N.C. House Rep.Pricey Harrison Should Be Very Proud of Her Role in Restoring Protest Petition to Greensboro

Yes Weekly! with a blog post from Jordan Green talks with  N.C. House Rep. Pricey Harrison . In this candidate profile here is what she had to say about Protest Petition for Greensboro.CLICKHERE for the blog post.

"  She’s particularly proud of her role in restoring the protest petition, a mechanism by which a certain threshold of neighbors to property proposed for rezoning can force the city council to muster a supermajority for approval, to Greensboro.



“I strived hard to get our [Guilford County] delegation's support,” Harrison said. “I spoke out pretty often about it. Not everybody was on board. There was also significant resistance from the developer community.”

Rep. Pricey Harrison worked very hard to return this state law back to the citizens of Greensboro, she should be very proud of this accomplishment . It was a long hard fight to bring this back to the citizens of Greensboro and Pricey Harrison was the first state representative who wanted to learn about this travesty and do something about it and she did with this House Bill #64 CLICKHERE

Preserving the Written Minutes of The Meeting Where Protest Petition's Were Put on Legislative Agenda on 1-23-09

BELOW THE FOLD IS THE OFFICIAL MINUTES FROM THE January 23, 2009
Greensboro City Council meeting where Protest Petitions for the citizens of Greensboro was put on Legislative agenda for the State Legislators. It was a impressive show of force to see the Coalition of Concerned Citizens of the Triad, League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad, and Greensboro Neighborhood Congress come together to make this happen for the citizens of Greensboro. It was also a real rude awakening to see the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition (TREBIC), Greater Greensboro Realtors Association,Greensboro Homebuilders Association, Triad Apartment Association, National Association of Industrial & Office Properties try to deny the citizens of Greensboro the right to use Protest Petition in the zoning process. This post is here to record the history of Protest Petitions for Greensboro and what happened on January 23, 2009.

________________________________________________________
Mayor Johnson indicated that Numbers 11-20 would be skipped to address Number (21) of Item #28, theProtest Petition segment of the 2009 Legislative Agenda. Mayor Johnson introduced and read into the record that
the City will seek legislation to repeal a local act passed in 1971 exempting the City from state law concerning petitions of protest on zoning matters.



Repeal of the law will subject the City to the provisions of 160A-385, which
will require rezonings to pass by a three-quarter vote of Council, rather than a majority vote, when a proper protest petition is submitted. Mayor Johnson indicated that speakers would have twenty minutes for and against the
category and conversely, five minutes of rebuttal.


Mayor Johnson asked if anyone wished to speak in support of Number (21) of Item #28, the 2009Legislative Agenda:


Jack Masarie, 3 Garden Lake Circle, spoke in favor of the protest petition; the importance of providing
clear procedural and representation items for property owners in close proximity to development; and the
importance of representation, communication and procedure.


Art Davis, 910 Ross Avenue, representing the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress, indicated that theprotest petition process was essential to effective communication for residents involved in controversial rezonings;
encouraged reinstatement of the protest petition to ensure neighborhood development; and supported utilizing theprotest petition as a participation tool for residents.


Kathleen Sullivan, 5302 Lange Trail, representing the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress, requested Council reinstate the protest petition tool which would act to check-and-balance development; and cited the example
of the Twin Oaks Golf Course infill development project.

Sharon Hightower, 6 Bells Court, spoke in support of the protest petition process because it emphasizedinclusion within the development process, allowed community input into the development process, and that stated
that Greensboro’s regulations should reflect protest petition regulations of other municipalities.


David Wharton, 667 Percy Street, spoke in support of the protest petition with a PowerPoint presentation,concern regarding the proportion of representation of real estate members on city boards; legal representation of
real estate industry; funding of industry professionals by regional and national firms; lobbyists intervention into landuse public policy; and to correct the imbalance between political and regulatory interests. (A copy of the
PowerPoint presentation is filed as #R-2 which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these
minutes.)


Willie Taylor, 808 Sea Carriage Crossing Lane, representing the League of Women Voters, spoke torestore the protest petition in the spirit of collaboration and trust between developers and residents.


Colin Kelly, 3614 Gainsboro Drive, spoke in favor of the protest petition process and the need for itsreinstatement.


