747 Crash On Takeoff

Harrowing footage of a US cargo plane in Afghanistan plummeting to the ground immediately after takeoff and erupting in a massive ball of flames has emerged online. All seven passengers onboard were killed. Video apparently shot from a vehicle dashcam shows the National Airlines Boeing 747 taking off from the Bagram Airfield military base, just north of the Afghanistan capital of Kabul, on Monday.

 The plane’s nose pitches up heavily on its ascent, stalls, and then falls from the sky in a matter of seconds. It immediately explodes upon impact, sending a massive, think plume of smoke up into the sky. While the video appeared within 24 hours of the crash and appears to be authentic, the date on the dash cam is wrong. Seven passengers – all of them American citizens – were killed in the crash. Shirley Kaufman, VP for National Air Cargo, said five of the seven causalities were from Michigan. “We are not yet releasing the identities of the colleagues we lost out of respect for their families who need a little more time to reach their loved ones,” The Pentagon Post cites Kaufman as saying. She added that the aircraft was transporting vehicles and other cargo when it crashed. The Taliban was quick to take credit for downing the cargo plane, a claim which NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) dismissed as “false.” NATO said emergency personnel who arrived at the scene were investigating the cause of the crash, adding that no insurgent activity in our around the base was recorded at the time. The crash appears to be the deadliest aircraft-related accident at Bagram Airfield since its conversion into a massive base of military operations following the 2001 US invasion of Afghanistan. The base has regularly been targeted by Afghan insurgents, including the deadly 2007 Bagram Airfield bombing, a suicide attack that killed some 23 people and injured 20 more. The attack coincided with a visit by the then vice-president Dick Cheney.

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Bank of America The Death of Customer Service

Nowhere is the death of customer service more evident than at Bank of America.

The French have owned the prize for their hubris waiters and rude service personnel since the end of World War II, but that cherished ranking is about to give way to the BofA employee.

Case in point:

My parents have been customers of Bank of America since the days when it was called NCNB, translation 4 decades, 40 years.

I've been a customer of Bank America in the past, with a home loan, couple of auto loans, checking accounts, credit cards and more.

I fit the demographic for their ideal customer, for income, net worth, savings, business and social circles. My credit rating is unblemished, and other than that I understand the inverse relation to price and yield better than their investment professionals, I'm a guy they should want to keep happy.

But, I most look like a criminal.

Never mind that have a Federal ID that gives me unescorted access to some of the most secure aviation and shipping facilities in the country or that I have more licenses, certifications and clearances than most members of the secret service.

Perhaps it was my blue blazer, white button down pin point Oxford shirt or regent stripe tie?

I must look the part of the prototypical scam artist, and I thank Bernie Madoff and Donald Trump for that.

My request was simple cash a check my father gave me nearly a month ago. His name, and my mother's name, the address where they have lived at since 1973 all appropriately displayed on the face of the check. The check made payable to me and my name of course matches my North Carolina driver's license as well as matches their last name.

So I wheel into the drive up lane at the local BofA branch, the same one Ive been using since the early 90's. After waiting behind another customer for an eternity it is my chance to drive up to the window.

The teller neither smiles or says hello, frankly I've learned not to expect the over the top politeness of Chick Fil A at Bank of America, but on this visit all I get is an audible grunt.

I placed the endorsed check and my drivers license in the drawer pulling my hand out of the way just in time as it snaps shut.

The woman behind the bullet proof glass never looks up. She just stares at the check and flips it over and over again, as if it written in some foreign language or carries an embedded secret code.

I am intrigued by her diligent examination and the amount of time that it is taking her, so I grab my cell phone and take her photo as she tells me that the drive through is for customers only and I need to come inside to be finger printed.

 

The blank stare continues, she never once cracks a smile. I suddenly feel that I have been transported to Soviet Russian, the woman in grey a stern "babushka" demanding my papers as a menacing KGB officer nearby glances my way.

Inside one of the bank's assistants to the assistant assistant managers greets me at the door. Polite at least but just as unhelpful, as he escorts me to the "teller line", at this point a second teller apparently the same cloned version of the first yet with a different name also proceeds to review my documents, photograph me and request my thumb print.

