Gov. Bev Perdue announced Wednesday, Feb. 15, that Reed Elsevier Inc.—a world-leading provider of professional information solutions—will expand its operations in Cary. The company plans to create 350 jobs over the next five years and invest $1.75 million. The project was made possible in part by state grants from the Job Development Investment Grant.
“Creating jobs is my top priority and the fact that globally competitive companies continue to make investments like these proves we have a top-notch business climate and a tremendously talented workforce,” Perdue said. “Our legacy of strong investments in education and economic are continuing to pay off.”
Reed Elsevier was formed in 1993 when Reed International joined Elsevier NV, and the two entities focused on professional information solutions in the science, medical, legal, risk management and business-to-business sectors. Reed Elsevier currently consists of five major business units including: Elsevier, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, LexisNexis Legal & Professional, Reed Exhibitions and Reed Business Information. As part of this project, Reed Elsevier will concentrate additional marketing, sales, customer support and product development in the Wake County facility.
“We’re laser-focused on delivering greater value and better outcomes for our customers,” said Mike Walsh, CEO of LexisNexis Legal & Professional. “The expansion in Cary supports our mission to bring innovative products and services to market, even faster than today.”
The company currently employs more than 300 people in Cary and Charlotte. The group employs more than 30,000 people globally, including more than 16,000 in North America.
While individual wages for the positions will vary by job function, the overall average for the new jobs will be $91,644, plus benefits. The average annual wage in Wake County is $44,980.
To help facilitate this expansion, the state Economic Investment Committee voted to award a Job Development Investment Grant to Reed Elsevier. JDIGs are awarded only to new and expanding businesses and industrial projects whose benefits exceed the costs to the state and which would not be undertaken in North Carolina without the grant.
Under the terms of the JDIG, the company is eligible to receive a grant equal to 75 percent of the state personal income withholding taxes derived from the creation of new jobs for each of the 10 years in which the company meets annual performance targets. If Reed Elsevier meets the targets called for under the agreement and sustains them for 10 years, the JDIG could yield $8.86 million in maximum benefits for the company.
In addition, up to $2.95 million could be added to the state’s utility fund for infrastructure improvements in economically distressed counties. When a JDIG is awarded in Tier 3 counties such as Wake, 25 percent of the grant is allocated to this fund to encourage economic development in less prosperous areas.
Other partners who assisted with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community Colleges, the Town of Cary and Cary Economic Develelopment.
Through Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state continues to work aggressively to create well-paying jobs, train and retrain its workforce, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future.
For more information about Reed Elsevier, including job opportunities, visit www.reedelsevier.com.
See what ended up on The News of Orange County's cutting room floor.
Showing posts with label state. Show all posts
Showing posts with label state. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
N.C. Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service announces 2012 AmeriCorps State Formula Planning Grant
The North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service announces that the 2012 AmeriCorps State Formula Planning Grant is available for nonprofit and government organizations.
The planning grants are small grants for organizations that have never operated an AmeriCorps program. In addition, grants will support the development of a program that will engage members in evidence-based interventions to solve community problems. The planning grants do not come with member positions and recipients are not guaranteed future operational funding. Public or private nonprofit organizations that have not received AmeriCorps state or national funds in the past are eligible to apply.
All grant applications are due to the commission no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, March 16. Applications can be submitted electronically to Ray.Riordan@nc.gov or by mail. Mail applications must be received by that date, not postmarked by that date. For more information, visit www.VolunteerNC.org.
The N.C. Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, a federally and state-funded agency housed in the Governor’s Office, administers funding to 12 N.C. AmeriCorps programs for the 2011-2012 program year. AmeriCorps is a national service initiative designed to increase volunteering and civic engagement in America. Since 1994, more than 12,153 individuals have participated in N.C. AmeriCorps programs. Members tutor and mentor school-aged youth, improve the quality of care for preschool children and address the need for energy-efficient housing for low-income families. For more information on the N.C. AmeriCorps programs, visit the Commission’s Web site at www.VolunteerNC.org or call 1-800-820-4483 or 1-877-877-1765 (TTY).
The planning grants are small grants for organizations that have never operated an AmeriCorps program. In addition, grants will support the development of a program that will engage members in evidence-based interventions to solve community problems. The planning grants do not come with member positions and recipients are not guaranteed future operational funding. Public or private nonprofit organizations that have not received AmeriCorps state or national funds in the past are eligible to apply.
All grant applications are due to the commission no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, March 16. Applications can be submitted electronically to Ray.Riordan@nc.gov or by mail. Mail applications must be received by that date, not postmarked by that date. For more information, visit www.VolunteerNC.org.
The N.C. Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, a federally and state-funded agency housed in the Governor’s Office, administers funding to 12 N.C. AmeriCorps programs for the 2011-2012 program year. AmeriCorps is a national service initiative designed to increase volunteering and civic engagement in America. Since 1994, more than 12,153 individuals have participated in N.C. AmeriCorps programs. Members tutor and mentor school-aged youth, improve the quality of care for preschool children and address the need for energy-efficient housing for low-income families. For more information on the N.C. AmeriCorps programs, visit the Commission’s Web site at www.VolunteerNC.org or call 1-800-820-4483 or 1-877-877-1765 (TTY).
Friday, February 17, 2012
Column: Greetings from Ellie Kinnaird
Dear Friends,
I am a member of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety. This week, we heard a report on a new judicial department program to help those who receive a traffic ticket avoid a court appearance (and lawyer’s fee) by paying the fine and court costs by credit card. Between March and December 2011, 167,473 total citation payments were made by credit card—330 per day. This saved not only the public, but 7,600 of courthouse staff hours.
In addition, in three pilot counties, court papers can be filed electronically and court notices and information can be retrieved online 24 hours a day.
While this seems logical and efficient, there are a couple of bumps in the way. First, while the fine and court costs are fixed, credit card companies charge a fee that can’t be taken out of the fine and court costs. So either the state has to eat the fees through an appropriation—which add up to a large amount—or the credit card companies have to allow a transaction surcharge. MasterCard and American Express allow the state a government discount, but VISA will not. (Now only the Revenue Department will take payment by VISA card.) The state also has not installed the machines in the court house for direct credit card payment at the site. The legislature could investigate that at a later time.
But a bigger concern is that under the present system a person can go to court and get a deferred prosecution if they attend driving school. But when a fine and court costs are paid by credit card, that opportunity is not available. In addition, the infraction is on the person’s record for insurance purposes. And under our appropriations system, those monies collected do not go to the courts to offset the costs to the court system but to the general fund.
Another report was presented to the committee by Legal Aid of North Carolina and the two independent legal service offices. The average person served by these entities has an annual income of $12,000 (contrast that with the 1 percent who may make $12,000 an hour.) Legal Aid clients are working families, children, the elderly, and 75 percent are women. In addition to attorneys, paralegals and support staff, thousands of lawyers throughout the state provide pro bono work for clients, including several legislator-lawyers. Legal Aid provides free legal services for low-income people facing the loss of a home, family livelihood and personal safely. They do not handle personal injury, medical malpractice or criminal matters. Legal Aid has suffered big cuts in the last few budgets, even as the need has increased during the recession.
Two years ago, a bill was introduced to regulate and curtail the offenses of puppy mills. The bill passed the Senate but did not pass the House because special interest groups lobbied to kill the bill, e.g. the Pork Council was concerned because such humane treatment requirements might be applied to their industry. Last week a bull dog puppy mill was discovered and hundreds of dogs in terrible condition were rescued from deplorable surroundings. These businesses go on throughout the state, as are revealed by news items. Time to pass the bill.
I also attended the circus with my granddaughter and was upset to see magnificent tigers, elephants and horses forced to perform tricks such as standing and walking on their hind legs and laying down in formations on command. Some years ago, Orange County banned circuses with animals, and, after seeing these animals forced to perform unnatural activities, foreign from their natural habitat, I understand why.
I have written in the past about Person Industries that serves the disabled. PI operates the recycling for Person County, employing many Person Industries people and helping the environment. PI has now have added another environmental measure: LED lighting and motion sensors to activate lights in rooms used infrequently. They are indeed leaders in the community.
On Feb. 20 at 11 a.m., a Town Hall Meeting will be held in the Legislative auditorium, titled “Bring Our War Dollars Home/Restore Our Communities." It will connect the huge amount spent (more than $1 trillion for Iraq and Afghanistan) on wars while our schools, mental health and other needs are not being met at home. Congressmen Walter Jones, David Price and Brad Miller will speak along with Matthew Hoh, the State Department officer to Afghanistan and former Marine who resigned in protest over our policy in Afghanistan. The public is invited.
An interesting observation from Rapper Ja Rule, serving time in prison, commenting on his fellow inmates, former N. Y. State Comptroller and Tyco International CEO, “Outside, you don’t meet guys like this every day.”
Ellie
I am a member of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety. This week, we heard a report on a new judicial department program to help those who receive a traffic ticket avoid a court appearance (and lawyer’s fee) by paying the fine and court costs by credit card. Between March and December 2011, 167,473 total citation payments were made by credit card—330 per day. This saved not only the public, but 7,600 of courthouse staff hours.
In addition, in three pilot counties, court papers can be filed electronically and court notices and information can be retrieved online 24 hours a day.
While this seems logical and efficient, there are a couple of bumps in the way. First, while the fine and court costs are fixed, credit card companies charge a fee that can’t be taken out of the fine and court costs. So either the state has to eat the fees through an appropriation—which add up to a large amount—or the credit card companies have to allow a transaction surcharge. MasterCard and American Express allow the state a government discount, but VISA will not. (Now only the Revenue Department will take payment by VISA card.) The state also has not installed the machines in the court house for direct credit card payment at the site. The legislature could investigate that at a later time.
But a bigger concern is that under the present system a person can go to court and get a deferred prosecution if they attend driving school. But when a fine and court costs are paid by credit card, that opportunity is not available. In addition, the infraction is on the person’s record for insurance purposes. And under our appropriations system, those monies collected do not go to the courts to offset the costs to the court system but to the general fund.
Another report was presented to the committee by Legal Aid of North Carolina and the two independent legal service offices. The average person served by these entities has an annual income of $12,000 (contrast that with the 1 percent who may make $12,000 an hour.) Legal Aid clients are working families, children, the elderly, and 75 percent are women. In addition to attorneys, paralegals and support staff, thousands of lawyers throughout the state provide pro bono work for clients, including several legislator-lawyers. Legal Aid provides free legal services for low-income people facing the loss of a home, family livelihood and personal safely. They do not handle personal injury, medical malpractice or criminal matters. Legal Aid has suffered big cuts in the last few budgets, even as the need has increased during the recession.
