The annual general membership meeting of the Friends of the Macon County Public Library will be held this year on Sunday, May 3rd at 2:00pm at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. The meeting will be in conjunction with the dedication of the Virginia Ramsey Brunner Memorial Garden. We hope that you will bring your family and friends to this special event. It will be an opportunity to meet members of the Ramsey family and friends. Your presence will help show appreciation for their generous donation, in honor of their loved one, to our library for this lovely space.
Virginia Ramsey Brunner grew up in the Tellico area of Macon County. The garden honors her memory, with the peaceful sound of a running fountain at its center and surrounded by trees, shrubs, and flowers. Visitors to the library can enjoy a quiet place to relax, read, and visit with friends. This garden was made possible by the generous donations of Virginia’s family and friends.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the Macon County Public Library at 828-524-3600 or www.fontanalib.org.
The Macon County Airport Authority met today at the airport to hold a public hearing and discuss their recommended fiscal year 2015-2016 budget to the Macon County Commissioners. No one from the public attended the meeting, so no one spoke for against the proposed budget.
PRESS RELEASE Local law enforcement to hold 2nd annual Buckle Up, Baby event this weekend
Just days after bringing a child into the world, you strap them up and put them in a car seat for the journey home. Whether it is your first child or your fifth, making sure you are up-to-date and educated an proper car seat safety will be one of the first responsibilities you have to your newborn.
Each year thousands of young children are killed or injured in car accidents. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 650 children ages 12 years and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes, and more than 148,000 were injured in 2011.
The western North Carolina community has come together to help host Buckle Up, Baby!, a free car seat safety clinic, to help battle the alarming statistics.
The Macon County Sheriff's Department, along with the Franklin Police Department and Highlands Police Department have teamed up with Safe Kids of Jackson County to host the second annual Buckle Up, Baby! event to provide families in western North Carolina with the opportunity to get their car seat checked by certified car seat technicians.
The Buckle Up, Baby! event will be held at The Franklin Fun Factory on Sunday, April 26 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Although the event is being held in Macon County, it is open to all families in western North Carolina.
Even though car seats are proven to be the most effective way to prevent serious automobile injuries, nearly 75 percent of all car seats are installed incorrectly. The certified technicians will help figure out if a seat is right for the child and right for the vehicle.
“This is the second year we have hosted this event and after last year, we realized more than ever how important car seat safety is,” said event organizer, Brittney Raby. "Last year, technicians checked 99 car seats and found that about 90 percent of the seats were installed incorrectly. We also had to replace 18 seats that were either outdated, broken, or had been recalled by the manufacturer."
Buckle Up, Baby! is not just for parents, but grandparents, aunts, uncles, caregivers. Anyone who transports children will have an opportunity to learn how to properly install a seat.
Just for attending the event, participants will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win prizes such as tickets to ride the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, a $50 gas card, a brand new car seat, and gift certificates to local businesses.
Children will be treated to goodies like coloring books from Kaylor Insurance Agency, the local Nationwide Insurance agent, event stickers, and books from Read2Me. Macon Program for Progress will also be on hand providing information about their programs and enrollment.
For every child who attend the event, the Franklin Fun Factory will be providing a free $5 bonus free play card for children's to enjoy games inside the factory as well as other specials going on.
Using a car seat is the best protection you can give your child when traveling by car. Car seat use reduces the risk for death to infants (ages less than one year) by 71 percent; and to toddlers (ages 1 to 4 years) by 54 percent in passenger vehicles.
Every state in the United States requires that an infant or small child be restrained. Child safety seats can substantially reduce the risk of a potentially fatal injury, especially for babies but also for toddlers.
Buckle Up, Baby! will be held April 26 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Franklin Fun Factory. For more information, contact Brittney Raby at brittney051888@yahoo.com or (828)508-3003.
The Macon County Commissioners met on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 after a recessed meeting on April 14th [see coverage of that meeting here]. The next meeting will be at 4 pm at the Iotla Valley School and will be a joint work session with the Macon County Board of Education to handle the budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year that starts on July 1, 2015 and ends on June 30, 2016.