The assistant assistant provides me with a well rehearsed and repeated explanation; it is for our customer's protection.

Well treat me poorly, make me jump through hoops but don't lie to me, if it was for your customer's protection you wouldn't cash the check until you call my parents on the phone and asked "is it ok we give your son $50.00 from your account?"

To Bank of America the idea of who is a customer has been lost in a sea of corporate manuals, emails and memos. When your forget who the customer is you eventually fail.

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Charlotte Fire Department Ladder 23 at FDIC

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Tuesday Change Up - Bill Fehr

This is very cool stuff. A lot to take in, so you'll watch it more than once, or twice or even three times.

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Monday Odds and Ends - All Over The Chart Edition

Felony Death By Vehicle  - In North Carolina will get you 3 years.

Steven Driggers who was charged with drunk driving in a deadly accident in east Charlotte last summer has pleaded guilty.

Steven Driggers Photo Meck Sheriff's Office

CMPD Officers say Driggers crossed over the center line on Reedy Creek Road and struck the vehicle carrying the Rodriguez family head-on. The father, Renaldo Rodriguez, was killed. His wife and teen daughter were injured.

Driggers pleaded guilty to felony death by motor vehicle and was sentenced to a maximum of just over three years behind bars.

40 months seems a little weak, on the other hand in South Carolina the standard for a drunk driving offense that results in the death of someone is 18 years.

Lisa Pistolis Update - Charleston's infamous party girl and former Hooter's waitress has bonded out of jail.

Pistolis is charged in the January 27, accident that claimed the life of Serjei Cahuantzi ,35 of Charleston and seriously injured his passenger on I-525 in North Charleston. Her reported BAL was .12 well over the .08 limit.

The trial date for her previous DUI is next month and late June for the DUI murder charge. If convicted she can expect a ten years or longer prison sentence. Other recent convictions for the same crime have resulted in 18 - 20 year sentences for first time offenders in South Carolina.

Cedar's Take: South Carolina DA's and Charleston County Judges have taken a hard line against drunk drivers who kill. Mallory Hood age 24 is serving a 18 year sentence for killing a Navy sailor who was also intoxcated and had crashed into another motorcycle. Her story here.

Charlotte Chamber's Shameful Plea - It is really sad when the Panther's turn to the Charlotte Chamber to do their dirty work. This email was sent to Chamber Members on Friday which continues the bogus idea that the Panther's will move the team if they aren't able to grab money from Charlotte taxpayers.

Help keep the Panthers in Charlotte!

 

Charlotte City Council will vote on Monday on a revised proposal to aid in renovations to Bank of America stadium. The deal has changed due to legislation which passed the legislature last week. The Panthers provide great economic benefit to our community in the way of sales tax revenue, occupied hotel rooms and restaurant meals on game days. The intangible benefits come from the national television time that shows our beautiful community to audiences across the county.

We need you to show your support for the team at Council's meeting on Monday evening. Several folks have signed up to speak and will ask you to stand up when they go to the podium.

Monday, April 22, 7 pm until

Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center

600 E. 4th Street

Please wear a Panthers jersey or t-shirt. 

Repo Man - Nothing says sluggish economic recovery like a repo guy prowling the streets of a local high end neighborhood.

Cedar Posts spotted this "grab and go" tow truck in South Charlotte's Piper Glen last week.

When the car owner spotted the tow truck backing up to the target car CMPD was called. Apparently the police intervention worked as the "Repo Guy" left empty handed.

Gun Control Fail - Lost in the news of Boston and the small town of West, Texas is the failure of President Obama's plan to take guns away from Americans.

The shame of failure was apparently just too much for "Shotgun" Joe Biden to bare. Others didn't take it so hard instead they resorted to blaming big money for buying off senators.

Boston Bombing - Developments

• The surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings, is awake in a Boston hospital and responding in writing to questions, a law enforcement official told USA TODAY.

• Charges may be filed today.

• A wake was held in Medford, Mass., for bombing victim Krystle Campbell.

• Authorities are looking at the possibility that a neck wound on suspect No. 2 the result of a suicide attempt.

