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

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

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Coverage of the meetings of the Macon County School Board.

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Sunday, March 31, 2013

The Empty Tomb

Open Tomb

Matthew Chapter 28

He Is Risen

1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

The Women Worship the Risen Lord

9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

The Soldiers Are Bribed

11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.


Thursday, March 28, 2013

Franklin Aldermen April 2013 Meeting Agenda

Franklin Aldermen Meeting Agenda


The Franklin Town Board of Aldermen will be having their regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 1, 2013 at 7pm. No comment regarding that they're meeting on April Fool's Day.

I will be there to cover the meeting and will post a link to my live play by play just prior to the meeting.

The agenda and a downloadable press kit for the meeting is below for your convenience and in the interest of keeping our elected officials accountable to the electorate.


Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen 
Meeting Agenda
Monday April 1, 2013 - 7:00 p.m. 
  1. Call to order -Mayor Collins
  2. Approval of the February 28 and March 4 , 2013 board minutes
  3. Public hearing 7:05 p.m. for re-zoning petition for section of Pauline Avenue
  4. Public session
  5. New business
    • Board decision on re-zoning petition for section of Pauline Avenue
    • Proclamation for Neuropathy Awareness Week
    • Proclamation for Lyme Disease Awareness Month
    • Application to amend text only of the Unified Development Ordinance for WNC Hospice House Foundation- Land Use Administrator Derek Roland
    • Application to amend text only of the Unified Development Ordinance for D.A. Investment Group- Land Use Administrator Derek Roland
    • Appointment of Cheryl Pullium to fill vacancy on Tourism Development Authority- Assistant to the Town Manger Summer Woodard
  6. Legal
    • Lease of Town property to Angel Medical Center- John Henning Jr
    • Update on gun range questions- John Henning Jr
    • Discussion on solicitors- John Henning Jr
  7. Announcements
    • Annual Retreat April 13, 2013 9 AM Town Hall Boardroom
  8. Adjourn




Friday, March 22, 2013

Macon County Planning Board 03-18-2013
Flood Ordinance Discussion

Planning Board 03-21-2013

The Macon County Planning Board met yesterday and began discussions on whether or not to revise the county flood plain ordinance [county ordinances] at the request of the Macon County Commissioners.

I have included downloadable copies of the agenda and the current flood plain ordinance below the video. Also, I was late to this meeting by about thirty minutes, so I missed the introduction of the current task assigned the board by the county commissioners. The only other media present at the meeting was a reporter from The Franklin Press.



During the course of the meeting, planning board members decided they needed to seek advice from experts so they could decide, in the words of board member Lamar Sprinkle, if it "would make Macon County a better place to live." 

Chief among the concerns expressed by members was what the impact would be to other property owners if property owners (or developers) were allowed to raise their property out of the flood plain with fill dirt.

Agenda:



Flood Plain Ordinance:




Thursday, March 21, 2013

Macon County Board of Education March 2013
Budget Work Session and Regular Meeting

Board of Education March 2013
xx

The Macon County Board of Education held a budget work session and their regular monthly meeting in Highlands on Monday night. Here is video of both of those meetings.



Video of the budget work session that took place before the regular monthly meeting, along with a copy of the latest list of possible reductions embedded below.

Possible Reductions to the 2013-14 Current Expense Budget by Thunder Pig




The regular March 2013 meeting of the Macon County Board of Education, along with an agenda for the meeting.



MACON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
AGENDA
MARCH 18,2013

I Spotlight on People and Programs
  A Recognitions
  B Historical Highlights
  C Presentations

II Public Comment

III Consent Agenda
  A Resignations/Retirements
  B New Personnel
  C Change in Status
  D Transfer of Personnel
  E Substitutes
  F Overnight/Out of District Trip Requests
  G Student Transfers
  H Recommended Renewals and Non-Renewals
  I Miscellaneous Items

