In a few weeks our illustrious County Commissioners will attend their annual retreat; where in theory they plan for the future one year at a time. The public is invited to attend this annual retreat as silent observers. For the publics’ voice to be heard at the retreat we must speak in advance of the meeting. This is my attempt to jump start the publics’ input to the annual County Commissioners’ retreat. Water – five years ago the Commissioner started …
Tuesday Open Line
For Americans in 1863, this day was not one especially suited to a greeting of “Happy New Year.” But in a nation riven by Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln used the occasion of the new year to inject a moral component into the crisis by issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. While this document was a half-measure, it buttressed the Union cause and led — at the war’s end — to slavery’s elimination. The 1860 Census found the U.S. population to number …
Gov. Perdue Issues Pardon of Innocence for Wilmington 10
Gov. Bev Perdue today signed a Pardon of Innocence for the Wilmington 10 and issued the following statement: “I have spent a great deal of time over the past seven months reviewing the pardon of innocence requests of the persons collectively known as the Wilmington Ten. This topic evokes strong opinions from many North Carolinians as it hearkens back to a very difficult time in our state’s past, a period of racial tensions and violence that represents a dark chapter …
Oxford Preparatory High School Upcoming Community Meetings
Mission: Oxford Preparatory High School’s purpose is to graduate future leaders who have completed a rigorous curriculum, performed community service, and developed an appreciation of the arts in preparation for the challenges of the college of their choice. With support from our diverse community, we will cultivate intellectual curiosity in well-rounded students by engaging in critical thinking and experiential learning. Community Meeting Schedule Oxford -- Thursday 1/17 at 7:00pm -- Richard Thornton Library (Large Meeting Room) Creedmoor -- Tuesday 1/22 …
Senator Richard Burr on Fiscal Cliff
“At this point, I think it is clear that the President is not serious about reaching a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff and is using our economy and the livelihood of American families and businesses for what he sees as political gain,” Burr said. “Jeopardizing our economic recovery and being content to let our economy go over the cliff is a clear indication of where the President’s priorities lie.”
State Treasurer Janet Cowell: My Best Gift
My best gift of the season came in the form of observations from several people that I respect noticing that I have changed, evolved, and grown in my office. The feedback means the world to me because it recognizes a lot of effort and growing pains during my first four-year term as North Carolina’s State Treasurer. More broadly, this provides hope that all of us have the capacity to do things differently, move outside of our comfort zones. Given challenges …
White House Weekly Address: Congress Must Protect the Middle Class from Income Tax Hike
President Obama urges Congress to meet its deadlines and responsibilities, protect the middle class from an income tax hike, and lay the groundwork for future progress on more economic growth and deficit reduction. Welcome to the “Best of the West (Wing Week)!” That’s right, folks, West Wing Week took some time over the holidays to reflect on a busy year in video, and to bring you some highlights from the archive. But first, a quick wrap up of the President’s …
Monday Open Line
On this New Year’s Eve, some 315 million Americans of all ages are ready to greet the year 2013. A hundred years ago, the U.S. population was just over 97 million. Fifty years ago, it was just over 186 million. To show how the nation is growing, by this time tomorrow there will be 10,800 new babies on hand to welcome the new year. Tonight’s celebration will see many of the 182,000 musicians and singers in the U.S. entertaining crowds …
Friday / Weekend Open Line
One of the states that figured prominently in the recent presidential election — Iowa — became the 29th state to join the Union on this date in 1846. The name “Iowa” is derived from an American Indian word meaning “the beautiful land,” and it’s thought that the nickname “the Hawkeye State” is in honor of the famous Indian chief, Black Hawk. Iowa has long been an agricultural powerhouse and is the nation’s leading producer of corn and soybeans, as well …
Video sweepstakes parlors will look for a way to stay open
News and Observer writes: “We can continue to operate our businesses,” Grace said. “We can sell the Internet time. We can sell access to our computers. We can continue to offer promotional sweepstakes. We cannot use the fun and entertaining games in conjunction with the sweepstakes.” “What we’ve told people all along, the fun and entertaining games have nothing to do with the sweepstakes,” he said. “The sweepstakes can operate without it.” What do you think? Should the local spots …
Thursday Open Line
The holidays are mostly a time of bustling good cheer — but they are also a time for winter’s most frequent misery — the common cold, and the cough that often goes along with it. More than a century ago, a restaurant owner in Poughkeepsie, New York, did something to make life a little easier for cold sufferers. James Smith cooked up the first batch of cough drops in 1847, in two flavors still popular today — cherry and licorice. …
Wednesday Open Line
Many avid skiers are headed to the slopes these days, anxious to try out the new equipment and colorful hats, gloves, and jackets they received for Christmas. It’s the height of the skiing season, and the lodges and ski lifts at resorts are getting crowded. Skiing was introduced to America in the 1840s and ’50s by Norwegians and Swedes, who came to the U.S. as part of the Gold Rush. The first winter Olympics were held in 1924. Today, snow …
Turbine Blade Manufacturer to Expand in Forsyth County, N.C.
RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Ellwood Advanced Components LLC, a manufacturer of turbine blades, will expand its operations in Forsyth County. The company plans to create 55 jobs and invest $33 million over the next five years in Rural Hall. The project was made possible in part by an $188,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. “Creating jobs is a top priority of mine,” said Gov. Perdue. “Our highly-skilled workforce and highly-rated business climate have allowed …
Senator Richard Burr: Fiscal Cliff
As regular readers of this newsletter know, the fiscal cliff has been the primary item on the agenda in Washington lately. I wish I had some encouraging news or updates to give you this week, but unfortunately, we still do not have a deal to avoid sending our economy off the cliff. While finding some sort of compromise is important, the issue is broader than simply avoiding the cliff. We are in this position today because our economy is in …
White House Holiday Greetings
Go behind the scenes as volunteers decorate the White House for the holidays. See Bo inspect the decorations, the 2012 White House Menorah, holiday ginger crinkles recipe from the White House pastry chef and more at www.whitehouse.gov/holidays The First Lady Reads “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas” White House Time-Lapse: The 2012 Gingerbread Dough White House
White House Weekly Address: The President and First Lady Extend a Holiday Greeting and Thank our Troops for their Service
n this week’s address, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, and thank our brave troops and their families for their service. The President and First Lady ask the American people to visit JoiningForces.gov to find ways to honor and support our veterans and military families, and say that we must all come together, as we always do, to care for each other during this holiday season. Welcome to the West Wing …
2 Dogs, Black Lab and Beagle, Lost in Oxford Road Area, Reward Offered
Sunday, 2 dogs, Moxie and Merle, were lost in the Oxford Road area around lunch time. The owner is offering a reward for their return, please call 919-636-1014
NC Cash Program Raising the Bar to Benefit North Carolinians
Throughout 2012, the Department’s NC Cash Program has improved its processes in order to put more money back into the pockets of North Carolinians. The Program has taken steps to bring more money in and increase the number of outreach events. As a result, the Program expects to return $50 million to its rightful owners by the end of the year, compared to $46.9 million in 2011. The Department has stepped it up a notch, from 17 events in 2011 …
Money Matters: Your Path to Financial Wellness
The holiday season is upon us. It is all too common for people to splurge on extensive gift lists, holiday decorating and entertaining. If you are not careful, overspending during the holidays can get you off track with your financial goals. Here are tips for staying above water during the holidays. 1) Pay the bills first. Before you begin holiday shopping, set aside the money for your upcoming bills. This is especially important in December as some employers pay their …
Textile Manufacturer to Add 37 Jobs in Surry County
RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Willow Tex LLC, a textile manufacturer and distributor, will locate a new facility in Surry County. The company plans to create 37 jobs and invest $6.1 million during the next three years in Mount Airy. The project was made possible in part by a $130,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. “North Carolina has a long and celebrated history in the textile industry,” said Gov. Perdue. “Manufacturers are locating here because …