|
Sewer Monster found in Raleigh
RALEIGH — It looks like blob of wriggling pudding staring out through a single, puckered eye. You can see it caught on camera, clinging to the concrete pipes below Raleigh’s Cameron Village: the Sewer Monster. It’s really a colony of prehistoric creatures known either as bryozoans or moss animacules, thousands of wormlike animals, biologists report. Legislator questions Durham diversity provision
DURHAM — One of the General Assembly’s top Republicans has questioned the constitutionality of a city charter provision that allows Durham officials to prod contractors to work in minority- and women-owned businesses. House Minority Leader Paul Stam, R-Wake, joined other GOP members earlier this month in voting against a bill that codified the City Council’s right to delegate matters of contract administration to the city staff. Home sales fall at slower rate
RALEIGH — Sales of Triangle homes declined again in May but at a slower pace, as sellers began to drop prices and more buyers emerged in a still-quiet housing market. There were 1,623 homes sold during the month in Durham, Johnston, Orange and Wake counties, according to Triangle Multiple Listing Services data. While that’s down 21 percent from the same month last year, the decline was more moderate than the 38 percent decline in the previous year. ‘Smart’ meter could save Cary water, money
CARY — Cary officials say a new digital radio water meter will help conserve water and benefit citizens, but others claim the device will enable an unnecessary invasion of privacy that can be used to gather personal information. Cary employees have considered investing in a state-of-the art water meter system for six years and will make a recommendation to the Town Council in the fall. Durham halts pay taxes or else employment policy
DURHAM — City Manager Tom Bonfield has put an end to his government’s eight-year practice of suspending employees who are behind on their local property taxes. The move — sought last summer by members of the North Carolina local of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, better known as UE 150 — occurred earlier this spring and was reinforced by a recent e-mail exchange between the manager and a key subordinate. More headlines » |
Why North Carolina Should Not Build High-Speed Rail
Because of their high costs, tiny benefits, and interference with property rights, North Carolina should not attempt to provide high-speed rail service. Instead, it should use its share of the $8 billion stimulus funds solely for incremental upgrades, such as safer grade crossings and signaling systems, that do not obligate state taxpayers to pay future operations and maintenance costs. City and County Issue Guide 2009
Policymakers in the many local governments of North Carolina face a host of important challenges. This issue guide offers solutions to problems that confront North Carolinians at municipal and county levels. The common thread in these recommendations is freedom. By increasing individual freedom, local governments can foster the prosperity of all North Carolinians and keep open avenues to innovative solutions from enterprising citizens. City and County Budget Crises: When in a hole, first stop digging
Quick facts: - This report documents the change in locally generated revenues of 98 North Carolina counties* and the 30 largest N.C. cities between 2002 and 2007.
- Locally generated revenues increased faster than population and inflation in 96 of 98 counties and 24 of 30 cities. In Union County, revenue increased 48 percent faster than population and inflation over five years.
- For that reason, many counties and cities are having financial difficulties because they have spent taxpayer revenues on unnecessary or low-priority projects.
- In addition, the public has recognized that counties must live with in their means. Since 2007, voters have rejected tax increases 66 of the 74 times that county commissioners asked for a tax increase. That is almost 90 percent of the time.
- Furthermore, this report provides information that is an essential starting point for citizens to hold their elected and unelected officials accountable for their spending decisions.
- County and city officials must do more to put budget and revenue information on the Internet in easily accessible formats.
* The counties of Graham and Scotland failed to report revenue information for Fiscal Year 2007 to the State Treasurer’s Office.
Authors: Joseph Coletti and Dr. Michael Sanera |
