One of the acts blowing through Raleigh for the inaugural season of the new city-owned downtown amphitheater will bring a cloud of smoke unseen in the city's marketing materials for the venue.
The "Cauzin Vapors ... Legalize it 2010" tour will arrive at the Raleigh Amphitheatre and Festival Site July 28. Each of the acts - Slightly Stoopid, Cypress Hill and Collie Buddz - sings the praises of marijuana.
When city leaders hatched their plans to build an amphitheater across the street from the new convention center, this probably wasn't what they were thinking. Through an agreement with the city, Live Nation, the nation's biggest concert promoter, books shows at the new site.
Cypress Hill's song "Hits From the Bong" features these lyrics: "Inhale, exhale - just got an ounce in the mail. I like a blunt or a big fat cone, but my double-barrel bong is getting me stoned."
Then again, maybe this concert does fit with the city's overall theme for a renovated downtown. The amphitheater site is bordered on one side by Cannabis, er, Cabarrus Street.
And that brings us to our next point. The Raleigh Police Department's new downtown district is also on Cabarrus Street, just feet away from the new amphitheater expected to be finished in June. Anyone else see where this is going?
Hear ye, hear ye
Joe Bryan, former chairman and current member of the Wake Board of Commissioners, wants to be fully transparent about his activities, he told Triangle Politics this week.
Therefore, let it be known that Bryan, along with fellow Republican board members Tony Gurley and Paul Coble, are going together to a performance of "Wicked" on Tuesday at the Durham Performing Arts Center.
Bryan said county ethics authorities have assured him that the trip meets all relevant laws and guidelines about private meetings of public bodies.
Tedesco critic hot over tea party
Wake County school board member John Tedesco continued to get grief from detractors this week about his spirited speech at the April 15 tea party rally in downtown Raleigh.
During a public comment period at Tuesday's school board meeting, several speakers criticized Tedesco's role at the rally as too political.
Chase Foster of Raleigh called Tedesco a "right-wing extremist" who had compromised the integrity of the school board and should be "professionally punished for using this public office to advance your partisan, political career in such a cheap and repellant way." Foster is a registered lobbyist for N.C. Voters for Clean Elections.
"You are a self-aggrandizing, Palin-esque politician seeking fame off the backs and lives of Wake County's 140,000 students," Foster said.
The board's code of ethics says members should avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest and refrain from using their positions for personal or partisan gain.
During a break, Tedesco responded to criticism that the appearance was unethical.
"I don't believe that to be the case," he said. "I received no benefit from it."
Some of his Democratic colleagues appear at party events and donate money, Tedesco said.
Top of the list
Raleigh planning director Mitchell Silver got another feather in his cap when he was chosen recently to serve as president for the American Planning Association, the top professional association for city planners such as Silver.
Drought talk: more of the same
After hearing a report on Durham's water needs in the future, City Council member Diane Catotti asked what a prolonged dry spell earlier this month and rainfall almost 3 inches below average for the year could mean.
"Are we moving toward drought?" she asked water director Don Greeley.
"Fifty-fifty," he replied. "As they've said every year at this time."
Political trails
The Wake County Republican Party will have its annual Reagan Day Dinner tonight at the J.S. Dorton Arena on the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Dinner is at 7 p.m., with a reception preceding. Speaking will be Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell. Tickets available at www.WakeGOP.org
The Western Wake Democrats will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Organizing for America Office, 130 E. Morgan St. in Raleigh.
Compiled by staff writers Matt Ehlers, Thomas Goldsmith, T. Keung Hui and Sarah Ovaska
