Agenda Packet for the November 5, 2018 Meeting of the Franklin Town Council

**UPDATE** 2:06 am on November 6, 2018. Here is the gavel to gavel video of the meeting.







The Franklin Town Council will be having their regular monthly meeting Monday, November 5, 2018, in the lower level of the town hall at 6 pm. The public agenda and agenda packet are posted below in order to promote transparency in local government.


DAY SPONSOR

Macon Media is being underwritten today by the Giles for Sheriff Campaign.

A Chili & Soup Dinner with Eric Giles will be taking place at the Nantahala Community Center on Thursday, November 1, 2018, at 5 PM – 7 PM. [LINK]

For more information on the campaign, please visit the following:

Facebook: [LINK]

Website: [LINK]



Public Agenda


Franklin Town Council
Agenda
November 5, 2018
6:00 pm

I. Call to Order- Mayor Bob Scott

2. Pledge of Allegiance- Vice Mayor Barbara McRae

3. Approval of the October 1, 2018 Town Council Minutes

4. Adoption of the November 5, 2018 Town Council Agenda

5. Public Hearing 6:05 p.m. for the Proposed Economic Development Agreement for Project Wayah

6. Public Session

7. New Business
A.) Board Action on Proposed Economic Development Agreement for Project Wayah- Town Attorney John Henning Jr.
B.) Street Closing Request for Franklin Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade- Linda Harbuck
C.) Street Closing Request for Ruby Drop- Tim Crabtree
D.) Set Public Hearing for Re-Zoning Petition for Hendon Properties- Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
E.) Re-Appointment of Andrew Raby to the Town Planning Board- Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
F.) Re-Appointment of Tom Harris to the Town Planning Board- Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
G.) Discussion on Town of Franklin Travel Policy- Town Manager Summer Woodard and Human Resource Director Travis Tallent
H.) Discussion on Letter of Support for the Town of Highlands US 64 Truck Route Restrictions- Mayor Bob Scott
I.) Discussion on Blue Zones Project- Mayor Bob Scott
J.) Discussion on Alcohol Beverage Control Board- Council Member David Culpepper

8. Legal
A.) Discussion on Lazy Hiker Lease Agreement- Town Attorney John Henning Jr. and Town Manager Summer Woodard
B.) Closed Session for Discussion on Economic Development Incentives, N.C.G.S. 143-318 (a) (4)

9. Announcements
A.) Veterans Day and Ceremony will be Monday November 12, 2018 at 10:30 a.m.
B.) Town Hall Offices will be closed Monday November 12, 2018 in observance of Veterans Day
C.) Town Hall Offices will be closed Thursday November 22, 2018 and Friday November 23, 2018 for Thanksgiving
D.) Winter Wonderland will be Saturday November 24th and Saturday December 1st, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

10. Adjournment


Agenda Packet

FTC Agenda Packet 11-05-2018 by Bobby Coggins on Scribd

CROWDFUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES


If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month.



Become a Patron!
If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only. Macon Media rewards early sponsors/underwriters with lifetime guaranteed low rates while newer sponsors/underwriters pay higher rates based on the date they first support Macon Media.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online.

Published at 3:00 pm on November 1, 2018

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September 5, 2017 Meeting Franklin Town Board

The Franklin Town Board will be meeting tonight at 7 pm. Live video will be streamed at PeriscopeTV. [LINK] This button will indicate when Macon Media is broadcasting live @MaconMedia **update** Due to a forgotten tripod adapter, there will be no live video.

VIDEO OF MEETING

MEDIA ROLL CALL
(media outlets with personnel present)

Macon Media
The Franklin Press
The Macon County NEws and Shopping Guide (reporter and publisher)
WNCC-FM/WFSC-AM

Candidates for Office (other than those serving on the board)

David Culpepper
Jimbo Ledford
Greg Raby

Elected Official (other than those on the board)

None


A copy of the public agenda and the agenda packet that is shared with members of the media and the sunshine list are posted below in the interest of transparency.

