Macon County Commissioners Hold Work Session for FY 2015

Here is my video coverage of the budget work session that the Macon County Board of Commissioners held this past Saturday morning at the Cecil Groves Center on the campus of Southwestern Community College.

The commissioners will be holding a public hearing on the items in the proposed budget on Tuesday, June 10th at 6pm to hear what members of the public have to say about the budget. 

Here is a copy of the proposed budget:

2015 Admin Recommended Budget by Thunder Pig

If you wish to hear what Macon County Manager Derek Roland had to say when he delivered his budget message a few weeks ago, click here.  There are also copies of the 2014, 2013 and 2012 budgets at that location if you want to compare this year's budgets with those in years past.

Instead of filtering the news of this meeting and trying to tell you what I think is important, these videos will allow you to see for yourself what happened...and you can formulate your own opinions about what you think are the important takeaways from the work session. I have divided the meeting into ten videos so you don't have to wade your way through a three hour meeting just to watch one or two segments that interest you.

MEDIA ROLL CALL

Local media organizations who had reporters present at this meeting were:

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

Part One
Welcome and Parker Meadows Construction Bid Award


Part Two
Projected Revenues


Part Three
Expentitures by function
--General Government


Part Four
Expenditures by function
--Public Safety
Macon County EMS
Macon County Sheriff's Office


Part Five
Expenditures by function
--Health and Human Services
--Recreational and Cultural


Part Six
Expenditures by function
--Education I
Southwestern Community College


Part Seven
Expenditures by function
--Education II
Macon County Public Schools


Part Eight
Presentations by Volunteer Fire Departments I
--Clarks Chapel VFD


Part Nine
Presentations by Volunteer Fire Departments II
--Mountain Valley VFD


Part Ten
Miscellaneous Items
Adjournment after Closed Session

PATREON CAMPAIGN

I am still seeking funds to help me get new equipment and to develop a website to better deliver the news and weather to you in a timely and organized fashion. If you are interested in helping me out, visit my Patreon page. There is also information there if you want to instead send me a one time donation, which most people are choosing to do.

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Mike Huckabee and Speaker Dennis Hastert To Keynote 2014 NCGOP Convention in Cherokee, NC

Macon Media will be covering the 2014 Convention of the North Carolina Republican Party since it is happening practically in our backyard in Cherokee, NC on June 7th. The statewide convention of the Democratic Party is happening in Raleigh, NC...too far away for me to cover. It is also occurring on June 7th.

I expect to be receiving my press credentials soon to cover the event, and as part of the process of applying to cover the event, I have started receiving press releases regarding next weekend's event. Here is one regarding the lineup of speakers.

PRESS RELEASE
North Carolina Republican Party


Raleigh, NC - The North Carolina Republican Party is pleased to announce that former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee will be keynote speakers for the 2014 North Carolina Republican Party Convention dinner to be held on Saturday, June 7th in Cherokee, NC.

"It's a great honor to have Speaker Hastert and Governor Huckabee join us at our convention this year,” said North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Claude Pope. “Momentum is steadily building across North Carolina for Thom Tillis, with Republicans organizing the strongest grassroots effort in our state’s history. Speaker Hastert and Governor Huckabee will help make the 2014 NCGOP Convention a strong launching pad for Tillis' general election campaign, with the Republican Party united and energized to defeat liberal Kay Hagan in November."

Dennis Hastert served as the 59th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1999-2007. Mike Huckabee served as the Governor of Arkansas from 1996-2007 and was a candidate for President in 2008.

The NCGOP Convention will also feature Republican U.S. Senate Nominee Thom Tillis, Governor Pat McCrory, Lt. Governor Dan Forest, Former U.S. Education Secretary Bill Bennett, Congressman Mark Meadows and Dr. Mark Harris.

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2014 Memorial Day Ceremony in Franklin, NC

American Legion Post 108 hosted other veterans organizations and the public in a ceremony to remember those who died in America's wars. The video and photos below were taken at that ceremony in the Veterans Memorial Park south of Franklin, NC.

There is still room for you to purchase a memorial brick for a family member and you can find out how to do that, or how to donate to the organization to help in the upkeep of the park at their website.





Slide show of photos. 
If the slide show does not work, view the photos on Flickr:



Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

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Remember the Fallen on Memorial Day

General Order No. 11

"Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic." -- General Logan - May 5, 1868


Today is the day set aside for remembering fallen veterans. 

