JANUARY 8, 2009 issue
2008 Quotes of the Year
January 17, 2008
“By mid-March we should have a better feel for what are intentions are. We have to go through steps to find out if the building can be sold. Then we can make an informed decision.”
Enola Rice, the U.S. Postal Service spokesperson, commenting on the notice at the downtown Boone Post Office that the building will be sold
January 24, 2008
“It’s not because I’m opposed to the change, but because we were not given adequate time to consider these changes. Not all of us were on that [university and town] committee and that’s why I voted no. When they say the town agrees, I don’t consider that I agreed.”
Boone Town Council member Janet Pepin, explaining why she voted against changes to the Unified Development Ordinance that apply to development of property in the U-1 (university) zoning district.
January 31, 2008
“Generally people come in with ideas and recipes, but not a lot of business sense. They haven’t thought about labels, pricing, packaging and marketing.”
Carol Coulter, director of Creative Food Ventures, commenting on the many aspects of building a successful food-centered business
February 7, 2008
“The goal for all of us is the completion of our human qualities. I hope it’s understood that a man can be a feminist too—someone who believes in full social, political and human equality.”
Feminist activist Gloria Steinem, speaking to a packed Farthing Auditorium on Monday night
Febrary 14, 2008
“We’re being offered money that is substandard at best.”
Bob Meier, owner of Doe Ridge Pottery, commenting on the business relocation assistance available from the DOT. The building where Meier’s business, PC Medics and Boone Florist are located is scheduled for demolition to make way for a new right-turn lane onto Highway 321.
February 21, 2008
“I represent a group of business owners and professors who are interested in pursuing the feasibility of liquor by the drink. We’re going around to different groups such as the DBDA and the Boone Chamber of Commerce, just to feel out how the town is going to receive the idea of having a mixed beverage referendum. So far we’ve gotten positive feedback.”
Stephen Sinanian, Boone Saloon co-owner, commenting on the ABC Taskforce that is evaluating the popularity of a ballot referendum for liquor by the drink in Boone
February 28, 2008
“We are very thrilled about the numbers from the Boone Convention and Visitors Bureau. These numbers mirror our numbers and increased business. It’s been a very solid year for everybody in the ski business.”
- Lenny Cottom, co-owner of Hawksnest Resort, commenting on the fact that January 2008 was one the best Januarys ever in terms of hotel occupancy in the Town of Boone, according to the Boone Convention and Visitors Bureau. According to Mac Forehand, director of the Boone Convention and Visitors Bureau, hotel occupancy tax revenues were $39,281.79 in January 2008, up 21.4 percent from January 2007 revenues of $32,371.
March 6, 2008
“The focus of the Administration at all times was on the safety of our students, faculty, staff and campus guests.”
--Chancellor Ken Peacock, in a letter about the fabricated report of an armed man that led to a lockdown of the university on Monday night
March 13, 2008
“Our means may differ, but our ultimate goal is the same: building a safe and productive community.”
David Brumfield, director of the McLeod Rehabilitation Center in Boone, commenting on the center’s cooperation with local law enforcement to address problems related to criminal activity by the center’s clients
March 20, 2008
“The primary benefit for having this interconnect is for emergency purposes. Water could travel either way and it would be a great benefit for emergencies.”
Boone Town Manager Greg Young, commenting on a proposed interconnect of the Boone and Blowing Rock water systems
March 27, 2008
“It’s going to bring revenue to the community; it’s going to give the kids a place to play soccer; it’s going to be great all around.”
Makoto’s owner Gwen Dhing, commenting on the Tuesday, April 8, Celebrity Serve that will raise money for the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex on Brookshire Road
April 3, 2008
“Thirty years ago, domestic violence was considered private. The topic was often passed off as a family issue without further discussion. The members of that group felt otherwise.”
OASIS Executive Director Jennifer Herman, commenting on the Watauga County residents who founded OASIS 30 years ago
April 10, 2008
“I hope that I’ll do well in [the national bee]. If I keep studying, then I think I could do well in it. I’m sure I don’t have as much free time as many other contestants do, but I shoot for an hour a day.”
—Baron Fenwick, an eighth grader at Green Valley, who, after winning the Winston-Salem Journal Regional Spelling Bee, will compete in the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. on May 29 and 30
April 17, 2008
“It’s been mind-blowing how much people are offering. The community has been so great to us. It definitely helps you get moving forward and stay positive.”
Boone Saloon part owner and booking agent Matt Johnston, commenting on the community response to the April 10 fire that extensively damaged the popular bar and restaurant
April 24, 2008
“In my opinion, the most abused drugs these days are prescription drugs. It’s just the way it is. Drugs go in trends—it’s whatever’s easiest to get.”
Watauga County Sheriff’s Office Captain Al Reed
May 1, 2008
“I believe it’s not close who would be the best president, and I believe enough people in North Carolina can be persuaded. Don’t you believe for a minute that she can’t win this thing….Tell people—folks who need a president—to send her $10 on the Internet. That’s what’s keeping her going.”
Former President Bill Clinton, commenting on Senator Hillary’s Clinton’s campaign for the Democratic Party presidential nomination and the upcoming primary vote in North Carolina
June 5, 2008
“Change is inevitable, and the village of Blowing Rock is already experiencing its impact. The look and feel of the village is changing, and at an accelerating pace. We can’t avoid change; our choice is to manage it or let it manage us.”