Susan Taaffe, 2511 Wright Avenue, spoke in favor of the protest petition and requested audience membersto stand in support thereof.


Donna D. Newton, 1 Gwyn Lane, representing the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress, spoke to the rightof the protest petition to the citizens, emphasized the rights of transparency and equity; and mentioned that the right
had been removed by the former Council in 1971 without any public discourse.


Mayor Johnson then asked if anyone desired to speak in opposition to Number (21) of the 2009 LegislativeAgenda:


Algenon Cash, 405 Battleground Avenue, spoke in opposition of the protest petition; stated that duringeconomic downturns, the protest petition would be counter-productive relevant to inefficient regulation; that the
current rezoning process was not broken and did not require fixing; that passing a protest petition regulation would weaken private property rights by allowing as few as one person to impact majority rule; and that strengthening
regulations would deter economic growth.


Jeff Yetter, 905 Cornwallis Drive, spoke in opposition to the protest petition stating that infill developmentwould be the focus of protest petitions; North Carolina was on a national target list for development; requested
Council to not deter smart growth and infill development; and expressed his concerns regarding the impact of theprotest petition regulation on job creation.


Steve Batts, 4804 Thacker Dairy Road, representing the Greensboro Homebuilders Association, spoke inopposition to the protest petition.


Betty A. Smith, 3907 North Elm Street, representing the Greensboro Regional Realtors Association, spokein opposition to the protest petition; stated that the current rezoning process was effective; cited the rezoning case of the Lake Jeanette area; expressed her concerns for private property rights; and stated that realtor attendance was low due to the council meeting conflicting with the North Carolina Association of Realtors’ quarterly meeting.


Ron Guerra, 115 South Westgate Drive, representing TREBIC, spoke in opposition to the protest petition; stated the real estate industry was already heavily regulated; indicated that neighbors meetings with developers was
an essential part of the TREBIC credo; and stated that the threshold percentages are too high.


Marlene Sanford, 115 South Westgate Drive, representing TREBIC, the Triad Apartment Association, the Greensboro Landlord’s Association, spoke to the fairness of the protest petition whereby rezoning opponents have
an unfair advantage over the applicant in lieu of the applicant being considered guilty until proven innocent; protest petition represents a tyranny of the minority; public policy should not be conducted based on the fact that everyone
else is doing it; and spoke her opposition to the statistics presented regarding the Boards and Commissions’ members backgrounds.


Mayor Johnson called for speakers in rebuttal, supporting Number (21) of the Legislative Agenda:


David Wharton, 667 Percy Street, spoke to the role of communication and cooperation between government, residents and developers; stated that the current economy is affecting homeowners’ equity; denied that one person could prevent a rezoning; opposed evidence that the protest petition would create sprawl by stating Greensboro currently has sprawl; and supported the statistics presented in his PowerPoint presentation.


Mary Burritt, 2016 Fleming Road, spoke in support of the protest petition and emphasized constituent support and expressed her apprehensions concerning the rezoning process.


Mayor Johnson responded that Council was attempting to find a compromise between the real estate industry and property owners.


Mayor Johnson then called for speakers in rebuttal, opposing Number (21) of the Legislative Agenda:


Ron Guerra, 115 South Westgate Drive, spoke to the negative perception of negotiations relevant to development projects; and the lack of statistics indicating the number of rejected projects based on protest petitions;
and stated his opposition to the five percent threshold.


Betty A Smith, 3907 North Elm Street, reiterated her opposition to reinstating the protest petition.


Marlene Sanford, 115 South Westgate Drive, spoke to sprawl, density and geography; and expressed willingness to work with the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress and the League of Women Voters to discuss
different standards for the protest petition in the case that Council voted for its reinstatement.


Councilmember Matheny moved to close the public hearing; Councilmember Wade seconded the motion which was adopted by voice vote of Council.


Council discussion mentioned the need for affordable housing in Greensboro for first-time homebuyers; expressed the concern of the protest petition’s impact on community relations; encouraged favorable methods of urban planning with residents, staff and developers; the necessity of a communication tool between residents and government; questioned the appropriateness of the five-percent threshold; expressed concerns about infill development, redevelopment and residential deterioration along major corridors; and the need to compromise
between real estate and residential interests.


