Published in the Courier-Tribune in April, 2011
By Hugh Martin
CANDOR – Commissioners for the Town of Candor should begin the process of considering an ordinance that would allow golf carts to operate on the town’s streets at their next regular meeting in May.
Candor resident George Myers addressed the board during the public forum segment at their regular meeting, held April 11. Myers stated his desire to see the board reconsider an ordinance that he had requested at an earlier meeting.
“I came before this board last year about allowing golf carts to operate in town,” Myers said. “Since that time the Town of Star has approved a golf cart ordinance.”
Myers said that since Town Management Advisor John Gowan held the same position with the Town of Star he could get a copy of that ordinance and make changes that would apply to Candor, to be presented to the board next month.
Gowan acknowledged that Star had passed that ordinance and that he would adapt the language and send copies to board members for their consideration.
Gowan then presented the board with some other issues that he felt should be taken into consideration by the board.
Gowan and Mayor Richard Britt had met with Cooperative Extension Agent Danelle McKnight about the possibility of including the Town of Candor Farmers’ Market Facility for use by a group of local farmers who have organized a local growers-only market. The Candor Farmers’ Market has been in operation beside the US 220 bypass since it was constructed in the 1980’s.
“There has never been a strong philosophy on how the market has been operated,” Gowan said. “Vendors have been allowed to set up and operate as they wish as long as there are no complaints.”
At issue is the rising interest in the availability of locally grown farm products that are actually presented and sold by the farmers who grow it. The rules of the new Montgomery County Farmers’ Markets Association do not allow the sale of products that are not grown by the vendor.
Currently, vendors at the Candor Farmers’ Market are allowed to travel out of state and truck in produce for resale.
Commissioners Phillip Hearne and Leslie Thomas both expressed a desire to see upgrades and better publicity for the facility.
Construction for the Candor Marketplace, a new facility to be located in downtown Candor, is scheduled to begin immediately. Gowan and Mayor Britt have met with the contractor to sign the contract for the facility, which will be constructed for $110,000.00. That amount falls within the $111,000.00 amount that was approved by the board during a special meeting held in March. It is hoped that the facility is completed in time for the NC Peach Festival, which is the third Saturday in July.
Gowan stated that Commissioner Tim Smith had requested the development of a personnel policy for town employees. Gowan said he hopes to have a policy ready by July 1.
In other business, Mayor Britt and Commissioners Hearne, Thomas, Smith, Tim Privett and Layton Booker:
• Approved the construction of a walking trail at Fitzgerald Park, to be paid for by a $4000.00 grant from First Health of the Carolinas;
• Approved the solicitation for bids to harvest pine needles on town-owned property;
• Heard a report from Police Chief Randy White on a recent DWI checkpoint in Candor during which several individuals who were wanted by law enforcement were apprehended, along with charges made for DWI, no operator’s license, and possession of controlled substances.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
First Gold Rush 5K to be run in Star ♥
Published in the Courier-Tribune on April 14, 2011
by Hugh Martin
STAR – The Star Board of Commissioners met Monday, April 11 for their regular meeting and heard plans for the first annual Gold Rush 5K Race to be held in their town.
“This will be an annual event to be held in different sites across the county. We decided to hold the first years run in Star, ” Tricia Webb of the Montgomery County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) told the board.
The 5K Fun Run for runners and walkers will be on May 21.
Webb asked the board to assist the TDA to recruit volunteers to help with water stations, directions and to cheer for the participants. She wants to encourage local businesses to become involved by supplying items to include in the gift bags to be distributed to the runners. Entry forms are ready and banners are being prepared for the event. Commissioner Alice Clemens suggested that in future years, a 5K could become a part of the annual Star Heritage Festival, which is held the first Saturday in June.
“We can hold the run the Friday evening before the festival, the same way Candor has theirs for the Peach Festival,” Clemens said.
Commissioner Richard Hinson said he had been approached by a new citizen who had concerns about recycling opportunities in the town. Mayor Eggleston noted that the nearest recycling facility was at the convenience center in Ether, three miles away.
Clemens reported that she had learned on a recent tour of the Uwharrie Environmental facility that the only items recycled were those that were placed in the bins across the county. “Everything that is picked up by garbage trucks goes directly into the landfill,” she said.
Town Management Advisor John Gowan took the opportunity to inform the board that there may be some issues with the amount that the town is billed for garbage service.
“We are charged by the number of customers,” Gowan said, “and I’m not sure that the count is accurate.” Gowan said that a count was being conducted over a period of several weeks to determine the actual number of garbage containers that are being serviced in the town.
