Macon County Commissioners 03-11-2014

The Macon County Commissioners met Tuesday night for their regular monthly meeting.

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The agenda and press kit for the meeting is posted below. I understand that Scribd has started charging people for the ability to download documents I have posted on that website, so I have included a link [right click to download PDF] to where you can download the document for free.

I posted a live text play by of the meeting on my Macon Media facebook page.

There will be another meeting of the commissioners as they meet with the SCC Board of Trustees on March 18th at 6pm in the conference room of the Cecil Groves Center on the SCC Campus to discuss the Master Plan for the expansion of the Southwestern Community College Campus.

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MARCH 11, 2013
AGENDA

1. Call to order and welcome by Chairman Corbin

2. Announcements

3. Moment of Silence

4. Pledge of Allegiance

5. Public Hearing(s) - None

6. Public Comment Period

7. Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

8. Reports/Presentations

• Update on Smoky Mountain Center activities - Shelly Foreman
• Cooperative Extension Program Impact Report - Alan Durden, County Extension Director
• Presentation of survey findings by Mission Critical Partners

9. Old Business

• Consideration of N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Project Agreement
• Agreement with Appalachian Tree
• Resolution regarding transfer of playground equipment to Macon Middle School
• Consideration of resolution honoring Robert (Bob) Carpenter

10. New Business

• Requests from J&B Disposal - Bonita Hamstra, President
  • Lease renewal for Highlands Road convenience center site
  • Rate increase for residential trash service
  • Franchise extension
• Request for funding from Macon Program for Progress - Chuck Sutton and Garry Roper
• Consideration of proclamation declaring Macon County as a Purple Heart County

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.
• Minutes of the February 11th and February 18th meetings
• Budget Amendment #105
• Tax Releases
• Tax Refunds
• Macon County Public Health Fee
• Monthly ad valorem tax collection report

12. Appointments

• Board of Equalization for 2014
• Macon County Heritage Center Advisory Board (1 seat)

13. Closed session

• Attorney-client privilege per NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3)

14. Recess until Tuesday, March 18, 2014 to the boardroom of the Cecil L. Groves Center on the Macon County campus of Southwestern Community College, 44 Siler Farm Road, Franklin, NC 28734 (Starting time to be determined)

Commissioners Press Kit 03-11-2014 by Thunder Pig

Here is a brief slideshow of photos I took during the meeting.
View the slide show on Photobucket.

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Strong winds knock out power to over 700 in Macon County Duke Energy estimates power restoration by 4pm today

Strong winds last night knocked out power to over 700 people in Macon County and around 3,000 people in surrounding counties.

Duke Energy estimates they will have the power restored to most of these locations by 4pm today.

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Victor Drummond Withdraws Challenge to Gary Shields Candidacy

**UPDATE** 11:53AM

Victor Drummond is withdrawing his challenge to the candidacy of Gary Shields, candidate for one of the two seats in the District II County Commissioner race.

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Challenge to Haven's Candidacy Fails

The Macon County Board of Elections met yesterday to consider a challenge to the eligibility of Macon County Commissioner Ron Haven to run in the District II race for county commissioner issued by Charles "Scoon" Nichols.

After the hearing, the board voted 3-0 that Ron Haven did indeed maintain a domicile in the district. A brief video of just the decision is below:


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Full video of the entire proceeding and a copy of the paperwork filed by Nichols is below:


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Ron Haven Residency Challenge by Thunder Pig

A similar hearing will be held this coming Tuesday, March 18th, in Courtroom 4A on the fourth floor of the Macon County Courthouse to hear a challenge issued by Victor Drummond to the candidacy of Gary Shields to run in the same district. A second hearing relating to the challenge issued by Charles nichols against Ron Haven has been scheduled immediately thereafter. I will post the official notice when it becomes available from the Macon County Board of Elections.

**UPDATE** 11:53AM 

Victor Drummond is withdrawing his challenge to the candidacy of Gary Shields, candidate for one of the two seats in the District II County Commissioner race. 