Attorney Wood detailed the protest petition process consisting of the developer meeting with protesters to discuss conditions; subsequently, the project could proceed or not; finally the project would be presented to Council for voting.


Donna D. Newton stated that the Neighborhood Congress would be willing to discuss amending the protest petition with the real estate community after the protest petition right had been reinstated in Raleigh. Council discussion emphasized the lack of public records of discourse regarding the exemption that was adopted by the City Council in 1971.


Councilmember Wells indicated that the protest petition was a state law that Greensboro citizens should be allowed the basic right along with rest of the populous; and that the threshold percentages could be amended by the
Legislature.


Mayor Johnson commented that if Number (21) passes, ask that the State Legislature revisit the whole area of protest petition, and the percentages, and the standards, because the rezoning criteria and process has changed;
you could add that if you pass this as a request of the Legislature.

Councilmember Bellamy-Small moved that we send this forward with the Mayor’s comment added to it, leaving it for us to tweak the percentages and the number of votes whatever, but giving us some flexibility; so you reinstate it but give us still the opportunity to work with folks who put it to make it fit for Greensboro. Attorney Wood proceeded to summarize Council’s intentions. Councilmember Barber interjected with an option to ask the Legislature to allow Greensboro to establish a local ordinance. Councilmember Wells made a motion to send it, Number (21), so that it be repealed so that the citizens
would have their right. Councilmember Barber’s friendly amendment that supplemental language subsequent to the protest petition being reinstated that we take your (TREBIC, Neighborhood Congress, League of Women Voters)
collective proposal on percentages and detail to the Legislature, as well. Attorney Wood clarified that if Council voted tonight to include this in the Legislative Agenda Packet, it would go to Raleigh then we could send a related
bill within the timeframe for local bills to the Legislative Study Commission to be considered. Councilmember Barber summarized that the expectation is that you mail it by February 3rd, and that the protest petition goes and the
recommendation goes at the same time. Mayor Johnson added that a local bill to be structured and be consistent to their agreement. Councilmember Wells accepted the friendly amendment and moved Number (21) remain on the
Legislative Agenda. Councilmember Bellamy-Small seconded the motion which was approved on the following roll-call vote: Ayes: Barber, Bellamy-Small, Groat, Johnson, Matheny, Perkins, Rakestraw, Wells and Wade.
Noes: None.

Plenty of Blog Post on Protest Petitions for Greensboro Here are The Links

IT is great to see all the blog post on Protest Petitions for Greensboro and this week seeing a bill get passed at the North Carolina General Assembly. Here is a compilation of blog post from this past week. If we missed anyone please let me know but will try to post everyone who posted this past week here they are in no particular order but would like to start with Brenda Bowers who was very sincere with her post and last but not least is FEC he will bring up the rear.



As I Go: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
TITLE: Protest Petition YES! Well Done Keith Brown CLICKHERE



Tony Wilkins Busy Being Born
TITLE: Perkins Opinion on Johnson Removal & Protest Petition Return CLICKHERE


Erik Huey at Greensboro Metro
TITLE: Protest Petition Back.......Fully CLICKHERE


Ed Cone at Ed Cone
TITLE: Protest Petitions for Greensboro CLICKHERE


Joe Guarino at Guarino
TITLE: The Mitchell Johnson Firing, the Sanders Trial and Protest Petitions: All of a Sudden, We're Winning CLICKHERE

Mark Binker Capital Beat and Greensboro News and Record
TITLE: Protest Petition Passes quietly CLICKHERE

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST is

FEC at Vie de Malchance
TITLE: Binker Ignores Brown CLICKHERE

Thanks to everyone in the blogging community it was a long year and hopefully this will give people the understanding that blogs can and do make a difference in this area.

Citizens of Greensboro Protest Petitions Is Now Ready To Become Law

It is with great pleasure that we report today that House Bill #64 to restore Protest Petition to Greensboro will become law once it reaches the Secretary of State.

Mark Binker from the Greensboro News and Record and Capital Beat reports today about this bill, CLICKHERE or click on the title above.

There are a lot of people to thank for making this happen but to see the citizen activism in regards to this exemption of Greensboro from Protest Petitions and to take it to the level of changing this law was great to see.

