Homeowner Association Rules are Changing

According to
The Raleigh N&R (links)
a law that takes effect on Jan. 1 all over North Carolina will limit the amount of fines, late fees and attorney fees that homeowners associations can charge their members for violating the rules. The law, which was signed last week by Gov. Easley, will also make it harder for homeowner associations to put liens on member's property.

Those funny marks

I don't know how to use apostrophes in the posts on my blog. What am I doing wrong? Please help me. Hardy posts them on his blog, and I have posted them on his comment section where they look fine.
I used them in the post before this and they look as if they belong in a cartoon bubble. HELP.

Too Wordy for Yes

Yes Weekly sent a questionnaire about my views on local issues. I far exceeded my allotted 75 words per answer on some of the questions. YW edited my remarks in this week's edition. I am including the complete content of the answers I send to them.

To the folks at Yes. Thank you for publishing the views of candidates in their own words. Sorry there were too many of mine.

1. What is your position on the practice of giving taxpayer money to corporations to induce job creation and capital investment? Do you support the policy of economic incentives? What criteria, if any, do you think should be used to determine which corporations receive city funds?

Paying businesses and industries to locate in our area is not the right thing to do. That money should be spent on maintaining and improving the quality of life right here and in letting companies know that Greensboro is a great place to do business.

We have an abundant Workforce who are willing and Capable of learning new skills that will carry Greensboro into the future. Greensboro is Strategically Located and has Highways, Rail Service, Airport Facilities, Educational Institutions and Research Facilities. We have Art, Entertainment and wonderful Parks and Recreational areas. The Weather here is mild and offers Changing Beauty with every season. We should let business and industry know what a great place we have here. We don't have to pay business to come to our area.
I hear people say that they don't like economic incentives. The excuse for giving these bribes is "everybody is doing it." That sounds like a teenager's argument.


2. How do you feel about the independent Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its examination of the ideological tensions that spilled over into a deadly confrontation in November 1979? Do you think the city council should take a more active role in the truth process? If so, how? Should the city council take a stronger position against the truth process? Again, how?

Oral history in an atmosphere of understanding is a good thing. The findings of this commission should be added to the known history of the incident. City government should review the findings of the independent study when it is complete and respond at that time.

3. Should the city require developers to pay for things like sidewalks, multi-use trails and bike racks when they apply for permits for residential or retail developments to make our city more livable, or should the city take a hands-off approach to development? Explain your position.

The City Council should never take a hands-off approach to development. There are certainly areas where there is a need for required amenities. I believe that all new residential and commercial development should be pedestrian friendly and there should be safety provisions made for bike riders on through streets. Developers should be required to pay for sidewalks. Safety of auto and bike traffic should be primarily the duty of the city.


4. The Comprehensive Plan suggests that new growth be concentrated on the east side of Greensboro, yet this is not happening. Why not, and what can be done to encourage growth in that sector?

Infrastructure improvements and redevelopment of abandoned areas should be a major concern to the city government. Government should encourage development of employment opportunities in the area as well as shopping areas and a mix of property uses including moderate and higher-end single-family and multi-family residential. Better public transportation options should also be pursued.

5. Aside from basic services, in what areas do you favor spending discretionary taxpayer dollars? The Atlantic Coast Conference Museum? The Coliseum? The International Civil Rights Museum? Downtown park maintenance? Other projects?

Government should provide essential services and amenities that are not easily done individually. It is the job of City Council to decide what level of services will be provided with taxpayer's money.
I plan to review city services and fees and make recommendations to city council and staff concerning my findings.
More citizen involvement in deciding what services and amenities are provided is a key goal of mine. Budget restraints are always a consideration in these matters. Public funding of non-essential projects should be placed on the ballot with proper explanation and cost estimates. Citizens have a right to know how money is spent and a right to help decide how much. I favor citizen-initiated referendums, with a time limit on repeated requests.

