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Sex offenders banned from Hickory parks
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Published: August 20, 2008
HICKORY - Convicted sex offenders are no longer allowed in Hickory's parks.
After months of deliberation, the Hickory City Council enacted the sex offender ban Tuesday. The vote was unanimous and came after the second public hearing on the issue.
Two people spoke out against the ban. Melissa Zebley of Granite Falls took issue with the ban because she says it is an additional punishment beyond the one originally handed down by the courts after the sex offender was found guilty. She asked the council, "Is the ban even necessary? Have there been any incidents? Is there any reason for it except that the district attorney (Jay Gaither) requested it?"
Barbara Fleckenstein of Statesville asked that the ban be restricted to violent sex offenders, because a blanket ban would apply even to those convicted of consensual teenage sex.
No residents spoke in favor of the ban. As the council members discussed it, Brad Lail, representing Ward 1 said at first he was concerned about the punitive aspect of the ordinance, but after talking to many people about the issue, he heard overwhelming support and decided to vote for the ban.
Jill Patton of Ward 6 said she, too, had heard widespread support from the community in favor of banning sex offenders from the city's parks.
"My heart goes out to the families of the people on this list," said Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright, but he added, "I am going to vote in favor of implementing this ban."
He was not alone — the ordinance passed unanimously.
One reason the ordinance took so long to pass was that part of it was re-written after the first public hearing held on June 17. The proposed ordinance was amended to allow sex offenders in recreation centers to vote and attend a public meeting (as defined by the N.C. Open Meetings Law).
After the council voted, Zebley said, "I am disappointed that they did it. This one was better written than the original, but it could have been better."
Violation of the ordinance would result in a fine of $500 and/or incarceration for up to 30 days. As of July 15, there were 192 registered sex offenders in Catawba County 33 of whom live in Hickory said Hickory Communications Director Mandy Pitts.
The council also voted to approve:
• A proclamation recognizing Saturday, Aug. 23, as "Lenoir-Rhyne University Day."
• Participation with Lenoir-Rhyne University to upgrade the traffic signal at the intersection of Eighth Avenue, NE, and Sixth Avenue, NE. The upgrade is estimated to cost $80,000 and the city will split the cost with the university.
• A reduction of the speed limit from 35 to 25 miles per hour along 25th Street, NE, from a point approximately 160 feet south of the intersection with 27th Avenue Circle, NE.
• A reduction of the speed limit from 35 to 25 miles per hour along 11th Street, NW, from the intersection with 15th Avenue, NW, approximately 1,100 feet to the intersection with 16th Avenue.
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