Two years ago, a bill was introduced to regulate and curtail the offenses of puppy mills. The bill passed the Senate but did not pass the House because special interest groups lobbied to kill the bill, e.g. the Pork Council was concerned because such humane treatment requirements might be applied to their industry. Last week a bull dog puppy mill was discovered and hundreds of dogs in terrible condition were rescued from deplorable surroundings. These businesses go on throughout the state, as are revealed by news items. Time to pass the bill.
I also attended the circus with my granddaughter and was upset to see magnificent tigers, elephants and horses forced to perform tricks such as standing and walking on their hind legs and laying down in formations on command. Some years ago, Orange County banned circuses with animals, and, after seeing these animals forced to perform unnatural activities, foreign from their natural habitat, I understand why.
I have written in the past about Person Industries that serves the disabled. PI operates the recycling for Person County, employing many Person Industries people and helping the environment. PI has now have added another environmental measure: LED lighting and motion sensors to activate lights in rooms used infrequently. They are indeed leaders in the community.
On Feb. 20 at 11 a.m., a Town Hall Meeting will be held in the Legislative auditorium, titled “Bring Our War Dollars Home/Restore Our Communities." It will connect the huge amount spent (more than $1 trillion for Iraq and Afghanistan) on wars while our schools, mental health and other needs are not being met at home. Congressmen Walter Jones, David Price and Brad Miller will speak along with Matthew Hoh, the State Department officer to Afghanistan and former Marine who resigned in protest over our policy in Afghanistan. The public is invited.
An interesting observation from Rapper Ja Rule, serving time in prison, commenting on his fellow inmates, former N. Y. State Comptroller and Tyco International CEO, “Outside, you don’t meet guys like this every day.”
Ellie
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Call for nominations for AASLH Leadership History Awards
The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources is seeking nominations of North Carolinians or North Carolina historical organizations that have excelled in the collection, preservation or interpretation of state and local history. Nominees will be considered for the Leadership in HistoryAwards, offered each year by the American Association for State and Local History.
The association bestows these awards annually to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation and interpretation of state and local history throughout the United States. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards recognize exemplary work by federal, state or local historical societies, museums, institutions or agencies, or specialized societies in the areas of oral history, genealogy, folklore, archaeology, business history or others. Privately owned museums or foundations, individuals, junior historical societies and related agencies also may apply.
Winning North Carolina organizations in 2011 included the Greensboro Historical Museum, the University Library at UNC-Chapel Hill, the State Archives in Raleigh, the Outer Banks History Center in Manteo and the N.C. Museum of History.
Nominees do not have to be members of AASLH, and self-nominations are encouraged. Visit AASLH awards to download a nomination form and to learn more about the award guidelines and the documentation that must accompany the forms. Send nomination forms and other required information by March 1 to: Laura Ketcham, N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, 4610 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4610.
The American Association for State and Local History is a nonprofit organization of individuals and institutions working to preserve and promote history.
The association bestows these awards annually to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation and interpretation of state and local history throughout the United States. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards recognize exemplary work by federal, state or local historical societies, museums, institutions or agencies, or specialized societies in the areas of oral history, genealogy, folklore, archaeology, business history or others. Privately owned museums or foundations, individuals, junior historical societies and related agencies also may apply.
Winning North Carolina organizations in 2011 included the Greensboro Historical Museum, the University Library at UNC-Chapel Hill, the State Archives in Raleigh, the Outer Banks History Center in Manteo and the N.C. Museum of History.
Nominees do not have to be members of AASLH, and self-nominations are encouraged. Visit AASLH awards to download a nomination form and to learn more about the award guidelines and the documentation that must accompany the forms. Send nomination forms and other required information by March 1 to: Laura Ketcham, N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, 4610 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4610.
The American Association for State and Local History is a nonprofit organization of individuals and institutions working to preserve and promote history.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Improvements made to Orange County rail crossing
The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Rail Division has made crossing safety improvements at an intersection in Orange County near Durham.
NCDOT revised crossing signals and installed gates at the intersection of University Station Road and the Norfolk Southern Railroad (NS) tracks. This $210,318 improvement project was paid for with 90 percent federal funds and 10 percent state funds. Maintenance funding for the project will be divided equally between the state and NS.
Two freight trains a day travel through the railroad crossing at a maximum of 10 miles per hour.
This project is part of a comprehensive statewide NCDOT program to enhance highway safety by adding or improving signals and gates at public railroad crossings. Automatic warning devices are now in place at more than 2,400 of North Carolina's over 4,100 public at-grade crossings.
NCDOT revised crossing signals and installed gates at the intersection of University Station Road and the Norfolk Southern Railroad (NS) tracks. This $210,318 improvement project was paid for with 90 percent federal funds and 10 percent state funds. Maintenance funding for the project will be divided equally between the state and NS.
Two freight trains a day travel through the railroad crossing at a maximum of 10 miles per hour.
This project is part of a comprehensive statewide NCDOT program to enhance highway safety by adding or improving signals and gates at public railroad crossings. Automatic warning devices are now in place at more than 2,400 of North Carolina's over 4,100 public at-grade crossings.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Rep. Verla Insko announces re-election campaign
Representative Verla Insko announced Tuesday, Feb. 7, that she is running for re-election. Insko is currently serving her eighth term in the North Carolina House of Representatives. She will run in the new 56th district in Orange County.
“I am pleased to announce that I will file for re-election to the N.C. House on Feb. 13," she said. "Regardless of the final district boundaries, I look forward to campaigning throughout the district, meeting new residents and re-establishing relationships with people now in the new 56th House District
"In the next legislative session, the North Carolina General Assembly faces difficult decisions on improving education at all levels, implementing health care reform, providing necessary Medicaid services, protecting our environment, finalizing the last steps in mental health reform and how to fit all that and more into a budget and financing plan supported by the people.
"During my 15-plus years in the N.C. House, I have been heavily engaged in all these issues. I want to use my accumulated knowledge and expertise and my commitment to social justice to continue serving the constituents in House District 56.”
“I am pleased to announce that I will file for re-election to the N.C. House on Feb. 13," she said. "Regardless of the final district boundaries, I look forward to campaigning throughout the district, meeting new residents and re-establishing relationships with people now in the new 56th House District
"In the next legislative session, the North Carolina General Assembly faces difficult decisions on improving education at all levels, implementing health care reform, providing necessary Medicaid services, protecting our environment, finalizing the last steps in mental health reform and how to fit all that and more into a budget and financing plan supported by the people.
"During my 15-plus years in the N.C. House, I have been heavily engaged in all these issues. I want to use my accumulated knowledge and expertise and my commitment to social justice to continue serving the constituents in House District 56.”
Hagan, Bass comment on Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012
U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D—NC) and North Carolina Public Transportation Association President Randy Bass on Friday, Feb. 3, commented on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee’s approval of the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012. Hagan, who sits on the Banking Committee, fought to include over $200 million in the bill for important North Carolina infrastructure investments. The two-year reauthorization and reform of federal public transportation programs was passed with unanimous, bipartisan support. The legislation will be included in a broader surface transportation reauthorization bill.
“Maintaining and upgrading our infrastructure is about creating jobs, not just in the construction sector, but in the businesses, plants and factories that rely on our ports, roads, rails and airports to get American-made products to markets around the globe,” said Hagan. “Investing in our transportation infrastructure will enable our economy to grow and keep our country competitive.”
Bass also commended the Senate Banking Committee for approving the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012.
“Our association represents public transportation systems in all 100 counties in North Carolina," he said. "Despite the challenges we face in these tough economic times, North Carolina’s public transportation infrastructure is a testament to how public and capital investments can create a network of transportation services critical to the economic vitality of our state. We are proud and grateful to have the exceptional leadership of Sen. Hagan and her colleagues on the Banking Committee to keep public transportation a priority of our nation.”
The Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 provides funding for critical investments in North Carolina’s infrastructure. The bill authorizes $20 million in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 for competitive grants to help communities develop and plan public transportation projects designed to enhance economic development, increase transit ridership, and promote multi-modal connectivity and accessibility.
Few communities exemplify the benefits of Transit-Oriented Development better than Charlotte. Since its opening, there has been $1.4 billion in development adjacent to the LYNX light rail Blue Line. It is anticipated that through 2035, there will be approximately $5 billion in new development adjacent to the Blue Line Extension—a continuation of the LYNX Blue Line to the UNC-Charlotte campus.
The bill streamlines and includes a slight increase in funding for rural transit. In fiscal year 2010, North Carolina received $47.61 million in rural transit grants, more than any other state except California.
The bill also includes $20 million for a New Appalachian Development Public Transportation Assistance Program. The funds are to be distributed across the Appalachian region—including 29 counties in North Carolina—to increase and enhance public transportation opportunities to residents in these areas.
“Maintaining and upgrading our infrastructure is about creating jobs, not just in the construction sector, but in the businesses, plants and factories that rely on our ports, roads, rails and airports to get American-made products to markets around the globe,” said Hagan. “Investing in our transportation infrastructure will enable our economy to grow and keep our country competitive.”
Bass also commended the Senate Banking Committee for approving the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012.
“Our association represents public transportation systems in all 100 counties in North Carolina," he said. "Despite the challenges we face in these tough economic times, North Carolina’s public transportation infrastructure is a testament to how public and capital investments can create a network of transportation services critical to the economic vitality of our state. We are proud and grateful to have the exceptional leadership of Sen. Hagan and her colleagues on the Banking Committee to keep public transportation a priority of our nation.”
The Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 provides funding for critical investments in North Carolina’s infrastructure. The bill authorizes $20 million in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 for competitive grants to help communities develop and plan public transportation projects designed to enhance economic development, increase transit ridership, and promote multi-modal connectivity and accessibility.
Few communities exemplify the benefits of Transit-Oriented Development better than Charlotte. Since its opening, there has been $1.4 billion in development adjacent to the LYNX light rail Blue Line. It is anticipated that through 2035, there will be approximately $5 billion in new development adjacent to the Blue Line Extension—a continuation of the LYNX Blue Line to the UNC-Charlotte campus.
The bill streamlines and includes a slight increase in funding for rural transit. In fiscal year 2010, North Carolina received $47.61 million in rural transit grants, more than any other state except California.
The bill also includes $20 million for a New Appalachian Development Public Transportation Assistance Program. The funds are to be distributed across the Appalachian region—including 29 counties in North Carolina—to increase and enhance public transportation opportunities to residents in these areas.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Column: Greetings from Ellie Kinnaird
Dear Friends,
We have lost a great leader in Joe Hackney, who has announced he will not run again for the North Carolina House of Representatives. Joe has been a great environmentalist, cleaning up our water and air and preserving open space. Joe has steered a course of helping all North Carolinians; he’s been a stalwart for our great universities and education system and a strong and steady leader, both for me personally in the legislature and for our state.