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One Person Dead After Stabbing on Kirkland Road

One man is dead, another in custody after a caller reported a fight that was still in progress when they called 911. First Responders from the Franklin Fire Department and two ambulances from the Macon County EMS Franklin Base responded to the call and entered the scene after the scene was secured by officer of the Macon County Sheriff's Department.

No names have been released and here is the initial audio of the radio traffic of the call. There have been no edits for time.



More information will be released as it becomes available.
Some people have indicated the audio embed is not showing for them, so clink this link to see the player on another website.


Updated at 3:53pm to include radio call signs and radio codes

Guide for call signs used in this call:

MAMA-1 Medical Air Ambulance stationed at Memorial Mission
MAMA-2 Medical Air Ambulance stationed at Angel Community Hospital
Medic-4 and Medic-11 are Macon County EMS Ambulances
5700 units are Macon County Sheriff Officers
1100 units are Firefighters of the Franklin Fire Department

Radio Codes Used:

Code 4 means CPR is in Progress
10-17 Enroute
10-18 Urgent
10-23 On Scene
10-40 Fight
10-72 Subject in Custody
10-82 Firearm (some dispatchers use it to mean any weapon, including knives)



Updated at 5:53 pm. The Sheriff's Department released a statement at 5:29pm on their facebook page, but it contains no real new information beyond what I posted here a couple of hours ago.

It reads:

MCSO is on scene at a Kirkland Road residence after calls to 911 reported an altercation involving a knife. Upon arrival, deputies were able to locate the two individuals involved in the altercation. First Responders from the Franklin Fire Department and MCSO deputies immediately rendered aid to one of the individuals who later died from his injuries. The investigation is ongoing and at this time the MCSO is not looking for any additional suspects.

Here is an embed of the facebook post:   

Post by Macon County Sheriff's Office.

Update 6:35pm

Adam Hensley has been arrested and charged with the murder of Larry Wilt, both of Franklin. Hensley is currently being held without bond at the Macon County Detention Center.

Update 7:15pm

The Sheriff Department has finally gotten around to posting an update. It reads:

Sheriff Robert Holland confirms that 1st Degree Murder charges have been filed against Adam Lee Hensley age 31 of Franklin in the death of Larry Nelson Wilt. Mr. Wilt was found earlier today at a Kirkland Road residence after someone called 911 reporting a fight involving a knife. Wilt was found by deputies and first responders on the front porch area unresponsive and suffering from multiple stab wounds. Those on scene immediately rendered aid to both Hensley and Wilt for injuries they both received from an apparent altercation. All efforts to save the life of Mr. Wilt were unsuccessful. Sheriff Holland will have an official press release on Monday. Meanwhile, the investigation continues and condolences go out to the families of those involved.

Post by Macon County Sheriff's Office.

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Franklin Town Board March 2014 Meeting Agenda

The Franklin Town Board of Aldermen will be meeting Monday night at 7pm. Here is the public agenda and press kit that has been provided to members of the local media, and I am, in turn, making them available to the public in the interest in transparency.

Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen 
Meeting Agenda
Monday March 3, 2013 -7:00 p.m. 