The local Memorial Day ceremony:

FRANKLIN -- Veterans Memorial Park at 1288 Georgia Rd. Ceremony begins at 11:00am. In case of rain, the ceremony will take place at the Fine Arts Building on the campus of Franklin High School at 100 Panther Drive. More information on how you can contribute to the Veterans Memorial Park of Macon County.



I have found and posted General Order No. 11, which established Memorial Day as an observance by General Logan and a brief history of Memorial Day from the Veterans Administration.



HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC

General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868



The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.
By order of

JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief

N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General

Official:
WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.




A HISTORY OF MEMORIAL DAY

Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

The ceremonies centered around the mourning-draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Various Washington officials, including Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns.

Local Observances Claim To Be First Local springtime tributes to the Civil War dead already had been held in various places. One of the first occurred in Columbus, Miss., April 25, 1866, when a group of women visited a cemetery to decorate the graves of Confederate soldiers who had fallen in battle at Shiloh. Nearby were the graves of Union soldiers, neglected because they were the enemy. Disturbed at the sight of the bare graves, the women placed some of their flowers on those graves, as well.

Today, cities in the North and the South claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1866. Both Macon and Columbus, Ga., claim the title, as well as Richmond, Va. The village of Boalsburg, Pa., claims it began there two years earlier. A stone in a Carbondale, Ill., cemetery carries the statement that the first Decoration Day ceremony took place there on April 29, 1866. Carbondale was the wartime home of Gen. Logan. Approximately 25 places have been named in connection with the origin of Memorial Day, many of them in the South where most of the war dead were buried.

Official Birthplace Declared In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y., the “birthplace” of Memorial Day. There, a ceremony on May 5, 1866, honored local veterans who had fought in the Civil War. Businesses closed and residents flew flags at half-staff. Supporters of Waterloo’s claim say earlier observances in other places were either informal, not community-wide or one-time events.

By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation. State legislatures passed proclamations designating the day, and the Army and Navy adopted regulations for proper observance at their facilities.

It was not until after World War I, however, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May, as were some other federal holidays.

Some States Have Confederate Observances Many Southern states also have their own days for honoring the Confederate dead. Mississippi celebrates Confederate Memorial Day on the last Monday of April, Alabama on the fourth Monday of April, and Georgia on April 26. North and South Carolina observe it on May 10, Louisiana on June 3 and Tennessee calls that date Confederate Decoration Day. Texas celebrates Confederate Heroes Day January 19 and Virginia calls the last Monday in May Confederate Memorial Day.

Gen. Logan’s order for his posts to decorate graves in 1868 “with the choicest flowers of springtime” urged: “We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. ... Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”

The crowd attending the first Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery was approximately the same size as those that attend today’s observance, about 5,000 people. Then, as now, small American flags were placed on each grave — a tradition followed at many national cemeteries today. In recent years, the custom has grown in many families to decorate the graves of all departed loved ones.

The origins of special services to honor those who die in war can be found in antiquity. The Athenian leader Pericles offered a tribute to the fallen heroes of the Peloponnesian War over 24 centuries ago that could be applied today to the 1.1 million Americans who have died in the nation’s wars: “Not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions, but there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men.”

To ensure the sacrifices of America ’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, in December 2000, the U.S. Congress passed and the president signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” P.L. 106-579, creating the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance. The commission’s charter is to “encourage the people of the United States to give something back to their country, which provides them so much freedom and opportunity” by encouraging and coordinating commemorations in the United States of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance.

The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. As Moment of Remembrance founder Carmella LaSpada states: “It’s a way we can all help put the memorial back in Memorial Day.”

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Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #81 Observes Law Enforcement Memorial Day in Franklin

Law Enforcement Agencies from around Macon County gathered Friday to mark the observance of Law Enforcement Memorial Day.

The holiday was created on October 1, 1961, when Congress asked the president to designate May 15 to honor peace officers. John F. Kennedy signed the bill into law on October 1, 1962. The Proclamation Signed by President John F. Kennedy:

To pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and to voice our appreciation for all those who currently serve on the front lines of the battle against crime, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962 (75 Stat.676), has authorized and requested the President to designate May 15 of each year as "Peace Officers Memorial Day," and the week in which it falls as "Police Week" and by Public Law 103-322 (36 U.S.C. 175) has requested that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers' Memorial Day.