Now let's see where the Greensboro City Council and Greensboro Planning Department especially Dick Hails has plans for Protest Petitions in the zoning process. Will it be online for all the citizens to see or will it be hidden from the citizens of Greensboro. It will be interesting to see in the future how this will play out.

PROTEST PETITIONS FOR GREENSBORO IS NOW LAW.

Delayed A Day, Delayed A Day on House Bill #64

Mark Binker from the Greensboro News and Record and Capital Beat writes tonight that there was a delay in House Bill #64 CLICHERE or click on the title above.

It was the first time for me to hear the audio on the house legislature and hopefully in future we will see the chamber televised for all the citizens of North Carolina can see their tax money at work for them.

The delay happened because House Rep. Earl Jones couldn't make it to Raleigh and wanted to be there to sign on to this bill according to Mark Binker at the Capital Beat blog.

The next step is in the Senate side of chamber and hopefully it will get a fast pass on becoming a bill.

March on to the Floor of the House with Protest Petition on Monday

Mark Binker from the Greensboro News and Record and Capital Beat CLICKHERE , reports from Raleigh on Protest Petition Bill for Greensboro and here are a few quotes from the article

"The House Judiciary I committee approved a bill this morning that would restore protest petition rights to Greensboro residents."

“This is a very popular issue back home,” Rep. Maggie Jeffus, a Greensboro Democrat, to the committee. “The citizens of Greensboro want this right restored.”

It now moves on to the full House floor on Monday then on to the Senate side of North Carolina General Assembly. It is great news to hear and hopefully by the end of next week there will be even better news will keep you informed.

UPDATE ON HOW THE BILL IS PROGRESSING

The weekly e-mail newsletter from State Representative Pricey Harrison had this to say about the progress of restoring Protest Petitions to Greensboro.

Protest Petition
Our bill, House Bill 64*, to restore the right of protest petition is moving swiftly, after gaining the unanimous approval of the House Local Government II Committee on Tuesday. It has been re-referred to Judiciary I, on which I sit, where it should be heard on Thursday, February 26. It will then go to the full House floor before heading to the Senate. Thanks to all of you citizen activists in Greensboro who have worked so hard to make this possible.

Great news for the citizens of Greensboro.

Protest Petition: Company Politics in Greensboro

Protest petition: Company politics in Greensboro

Jordan Green has a new report on Protest Petitions and the history of what happened. To see the whole article you can click on the title of this post or click on the title under the Yes!Weekly logo.

Below is a few of the paragraphs that caught my attention and would like to address a dig from former Greensboro attorney Jesse " Skip" Warren.

The mysterious disappearance of the protest petition from Greensboro’s legal code in 1971 transpired without political record.

Then-City Attorney Jesse “Skip” Warren drew up the city’s legislative agenda in 1970, and took responsibility for the action in a Jan. 21 memo to the current council.

“As former city attorney with the city of Greensboro for approximately forty one years, I have always felt that NCGS 160A-385 et seq (Protest Petition Law) is arbitrary, capricious, impulsive, whimsical and unfair and should either be repealed, or else leave the city of Greensboro out from under it,” he wrote. “I own no property here except for my residence and have no business relationship with any developer or real estate firm. In other words, I have no conflict of interest.”

More than three decades later, the political dynamic has shifted decisively. In the space of one year, a lone activist from High Point launched the cause of restoring the protest petition in Greensboro, and enlisted the support of the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress and the League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad, who in turn compelled the city council to request restoration of the provision. Guilford County’s legislative delegation has pledged swift passage of the legislation, ignoring vocal objections from the politically powerful real estate and development industry.

Warren concluded his memo with a curt swipe at protest petition activist Keith Brown. “It is also noted that the leader of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens of the Triad has his residence in High Point,” he wrote.

As you can see what from the former Greensboro city attorney Skip Warren he thinks that state law is arbitrary. Let's take a look at the definition of arbitrary

arbitrary defined "1: depending on individual discretion (as of a judge) and not fixed by law

To me NCGS 160a385 and 386 is fixed by state law, wow thanks for screwing the citizens of Greensboro for over 37 years because you thought this statute was arbitrary but as we have seen and read it seems that there was a concerted effort to take this right away from the citizens and people like you who took this away from the citizens of Greensboro without any public knowledge and what the article states as informal meetings are called backdoor politics at it's best.

