Not Enough Homes or Businesses Damaged in 2015 Christmas Holiday Storm to Qualify for State Assistance in Recovery

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety has notified Macon County that not enough damage was caused by the storms that struck Macon County over the Christmas holidays to qualify for state assistance. A press release from the Macon County Emergency Management and a copy of the memo from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety are posted for your convenience.



Press Release
Macon County Emergency Management
Released Jan 29, 2016
Posted Jan 30, 2016

Macon County has been notified that damages the occurred as a result of severe weather during the Christmas holidays will not be eligible for assistance through the Individual Assistance Program of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. Although the damages that occurred were overall a significant amount, there were not at least 25 primary homes, businesses or other eligible institutions that sustained major damage to request additional assistance.

End Press Release

A copy of the memo to Macon County Emergency Services regarding the results of the PDA (Property Damage Assessment) conducted by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety on January 7th and 8th is posted below.

Memo From NCDPS January 2016

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2016 Mid-Year Review Begins Annual Budget Process for Macon County

The Macon County Commissioners held their annual mid-year budget review and budget work session on January 26, 2016. Video and supporting documents are posted in this article. A text play by posted from the meeting can be seen on Facebook.

VIDEO




MEDIA ROLL CALL
(media outlets present at the meeting)

Macon Media
Macon County News and Shopping Guide
WFSC-AM/WNCC-FM
The Franklin Press


Here is the agenda and the proposed calendar for the budget planning process:

Here is what the process looked like the last three times the commissioners met to begin the annual budget process:

2015

2014

2013

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Nathan Henry March 13, 1947 - January 11, 2016

Nathan Henry, of the Burningtown Community, was laid to rest on Sunday, January 17, 2016 in cemetery of Burningtown Baptist Church.

He was born on May 13, 1947 and was drafted into the Army in Septmeber 1966 and was serving in Vietnam in February 1967. His unit was overrun by the NVA on July 12, 1967 and he was captured and held prisoner by the Vietnamese until March 5, 1973. He retired from the Army in 1974.

Below are video and photos taken on Sunday, January 17, 2016 at Macon Funeral Home and at the Burningtown Baptist Church Cemetery for those of you who could not attend due to weather and space considerations. Also, a list of his authorizations and Acknowledgements, then some videos taken of Nathan in 2012 when Macon County sought to recognize his service to the nation and the community.


Rifle Salute



Excerts of Graveside Rites


Photos

Flickr Album




Nathan's Authorizations and Acknowledgments

USS Pueblo Crises and National Security Alert
Appreciation of Honorable Service
Cold War Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Good Conduct Medal
Honorable Service Lapel Pin
Marksman Badge
Honorable Discharge
National Defense Medal
Ocean Crossing Acknowledgment
Overseas Service Bar
Prisoner of War Medal
Professional, Infantry Corps
Retirement Acknowledgment
Valorous Unit Ribbon
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Advisory
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Air Defensive
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Defense
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Counteroffensive
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Air Counteroffensive
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Air Offensive
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Air/Ground
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Tet Counteroffensive
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Air Offensive Phase III
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Counteroffensive Phase IV
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Counteroffensive Phase V
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Air Offensive Phase IV
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Counteroffensive Phase VI
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Tet 1969 Counteroffensive
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Summer-Fall 1969
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Winter-Spring 1970
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Sanctuary Counteroffensive
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Southwest Monsoon
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Counteroffensive Phase VII
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Commando Hunt V
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Commando Hunt VI
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Consolidation I
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Commando Hunt VII
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Consolidation II
Vietnam Combat Campaign: Cease Fire
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Service Medal Medal
Vietnam, Civil Action
Vietnam, Cross of Gallantry, Indiv Medal
Vietnam, Cross of Gallantry, Unit Ribbon



A Conversation with Nat Henry by Catherine Roberts

A Conversation with Nat Henry from Catherine Roberts on Vimeo.
This is a conversation with Nat Henry who is a Vietnam Vet. He was a POW for 2.094 days. He talks about being drafted into the army, his capture and release. This is followed by his reflection on being awarded a Quilt of Valor.
Medallion of Honor Presentation Ceremony
September 26, 2012


Article with text of resolution

Nathan B Henry Bridge Dedication
October 12, 2012


Article with photos



Sources

Patriot Guard Riders Forum

Macon Funeral Home Obituary

POW Network Bio

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Macon County Board of Education Changes Jan and Feb Meeting Times, Plans to Begin Meetings in Closed Session

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY MEETING DAYS CHANGED

The Macon County Board of Education has rescheduled the Thursday, January 28th meeting of the board to Monday, February 1st and the meeting that was scheduled for Monday, February 22nd has been moved to Monday, February 29th.

MEETING TIMES CHANGED

All regular scheduled meetings of the school board in 2016 are to start at 6 pm with an Executive, or Closed, Session. The board will then come back into Open Session at 6:30 pm.

Macon Media will be there covering these meetings, but there will be no live video stream from these meetings.

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County Commissioners to begin 2016/207 budget planning

The Macon County Commissioners will be holding their annual mid year budget review on Tuesday, January 26th at 1 pm and here is the meeting agenda and proposed budget calendar for the budget process.

