As published October 22, 2011 in the Courier-Tribune
by Hugh Martin
TROY — At their October meeting, trustees of Montgomery Community College discussed the possibility of implementing a policy making the school’s campus tobacco-free beginning on Aug. 1, 2012.
President Dr. Mary Kirk explained that the time between the approval of such a policy and the actual implementation would serve as an education period, which officials hope would allow staff, students and visitors to the campus an opportunity to cut back or stop smoking.
Tobacco is already restricted in buildings, with designated areas available for tobacco use. If the tobacco-free policy is approved, such use will be prohibited “in all campus buildings, facilities, and outside areas of the campus or in vehicles that are the property of the college, at lectures, conferences, meetings, social and cultural events held on campus.”
Now, 29 of the state’s community colleges are 100 percent tobacco-free while 28 are not. Randolph Community College is 100 percent tobacco-free.
A survey of MCC employees showed that 5 percent are tobacco users. No numbers were available for the student body.
Student Government Association President Sharon Hurley told trustees that, as word of the policy has spread on campus, she had been hearing negative comments from tobacco users.
“I have had some students tell me that they will leave school if the policy goes into effect,” Hurley said.
Kirk asked Hurley, “Do you think they would really leave?”
Hurley responded, “I don’t know, but I would hate to think that someone would end their college career because they weren’t able to smoke a cigarette.”
Trustee Earle Connelly asked if tobacco users could do so in their own vehicle while on campus.
Roger Reynolds, vice president of administrative and student services, told the board that it was his understanding that RCC allows tobacco use in personal vehicles as long as windows are closed and debris is not disposed of outside the vehicle, which would be a violation of the policy.
As for enforcement, Kirk said the Student and Employee Discipline Policies would serve for the new policy as it does for all others.
Trustees approved further study on establishing the policy, which will be brought back to the board at a later date.
In other business, trustees:
• Heard a presentation from Instructor Abraham Encinas-Torres on the English as a Second Language (ESL) program.
• Were introduced to new employees Ernest Everington, system technician, and Tim Kennedy, director of assessment and institutional effectiveness.
• Approved hiring Harriet Johnson as accounts receivable specialist.
• Approved a $5 increase in student fees for the TEAS exam (Test of Essential Academic Skills) for nursing students.
• Approved over $63,000 worth of assorted Marlin and Remington gun stocks from Remington Arms to the MCC gunsmithing program.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Small Town USA in Troy this Saturday ♥
As published October 20, 2011 in the Courier-Tribune
by Hugh Martin
TROY - It all started three years ago in the parking lot of Benny Hampton’s store, Montgomery Farm & Garden, on North Main Street, but the 2011 version of the Small Town USA Celebration will stretch for several blocks Saturday in Troy.
The event will take place rain or shine.
The celebration of the line of Case brand knives that Hampton sells at Montgomery Farm and Garden has grown to a community event that folks anticipate each October.
The event is still anchored in the W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company’s Historian Event. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Hometown Heroes.”
“We want to honor those who keep our communities safe, those who risk their lives every day for others, and those who send their sons and daughters off to war. Community heroes include veterans, nurses, teachers, police, emergency and fire personnel, and the average citizen who helps a neighbor,” a Case spokesman said.
Tributes are scheduled throughout the day to honor these hometown heroes at the main stage in the Montgomery Farm and Garden parking lot.
Enjoy the cars and custom bikes at the cruise-in along North Main Street.
Montgomery County 4-H will sponsor an area for children that will include a bounce castle and other kid-themed events.
Kids and adults can show off their creativity at the pumpkin carving contest.
The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will hold a persimmon pudding contest with cash prizes for the winner. There is a $10 entry fee for this event. Proceeds will be donated to area food pantries.
Case Historian Katie Shonts-Saar and other Case personnel will be in attendance. Other Case knife events will include special sale prices on Case knives and products, an apple peeling contest, Case knife polishing and sharpening, hourly drawings for Case knives and items and an auction for a one of a kind pearl-handle Case knife.
Other events for the day will include:
• Montgomery Farmers Market Association vendors.
• Music by Pete Yow and by the Real Clays.
• Crochet, pottery, woodworking, basket weaving, craft and quilting displays.
