SECU Elections: First Things First!

  Thank you!

North Carolina is fortunate to have an active - if struggling mightily! - pool of local newspapers, periodicals, and independent journalists. It's no "news" to anyone that what's true?, what's false?, what's fact?, what's fiction? is increasingly hard to determine. But, the truth still matters, doesn't it?

Certainly, some of our original leaders thought it mattered, as did the rights of free speech, assembly, petition, resolutions, that democratic-type stuff: 

✓ 1st Amendment of the U.S Constitution
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.' 

Our leaders and institutions today make that search for truth more and more difficult. Some believe that "a glass of half-truths" is a glass half full, when in fact it is completely empty. Not sure why "they" don't trust "us"!  Does the truth really hurt that much?

took the time to pose a series of questions to the 5 SECU Board candidates, four responded. Wanted to thank the folks at BNC for doing so! As they correctly point out: "[SECU] ... has an unusual impact on North Carolina, and membership on the 11-member board matters."

Here are the responses [9/17/2026]: 

https://businessnc.com/candidates-in-secu-election-share-thoughts/ 

✅ Please consider casting your votes for Julian Hawes and Barry Browning. Your ballot is still valid if you vote only for the 2 member-nominated candidates.  

 Vote by mail or online.  Here's where to find complete voting info [link].