• Word of suspect No,. 1's 2011 FBI interview and 2012 trip to Russia raises concerns about signs of his increasingly radical views. Republican Reps. Peter King and Michael McCaul want to know why the FBI released the suspect after questioning him in 2011. Republican Rep. Mike Rogers says he does not believe the FBI failed to detect any suspicious behavior.

• Watertown Police Chief Ed DeVeau, recounting the chase and capture of the suspects, says the two fired 200 to 300 shots at his officers, then tossed what appeared to be a pressure cooker bomb.

• The ACLU questions whether it's appropriate for law enforcement officials to use a public safety exception to justify not reading suspect No. 2 his Miranda rights.

• A moment of silence precedes the London Marathon, where some runners wore black armbands amid increased security.

Boston Officers Turn Streets Blue - A somber salute to fallen Officer Sean Collier.

CFD Ladder 23 in Indianapolis - Sunday afternoon found Charlotte Fire Department's reserve ladder 23 was ready to roll into Indianapolis's Lucas Oil Stadium after making the 800+ mile trip to Indiana.

CFD's Reserve Ladder 23 and other Smeal rigs ready to go on display at the 2013 FDIC

Ladder 23 is part of a heavy promotional effort by Smeal Apparatus leading up to the 2013 FDIC. The event is the final four of fire fighting, a week long educational, and sale expo that gives firefighters a chance to share and learn.

Smeal Apparatus is the exseclusive supplier to the Charlotte Fire Department.

Cedar Posts prior story on Ladder 23's trip to Indianapolis was met with disdain by CFD public information officer Mark Basnight. That post is here.

Technology's Key Role - in the apprehension of the Marathon Bombing suspects is unquestionable.

But beyond the surveillance cameras and the helo mounted camera using infrared imaging from more than 3000 feet is the ability to simply "take out the suspect".

Laser targeting from above and a sniper on the ground, reverse to that of a seal team directed air strike but plausible. In this case ground forces using the above images were able to direct fire on flash bang charges near enough to the suspect to be affective but far enough away not to cause fatal injuries. 

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Hat Tip To The Boston Police Officers

Hat's off to the Boston Police for their Dedication, Professionalism and Bravery in taking these Terrorist assholes down!

These Professionals stood Tall in the face of true evil and defeated it. They without hesitation Honored the Oath they took, earned their pay and the respect of the Community they serve.
Condolences to the Family and Friends of the MIT Officer who lost his life and to the Officer who was severely wounded.

Take a few moments this day to think about what these Men and Women do to make your world better.

They suit up, pin on a Badge, holster a weapon and go out to make a difference in an often surreal world of violence and insanity.

They know that they may have to take a life or loose theirs for pay that keeps them barely over the poverty level. They deal with the worst humanity can present, see things that most people can't even imagine or cope with and go home to a Family and try and act normal. They do this for years, in North Carolina it's 30 years!
If you encounter a Police Officer today or in the near future take a minute of your time and tell them thanks for their Service as that small gesture keeps them going, and because they do the job for you!
That's my take on it! 

Received via email, author unknown.

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West Texas Fire and Explosion

There are dozens of reported casualties in the small town of West Texas.

The video below serves as a forceful reminder of the danger firefighters and law enforcement face in these situations.

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Wednesday Change Up - STP Sour Girl

One of the oddest music videos ever produced. But the song "Sour Girl" by Stone Temple Pilots is one of the best songs of the last decade The song was written by singer Scott Weiland and guitarist Dean DeLeo for their band's fourth album, aptly titled No. 4. "Sour Girl" also appears on the compilation albums Thank You and Buy This. 

Sour Girl was released on April 16, 2000, yep 13 years ago! 

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The White House on the Day After Boston

This official photo from The White House shows President Barack Obama receiving an update on the explosions that occurred in Boston, in the Oval Office, April 16, 2013.



Seated, from left, are: Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano; Tony Blinken, Deputy National Security Advisor; Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor to the Vice President; Attorney General Eric Holder; Lisa Monaco, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism; Chief of Staff Denis McDonough; and FBI Director Robert Mueller. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

Cedar's Take: This photo is "notable" for who is not present as much as who is. The lack of State Department, Foreign Service, Central Intelligence Agency or Military heads, pretty much confirms a domestic terrorist in a lone wolf profile....