PUBLIC AGENDA

Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen

Agenda

September 05, 2017 | 7:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order- Mayor Bob Scott
2. Pledge of Allegiance- Vice Mayor Patti Abel
3. Adoption of the September 5, 2017 Town Board Agenda
4. Approval of August 7, 2017 Town Board Minutes
5. Public Session
6. New Business

A.) Proclamation for Constitution Week 2017 - Mayor Bob Scott
B.) Presentation on Whitmire Proposal -Town Manager Summer Woodard
C.) Street Closing Request for Centro Comunitario - Town Manager Summer Woodard
D.) Presentation by Applicants for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Non-Profit Funding Pool
E.) Budget Amendments - Finance Officer Kyra Doster
F.) Tourism Development Authority Budget Amendment - Town Manager Summer Woodard
G.) Appointment to the Town Planning Board - Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
H.) Permission to Advertise Vacancy on Town Planning Board -Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
I.) Discussion on Sign Placement for Civic Clubs - Town Manager Summer Woodard
J.) Adoption of Policy Authorizing Town Department Heads to make Purchases - Town Manager Summer Woodard and Finance Officer Kyra Doster
K.) Tax Bills for 2017 - Town Manager Summer Woodard
L.) Designation of Voting Delegate for NCLM Annual Conference - Town Manager Summer Woodard
M.) Tax Releases - Town Manager Summer Woodard
N.) Appointment of Town Tax Collector - Town Manager Summer Woodard
O.) Update on Flood Insurance Program - Land Use Administrator Justin Setser

7. Legal
A.) Contract for Engineering Services for the Water Treatment Plant - Town Attorney John Henning Jr.
B.) Discussion on North Carolina Brunch Bill - Town Council Member Adam Kimsey and Town Attorney John Henning Jr.
8. Announcements
A.) Set Continuation meeting for Tuesday September 19, 2017 at 5:30 p.m.
B.) NCLM Annual Conference September 20-23, 2017
9. Continuation

AGENDA PACKET

Franklin Town Board Agenda 09-05-2017 by Bobby Coggins on Scribd

DAY SPONSOR

Carrion Tree Service is underwriting the daily weather briefing and public safety updates for today. they are a fully licensed and insured tree

service, specializing in dangerous tree removal, view clearing, pruning, and crane services with a 24 Hour emergency response.

Their phone number is 371-4718. They are located at 120 Depot Street.

They can handle all your tree removal needs in good or bad weather.


CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a

month.

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to

editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only. Macon Media rewards early ponsors/underwriters with lifetime guaranteed

low rates while newer sponsors/underwriters pay higher rates based on the date they first support Macon Media.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have

kept Macon Media online. You have made it possible for Macon Media to begin purchasing state of the art equipment and begin work on building a

real website with features not employed by any local news outlets.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at
https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia

Published at 4:20 am on September 5, 2017

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Franklin Town Board of Aldermen Regular June 2017 Meeting

The Franklin Town Board will be meeting tonight at 7 pm in the lower level of town hall. A video of the meeting will be posted here tomorrow. The public agenda and the agenda packet that is shared with members of the media have been posted below so the public can see what the board plans to discuss tonight.

A public hearing on the proposed town budget will be held tonight. For a copy of the proposed budget, check out the coverage of the May 2017 meeting [LINK] and for a look at the work session on the budget, see coverage of the May 15, 2017 meeting [LINK].



MEDIA ROLL CALL
(media outlets with reporters/photographers present)

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

ELECTED OFICIALS
(elected official not on this board who were present at the meeting)

None

Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen

Agenda

June 05, 2017 | 7:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order - Mayor Bob Scott
2. Pledge of Allegiance - Vice Mayor Patti Abel
3. Adoption of the June 5, 2017 Town Board Agenda
4. Approval of May 1 and May 15, 2017 Town Board Minutes

5. Public Hearings
    A.) Public Hearing 7:05 p.m. for Proposed Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Town of Franklin Budget
    B.) Public Hearing 7:10 p.m. for Property Located at 14 Brittney Lane
    C.) Public Hearing 7:15 p.m. for Property Located at 76 Hillcrest Avenue
    D.) Public Hearing 7:20 p.m. for Property Located at 456 Pauline Avenue

