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Macon County Commissioners

Coverage of the meetings of the Macon County Board of County Commissioners.

Franklin Town Board of Aldermen

Coverage of the meetings of the Franklin Town Board of Aldermen.

Macon County School Board

Coverage of the meetings of the Macon County School Board.

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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Comcast is trying to break the Internet

Extortion on a Grand Scale






Comcast has slapped a fee on Level Three Communications for content streamed over the Internet to Comcast customers.  The cable giant is also in the process of purchasing a controlling interest in NBC Universal and there are concerns that the company would withhold content from NBC Shows and movies to be streamed by competitors like Google TV or Apple TV. 


Level 3's networks deliver content such as videos, Web sites and games to networks operated by cable and telephone companies, which then transmit the data over the "last mile" of Internet pipes into American homes. This action by Comcast is, in essence, putting up a toll booth on that traffic.


Level Three Communications has a press release on the latest actions of cable giant Comcast:




Level 3 Communications Issues Statement Concerning Comcast's Actions




BROOMFIELD, Colo., November 29, 2010


Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) today issued the following statement, which can be attributed to Thomas Stortz, Chief Legal Officer of Level 3:


“On November 19, 2010, Comcast informed Level 3 that, for the first time, it will demand a recurring fee from Level 3 to transmit Internet online movies and other content to Comcast’s customers who request such content. By taking this action, Comcast is effectively putting up a toll booth at the borders of its broadband Internet access network, enabling it to unilaterally decide how much to charge for content which competes with its own cable TV and Xfinity delivered content. This action by Comcast threatens the open Internet and is a clear abuse of the dominant control that Comcast exerts in broadband access markets as the nation’s largest cable provider.


“On November 22, after being informed by Comcast that its demand for payment was ‘take it or leave it,’ Level 3 agreed to the terms, under protest, in order to ensure customers did not experience any disruptions.


“Level 3 operates one of several broadband backbone networks, which are part of the Internet and which independent providers of online content use to transmit movies, sports, games and other entertainment to consumers. When a Comcast customer requests such content, for example an online movie or game, Level 3 transmits the content to Comcast for delivery to consumers.


“Level 3 believes Comcast’s current position violates the spirit and letter of the FCC’s proposed Internet Policy principles and other regulations and statutes, as well as Comcast’s previous public statements about favoring an open Internet.


“While the network neutrality debate in Washington has focused on what actions a broadband access provider might take to filter, prioritize or manage content requested by its subscribers, Comcast’s decision goes well beyond this. With this action, Comcast is preventing competing content from ever being delivered to Comcast’s subscribers at all, unless Comcast’s unilaterally-determined toll is paid – even though Comcast’s subscribers requested the content. With this action, Comcast demonstrates the risk of a ‘closed’ Internet, where a retail broadband Internet access provider decides whether and how their subscribers interact with content.


“It is our hope that Comcast’s senior management, for whom we have great respect, will closely consider their position on this issue and adopt an approach that will better serve Comcast and Comcast’s customers.


“While Comcast’s position is regrettable, Level 3 remains open and willing to work through these issues with Comcast. However, Level 3 does not seek any ‘special deals’ or arrangements not generally available to other Internet backbone companies.


“Given Comcast’s currently stated position, we are approaching regulators and policy makers and asking them to take quick action to ensure that a fair, open and innovative Internet does not become a closed network controlled by a few institutions with dominant market power that have the means, motive and opportunity to economically discriminate between favored and disfavored content.“




About Level 3 Communications
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) is a leading international provider of fiber-based communications services. Enterprise, content, wholesale and government customers rely on Level 3 to deliver services with an industry-leading combination of scalability and value over an end-to-end fiber network. Level 3 offers a portfolio of metro and long-haul services, including transport, data, Internet, content delivery and voice. For more information, visit www.level3.com.


© Level 3 Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Level 3, Vyvx, “From Creation to Consumption,” Level 3 Communications and the Level 3 Communications Logo are either registered service marks or service marks of Level 3 Communications, LLC and/or one of its Affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. Level 3 services are provided by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc. Any other service names, product names, company names or logos included herein are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.