Here is the public agenda (I did not receive a press packet for this meeting)
MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
CONTINUED SESSION
APRIL 21, 2015 - 6 p.m.
Reconvene and welcome - Chairman Corbin
Discussion and consideration regarding proposed QZAB funding
Update on change order with Penland Contracting
Revision to service agreement between Macon County and the Highlands Chamber of Commerce
Schedule joint meeting with the town boards of Franklin and Highlands
Schedule a work session with the Macon County Board of Education
Closed session - Attorney-client privilege
Adjourn/Recess
MEDIA ROLL CALL
Macon Media (me)
Macon County News and Shopping Guide
The Franklin Press
WNCC-FM/WFSC-AM
There were also no members of the general public present at the meeting, with only Dr Chris Baldwin, Superintendent of Macon County Schools and Seth Adams, Director of the Macon County recreation Department being present for items that concerned their departments.
Here is a brief overview of what happened during the meeting:
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AT PARKER MEADOWS APPROVED
Macon County Commissioners heard a presentation by Seth Roland, Macon County Recreation Director, about bids for playground equipment at the Parker Meadows Recreation Facility. Commissioners voted 5-0 to go with the $84,192.00 bid put forth by Playground Safety Services.
QZAB FUNDING APPROVED
Commissioners had a long discussion and took several votes (all were 5-0 in favor) on various aspectes of the $2,985,878.00 QZAB Funding being sought by the Macon County Board of Education.
PARKER MEADOWS CHANGE ORDER APPROVED
Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve a change order for the Parker Meadows Project that involved a grant from the North Carolina Community Foundation to Macon County Soil and Water. Penland Contracting will be doing the work.
SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH HIGHLANDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REVISED
Commissioners approved by a vote of 5-0 a revision to the service agreement between the Macon County Commissioners and the Highlands Chamber of Commerce. The county attorney has juggled and improved the wording of the document.
COMMISSIONERS APPROVE JOINT MEETING WITH THE TOWNS OF FRANKLIN AND HIGHLANDS
Derek Roland proposed May 19, 2015 at 6pm at Cowee Heritage Center at the old Cowee School as the annual joint meeting with the Towns of Franklin and Highlands.
COMMISSIONERS TO HOLD JOINT WORK SESSION WITH SCHOOL BOARD
The Macon County Commissioners will hold a joint work session with the Board of Education to tale place at 4 pm on May 7, 2015 at Iotla Valley School. The boards will work on the budget for Macon County Schools for the fiscal year 2015-2016 that begins July 1, 2015 and ends on June 30, 2016.
DEREK TAYLOR APPOINTED TO SERVE ON COUNTY PLANNING BOARD
Commissioner Tate informed the board that Derek Taylor of Highlands had been recommended by the Highlands Town Board of Commissioners as the Highlands Representative on the Macon County Planning Board. The county commissioners voted 5-0 to appoint Mr. Taylor to the county planning board.
COMMISSIONERS VOTE TO SEND LETTER TO RALEIGH IN OPPOSITION OF SUNDAY HUNTING BILL
Commissioner Higdon has brought forth a request for the commissioners to forward a resolution opposing House Bill 640 (Hunting on Sundays on Private Land). After some discussion, commissioners voted 4-1 (Commissioner Tate opposing) to have the letter written and sent. The bill text and voting history can be seen on the NC General Assembly website.
COMMISSIONERS HOLD CLOSED SESSION
Macon County Commissioners went into a closed session under authority of § 143-318.11 (a) (3) "To consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body." For further reading, see paragraph three at this link.
This meeting was recessed until May 7th at 4pm at Iotla Valley School.
The Macon County Commissioners met on April 14, 2015. The meeting lasted over three hours, so I am presenting it as both a full full and as segments.
The entire meeting is not contained in the segments, so if you wish to see all that took place, you'll have to watch the complete video.
