The Carteret County Democratic Party is part of the oldest continuous political party in the world, tracing its roots and philosophy to Thomas Jefferson over 200 years ago.  We are a Party that believes government is a necessary part of American life, with the capacity to protect freedom, enlarge human rights, and improve the quality of life for everyone.

We subscribe to the platform of the nationwide Party and to the platform of the Democratic Party in the State of North Carolina.

We are proud of our Nation and its heritage and committed to the values embedded in our Constitution.  We see in the United States a community devoted to the common good, protecting a commonwealth of shared resources on behalf of present and future generations.

We are a party that takes pride in our diversity and relishes the wealth of opinions and ideas that flow from our people.  Conformity for its own sake is not a virtue.  We believe in the right to disagree, with dignity and respect.

We are a party that practices compassion and inclusiveness.  We believe in quality education for every child, including special help for disadvantaged children and those at risk.  We believe in universal equal opportunity to have a good job at fair pay.  We support the concept of a living wage, and urge public and private employers to adopt the idea.  The living wage is not only good public policy it is also good for business.  We oppose discrimination in all its forms.

We are a party dedicated by our actions to the protection and preservation of our environment.  We believe all economic development must meet a test of sustainability: can it be accomplished while leaving the air, water, and land to those who come after us as good as or better than we found it?   A Sustainability is the application of the golden rule from generation to generation.

We will protect and enhance our parklands, beaches, and open spaces; we will protect our forests and farmlands; and we will protect our surface and underground sources of water for domestic and other uses.  We urge maintenance of existing water quality in all locations and improving it where feasible.   We will work to sustain a viable commercial and sport fishing industry.   We will work to maintain the health of our cities and towns through citizen and professional input to planning, zoning, land use, and economic development decisions.

We are committed to the safety and security of all our people all of the time.  In a world shocked by the events of September 11, 2001, we pledge to enhance the security apparatus on which we all depend, while preserving the rights of individuals and groups to self-expression, to move freely about the land, and to maintain the right of privacy in our daily lives.  We support systems and institutions providing equal justice for all.  We support a moratorium on executions pending study of the death penalty and action at the State level to remedy defects in its application as documented by a special commission.

We support the right of all women and men to make their own decisions affecting their health, welfare, and future.

We believe the processes and practices of county, state, and the national government must manifest honest stewardship of the public trust.  Government should be efficient, accountable, people-friendly, and open to examination and inquiry.  Elected and appointed public officials should be free of any conflict of interest or the appearance of such conflict at all times.  Governmental meetings should be open to the public, with exceptions only in instances supported by law.  Opportunity for public comment and input should be the norm.

We insist on the responsible use of all tax revenues by every office and function of Carteret County government, including periodic financial and program audits by disinterested experts.

We support and welcome the presence of military facilities and families in and near Carteret County.  Such activities have a large economic impact on the County, and the people stationed there or employed there, contribute to the betterment of life in the County in many important ways.  We admire and respect their function and dedication to defend American freedoms.

Every person running for public office on the Democratic Party label should commit themselves to the principles and objectives of this platform, and every citizen throughout Carteret County should be informed of its substance before they cast their votes.  An informed electorate will not make a mistake when they cast their ballots for a candidate of the Democratic Party.

Education

Education is the key to the future of our children and to the future of Carteret County.  As responsible Democrats we must provide the resources to properly educate and train our children. In addition, as the home of Carteret Community College, we strongly support and will work to provide continuing educational opportunities for students.  Students beginning college level work may continue at one of North Carolina’s world class four-year colleges and universities and others may seek through additional study or technical training to find a better future or a new profession.

We support music, art, and physical education in our schools.

We will insist on responsibility from all school administrators to use tax dollars wisely through budgets understandable by voters and by accounting and performance measures subject to audit and evaluation.

