Video and Photos of the 2013 Tour de Franklin

The 9th annual Tour de Franklin was held today and I was there for the start of the race. Here are a few of the photos and a little video I put together:

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League of Women Voters and Venture Local Franklin Host a Hangout with the Candidates

The League of Women Voters and Venture Local Franklin hosted a Hangout with the Candidates last night at Macon Bank were the candidates for Aldermen and Mayor had the opportunity to draw from a pool of four questions and answer them, then could address any other topic or speak about their campaign within a six minute time limit. Nine of the ten candidates for Alderman and both the candidates for Mayor were in attendance and everyone gave a good account of themselves. 

A video of the full event is embedded below, along with a few photos and some of the slides from the presentation at the event.

I would like to thank the local League of Women Voters and Venture Local Franklin for teaming up to host this event for the community. Both organizations contribute a great deal to our community and we are blessed to have these groups of civic-minded people volunteering their skills to help their neighbors. Here are some links to help you find out more about these organizations:

League of Women Voters 

Facebook 

Website 

Venture Local Franklin

Facebook 

Website 

Twitter 

Google Plus Community 

Here is a slide show of the photos that turned out good enough to share:

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Franklin Aldermen 09-23-2013

The Franklin Town Board of Aldermen met last night in a continuation meeting from their September 3rd meeting [see coverage of that meeting] to discuss a street closing request, a tax release and a dozen requests by local non-profits for funding out of the Community Funding Pool.

A video of the complete meeting, the public agenda and the press kit are embedded below for your convenience.

PUBLIC AGENDA

Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen 

Meeting Agenda

Monday September 23, 2013 - 5:30 p.m. 

1. Call to order -Mayor Collins
2. New business
   • Street Closing Request- Main Street Executive Linda Schlott
   • Tax Release- Town Manager Warren Cabe
   • Board Discussion on Non-Profit Funding Pool Applications
3. Adjourn

MEDIA ROLL CALL

Macon Media (me)

No other members of the media were present. I suspect they were all in Highlands for the monthly meeting of the Macon County Board of Education and did not have reporters available for this meeting. I decided this meeting was more important.

CANDIDATE SIGHTINGS

Barbara McRae (running for Town Alderman)

Mack Brogden (running for Town Alderman)

Angela Moore (running for Town Alderman)

Billy Mashburn, Board Member (running for re-election as a Town Alderman)

Sissy Patillo, Board Member (running for Mayor)

Bob Scott, Board Member (running for Mayor)

After some discussion, the non-profit funding pool was distributed as follows:

$3,700.00 Angel Medical Center
$3,700.00 Community Care Clinic of Franklin
$1,870.75 Franklin Garden Club
$3,700.00 KIDS Place
$3,700.00 Macon County Care Network
$3,700.00 Macon County Habitat for Humanity
$3,700.00 Macon County Historical Society Museum
$3,700.00 Macon County Public Library
$3,700.00 R.E.A.C.H.
$3,700.00 Read2Me
$1,869.25 Scottish Tartans Museum
$2,960.00 Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Center

Motion carried. Pattillo motioned and Scott seconded. Vote: 6 to 0.

PRESS KIT 

(provided to Board Members and Members of the Media, but not to the general public)

Franklin Aldermen 09-23-2013 by Thunder Pig

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Franklin TDA 09-16-2013

Here is the video of last night's meeting of the Franklin Tourism Development Authority. I did a nearly live play by on Google Plus and have embedded the press kit below for your convenience.

Franklin TDA Press Kit by Thunder Pig

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Franklin Dialysis Center Open House and Ribbon Cutting

Here is video and some of the photos I took at the open house and ribbon cutting of the Franklin Township Dialysis center that will be operated by DaVita.

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Governor Pat McCrory Visit to Dillsboro, NC

North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory was in western North Carolina yesterday and spent the early part of the day in Jackson County. One of his stops was to meet with local leaders to discuss items of importance to them and to share his vision of the future of the state and part that the western counties in that future.

I recorded video of the discussion before the meal was served, then I had to leave in order to be at the ribbon cutting for a Dialysis Center in Macon County. I have posted video and few of the photos I took of the Governor's visit here.

