Johnston County Local News - MyNC.com

No Sales Tax On Energy Savers

This weekend is North Carolina's second Sales Tax Holiday for Energy Star qualified products.

The state and local tax exempt products-including appliances like washers, freezers, refrigerators, air conditioners, dishwashers, and thermostats-meet federal guidelines for energy efficiency.

Generally, the Energy Star appliances cost more than less efficient models, but they should save money in the long run by trimming utility bills and making owners eligible for tax credits.

Energy Star appliances that are intended to be used for a business or as rentals are not part of the Tax Free Holiday offer.

The holiday runs from 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday in November, through 11:59 the following Sunday.

Click here to learn more.

Hwy 301 In Johnston Co. Re-Opened After Accident

All lanes of Hwy 301 in Kenly are back open an accident involving a logging truck and a tractor trailer Friday morning.

Johnston Communications say the accident was reported shortly before 11:30 a.m. Friday. The accident occurred on Hwy 301 just north of the I-95 Interchange.

All lanes in both directions were closed after a logging truck and tractor trailer collided. The roads were re-opened at 3:45 p.m.

No other information about the accident was provided by officials.

Freeze Warning Issued For Early Saturday Morning

There is a freeze warning in effect for most of the area fro 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday.

According to the National Weather Service, winds will be calm overnight under clear skies, allowing temperatures to fall to the mid-30s.

A freeze warning means sub-freezing temperatures are imminent or highly likely. These conditions will kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.

The warning has been issued for the following counties:

Person
Granville
Vance
Warren
Halifax
Forsyth
Guilford
Alamance
Orange
Durham
Franklin
Nash
Davidson
Randolph
Chatham
Wake
Stanly
Montgomery
Moore
Lee

Ava Gardner Museum Releases New 2010 Calendar

The Ava Garnder Museum has issued its 2010 Ava Gardner calendar.

Johnston Superintendent: Students Will Not Fail Because They’re Out Sick

Students will not fail classes because they are out sick, Johnston County Schools Superintendent Ed Croom says.

A Johnston County parent complained on mync.com that her son was in danger of failing because he was out sick five days.

And more students have called out sick during the first part of the school year, possibly because of the flu and H1N1 virus, according to Croom.

The district's policy is that students cannot miss more than 16 days during the school year. That's about four days for a nine-week period. But principals can waive the policy, Croom said.

"It's a policy that is in place to make sure that we abide by the truancy laws. But it's also got quite a lenient twist to it where principals can waive that if the child is sick," he said.

A parent's note will suffice because not all students with flu-like symptoms are seeing a doctor, Croom said. If the school principal waives the policy, students can make up the work to complete their courses.

The process has worked for Joann Davis of Clayton. Her son missed four days of school because he got H1H1.

"They've been really working with us and they're allowing extra time for make up work and they do realize that this is an issue. So I think they are being a little bit more lenient on it," she said. "And I'm sure they don't want the children to come to school with the flu."

The mother who posted the complaint on mync.com has now met with the school principal, who waived the attendance requirement. And her son is also passing his classes.

Report cards go out next week. But grades are not final until the end of the school year, Croom said.

If you're concerned that your child has been out sick too many days, call the school principal. If that does not work, call the district's central office, Croom said.

New Garner Program Feeding Homeless Children

Sheila Spence works in a nursing home 40 to 50 hours a week. But sometimes that's not enough to support her family.

"Sometimes with things going on like they are now it's just not enough. Full time, overtime sometimes ain't enough to cover it," she said

She and her three children live with her mother in Garner. They've all struggled since her brother died in a train accident in 2005.

"He was one of our strongest support groups for me and my mother, my kids. And since we lost him everything went all out of proportion," she said.

Spence and her children are one of the families at Creech Road Elementary School considered homeless or in transition.

When social worker Beth Johnson started working at the school last year, she noticed that other families were in similar situations.

As of April 2009, about 1,700 Wake County public school students lived in shelters, doubled up with other family members, or even lived in cars. And about 12 percent of those children go to school in Garner, according to Johnson.

