Newsletter from the Office Sen. Angela Bryant


NEWS FROM RALEIGH…

I always welcome your comments, project updates, suggestions, and visits. My office door and electronic door is always open to you!  As always, thank you for your support!

 

NEWSLETTER INDEX

Around the District and More

Events

Awards and Grants

Legislative News

A Word of Thanks

Hear and See Legislative Live Daily

——————————————————————————

AROUND THE DISTRICT AND MORE

Local Student Serves as Page in the North Carolina Senate

The North Carolina Senate was honored recently to have Timothy Macarthur Daye, Jr., a student at Northern Vance High School, serve as a Page. He is the son of Timothy and Marvis Daye of Henderson. Tim was sponsored by Senator Angela Bryant and appointed by the President Pro Tempore, Phil Berger of Rockingham County.

Statewide high school students in grades 9 through 12 serve as pages when the General Assembly is in session. They perform valuable duties for the Senators and their office staff. They attend daily Senate sessions, committee meetings, and assist staff members with office duties during the week they serve in the Legislature.

Tim reflected on his experience in a statement: “It was such a great honor to be around the Senators and also the Representatives who are our voice on the laws that govern us.  I appreciate Senator Bryant for allowing me to participate in the Page Program. It was great to meet people including my fellow Page members and other Senators. This experience was a lot better than I ever could imagine and I will always remember the Page program and Senator Bryant for making this experience great.”


Informational Luncheon With State Treasurer Janet Cowell

 

Left to Right: Viola Harris, Janet Cowell and Senator Bryant at a Luncheon at the Four Seasons Restaurant in Rocky Mount, NC on March 1, 2013


Halifax Chamber of Commerce Legislative Day

March 20, 2013

 

   

Halifax County Chamber of Commerce members make their annual visit to the General Assembly to hear various speakers from the state agencies.  Pictured on the left, Beth Wood, State Auditor with the NC Office of the State Auditor and on the right, Mitch Gellispie Assistant Secretary for the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources.


The Rocky Mount Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. High School Legislative Day

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

 

 

 

The Beaux of the Rocky Mount Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Beautillion Militaire Leadership/Scholarship Program held a Legislative Day at the General Assembly, where the young men were able to tour the General Assembly and also meet and speak with several Senators, Representatives and other guest about their interests and future career goals.  They were enlightened about the Legislative process and they attended Session in the House and the Senate.

 

 

The Beaux of the Rocky Mount Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Beautillion

Militaire Leadership/Scholarship Program


Halifax Job Service Bulletin: N.C. Department of Commerce Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS)

1620 East 10th Street, Suite 101

Roanoke Rapids, N.C.

Some of the things you can do to help yourself look for a job include:

  • Define your objective—know what kind of work you most enjoy and can perform the best.
  • Ask employers, colleagues and other people who know about you skills for letters of introduction and/or recommendations and to serve as references.
  • Talk with contacts in business and industry, friends and family and others to discuss potential employment contacts.  In other words, network.
  • Prepare or update a resume.
  • Register at your local DWS Employment Service office.
  • Develop a telephone script for making initial inquiries.
  • Call or send letters and resumes to potential employers.
  • Maintain an active file on employment inquiry contacts.

 

The North Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Employment Security (DES) Web page has three portals: Business Services, Individual Services, and Labor Market Information.  

 

The Business Services portal allows employers to find employees, list jobs, or file temporary unemployment benefits for their workers.  The Individual Services portal allows job seekers to access job openings and career-planning information, register for unemployment benefits, register for jobs, or find out about training information.  The Labor Market Information portal provides data on wage rates, company policies, fringe benefits, occupational employment trends, labor force statistics, and industry information.  The website address is www.ncesc.com.

 

Job openings in the following areas are currently on file at the Halifax/Northampton Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS):  CNAs, tractor trailer truck drivers, habilitation techs, Senior Mathematics Teacher, assistant branch bank manager, outside sales representative, duct fabricator/installer, painter, commercial electrician, electrician helpers, sales consultant, RN, hog farm workers, automotive technician, structural welders, counter sales, swine production manager trainee, lead day care teacher, auto glass installer, Senior Exceptional Children’s Teacher, delivery driver, cable TV system installers, general laborers, retail wireless consultants, bartender, residential direct care workers, Tax Transfer Clerk, delivery driver, general laundry workers, industrial electricians, accounts payable clerk, High School Dean of Students, Wood Supply Manager, Wood Supply Forester II, sales trainee, food preparation, laundromat attendant, poultry processing workers, qualified professional, seasonal retail employees, and broadband installers.

 

For more information about these jobs and others, visit the Halifax-Northampton DWS Office from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays.  Employers may call 537-4188 or fax 535-7943 to list job openings, or they may visit www.ncjobconnector.com to list job openings and find applicants. Applicants may inquire about jobs at www.ncjobconnector.com.  Contact Tommy McKnight, DWS Manager, at 537-4188 for more information. 