At this year's ceremony, Derek Roland, the Macon County Manager, spoke. His full speech is included in the above video.

During the ceremony, a roll call of fallen officers was read, and a bell was tolled after each name. The roll call included date of end of service, name and the department the officer served with. The roll call of fallen officers included:



October 29, 2013
Senior Police officer Robert A. Bingaman
Asheville Police Department

FOP Lodge #81 also remembered the following officers from Western North Carolina who fell in previous years:

October 3, 2001
Master Trooper Calvin E. Taylor
North Carolina Highway Patrol

May 31, 2003
Senior Trooper Anthony G. Cogdill
North Carolina Highway Patrol

June 17, 2008
Trooper David Shawn Blanton, Jr.
North Carolina Highway Patrol

The ceremony occurs each year, weather permitting, on May 15th and the public is always welcome at this ceremony.

Here is a brief slide show of photos I took during the ceremony:




You may have to manually click through the photos.

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NC General Assembly Legislative Calendar for May 15, 2014 Updated with audio

**update 11:38am** Here is the audio of today's sessions:

NC House Chamber Audio 05-15-2014 (PDF of Calendar)



NC Senate Chamber Audio 05-15-2014 (PDF of Calendar)






The North Carolina General Assembly will convene today. Both the NC Senate (session begins at 10:30 am) and the NC House (session begins at 8 am) will be in session. 

Audio from yesterday's NC House session can be downloaded via this link. The file is over 46 MB. I plan on attempting to create my own audio archives by the time the legislature convenes next year.

8:00 AM	Session Convenes (House)	House
8:30 AM	Finance (House)	544 LOB
8:30-10:30 AM	Joint Committee on Appropriations/Base Budget Presentation of Governor's Budget	643 LOB
10:00 AM	Legislative Services Commission	1228/1327 LB
10:30 AM	Session Convenes (Senate)	Senate

**edit** 9:55am I have also found a copy of the budget message as delivered by Art Pope during the Joint Committee on Appropriations and added it to the end of this post. When the audio becomes available, I will post it here also.

Here is a copy of the proposed budget that will be presented to the budget committee today:

Proposed FY 2015 NC Budget

This is something I used to do in previous years, but was not able to do it for the past eighteen months or so because of my coverage of local meetings and limited resources. 

I now have sufficient resources to begin posting the legislative calendars and following the meetings of the state legislature thanks to the generous donations of members of the community by check and by their contributions to my Patreon campaign. Please consider donating at least a dollar a month to allow me to continue doing what I do and to build up resources to have a better website.

05-15-14 Art Pope Governors Budget Presentation

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Macon County Manager Derek Roland Delivers 2015 Budget Message

Derek Roland delivered his first budget message as county manager to the county commissioners last night. His presentation lasted nearly an hour and followed the basic precept of holding the line on expenditures. A video of his presentation is below, followed by a copy of his proposed budget. I have also included budgets from previous years for reference.





2015 Proposed Budget

2015 Admin Recommended Budget

FY 2014 Approved Budget

2014 Board Approved Budget

FY 2013 Approved Budget

2013 Board Approved Budget

FY 2012 Approved Budget

2012 Board Approved Budget

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Unofficial May 2014 Primary Results for Macon County Sheriff, County Commissioner District I and Register of Deeds

**edit 12:13am** I forgot to add the voter turnout data. 5,005 of the 24,980 registered voters participated in this primary. That makes the voter turnout 20.04%. -Bobby

I only followed three races in Macon County tonight while in the Board of Elections office in the basement of the Macon County Courthouse tonight and here are the results expressed in three precinct maps, then the numbers by precinct:



Robbie Holland cruised to a very easy re-election, garnering over 85% of the vote.

Robbie Holland 2,844...85.74%
Bryan Carpenter 473...14.26%



Commissioner Jim Tate received over 60% of the vote and will face Michael Rogers in November.

Jim Tate     1,999...61.32%
John Shearl 1,261...38.68%



Register of Deeds Todd Raby received over 70% of the votes in the primary today and will face Jamie Cochran in November.

