| For many people living in North Carolina now, there is a problem that goes unknown and unnoticed by most people - but for the people dealing with that problem it can be anything but funny. The way the laws are written, there is a certain type of road that is not subject to regulations in building or maintenance. These are almost always cul de sacs, and almost always dirt roads as well. In the seventies a lot of small communities began springing up in North Carolina, and the deal was struck thirty years ago. The developers would build the road (dead end, dirt road), and the state would not be responsible for that road. Instead, the developers would try to implement a community association. Try is the key word here. These associations had varying degrees of success. There are roads within ten miles of Lincolnton where the emergency services have themselves been forced to call the tow truck. Now, it is all well and fine that thirty years ago this deal was struck - the problem was there was no sunset clause, and now the people that forged that deal are almost all gone. And yet, I have to pay the same taxes as someone who has county water and state maintained roads. I am quite sure at least two people got a sweet deal off of this - the builders did not have to adhere to the same state regs that state maintained roads demanded thirty years ago, and now the state does not have to maintain these roads. Like I say, I am pretty sure at least two people got a good deal out of this - it just isn't the people who live in those neighborhoods now. |