--Blowing Rock Town Council Member and Business Owner Keith Tester, commenting on consulting firm HyettPalma’s upcoming evaluation of existing retail market conditions in downtown Blowing Rock
June 12, 2008
“There are some beautiful entries for sale this year. The entries from Malaysia and Hong Kong are some of the best we’ve ever received in our 11 years. There are also some beautiful entries from around the United States, including a few from the High Country.”
Saul Chase, commenting on the entries in the 11th Annual Brian Ayers Memorial Art Exhibition, now on display at the center court of Boone Mall
June 19, 2008
“In the mountains, we haven’t seen much price depreciation, but more a slowdown in absorption. It’s more an issue of absorption than price.”
Bobby Masters, executive vice president of the Ginn Company, commenting on the local real estate market and the Laurelmor development
June 26, 2008
“Gas prices are increasing the cost of doing business of everything, but one benefit is that organic and local produce is now beginning to look really competitive, and that could be a boon to school, nursing home and other institutional budgets.”
-- Angie Pate, program director of Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture
July 3, 2008
“…Edgewood Cottage, along with the historic Methodist Church, the historic Presbyterian Church and the historic St Mary’s Church, all of these within a stone’s throw of each other, will forever visibly comprise an historic anchor to the entire South Main Street in Blowing Rock, and that is unequalled probably in any place in North Carolina and maybe further.”
Blowing Rock Historical Society President Loyd Smith, commenting on the official dedication of artist Elliott Daingerfield’s first home in Blowing Rock
July 10, 2008
“For this school year, we let the school families know that we needed a minimum number of students—we would have needed a concrete enrollment of at least 70 students enrolled by June 10, our deadline. At the time of the deadline, we did not have that number; we did not even begin to approach that number.”
--Appalachian Christian School Principal Angie Derrick, commenting on why the school is closing after 25 years
July 17, 2008
“We want to get urban living going. We know people are downsizing, looking for more security and wanting to walk more.”
David Taylor, director of sales and marketing for Boone Point, commenting on the mixed-use development under construction on the Highway 105 Extension
July 24, 2008
“Rolling Academy was more than a trip; it was a lifetime experience.”
Willis Kennedy, one of 10 local high school students selected to participate in Mountain Alliance’s 2008 Rolling Academy
July 31, 2008
“They all told me that all we had was delicious. They said they would like to have more, so I came home and planted corn, green beans, yellow squash, zucchini, cucumbers and tomatoes.”
Dillon Church, 11-year-old grandson of local farmer Charles Church, who helps his granddad sell at local farmers’ markets
August 7, 2008
“There has been no way for the members in the area to be active. Chapters give members a forum and a way to plan what needs to be done.”
North Carolina Wildlife Federation representative Chris North, commenting on the formation of an NC Wildlife Federation chapter in Boone
August 14, 2008
“If you build what we are looking at in those pictures, you are destroying our town.”
Blowing Rock Council Member Barbara Ball, commenting on the proposed Blowing Rock Commons development on Main Street
August 21, 2008
“If everybody in the community donated $10, we’d be done.”
Ann Spinetto, a member of the Hospitality House Capital Campaign Steering Committee, commenting on the $3 million fundraising goal for the new shelter
August 28, 2008
“Both the town and ASU are working on master land use plans and this is jumping the process. When you rush things, you end up with not good planning. Going from R-1 to U-1 is drastic. People have a right to expect that zoning changes will be consistent with the area. We can’t control things with general rezoning. I’ve struggled with this; I think more work needs to be done before I can support this.”
Boone Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Mason, commenting on the university’s request to rezone 15 acres adjacent to the Broyhill Inn from single family residential to the university zoning district
September 25, 2008
“I’m just so thrilled that we saved this old building. Now that the citizens of Boone own this building, what do you want to do with it?”
Boone Mayor Loretta Clawson, commenting on the town’s purchase of the downtown Boone post office and soliciting ideas for how to use the space that will not be leased to the Postal Service
October 2, 2008
“I feel strongly that this is a very important election, from president down to our school board. As we have learned from the past, every vote really counts. Two years ago it came down to the provisional votes making the difference for one of the offices. You really can have a voice.”
Watauga County Board of Elections Director Jane Hodges, commenting on the November 4 General Election
November 6, 2008
“I am thrilled that the nation I wore the uniform for is fulfilling its promise to become what it can be—to become what we believe we are. I’m filled with a sense of hope that I haven’t really felt since the ‘70s.”
Bricca Sweet, Obama campaign organizers in the High Country, commenting on Obama’s win
November 20, 2008
“Vigorous conversation is a good thing and not something to be afraid of…The body has many parts with different roles. That’s what unity looks like—people working together in spite of their differences to serve the people of the world.”
–Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, responding to a question about disagreements within the Anglican Communion during an appearance in Boone last week
November 27, 2008
“With the interest we’ve seen from both parents and students, we think it will be a plus.”
–Watauga County Schools Director of Student Services Marshall Gasperson, commenting on the new Pioneer Core Diploma Program that will give students with specific challenges a way to remain in high school and earn a diploma based on the state’s requirement of 20 credits, instead of the local district’s requirement of 28 credits
December 4, 2008
“The eight teams that are left are really good.”
ASU head coach Jerry Moore, commenting on the teams remaining in the NCAA FCS championship playoff field
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