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Volunteers? Yep, horse event needs thousands

Henderson County News

Crews hustle to finish facilities

In 111 days, it’s showtime for the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). The world’s biggest equestrian event – the FEI World Equestrian Games – kicks off with opening ceremonies the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 23. It’s a one-and-done event for this venue – the WEG has never repeated at any site over its 28-year history – and all the workers in hard hats, concrete panels, steel girders, rebar and heavy construction equipment kicking up clouds of dust suggests it will be a miracle if it all gets done on time. Carly Weilminster, national press officer for WEG, isn’t worried. She says she and her team like the adrenaline rush of having to get done in 22 months what other venues had 48 months to complete. TIEC secured the games in November 2016 after Bromont, Canada, withdrew from consideration. “We’ve been working 24/7 365 since then” to complete spectator venues, an indoor riding arena, lodging for athletes, trainers, stewards, grooms, veterinarians, judges, officials and other WEG employees as well as parking lots, roads and infrastructure. The construction push is for the athlete village, which is expected to be finished by opening, Weilminster said, and a resort hotel to open later, perhaps in September. Construction is complete on the indoor riding arena, formerly the covered arena. TIEC will close for the month of August in the final push to get everything completed by September, she said. Work on the satellite parking lots is on schedule, she said. The main stadium is under construction, with permanent and temporary seating for 20,000 and sponsor boxes that will feature bird’s eye views of competition in the stadium as well as on the cross-country course — a former golf course — and other arenas. Construction on the Tryon center started in 2014, when Mark Bellissimo, a graduate of Middlebury College and Harvard Business School and the owner of Equestrian Sport Productions, and several partners purchased 1,600 acres in Polk County as a site for a year-round equestrian center to go with his other centers in Wellington, Florida and Parker, Colorado. The construction footprint at TIEC is small now but will continue to grow, Weilminster said. More than 500,000 people are expected to attend over the two weeks of the games, she said. It’s a ballpark guess, as they won’t have official numbers until the end of the games. But with an expected 30,000 to 50,000 spectators per day, TIEC will welcome the world to its doors – via those international and US visitors and international media broadcasts. It’s a global market for horse-lovers and sponsors, with an expected 75 countries represented in the competitions. Major sponsors include Longines and US Trust and Bank of America’s Merrill Lynch. The FEI World Equestrian Games, held every four years in the middle of the Olympic cycle, is the property of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the world governing body for horse sport recognized by the International Olympic Committee. It is one of the biggest events on the global sporting calendar, combining world championships in the Olympic disciplines of jumping, dressage and eventing, the Paralympic discipline of Para-equestrian dressage, and driving, endurance, vaulting and reining.The inaugural FEI World Equestrian Games™ were hosted in Stockholm in 1990. The first games to be organized outside Europe were the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010. The games were in Normandy in 2014. With lodging, tickets, and the influx of people from around the world, the WEG at TIEC will have an “economic impact and a lasting impact for the region,” Weilminster said. “Mark’s vision is to include everyone who loves horses,” not just fans and participants in the high-profile equestrian disciplines, she said. The purchase of general ground passes will be launched in July “so that people can just come to the venue, to experience the place and the event and the horses but not necessarily because they are equestrians,” she said. For more information about TIEC and the World Equestrian Games, visit https://tryon2018.com/-30-           Read Story »

Henderson County News

Tourism industry braces for Equestrian Games stampede

It’s less than four months to the opening ceremonies for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) at Tryon International Equestrian Center, and Henderson County is feeling good about the games and their projected economic impact.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