1. Call to Order- Mayor Bob Scott
2. Adoption of March 3, 2014 Proposed Agenda
3. Approval of February 3, 2014 Board Minutes
4. Public hearing 7:05 p.m. for Macon Program for Progress Annexation Petition Parcel 6584638089
5. Public hearing 7:10 p.m. for Macon Program for Progress Annexation Petition Parcel 6584638553
6. Public hearing 7: 15 p.m. for Application to Amend Text only of the Unified Development Ordinance to include Additional Permitted Uses in Commercial (C-2) and Commercial Special Use (C-2SU) Zones
7. Public session
8. New business
   • Board action on Macon Program for Progress Annexation Petition Parcel 6584638089
   • Board action on Macon Program for Progress Annexation Petition Parcel 6584638553
   • Board action on Application to Amend Text only of the Unified Development Ordinance to include Additional Permitted Uses in Commercial (C-2) and Commercial Special Use (C-2SU) Zones
   • Presentation by Principal Chief Michell Hicks- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
   • Update from North Carolina Rural Water Association- Daniel Wilson
   • Presentation by the Scottish Tartans Museum- Chuck Coburn
   • Proclamation for National Kids to Parks Day- Mayor Bob Scott
   • Letter of Support for New Outpatient Services Building for Angel Medical Center- Don Capaforte
   • Ratification of Vote for Letter of Support for New Domestic Violence Shelter for R.E.A.C.H.- Mayor Bob Scott
   • Water Bill Discrepancy- Emmanuel Baptist Church
   • Forward Rezoning Petition for Six (6) Parcels on East Palmer Street and Porter Street to Town Planning Board- Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
   • Discussion on Gazebo- Town Manager Warren Cabe
   • Set Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Town Budget Schedule- Town Manager Warren Cabe
   • Audit Contract with Martin Starnes & Associates- Finance Officer Janet Anderson
9. Legal
   • Closed session pursuant to N.C.G.S. 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, which privilege is hereby acknowledged”, the matter of an inverse condemnation claim, John W. Mitchell Trust v. Town of Franklin, file no. 12-CVS-228 in the files of the Clerk of Superior Court for Macon County.
10. Adjourn

UPDATE: People are reporting that Scribd is not letting them download the press kit for free, so right click here and choose download for a free copy.
If there are other press kits and meeting agendas that you wish to have for your own personal records, please feel free to contact me on Facebook and link to the page that the document is on that you want and I'll upload a copy to DivShare and post a link for you.

Franklin Aldermen March 2014 Press Kit

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Macon County Board of Education 02-24-2014

The Macon County Board of Education met Monday night at 5pm and went into a closed session to discuss the particulars of the school safety plans. They came back into open session at 6pm for the regular monthly meeting.

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Franklin Aldermen 02-03-2014

The Franklin Town Board of Aldermen met last night for their February 2014 meeting. Video of the meeting as well as the press kit and a copy of a public comment delivered by Brittany Burns are included in this post.

A lot of people spoke out against the initial proposed design for the redesign of the Town Gazebo, which, according to Town Manager Warren Cabe, was the result of input from stakeholders who use the current facility. A number also spoke out in favor of a regular informal town hall event that would allow some interaction between members of the community and the Aldermen beyond that which is practical at a formal town board meeting. The board voted 4-2 last month to reject the Mayor's proposal to hold such meetings.

Also, here is the text of the comments delivered by Brittany Burns during the public comment session:

Dear board,

I wanted to speak with you regarding last month's decision to not appoint a liaison to East Franklin school. First, I do not see what it would hurt. Ideally, I would think the board would want to foster cooperation and that you all would want to be involved in the lives of your citizens, so to find out that you are against a simple liaison, even though you had someone willing to do it, is baffling.

In today's time, the state continues to push down obligations to local government. Priorities and responsibilities that used to be status quo on the state level, are now being kicked down the road for local governments to figure out. These burdens are becoming increasingly heavy for our county government. With things such as public education, road maintenance, mental health issues, and other factors playing musical chairs between who should take care of these responsibility, the state or the county, the focus should be that at the end of the day the citizens are the ones who are adversely affected by these decisions. These are your citizens, and while there is no state law requiring you to step up and go above and beyond your outlined obligations, I would hope that as elected officials you would want to.

I live within the town of Franklin. I have an 8 month old son, who will more than likely end up attending East Franklin Elementary school. There is nothing in this world that I worry more about than his safety. Every day I do everything in my power to ensure that he is taken care of and that he is as safe as possible. I beg of you to consider sharing the county's obligation to keep our children safe and to look for an avenue to provide a school resource officer at East Franklin School.

