I promise this is the last burst for 2009.
Up front, I wish each of you the best of health and prosperity for 2010, a year which is shaping up to be a very interesting one for the North Carolina General Assembly.
Senator R.C. Soles, the longest serving (ever) member of the North Carolina General Assembly, has announced he will not run again.
The full story is here:
http://www.lcni5.com/cgi-bin/c2.cgi?048+article+News+20091230114040048048002
Senator Soles joins Senators Hoyle and Boseman in deciding not to run again. And, if you recall, Senator Rand resigned effective Dec 31 and Senator Weinstein has already resigned.
The BRUNSWICK BEACON has another interesting story about two groups who are fighting annexations in Brunswick County. Highlighted are Mike Richards and his struggle against St. James, and also Holly Long of the Shallotte Point Preservation Group.
The full story can be read here:
http://www.brunswickbeacon.com/cgi-bin/c2.cgi?048+article+News+20091230133707048048009
Kudos to both these folks and their groups for their continued support of meaningful annexation reform. Every story published helps spread the word!
Meanwhile, in Lexington, John Frank of the local CAFA group, had this great letter published in the local paper, the Lexington DISPATCH: To tweak your interest, here is a portion of that letter, titled, "Question is Unanswered"
"I say that a decision to annex is a political decision, but a decision to forcibly annex is a moral decision. The council has a duty to show that the annexation will make life better for everyone.
This principle is too obvious to even dispute. And on this principle, the present annexation fails."
This is a great read, and I urge you to go to this link for the entire letter:
Let me close with a great quote by Oak Lever Citizens Against Forced Annexation member Joan Holly to the Rocky Mount City Council at the recent public hearing:
We will not shut up, will not give up, will not back up. If youre wondering what were doing, were out gathering stones.
Not a bad message, eh?
To each and every one, please take up the banner and keep our issue in the forefront of our newspapers and radio and tv media across the state.
Keep the pressure on for MEANINGFUL reform of this detestable law in 2010!
Sincerely,
Doug Aitken
FAC