[Durham INC] INC Billboard Resolution
Anne Guyton
annemguyton at yahoo.com
Fri Oct 22 20:40:56 EDT 2010
Good evening everyone,
Let me say upfront that I don't agree all billboards should be banned but I do
support banning electronic billboards.
I don't often voice an opinion on INC issues because I no longer have the
knowledge and insight gained by participating in the enlightening, lively and
informative discussions carried on at the monthly meetings. Tonight, though, I
find myself moved to speak out, despite that handicap, by the words used in
billboard resolution Mike has cited.
My observation of INC, over many years, has been that folks respectfully agree
to disagree. After all, many times on the very next issue, former opponents
find themselves on the same side. This high standard of respect for all sides
has been a hallmark of the INC. Its one of the many reasons the INC's voice
and opinion is respected by Durhamites of all persuasions, most especially our
elected officials.
In my opinion, resolutions, which are presented to our elected officials, should
clearly state both the facts and reasons for the INC's position in language that
conveys the intent, without being inflammatory.
The parts of the billboard resolution Mike cites below contain language that I,
personally, consider adversarial. As one example consider the synonyms for the
word inimical - hostile,adverse,unfriendly,antagonistic,enemy,harmful.
I suggest something along the lines of this:
WHEREAS billboards have a negative impact on the beauty of North Carolina's
roads, communities and neighborhoods especially in our urban and metropolitan
areas; and
WHEREAS digital billboards with changeable lighted displays create a hazard on
our roads and highways by distracting drivers;
No more soapbox. Have a great evening.
Respectfully,
Anne M. Guyton
________________________________
From:M. W. Shiflett - Hotmail <mwshiflett at hotmail.com>
To: Pat Carstensen <pats1717 at hotmail.com>; inc listserv <inc-list at durhaminc.org>
Sent: Fri, October 22, 2010 2:49:33 PM
Subject: [Durham INC] are whereas statements based on fact or opinion?
WHEREAS billboards are a blight on the land and represent a bankrupt means of
communication; and
WHEREAS digital billboards with changeable lighted displays are especially
obnoxious to the scenic environment, inimical to good urban planning, and
create a distraction hazard to motor traffic on our roads and highways;
Who came up with this wording?
Mike Shiflett
----- Original Message -----
>From: Pat Carstensen
>To: inc listserv
>Sent: Friday, October 22, 2010 6:14 AM
>Subject: [Durham INC] DRAFT DRAFT Sept minutes
>
>
>I am resending the minutes, with the resolutions added, in preparation for
>next week's meeting.
>---
>
>
>September Delegate Meeting
>First Presbyterian Church
>September 28, 2010
>
>Attending the meeting were:
>Delegates and Alternates
>Colonial Village – Freddie Estremera
>Colony Park – Don Lebkes
>Cross Counties – Pat Carstensen
>Duke Park – Ian Kipp, Bill Anderson
>Falconbridge – Rosemarie Kitchin
>Golden Belt Neighborhood Association – DeDreana Freeman
>Lochaven Hills – Josie McNeil (also representing Friends of West Point Park)
>Morehead Hill – Kacie Martin
>Northgate Park – Mike Shiflett
>Old Farm – David Harris
>Old North Durham – Peter Katz, Maria Sanchez
>Watts Hospital Hillandale – Tom Miller, Mike Woodard
>West Cornwallis Neighborhood Association – Bob Chapman
>Woodcroft – Mary Gibbs
>
>Visitors
>Darius Little – Organizing Chadsford subdivision
>Jim Wise – News and Observer
>Rickea Womack – Parks and Recreation, City of Durham
>Beverly B. Thompson – City of Durham
>Thomas Bonfield – City of Durham
>Michael M. Hughes, PE – City of Durham, Public Works
>Ed Venable – City of Durham, Public Works
>Lynwood D. Best – City of Durham, NIS
>Janet Warner – Friends of West Point Park
>
>Tom Miller opened the meeting. Delegates and guests introduced themselves.
>
>2010 Street Bond – The city has 680 miles of streets. The $20M from earlier
>bonds resurfaced about ½ the backlog, but 1/5 (150 mi.) remains in poor/very
>poor condition. $20M in bond will take care of these, and then new financial
>planning should make maintenance pay-as-you-go (should do about 33-34 miles
>of street per year). Maintaining costs 1/3 of what it costs to re-build.
>Right now, we can borrow at 2.79%, bid prices are down, and this will provide
>some jobs (all good things). More information at
>DurhamOperationGreenlight.org. One concern is that potholes slow cars down, and
>better streets make faster drivers – increasing needs for traffic calming.
>
>Mike Shiflett moved and Bill Anderson seconded a motion to have INC support
>the street bond. See Appendix.
>
>Property at Black Meadow, next to West Point on the Eno – State has a
>tentative agreement to purchase the property to add to the state park. In
>terms of the discussion to add West Point on the Eno to the state park, it is
>too early to say anything, but clearly we need to ensure continuity of
>community activities that take place at West Point.
>
>Parks and Recreation– Don’t forget the free concerts and other events:
>http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/parks/special_events.cfm. Also Rickea
>passed out information on sliding fees and fee waivers: See
>http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/parks/brochures_forms_apps.cfm
>
>
>Minutes – David moved that we approve the minutes. Rosemarie seconded the
>motion, and it passed by voice vote.
>
>Billboards – Tom attended the Board of County Commissioners meeting to speak
>on INC’s opposition to change in the ordinance. Since the industry reps
>withdrew the proposal, we can put this down as a success story. Special
>thanks are due to Kelly Jarrett and John Schelp for their work on this issue.
>
>Legislative Agenda – We will first talk to city and county to see if there is
>traction on INC goals of getting permission to strengthen the overlay
>ordinance and bullet ownership (old resolutions, need to check with Melvin
>Whitley on the bullet one), as well as a moratorium on digital billboards and
>licensing managers hired by homeowner associations (possible new resolutions,
>see below).
>
>
>Mike Shiflett moved and David Harris seconded a resolution on supporting
>legislation on managing homeowner associations and related issues (see
>Appendix).
>
>Pat Carstensen moved and David Harris seconded a resolution supporting
>legislation to have a moratorium on new digital billboards until the federal
>studies on their safety are completed (see Appendix).
>
>Future Meetings – We will have a “downtown panel” to talk about the vision
>for the area.
>
>Nominating Committee – David Harris will chair it. Pat Carstensen, Mike
>Shiflett, and Fred Foster, Jr. on it.
>
>Traffic and Transportation Issues – We formed a committee with DeDreana as
>chair, and Pat, Peter, Mike and Rosemarie on it. They will have a list of
>things to monitor next month.
>
>Neighborhood Reports
>· Golden Belt has a re-zoning that would knock down 12 homes to create a
>campus similar to TROSA. Tom will meet with DeDreana to help the
>neighborhood.
>· David said that there seems to be an uptick recently in crime in some
>neighborhoods – related to what?
>· Trinity Park is still struggling with pollution from an old dry
>cleaning site.
>· Falconbridge is seeing real benefit of Neighborhood Watch – stopped an
>assault.
>
>
>
>
>Appendix: Resolutions
>
>
>A RESOLUTION BY THE INTERNEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OF DURHAM
>
>Durham Street Bonds
>
>WHEREAS the streets in the city of Durham are in need of repair and
>maintenance on city streets has been neglected and deferred for too long; and
>WHEREAS the poor condition of the streets impede the city’s renaissance and
>impact negatively on the community’s image; and
>WHEREAS current economic conditions and the general financial health of the
>city favor incurring modest debt to pay for long needed repairs;
>WHEREAS the city government has expressed its resolution to address future
>street repair needs on a reasonable schedule from annual revenues;
>NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the InterNeighborhood Council of Durham
>through its delegates duly assembled that the citizens of Durham should
>support the proposed street repair bonds by voting “yes” in the referendum on
>the November 2, 2010 ballot.
>
>A RESOLUTION BY THE INTERNEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OF DURHAM
>
>Community Association Managers
>
>WHEREAS increasingly new neighborhoods and residential development of every
>sort are made subject to a regime of restrictive covenants which provide for
>private government in the form of a mandatory community association; and
>WHEREAS these community associations are charged with the power to make and
>enforce rules substantially affecting the quality of life in the neighborhood
>and the may also levy dues and assessments and spend the same for the welfare
>of the neighborhood; and
>WHEREAS these same associations must employ professional managers to assist
>and guide the association government in the execution of its lawful powers;
>and
>WHEREAS the managers employed are often entrusted with substantial sums of
>money belonging to association members; and
>WHEREAS the security and welfare of community associations, their members,
>and their property are dependent upon the integrity and competence of
>professional managers; and
>WHEREAS older neighborhoods without professional managers are affected by the
>security and welfare of their neighboring community associations;
>NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the InterNeighborhood Council of Durham
>through its delegates duly assembled that:
>1)the InterNeighborhood Council urges the General Assembly of North Carolina
>to enact laws which require the licensure of professional community
>association managers and create minimum standards for their professional
>competence; and
>2)the laws so enacted should resemble in substantial measure House Bill H –
>762 as it was introduced in the 2009 Session of the General Assembly.
>
>A RESOLUTION BY THE INTERNEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OF DURHAM
>
>State-wide Billboard Moratorium
>
>WHEREAS billboards are a blight on the land and represent a bankrupt means of
>communication; and
>WHEREAS digital billboards with changeable lighted displays are especially
>obnoxious to the scenic environment, inimical to good urban planning, and
>create a distraction hazard to motor traffic on our roads and highways;
>NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the InterNeighborhood Council of Durham
>through its delegates duly assembled that:
>1)the InterNeighborhood Council urges the General Assembly of North Carolina
>to enact laws which impose a statewide moratorium on the erection of digital
>billboards until such time as they are determined to be no distraction to
>motorists and no threat to traffic safety; and
>2)the laws so enacted should resemble in substantial measure House Bill H –
>2011 as it was introduced in the 2009 Session of the General Assembly;
>3)the laws so enacted should in no way interfere with the authority of the
>City and County of Durham to regulate and prohibit billboards as those
>jurisdiction currently do.
>
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________ Durham INC Mailing List
>list at durham-inc.org http://www.durham-inc.org/list.html
>
________________________________
_______________________________________________
>Durham INC Mailing List
>list at durham-inc.org
>http://www.durham-inc.org/list.html
>
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