W. Burns Jones: Special interests win out

Regarding the July 23 editorial “A monument to big government”: A recent law passed by the North Carolina legislature denies petition rights for residents to object to new developments that adversely affect their neighborhoods. This change benefits special interests (developers, contractors) at the expense of the community.

It also raises concerns about civil rights. A republic is founded on the principle that government rests on the consent of the governed. Local government is the place where citizens have the best opportunity to participates in that governance.

The petitioning issue is only one incidence where the majority party has interfered with community polity. Politicians who serve special interests rather than the public good do not merit either the respect or the support of the residents of North Carolina.

This story was originally published August 6, 2015 at 5:09 PM with the headline "W. Burns Jones: Special interests win out."