Forward-Looking Statement
Some of the statements made in this press release are forward looking in nature. These statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. These forward looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside Level 3’s control, which could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. The most important factors that could prevent Level 3 from achieving its stated goals include, but are not limited to, the current uncertainty in the global financial markets and the global economy; disruptions in the financial markets that could affect Level 3’s ability to obtain additional financing; as well as the company’s ability to: increase and maintain the volume of traffic on the network; successfully integrate acquisitions; develop effective business support systems; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; manage system and network failures or disruptions; develop new services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; adapt to rapid technological changes that lead to further competition; attract and retain qualified management and other personnel; and meet all of the terms and conditions of debt obligations. Additional information concerning these and other important factors can be found within Level 3’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Level 3 is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.


Contact Information
Media: 
Josh Howell 
720-888-3912 

Read more: 


Washington Compost 
New York Slimes






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Monday, November 29, 2010

Flash Flood Watch Issued for WNC Mountains
Heavy Rains Expected Tonight and Tomorrow

Areas covered by the Flash Flood Watch issued by the National Weather Service in WNC



The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for parts of western North Carolina for tonight, tomorrow and tomorrow night as we are expected to get upwards of 2 to 4 inches if rain in that time frame. I expect that the watch area will be expanded and a few Flash Flood Warnings will be issued before this weather event is over, so keep an eye on this if you live in a low-lying area. For more up to date information on this, please visit the National Weather Service


For those who use Twitter, the weather hashtags for the various areas in the watch area include, #WNCwx, #NCwx and you can use #AVLwx if you are just interested in Asheville-centric weather. The #WNCwx tag is the best to use for our area in western North Carolina as the #NCwx feed has been overwhelmed by Idiots near Raleigh who have Twitterbots constantly posting weather station readings under that tag. They should be posting under #Wakewx or #Durhamwx, for example, for better audience targeting.






Here is the text of the weather watch:




Flash Flood Watch
FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
400 AM EST MON NOV 29 2010


...EXCESSIVE RAIN POSSIBLE TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT...


.VERY MOIST SOUTHERLY FLOW AHEAD OF AN APPROACHING COLD FRONT WILL
TRIGGER WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE WESTERN
CAROLINAS.


AVERY-YANCEY-MITCHELL-BUNCOMBE-MACON-SOUTHERN JACKSON-
TRANSYLVANIA-HENDERSON-CALDWELL MOUNTAINS-GREATER CALDWELL-
BURKE MOUNTAINS-GREATER BURKE-MCDOWELL MOUNTAINS-EASTERN MCDOWELL-
RUTHERFORD MOUNTAINS-GREATER RUTHERFORD-POLK MOUNTAINS-
EASTERN POLK-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...NEWLAND...SPRUCE PINE...ASHEVILLE...
FRANKLIN...BREVARD...HENDERSONVILLE...LENOIR...MORGANTON...
MARION...LAKE LURE...RUTHERFORD...COLUMBUS
400 AM EST MON NOV 29 2010


...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
LATE TUESDAY NIGHT...


THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS ISSUED
A


* FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR A PORTION OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS...AVERY...BURKE MOUNTAINS...
BUNCOMBE...CALDWELL MOUNTAINS...EASTERN MCDOWELL...EASTERN
POLK...GREATER BURKE...GREATER CALDWELL...GREATER
RUTHERFORD...HENDERSON...MCDOWELL MOUNTAINS...MACON...
MITCHELL...POLK MOUNTAINS...RUTHERFORD MOUNTAINS...SOUTHERN
JACKSON...TRANSYLVANIA AND YANCEY.


* FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE TUESDAY NIGHT


* RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF TWO TO FOUR INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE.


* STREAMS...MAINSTEM RIVERS AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS ACROSS PARTS
OF THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS WILL EXPERIENCE
RAPID RISES AND PERHAPS FLOODING AS VERY HEAVY RAIN IS FORECAST TO
FALL TUESDAY INTO TUESDAY NIGHT.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...


A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.


YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION
SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.




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Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!!!



Today is Thanksgiving, and in honor of the holiday, here is the proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln establishing the holiday in 1863...



Proclamation Establishing Thanksgiving Day
October 3, 1863

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.  To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.  In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.  Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore.  Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.  They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people.  I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.   And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.

A. Lincoln





A short video on the history of Thanksgiving from the History Channel.