To hear Jesse Warren 41 year city attorney for Greensboro call out the motives of Keith Brown is laughable and has no place in the discussion but if he wants to add to the people who have called out my motives from me being from High Point go right ahead because you have some great company in Robbie "Pave It " Perkins to talk to about my motives, CLICKHERE to see what Robbie"Pave It " Perkins had to say about Keith Brown the non vested interest in High Point.Also found out that Greensboro City Council member Trudy Wade wanted to also know my motives as well.

Let me say that this whole time the motives for me was for the Citizens of Greensboro to have the same rights as any other citizen had in this state and it was a total injustice that Greensboro was exempted from this state law.

It is great to get the attention and to have people call out my motives on this issue but to hear people call me up and ask about their zoning case and to give them advice about their options, it will be great to let the people call me in High Point and ask how did you use Protest Petition in the zoning process against a TREBIC member and a major developer in the triad area.

It will be my community service to let people in Greensboro know about Protest Petition how it works and what you can do as a community to combat some of this unwanted development in your established neighborhood .It will also be a great day when we know that a bill has been signed in to law as well.

In conclusion it was a pleasure to be a part of this movement to bring Protest Petitions back to Greensboro and to know that you as a citizen have the same rights as me who lives in High Point your red headed step child municipality next door.

Bill Travels and Greensboro City Council Again Approves Protest Petition

There was plenty of action today and plenty of post on Protest Petition for Greensboro. Here are a few links to what has happened today. First of all the House Bill #64 has been brought out of local committee and now is on it's way to Judiciary 1 committee, that is great news and you can see the progress by clicking on the top left corner of blog.

Also last night the Greensboro City Council approved again the legislative agenda and 9-0 for Protest Petitions for Greensboro. Here is what happened last night courtesy of Amanda Lehmert at Greensboro News and Record CLICKHERE

Then Allen Johnson from the Greensboro News and Record had this to say CLICKHERE with a title "Protest Petition Polka".

Then Ed Cone also has a post CLICKHERE with a title "Late To The Party".

Then late in day Mark Binker has this post CLICKHERE with a title "Committee Passes Protest Petition Bill".

That is great news to hear that this bill is on the fast track to becoming law for the citizens of Greensboro.We will keep you posted on when it goes to the senate side as well. It is now headed to the Judiciary 1 committee where the sponsor of the bill is on this committee in State Representative Pricey Harrison, who has been a real champion on bringing this right back to the citizens of Greensboro.If you want to send her a e-mail and thank her for sponsoring this bill please let her know . She can be reached by clicking on her name on the left hand side of blog.

Greensboro Neighborhood Congress No Need for a Compromise

Last week brought a lot of clarity to the process of restoring Protest Petitions to Greensboro.

On January 21, 2009 the Greensboro City Council completely convoluted the whole process by trying to get the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress and the special interest group called TREBIC which is the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition to come to some compromise on STATE LAW.

What part of STATE Law does the Greensboro City Council not understand. 5% rule is a STATE Law and to hear Robbie "Pave It "Perkins whine and complain about the 5% rule along with fellow developer on council Sandra Anderson Groat complain also really showed their true colors. They are not for you as a citizen of Greensboro to have the same rights as every other person in this state they want to keep their TREBIC BLINDERS ON and deny you this right.

Now we find out that this past week that our State Representatives have filed a bill in both the House and Senate to restore Protest Petition to the citizens of Greensboro.You can follow the bill online by going to the top left corner of this blog.

It would be beneficial for the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress to say to TREBIC thanks but no thanks a bill is introduced and on it's way for passage, no compromise needed.

Allen Johnson from the Greensboro News and Record had another great article in today's Ideas section for February 8, 2009 CLICKHERE with the title "Local lawmakers cut through haze on protest petitions".

Here is a few quotes from this article

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.

Bearing that in mind, state lawmakers have decided not to wait for the Greensboro City Council to hem, haw, ruminate, speechify and attach wholly unnecessary asterisks and conditions to the question of protest petitions.
As they say in the over-priced sneaker business, just do it.

So, Guilford County legislators have moved ahead on their own and filed bills in the state House and Senate that would restore to Greensboro residents a right every other city in the state already has.