As Speaker, he restored integrity and respect to the legislature at a crucial time. Joe was responsible for major changes in ethics regulations, which set the standards for those carrying out the legislature’s business. Joe achieved prominence as president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, earning the admiration of legislators across the United States. Joe has been an extraordinary advocate for the people of North Carolina. He will be missed like no other as he leaves the legislature.
I attended two important activities last week that are supported by our state. At an Orange County forum, the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention presented successes in reducing the number of our youth in detention centers from 975 in 2000 to 296 today. Serving children in the community with wrap-around services involving parents, schools, mental health and court counselors means only the most violent and difficult children who present a public safety hazard are incarcerated. Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils that determine the best use of state money to help youth within the community are comprised of local people who are most familiar with resources within the community. Mentoring, tutoring, after-school programs, arts and even Karate are available for these troubled youth to make a positive change in their lives.
The face that 40 percent of children involved in the Juvenile Justice system have serious mental health problems is astounding. We know that detention does not change behavior and often leads to a life of criminal activity, whereas treating children in the community means they are much less likely to become involved in the criminal justice system again. One of the areas of great concern is the disproportionate number of minority youth who become involved with the system. Efforts are being made to find the causes and effective remedies. Recidivism drives the growth in the prison population. If we can prevent troubled youth from continuing criminal activity, then that will make a difference in our prison growth in the future.
I am sad to lose a colleague in the Juvenile Justice area who has worked so hard to benefit our children. Rep. Alice Bordsen has decided against running for reelection in Alamance County. Alice has helped steer the juvenile justice into a therapeutic model in youth development centers and promoted community services. She is leading the legislation to change the age from 16 to 18 when children are charged as adults in the criminal justice system. She and I are also exploring—along with church groups—restorative justice, a model for healing victims and showing offenders the harm they have done to others, including their families.
The second event was the opening of the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and the Angelman Syndrome Foundation. A breakthrough on research on this syndrome came about from the work of the CIDD. In addition to research, a clinic will provide services for the children with Angelman and their families. We are fortunate to have such talented and dedicated people in our area.
Paul Wellstone’s advice fits today’s political turmoil well: “There are three critical ingredients to democratic renewal and progressive change in America: good public policy, grassroots organizing and electoral politics.” We must all contribute to move us forward during difficult times. Ellie
We have lost a great leader in Joe Hackney, who has announced he will not run again for the North Carolina House of Representatives. Joe has been a great environmentalist, cleaning up our water and air and preserving open space. Joe has steered a course of helping all North Carolinians; he’s been a stalwart for our great universities and education system and a strong and steady leader, both for me personally in the legislature and for our state.
As Speaker, he restored integrity and respect to the legislature at a crucial time. Joe was responsible for major changes in ethics regulations, which set the standards for those carrying out the legislature’s business. Joe achieved prominence as president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, earning the admiration of legislators across the United States. Joe has been an extraordinary advocate for the people of North Carolina. He will be missed like no other as he leaves the legislature.
I attended two important activities last week that are supported by our state. At an Orange County forum, the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention presented successes in reducing the number of our youth in detention centers from 975 in 2000 to 296 today. Serving children in the community with wrap-around services involving parents, schools, mental health and court counselors means only the most violent and difficult children who present a public safety hazard are incarcerated. Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils that determine the best use of state money to help youth within the community are comprised of local people who are most familiar with resources within the community. Mentoring, tutoring, after-school programs, arts and even Karate are available for these troubled youth to make a positive change in their lives.
The face that 40 percent of children involved in the Juvenile Justice system have serious mental health problems is astounding. We know that detention does not change behavior and often leads to a life of criminal activity, whereas treating children in the community means they are much less likely to become involved in the criminal justice system again. One of the areas of great concern is the disproportionate number of minority youth who become involved with the system. Efforts are being made to find the causes and effective remedies. Recidivism drives the growth in the prison population. If we can prevent troubled youth from continuing criminal activity, then that will make a difference in our prison growth in the future.
I am sad to lose a colleague in the Juvenile Justice area who has worked so hard to benefit our children. Rep. Alice Bordsen has decided against running for reelection in Alamance County. Alice has helped steer the juvenile justice into a therapeutic model in youth development centers and promoted community services. She is leading the legislation to change the age from 16 to 18 when children are charged as adults in the criminal justice system. She and I are also exploring—along with church groups—restorative justice, a model for healing victims and showing offenders the harm they have done to others, including their families.
The second event was the opening of the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and the Angelman Syndrome Foundation. A breakthrough on research on this syndrome came about from the work of the CIDD. In addition to research, a clinic will provide services for the children with Angelman and their families. We are fortunate to have such talented and dedicated people in our area.
Paul Wellstone’s advice fits today’s political turmoil well: “There are three critical ingredients to democratic renewal and progressive change in America: good public policy, grassroots organizing and electoral politics.” We must all contribute to move us forward during difficult times. Ellie
NCDOT awards $2.9 million contract to resurface roads in Orange County
The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a contract to resurface nearly eight miles of roadway in Orange County.
The $2.9 million contract was awarded to Rea Contracting, a division of Lane Construction Corp. of Charlotte. Work can begin as early as April 2 and is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 10.
The following roadways will be resurfaced:
• .83 miles of U.S. 15/501 from just east of Erwin Road to the Durham County line;
• 1.6 miles of N.C. 86/Martin Luther King Boulevard from Estes Drive to Franklin Street;
• .47 miles of S. Greensboro Street from Main Street to Rand Street;
• 1.5 miles of N. Greensboro Street/Hillsborough Road from Lorraine Street to Main Street;
• 1.5 miles of Seawell School Road from High School Road to Estes Drive;
• .8 miles of Seawell School Road/High School Road near Homestead Road; and
• 1.2 miles of Orange High School Road from the U.S. 70 Bypass to Miller Road.
Resurfacing these sections of roadway will extend the lifespan of the pavement, improve safety and provide a smoother ride for motorists.
This is one of 31 contracts totaling $85.5 million awarded by Conti for highway and bridge projects across North Carolina. NCDOT awarded the contracts to the lowest bidders, as required by state law. The bids received on the projects awarded came in about 7.5 percent, or about $7 million, below NCDOT estimates. Since Gov. Bev Perdue took office in January of 2009, NCDOT has awarded 472 highway contracts totaling $3.6 billion to ensure that all North Carolinians have access to jobs and educational opportunities.
For more information about funding for infrastructure improvements in North Carolina, as well as other NCDOT projects and activities, visit www.ncdot.gov.
The $2.9 million contract was awarded to Rea Contracting, a division of Lane Construction Corp. of Charlotte. Work can begin as early as April 2 and is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 10.
The following roadways will be resurfaced:
• .83 miles of U.S. 15/501 from just east of Erwin Road to the Durham County line;
• 1.6 miles of N.C. 86/Martin Luther King Boulevard from Estes Drive to Franklin Street;
• .47 miles of S. Greensboro Street from Main Street to Rand Street;
• 1.5 miles of N. Greensboro Street/Hillsborough Road from Lorraine Street to Main Street;
• 1.5 miles of Seawell School Road from High School Road to Estes Drive;
• .8 miles of Seawell School Road/High School Road near Homestead Road; and
• 1.2 miles of Orange High School Road from the U.S. 70 Bypass to Miller Road.
Resurfacing these sections of roadway will extend the lifespan of the pavement, improve safety and provide a smoother ride for motorists.
This is one of 31 contracts totaling $85.5 million awarded by Conti for highway and bridge projects across North Carolina. NCDOT awarded the contracts to the lowest bidders, as required by state law. The bids received on the projects awarded came in about 7.5 percent, or about $7 million, below NCDOT estimates. Since Gov. Bev Perdue took office in January of 2009, NCDOT has awarded 472 highway contracts totaling $3.6 billion to ensure that all North Carolinians have access to jobs and educational opportunities.
For more information about funding for infrastructure improvements in North Carolina, as well as other NCDOT projects and activities, visit www.ncdot.gov.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Column: Greetings from Ellie Kinnaird
Dear Friends,
We were all surprised when Gov. Bev Perdue decided not to file for re-election. Gov. Perdue has been a courageous fighter for education, the environment and the rights of all people in our state. Her vetoes and work for an adequate budget for all levels of education made a difference in the lives of all in North Carolina.
As the rising cost of energy, continued reliance on fossil fuels and the possible merger of the two investor-owned utilities gains attention, I want to feature our electric cooperatives. Orange County is the home of Piedmont EMC (Electric Cooperative) that is celebrating its 75th Anniversary next year as a Cooperative. If you go to http://gocoop.com/gocoop-news/united-nations-declares-2012-year-co-operatives you can find out about the "year of the Cooperative" and the many cooperatives in North Carolina and in the U.S.
Electric cooperatives were begun to extend electricity to rural areas in the 1930's when the big companies would not lay lines where there wasn’t enough density to pay for the cost. The same problem exists now with the extension of Broadband where the big players will not lay lines because there are not enough homes to make it cost effective. Several towns decided on their own to set up broadband companies to serve their customers. But the Republican leadership saw this as competition for for-profit companies and prohibited any more cities from extending broadband to their service area. They allowed those communities that had already issued bonds to continue, but no more cities can get into the broadband business.
Last week I attended the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting. The chamber has grown to more than 1,000 members. They have special awards, one of which was for sustainable growth. It was won by Strata Solar, which has grown to a business that not only sells solar products but installs throughout the state.
Tourism continues to be an economic engine for Orange County. Hotel use was up 12.2 percent in December over 2010. Our hotels and restaurants benefit when sports events bring thousands to our towns, and Hillsborough benefits from its nurturing and preservation of its historic past.
Last session, the legislature allowed greatly expanded clear cutting of trees around billboards. The billboard industry had been working for years to increase the clear-cut areas but had been unable to get their bills passed (except a bill that would have banned billboards on Interstate 40 from Chapel Hill to Wilmington).
Those of us who opposed the bill tried to get a requirement in the bill that the billboard companies must replant with small trees such as dogwoods and crepe myrtles in clear-cut areas. But this week, when the Rules Review Commission looked at the rules for requiring replanting in clear-cut areas, they decided the bill did not give authority to require the companies to replant. Therefore, any replanting the billboard companies do will be only voluntary. We have such a beautiful state, and to mar it by clear cutting around billboards is bad for tourism as well as our own enjoyment as we travel throughout the state.
