The week of May 20 , 2008 Yes Weekly hits the stands with this Lead Editorial
TREBIC vs. Protest Petition. click here
If you want to comment click here
Below is the editorial and it really hits the spot where the true colors of the TREBIC CARTEL were shown for all to see with the e mail campaign they did last week to the State Legislators in opposition of bringing back Protest Petitions to Greensboro after a 37 year takeaway of the rights of the citizens of Greensboro. Great editorial by Yes Weekly.
Editorial:
TREBIC vs. protest petition
It came as news to most people in Greensboro when they found out earlier this year they do not have the same rights as every other municipality in North Carolina and haven't since 1971.
That's when the state legislature, by request from Greensboro City Council, stripped our citizens of our right to have a say in the land use of our neighborhoods.
North Carolina general statute 160A-385(a) gives residents of a neighborhood an opportunity to protest rezoning and land use requests by acquiring signatures of 5 percent of adjacent property owners, requiring city councils to then muster a 75 percent majority vote as opposed to a simple majority to pass.
It was nullified in Greensboro amid a storm of property development in 1970, but in the wake of development in the northeast quadrant of the city, interest has surged in getting the protest petition reinstated.
The movement has created some strange bedfellows, to be sure: NC Rep. Pricey Harrison is on board, as is Sen. Katie Dorsett and Guilford County Commissioner Bruce Davis - all Democrats, by the way. The Coalition of Concerned Citizens and the League of Women Voters have also expressed support for the change.
GOPers have gotten into the act, as well, including Jim Rumley, a Republican candidate for the NC House, NC conservative think tank the John Locke Foundation, former Greensboro City Council member (and it's most consistent conservative voice) Tom Phillips and a slew of conservative bloggers including Dr. Joseph Guarino and our old friend Bubbanear.
Noticeably inactive on the issue is Greensboro City Council, which made no mention of protest petitions in its state legislative agenda in March.
But the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition let their voices be heard last week with a letter to 11 area elected officials with the lede: "We are very concerned at the discussion of instituting rezoning Protest Petitions in the Greensboro. We urge you NOT to pursue this." The caps are theirs, not ours.
Protest petitions should not be reinstated in Greensboro, the letter holds, because we have in place a Citizens' Initiative Petition (which didn't seem to work so well in the case of the minimum wage campaign). Also, they fear that giving three city council members the power to override real estate development to be "patently absurd.
"But the meat of the argument is that, because we live in the "information age," protest petitions are no longer necessary.
"Frankly," the letter reads, "the protest petition is antiquated and should be repealed statewide.
"Good luck with that one TREBIC. We'd like to see a draft of the letter suggesting to the rest of North Carolina that citizens should have no role in the development of their neighborhoods, and that the benevolent hands of builders and developers should have unfettered access to our neighborhoods and communities.
YES! Weekly chooses to exercise its right to express editorial opinion in our publication. In fact we cherish it, considering opinion to be a vital component of any publication. The viewpoints expressed represent a consensus of the YES! Weekly editorial staff, achieved through much deliberation and consideration.
May 18, 2008
Short Session NO , Long Session in 2009 Absolutely
It was a long shot to begin with but it seems like Senator Phil Berger thinks it is too controversial to bring up Protest Petitions for Greensboro in the short session in the North Carolina General Assembly.
But there is hope on the horizon when State Representative Pricey Harrison had this to say:
On the matter of Protest Petitions, members of the Guilford delegation met to discuss Greensboro-related legislation for the short session. I broached the idea of introducing a bill to restore the right of protest petition to the citizens of Greensboro . In order for local bills to be eligible for the short session, there must be unanimity among the delegation, and we just don’t have it, so I must wait to file it in January, 2009.
As she states that it will be filed in the long session starting in 2009. There are many angles to the issue of Protest Petitions that played out for a lot of us to see first hand. First being the e mail campaign the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition also known as the TREBIC CARTEL sent to the State Legislators. It will be fun to debunk and to show you plenty of problems with the TREBIC CARTEL e mail campaign in a future posting.
Also we plan on posting the whole transcript from Mark Binker of the Greensboro News and Record who interviewed Senator Phil Berger on why he opposed the bill. If you want to hear the audio from Mark Binker click here , plus if you want to see the article click here
It is time to thank everyone who has been a part of this process of restoring Protest Petitions to Greensboro . This defeat in the short session is just the first round of a 12 round fight.It will only be another 6 and a half months for finally the citizens of Greensboro will get their chance to pass a bill to have Protest Petitions in Greensboro.
Plus also there will be a future posting on showing how the TREBIC CARTEL and their Modus Operandi works below is the letter they sent to the State Representatives.
From: Marlene Sanford [mailto:msanford@trebic.org]
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 2:30 PMTo: msanford@trebic.orgSubject: URGENT - Greensboro Protest Petition decision at the May 15 Guilford Delegation meetingImportance: High
May 13, 2008
Senators Stan Bingham, Phil Berger, Katie Dorsett and Kay Hagan, and Representatives Alma Adams, John Blust, Katie Dorsett, Maggie Jeffus, Earl Jones, Pricey Harrison and Laura Wiley
RE: Greensboro Rezoning Protest Petition
Dear Senators and Representatives:
We are very concerned at the discussion of instituting rezoning Protest Petitions in the Greensboro . We urge you NOT to pursue this.
Greensboro was exempted from this in 1971, we think in part because only Greensboro has a Citizen Initiative Petition where citizens can take any ordinance (including rezonings) to a citywide referendum.
Protest petitions were “born” in the early 1900s because getting information to the public was difficult. Now, nearly 100 years later we’re in a new century and the “information age” and the communication problem no longer exists. There are strict rules for public notice and most developers voluntarily meet with neighbors. "Infill" development and redevelopment was not an issue then, but it is now, and allowing protest petitions will make it even harder to achieve smart growth developments where neighborhoods generally oppose higher densities and mixed uses that fit into the "better land use management plan" that Greensboro adopted in 2003. Frankly, the protest petition is antiquated and should be repealed statewide.