A State Lottery

We do not support a State lottery merely as a new source of general revenue.  A lottery is widely regarded as highly regressive in its effects, and to depend on it to augment general revenues would shift the general tax burden down the economic ladder to a degree we cannot support.  However, many people in North Carolina support the concept of a State lottery, the proceeds of which would exclusively benefit education.  We approach this subject with a skeptical eye, because in many other States, lotteries that were supported by voters as a means to enhance or expand educational programs have been offset in whole or in part by reduced regular appropriations.   Too often education barely benefited or not at all in the long run.

With the condition that only if a legislative means can be found to prevent lottery receipts from being offset by reduced regular appropriations by the legislature through a maintenance of effort requirement or other means, we support a statewide non-binding advisory referendum asking voters if they desire a North Carolina lottery to support education.

Growth and Jobs

We support the right of all Americans to own and develop private property in ways that do not harm the environment or their neighbors.

We support a responsible economic growth plan that addresses maintaining the quality of life in Carteret County.  Efficient and sensible growth must avoid the effects of both residential and commercial urban sprawl.  We do not want Carteret County to become another Myrtle Beach, no matter how attractive such developments may initially appear as a contributor to new tax revenues.  Carteret County's attraction is low density development compatible with its beaches and other natural and historic assets.

Carteret County is destined to grow in the years ahead.  Much of it will be welcomed, but some unplanned-for growth can lower existing property values as competing land uses infringe on or detract from the quality of  existing developments.  Zoning can protect existing values and enhance the values of new development.  Therefore, we support a countywide zoning ordinance.

Planning and available incentives, such as Community Development Block Grants, must support affordable housing, especially for young workers and the elderly.

We will support the search for environmentally compatible industry and other forms of employment that may locate within the county, with special emphasis on good jobs that can support and provide a future for families.

Voting in Single Member Districts 

We believe elected officials should be responsible to the voters who elect them.  At present, members of both the School Board and the County Commission represent districts but are elected to office at-large.  We support a legislative initiative in Raleigh that would call for all persons running for office in Carteret County to do so in single-member districts, provided that the boundaries of said districts are determined by a body having an equal number of representatives of the two principal parties in the County.  Boundaries should be set or adjusted on a schedule the same as other Statewide electoral boundary changes.

Coastal Resources

The Carteret County Democratic Party supports the continued public ownership of our coastline and beaches.  We urge retention of all existing beach access and expanded access opportunities with adequate parking to accommodate increasing tourism and general population growth. 

Artificial beach nourishment is controversial in Carteret County.  In spite of scientific evidence that the manipulation of waterborne sand systems may be short-lived and actually harm other areas, hoped-for economic benefits to beach-related tourism sometimes garner support for beach nourishment.  Categorical support for or opposition to all projects is not possible, but we generally believe beach nourishment should be rare, and when  such activity is undertaken its cost should be borne by the beneficiaries of such action.  No beach nourishment activity should be undertaken without a full and complete environmental impact analysis and its public review.

Watershed Protection

We will work to provide countywide watershed protection planning that includes sediment and erosion control, management of storm water runoff, and strong protections for riparian buffers along rivers and streams.  We encourage the use of natural methods of erosion control.

 We recognize the interface between watershed protection and economic development activities, such as agriculture, industry, and tourism and will work to eliminate conflicts and mitigate potential damage on both sides of that interface. 

Forests

We support logging and forest management practices that foster prompt reforestation to minimize erosion and other adverse impacts.  We favor establishment of wilderness area designation where appropriate in the Croatan National Forest, within which no logging or other resource extraction is permitted.  We support the preservation and protection of habitats for rare and endangered species of plants and animals.

Wetlands

It is no exaggeration that without wetlands Carteret County would lose much of the basis for its economy and long-term economic health.  We therefore support efforts to control and manage surface water run-off and wastewater discharge.  We urge implementation of no net loss standards for wetlands retention, in both acreage and function.  Where possible damaged wetlands should be restored to their natural function.

Recycling

We support mandatory recycling of consumer products that can reduce the need for sanitary landfills and incineration.  We encourage regulatory mechanisms to require recycling in the private sector under terms that afford a  level playing field for everyone.  The Democratic Party will push Carteret County government to be a model for the public and industry by uniformly recycling used materials and purchasing recycled materials whenever feasible.

