Members Corner: Cheryl Switzer on HB 307

Cheryl sent the following letter to NC Representative Norman Sanderson:

It is my understanding in the 2011 Session, HB 307 is currently in committee for review. This bill if passed will allow the county of Wake and the towns of Cary, Clayton, Wendell, and Zebulon to use electronic means to provide public notice in lieu of publication. I applaud the effort to save money, but not at the expense of public knowledge. The down side to this is numerous. Internet is not free and many homes do not have Internet even in this day and age. I think the precedent being set by this bill may be costly to many people on a personal level. As of 2010, 33 percent have no access to the Internet and those numbers according to the 2010 U.S. Census are higher for Hispanics and Blacks. Let us not forget that many older citizens don’t use the Internet at all.


Our newspapers have always been the best source and they should continue to provide our local and state advertising information. Local government websites should not be the only place to find information. In fact, government websites are horrible. The Internet although remarkable is not always easy to use, not always online, and to many people a scary place to visit. I strongly suggest rejection of the Local Electronic Notice bill. Let us continue to have an open and transparent government.

Please vote against this bill and ask others to do the same.