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Four Seasons Politics

Ask Matt ... about ups and downs of 2016

Hendersonville Four Seasons Politics

THE TOP 10: No. 1 and No. 2

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

Henderson County Four Seasons Politics

WCU names $110M science building for Apodaca

CULLOWHEE – A new $110 million science building at Western Carolina University will be named for former state Sen. Tom Apodaca, a graduate of WCU and staunch supporter of the university during his 14 years in the Legislature. The WCU Board of Trustees unanimously approved the naming of the new science facility and new names for two existing campus buildings during its quarterly meeting on Dec. 9.The board voted to name the new Natural Sciences Building in honor of Thomas M. Apodaca in recognition of his many years of service to and support of the Western North Carolina region and the university, including his time as a member of the WCU Board of Trustees and his advocacy for the Connect NC bond referendum in March 2016 that resulted in a $110 million appropriation for the science building. The current Natural Sciences Building, constructed in the 1970s, lacks the space and the quality of laboratory facilities needed to adequately teach students in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (or STEM) fields, university officials said.Design is expected to take place throughout 2017. Construction should begin near the site of the current Natural Sciences Building in August 2018, with completion and occupancy in June 2021, followed by demolition of the existing building and final landscaping by November 2021. An official recognition ceremony will be held during groundbreaking for the new building. Elected to the state Senate in 2002, Apodaca rose quickly in the Republican ranks and became the second-in-command to Senate leader Phil Berger after the GOP took control of the Senate in the 2010 election. “I am completely surprised, pleased and humbled by this recognition, and I look forward to the groundbreaking ceremony to express my gratitude and appreciation to the board,” Apodaca said upon learning of the trustees’ action. “It has been my privilege and honor to be of service to my alma mater both as a student and a trustee and to fight for the entire University of North Carolina system and public education during my time in the N.C. General Assembly.”The trustees also voted to change the name of Central Hall to Judaculla Hall, pending endorsement by the Cherokee Tribal Council, to recognize the university’s historic connection to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and to acknowledge the unique heritage and history of the Cherokee people in the Cullowhee Valley that is home to WCU’s campus.When the student residence hall located on Central Drive was completed in 2004, university officials gave it the generic name of Central. The new name, Judaculla, refers to a great giant who, according to Cherokee legend, resided in the Cullowhee Valley along the Tuckaseigee River.Judaculla Rock, located south of campus, is a large soapstone boulder linked to the Judaculla legend that contains some of the best preserved and most significant petroglyphs (rock carvings) east of the Mississippi River.“On behalf of the members of board, we are pleased to be able to recognize the many contributions of Sen. Apodaca to both WCU and to the mountain region, and to honor the university’s longstanding relationship with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians through these naming opportunities,” said Edward Broadwell, chair of the trustees.The board also approved a subtle change in the name of Brown Cafeteria, a 55-year-old facility currently undergoing $22.5 million in renovations to transform a building once used as a cafeteria into a modern dining facility, with office space for residential living administration staff. With the trustees’ action, the structure becomes Brown Hall.In other action, the board approved Vannoy Construction of Asheville as construction manager at risk for a residence hall project on the hill area of campus near Brown Hall.The project may include renovation of the existing 58-year-old Buchanan Hall, an outdated facility with 180 beds, and an addition of space for up to 600 more beds to create updated residence facilities. Or, it could entail the demolition of Buchanan and construction of new facilities of up to 800 beds at or near the site.The project currently is authorized with a $48 million pricetag, but actual construction cost estimates will not be available until advance planning and initial design is complete.   Read Story »