Then there is the lack of some sort of manifesto, claim or known cause that a lone wolf might pursue. Which might mean the person responsible is just a psychopath with a dislike for runners and the Boston Marathon.

 

Unlike Timothy McVeigh who pursued a vendetta against the United States Government the Boston Bomber seems to be just a random act of violence, directed at no one in particular and everyone in general.

 

But even the extreme cases of Eric Rudolph, and Ted Kaczynski aka Unabomber had agendas. What makes this case unusual is the lack of a known catalyst. Whoever this person is, he feels that he has endured life's fustrations long enough, but even his attack has failed. So expect that he is not done.

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Boston Marathon Rocked By IED's WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT

Boston - CP's cousin was in Boston for the race and says it was just awful, saying that the explosions were back to back. People were screaming and running while others were just dazed and confused. He left the area immediately, walking across the Longfellow Bridge leaving his car in Boston.

The bomber(s) for some reason chose the finish line vs the packed starting line. Boston PD sources noted that while the devices where certainly deadly they were crude in design and had the markings of anything but a Mideastern terrorist network.

The bombing wasn't well coordinated or executed and most of the evidence point to a psychopath attack vs a terrorist attack.

Witnesses noted that many of the runners were "in the zone" and just kept running towards the finish line even as runners around them where screaming and falling to the ground.

Crazy stuff for runnings premier event, in one of Cedar's favorite cities.

Boston is a very outside city, being a Bostonian means being on the street, at the Common or along the Charles. The joy of being in a city like Boston is that you feel very safe always and even at the latest hours of the night.

Newberry Street is unlike any other, busy but not New York busy. At night people "stroll along" rather than rush along in a New York hurry.

And Boston is a road runners heaven. In the summer the sun begins its climb early. The first light finds, Boston rowing club's 8's and 4's putting in on the Charles River. Runners plod the trails the border the river, and cross into Cambridge and circle back across the Harvard Bridge.

 

In the summer the Boston Pops preforms at the Hatch Shell. Often called the "Half Shell" by tourists in this city where families have camped out summers upon summers as conductor Arthur Fieldler made the Pops Style concerts popular.

Boylston street is the center of shopping and hotels with the Four Seasons across from the Boston Common and Copley Place around the corner. Ritz, Westin and Hyatt all have flag ship hotels within sight of each other.

All of this plus arts, and of course the Bo Sox at Fenway, in the center of this tragic event. Which for this fan of Boston makes it just so unthinkable.

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Charlotte Fire Department Station 24 Doing Whatever Needs To Be Done

The Whitten family home in South Charlotte has flown the United States Flag along with the Navy and Marine Corps "Standards" for as long as any neighbor can remember.

Photo Via Facebook

Unfortunately, sometime in the early hours of Sunday March 23, someone stole the Marine Corps Standard from the Whitten home. The theft would upset anyone, but for the Whitten's who have a son in the Marine Corps and a daughter in the Navy, it was personal, very personal.

Later that day Mark Whitten put a sign up offering a reward for information that would lead to the recovery of the flag or arrest of the "Punk" who stole it.

Photo Via Facebook

For the next two weeks the USMC Standard remained missing.

But this past Tuesday as Mark's wife Sara was about to leave for work, Charlotte Fire Department's Engine 24 and Ladder 24 rolled to a stop in front of the Whitten home.

Mark would later recall that Sara was pretty puzzled and concerned that two fire trucks where suddenly parked in front of their home. Her first thought he says was that maybe the house was on fire.

While fighting fire is their primary mission, on this day the guys from CFD Station 24 had a different sort of mission in mind. One that was just as important, in this case to right a wrong.

As the firefighters approached they told Sara that the reason they had stopped by was to give her a new USMC flag to replace the one that was stolen.

The firemen in her front yard went on to point out that Station 24 was home to 5 United States Marines with one currently deployed overseas. They added, that it was their way of thanking the Whitten's and their children for their service.

The gesture was their way of letting Whitten's know that they were around, looking out for the neighborhood and that they noticed the flag was missing and that someone cared.

