Kris Kristofferson had a line in one of his songs about being a “walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction.” Jimmy Buffet has a line in one of his songs about “semi-true story, believe it or not. I made up a few things and some I’ve forgot.” So I am sure I am not alone in the notion that most of us are not very consistent in what we want and what we believe. We say we want one thing …
Month: February 2013
Butterfield Opposes General Assembly’s Plan to Cripple Health Reform in North Carolina
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding plans by state Republican lawmakers in the North Carolina General Assembly to block implementing critical provisions of the Affordable Care Act: “It is deeply disappointing that Republican state lawmakers have taken steps to block the expansion of Medicaid coverage to 650,000 uninsured low-income residents. These are poor children, older adults, and the disabled that they seek to deny. The provisions of the Affordable Care Act …
NC Cooperative Extension Updates from Paul McKenzie
KERR/TAR BEEKEEPERS Come and join this great group every 2nd Monday, 7 pm at the Vance County Extension Center. All are welcome! SMALL FARM ENTERPRISE SCHOOL IN OXFORD Monday is the last day to register for this multi-class series which begins on 2/5. You will learn about various small-scale enterprises, and also create a business plan step-by-step. To register, call 919-603-1350. FRUIT TREE PRUNING WORKSHOP Learn how to properly prune your backyard fruit crops. Tues Feb 5, 10:30 am. From …
Senator Richard Burr Message
Since the beginning of the 113th Congress, several topics have dominated the conversation both nationally and in Washington. After passage of the fiscal cliff deal on January 1, we now must focus on a longer-term fix to our nation’s economic issues. It has been more than three years since the Majority Leader even put a budget on the Senate floor, let alone allowed the Senate to act on and pass one. This is inexcusable. Last week, I signed on …
Automotive Sector Manufacturer KSM Castings Chooses N.C. for First U.S. Facility
RALEIGH – Governor Pat McCrory and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced that KSM Castings NC Inc., a producer of light metal casting products for use in the automotive industry, will establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Shelby. The project was made possible in part by performance-based awards from the state’s Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) program and One North Carolina Fund. The company plans to create 189 jobs in North Carolina by the end of 2018 and …
NCVPS Teacher Finalist for National Online Teacher of the Year
North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) English teacher Jennifer (Jen) Currin is one of three finalists for the 2013 National Online Teacher of the Year Award. The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) sponsor the award, which recognizes exceptional quality in online K-12 education. State Superintendent June Atkinson commended Currin on being named a finalist saying that her instructional style helps students who have struggled academically achieve success. “Jen modifies her instruction …
VGCC Psychology instructor offers seminars on Dreams
Peter Metzner, a Psychology instructor at Vance-Granville Community College, will offer a free seminar about understanding dreams, and the public is invited.In the “Dream Circles” seminar, Metzner will facilitate a discussion in which participants will learn how to better understand and work with their own dreams and each others’. This seminar is scheduled to be offered twice: on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. and on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. On both dates, the location is room 6116 …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: This Week in the Second District
It was great to be home in the 2nd District this week. I was able to connect with constituents across the district including those I met at a meeting of WakeMed’s Health Career Pathfinders and an Agribusiness breakfast in Raleigh, a meeting with town officials in Robbins, and during a tour of the LORD Corporation in Cary. Below you will find an update on the Keystone XL Pipeline, including a bipartisan letter I signed onto with 145 fellow Members of …
USED Report: NC is Ahead in the Race to the Top
Innovation in support for teachers and struggling schools, along with the infusion of new technology are among the reasons North Carolina is at the head of the pack at the halfway point of its Race to the Top initiative, according to a report released by the U.S. Department of Education today. The four-year, $400 million Race to the Top grant, awarded in summer 2010, has entered its third year. North Carolina is one of 11 states, along with the District …
White House Weekly Address: A Balanced Approach to Growing the Economy in 2013
In this week’s address, President Obama calls on Congress to work together on a balanced approach to reduce our deficit and promote economic growth and job creation. This week, the President announced his choice for his new Chief of Staff, pushed for comprehensive immigration reform, and invited the Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year, Presidential Innovation Fellows, law enforcement officials, 60 Minutes, and the Miami Heat to the White House.
