North Carolina Politics
There is an empty lot behind the Natural Sciences Building on Western Carolina University's campus. It's covered in grass and on Friday afternoon it was muddy. During a groundbreaking ceremony, Western Carolina and an all-star lineup of state officials praised the $110 million building that will rise from the site over he next three years.
The new building, named for former State Senator Tom Apodaca, will contain 182,989 square feet and be six stories tall. The Natural Sciences Building that it will replace dates back to 1970s. Apodaca retired from the North Carolina Senate in 2016.
Apodaca is one of the more well-known alums of Western Carolina University. Having graduated with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Economics.
“I never went in the science building,” Apodaca told the crowd, provoking laughter. “I made it a point not going into the science building when I was at Cullowhee.”
Despite the jokes, Apodaca certainly does see the merit in higher education having sponsored such legislation during his time in the NC Senate. One such bill was the Access to Affordable College Education Act from 2016. He has a scholarship endowment at WCU. The Pilar C. Apodaca Schalorship is named for his grandmother, a second-generation American from Mexico. According to WCU's website, the scholarship is granted to students of high academic performance, good citizenship and community service with a preference given towards Hispanic Americans.
After the groundbreaking ceremony, WCU officials Apocada's colleagues in the North Carolina Senate. Tom Belt, coordinator for WCU's Cherokee Language Program, delivered a Cherokee blessing.
Speaking to his accomplishments as a member of the NC Senate was president pro tempore Phil Berger, who jokingly described his colleage as part teddy bear and part grizzly bear because you would never know which one you were going to get. Berger also joined in on jokes about Apodaca having a science building named after him.
“Everyone knows that economics is referred to as the 'dismal science,' so this building is perfectly apt for someone who is a economic minor,” Berger said. “Tom understands that college is a significant investment that leads to higher paying jobs, a better-skilled workforce and stronger local economies. He knows that escalating costs and rising student debt are threatening the value of that investment. That’s why, as a state senator, he spearheaded the NC Promise program, which guarantees in-state undergraduate students at three public universities across our state – including Western Carolina University – pay just $1,000 in tuition each year.”
The tuition plan starts this fall at WCU and at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Elizabeth City State University.
UNC system President Margaret Spellings noted that Apodaca had always supported his alma mater.
“Growing up in North Carolina, you went to Cullowhee, forged a deep bond with your school, then stayed in the region and launched a highly successful career creating companies, serving the state and ultimately succeeding at the highest levels of state government,” Spellings said. “And at every step along the way, you gave back to your alma mater, lifted it up alongside you and fought for it in Raleigh. And you’ve delivered results for this university, just as you delivered results for the entire UNC System and for the entire state.”
Made possible through funding from the 2016 statewide $2 billion Connect NC bond referendum, the Apodaca building will replace WCU’s existing, 1970s-era Natural Sciences Building. Construction will begin later this year, followed by completion and occupancy by June 2021. The building will include five stories of laboratory, classroom, assembly and office space, with the sixth story serving as a “mechanical penthouse.” It will feature a large, 150-person lecture hall, a science commons area on the first floor and a rooftop plaza for astronomy observations.
The WCU Board of Trustees voted in December 2016 to name the building in honor of Apodaca in recognition of his 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 extensive advocacy for the university in the General Assembly.
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Hendersonville Politics
U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows and State Treasurer Dale Folwell will headline the annual convention of the Henderson County Republican Party at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at Apple Valley Middle School.
“We believe this year’s Convention will be one of our best," said party Chair Merry Guy. "We have seen so much enthusiasm this year for conservative candidates who support our platform. I think the tax cuts and booming economy have helped encourage Republicans to get involved because they know they can make a difference.”
Republican activists will also hear from primary candidates and conduct party business.
