PERMANENT RECORD

When Durham, NC held their last election in 2005, 17 people ran for mayor, 8 of them had criminal records. This news was reported by the Raleigh News & Observer. Why is this important? Well, the criminal candidates in Durham were by and large scam artists, child molesters and one even had a fictitious name. Isn't that important? Shouldn't a candidate's personal history be an important part of their candidacy?

If a candidate is convicted of assault or DWI, shouldn't that be an important factor in determining whether or not you vote for a particular person or not? Candidates criminal history, past, present, or future transgressions of the law tell us exactly who is really running for office. Candidates talk a lot about family values, but suppose your candidate, the great proponent of family values, has had a domestic violence protective order issued against him? Wouldn't that, shouldn't that be at the very least cause for concern?

Suppose Katherine Moore would have blown a .18, twice the legal limit and have been convicted of DWI, wouldn't that have been nails to her coffin? Wasn't that the whole point of arresting her in the first place? But suppose you have a write in candidate who was convicted of DWI?

Now I'm not saying these people are to be shunned or run out of town, I'm saying when you have a choice, wouldn't it be prudent to investigate those with a questionable background? I'm sure all these people who have various "lapses in judgment" with the law are good people ... to someone. I mean isn't it possible that some people, family, Nurse Anesthetists, Satan, think Thomas Wright is a good guy?

Hey, I've made my share of poor judgment calls, none I'm willing to admit, but then I'm not running for office, maybe if I did run for office I'd come right out up front and admit my sins. Then again maybe I'd be foolish enough to think nobody would notice...or care.

There is something to those who admit their sins, Jesus said admit your sins and you are forgiven. So when I watched Marion Jones tearfully admit her sins today I felt so much sorrow for her because I know Marion. I've worked with her several times. I worked with her on a Nike commercial where she played a DJ calling on fellow athletes to stop committing crimes, she said that they OWED their fans that much. Marion knows children, the naive kids who for some reason or another worship these athletes and with all the crimes of assaults, drunk driving, dope.... no wonder high school athletics is no different than the programs in professional sports.

In an effort to discover who had what skeleton in which closet we have found that several candidates in New Hanover County have criminal records, a few of them have committed serious offenses, serious enough to warrant concern. Most however have nothing to be embarrassed about.

Wilmington's Candidates for Mayor

Bill Saffo - traffic offenses
Justin Lanasa - convicted of injury to real property along with a judge's order not to assault the victim. Lanasa made claim he was out of town during the incident and could not have caused the $20 damage to a property line fence.
Harper Peterson - a traffic violation

Wilmington's Candidates for Council

Jeff Kohl- forgot to check on the pressure of his boat's fire extinguisher

Carolina Beach Write-in Candidate for Mayor

Ray Rothrock a quick look his record revealed a conviction of DWI in 2005

Carolina Beach Candidate for Council

Michael Kopitopoulous - sold beer by mistake to someone who was underage and received a prayer for judgement for his mistake

Kure Beach Candidate

Barry Nelder- drunk driving in 1987, Nelder reported that the incident sobered him up and he has not had a drink in nearly 20 years.

Wrightsville Beach Candidates for Town Board of Aldermen

Chandler Madray- arrested in 1998 for urinating in public and drinking in public, among other misdemeanors

Bill Blair- forgot to count his life vests on his boat and was charged accordingly

But there are two candidates whose personal criminal history stand out as being in need of serious explanation.

Wrightsville Beach candidate for Alderman, Brent Futch has a long history of writing bad checks, these aren't life sustaining needs these checks were written for these are checks for thousands of dollars spanning several years. He has even been on probation because of these convictions. Futch also has charges of Hit and Run, No Insurance, Trespassing, DWI and giving or selling alcohol to an underage person. I was unable to reach Mr. Futch with two separate phone calls to the number listed with the Board of Elections. These calls were made the Friday and Saturday prior to this posting. (UPDATE TO STORY: In an article with the Lumina News Futch denies being convicted of giving or selling alcohol to a minor. My notes show a conviction in 1992. I will recheck my research when I am able to do so.) (UPDATE TO STORY: MORE UPDATES - In an email from Mr. Futch, he claims he has a certified copy of his criminal record showing no convictions for selling or giving alcohol to a minor. )

The prize for the most embarrassing criminal history has to go to Carolina Beach candidate for Mayor, current Mayor Pro-Tem, Alan Gilbert who had been convicted of a 1993 assault on a female but has also been the recipient of a domestic violence restraining order in a dispute that, in the victim's own handwriting, stated that she was prevented from leaving the house and that he ripped the phone off the wall when she attempted to call 911. The 1997 Domestic Violence Civil Order also states that Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem Gilbert had committed a similar, previous act of violence against the same woman in an unreported event prior to 1997.

