Bill Graham Speaks on Open Government, Infrastructure and
Health Issues
Bill Graham campaigning for North Carolina Governor 2008, graciously
accepted our invitation to answer your questions.
March 6,
2008
COUNTY NC NEWS -- Mr. Bill
Graham campaigning for North Carolina
Governor 2008, graciously responded to our invitation to
answer your questions concerning North Carolina open
government, infrastructure and health
issues. Furthermore, Mr. Graham responded with clear
concise answers.
The questions compiled from County NC News
readers were sent via email to Bill Graham's campaign staff on
Friday, February 28, 2008, at approximately 2:00 P.M. Mr. Graham, as with all
GOP candidates, was given the choice to answer the questions in text or video.
We asked that Bill Graham keep his answers brief (8 minutes). To read the
combined News
article
click here
Please note that the Graham Staff did offer a
face-to-face interview. I declined due to travel and time constraints, to get
this information to as many citizens as possible before the primary election on
May 6, 2008. Furthermore, Mr. Graham and staff are encouraged to add
information to this site for you at anytime, before, during, and after the
November 4, 2008 North Carolina election.
The following answers to your questions were received March 5,
2008:
Currently, many North Carolina
County local government officials ignore
sections of
NC
Statue 143-318.9 Public Meeting Law. The average citizen cannot take action
against these violations do to the high legal costs of pursing such a legal
endeavor.
QUESTION:
Mr. Graham, if elected
Governor, what could you do to assist individuals in enforcing
this State statue, NC Statue 143-318.9 Public Meeting Law? Would you be willing
to address this issue?
ANSWER:
Yes,
we must strengthen our laws in regard to openness to the public and
ethics in government. I have advocated streaming video on the
internet of legislative hearings so the public can witness the proceedings at
home.
County NC News has been conducting a study
across North Carolina on whether County Governments are complying with the
North
Carolina General Statue, 132 Public Records Law. Thus far,
we have found several counties, including Washington County,
which have a policy NOT to release Public Meeting Draft Minutes.
QUESTION:
Mr. Graham, if elected
Governor, what would you do to rectify this issue of
compliance with NC Statue?
ANSWER:
We
need more openness in government and I will work to see that
our public records law is strictly enforced.
QUESTION:
Mr. Graham, if elected
Governor, would you continue to use internet technologies to
deliver timely press releases? Would you release News on a
daily basis?
Yes. It is vital
that the citizens of North Carolina are kept informed about the happenings in
state government in a timely fashion and internet
technology is the most efficient and cost effective method.
QUESTION:
North Carolina faces severe
problems in financing its transportation, water, sewer and other
infrastructure needs. To what extent do you think that
privatization of these publicly owned systems could fulfill the state's
long-term needs? Would improved planning of new infrastructure to accommodate
growth be a more responsible solution?
ANSWER:
Privatization is something that should be studied and
discussed in some specific situations. Yes, we must have a long term plan to
conserve water, and prepare for current needs and growth.
The North Carolina Psychiatric Association
has stated that it is clear that Mental Health Reform has not
achieved the promised reductions in state hospital admissions of children,
adolescents and adults. Yet NC continues to divest public
sector clinicians and reduce the number of state hospital beds available. It is
not unusual for severely mentally ill patients to sit in the Emergency
Department for several DAYS waiting for a bed to open in a state psychiatric
facility.
QUESTION:
Mr. Graham, what are your
thoughts about the effectiveness of North Carolina's attempt
at mental health reform, and how do you propose to ensure that
the state's population of severely and persistently mentally ill receive
appropriate and prompt treatment?
ANSWER:
North Carolina's attempt to reform mental health has failed miserably. An
emergency room setting is not where you want to hold, care or treat someone for
a mental defect or disease. Due to the growing population in North
Carolina, I would strongly argue that we maintain a state
psychiatric facility to accommodate those in need.
We would like to give special thanks to Ms. Suzanne Everett,
Marty Ryall and the "Graham for Governor" campaign staff and volunteers for
taking time to arrange for Mr. Graham to answer your questions.
Finally, we wish Mr. Bill Graham campaigning
for North Carolina Governor 2008, the best of
luck in the up and coming primary election. In addition to
indulging our reader's questions concerning North Carolina open
government, infrastructure and health
issues.
Published by:
Rob Cross
mailto:editor@357news.com
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