Five's a crowd in Walnut Cove
My wife and I drove through Walnut Cove recently on our way home from Hanging Rock State Park, where we spent a relaxing hour paddling around on the small lake.
There wasn't much activity in Walnut Cove.
So I was more than a little surprised to learn that the town board had just passed an ordinance requiring permits for public gatherings of five or more people.
I'd think leaders in the Stokes County hamlet would encourage crowds.
They seem to be trying to get a handle on sidewalk preaching, but Burlington Times-News editor Madison Taylor takes a critical view.
By the way, the town board consists of a mayor and four commissioners -- five in all.
Do they now need a permit to hold a meeting?
Ridiculous.
Comments (7)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
Who is the town attorney and how the heck did he or she get out of law school?
Posted on September 11, 2007 11:10 AM
By the way, the town board consists of a mayor and four commissioners -- five in all.
Do they now need a permit to hold a meeting?
Ridiculous.* Doug
Must be a big anti-war movement in Walnut Grove?
Who is the town attorney and how the heck did he or she get out of law school?* John Burns
Bill Graham? The Republican candiate for Gov no doubt!
Posted on September 11, 2007 11:50 AM
Preaching to people who are trying to operate a motor vehicle is a distraction and a safety issue that could foster liabiltiy claims if the city would permit it. End of Story
Posted on September 11, 2007 3:57 PM
So you think the town will deny permits for people who intend to preach on the sidewalk? What about people who want to demonstrate on the sidewalk against the town's permit policy? What about a campaign rally for people who want to run against the present mayor and commissioners?
Posted on September 11, 2007 4:04 PM
Preaching to pedestrians could probably not be restricted on safety grounds, but business owners may object, saying that their business is obstructed which would be trickier to prove etc.
Posted on September 11, 2007 4:23 PM
"End of Story" is right, and I can predict how the story will end. With a court writing the following:
"The ordinance is an unconstitutional prior restraint of the freedom of speech protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and is not reasonable in time, manner or place in its restrictions on that speech. Because it restricts speech and the right of the people peacably to assemble, both fundamental rights under that amendment and under the North Carolina Constitution, it is subject to strict scrutiny, a test it manifestly fails. It is unconstitutional and the Plaintiff's Motion for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief is granted."
*the above is not legal advice nor should it be construed as such. get your own lawyer. preferably not whichever one approved this ludicrous policy
Posted on September 11, 2007 5:40 PM
*the above is not legal advice nor should it be construed as such. get your own lawyer. preferably not whichever one approved this ludicrous policy* John Burns
Right! And don't forget the second amendment to insure that the mayor and his political police state hacks understand the term " Superior firepower rules in favor of free speech"
Posted on September 11, 2007 6:05 PM