NC’s protest petition process allows a mere 5% of property owners within 100’ of the subject property to petition for a 75% vote of the full council (not “those present”) to pass the rezoning. In Greensboro that’s 7, and it essentially gives just 3 Council members veto power over rezoning decisions. It is patently absurd that a mere 5% of neighbors can so severely curtail someone else’s property rights. A democracy is run by majority vote. You can change the constitution of the United States with a simple majority, or with only a 2/3 vote of those elected representatives (Congress) present.
Greensboro rezonings already require a 2/3 vote to pass (6 of 9 votes), or else a second reading at the next meeting, giving opponents 2 to 3 extra weeks to lobby the issue further.
The 100 counties in NC do not allow protest petitions. While some other states do allow protest petitions, it is not pervasive and we found no states that allow a mere 5% to lodge a protest.
Local news reports have quoted City Council members urging caution, and some neighborhood advocates who fear it will impede the implementation of neighborhood preservation efforts. Citywide neighborhood groups are not taking up this cause. Greensboro goes to great effort to balance business friendliness with neighborhood stability, and does a pretty good job of it. This is a local government issue, and the legislative delegation should not pursue it.
Sincerely,
Marlene Sanford
President
But there is hope on the horizon when State Representative Pricey Harrison had this to say:
On the matter of Protest Petitions, members of the Guilford delegation met to discuss Greensboro-related legislation for the short session. I broached the idea of introducing a bill to restore the right of protest petition to the citizens of Greensboro . In order for local bills to be eligible for the short session, there must be unanimity among the delegation, and we just don’t have it, so I must wait to file it in January, 2009.
As she states that it will be filed in the long session starting in 2009. There are many angles to the issue of Protest Petitions that played out for a lot of us to see first hand. First being the e mail campaign the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition also known as the TREBIC CARTEL sent to the State Legislators. It will be fun to debunk and to show you plenty of problems with the TREBIC CARTEL e mail campaign in a future posting.
Also we plan on posting the whole transcript from Mark Binker of the Greensboro News and Record who interviewed Senator Phil Berger on why he opposed the bill. If you want to hear the audio from Mark Binker click here , plus if you want to see the article click here
It is time to thank everyone who has been a part of this process of restoring Protest Petitions to Greensboro . This defeat in the short session is just the first round of a 12 round fight.It will only be another 6 and a half months for finally the citizens of Greensboro will get their chance to pass a bill to have Protest Petitions in Greensboro.
Plus also there will be a future posting on showing how the TREBIC CARTEL and their Modus Operandi works below is the letter they sent to the State Representatives.
From: Marlene Sanford [mailto:msanford@trebic.org]
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 2:30 PMTo: msanford@trebic.orgSubject: URGENT - Greensboro Protest Petition decision at the May 15 Guilford Delegation meetingImportance: High
May 13, 2008
Senators Stan Bingham, Phil Berger, Katie Dorsett and Kay Hagan, and Representatives Alma Adams, John Blust, Katie Dorsett, Maggie Jeffus, Earl Jones, Pricey Harrison and Laura Wiley
RE: Greensboro Rezoning Protest Petition
Dear Senators and Representatives:
We are very concerned at the discussion of instituting rezoning Protest Petitions in the Greensboro . We urge you NOT to pursue this.
Greensboro was exempted from this in 1971, we think in part because only Greensboro has a Citizen Initiative Petition where citizens can take any ordinance (including rezonings) to a citywide referendum.
Protest petitions were “born” in the early 1900s because getting information to the public was difficult. Now, nearly 100 years later we’re in a new century and the “information age” and the communication problem no longer exists. There are strict rules for public notice and most developers voluntarily meet with neighbors. "Infill" development and redevelopment was not an issue then, but it is now, and allowing protest petitions will make it even harder to achieve smart growth developments where neighborhoods generally oppose higher densities and mixed uses that fit into the "better land use management plan" that Greensboro adopted in 2003. Frankly, the protest petition is antiquated and should be repealed statewide.
NC’s protest petition process allows a mere 5% of property owners within 100’ of the subject property to petition for a 75% vote of the full council (not “those present”) to pass the rezoning. In Greensboro that’s 7, and it essentially gives just 3 Council members veto power over rezoning decisions. It is patently absurd that a mere 5% of neighbors can so severely curtail someone else’s property rights. A democracy is run by majority vote. You can change the constitution of the United States with a simple majority, or with only a 2/3 vote of those elected representatives (Congress) present.
Greensboro rezonings already require a 2/3 vote to pass (6 of 9 votes), or else a second reading at the next meeting, giving opponents 2 to 3 extra weeks to lobby the issue further.
The 100 counties in NC do not allow protest petitions. While some other states do allow protest petitions, it is not pervasive and we found no states that allow a mere 5% to lodge a protest.
Local news reports have quoted City Council members urging caution, and some neighborhood advocates who fear it will impede the implementation of neighborhood preservation efforts. Citywide neighborhood groups are not taking up this cause. Greensboro goes to great effort to balance business friendliness with neighborhood stability, and does a pretty good job of it. This is a local government issue, and the legislative delegation should not pursue it.
Sincerely,
Marlene Sanford
President
Billy The Blogging Poet says Yes to Protest Petitions
Billy the Blogging Poet chimes in on Protest Petitions for Greensboro. click here
In Favor Of Protest Petitions For Greensboro
I just wanted to let my readers know that in considering me for Mayor of Greensboro in 2009, I am 100% in favor of returning to Greensboro's citizens the right to Protest Petitions.
It is simply wrong that Greensboro citizens and taxpayers do not have the same legal rights as every other citizen in every other city and every town in North Carolina. Discrimination based on the city of one's place of residence is just as wrong as any other form of discrimination and as long as North Carolina continues to deny Greensboro citizens their equal rights Greensboro will continue to suffer.
Might I remind you that Councilman Robbie Perkins continues to be in favor of denying Greensboro citizens their equal rights and has said so publicly. As Perkins has already been picked by the powers that be to be Greensboro's next mayor I thought that is something you'd like to know.If you don't already understand what protest petitions are and how they apply to you I highly recommend you read the work of Keith Brown at Protest Petition In Greensboro.And while I've got your attention, please don't forget that Robbie Perkins, our current Mayor Johnson and former Mayor Bobblehead Melvin were among those behind the Dam Scam.
We now return you to our regularly scheduled programming.