6. Public Session

7. New Business
    A.) Board Action Regarding the Proposed Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Town of Franklin Budget
    B.) Board Action Regarding Property Located at 14 Brittney Lane
    C.) Board Action Regarding Property Located at 76 Hillcrest Avenue
    D.) Board Action Regarding Property Located at 456 Pauline Avenue
    E.) Street Closing Request- Town Manager Summer Woodard
    F.) Budget Amendments- Finance Officer Kyra Doster
    G.) Permission to advertise Town Planning Board vacancy- Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
    H.) Tax Releases and Tax Overpayments- Town Manager Summer Woodard
    I.) Re-appointment of Cheryl Pullium to the Tourism Development Authority- Town Manager Summer Woodard
    J.) Re-appointment of Josh Drake to the Tourism Development Authority- Town Manager Summer Woodard
    K.) Discussion on North Carolina Smoky Mountain Blueways Advisory Council- Mayor Bob Scott

8. Legal
    A.) Discussion on Regulation of Late Night Parties- Town Attorney John Henning Jr.
    B.) Forward Sexually Orientated Business Ordinance to the Town Planning Board- John Henning Jr.
9. Announcements
    A.) Town of Franklin Employee Luncheon will be Friday June 30, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. at Fat Buddies
10. Adjournment

AGENDA PACKET

Franklin Aldermen June 2017 by Bobby Coggins on Scribd

DAY SPONSOR

Carrion Tree Service is underwriting the daily weather briefing and public safety updates for today. they are a fully licensed and insured tree service, specializing in dangerous tree removal, view clearing, pruning, and crane services with a 24 Hour emergency response.

Their phone number is 371-4718. They are located at 120 Depot Street.

They can handle all your tree removal needs in good or bad weather.


CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month.

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online. You have made it possible for Macon Media to begin purchasing state of the art equipment and begin work on building a real website with features not employed by any local news outlets.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at >> https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia


Published at 3:12 am on June 5, 2017

#WNCnews #FranklinNC #FranklinAldermen


Be kind to one another.

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Regular May 2017 Meeting Franklin Town Board of Aldermen

The Franklin Town Board of Aldermen will be having their regular monthly meeting tonight at 7 pm in the lower level of the town hall building. The video will be posted here in this article tomorrow.

**4:42 am on May 2nd** Here is the video of the meeting. A copy of the proposed budget is also here. [DOWNLOAD LINK]

Proposed 2017 2018 Budget Town of Franklin by Bobby Coggins on Scribd

MEDIA ROLL CALL
(media outlets with personnel present at the meeting)

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


The public agenda and the agenda packet that is shared with the media has been posted below in the interest of transparency.

Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen

Agenda

May 01, 2017 | 7:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order- Mayor Bob Scott 
2. Pledge of Allegiance- Vice Mayor Patti Abel 
3. Adoption of the May 1, 2017 Town Board Agenda
4. Approval of April 3 and April 17, 2017 Town Board Minutes
5. Public Session

6. New Business

A.) Board Action Regarding the Charter of the Town of Franklin to change the style of Municipal Corporation from Board of Aldermen to Town Council 
B.) Street Closing Requests- Town Manager Summer Woodard 
C.) Depot Street Sidewalk Construction Agreement between the Town of Franklin and the North Carolina Department of Transportation- Town Manager Summer Woodard 
D.) Discussion on Angel Medical Center- Mayor Bob Scott
E.) Water Treatment Plant Bid Acceptance- Town Manager Summer Woodard 
F.) Proposed Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Town of Franklin Budget- Town Manager Summer Woodard
1.) Presentation of Proposed Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Town of Franklin Budget
2.) Set Budget Work Session for Monday May 15, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Boardroom
3.) Set Public Hearing for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Town of Franklin Budget for Monday June 5, 2017 at 7:05 p.m.

7. Legal

A.) Cross Connection Ordinance- Town Attorney John Henning Jr.
B.) Minimum Housing Code Violations- Town Attorney John Henning Jr.

8. Announcements

A.) NCLM Region Meeting Tuesday May 2, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at Motor Company Grill
B.) Town Board Budget Work Session Monday May 15, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Boardroom
C.) Town Hall Offices will be closed Monday May 29, 2017 in observance of Memorial Day

9. Adjournment

May 2017 Franklin Aldermen by Bobby Coggins on Scribd

DAY SPONSOR

Carrion Tree Service is underwriting the daily weather briefing and public safety updates for today. they are a fully licensed and insured tree service, specializing in dangerous tree removal, view clearing, pruning, and crane services with a 24 Hour emergency response.

