I wanted to provide a quick update on the petition. Our team sent personalized letters, copies of the petition in January to:
- Secretary of the NCDOT Joey Hopkins
- Congressman Carson Smith
- Senator Brent Jackson
- Pender County Commissioner Brad George
The DOT acknowledged receipt and we have also received correspondence from State Congressman Carson Smith on February 7th indicating that he's aware of the issue and has reached out to the DOT to help convey urgency and keep it on the forefront of their list. Follow up letters were sent in the last week to Senator Brent Jackson and Pender County Commissioner Brad George who have not responded.
Our petition has 761 signatures as of this morning. Thank you to all that have signed and helped promote. There are flyers posted at Hilltop Grocery, Eastern Outfitters and two members of the team (Marilyn and Betsy) have visited many of the other nearby businesses along Hwy 17 in the last few weeks to talk to them and solicit support. Marilyn has also been very active on Next Door in Hampstead, helping to create awareness and gain additional support. We've also shared several of the recent accidents at these two intersections, most notably involving a Topsail High School bus at Sloop Point and the bad accident on Thursday night with the folks listed above.
If you're interested in helping, I'd encourage everyone to do the following: 1. Continue to share the petition to help raise awareness and gain support, 2. Email the folks I listed above directly to convey the need to support safety improvements in this area of Hwy 17. Several of the folks listed are currently running for reelection and it would be good for them to hear the voice of their prospective voters and constituents. You can also email the other candidates so they understand your point of view. Just last year, Senator Brent Jackson was able to procure funding last year for a light that is going to be installed at the Grandview Dr. intersection in Hampstead.
Thank you to everyone who has helped by signing and sharing with others!