Nicki Tallent     361...22.69%

Todd Raby    1,123...70.58%

Kenneth Blaine 107.....6.73%

Here are the results by precinct in the order in which they came in:



8:03 pm ELLIJAY


REGISTER OF DEEDS 

Nicki Tallent 25...30.12%
Todd Raby 56...67.47%
Kenneth Blaine 2...2.41%

SHERIFF

Robbie Holland 142...88.20%
Bryan Carpenter 19...11.80%

DISTRICT I COMMISSIONER

Jim Tate 100...64.10%
John Shearl 56...35.90%


8:30 pm NORTH FRANKLIN

REGISTER OF DEEDS 

Nicki Tallent 15...17.24%
Todd Raby 66...75.86%
Kenneth Blaine 6...6.90%

SHERIFF

Robbie Holland 138...87.90%
Bryan Carpenter 19...12.10%

DISTRICT I COMMISSIONER

Jim Tate 97...63.40%
John Shearl 56...36.60%


8:34 pm UNION

REGISTER OF DEEDS 

Nicki Tallent 20...25.64%
Todd Raby 52...66.67%
Kenneth Blaine 6...7.69%

SHERIFF

Robbie Holland 126...82.89%
Bryan Carpenter 26...17.11%

DISTRICT I COMMISSIONER

Jim Tate 86...58.11%
John Shearl 62...41.86%


8:40 pm SOUTH FRANKLIN

REGISTER OF DEEDS 

Nicki Tallent 13...23.21%
Todd Raby 39...69.64%
Kenneth Blaine 4...7.14%

SHERIFF

Robbie Holland 38...70.37%
Bryan Carpenter 16...29.63%

DISTRICT I COMMISSIONER

Jim Tate 32...61.54%
John Shearl 20...38.46%


8:44 pm IOTLA

REGISTER OF DEEDS 

Nicki Tallent 13...20.00%
Todd Raby 50...76.92%
Kenneth Blaine 2...3.08%

SHERIFF

Robbie Holland 83...90.22%
Bryan Carpenter 9...9.78%

DISTRICT I COMMISSIONER

Jim Tate 49...54.44%
John Shearl 41...45.56%



8:49 pm MILLSHOAL

REGISTER OF DEEDS 

Nicki Tallent 14...22.22%
Todd Raby 45...71.43%
Kenneth Blaine 4...6.35%

SHERIFF

Robbie Holland 122....82.99%
Bryan Carpenter 25...17.01%

DISTRICT I COMMISSIONER

Jim Tate 88...61.54%
John Shearl 55...38.46%



8:54 pm EAST FRANKLIN

REGISTER OF DEEDS 

Nicki Tallent 23...29.21%
Todd Raby 56...62.92%
Kenneth Blaine 7...7.87%

SHERIFF

Robbie Holland 115...83.33%
Bryan Carpenter 23...16.67%

DISTRICT I COMMISSIONER

Jim Tate 79...59.40%
John Shearl 54...40.60%


8:54 pm CARTOOGECHAYE

REGISTER OF DEEDS 

Nicki Tallent 16...22.54%
Todd Raby 49...69.01%
Kenneth Blaine 6...8.45%

SHERIFF

Robbie Holland 145...77.96%
Bryan Carpenter 41...22.04%

DISTRICT I COMMISSIONER

Jim Tate 99...54.70%
John Shearl 82...45.30%


8:58 pm FLATS

REGISTER OF DEEDS 

Nicki Tallent 4...23.53%
Todd Raby 12...70.59%
Kenneth Blaine 1...5.88%

SHERIFF

Robbie Holland 46...74.19%
Bryan Carpenter 16...25.81%

DISTRICT I COMMISSIONER

Jim Tate 37...59.68%
John Shearl 25...40.32%


9:03 pm HIGHLANDS

REGISTER OF DEEDS 

Nicki Tallent 23...26.44%
Todd Raby 56...64.37%
Kenneth Blaine 8...9.20%

SHERIFF

Robbie Holland 226...91.87%
Bryan Carpenter 20.8.13%

DISTRICT I COMMISSIONER

Jim Tate 221...81.78%
John Shearl 47...18.22%


9:05 pm SUGARFORK

REGISTER OF DEEDS 

Nicki Tallent 5...33.33%
Todd Raby 8...53.33%
Kenneth Blaine 2...13.33%

SHERIFF

Robbie Holland 64...94.12%
Bryan Carpenter 4...5.88%

DISTRICT I COMMISSIONER

Jim Tate 44...65.67%
John Shearl 23...34.33%



9:09 pm COWEE

REGISTER OF DEEDS 

Nicki Tallent 7...7.14%
Todd Raby 84...85.71%
Kenneth Blaine 7...7.14%

SHERIFF

Robbie Holland 137...85.09%
Bryan Carpenter 24...14.91%

DISTRICT I COMMISSIONER

Jim Tate 95...60.90
John Shearl 61...39.10%


9:11 pm NANTAHALA

REGISTER OF DEEDS
Nicki Tallent 7...43.75%
Todd Raby 6...37.50%
Kenneth Blaine 3...18.75%