"What frequently happens is that they don't have food on the weekends," Johnson said. "Their primary source of food is through the school system. When they come in they get breakfast and they get lunch. And on the weekends, some of them don't have enough means to, their families work very hard but don't have the means to feed them on the weekends."

Johnson talked to Lord of Life Lutheran Church about the problem. They approached the Garner Mid-Day Rotary Club. And they started the "backpack buddies" program.

At the end of each week, the children in the program go home with a backpack with ingredients for at least three meals and snacks. It costs about $10 to fill each backpack.

The rotary club raises the money. Church volunteers shop and pack the backpacks.

"It just took off. It was something that touched all of our hearts. A hungry child is something none of us want to see," said volunteer Connie Fortmeyer.

Spence's children have participated in the program for several months now.

"Sometimes just a little bit of help goes a long, long way. A long, long way," she said. "When I go to work on the weekends now, I pull doubles most weekends... now I don't worry about them not having what they need at home."

Johnson hopes to expand the program to other schools in Garner.

The Garner Mid-Day Rotary Club is hosting the Black, White & Bling Gala on Saturday to raise funds for the program. Click here to find out more.

Former Insurance Agent Facing New Indictments

A North Carolina insurance agent already accused of embezzling more than $168,000 from a 90-year-old woman and using the money for himself is facing additional indictments.

The state Department of Insurance said Wednesday that 50-year-old Charles Mark Hall faces 12 additional embezzlement indictments and two indictments of exploiting disabled or elder trust.

Department spokeswoman Kristin Milam says the additional indictments involve 12 different victims.

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin had said that Hall, who had an agency in Smithfield, embezzled and converted to his own use three annuities from the woman and convinced her to sign surrender forms for her annuities. Goodwin says Hall took the money without her knowledge or permission.

Hall was jailed in September, but phone calls seeking information on his current status weren't immediately returned Wednesday afternoon.

Archer Lodge Becomes A Town

More than 400 voters supported the incorporation of Archer Lodge, The Clayton News Star reports.

Bible Giveaway Causes Controversy In Johnston Co. Schools

Garner-Clayton Record: Some parents say the Gideons are pushing Bibles on students.

Full Story

Four Oaks Elementary's Calcutt Wins County Principal Of The Year

Lisa Edwards Calcutt has been named the 2009 Johnston County Principal of the Year.

Free Medical Clinic Offers Help For Johnston Residents

Project Access offers free treatment and some free medication for those in need.

Arrests Pending In South Johnston School Glue Vandalism

Arrests are pending after at least four people placed glue over all 60 exterior door locks at the school in October.

Election Results: Nov. 3

Click here for election results.

Governor Hopes Courts Act Swiftly In Prisoner Release Case

Governor Bev Perdue says she hopes for a speedy resolution to the prisoner release issue that became public two and a half weeks ago.

She says state lawyers tell her there's a possibility the courts will take up the issue in the late Fall or perhaps by early January.

Perdue says she feels confident she's doing the right thing in trying to stop the releases, despite any legal repercussions that may occur as a result of her efforts.

After meeting with lawyers on Monday, she believes the state will have a compelling argument against release.

"I feel very comfortable the attorney general is moving forward to aggressively prepare a case," she said. "I hope that we can present a different set of circumstances for them to consider."

After the state Supreme Court upheld an appellate court ruling saying a 1974 law defined a life sentence as only 80 years and that former death row inmates could be set free when the courts added in good behavior credits, many were outraged.

"The state is poised to release a group of offenders who are a threat to every man, woman and child in North Carolina," said Thomas Bennett of the North Carolina Victim Assistance Network when word of the impending releases became public back on Oct. 15th.

But some of those inmates are already on the outside.

Inmate Faye Brown is a convicted murderer who is out on work release and Governor Perdue says she is OK with that.

"I've always been a big fan of work release because it's a supervised program and at night they go back to the unit," she said.