In Favor Of Protest Petitions For Greensboro
I just wanted to let my readers know that in considering me for Mayor of Greensboro in 2009, I am 100% in favor of returning to Greensboro's citizens the right to Protest Petitions.
It is simply wrong that Greensboro citizens and taxpayers do not have the same legal rights as every other citizen in every other city and every town in North Carolina. Discrimination based on the city of one's place of residence is just as wrong as any other form of discrimination and as long as North Carolina continues to deny Greensboro citizens their equal rights Greensboro will continue to suffer.
Might I remind you that Councilman Robbie Perkins continues to be in favor of denying Greensboro citizens their equal rights and has said so publicly. As Perkins has already been picked by the powers that be to be Greensboro's next mayor I thought that is something you'd like to know.If you don't already understand what protest petitions are and how they apply to you I highly recommend you read the work of Keith Brown at Protest Petition In Greensboro.And while I've got your attention, please don't forget that Robbie Perkins, our current Mayor Johnson and former Mayor Bobblehead Melvin were among those behind the Dam Scam.
We now return you to our regularly scheduled programming.
May 15, 2008
Guest Column on Protest Petitions for Greensboro
The Coalition of Concerned Citizens Member Keith Brown wrote a Guest Column to the Greensboro News And Record on Thursday May 15, 2008, click here to comment.
Greensboro residents want rights on zoning
By Keith Brown
Thursday, May. 15, 2008 3:00 am
The N.C. General Assembly can create new law and destroy old law. Cities such as Greensboro are subject to those laws, unless state legislators allow an exception.
In 1971, local elected officials supported a bill under a cloud of politics to exempt Greensboro from N.C. General Statutes 160a-385 and 386, which created what formally is called a "protest petition." This exemption never should have been made in the first place and is bad public policy.
Protest petitions are used if a certain percentage of property owners most affected by a zoning change object to the rezoning. These residents may petition for a super-majority vote of at least 7-2 to approve the rezoning.
Protest petitions level the playing field for residents, especially when pro-development members of the City Council are making rezoning decisions.
Professor David Owens of the UNC School of Government says, "The provision in North Carolina zoning law for a protest petition is mandatory for cities." His use of the word "mandatory" demonstrates that Greensboro is not following a law every other city must follow. As stated before, the General Assembly can destroy old law, and this exemption is definitely old law.
To hear Gary Rogers from the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition (TREBIC) say that Greensboro, back in 1971, had the foresight to exempt itself from this statute is condescending to citizens here. No, Mr. Rogers, it was not foresight. It was an effort to take away a right of the citizens to use the power of petitions against unwanted development in established neighborhoods.
Those who oppose protest petitions in Greensboro say they would discourage in-fill development. They say the current exemption aids growth, and not having the exemption would hurt growth.
Yet Raleigh and Charlotte have protest petitions, and both have grown faster than Greensboro since the exemption has been in effect.
Because I live in High Point, my neighborhood had the right to use a protest petition against a major developer not once, but twice, in a highly contested rezoning case off N.C. 68. I'm certain Greensboro citizens also would like to have this powerful tool as their voice against encroaching development.
Why not let the Guilford County legislative delegation push a bill to make the city of Greensboro comply with this state law? This would give Greensboro residents the same right as other North Carolina residents who live in cities.
Thirty-seven years is long enough. Let your state legislators know you would like to have protest petitions back in Greensboro.
I will leave you with a quote from a Greensboro resident who said it well: "It's time that citizens had a way to stop the business-as-usual crowd from developing our quality of life out of existence."
Keith Brown lives in High Point and is a member of Coalition of Concerned Citizens.
Greensboro residents want rights on zoning
By Keith Brown
Thursday, May. 15, 2008 3:00 am
The N.C. General Assembly can create new law and destroy old law. Cities such as Greensboro are subject to those laws, unless state legislators allow an exception.
In 1971, local elected officials supported a bill under a cloud of politics to exempt Greensboro from N.C. General Statutes 160a-385 and 386, which created what formally is called a "protest petition." This exemption never should have been made in the first place and is bad public policy.
Protest petitions are used if a certain percentage of property owners most affected by a zoning change object to the rezoning. These residents may petition for a super-majority vote of at least 7-2 to approve the rezoning.
Protest petitions level the playing field for residents, especially when pro-development members of the City Council are making rezoning decisions.
Professor David Owens of the UNC School of Government says, "The provision in North Carolina zoning law for a protest petition is mandatory for cities." His use of the word "mandatory" demonstrates that Greensboro is not following a law every other city must follow. As stated before, the General Assembly can destroy old law, and this exemption is definitely old law.
To hear Gary Rogers from the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition (TREBIC) say that Greensboro, back in 1971, had the foresight to exempt itself from this statute is condescending to citizens here. No, Mr. Rogers, it was not foresight. It was an effort to take away a right of the citizens to use the power of petitions against unwanted development in established neighborhoods.
Those who oppose protest petitions in Greensboro say they would discourage in-fill development. They say the current exemption aids growth, and not having the exemption would hurt growth.
Yet Raleigh and Charlotte have protest petitions, and both have grown faster than Greensboro since the exemption has been in effect.
Because I live in High Point, my neighborhood had the right to use a protest petition against a major developer not once, but twice, in a highly contested rezoning case off N.C. 68. I'm certain Greensboro citizens also would like to have this powerful tool as their voice against encroaching development.
Why not let the Guilford County legislative delegation push a bill to make the city of Greensboro comply with this state law? This would give Greensboro residents the same right as other North Carolina residents who live in cities.
Thirty-seven years is long enough. Let your state legislators know you would like to have protest petitions back in Greensboro.
I will leave you with a quote from a Greensboro resident who said it well: "It's time that citizens had a way to stop the business-as-usual crowd from developing our quality of life out of existence."
Keith Brown lives in High Point and is a member of Coalition of Concerned Citizens.
May 14, 2008
Greensboro News and Record #2 Lead Editorial on Protest Petitions
The Greensboro News and Record has a #2 lead editorial on restoring Protest Petitions to Greensboro, click here . I want to say that if this doesn't pass in short session then the long session will be the best chance for this to pass in the State Legislature.
Get on board protest petitions
Tuesday's No. 2 editorial.
