JANUARY 21, 2010 ISSUE
News Watch
A Quick Look at News Across the Region
Preliminary, Preliminary Damage Assessment Meeting Held January 13
Raleigh representatives from the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management conducted a preliminary, preliminary damage assessment meeting at the Watauga County Commissioners’ Boardroom on January 13.
Attending were representatives from the Town of Boone, Watauga County, the Town of Blowing Rock, the Town of Seven Devils, the Town of Beech Mountain, ASU and the North Carolina Division of Transportation.
Each entity filled out a sheet estimating the costs of the emergency work and permanent work that had to be done as a result of the recent snow and ice storms, and the sum of these sheets will determine if FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) will come to Boone to conduct the official preliminary damage assessment, said Andrew Innis, public assistance supervisor with the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management.
If the costs meet the program threshold, a presidential disaster declaration would be sought, Innis said.
Typically in disaster declaration scenarios, FEMA reimburses a minimum of 75 percent of the costs and the state picks up the remaining 25 percent, he added.
WYN Celebrates 25th Anniversary, Mayor Proclaims January Boone Mentoring Month
Western Youth Network (WYN) is celebrating 25 years of mentoring and kicking off a new year during the month of January, National Mentoring Month. Boone Mayor Loretta Clawson agreed to join in the celebration by proclaiming that January is Boone Mentoring Month.
WYN’s Mentoring Program has provided a structured mentoring program for 25 years. Mentor volunteers agree to spend two hours per week for a full calendar year in a one-on-one relationship with a child. Mentors and youth can be found doing any number of activities together, from watching a movie to walking dogs at the Humane Society. In 2009, WYN’s volunteers contributed 2,900 hours to the program.
For more information about mentoring in the High Country with WYN’s Mentoring Program, or to become a mentor, contact Program Director Angela McMann at 828-264-5174 or click to www.westernyouthnetwork.org.
Handgun Permits Increase Year-Over-Year in Watauga County
According to the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, handgun purchase permits, concealed weapon permits (CHPs) and CHP renewals increased in 2009 compared to 2008.
In 2008, 822 residents applied for handgun purchase permits, 183 applied for CHPs and 77 applied for CHP renewals. In 2009, 960 residents applied for handgun purchase permits, 377 applied for CHPs and 94 applied for CHP renewals. Year-over-year, purchase permits increased by 138, CHPs increased by 194 and CHP renewals increased by 17.
ASU Ranked 22nd in Kiplinger Top 100 Best Value Rankings
ASU recently climbed to the 22nd spot in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine’s list of the top 100 values in public colleges and universities in the nation. ASU was listed 29th in last year’s rankings.
Kiplinger’s based its 2009-10 rankings on a combination of academics and affordability. The magazine started with data from more than 500 public four-year colleges and universities provided by Peterson’s/Nelnet. The list was then narrowed to 100 schools based on measures of academic quality, including SAT or ACT scores, admission and retention rates, student-faculty ratios and four- and six-year graduation rates, which most schools reported for the class entering in 2002.
To assess costs, the magazine looked at total expenses for in-state students (tuition, mandatory fees, room and board and books); the average cost for a student with need after subtracting grants (but not loans); the average cost for a student without need after subtracting non-need-based grants; the average percentage of need met by aid; and the average debt per student before graduation.
UNC-Chapel Hill topped the list at No. 1. Other North Carolina public schools on the list are N.C. State University (20), UNC-Wilmington (27), UNC-Asheville (44) and UNC School of the Arts (61).
ASU’s in-state costs were listed by the magazine at just more than $11,500.
The rankings can be found by clicking to www.kiplinger.com/reports/best-college-values.
I-40 Rockslide Update
On January 18, work crews at the I-40 rockslide project worked in two shifts drilling holes where rock bolts will be installed to shore up the mountainside, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Crews also continued assembling the bolts at the foot of the mountain. Bolts will range in size from 55 feet to 130 feet in length.
A helicopter arrived on January 19 to ferry the assembled bolts to the top of the mountainside. Plans are for the first bolts to be installed this week. Six bolts will be installed initially and then tested to make sure that they meet the standards necessary for the role they play in stabilizing the mountainside.
The testing also helps both the contractor and DOT engineers and inspectors fine-tune the installation and inspection process. Then, if the bolts pass inspection, the subcontractor will move forward with the installation of the 590 bolts planned as part of the repair work. Each bolt must be inspected after it is installed.
This section of Interstate 40 near the Tennessee border has been closed in both directions since the rockslide occurred on October 25.
NCDOT estimates that the interstate could be fully reopened sometime in March depending on weather conditions between now and then. A decision on any partial opening of the highway will be made as work progresses.
New Meeting Schedule for Boone Town Council
Beginning this month, the Boone Town Council will begin meeting two times per month. The first meeting will be on the third Tuesday of the month beginning at 6:30 p.m. and will reconvene, if necessary, on the third Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Closed sessions will be held on the third Tuesday of each month following the end of the regularly scheduled meeting. Meetings will continue to be held in the Town Council Chambers, located at 1500 Blowing Rock Road in Boone.
All persons wishing to appear on the meeting agenda will need to contact Town Clerk Freida Van Allen prior to the agenda deadline which is 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, one week prior to the meeting. No agenda item will be added for action after the deadline for submission unless approved by a majority vote of the council. The meeting agenda will be published and available on Thursday, one week prior to the meeting.
Banner Elk Bicycle Committee Forming
The Town of Banner Elk is forming a bicycle committee that will help guide the town in creating bike paths, policies and additional bicycle recreational activities. As the town moves forward with its Recreation Plan, local bicycle riders are needed for input. The first committee meeting is planned for Thursday, February 4, at 4:00 p.m. at Banner Elk Town Hall. For more info, call 828-898-5398 or email jjm224@gmail.com.