 

EVENTS 

·        AMEXCAN Latino Youth in Action Workshop on EducationQuestions about college and advice from peers, Date: March 30, and April 6, Time: 10:30am-1:30pm in March sessions, and 8:0am-3:00pm in April session, Location: East Carolina University, Speight Building, Room 129 (students), Room 130 (parents), Contact: Juvencio Rocha Peralta (252) 757-3916-office, (252) 358-9967-cell, amexcan@amexcannc.org

·        New Training Seminar Series: Leadership vs. Management An interactive workshop that addresses the differences of leading people vs. managing projects, Date: Thursday, April 11, 2013, Time: 1:30pm-4:30pm, Location: Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce, 260 Premier Blvd., Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870, Contact: Ginny Lewis (252) 537-3513, glewis@rvchamber.com

·        Litter Sweep 2013Volunteer for the NCDOT Bi-Annual Cleanup Dirve by helping pick up trash along the roadways, Date: April 13-21, 2013, For Forms and Information visit: www.ncdot.gov/~littersweep, For questions call 1-800-331-5864

·        William L. Wainwright Prayer Breakfast & Clergy Day at the General Assembly Sponsored by the NC Legislative Black Caucus, honoring the late Rep. William L. Wainwright, Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2013, Time: 8:00am-9:30am (Breakfast at First Baptist Church, 101 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh, NC); 9:30am-3:00pm (Clergy Day), Location: Legislative Bldg. 16 W. Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27603, RSVP: By Monday, April 8, 2013 to nclbc@ncleg.net or (919) 715-5723

·        Affordable Care Act RoundtableThis roundtable will review health care reform compliance requirements for employers that sponsor group plans, Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2013, Time: 11:30am-1:00pm, Location: Logan’s Roadhouse, 200 Premier Blvd, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870, Contact: Allen Purser (252) 519-2611, apurser@rvchamber.com

·        The Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce 2013 Business ExpoFocus on shopping local and selling goods and services business to business as well as to the public, Date: Thursday, April 25, 2013, Time: 11:30am-7:00pm, Location: Becker Village Mall, 1620 E. 10th Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870, Contact: Sonya Smith (252) 535-5767

·        The Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce 2013 Spring Job Fair– Easy access to potential employers, Date: Thursday, April 25, 2013, Time: 10:00am-5:00pm, Location: Becker Village Mall, 1620 E. 10th Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870, Contact: Ruby Gerald (252) 537-3513, rgerald@rvchamber.com

·        The Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce 2013 Business Awards LuncheonDate: Thursday, April 25, 2013, Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm, Location: Becker Village Mall, 1620 E. 10th Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870, Contact: Sonya Smith (252) 535-5767

·        The Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at the Expo!Date: Thursday, April 25, 2013, Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm, Location: Becker Village Mall, 1620 E. 10th Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870, Contact: Sonya Smith (252) 535-5767

 


AWARDS & GRANTS:

·         Hospira’s expansion receives the CiCi Award– The CiCi Award seeks to honor the top thirty economic development deals announced each year. Trade & Industry Development Magazine selected Hospira’s expansion project in Rocky Mount and Nash County for a CiCi Award for their 2012 expansion.  In August of 2012, Hospira decided to expand in Rocky Mount retaining over 2400 jobs and creating an additional 200.   The impact of 2600 jobs with a three-year investment of $85 million and ten-year investment target of $270 million will have a major impact on the economic viability of our region.

 

·         Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start is a local recipient of a P & G initiative to enhance the ability of local children to learn.  FGV Smart Start has received a $5000 grant from P & G for the Reach Out and Read program. The Reach Out and Read (ROR) program promotes early literacy and school readiness in the pediatric practice setting. Locally, NC Pediatrics Associates offices in Henderson, Oxford, Butner, and their newest office in Louisburg, as well as the Franklin County Health department, offer this program. While the parent and child are in the pediatric exam room, the pediatrician will speak to parents about the importance of reading aloud to their children every day, and offer age-appropriate literacy tips and encouragement. The pediatrician also gives a new book to the child. With the assistance of P & G, the Reach Out and Read program will be able to purchase over 2000 additional books.

 

 

 

Pictured above, from left to right are: Thomas Hampton, P & G Human Resources Manager; Kathy Brown, P & G Plant Manager;  Carolyn Paylor, FGV Executive Director, and Michelle Campbell, FGV Reach Out and Read Coordinator.


North Carolina Tops the Rankings of National Board-Certified Teachers

Posted: Wednesday, January 9, 2013 8:12 pm | Updated: 8:13 pm, Wed Jan 9, 2013.

Arika Herron/Winston-Salem Journal

Once again, North Carolina’s public schools lead the nation with the most teachers certified by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. 

According to information released this week by the organization, 4,980 teachers achieved National Board Certification in 2012, bringing the total number of the national’s teachers to 102,237.

Of those, 19,799 are North Carolina teachers – almost one-fifth of the country’s total. North Carolina also produces five of the top 20 school systems, based on the number of certified teachers.