Their phone number is 371-4718. They are located at 120 Depot Street.

They can handle all your tree removal needs in good or bad weather.


CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month.

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online. You have made it possible for Macon Media to begin purchasing state of the art equipment and begin work on building a real website with features not employed by any local news outlets.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at >>
https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia


Published at 4:00 pm on May 1, 2017

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Regular April 2017 Meeting Franklin Town Board of Aldermen

The Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight at 7 pm. The public agenda and the agenda packet are posted below. A video of the meeting will be posted as soon as it is processed.

**7:55 am on April 4th** Here is video of the entire meeting.



MEDIA ROLL CALL
(Media outlets with reporters/photographers present for the meeting)

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

OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS
(People holding elected office other than Alderman or Mayor)

None

Here is video of the Public Hearing and Board Discussion on the potential name change of the board from BOard of Aldermen to Town Council.

Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen

Agenda

April 03, 2017 | 7:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order- Mayor Bob Scott
2. Pledge of Allegiance- Vice Mayor Patti Abel
3. Adoption of the April 3, 2017 Town Board Agenda
4. Approval of March 6, 2017 Town Board Minutes
5. Public Hearing 7:05 p.m. Regarding the Charter of the Town of Franklin to change the style of the Municipal Corporation from Board of Aldermen to Town Council
6. Public Session
7. New Business
a.) Board Action Regarding the Charter of the Town of Franklin to change the style of Municipal Corporation from Board of Aldermen to Town Council
b.) Forward River District Overlay to Town Planning Board- Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
c.) Street Closing Request for Holly Springs Baptist Church- Town Manager Summer Woodard
d.) Depot Street Sidewalk Construction Agreement between the Town of Franklin and the North Carolina Department of Transportation- Town Manager Summer Woodard
e.) Discussion on Speed Enforcement on Bidwell Street- Town Manager Summer Woodard
f.) Budget Amendment- Finance Officer Kyra Doster
8. Legal
a.) Cross-Connection Control Ordinance- Town Attorney John Henning Jr.
b.) Traffic Ordinance Adjusting the Speed on Mimosa Drive and the Direction of Travel on Watauga Street
9. Announcements
a.) Town Hall Offices will be closed Friday April 14, 2017 in Observance of Good Friday
b.) Town Board Budget Work Session will be Monday April 17, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Boardroom
10. Adjournment



AGENDA PACKET

April 2017 Press Packet Town Board by Bobby Coggins on Scribd

DAY SPONSOR

Carrion Tree Service is underwriting the daily weather briefing and public safety updates for today. they are  fully licensed and insured tree service, specializing in dangerous tree removal, view clearing, pruning, and crane services with a 24 Hour emergency response. 

Their phone number is 371-4718. They are located at 120 Depot Street.

They can handle all your tree removal needs in good or bad weather.

CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month.

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only. 

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online. You have made it possible for Macon Media to begin purchasing state of the art equipment and begin work on building a real website with features not employed by any local news outlets.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at >> 

https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia

Published at 5:15 pm on April 3, 2017

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Macon County Begins Budget Process for 2017-2018

The Macon County Commissioners met with the county manager and various department heads for a mid-year review and budget kickoff meeting on Friday afternoon.

Here is the 2017-2018 Budget Calendar as presented to the board at the meeting:



Feb 3, 2017
Commissioners receive calendar

Feb 17, 2017
Prelim meeting with Dept Heads

March 17, 2017
Depts complete line item budget input 
and return hard copy requests and narratives

March 24, 2017
County Manager reviews printed line item budget

April 3, 2017 to
April 13, 2017
County Manage meets with Dept Heads as needed

April 17, 2017
Schools and outside agencies submit budget requests

May 9, 2017
Manager's recommended budget presented to Commissioners with message; 
distributed to department heads; posted on county website

May 9 , 2017 unil...
Work sessions with the county commissioners

June 13, 2017 at 6 pm
Public hearing on the budget

June 20, 2017 at 6 pm
Commissioners adopt budget


The meeting lasted a little over two and a half hours. The full video of the meeting is posted below. Additional articles will be posted in the coming week on each segment of the meeting.







