The Ferry Tax Issue, April 2, 2012 | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    OUR FOCUS IS ABOUT TO CHANGE: It is time to request action from the NC General Assembly. Joe and Henri are meeting with legislators several times per week in preparation for the opening of the 2012 legislative session on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Save this date!

    The attached document is a summary of our approach. I want to thank most especially Captain James D. Barton (US Navy Ret) of Oriental for his excellent research on the history of free ferries in coastal NC. I have drawn liberally from his work, and want Jim to have the credit he deserves.
When there is this much traffic, the ferry toll becomes a tax: Above.     photo by Stan Deatherage
    In the attached document, we do not criticize the Legislature. Please use this new mode of communication. We point out the destructive funding approach of NCDOT. We complain about the irresponsible expenditures of NCDOT.

    We request the Legislature to exercise their prerogative and permanently fix our problem. NCDOT is the unresponsive bureaucracy. The Legislature can and should solve this crisis. We must persuade them to help us. Use a positive approach to accomplish our goal.

    It is important this positive approach be used in April and May 2012. Please consider writing letters to your newspaper editors with arguments drawn from the attached document. Write blogs and get the message in the print media and online. We need a "buzz" to draw the attention of legislative leaders in the NC Senate and NC House of Representatives.

    Yes, continue to call and email legislators, but do not criticize them. Yes, start with the NC Senate and House Transportation Committees, but expand to all legislators. All Senators and House members should hear from us before May 16, 2012. www.ncleg.net.

    Governor Perdue helped us by placing a moratorium on the collection of new ferry taxes. However, the permanent solution must be provided by the NC General Assembly.

    Now is the time to ask all legislators to help coastal citizens. Be positive, specific, and courteous.

    If you have questions, please do not hesitate to call us. Thanks! Joe and Henri McClees

   Henri and Joe McClees

    McClees Consulting, Inc.
      PO Box 430
      Oriental, NC 28571-0430
      office (252) 249-1097; fax (252) 249-3275
      www.mccleesconsulting.com

      Joe's mobile (252) 671-1585
      Henri's mobile (252) 671-1559