FULL MEETING
MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
APRIL 14, 2015
AGENDA
1. Call to order and welcome by Chairman Corbin
2.Announcements
3.Moment of Silence
4.Pledge of Allegiance
5.Public Hearing(s) - 6:00 p.m. - Proposed names for new roads and assigning a range of road numbers in connection with the same - Angie Kinsland/911
Addressing Coordinator
NOTE: The board will consider an amendment to the county's ordinance regarding approval of the new road names and the range of road numbers
immediately following the hearing.
6.Following the public hearing, the board will sit as a Board of Equalization and Review to hear an appeal from Shawnee Meadow Holdings, LLLP, et. al./Richard Boger
7.Public Comment Period
8.Adjustments to and approval of the agenda
9.Reports/Presentations
•Nantahala Hiking Club - Olga Pader
•Macon County Heritage Center at the Historic Cowee School - Bobby Kuppers
•April Is Public Health Month Proclamation - Dawn Wilde Burgess, Community Health Promotion Supervisor/Public Health
10.Old Business
•Second reading on the Macon County Nuisance Ordinance
•Update on status of QZAB funding - County Manager
•Discussion of Memorandum of Understanding with Southwestern Community College
•Discussion regarding Highlands track and softball field renovations
•Consideration of lease agreement with the Division of Workforce Solutions
11.New Business
•Highlands Chamber of Commerce agreement with BCF Agency
•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.
•Minutes of the March 10 regular meeting and the March 31 continued session
•Budget Amendments -- #163, #164
•Tax Releases
•Monthly ad valorem tax collection report
12.Appointments:
•Highlands Area Tourism Development Commission (2 seats)
13.Closed session (if needed)
14.Adjourn/Recess
Here is the full agenda packet that is used by members of the board and shared with members of the local press. Currently, Macon Media is the only one
who makes this public document available to the public without first making them jump through hoops.
The NCDOT has warded a grant to ten municipalities across the state to assist with bicycle and pedestrian planning, and Franklin is one of them. AT the November 2014 meeting fo the town board, the town voted to apply for $36,000 in grant monies at a 10% match. According to the NCDOT, the funds will be awarded in June. The Franklin Town Board will be meeting tonight for their regular April 2015 meeting. More on that at this link.
Here is video of the segment of the meeting where the vote took place:
Here is the press release:
PRESS RELEASE
NCDOT Roadside Environmental Unit
APRIL 6, 2015
RALEIGH- A group of 10 municipalities from across the state are slated to receive assistance with bicycle and pedestrian planning, thanks to grants awarded this month by the N.C. Department of Transportation.
Now in its twelfth year, the grant program helps North Carolina cities and towns develop a comprehensive overall strategy for expanding bicycle and pedestrian opportunities within a given community.
The municipalities selected are scattered across various regions of the state. Recipients were selected from a pool of 26 applications by an awards committee comprised of transportation planners from across the state, including representatives of regional planning organizations and councils of government, local governments and NCDOT staff from multiple units.
Recipients this year include:
• Canton (joint bicycle/pedestrian plan)
• Fairmont (joint bicycle/pedestrian plan)
• Franklin (joint bicycle/pedestrian plan)
• Hendersonville (bicycle plan)
• High Point (pedestrian plan)
• Lenoir (bicycle plan)
• Newport (bicycle/pedestrian plan)
• Rutherfordton (bicycle/pedestrian plan)
• Wendell (pedestrian plan)
• Windsor (bicycle/pedestrian plan)
The planning grant initiative is jointly sponsored by the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation and NCDOT’s Transportation Planning Branch. To date, approximately $4,332,000 has been awarded to 164 communities through the planning grant program.
Plans funded are not for one specific project, but represent a comprehensive strategy for expanding bicycle and pedestrian opportunities within a given municipality. These plans address facilities, programs, services and regulations that encourage safe walking and bicycling.
