Realtors support one of own for House

The N.C. Association of Realtors views state Rep. Bonner Stiller as a friend and supporter of its interests.

But that hasn't stopped the association's new political group from promoting his opponent as the November election approaches.

In the past few weeks, fliers hailing Democrat Allan Dameron as a proven leader have popped up in mailboxes in Stiller's Brunswick County district. Residents have received phone calls praising Dameron.

The political group makes no mention in the fliers and phone calls that it was formed to promote the interests of real estate agents. It's called the N.C. Homeowners Alliance. It is a nonprofit issue-oriented organization known as a "527," after a tax code provision.

Stiller, a two-term Republican, is a bit perturbed.

Stiller says he has voted for the interests of real estate agents nearly all the time, and now they are trying to oust him -- without his constituents being able to figure out who is pulling the strings.

"I just wish they would say that the Realtors are trying to run Brunswick County," said Stiller, an attorney.

The Greensboro-based association started the political group last month, according to papers filed with the Internal Revenue Service. They list the association's chief operating officer, William DePriest, and its lobbyist, Timothy Kent, as contacts.

The association boasts the largest political action committee in the state; its most recent campaign finance report showed roughly $750,000 on hand.

So why would it need to augment that war chest with a 527?

"We feel like residents of North Carolina need to be able to get information on issues of importance to them, and be able to identify leaders who can make a difference," Kent said.

Why Dameron? He's a real estate agent who has served on the association's board of directors.

Kent disputed that the goal of the 527 is to help certain candidates win election. None of the information the 527 put out asked residents to vote for Dameron.

Kent declined to say how much the alliance spent on fliers and phone banks.

Federal law prevents such groups from directly helping candidates get elected. They are supposed to stick to issues-oriented information.

Stiller said the alliance is walking a fine line in that regard, but he doesn't plan to file a complaint.

"I may be just stuck with the rules," Stiller said.

New lottery chairman

Progress Energy executive John McArthur is the new chairman of the state lottery commission.

McArthur, a former aide to Gov. Mike Easley, takes over for former Glaxo Inc. chief Charles Sanders, who announced his resignation this week after a year in charge of launching the state's lottery. Sanders had said all along that he would serve only one year.

Easley named McArthur as chairman on Wednesday.

McArthur is senior vice president of corporate relations, general counsel and corporate secretary of Progress Energy Service Company.

Before that he served as a senior assistant for policy and legal affairs for Easley.

Easley also reappointed Bryan Beatty, state secretary of crime control and public safety, to the commission.

One vacancy remains on the nine-member panel.

Vernon a-burnin'

Vernon Robinson's campaign is on fire -- literally.

A truck carrying yard signs for the GOP candidate in the 13th Congressional District caught fire last week in Winston-Salem, destroying many of the 7,000 signs, according to his campaign. Two staff members in the truck were uninjured.

"We were able to salvage some of the signs from the fire as well as all of our bumper stickers," said Robinson, who is challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Miller. "Hopefully, my supporters will still take a sign that is char-broiled. However, the lives of my staff are more important than any yard sign."

Recognition for general

Maj. Gen. William E. Ingram Jr., adjutant general of the N.C. National Guard, has received the Legion of Merit award, a top military decoration that recognizes exceptional conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievement.

Easley presented the award this week in recognition of his leadership while the N.C. National Guard's 30th Heavy Separate Brigade deployed to the Middle East.