Franklin Police Department and Chief Adams do a remarkable job at having officers patrol East Franklin, and whenever possible, provide an officer during pick up and drops offs. I am beyond grateful for that. I just don't think it is enough, and I cannot begin to think of why with everything that has happened in our country in recent years that you would think that is enough too. Why, something that seems so easy and achievable, why you refuse to even entertain the idea by looking at costs and whether or not your departments could do it. Why it has been an automatic no.

School resource officers may not be something you are in the business of. But why not? Is the school not in your district? Are the children not within the town? Do their parents not pay town taxes? If there is something that you could do to ensure our children, the future of our town, are as safe as possible, why would you want to turn a blind eye? Are you waiting for something to happen to then react instead of being proactive now? If that is the case, then I am terrified as to what it might take in order to get you to care about the safety of our future.

The town of Highlands not only substantially helps Highlands school with countless activities and operations, they also provide an SRO to that school. They provide the funding through their department. Do they care more about their children than you all do?

The state has even began to question the role in town government, and whether it is truly necessary or if it could be just as functional if combined with county government. Knowing these discussions are taking place, how could you not want to step up and be a leader to show that town government is crucial in the safety, in the progress, in the sustainability and growth of small towns? You all have that opportunity, what is it going to take to get you to seize it?

Brittney Burns

Franklin Aldermen Press Kit 02-03-2014 by Thunder Pig

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Macon County Commissioners Hold Mid-Year Work Session for 2014

The Macon County Commissioners met with selected staff members in the Cecil Groves Center at Southwestern Community College to take stock of where they are and look at options for what they want to accomplish in the coming year. It is the traditional kickoff of the annual budget cycle that will culminate in the approval of a new county budget in the weeks before July 1st.

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Part One


This video includes the welcome by Chairman Kevin Corbin, a Year in Review by County Manager Derek Roland and EDC Director Tommy Jenkins.

Below is a scanned copy of a handout by Tommy Jenkins, the Director of the Macon County Economic Development Commission that highlights his presentation.

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Part Two



This video includes the Mid-Year Financial Review by Macon County Finance Director Lori Hall.

Below are scanned copies of the handout that details the Amortization Schedules for two different loan scenarios for the Parker Meadows Recreation Facility, one being 2.48% for ten years and the other 3.19% for fifteen years.

Park1

Parker Meadows Loan Ver 2

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Part Three

This video includes the introduction of the proposed budget calendar for the 2014-2015 FY by County Manager Derek Roland.

Below is a copy of the budget calendar as presented by Derek Roland.

Proposed FY 2014-2015 Budget Calendar

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Part Four


This video includes an update on NCACC (North Carolina Association of County Commissioners) presented by County Commissioners Kevin Corbin and Ronnie Beale. There were no handouts with this segment of the meeting.

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Part Five


This video includes a presentation on the 2015 Tax Revaluation and an update on Tax Collections by Richard Lightner, Director of the Macon County Tax Department.

Below is a copy of the handout he provided during the meeting.

Macon County Tax Collection and Revaluation

Part Six


This video includes a presentation by Macon County Sheriff Robbie Holland. There were no handouts during this segment.

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Part Seven


This video includes a presentation by Emergency Management Director David Key. There was a handout, but it was not made available to the media. I am pursuing getting a copy.

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Part Eight


This video includes a presentation by Dr. Chris Baldwin, Superintendent of Macon County Schools. About the first ten minutes are missing because I forgot to press record when we came back from break. :(

Below is a scanned copy of his handout.

Capital Outlay Macon County Schools 2014

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Part Nine


This video includes an update on the NC FAST Software implementation project by Jane Kimsey, Director of the Macon County Department of Social Services.

Below is a scanned copy of a handout she provided at the meeting.

NC FAST Implementation

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Part Ten


This video includes an update on the IT SAN System upgrade by Macon County IT Director Andy Muncey.

There was a handout during this portion of the meeting, but I missed getting it and am working to obtain a copy.

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Part Eleven


This video includes the meeting wrap up segment that ended the work session. There were no handouts.