Legislative short sessions are supposed to be short on business. Yet that doesn’t mean the N.C. General Assembly can’t tackle a thing or two.
There are some issues that shouldn’t be too complicated or controversial for the small amount of time allotted to these sessions. One is legislation that would restore to Greensboro residents the right to use protest petitions.
All other residents of North Carolina cities can use these petitions to challenge land-use decisions. But the General Assembly took this option away from Greensboro residents in 1971, upon the City Council’s request. It needs to undo what it did.
Rep. Pricey Harrison has sponsored a bill that would do that. But for it to pass, the Guilford delegation must back it. With unanimous support, the bill would go forward, as other legislators would defer to what the county’s delegation wanted for this local bill.
One potential problem, though, is the action, or, rather, inaction, of the Greensboro City Council. It did not include restoration of the protest petition in its requests to the legislature.It can be argued that the Guilford delegation shouldn’t act without a request by the council. But shouldn’t the widespread outpouring of citizen support in Greensboro for the protest petition, from individuals and neighborhood groups to the League of Women Voters, count for something?The truth is the majority of Greensboro residents appear to support restoring the right to use protest petitions while only a few in the city’s development crowd oppose it. They argue that use of the petitions could impede growth.
Rep. Maggie Jeffus, who heads the Guilford delegation, hopes to convene its members Thursday to discuss the issue. We hope they decide to support Harrison’s bill, even without the City Council’s stamp of approval.
For 37 years, Greensboro residents have had to fight zoning decisions with one hand tied behind their back. There is no reason for residents to continue to be restrained this way for another year
Get on board protest petitions
Tuesday's No. 2 editorial.
Legislative short sessions are supposed to be short on business. Yet that doesn’t mean the N.C. General Assembly can’t tackle a thing or two.
There are some issues that shouldn’t be too complicated or controversial for the small amount of time allotted to these sessions. One is legislation that would restore to Greensboro residents the right to use protest petitions.
All other residents of North Carolina cities can use these petitions to challenge land-use decisions. But the General Assembly took this option away from Greensboro residents in 1971, upon the City Council’s request. It needs to undo what it did.
Rep. Pricey Harrison has sponsored a bill that would do that. But for it to pass, the Guilford delegation must back it. With unanimous support, the bill would go forward, as other legislators would defer to what the county’s delegation wanted for this local bill.
One potential problem, though, is the action, or, rather, inaction, of the Greensboro City Council. It did not include restoration of the protest petition in its requests to the legislature.It can be argued that the Guilford delegation shouldn’t act without a request by the council. But shouldn’t the widespread outpouring of citizen support in Greensboro for the protest petition, from individuals and neighborhood groups to the League of Women Voters, count for something?The truth is the majority of Greensboro residents appear to support restoring the right to use protest petitions while only a few in the city’s development crowd oppose it. They argue that use of the petitions could impede growth.
Rep. Maggie Jeffus, who heads the Guilford delegation, hopes to convene its members Thursday to discuss the issue. We hope they decide to support Harrison’s bill, even without the City Council’s stamp of approval.
For 37 years, Greensboro residents have had to fight zoning decisions with one hand tied behind their back. There is no reason for residents to continue to be restrained this way for another year
May 13, 2008
JOE AND BUBBA SHOW ON PROTEST PETITIONS and the trebic cartel
There are 2 great posts today on Protest Petitions and the letter sent out by the trebic cartel on opposing any legislation to make Greensboro comply with North Carolina General Statute 160a-385 and 386.
Just to let everyone know that every other city in this whole great state of North Carolina abides by Protest Petitions . Let me reiterate that every other city abides by this and to see the opposition write this letter makes you think that getting this bill passed is the right thing to do for the citizens of Greensboro.
HERE ARE THE POST
Guarino
Bubba
Thanks for the posts.
Just to let everyone know that every other city in this whole great state of North Carolina abides by Protest Petitions . Let me reiterate that every other city abides by this and to see the opposition write this letter makes you think that getting this bill passed is the right thing to do for the citizens of Greensboro.
HERE ARE THE POST
Guarino
Bubba
Thanks for the posts.
Bob Kirnard Speech to the Guilford Delegation on Ethics on the Local Level
The speech below was for the Lobby the Legislator Meeting on Monday April 21, 2008 in front of the Guilford County delegation. Bob Kirnard from the Coalition of Concerned Citizens had the opportunity to speak about Ethics at the Local Level. Enclosed is the speech:
My name is Bob Kirnard. I would like to talk a little about the State Government Ethics Act and it’s possible acceptance by and application to the City of Greensboro. First of all, let’s talk a little about the definitions of ethics and morality. Ethics is the process of determining right from wrong as it relates to our everyday conduct. Morality is defined as a system of determining right and wrong that is established by some authority, in this case a governmental authority. People need to be taught right from wrong and hence the need for ethical education, not just in government, but in all cases where trust and protection of the public good is at stake.
The City of Greensboro’s “code of ethics” (which is about a page long) talks about “…protecting the integrity of governmental decisions…, promoting public confidence…, and impartiality and fairness in decision making.
I think much of this has been questioned recently by the residents of the City of Greensboro. You see Newspaper articles quite frequently relating to conflicts of interest in proposed development projects and questionable influences on some of those empowered with voting on these same projects.
I feel the time has come for the City of Greensboro to look for more in terms of ethical guidance and continuing ethical education. The State Government Ethics Act should be used as a model and be adopted by the City of Greensboro and other cities.
As Greensboro grows, our elected and appointed officials will have an even more challenging time trying to handle that growth in the best possible way for the common good.
Now, more than ever, we need to establish and maintain ethics educational programs for Greensboro’s public servants. They need to periodically take refresher courses in ethical conduct and standards relating to their day to day job activities.
A Commission needs to be established to enforce and oversee the rules of ethical conduct and resolve ethical conflicts. Without enforcement, reform will mean nothing.
A harder look needs to be taken at those members that are to be elected or appointed to the zoning commission and the city council.
In particular, fairness and impartiality need to be established and demonstrated through diversification of members sitting on both boards.
It does not look very fair or impartial to have active developers in real estate sitting on the boards and making decisions on development projects that may benefit the companies that they work for.
It also does not seem fair and impartial to know that the lawyers pleading their cases have made sizeable contributions to members empowered with deciding their cases.