"Delegates are elected at precinct level and from there are eligible to move up the levels of organization, even to the National Republican Committee delegate level if elected," Guy said. “We hear so much about the delegates sent to the RNC to nominate our Presidential candidates, but few understand that they started as credentialed delegates at the Convention in their own precinct and county before they could move up.” For more information visit http://hendersoncountygop.com/ or call 828-693-6040.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the time of the event as 11 a.m. Read Story »
Henderson County Politics
The North Carolina State Bar reprimanded attorney Michael Edney for professional misconduct in the handling of an estate, according to an order issued last Aug. 9.The bar’s Grievance Committee investigated a complaint against Edney filed by a client identified only as S. M. According to the committee, Edney was hired to handle the estate of the complainant’s father in December 2014. At that time, “the complainant’s mother, Mrs. L.M., gave you two checks made payable to her late husband or his estate,” Grievance Committee Chair DeWitt “Mac” McCarley wrote in the reprimand. “You did not place those checks in a fiduciary account, but placed the checks in a file where they remained until the complainant spoke with you in April 2017.”Edney, the chairman of the county Board of Commissioners, admitted to the bar that he took no substantive action on the estate for two years and that he did not “adequately stay in touch” with the client “due to your busy law practice and other obligations.”The Grievance Committee found that Edney violated state bar rules by failing to communicate with the client and failing to place the decedent’s checks in a trust account.The state Bar suspended Edney from practicing law for two years in June 1999 for what it said was his mishandling of a client’s appeal of a criminal conviction and his failure to respond to either the client’s letters or the state Bar’s notifications. The state Bar reinstated his license in April of 2000 after it determined he had complied with the terms of disciplinary order.“That’s gutter politics,” Edney said when asked about the disciplinary action. He suggested someone planning to run against him leaked the order to the press. “That’s what these folks are trying to dig up. It’s not newsworthy and I’m going to comment on it.”
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Henderson County Politics
U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows and State Treasurer Dale Folwell will headline the annual convention of the Henderson County Republican Party at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at Apple Valley Middle School.
“We believe this year’s Convention will be one of our best," said party Chair Merry Guy. "We have seen so much enthusiasm this year for conservative candidates who support our platform. I think the tax cuts and booming economy have helped encourage Republicans to get involved because they know they can make a difference.”
Republican activists will also hear from primary candidates and conduct party business.
"Delegates are elected at precinct level and from there are eligible to move up the levels of organization, even to the National Republican Committee delegate level if elected," Guy said. “We hear so much about the delegates sent to the RNC to nominate our Presidential candidates, but few understand that they started as credentialed delegates at the Convention in their own precinct and county before they could move up.” For more information visit http://hendersoncountygop.com/ or call 828-693-6040. Read Story »
Henderson County Politics
President Trump held a lengthy roundtable discussion on school safety on Thursday, surrounded by local and state officials, including Henderson County Sheriff Charlie McDonald.
Trump came out in support of denying assault weapon purcahses to anyone under 21 years old, said he supported allowing qualified teachers to carry concealed weapons in schools.
"The day before yesterday I got a call from Congressman Meadows office that said,"Hey can you be here in Washington on Thursday. The president wants to meet with elected offiicials and law enforcement because he's trying to get togother ideas and get something moving on this school safey issue while everybody's focused on it.' I had no idea I'd be sitting next toJeff Sessions and (Florida Attorney General) Pam Bondi and meeting Kellyanne Conway.
"I think what they're really looking at doing is to bring a lot of ideas and come up with a model that can be be used" across the country, perhaps with the help of federal grants. "I caught that there was a very serious commitment right now and in listening to (Trump) talk I got the impression that's he's commtted," he said in a phone interview from Washington.
When he got to McDonald, Trump mentioned the congressman who had recommended the Henderson County sheriff for the school safety talks.
“Congressman Meadows is a big fan of yours, that I can tell you, you know who I’m talking about,” Trump told him.
"I've been very impressedwith a lot of the ideas I’ve heard and I do think mental health is a serious issue," McDonald said. "It’s affected us across the nation. I know it is in North Carolina. I appreciatre your courage to talk about the fact that I do think there is a place for properly trained people in certain areas as well. I think multilayered securities like an onion has got a lot of facets and I believe you’ve got the courage and leadership to bring all this together. I know there’s a lot of good ideas out there but it’s going to take a lot of courage on the part of leaders of this nation to bring the community together."
