You can read our latest Newsletter here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082113.htm.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Ferry Tolls
Readers who follow North Carolina news are aware that Ocracoke residents and visitors have been fighting to prevent increases to ferry tolls in the state. This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is an update on the current state of affairs re. ferry tolls, and a reprint of a 1950s editorial advocating that the state take over operation of the Hatteras Inlet ferries...and that they be made free to the traveling public.
You can read our latest Newsletter here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082113.htm.
You can read our latest Newsletter here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082113.htm.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
North Carolina is known or was known as the Good Roads State. In this day and age that is accomplished with funding a department committed to building and keeping the roads good. The state legislature lowered the gas tax to 37.6 cents per gallon in 2013 down from a high of 38.9 cents per gallon rate in 2012. If the rates fluctuate as they do how can one more responsibility be added ? the suggestion that the ferry fees be paid for by the gas tax is robbing Peter to pay Paul. If Tourism is an economic generator why is there not a bed tax, a fee paid by people that rent hotel rooms. Monies raised by the bed tax could fund the ferries . There is a place in Georgia an island where there is a toll to enter the island some thing called St Simon or was it Jekyll Island? Why is a fee for a service so hard to understand? In Orlando FL there are plenty of toll roads. In Florida motorists purchase a sun pass which is a flat rate and electronically records its use when the car drives thru a toll booth with out stopping . Because cars are more efficient people are purchasing few gallons of gas therefore less tax money generated sooo-- there is talk of raising the tax per gallon to make up the difference of people buying fewer gallons! What is OI doing to help pay for the ferry as it is? How much gas tax is raised from purchases on any of the Islands benefiting from the ferry?? How many cars perhaps the automobile license plate fees should double in the state of NC. Perhaps a recreational fee should be paid by county residents or increase the state income tax rate .
ReplyDelete"Why is a fee for a service so hard to understand?"
DeleteBy this logic, ALL roads, bridges, tunnels and ferries should be tolled.
As I said in my letter, "During the early days of our country, numerous roads, highways, bridges, and ferries were tolled. Citizens and legislators eventually realized that tolls were inconvenient, inefficient, unfair, and hampered economic development. They decided to establish a state-wide network of roads, and a transportation infrastructure, supported by public funds for the benefit of all."
Ferries are part of our highway system.
I have never had any objection to having my tax dollars pay for transportation services that I seldom or never benefit from (e.g. snow removal, rock slide clearing, highway beautification, statewide routine repair & maintenance of roads, bridges & tunnels, etc.).
Our transportation system is established for the common good.
There is a bed tax or Occupancy tax in North Carolina. The money collected is spent by local tourism authorities recently the boards saw fit to pay for Beach Nourishment projects. A cost not originally stipulated is the design and purpose of the board. If they are maintaining the beaches the tax could should be used to help bring the travelers to the beaches and contribute to the ferry costs.
ReplyDeleteQuick question: I seem to recall from past exchanges here that you said you no longer host porch chats at The Village Craftsmen but that you DO occasionally "hold court" at the Ocracoke Preservation Society. Would you please repost details of that venture? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMost Thursdays, at 11 a.m., I offer a 20-30 minute program on the Wilma Lee (the large skipjack docked at the Community Square) about sailing vessels and the changing economy of Ocracoke, from the early 1700s to the present.
DeleteThis week I will be probably be there Friday, Aug. 23 instead of tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 22.
I normally do one or two presentations (on the US Life Saving Service) each summer at OPS. No more are scheduled for this season.
C- a C minus for the North Carolina Corruption Risk report card. The .org web site for state integrity Ranks North Carolina 21 out of the 50. If I recall correctly a politician from Cary oh never mind don't want to rile anyone up again.
ReplyDeleteI am not a resident, but a visitor to Ocracoke, and I'm certain a ferry toll from Hatteras would negatively impact business on Ocracoke and the rest of the Outer Banks, as it would discourage day trips to and from the island for shopping, etc. Even if there is a toll for tourists, I have a hard time believing there is justification for residents to pay such a fee.
ReplyDeleteAs I recall, Ocracoke property taxes are quite high, and residents pay the bulk of property taxes for Hyde County. Ocracoke residents must leave the island for a variety of services not available to them locally ... essential services necessary to their health. Penalizing the people of Ocracoke for choosing to make their homes there seems ludicrous, especially given the amount of tax dollars the residents and business owners already pay.
As a nonresident, I pay a significant toll to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel anytime that I decide to come down to Ocracoke. Due to financial situations, I probably not be able to come down at all this year. North Carolina is gaining notoriety as having some of the highest speeding fines in the country. Penalize the offenders, not the law abiding. Keep Ocracoke financially accessible to all, visitors and residents alike.
ReplyDeleteAs a visitor, I would be happy to pay a fee for the ferry. I understand these boats are very expensive to operate and maintain. There are many 'fee' ferry's all over the country, including the Martha's Vinyard/Natucket Ferry, Cape May Ferry, etc. I feel very stringly that resident/property owners of Ocracoke should NOT pay a fee as they pay high taxes and contend with paying for lots of things we do not see when we visit...such as trash removal associated with the tourists. I think the ferry folks could save all U.S. taxpayers $$$ by getting rid of those elderly gents checking for terrorists on the ferry docks. They say they check every third car and every year, we seem to be the 3rd car, much to my husband's total upset! :)
ReplyDeleteEveryone who buys gasoline in NC pays for the ferries. They are part of the state road system. The state has nothing to say about the security folks. Talk to Homeland Security.
DeleteA fee for service has its roots in Mythology. Your earlier post regarding the coins on the eyes of a corpse..... in Mythology the coins on the eyes of the dead was Payment( a fee). Cyron or was it Pluto (I will update the names if necessary) these elderly( or "dead") gents, paid ( COD ) by the coins from the eyes of a corpse--- would then
ReplyDeleteFerry the body across the River Styx to the Underworld. Perhaps if you tie the ferry journey to OI with this semi- dungeons and dragons twist people will gladly pay a few coins.DD
7:32 anon update. Pluto was the King of the Underworld not a toll collector. Now more commonly known as Hades but Pluto was darkness.
ReplyDeleteif you don't like the charges or changes being applied to ocracoke island either don't come and visit OR move away. it's not that hard of a choice. if you don't like something, do whatever it takes to avoid it. dah
ReplyDelete