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The next meeting of the Macon County Commissioners will be on February 11, 2014 at the Macon County Courthouse.

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Franklin Town Board Holds Annual Retreat

The Franklin Town Board held their annual retreat this past weekend to discuss several items of interest to the board and receive several updates from the town manager on some projects the town is working on. I posted a play by play on Facebook [LINK] and recorded video of the entire meeting. The video is posted below for your convenience.



A few photos from Saturday morning...

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Franklin TDA 01-13-2013

The Franklin Tourism Development Authority met last night in the town hall and heard a presentation from Jessica Mason of PRemiere Marketing and Justin Belleme of J&B Media regarding the social media advertising campaign and website maintenance of the Franklin TDA website.

I posted a play by play of the meeting on the Macon Media Facebook page and you can see a video of the entire meeting below:




MEDIA ROLL CALL

Macon Media (me)

Macon County News

If you read about this meeting anywhere else, please note that media outlet has either asked a member of the board what happened or relied on the coverage that me or the reporter from the Macon County News provided.


Here is the press kit and agenda for the meeting that was distributed to members of the board and the media:

Franklin TDA January 2014 Press Kit by Thunder Pig

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Macon County Board of Education 01-09-2014

The Macon County Board of Education had a special called meeting yesterday afternoon. They voted 5-0, after a lengthy discussion, to join the North Carolina School Board Association lawsuit against vouchers. Superintendent Dr. Chris Baldwin provided an update on Caital Outlay priorities for the coming budget discussion for the 2014-2015 budget.

There was a prolonged dicussion on "Flexibility of Testing" and ramifications of opting out on certain testing would have on future student performance on future tests and the potential imapct on the careers of teachers. The board also discussing the merit pay program for 25% of teachers. All of them are opposed to the idea and the board spent a good deal of time criticizing the NC Legislature.

The next meeting of the Board of Education will be at 6pm on Monday, January 27th at the same location. Dr Baldwin and the Finance Officer have been invited to the January 21st meeting of the Macon County Board of Commissioners.

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Franklin Aldermen 01-06-201

The Franklin Town Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight at 7pm for their regular January meeting.

I will be posting a play by play of the meeting on Facebook and will upload the video sometime tomorrow (or the day after if I decide it is too cold to go into in town).

I have the agenda and press kit embedded below, for the purpose of transparency, along with a couple of attachments. Feel free to download them and add them to your records.

TOWN OF FRANKLIN BOARD OF ALDERMEN

AGENDA

JANUARY 6, 2014

7:00 PM

l. Call to order Mayor Bob Scott
2. Adoption of January 6, 20l4 proposed agenda
3. Approval of the December2, 2, 20l3 board minutes
4. Public session
5. New business
A.) Presentation of the 0rder of the Long Leaf Pine to Joe Collins- Mayor Bob Scott
B.) Presentation on Nikwasi Mound- Chief Michell Hicks. Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation
C.) Presentation by Venture Local of Franklin- Mayor Bob Scott
D.) Presentation on Fiscal Year 2012-2013 audit- Martin Starnes Associate
E.) Appointment to the Economic Development Commission- Town Manager Warren Cabe
F.) Appointment the Macon Program for Proposed Board- Town Manager Warren Cabe
G.) Liaisons/Committee Assignments- Mayor Bob Scott
H.) Mayors Town Hall Meetings- Mayor Bob Scott
I.) Road Name request for Technology Drive- Town Manager Warren Cabe
J.) Annexation Request For Macon Program for Progress- Town Manager Warren Cabe
K.) Fire Protection Contract between Macon County and the Town of Franklin- Town Manager Warren Cabe
6. Legal
A.) Application to Amend Text only of the Unified Development Ordinance to add additional permitted uses in Commercial (C-2) zones- Town Attorney John Henning Jr.
B.) Application to Amend Text only of the Uni?ed Development Ordinance for the Board of Adjustment- Town Attorney John Henning Jr.
C.) Closed Session "N.C.G.S. §l43~318.1l(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, which privilege is hereby acknowledged."- Town Attorney John Henning Jr.
7. Announcements
A.) Town Board Retreat will be Saturday January 18, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. in the Town Hall Board Room.
B.) Town Hall O?ces will be closed Monday January 20. 20l4 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
8. Adjourn