Occupy and the 99% movement seems to have affected the Republican primaries. Regardless of the motives, the fact that the Republicans are discussing this topic shows that grassroots action can have an impact.
“If people don’t say what they think, I don’t see how you expect the democratic system of government to work at all.”—Harry Truman
Ellie Kinnaird
We were all surprised when Gov. Bev Perdue decided not to file for re-election. Gov. Perdue has been a courageous fighter for education, the environment and the rights of all people in our state. Her vetoes and work for an adequate budget for all levels of education made a difference in the lives of all in North Carolina.
As the rising cost of energy, continued reliance on fossil fuels and the possible merger of the two investor-owned utilities gains attention, I want to feature our electric cooperatives. Orange County is the home of Piedmont EMC (Electric Cooperative) that is celebrating its 75th Anniversary next year as a Cooperative. If you go to http://gocoop.com/gocoop-news/united-nations-declares-2012-year-co-operatives you can find out about the "year of the Cooperative" and the many cooperatives in North Carolina and in the U.S.
Electric cooperatives were begun to extend electricity to rural areas in the 1930's when the big companies would not lay lines where there wasn’t enough density to pay for the cost. The same problem exists now with the extension of Broadband where the big players will not lay lines because there are not enough homes to make it cost effective. Several towns decided on their own to set up broadband companies to serve their customers. But the Republican leadership saw this as competition for for-profit companies and prohibited any more cities from extending broadband to their service area. They allowed those communities that had already issued bonds to continue, but no more cities can get into the broadband business.
Last week I attended the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting. The chamber has grown to more than 1,000 members. They have special awards, one of which was for sustainable growth. It was won by Strata Solar, which has grown to a business that not only sells solar products but installs throughout the state.
Tourism continues to be an economic engine for Orange County. Hotel use was up 12.2 percent in December over 2010. Our hotels and restaurants benefit when sports events bring thousands to our towns, and Hillsborough benefits from its nurturing and preservation of its historic past.
Last session, the legislature allowed greatly expanded clear cutting of trees around billboards. The billboard industry had been working for years to increase the clear-cut areas but had been unable to get their bills passed (except a bill that would have banned billboards on Interstate 40 from Chapel Hill to Wilmington).
Those of us who opposed the bill tried to get a requirement in the bill that the billboard companies must replant with small trees such as dogwoods and crepe myrtles in clear-cut areas. But this week, when the Rules Review Commission looked at the rules for requiring replanting in clear-cut areas, they decided the bill did not give authority to require the companies to replant. Therefore, any replanting the billboard companies do will be only voluntary. We have such a beautiful state, and to mar it by clear cutting around billboards is bad for tourism as well as our own enjoyment as we travel throughout the state.
Occupy and the 99% movement seems to have affected the Republican primaries. Regardless of the motives, the fact that the Republicans are discussing this topic shows that grassroots action can have an impact.
“If people don’t say what they think, I don’t see how you expect the democratic system of government to work at all.”—Harry Truman
Ellie Kinnaird
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Division of Water Quality programs move to new location
Two programs of the state Division of Water Quality have moved their main offices to the state government plaza in downtown Raleigh.
The Aquifer Protection Section and the Infrastructure Finance Section have moved from their previous location on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh to the Archdale Building, where most of the division is located. The physical address for the building is 512 N. Salisbury St.
In addition to the new location, the Infrastructure Finance Section has a new name and a new central number, (919) 707-9160. The section was formerly known as Construction Grants and Loans. The section’s mailing address remains the same: 1633 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1633.
The Infrastructure Finance Section administers state and federal funding programs for publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities infrastructure, stormwater management and other environmentally sustainable, or green, clean water infrastructure. In addition, the section issues sewer extension permits and authorizations for construction. It also issues certification for water pollution structures that qualify for special taxation consideration.
The new central phone number for the Aquifer Protection Section is (919) 807-6464. The mailing address—1636 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1636—remains the same.
The Aquifer Protection Section focuses on the protection and enhancement of the state’s groundwater—the primary source of drinking water for approximately half of North Carolina’s residents. To protect this important resource, the section:
• Implements permitting and compliance for wastewater applied to land, whether it is from municipal, industrial or animal feeding operation treatment systems. Permitting and compliance for wastewater treated for reuse is also regulated by the section.
• Permits the construction injection wells such as those used for home heating and cooling.
• Permits construction of wells for monitoring groundwater quality and for extracting or treating contaminated groundwater.
• Performs groundwater planning and research to better understand the interaction of groundwater and surface water, and groundwater with geological formations. This work helps to better characterize and anticipate potential threats to groundwater and surface water quality and to human health.
Files for the two sections have also moved and are housed in the main file room in the basement of the Archdale Building. Those wishing to do a file review should call the sections’ main numbers for further information.
To learn more about the Division of Water Quality and its work to protect and enhance the state’s surface water and groundwater resources, visit the division’s website at: www.ncwaterquality.org.
The Aquifer Protection Section and the Infrastructure Finance Section have moved from their previous location on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh to the Archdale Building, where most of the division is located. The physical address for the building is 512 N. Salisbury St.
In addition to the new location, the Infrastructure Finance Section has a new name and a new central number, (919) 707-9160. The section was formerly known as Construction Grants and Loans. The section’s mailing address remains the same: 1633 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1633.
The Infrastructure Finance Section administers state and federal funding programs for publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities infrastructure, stormwater management and other environmentally sustainable, or green, clean water infrastructure. In addition, the section issues sewer extension permits and authorizations for construction. It also issues certification for water pollution structures that qualify for special taxation consideration.
The new central phone number for the Aquifer Protection Section is (919) 807-6464. The mailing address—1636 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1636—remains the same.
The Aquifer Protection Section focuses on the protection and enhancement of the state’s groundwater—the primary source of drinking water for approximately half of North Carolina’s residents. To protect this important resource, the section:
• Implements permitting and compliance for wastewater applied to land, whether it is from municipal, industrial or animal feeding operation treatment systems. Permitting and compliance for wastewater treated for reuse is also regulated by the section.
• Permits the construction injection wells such as those used for home heating and cooling.
• Permits construction of wells for monitoring groundwater quality and for extracting or treating contaminated groundwater.
• Performs groundwater planning and research to better understand the interaction of groundwater and surface water, and groundwater with geological formations. This work helps to better characterize and anticipate potential threats to groundwater and surface water quality and to human health.
Files for the two sections have also moved and are housed in the main file room in the basement of the Archdale Building. Those wishing to do a file review should call the sections’ main numbers for further information.
To learn more about the Division of Water Quality and its work to protect and enhance the state’s surface water and groundwater resources, visit the division’s website at: www.ncwaterquality.org.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Rep. Hackney announces retirement
Editor's note: The following is Rep. Joe Hackney's words on his retirement according to a press release.
I have decided that I will not be a candidate for re-election to the North Carolina House of Representatives this year.
At the end of this term, I look forward to a more predictable schedule for my family, my law practice, my family farm and for the recreational activities I've been missing.
I will serve out the remainder of my term with enthusiasm. As Minority Leader, I will work actively this year for a Democratic majority and a new Democratic Speaker for the NC House in 2013; I will continue to assist our candidates' campaigns and will actively raise money for them, as I have in the past.
I am very grateful to the voters of Chatham, Orange, (and more recently a small part of Moore) who gave me the high privilege of representing them in matters of public policy for 32 years; to the members of the House who elected me Speaker Pro Tem, Majority Leader, Speaker and Minority Leader; and to the legislators across America who elected me as President of the National Conference of State Legislatures. I enjoyed all of it immensely, and gave it my all. I think I made a contribution.
I have been fortunate to have the assistance of able and dedicated legislative staff throughout this time, and I do not have words sufficient to express how appreciative I am for their dedication to our State.
Betsy, Dan and Will have been unfailingly supportive, as have my law partners, and my brother Jack at the farm, and I thank them for their sacrifices.
I have decided that I will not be a candidate for re-election to the North Carolina House of Representatives this year.
At the end of this term, I look forward to a more predictable schedule for my family, my law practice, my family farm and for the recreational activities I've been missing.
I will serve out the remainder of my term with enthusiasm. As Minority Leader, I will work actively this year for a Democratic majority and a new Democratic Speaker for the NC House in 2013; I will continue to assist our candidates' campaigns and will actively raise money for them, as I have in the past.
I am very grateful to the voters of Chatham, Orange, (and more recently a small part of Moore) who gave me the high privilege of representing them in matters of public policy for 32 years; to the members of the House who elected me Speaker Pro Tem, Majority Leader, Speaker and Minority Leader; and to the legislators across America who elected me as President of the National Conference of State Legislatures. I enjoyed all of it immensely, and gave it my all. I think I made a contribution.
I have been fortunate to have the assistance of able and dedicated legislative staff throughout this time, and I do not have words sufficient to express how appreciative I am for their dedication to our State.
Betsy, Dan and Will have been unfailingly supportive, as have my law partners, and my brother Jack at the farm, and I thank them for their sacrifices.
Mayors across North Carolina back Gov. Perdue’s education plan
Mayors from across North Carolina have issued an open letter asking the people of North Carolina to support Gov. Perdue’s plan to reverse the cuts the Republican-controlled General Assembly imposed on schools.
The 53 mayors, from cities such as Wilmington and Durham to towns such as Bear Grass and Pilot Mountain, support the governor’s proposal to temporarily restore a fraction of a penny that the General Assembly let expire and to devote all of that revenue to education—a fraction of a penny for progress.
“The legislature’s budget has hurt education at all levels—from pre-k all the way through higher education—and has led to higher class sizes and the loss of teacher and teaching assistant positions right here in our local schools,” the mayors wrote. “With their budget forcing even more teacher layoffs next year, we must act to prevent these additional cuts.”
The mayors echoed the governor’s message that education is critical to our children’s future and to the economic future of the state.
“Investing in education is central to our ability to attract new jobs and businesses to our state,” the mayors wrote. “When companies talk about moving here or expanding, their first question is whether we have the educated, skilled workforce they need.”
The 53 mayors, from cities such as Wilmington and Durham to towns such as Bear Grass and Pilot Mountain, support the governor’s proposal to temporarily restore a fraction of a penny that the General Assembly let expire and to devote all of that revenue to education—a fraction of a penny for progress.
“The legislature’s budget has hurt education at all levels—from pre-k all the way through higher education—and has led to higher class sizes and the loss of teacher and teaching assistant positions right here in our local schools,” the mayors wrote. “With their budget forcing even more teacher layoffs next year, we must act to prevent these additional cuts.”
The mayors echoed the governor’s message that education is critical to our children’s future and to the economic future of the state.