According to Mark, it was all just too much for Sara to bear, she was at a complete loss for words. Speechless Sara couldn't hold back the tears of joy. Mark later recalled upon hearing the news from his wife, he too became choked up.

The reward sign now has a much different message: "Thank You Fire House 24 for the new USMC Flag".

Photo Via Facebook

Mark also posted this message on the Charlotte Fire Department Facebook Page:

"I just wanted to let you and anyone else who is reading this to know that YOU GUYS ROCK and THANK YOU SO SO MUCH HOUSE 24... This is something we will NEVER forget and are so grateful for the job you guys do and now for this too... THANKS AGAIN.. THE Whitten's..."

It's late in the evening when another tone drops at Station 24 followed by the computerized voice telling the crew the nature and location of the next call, less than a minute later Engine 24 is rolling down Pineville Matthews Road and disappearing into into the darkness. Doing whatever needs to be done.

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Friday Wrap Up - Charlotte Douglas International Airport Edition

CDIA Deputy Director Smoking Gun - There is a lot of finger pointing going on over the surprise move by Jerry Orr to free his airport from the grips of Charlotte and the potted plants known as Charlotte City Council.

But Cedar Posts has been telling you for months that a mutiny was underway. As far back as December 2011 CP posted details about the move to free CDIA from City of Charlotte control and the all out turf war between Orr and CMPD Chief Rodney Monroe. CP's post about Rodney vs Jerry is here.

A review of Airport Advisory Board minutes makes no mention of plans to wrangle control of the airport away from the city, but clearly the move was being discussed behind closed doors.

The straw that broke the camel's back was the Monroe power grab of control of the airport police. CP's prior post of Chief Monroe's memo to City Manager Ron Carlee is here.

Now a recording of Deputy Manager Herbert Judon has surfaced where Judon reveals that the plan to form an Airport Authority was well underway back in early August. The recording provided to Cedar Posts is from the August 23, 2012 staff meeting. CP's prior post about Herbert Judon is here.

 

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Florence Motorcop Doesn't Give Up

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Charlotte Fire Engine 9

CFD Engine 9 at Harris Teeter, part of an upcoming story. Stay tuned.

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Chiquita Sues to Prevent George Washington University From Getting Colombia Terror Docs

This from US News:

A research institute at George Washington University wants records that show Chiquita doing business with terrorists, and it has the produce giant going bananas.

Chiquita filed a lawsuit in a U.S. District Court last week to prevent the documents from being handed over to the National Security Archive, an investigative journalism center and archive of declassified government documents housed at GWU.

The center believes the documents, currently held by the Security Exchange Commission, show Chiquita made illegal payments to Colombian terrorist groups more than a decade ago in exchange for security from those groups.

The full story is here.

Cedar Posts prior story on the Banana Company is here.

Hat tip to Susan Stabley and Prima Fallon for the heads up.

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Another North Carolina Dog Fighting Operation Busted

A raid by Halifax County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday resulted in the seizure of 21 pit bulls who were potentially used for dog fighting. Also seized was drug paraphernalia, and Zhaqwaun Jevontae Gary, 19, of Roanoke Rapids, is facing charges related to the manufacture of marijuana, felony possession of marijuana and maintaining a vehicle/dwelling place for controlled substance (felony).

Confidential sources led to the raid of the property according to Chief Deputy Wes Tripp. “Upon the arrival of Sgt. Randy Keeton, he reported seeing a large number of cars in the yard and lights on in a shed behind the residence,” Tripp said. “Once he pulled in the yard, he observed several people running to leave the area. Keeton was able to locate the owner of the property. After receiving consent, Sgt. Keeton was able to observe evidence to substantiate the report of dog fighting.”

Police then obtained a separate search warrant and examining the property thoroughly. “While processing the shed, a separate room to the shed was found, inside was a grow of marijuana,” Tripp said. “Narcotic agents with the Sheriff’s Office were called to scene and a search warrant was served for the inside grow of marijuana.”

The dogs rescued included 19 pit bulls and 2 puppies, some of which had past injuries consistent with dog fighting. Animal Control Officer Robert Richardson indicated that a dog fighting pen, dog training weights, syringes and animal medication were located. More arrests are pending in the case but the dogs are now safe and being treated.