How do you defend against such things in a political climate where previous sins not only come back to haunt you, but are used as weapons against you. So why risk such exposure and potential for embarrassment when you, better than anyone, know what evil lurks behind closed doors? Perhaps it is self righteousness, perhaps the offenders are comfortable knowing that Jesus and all who love them have forgiven them. I mean it's not like they were caught yesterday in a men's bathroom with their pants down around their ankles. But it is on their "permanent record".

I guess let he who is without sin cast the first pitch, batter up!

Comments

[Amber K]

I heard your show today and was wondering why you didn't mention the other candidates. I mean Pat DeLair just went bankrupt and you never said a word about that.

[Tre Benson]

Ms. Delair's bankruptcy is not a crime. The report had to do with the violation of the law.

I did look into Ms. Delair's criminal background and found nothing to report.

[Steven Mark Pilling]

Dear Tre: Remember what John Wayne's character said in "The Cowboys"? "I don't necessarily hold prison against a man... but I can't stand a liar!" I suppose that's in line with what Governeur Morris, a Founding Father, once said. "The exercise of authority depends on personal character." Occasional acts of stupidity are only to be expected, even in the best of us. Rank criminality is something else entirely! We've lowered the bar on character to such a degree that you can't help but wonder how many "Durhams" or "District of Columbias" there are right now.

I THINK THAT MR. GILBERT SHOULD RESIGN AS MAYOR PRO-TEM AT ONCE. HE SHOULD ALSO NOT RUN FOR THE MAYOR. HE SHOULD ALSO RESIGN ALL HIS POSTS.

What a blemish on carolina beach. Mr. gilbert give it up. move on, Don't bring the beach down to your level. you are a digrace to us all.

[Alison]

I think some of these crimes are forgivable...but assault on a female and domestic violence??? I draw the line there. What kind of role model is he for children?? I second that he is not the man for the job...Alan Gilbert should withdraw from the race.

Stunning is all I have to say and how can Alan Gilbert preach so much about family values..........Please withdraw from the Mayor's race as you have deceived us.

Mr. Gilbert is a slick talker and now we know the truth about him. If he will cover this up, there is no limit to what he may do and I do not want him as my mayor. Go home please and stay there and resign as mayor pro tem. His favorite word is clarity and now I am very clear about his lack of character!!

For the three years that Alan Gilbert has stuck his name out to the public as to how he cares about family values and the future of our children, what a disgrace this makes us all feel about the trust that was given to him. He is an embarrassment to true caring people for children. How can he say that he could lead our town or any town when he can't even lead his own life in the manner that Christ would want him to. I sincerely pray that he can be saved and that one day he will turn his life around. People say that years have passed, but this is a problem that began years ago and without public committment and an effort to find help for these or this problem in his personal background takes years to overcome. No where has it been found that he has sought that help that we all need from time to time and his attitude shows the truth as to how he personally perceives his dilemmas he may or may not be in.

[Patrick]

I have known Alan for 5 years and think the man has all the qualitiesneeded to work as mayor. We have no idea what took place to have him with such a reocrd. When is someone held acountable of a crimek that took place 10 years ago? I say the proof is that the man has a good family who loves him and many loyal friends that stand with him and will see him elected Mayor to protect this beach from being strip mined for its natural resources.

the proof you are looking for my be at the blackhorn bar and grill. if he has changed so much than why was he kicked out of the bar for trying to start a fight. I will tell you, HE STILL HAS ISSUES!!!!!!!

It takes people like you to allow people like him to continue his slick talk. Wake and smell what you are shoveling.

[Jeff]

Blackhorn are you kidding that ws two years ago, I was there and some drunk Mexican who was over served was messing with his wife and the staff and owners were too drunk to throw anyone out. They left on their own.

[Jeff]

Wake up people, Mr. Gilbert's past is just that. This is a set-up by David and Diane Lawn, Michelle and George Connette, Dan Wilcox candidate, Joel Macon candidate. They are the greedy ones that were going to make abunch of money off of now bankrupt Arcadius. They are evil and bitter. Mr. Gilbert is the best thing that has happened to Carolina Beach in a long time. Mr. Gilbert has a wonderful family and is serving the people.