The meeting is open to the public.

Here is the agenda and the proposed calendar for the budget planning process:

Here is what the process looked like the last three times the commissioners met to begin the annual budget process:

2015

2014

2013

Macon Media intends to be there and will stream live video from the meeting.

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Macon County Commissioners January 2016 Regular Meeting Agenda

**update Jan 14th** Here is the video and a copy of the Hazard Mitigation Plan for Macon and Clay County that was approved during the meeting.



VIDEO 
(now with a Table of Contents and internal navigation between segments of the meeting for those without the intestinal fortitude to watch the whole meeting)




During the meeting, commissioners approved a Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan for Macon and Clay Counties. A copy is currently available on the county website. I have also posted it below in case it disappears from the website.

REGIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

Clay Macon Hazard Mitigation Plan

MEDIA ROLL CALL
(the media outlets that had reporters physically present at the meeting)

Macon Media (me)
Macon County News and Shopping Guide
The Smoky Mountain News
WFSC-AM/WNCC-FM
The Highlander
The Franklin Press

The commissioners will be meeting again on Tuesday, January 26th at 1 pm in the commissioner boardroom to hold an abbreviated version of the annual start of the budget process. The county manager said this meeting would probably only last a couple of hours.


The remainder of the supporting documents were posted before the meeting and are below.






The Macon County Commissioners will be meeting tonight at 6 pm in the county commissioner boardroom on the third floor of the Macon County Courthouse. Here is the public agenda, the press packet and a copy of the comprehensive financial report of the Fiscal Year 2015 that ran from July 2014 to June 2015.


Public Agenda

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JANUARY 12, 2016
AGENDA

NOTE: The presentation of county service awards will begin at 5 p.m. in the commission boardroom, followed immediately by a reception for service award recipients to be held in the third-floor hallway of the courthouse. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m.

• Call to order and welcome by Chairman Corbin
  
• Announcements
  
• Moment of Silence
  
• Pledge of Allegiance
  
• Public Hearing(s) - NONE
  
• Public Comment Period
  
• Additions to agenda
  
• Adjustments to and approval of the agenda
  
• Reports/Presentations
  • Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2014-15 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report - Jill Vang, Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs
  • Presentation regarding U.S. Forest Service recommendations for wilderness in the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Management Plan - Michelle Ruigrok, Outreach Coordinator for The Wilderness Society
• Old Business
  • Macon County Public Health Billing Guide and Fee Schedules - Public Health Director Jim Bruckner
  • Change to building inspections fee schedule (follow up to fee analysis) - County Manager
  • Consideration of Golden LEAF Foundation commitment letter - Lynda Parlett, Southwestern Community College
  • Change orders for Union Academy and Highlands School renovation projects - Terry Bell, Macon County Schools
• New Business
  • Bond counsel engagement letter for 2016 financing of landfill expansion - Finance Director
  • Resolution to adopt the Clay Macon Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan - Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe
  • Ratification of December 28, 2015 e-mail poll of the board regarding consensus on Co-Op property - County Manager
  • Contract with Kimble's Commissary to provide services for the Macon County Jail - County Attorney and Sheriff Holland
  • Consideration of easement dissolution - County Manager and County Attorney
• Consent Agenda - Attachment #12
  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 December 8, 2015 regular meeting and the December 18, 2015 called meeting
  • Budget Amendments #82 and #83
  • Tax Releases
  • Monthly ad valorem tax collection report
• Appointments
  • Planning Board (one seat, Town of Highlands representative)
• Closed session - Per G.S. 143-381.11(3), with regard to attorney-client privilege
  
• Recess until January 26, 2016 at 1 p.m. in the commission boardroom on the third floor of the Macon County Courthouse, 5 West Main Street, Franklin, NC 28734.

Press Kit

Jan 2016 Macon Commissioners Press Kit

Financial Report

Macon County FY 2015 Financial Report

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Franklin Tourism Development Authority Regular January 2016 Meeting

The Franklin Tourism Development Authority met late yesterday afternoon in the lower level of the Franklin town hall for their regular January 2016 meeting. the board heard from the Financial Subcommittee and the Franklin Appalachian Trail Community Committee and voted to decline an advertising opportunity with Allison Outdoor Advertising. The video, public agenda and the agenda that is shared with the local media outlets are posted below. The next meeting is scheduled for February 8th at 5:30 pm at the same location and time.



MEDIA ROLL CALL
(members of the media that are physically present)

Macon Media (me)
Macon County News and Shopping Guide
The Franklin Press

VIDEO (now includes a table of contents for easier internal navigation)




PUBLIC AGENDA

PRESS PACKET

Franklin TDA Jan 2016 Press Packet

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Sustainable trail work to start on the Upper Chattooga Wild and Scenic River

PRESS RELEASE
National Forests in North Carolina
160A Zillicoa Street
Asheville, NC 28801
Mike Wilkins (828) 524-6441
January 8, 2016

Gainesville, Ga. (January 8, 2016) - Beginning in December 2015, forest visitors may notice new signage and trail work at some access sites on the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River. These improvements are part of the continuing implementation of the 2012 Chattooga River final decisions.