MEDIA ROLL CALL 
(clicking on the links below will take you to the stories about this event that are posted by these organizations)

There were more reporters at this thing than I could shake a stick at.
The ones I were aware of are listed below:

Macon Media (me)
The Franklin Press
The Sylva Herald
WRGC-AM
Crossroads Chronicle (Cashiers, NC)
The Asheville Citizen-Times
WLOS-TV

TECHNICAL NOTE

I've added new functionality to the photos I've embedded. If you place your cursor over the photos, you will see a dialogue box with more information and if you click on the photos, you should see them in a light box and have the ability to scroll through all the photos in the blogpost.

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Time Lapse: NCDOT Installs Cross Walk Light in Franklin, NC

A time lapse of a North Carolina Department of Transportation work crew installing a cross walk light to replace on that had been destroyed in an automobile accident the day before (Tuesday the 10th of September) at East Palmer Street and Phillips Street in Franklin, NC.

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Macon County Commissioners 09-10-2013

The Macon County Commissioners met last night in a meeting that lasted (minus the 22 minute closed session) for nearly 3 hours. I posted a text play by of the meeting as it happened on Google Plus [LINK] if you care to read the particulars. The video, a few photos and supporting documents from the meeting are below.



MEDIA ROLL CALL

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


PHOTOS



Lori Hall (L), the Macon County Finance Director, with Kevin Corbin (R) as she and her department are recognized for being awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). This is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. This is the eighteenth consecutive year the department has received the award.


Macon County Manager Jack Horton at his last meeting of the county commissioners before his retirement that is scheduled for September 30, 2013.

The Nikwasi Resolution

Page One of the Proposed Nikwasi Resolution (changes were made to reflect a softer tone after Commissioners Haven and Higdon expressed concerns they would be appearing to tell the Town of Franklin what to do with their property)


Page Two of the Proposed Nikwasi Resolution (changes were made to reflect a softer tone after Commissioners Haven and Higdon expressed concerns they would be appearing to tell the Town of Franklin what to do with their property)

Page Three of the Proposed Nikwasi Resolution (changes were made to reflect a softer tone after Commissioners Haven and Higdon expressed concerns they would be appearing to tell the Town of Franklin what to do with their property)

Commissioners voted to approve the resolution with language in it that specifically addressed that the county was not taking sides in this issue, that they would merely facilitate discussions between the Eastern Band of the Cherokee and the Town of Franklin regarding ownership of the Nikwasi Indian Mound.

To give you some background on this issue, I have embedded videos I recorded of Chief Michel Hicks speaking about Nikwasi on two previous occasions:


Principal Chief Hicks at the Hall Mountain Celebration in the Cowee Community on May 31, 2013 (about 12 miles north of Franklin, NC)


Principal Chief Hicks at a meeting of the Macon County Commissioners on August 13, 2013 (this was the request that prompted the Nikwasi Resolution)


Miles Gregory, Chairman of the Macon County Airport Authority, addresses the county commissioners, updating them on what the Airport Authority has been up to lately and to request $290,000 from the board in order to secure a $2,900,000 grant from the FAA so they can widen the runway of the Macon County Airport. Commissioners approved his request 5-0.


Macon County EDC Director Tommy Jenkins informs the county commissioners about the economic impact of the Macon County Airport to the local economy and the potential for the future of the county.


The Macon County Commissioners addressing the impending retirement of Macon County Manager Jack Horton.

PUBLIC AGENDA

1. Call to order and welcome by Chairman Corbin

2. Announcements
    A. Awarding of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Macon County Finance Department

3. Moment of Silence

4. Pledge of Allegiance

5. Public Hearing(s) – 6:15 p.m. – Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) application for Macon County Transit
NOTE: 

Consideration of the ROAP Certified Statement will immediately follow the public hearing

6. Public Comment Period

7. Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

8. Reports/Presentations
    A. Proclamation regarding Constitution Week

9. Old Business
    A. Resolution Making Donation of Ambulance to Southwestern Community College
    B. Revised Agreement to Provide Recreation Opportunities with the Scaly Mountain Historical Society, Inc.
    C. Resolution regarding Nikwasi Mound

10.New Business
    A. Consideration of supplemental contract with NCDOT regarding purchase of new vehicle – Kim Angel, Transit Director
    B. Changes to Macon County Public Health Fee Schedule – Public Health Director Jim Bruckner
    C. Consideration of resolution regarding the National Incident Management System (NIMS) – Emergency Services Director David Key and County Attorney
    D. Consideration of matching funds for airport grant – County Manager and Airport Authority representatives
    E. Consideration of License Agreement with the Town of Franklin and Franklin 111/C Flyers – County Manager and County Attorney

11.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.]
    A. Minutes of the August 13, 2013 meeting
    B. Budget Amendments #25 through #29
    C. Tax Releases
    D. Monthly ad valorem tax collection report

12.Appointments

13.Closed session – Attorney-client privilege -- NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3)

[note: According to the press kit, the closed session is for the purpose of discussing "...a matter related to the closeout and final payments for the Iotla Valley Elementary School water and sewer project."]