AppalCART Sets Ridership Record for 2009
AppalCART, Watauga County’s public transportation authority, reported a 5.9 percent increase in calendar-year ridership, setting a new record of 1,212,899 passenger trips in 661,153 miles of service during 2009. Hours of service for the transportation authority increased 2 percent during the same time period, while miles of service declined by less than 1 percent from those of 2008.
“The 5.9 percent increase amounted to an additional 67,466 recorded trips over the total for 2008,” said AppalCART Transportation Director Chris Turner, who attributed the increase to a number of factors, including newer buses, a second bus on the orange route and continuation of the fare free program on the authority’s bus routes.
Ellison Named Director of ASU’s Student Health Service
Dr. Robert “Bob” Ellison was recently named director of Mary S. Shook Student Health Service at ASU. He replaces Dr. Patricia “Pat” Geiger who desired to return to full-time practice in Student Health Service.
Ellison has been a staff physician at ASU since 2007. He was clinic physician and medical director for the Watauga County Health Department from 1999 to 2007, a medical missionary in Nigeria from 1992 to 1999 and was in private practice in Boone and Clarksville, Tenn., for eight years.
Ellison holds an M.D. from Bowman Gray School of Medicine and a master of public health degree from the University of North Carolina.
N.C. Board of Transportation Elects Collier as New Chair
On January 7, members of the North Carolina Board of Transportation elected board member Robert A. Collier Jr. of Statesville as the new board chair. Collier, who has represented Division 12—Alexander, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell and Lincoln counties—on the board for six years, replaces outgoing chair Doug Galyon of Greensboro, who stepped down from the board today following 17 years of service.
As chair, Collier will oversee the 19-member Board of Transportation. The board is responsible for setting transportation policies for the North Carolina Department of Transportation and approving funding for transportation projects statewide.
POLITICS: Deal Announces Candidacy for Watauga Clerk of Superior Court
On January 11, Diane Cornett Deal, retired assistant clerk of court, announced her candidacy for Watauga County Clerk of Superior Court. Deal made the announcement at the Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center during a special ceremony. The election primary is scheduled for May 4, with the election planned for November.
POLITICS: Younce Announces Candidacy for Watauga Clerk of Superior Court
On January 19, Lowell Younce announced he would resign from the Watauga County Board of Education in order to run for the office of Watauga County Clerk of Superior Court. Younce released the following statement:
“My decision is based on my willingness to serve all the people of Watauga County to the best of my ability. My qualifications include: experience in administration, finances, supervising employees and working well with the people of Watauga County.
“I have been humbled and honored by the citizens of Watauga County for electing me to serve three terms as a member of the Watauga County Board of Education. While serving with other school board members, we have been able to work well with others to improve an already successful school system. The Clerk of Superior Court office, as with the school system, should not be status quo, but always seeking ways to improve their performance of duties and responsibilities. I do not have an ax to grind nor an agenda; I am simply seeking the position of Clerk of Superior Court to help make the office the best performing office in the state of North Carolina.
“While either serving or volunteering within the various organizations, civic clubs, insurance business and county government, I have established a proven record of good character, fairness, integrity, honesty and a willingness to help others achieve success. A former clerk of court’s motto was, ‘to know him is to like him.’ If you do not know me, get to know me. My phone number is 828-297-3634 and email address is Lowell_younce@yahoo.com. As Clerk of Superior Court of Watauga County, I will serve all the people and other entities fairly and impartially.”
POLITICS: Gavenus Announces Candidacy for 24th Judicial District Superior Court Judge
On January 14, Gary Gavenus of Burnsville announced his candidacy for one of two seats in the nonpartisan race for Superior Court Judge for the 24th Judicial District, which is comprised of Avery, Mitchell, Madison, Yancey and Watauga counties. Gavenus has served as assistant district attorney for the 24th Judicial District since 2003 and worked in private practice for 20 years prior to that appointment.
Gavenus graduated Cum Laude from Dickinson College with a bachelor of arts degree with majors in economics and philosophy. He received his Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Law and is a member of the North Carolina Bar, the Pennsylvania Bar and the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys.
“Beyond my experience, I believe I have the temperament and attributes necessary for the important position of Superior Court Judge. Throughout my career as a prosecutor and private attorney I have always strived to be honest, forthright, fair and courteous with all those I come in contact with, from the public to the judiciary and members of the bar. I assure you that I will bring each of these qualities to the bench. All judgments I render will be well reasoned, impartial, just and fair to all concerned,” said Gavenus.
POLITICS: Elmore Announces Candidacy for N.C. Senate Seat for District 45
On January 15, Jeffrey Elmore, teacher and North Wilkesboro county commissioner, announced his candidacy for the N.C. Senate in District 45, the seat currently held by Steve Goss that represents Alexander, Ashe, Watauga and Wilkes counties.
“Alexander, Ashe, Watauga and Wilkes counties are suffering from the recent downturn in the economy with some of the highest unemployment numbers in the state,” said Elmore, an ASU graduate and 2005-06 Wilkes County Teacher of the Year. “Our citizens need jobs and a sense of hope for our future. Instead, we see key democrat leaders in Raleigh involved in corruption and many taking on the philosophy of taxing our way out of the problem. The people of our district need a clear vision for our future direction, and I am just the person for the job. I will work day and night to make sure that the common sense, conservative values seen on our mountain and foothill communities are represented and hear in Raleigh.”
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