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Volk, Stephens urged no vote on county's HHS plan

Hendersonville Politics

THE TOP 10: No. 1 and No. 2

2. A taxing year The Henderson County Board of Commissioners, self-styled fiscal conservatives, raised the property tax rate by 5 cents per $100 valuation and charted a course for more than $100 million worth of capital projects in the coming years. The work includes the new Innovative High School on the BRCC campus, Hendersonville High School construction, a new emergency management headquarters, Edneyville Elementary School construction and the law enforcement training center. Early in 2016 commissioners expressed support for a quarter-cent local option sales tax that they said would reduce the need to rely on the property tax. But when commissioners Bill Lapsley and Grady Hawkins failed to win a commitment from the full board to tie a property tax rollback to voter approval of the sales tax, the referendum became an orphan with no support. No one mounted a campaign in in favor of the tax. Voters defeated it by 34 percentage points. Mills River taxpayers saw an even bigger tax increase. A year-long dispute with the Board of Commissioners over the cost of police coverage by the sheriff’s office ended when the Mills River Town Council acquiesced to a new contract. The town looked at providing garbage service, at a cost of $712,000 to $950,000, but a survey found that three out of five town residents favored police coverage instead. To pay for the service, which rises to $775,000 in the third year of the agreement, the Town Council raised property taxes by 6.76 cents per $100 valuation. In December the council received a report from Sheriff McDonald that deputies had investigated 6,338 crime reports through Dec. 1, compared to 4,273 for all of 2015 and 3,586 in 2014. 1. Hendersonville High School It was clear a year ago that a major construction plan for Hendersonville High School would be a big topic in 2016. The Board of Commissioners signaled early in the year that it considered the high school a high priority. The project suddenly got fast-tracked during commissioners’ budget drafting in the spring and soon it turned into the hottest political story of the year. The controversy lasted all year and shows no sign of letting up in the new year. Led by Carey O’Cain, a retired construction project estimator and manager, and current president Bill Orr, the HHS Alumni Association pushed for a combination renovation-new construction plan that O’Cain said would preserve the historic Stillwell building for classroom use, cost less and provide more parking. Despite their efforts, commissioners voted for the new “state of the art” high school on the old Boyd car dealership property and twice more ratified the decision. After a five-hour meeting on Aug. 17 commissioners voted to stick with their original plan. After a Sept. 12 meeting, the School Board sent a letter to the Board of Commissioners making a new Edneyville Elementary School the top priority and reiterating support for the renovation option for HHS. After a joint meeting with School Board on Nov. 16, commissioners again endorsed the new construction option. On Dec. 5, commissioners demanded that the newly elected School Board conduct an up-or-down vote on HHS. A no vote, commissioners said, would mean that the county would shelve the project. On Dec. 12, the School Board voted 4-2 to endorse all-new construction. The issue goes next to the Hendersonville Planning Board and City Council.   Read Story »

Henderson County Politics

HHS alumni could block construction at City Council

Fresh off a narrow victory at the Henderson County School Board, advocates of the all-new construction plan for Hendersonville High School are facing a possible veto by the Hendersonville City Council.   Read Story »

