Expert: Neither candidate for mayor is a nincompoop
Jeff Tarte at a Newsmakers Breakfast
Aug. 17. Former Cornelius Mayor Jeff Tarte says he will not be endorsing any candidates municipal or county roles, including mayor of Cornelius. He will, however, host “meet and greets” with both candidates for mayor.
Incumbent Woody Washam faces an opponent—Commissioner Denis Bilodeau—for the first time in four campaigns for mayor, having run unopposed three times before.
Denis Bilodeau
Woody Washam
Tarte, who is chair-elect of the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, said he will not endorse candidates as chair next year or immediate past chair in two years.
Not nincompoops
Tarte, a Republican and former NC District 41 senator, said both Bilodeau and Washam are “good people…this is so much better than having two nincompoops running.”
Etymology
Wiktionary says the etomology of nin-com-poop is uncertain. The first element nincom- is possibly from the name Nicholas or Nicodemus (compare French nicodème (“foolish or gullible person”), from the Pharisee named Nicodemus mentioned in the Bible who asks Jesus seemingly naive questions: see John 3:1–21), or from ninny (“foolish or silly person”), while the second element -poop could be derived from poop (“(obsolete) to cheat, deceive, fool”).[1] The English lexicographer Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) suggested that the first element might be from Latin non compos (mentis) (“not of sound mind”), but the Oxford English Dictionary notes that this does not correspond with early forms of the word from the 16th century such as nickumpoop and nicompoop.
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Letter to my Favorite mayor:
Jeff,
As a concerned citizen deeply invested in our town’s well-being, I am increasingly frustrated by the lack of action from our current mayor in addressing pressing infrastructure challenges. It feels like the urgency of these issues has been overlooked, leaving us residents to grapple with the consequences of dismissing potential developments that could bolster our tax base and create jobs for the community.
Reflecting on the tenure of my favorite mayor – a leader unafraid to tackle issues head-on and deliver on promises – highlights the stark contrast with our current situation. Your emphasis on transparency and openness breathed life into civic engagement, fostering a sense of unity as we shaped our community’s future.
We must rally behind a leader who embodies action, not mere rhetoric. Our next mayor must have a proven record of enacting positive change, going beyond discussions to tangible outcomes. Empty promises no longer suffice; our roads need repair, our outdated infrastructure requires attention, and our town demands sustainable growth.
With the upcoming elections, we have a unique chance to reshape our town’s trajectory. Let’s choose a leader committed to meaningful action and purposeful discourse. The era of privileged deliberations has passed; now is the time for solutions that cater to every citizen’s needs and a renewed focus on the bedrock of our community – our roads.
As time passes and patience wears thin, let’s remember our power as citizens – expressed through our voices and votes. We must ensure our next mayor delivers palpable results, understand the urgency of progress and be unafraid to take necessary steps to actualize it.
What a silly comment for Jeff Tarte to make about the two outstanding candidates for mayor. And it’s even more ridiculous for your newspaper to discuss the origins of the word ‘nincompoop’. Don’t you think we deserve a little higher quality approach to our city’s future?
Sandy B.
I believe the only nincompoops in Cornelius might be the ones in November who do not vote.
Please vote. You are important.