Hello friends.
Keeping the ferries free from new or additional tolls or fees has been a huge battle for the last few years. However, thanks to strong support from other coastal communities and many Representatives in Raleigh we have thus far been totally successful.
The proposed Senate Budget which was released last week is trying to change our priority system. If this is approved it will be a tremendous hardship on the 650 resident (free) priority pass holders as well as the 280 venders who have a free pass. Here is what we have done thus far to insure the final budget DOES NOT contain any language about paying for priority or offering it to non-residents or non-venders.
A: We have Resolutions from the Hyde County Board of Commissioners against any new tolls or ferry fees.
B: We have a Resolution from the Albemarle Rural Planning Organization (RPO) which is our major regional conduit to the state on all transportation issues unanimously approving NO ADDITIONAL FEES for the ferry’s. The RPO includes Dare, Perquimans, Currituck, Chowan, Camden, Pasquotank, Gates, Bertie, Tyrrell, Washington, Martin, Hertford and Northampton counties. The RPO has been a tremendous friend to Hyde.
C: We have talked with the N.C. Department of Transportation Ferry Division and they have assured us not only are they against the proposed $150.00 priority fee but they will lobby against it as well.
D: We have written Senator Cook and Representative John Torbett (house CO-CHAIR of transportation) and have spoken personally with Paul Tine regarding this issue (see letters here and here). All oppose the priority fee and will battle to keep it out of the final budget. Please remember Bill Cook is against the priority fee even though he voted for the Senate budget. Senator Cook knows the real fight begins now.
E: Our contract lobbyists (Joe and Henri McClees) are all over the Chamber Halls like rabbits fighting this battle for us. (Please read their update concerning the process by clicking here).
What can you do? Paul Tine said become pests. E-mail some members of the transportation committee and tell them how you feel. Suggested recipients include Paul Tine, John Cook, John Torbett, Kathy Harrington, Charles Jeter and Bill Rabon (contact info below). This will cover the co-chairs and the principal players. See the full list with contact info here. We WILL beat this proposal.
Bill Rich
Hyde County Manager
NC General Assembly Contact information
Representative Paul Tine
Unaffiliated – District 6
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 529
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
919-733-5906 Paul.Tine@ncleg.net
Senator Bill Cook
Republican – District 1
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 525
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
(919) 715-8293 Bill.Cook@ncleg.net
Representative John A. Torbett
Republican – District 108
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 538
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
919-733-5868 John.Torbett@ncleg.net
Senator Kathy Harrington
Republican – District 43
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 300-C
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
(919) 733-5734 Kathy.Harrington@ncleg.net
Representative Charles Jeter
Republican – District 92
16 W. Jones Street, Room 2226
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096
919-733-5654 Charles.Jeter@ncleg.
Senator Bill Rabon
Republican – District 8
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 311
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
(919) 733-5963 Bill.Rabon@ncleg.net