SHERIFF

Robbie Holland 45...76.27%
Bryan Carpenter 14...23.73%

DISTRICT I COMMISSIONER

Jim Tate 32...59.26%
John Shearl 22...40.74%


9:18 pm BURNINGTOWN

REGISTER OF DEEDS
Nicki Tallent 6...24.00%
Todd Raby 18...72.00%
Kenneth Blaine 1...4.00%

SHERIFF

Robbie Holland 68...73.91%
Bryan Carpenter 24...26.09%

DISTRICT I COMMISSIONER

Jim Tate 50...56.18%
John Shearl 39...43.82%


9:44 pm SMITHBRIDGE

REGISTER OF DEEDS
Nicki Tallent 27...30.00%
Todd Raby 53...58.89%
Kenneth Blaine 10...11.11%

SHERIFF

Robbie Holland 139...79.43%
Bryan Carpenter 36...20.57%

DISTRICT I COMMISSIONER

Jim Tate 82...47.67%
John Shearl 90...52.33%

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Franklin Aldermen 05-05-2014

The Franklin Town Board of Aldermen met last night for their regular meeting for May 2014. I have posted the video I recorded above and the public agenda, the press kit and a searchable copy of the Town Manager's Budget Message to the Aldermen below. You may read the play by play I posted on the Macon Media Facebook Page.

Near the end of the meeting, the Aldermen went into a closed session that lasted about nine minutes. When they came out, the Aldermen passed a resolution to acquire some property for a sum of money to settle a suit filed by the John W. Mitchell Jr Revocable Trust had filed against the Town of Franklin in Superior Court for the amount of $180,300. I have a copy of that resolution below the public agenda. I have embedded a copy of the agenda packet that members of the board and the media receive. I have included a link for you to download a copy for your personal records if you so wish.



PUBLIC AGENDA

Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen 

Meeting Agenda

Monday May 5, 2013 - 7:00 p.m. 

1. Call to order- Mayor Bob Scott
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Adoption of May 5, 2014 Proposed Agenda
4. Approval of April 7 and April 28, 2014 Board Minutes
5. Public Hearing 7:05 p.m. for Rezoning Petition for Six (6) Parcels on East Palmer Street and Porter Street
6. Public Hearing 7:10 p.m. for Application to Amend Text Only of the Unified Development Ordinance for the Outdoor Display of Goods
7. Public Session
8. New Business
   • Board Decision on Rezoning Petition for Six (6) Parcels on East Palmer Street and Porter Street
   • Board Decision on Application to Amend Text Only of the Unified Development Ordinance for the Outdoor Display of Goods
   • Presentation by the Community Care Clinic
   • Proclamation for Law Enforcement Memorial Day- Mayor Bob Scott
   • Special Use Application for Wireless Telecommunications Eligible Facilities Request at 90 Cunningham Road- Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
   • Set Public Hearing for Rezoning Petition for Macon County and the Town of Franklin Properties- Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
   • Set Public Hearing for the Application to Amend Text Only of the Unified Development Ordinance for Microbrewery and Brewpub- Land Use Administrator Justin Setser
   • Streets
     1. Stop Sign and Intersection Change on Pauline Avenue and Ulco Drive
     2. Watauga Street One Way
   • Budget Amendments- Finance Officer Janet Anderson
   • Proposed Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Budget- Interim Town Manager Summer Woodard
     1. Presentation of the Proposed Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Town of Franklin Budget
     2. Set Budget Work Session for Saturday May 17, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.
     3. Set Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Budget for Monday June 2, 2014 at 7:05 p.m.
9. Legal
   1. 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

RESOLUTION TO SETTLE CLAIM AGAINST TOWN

[I have added a couple of hyperlinks to the document that might help you understand the document better. -Bobby]

RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN FOR THE TOWN OF FRANKLIN TO ACQUIRE REAL PROPERTY AND SETTLE THE MATTER OF JOHN W. MITCHELL, JR. REVOCABLE TRUST V. TOWN OF FRANKLIN, 12-CVS-228, AND TO DECLARE THE REAL PROPERTY SO ACQUIRED SURPLUS

WHEREAS, pursuant to NCGS 160a-11, the board of aldermen for the Town of Franklin is empowered inter alia to acquire real property; and

WHEREAS, construction of the Crawford Branch sewer line replacement project required said line to cross a portion of the property located at 381 East Main Street, being Macon County parcel number 6595303520 and described in that deed dated February 6, 2009 from Kenneth R. Kopp and wife Alison J. Kopp to John W. Mitchell, Jr., and Bobby J. Key as Co-Trustees of the John W. Mitchell, Jr. Revocable Trust, u/t/a dated May 30, 2003, recorded in book V-32, pages 335-338 of the Macon County Public Registry (the “Property”); and

WHEREAS, the said John W. Mitchell, Jr. Revocable Trust, as Plaintiff, instituted an action in Superior Court concerning the said sewer line, file number 12-CVS-228 [download a copy] in the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court for Macon County; and

WHEREAS, the Plaintiff has offered and the Town agreed to completely settle the said action and all matters related thereto upon payment of the sum stated in Section 1 of this Resolution, in exchange for which the Plaintiff will convey the Property to the Town of Franklin; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Aldermen finds that the said sum is fair and full consideration for the property and payment of the other fees and costs of this matter; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Aldermen finds that the Property is not necessary for public purposes and therefore need not be retained;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Aldermen for the town of Franklin, the following:

Section 1. The sum of $180,300.00 is hereby appropriated from the town's retained earnings. The Town's Interim Manager and Finance Officer, or their successors in office, are authorized to pay the said sum unto the Clerk of Superior Court for Macon County, to be released to the said Plaintiff.

Section 2. The Mayor is authorized to execute, on behalf of the Town of Franklin and as its corporate act, that Consent Judgment attached hereto and made a part hereof, and to so execute such documents as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Resolution.

AGENDA PACKET FOR MEDIA AND BOARD MEMBERS

Download PDF of Agenda Packet

Franklin Aldermen Agenda Packet 05-05-14 by Thunder Pig

PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF FRANKLIN FOR 2014-2015

2014-20156 Proposed Franklin Budget

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Macon County Commissioners meet with the Towns of Franklin and Highlands in Cowee

On Thursday, May 1, 2014, the Macon County Commissioners hosted a joint meeting with the Franklin Town Board of Aldermen and the Highlands Board of Commissioners at the Macon County Heritage Center located in the old Cowee School.

The local governing bodies discussed what they'd been up to since they last met and item of mutual interest, then took a tour of the Heritage Center. I tagged along with the tour that was conducted by Bobby Kuppers. Videos of the meeting and the tour are below. There was no agenda for this meeting.



GOVERNING BOARDS -- MISSING MEMBERS
Macon County Commissioner Paul Higdon
Franklin Town Manager Warren Cabe
Highlands Town Commissioner Brian Stiehler

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

THE JOINT MEETING




THE TOUR

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The Last Minute Voter's Guide to Macon County Candidates

**note** This post has been changed to correct some minor spelling/grammar errors and to reflect the correct number of terms the Sheriff has served. -Bobby

If you haven't been paying attention or done your homework for tomorrow's primary election, here is some material for you to use to cram at the last minute using all the videos I have taken at the various forums of candidates who have a primary race sorted by the seat they are seeking:

MACON COUNTY SHERIFF

Robbie Holland is running for a third fourth term as the Sheriff of Macon County and Bryan Carpenter is challenging him. Who ever wins this race will be the Sheriff for the next four years because Democrats did not put forward a candidate.

Here are a few videos of both candidates at various forums over the past few weeks.







CANDIDATE FORUM HOSTED BY FOP LODGE #81

This forum includes candidates for District Attorney, another important race




DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR THE 30TH PROSECUTORIAL DISTRICT

This seat has been opened up by the impending retirement of Mike Bonfoey, who has served in this position since April 2003. Vying for the seat are Assistant DAs Jim Moore and Ashley Welch. I have more video of Ashley because Jim Moore did not attend all the forums.