• Local fund-raisers include Trinity Youth Raffle, Troy Chapel AME Zion food, Troy Lions Club food, West Montgomery Boosters Club barbecue, a bake sale, a silent auction and tee-shirts, ice cream and cupcakes for sale.
• Fire trucks and vintage tractors.
• Race car displays.
The Small Town USA Celebration will take place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on both sides of North Main Street from East Roswell Street to Page Street.
Main Street will be open to traffic throughout the event and volunteers will be present to assist those attending. Parking will be limited to public lots on Bruton and North Main Street and along area side streets.
by Hugh Martin
TROY - It all started three years ago in the parking lot of Benny Hampton’s store, Montgomery Farm & Garden, on North Main Street, but the 2011 version of the Small Town USA Celebration will stretch for several blocks Saturday in Troy.
The event will take place rain or shine.
The celebration of the line of Case brand knives that Hampton sells at Montgomery Farm and Garden has grown to a community event that folks anticipate each October.
The event is still anchored in the W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company’s Historian Event. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Hometown Heroes.”
“We want to honor those who keep our communities safe, those who risk their lives every day for others, and those who send their sons and daughters off to war. Community heroes include veterans, nurses, teachers, police, emergency and fire personnel, and the average citizen who helps a neighbor,” a Case spokesman said.
Tributes are scheduled throughout the day to honor these hometown heroes at the main stage in the Montgomery Farm and Garden parking lot.
Enjoy the cars and custom bikes at the cruise-in along North Main Street.
Montgomery County 4-H will sponsor an area for children that will include a bounce castle and other kid-themed events.
Kids and adults can show off their creativity at the pumpkin carving contest.
The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will hold a persimmon pudding contest with cash prizes for the winner. There is a $10 entry fee for this event. Proceeds will be donated to area food pantries.
Case Historian Katie Shonts-Saar and other Case personnel will be in attendance. Other Case knife events will include special sale prices on Case knives and products, an apple peeling contest, Case knife polishing and sharpening, hourly drawings for Case knives and items and an auction for a one of a kind pearl-handle Case knife.
Other events for the day will include:
• Montgomery Farmers Market Association vendors.
• Music by Pete Yow and by the Real Clays.
• Crochet, pottery, woodworking, basket weaving, craft and quilting displays.
• Local fund-raisers include Trinity Youth Raffle, Troy Chapel AME Zion food, Troy Lions Club food, West Montgomery Boosters Club barbecue, a bake sale, a silent auction and tee-shirts, ice cream and cupcakes for sale.
• Fire trucks and vintage tractors.
• Race car displays.
The Small Town USA Celebration will take place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on both sides of North Main Street from East Roswell Street to Page Street.
Main Street will be open to traffic throughout the event and volunteers will be present to assist those attending. Parking will be limited to public lots on Bruton and North Main Street and along area side streets.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Troy approves incentives for new knitting business ♥
As published October 13, 2011 in the Courier-Tribune
by Hugh Martin
TROY - The Troy Board of Commissioners approved a request for an economic incentives package from Don Trexler, president of Coville Inc., at the Oct. 3 regular meeting.
Trexler, who is president of Coville, Alandale Knitting and Carolina Apparel Group, notified the board that Coville had acquired all of the personal property of Alandale Knitting Co. in Troy, which Trexler said had “lost approximately $300,000 in its last fiscal year.”
The company was liquidated and all employees were terminated on Sept. 30, 2010.
In a letter to the board, Trexler wrote that Coville, which is headquartered in Winston-Salem, had also purchased Carolina Apparel of Wadesboro and relocated the specialty knitting equipment from that company to Troy in 2010.
“Coville’s newly formed LLCs in Troy required an investment of $232,000 for the real property and $418,000 for the personal property,” Trexler said. The equipment from Wadesboro required an additional $208,000 investment, for a total cost of $859,000.
“As you can see, Coville and Alandale Knitting are making an investment in Montgomery County. We are proud to have 42 employees at Alandale Knitting today.”
Trexler informed the board that, if incentives are approved, the company would be able to move their corporate headquarters and six employees to Troy. Future expansions would “preserve jobs in Montgomery County.”
The commissioners approved incentives according to the town’s Economic Development Incentive Policy, which gives a percentage reimbursement of a new company’s ad valorem property tax for a designated number of years.