Good for them. The lawmakers have simplified a process that the council was making unduly convoluted and drawn-out.

Then later in the article Robbie " Pave It " Perkins had this to say

"Councilman Robbie Perkins on Thursday called the bill "The Lawyer Relief Act of 2009" and said it would hurt small developers and infill projects by making the development process more expensive."

Robbie 'Pave It "Perkins might want to rename it again to "The Isaacson Allen Relief Act of 2009", since those are practically the only 2 lawyers who do zoning cases in Greensboro.

You wonder why their should be a "DUMP THE DEVELOPER PARTY" on Greensboro City Council come fall because you have city council members like this who have their TREBIC BLINDERS ON and cannot see the big picture on a right that was taken away for no reason whatsoever from the citizens of Greensboro.This restoration of Protest Petitions to Greensboro should have been a no brainer but you can see that there is a certain special interest group called the TREBIC CARTEL who want to deny you this right.

There is still the process at the state level that barring some unforseen circumstance will work it's way through the process and give back this right to the citizens of Greensboro without all this confusion of a compromise.

It is time to let TREBIC and all it's minions play with themselves in the tree alone and looking stupid along the way.

State Representative Earl Jones Is A No Show On Protest Petitions for Greensboro Citizens

All of the Guilford delegation in the house side of state government have signed on to bringing back Protest Petitions to the citizens of Greensboro except one Rep. Earl Jones. There were 2 post today on why State Rep. Earl Jones did not sign on.

Yes Weekly Blog post titled "Earl Jones, New Guilford Chair, a holdout on Protest Petition" CLICKHERE

also

Doug Clark from Greensboro News and Record blog called Off The Record post titled "Legislators take the lead on Protest Petitions" with a addendum from State Rep. Earl Jones CLICKHERE

If anyone wants to let State Rep. Earl Jones know how you feel about this issue and for him to sign on to this bill. I urge you to take the information below and let him know.

House District #60

State Rep. Earl Jones

Raleigh office, 919-733-5825

e-mail, Earl.Jones@ncleg.net

or click on title above and it will take you to his state web page.

No Compromise Needed Bill To Restore Protest Petition Has Been Filed

It is with great pleasure and a HAT TIP to Ed Cone that tonight we learn that there is a bill which can be seen by clicking on the title above to see that our Guilford Delegation is in the process of restoring Protest Petitions to Greensboro.In the N.C House it was sponsored by Harrison, Jeffus, Adams and Wiley with a co sponsor in Blust House Bill #64 filed on 2-4-2009.

Then on the Senate side we have Dorsett and Vaughan who have senate bill #67 filed on 2-4-2009.

We will try to keep you informed on how this bill works it's way through the system but it is great to see it come to fruition.

Take a bow to everyone who has helped on this issue for the citizens of Greensboro. A lot of people wanted to know my motives on why someone from High Point is fighting for the citizens of Greensboro. This basic right under STATE LAW was taken away from you the citizens of Greensboro for no reason whatsoever purely political, and it needed to be brought to the proper attention. Now we have a bill to give the citizens of Greensboro the same rights as every other person in this state has. It will be a new day in the zoning process in Greensboro.

Blogging History of Protest Petitions For Greensboro Thanks To Ed Cone 1 Year Anniversary 2-2-2008

The history of how a lot of this started can be chronicled at edcone's blog CLICKHERE or click on the title above.In a section on right hand side of blog is the categories section where Protest Petitions is there.

Back on February 2, 2008 a lively discussion got the blogosphere on board as to why and how Greensboro was exempted from Protest Petitions.Then Ed Cone suggested you need to get a blog, sure why not.

It is coming up to close to a year since the blog has been in existence and with over 88 post since last year it is amazing how far it has come.

This blog is dedicated to all the people of Greensboro who for over 37 years have not been getting a fair shake in the zoning process with this exemption of Greensboro from Protest Petitions.

This blog will not let up until we get confirmation from our State Legislators that a bill has been signed and Greensboro abides by Protest Petitions in the zoning process.

It is hard to thank everyone personally as to their commitment on restoring Protest Petitions to Greensboro. Please note that it was a joint effort by a lot of people who made this happen.

The next step in this process is to let your state legislators know how important this is to bring this back to Greensboro.

