This morning, Sen. Martin Nesbitt of Buncombe County — recently named majority leader — talked with Xpress about clout, the Sullivan Acts and pulling North Carolina (and its cities) back from the brink of another Great Depression.
Nesbitt is a longtime legislator, serving his third term in the Senate after 11 in the House. Moments before the interview, he spoke to the Council of Independent Business Owners at their monthly breakfast meeting, where he gave his assessment of the state’s financial situation, among other matters.
Mountain Xpress:What are going to be some differences for Western North Carolina now that you’re in the position of Democratic Majority Leader?
Sen. Martin Nesbitt: Well, I’m not sure what they will be. We don’t know what the future will bring. We’ve got to, first of all, get the economy of the state moving and get a little prosperity before we worry about just us, because the whole state of North Carolina is in this barrel with us right now. The obvious thing that I will try to do is make sure that all areas of the state are considered when we’re making decisions and not let the far west and far east be left out because of their distance from Raleigh — and make sure they have a voice.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to get some people willing to serve on boards and commissions up here, and we can get some people appointed to help set policy in the state, and if we’ve got an issue that’s pressing to us, hopefully I’ll be in a position to make sure it’s heard. Now, in the past, I’ll say we have been able to be heard in most instances. When we had the hurricane up here, we were able to go down there and write a hurricane program for $250 million from the rainy-day fund and bring it back home. So in emergencies we’ve always been heard. But on things like the distribution of the lottery proceeds, school calendars, those type of things; we were hollering but nobody was listening. Hopefully, on those kinds of issues we’ll be able to make sure our voice is heard.
You’ve spoken of “the brink,” of how close the state and the country was to another Great Depression — is that brink still there?
I think we’re back from the brink, but we’re a long way from recovery. When I mentioned we were on the brink, we were losing 5 percent of our revenue stream per month for three months in a row. It was in a free fall. It was going down for five percent a month last spring. That’s over; we’ve stabilized, but the damage is done. I really sense that what we had was a depression of sorts. I think the country is worth 20 percent less than it was before it started, and it’s not going to just come back tomorrow. All of a sudden, home prices aren’t going to just jump, stock prices aren’t going to just jump — they’ve come back up pretty substantially — but you’ll see them level out. They won’t get back to where they were for two or three years. We’re going to have to start building our way out of this. We’re going to have to start at a lower point and work our way back up.
You’ve heard about the financial situation Asheville’s in, and it’s far from the only city facing similar difficulties. You’ve said there are some things governments have to do — is there going to be any state assistance on the horizon for those situations?
The state has its own problems. I didn’t get into those today, but our budget in real terms is probably out of balance 5 percent — a billion dollars or somewhere in that range — we’ll be able to cover that because we’ve had some good things happen, some stimulus money and those kind of things, but we’re not in a position to help anybody. Local governments are going to have to do what we do on a regular basis down there and look at their budgets and find places they can cut. We had a depression in this country where we are now worth less than we were, by any measurement. We’re going to have to realize that and accept less for awhile until we can build ourselves back out of this.
Is there going to be any consideration given to adjusting or repealing the Sullivan Acts?
No. None that I know of. We finally got a [N.C.] Supreme Court decision that says they’re appropriate. So I know of no reason you’d want to repeal them, that’s a 70-year argument that’s been settled by the courts.
As you have heard Mr. Nesbitt has been there when we got in this shape and now we ask him to get us out of that hole that was dug while he was watching it being dug.
We need “change” that has solutions for our problems today. The city exist at the pleasure of the state as well at the county so could the problem be in the state house?
want to try that again in English?
Shadmarsh is that all you can do. You don’t understand redneck english. Too bad for you I guess it must be okay to keep doing the same thing and hoping for different results. Well you know what that is call or maybe you don’t.
Shadmarsh is that all you can do. You don’t understand redneck english. Too bad for you I guess it must be okay to keep doing the same thing and hoping for different results. Well you know what that is call or maybe you don’t.
I’ll check back when you run out of offices to try and get elected to.
Best of luck!
Who does this guy think he is? Doesn’t he know that Gordon wants to repeal the Sullivan Acts?
If he doesn’t reverse his agenda, the Gordon Smith agenda just isn’t going happen, and we can’t have that.
[b]Well you know what that is call or maybe you don’t. [/b]
And that is supposed to mean what exactly?
poor martin. i bet he wishes he had drowned that stupid step kid of his when he had the chance.
I don’t know, perhaps we can get someone fluent in both “redneck english” and the regular old kind to translate for us.
I wonder if anyone down there at Stomper HQ realizes that being able to communicate effectively to people is an asset that is beneficial to an aspiring politician.
Don Yelton for Grammar Czar.
yes that is how the president picked his Czars, see you “things” can learn a little. He got one that did not pay their taxes to oversee taxes, and put Erskine over the committee to get us out of debt and look how the university system is in such shambles. Actually I got my education in a state school. What is this about passing people just to get them out of office. Shadmarsh you have not run for anything except spending you time on the these comments.
