Refuse and Recycling Workers/Vehicles added to NC Move Over Law

Starting October 1st, workers collecting refuse and materials for recycling will be added to to the state's move over law that requires drivers to move over one lane away (when it is safe to do so) from police, emergency, public service, highway maintenance or utility vehicle that is parked within 12 feet of the highway and is flashing warning lights.

Failing to slow down or move over could result in a citation that comes with a mandatory fine of $250 (plus court costs and a possible increase in insurance points). Damage or injuries resulting from a failure to move over brings a fine of $500. If significant damage is caused to the area of the emergency vehicle — or if emergency personnel or utility crew members are injured — the person is charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. Serious injury or death caused by violating this statute can be punished by a Class I felony, along with a six-month license suspension.

The updated “Move Over” Law passed unanimously in both the House and Senate and was signed by Governor Pat McCrory on May 21. It becomes effective October 1, 2015.

Source: NC Representative Roger West 

Read the law on the NC General Assembly website 

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Macon County Republicans Hold 2014 Convention

On Saturday, the Macon County Republican Party held it's annual convention (video excerpts are posted below) at the Community Facilities Building on the Georgia Road. Some 160 people attended the event, socializing and meeting with candidates for various local and state offices. The musical group Blue Ridge performed a couple of songs in tribute of America and Congressman Mark Meadows and the Seniro Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court spoke to the standing room only crowd. The party recognized Richard and Kate Robb for their contributions of a life of service to the country and to the party.

During the precinct meetings, a record 68 people signed up to become delegates to the district and state conventions (there are only 40 allotted slots).

Party Chairman Carla Miller reminded everyone of the candidate forum that will be held in the community facilities building on Saturday, March 29th at 2pm and the grand opening of the new Republican party headquarters at 555 Depot Street at noon on April 1st.

Other events on the calendar are:

GEM Country Republican Women's Club Luncheon
Tuesday, March 18th at 11:15AM
Speaker: NC Court of Appeals Judge Donna Stroud

District 11 GOP Convention
Saturday, April 26th
Lunch: 11:00AM
Convention: 1:00PM
Tuscola High School in Waynesville, NC

North Carolina State GOP Convention
June 6th and 7th
Harrah's Casino, Cherokee, NC

Here are video excerpts of the convention:

I Introduction, Invocation and Musical Tribute to America



II Recognition of Richard and Kate Robb



III Remarks by Congressman Mark Meadows




MEDIA ROLL CALL

Macon Media (me)
The Franklin Press (a reporter AND a photographer)

The other media outlets were absent from this event.

The Macon County Democratic Party will be holding their annual convention on Saturday, April 5th at 11am in the Macon County Courthouse. Macon Media plans on being their to cover this event also.

I have decided to start selling DVDs of events again in an effort to raise funds so I can replace aging and borrowed equipment that I use to record and process videos of the various meetings and events.

DVDs of this event are available. 

Please send a check or money order for $10 to:

Robert Coggins, Jr
39 Phillips Street, Suite #2
Franklin, NC 28734

Please indicate "Macon GOP 2014" in the memo section of the check or money order and I will send you a DVD in the mail.

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The Summer Meeting of the Macon County Republican Party

The Macon County Republican Party held it's summer meeting last night at the Boiler Room restaurant in Franklin, NC. Please visit their website to find out how you can become involved.

After the meal, Roger West presented Wayne Carringer with a Bataan Survivor Medallion from the Macon County Republican Party. More information on Wayne Carringer's experiences in World War II, including his eyewitness account of the detonation of an atomic bomb over Nagasaki, Japan can be found at this website.

A video of that follows:



Wayne Carringer leads the pledge and is presented with a Bataan Survivor Medallion by Roger West.

Then the party, led by Chairman Chris Murray, took care of business and the various clubs made a series of announcements about upcoming events.



Mark Meadows thanked those gathered for their support during the primary and the runoff. He remarked that 80% of Maconians voted for him in the runoff and he looked forward to the general election.

Please visit his website for more information on his campaign.



Justice Paul Newby dedlivered the keynote address. He is running for re-election to the North Carolina Supreme Court. Please visit his website for more information.

Here are some of the photos that I took at the meeting:


Wayne Carringer leads the pledge of alleigance to the flag.


Macon County Republicans listen to a speaker at the Boiler Room Restaurant.


Mark Meadows thanks Macon County Republicans for their support during the two primaries held this spring.


Roger West poses for a photo. Please visit his website for more information on how you can help him win re-election.


Gary Dills and Jenine Crossman enjoy a conversation.


Mark Meadows and Wayne Carringer.


 Chris Murray and Paul Newby pose for a photo with some of the fabulous ladies of the Gem Country Republican Women's Club. Please visit their website for more information on their activities and for information to join them in their efforts.