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Later This Week CFD Engine 38

Photo: Cedar Posts

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Monday Odds and Ends - Both SIdes of the Law Edition

Greenwood, SC Mass Shooting - From the Index Journal and other sources - An autopsy is scheduled for today in Newberry for the 15-year-old boy who was shot and killed during a birthday party late Saturday night.

The victim was identified as Malik Birshon Padgett, 15, of Columbia, according to the Greenwood County Coroner's Office. He died at Self Regional Medical Center after being shot in the chest at the party.

Photo Credit: Greenville Index Journal

According to Greenwood police, the shooting occurred at some apartments on Tabor Street, just beside the Greenwood Law Enforcement Center. A large crowd gathered at the party and spilled out into the street, then multiple shots were fired by someone who was not in attendance at the party.

Reports are varied with the number of persons shot between 4 and 7. Police reported that one of the four people who were injured in the shooting was transported by ambulance, and the three others made it to the hospital on their own. But several people who were injured were seen fleeing the scene with the police arrived.

Cedar's Take: The violence once reserved for Columbia and Charleston has flooded into smaller towns with historically large black populations. Towns of Hardeeville, Blacksburg and Greenwood are frequently in the news as a culture of violence seeps into once peaceful quiet rural areas.

I-77 Traffic - Anyone who traveled I-77 this weekend must have wondered what as going on, as traffic was thick and slow moving from Columbia to Charlotte.

Photo: Cedar Posts

The same volume of traffic was noted on I-26 with bottle necks at the I-26/I-95 interchange, Orangeburg exits and the 1-26/I-77 interchange.

SCDOT Officials blame the traffic on a larger than normal number of travelers hitting the roads at the end of spring break and the Charleston Cooper River Bridge Run on Saturday.

Cedar's Take: The number of north bound mini vans with car top carriers and Ohio, Michigan and New York plates is alarming. I can recall weekend travel along I-26 where out of state cars were few and far between. This has become insane and South Carolina might as well start asking for funds to widen all four interstates now.

Insider's tip: 601 176 are wonderful roads with very little traffic.  My average speed is around 70 even when I have to slow for logging trucks and farm tractors. The reason why these people are out on 26 and 77 is no one knows how to drive a two lane country road.  BTW: Back in the day 601 out of Camden was the only way to get to Charleston and Hilton Head.

CMPD Deputy Chief Ruth Story to Retire - Cedar Posts received this announcement via email early today. We'll have more on Chief Story later this week.

Photo Provided

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In Case You Missed It - Kevin Siers On Anthony Foxx

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CMPD Chief Monroe's Letter to City Manager Ron Carlee

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CFD Sends Ladder 23 and Crew on a Road Trip to Indy

But are we being taken for a ride?

According to an email Cedar Posts received this week, Charlotte Fire Department's retired Ladder 23 and its crew are heading north to Indianapolis later this month to make a five day appearance at the annual FDIC (Fire Department Instructors Conference), promoting fire department apparatus manufacturer Smeal.

Click on this banner ad from Smeal to see the Ladder 23 promo

 The conference will be held April 22-27 in Indianapolis were "Attendees are invited to stop and meet the crew and hear stories of Ladder 23's exploits, and share their own experiences."

The Smeal company web site promotes the appearance on another page:



CHARLOTTE LADDER 23 SETS NEW MILESTONE

40,423 CALLS AND STILL READY TO ROLL

That’s how many runs Charlotte Fire Department’s Ladder 23 made in its 10 years of service. The Smeal-built 105’ Rear Mount Aerial Ladder racked up 177,000 miles -- enough to travel around the world 7 times.

Photo Courtesy: Smeal Fire Apparatus Co.

Now in reserve status, Ladder 23’s long service life is a testament to the durability of Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. Ladder 23's stats are impressive to say the least:

In Service Date: 1/10/2002
Calls: 40,423
Miles: 177,000
Engine Hours: 13,550
Aerial Hours: 301
Fuel: 76,542 Gallons of Diesel
Oil: 1,890 Gallons
Tires: 158
Structure Fires: 806
Vehicle Fires: 201

Photo Courtesy: Smeal Fire Apparatus Co.