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

2016

2015

2014

2013

MEDIA ROLL CALL
(media outlets with reporters present)

Macon Media (me)
WNCC-FM/WFSC-AM
Macon County NEws and Shopping Guide
The Franklin Press



DAY SPONSOR

Carrion Tree Service is underwriting the daily weather briefing and public safety updates for today. they are a fully licensed and insured tree service, specializing in dangerous tree removal, view clearing, pruning, and crane services with a 24 Hour emergency response. 

Their phone number is 371-4718. They are located at 120 Depot Street.

They can handle all your tree removal needs in good or bad weather. 


CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month.

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online.

You have made it possible for Macon Media to begin purchasing state of the art equipment and begin work on building a real website with features not employed by any

local news outlets.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at >> https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia

Read More

AT&T Plans to Deploy Broadband Over Powerlines A Brief History of Local Broadband Discussions

Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) is one of the ways that acceptable internet speeds can be delivered to a large chunk of America, especially locations in rural areas where fiber optic to the home or internet via radio towers is not an option for telecommunication companies unwilling or unable to make an investment in their infrastructure. 

Edit with link added from commenter on Facebook: Whether or not they can make it work without causing interference to other users of the radio spectrum is a different question. [LINK]

Digital Trends has an article about BPL that makes for interesting reading. [LINK] It is where the video posted above originated.

BPL could fill in the gap until longer term delivery systems, like orbiting drones, come into play. Even that future is in doubt after Google has dropped it's plan to use drones to deliver internet access to under served locations. [LINK]

Residential access to internet speeds in excess of 25 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up is going to be crucial to economic success in the next few years. 

Definitions

BPL = Broadband over Power Line [LINK]
Mbps = Megabits per second [LINK]

FCC Redefines Broadband [LINK]



Local Broadband Discussions

Access to a faster, and more reliable, internet service has been a topic of discussion for Macon County for a while now. Here are some links to how the discussion has gone in past years, with most recent videos and links first:

Broadband Presentation - December 2016




Broadband Discussion - October 2016




County Planning Board - September 2016






December 2015 Planning Board Meeting



Of course, the current delivery methods used by those who provide internet service is not going to be able to meet the FCC Definition of Broadband access (25 Mbps Up and 3 Mbps down) anytime soon, except in very small geographically confined locations.

Perhaps the biggest barrier to accessing faster internet is the government itself, as can seen seen in a TechDirt article from Jan 2016. [LINK]



I'll leave you with perhaps the granddaddy of the broadband discussions in Macon County, a meeting that took place in December 2011 hosted by MCNC and Advantage West at Southwestern Community College: [LINK]




Commentary and Call to Action

We geared up and won World War Two in less time than the period that has elapsed since the need for higher speed internet has been recognized.

To keep track of national developments in increasing access to broadband, keep an eye on the FCC web page "Measuring Broadband America." [LINK]

In the coming days, the 2017 report should be posted on that page. 

Perhaps the best way to ensure we get faster internet is to keep reminding your elected officials at the local, state and federal levels...and call your internet provider to ask them what they're doing to increase their internet speed.

Contact Details and Links to More Information

Franklin Town Board of Aldermen [LINK]

Macon County Commissioners [LINK]

State Representative [LINK]

State Senator [LINK]

US Congressman [LINK]

US Senators [LINK] 

FCC Consumer Guide to Getting Broadband [LINK]

NC Broadband [LINK]

National Broadband Map [LINK]

National Telecommunications & Information Administration Blog [LINK]

If you have any comments to add, please leave them on our Facebook Page. [LINK]


CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month.

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online.

You have made it possible for Macon Media to begin purchasing state of the art equipment and begin work on building a real website with features not employed by any local news outlets.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at >> https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia

Read More

Knoxville News Sentinel: Social media underused in Gatlinburg firestorm A Personal View

Excerpt from the article:

A spokeswoman for Gatlinburg said neither the city nor its public safety agencies had any social media accounts when the Nov. 28 inferno responsible for 14 deaths, more than 180 injuries and the damage or destruction of more than 2,400 structures struck the city. Officials said damage from the fire will exceed $500 million.
Since the disaster, spokeswoman Marci Claude said, the Gatlinburg Police Department "has created a Facebook page to share information with the community."
In contrast, officials with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park continuously updated information on its Facebook page and Twitter account throughout the day warning of the growing danger. National Park officials warned of the unpredictable fire, the increasing winds moving flames toward Gatlinburg and ongoing evacuations within the park.
The park started sharing information at 10:46 a.m. on Nov. 28 about the fires marching north toward Gatlinburg.
Read the entire article on Knoxville News Sentinel
This is so sad. Too many in local governments look down on social media as a tool, or view it as a tool to build personal fiefdoms.