Monday Open Line
Adding poignancy to Black History Month, today marks the centennial of the birth of Rosa Parks, a shy woman who became a symbol of the fight for civil equality. Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus to a white man. This sparked a boycott of the bus system by blacks, which greatly energized the ultimately successful civil rights movement. During her life, Rosa Parks championed the cause of increased opportunities for youth. …
Larry Elman: Unemployment Editorial
In answer to Friday’s The Daily Dispatch editorial on unemployment (2/1/2013): I do not know NC law because I moved here after retirement, but in most States during most of my life there have been two rules which totally eliminate your comments, as well as those of John Hood of the John Locke Society last week. First, most States required persons on unemployment to be able to show consistent job-search efforts, and those efforts were frequently checked. Second, in …
Vance County Board of Commissioners Meeting Monday, February 4th, 2013
Please download the full agenda packet here: 20130204_vcboc_agenda_packet Please also then download this supplement that changes the above original packet. The changes are: Revised agenda – Porcha Brooks has been removed.Two items have been added to the County Manager’s Report (see revised County Manager’s Report).Revised Committee Report which includes today’s Public Safety Committee meeting, along with back-up materials. Supplemental Packet download: 20130204_vcboc_agend_packet_supplement
NCDOT Awards $645,000 Contract for a Warren County Bridge Replacement
RALEIGH — A $645,000 contract has been awarded to the Fred Smith Co. of Raleigh by the N.C. Department of Transportation to replace a 55-year-old bridge in Warren County. The bridge on Burchette Road over Newman’s Creek is located near I-85 and the Virginia state line. It is considered functionally obsolete, which means it was built to standards no longer used for bridges. Construction can start anytime between Feb. 25 and April 15, with a new bridge open within 135 …
NC 2012 Main Street Award Winners Announced
SALISBURY – The North Carolina Department of Commerce presented 18 awards to participants in the N.C. Main Street and Small Town Main Street programs at the N.C. Main Street Awards Ceremony Thursday evening in Salisbury. Award winners were recognized for excellence in downtown revitalization efforts in categories that include promotion, organization, design and economic restructuring. “Main Streets are making a positive impact in their communities all across the state,” said Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker. “Downtown revitalization efforts are contributing to …
Butterfield to Visit Three Community Organizations, Friday
WASHINGTON, DC – Tomorrow, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) will spend the day visiting three important community organizations, all fulfilling a great need in Durham. In the morning, Butterfield will meet with Dr. Sharon Elliott Bynum, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Case Management of AIDS and Addiction through Resources and Education (CAARE), to tour the construction of its new 15-bed dormitory. The 5,000 square foot dorm will provide transitional housing for homeless veterans, and will include private bedrooms and bathrooms, …
Medical Instruments Manufacturer to Create 44 Jobs in Durham County, N.C.
RALEIGH — Today, Governor Pat McCrory and Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced that bioMérieux Inc., a manufacturer of patient health diagnostics solutions, will expand its facility in Durham County. The company plans to create 44 jobs and invest $48.3 million over the next three years in Durham. The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund of up to $220,000. The grant is contingent upon proof of job creation and receipt of …
Butterball named N.C. Exporter of the Year
RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services named Garner-based Butterball as the 2013 N.C. Exporter of the Year. “From 2009 to 2011, we saw turkey exports nearly double in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Butterball makes up a significant percentage of those exports and is deserving of this honor.” Company representatives were recognized at a presentation during the annual Ag Development Forum at the State Fairgrounds Jan. 31. The Exporter of the Year award acknowledges …
Friday / Weekend Open Line
February is Black History Month, a time to honor the many contributions to our nation’s history made by people of African descent. Started as a special week in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson, the observance is now a full month of activities across the country. African-Americans number nearly 42 million in the U.S., 13.1 percent of the total population. By 2050, this population is projected to reach nearly 57 million. Although New York has the largest number of blacks …