Please consider the following opinions concerning two local candidates currently seeking public office.
A used-car lot can open on N.C. 16 near Triangle as the result of a recent 4-1 zoning decision vote by the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Jim Klein, a candidate for the N.C. House, was the lone no vote. He was quoted in an area publication as saying, “We’ve had two people who come to the last meeting who said a used-car lot does not meet a demonstrated need in Denver and that’s true.”
Since when does an individual who wants to invest their funds and take the risk have to prove there is a need before it’s allowed? Mr. Klein also resisted a Dollar General store on N.C. 16 which today appears to be thriving and providing property tax, sales tax revenue and employment opportunities.
As a candidate for the N.C. House Mr. Klein claims to support jobs. His record for opposing small business speaks otherwise.
Another candidate that should be viewed under a magnifying glass is Ken Fortenberry, who is seeking a spot in the U.S. Congress.
From his bully pulpit in a weekly tabloid that he publishes, he has for a number of years attacked signs along the road. It would be nice for his tabloid if he had the only means to promote a business in the area; advertising revenue would be forced to flow in his direction. One of his first political actions for this race was to put up campaign banners as early as last November. The Lincoln County sign ordinance clearly states political signs are permitted no earlier than 60 days prior to voting day. His belief appears to be, “Do as I say, not as I do.”
He claims to be a Republican, yes he is now registered as a Republican, but he has had six different registrations since 1999. His record is Democrat (September 1999), Unaffiliated (September 2002), Republican (Marc 2003), Democrat (November 2003), Unaffiliated (January 2010) and Republican (June 2011). Quite a record isn’t it? He appears to be searching.
Ken appears to be against free enterprise. When a new weekly newspaper surfaced in 2011 in Denver he made vicious weekly attacks. Apparently he believes he should have an exclusive hold on newspaper publishing in the Denver area. That just isn’t the American way. Shame on you Ken.
In my opinion Ken has created more division in our community since his arrival than anything that has ever existed here. In his weekly tabloid he devised the east Lincoln and west Lincoln dislike for each other which doesn’t exist. His latest is his so-called New Denver and Old Denver. If Ken doesn’t know where Denver is located how can we expect him to find his way to Washington?
My opinion is Ken Fortenberry is a complete phony from top to bottom. Some may not consider this letter politically correct. I have never been known as one that is politically correct, and it’s too late in life to change now.
– Terry Brotherton, of Denver
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