You might try to stop hidding behind a false name and step up to take credit for your supposely super intelligent comments.
As for running for office. My first run was against Tom Sobol and he lost, another run was against Bob Christy who had a hard time remembering my name but then he stepped down when he saw over 39,000 people selected me over his experience. So you and Matt bring this up a lot because you ain’t got the guts to DO anything but run you mouth or fingers.
Have fun as I am.
What in God’s name are you blathering about? Who’s Matt? And why does everyone think my name is made up?
Do you have a job sir?
pff
<>poor martin. i bet he wishes he had drowned that stupid step kid of his when he had the chance.<>
Care to clarify this statement?
So Shad Marsh is your real name? That then explains why you can’t understand what I write. Must be in genes. Yes I do several things. IF you do not know who matt is and who ran for what then your exposure must be limited to this internet stuff only.
So…my ethnicity, which you have somehow divined by my name, makes me unable to comprehend your gibberish? Well, that kind of sounds like a racist statement, though in your defense you are really having a hard time with some fairly basic concepts like sentence construction and subject verb agreement, and etc. But as far as being unable to comprehend you,I doubt I am alone there. Seriously Don, if you are running for a public office, any office, don’t you see the advantages of being able to construct a complete and coherent sentence? I am not trolling you, I am being quite serious…and if a little ol’ nobody like me is getting under your skin, I don’t see you making it when the pro’s in Nesbitts campaign get involved, though I doubt they really have any reason to pay any attention to you.
[b]So you … bring this up a lot because you ain’t got the guts to DO anything but run you mouth or fingers.[/b]
Yeah shad, if you’re gonna run your mouth, at least run for mayor or something.
Well it appears that a racist comment is all that can be offered by some. Actually if you name is Shad Marsh I think there is a space between the first and last name unless there is a new practice that I do not know about.
I see that you understand that the pro’s attack people like you do so you are just giving me practice. Please note, I said I am having fun with you so now you appear to be trying to help me.
Please do not make me laugh that hard. I know that a lot of people do not understand logic and how the economy works. We have a city council full of those types that think you can tax the producer to give to the homeless, lazy, and just plain takers or consumers.
If you do not understand that analogy,please watch how we tax ourselves into total destruction of this country. Just maybe sometime you should sit down with me and learn about interstate 40 and improper blasting that causes the rock slides. The increased traffic and destruction of future interstate 26 bridges in Woodfin.
Better yet lets watch how Asheville destroys parking, raises taxes and then have the businesses ask for government help to survive.
We need some new actions and not just more meetings and speaches to solve these problems. If you care to have a discussion on global warming, taxes, etc just let me know.
You made the first personal attack so do not be so self righteous when you get kicked back. Don’t pull the bs of racism at that just really shows your lack of ablility to defend your position even if you have all of your t’s crossed and i dotted. I chose content over form.
We have too much form now.
[b]Well it appears that a racist comment is all that can be offered by some[/b]
Whaaaa? You are the one who brought up Shad’s ‘genes’.
I wasn’t attacking you, I was just asking you (or someone there down at the Stomper compound) to reform your post in a manner that could be read by a potential voter.
If that wasn’t a racist statement (it very well may not be, but I just have no idea what my name has to do with my genes) please feel free to enlighten me as to what exactly it is that you meant by it.
Just throwing this out there, but maybe Carl Mumpower would be willing to help you out on the whole English language thing, perhaps he could tutor you or something. He is a capable writer, perhaps you could learn something from the good doctor.
Good Luck on the campaign. I’m glad to see you haven’t given up after so many failures. Really I am.
Shad they were not failures. They were learning experiences and you find out just who your friends are and are not.
I honestly thought that shadmarsh was a creation with some hidden meaning. Had it been written Shad Marsh, which it can be on these post, I would have seen it as a name.
The Matt I referred to is the one on the radio that has mentioned how many times I have run all of the time. Actually, that is a trigger because that tells me that people remember when you stand up for open honest communication.
Congratuations for using your real name. Add the space in it to relate to the new people that check in here infrequently.
that tells me that people remember when you stand up for open honest communication
It’s conceivable they remember you for other reasons, too.
the new people that check in here infrequently
If they check in here at all, they aren’t new.
Pff,
Im still waiting for your clairification.
If you are going to stand up for open and honest communication, you might want to make sure you are actually communicating.
So…care to clarify this: So Shad Marsh is your real name? That then explains why you can’t understand what I write. Must be in genes.
[b]Im still waiting for your clairification. [/b]
I’m still waiting for you to use spell-check. Or is there a woman named Claire we both know?
[b]I honestly thought that shadmarsh was a creation with some hidden meaning. Had it been written Shad Marsh, which it can be on these post, I would have seen it as a name.[/b]
So, even though he ran for Mayor, you STILL thought it was a pseudonym?