Cooperative Extension Agent Danelle McKnight gave the board an update on developments with the Rural Advancement Foundation International USA (RAFI) grant that had been awarded for use in developing the town’s Heritage Center. McKnight reported that a ceremony for awarding the grant would be held June 4 during the Heritage Festival.
McKnight introduced Shelia Menendez, manager of the Montgomery County Farmers’ Markets Association, who addressed the board about plans to begin a market in Star on May 31. Menendez told the board that the initial opening day for the group’s first market, which is held in Troy every Thursday afternoon, had been very successful and that they were excited about starting the Tuesday afternoon markets in Star.
In other business, Commissioners Clemens, Hinson, George Kivett, James Parker and Mayor Susan Eggleston:
■ Heard that the police department was back to full capacity and there are no longer any issues with officers needing to work overtime.
■Were told by Commissioner Kivett that the main street through town had deteriorated considerably. “The State of North Carolina is not doing what they should do, but they don’t have the money to do it,” he said. Public Works Director Wesley Brown said the state had been doing some surveying and he believed it was in preparation to begin work on the road.
Mayor Susan Eggleston reported that the medical clinic building owned by the town would be appraised by a local real estate agent; that the town is still in the running for a grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation, and that projects are moving forward.
Tentative dates were scheduled for 2011-2012 budget workshops.
Eggleston urged board members to become more involved with the town’s STEP Committee, which meets on April 18, and to try to attend the Montgomery County Commissioners meeting on April 19 to show support for funding of recreation programs.
by Hugh Martin
STAR – The Star Board of Commissioners met Monday, April 11 for their regular meeting and heard plans for the first annual Gold Rush 5K Race to be held in their town.
“This will be an annual event to be held in different sites across the county. We decided to hold the first years run in Star, ” Tricia Webb of the Montgomery County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) told the board.
The 5K Fun Run for runners and walkers will be on May 21.
Webb asked the board to assist the TDA to recruit volunteers to help with water stations, directions and to cheer for the participants. She wants to encourage local businesses to become involved by supplying items to include in the gift bags to be distributed to the runners. Entry forms are ready and banners are being prepared for the event. Commissioner Alice Clemens suggested that in future years, a 5K could become a part of the annual Star Heritage Festival, which is held the first Saturday in June.
“We can hold the run the Friday evening before the festival, the same way Candor has theirs for the Peach Festival,” Clemens said.
Commissioner Richard Hinson said he had been approached by a new citizen who had concerns about recycling opportunities in the town. Mayor Eggleston noted that the nearest recycling facility was at the convenience center in Ether, three miles away.
Clemens reported that she had learned on a recent tour of the Uwharrie Environmental facility that the only items recycled were those that were placed in the bins across the county. “Everything that is picked up by garbage trucks goes directly into the landfill,” she said.
Town Management Advisor John Gowan took the opportunity to inform the board that there may be some issues with the amount that the town is billed for garbage service.
“We are charged by the number of customers,” Gowan said, “and I’m not sure that the count is accurate.” Gowan said that a count was being conducted over a period of several weeks to determine the actual number of garbage containers that are being serviced in the town.
Cooperative Extension Agent Danelle McKnight gave the board an update on developments with the Rural Advancement Foundation International USA (RAFI) grant that had been awarded for use in developing the town’s Heritage Center. McKnight reported that a ceremony for awarding the grant would be held June 4 during the Heritage Festival.
McKnight introduced Shelia Menendez, manager of the Montgomery County Farmers’ Markets Association, who addressed the board about plans to begin a market in Star on May 31. Menendez told the board that the initial opening day for the group’s first market, which is held in Troy every Thursday afternoon, had been very successful and that they were excited about starting the Tuesday afternoon markets in Star.
In other business, Commissioners Clemens, Hinson, George Kivett, James Parker and Mayor Susan Eggleston:
■ Heard that the police department was back to full capacity and there are no longer any issues with officers needing to work overtime.
■Were told by Commissioner Kivett that the main street through town had deteriorated considerably. “The State of North Carolina is not doing what they should do, but they don’t have the money to do it,” he said. Public Works Director Wesley Brown said the state had been doing some surveying and he believed it was in preparation to begin work on the road.
Mayor Susan Eggleston reported that the medical clinic building owned by the town would be appraised by a local real estate agent; that the town is still in the running for a grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation, and that projects are moving forward.
Tentative dates were scheduled for 2011-2012 budget workshops.
Eggleston urged board members to become more involved with the town’s STEP Committee, which meets on April 18, and to try to attend the Montgomery County Commissioners meeting on April 19 to show support for funding of recreation programs.
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