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Sanderson Vote Gets Attention
May 28, 2013

To The Editor:

It has become very clear to me that Senator Norman Sanderson pledges a greater allegiance to his party than he does to his constituents. Unfortunately, it was NOT his party that elected him; rather, voters in his district did. It is to them that he owes an allegiance.

This is the second time that Sanderson has voted along party lines for a state budget even though it contains a line item that is detrimental to those who put him in office. For his constituents in Pamlico County, the current budget can hardly be described as a “good budget,” as Sanderson maintains.

I continue to be amazed that Sanderson was re-elected after his support of the last budget, which started the ferry toll nonsense. I implore those of you who voted for him never to do so again. It is only via the ballot box that we can send representatives to our state assembly who will represent constituents instead of party. While Norman Sanderson has represented his party admirably, the citizens of his district who put him in office continue to be affected negatively by his votes.

John J. Deal
Oriental
5/26/13

Dear Editor,

I read your most recent excellent article in Town Dock regarding the status of the ferry tolls. As I have been following its progress, I was particularly interested in the direction the NC Senate took in their budget passed along party lines May 23rd in Raleigh. The insight you provided regarding Norm Sanderson’s vote is particularly revealing.

Once again, we can judge a man by his actions and not by his disingenuous words. As he did when I challenged publicly his position as a State representative, Norm’s excuse now, as it seems always to be, is that he has no influence.

To claim that the budget bill was “otherwise a good bill” which justifies his vote, for me assures that I am asking for someone to challenge him for his seat next year. North Carolina Representatives and Senators get just two years. I think we have had enough of this man. And I say that as a registered Republican. If he has no influence and simply votes along party lines, I ask what good is he to us, his constituents.

I will give him this. Norm’s position on ferry tolls has been consistent both as a State representative and now a Senator. He has consistently supported the western-led efforts to impose burdens on those of us in the east. He should move to Raleigh.

He also co-sponsored the new boat-fee legislation at its inception, the idea of which was to raise revenue for dredging. You remember that, the bill with no real explanation at all as to how the additional revenue would be used for dredging. His explanation of why he did this in the first place is ludicrous.

Besides, one wonders if any of these people at the State level even talk to or coordinate with our U.S. delegation in Washington. U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (D) recently helped pass bipartisan legislation to maintain North Carolina’s critical waterways and protect communities against future storm damage. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which passed the Senate by a vote of 83 to 14, authorizes key projects carried out by the Army Corps of Engineers including dredging and shoreline protection. Hagan worked to ensure the bill made two projects in North Carolina eligible for federal funding. How does that factor into State efforts to raise revenue for dredging?

As to the ferries, I still hold out hope that our eastern representatives and their allies in the Assembly will be able to achieve some relief for us.

As to Norm? I look forward to voting against his re-election next year in favor of someone who puts his or her constituents in front of the party.

Captain Jim Barton (US Navy-ret)
Oriental
5/24/13

Editor:

I am ashamed to have cast a vote for Norm Sanderson, having seen his performance on/in representing his district, specifically as relates to the ferry tax.

As a matter of fact, I was on the ferry with him just today, and what struck me was that no one, not even one of the ferry staff spoke to him. This speaks volumes to me. You would think that his own “subjects” would want to have a word with their representative – such an important & “powerful” individual, but then, is he? Maybe for a time.

I’ve been riding this ferry for 40 years (day, night, and once-upon-a-time in the wee hours of the mornings), and I now get a sick feeling in my stomach when I see the now positioned toll booths.

In general all political parties, all politicians seem to take the same approach, to contrive new ways to get more and more money from the tax payer (even the innocent future tax-payer kids who ride the school bus).

Seems these days, a “good” politician is one who can figure new ways to suck more money from us without us noticing. Isn’t that what a tick, a leech, or even a mosquito does? Sure, at first there might be a little “ouch”, but then we just don’t notice we’re being sucked dry.

Al Privette
Dawsons Creek
5/24/13

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