Pff,
I almost drowned at the lake.
What did you mean by your statement?
Adtually Ken when you tell them the truth and it hurts they remember it a lot so looks like that could be the case with a few here on this post. Actually Shad Marsh has been attacking me for a long time on this Mt. Xpress blog.
Folks, please get back on topic here. And for goodness sake, desist from alluding to the death of any one of us.
Thanks,
Jon Elliston, managing editor
Elliston,
Thank you.
So Shad Marsh is your real name? That then explains why you can’t understand what I write. Must be in genes.
I believe this could be construed as an attack, that is if I could figure out what it means. Still waiting for clarification on that Don.
Adtually Ken when you tell them the truth and it hurts they remember it a lot so looks like that could be the case with a few here on this post.
Or perhaps they view your idea of truth as codswallop and recall your interesting use of the English language. It is a possible alternative answer to why people remember you.
[b]It is a possible alternative answer to why people remember you. [/b]
No, no. It’s because we fear him for his freedoms.
[b]Im still waiting for your clairification. [/b]
Well, i hope you can note the irony of someone leaving a ridiculous, indefensible comment about yourself and not even caring to come back to defend it, Chad. You know, since that’s your calling card.
Well, I am going to go out on a limb here and think that perhaps, even if for only a moment, Mr. Yelton confused cultural heritage with genetic heritage (which is why I wonder about the perhaps racist element of such a statement). Now, starting from there I would guess that perhaps he mistook my first name “Shad” as my surname, which is a somewhat common surname in various Middle Eastern locals…this would explain a lot–though I must admit I would be a bit shocked if he actually knew that. So…
As someone who is running for a state office I think Mr. Yelton owes the public an explanation. I wouldn’t want a George Allen type of situation to derail a promising political career, and force our young Mr. Yelton to get a real job. So how about it there Donny, care to remove your foot from your mouth and offer up an explanation? They are your words after all, own them.
PS, I believe my neighbors may in fact be witches, any chance any of you Stompers can get a Witch-buster squad out here to confirm or deny the presence of said witches? thanks a bunch!
Actually Shad I think You and your fine friend Pff and Ken have shown your cultural heritage and upbringing. Frankly I will take my in ability to type so fast and not spell each word properly over your desire to belittle people and feel that your circle jerk of friends are superior to all other.
The more you spout the more you sput and show actually where you are coming from. So, with that said I will move on to things of greater importance that thinking that there is hope for you.
You remind me of a backwards walking man, two steps forward and then four backwards.
The topic here happens to be who got this state in the shape it is in. Sure wasn’t me. In 2000 I talked about change and open and honest government. No one wanted that so we got what we got. I still am for that.
Don Yelton:
You said, “Frankly I will take my in ability to type so fast and not spell each word properly over your desire to belittle people and feel that your circle jerk of friends are superior to all other. ”
Even if I put aside my thoughts on your complete lack of intellect, and it’s difficult with this sentence, this is how you speak to potential voters? Is there something wrong with you? Not a great way to run a campaign… what was it for this time?
Well, Don You sure have the politicians knack for not answering a question directly down. Bravo, maybe you will go far. But in case you need it repeated, what does this mean:
So Shad Marsh is your real name? That then explains why you can’t understand what I write. Must be in genes.
I will say it again, I’m not here to belittle you (you really do that just fine on your own), but as someone who is seeking public office I think you owe it to us all to effectively and honestly communicate your ideas in a manner that is intelligible. Is that really too much to ask?
if don yelton really is your real name.
Folks, I implore you: Get on topic here, or we’ll have to delete all the off-topic comments, and close the thread if need be.
Thanks,
Jon
If Mr. Yelton is a challenger to Nesbitt’s seat, isn’t anything that he posts here “on topic?”
Well…?
At least Sen. Nesbitt isn’t suggesting we get a pickup truck to go after the non-existent stimulus money!
I can’t take it anymore.
Not trying to re-insert the ugly here, but wrap this thing up.
Shad, when you told Don Yelton your real name was Shad Marsh, he said, “So Shad Marsh is your real name? That then explains why you can’t understand what I write. Must be in genes.”
There was, in this random reader’s opinion, no racial overtone, which was kind of disingenuous to imply, since you’re a white guy, but it was also very funny b/c he didn’t know that and you got him on his back foot during the “debate.”
The court rules that Don Yelton thinks you have a ridiculous name, and that, in Mr. Yelton’s opinion, your parents are unintelligent people for naming their child such, and that in addition to christening their child with a ridiculous name, they also passed on to the child the same genetic idiocy that prompted them to hang a ridiculous name on their male heir. It was just a name joke, and none of us are above it, not even the highly revered and oft-restrained Don Yelton.
The court has no issue or opinion on the ham-fisted mis-delivery of the joke or the merit or humor of the joke’s subject matter.
No one could possibly be named Don Yelton in real life.
“DonYelton”, what is your real name!!??