IV Personnel

V Policy
  A Approval Items
    •2013-2014 Cartoogechaye Elementary Handbook......Randy Shepherd
    •East Franklin Elementary Fundraiser..............Shirley Parks
    •Franklin High School Fundraisers.................Dr Chris Baldwin
       1 B-Naturals
       2 Drama
       3 Eco-Club
    •Highlands School Fundraisers.....................Brian Jetter
       1 March Madness Pizza Sale
       2 Carwash & Bake Sale
    •AIG Contract Revision - Jo Wolffer...............Paula Ledford
    •2013-2014 Meal Price Increase....................Sherry Held
    •Social Networking Policy (2nd Reading)...........Dan Moore
    •Resolution in Support of the Restoration 
     of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program...Dan Moore
    •Service Agreement - Macon Co Schools &
     Virtual Image Technology.........................John Henning, Jr

  B Discussion
    •Athletic Drug Testing Program Cost Analysis......Dan Moore

VI Curriculum and Instruction

  A Approval Items
    •School Improvement Plans.........................Carol Waldroop/Nancy Cantrell
       • Cartoogechaye Elementary School
       • East Franklin Elementary School
       • Franklin High School
       • Iotla Valley Elementary School
       • Mountain View Intermediate School
       • Nantahala School
       • South Macon Elementary School

  B Discussion Items

VII Building and Grounds
  
  A Approval Items
    • Nantahala School Security Cameras................Dr Jim Duncan

  B Discussion Items

VIII Business and Finance

  A Approval Items
    •Fund Redistribution - FHS..........................Angie Cook
    •Budget Amendments...................................Angie Cook
       •State
       •Federal
    •Resolution Authorizing the Disposition of 
     Surplus Personal Property..........................Angie Cook

  B Discussion Items

IX Board of Education Information

  A Approval Items

  B Discussion Items

X Superintendent Information

  A Discussion Items
    •Coming Events.......................................Dr Jim Duncan

XI Closed Session

    •NCGS 143-318.11.(a) (6) To consider the qualifications, competence, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employeee or prospective public officer or employee; 
The Board of Education went into a closed session during which Barry Woody was named Principal of Franklin High School, effective July 1, 2013 pending contract negotiations.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Macon County Sheriff Department Operation Medicine Drop Scheduled for Saturday, March 23rd

Operation Medicine Drop photo Operation_Medicine_Drop_set_for_March_220_1363276923_zps4efc0104.jpg




PRESS RELEASE
Sheriff Robert L. Holland (828) 349-2152
Macon County Sheriff’s Office (828) 349-2104
Detention Center (828) 349-2263
Crime Stoppers (828) 349-2600

Visit our agency website for updates and additional information:
http://maconnc.org/sheriff-press-releases.html

DATE: March 19, 2013

OPERATION MEDICINE DROP

The Macon County Sheriff’s Office, Highlands Police Department and Franklin Police Department will participate in Operation Medicine Drop on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Operation Medicine Drop is a partnership of Safe Kids North Carolina, NC State Bureau of Investigation, the Riverkeepers of North Carolina, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of North Carolina and local law enforcement agencies, working together to encourage the public to safely dispose of unused and unwanted medication.

Operation Medicine Drop helps prevent accidental poisonings and drug abuse while protecting our waters. Since 2010, we have collected more than 30 million dosages just during OMD events. North Carolina will hold its 4th annual Operation Medicine Drop March 17-23, 2013 to coincide with National Poison Prevention Week. For more information visit: www.ncsafekids.org or call 828-349-2075.

On March 23rd medications will be collected from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at two locations in Franklin, Kmart and Walmart; and two locations in Highlands, Highlands Pharmacy and Main Street Pharmacy.

Operation Medicine Drop offers the public a free and convenient option to dispose of unwanted and expired medications; it also keeps dangerous narcotics and other controlled substances from being stolen or otherwise diverted by drug abusers and drug dealers to be consumed or distributed illegally.

Sheriff Holland states: “I am asking everyone to dispose of their medications safely and properly and I encourage all residents to take advantage of this program. Please do not flush medications down the drain or dispose of them in trash that ends up in the landfill. Please help us prevent accidental poisonings and drug abuse, and in keeping medications out of the hands of children.”  


