It’s happening more and more frequently, in large and small jurisdictions across North Carolina. It may come by email, personal delivery, or even in a good old -fashioned letter, signed, sealed and delivered by snail mail. It’s the massive public … Read more
Looking to drum up new business, Tony Gazzo makes a public records request to the Rockyham County property tax office for a report listing the names, addresses, and amounts owed for all real property owners who are delinquent on their … Read more
It’s budget time for local governments, and the fun should not be reserved just for finance and budget staffers. Tax officials need to play an important role in the process, too. The Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act … Read more
Along Broken Dreams Boulevard, not far from Main Street, an abandoned mill overlooks a troubled neighborhood. Once a thriving residential area with inexpensive mill housing (single family homes and duplexes), the neighborhood is now typical of a declining mill village. … Read more
Ralph Kramden is working his way through the morning paper, waiting for his second cup of coffee to kick in. He suddenly jumps up, knocking his coffee to the floor in the process. “Alice, did you see what those yahoos … Read more
The town’s governing board wants to be more transparent. They direct the clerk to post all agendas, attachments, minutes, and budgets on the town’s website. The IT director, who manages the website, suggests that these documents should be converted to … Read more
Where to put the new landfill? The county commissioners are feeling the pressure. The site in the east will upset the folks in the Eastville area, and the site in the west will upset the Westoners. One commissioner has an … Read more
A short while ago I wrote about the state constitutional provisions on redistricting, noting the argument that for decades North Carolina might have been drawing legislative districts at the wrong time. The state constitution can be read to say that … Read more
[Update: In 2013 the N.C. Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals decision discussed below. See this blog post for more details.] In the first of three decisions we are expecting on internet sweepstakes, the N.C. Court of Appeals ruled … Read more