Newspapers / West Craven Highlights (Vanceboro, … / April 22, 1982, edition 1 / Page 3
Part of West Craven Highlights (Vanceboro, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
¥ f u gi^eep The Two- Year Term Tom Gilmore, Chairman A proposed constitutional amendment will be on the ballot in the first primary 1982 which reads as follows; “Constitutional amendment makingr the terms of members of the General Assembly four years, beginning with members elected in 1982.” I believe to vote for a four-year term would be a serious mistake and it will work against the best interests of the people. North Carolina has a history of good, honest government. Our budget is balanced, our taxes moderate, and our credit ratings are the highest. « We have in the past depended on citizens who take Ime from their businesses and professions to come iX) Raleigh to attend the state’s business. They have been careful not to cut their ties with their own communities. Two-year terms for North Carolina legislators have worked well since 1835. No good reason has been offered to justify a change. We have heard no public outcry for such a change; this is truly an . incumbent’s bill. A four-year term is an idea whose time has not come. The proposed constitutional amendment is bad legislation. The amendment will be on the ballot in the 1982 primary off-year election. Those who file for state legislative seats will not know whether they are running for a two-year or a four-year term. If the amendment is approved, the legislators who are elected in November, 1982 will serve four years. This means that North Carolina will be the only state in the nation whose members of both House and Senate would serve four-year terms and be elected at a time different from that of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and the Council of State. Since North Carolina is the only state whose governor does not have the veto/power, the primary check against any legislative excess is the two-year, term. We need to keep the legislature on a short leash, and that short leash is a two-year term. North Carolina’s legislative body is considered to be the most powerful in the nation. All the more reason why the legislators must return often to the people to communicate to listen, and to understand the changes in the economic and political conditions in their communities. The two-year term successfully accomplishes this requirement. A four-year term would lead to less accountability and responsiveness and would lead to a full-time legislature. As citizens we must be watchful that our legislature does not turn into a so-called professional body with lengthy annual sessions. Is there any proof that longer and more frequent sessions mean better laws and wiser public policy? The opposite is much more likely. The longer the sessions, and the more complex the business of government, the more important it i^ that legislators be held accountable to the people they represent. Wnt Craven Highlights, April 22,1982, Page 3 We must continue our tradition of close communication between citizens and their legislators. Our legislature belongs to the people, and the people’s interest should continue to be their first order of business. The best interests of the voters will not be served by a four-year term. Asa wise old North Carolinian once said, “Ifitain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Vanceboro and Bern area Residents cdHl 638-8566 for Fire and Rescue Service V All the employees at Dainty Maid Bakery of Kinston send Congratulations to L.R. Sermons General , Merchandise Co. of Fort Barnwell on their 60th Anniversary Highlights to subscribe to this weekly newspaper just fill out the form below and send to P.O. Box 404, Vanceboro, N.C. 28586 Name Address City State Zip I wish to subscribe to the West Craven Highlights for: One Year *6.00 Sales Tax .24 *6.24, Please make check out to the West ' Craven Highlights. You will go on the mailing list immediately. The true story that has captivated over 8,000,0001 . Starring JULIE HARRIS EILEEN HECKART ARTHUR O’CONNELL Introducing JEANNETTE CUFT A World Wide ncluitt relcaie In Metrocotor* s .nr.,4k K ULAn eUMMI «• UWMNCt HOiaCN Farm Life Elementary School April 23, at 7:00 p.m. FREE ADMISSION 5th Annual Yard Sale Saturday, April 24,1982 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Cannon’s Variety Store Pillows standard size 2/$5oo Hand Towels Special $-|00 ea. PICNIC FUSTICS Shirts, Shorts, Tops, etc. 1 rack M®® each 1 rack ^2®® each Bargains from all over the store 5 10 AND 25« HANDSOME VELCRO WALLHS White Jewelry 2/^1®® Straw Hats SOO Texas Tumblers 3/^1®® Cereal Bowls 4/^1®® Curtain Panels 36. Button’s 100 Main Street Cannon's Variety Store Vanceboro. NC 2444)508
West Craven Highlights (Vanceboro, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
April 22, 1982, edition 1
3
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75