“Investing in education is central to our ability to attract new jobs and businesses to our state,” the mayors wrote. “When companies talk about moving here or expanding, their first question is whether we have the educated, skilled workforce they need.”
Friday, January 27, 2012
Record-level attendance at North Carolina State Parks continued in 2011
Visitation at North Carolina’s state parks and state recreation areas continued at a record level in 2011 with 14.25 million visits, matching the all-time record set in 2009 and posting a slight increase from 14.19 visits in 2010, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
Among 39 state parks and state recreation areas, 15 reported increases in attendance in 2011. Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Dare County reported the highest attendance at 1.32 million visits, down slightly from 1.47 million last year.
Eno River State Park, including the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area saw a 5 percent increase in attendance between 2010 and 2011 and a 54 percent change in the month of December from 2010 to 2011. Falls Lake State Recreation Area saw an 8 percent change from 2010 to 2011.
“State parks make a strong contribution to North Carolina’s tourism economy as well as to the economies of local communities in which they’re located,” said Lewis Ledford, director of the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. “Their continued record attendance reflects the value that North Carolinians and visitors to this state place on outdoor recreation and our natural resources. In addition, families continue to benefit from the affordable recreation and education opportunities in these special places.”
A 2008 economic study revealed that travelers spend an average of $23.56 a day to enjoy the state parks. The analysis by North Carolina State University’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management estimated the state parks system’s total annual economic impact at more than $400 million.
During the past 25 years, the state parks system has seen a dramatic 102 percent increase in visitation. In 1986, 7 million people visited state parks and state recreation areas.
Several state parks that reported higher attendance in 2011 were able to offer new amenities to visitors. A new 700-foot swim beach and picnic area at Lake James State Park opened for its first full season, and the park experienced a 70 percent jump in visitation. Improvements at other state parks contributed to increased visitation, including a renovated marina at Carolina Beach State Park, a new equestrian trail network at Medoc Mountain State Park and a number of hiking trail projects, including a volunteer-built summit trail at Elk Knob State Park.
The state parks system manages more than 215,000 acres within state parks, state recreation areas and a system of state natural areas dedicated to conservation of rare resources. Through its New Parks for a New Century initiative, six new state parks have been added to the system since 2003.
For a complete list of 2011 attendance records, see the website.
Among 39 state parks and state recreation areas, 15 reported increases in attendance in 2011. Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Dare County reported the highest attendance at 1.32 million visits, down slightly from 1.47 million last year.
Eno River State Park, including the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area saw a 5 percent increase in attendance between 2010 and 2011 and a 54 percent change in the month of December from 2010 to 2011. Falls Lake State Recreation Area saw an 8 percent change from 2010 to 2011.
“State parks make a strong contribution to North Carolina’s tourism economy as well as to the economies of local communities in which they’re located,” said Lewis Ledford, director of the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. “Their continued record attendance reflects the value that North Carolinians and visitors to this state place on outdoor recreation and our natural resources. In addition, families continue to benefit from the affordable recreation and education opportunities in these special places.”
A 2008 economic study revealed that travelers spend an average of $23.56 a day to enjoy the state parks. The analysis by North Carolina State University’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management estimated the state parks system’s total annual economic impact at more than $400 million.
During the past 25 years, the state parks system has seen a dramatic 102 percent increase in visitation. In 1986, 7 million people visited state parks and state recreation areas.
Several state parks that reported higher attendance in 2011 were able to offer new amenities to visitors. A new 700-foot swim beach and picnic area at Lake James State Park opened for its first full season, and the park experienced a 70 percent jump in visitation. Improvements at other state parks contributed to increased visitation, including a renovated marina at Carolina Beach State Park, a new equestrian trail network at Medoc Mountain State Park and a number of hiking trail projects, including a volunteer-built summit trail at Elk Knob State Park.
The state parks system manages more than 215,000 acres within state parks, state recreation areas and a system of state natural areas dedicated to conservation of rare resources. Through its New Parks for a New Century initiative, six new state parks have been added to the system since 2003.
For a complete list of 2011 attendance records, see the website.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
North Carolina expects positive effects from U.S. tourism initiatives
The North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development applauded the initiatives President Barack Obama announced Thursday, Jan. 19, to boost international tourism.
“We've been actively positioning North Carolina as a preferred international travel destination for nearly 20 years,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco. “Attracting international visitors to North Carolina is very important because they tend to stay longer and spend more of their money at North Carolina businesses.”
The president’s initiatives—which include national parks promotion, increased tourist visa processing and adding Charlotte Douglas International Airport and three others to the Global Entry program—are designed to bolster employment, which is at the heart of North Carolina’s tourism marketing activity.
“Today's announcement marks a turning point for our industry and provides us with unparalleled opportunity to work toward a national travel and tourism strategy,” Lynn Minges, Assistant Secretary of Tourism, Marketing and Global Branding in the N. C. Department of Commerce, said Thursday. “These efforts to make it easier for international visitors to get here will have a positive impact on North Carolina's economy because their spending supports jobs and adds to tax revenues in the state.”
According to the U.S. Travel Association, international tourism represents a significant part of North Carolina’s $17 billion tourism industry:
• International travelers spend $590 million a year in North Carolina.
• That total accounts for 7,500 jobs in the state.
• The spending generates $98 million in federal, state and local tax revenue.
Elements of the new initiative carry special resonance for North Carolina. The Blue Ridge Parkway, which routes travelers across 250 miles of scenery in the western part of the state, is the most visited section of the U.S. National Park System, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park. Other properties in the National Park System include the Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout national seashores.
The addition of Charlotte Douglas (CLT) to the Global Entry program—created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection—makes the airport more inviting to international travelers. The airport, which ranks seventh in the world in takeoffs and landings, has nonstop direct service from more than 30 international cities.
Coinciding with the announcement of the new national tourism initiatives, N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Secretary Linda Carlisle was sworn in as one of 32 members of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. The board advises the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the travel and tourism industry.
“We've been actively positioning North Carolina as a preferred international travel destination for nearly 20 years,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco. “Attracting international visitors to North Carolina is very important because they tend to stay longer and spend more of their money at North Carolina businesses.”
The president’s initiatives—which include national parks promotion, increased tourist visa processing and adding Charlotte Douglas International Airport and three others to the Global Entry program—are designed to bolster employment, which is at the heart of North Carolina’s tourism marketing activity.
“Today's announcement marks a turning point for our industry and provides us with unparalleled opportunity to work toward a national travel and tourism strategy,” Lynn Minges, Assistant Secretary of Tourism, Marketing and Global Branding in the N. C. Department of Commerce, said Thursday. “These efforts to make it easier for international visitors to get here will have a positive impact on North Carolina's economy because their spending supports jobs and adds to tax revenues in the state.”
According to the U.S. Travel Association, international tourism represents a significant part of North Carolina’s $17 billion tourism industry:
• International travelers spend $590 million a year in North Carolina.
• That total accounts for 7,500 jobs in the state.
• The spending generates $98 million in federal, state and local tax revenue.
Elements of the new initiative carry special resonance for North Carolina. The Blue Ridge Parkway, which routes travelers across 250 miles of scenery in the western part of the state, is the most visited section of the U.S. National Park System, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park. Other properties in the National Park System include the Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout national seashores.
The addition of Charlotte Douglas (CLT) to the Global Entry program—created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection—makes the airport more inviting to international travelers. The airport, which ranks seventh in the world in takeoffs and landings, has nonstop direct service from more than 30 international cities.
Coinciding with the announcement of the new national tourism initiatives, N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Secretary Linda Carlisle was sworn in as one of 32 members of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. The board advises the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the travel and tourism industry.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Carrboro poets place in annual state-wide contest
The Poetry Council of NC—a self-supporting, all-volunteer nonprofit organization founded in 1949 to foster a deeper appreciation of poetry in the state—has announced the winners of its annual poetry contests. Judges were permitted to select first-, second- and third-place winners as well as up to three honorable mentions in each contest category with the exception of the book contest, which has no third-place winner. Some judges elected to name fewer winners.
All winners will receive their awards—including cash prizes for first, second and third place—at Poetry Day, held at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory on April 14. Winning poems will also be published in the Council’s annual awards anthology, Bay Leaves, and winning poets will be invited to read their poems at Poetry Day.
An additional category for Performance Poetry is judged and awarded at Poetry Day. Information on any of the contests, Poetry Day and the Poetry Council is available at www.poetrycouncilofnc.wordpress.com.
Susan Spalt of Carrboro took first in the humorous verse contest with her poem Where Time Does Not Fly, and Barbara Brooks of Hillsborough took second in humorous verse with her piece The Voice. Joanna Catherine Scott of Chapel Hill received an honorable mention in the book contest for her work An Innocent in the House of the Dead.
The complete list of category winners and judges is as follows:
Ellen Johnston-Hale (humorous verse):
JUDGE: Gloria Alden, Southington, Ohio
First: Where Time Does Not Fly by Susan Spalt, Carrboro
Second: The Voice by Barbara Brooks, Hillsborough
Third: Arctic by Lisa Zerkle, Charlotte
Honorable mention: Black Friday by Doris Dix Caruso, Burlington
Honorable mention: Patience by Jane Shlensky, Bahama
Honorable mention: I Think They Got It! by Janet Ireland Trail, Greensboro
Oscar Arnold Young (book contest):
JUDGE: Paul Hostovsky, Medfield, MA & Ron Moran, Simpsonville, S.C.
First: The Swing Girl by Katherine Soniat, Asheville
Second: Lie Down with Me by Julie Suk, Charlotte
Honorable mention: Rendering the Bones by Susan M. Lefler, Brevard
Honorable mention: An Innocent in the House of the Dead by Joanna Catherine Scott, Chapel Hill
Gladys Owings Hughes Heritage (free verse):
JUDGE: Darnell Arnoult, Harrogate, Tenn.
First: Babies Hurtling Several Stories by Ross White, Durham
Second: Daddy Imagines a Good Death by JS Absher, Raleigh
Third: The Museum of Broken Things by Jane Shlensky, Bahama
Charles Shull (traditional poetry):
JUDGE: Paul Bone, Evansville, Ind.
First: Facts about Early America by Ross White, Durham (rhyming couplets)
Second: Basic Bad Day by Peg Russell, Murphy (terza rima)
Third: Featured Reader by Alice Osborn, Raleigh (sestina)
Honorable mention: On a Recent Engagement by Michael A. Moreno, Rockville, Md. (sonnet)
Honorable mention: Water the Lover by Ellen Summers, Greensboro (sonnet)
James Larkin Pearson (free verse):
JUDGE: Felicia Mitchell, Emory, Va.