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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

NC Governor Convicted of Campaign Law Violations
Failed to Report $1,600 Helicopter Ride as Donation

Former North Carolina Governor Mike Easley is convicted of a felony for violating various campaign finance laws

Former Governor of North Carolina, Mike Easley, was convicted of violating campaign finance laws for failing to report a helicopter ride he took with a supporter valued at $1,600 as a donation.

Easley's voice cracked at times as he answered questions from the judge about whether he understood his plea, known as an Alford guilty plea. It means that he did not admit guilt, but acknowledged there was enough evidence to convict him on the charge, which is the lowest level felony in North Carolina.


Easley's wife, Mary, and son, Mike Jr., were not in court because, according to one of Easley's lawyers, it was too painful for them to watch.


"I have to take responsibility for what the campaign does," Easley told the judge. "The buck has to stop somewhere. It stops with me, and I take responsibility for what has occurred in this incident."


The judge accepted the plea agreement, which specified that Easley would avoid jail time and receive a fine of $1,000 plus $153 in court costs.


Easley now risks losing his law license - and he enters the history books.


"Any good he did as governor is overshadowed by this," said Gary Pearce, a longtime Democratic Party consultant. "[F]rom now on, whenever someone writes about him, or when his obituary is written some day, the first phrase following the comma after his name will be, 'the first governor convicted of a felony.'"
Source: The Raleigh News & Observer


Last year, his campaign committee was fined $100,000 for various unreported airplane flights. My coverage of that is here and here.


Commentary


 Governor Mike Easley has gotten off very easy. This amounts to a mere slap on the wrist for the crimes he has committed. 


The effort to convict Governor Easley is a long one. If you care to, you can peruse the posts that appeared on News and Observer blog Under The Dome for a history of the Easley case. They have done a good job keeping up with this criminal probe of Mike Easley.




**5.26am** [News-Record] Did Easley accidently get immunity?
 




In the courtroom today, right before Easley pleaded guilty, William Kenerly, the special prosecutor assigned to the case, made note of a 1973 that may confer immunity on those subpoenaed to give testimony before the State Board of Elections. Although it’s never been tested in court so far as anyone knows, Easley’s lawyer Joe Cheshire said he thought it would apply in Easley’s case.
The specific statute appears to be GS 163 278.29:
No individual shall be excused from attending or testifying or producing any books, papers, or other documents before any court upon any proceeding or trial of another for the violation of any of the provisions of this Article, upon the ground or for the reason that the testimony or evidence, documentary or otherwise, required of him may tend to incriminate him, but such individual may be subpoenaed and required to testify by and for the State relative to any offense arising under the provisions of this Article; but such individual shall not be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter or thing concerning which he may be compelled to testify or produce evidence, documentary or otherwise, and no compelled testimony so given or produced shall be used against him upon any criminal proceeding, but such individual so compelled to testify with respect to any acts of his own shall be immune from prosecution on account thereof. (1973, c. 1272, s. 1.)


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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

They Work For Us Now...




This new ad, which features a chilling look at one potential future scenario if America continues on its current destructive fiscal trajectory, is a 2010 homage to “The Deficit Trials,” a 1986 ad that was produced by W.R. Grace & Co.  For those who were able to view it, the ad caused a sensation; it was considered so controversial at the time that the networks refused to run it. 
J. Peter Grace, CAGW’s co-founder and the chairman of President Ronald Reagan’s Private Sector Survey on Cost Control (the Grace Commission), was alarmed about what the debt would do to future generations.  The national debt was $2 trillion in 1986, when “The Deficit Trials” ad was denied broadcast time; today the debt stands at $13.7 trillion and is projected to reach 140 percent of GDP in two decades, the time in which the new CAGW ad is set.
The new ad is part of an ongoing communications program in CAGW’s decades-long fight against wasteful government spending, increased taxes, out-of-control deficit spending, and a crippling national debt that threatens the future and survival of our country.   CAGW plans to run the ad on major cable networks throughout the rest of 2010 and into 2011.


Visit Citizens Against Government Waste for more information on what you can do.


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North Korea Fires Artillery Shells Into South Korea

Scroll to the end of this post for further updates...


**4.26am** I've embedded a live video stream from a South Korean TV Station for the duration of this event, or until the stream gets pulled by Ustream.