On another matter, the price of gasoline in the Montgomery County area was mentioned and Mayor Roy Maness directed Town Manager Greg Zephir to investigate why local prices were so much higher than adjoining areas.
“It’s very discouraging for the prices to be so much higher here than in neighboring counties,” Maness said.
In other business, Commissioners Chris Watkins, Bruce Hamilton, James Hurley, Angela Elkins and Wallace Jones:
• Approved a request by Randolph Electric Membership Corp. to grant a utility easement for expansion of electrical services across town-owned land in the Denson’s Creek area of Okeewemee Road.
• Heard from Zephir that sludge at the wastewater treatment plant was being treated with rented equipment that will be replaced by purchased equipment upon receipt of USDA funding. Sewer system upgrades, to be funded by a $620,000 Golden Leaf Grant, will begin around mid-December.
• Learned that Pro Pallet South’s expansion is nearly complete, pending receipt of new equipment that was purchased through a Community Development Block Grant.
• Were told Master Gardeners from the Montgomery County Cooperative Extension Service are in the process of developing a community garden at the Troy-Montgomery Senior Center.
• Heard that Zephir is working with the Montgomery County Farmers Market Association to develop more demonstrations, activities and musical performances at the Thursday afternoon markets.
• Heard that preparations are under way for the Small Town USA Celebration on Oct. 22 and another Movies Off Main event on Oct. 29. Movies Off Main are outdoor family movies to bring the community together downtown.
by Hugh Martin
TROY - The Troy Board of Commissioners approved a request for an economic incentives package from Don Trexler, president of Coville Inc., at the Oct. 3 regular meeting.
Trexler, who is president of Coville, Alandale Knitting and Carolina Apparel Group, notified the board that Coville had acquired all of the personal property of Alandale Knitting Co. in Troy, which Trexler said had “lost approximately $300,000 in its last fiscal year.”
The company was liquidated and all employees were terminated on Sept. 30, 2010.
In a letter to the board, Trexler wrote that Coville, which is headquartered in Winston-Salem, had also purchased Carolina Apparel of Wadesboro and relocated the specialty knitting equipment from that company to Troy in 2010.
“Coville’s newly formed LLCs in Troy required an investment of $232,000 for the real property and $418,000 for the personal property,” Trexler said. The equipment from Wadesboro required an additional $208,000 investment, for a total cost of $859,000.
“As you can see, Coville and Alandale Knitting are making an investment in Montgomery County. We are proud to have 42 employees at Alandale Knitting today.”
Trexler informed the board that, if incentives are approved, the company would be able to move their corporate headquarters and six employees to Troy. Future expansions would “preserve jobs in Montgomery County.”
The commissioners approved incentives according to the town’s Economic Development Incentive Policy, which gives a percentage reimbursement of a new company’s ad valorem property tax for a designated number of years.
On another matter, the price of gasoline in the Montgomery County area was mentioned and Mayor Roy Maness directed Town Manager Greg Zephir to investigate why local prices were so much higher than adjoining areas.
“It’s very discouraging for the prices to be so much higher here than in neighboring counties,” Maness said.
In other business, Commissioners Chris Watkins, Bruce Hamilton, James Hurley, Angela Elkins and Wallace Jones:
• Approved a request by Randolph Electric Membership Corp. to grant a utility easement for expansion of electrical services across town-owned land in the Denson’s Creek area of Okeewemee Road.
• Heard from Zephir that sludge at the wastewater treatment plant was being treated with rented equipment that will be replaced by purchased equipment upon receipt of USDA funding. Sewer system upgrades, to be funded by a $620,000 Golden Leaf Grant, will begin around mid-December.
• Learned that Pro Pallet South’s expansion is nearly complete, pending receipt of new equipment that was purchased through a Community Development Block Grant.
• Were told Master Gardeners from the Montgomery County Cooperative Extension Service are in the process of developing a community garden at the Troy-Montgomery Senior Center.
• Heard that Zephir is working with the Montgomery County Farmers Market Association to develop more demonstrations, activities and musical performances at the Thursday afternoon markets.
• Heard that preparations are under way for the Small Town USA Celebration on Oct. 22 and another Movies Off Main event on Oct. 29. Movies Off Main are outdoor family movies to bring the community together downtown.