Press Kit Jan 6, 2014 Franklin Aldermen

Macon Program for Progress Attachment 1

Macon Program for Progress Attachment 2

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2013 Meeting Index

2013 was quite a year. Here are links to my coverage of the meetings of various local governing boards I provided this past year, with few extra links to some of the other stuff I covered this past year.

I have plans to step up my coverage of local meetings this year and will be expanding to cover things that outside my normal bailiwick. I'm also hoping to launch a news website separate from this blog so I can restart my political blogging here because I really miss doing that everyday and haven't thought it appropriate to post that content here because of my concern that people couldn't tell when I was posting about my opinion or posting a recording of events. 

So, here goes...

2013 MEETING INDEX



FRANKLIN TOWN BOARD OF ALDERMEN

01-07-2013
02-04-2013
03-04-2013
04-01-2013 
04-13-2013 ANNUAL RETREAT
05-06-2013
05-14-2013 BUDGET WORK SESSION
06-01-2013 VIDEO ONLY (I forgot to post this one on the blog)
07-01-2013 
07-30-2013 JOINT MEETING WITH TOWN OF HIGHLANDS AND THE COUNTY
08-05-2013 
09-03-2013 
09-23-2013
10-07-2013 
11-04-2013 VIDEO ONLY  (I forgot to post this one on the blog)
12-02-2013 


MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

01-08-2013 
01-14-2013 
01-19-2013 ANNUAL RETREAT
02-12-2013
02-22-2013 JOINT MEETING WITH PLANNING BOARD
02-26-2013 JOINT MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION
03-12-2013
04-09-2013 
04-12-2013 
05-14-2013
05-20-2013 MEETING IN HIGHLANDS
05-28-2013 BUDGET SESSION I
05-30-2013 BUDGET SESSION II
06-04-2013 BUDGET SESSION III
07-09-2013
07-30-2013 JOINT MEETING WITH TOWNS OF FRANKLIN AND HIGHLANDS
08-13-2013
09-10-2013
10-08-2013 VIDEO ONLY (I forgot to post this on the blog)
11-12-2013 VIDEO ONLY (I forgot to post this on the blog)
11-26-2013
12-10-2013 VIDEO ONLY (I forgot to post this one on the blog, too)


2013 COUNTY BUDGET PROCESS

01-19-2013 ANNUAL RETREAT (the beginning of the budget process)
05-22-2013 BUDGET MESSAGE
05-28-2013 BUDGET WORK SESSION I
05-30-2013 BUDGET WORK SESSION II
06-04-2013 BUDGET WORK SESSION III

2013 COUNTY BUDGET PROCESS (All videos and documents in one post)


FRANKLIN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

01-14-2013
02-11-2014
03-11-2013
05-13-2013
06-10-2013
07-08-2013
09-16-2013
10-14-2013



MACON COUNTY PLANNING BOARD

02-13-2013 
02-18-2013 WORKSHOP
02-22-2013 JOINT MEETING WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
03-22-2013
05-13-2013 VIDEO ONLY (I forgot to post this on the blog)
05-30-2013
06-20-2013
07-18-2013
08-15-2013
12-12-2013



MACON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

02-25-2013
02-25-2013
02-26-2013 JOINT MEETING WITH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
03-20-2013 
04-13-2013 
04-21-2013 
05-13-2013
05-28-2013
06-04-2013 BUDGET WORK SESSION WITH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
07-01-2013 NEW SUPERINTENDENT SWORN IN
07-03-2013
09-23-2013
09-24-2013
10-28-2013 VIDEO ONLY (I forgot to post this on the blog)