Photo Courtesy: Smeal Fire Apparatus Co.

The durability and longevity of Ladder 23 is why Charlotte Fire Department ordered another Smeal apparatus (a new 2012 - 105’ Rear Mount Aerial) to continue its legacy. Ladder 23 is now one of three Smeal units that is in reserve status.

Charlotte Ladder Trucks 23 Reserve and New 23 Photo Courtesy: Smeal Fire Apparatus Co.

New Ladder 23 joins Charlotte’s active Smeal fleet of 39 Engines and 15 Aerials. Charlotte Fire Department has an additional four Engines and two Aerials on order for delivery in the near future.

Captain Buddy Caldwell of the Charlotte Fire Department sums up the value of a reliable vehicle this way:

"A truck is a fire fighter's life for 24 hours when they're on shift. They trust that truck to be dependable, to get them to every call, and to function the way it's supposed to function when they get there. It's an integral part of their job. And it's all got to work."

Ladder 23 and its crew will be making a special appearance at booth 3537 at FDIC (Fire Department Instructors Conference), April 22-27 in Indianapolis, IN. Attendees are invited to stop and meet the crew and hear stories of Ladder 23's exploits, and share their own experiences.

Photo Courtesy: Smeal Fire Apparatus Co.

SMEAL EQUIPMENT..BUILT BETTER TO LAST LONGER

Cedar's Take:

Sounds like a good time will be had by all, except who is paying for this adventure?

Cedar Posts emailed CFD Captain Mark Basnight the department's PIO, asking about the trip, the costs, who was going and who was footing the bill. Captain Basnight responded by saying that our "source/information was inaccurate".

Basnight's, dodge leads CP to assume that you the tax payer is paying for this junket to Indy.

Beyond, employee costs, hours lost, meals and lodging there is the expense of moving a $750,000 piece of equipment 1200 miles round trip.

CP emailed Captain Basnight again asking if he was refusing to confirm or deny that Ladder 23 and Charlotte Fire Department personnel were traveling to Indianapolis for the FDIC event.

At 8:24 p.m. Captain Basnight responded with this carefully crafted reply:

From: "Basnight, Mark"

Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2013 20:24:53 +0000

To: Cedar Posts

Cc: McMillan, Kimberly<kmcmillan@ci.charlotte.nc.us>; Dulin, Jeffrey<jdulin@ci.charlotte.nc.us>; Granger, Richard<rgranger@ci.charlotte.nc.us>; Hannan, Jon<jhannan@ci.charlotte.nc.us>; Key, Howard<hkey@ci.charlotte.nc.us>; Kinniburgh, Robert<rkinniburgh@ci.charlotte.nc.us>; Basnight, Mark<mbasnight@ci.charlotte.nc.us>; Beteta, Carlos<CBeteta@ci.charlotte.nc.us>; Brisley, Robert<rbrisley@ci.charlotte.nc.us>; Cannon, Robert<RCannon@ci.charlotte.nc.us>; Gilmore, Jackie<jgilmore@ci.charlotte.nc.us>; Gist, Dennis<dgist@ci.charlotte.nc.us>

RE: Trip to Indianapolis

Once again thank you for contacting the Charlotte Fire Department, We sympathize with your quandary, however it is your responsibility and good journalism to allow enough time for an adequate response to meet your deadline. We will offer the following statement:

The Charlotte Fire Department will be allowing three firefighters and a reserve ladder company (formally Ladder 23) to attend the 2013 FDIC in Indianapolis. These three firefighters and the communities they serve will benefit from them attending one of the world’s premiere firefighter training conferences at the expense of the Smeal Corporation. Additional firefighters may choose to attend, however it will be at their own expense.

For any additional information, we stand by our original offer to meet with a representative of Cedar Posts in person to discuss any further details.

If you choose to rest your reputation and credibility on the word of your source that is completely your decision.

(Not including this entire response would be bias, inaccurate, irresponsible and poor journalism).

Eternally committed to duty & service,

Mark Basnight | Captain

Public Information Officer

Office of Media & Public Affairs

Charlotte Fire Department

228 E. 9th Street | Charlotte NC | 28202

704.336.2094 Media & Public Affairs Desk

Based on the above email, it certainly sounds like the trip is on Smeal's nickle.

