Recently in Government Category

Former First Lady Laura Bush, and Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin have agreed to appear at the first annual Complete Woman Expo in Wilkesboro in June. The NCBlue Ridge Educational Resource Group is planning the event at Wilkes Community College on June 5^th from 8am to 6pm. According to their website, the purpose of this event is to motivate, inspire and equip women of all ages in the region to find purpose and reach their full potential as businesswomen, entrepreneurs, wives and mothers. There will be no entry fee, but advanced tickets are apparently necessary. To purchase tickets, go online to blueridge-erg.org.

North Carolina's governor addressed several area chambers of commerce Monday afternoon at the Watauga County Commissioners' Chamber in downtown Boone. Governor Bev Perdue touched on the importance of education, job creation, green initiatives, tourism, and the great work ethic of North Carolinians as a whole. After speaking for about 30 minutes, she fielded questions from the audience.

After addressing several of the area's chambers of commerce, Governor Bev Perdue stopped by Boone's international relief ministry, Samaritan's Purse. SP President Franklin Graham showed the governor a model of temporary housing that the ministry is building in Haiti. This type of shelter can house a family of 10 people. It's also designed to protect the people from the weather and collect rainwater for family use. Governor Perdue was also shown water filters that Samaritan's Purse uses in Haiti and around the world.

SP spokesman Tom Layton said you can take a free tour of the shelters on weekdays at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. You can call 262-1980 to reserve a time.

In a spirited discussion, the Watauga County Republican Party held its annual convention Saturday, introducing new chairwomen Pam Blume and assistant chairman Tommy Adams. The convention approved six resolutions and defeated three in split votes, seeking defeat of national health care legislation, tougher Fourth Amendment protections, and support of tax overhaul, though voters were divided on issues of abolishing the Federal Reserve, extending constitutional rights to detainees suspected of terrorism, portions of a resolution asking the federal government to reduce its electronic surveillance and national identification programs.

District and local candidates also spoke at the convention, which was held in the Watauga County Courthouse.

U.S. Congressman Patrick McHenry proposed new legislation yesterday that would put former President Ronald Reagan on the $50 bill. McHenry said Every generation needs its own heroes. One decade into the 21st century, it's time to honor the last great president of the 20th and give President Reagan a place beside Presidents Roosevelt and Kennedy. McHenry hopes to replace President Ulysses S. Grant with President Reagan on the $50 bill.

The Watauga County Democratic Convention will meet at noon on Saturday, April 17, in the third-floor lobby of the courthouse for a potluck luncheon. The convention program convenes at 1:00 p.m. in the main courtroom. The public is welcome to attend.

For more information, click to wataugadems.com.

The annual convention of the Watauga County Republican Party will take place on Saturday, March 6, at the county courthouse. Registration begins at 9:00 am, and precinct meetings start at 9:30 am. Interested persons must be elected as delegates at the 9:30 precinct meeting in order to vote at the county convention, which begins at 10:00 a.m. Rep. Virginia Foxx will address the convention, as will other candidates who have announced they will run.

For more information, click to www.wataugagop.org.

Eleven major airports will begin using body scanners to screen passengers as the Transportation Security Administration launches a plan to buy 1,000 of the machines over the next two years.The scanners can look under passengers' clothing in order to detect weapons and explosives. Boston Logan International Airport received one new scanner this week and will get two more next week. All will go into the same terminal. Among the other airports getting the scanners are Los Angeles International, Chicago O'Hare and Charlotte Douglas International.

Governor Bev Perdue will visit Boone to address several community leaders on Monday. The Governor will meet with the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, and the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce Monday afternoon at 1:00pm. The meeting will be held in the Watauga County Commissioners Board Room on King Street in downtown Boone.

President Obama said he is ready to compromise with Republicans on health care if they are serious about it, but that an overhaul must go forward. "Let's get this done," he said.

Obama's legislation would insure some 30 million more Americans over 10 years with a new requirement for nearly everyone to carry insurance and would end insurance company practices such as denying coverage to people with medical problems. Republicans generally oppose mandates that make everyone get insurance, and although they want people with health conditions to be able to buy insurance, they would try to address the problem without new requirements on insurers. Obama plans to release an updated proposal in the week ahead, possibly by tomorrow.

Candidate filing for 2010 elections ends Friday.

Scott Courtney has officially announced his candidacy for the Watauga County School Board. Courtney has three children in the school system and believes he has an insider's perspective on the daily operations of Watauga County Schools.Courtney is a local minister and a Hospice chaplain. He says he sees no greater investment in our community than the future of our young people.

William Byrd has thrown his hat into the ring to run for Watauga County Sheriff. Byrd has 18 years of law enforcement experience under his belt including 13 years as a certified state instructor teaching basic law enforcement courses, specialized courses, and various other law enforcement courses. He has been a member of the local S.W.A.T. team for 12 years. If elected, Byrd's goals include serving and protecting the residents of Watauga County with a strong experience and background in law enforcement. He will put more emphasis on eliminating drug related problems in the County and improve the protection of residents and schools in Watauga County by providing ongoing training for officers. Byrd will be running unaffiliated in the 2010 general election.

The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 4, and the general election will take place Tuesday, November 2.