First: Address to Monarchs by Ross White, Durham
Second: My Mother’s Lake by Ann Campanella, Huntersville
Third: What Burns for Light by Lisa Zerkle, Charlotte
Honorable mention: Circumventing the Circumference by Terry Collins, Mount Airy
Honorable mention: Things Fall Out of My Father by Robert Moyer, Winston Salem
Honorable mention: The Lesbians Next Door by Alice Osborn, Raleigh
Charlotte Young (elementary school):
JUDGE: David Roderick, Greensboro
First: Jupiter by Sydney Campanella (home-schooled), Huntersville
Second: Light Saves Us by Paige Morrison (North Forest Pines Elem.), Wake Forest
Third: Blue by Joellen Callahan (North Forest Pines Elem.), Wake Forest
Honorable mention: Doves by Sonja Woolley (Episcopal Day School), Southern Pines
Honorable mention: Nature Walk by Lilly Corcoran (Episcopal Day School), Southern Pines
Carol Bessent Hayman (middle school):
JUDGE: David Roderick, Greensboro
First: The Pledge of Sausage by Devon Stocks (Clarkton School of Discovery), Clarkton
Second: Pumpkin Patch by Kenneth More (Clarkton School of Discovery), Clarkton
Sam Ragan North Carolina Connection (high school):
JUDGE: Natasha Trethewey, Decatur, Ga.
First: Lesson of the Lark by Maggie Apple of North Guilford High School
Second: Jennifer Comerford of North Guilford High School
All winners will receive their awards—including cash prizes for first, second and third place—at Poetry Day, held at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory on April 14. Winning poems will also be published in the Council’s annual awards anthology, Bay Leaves, and winning poets will be invited to read their poems at Poetry Day.
An additional category for Performance Poetry is judged and awarded at Poetry Day. Information on any of the contests, Poetry Day and the Poetry Council is available at www.poetrycouncilofnc.wordpress.com.
Susan Spalt of Carrboro took first in the humorous verse contest with her poem Where Time Does Not Fly, and Barbara Brooks of Hillsborough took second in humorous verse with her piece The Voice. Joanna Catherine Scott of Chapel Hill received an honorable mention in the book contest for her work An Innocent in the House of the Dead.
The complete list of category winners and judges is as follows:
Ellen Johnston-Hale (humorous verse):
JUDGE: Gloria Alden, Southington, Ohio
First: Where Time Does Not Fly by Susan Spalt, Carrboro
Second: The Voice by Barbara Brooks, Hillsborough
Third: Arctic by Lisa Zerkle, Charlotte
Honorable mention: Black Friday by Doris Dix Caruso, Burlington
Honorable mention: Patience by Jane Shlensky, Bahama
Honorable mention: I Think They Got It! by Janet Ireland Trail, Greensboro
Oscar Arnold Young (book contest):
JUDGE: Paul Hostovsky, Medfield, MA & Ron Moran, Simpsonville, S.C.
First: The Swing Girl by Katherine Soniat, Asheville
Second: Lie Down with Me by Julie Suk, Charlotte
Honorable mention: Rendering the Bones by Susan M. Lefler, Brevard
Honorable mention: An Innocent in the House of the Dead by Joanna Catherine Scott, Chapel Hill
Gladys Owings Hughes Heritage (free verse):
JUDGE: Darnell Arnoult, Harrogate, Tenn.
First: Babies Hurtling Several Stories by Ross White, Durham
Second: Daddy Imagines a Good Death by JS Absher, Raleigh
Third: The Museum of Broken Things by Jane Shlensky, Bahama
Charles Shull (traditional poetry):
JUDGE: Paul Bone, Evansville, Ind.
First: Facts about Early America by Ross White, Durham (rhyming couplets)
Second: Basic Bad Day by Peg Russell, Murphy (terza rima)
Third: Featured Reader by Alice Osborn, Raleigh (sestina)
Honorable mention: On a Recent Engagement by Michael A. Moreno, Rockville, Md. (sonnet)
Honorable mention: Water the Lover by Ellen Summers, Greensboro (sonnet)
James Larkin Pearson (free verse):
JUDGE: Felicia Mitchell, Emory, Va.
First: Address to Monarchs by Ross White, Durham
Second: My Mother’s Lake by Ann Campanella, Huntersville
Third: What Burns for Light by Lisa Zerkle, Charlotte
Honorable mention: Circumventing the Circumference by Terry Collins, Mount Airy
Honorable mention: Things Fall Out of My Father by Robert Moyer, Winston Salem
Honorable mention: The Lesbians Next Door by Alice Osborn, Raleigh
Charlotte Young (elementary school):
JUDGE: David Roderick, Greensboro
First: Jupiter by Sydney Campanella (home-schooled), Huntersville
Second: Light Saves Us by Paige Morrison (North Forest Pines Elem.), Wake Forest
Third: Blue by Joellen Callahan (North Forest Pines Elem.), Wake Forest
Honorable mention: Doves by Sonja Woolley (Episcopal Day School), Southern Pines
Honorable mention: Nature Walk by Lilly Corcoran (Episcopal Day School), Southern Pines
Carol Bessent Hayman (middle school):
JUDGE: David Roderick, Greensboro
First: The Pledge of Sausage by Devon Stocks (Clarkton School of Discovery), Clarkton
Second: Pumpkin Patch by Kenneth More (Clarkton School of Discovery), Clarkton
Sam Ragan North Carolina Connection (high school):
JUDGE: Natasha Trethewey, Decatur, Ga.
First: Lesson of the Lark by Maggie Apple of North Guilford High School
Second: Jennifer Comerford of North Guilford High School
Monday, January 23, 2012
State to help taxpayers with individual income debt payment program
Gov. Bev Perdue announced Wednesday, Jan. 18, that the North Carolina Department of Revenue is launching the Individual Income Tax Debt Payment Program to help individuals catch up on unpaid taxes.
This time-limited program will help individuals resolve unpaid taxes and get back on their feet financially by waiving certain penalties and fees and offering payment plan options. Participating taxpayers can avoid forced collections such as garnishments, liens and levies.
“This is exactly the type of program we need to help our fellow North Carolinians down the path to economic recovery,” said Gov. Bev Perdue. “We are making it easier for our citizens to work with state government.”
The program provides a favorable and easy payment opportunity for taxpayers who have accrued debt, often because of a weakened economy. Eligible taxpayers could save as much as 35 to 40 percent by participating in the program.
The debt payment program ends April 30.
Any taxpayer who has properly filed their tax returns with NCDOR and has received a notice for unpaid taxes prior to Jan. 1, 2012, may participate. A taxpayer who has not filed a return, does not currently have an outstanding tax liability or is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation or prosecution is not eligible.
In exchange for a taxpayer paying the balance of tax and interest owed by April 30, NCDOR will waive certain, unpaid civil penalties and fees.
“We are excited to offer this payment program to our citizens,” said Secretary of Revenue David Hoyle. “It will help them resolve their tax liabilities easily and have a fresh start in 2012.”
Anyone interested in participating should contact the NCDOR local service center nearest them or call 1-877-252-4983. For detailed information about the program, please visit the North Carolina Department of Revenue website.
This time-limited program will help individuals resolve unpaid taxes and get back on their feet financially by waiving certain penalties and fees and offering payment plan options. Participating taxpayers can avoid forced collections such as garnishments, liens and levies.
“This is exactly the type of program we need to help our fellow North Carolinians down the path to economic recovery,” said Gov. Bev Perdue. “We are making it easier for our citizens to work with state government.”
The program provides a favorable and easy payment opportunity for taxpayers who have accrued debt, often because of a weakened economy. Eligible taxpayers could save as much as 35 to 40 percent by participating in the program.
The debt payment program ends April 30.
Any taxpayer who has properly filed their tax returns with NCDOR and has received a notice for unpaid taxes prior to Jan. 1, 2012, may participate. A taxpayer who has not filed a return, does not currently have an outstanding tax liability or is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation or prosecution is not eligible.
In exchange for a taxpayer paying the balance of tax and interest owed by April 30, NCDOR will waive certain, unpaid civil penalties and fees.
“We are excited to offer this payment program to our citizens,” said Secretary of Revenue David Hoyle. “It will help them resolve their tax liabilities easily and have a fresh start in 2012.”
Anyone interested in participating should contact the NCDOR local service center nearest them or call 1-877-252-4983. For detailed information about the program, please visit the North Carolina Department of Revenue website.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
State report assesses state’s environmental quality, discusses emerging challenges
Environmental indicators show significant improvement in air and water quality in North Carolina, according to the 2011 State of the Environment Report released by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The report—a science-based review of the state’s air, water and land resources—evaluates the quality of the state’s environment, describes DENR’s efforts to protect the state’s natural resources and identifies current and emerging issues.
“I believe, as does Gov. Perdue, that a clean environment is a vital player in a thriving economy,” DENR Secretary Dee Freeman said. “For years, North Carolina’s bountiful natural resources have attracted new residents, new companies and visitors, and this report outlines the steps DENR and its partners have taken and will continue to take to maintain clean air, clean water and abundant natural resources for the health, enjoyment and recreation of all.”
Highlights of the report include:
• Air quality has improved substantially since the 1980s. With the cooperation of business and industry, significant steps have been taken to reduce ozone and particle pollution with additional reductions expected as industries and motor vehicles work to meet more stringent federal air quality standards.
• The majority of the state’s lakes, streams and rivers have good water quality and support fisheries and fish habitats, provide drinking water and allow a number of recreational uses. However, about 40 percent of the state’s waters are impaired by such pollutants as mercury, bacteria and large amounts of sediment; in some areas, excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus have threatened water quality in both rivers and water supply reservoirs.
• The state has made significant progress in addressing nutrient pollution; management strategies for the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico river basins have successfully reduced fish kills and algal blooms. Similar strategies have been developed for the Falls Lake and Jordan Lake water supply reservoirs.
• In the area of water supply or quantity, water shortage response plans have been developed to improve the state’s drought response, groundwater data collection has increased, aquifers have started to recover in the Central Coastal Plain and water supply models are being developed for most of the 17 major river basins.
• The state continues to make progress in cleaning up contaminated properties and in helping to provide alternative water supply where drinking water wells have been contaminated.
• After a decade of strong growth, the rate of land conservation has declined since 2009. However, the state continues to work on protection of key parcels, focusing on acquiring lands critical for water quality protection, wildlife habitat, recreation, agriculture and military activities.
