2007

RALEIGH – Johnston County leaders would set up a system of “economic segregation,” if they adopt new recommendations from their Growth Management Committee. That’s the assessment of a new John…

Wrong Way for a Greenway: Asheboro would place nearly 30 miles of a greenway through citizens’ backyards

The Johnston County Growth Management Committee (GMC) believes that rapid growth has outstripped the county’s ability to keep up with essential public services. To solve this problem, the GMC is recommending "smart growth" policies. The GMC is urging the County Commission to limit home building in rural areas to one home to an average of two acres. This is a 203 percent increase in the average lot size.

RALEIGH – Thomasville could devote more money to essential city services if taxpayers stopped shoveling $23 toward every round of golf at the city-owned course. That’s a key finding in…

Over the past six years, Thomasville’s city owned and operated golf course experienced operational losses of over $3.6 million. With its course, the city engages in unfair competition with 18 private courses in the area. Private golf courses pay taxes that support government services; the city golf course does not. Unlike police and fire protection, golf is not an essential city service. If the course were sold, city taxpayers would gain the amount of the sale and avoid paying its average annual losses of over $600,000 per year. Also, a privately owned golf course would contribute to the tax base of the city and county.