"Boaters, hikers and fisherman alike will now have designated and safe access to this incredible resource" said Nantahala District Ranger, Mike Wilkins. "We are pleased to protect the wild and scenic values of the river while providing sustainable trails, put-ins and take-outs."

Within the river corridor, the agency will implement sustainable river access trails for boaters and other forest visitors at the following locations:

North Carolina: Nantahala Ranger District

• Greens Creek trail (put-in only), construct 0.28 miles of trail with access at the Greens Creek trail and Chattooga intersection.
• County Line trail (put-in and take out), designate and reconstruct 1.2 miles of an old road bed as a trail with access just downstream of Norton Mill Creek.
• Bullpen Bridge (put-in and take out), designate a river put-in less than 100 feet upstream of the bridge and construct and designate a short trail below the bridge.

Georgia: Chattooga RiverRanger District

• Burrell Ford Bridge(put-in and take-out), designate and reconstruct about 200 feet of trail,decommission two user-created trails and conduct maintenance work at the parking areato reduce sediment impacts on the river.

South Carolina: Andrew Pickens Ranger District

• Lick Log Creek (take-out only), construct and designate about 500 feet of new trail.

 "Work through out the river corridor  may take several seasons to complete" added Wilkins."Currently existing interim access points will remain open for use until work at the approved access sites is completed."

The final decisions do not reopen the 2012 final decision allowing boating in the upper segment ofthe Chattooga Wild and Scenic River, and boating in this corridor will still require a permit withregulations in place for seasons and flow. Additionally, all put-ins, take-outs and other access workis strictly limited to National Forest System lands.

For specific details on district final decisions, please contact the following individuals:

• North Carolina, Mike Wilkins at (828) 524-6441
• Georgia, Holly Krake at (770) 297-3095
• South Carolina, Gwyn Ingramat (803) 561-4007

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Franklin Aldermen -- January 2016

The Franklin Town Board of Aldermen met last night for their first meeting of 2016. The full video is posted below and has a Table of Contents that will allow you to navigate to segments within the video if you have neither the time nor the intestinal fortitude to sit through the whole thing. You may wish to pause the video after the Table of Contents appear to choose what segment you wish to watch. In order to return to the Table of Contents to chose another segment, please click on the Table of Contents annotation on the upper left of the video.


The agenda that is shared with the public and the agenda that is given to board members and shared with members of the media is posted below that. A text play by play of the meeting is posted over on Facebook.

MEDIA ROLL CALL
(media outlets physically present at the meeting)

Macon Media
Macon County News and Shopping Guide
WFSC-AM/WNCC-FM
The Franklin Press
The Smoky Mountain News

Next Meeting

The Aldermen will be meeting next for their annual retreat on Saturday January 23, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. in the lower level of Town Hall. It is the intent of Macon Media to stream live video the whole retreat for the public who cannot attend.

Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen

Regular Scheduled Meeting

Agenda Monday January 4, 2016 7:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order- Mayor Bob Scott
2. Pledge of Allegiance- Vice Mayor Patti Abel
3. Adoption of the January 4, 2016 Town Board Agenda
4. Approval of the December 7, 2015 Town Board minutes
5. Public Hearing 7:05 p.m. for Special Use Permit Application for Scenic Ridge Development
6. Public Session
7. New Business
     A.) Board Action on Special Use Permit Application for Scenic Ridge Development
     B.) Presentation on Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Town of Franklin Audit- Martin Starnes Associate Cassie Wilson
     C.) Update from Appalachian Trail Committee- Bill Vanhorn
     D.) Set Public Hearing for Text Amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance Regarding Tasting Rooms- Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
     E.) Forward Re-Zoning Petition for Carolina Mountain Drive to the Town Planning Board- Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
     F.) Entegra Bank Account Signatories- Town Manager Summer Woodard and Town Finance Officer Kyra Doster
     G.) Competitive Bidding Purchasing Program NJPA and HGACBUY for the Town of Franklin- Town Manager Summer Woodard and Town Finance Officer Kyra Doster
     H.) Town Board Appointment to Orchard View Apartments Board- Town Manager Summer Woodard
     I.) Town Board Committee Appointments- Mayor Bob Scott
8. Legal
     A.) Discussion Regarding Town of Franklin Code of Ordinances Chapter 32 and Chapter 91- Town Attorney John Henning Jr, Town Manager Summer Woodard and Town Clerk Chad Simons
     B.) Policy for Police Body Camera's- Town Attorney John Henning Jr, Town Manager Summer Woodard and Police Chief David Adams
     C.) Town of Franklin Mercury Minimization Plan- Town Attorney John Henning Jr and Town Manager Summer Woodard
9. Announcements
     A.) Town Hall Offices will be closed Monday January 18, 2016 for Martin Luther King Jr Day
     B.) Town Board Retreat will be Saturday January 23, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. in the Town Hall Board room
10. Adjourn

AGENDA PACKET
This agenda packet was shared with the media and Macon Media, in the interest of transparency, is sharing this public document with the public.

Press Packet Franklin Aldermen - Jan 2016 by Thunder Pig

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