Thursday, March 14, 2013

School Superintendent Releases Revised List of Possible Budget Reductions

Macon County Board of Education
Here is an updated list of possible budget reductions put out by the Superintendent of the Macon County School System, Dr Jim Duncan. He intends to present this list to the Board of Education at the monthly meeting this coming Monday. I will be filming that meeting.

This list updates the previous list I have posted at this link. I have embedded a downloadable copy for your convenience.



Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Macon County Commissioners Meeting Agenda 03-12-2013


**9.55pm** Here is the video of the meeting:



Macon County Commissioners Meeting Agenda

The Macon County Commissioners will be meeting tonight at 6pm in the Macon County Courthouse. I have embedded a downloadable copy of the 137 page agenda for your convenience. I will post a link on this article later in the day to my nearly live play by play of the meeting, so check back by around 5pm or so.

NC General Assembly 03-12-2013

If I cover today's sessions, I will embed the audio here at the top of this post.


 photo 62556316.jpg

The current session of the North Carolina General Assembly is underway. Both NC Senate and NC House will be in session today, as well as rules committees of both houses, details of which are posted below.

The NC General assembly has also introduced a new feature called the Chamber Dashboard that allows citizens to follow what is going on in the chambers in real time. So, instead of having to refer back and forth to the PDF from their website, they will be posting the info on screen for you. This will greatly simplify following the action while the General Assembly is in session!

Access to the Senate Chamber is via the top left tab and the House Chamber is via a tab on the upper right. Now, all they need to do is add tabs to access the live audio on the same page and add live video streams...and we'll really be able to watch over the shoulders of our legislators as they go about our business.


If you cannot listen to these meetings live, check back later to see if I have. If I have, I'll post the audio (and a download link) for the meeting in the calendar. You can also follow what is happening in the NC General Assembly by keeping an eye on the hashtag #ncga on Twitter.

If I haven't been able to listen, please check Voter Radio. You should already be subscribing to their podcasts anyway. I do. ???



Here is the legislative calendar...


8:30 AM
Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation (Joint) -- CANCELLED

1228/1327 LB
8:30 AM
Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government (Joint)

1425 LB
8:30 AM
Appropriations Subcommittee on Justice and Public Safety (Joint)

415 LOB
8:30 AM
Appropriations Subcommittee on Education (Joint)

421 LOB
8:30 AM
Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural and Economic Resources (Joint)

423 LOB
8:30 AM
Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services (Joint)

643 LOB
10:00 AM
Judiciary I (Senate)
Mechanics Liens/Technical Corrections (H180)
Public Meeting/Records Law Violations (discussion only) (S125)
1027/1128 LB
10:00 AM
Judiciary II (Senate)
Lily's Law (S117)
1124/1224 LB
10:00 AM
Health and Human Services (House)
Enact CON Committee Recommendations. (H83)
Physician Suprvsn. Required/Nurse Anesthetist. (H181)
1228/1327 LB
11:00 AM
Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources (Senate)
Various Emergency Management Changes (S38)
Limit Regulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (S171)
Cleveland/Polk/Rutherford Trapping Repeal (H33)
544 LOB
11:15 AM
Commerce -- CORRECTED (Senate)
Utilities/Design/Survey Location Services. (S9)
1027/1128 LB
12:00 PM
State and Local Government -- CORRECTED (Senate)
Carrboro Office of Alderman. (S128)
Hookerton/Maysville Satellite Annexations. (S177)
Onslow Public-Private Partnership. (S75)
1124/1224 LB
12:00 PM
Transportation (House)
Permanent License Plates for Charter Schools. (H67)
Require Safety Helmets/18 and Under. (H109)
Revise Laws for Unoccupied School Buses. (H117)
643 LOB
1:00 PM
Session Convenes (House)

House
1:00 PM
Insurance -- CANCELLED (House)
Dept. of Insurance/Public Health Service Act. (H170)
1228/1327 LB
2:00 PM
Session Convenes (Senate)

Senate
4:00 PM
Elections (Public Hearing) -- CORRECTED (House)

643 LOB


Franklin TDA 03-11-2013

Franklin TDA 03-11-2013

The Franklin Tourism Development Authority met last night at 5.30pm in the Town Hall. The TDA tabled all funding requests/decisions until the April meeting, except agreeing to fund Tony Angel Media on a month to month basis until the start of the next fiscal year, then they would agree to an annual contract. The board voted to recommend Cheryl Pullium to the Franklin Aldermen as an acceptable person to fill one of the three vacancies on the TDA Board.