It's that concept of control and punishment for bad behavior that makes work release and parole acceptable to Governor Perdue.

"I believe folks who are on parole, who are monitored and supervised, can indeed participate in the community because there's always a set of rule and parameters," she maintained. "Nobody is just out there as a free agent. It's totally different from what we're talking about now."

Alcohol Sales On The Ballot In Wilson’s Mills

Voters in Wilson's Mills will decide Tuesday whether to allow beer and wine to be sold in restaurants and hotels.

The town already allows convenience stores to sell beer and wine.

"Our goal is for economic development reasons," said Town Administrator Leighanna Worley. "We would like to encourage some of the upscale restaurants to come to town."

Wilson's Mills has just one restaurant: White Swan Bar-B Q & Fried Chicken on U.S. 70. It's a family-oriented place. And they don't want to sell alcohol. But they say selling alcohol could help other businesses.

"The way the economy is right now, it could take that to get more businesses open," said Roger Callis with White Swan Bar-B Q & Fried Chicken.

"As long as it's a restaurant where it can be contained I think it would be ok," said Terry Barbour, who works in the area.

But not everyone supports it.

"It would probably help the economy but still it's going to be a danger to the public," said Stanley Wood, who lives just outside the town.

The resolution would allow any kind of restaurant or bar to open in the town's business districts, not just the upscale restaurants town officials hope to attract.

"No bars. Keep the bars out," said Barbour. "Because most of the time when you bring in the bars you have more trouble with the people in the area hanging out and young kids getting in it."

About 1,300 registered voters will decide the issue at the polls Tuesday.

Death Sentence Commuted To Life For Four Oaks Man Convicted Of Double Murder

The death sentence of a man convicted of killing and man and his wife in 1992 has been commuted to life in prison.

On The Ballot: Archer Lodge Could Incorporate

Archer Lodge is more than 160 years old. But it's still a small, rural community.

"It's just a very tight community. Everybody works together," said resident Donna Parrish.

Concerns about growth and change prompted residents to try to create their own town.

The center of the proposed town would be the intersection of Buffalo Road and Covered Bridge Road and it would spread out for nine square miles.

"Self-government is really the foundation of this country. That's what it was all about. It was making our decisions for ourselves. Not somebody across an ocean. And in our case not somebody that is not here within our community," said Carlton Vinson, a member of a committee that has worked to incorporate Archer Lodge during the past three years.

Residents feared that larger towns would eventually annex Archer Lodge.

"We don't want Clayton and Wendell to gulp us up and put a high tax on us," said resident Harold Barnes.

The proposed town would tax residents. But the tax would be $.08 per $100, about one-seventh of Clayton's rate.

The town would use the money to offer police and fire protection. And it would create a planning and zoning department.

"It's going to be more of what we want than what they would want," said resident Donna Parrish.

The process of creating a new town can take years. Plans have to be approved by the state legislature. Archer Lodge got that approval earlier this year.

The final step is a referendum Tuesday.

About 2,500 registered voters will decide Archer Lodge's future. More than 50 percent have to vote yes for the plans to move forward.

Voting will take place at Archer Lodge Middle School and River Dell Elementary School.

Two Newly Constructed Houses Burned; Arson Suspected

Clayton police believe two house fires, Saturday night, may have been intentionally set.
Police say, at 9:56 pm Saturday, October 31, 2009, the Clayton Fire Department was notified of a structure fire in the new Chandler's Ridge subdivision located off Glen Laurel Road across from Birkdale Drive. The Fire Department arrived to find two Cameo Court homes on fire.
Both were newly constructed two-story homes at or near completion, and neither had been sold yet by the builder. One structure located at 47 Cameo Court was fully involved when fire fighters arrived and was essentially destroyed.
The other structure at 12 Cameo Court received fire, smoke and water damage which was significant, but to a far lesser degree than the other house. The houses are the only two structures in the subdivision.
The structures were both built by Gidco Building and Development of Smithfield, NC. No monetary damage estimate is available at this time.
The Clayton Police Department is investigating the fires which appear to have been set intentionally. Detective Jason Linder is leading these investigations with assistance from the State Bureau of Investigation.