[Jeff]

You want to expose Mr. Gilbert for something years ago, why not talk about Joel Macon using his position with the state to land he and his partner Dan Wilcox jobs. These two are stealing from condo owners with the help of Ann Bowman and Coastwalk Realty. Why not look at these guys for ripping off the beach?

[Jeff]

I know some of Dan Wilcox's (running for council) girl friends, they say Dan is a violent drunk. Let's give them a call and see what they have to say. At least Mr. Gilbert is happily married. Joel Macon left his wife for another woman after she got back from the war in Iraq and only after spending all the money she made.

1st Thing Blackhorn has been opened since 01/06. Thats a year and a half. 2nd Thing is that Mr Gilbert is a selfish individual. He has no business running for council, let alone to run for mayor. Alan is a nice person, but has no business in office. What he is doing subjecting his family to the spotlight is disgusting. His kids will be picked on in school, everyone will look at him and his wife differently. All for what to prove something.
If we as voters of Carolina Beach do elect Alan then we are saying, "We don't care about peoples past. Come on down to CB where you can live here just 4 years and get into office with any past."
Domestic Violence is terrible and what he did was intimidate his poor wife when she had there child, (there oldest kid), in her arms. Then he riped the phone out of the wall so she couldn't call for help. Know if people think that is a person that should be mayor then maybe all the good people of CB should leave.
10 Years ago is not that long!

1st Thing Blackhorn has been opened since 01/06. Thats a year and a half. 2nd Thing is that Mr Gilbert is a selfish individual. He has no business running for council, let alone to run for mayor. Alan is a nice person, but has no business in office. What he is doing subjecting his family to the spotlight is disgusting. His kids will be picked on in school, everyone will look at him and his wife differently. All for what to prove something.
If we as voters of Carolina Beach do elect Alan then we are saying, "We don't care about peoples past. Come on down to CB where you can live here just 4 years and get into office with any past."
Domestic Violence is terrible and what he did was intimidate his poor wife when she had there child, (there oldest kid), in her arms. Then he riped the phone out of the wall so she couldn't call for help. Know if people think that is a person that should be mayor then maybe all the good people of CB should leave.
10 Years ago is not that long!

Jeff Why are you bringing other prople into this? I know, to bring them down to alan's level! well don't bother. alan is what he is, there's proof, however the statements you are making about the others,there is no proof. this makes you no better than alan. maybe you are one of the same. maybe you are alan. maybe not, but than again maybe you are. You seem to have a lot of anger too! Maybe you you both need help.

Jeff if Mr. gilbert is the best thing that has happened to carolina beach, what does that say for carolina beach? You need to re-think your way of thinking. I think all battered women would want you to do just that.

jeff, i see you have the same family values as mr. gilbert's. hanging out in bars late at night and early in the morning, "wow" what values. do you have his temperment as well? what are his children doing this time of night or morning? oh well i guess family values needs an overhaul.

Ever woman needs to show up at Town Hall tonight and demand Mr. Gilbert resign his positions. Any woman that cast a vote for Alan Gilbert is a traitor to the female race. He made a statement he has been married 13 years and he knows that is a lie. What other lies is he telling.

Alan why don't you tell the whole truth? When were you and your wife really married? If you have been married 13 years, prove it. Show everyone your true family values.

Boy, I think there are a lot of nasty, nasty people in CB (i.e., referring to the above negative comments) that are so quick to pass judgment (without knowing the facts). Moreover, numerous ugly people manipulate and twist things to position what they want to project out of the alleged situation. As the old saying goes, two wrongs don't make it right. I would hope that there are more of you willing to take the high road!!

As Americans, we know the amount of hatred and ill will that exists for us in other countries. If we can't get along in our little town in big America and be respectful towards one another, how can we expect other countries to control their own hateful, vengeful terrorists?

to the lady who stated "I think there are a lot of nasty, nasty people in CB"....Maybe you missed the part of the report that said CONVICTED. I think you need to go grab a dictionary and look the word up..seems you need a little clarification on the word and it’s definition.
Terrorism in America has NOTHING to do with this situation. This man should be held accountable or what he has done. Please do everyone a favor and really think about what you are commenting on…You make yourself sound pretty ignorant.

I'm taking the high road...lets let the voters decide what road you and the others have taken.

I think the female voter will decide what road we all will take.