In order to restore public confidence in local government, and have the citizens feel like they are being treated with impartiality and fairness, we need to expand the jurisdiction of the State Government Ethics Act to the cities as well.
My name is Bob Kirnard. I would like to talk a little about the State Government Ethics Act and it’s possible acceptance by and application to the City of Greensboro. First of all, let’s talk a little about the definitions of ethics and morality. Ethics is the process of determining right from wrong as it relates to our everyday conduct. Morality is defined as a system of determining right and wrong that is established by some authority, in this case a governmental authority. People need to be taught right from wrong and hence the need for ethical education, not just in government, but in all cases where trust and protection of the public good is at stake.
The City of Greensboro’s “code of ethics” (which is about a page long) talks about “…protecting the integrity of governmental decisions…, promoting public confidence…, and impartiality and fairness in decision making.
I think much of this has been questioned recently by the residents of the City of Greensboro. You see Newspaper articles quite frequently relating to conflicts of interest in proposed development projects and questionable influences on some of those empowered with voting on these same projects.
I feel the time has come for the City of Greensboro to look for more in terms of ethical guidance and continuing ethical education. The State Government Ethics Act should be used as a model and be adopted by the City of Greensboro and other cities.
As Greensboro grows, our elected and appointed officials will have an even more challenging time trying to handle that growth in the best possible way for the common good.
Now, more than ever, we need to establish and maintain ethics educational programs for Greensboro’s public servants. They need to periodically take refresher courses in ethical conduct and standards relating to their day to day job activities.
A Commission needs to be established to enforce and oversee the rules of ethical conduct and resolve ethical conflicts. Without enforcement, reform will mean nothing.
A harder look needs to be taken at those members that are to be elected or appointed to the zoning commission and the city council.
In particular, fairness and impartiality need to be established and demonstrated through diversification of members sitting on both boards.
It does not look very fair or impartial to have active developers in real estate sitting on the boards and making decisions on development projects that may benefit the companies that they work for.
It also does not seem fair and impartial to know that the lawyers pleading their cases have made sizeable contributions to members empowered with deciding their cases.
In order to restore public confidence in local government, and have the citizens feel like they are being treated with impartiality and fairness, we need to expand the jurisdiction of the State Government Ethics Act to the cities as well.
May 11, 2008
Mark Binker from N&R Highlights Protest Petitions in Short Session Article
Mark Binker of the Greensboro News and Record wrote a front page article called "Governor sets priorities for short session", click here .
Below is what was said about bringing back Protest Petitions to Greensboro.
Outside the budget, local legislators say they're bracing for a fast-paced session that could be over by mid-July. Although such predictions are perennially proved overly optimistic, they affect the types of bills legislators are willing to tackle.
For example, Rep. Pricey Harrison, a Greensboro Democrat, was preparing to run a bill that would have banned a certain flame-retardant chemical. But that legislation has been deemed too complex and controversial to handle in the next eight weeks.
Harrison said she was still eager to take up a bill that would give Greensboro residents the right to use protest petitions in land-use cases. If they were available, such petitions would force the City Council to approve changes to a property's legal designation by a 7-2 margin or better.
The tool is available in all other North Carolina cities but was taken away from Greensboro in 1971.
"Most of the people I talked to seem to think we need to do it," said Rep. Alma Adams, a Greensboro Democrat.
The legislation would be a local bill, a designation that usually means the rest of the General Assembly will defer to the judgment of the legislators who represent the area if there is unanimous agreement.
"Normally, with a local bill, you get a resolution from the local government that they're asking for it," said Sen. Phil Berger, a Rockingham County Republican who represents parts of Guilford County.
The council has not passed such a resolution.
"I don't want to say I would stand in the way, I'm just thinking in broad terms about how this would typically move forward," Berger said. "I would like to hear how the city feels about it."
Rep. Maggie Jeffus, a Greensboro Democrat, leads the 10-member Guilford County delegation. Jeffus said she hoped to call a meeting of the delegation this week to resolve the protest petition question and other items.
Bringing back Protest Petitions in a short session of the state legislature is tough to do but can be achievable. Hopefully there will be a bill drafted in the short session and a bill passed. If not then the long session starts in 2009 , and maybe the citizens of Greensboro can finally have the same right as everyone else has who lives in a city in the state of North Carolina.
Now is the time to let your Guilford County Legislators know that you want Protest Petitions sooner rather than later.In this blog there is a place to e mail your representatives. the first post in February is where you can contact the legislators.
Below is what was said about bringing back Protest Petitions to Greensboro.
Outside the budget, local legislators say they're bracing for a fast-paced session that could be over by mid-July. Although such predictions are perennially proved overly optimistic, they affect the types of bills legislators are willing to tackle.
For example, Rep. Pricey Harrison, a Greensboro Democrat, was preparing to run a bill that would have banned a certain flame-retardant chemical. But that legislation has been deemed too complex and controversial to handle in the next eight weeks.
Harrison said she was still eager to take up a bill that would give Greensboro residents the right to use protest petitions in land-use cases. If they were available, such petitions would force the City Council to approve changes to a property's legal designation by a 7-2 margin or better.
The tool is available in all other North Carolina cities but was taken away from Greensboro in 1971.
"Most of the people I talked to seem to think we need to do it," said Rep. Alma Adams, a Greensboro Democrat.
The legislation would be a local bill, a designation that usually means the rest of the General Assembly will defer to the judgment of the legislators who represent the area if there is unanimous agreement.
"Normally, with a local bill, you get a resolution from the local government that they're asking for it," said Sen. Phil Berger, a Rockingham County Republican who represents parts of Guilford County.
The council has not passed such a resolution.
"I don't want to say I would stand in the way, I'm just thinking in broad terms about how this would typically move forward," Berger said. "I would like to hear how the city feels about it."
Rep. Maggie Jeffus, a Greensboro Democrat, leads the 10-member Guilford County delegation. Jeffus said she hoped to call a meeting of the delegation this week to resolve the protest petition question and other items.
Bringing back Protest Petitions in a short session of the state legislature is tough to do but can be achievable. Hopefully there will be a bill drafted in the short session and a bill passed. If not then the long session starts in 2009 , and maybe the citizens of Greensboro can finally have the same right as everyone else has who lives in a city in the state of North Carolina.
