Jeff L. Thigpen Register of Deeds

Monday, February 28, 2005

Military Discharges are all scanned.



Our military discharge information is now all scanned (for internal use) as of 2/21/05. This is important for our staff in Vital Records so they can retrieve the information quickly via computer for the public when requested. The alternative was that they had to go pull books, then copy the image and put it in a format that was not in black and white. Needless to say, we have now moved from a cumbersome process to a more streamlined one! Congrats to our staff on a job well done!

Thursday, February 24, 2005

Return of the Commissioner! (former Commissioner)



The Register of Deeds office had an item on the consent agenda---RFP for Imaging Indexes of Real Estate Books project at the Board of Commissioner's meeting tonight. Ultimately, BIS (Business Information Systems) , the selected vendor, was approved by a party line 6-4 vote. It was the first meeting I've attended since becoming ROD.

The item was pulled by Commissioner Winstead. There was a concern about the bid ranges (from $13,000 to 364,000). I explained the differences in vendors proposals and range. While at face the bids cover a broad range, several vendors did not meet the mandatory requirements. The lowest three bidders were discounted due to lack of verification requirements, poor written proposals, and no experience in these kinds of projects even though the RFP was clearly stated.

The high bidder was $364,000 which included a retrieval component not asked for in the RFP. The true range in consideration by our committee was in the $88,000 to $136,000 range. We selected the $136,000 bid- BIS. Although it was not the lowest bid, we feel that it was the "lowest responsible" bid based on our project parameters.

No county funds will be used for the project. The funding will come from our Automated Enhancement Fund designed for technology projects for Register of Deeds' offices created by the NC General Assembly.

I have a true respect for the work done on the other side of the dias Iby Dept. Directors) ...so to speak, after this process. I look forward to working with BIS on this project.

Special thanks to staff from the Deeds office, IS, Purchasing and County who helped us come to a
good decision!

Monday, February 21, 2005

Jerry Meek elected Chairman of NC Democratic Party!

Yeah, I pulled for Ed Turlington, but I think most folks agree that the Party is in good hands with Jerry Meek. I agree. Lots of luck to Jerry and I wish Ed all the best...

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

Patrick Cannon for Charlotte Mayor!



Charlotte City Councilman Patrick Cannon will announce he's running for Mayor today. I met Patrick at a softball game about 10 years ago. He was the shortstop and I played second base. I liked him. I didn't know his family history and relationship to current Mayor Pat McCrory. Interesting story.

He will be a VERY viable candidate and I wish him well!

Sunday, February 13, 2005

Support Ed Turlington and check out his new website...



Candidate for NC Democratic Party Chairman Ed Turlington has a new website. I endorse Ed in his campaign and urge all Democratic Party Executive Committee members to vote for him this coming Saturday!

We the People, (be careful what you ask for!! haha)



Ed Cone's op-ed piece on the US Constitution is really insightful. "Not one word about God in the Preamble.....And it's already in wide distribution at schools supported with taxpayer dollars and throughout the halls of power.

While I believe there should be a deep connection between spirituality and politics, proper boundaries between church and state are needed to protect religious and non-religious minorities alike. A point some folks forget in the values debate. I like the article because Ed has insight into the Preamble with a popular-cultural voice and some "heavy" analysis.

Friday, February 11, 2005

ROD update: The first Supervisors meeting last week...

We had our first supervisors meeting last week. Actually, it was the first supervisors meeting in two or three years. We are rolling!

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

"Values" Showcase: Ash Wednesday (40 days out from Good Friday)



Here are some headlines:

Evangelicals are not in lockstep.. is another piece on the diversity within the Christian faith regarding moral values and the meaning that faith has both in our personal and public lives.

And the Sojourner's community in Washington DC reminds America that at the federal level- Budgets are Moral Documents.

Monday, February 07, 2005

I call it "WWRD?" A piece on the the moral challenge facing Democrats...

What Would Ray Do?



Check out Soulful Democrats .......... a CNN article.

Another article on Our National Security challenge as Democrats by Bob Kerry among others.

Thursday, February 03, 2005

"For Some Bloggers, All Politics is Local"

Personal Democracy Forum article re: Democracy and Blogging by Greensboro's own Ed Cone and Sam Hieb. Great article, check it out!

More "Values" Talk: Larry King raises the tough questions...



Check out the transcipt from Larry King's Tuesday night show with America's Top Christian Evangelicals . His interview included Beverly Lahaye-Founder Concerned Women of America; Rev. Tim Lahay-"Left Behind Series"; Franklin Graham; Pastor T.D. Jakes; and Brian McLaren.

Powerful hour. Order the tape! ....Larry gives no one a free pass with tough queries, contradictions, and insights in the arguments re: religious freedom and government involvement or lack thereof; same sex relationships, sin, and redemption, love and reconciliation; Christian movement and black acceptance re: Civil Rights; tolerance; intolerance; is it possible for a good Democrat to be a Christian? (haha)


Tuesday, February 01, 2005

God's Politics by Jim Wallis

A new book I'd recommend on moral values. Check Jim out on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart!

Jim is with the Sojourners Community in DC! "God is not a Democrat or a Republican" bumperstickers.

http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=special.display&item=050111_godspolitics

DICK VITALE, " GOTTA LOVE THE QUAKE BABY!!!




http://www.wral.com/sports/4150974/detail.html

What a shot!?!?!!!!! Give it up for the PTP'ers at Guilford College! The world can change in .6 seconds!