Trump echoed that.
"It’s going to take a lot of political courage," he said. “Some of it won’t be politically correct.”
"My deal was that I appreciate the fact that he's got the commitment and courage to entertain some things that maybe people aren't that warm about," McDonald said later.
One of only two law enforcement officials invited and the only sheriff, McDonald said he was honored to be a part of the discussion.
"I appreciate the congressman" suggesting him for the roundtable, he said.
"I told him really him I'm not intersted in something that's just a dog and pony show and he said 'I wouldn't send you there for that.' I was very pleased with the attention it's getting."
Sheriff's Maj. Frank Stout said he did not have a lot of details about how the invitation came about but that Meadows, who is close to Trump and is a strong supporter of McDonald, had been a go-between.
"It has been a very very short-notice trip," he said. "It was very good opportunity for the sheriff to be invited to Washington."
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY. RETURN TO THE LIGHTNING FOR MORE. Read Story »
Henderson County Politics
Democrat Sam Edney filed for North Carolina House District 113 on Monday, saying the Republican-controlled Legislature is wasting money “defending unconstitutional redistricting” and "weakening our democracy.”
A former Transylvania County School Board member, Edney has owned Pisgah Pest Control for 30 years. Since October he has been changing from work clothes and donned his signature bow tie to speak with voters. House District 113 covers Transylvania, Polk and southern Henderson County along the South Carolina line.Edney grew up in Henderson County milking cows and picking apples. With a degree from AB Tech he worked as an industrial engineer for 18 years, 12 of them at Ecusta paper mill. Since buying his pest control business in 1988, the company has grown to three branches with 24 employees.
“The millions of NC dollars spent defending unconstitutional redistricting is more than a waste of tax money,” Edney said. “It’s weakening our democracy.”
He believes now is the time to invest in public education. “It’s the key to bringing good-paying jobs back to our region. Unemployment may be low, but so are wages.”
Edney wants to expand Medicaid in North Carolina, something Gov. Roy Cooper supports and the Legislature steadfastly opposes. “It will create thousands of jobs,” Edney said. “And we need to stop exporting tax dollars to other states. That money could be here at home, taking care of our own elderly and children.”
“Also central to my campaign”, says Edney, “is every citizen’s opportunity for a good-paying job, and their right to clean drinking water. Taking care of our environment is vital to our mountain economy.”
His Henderson County campaign kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, at the Historic Courthouse. For more information visit www.ElectSamEdney.com or www.facebook.com/SamEdney4WNC.
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Mills River Politics
Stacey Caskey, a Mills River resident, award-winning teacher, small business owner and college counselor, announced her candidacy for a seat on the Henderson County School Board.
With over 28 years of educational experience, Stacey can bring the kind of fresh ideas, solid experience, and practical knowledge that will benefit Henderson County’s students and the community.
In 1997, New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani chose to visit Stacey’s classroom to open the school year after she was nominated for Microsoft Teacher of the Year. With a strong background in educational technology, Stacey also partnered with Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson at an educational conference that summer. Stacey has an undergraduate degree in Developmental Psychology and began teaching in New York City in 1990. She has since earned a master’s degree in education and two master’s certificates in mathematics and college counseling.
“I was very lucky to move to Western North Carolina in 2001, where I taught at Claxton Elementary School for nine years," Caskey said. While teaching at Claxton, she was named Teacher of the Year in 2007. Stacey and her husband, Brian, who was elected to the Mills River Town Council last November, have a daughter, Allison, who is a freshman at West Henderson High School.
"I love my school, my friends, and my teachers," Allison said in a news release. "I would really like to see my mom on the school board. My mom is everyone’s ‘go-to’ for advice, not to mention she has great taste in music.”
An 18-year resident of western North Carolina, she is committed to a nonpartisan partnership with the other members of the School Board. “We must make better curriculum and fiscal decisions because these directly impact our kids,” Stacey said in a news release. She combines a track record of innovation in the classroom with a laser-like focus on the success of her students.