Hendersonville Politics

SCHOOL BOARD ENDORSES NEW HHS IN 4-2 VOTE

The Henderson County School Board voted 4-2 in favor of building an all-new Hendersonville High School, averting a power struggle with the Board of Commissioners over school construction authority. Although the School Board's vote ended a nearly year-long conflict between the two elected bodies over HHS and school construction priorities, the action was not the last word on the HHS project. The next step is the Hendersonville Planning Board and City Council, where HHS alumni hope to make one last stand short of a lawsuit against the renovation plan on the grounds of safety and a lack of parking. It was close to a full house at the Henderson County school administration building as the School Board gets ready to make what's expected to be an up-or-down vote on the Hendersonville High School construction. Twenty-one people signed up to speak, nearly all advocates for saving the historic core building. Rick Wood, a potential swing vote, spoke in favor of moving ahead with both Edneyville and HHS. "Imagine, five years from now, we had a new Edneyville Elementary School that the students and teachers are enjoying," he said. It would be safe and secure with a new library, cafeteria and gym, "a source of pride to the community that lost its high school in 1993." At the same time, HHS students would be enjoying a new building with large classrooms, the latest in technology, a new media center, cafeteria, new gymnasiums and and a new auditorium. ""How can we make it happen?" Wood said. "I hope tonight listening to public comment that we can find a way to move forward toward that vision." Walt Cottingham, a longtime HHS world geography teacher and father of HHS graduates, said the issue of community was most important. The faculty heard about all the options in a meeting earlier this year. "In this meeting one unanimous vote was taken in opposition to an all-new school on the Boyd lot," he said. School faculty, alumni and the the School Board favored other options. "Then the commissioners in a show of imperial might threw all the proposals away," he said. He urged the county commissioners to build a school "that celebrates the past and celebrates the future of our school." Former School Board member Melissa Maurer, an HHS graduate, recalled that the School Board and county commissioners cooperated on buying the Boyd property. "At no time did we consider abandoning the Stillwell building or building on the furthest corner of the Boyd dealership property," she said. "In my opinion the commissioners have overstepped their authority and if you say Edneyville is first you need to stand by that. Do not be bullied. Do not succumb to veiled or not so veiled threats." "To place that building on the edge of one of the busiest highways is unthinkable," said Kim Heery. "Are you willing to risk even one student being injured or worse? ... Please do not let your judgment be clouded by fancy buildings and empty threats." Don Ward, a former county commissioner, said he was shiocked to hear about the conditions from lunchroom workers when he toured Edneyville Elementary School on Monday. "They said in the summertime it gets 115 degrees," he said. "We don't have to worry about flies because they can't fly. We can't use but one microwave at a time because if we use two it blows a fuse and knocks a breaker off." Security also poses a threat, he said. "If I was an attorney in Henderson County I would be in the parking lot passing out cards," he said. Ron Stephens, a City Council member who emphasized that he was not speaking for the council, urged the School Board to "stand up to bullying" and vote no on the new construction plan. "I have heard many things tonight and I agree with all of them about what this board should do," he said. Edneyville "sounds like a third world country and it needs to be handled first. ... "If you don't vote no you are joining the county commissioners in violating the state law. I read the state law. I think a 6th grader would read that and understand what you are assigned to do and elected to do. "The other issue is bullying." When bullied "you either stand up to them or it will get worse," he said. "And I think this is a class case of bullying. The Board of Commissioners are bullying. Unless you vote no you will be joining them in making a bad decision and violating state law." Chris Stepp, an attorney, read a statement from former state Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, a 1964 HHS graduate, that reinforced Orr's previously offered legal opinion that the School Board, not the county commissioners, has the authority to make decisions on school construction. Boyce "Blondie" Whitmire Jr. used a cane to walk to the lectern and address the School Board. Whitmire and his brothers have more 170 years of service to the school system in teaching, coaching and administration "and five us belong to the Henderson County Education Hall of Fame." A principal for 28 years, Whitmire urged the board to reject the Boyd lot and preserve the historic core. The board began its deliberation on the issue with a motion by Mary Louise Corn to endorse the new construction. Blair Craven said he had received assurances that "If we do table this and we do vote no that there's no repercussions. If we were to say let's go ahead with Edneyville.... we can have Edneyville completely done in 26 months. That's not 2021. That's 2019. That is significantly sooner than the commissioners would lead you to believe. Hendersonville High School is its own issue." When Corn asked who made the assurances, Craven responded: "I met with Mike Edney on Saturday for coffee and he assured me thare's not going to be any type of vendetta, we're not cutting the budget or anything of that nature." Lisa Edwards, one of three members who had supported new construction, said she still believed that new construction was the right option but objected to commissioners' decision to delay the Edneyville work. "There are 5- and 6-year-olds walking in holes between buildings," Edwards said. "I will not support that and that's why I will be voting no." Michael Absher, like Blair a newly elected member, said he had met with all five county commissioners and heard their promises that Edneyville would start immediately after HHS construction. "I received 117 phone calls since the county sent out that letter, two thirds of those were primarily for Edneyville," he said. "They are looking at how they're going to fund the Edneyville project.  I love the tradition of HHS but after touring some of the high school I would have to support that we do support a new Hendersonville High School." Wood spoke in favor of the new school. "Even though the two projects are not linked I believe the county commissioners will be much more agreeable to consider that new school option (for Edneyville) versus renovation if we support their plan on Hendersonville High School," he said, drawing  hoots of derision. "Another factor in my decision was the promise that the historic Stillwell building will be preserved for use to be determined by the School Board," including the idea of a ninth grade academy. Corn announced her support for the new HHS, becoming the fourth yes vote. Voting yes were Corn, Wood, Absher and Colby Coren. Voting no were Craven and Edwards. The chair, under School Board bylaws, does not vote. Coren said the future of schools was more important than making a statement about the School Board's authority. "Based on current estimates of projects, over $100 million will be allocated by Commissioners for the Innovative High School, HHS, and Edneyville projects for our school system," he said. "It’s no secret that school systems across the country struggle to obtain funding for even the basic necessities. We are blessed to live in a county that sees the importance of providing for our children. The bottom line is this: sometimes, in order to do what is best for everyone, we need help. Is voting to move forward with new construction at Hendersonville relinquishing our boards control and authority? You could see it that way. Or, you could see it as I choose to, as an opportunity for our board to say, despite our differences, we are going to move forward and continue to work together for the sake of our students! I am not willing to gamble with the safety and well-being of children to prove our control and authority."     Read Story »