NC Arts Council Accepting Fellowship Applications

If you're a North Carolina artist in need of some money, here's a chance to get $10,000.

The North Carolina Arts Council is accepting applications for the 2010-2011 Artist Fellowship awards until Monday. The awards are for visual arts, crafts, choreography and film or video. The award is $10,000.

The Legislature funds the program, which supports creative development of North Carolina artists and new work by them. The awards allow artists to set aside time to work and to buy supplies and equipment.

Artists who have been year-round residents of North Carolina for at least a year immediately prior to the application deadline may apply. Students are not eligible.

For more information, click here.

Johnston Co. To Hold Flu Vaccine Clinic For Children

Johnston County will be holding a walk-in flu vaccination clinic for children under 18 years old.

The County has received a small shipment of both seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines and will be distributing both to children ages 6 months through 18 years.

The clinic will be held at the Public Health Department located at 517 Bright Leaf Boulevard in Smithfield. Vaccines will be given starting November 3 at 12 p.m. while supplies last.

Health officials say children will be able to get both vaccines at the same time. Residents are asked to bring their insurance card.

Clayton Town Council Election To Be Held Tuesday

Mayor Pro Tem Robert Ahlert, 72, and Councilman Bob Satterfield, 52, say that when they took their seats on the Clayton town council a decade ago the town was near bankruptcy.

Now the budget is balanced.

"In the past twelve years the town of Clayton has prospered," Ahlert said. "And I want to continue that."

Satterfield said, "you've got a winning team. Why do you want to pull a winning team out? It makes no sense."

But both men, along Councilman Michael Grannis, who has served one four-year-term, are up for reelection. And their challengers see things differently.

Eight candidates are hoping to fill three seats on Clayton's town council.

"I support term limits. I don't think that the same ideas need to be drummed up over and over," said Michael Carrothers, a 42-year-old contractor for the U.S. Postal Service who is running for office for the first time.

Steve Agbayani, a 39-year-old applications developer for SAS Institute with no political experience, says, "there's a need for new energy and just diversity within this town council."

Some challengers point to the mostly African-American north side of Clayton as an example of why the council should be more diverse.

The neighborhood has inferior parks and a gang problem, according to Russell Cotten, the only African-American in the race.

"We feel it's the good old boys tradition of looking out for themselves and their neighborhood rather than looking at the big picture," said Cotten, who has never run for office before. He has worked on political campaigns, including President Barack Obama's.

Incumbent Michael Grannis, 62, who is seeking a second term on the council, admits the council has not done enough for the neighborhood.

"We've not really heard enough from the citizens of that particular community," Grannis said. "But equally important if not more importantly, we as council members and also as town officials have not really been resourceful in seeking out ourselves things that need to be done."

There's talk about building a new park in that community.

While some complain that there's not enough development in some parts of town, others say there's too much growth in Clayton as a whole.

"We need to slow down development if at all possible to let some of the developments that have been approved grow and be mostly completed. There are four or five developments approved that have never been started," said Art Holder, 71, who is running for council for the second time.

None of the challengers have held public office before.

"I'm just a regular guy, a citizen who wants to contribute and be part of the system," said 31-year-old Brooks E. Remencus.

Remencus, a salesman who moved to Clayton about three years ago, doesn't know what his chances are. But, "if I get people thinking about some of the issues that I'm interested in, really the whole green aspect in terms of what it can do for our government, I think that's huge," he said.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.

Click here for coverage from the Clayton News Star.

Click here for coverage from the Garner-Clayton Record.

Many in Rocky Mount Attend Memorial Service For Previously Unidentified Woman

A memorial was held in Rocky Mount Thursday night for a woman whose body was found in the woods of rural Edgecombe County.

The body of Elizabeth Smallwood was found last February, but had remained unidentified until earlier this month.

She was one of six Rocky Mount women whose remains have been discovered since 2005 in the same general area.

