February 2009 Archives

By Lindsay Ward

APPALCART'S PLAN FOR A NEW TRANSIT CENTER MAY BE A REALITY WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA'S AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT. GO BLUE RIDGE DOT NET REPORTS THAT IF APPROVED, WATAUGA COUNTY'S ONLY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM WOULD RECEIVE UP TO SEVEN MILLION. THE NEW TRANSIT CENTER IS LISTED AS A PRIORITY ONE ON THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S FEDERAL STIMULUS PROJECT. APPALCART CURRENTLY OPERATES AT 274 WINKLERS CREEK ROAD. THE NEW TRANSIT CENTER WILL BE ON NC HIGHWAY 105 BYPASS. THE NEW FACILITY WILL BE DOUBLE THE SIZE OF THE CURRENT STUCTURE AND INCLUDE A LARGER MAINTAINENCE SHOP. APPALCART'S FACILITY WILL ALSO CONTAIN SOME GREEN FEATURES INCLUDING A SYSTEM TO RECYCLE WASH BAY WATER AND A SYSTEM TO CATCH RAINFALL IN ORDER TO DECREASE WATER CONSUMPTION AND POLLUTION, AS WELL AS, THE USE OF SOLAR ENERGY TO HEAT WATER. IN 2008, APPALCART REACHED A RECORD ONE POINT ONE MILLION RIDERS INCLUDING PARATRANSIT, HUMAN SERVICE, AND GENERAL PUBLIC.

By Lindsay Ward

By Lindsay Ward

GOVERNOR BEV PERDUE HAS RECENTLY SAID SHE WILL SEEK GRANT MONEY IN THE FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE TO HELP REPLACE THE YADKIN RIVER BRIDGE ON INTERSTATE 85 IN DAVIDSON AND ROWAN COUNTIES. THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $300 MILLION. THE STIMULUS INCLUDED ONE POINT FIVE BILLION IN DISCRETIONARY GRANTS TO BE AWARDED TO STATES FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS. THE GRANTS WILL BE AWARDED ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS AND CAN RANGE FROM $20 MILLION TO $300 MILLION, WITH NOT MORE THAN 20 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL MONEY ALLOCATED TO ANY ONE STATE. ANY GRANT MONEY RECEIVED WOULD SUPPLEMENT THE $838 MILLION THE N.C. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE THROUGH THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN, INCLUDING $735 MILLION FOR HIGHWAY AND BRIDGE PROJECTS AND $103 MILLION FOR PROJECTS IN OTHER THINGS, INCLUDING AVIATION, BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN, FERRY AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND RAIL.

By Lindsay Ward

By Lindsay Ward

Many are being dealt with bad news due to the economy...and the Watauga county commissioners just got theirs at Thursday's annual planning retreat. the county is facing a shortfall of 60 to 80 thousand dollars this budget year, and if the economy gets worse, the county may have to trim jobs or hours. County manager rocky nelson said sales tax revenue was running about three percent behind last year's totals, with the revenue contributing about $12 million per year. With permitting and deeds fees also down, the county went into its general fund balance this year. Nelson said if the budget deficit got down to five percent, it would be hard to balance without job cuts. County departments have already begun trimming expenses in the face of the shortfall.

By Lindsay Ward

The university and the high country residents may be coming together to better the community. The public service research program at a-s-u is seeking input from high country residents. the honors class is titled parkway research seminar and is geared toward community-based research techniques. The class is funded through a three-year learn and serve America grant and led by dr. Norman Clark. Clark said community-based research works to research specific areas by creating partnerships and answering questions posed by the community. The grant will be spent in a partnership with the Blue Ridge parkway. For the current school year, the class is focusing on the Hebron falls in Boone. The students are addressing several concerns including illegal camping in the area, parking and littering. Members of the class will be interviewing the public from six to 7:30 p-.m on Monday through Wednesday. Each participating individual will be asked about personal experiences, recommendations and how each uses the area. Those interested in providing input for the study are asked to register for a time through the web site at p s r p dot appstate dot edu, or by calling (828) 773-7056. Dinner will also be provided.

By Lindsay Ward

Watauga county planning board recently met to debate proposed amendments to the existing sign ordinance. After several months of considering the impact of more changeable electronic variable message signs, the board recommended that messages last for a minimum of 15 seconds- nearly double the current message length of eight seconds. Lamar outdoor advertising vice president and general manager Jamie Machut argued that the proposed change would drastically alter the company's ability to earn income from the electronic billboards. He argued that the new guidelines, would represent a taking action by a government depriving a person of private, real or personal without the payment of just compensation. medical director for emergency services at Watauga medical center Tara Connelly said that motorists are more likely to take their eyes off the road to look at electronic billboards whether they want to or not. Following the discussion, the board voted to present the proposed amendments to the Watauga county commissioners in March, who will schedule their own public hearing regarding the issue.

By Lindsay Ward on February

By Lindsay Ward

North Carolina's community colleges have decided to incorporate training for green-collar jobs into their curriculum. A green-jobs initiative will be the topic for discussion when the state board of community colleges met in Raleigh recently. Community college system president Scott Ralls will explain the new code green initiative, which also incorporates sustainable practices and building methods into how the campuses operate. The board will decide whether to approve several continuing education courses, including sustainable development, green consumerism and alternative fuels technology. The community colleges board meeting also will recognize three small-business centers from community colleges across the state for excellence in service.