A gratuitous photo of the beautiful sunset that was taking place after the meeting was over.


Another gratuitous photo of the beautiful sunset that was taking place after the meeting was over.

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Republican Candidates Campaign in Franklin, NC

US Senator Richard Burr made a campaign stop in Franklin, NC over the weekend, and was the keynote speaker at an event called the Republican Roundup hosted by the Macon County Republican Party.


Here are a few videos from the event of various people running for election to state and federal offices:





Roger West, seeking re-election the NC House in the 120th District.



Jim Davis, seeking election to the NC Senate in the 50th District.



Dodie Allen, seeking election to the NC House in the 119th District.



Judge Ann Marie Calabria is seeking re-election to the NC Court of Appeals.



Judge Barbara Jackson is seeking election to the NC Supreme Court.



Jeff Miller, seeking election to the US House in the 11th District of North Carolina.



US Senator Richard Burr is seeking re-election to the US Senate from North Carolina.


You can see a portion of the event as webcast live that includes material I haven't included in these videos on a previous post. 


Most of the local Republican candidates were there, and the meeting room was packed with a standing room only crowd. I also saw Kenny West, who ran in the primary earlier this year foe US House. He was there to support his fomrer opponent, Jeff Miller, in his run to replace Congressman Heath Shuler this November. So far, he is the only one of Jeff Miller's former opponents that I have seen actually making an effort to support the winner of the Republican Primary. 


Local Republicans are enthusiastic about this election like none I have seen before. 


A Brief Primer on the 2010 Elections:

US Senator Richard Burr Campaigns in Franklin, NC

Live Broadcast Today at 4pm
Republican Roundup in Franklin, NC
Featuring US Senator Richard Burr and Other Candidates

Jim Davis for North Carolina State Senate

Update on 2010 Federal Races in NC

Important 2010 NC Election Dates and Sample Ballots

Instant Runoff Voting Strategy for NC Court of Appeals

New Jeff Miller Ad:
"Politicians"

A Letter from Vic Drummond
Independent for Macon County Commissioner

Miller Campaign Polling Shows Congressman Shuler Below 50% in Re-election Bid

Flashback: 2008 NC-11 Congressional Election Results
Margin of Victory by County

Greg Newman Thanks His Volunteers,
Congratulates Jeff Miller on Victory

Jeff Miller Wins Six-Way Primary With 40.15 %;
Dan Eichenbaum Calls for Recount

NC-11 Congressional Money Race Review

11th District Republican Party 2010 Convention
Congressional Candidates Campaign Speeches

Slide Show of the 2010 NC-11 GOP Convention

11th Congressional District Poll

Money is Important in Congressional Races

Bill Fishburne Calls Shenanigans on the Asheville Tea Party

2010 Election Update:
Buncombe County Candidates

Macon County Candidate Filings Update
(New Candidates File)

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Macon County Republicans Gather at 9/11 Memorial Picnic

Macon County Republicans gathered Saturday for a 9/11 Memorial Picnic at the big picnic shelter in the Macon County Veterans Memorial Park in Franklin, NC. There was food, fellowship and memories of that terrible day on 9/11/2001.















Macon County Sheriff Robbie Holland was one of the first speakers, and he shared memories of 9/11 with the crowd. He is running for re-election this year, and here is his campaign website.

There were several speakers at the event, including Jim Davis. He is a Macon County Commissioner who is challenging John Snow for the District 50 seat in the NC Senate, and he spoke a little about his campaign effort:











Visit his campaign website for more information.

Dodie Allen, always a crowd pleaser, spoke about her campaign and conservatism. She is challenging Phil Haire for the 119th District seat in the NC House:













I was unable to get footage of Roger West, who is running for re-election in the 120th NC House District, because I was in line getting food. As always, he was a man of few words and got to the point of remembering what happened on 9/11/2001.









Several of the candidates had the opportunity to meet with one another and share their experiences on the campaign trail and meet with voters during the picnic. Pictured here are Dodie Allen (L) and Ron Haven (R).











Ron Haven is running for one of the two seats on the Macon County Board of Commissioners in District II. Visit his campaign website to find out more about him.







Kristina Earwood is running for a seat as a 30th District Judge in western North Carolina. Visit her campaign website for information about her.





In addition to some of the speeches above, there were raffles and door prizes awarded and karaoke. There was a highly entertaining group rendition of the song "YMCA". The Gem Country republican Women did an excellent job putting this event together and kept things running smoothly. Gary Dills, chairman of the Macon County Republican Party, was the master of Ceremonies. Visit the Macon GOP website to see what else is coming up during the campaign season.

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