Stacey can also bring the goods. “My grant applications have directly led to over $3,000,000 in donations from corporations to be used for technology in the classroom. Grant-writing is one of the keys to increasing resources without raising taxes.” She has written curriculum and numerous grants to improve the educational experience for all students in the community.
Stacey has been recognized as Teacher of the Year by two school systems and maintains professional friendships with many of her former students, celebrating their successes as they move into adulthood. She is also dedicated to the preservation and continued educational use of Henderson County’s historic landmarks, such as the iconic Stillwell Building at Hendersonville High School.
Stacey looks forward to introducing a new voice to the Henderson County School Board. “Now is the time for the Board to focus on the needs of our young men and women, to ensure that they aspire to have the best possible future. We need people with real educational experience and practical know-how to enable our kids to reach their dreams.”
Eight years ago, Stacey and Brian opened Biltmore Tutoring, where they have worked with over a thousand of Western North Carolina’s best students to improve their grades and college admissions test scores. Stacey also volunteers with ‘Path to College,’ mentoring high school students in Henderson County and helping them bridge the gap between high school, college, and career.
“Although 93 percent of Henderson County students graduate from high school, only 28 percent go on to achieve a college degree and that is a huge disconnect. Strengthening our focus on college as well as vocational tracks will benefit not just our students, but everyone who lives here. A school board that understands and promotes that vision is imperative to Henderson County’s future.”
For more information on Stacey’s campaign, please visit her website at www.staceycaskey.com or her Facebook/Twitter pages ( www.facebook.com/staceycaskeyforschoolboard/ and https://twitter.com/staceycaskey4nc/ ). Read Story »
Henderson County Politics
Colby Coren, elected to the School Board for the first time four years ago, announced Monday that he will not seek re-election this year.
"Three and a half years ago, I made a commitment to the people of Henderson County that I would be a voice for students, parents, and taxpayers," he said in a news release. "That has been my drive and my compass behind every decision I have made. It has been my honor to serve the students, parents, staff, and residents of Henderson County."My deepest gratitude goes out to my fellow board members and the senior staff of Henderson County Public Schools. It has been a privilege to serve alongside each of you. I am grateful for the relationships that I have built over the last three years and the friendships I will carry with me for years to come."
He thanked his family.
"At times this has been more stressful on them than it was on me. I am blessed to have a close family who continues to support each other," he said."The future is bright for Henderson County Public Schools and I look forward to what is in store. While I will not be seeking re-election next term, I will always carry a piece of HCPS in my heart. I will continue to support and advocate for public education in Henderson County, even after my term expires. I believe in public education and in the people who lead it in Henderson County."
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Henderson County Politics
Henderson County Magistrate Mary Ann Hollocker announced that she will seek the Republican nomination for District Attorney of Judicial District 42, which covers Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties.
With over a decade working as a Deputy Prosecutor in Hawaii, Hollocker has a background in prosecution and criminal law. Prosecuting all types of offenses from traffic tickets to murder, Hollocker also handled her own appellate work and argued before the Hawaii Supreme Court.
In April of 2012, she relocated her family to Henderson County to be closer to her parents and to ensure her son, who was diagnosed with autism, received the services he needed. She was appointed to serve as a magistrate in 2014. Her strong knowledge of criminal law and procedure have earned her the respect of the legal and law enforcement communities, so much so that in 2016 she was reappointed to another four-year term.
Hollocker sees opportunities to make changes in the District Attorney’s office. Currently assistant district attorneys are assigned to specific courthouses. Hollocker advocates for specialized assistant district attorneys to travel throughout the three counties dedicated to specific crimes. For example, teams might be focused on drug offenses, violent crimes, property crimes and domestic violence among others.
“I would like to see specialized task forces consisting of Law Enforcement Officers and Assistant District Attorneys working together throughout the three counties on specific types of crimes,” she said in a news release.
“The citizens and victims of crime are entitled to strong representation from the District Attorney’s office. I believe it is time for a positive change in our three counties and I am confident I can lead that charge.”
Hollocker will face District Attorney Greg Newman, who is also a Republican, in the May 8 primary election.
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