According to numbers released by the organization, Forsyth County has 525 National Board Certified Teachers, which is good for 15th in the country. Other top ranking North Carolina school systems are Wake County (No. 1 with 2,296 certified teachers), Charlotte-Mecklenburg (No. 3 with 1,896), Guilford County (No. 9 with 754) and Buncombe County (No. 17 with 488).

Certification with the National Board is considered the highest standard in the profession – the multiyear process is intensive and voluntary.

North Carolina teachers who achieve the certification receive a 12 percent salary supplement, good for the 10-year life of the certification.

Former North Carolina Gov. James Hunt was the founding chair of the National Board.

http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/article_cc0770c4-5ac2-11e2-9335-001a4bcf6878.html


Scholarship Opportunities

The Do Something AwardsDoSomething.org is the largest organization in America for young people and social change. The Do Something Awards (formerly the BR!CK Awards) identifies exceptional young social entrepreneurs, activists, and community leaders who have made a significant social impact. Do Something Award nominees and winners are the pivotal “do-ers” in their fields and causes. DoSomething.org will award four $10,000 grants, and the grand prize winner will receive a $100,000 grant during a live TV broadcast on VH1. If you know anyone under 25 year-olds who has started an organization or is doing work in the Violence/School Safety cause space, they should apply. Applicants must also be U.S./Canadian citizens or permanent residents. 

 

To apply or nominate someone please visit this link: http://www.dosomething.org/awards

For more information please contact: Kate Gasparrini, Outreach Associate, Do Something Awards (212) 254-2390 Ext 261

ACTION ALERT: Contact Representatives On HB 150

HB 150 Zoning/Design & Aesthetic Controls was approved by the House Regulatory Reform Subcommittee on Local Government on Wednesday on a split vote. Video of that committee meeting can be viewed here via WRAL. The bill would eliminate cities’ ability to impose aesthetic controls over 1- and 2-family dwellings in all zoning districts (with limited exceptions), unless these controls are agreed to by the developer. City of Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane and Town of Huntersville Mayor Jill Swain, along with League Director of Governmental Affairs Paul Meyer, addressed the committee and explained the harm this would do to local communities. Introduced at the request of the N.C. Homebuilders Association to benefit tract builders, the bill would prevent cities from ensuring that infill development is consistent with the character of existing neighborhoods, which would hurt both economic development efforts and the property values of existing development. The bill now moves to the House floor. Please continue to contact your Representatives and let them know how this legislation will hurt your local community.

 

Building Inspections Bill Passes House

The House voted in favor of HB 120 — Building Codes: Local Consistency/Exempt Cable this week. The bill would restrict the building inspections local governments could require to those specifically listed in the N.C. Building Code and extend the Building Code revision cycle from three to six years. The League opposes the bill, in part due to concerns member cities and towns have raised regarding the need for local discretion to require inspections that may be necessary and appropriate for local jurisdictions. The bill does allow cities to bring their request for additional inspections before the N.C. Building Code Council for approval, but no standards exist for the level of consideration the Council must give these requests and there is no definition of the “timely manner” in which those requests must be considered by the Building Code Council. HB 120 now heads to the Senate for consideration.

 

Bills Targeting Asheville Authority Advance

The House Government Committee voted Thursday to approve two bills limiting the City of Asheville’s local authority. HB 224 Asheville Extraterritorial Jurisdiction and Annexation would transfer control of the city’s extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) to Buncombe County and impose a 12-year moratorium on city-initiated annexations. Although a previous version of the bill prohibited all annexations, the version passed by the committee Thursday does not bar voluntary annexations. The second bill considered by the committee, HB 252 Asheville Transfers, eliminates the City’s current authority to use up to five percent of water utility revenues for sidewalk and street repair associated with water line improvements. Rep. Tim Moffitt (R-Buncombe) sponsored both bills, but support of the local legislative delegation remains divided. Both bills now move to the House Finance Committee. Another bill sponsored by Rep. Moffitt, HB 264 Justice for Rural Citizens Act, would eliminate ETJ authority statewide. That bill has not yet been heard by any committees. 

 


A WORD OF THANKS

Dear Senator Bryant,

 

I am a former employee of Eastern NC School for the Deaf. We also had a deaf foster son at ENCSD for 6 years. My husband and I (James and Mary Miller) of Elm City also have many deaf friends. On behalf of myself, my family and also the students at ENCSD (and NCSD) I want to sincerely thank you for all of your hard work in pushing for and continuing to support the passage of the Deaf Bill of Rights. My understanding is that you are getting ready for the second reading. Thank you for your dedication to public service – and to the deaf. 

 

God bless you, James & Mary Miller

 

Senator Angela R. Bryant,

 

         Rocky Mount High School certainly appreciated your help with the Honor Roll certificates. The

students were thrilled. 

 

Sincerely, Leondus Farrow

Rocky Mount High school


HEAR AND SEE LEGISLATURE LIVE DAILY

You don’t have to miss the Legislative Session. WRAL will live stream legislative sessions daily on their website.-www. wral.com. Also, please remember that you can listen to some committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select “Audio,” and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.  You can also view the bills I sponsor and co-sponsor from this website address.