MACON COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT I

Jim Tate has served in this position since he was appointed by the Republican Party in December 2011 to replace Brain McClellan, who resigned. He won an unopposed reelection in 2012 to complete the term to which he had been appointed. Challenging him is John Shearl, who currently serves on the Macon County Planning Board. Here are the videos I have of these two candidates:



The following forum includes some candidates who did not have a primary, and I apologize for not having the time or resources to cut this video up into just the segments that involve those running in the primary.



REGISTER OF DEEDS

This is another local race that involves Todd Raby, who is running for a third term, and challengers Kenneth Blaine and Nicki Tallent.









NC SENATE DISTRICT 50
This seat is currently held by Jim Davis, who is a Republican. He has no primary challengers, but there are two Democrats facing each other for the opportunity to run against him in the fall. Jane Hipps and Ron Robinson are the candidates. Ron Robinson did not attend one of the forums is the reason there are more videos of Jane Hipps than there are of him.




US HOUSE NORTH CAROLINA DISTRICT 11

This seat is also currently held by a Republican, Mark Meadows. The Democrats seeking to replace him are Tom Hill and Keith Ruehl. Keith Ruehl did not show at any event in Macon County and Tom Hill at only one, so I just have the one video of Tom Hill.


So, for those of you who watched the videos, I hope you feel better informed on what your choices are tomorrow. Now, go out and be a good citizen and vote. If you do not vote, you are giving your stamp of approval on whoever wins tomorrow.


PATREON CAMPAIGN

Macon Media is a community-supported news source focusing on public affairs at the local level, along with local weather and public safety news and I am in need of assistance so that I can continue doing this thing and take it to the next level with a better website and newer equipment. If you are interested, please know that even a dollar a month would be greatly appreciated. Visit Patreon for more information on how you can help.

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Early Voting in Macon County A Statistical Primer of the Macon 2014 Primary

The early voting, or One-Stop, period from April 24th through 1 pm on May 3rd is over and some preliminary statistics are available.

2,031 out the 24,977 registered voters participated, making the turn out 8.13% or one in twelve of registered voters took the opportunity to vote early.

VOTERS BY REGISTRATION

Registration	# Voters	% Turnout	% by Party Registration
Republicans	958	47.17	9.73
Democrats	578	28.46	7.63
Unaffiliateds	493	24.27	6.59
Libertarians	2	0.09	2.78

EARLY VOTERS BY AGE

The average age of the early voter was 62. Only 20 people under the age of 21 voted and 41 people aged 90 and over voted. In fact, the older generation dominated the early voting with 1,070, or 52.68% of the turnout, were aged 65 and older. The table below shows more information:

AGE BLOCK (YEARS)	# VOTING	% VOTING
18-44	340	16.74
45-64	621	30.58
65 +	1,070	52.68

TOMORROW'S TURNOUT

How does all this translate into the turnout for tomorrow and the primary overall?

I am thinking the turnout will be around 18% and would be surprised if it exceeded 23% based on the turnout figures from previous election cycles.

I will be in the big courtroom monitoring the votes as they come in and will be posted a live play by play on Facebook at Macon Media and a wrap up at MaconMedia.com shortly after the results come in.

In order to assist me in continuing to provide this kind of live coverage, please consider pledging at least a dollar a month to my crowd funding campaign at Patreon.

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April 2014 Macon Media Patreon Campaign Drawing Winner

The winner of the Midland WR-120 NOAA Weather Radio is Grace Johnson!
For more information on the fundraising effort, please visit my crowd-funding page at Patreon. www.patreon.com/MaconMedia

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Franklin Board of Aldermen Names Summer Woodard Interim Town Manager

The Franklin Town Board of Aldermen held a special called meeting to select an Interim Town Manager to replace the resigning Warren Cabe, who is returning to the Emergency Services Department to replace the outgoing Director David Key, who replaced Warren Cabe when he resigned last year to take the Town Manager's position with the Town of Franklin after the retirement of Sam Greenwood..

The meeting lasted three and half minutes and the video is below, followed by a press release from he Town of Franklin that gives some background on the new Interim Town Manager.




PRESS RELEASE

TOWN OF FRANKLIN
PO BOX 1479 FRANKLIN, NC 28744
(828) 524-2516


Summer Woodard, Assistant tot he Town Manager for the Town of Franklin, was named Interim Town Manager by the Franklin Board of Aldermen at a special called meeting Monday, April 28. Woodard was appointed to the position following the resignation of Warren Cabe, who will be rejoining Macon County Government's Emergency Services May2.