The funeral for Smallwood was organized by the community because -- unlike the other murder victims -- she has no family in the area.

"I really felt like I had to be here," Juray Tucker said.

Tucker's daughter Yolanda Lancaster was one of the women whose bodies were left in the woods of Edgecombe County.

Tucker said she knew Elizabeth Smallwood needed someone to attend her service.

"I [have] love for everybody, no matter who it is," she explained.

Hanna Nicholson's daughter Tarah was among the victims, but in her case, police arrested a man in connection with the death of her daughter. She, also, was in attendance

"It's really sad, but it was something I wanted to do," Nicholson said. "This is bringing back a lot of sad memories, but it's my pleasure to be here."

The service was organized and donated by a local funeral director.

"No one had claimed her remains," Carolyn Whitehead Hart explained. "Being a human being myself, a mother and a funeral director, I thought she should have a good home-going."

And that home-going helps the mothers of the other murder victims too.

"It's good people [who] care enough to come out and create something like this," Jackie Wiggins, the mother of murder victim Jackie Nikelia Thorpe, said. "It gives me strength."

Perdue Fights Release Of Inmates

The inmates serving life sentences who were scheduled to be released Thursday remain behind bars, amidst unresolved legal questions about credit for good behavior.

"We're working with lawyers to try to be sure that we've done everything that we can do to prove that the method that was used to compute these suggested releases was wrong," said Gov. Bev Perdue.

Twenty-six men and one woman had been named eligible to be released, because 1974 law that appeared to define a life sentence as 80 years.

The list includes convicted murderers, rapists, and robbers-some of whom were originally sent to death row.

"The question becomes, do you want those folks to live next to you in an unsupervised capacity," said Perdue. "I don't, and I don't believe anyone in North Carolina does."

But some groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina argue that blockage of the inmates' releases is outside Perdue's authority.

"We don't object to the Governor or the Attorney General double-checking the math. But they cannot retroactively change the rules of the game. That would violate Due Process," said Jennifer Rudinger, executive director of ACLU-NC. "The Governor and the Attorney General took an oath to uphold the laws of the state as those laws were written at the time they were applied, not as they wished the laws had been written."

New Web Site Provides Info On Upcoming Smoking Ban

A new government Web site has been launched to ease the transition with a new law that requires restaurants, bars and lodging establishments that serve food and drink to go smoke-free as of January 2, 2010.

The Web site, www.SmokeFree.NC.gov, provides business owners and customers information on the new law, on the health hazards of secondhand smoke and on resources to help those smokers who may want to quit smoking. There are downloadable fact sheets, no-smoking signs and other tools to help make the transition to smoke-free air an easy one.

"This change is historic for North Carolina and will have a significant positive impact on public health," said Gov. Bev Perdue. "By banning smoking in our restaurants and bars, we will greatly reduce the dangers of secondhand smoke and lower health care costs for families. Our goal is to make sure North Carolina's families and businesses have the information they need about the hazards of second-hand smoke and how to implement the new law."

The new law (G.S. 130A-497) was passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Bev Perdue in May, and will make virtually all indoor areas of restaurants and bars in the state smoke-free, with very few exceptions.

The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association has provided input on key aspects of the website, including the signs that are recommended for use.

About 24,000 establishments are covered by the new law. They are currently being reached by mail with a packet and letter signed by local health directors. Local health departments are responsible for enforcing the law.

In addition to the website, North Carolinians can get information about the new law by calling the CARE-LINE at 1-800-662-7030 (Bilingual services are available in over 150 languages.) 7 a.m. - 11 p.m., seven days a week. If calling between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., you may leave a message and your call will be returned.

USS Arizona Survivor Honored

James Daniel Lancaster, one of the last living survivors of the Japanese attack on the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor, turns 90 next month.

Lancaster, who lives in Johnston County, was honored for his service at a ceremony at the American Legion in Pine Level Wednesday.

When the Japanese bombed the USS Arizona on December 7, 1941, Lancaster was thrown off the ship.