(I have added the text of the law and inserted it into the agenda below)

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, which privilege is hereby acknowledged. General policy matters may not be discussed in a closed session and nothing herein shall be construed to permit a public body to close a meeting that otherwise would be open merely because an attorney employed or retained by the public body is a participant. The public body may consider and give instructions to an attorney concerning the handling or settlement of a claim, judicial action, mediation, arbitration, or administrative procedure. If the public body has approved or considered a settlement, other than a malpractice settlement by or on behalf of a hospital, in closed session, the terms of that settlement shall be reported to the public body and entered into its minutes as soon as possible within a reasonable time after the settlement is concluded.

14.Adjourn/Recess

PRESS KIT

Macon County Commissioners 09-10-2013 Press Kit

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9/11 Replay: CNN Coverage

As part of my annual coverage of September 11, 2001, here is a video of the event from CNN that starts shortly after the impact.


May we never forget those who were murdered and those who gave their lives while attempting to save others.

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US Secretary of State to take questions on Google Plus Hangout Today

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will be having a Google Plus Hangout today at 2pm to discuss Syria and take questions from the public on Google Plus. I'll try to be in the office to observe and will post the video (if it is recorded) here after it is over. (If I can, I'll embed it here live).

**update 2:45 pm** The Hangout is over and here is the video:




The President will also be addressing the nation regarding Syria tonight at 9pm Eastern time. I'll have video of that tomorrow. You can read more about the speech on this Yahoo! News article.

Previous Coverage

Carrier Strike Group Eleven Update: September 7, 2013


White House Releases Statement on Syria's Use of Chemical Weapons

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Carrier Strike Group Eleven Update: September 7, 2013

In light of the probable upcoming military strike on Syria, I will be posting updates on ship deployments and news from the Syrian Theater of Operations from time to time on the blog. All information I share will be open-source intelligence collected from publicly available sources.

Carrier Strike Group Eleven is currently commanded by Rear Admiral Michael S. White, a veteran of more than 1,000 carrier arrested landings during his career.

Carrier Strike Group Eleven (the one that the USS Nimitz leads) has indefinitely cancelled it's upcoming scheduled return to homeport due to possible combat operations in support of a strike on Syria.

The ships of the strike group are currently in the Red Sea.

Please keep these men and women in your thoughts and prayers.

Here is a list of ships currently assigned to the strike group:

Surface Action Group

USS William P. Lawrence DDG-110
USS Stockdale DDG-106
USS Shoup DDG-86
USS Higgins DDG-76

Carrier Escorts

USS Princeton CG-59
USS Preble DDG-88
USS Momsen DDG-92
EODMU-11 (Bomb Disposal Unit)

Carrier

USS Nimitz CVN-68

Carrier Airwing 11 squadrons aboard the Nimitz:

Marine Attack Squadron 323 (VMFA-323 Death Rattlers) composed of 10 F/A-18C(N) Hornets
Strike Fighter Squadron 154 (VFA-154 Black Knights) composed of 12 F/A-18F Hornets
Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147 Argonauts) composed of 12 F/A-18C Hornets
Strike Fighter Squadron 146 (VFA-146 Blue Diamonds) composed of 10 F/A-18C Hornets
Electronic Attack Squadron 142 (VAQ-142 The Gray Wolves) composed of 10 EA-6B Prowlers
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 117 (VAW-117 The Wallbangers) 4 EC-2C Hawkeyes
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 6 (HSC-6 Indians) composed of 7 MH-60 Seahawks
Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30: Detachment 3 (VRC-30 Providers) composed of 3 C-2A Greyhounds

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Agenda for September 2013 Meeting of the Macon County Board of Commissioners

The Macon County Board of Commissioners will be meeting at 6pm on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 and I have embedded the public agenda and press kit below for your convenience. I plan on being there to record the meeting for posting in a later article. I will also be posting a nearly live text play by play of the meeting on my +Macon Media Google Plus account.

