Recycled City Slogan and Motto?

ChiptBeef · Post by **ChiptBeef** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:50 pm

Prior posts in this thread prove that the Martinsville slogans "See What You've Been Missing" and "We Love This Place" where used by others first. There are signs at the city limits of Martinsville that have "Pride of the Piedmont" listed as a prior city slogan. You guessed it... it's been used before too. Plug it into "google" and you'll find it was used as a slogan in South Carolina and other places first, before being hyjacked by Martinsville. I wonder how much the Chamber of Commerce paid for that slogan?

TruthSeekerToo · Post by **TruthSeekerToo** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:20 pm

ChiptBeef wrote: I heard Martinsville Chamber of Commerce President Kim Adkins on a radio interview this morning promoting an event next Thursday. The Chamber is sponsoring a commercial for the "We Love This Place" stolen slogan. They are going to be auditioning at a local restaurant to fill four slots in the commercial. If the Chamber paid $31,500 for the intial study and slogan/logo, I wonder how much the commercial is going to cost and where is the money coming from?
There was an article in the Sunday, February 12, 2006 Martinsville Bulletin verifying that. The article stated "The area's Community Pride Steering Committee is looking for a few good performers. The committee is holding an "Open Casting Call" from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Rania's Italian Restaurant in Martinsville... Those chosen will appear in the upcoming production of "We Love This Place!" jingle contest commercial. Actors will audition for four starring roles: a zany accordian player, a not-so-talented opera singer, a youthful hip "lounge lizard" and a Blues Country Singer that is not so bluesy."

ChiptBeef · Post by **ChiptBeef** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 9:55 am

Henry County Supervisor Andy Parker has known acting experience on Broadway and in a couple New York soap-operas. That might qualify him to try out as the "not-so-talented opera singer." He's put on some pretty good shows at the board of supervisors' meetings. Who could forget his pencil throwing technique? It was even more spectacular in slow motion. Besides, many in the area refer to him as "Councilman Parker" because they feel he represents the city's interests more than he does the county district he was elected to represent. He should fit right into the Chamber of Commerce's commercial.

:yh_loser

TruthSeekerToo · Post by **TruthSeekerToo** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:49 pm

ChiptBeef wrote: Prior posts in this thread prove that the Martinsville slogans "See What You've Been Missing" and "We Love This Place" where used by others first. There are signs at the city limits of Martinsville that have "Pride of the Piedmont" listed as a prior city slogan. You guessed it... it's been used before too. Plug it into "google" and you'll find it was used as a slogan in South Carolina and other places first, before being hyjacked by Martinsville. I wonder how much the Chamber of Commerce paid for that slogan?
This is a good example of why many folks here locally refer to it as the "Chamber of Horrors." They try to operate like part of local government, but all they can produce is slogans and logos that have all been used before. They need some "new blood" at the Chamber that can get results.

ChiptBeef · Post by **ChiptBeef** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 9:01 pm

I've heard people in the Martinsville area call that Chamber part of a "shadow government" that includes the Chamber's Strategic Advisory Committee, the Harvest Foundation and the local Economic Development Corporation. Their not elected, but they try to run things.

TruthSeekerToo · Post by **TruthSeekerToo** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:02 am

There's another term used locally. "Plantation mentality," which many area residents think is a carry over from local history in the tabacco fields. Now, they feel the "upper crust" of Martinsville and Henry County are trying to dictate to those in the local working class through some of the entities posted about here.

ChiptBeef · Post by **ChiptBeef** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 3:11 am

I've heard that term used for some of the furniture companies near Martinsville. There was a county supervisor defeated in the November 2005 election that is a manager at one of the furniture factories and also on the Chamber of Commerce Strategic Advisory Committee. Many residents feel he was backed by the Chamber so they would have a loud voice in county politics.

ChiptBeef · Post by **ChiptBeef** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 7:55 pm

Uncle Kram wrote: An area near to me called Sandwell, spent an absolute fortune considering a new identity and name change before deciding to keep Sandwell. Excellent use of council tax.
Looks like the politicians and big shots can waste money on either side of the pond. The "little people" always seem to get it in the end, no matter where you live.

TruthSeekerToo · Post by **TruthSeekerToo** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 6:10 am

With a Chamber of Commerce like that, it's a wonder any companies want to come to Martinsville. Maybe that explains the "ghost twon" feel you get when you go to down town Martinsville. If it weren't for a few big bank buildings, there would be tumbleweeds soon.

ChiptBeef · Post by **ChiptBeef** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 10:45 am

The majority of industry that provides large a employment bases is located in Henry County. Some of the upper crust in the area claim the City of Martinsville as the "hub" or "cultural center" of Henry County. I think the truth is very different. Henry County has been carrying the City of Martinsville for decades. The Martinsville Chamber of Commerce is merely riding the coat tails of Henry County government and related progress.

TruthSeekerToo · Post by **TruthSeekerToo** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:25 pm

The 2/20/06 Martinsville Bulletin newspaper ran an article called "Residents list a lot to like in online poll" about the blog poll being conducted by the Martinsville Chamber of Commerce. www.martinsvillebulletin.com

The article states "Chamber President Kim Adkins said... that comment No. 2 in the poll - from Kimberly, who said she likes the area's Southern hospitality... is her posting. Several people have posted comments that either were negative about the community or neutral. Adkins said those comments will be removed soon because they are not relevant to the poll's intent."

I guess you have to give Chamber President Kim Adkins credit for admitting her bias in the poll and the Chamber's censorship of the poll. It's too bad the Martinsville Chamber of Commerce doesn't support freedom of speech in their poll. www.martinsville.com