For more information on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative; contact NCDOT’s Division of Bicycle & Pedestrian Transportation or visit the Planning Grant Initiative website.
The Franklin Town Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight at 7pm for their regular April 2015 meeting. It is likely that there will be an additional meeting this month to address the budget for the 2015 - 2016 fiscal year. After tonight's meeting, the video and additional supporting documents will be posted at the top of this article.
Here is the public agenda, followed by the 98 page agenda packet that is shared with members of the media. Currently, neither the town nor the other local media outlets share this information with the general public.
Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen
Agenda
Monday April 6, 2015 7:00 p.m.
1. Call to Order - Mayor Bob Scott
2. Pledge of Allegiance - Vice Mayor Verlin Curtis
3. Adoption of April 6, 2015 Proposed Agenda
4. Approval of the March 2, 2015 Board Minutes
5. Public Hearing 7:05 p.m. for Re-zoning Petition for Three (3) Parcels on Siler Rd.
6. Public Session
7. New Business
A.) Board Action on Re-Zoning Petition on Three (3) Parcels on Siler RD.
B.) Proclamation for Public Health Month - Mayor Bob Scott
C.) Proclamation for Neuropathy Awareness Week - Vice Mayor Verlin Curtis
D.) Proclamation for Appalachian Trail Celebration Period 2015 - Mayor Bob Scott
E.) Proclamation for Appalachian Trail Community Partnership Renewal - Bill Van Horn
F.) Presentation from Duke Energy Regarding Hydrilla - Duke District Manager Lisa Leatherman
G.) Discussion on Banners - Larry Hollifield
H.) Set Public Hearing for Special Use Permit Application - Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
I.) Forward Re-Zoning Petition for Watauga St and Dan ST to Planning Board - Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
J.) Re-Appointment of Peter Mosco to the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment - Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
K.) Tax Releases - Tax Collector Jessie Wilkins
L.) Town of Franklin Audit Contract with Martin-Starnes - Town Manager Summer Woodard
M.) Budget Amendment - Town Manager Summer Woodard
N.) Agreement for Engineering Services for Water Plant Upgrade and Expansion - Town Manager Summer Woodard
O.) Franklin Main Street Program - Town Manager Summer Woodard
P.) Water Line Easement for Industrial Park RD - Town Manager Summer Woodard
Q.) Application for Wireless Telecommunication Eligible Facilities Request 90 Cunningham Rd - Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
8. Legal
A.) North Carolina Department of Transportation Deed for Highway Right or Way - Town Manager Summer Woodard
To submit releases for publication, email me here. This includes Guest Commentaries. If you have a photo that you wish me to use with your press release or article, please send it to me, otherwise I'll use whatever I feel best fits your article.
Letters to the Editor
Send Letters to the Editor to editor@MaconMedia. Limit is one submission every seven days. You may include photos, video or audio. Submissions will be edited for vulgarity or similar reasons. Limit submissions to less than 10,000 words. LOL
For a quicker response, send me a message on Twitter or add me to a circle on Google Plus and send it just to me.
If you have been sending me press releases via my private email address, that will continue to work just fine. The Twitter or Google+ account will get my attention quicker.
NON PROFIT OR CIVIC EVENTS
Macon Media will promote nonprofit or civic events if contacted by an organizer of the event. This includes rallies, protests, community forums, and parades. Messeanger Link http://m.me/MaconMediaNews
If you're of a mind, and can afford it, a dollar a month (or more) from enough people will make a huge difference in improving the quality of coverage of local meetings and events, as well as allowing remote weather stations and weather cams to be deployed throughout the county that you will be able to access online.
Currently, 20 people have pledged $99 a month. This is a tremendous help. Please visit www.patreon.com/MaconMedia for more information on how to contribute.
Businesses can underwrite this coverage by day sponsorships, surplus equipment donations, etc. Inquire at editor@maconmedia.com for more information.
Donations accepted for the purpose of supporting this blog and activities related to improving it's operations and my coverage of local festivals and local government meetings.
Posts
