I’m working on a project promoting the new U.S. National Whitewater Center, which has run into problems with its entrance road caused by a lack of leadership from elected officials and some just plain poor planning and research on the part of governmental staffers.

Reporters are not asking tough questions about this or anything else anymore. When I was a reporter, these are the kinds of questions I’d be asking. You’ll notice some of the inflammatory words - like greedy neighbors - I’ve placed into the questions. This is an old reporter’s trick that often results in your interviewee to use the word or phrase. Sweet. Nothing like stirring up a little controversy. And old PR guys often subtly drop hints to reporters about questions they should be asking and who they should ask. But I would never do that. (wink)

(Questions to ask Mecklenburg County Commissioners)

- Because the Board knuckled under to residents of Charlie Hipp Road where the interim entrance to the Center was to be, do you feel it is your fault that greedy Hawfield Road neighbors now are able to hold the center hostage?

- If the Whitewater Center defaults on its loans, taxpayers will be responsible for making the payments. What are you going to do with a dry $35 million whitewater river that has no public access? How will you explain this to taxpayers?

- A lack of leadership on the part of Mecklenburg County elected officials will affect other governmental bodies which also agreed to guarantee loans. How will you explain your actions and how will this affect your relationship with those bodies?

(of City Council and city officials)

- Poor research on your part about the Hawfield Road right-of-way could mean that the City will have to pick up loan payments for the Whitewater Center. How will you explain that to taxpayers?

(of Gaston County, Gastonia, Mt. Holly and Belmont elected officials)

- Lack of leadership from City and County elected officials in Mecklenburg County could put you on the hook for the US National Whitewater Center’s loan payments. Do you think you have legal grounds to sue Mecklenburg County and Charlotte over this matter?

(of Hawfield Road neighbors)

- Isn’t this just a move on your part to extort money from the Whitewater Center at the 11th hour because you know local elected officials have left them no alternative?