Some emerging issues that DENR faces include the completion of a legislatively mandated state study to identify issues associated with oil and gas exploration in the state, focusing on the use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing to extract shale gas; the potential impacts of climate change in North Carolina; new federal air quality standards, which will require additional program resources at the state level; rapid population growth and development in some parts of the state, which put additional stress on water bodies and other sensitive natural areas and can make attainment of new, stricter air quality standards an ongoing challenge; water supply and the allocation of water resources between competing water users; and department-wide program impacts brought about by the recent recession and resulting state fiscal constraints.
The report can be found by visiting DENR’s home page and clicking on the “State of the Environment” tab near the center of the page.
The report—a science-based review of the state’s air, water and land resources—evaluates the quality of the state’s environment, describes DENR’s efforts to protect the state’s natural resources and identifies current and emerging issues.
“I believe, as does Gov. Perdue, that a clean environment is a vital player in a thriving economy,” DENR Secretary Dee Freeman said. “For years, North Carolina’s bountiful natural resources have attracted new residents, new companies and visitors, and this report outlines the steps DENR and its partners have taken and will continue to take to maintain clean air, clean water and abundant natural resources for the health, enjoyment and recreation of all.”
Highlights of the report include:
• Air quality has improved substantially since the 1980s. With the cooperation of business and industry, significant steps have been taken to reduce ozone and particle pollution with additional reductions expected as industries and motor vehicles work to meet more stringent federal air quality standards.
• The majority of the state’s lakes, streams and rivers have good water quality and support fisheries and fish habitats, provide drinking water and allow a number of recreational uses. However, about 40 percent of the state’s waters are impaired by such pollutants as mercury, bacteria and large amounts of sediment; in some areas, excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus have threatened water quality in both rivers and water supply reservoirs.
• The state has made significant progress in addressing nutrient pollution; management strategies for the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico river basins have successfully reduced fish kills and algal blooms. Similar strategies have been developed for the Falls Lake and Jordan Lake water supply reservoirs.
• In the area of water supply or quantity, water shortage response plans have been developed to improve the state’s drought response, groundwater data collection has increased, aquifers have started to recover in the Central Coastal Plain and water supply models are being developed for most of the 17 major river basins.
• The state continues to make progress in cleaning up contaminated properties and in helping to provide alternative water supply where drinking water wells have been contaminated.
• After a decade of strong growth, the rate of land conservation has declined since 2009. However, the state continues to work on protection of key parcels, focusing on acquiring lands critical for water quality protection, wildlife habitat, recreation, agriculture and military activities.
Some emerging issues that DENR faces include the completion of a legislatively mandated state study to identify issues associated with oil and gas exploration in the state, focusing on the use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing to extract shale gas; the potential impacts of climate change in North Carolina; new federal air quality standards, which will require additional program resources at the state level; rapid population growth and development in some parts of the state, which put additional stress on water bodies and other sensitive natural areas and can make attainment of new, stricter air quality standards an ongoing challenge; water supply and the allocation of water resources between competing water users; and department-wide program impacts brought about by the recent recession and resulting state fiscal constraints.
The report can be found by visiting DENR’s home page and clicking on the “State of the Environment” tab near the center of the page.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
N.C. Sports Hall of Fame announces 2012 inductees
The 2012 North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame honorees chronicled sports; played high school, college and professional football; played and coached basketball in college and in the pros; coached and played baseball and basketball in college; officiated college football; water-skied; played basketball for a NCAA championship team; and coached high school football.
The eight new members are Wilt Browning, Wray Carlton, M. L. Carr, Sam Esposito, Dr. Jerry McGee, Kristi Overton Johnson, Lennie Rosenbluth and Henry Trevathan.
They will be enshrined at the 49th annual induction banquet on the evening of Thursday, May 10, in the main ballroom of the North Raleigh Hilton.
“The achievements of this year’s class of inductees enrich our state’s remarkable sports heritage, and they certainly earned the honor of joining the 281 men and women previously enshrined,” said Dr. Janie Brown, president of the hall.
Banquet ticket information is available at www.ncsportshalloffame.org or by calling (919) 845-3455.
The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1962. The permanent exhibit is located on the third floor of the North Carolina Museum of History on Jones Street in downtown Raleigh. The exhibit features significant artifacts donated by all the inductees. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
WILT BROWNING
Five times Browning was honored as Sportswriter of the Year in North Carolina (1982, 1985, 1988, 1990and 1993). He is a former sports editor and longtime sports columnist for the Greensboro News & Record. During his newspaper career, he was the first major league beat writer for the Atlanta Journal, covering the Atlanta Braves through the team’s first six seasons in the South. He wrote the first story in which Hank Aaron said that he had set his sights on the Babe Ruth home run record, thus sparking a nationwide watch that lasted for more than two years. He also spent five years as the public relations director for the Atlanta Falcons and one year in the same capacity for the Baltimore Colts before returning to the newspaper business in Greensboro. Browning ended his newspaper career as the sports editor and columnist for the Asheville Citizen-Times. He is a member of the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame and the author of seven books.
WRAY CARLTON
Carlton made a name for himself as a high school star in Wallace, NC, before entering Duke University in 1955. As a running back at Duke, he shattered the legendary Ace Parker’s rushing and scoring records and set the ACC single-game scoring record of 26 points against Virginia — and he only played a half. He also scored all of Duke’s points against Rice, Clemson and Carolina while leading the Blue Devils into the Orange Bowl and a date with Oklahoma. As a high school star, Carlton turned down a chance to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates to play shortstop. He had scored 48 points in a basketball game and six touchdowns in a football game. As a pro, the two-time All-ACC performer also was a two-time All-AFL selection. As part of a rushing tandem with Cookie Gilchrist, Carlton played a key role in the Bills’ 1964 and 1965 AFL titles. As a pro, Carlton had 3,368 yards rushing, 1,329 yards receiving and scored 34 touchdowns.
M.L. CARR
At Wallace-Rose Hill High School, Carr ran track barefooted because he could afford only one pair of shoes — basketball shoes. Before his playing career ended, Carr had run to the top levels of the sport and, along the way, had played a key role in winning a storybook national championship for Guilford College. Carr became a pro star, playing a dozen years in the NBA and the ABA, and is best-known for his years with the Boston Celtics, the team he would later serve as general manager and, briefly, as coach. He was a key element in the Celtics’ 1980-81 and 1983-84 NBA championship teams. If one moment can capsulize a long career, for Carr that moment came in Game 4 of the 1984 NBA Finals, when he made a steal and cashed it in with a thundering dunk that sealed the victory for the Celtics and became the key to the title.
SAM ESPOSITO
Esposito played in the major leagues for 10 years with the Chicago White Sox including 1959 when the South Siders won the American League pennant and played in the World Series. In 1967, he was named baseball coach at N.C. State, where the team had won 20 games just one time since 1908. For 21 years under Esposito’s direction, the Wolfpack never suffered a losing season. His team won a program-record 513 games and he coached 69 All-ACC players and seven All-Americans. At N.C. State, he also coached 12 players who made it to the major leagues, including four who played in the big leagues for at least ten years. His 1968 team won the ACC championship and the NCAA District III title and finished third in the College World Series. His teams also took three straight league titles in 1973-1975. He was named ACC Coach of the Year in 1984 and 1986.
Dr. JERRY McGEE
In a football officiating career that lasted more than 40 years, Dr. McGee ascended to the pinnacle of the college game. In fact, Jerry was the referee in the 2009 BCS championship game between Oklahoma and Florida, the last game at which he wore both the white hat and the striped shirt. When he retired after that game, Jerry had worked 405 games in his career and was awarded the “300 Games” plaque, the only such award ever presented by the Atlantic Coast Conference. More than 300 of his assignments came at the Division 1-A level, a number believed to be a record for NCAA referees. A former four-sport letterman at Rockingham High School (Class of 1961), Jerry began his officiating career at the high school level in 1967 and earned state playoff assignments every season before moving to the Carolinas Conference and the South Atlantic Conference. He worked 20 post-season bowl games including three with bearings on the national championship. He was a college baseball player at East Carolina University and was a golf and basketball coach at Richmond County Community College. Since 1992, he has been president of Wingate University. He has served on a number of national committees dealing with college athletics. He is a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON
The Greenville native has been a competitive water skier for more than 30 years. She began to compete at age 5 and captured state, regional and national records before turning pro at 13. As a pro, she has been the World Record Holder since 1992. In women’s slalom, she has 80 professional victories and has captured the No. 1 world ranking in the event, which is more than any other woman. Kristi won the U.S. Masters eight times and the U.S. Open four times. She traveled throughout the world setting records as a World Champion, World Cup Champion, Pan American and U.S. Pro Tour championships and also won the British, French, Italian, Australian and Austrian Masters titles. She was away from competitive skiing for five years while she underwent 10 major surgeries to repair a congenital hip deformity, and she stunned the skiing world by returning as a competitor in 2008 in the U.S. Masters.
LENNIE ROSENBLUTH
Rosenbluth now lives in Chapel Hill, where in the mid-1950s he and the University of North Carolina basketball team made history with an undefeated season and a national championship victory over Kansas and Wilt Chamberlain. The New York City native led the Tar Heels in scoring in his first varsity season and still holds the school record for points in a season (895) and scoring average in a single season (28.0). He averaged 28 points a game in the 1957 NCAA Tournament and got 20 against Chamberlain’s Jayhawks. He was named in 2002 to the ACC’s 50th Anniversary men’s team and was selected to the “All-Decade Final Four” team for the 1950s. Rosenbluth is a member of the Helms College Basketball Hall of Fame and is regarded by many as one of the 100 greatest college basketball players of all time. He is a member of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
HENRY TREVATHAN
Trevathan coached Wilson Fike to three consecutive 4-A state football championships in 1967-69. He also was head coach at Rocky Mount High School and an assistant coach at N.C. State. He coached at every level of competition, including midget, junior high, junior varsity, varsity, college freshmen, college varsity and professional, and only missed one practice (for a family funeral) in more than a half century of work. He coached quarterbacks, offensive backs, defensive backs, wide receivers and special team members in 10 years on the staff at East Carolina University, then spent nine years on Dick Sheridan’s staff at N.C. State. There, as the special teams coach, Trevathan developed five All-ACC kickers and punters, two All-Americans and one Lou Groza Award winner, all of them originally walk-ons at N.C. State. In retirement, Henry became a valued volunteer assistant at Bridgewater College in Virginia and was the school’s first recipient of the Soaring Eagle Award. He is a three-time North Carolina Coach of the Year Award winner at the 4-A level.
For further details about the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame, call (919) 845-3455 or go to www.ncsportshalloffame.org. For more information about the N.C. Museum of History, call 919-807-7900 or visit www.ncmuseumofhistory.org.