Woodard, a native of Franklin, is a 2004 graduate of Franklin High School. She graduated Western Carolina University in 2008 with a BA in History and Political Science. At WCU, Woodard was a member of the WCU Honors College. Following her undergraduate program at WCU, she attended WCU graduate school in 2008 earning a Masters Degree in Public Administration in 2010. As part of her MA program she had to complete a 300 hour internship program which she accomplished at the Town of Franklin.

Following graduation from WCU, Woodard became a part-time employee of the town working in customer service. In December 2010 she was offered the full-time position of Assistant to the Town Manager.

She completed the Municipal Administration Course of the School of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2012.

In 2013 Woodard assumed the dual roles as Assistant to the Town Manager and Human Resources Officer.

She is active in other government functions serving on the Franklin Tourism development Authority, Macon County's Tourism Development Commission, Macon County Transit Board, Macon County Care Network Board, Town of Franklin Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment.

She will begin her new duties on May 2.

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Looking for a Witness on Main Street in Franklin, NC

I was walking down Main Street this afternoon on my way to shoot a video at a local business when I heard someone shouting. I stopped in front of Anna Bedell's and turned back to see a man, a woman and a preteen boy standing on the corner of Main Street and Iotla Street next to the county courthouse. I turned and did a slow 360 to see who they were shouting at and there were no obvious alternatives to me. I did an exaggerated "Who, Me?" gesture, pointing at myself.

The couple nodded and they started toward me and me toward them. I was curious at what was up. I imagined they were tourists, looking for directions.

We met at the corner of Main Street and Phillips Street next to the water fountain.I said, "Hello. Can I help you?" The man nodded and asked me if I would be a witness at their wedding.

I said, "Okay, if I can take pictures and post them on my Internet news site."

They said I could and I went with them to the third floor of the courthouse where I witnessed the ceremony that was performed by magistrate Miciah Leatherman.

Here are some of the photos I took during the ceremony.

Congratulations to Miguel and Venessa Jimenez and may they have many happy years together.

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Macon County Democratic Men's Club hold forum for candidates

The Macon County Democratic Men's Club hosted a forum for candidates running in the Democratic Party primary. I attended and recorded video of the candidate speeches. The full video of the event is below, and below that, are the individual speeches separated out by candidate, with the exception of Vic Perry, who is running unopposed for Clerk of Superior Court of Macon County. His was the first speech and was only 28 seconds long. It's no wonder he is running unopposed.

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Macon County Democratic Men's Club Forum

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Micheal David Rogers, a candidate running for Macon County Commissioner in District I

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Commissioner Ronnie Beale candidate running for Macon County Commissioner in District II

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Nikki Tallent, a candidate running for the Register of Deeds of Macon County

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Kenneth Blaine, a candidate running for the Register of Deeds of Macon County

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Todd Raby, a candidate running for the Register of Deeds of Macon County

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Jane Hipps, candidate for NC Senate in the 50th District

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Ron Robinson, candidate for NC Senate in the 50th District

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PATREON CAMPAIGN

I'd appreciate any help you can provide so that I can continue to provide complete video coverage of local government meetings. Check out http://www.patreon.com/maconmedia for more information. A dollar a month would mean great deal to me and help me obtain better equipment and cover more meetings and advance to the next stage in my plans for a digital news platform for Macon County.

Key Election Dates in the North Carolina 2014 Primary

Thursday, April 24, 2014
One-Stop early voting begins for May 6 Primary. For locations, check with your county elections office.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Last day to request absentee ballots by mail

Saturday, May 3 2014
One-Stop early voting ends at 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Primary Day (polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.)
Last day to return absentee ballots by mail (by 5:00 p.m.)

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Community Town Hall Discussion Series: The Town Gazebo

On Monday night, the League of Women Voters and Venture Local Franklin hosted the first in the Town Hall Discussion Series. The topic of discussion was proposed designs for the town gazebo. Several people brought designs and displayed them for people to discuss.

Video of the moderated discussion portion of the event is below.


I am running a Patreon Campaign to raise funds to help me to continue covering events like these. Please consider a modest monthly donation to help me out. Click here to learn more about how you can help.

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