County honors teacher of the year

Growing up in Henderson County, Katie McCrary didn’t dream of being a teacher. She loved the theatre and hoped to be a director. After graduating with a B.A. in theatre from Greensboro College and earning an M.F.A. in directing from the University of Southern Mississippi, she worked in the education departments at regional theatre companies from Massachusetts to Mississippi. But teaching came organically to McCrary, whose mother and father are both retired Henderson County public school teachers. By all accounts, she made the right decision. On Friday, at a luncheon sponsored by Park Ridge Health, McCrary was honored as the county’s 2018 Teacher of the Year.After receiving her teacher certification from Western Carolina University, McCrary began her teaching career as a teacher’s assistant in 2011. In 2013, she became a teacher. She teaches seventh grade Language Arts at Rugby Middle School.School system Superintendent Bo Caldwell shared a quote from a fellow administrator regarding McCrary: “There is a passion for every student in the classroom, high expectations that every student has the ability to achieve and the guidance to help them reach their achievements. The Teacher of the Year communicates with students respectively, building positive relationships that are based on genuine interest and care.”As she received her award she thanked her fellow educators. “I love being a part of Henderson County," she said. "I grew up here and I see some of my former teachers from Flat Rock and East Henderson at the luncheon today. I’m in the right place, the right town. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. It is just a privilege to represent you.”Scott Moore, Rugby Middle School Principal, stood by proudly as McCrary received congratulations from her fellow nominees. “Ms. McCrary exemplifies everything that teaching is about,” Moore said. “She loves her students and works very hard to challenge them all regardless of where they are in the learning process.”The student body and faculty of Rugby Middle School greeted McCrary with flowers, balloons and a congratulatory sign when she returned to campus.“Ms. McCrary was incredible. She was like a second mom to me,” said Amanda Jane Whiting, an 8th grade student who had McCrary for honors English last year. “I call her my ‘school mom.’ She was so inspiring and excited to teach. She will always be one of my favorite teachers.” Another former student, Megan Broome, added: “Ms. McCrary meant a lot to me. She was very special and everything she did she put a lot of effort and pride into it.”McCrary received a $1,000 check from Park Ridge Health and an all-expense-paid North Carolina education conference of her choosing. She will also receive a ring from Jostens. Henderson County Early College Student Body President Lisa Scarduzio was the luncheon’s keynote speaker. “There is nothing I would love more than to go back in time and say ‘thank you’ to my former teachers,” she said. “Teachers are the foundation for life. You are the reason we can be everything we want to be.” McCrary was selected from among 23 teachers representing each public school in Henderson County. Other nominees were: Deborah Y. Lee, Apple Valley Middle; Glenda C. Spicer, Atkinson Elementary; Haley A. Parent, Bruce Drysdale Elementary; Jennifer L. Wright, Career Academy; Leila D. Giesenschlag, Clear Creek Elementary; Kathleen R. Crosby, Dana Elementary; Matthew E. Witt, Early College; Laurie A. Gaitskill, East Henderson High; Lindsay M. Dutton, Edneyville Elementary; Megan M. Cockman, Etowah Elementary; Suzanne M. Riddle, Flat Rock Middle; Cassady R. Dillin, Fletcher Elementary; Candace A. Young, Glenn C. Marlow Elementary; Kimberly E. Heery, Hendersonville Elementary; David A. Cain, Hendersonville High; Nicole M. Parris, Hendersonville Middle; Mary Beth Johnson, Hillandale Elementary; Kelly R. Lamb, Mills River Elementary; Gary L. Blackwell, Jr., North Henderson High; Michelle M. Miller, Sugarloaf Elementary; Darrell D. Rogers, Upward Elementary; and Matthew E. Parent, West Henderson High.     Read Story »

Henderson County News

NCDOT crew honored for dramatic rescue

ROBBINSVILLE – They saw the car flip in a flash. Then it splashed. Gary Icenhower, Robby Millsaps and Charlie Stiles, Graham County Maintenance employees with the N.C. Department of Transportation, rescued Jack Bowman from his vehicle in the swollen Snowbird Creek in Graham County on Oct. 9, 2017. Division 14 Engineer Brian Burch presented Icenhower, Millsaps and Stiles with the Extra Mile Award during a ceremony on Wednesday at the Graham County Maintenance Yard. They were honored for their brave and unselfish acts last fall. “This selfless act is a testimony to the character of these men,” Burch said. “There is not greater act of service than to place yourself in harm’s way to safe the life of somebody else. “These men displayed exceptional heroism while in the line of duty.” They were approaching a sharp curve on N.C. 143 while driving back to the maintenance facility when a car cut them off. They saw a vehicle run off Big Snowbird Creek Road and land on its top in the river, swollen from recent heavy rains. “It barely missed us,” Millsaps said. “It went airborne and into the creek. We got out and the car was laying upside down, under water, with just the wheels stuck up.” Icenhower grabbed a radio and called for help. Stiles and Millsaps jumped out of their truck and into the chilly water. They didn’t know how many people were in the car. But they were determined to rescue everybody possible. “I was worried there were young ones inside,” Stiles said. “We didn’t know.” They heard somebody knocking from the inside. The doors wouldn’t open. They were locked. Water filled the inside of the car. “We heard somebody inside making a racket so we knew somebody was still alive,” Millsaps said. “He had groceries and stuff and they were floating in the back.“There was maybe a foot between the water and the floorboard that he had to breathe.” Stiles and Millsaps shouted for Icenhower to grab something — anything — to pry open a door. “I thought we’d have to get the chains,” Icenhower said, “and jerk his car out of the creek.” They smashed the back right window and pulled Bowman to safety. A few minutes later, he was airlifted to Mission Hospital for treatment. “I’m glad we got him out,” Millsaps said. “If we hadn’t been there, it would have been hard for somebody to spot that car. It wasn’t really dangerous for us. It was real dangerous for the person inside.”   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Commissioners, School Board at impasse on HHS future