"He started running to his gun which was at the front of the ship and he was blown into the water, which literally saved his life because he was not entombed in that ship," said his eldest daughter, Carol Lancaster.

She says her father then tried to help other crew members.

The ship sank within minutes. And more than 1,100 crew members died.

"He never really talked about being in the service that much. Never talked about Pearl Harbor or being blown off of not just one ship but two ships," she said.

Lancaster collected the history of her father's service in the Navy.

"I'm driven to do that because there are so many veterans this day and time that no one remembers anything about them, much less having an actual piece of history in your hand that you can look at," she said.

Lancaster eventually won many awards, including a purple heart.

And Wednesday, just before his 90th birthday, he was presented a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol and honored by friends, family, and young sailors.

Some call him a hero.

But, "there's no hero about it," he said. "It was something I was supposed to do. It was my duty to do."

"He helped shape the way the Navy is today. And it's just a great honor to be here," said Brenda Muscella, who is currently serving in the Navy.

Lancaster had a few words for today's servicemen and women.

"They've got a big job to do. A big job ahead of them," he said.

JCC Holds Free Business Seminars in November and December

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rosa Andrews
Telephone: 919-209-2015
E-mail: rsandrews@johnstoncc.edu

The Small Business Center at JCC provides free seminars and counseling to support the development of new small businesses and the growth of existing small businesses.

The following free seminars will be held in November and December:

10 Steps to Starting Your Own Business
This workshop will give you an overall understanding of the steps you need to take to make your dream venture a reality.
Course Code: SBC 3601 02F
Dates/Days: November, 09, 2009 (M)
Course Times: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Cleveland Center 008
Instructor: McLamb
Registration Fee: Free
Book: None

Advertising and Marketing
Develop a marketing plan for your business that works and does not break the bank doing so. Learn steps and tips to successful marketing.
Course Code: SBC 3601 06F
Dates/Days: November, 30, 2009 (M)
Course Times: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Workforce Development Center 1032
Instructor: McLamb
Registration Fee: Free
Book: None

From Losing My Job to Owning My Job
This seminar is a hands-on way to learn more entrepreneurship. It encourages participants to think like an entrepreneur while learning about small business management. By the end of the seminar each participant will have created a plan for how to pursue their entrepreneurial goals.
Course Code: SBC 3601 20F
Dates/Days: November, 02, 2009 (M)
Course Times: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Public Safety Services Complex TBA
Instructor: Cockrell
Registration Fee: Free
Book: None

How to Write a Business Plan
Fail to plan and you plan to fail. This workshop covers the basics you need to put together a business plan that will assist you with start up and funding your business.
Course Code: SBC 3601 04F
Dates/Days: December, 07, 2009 (M)
Course Times: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Cleveland Center 008
Instructor: McLamb
Registration Fee: Free
Book: None

Super Customer Service
Is the customer service at your workplace lacking? Who are your customers and how can you better meet their needs? It doesn't matter what the business, success will come to those who are obsessed with looking after their customers. Come tweek your customers service skills!
Course Code: SBC 3601 32F
Dates/Days: November, 17, 2009 (W)
Course Times: 11:00am-2:00pm
Location: Elsee Bldg, Main Campus JCC, Room 160-162
Instructor: Perfect Workday Co.
Registration Fee: Free (You are welcome to bring your lunch.)
Book: None

Web to English Translation: Effectively Communicating with your Web Developer
Does talking to your web developer leave you questioning whether they learned English in high school? Are you left unsure of whether the language barrier challenges will eliminate any hope of getting the online image you are hoping for? Get familiar with some of the common terms and concepts in the web design industry. Learn where to find answers to become an educated consumer of these services. Explore some of the different types of web sites and marketing approaches used online and how these can be aligned with your business plan.
Course Code: SBC 3601 08F
Dates/Days: November, 19, 2009 (Th)
Course Times: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Workforce Development Center 1032
Instructor: Schmieder
Registration Fee: Free
Book: None