Mack Trucks buys Candor facility ♥
As published October 13, 2011 in the Courier-Tribune
by Hugh Martin
CANDOR - Mack Trucks Inc. of Charlotte has purchased the former Sandhills Tire Company on Farmers Market Road in Candor.
The formal announcement was read by Mayor Pro Tem Layton Booker at the regular meeting of the Candor Board of Commissioners on Oct. 10.
The announcement said the company will provide service for all makes and models of trucks and expect to be in operation with three technicians by the end of November, with plans to add up to 10 employees.
Company officials said they chose the property because of its proximity to the interstate.
Booker presided in the absence of Mayor Richard Britt.
In other business, the board unanimously approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance to allow the burning of biomass for energy production in the town’s industrial areas. The amendment had been changed to exempt any animal products in the biomass definition. The initial amendment allowed the burning of poultry litter.
Following a public hearing in September, with two commissioners absent, a vote of 3-0 was made in favor of an amendment allowing the burning of biomass for energy production in the town’s industrial areas.
On the advice of the town attorney, a second vote on the text amendment was held at the Oct. 10 meeting and was approved 4-0.
The change was needed because of plans by Mountaire Farms, a poultry producer, to construct a biomass facility for the purpose of generating steam and electricity on their property, which is located inside the Candor town limits.
Neighbors and concerned citizens mounted a campaign that opposed the project. The second amendment offered by the group was much more restrictive than the one approved by the town.
In other business, Commissioners Tim Privett, Philip Hearne, Leslie Thomas and Tim Smith:
• Approved a new contract with All American Associates to allow Ron Niland to act as a management adviser on behalf of the town. All American was already on retainer for grant-writing services.
• Tabled the purchase of signage for the town’s farmers market that adjoins the interstate highway until a local company could offer a bid on the project.
• Accepted a deed from Inez Blake and her son, Tommy Blake, of the Blake Family Partnership for five acres in the Sandhill Acres subdivision. The land is designated for a future park area.
by Hugh Martin
CANDOR - Mack Trucks Inc. of Charlotte has purchased the former Sandhills Tire Company on Farmers Market Road in Candor.
The formal announcement was read by Mayor Pro Tem Layton Booker at the regular meeting of the Candor Board of Commissioners on Oct. 10.
The announcement said the company will provide service for all makes and models of trucks and expect to be in operation with three technicians by the end of November, with plans to add up to 10 employees.
Company officials said they chose the property because of its proximity to the interstate.
Booker presided in the absence of Mayor Richard Britt.
In other business, the board unanimously approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance to allow the burning of biomass for energy production in the town’s industrial areas. The amendment had been changed to exempt any animal products in the biomass definition. The initial amendment allowed the burning of poultry litter.
Following a public hearing in September, with two commissioners absent, a vote of 3-0 was made in favor of an amendment allowing the burning of biomass for energy production in the town’s industrial areas.
On the advice of the town attorney, a second vote on the text amendment was held at the Oct. 10 meeting and was approved 4-0.
The change was needed because of plans by Mountaire Farms, a poultry producer, to construct a biomass facility for the purpose of generating steam and electricity on their property, which is located inside the Candor town limits.
Neighbors and concerned citizens mounted a campaign that opposed the project. The second amendment offered by the group was much more restrictive than the one approved by the town.
In other business, Commissioners Tim Privett, Philip Hearne, Leslie Thomas and Tim Smith:
• Approved a new contract with All American Associates to allow Ron Niland to act as a management adviser on behalf of the town. All American was already on retainer for grant-writing services.
• Tabled the purchase of signage for the town’s farmers market that adjoins the interstate highway until a local company could offer a bid on the project.
• Accepted a deed from Inez Blake and her son, Tommy Blake, of the Blake Family Partnership for five acres in the Sandhill Acres subdivision. The land is designated for a future park area.
Star commissioners approve NC STEP plans to spend $100,000 ♥
As published October 13, 2011 in the Courier-Tribune
by Hugh Martin
STAR - The Star Board of Commissioners heard all the presentations and approved all the requests from the town’s Small Town Economic Prosperity (STEP) committee during the board’s regular meeting on Oct. 10.