**5.46am** The stream has been pulled. Check out this webpage that lists several Korean Stations that are streaming live programming.




Smoke from the artillery attack on South Korea 
Photo Courtesy Korea Times



Seoul, South Korea (CNN) -- North Korea on Tuesday fired artillery into the sea near its tense western sea border with South Korea, injuring at least 14 South Korean military personnel and two civilians, the Yonhap news agency reported.


Four of the military personnel were seriously injured, Yonhap said.


At least 200 rounds of artillery hit an inhabited South Korean island after the North started firing about 2:30 p.m. local time, Yonhap said.


Source: CNN


I think this may be more simple military posturing by the leaders of North Korea in order to force the West into more concessions. I'll keep you updated as events unfold. 


**3.33am** Here is a report from The Wall Street Journal.


Here are some good news sources that you can use to keep up with the news from the Koreas:


United States Forces South Korea


Korea Times
Yonhap News Agency
The Chosunilbo
The Seoul Times


And here is the official state-run news website from North Korea. (Reports to be taken with a HUGE grain of salt and not to be believed unless verified elsewhere. Anything reported on this website is to be considered as pure propaganda.)















A brief video report from CNN.

















Video of a report from South Korean television.













Video blog from an American living in South Korea.

















A report that details the Chinese point of view on North Korea, why they prop up the North Korean government.


And here is a 45 minute video from National Geographic that goes into some detail about North Korea:















Inside North Korea by The National Geographic Channel




Hat Tip: ReconChesty via Twitter. (tweet reproduced below)


 Gunny Highway 


Wait a minute...Wasn't OBAMA just in South Korea? WTH? North Korea just attacked South Korea   




**3.56am** Hat Tip to @RodrigoBNO  for this story that gives a little more background for the difficulties in dealing with North Korea:



Seoul's Vulnerability Is Key to War Scenarios
A U.S. strike on the North may provoke a catastrophic retaliation against South's capital.
By Barbara Demick, Times Staff Writer
SEOUL -- When the U.S. military tries to explain the difficulty of using force to stop North Korea's development of nuclear weapons, the oddly poetic phrase it turns to is the "tyranny of proximity."
The phrase, which has been in the lexicon of the U.S. forces in South Korea for years, stems from the imposing array of conventional artillery that the North Koreans have dug into the hills just north of the demilitarized zone, a mere 30 miles from this capital city of 12 million. The nightmare scenario is that if the United States opts for a more forceful approach to curb North Korea's nuclear ambitions, the communist regime would retaliate not only against the 38,000 American troops stationed in South Korea, but also against South Korea itself.
North Korea last Tuesday bluntly reminded Seoul of its vulnerability when an envoy threatened the South with "unspeakable disaster" if it sides with Washington in the crisis.
The comment — which ironically was made at the opening of talks about South Korean economic assistance to the impoverished North — underscores the degree to which Seoul is being held hostage. 

**5.40am** Here is a Google Satellite Map of the area attacked by the North Koreans:










**6.57am** A recap from the UK Guardian Live Blog



11.50am: Time for a bit of a recap after a tumultuous morning.

• Two South Korean marines have died after North Korea fired shells at on the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong. South Korea's Joint Chief of Staff said 16 others were injured during the bombardment of the island, which is located near the countries' disputed western border.
• South Korea returned fire and scrambled fighter jets in response to the attack. North Korea has not confirmed whether it suffered any losses. South Korea has accused its neighbour of an "intentional and planned attack", and said North Korea's action violated the 1953 armistice between the two countries.
• North Korea has issued a robust response, accusing South Korea of firing first and saying it was provoked into taking action.South Korea was undertaking an annual military drill before North Korea fired. "Despite our repeated warnings, South Korea fired dozens of shells from 1pm ... and we've taken strong military action immediately," the North's official KCNA news agency said.
• The international community has criticised North Korea, with the White House describing the attack as "belligerent". In the UK, foreign secretary William Hague said the attack was "unprovoked" and said the country "strongly condemns" it. A senior Russian Foreign Ministry official said North Korea's action was "absolutely unacceptable".
• China, North Korea's only major ally, expressed "concern" over the initial reports, but called on both Koreas to "do more to contribute to peace". A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it was now "imperative to resume six-party talks". North Korea quit talks with South Korea, the US, China, Russia and Japan in April last year.
**8.04am**  S. Korea may strike N. Korea's missile base: President Lee


SEOUL, Nov. 23 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak ordered his military Tuesday to strike North Korea's missile base around its coastline artillery positions if it shows signs of additional provocation, his spokeswoman said.

