HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_1944 (2)I have a concern for a law that allows people to discharge firearms in the county.
Years ago, prior to the aforementioned population growth, the good citizens of this county
didn 't see a need to control the discharge of firearms. However, times have changed, new
communities and neighborhoods are feverishly being developed, pouring millions of
dollars into the local economy. I need to make myself perfectly clear in that I'm not
against firearms, only their reckless discharge. Guns are not toys, they should be handled
with the utmost safety and care. So what are the uses of firearms? Only a few come to
mind: hunting, target shooting andsetfdefense, as outlinedin our Constitution. Isupport
those uses. However, when firearms are discharged in residential areas, we add a serious
risk element. That element jeopardizes the rights and protection of others. Envision
yourself and family in your backyard enjoying quality time together. All of the sudden your
next door neighbor starts blasting away with his gun. What's wrong with this picture?
Wouldn't you feel just a little bit uneasy about the situation? Let's say that your neighbor
has been drinking. How would you feel? In Iredell County there's no foul. You see in
Iredell County you can consume alcohol, shoot your guns for no apparent reason thereby
threatening the peace and safety of your neighbor, and it's not a problem. You are within
the law even though your bullets fly over the airspace of your neighbor's property. I say
my rights have been violated. My right to peace has been disrupted. And the fate of my
family lies in the hands of a party who mayor may not have reckless intentions. This risk
is foolish and unnecessary. I wish that there wasn't a need for me to speak to you this
evening. I wish that all people who possessed firearms used reasonable care and common
sense. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in Iredell Countyfor I've witnessed it
first hand. Some people are not concerned about the peaceful co -existence of others.
That's why laws must be put into place. I'm proud to live in Iredell County. I'm proud
that Statesville has been recognized as an All-American City, a city of growth and
progress, an envy of our state as a desirable place to raise our families. Statesville has set
a high standard for the rest of the county to follow. We don't need to wait for all the
surrounding counties to set boundaries for the discharge of firearms when we know that
it's the right thing to do. I don't know all the answers, but I have some ideas. What I
would propose is a compromise, a win/win solution if you will. A compromise where
farmers, livestock and sizable property owners can still dischargefirearms to protect their
livelihood. Hunting and target shooting can still be done in scarcely populated areas.
However, in denselypopulatedsubdivisions and neighborhoods, the discharge offirearms
for reasons other than self-defense should be banned. The logic of this ban is no different
than the logic of bans in metropolitan areas. We don't need for someone to become
seriously injured before we act. I would propose a study into how other progressive
counties have handled this situation. Since my name has been made public to speak on this
issue, I've received many phone calls ofsupport. If this assembly so wanted, I could easily
assemble a fact-finding group. I would also invite those who oppose so that we might be
able to find some common ground to present to this assembly. Gun laws need to be
molded, by the people, to meet the needs of the people of this county. I would invite any
commissioner to chair this committee. Let us work through you, and together we can all
grow and prosper. Thank you for your attentiveness and opportunity to address you this
evening. I will now yield the floor for any questions. "
Chairman Haire thanked Mr. Bilyeu for his presentation and stated the Board would take his
concerns under advisement.
ANNUAL PRESENTATION BY JEFF MCKAY & MELANIE O'CONNELI.
UNDERWOOD IN REFERENCE TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS: McKay
and Underwood presented the following information about six recent industrial projects.
Greater Statesville Development Corporation Projects
Anticipated
Announced Announced Current Current Co. Assistance 10 -year Tax County
Invcstmen Jobs Employment Tax Value Amount *Revenue Return
Goodyear $23,000,000 180 120 $10,808,622 $100,000 $ 486,390 $ 386,390
Lowes 41,000,000 300 638 42,246,585 875,000 1,901,100 1,026,100
Commscope 23,000,000 180 65 7,076,184 225,000 318,430 93,430