. They can take however they feel, multiply it times 100 and sit/stew on it for ten years (being ignored/blown-off the whole time) and they'll be where I am.

Welcome to the club. Not the country club, but you can slum it.

I also know that a lot of ordinary people are as angry and disgusted as I am over the way this town has been run (some would say, "into the ground") and good people have been treated for years.

This little town is wide awake now. Pandora is out of her box.

And after one more sassy post (on the NC Medical Board tomorrow morning - on an action that is relevent to my credibility) I'm signing off and taking a break for a little while.

Update 8/2: An exchange of e-mails with Dale prompted by this post, brought back a memory which I shared with him. Might as well share it here (as it is relevent to some of the "whos" manipulation of people of faith in Asheboro). Dale had commented that in business school, he was taught that, when beginning a career one should join a large church and do their best to become a member of the deacon board ( or elders, etc) . It was great for business.

When working at RMA, I was actually fired twice. The first time, all of the doctors in the practice were summarily group-fired . . . in an ill-advised attempt by management to re-negotiate contracts based on production and incentives (instead of straight salaries and COL increases). It did not go over well - and the suits back-tracked - reinstating the contracts. During the ensuing negotiations (which wound up never applying to me - because I got fired the second time), Bob & Steve presented a list of incentive proposals for the doctors.

One of things that would get you incentive points/a bonus was church membership.

I told them that RMA was a job - and my soul was not for sale.

It still isn't.