Easley Flies High Over Holiday

RALEIGH — When Gov. Mike Easley did his back-to-school shopping this year with son Michael Jr., he chose popular locations for consumers who look for deals on clothing and textbooks. And like many other NC parents, he took advantage of the sales tax holiday that began Aug. 6. He set out from Raleigh at 10:50 a.m. and arrived in Concord — a driving distance of 122 miles — at 11:30 a.m. Easley and son continued their travels at 12:05 p.m, reaching New Hanover County by 12:50 p.m., scooping up supplies at UNC-Wilmington. “He can really fly, can’t he?” said Rep. Linda Johnson, a Kannapolis Republican. “He probably did fly.” Yes, he did — at taxpayers’ expense.