Two hours of talking by Henderson County commissioners and School Board members about Hendersonville High School construction produced contentious exchanges, threats to kill the $52 million project and close the high school, calls for starting over on design and renewed calls for renovating the existing classroom building.The joint meeting of the two boards failed to produce consensus between the two boards, and the Board of Commissioners itself could only muster a 3-2 vote to table the question for a couple of months and work toward a solution. The joint meeting limped to a close with nothing decided and left nothing in its wake but renewed ill will between the two boards on what has been an emotional and fraught debate for three years.At issue is a gap in the project that School Board members say they were promised when they voted for the all-new construction option in December 2016 and what commissioners say that project included. The School Board was told early last week that price had gone up by $11 million if the board wants a second gym and a 900-seat auditorium instead of a 400-seat auditorium that meets state standards.Commissioner Bill Lapsley’s motion to move ahead with the originally approved $52 million plan and add the second gym failed on a 4-1 vote. Then Chairman Michael Edney’s motion to add the auxiliary gym and larger auditorium — at a total cost of $66.8 million — failed on another 4-1 vote.Charlie Messer’s saved the project for now with a motion to delay decision until July or August. Commissioners Charlie Messer and Bill Lapsley supported the motion; Edney and Hawkins voted no.“It’ll give you guys a chance, I guess we’re saying start over.” Messer said to the School Board members. “Try to get something that will work for everybody. We’re kicking the can down the road." School Board members pointed to minutes of meetings, including a joint meeting with the Board of Commissioners in 2016, and sessions with architect Chad Roberson, showing that the $52.3 million pricetag did include an auxiliary gym and larger auditorium. But commissioners said those minutes could be erroneous and didn’t change the fact that the county would have to spend $11 million more for those facilities. The larger auditorium is the main sticking point between the two boards. Lapsley, Thompson and Hawkins all argued that the original Erle Stillwell-designed auditorium would work fine for the high school, especially with upgrades that the county has already tentatively agreed to make. School Board members said the walk from the new classroom building to the auditorium would be too far and would be unsafe, exposing students to potential harm from outsiders. “I can’t in good conscience support kids having to walk to the Stillwell building without some kind of cover,” said Lisa Edwards. “I don’t think anybody would support children having to walk from another building to the Stillwell building without some kind of cover.” “To me it would be very hard to explain the extension of the auditorium with the Stillwell building over there," Hawkins said. "If we say we need to spend $11 million so you don’t have to walk to the auditorium I think is a bit of a hard sell for us.” School Board member Blair Craven said after the meeting broke up that the two boards could reach a compromise. "I do think it's constructive," he said. "No matter how it happened we were misled at some point about what would be included in the $52.6 million price. That was in several minutes." The School Board and commissioners could use the weeks ahead to look at a more compressed campus and possibly revive the idea of renovating the historic classroom building.     Read Story »

Henderson County News

MPO VOTES TO KILL PARKWAY

ASHEVILLE — Regional transportation planners voted on Thursday to drop the Balfour Parkway from the state plans, dealing a crucial  blow in the process to formally kill the project.   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

Minutes show conflicting numbers on HHS cost projections

It’s no surprise that Henderson County commissioners and School Board members are not on the same page when it comes to the cost of the new Hendersonville High School and what’s included in the $52.6 million price the county has authorized. Both boards have heard different numbers at different times, according to minutes of their meetings.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Pricetag gap reignites furor over HHS

The latest flashpoint in a contentious three-year path to a Hendersonville High School replacement has revived calls for a renovation plan instead of new construction and spilled over into the general election campaign for the seat held by the chairman of Board of Commissioners.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Latino advocacy groups protest recent ICE arrests

Latino advocacy groups and families affected by U.S. government customs enforcement actions last month plan a vigil Wednesday evening to share stories of those the advocates say were unfairly targeted by ICE raids. CIMA (Compañeros Inmigrantes de las Montañas en Acción), families of those detained, the Sanctuary Network and others plan the protest for 6-8 p.m. at New Creation Church, 500 Seventh Ave East. CIMA (Companions of Immigrants in Action in the Mountains) said ICE carried out raids in Western North Carolina on April 14 where 26 people were arrested. "During the last weeks, two people affected by the raids have already been deported and others are waiting for their deportation with fear of returning to a country they have not seen in years and that does not offer the conditions of personal security for them or for their family," CIMA said in a news release.Luis Alberto Roblero Cifuentes is a young dreamer who was detained without bond. "Luis, like many other youth his age, was brought to this country at an early age and accompanied by his parents," CIMA said. "How can we deny this youth to stay in a country that he knows no other place to call home?"The advocacy organization says families of those detained are "are suffering anxiety and despair, not knowing if they will have another change to hug their loved one or to be able to raise a bond of $9,000 or more" and continue to appeal their case. Carlos Ortiz, who CIMA says was wrongly detained in last month's raids, is scheduled to tell his story. Ortiz was granted bond and has been able to reunite with his family. “Thanks to the support from the community and strength of the families, Carlos’ case is a perfect example of community organizing works and strengthens the community," said Bruno Hinojosa Ruiz of CIMA. "To not others dehumanize and discriminate members even further.” ICE spokesman Bryan Cox said the agency carried out targeted enforcement actions against immigrants with criminal convictions. “The majority of those arrested have criminal convictions beyond their immigration status or … illegally reentered the United States after a previous deportation," Cox told Carolina Public Press. “ ... ICE only conducts targeted enforcement. ICE does not conduct checkpoints, raids or sweeps that target aliens indiscriminately. The agency’s arrest stats reflect this reality. Nationally, 92 percent of all persons arrested by ICE in FY17 either had a criminal conviction, a pending criminal charge, or were already subject to a removal order issued by a federal immigration judge.”   Read Story »

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