   In a video conference with Gen. Han Min-koo, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the president ordered "multiple-fold retaliation" against the North for its artillery attack on a South Korean island, according to presidential spokeswoman Kim Hee-jung.

   "President Lee instructed (the military) to strike North Korea's missile base near coastline artillery position if necessary... if there in an indication of further provocation," the spokeswoman said.
**2.36pm** A recap from the UK Guardian Live Blog


4.30pm: That's it for today, thanks for reading and for the comments. Tania has just filed a story on today's events:
South Korea warned today that it will unleash "enormous retaliation" if North Korea launches fresh attacks against its territory.
North Korean troops bombarded Yeonpyeong, an island in disputed waters, with dozens of rounds of artillery earlier today, reportedly killing two South Korean soldiers and injuring around 20 people.
Seoul placed its military on its highest non-wartime alert level, scrambling F-16 fighter jets to the western sea and returning fire, officials said. It warned that the attack was a violation of the armistice that ended the Korean war in 1953.
The South Korean president, Lee Myung-bak, who convened an emergency security meeting shortly after the initial bombardment, said an "indiscriminate attack on civilians" could never be tolerated.
"Enormous retaliation should be made, to the extent that [North Korea] cannot make provocations again," he said.
The assault is one of the most serious in the decades since the war, given the involvement of civilians, although previous firefights around the disputed maritime border have resulted in a higher number of casualties.
In a short statement carried by the official KCNA news agency, the North said the South had fired first – presumably in reference to a live-fire drill being carried out as part of annual military exercises. It said it had repeatedly warned the South not to go ahead with the drill.



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Monday, November 22, 2010

Macon County Commissioners 11-22-2010
Meeting Agenda and Live Coverage

**6.01pm** Here is the audio [download MP3] from todays meeting, along with the presentation to Commissioner Bob Simpson afterward:


Title card for the live coverage of the Macon County commissioners meeting 
Photo and Graphics by Bobby Coggins



The Macon County Commissioners will be meeting this afternoon at 2pm in the Commissioners boardroom, and I'll be there, tweeting and uploading photos while I record video for posting later. After the meeting, anticipated to be around 4pm, there is a presentation and reception planned to recognize the service of Bob Simpson to the citizens of Macon County. From my year of observation of him, I can report that he has served Macon county honorably and always with the best of intentions and all due diligence. 


From the Macon County website: 


Bob Simpson was elected to his first term in November, 2002 and reelected in November, 2006 Mr. Simpson attended Franklin High School and Western Carolina University. He is married to the former Margaret Setser and they have four children.
Bob is the owner of Bob Simpson Contracting/HVAC. The Simpson family are members of First United Methodist Church where Bob serves on the Board of Trustees and teaches a children’s Sunday school class.
Most of his spare time is spent with his family and working with various youth organizations and sports teams. Bob represents the Board on the Airport Authority, Animal Control Study Committee, Dangerous Dog Board, Economic Development Commission, Franklin/Nantahala TDC, Greenway Project, Recreation Commission, Schools, Region A including Advisory Council and Transportation Advisory Council, Transit Services and Water/Sewer Committee.


The agenda for today's meeting is below, and below that is a Twitter Widget that will alllow you to follow along with the meeting by reading my tweets and looking at the photos I post. Or, if you prefer to follow along using your favorite twitter Client, I will be using the hashtag #MaconGov. Feel free to ask questions or comment on the proceedings. I cannot stream live video from the Courthouse because their system does not have the bandwidth to handle it. 