Hendersonville Politics

Holt elected School Board chair

Amy Lynn Holt, a Hendersonville High School parent and the board's most vocal advocate for saving the historic core building for HHS use, was elected chair of the Henderson County School Board Monday night. In a 5-2 vote, board members elected Holt over Mary Louise Corn, the top vote getter in the Nov. 8 election and a former West Henderson High School principal. In electing Holt, the board chose a leader who has argued strongly that the Board of Commissioners had usurped its authority by overriding the School Board's recommendation on school construction priorities and design. The School Board voted 4-3 for a renovation-new construction option that would have saved the Erle Stillwell-designed classroom building and auditorium for future HHS students. Instead, commissioners voted unanimously for a new construction plan that would preserve the historic building for a future unspecified use. The School Board also has voted to put Edneyville Elementary School ahead of the HHS construction, a ranking that the Board of Commissioners also rejected.           Read Story »

Henderson County Politics

Meadows confirms bid for Freedom Caucus chair

U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows on Wednesday confirmed what the Washington press corps had been reporting for several weeks. He is officially running to chair the House Freedom Caucus, a Tea Party-oriented group that has sought to steer the Republican leadership to a more conservative agenda. “The coming year will be a critical period for the Freedom Caucus, and I am humbled at the opportunity to speak with our members and hopefully earn their support for chairman," Meadows, who won a third term in the Nov. 8 election, said in a news release. "From day one since our founding almost two years ago, the mission of the Freedom Caucus has been to give a voice to the countless Americans who feel that Washington does not represent them. Our members are committed to developing and advancing a policy driven agenda that supports accountable and limited government, Constitutional rule of law, and principles that foster the liberty, safety, and prosperity of Americans. I look forward to hopefully earning the support of my colleagues and to building on the great work of my good friend, Jim Jordan, as we continue working to return our government to its rightful owner: the American people.” Reports from Washington since before the election have said that Meadows has strong support among his Freedom Caucus colleagues and that he appeared to have a clear path if he ran for the chair's seat.   Read Story »

Henderson County Politics

Sun shines on opening of Health Sciences Center

Rain was the theme 20 months ago when officials gathered for the groundbreaking of the three-story health sciences building on the Pardee Hospital campus and it was the theme again Tuesday morning — for a while. Rain fell for the first time in three months on Tuesday but as if on cue the sun came out just as the ceremonial ribbon-cutting finished up at 11:20 a.m.Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the opening of the Health Sciences Center heard local officials praise the unprecedented five-party agreement that resulted in the building.“We want to welcome everyone to this beautiful facility in the city of Hendersonville,” said Mayor Barbara Volk. “That’s one of the things that we’re most pleased with is that it’s here in the city of Hendersonville.”When Wingate University began looking for bigger quarters, city officials scrambled to make sure the college didn’t leave the city. In the meantime, County Manager Steve Wyatt, then-Wingate president Jerry McGee, Pardee CEO Jay Kirby and BRCC president Molly Parkhill began working on an ambitious and unprecedented effort to cooperate on a major building that would serve them all.“It’s amazing when we pick up the paper today and see the divisiveness around the country and sometimes in our own community what can happen when you check your egos at the door,” said Pardee CEO Jay Kirby. “The fact that our county, the city, Wingate, Blue Ridge, Pardee all came together, put their egos at the door and did what was best for our community, for our patients and for our teachers and what you are standing in today is a reflection of that — nothing more, nothing less.”The Comprehensive Cancer Center, using Pardee oncologists and those from UNC Health Care, will “bring advanced healing close to home,” Kirby added. “We treat over 500 cancer patients each year. Eighty-five to 90 percent of all cancers on this earth can be treated in this building.”Wingate President Rhett Brown recalled a meeting early in the process when he visited Hendersonville and asked Wyatt, “Tell me again what we’re doing up here?”“And he said, ‘Walk with me.’ So we walked outside and we were standing in beautiful downtown Hendersonville and he put his arm around me and he said, ‘Imagine, if you will, that a young person born in Henderson County could not leave Henderson County and become a pharmacist, physician assistant or nurse anesthetist in our county.’ And it was at that point that I got the vision.”Brown thanked his predecessor, McGee, and Wyatt for their dedication to the project.“It was their shared vision and their sheer tenacity that brought us to this day,” he said. “Wingate University in Henderson County will eternally be grateful.”   Read Story »