Three More Free Sessions

Thursday, Sept. 22, will be the third in a five-part series about the Guilford County Judicial System. The session will concentrate on Alternatives to Incarceration.The Sept. 22, program will be held at the Cultural Arts Center. Enter from the Church Street Parking Deck side of the building and register on the ground floor.
The programs have been well attended and very informative. The guest speakers have been excellent sources of information. The last half hour of the programs are devoted to answering questions posed by the audience.
I have posted information about the program which is sponsored by The League of Women Voters, One Step Further, The Greensboro Public Library and Court Watch of NC. (check the Aug. 20 post).
Each session is independent of the others and offers information from people involved in a particular aspect of our judicial system. The public has been invited to attend any or all of the sessions. There is no charge to attend.

Shaking Hands

I've been to lots of meetings and meeting places lately. I didn't mean to fall behind with my blog posting, but I had to get out and shake a few hands and introduce myself to as many people as possible. Not everyone reads blogs, and I know that many blog readers at least know my name (Diane Davis, in case you forgot).
I always make time to read local blogs and other media sources and I have posted comments on some blogs.
I am looking forward to the greensboro101 candidate forum. Thanks to all of you for supporting this effort to learn more about candidates. I am always disappointed at the voter turnout for our local elections. PLEASE talk to the candidates. We, or at least I, want to hear from you. And PLEASE VOTE. One vote does make a difference in Greensboro.

Got an all-day information session today. See ya later.

diane

News Release About Diane Davis

For Immediate Release: 9/1/05

Please send questions or comments to: dianedavisgreensboro@yahoo.com

ABOUT DIANE DAVIS

Diane Grey Davis is a candidate for the Greensboro City Council at Large. She is a tireless volunteer and community activist. She owned and operated Davis Design from 1981 until her recent retirement. She moved the store to South Elm Street in 1997, where it remains today.

She appears weekly on Radio WGOS AM as Downtown Diane on the Dusty Dunn Show where she gives news and opinions about Greensboro. Also available at www.wgos.net.

Diane and Lowell Davis have been married for over forty years and have lived in a downtown neighborhood since 1971. Their children grew up in Greensboro and graduated from Greensboro/Guilford public schools. Three of their five adult children and one of their three grandchildren reside in Greensboro.

Traffic and transportation problems, solid waste disposal options, as well as other issues that impact the quality of life in Greensboro will be top priorities for Mrs. Davis.

Better planning for future growth, to avoid more over-development in our area watersheds and green spaces, is an issue that concerns Diane. Her interests also include redevelopment of abandoned and neglected areas of our city, which can help reduce local sprawl.

As a small business owner for over twenty years, Diane is interested in encouraging entrepreneurs and in the continuing growth of the economy in our area.

Diane plans to carefully monitor use of taxpayer money, and to avoid any unnecessary increase in taxes paid by city residents.

Her volunteer activities have included work with: YWCA Teen Mentor Program, Greensboro Public Library, DGI, Scholastic Art Awards, Guilford County Schools, Greensboro Artist League, First Baptist Church, Volunteer Poll Watcher, GGMA, Citizens for Responsible Government, Action Greensboro, Humane Society, Girl Scouts, Fun Fourth Festival ...........
Member Greensboro Merchants Association Council on Center City, Downtown Economic Advisory Committee, League of Women Voters Board, Old Greensborough Preservation Society Board, Greensboro Neighborhood Congress, Artstock Artist Exhibits, Festival of Lights Advisory Board ..........

Diane Davis brings her Experience and Knowledge of Business, Family, Community Involvement and Service to the campaign for Greensboro City Council at-Large.

Triad Stage to help Hurricane Victims

From an e-mail from Connie Mahan, Communications Director, Triad Stage.
In light of the recent devastation from Hurricane Katrina to the city of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast area, Triad Stage will be collecting donations to assist hurricane victims throughout the run of its season opening production of Tennessee Williams A Streetcar Named Desire.
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After each performance of Streetcar, a member of the cast will address the audience asking patrons to show their generosity in support of hurricane relief efforts. Members of the cast will then be in the lobby afterward to collect funds, which will be donated to the American Red Cross. Contributions may also be made at the Triad Stage Box Office during regular box office hours, 1:00 to 6:00pm, Tuesdays through Fridays
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At Triad Stage we've been immersed in the culture and history of 1940s New Orleans for months preparing for this play, and are particularly moved to do what we can to help,, says Artistic Director Preston Lane
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For more information, call the Triad Stage Box Office at 336.272.0160.