Now is the time to let your Guilford County Legislators know that you want Protest Petitions sooner rather than later.In this blog there is a place to e mail your representatives. the first post in February is where you can contact the legislators.
May 4, 2008
Yes Weekly NC 28 Debate both candidates are for Protest Petitions
I would like to thank Jordan Green from Yes Weekly in asking the question to both Rep. Katie Dorsett and Bruce Davis about restoring Protest Petitions to Greensboro and how they feel about this issue. Click here
The candidates discussed their support for restoring the protest petition in Greensboro. The protest petition provides that if a certain percentage of adjacent property owners protest a proposed rezoning the city council is required to muster a 75-percent super-majority to approve the request. Greensboro lost the protest petition in 1971 by of an act of the General Assembly, and it remains the only city in the state that does not have this provision.
Dorsett: “I’ve heard a lot and had public hearings over in Greensboro and High Point, and they’ve been to Raleigh as well. And I have agreed to sponsor that legislation in the Senate to permit Greensboro the same as everybody else…. I don’t know a lot — I remember looking back in history when it started, and I don’t know the basis of which it started, but I do think it’s unfair for all other communities and cities in our state to abide by one law and Greensboro have exemption, when there’s, in my opinion, no real justification for it.”
Davis: “I would support it. I have no real problem with that. I would have to agree with the Honorable Katie Dorsett. We need to have consistency.”
Posted by Jordan Green on 5/04/2008
The candidates discussed their support for restoring the protest petition in Greensboro. The protest petition provides that if a certain percentage of adjacent property owners protest a proposed rezoning the city council is required to muster a 75-percent super-majority to approve the request. Greensboro lost the protest petition in 1971 by of an act of the General Assembly, and it remains the only city in the state that does not have this provision.
Dorsett: “I’ve heard a lot and had public hearings over in Greensboro and High Point, and they’ve been to Raleigh as well. And I have agreed to sponsor that legislation in the Senate to permit Greensboro the same as everybody else…. I don’t know a lot — I remember looking back in history when it started, and I don’t know the basis of which it started, but I do think it’s unfair for all other communities and cities in our state to abide by one law and Greensboro have exemption, when there’s, in my opinion, no real justification for it.”
Davis: “I would support it. I have no real problem with that. I would have to agree with the Honorable Katie Dorsett. We need to have consistency.”
Posted by Jordan Green on 5/04/2008
May 3, 2008
Rhino Times Open Letter to Mr. Hammer on Protest Petitions
The reason I post this e mail is because I have e mailed the Rhino Times 3 times with no correspondence , while I also went to their web site and did a letter to the editor about Protest Petitions to no avail. Maybe this might help with a correspondence.
Dear Mr. Hammer,
My name is Keith Brown, I am writing you today to see if I could get any time to talk about a issue that has risen to more than a whisper but to really get citizens talking about a blatant injustice to the citizens of Greensboro for the past 37 years. It happens to do with the right of citizens to have a Protest Petition in zoning cases. Jordan Green from Yes Weekly has written some great articles on this issue and also if you read March 2nd Lead Editorial in Greensboro News & Record Editorial page titled " The Right To Protest" and on page 3 of editorial it had answers to the question of the week about Protest Petition.I would love to have your paper do a piece on this issue. I started a blog on this , it can be reached by going to this page,
http://protestpetitiongreensboro.blogspot.com/
There are some great angles to this story that are playing out to see, especially if we can get a bill passed to make Greensboro comply with having Protest Petitions or is it going to be business as usual . To hear councilman Matheny say in editorial that Greensboro is "different" please explain to us how a North Carolina General Statute takes into account that Greensboro is different. It is not fair that every major city has to abide by Protest Petitions but Greensboro is exempt.If the Rhino would like to talk about this please let me know because I would love to get your angle on Protest Petitions and is it fair that Greensboro doesn't have to comply with a North Carolina General Statute.
I saw you at the Lobby the Legislator Meeting looking at the Drudge Report but also saw you write some notes. Do you plan on writing a article about that night?
As you saw at that meeting the TREBIC CARTEL was there to oppose bringing back Protest Petitions. It was laughable to hear Gary Rogers say that Greensboro had the foresight back in 1971 to exempt themselves from Protest Petitions. No Mr. Rogers, the City of Greensboro just screwed their citizens of a law that is there for a purpose . I know this purpose because we had to use the Protest Petitions not once but twice against Blue Ridge Companies in High Point go ask David Hampton or David Couch they can tell you all about Protest Petitions and Sutton Place.
It dissappoints me to see your paper keep your head in the sand on this issue. I have been a loyal reader for a long time back to the Laredo's Picture Page Days.
Thanks and have a great weekend.If you would like to talk to me please do and let me know when a good time to call you might be.A correspondence would be appreciated.
Keith T. Brown
High Point North Carolina
Dear Mr. Hammer,
My name is Keith Brown, I am writing you today to see if I could get any time to talk about a issue that has risen to more than a whisper but to really get citizens talking about a blatant injustice to the citizens of Greensboro for the past 37 years. It happens to do with the right of citizens to have a Protest Petition in zoning cases. Jordan Green from Yes Weekly has written some great articles on this issue and also if you read March 2nd Lead Editorial in Greensboro News & Record Editorial page titled " The Right To Protest" and on page 3 of editorial it had answers to the question of the week about Protest Petition.I would love to have your paper do a piece on this issue. I started a blog on this , it can be reached by going to this page,
http://protestpetitiongreensboro.blogspot.com/
There are some great angles to this story that are playing out to see, especially if we can get a bill passed to make Greensboro comply with having Protest Petitions or is it going to be business as usual . To hear councilman Matheny say in editorial that Greensboro is "different" please explain to us how a North Carolina General Statute takes into account that Greensboro is different. It is not fair that every major city has to abide by Protest Petitions but Greensboro is exempt.If the Rhino would like to talk about this please let me know because I would love to get your angle on Protest Petitions and is it fair that Greensboro doesn't have to comply with a North Carolina General Statute.
I saw you at the Lobby the Legislator Meeting looking at the Drudge Report but also saw you write some notes. Do you plan on writing a article about that night?
