Right to protest
Some legislators are talking about giving Greensboro residents the right to file protest petitions, making us like every other citizen in the state. Generally speaking, each member of the Guilford delegation must sign on. Should they?
Comments (8)
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Yes, all cities and citizens should be the same throughout the State of NC. No one city should be exempt.
Posted on March 10, 2008 1:26 PM
YES
Posted on March 10, 2008 1:48 PM
Yes, we should have the right to petition, not because everyone else in North Carolina has the right but because EVERYONE has the right to redress of grievances and vehicles, such as petitioning regarding rezoning, should be readily available.
I think it would be enlightening if your investigative journalists would uncover the rationale for the exemption. Also, it would be at least interesting to see what the professional composition of City Council was in 1971: How many had real estate connections, for example? Who owned property from which they might profit as result of rezoning?
Posted on March 10, 2008 2:36 PM
Absolutely Yes, 37 years is long enough from this exemption.
Why don't we try 37 years of having Protest Petition on the books in Greensboro then compare the 2 to see which is better. We all know that the usual suspects will try not make this happen but if we can get a lot of support behind this issue and let your state representatives know how you feel, then i have a feeling this will become a part of Greensboro like every other city abides by Protest Petition.
Posted on March 10, 2008 4:42 PM
Yes. Why should less than 5 percent of the population dictate how a community is shaped? Anything that strengthens democracy is good for society, and good for the city.
Posted on March 11, 2008 8:31 AM
Yes. Why should less than 5 percent of the population dictate how a community is shaped? Anything that strengthens democracy is good for society, and good for the city.
Posted on March 11, 2008 8:31 AM
I love the fact that people claim the right to redress grievences but how about the orginal taking of property rights without paying just compensation. Think that is one of the founding principles of constitutionality, isn't it???
Excuse me democracy only works when it is in your favor according to most progressives.
This is not to make this a political issue but I just can't believe how far down the road we have gone toward total government control.
Have you forgotten where zoning came from?
What ever happened to fair and just compensation? What gives the government the right to tell me what to do with my property when I pay my taxes and obey all of the laws on the books about health and safety etc...
Enforce those and zoning is a mute point.
Posted on March 11, 2008 4:24 PM
Well, the case that sparked this move to reinstate the petition, the old Friendly Road Inn property rezoning case, was voted down and due to some weird procedural manipulation still not explained adequately was brought up again. Mr. Development himself, Robbie Perkins, rose from some infirmity and carried the day for his crony in the second vote. Since the petitioner got a do-over so should the neighbors.
Posted on March 13, 2008 1:17 PM