The failure of Sevier County to deliver information to residents has probably resulted in the deaths of some of the people they were responsible for protecting. Of course, they would not have been in that situation had the Chimney Top Fire been set. I know a lot of people hesitate to blame their local government when they make mistakes, or fail to properly do their duty. That kind of behavior needs to stop. The only way anyone, even governments, can improve is to acknowledge mistakes and work to make sure they don't happen again. Wildfire Today has an excellent article analyzing the events that led up to the firestorm. [WildFire Today]

The article points out that the National Park Service had been warning of the approaching wind event. The Incident Command Team in our area had been preparing for it for days by burning out the Camp Branch Fire and patrolling fire lines on the other fires.

In the daily weather briefing that was published at 5 am on Monday morning, Macon Media warned of the high wind event that was coming. [LINK] When it did get here, downed power lines did spark fires, but our volunteer firefighters were prepared and stopped them from spreading.

[Harold Ledford Road] [Gorge Fire] [Power Outages]

COMMENTARY

(I probably shouldn't post this commentary because it goes against the general policy I have established for Macon Media of not expressing an opinion on news items. --Bobby Coggins).

A lot of elected officials and bureaucrats in our area tend to either look down on social media, mock it as a source of "fake news," or use it in a fashion that limits who can see official updates. The ones here who tend to do use it, share official information on personal profiles with privacy settings that mean only their friends can see the information and it cannot be shared outside that circle of friends unless it is copied and pasted, which one of the news outlets here tends to do.

My personal experience during our wildfires was that getting information out of the local county government was a mixed affair and other news outlets were given access Macon Media was denied. Some department heads were generous with sharing information (I won't name those who helped because I don't want to potentially get them in trouble), while others would always point me to other department heads or the PIO of the Health Department.

Once I contacted Rabun and Jackson Counties and requested information, they were very professional and timely with sharing information for me to relay to the public.

The USFS was wonderful to work with and they were professional and timely in delivering information. Because of the workflow and open design of the USFS and the National Interagency FIre Cache websites in creating maps and compiling data, I often had information hours before the daily morning briefings at the Command Post were presented. The Daily Briefings at the Command Post in Franklin were, according to what I was told, "not for the press or public" while the Daily Briefings for the Rock Mountain Fire were streamed live online, so there were differences in the way the ICTs (Incident Command Teams) viewed their role in delivering information to the public.

McCRORY VISIT

Macon Media and The Macon County News and Shopping Guide almost missed the visit of the governor to the local Command Post even though we arrived early and checked in with both the CP and the governor's staff. I would not even have known of the visit had someone had not gone outside the chain of command and told me. We were in the lobby with a state senator waiting to be told the governor had arrived and were never notified when he arrived. If the reporter for the Macon County News had not got up and just went back to a briefing room in the back I had not been aware existed, but she did, neither of us would have been able to cover the story from a first person perspective. Of course, a reporter from The Franklin Press was already there in the briefing when we arrived, having been given access we were not.

SOLUTIONS AND A LOOK AHEAD

In 2017, I will be more aggressive in obtaining official information held by local, state and federal bodies to share with the public. In the past, I have been far too passive in this regard. I will clearly identify those who are difficult to work with and those who favor certain news outlets over others. When I do share observations or opinions, they will be clearly marked as such so you can decide if you agree or not.

As always, when I make mistakes (and I inevitably will) feel free to let me know. When you do that, you help Macon Media become better at delivering accurate information. It is my personal view that news collection, interpretation and delivery is a collaborative effort, and will become even more so in the future, and not something just for elite "journalists" to tell you what is important or what to believe or who act as cheer leaders for local government when they should be holding their feet to the fire. Cheer leading the local government is the job of county employees. The proper role of the media is to deliver accurate information and to dig for news, not to be the local pravda.

CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month.
If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only.
Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online. Your generosity has blown my mind and I will be forever grateful.
You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at >> https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia

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