Currently the North Carolina Legislature is moving ahead with legislation being pushed hard by the Outdoor Advertising industry (House Bill 309 and Senate Bill 183). The liberalization of existing rules would greatly increase the amount of vegetation and trees that could be cut away around billboards. It’s hard to offer any reasonable justification for the […]
Mayor Bell got this letter from former Gov. Jim Hunt last week:
Dear Bill,
I am delighted to see the City of Durham fighting hard against the relaxation of our roadside billboard regulations.
Keep it up and try to have all the cities and towns possible join you.
All my best.
Jim Hunt
Governor of North Carolina
(1977-1985, 1993-2001)
Submitted by mschultz on […]
Gov. Bev Perdue announced today she would not veto H129, a measure making it more difficult for local governments to offer municipal broadband service to their residents.
But, she stressed, she didn’t like the bill: “I’m very unhappy with the concept.”
After an appearance at Lenovo today, Perdue talked about her decision to allow H129 to become […]
Billboard bill should be nixed (Op Ed by Mayor Bellamy) (Asheville Citizen Times)
3:03 PM, May. 13, 2011
Written by Terry Bellamy
Nearly 80 percent of North Carolinians are opposed to the removal of more trees so billboards can be visible for a greater distance, according to a poll released by the N.C. League of Conservation […]
Appearance, local control (News and Observer)
Our roadways and highways are the front doors of our community. But legislation currently before the General Assembly would make those entrances to our community less inviting. The “Billboard Bill” would remove trees and greenery from roadways and increase the prominence of billboards. In addition, it would limit our ability […]
Just wondering: If the General Assembly weren’t making noises about rejecting more federal funds for improved rail service, would Washington have been more generous in its latest allotment?
After all, Gov. Beverly Perdue’s administration was seeking $624 million to boost North Carolina’s part of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor. It wound up with $4 million. […]
Provision would override local regulations on trees and open space.
As mayor of Gastonia, I take great pride in my connections and interactions with citizens. The input and feedback provided by citizens guide the policies and procedures implemented by our local government. Residents have a direct say in the future of their community, how it operates […]
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Residents in Charlotte and across North Carolina may soon be able to force gangs out of neighborhoods. They wouldn’t have to be confronted head on. One could just show individuals involved in gang activity constitute a public nuisance. It’s a legal term defined by the courts as an unreasonable […]
Perdue benefits from Democratic OKs for NC budget (AP)
By GARY D. ROBERTSON, Associated Press
RALEIGH, N.C. — Five conservative Democrats stirred North Carolina’s budget pot when they broke party ranks and joined House Republicans to support a spending plan that ends temporary sales and income tax increases but also threatens thousands of education and state […]
North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue said Wednesday she’s confident she’ll have enough Democrats on her side before a final state budget gets to her desk although a handful of her House party members joined Republicans colleagues to support the GOP spending plan.
Perdue, speaking during a hastily arranged visit to a Raleigh high school, said she’s […]