The Museum of History, within the Division of State History Museums, is part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.
The eight new members are Wilt Browning, Wray Carlton, M. L. Carr, Sam Esposito, Dr. Jerry McGee, Kristi Overton Johnson, Lennie Rosenbluth and Henry Trevathan.
They will be enshrined at the 49th annual induction banquet on the evening of Thursday, May 10, in the main ballroom of the North Raleigh Hilton.
“The achievements of this year’s class of inductees enrich our state’s remarkable sports heritage, and they certainly earned the honor of joining the 281 men and women previously enshrined,” said Dr. Janie Brown, president of the hall.
Banquet ticket information is available at www.ncsportshalloffame.org or by calling (919) 845-3455.
The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1962. The permanent exhibit is located on the third floor of the North Carolina Museum of History on Jones Street in downtown Raleigh. The exhibit features significant artifacts donated by all the inductees. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
WILT BROWNING
Five times Browning was honored as Sportswriter of the Year in North Carolina (1982, 1985, 1988, 1990and 1993). He is a former sports editor and longtime sports columnist for the Greensboro News & Record. During his newspaper career, he was the first major league beat writer for the Atlanta Journal, covering the Atlanta Braves through the team’s first six seasons in the South. He wrote the first story in which Hank Aaron said that he had set his sights on the Babe Ruth home run record, thus sparking a nationwide watch that lasted for more than two years. He also spent five years as the public relations director for the Atlanta Falcons and one year in the same capacity for the Baltimore Colts before returning to the newspaper business in Greensboro. Browning ended his newspaper career as the sports editor and columnist for the Asheville Citizen-Times. He is a member of the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame and the author of seven books.
WRAY CARLTON
Carlton made a name for himself as a high school star in Wallace, NC, before entering Duke University in 1955. As a running back at Duke, he shattered the legendary Ace Parker’s rushing and scoring records and set the ACC single-game scoring record of 26 points against Virginia — and he only played a half. He also scored all of Duke’s points against Rice, Clemson and Carolina while leading the Blue Devils into the Orange Bowl and a date with Oklahoma. As a high school star, Carlton turned down a chance to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates to play shortstop. He had scored 48 points in a basketball game and six touchdowns in a football game. As a pro, the two-time All-ACC performer also was a two-time All-AFL selection. As part of a rushing tandem with Cookie Gilchrist, Carlton played a key role in the Bills’ 1964 and 1965 AFL titles. As a pro, Carlton had 3,368 yards rushing, 1,329 yards receiving and scored 34 touchdowns.
M.L. CARR
At Wallace-Rose Hill High School, Carr ran track barefooted because he could afford only one pair of shoes — basketball shoes. Before his playing career ended, Carr had run to the top levels of the sport and, along the way, had played a key role in winning a storybook national championship for Guilford College. Carr became a pro star, playing a dozen years in the NBA and the ABA, and is best-known for his years with the Boston Celtics, the team he would later serve as general manager and, briefly, as coach. He was a key element in the Celtics’ 1980-81 and 1983-84 NBA championship teams. If one moment can capsulize a long career, for Carr that moment came in Game 4 of the 1984 NBA Finals, when he made a steal and cashed it in with a thundering dunk that sealed the victory for the Celtics and became the key to the title.
SAM ESPOSITO
Esposito played in the major leagues for 10 years with the Chicago White Sox including 1959 when the South Siders won the American League pennant and played in the World Series. In 1967, he was named baseball coach at N.C. State, where the team had won 20 games just one time since 1908. For 21 years under Esposito’s direction, the Wolfpack never suffered a losing season. His team won a program-record 513 games and he coached 69 All-ACC players and seven All-Americans. At N.C. State, he also coached 12 players who made it to the major leagues, including four who played in the big leagues for at least ten years. His 1968 team won the ACC championship and the NCAA District III title and finished third in the College World Series. His teams also took three straight league titles in 1973-1975. He was named ACC Coach of the Year in 1984 and 1986.
Dr. JERRY McGEE
In a football officiating career that lasted more than 40 years, Dr. McGee ascended to the pinnacle of the college game. In fact, Jerry was the referee in the 2009 BCS championship game between Oklahoma and Florida, the last game at which he wore both the white hat and the striped shirt. When he retired after that game, Jerry had worked 405 games in his career and was awarded the “300 Games” plaque, the only such award ever presented by the Atlantic Coast Conference. More than 300 of his assignments came at the Division 1-A level, a number believed to be a record for NCAA referees. A former four-sport letterman at Rockingham High School (Class of 1961), Jerry began his officiating career at the high school level in 1967 and earned state playoff assignments every season before moving to the Carolinas Conference and the South Atlantic Conference. He worked 20 post-season bowl games including three with bearings on the national championship. He was a college baseball player at East Carolina University and was a golf and basketball coach at Richmond County Community College. Since 1992, he has been president of Wingate University. He has served on a number of national committees dealing with college athletics. He is a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON
The Greenville native has been a competitive water skier for more than 30 years. She began to compete at age 5 and captured state, regional and national records before turning pro at 13. As a pro, she has been the World Record Holder since 1992. In women’s slalom, she has 80 professional victories and has captured the No. 1 world ranking in the event, which is more than any other woman. Kristi won the U.S. Masters eight times and the U.S. Open four times. She traveled throughout the world setting records as a World Champion, World Cup Champion, Pan American and U.S. Pro Tour championships and also won the British, French, Italian, Australian and Austrian Masters titles. She was away from competitive skiing for five years while she underwent 10 major surgeries to repair a congenital hip deformity, and she stunned the skiing world by returning as a competitor in 2008 in the U.S. Masters.
LENNIE ROSENBLUTH
Rosenbluth now lives in Chapel Hill, where in the mid-1950s he and the University of North Carolina basketball team made history with an undefeated season and a national championship victory over Kansas and Wilt Chamberlain. The New York City native led the Tar Heels in scoring in his first varsity season and still holds the school record for points in a season (895) and scoring average in a single season (28.0). He averaged 28 points a game in the 1957 NCAA Tournament and got 20 against Chamberlain’s Jayhawks. He was named in 2002 to the ACC’s 50th Anniversary men’s team and was selected to the “All-Decade Final Four” team for the 1950s. Rosenbluth is a member of the Helms College Basketball Hall of Fame and is regarded by many as one of the 100 greatest college basketball players of all time. He is a member of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
HENRY TREVATHAN
Trevathan coached Wilson Fike to three consecutive 4-A state football championships in 1967-69. He also was head coach at Rocky Mount High School and an assistant coach at N.C. State. He coached at every level of competition, including midget, junior high, junior varsity, varsity, college freshmen, college varsity and professional, and only missed one practice (for a family funeral) in more than a half century of work. He coached quarterbacks, offensive backs, defensive backs, wide receivers and special team members in 10 years on the staff at East Carolina University, then spent nine years on Dick Sheridan’s staff at N.C. State. There, as the special teams coach, Trevathan developed five All-ACC kickers and punters, two All-Americans and one Lou Groza Award winner, all of them originally walk-ons at N.C. State. In retirement, Henry became a valued volunteer assistant at Bridgewater College in Virginia and was the school’s first recipient of the Soaring Eagle Award. He is a three-time North Carolina Coach of the Year Award winner at the 4-A level.
For further details about the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame, call (919) 845-3455 or go to www.ncsportshalloffame.org. For more information about the N.C. Museum of History, call 919-807-7900 or visit www.ncmuseumofhistory.org.
The Museum of History, within the Division of State History Museums, is part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.
North Carolina’s interim statewide logistics coordinator named
Transportation Secretary Gene Conti announced Friday, Jan. 20, that Thomas Bradshaw will be North Carolina’s interim statewide logistics coordinator. Bradshaw will assume this new position effective Monday, Jan. 23.
“Tom brings a wealth of real-world experience and knowledge to this position that will greatly benefit the future of North Carolina,” Conti said. “He will help guide our efforts to effectively plan and execute the strategies that will make North Carolina more competitive in the global economy.”
In his role as the statewide logistics director, Bradshaw will oversee and manage all operations of the N.C. Ports and the N.C. Global TransPark. In addition, he will coordinate the operation and development activities of those facilities in relation to other NCDOT transportation infrastructure. Bradshaw will work closely with all NCDOT partners to facilitate a more strategic approach to transportation assets and the needs of existing and future business interests.
“Our state’s transportation assets are critical to the success of business and industry,” Bradshaw said. “By taking a strategic approach to logistics, North Carolina is once again setting the standard for the nation, and I am excited to be a part of this effort.”
NCDOT will begin a nationwide search for a permanent statewide logistics coordinator in the coming months.
Bradshaw served as the City of Raleigh’s mayor from 1971-1973 and later as the North Carolina Secretary of Transportation from 1977 until 1981. He is a former chairman of the Triangle J Council of Governments, the N.C. Environmental Management Commission, and North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry (N.C. Chamber).
He is a board member of the N.C. Global TransPark Authority (former vice chairman), the N.C. Global Transpark Foundation and a member of the Southern Growth Policies Board. Additionally, he is the founding chairman of the Clarence Lightner Leadership Institute and has served as the director and treasurer of The Institute for Defense and Business at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“Tom brings a wealth of real-world experience and knowledge to this position that will greatly benefit the future of North Carolina,” Conti said. “He will help guide our efforts to effectively plan and execute the strategies that will make North Carolina more competitive in the global economy.”
In his role as the statewide logistics director, Bradshaw will oversee and manage all operations of the N.C. Ports and the N.C. Global TransPark. In addition, he will coordinate the operation and development activities of those facilities in relation to other NCDOT transportation infrastructure. Bradshaw will work closely with all NCDOT partners to facilitate a more strategic approach to transportation assets and the needs of existing and future business interests.
“Our state’s transportation assets are critical to the success of business and industry,” Bradshaw said. “By taking a strategic approach to logistics, North Carolina is once again setting the standard for the nation, and I am excited to be a part of this effort.”
NCDOT will begin a nationwide search for a permanent statewide logistics coordinator in the coming months.
Bradshaw served as the City of Raleigh’s mayor from 1971-1973 and later as the North Carolina Secretary of Transportation from 1977 until 1981. He is a former chairman of the Triangle J Council of Governments, the N.C. Environmental Management Commission, and North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry (N.C. Chamber).
He is a board member of the N.C. Global TransPark Authority (former vice chairman), the N.C. Global Transpark Foundation and a member of the Southern Growth Policies Board. Additionally, he is the founding chairman of the Clarence Lightner Leadership Institute and has served as the director and treasurer of The Institute for Defense and Business at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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