Offshore Drilling 

The Carteret County coast and its offshore resources must be protected for present and future generations.  The County has no regulatory authority over these resources, but the Democratic Party strongly urges the State and federal governments to require a full environmental impact analysis of any proposal  for offshore exploration or drilling for oil and gas, including:  an assessment of impacts on tourism, on the fishing industry (both commercial and sport), on associated mainland support facilities and distribution systems, and on threatened or endangered species. 

Parks

We support full implementation of the State master plan for parks and other protected areas, including needed land acquisitions.  We oppose the sale or conversion of any Federal, State, or local park.  We urge the State and federal governments to fund fully the needed staffing, maintenance and repairs of existing parks and protected areas, including implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act at such facilities.

 We support private actions to preserve open spaces and environmentally sensitive lands and waters, such as those accomplished by The Nature Conservancy and other groups. 

Energy Conservation

The Carteret County Democratic Party supports national, State, and local actions to conserve all forms of energy, including electricity, oil, gas, etc.  We urge adoption of revised federal standards that apply to motor vehicles to improve gas mileage within the capabilities of known technology.  We urge the adoption of standards to reduce pollutants from two-cycle marine engines.   We urge development of alternative energy sources including solar, wind, and tidal forces where feasible.  Carteret County government will opt for energy efficient vehicles, lighting sources, heating and air-conditioning, and other energy consumers, whenever feasible.

                                                                   Tax Fairness 

            Taxes are a necessary part of life.  We cannot have schools, police, or any other public service without the money generated by taxes to pay for them.  Almost everywhere, people complain that taxes are too high, and at most of the same places people want more or improved public services.  It is true in Carteret County, too.  In fact, we are fortunate in Carteret County to have one of the lowest real property tax rates in the State.  And people complain, often because they think their home or other real estate has been improperly valued for tax purposes.  Property taxes are really the only form of progressive taxation available to county governments.  Sales taxes and user fees are generally regressive in character, therefore fairness in assessing taxable real estate assets is essential.  The next reassessment is scheduled to take place in 2005.   The Democratic Party believes the best guarantor of fairness is having the highest quality professional staff of sufficient size to assure equality of treatment when properties are revalued every four years.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

County government must be honest and free of conflicts of interest, or the appearance of such conflicts, by its elected officials and by all of its employees.  Elected officials who own businesses or commercial property or who have substantial real property interests must rescue themselves from any decision or action affecting those interests.  We encourage the press and the citizenry to bring potential conflicts to light so they may be resolved in the public interest.

                                                              Health and Welfare

The Carteret County Democratic Party believes access to individual and family medical services is a right that should be available to everyone in the County.  In the most recent year for which data are available more than 17 percent of Carteret citizens have no health insurance, including over 1,500 children under 18.  Most senior citizens on Medicare have no prescription drug benefits.  County governments have very limited resources to remedy either of these important deficits, but the Carteret County Democratic Party believes national and State programs and resources must be brought to bear on these issues.  The Party will work with its counterparts at the State and national level toward that end.

Fire and Emergency Services

At present fire and emergency medical services are provided on a tax district basis, resulting in large differences in cost and efficiency, with frequent duplications and gaps.  Carteret County should have a combined countywide fire and emergency medical support system, financed at a single rate for all county residents and managed by a county administrator.   The Carteret County Democratic Party will work toward that end.

Gun Control

The Carteret County Democratic Party has no wish to disarm citizens who responsibly own and use firearms.  We support the requirements of the Brady Law and North Carolina firearms law.  We also favor educational efforts to improve gun safety.

Judges

Two important steps were taken recently to reduce the politicization of North Carolina's judicial system by making judicial elections non-partisan and providing limited public financing of certain judicial elections.  While these actions reduce some of the politics inherent in the election of judges, it does not go far enough.  All North Carolina=s judges should be appointed to those posts for a term of years upon nomination by the Governor with the advice and consent of the North Carolina Senate.   Judges should be eligible for reappointment and confirmation by the same process.

    [Adopted June 3, 2003, by the Carteret County Democratic Party Executive Committee.]