Charlotte's Fire Department is now running almost exclusively Smeal Apparatus, which is built and headquartered in Nebraska, despite the fact that American LaFrance and Seagrave fire trucks are made here in the Carolina's.

Which makes you wonder what is going on?

If Smeal is paying for the trip what is the give back?

And whatever happened to the competitive bid process?

Well, North Carolina law is pretty loose when it comes to the rules under which the competitive bid process can be circumvented.

It is a given, that having the same source for all equipment, makes some sense. Many departments have their favorites, for years American La France was the single provider to FDNY which now has given those bragging rights to Seagrave, who makes fire fighting equipment in of all places Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Fire Engines and Ladder Trucks aren't cheap and with all the money that changes hands it seems reasonable that Charlotte's City Council might ask a few questions.

Which brings up a second point. Why in the world does Charlotte dispatch 3/4 million dollar rigs to unknown medical calls?

Ladder 23 ran 40,423 calls, of which 806 where structure fires and 201 where vehicle fires.

The rest? Looks like 39,416 where first responder calls. Meaning more than 97% of the 177,000 miles racked up over 10 years was for something other than fire. 

I got to admit, if I'm the guy having the heart attack, I don't care if they show up in a quint like ladder 23 or a moped. But much of the time these calls are for drunks passed out on a park bench. 

Wouldn't it be more cost effective to staff a dozen tricked out Ford 350 Rescue Units like they do in other cities?

CP doesn't know the answer, but folks who have lived in Charlotte awhile remember when the county took over the Mecklenburg Ambulance Service and later started training fireman to be EMT's and Paramedics as well. The reasoning was to "Supplement Medic" but now it may be time to look at a more cost effective solution.

And maybe the FDIC is a good place to compare notes with other departments.

CP Update:

Thanks to all who have commented on the above story. The point was not to say CFD was doing something shameful or to even point a finger. But it clearly hit a nerve. CP sources indicated the "several" department members were going to the FDIC event. This conflicts somewhat with Captain Basnight's final response. Except that he "hints" that other members might also be going at their own expense.

What is most interesting is Captain Basnight's intinal suggestion that we meet personally to discuss CP's questions about the trip. This ploy is common with CMPD's PIO who likes to use intimidation to suppress negative questioning.

Captain Basnight found himself in a tight spot, perhaps if the department had issued a press release several weeks ago when the decision was made to send one of "our" reserve ladder companies to Indianapolis, the Captain would have been more forthcoming.

The citizens and taxpayers of Charlotte have a right to know about these events. Sending a ladder company to represent Charlotte in Indianapolis is something we should all be proud of, sadly the clandestine manner in which it was planned and the "push back" response from our department diminished that fact. 

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Georgia Office Creeper Captured In Charlotte

Atlanta's notorious "Office Creeper", a man accused of stealing wallets from businesses across Georgia has finally been caught.

Antonio Hornsby, was arrested Wednesday in Charlotte, by CMPD's during a felony traffic stop.

Hornsby is being held on $75,000 bond in the Mecklenburg County Jail.

Georgia investigators say Hornsby, 54 who claims Tampa as his home, posed as a maintenance worker to gain access to office buildings, where he would steal workers' wallets. He struck businesses in Acworth, Athens, Braselton, Cartersville, Duluth, Henry County and Winder, as well as a Ronald McDonald House in Macon.

He now faces burglary, credit card theft and identity theft charges.

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Wednesday Change Up - SNL

Saturday Night Live - At the height of its early success, orginal cast member Chevy Chase headed off to pursue a film career was is replaced by adding Bill Murray who wasn't signed to the orginal cast due to budget constraints.

L to R: Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin, John Belushi, Laraine Newman, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, and Bill Murray.

The departure of Chase at the time sent a discord through the group, as well as NBC management. But as the years rolled on, the change of cast has become SNL's trade mark, a spring board for super stars.

The cast may have changed over and over again, as have the producers, directors and writers but the one thing that is still constant might surprise you. A key part in all 38 seasons and nearly all 740+ shows.

Any ideas who it might be?

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