Website 411: A Guide to Improving Your Online Presence
This seminar will help you to better understand how to improve your chances at success when doing business online. Learn ways in which you can add features to your existing website to better improve your customer retention, increase online sales and inquiries, track performance, and achieve higher search engine positioning. Plan to take some of these ideas back to your office for immediate use or to pass on to your web designer to improve your online presence. Participants should be familiar with basic web design concepts or have a website for their business.
Course Code: SBC 3601 17F
Dates/Days: December, 03, 2009 (Th)
Course Times: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Workforce Development Center 1032
Instructor: Schmieder
Registration Fee: Free
Book: None

To register for these seminars, contact Rosa Andrews at 919-209-2015 or rsandrews@johnstoncc.edu or register through the SBC website at http://www.johnstoncc.edu/sbcregistration.aspx

Smithfield Mayoral Candidate Daniel Evans Has Big Election Signs But No Opponents

Daniel Evans goes into Tuesday's elections without an opponent.

Voters Set To Decide If Archer Lodge Becomes A Town

Voters in the Archer Lodge community will decide next week if the former crossroads community will become a town of its own.

After 2 Years Of Renovation, Smithfield Firefighters Show Off 1927 'Big Bill' Fire Truck

The Smithfield Fire Department is unveiling its renovated 1927 fire truck "Big Bill."

Online Essay Contest Has Local Better Business Bureau Concerned

The Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina is cautioning anyone thinking of entering an online Christmas essay contest to carefully consider their actions.

The bureau tells NBC-17 it has several concerns about the contest created by a man who runs a small marketing firm out of his Apex home.

"There's just a lot of red flags," Beverly Baskin, president of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina, said.

Robert Brown is the person behind the CarolinaChristmasCash.com, an online essay contest which the Better Business Bureau had given an ‘F' grade.

"The problem the BBB has is lack of disclosure," Baskin explained.

For a $100 entry fee, a contestant submits an essay that has the chance of winning a $50,000 prize if 5,000 people enter.

When asked how much money he'd get out of it, Brown said, "A portion of it, but not that much ... What we'll do is give some to charity."

In an investigatory phone call on Tuesday, Oct. 27, the BBB asked Robert to be more specific.

"We did call to see what charities would benefit, and as of today, they had not decided," Baskin said.

But, when NBC-17 interviewed Robert on Monday, Oct. 26, he had a slightly different response.

"We're even going to start a charity ourselves named after my 6-year-old son, called ‘Jared's Friends' to help out kids with leukemia and things like that," Brown said.

Also worrisome to the BBB is that the contest rules posted online do not say how the winner will be chosen.

"How exactly are these things being judged?" Baskin asked. "There's no criteria laid out."

Regarding the judging, Robert told NBC-17, "At first we thought we were going to do it, but right now I think we'll have some local pastors come aboard and do that."

When asked how many pastors would be judges, Robert replied, "About 10 to 15 at least."

As of Monday, Oct. 26, Robert said he had 32 entries, with all the money from those entries residing in a PayPal account.

The BBB says there ought to be some kind of independent accounting oversight with regard to the money.

"It doesn't sound like it's in any sort of escrow account," Baskin said. "Where is that money going the meantime? Is he using it to pay bills now?

After interviewing the BBB, NBC-17 did a follow-up with Brown seeking additional answers.

He said he does not have an escrow account, but "may put the money in a short-term interest-bearing account later," and admits there is nothing in place with regard to oversight of the contest.

Right now Brown says the money remains in the PayPal account and he says he is not spending any of it.

As for what charities that will get donations, Brown said he's now considering adding a feature to the Web site asking entrants to decide where the charity money should go.

On Wednesday, Oct. 28, the BBB changed its previous 'F' rating of CarolinaChristmasCash.com to an 'NR,' citing insufficient information to issue a rating.

"Based on BBB files, Advango Marketing has a BBB Rating of NR," the BBB's Web site says. "Reasons for this rating include: This business is not currently rated. BBB does not have sufficient information to issue a rating for this business."