The TDA Room Occupancy Tax Report showed that $3,724.12 was collected for the month of January 2013. Collections for this fiscal year to date were listed as follows:

Collection Period Tax Collected
July 2012
12,199.87
August 2012
10,574.60
September 2012
11,900.99
October 2012
13,809.73
November 2012
6,100.84
December 2012
4,746.80
January 2013
3,742.12

The Franklin TDA Board will be having a retreat to create a strategic marketing plan on March 20, 2013 at 5.30pm in the lower meeting room of the town hall. Their next regular meeting will be on April 8, 2013 at 5.30 pm in the same location.

The video and a downloadable agenda of the meeting are below.



Thursday, March 7, 2013

The Rand Paul Filibuster of March 6, 3013

Rand Paul Filibusters the Nomination of John Brennan

Yesterday, for more than twelve hours, US Senator Rand Paul filibustered the nomination of John Brennan to the post of Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Why? Mainly because President Obama refused to clarify an answer to the question, "Does President Obama believe he can order the killing of an American citizen, on American soil, based on nothing more than his own judgment that the person is a threat?" [Click to read more]

The White House did respond this morning. The response was:


“The president has not and would not use drone strikes against American citizens on American soil,” Carney said at a press briefing.


Source: Outside the Beltway


I have embedded a video of the entire filibuster below, as well as a transcript that you can download and read at your leisure.


He started the filibuster with...
Madam President, I rise today to begin to filibuster John Brennan’s nomination for the CIA. I will speak until I can no longer speak. I will speak as long as it takes until the alarm is sounded from coast to coast that our Constitution is important, that your rights to trial by jury are precious, that no American should be killed by a drone on American soil without first being charged with a crime, without first being found to be guilty by a court. That Americans could be killed in a cafe in San Francisco or in a restaurant in Houston or at their home in Bowling Green, KY, is an abomination. It is something that should not and cannot be tolerated in our country. I do not rise to oppose John Brennan’s nomination simply for the person. I rise today for the principle. The principle is one that, as Americans, we have fought too long and hard for to give up on, to give up on the Bill of Rights, to give up on the fifth amendment protection that says no person shall be held without due process, that no person shall be held for a capital offense without being indicted. This is a precious American tradition and something we should not give up on easily.
and ended it with...
Mr. President, I am hopeful that we have drawn attention to this issue; that this issue won’t fade away; that the President will tomorrow come up with a response. I would like nothing more than to facilitate the voting and the continuation of the debate tomorrow. I hope the President will respond to us. We have tried repeatedly throughout the day, and we will see what the outcome of that is. I would like to thank my staff for being here for a long day, for their help. I would like to thank fellow Senators for being supportive of this cause. I would like to thank the Members of Congress who came over to support this cause, as well as the clerks, the Capitol Police, the staff of the Senate, the doorkeepers–who, apparently, I may have gotten in trouble–and anybody else who came to support us, and even the senior Senator from Illinois, for better or worse, for being here to support the cause. The cause here is one that I think is important enough to have gone through this procedure. I sit at Henry Clay’s desk, and they call Henry Clay the “Great Compromiser.” When I came to Washington, one of my fellow Senators said to me: Oh, I guess you will be the great compromiser. I kind of smiled at him and laughed. I learned a little bit about Henry Clay and his career. People think some of us won’t compromise, but there are many compromises. There are many things on which I am willing to split the difference. If the Democrats will ever come to us and say: We will fix and we will save Social Security, what age we change it to, how fast we do it–there are a lot of things on which we can split the difference. But the issue we have had today is one on which we don’t split the difference. I think you don’t get half of the fifth amendment. I don’t think you acknowledge that the President can obey the fifth amendment when he chooses. I don’t think you acknowledge that the fifth amendment, due process, can somehow occur behind closed doors. So while I am a fan of Henry Clay, I have often said I am a fan of Cassius Clay. Cassius Clay’s weapons of choice were said to be his pen and his Bowie knife. He was said to be so good with the first, that he often had recourse to the latter. He was a fierce abolitionist. He didn’t suffer fools, and he didn’t compromise often. But what I would say is that it is worth fighting for what you believe in. I think the American people can tolerate a debate and a discussion. There has been nothing mean-spirited about this debate for 12 hours. I think, in fact, more of it would be even better. I wish we had more open and enjoined debate. The senior Senator from Illinois has brought up good points, and I think there is much discussion. I just hope that this won’t be swept under the rug and that this isn’t the end of this but that it is the beginning of this. I would go for another 12 hours to try to break Strom Thurmond’s record, but I have discovered there are some limits to filibustering, and I am going to have to go take care of one of those in a few minutes here. But I do appreciate the Senate’s forbearance in this, and I hope that if there are some on the other side of the aisle who have been listening and feel they may agree on some of these issues, they will use their ability to impact the President’s decision and will, No. 1, say the Senate should be trying to restrain the executive branch, Republican or Democratic, and, No. 2, will use their influence to try to tell the President to do what I think really is in his heart, and that is to say: Absolutely, we are not going to be killing Americans not in a combat situation. We will obey the fifth amendment; that the constitution does apply to all Americans and there are no exceptions. I thank you very much for your forbearance, and I yield the floor.
And here is the transcript:

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Press Release: Tubular Products Manufacturer to Locate in Macon County

**1.55pm** Even the Governor is getting in on the act. Scroll down for a press release from the Governor's Office.


Via a press release from Tommy Jenkins, Director of the Macon County Economic Development Commission:



Tubular Products Manufacturer to Locate in Macon County

Franklin Tubular Products Inc, a manufacturer of manipulated tubular assemblies, will locate operations in Macon County. A subsidiary of Tricorn Group PLC, the company has acquired the Franklin facility, business and certain assets of the former Whitley Products Inc. The company plans to create 121 jobs and invest $4 million over the next three years in local operations..

The project was made possible in part by performance based grants from Macon County ($61,500), the Town of Franklin ($61,500) and the One North Carolina Fund ($56,000). These grants are contingent upon a combination of verified job creation and investment performance benchmarks. Appropriate claw-backs are in place if those performance measures are not met.

"This is an example of how government can step up and make a difference," said Kevin Corbin, chairman of the Macon County Board of Commissioners. "This is something we needed to do for the good of the community. We worked hand in hand with the town of Franklin to make the deal happen. By helping save this business, it kept $16,000,000 in payroll here over the next five years. We are extremely happy with the purchaser. I think they are they are going to do great things here."


"We are thrilled to have Franklin Tubular locating in Macon County," said mayor Joe Collins of Franklin. "Over 100 jobs will be saved, an existing manufacturing facility will be put to good use and there is opportunity for future job growth and investment. "

Partners involved in this project include the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community Colleges, Macon County, the Town of Franklin, Macon County Economic Development Commission and Advantage West.

TriCorn Group PLC, based in Malvern UK, is a value added manufactured and specialist manipulator of pipe and tubing assemblies to niche markets worldwide in the Energy & Utilities, Transportation and Aerospace sectors.


###

Press Release from the Governor's Office:



Metal Manufacturer to Create 121 Jobs in Macon County
MARCH 5, 2013 • JOBS AND THE ECONOMY

Raleigh, N.C. -- Today, Governor Pat McCrory and N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced that Franklin Tubular Products Inc., a manufacturer of manipulated tubular assemblies, will locate its operations in Macon County. The company plans to create 121 jobs and invest $4 million over the next three years in Franklin.

“My administration is committed to partnering with businesses to help them succeed,” said Governor McCrory. “We must do more to align educational preparation and training with the needs of our manufacturers and other industries.”

Franklin Tubular Products is a subsidiary of Tricorn Group PLC. As a part of the project, Tricorn acquired the facility, business and assets of Whitley Products. The Franklin facility will continue to manufacture fabricated metal tubes. There are currently more than 100 people employed at that plant.