PUBLIC AGENDA

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2013
AGENDA
1. Call to order and welcome by Chairman Corbin

2. Announcements
    A. Awarding of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Macon County Finance Department

3. Moment of Silence

4. Pledge of Allegiance

5. Public Hearing(s) – 6:15 p.m. – Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) application for Macon County Transit
NOTE: 

Consideration of the ROAP Certified Statement will immediately follow the public hearing

6. Public Comment Period

7. Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

8. Reports/Presentations
    A. Proclamation regarding Constitution Week

9. Old Business
    A. Resolution Making Donation of Ambulance to Southwestern Community College
    B. Revised Agreement to Provide Recreation Opportunities with the Scaly Mountain Historical Society, Inc.
    C. Resolution regarding Nikwasi Mound

10.New Business
    A. Consideration of supplemental contract with NCDOT regarding purchase of new vehicle – Kim Angel, Transit Director
    B. Changes to Macon County Public Health Fee Schedule – Public Health Director Jim Bruckner
    C. Consideration of resolution regarding the National Incident Management System (NIMS) – Emergency Services Director David Key and County Attorney
    D. Consideration of matching funds for airport grant – County Manager and Airport Authority representatives
    E. Consideration of License Agreement with the Town of Franklin and Franklin 111/C Flyers – County Manager and County Attorney

11.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.]
    A. Minutes of the August 13, 2013 meeting
    B. Budget Amendments #25 through #29
    C. Tax Releases
    D. Monthly ad valorem tax collection report

12.Appointments

13.Closed session – Attorney-client privilege -- NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3)

[note: According to the press kit, the closed session is for the purpose of discussing "...a matter related to the closeout and final payments for the Iotla Valley Elementary School water and sewer project."]


(I have added the text of the law and inserted it into the agenda below)

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, which privilege is hereby acknowledged. General policy matters may not be discussed in a closed session and nothing herein shall be construed to permit a public body to close a meeting that otherwise would be open merely because an attorney employed or retained by the public body is a participant. The public body may consider and give instructions to an attorney concerning the handling or settlement of a claim, judicial action, mediation, arbitration, or administrative procedure. If the public body has approved or considered a settlement, other than a malpractice settlement by or on behalf of a hospital, in closed session, the terms of that settlement shall be reported to the public body and entered into its minutes as soon as possible within a reasonable time after the settlement is concluded.

14.Adjourn/Recess

PRESS KIT/COMMISSIONER AGENDA

This is the press kit that the clerk of the Board of Commissioners mails out to each county commissioner and member of the press before the meeting takes place so that commissioners and the members of the press will know what is to be discussed at the meeting. Macon Media is currently the only member of the local press that shares this information with the general public.

Macon County Commissioners 09-10-2013 Press Kit

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Franklin Aldermen 09-03-2013

The Franklin Town Board met last night, and here are the video, a few photos, the public agenda, and the Press Kit from the meeting.


I will also, over the coming week, be cutting up the video of the meeting to present the meeting in bite-sized portions and posting those in their own articles.









The Franklin Town Board last night, and here are the video, a few photos, the public agenda, and the Press Kit from the meeting.

Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen 

Meeting Agenda

Tuesday September 3, 2013 - 7:00 p.m. 

1. Call to order -Mayor Collins
2. Approval of the August 5, 2013 Town Board minutes.
3. Public session.
4. New business
   • Proclamation for Constitution Week 2013- Shelah Portoukalian
   • Presentation on Southwestern Community College- Dr. Don Tomas
   • Presentation by Applicants for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Non-Profit Funding Pool.
   • Resolution Honoring S. Ellis Hankins - Town Manager Warren Cabe.
   • Proclamation for International Institute of Municipal Clerks- Town Manager Warren Cabe.
   • Set public hearing for Pauline Avenue II re-zoning request- Land Use Administrator Derek Roland.
   • Lease on Old Town Land Fill- Town Manager Warren Cabe
   • Tax Release- Town Manager Warren Cabe
   • Update on Street Maintenance Ranking System- Town Manager Warren Cabe.
5. Legal
   • Town of Franklin Attorney Contract- John Henning Jr.
6. Set continuation meeting for Monday September 23, 2013 at 5:30p.m.

The Press Kit:

Board of Aldermen Agenda Packet for 9-3-2013

Non-profit funding packet 1 of 2

Non-Profit Funding Packet 1 of 2 by Thunder Pig

Non-profit funding packet 2 of 2

Non-Profit Funding Packet 2 of 2

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