As you saw at that meeting the TREBIC CARTEL was there to oppose bringing back Protest Petitions. It was laughable to hear Gary Rogers say that Greensboro had the foresight back in 1971 to exempt themselves from Protest Petitions. No Mr. Rogers, the City of Greensboro just screwed their citizens of a law that is there for a purpose . I know this purpose because we had to use the Protest Petitions not once but twice against Blue Ridge Companies in High Point go ask David Hampton or David Couch they can tell you all about Protest Petitions and Sutton Place.
It dissappoints me to see your paper keep your head in the sand on this issue. I have been a loyal reader for a long time back to the Laredo's Picture Page Days.
Thanks and have a great weekend.If you would like to talk to me please do and let me know when a good time to call you might be.A correspondence would be appreciated.
Keith T. Brown
High Point North Carolina
Apr 29, 2008
Willie Taylor Speech to the Guilford Delegation on Protest Petition
The speech below was for the Lobby the Legislator Meeting on Monday April 21, 2008 in front of the Guilford County delegation. Willie Taylor from the Coalition of Concerned Citizens had the opportunity to speak about Protest Petitions. Enclosed is the speech:
Representative Jeffus and members of the NC General Assembly Guilford Delegation, thank you.
YES, I ask for your continued support of the Greensboro Public Library, but I am here tonight to speak to another concern that for the immediate time, takes precedence – the absence of the law of protest petition in Greensboro.
Earlier this year several communities appeared before the Greensboro City Council for rezoning issues at the same time as my community. At least four of these communities, Garden Lake, off New Garden Road, Guilford College, Franklin Blvd. extension (the Clapp Farm community, and my community of single family houses and town houses west of Guilford College off Friendly Avenue) felt the Council decisions were made without any compromise, added conditions to the developer’s proposal, or serious consideration of the residents of the communities. In all four cases, large numbers of people were present. Members of these four communities and other citizens who question what is occurring have come together to form a Coalition of Concerned Citizens, secured a professional leader and plan to expand as broadly and diversely as possible. I am speaking on behalf of our coalition.
During this recent rezoning process we learned of the State Protest Petition that Greensboro had been exempt from in 1971, but is in effect in all major North Carolina cities and our neighboring cities of High Point, Kernersville, Winston-Salem and others. We have also learned that most people in Greensboro and Guilford County had never heard of this law and without the wonderful coverage by YES! Weekly, many of us would not know the history.
I am here tonight to ask on behalf of these communities that you pass legislation to provide the citizens of Greensboro with protest petition rights. From the letters of response to the News and Record’s “Question of the Week: Should Greensboro residents have the right to challenge City Council zoning decision through protest petition, there seems to be consensus in Greensboro that we need it sooner than later. Please note that one of the handouts is an editorial from the News and Record that concludes “Greensboro property owners are due the same right to petition state law allows residents of other cities”. Please return to us the right of protest petition.
Thank you.
Representative Jeffus and members of the NC General Assembly Guilford Delegation, thank you.
YES, I ask for your continued support of the Greensboro Public Library, but I am here tonight to speak to another concern that for the immediate time, takes precedence – the absence of the law of protest petition in Greensboro.
Earlier this year several communities appeared before the Greensboro City Council for rezoning issues at the same time as my community. At least four of these communities, Garden Lake, off New Garden Road, Guilford College, Franklin Blvd. extension (the Clapp Farm community, and my community of single family houses and town houses west of Guilford College off Friendly Avenue) felt the Council decisions were made without any compromise, added conditions to the developer’s proposal, or serious consideration of the residents of the communities. In all four cases, large numbers of people were present. Members of these four communities and other citizens who question what is occurring have come together to form a Coalition of Concerned Citizens, secured a professional leader and plan to expand as broadly and diversely as possible. I am speaking on behalf of our coalition.
During this recent rezoning process we learned of the State Protest Petition that Greensboro had been exempt from in 1971, but is in effect in all major North Carolina cities and our neighboring cities of High Point, Kernersville, Winston-Salem and others. We have also learned that most people in Greensboro and Guilford County had never heard of this law and without the wonderful coverage by YES! Weekly, many of us would not know the history.
I am here tonight to ask on behalf of these communities that you pass legislation to provide the citizens of Greensboro with protest petition rights. From the letters of response to the News and Record’s “Question of the Week: Should Greensboro residents have the right to challenge City Council zoning decision through protest petition, there seems to be consensus in Greensboro that we need it sooner than later. Please note that one of the handouts is an editorial from the News and Record that concludes “Greensboro property owners are due the same right to petition state law allows residents of other cities”. Please return to us the right of protest petition.
Thank you.
Apr 26, 2008
Guilford Hills Neighborhood Meeting talked about Protest Petitions
It was a pleasure to speak in front of the Guilford Hills Neighborhood meeting on Saturday morning 4-26-08. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to tell the citizens of Greensboro about Protest Petitions and how it is time for a bill to be passed to make Greensboro comply with North Carolina General Statute 160a-385 and 386. My motto in the quest is one neighborhood at a time and it was a pleasure to speak in front of a neighborhood where I grew up in. The audience was very receptive to my explanations of Protest Petitions and how they can go about making Greensboro comply.
If there is any neighborhood association who would like for me to speak to them in Greensboro about Protest Petition please e mail me from this site. Thanks again to the Guilford Hills Community for letting me speak to them today. Have a great weekend.
If there is any neighborhood association who would like for me to speak to them in Greensboro about Protest Petition please e mail me from this site. Thanks again to the Guilford Hills Community for letting me speak to them today. Have a great weekend.
Apr 21, 2008
Coalition of Concerned Citizens Speaks to Guilford County Legislators
The Coalition of Concerned Citizens spoke to the Guilford County Delegation from the great State of North Carolina on Monday night 4-21-2008.
Many issues were brought up from ethics on the local level, eniment domain, annexation and surprise surprise PROTEST PETITION'S in GREENSBORO.
It was great to hear the citizens of Greensboro speak out at this meeting from Willie Taylor to Jack Masarie to Bob Kinard to Linda Wilkinson to Harry & Pat Clapp to Claire Homes. I hope they got the message that 37 years of exemption is enough and it is time that Greensboro abides by North Carolina General Statute 160a-385 and 386 in regards to PROTEST PETITIONS.