Hendersonville Politics

School Board grudgingly accepts new HHS

If the road to this point had not been so contentious, three other high school districts in Henderson County might well be grumbling about what the $53 million Taj Mahal Hendersonville High School is getting. The county rivals may yet look upon it with envy when the doors open to students in August of 2020.   Read Story »

Henderson County Politics

STATE DELAY BOOTS CANVASS TO NEXT WEEK

It could be a month before the state Board of Elections officially confirms the vote count in the Nov. 8 gubernatorial election and a recount could not begin until that final convass, Henderson County Elections Director Beverly Cunningham said Friday. A federal court order, a razor-thin gubernatorial race and the scrutiny of observers from both parties poses uncertainty as 100 county elections boards undertake the process to certify the Nov. 8 election. Gov. Pat McCrory, who trails Democratic challenger Roy Cooper by 5,001 votes after Election Day and one-stop votes were counted, gained 15 votes when the Henderson County Board of Elections tabulated absentee ballots it had approved. McCrory won the absentee vote, 83-68, padding his lead in Henderson County to 11,124. The board on Friday counted 173 absentee ballots and added those to the previous totals. "I don't think it's signficant at all," Terry Lyda, who was observing the county canvass for the Democratic Party, said of McCrory's 15-vote gain in heavily Republican Henderson County. "It's going to take something really crazy somewhere" to allow McCrory to overtake Cooper. "I'm thrilled. 83-68 is excellent for the absentee count." After it approved and tabulated the absentee votes, the elections board could take no other action in what is usually a routine canvass to certify the elections results. The state Board of Elections has directed the 100 county elections boards to wait until the state Division of Motor Vehicles researches voter registrations it has received. "Since these races are so close they want to make sure the information they provided is accurate," Cunningham said. Henderson County has 243 provisional ballots that have not yet been vetted and approved. They cannot be counted until the board blesses or rejects them. The state Board of Elections canvass, originally set for Nov. 28, has already been pushed back. "I'm hearing they're going to reset it for the first or second week of December now," she said. Elections Board Chairman Robert Heltman explained the process to a roomful of observers, on hand mostly to monitor the governor's race. "We were all hoping we would be done at the end of today," he said. "That is not the case." The board will reconvene at 10 a.m. Tuesday. There's no guarantee that the state will have completed its research on the DMV-generated registration even then, Cunningham said. Heltman and Tom Wilson, a Democrat and the previous chair, said they had never seen a delay this long. "This seems to be a unique situation," Heltman said. The McCrory campaign has filed elections complaints in 52 counties, claiming that irregularities could favor his opponent. None has been filed in Henderson County. Both Republicans and Democrats praised the Henderson County's elections administration as above board and accurate. "We're just lucky we've got the people here that we have," Lyda said. "I feel very confident in these people." Michael Edney, the county commissioner and an attorney, was retained by the state Republican Party to monitor the canvass. "In Henderson County we've got a great board and great staff," he said. "Clearly they know what they're doing." Josh Lawson, the general counsel of the state Elections Board, sent a memo to county elections boards at 5 p.m. Wednesday that directed the local boards to wait for a verification of voters' eligibility before counting the provisional votes. The state Board of Elections signaled in a news release on Thursday the likelihood that Friday's canvass may not produce a final result. The canvass "is followed by a final certification of statewide totals by the State Board of Elections," the N.C. Board of Elections said. "Counties may, however, delay canvass for a 'reasonable time' if the initial counting has not been completed," the state Elections Board said. "Many, if not all, counties are expected to do just that. Postponing canvass is necessary when certain decisions have not been made regarding provisional ballots, certain types of election protests are pending, or a delay is necessary to comply with a judicial order. The counties have good reason to extend their canvasses this year, including a recent court order." "In the final days of early voting, a federal court required election officials and the Division of Motor Vehicles to create a new review process for certain voters who claim they registered or changed their address at the DMV, even if no record of registration could be found." After counties canvass, a statewide candidate who trails by 10,000 votes or fewer may demand a recount by noon on the second business day. If a recount is demanded, the counties would conduct recounts individually in public view. A recount is a near certainty in the governor's race and likely in the state auditor election, where Democratic incumbent Beth Wood leads Republican challenger Chuck Stuber by 2,670 votes. “With each passing day, we discover more and more cases of voting fraud and irregularities,” McCrory campaign manager Russell Peck said in a news release. “We intend to make sure that every vote is properly counted and serious voter fraud concerns are addressed before the results of the election can be determined.” Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article115492333.html#storylink=cpy     Read Story »

Henderson County Politics

COMMISSIONERS, SCHOOL BOARD TO MEET ON HHS

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners will meet with the School Board for a joint discussion on the Hendersonville High School construction next week, the first time the two bodies will have sat down in the same room amid a widening conflict over power and money.   Read Story »

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