Henderson County Four Seasons Politics

HHS alumni could block construction at City Council

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

Hendersonville Four Seasons Politics

SCHOOL BOARD ENDORSES NEW HHS IN 4-2 VOTE

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

Hendersonville Four Seasons Politics

Holt elected School Board chair

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

Hendersonville Four Seasons Politics

COMMISSION CHAIR ISSUES STATEMENT ON HHS VOTE

Michael Edney, the chairman of the Henderson County Board of Commissioners, issued a statement Friday night that sought to assure the Edneyville community that commissioners plan to move ahead on an Edneyville Elementary School project immediately after the Hendersonville High School construction. The unusual move by the board chair highlighted the stakes in Monday night's School Board meeting, when that board is expected to vote up or down on a $53 million Hendersonville High School project. A no vote, commissioners said Monday night, means that the county will shelve the HHS project for at least two years and possibly more than that. Commissioners did not commit on Monday to moving ahead with the Edneyville project if the School Board votes no on an all-new HHS project. Edney addressed two of the biggest concerns of HHS alumni and others who favor a renovation plan over new construction: use the historic Stillwell building and parking. The county's plan "includes the preservation and use of the historic Stillwell Building by the school system as the elected School Board sees fit," Edney said, "We have encouraged and committed to appropriate financial resources for the integration of Stillwell’s classrooms and auditorium with HHS to maintain the link between past, present and future. Onsite parking will be increased and staff is exploring ways to add yet additional parking opportunities both on and offsite." Here is Edney's complete statement: The Henderson County Board of Public Education will meet Monday evening. We anticipate that a part of their meeting will focus on the future of Hendersonville High School. Both the School Board and Board of Commissioners, as well as their staffs have worked together diligently over the past couple of years to be at the point where we are preparing to move forward to seek City of Hendersonville zoning approval and road closure. During this process, much information and unfortunately, misinformation has been circulated in the community. It is of utmost importance that both the Board of Public Education membership and the community at large have accurate and truthful information. To that end, I wish to reiterate the following: The current plan to build a new, state of the art Hendersonville High School, endorsed by each County Commissioner, five duly elected representatives from five unique backgrounds and perspectives, includes the preservation and use of the historic Stillwell Building by the school system as the elected School Board sees fit. We have encouraged and committed to appropriate financial resources for the integration of Stillwell’s classrooms and auditorium with HHS to maintain the link between past, present and future. Onsite parking will be increased and staff is exploring ways to add yet additional parking opportunities both on and offsite. There are those in the community who have attempted to derail the Hendersonville High School project by inappropriately linking it with the Edneyville Elementary School project. The only relationship these two separate projects have are that they are both of the highest priority for both the School Board and the Board of Commissioners. While we continue to address final details related to the high school, Commissioners absolutely have Edneyville Elementary in our sights. Last month we officially directed our architects to begin work on Edneyville as soon as their resources are available to do so. School and County staff are working as we speak, behind the scenes, collecting the necessary information for the architects and other professionals to hit the ground running. Should the School Board and subsequently the City, sign off on the high school project, we expect to break ground in about a year with students occupying the facility in August of 2020. Given this schedule, it is my desire that the actual design of the new Edneyville Elementary School begin once HHS construction is underway and that the elementary school can be ready to receive students as early as August of 2021. Given the substantial strength of the County’s finances under the management of staff and the leadership of the Board of Commissioners, this scenario is doable. With this said, let me be clear, the past few years have seen great accomplishments in Henderson County, primarily because we have united together as a community with a common purpose – to make our county the best it can be – and these future plans are dependent upon the same. We can, and must, work together with a common purpose. In this instance to provide our young people with the best possible educational opportunities available. The plan we have outlined does just this and I believe deserves your support. Thank you, and may you and your loved ones have a blessed holiday season.”   Read Story »

Hendersonville Four Seasons Politics

County demands School Board's answer on HHS

Henderson County commissioners delivered an ultimatum to the School Board on Monday night to cast a yes-or-no vote on the all-new Hendersonville High School plan next week. If the School Board votes no, commissioners said in a motion that passed unanimously, the county will shelve the HHS plan.   Read Story »

Henderson County Four Seasons Politics

Lapsley wonders if county has too much money

Thanks to aggressive expense control, Henderson County ended the 2015-16 fiscal year with a gain of $2.8 million. News that the county has been fiscally cautious has in the past inspired hosannas by board members. That was not the case Monday night in the context of efforts by two commissioners to cut taxes. Commissioner Bill Lapsley, along with Grady Hawkins, lost in two efforts to tie support of a local option sales tax to a rollback of the property and both voted no on a 5-cent tax increase in the current year's budget. While Lapsley praised the work of "an excellent management team" in controlling expenses, "the bottom line I would point out again is that this is probably the sixth year in a row this board has added to the county's fund balance, in this case $2.8 million," he said. "I have a concern that we are bringing in much more money than the county needs for its budget to expand. I think we should look seriously at this when we discuss what the tax rate should be for this county." An audit by the Asheville firm of Martin-Starnes showed that revenue of $121.5 million fell short of the budgeted amount by $2.4 million. The county more than made up the shortfall with expense control. General fund expenditures of $118.6 million came in $5.24 million under the budgeted total of $123.9 million. That difference enabled the county to toss $2.8 million into its reserves. As a result, the unassigned fund balance grew to $27.7 million. "If I'm reading this correctly, we have almost double the amount of fund balance than our 12 percent policy," Lapsley said. The state requires counties to set aside a fund balance of 8 percent of its general fund and the Board of Commmissioners have a policy of keeping 12 percent in reserves, which translates into $14.2 million. "We're carrying close to 24 percent, maybe 23 percent at this point," Lapsley said. Wyatt confirmed that the county has been able to put leftover money into the fund balance five out of last six years either because of expense savings or revenues that beat projections or both.   Read Story »

Henderson County Four Seasons Politics

Edney elected chair of Board of Commissioners

Michael Edney, a Henderson County native in his fourth term as a Henderson County commissioner, was elected chair of the Board of Commissioners Monday night, taking over for Tommy Thompson.   Read Story »

Four Seasons Politics Archive