OTHER COVERAGE

01-18-2013 COLD FOR A CAUSE
02-15-2013 SMALL ASTEROID EXPLODES OVER RUSSIA
04-16-2013 FLAG RAISING CEREMONY AT BOARD OF EDUCATION 
04-25-2013 BIZWEEK 2013 BANQUET
05-06-2013 LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL SERVICE 
05-21-2013 PUBLIC HEARING ON DUKE ENERGY RATE INCREASE
05-23-2013  USFS PLAN REVISION SESSION
05-27-2013 MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
05-30-2013 HALL MOUNTAIN CELEBRATION

2013 TASTE OF SCOTLAND

BRAVEHEART 5K
OPENING CEREMONY
PARADE OF TARTANS 

07-20-2013 10TH ANNUAL FOLK FESTIVAL
07-26-2013 BOB SCOTT FOR MAYOR CAMPAIGN EVENT
08-02-2013 NORTON FARMS GAS LEAK
08-09-2013 LWV "THE SHERIFFS OF MACON COUNTY"
08-19-2013 MARK MEADOWS TOWN HALL
08-27-2013 RONNIE BEALE & JIM DAVIS RECOGNIZED
09-12-2013 GOVERNOR PAT McCRORY IN DILLSBORO
09-12-2013 DAVITA DIALYSIS CENTER RIBBON CUTTING
09-24-2013 LWV & VLF FRANKLIN CANDIDATE FORUM
09-28-2013 2013 TOUR DE FRANKLIN
10-01-2013 NCAE EDUCATION TOWN HALL
10-10-2013 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS MAYORAL FORUM
11-05-2013 ELECTION DAY 2013 COVERAGE
11-05-2013 ELECTION RESULTS
11-11-2013 VETERANS DAY
11-22-2013 SECU AWARDS HOSPICE $1 MLN CHALLENGE GRANT

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Weather Update for January 2, 2014

We have some wintry weather possible today and tonight, with more possible late Sunday/Monday and a brutally cold chill coming early next week, so make your preparations now people. Here is what I posted on the weather page I maintain on facebook

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Post by Macon County Public Safety, Road Conditions and Weather Updates.

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Melissa Faetz is Region 8 Teacher of the Year

Melissa Faetz of South Macon Elementary has been named Teacher of the Year in Region 8 of the North Carolina School system that covers the western region of the state. She found out this afternoon at a surprise announcement at a school gathering in the gymnasium at the school where she teaches first grade.

She is currently the Teacher of the Year for Macon County.


Here is the video and a few photos from the event.

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Macon County Planning Board December 2013 Meeting

The Macon County Planning Board held their last meeting of the year yesterday, and the video and supporting documents are posted below. Jimmy Goodman was replaced with Ben Lassiter on the board.


MEDIA ROLL CALL

Macon Media was the only member of the press present at the meeting. There was also no one from the public at the meeting.

The next meeting of the planning board is tentatively scheduled for January 16, 2014 at 4pm, where they will begin looking at the Macon County Comprehensive Plan. I have embedded a copy of it below so you can download it for your records.

Macon County Comprehensive Plan

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2013 Winter Weather Awareness Week is December 8-14th

This week is Winter Weather Awareness Week [Alternate Link] in North Carolina and I would like to focus on the NOAA Weather Radio as a tool to alert people to potentially severe weather.

Unlike outdoor sirens, all-hazards radios save lives by alerting people who are indoors when severe weather approaches. They can also alert people in homes, schools and businesses to other types of emergencies.

These radios provide constant, useful and up-to-date weather information. They are equipped with a special alarm tone that will sound an alert and give immediate information in a life-threatening situation.

During an emergency, the National Weather Service will interrupt routine weather radio programming and broadcast a special tone that activates weather radios, by county, in the listening areas.While they are primarily used for severe weather alerts, authorities can also use these radios to issue warnings about other types of hazards, such as chemical spills or biological hazards. The hearing and visually impaired can also get these warnings by connecting weather radios to other attention-getting devices such as strobe lights, pagers, bed-shakers, personal computers and text printers.

