Jim Womack, former Lee County commissioner and current member/former chairman of the North Carolina Mining and Energy Commission, was asked to leave a local business last week after he demanded the business take down an anti coal ash sign from its front window.
Kathy Addison, owner of Kathy’s Java Express in downtown Sanford, says Womack had coffee there on Thursday and after a quick trip to the restroom, entered the kitchen to ask to speak to the owner. Addison, who wasn’t in the cafe at the time, says Womack told her daughter she needed to take the coal ash sign (pictured above) down.
“He said it’d be in our best interest to take it from the window,” she said. “And if we didn’t, we’d lose his business, and he’d make sure we lost other people’s business as well.”
Womack, a friend of the Rant, has a history of run-ins with those who don’t share his views, whether it’s from a now-defunct anonymous blog, in the comment section of the local newspaper or via a letter sent to political friends. Addison’s daughter filed a “communicating threats” complaint to the Sanford Police Department following Thursday’s ordeal.
Aside from relaying the details of what happened at her business, Addison didn’t want to talk any more about the situation on Tuesday, saying what’s done is done. She did thank those who have stood behind and supported her in the past week and said she has no intention of removing the sign from her business window.
Thanks for writing about this , we at EnvironmentaLEE (dot) org , are proud to send business their way !
Some folks just keep shooting themselves in their own foot…..his parade has passed!!! Time to move forward in Lee County!!!!! NO Coal Ash; NO Fracking! 😀 😀 😀
Reblogged this on Pressing Flowers Blog and commented:
Jim Womack picking on local business
😀 😀
I am now a fan of Kathy’s Java Express!
No moral compass on that live wire.
😀
Let’s go a little easier on Jim. With all the Anti-Coal Ash and Anti-fracking signs, and all the opposition to these practices around Lee County, he must be in a lot of misery right now with the negative press, no coffee, no sleep and having to wear blinders and ear plugs so he does not have to acknowledge what the residents want. Poor thing.
Go Kathy’s Java Express! I go from Chatham to Moore Counties regularly through Lee County and will be happy to have a place to stop for coffee and support local business that is so progressive and environmentally friendly.
Big shout out on my FB page. No one should be allowed to get away with this type of behavior. Already a fan of Kathy’s, but now will recommend more, as I am proud to be a customer
Womack Rode Roughshod Over Many
In 2011 Womack attempted to bully United Way of Lee County into dropping its focus of education. He did so in two different meetings. At that time the now defunct Lee Dispatch acceded to the wishes of some United Way officials to not report this in a way than indicated them as a source. This lead to the broad net public information for Womack’s emails. An email was found that did provide a source to document his attempt at intimidation. But the net pulled in the infamous “Tank Email” attacking county attorneys Dick Hoyle and Dale and county manager John Crumpton, and promising their beheading.
This kind of intimidation was not uncommon during Womack’s tenure, but many of those threatened were reluctant to challenge him. The list of government, civic, and non-profit who chose not to confront him is sadly long and diverse. Peggy Taphorn took Womack head on when he criticized Temple Theater for having no value to the community. Temple supporters filled the commissioner’s room in what long time commissioner, Robert Reives, said was the best demonstration of support he had ever seen.
I tweeted this at NC DENR today. Get it out there that he uses these tactics. Tweeting this at McCrory next.
Money can’t buy love or clean water and free speech in Lee County!
“People who love themselves, don’t hurt other people. The more we hate ourselves, the more we want others to suffer.”
― Dan Pearce, Single Dad Laughing
Since he has a less power in Lee County now, looks like his bullying tactics have gotten worse. Really Jim??
I have to go get lunch now and I know where I’m going. Java Express, thank you Womack for giving me yet another reason to support them. The good food is reason enough, but knowing that they support no coal ash and no fracking gives me more reasons.
I am so happy you brought my Husband back..You are amazing_________ robinson.buckler @ yahoo. com…….
Amazing……