STEP co-chair Donna Strong reported that the committee had held 15 community meetings since July 8, 2010, and had developed three main strategies for implementing the $100,000 grant that the town will receive from the North Carolina Rural Center.
Committee member Jim Callicutt explained the first strategy, which is to support existing and local businesses, agriculture, industry and new endeavors. At the heart of this strategy is the development of the Star Heritage Center, also known as The Pink House, at a cost of $29,000.
Committee member Eddie Bernard, who is also a write-in candidate for town commissioner, reported on the second strategy, which is to develop “Quality of Life” facilities and amenities that will attract regional workers and retirees. The committee requested that $14,000 of the grant be used to update the town park by adding a fitness trail, volleyball court and a “tot lot,” which will be designated for small children.
Committee member Marla Coulthard described the third strategy of strengthening tourism and marketing Star as an entrepreneurial community and innovation HUB. The remaining $59,000. would go toward applying for National Historic District designation and an aggressive retail renovation project for the downtown business district.
The initial planning grant of $25,000, which is not included in the $100,000, was used to pay for meetings, the production of a Star brochure, a newsletter, website development and travel and associated costs.
Art Jackson, STEP coach from the NC Rural Center, explained the process that the committee went through and told the board that he had encouraged the members to come up with more ideas than could be funded.
“If there happens to be money left over it can be applied toward some of the extra projects,” Jackson said.
Mayor Susan Eggleston thanked all those who served on the committee, expressing appreciation on behalf of the town for more than 800 hours of volunteer time put in by committee members.
In other business, Commissioners James Parker, Richard Hinson, Jennifer Fountain and Alice Clemens heard:
• That Commissioner George Kivett is a patient at Autumn Care in Biscoe.
• That the route for the Twinkletoes 5K, scheduled for Dec. 10, had been marked.
• Hobbs Upchurch & Associates engineers are working on the sewer expansion for Carolina Growler.
• A quarterly report from STARworks;
• Businesses and churches in Star will sponsor trick-or-treating and a trunk-or-treat on Halloween evening.
by Hugh Martin
STAR - The Star Board of Commissioners heard all the presentations and approved all the requests from the town’s Small Town Economic Prosperity (STEP) committee during the board’s regular meeting on Oct. 10.
STEP co-chair Donna Strong reported that the committee had held 15 community meetings since July 8, 2010, and had developed three main strategies for implementing the $100,000 grant that the town will receive from the North Carolina Rural Center.
Committee member Jim Callicutt explained the first strategy, which is to support existing and local businesses, agriculture, industry and new endeavors. At the heart of this strategy is the development of the Star Heritage Center, also known as The Pink House, at a cost of $29,000.
Committee member Eddie Bernard, who is also a write-in candidate for town commissioner, reported on the second strategy, which is to develop “Quality of Life” facilities and amenities that will attract regional workers and retirees. The committee requested that $14,000 of the grant be used to update the town park by adding a fitness trail, volleyball court and a “tot lot,” which will be designated for small children.
Committee member Marla Coulthard described the third strategy of strengthening tourism and marketing Star as an entrepreneurial community and innovation HUB. The remaining $59,000. would go toward applying for National Historic District designation and an aggressive retail renovation project for the downtown business district.
The initial planning grant of $25,000, which is not included in the $100,000, was used to pay for meetings, the production of a Star brochure, a newsletter, website development and travel and associated costs.
Art Jackson, STEP coach from the NC Rural Center, explained the process that the committee went through and told the board that he had encouraged the members to come up with more ideas than could be funded.
“If there happens to be money left over it can be applied toward some of the extra projects,” Jackson said.
Mayor Susan Eggleston thanked all those who served on the committee, expressing appreciation on behalf of the town for more than 800 hours of volunteer time put in by committee members.
In other business, Commissioners James Parker, Richard Hinson, Jennifer Fountain and Alice Clemens heard:
• That Commissioner George Kivett is a patient at Autumn Care in Biscoe.
• That the route for the Twinkletoes 5K, scheduled for Dec. 10, had been marked.
• Hobbs Upchurch & Associates engineers are working on the sewer expansion for Carolina Growler.
• A quarterly report from STARworks;
• Businesses and churches in Star will sponsor trick-or-treating and a trunk-or-treat on Halloween evening.
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