February 6, 2014. From Rep. Bob Steinburg: The letter writing/email/phone calls need to start. I would concentrate on those who serve on both the House and Senate Transportation committees along with letters to Berger and Tillis. Copy me, Sen. Cook and Rep. Paul Tine of Dare on every letter sent (cc). We need to build momentum on last night. The power of the people can be the most effective tool in our arsenal. Don't take anything for granted and for heaven's sake, don't delay. May GOD continue to bless you and all of the fine people who call Knotts Island home.
February 7. This is in response to my email to the Transportation Committe. From Sen Bill Cook: Thank you, for contacting me about this issue in Currituck County. I attended the public hearing on this issue this past Tuesday in Knotts Island, it was good to hear from the constituents of the district on this issue. Although, I did miss the ferry when leaving on Tuesday and did not get home until about 2:30 a.m. However, it's not the General Assembly who is putting a toll on the Knotts Island Ferry route. In 2013 the decision was made to allow the local Rural Transportation Planning Organization to decide tolling determination. The goal of that decision is to have local leaders decide and not legislators who are from the Piedmont or Western part of the state. Although, I'm talking with other legislators about this issue and asking them to talk with those on the (RTPO). However, below is everyone who is on the Albemarle Rural Transportation Planning Organization and they're the ones that have control of the outcome on this situation. I highly recommend you to contact them and share your thoughts on how you feel about this situation. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.
Camden County - Michael McLain mmclain@camdencountync.gov
Camden County - Randy Krainiak, Alternate
rkrainiak@camdencountync.gov
Currituck County- H.M. "Butch" Petrey
Butch.Petrey@CurrituckCountyNC.gov
Dare County - Jack Shea jjsheabg@peoplepc.com
Dare County - Wally Overman, Alternate wallyo@darenc.com
Hyde County - Benjamin (Ben) Simmons III twsbcsiii@aol.com
Pasquotank County - Lloyd Griffin III legriffin111@gmail.com
Chowan County - Jeff Smith jeffsmith@net-change.com
Perquimans - Edward Muzzulin e.muzzulin@mchsi.com
Tyrrell County - Leroy Spivey lspivey@tyrrellcounty.net
Gates County - Jack Owens jowens@gatescountync.gov
Washington County - Bill Sexton sextonfarms@embarqmail.com
NCDOT Board Member - Malcolm Fearing mac@108budleigh.com
From Gary: To the above add ARPO@albemarlecommission.org. This
goes to the Organization Planning Director/RPO Coordinator. She
will enter them as public record if/when the TAC addresses this
issue. I also have an email address list for this group. If you
want to send me your email I can forward it to them.
February 17. See Albemarle Rural Planning Organization. for the recent exchange of emails between Commissioner Aydlett and Sen. Cook.
February 8. From Vance Aydlett: There are two separate and distinct processes here. First, The RPO group, they are the immediate issue. They will take up the Ferry Tolling issue in March. It is on their agenda for discussion, their action will determine the immediate fate on tolls. Our hope's are that it will be deferred (no action taken) or an outright no vote. Anyone can send a letter for the record to the RPO group at the site you have posted. If deferral is what happens, then that will allow for step two to take place. Our request to change the legislation to exempt the ferry and or all ferries from tolls. This will not take place until the spring legislative session in going on. This is where the legislative committee letters will help. Everyone needs to remember two separate and distinct actions. Two different bodies, two different actions requested, two different letters sent to two different groups. There are two separate Transportation Committee's, one for the House of Representatives and one for the Senate. Each will have to send up legislation to remove the tolling process from the law. This is my understanding of what needs to be done. Hope it helps.