Have a great day and thanks to the blogosphere who has been there since day 1.

Fox 8 WGHP on Protest Petitions

Fox 8 WGHP has a segment about Protest Petitions, CLICKHERE , or click on the title above. Donna Newton said somebody mentioned using Protest Petition's well that somebody has been on board since day 1 and his name is Keith Brown.

It is time that the state legislators will see through this compromise crap and make Greensboro comply with the law.

Lead Editorial Greensboro N&R "Filling In The Blanks" on City Council's Staged Compromise

Lead editorial in the Greensboro News and Record today Sunday January 25, 2009 with the headline "Filling In The Blanks", CLICKHERE or click on the title above.

Here is a few quotes from the lead editorial

"At least give the backers of protest petitions credit for finally budging the council on this issue. But they could have accomplished even more if they had stuck to their guns, called the council's bluff and forced a yes or no vote with no asterisks attached

The bad news is that the council's vote lacked clarity and is missing the most critical aspects of the law: exactly what it will say.

Sometimes a simple question deserves a simple answer. Either you are for the protest petition or you are against it. The council skirted making a clear-cut call and settled for indecision over leadership.
And ambiguity over clarity.

______________________________________________________

What part of state law does the Greensboro City notunderstand. I hope the Guilford delegation at the state level will see through this charade and pass a bill to make them comply with NCGS 160a385 and 386 then let the TREBIC CARTEL lobby the whole state to change the law .

This special compromise is a joke and needs to be called out. It is amazing to see that they don't like the bill and want it changed even though in the past 37 years they have never even had protest petitions and haven't even tried it in the zoning process. How can you as a council make the decision that the threshold is too low when you have never even done it in over 37 years.

Amazing and to think that Donna Newton and Marlene Sanford are experts in zoning laws and processes to come up with their so called compromise. The whole thing sounds fishy and am sure they want to delay the whole process before it goes to the state level.

It is my opinion that the Greensboro City Council muddied the waters with this so called compromise so that they want they state legislators to delay this bill to make Greensboro comply with STATE LAW. If they can delay this bill long enough then it will never makes it's way through the process and look who doesn't have Protest Petitions in Greensboro because it was sent in too late, you the citizens of Greensboro

The Greensboro City Council can now say that they are for restoring protest petitions to Greensboro but let's see how the state level reacts to this last minute compromise. It would have been political suicide to deny this right to the citizens but they were appeasing the TREBIC CARTEL with this so called compromise .

If you want your voice heard you can e-mail your state representatives and let them know you want what every other citizen who lives in a municipality has , which is North Carolina General Statute 160a-385 and 386, no delay . Below are the new e-mails for the Guilford delegation at the state level .

GUILFORD DELEGATION E-Mail Addresses
House
Alma Adams House District 58 Alma.Adams@ncleg.net
John Blust House District 62 John.Blust@ncleg.net
Pricey Harrison House District 57 Pricey.Harrison@ncleg.net
Maggie Jeffus House District 59 Maggie.Jeffus@ncleg.net
Earl Jones House District 60 Earl.Jones@ncleg.net
Laura Wiley House District 61 Laura.Wiley@ncleg.net

Senate

Phil Berger District 26 philbe@ncleg.net
Stan Bingham District 33 stanb@ncleg.net
Katie Dorsett District 28 Katied@ncleg.net
Don Vaughan District 27 Don.Vaughan@ncleg.net

State Rep. Don Vaughan's Better Half and Former Council Member Speaks Out

The Greensboro News and Record had another Letter to the Editor for January 19, 2009 which was done by Nancy Vaughan, CLICKHERE or click on the title above.

Nancy Vaughan is a former Greensboro City Council member and is married to North Carolina State Representative who was just elected to Kay Hagan's North Carolina House Senate seat Don Vaughan.Here is a quote from the Letter to the Editor, "The protest petition will not eliminate controversial rezonings. But, the mere existence of the protest petition will motivate the rezoning applicant to engage in meaningful dialogue and to put forth the highest-quality proposal. It will result in improved development and development that is in greater harmony with the surrounding area. This will be especially important as we see more infill development."

It is great to hear former council members endorse restoring Protest Petitions to Greensboro especially when her husband might be a sponsor of a bill to do just that in the North Carolina General Assembly.