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Sen. Patrick Ballantine (R-New Hanover) is a candidate for the
2004 Republican gubernatorial nomination. He submitted this
opinion article to Bonesville.net and a number of other media
outlets. (Submitted Photo) |
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ECU deserves better
By Patrick Ballantine
Several months ago, the Atlantic Coast Conference began negotiations to
expand the conference to 12 schools. Whether you agree or disagree with
expansion, it is the duty of the leaders of North Carolina to do what is
best for our state. What was best for our state was for ECU to be considered
for membership in the ACC.
At the beginning of the summer, Senator Tony Moore and I started a
bi-partisan effort between the legislature and ECU, urging the Governor to
get engaged and use his office to get the ACC to consider ECU in its
expansion. Unfortunately, Mike Easley refused to address this important
opportunity, saying that he “had not been contacted by the University.” In
fact, the Governor had been contacted by then Chancellor Muse about my
efforts, and Senator Moore sent the governor a letter. But once again Mike
Easley did nothing.
ECU is a major economic engine for eastern North Carolina, and having ECU in
the ACC would have had a huge impact on the local economies in the region.
Think about it. If an N.C. State, UNC, Duke, etc. came to Greenville for
football or basketball, it would be Pirate-mania. When ECU plays a home
game, hotels in Wilson, Washington and Kinston are booked. How many pounds
of BBQ and buckets of chicken are sold to football fans driving through
Goldsboro on the way to games? How many tourism dollars are spent every
weekend ECU plays a football game? With his inaction, Governor Easley has
failed a region of the state that desperately needs economic stimulus.
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LETTERS: "... Every person
interested in the well being of ECU and eastern NC should
be insulted ..." — Stephen Dew,
Kernersville, NC — READ... |
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I support eastern North Carolina – where I grew up – and ECU – one of the
gems of our state’s university system. ECU and the people that live in the
east deserve better; you deserve a governor who shows up and doesn’t wait
until it’s too late to act.
It is time that ECU and eastern North Carolina were treated fairly, and
given the respect you deserve.
02.23.07 09:39 AM
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