If you're planning to be at the meeting, say hello before the meeting or during breaks. I'll be the only guy with a camera on a tripod. Ê˜‿ʘ

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 22, 2010 – 2 P.M.
AGENDA



1. Call to order and welcome by Chairman Beale

2. Announcements
3. Invocation

4. Pledge of Allegiance

5. Public Hearing - None

6. Public Comment Period

7. Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

8. Reports/Presentations:
A. Presentation of GFOA award to Finance Officer and Staff
B. FY 09/10 Audit presentation– Erica Brown from Martin & Starnes
C. Angel Medical Center CEO Tim Hubbs
9. Old Business:
A. Viper Tower……………………………………………Attachment #9A

10. New Business:
A. Iotla Elementary School (Terry Bell)….……………..Attachment #10A
B. Northland Cable………………………………………Attachment #10B
C. Right of way and Release on Greenway/Duke Power (Attorney Jones)

11. Consent Agenda…………………………………………………Attachment #11
All items below are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion. No separate discussion will be held except on request of a member of the Board of Commissioners.

  1. Minutes………………………………………………...Attachment #11A
  2. Finance / Budget revisions ……………………………Attachment #11B
  3. Tax releases…………………………………………....Attachment #11C
  4. Christmas bonus
  5. Correct Community Funding Pool Allocation………Attachment #11E

12. Appointments – Planning Board……………………………....Attachment #12
13. Resignation – Accept resignation of Commissioner Davis to be effective January 10, 2011.
14. Closed session (If necessary)
15. Adjournment/Recess –
16. 4 p.m. – Reception and presentation for out-going Commissioner Simpson






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Sunday, November 21, 2010

Macon County Commissioners Meeting Agenda
November 22, 2010

The Macon County Commissioners 
Photo by Bobby Coggins



The Macon County Commissioners will be meeting tomorrow, and the agenda for that meeting is below. After the meeting, there will be a presentation and reception for outgoing commissioner Bob Simpson in appreciation for his years of service to Macon County.

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 22, 2010 – 2 P.M.
AGENDA




1. Call to order and welcome by Chairman Beale

2. Announcements
3. Invocation

4. Pledge of Allegiance

5. Public Hearing - None

6. Public Comment Period

7. Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

8. Reports/Presentations:
A. Presentation of GFOA award to Finance Officer and Staff
B. FY 09/10 Audit presentation– Erica Brown from Martin & Starnes
C. Angel Medical Center CEO Tim Hubbs
9. Old Business:
A. Viper Tower……………………………………………Attachment #9A

10. New Business:
A. Iotla Elementary School (Terry Bell)….……………..Attachment #10A
B. Northland Cable………………………………………Attachment #10B
C. Right of way and Release on Greenway/Duke Power (Attorney Jones)

11. Consent Agenda…………………………………………………Attachment #11
All items below are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion. No separate discussion will be held except on request of a member of the Board of Commissioners.

  1. Minutes………………………………………………...Attachment #11A
  2. Finance / Budget revisions ……………………………Attachment #11B
  3. Tax releases…………………………………………....Attachment #11C
  4. Christmas bonus
  5. Correct Community Funding Pool Allocation………Attachment #11E

12. Appointments – Planning Board……………………………....Attachment #12
13. Resignation – Accept resignation of Commissioner Davis to be effective January 10, 2011.
14. Closed session (If necessary)
15. Adjournment/Recess –
16. 4 p.m. – Reception and presentation for out-going Commissioner Simpson





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Friday, November 19, 2010

FCC Chairman Genachowski To Push For Net Neutrality

**12.45pm** Web Censorship Bill Sails Through Senate Committee
"In short, COICA would allow the federal government to censor the internet without due process"





Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski is putting together a net neutrality proposal and plans to take action on the controversial issue as early as next month, according to several sources with knowledge of the situation.
Details of the proposal being developed by Genachowski’s office are unclear, but sources say it could be similar to the deal stakeholders tried to reach with Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) earlier this fall.

The long-running net neutrality debate centers around rules that would require Internet service providers to treat all web traffic equally. Internet companies like Google and Skype want net neutrality rules applied to both wireline and wireless networks, but network operators including AT&T, Verizon and Comcast say they need flexibility to manage web traffic on their lines.
President Barack Obama campaigned on a promise to implement net neutrality rules. Genachowski’s plans to carry out that promise were hampered when a federal court ruled the FCC did not have legal authority to adopt the regulations.
Source: Politico 
Hat Tip: Drudge Report

Commentary

I've previously covered the incessant attempts by Lefties and President Obama to wrest control of the Internet away from the free markets and the people it belongs to. 

Here is what other people are saying about this story: