Two Bills Introduced to Abolish Ferry Tax
Thank you to all ferry tax opponents who travelled to Raleigh to join the NO FERRY TAX lobbying effort at the Opening Day of the NC Legislature. Today, more than 50 ferry tax opponents from Beaufort, Hyde, and Pamlico Counties lobbied the General Assembly. We had County Commissioners and the County Manager from each county. Activists divided into groups to contact as many legislators as possible before the noon session. We spoke directly with the 23 Senators and Representatives targeted as coastal legislators and members of key committees. For legislators who were in meetings, activists delivered individualized messages about the strong opposition to any ferry tax.
Beaufort Commissioner Robert Cayton and Mrs. Cayton joined Beaufort County Manager Randell Woodruff and other Beaufort County citizens who arrived early and stayed late. Beaufort County Sheriff Alan Jordan was at the legislature on other business before he donned a NO FERRY TAX badge.
Hyde County Chairman of the County Commission, Sharon Spencer, led a delegation from Hyde County, including Mazie Smith, Hyde County Manager, and Megan Shaw, Public Information Officer. Darlene Styron, Commissioner from Ocracoke, lobbied beside Connie Leinbach of the Island Freepress. Senator Stan White took time from his busy morning to don a NO FERRY TAX sticker and talk with “his home folks” about the need to block this tax.
Pamlico County Commissioners Christene Mele and Ann Holton joined County Manager Tim Buck and almost 40 Pamlico County citizens. The Oriental group was led by Larry Summers, Town Commissioner in Oriental, who wore his NO FERRY TAX tee shirt and lead discussions with many legislators. Greg Piner and his wife, Nancy, followed up prior meetings with Representatives by attending the Joint Oversight Committee on Transportation, as well as visiting numerous legislators in their individual offices. Muff Potter, Mayor of Minnesott Beach, and Mrs. Potter, as well as many other Pamlico County residents, delivered the message: NO FERRY TAX.
Representative Norman Sanderson complimented our activists as he stated, “You are making this system work for citizens.” He thanked a delegation for coming to the legislature to make our opinions known and require the system to respond to coastal needs.
When the Legislature convened, some activists sat in the Senate Gallery. The remainder of the activists sat in the House Gallery. Each group was recognized by the presiding officer. Speaker Thom Tillis recognized the “NO FERRY TAX” opponents, which included citizens from Beaufort, Hyde, and Pamlico County.
In the Senate, Senators Stan White and Jean Preston provided reserved seats for us. The President of the Senate Walter Dalton specifically recognized the County Commissioners and County Managers from Beaufort, Hyde, and Pamlico Counties.
Our activists were effective and highly visible on the first day of the 2012 Legislative Session. It was widely known the NO FERRY TAX folks were present in force! We had a great day, thanks to the hard work of many coastal citizens. Thank you, NO FERRY TAX OPPONENTS!
This legislative session will progress quickly. As news breaks on the issue of the ferry tax, we will contact you immediately. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
Best regards, Henri and Joe
S. Henri McClees
McClees Consulting, Inc.
Post Office Box 430
Oriental, NC 28571
Office (252) 249-1097
Fax (252) 249-3275
