Two last issues and I will drop the ordinance review

Sec. 15-36. Required.
Every subdivider who proposes a subdivision of land for residential purposes shall dedicate a portion of such land, as set forth in this article, for the purpose of public green space, open area, park site, or construction of a recreation facility to serve the residents of the neighborhood in which the subdivision is located.

I really don't like extorting park space, clubhouses, or public spaces out of developers. It is just immoral. We already have a park system for their use at public expense.

Sec. 16-131. Payment of utility bills.
All payments for utility bills shall be in accordance with the official policies and regulations adopted from time to time by the city council and kept on file in the office of the city clerk.

I am not fond of the town being in the utility business as a whole. If you can find it in the "yellow pages", then we need to see if the private sector can offer the same or better services cheaper. If Progress Energy can run our electic plant at a cheaper cost to the town's residents, then we should allow them to do so. We do this with landscaping and other needs that the town has. If the town can perform the job with town employees more cheaply and effectively, then the town should do so. That is being responsible with taxpayer funds.

One problem that I see with the town's handling of the utilities is that there is NO grace period whatsoever with the utility bills. I have sent an electronic payment via my bank's web site to the town for utilities. Since Selma is not on board as a partner with my bank's financial dealings, my payment processing is slower and arrived a day late. Since making a payment with my bank is fast and easy (just five seconds), I tried doing it that way a few times. The payment was posted electronically on time, but arrived the day after the due date. There is NO grace period. I got nailed with a late fee of over $20 because of it. That is ridiculous. So instead, we write a check and take it to town hall each month. Not everyone's pay day will line up with the due date. We do our best to be on time, and for the most part are paying on time, every month. But a publicly owned utility should not be so harsh to its citizens who are paying for and own the electrical plant to begin with.