Carolina Shores Town Government Referendum (2009)
An Old Shores Town Government Referendum was a ballot measure on the November 3, 2009 ballot in Brunswick County, North Carolina that was concerned with the recent change to the town government. The referendum reversed a recent decision made by the town's Board of Commissioners to change from a mayor-council government to a council-manager government. The referendum was forced when 830 of the town's 2,700 registered voters signed a petition demanding the vote, considerably more than the 10% required by state law.[1]
Election result
The measure was approved.[2]
| Carolina Shores Town Government Referendum | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
 Yes
|
1058 | 84.57% | ||
| No | 193 | 15.43% | ||
| Total votes | 1251 | 100.00% | ||
| Voter turnout | 15% | |||
Background
The main difference between the two types of governments are that the mayor-council form delegates duties to the town administrator, but with a manager-council form, the duties are set up by state statute. If the town goes back to the mayor-council form, the board of commissioners would have the authority to revoke the administrator’s duties. Proponents say the town needs to move on and stop the bickering between the city commissioners and the mayor's office.[3]
Residents who signed the circulated petition said at a town board meeting on July 7, 2009 that they felt the change in the form of government was enacted before they had a chance to assess its benefits and liabilities. They also felt that their own comments should have been properly assessed by the board.
Opposition
Commissioner Thomas Puls stated at the town meeting that was held on July 7, 2009 that the board made the change to the town government because commissioners believed it to be in the best interest of the town.
According to the official town website, the way in which the legislature has entitled the forms of government is somewhat misleading. Changing the form of government to a council-manager form will not change the role and duties of the mayor as established by law.[4]
External links
- Town of Carolina Shores: Myths About Changing the Government (dead link)
- Town of Carolina Shores Official Site
- State of North Carolina Official Site
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