The North Carolina Guilford delegation in attendence were as follows:
Rep. Alma Adams, Rep. John Blust, Rep. Laura Wiley, Rep. Maggie Jeffus, Rep. Pricey Harrison, Sen. Phil Berger, Sen. Katie Dorsett and Rep. Earl Jones
Absent were : Sen. Kay Hagan but Steven from her office was there, Sen. Stan Bingham.
It was also interesting to see Lee Porter and Gary Rogers from the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition otherwise known as the TREBIC CARTEL try to make their point that they oppose bringing back PROTEST PETITIONS to Greensboro.
It is funny to see that the TREBIC CARTEL'S members are also from other parts of Guilford County like let's say High Point but guess what High Point abides by PROTEST PETITIONS.
For the TREBIC CARTEL chairman Gary Rogers to say that back in 1971 Greensboro had a lot of foresight into exempting themselves from Protest Petitions was laughable. Add to that laughable statement from Marlene Sanford President of the TREBIC CARTEL who said she wants the state to look at repealing PROTEST PETITIONS altogether rather than returning the power to Greensboro citizens. Good luck in trying to get that passed.
This issue is not going away anytime soon. It is really tough to get laws passed in the short session of 2008 General Assembly. But believe me in saying that in the long session in 2009 if a bill hasn't been passed by then , I would say the issue of Protest Petitions for the citizens of Greensboro will be front and center. Just like it was tonight at the meeting.
Many issues were brought up from ethics on the local level, eniment domain, annexation and surprise surprise PROTEST PETITION'S in GREENSBORO.
It was great to hear the citizens of Greensboro speak out at this meeting from Willie Taylor to Jack Masarie to Bob Kinard to Linda Wilkinson to Harry & Pat Clapp to Claire Homes. I hope they got the message that 37 years of exemption is enough and it is time that Greensboro abides by North Carolina General Statute 160a-385 and 386 in regards to PROTEST PETITIONS.
The North Carolina Guilford delegation in attendence were as follows:
Rep. Alma Adams, Rep. John Blust, Rep. Laura Wiley, Rep. Maggie Jeffus, Rep. Pricey Harrison, Sen. Phil Berger, Sen. Katie Dorsett and Rep. Earl Jones
Absent were : Sen. Kay Hagan but Steven from her office was there, Sen. Stan Bingham.
It was also interesting to see Lee Porter and Gary Rogers from the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition otherwise known as the TREBIC CARTEL try to make their point that they oppose bringing back PROTEST PETITIONS to Greensboro.
It is funny to see that the TREBIC CARTEL'S members are also from other parts of Guilford County like let's say High Point but guess what High Point abides by PROTEST PETITIONS.
For the TREBIC CARTEL chairman Gary Rogers to say that back in 1971 Greensboro had a lot of foresight into exempting themselves from Protest Petitions was laughable. Add to that laughable statement from Marlene Sanford President of the TREBIC CARTEL who said she wants the state to look at repealing PROTEST PETITIONS altogether rather than returning the power to Greensboro citizens. Good luck in trying to get that passed.
This issue is not going away anytime soon. It is really tough to get laws passed in the short session of 2008 General Assembly. But believe me in saying that in the long session in 2009 if a bill hasn't been passed by then , I would say the issue of Protest Petitions for the citizens of Greensboro will be front and center. Just like it was tonight at the meeting.
Apr 15, 2008
Yes Weekly Letter from BJ Weatherby about Protest Petitions
Yes Weekly has a letter from BJ Weatherby who is a member of the League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad website on bringing back Protest Petitions to Greensboro. On the main page of the League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad is a Action Item: write to your legislators about restoring Greensboro's right to petition zoning changes with information and contact list in a PDF file.
It is time to Lobby the North Carolina Legislature from Guilford County on Monday April 21st from 6:00pm - 8:00pm in Greensboro at the Melvin Municipal Building which is City Hall on Eugene Street.
Keith Brown went to High Point to Lobby the North Carolina Legislature from Guilford County on April 14th and received a positive response from the Legislators.It was a great experience to speak in front of them and I hope more will get the chance in Greensboro on whatever issue you may have to speak about to the Guilford County Delegation.
It is time to Lobby the North Carolina Legislature from Guilford County on Monday April 21st from 6:00pm - 8:00pm in Greensboro at the Melvin Municipal Building which is City Hall on Eugene Street.
Keith Brown went to High Point to Lobby the North Carolina Legislature from Guilford County on April 14th and received a positive response from the Legislators.It was a great experience to speak in front of them and I hope more will get the chance in Greensboro on whatever issue you may have to speak about to the Guilford County Delegation.
Apr 11, 2008
Lobby the Legislators on Protest Petition in High Point and Greensboro
The Guilford County legislative delegation who are a part of the House and Senate of this great State of North Carolina will be holding 2 meetings the next 2 weeks.
The first hearing will be in High Point, Monday, April 14, 6 to 8 p.m. at the High Point City Council Chambers: 211 S. Hamilton Street.
The second hearing will be Monday, April 21, 6 to 8 p.m. in Greensboro at the Melvin Municipal Building which is City Hall on Eugene Street. That meeting will be televised on cable channel 13.
This is a great chance to lobby the Guilford County delegation on why they need to pass a bill to make Greensboro comply with a North Carolina General Statute 160a-385 and 386. The momentum to get this bill passed is growing and the reaction I am getting as to what a Protest Petition is and why Greensboro is exempted shows that the more people find out about this the more they want this bill passed. I hope to see you there.
The first hearing will be in High Point, Monday, April 14, 6 to 8 p.m. at the High Point City Council Chambers: 211 S. Hamilton Street.
The second hearing will be Monday, April 21, 6 to 8 p.m. in Greensboro at the Melvin Municipal Building which is City Hall on Eugene Street. That meeting will be televised on cable channel 13.
This is a great chance to lobby the Guilford County delegation on why they need to pass a bill to make Greensboro comply with a North Carolina General Statute 160a-385 and 386. The momentum to get this bill passed is growing and the reaction I am getting as to what a Protest Petition is and why Greensboro is exempted shows that the more people find out about this the more they want this bill passed. I hope to see you there.
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