The NOAA Transmitters that cover Macon County are:

WWG82 in Robbinsville, NC operating on 162.525 Mhz
Coverage Map

KXI81 in Clayton, GA operating on 162.450 Mhz 

Coverage Map

Here is an example of a NOAA Weather Radio in action from March 2, 2012 in Franklin, NC. [The alarm goes off in the background beginning at the 25 second mark in the audio]

The SAME Code to program into your radio for Macon County is 037113. You will have to consult the manual for your particular radio on how to program it. If you do not have a manual for your radio, please let us know in the comments by telling us what kind of radio you have and what the model number is and we will assist you as best we can.

If you do not live in Macon County, please consult this map for information on NOAA transmitters where you live.

For more information on the NOAA Weather Radio program, please visit the National Weather Service website.

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Franklin Aldermen 12-02-2013

Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen 

Meeting Agenda

Monday December 2, 2013 -7:00 p.m. 

1. Oath of Office for Mayor and Aldermen- Macon County Clerk of Court Vic Perry
2. Call to Order- Mayor Bob Scott
3. Appointment of Mayor Pro Tempore
4. Approval of the November 4, 2013 board minutes.
5. Public session
6. New business
   • Message from Mayor Bob Scott.
   • Application to amend text only of the Unified Development Ordinance for Outdoor Display of Goods- Land Use Administrator Derek Roland.
   • Application to amend text only of the Unified Development Ordinance for the Board of Adjustment- Land Use Administrator Derek Roland.
   • Approval of the 2014 Town Board Regular Meeting Schedule- Town Manager Warren Cabe.
   • Approval of the 2014 Town of Franklin Holiday Schedule- Town Manager Warren Cabe.
   • Discussion on Committee Appointments- Mayor Bob Scott
   • Update on Land Trust for the Little Tennessee- Town Manager Warren Cabe.
   • Update on North Carolina Department of Transportation Prioritization Projects- Town Manager Warren Cabe.
   • Resolution Authorizing the Town Clerk to Investigate the Sufficiency of a Voluntary Annexation Petition- Land Use Administrator Derek Roland.
   • Special Use Application for Wireless Telecommunications Tower Improvements at 90 Cunningham Road- Land Use Administrator Derek Roland
   • Discussion on 2014 Town Board Retreat- Town Manager Warren Cabe.
7. Announcements
   • Winter Wonderland will be December 6 and December 13, 2013 from 5:00 -8:00 p.m.
   • Town Employee Luncheon will be December 20, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. at Fat Buddies.
   • Town Offices will be closed December 24, 25, and 26, 2013 for Christmas.
8. Adjourn

Here is the video, press kit and some photos from last night's meeting of the Franklin Town Board of Aldermen:


Video of the December 2, 2013 meeting of the Franklin Town Board of Aldermen. Includes the swearing in of new Mayor Bob Scott, as well as new Aldermen Barbara McRae and Patti Halyburton Abel. Alderman Billy Mashburn is sworn in for another term.

Vic Perry, Clerk of Court for Macon County, swears in Bob Scott as the new Mayor of the Town of Franklin while Nancy Scott holds the Bible.

Vic Perry, Clerk of Court for Macon County, swears in Barbara McRae as a new Alderman for the Town of Franklin.

Vic Perry, Clerk of Court for Macon County, swears in Patti Halyburton Abel as a new Alderman for the Town of Franklin while her daughter Rylie and husband Donnie holds the Bible.

Vic Perry, Clerk of Court for Macon County, swears in Billy Mashburn for another term as Alderman while Dinah, his wife, holds the Bible.

The swearing in ceremonies in the town hall were subject to intense scrutiny by an army of photographers.

The Press Kit for this meeting is embedded below for your convenience and in the interest of promoting transparency in local government. Please feel free to download it.

Franklin Aldermen Press Kit 12-02-2013 by Thunder Pig

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