“North Carolina has a proud heritage in manufacturing,” said Sharon Decker, N.C. Secretary of Commerce. “We want more ‘Made in NC’ products to be sold around the country and around the world, so we are pleased Franklin Tubular Products is locating its operations in Macon County.”

Salaries will vary by job function, but the average annual wages for the new jobs will be $32,102, plus benefits. The Macon County average annual wage is $29,516.

“Following the establishment of our manufacturing facility in China announced last year, this acquisition represents a further and very significant step in the Tricorn business achieving a considerable multi-site global business, delivering global tube solutions to a global OEM customer base,” said Phil Lee, Group Finance Director, Tricorn Group PLC. “We have already started to establish close working relationships with Whitley’s U.S. customer base and this is an ideal platform from which to increase sales in the U.S. for the Franklin facility.”

The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund of up to $56,000. The grant is contingent upon proof of job creation and receipt of a local funding match. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds.

“It is wonderful news to learn that Franklin Tubular Products has purchased the business and certain assets from Whitley Products to keep that operation and its 120 jobs in Franklin,” said Senator Jim Davis. “It is my understanding that an additional $4 million will be invested in the near future to modernize the plant. This achievement is the result of a collaborative effort by Governor McCrory's office, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Macon County Board of Commissioners, the Town of Franklin, the Macon Economic Development Corporation, and Advantage West. This is a great example of what can be accomplished when the appropriate stakeholders work together.”

“I am proud to see North Carolina Governor McCrory and the Department of Commerce, along with Macon County Commissioners, working together to bring jobs to Western North Carolina,” said Rep. Roger West.

Other partners that helped with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community Colleges, Macon County, Macon County Economic Development Commission, AdvantageWest and the Town of Franklin.



Previously


Report: Whitley Products Closes Doors

Monday, March 4, 2013

Franklin Aldermen 03-04-2013

**10.42am** Here is the video of the meeting:


Franklin Town Hall

Well, it's that time again. The Franklin Town Board of Aldermen are meeting and I'll be there to provide a nearly live play by play of the meeting on G+ and on Fakebook. I am still recovering from the flu, so don't expect me to be at 100% capacity just yet.

After the meeting, I'll work on getting a gavel-to-gavel video of the meeting up by sometime Tuesday around noon.

I have the short agenda and full agenda below. Feel free to download the full agenda for your records. It includes the new 'Nuisance Ordinance' that the town will be operating under as it lurches toward a state of Asheville-topia.  





Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen 
Meeting Agenda
Monday March 4, 2013 - 7:00 p.m. 
  1. Call to order -Mayor Collins
  2. Approval of the February 4, 2013 board minutes
  3. Public session
  4. New business
    • Proclamation for National Kids to Parks Day
    • Set public hearing for re-zoning petition for section of Pauline Avenue- Land Use Administrator- Derek Roland
    • Audit Contract with Martin-Starnes- Finance Officer Janet Anderson
  5. Legal
    • Town of Franklin Nuisance Ordinance- John Henning Jr
    • Tax refund and tax release -John Henning Jr
  6. Closed Session
    • N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(4) - to discuss economic development incentives
    • N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6) - to discuss personnel
  7. Adjourn



Friday, March 1, 2013

Private Company to Launch Second Supply Mission to the International Space Station Today

SpaceX Resupply Launch




The private spaceflight company SpaceX will launch an unmanned Dragon space capsule to the International Space Station today on it's second cargo delivery mission for NASA and you can follow the mission live via this video player or, if you have NASA TV on your Satellite or Cable System, you can watch there. For Roku Users, there is a NASA TV App that will allow you to watch the launch live also.

The live coverage begins at 8.30am on the NASA-TV Channel player above and the launch is supposed to take place at 10.10am. There will be a steady parade of people to speak about the various aspects of this mission.

The SpaceX people have a live blog 
(with video) of the launch that is scheduled to begin at 9.30am on their webpage, and they will be having a different lineup of guests to speak about the launch and mission of the spacecraft than NASA will.