Government

By David Rogers. February 13, 2012. BOONE -- Among the first to file today at the Watauga County Board of Elections was Blowing Rock resident Cullie Tarleton, seeking to reclaim the NC House of Representatives District 93 seat he lost in 2010 to Jonathan Jordan. File photo.

Read more: Tarleton Files With Election Board in Bid to Reclaim NC House Seat

By David Rogers. February 13, 2011. BOONE -- Blowing Rock News has learned that Blowing Rock native John Welch will file his candidacy for a seat on the Watauga County Board of Commissioners on today, at the Watauga County Board of Elections in Boone. Today is the first day for candidates to file.  Photo by Cody Andrews Photography

Read more: Blowing Rock Native Son Welch Will File for County Commissioner Today

By David Rogers. January 12, 2012. BLOWING ROCK --  A new state law aiming to create statewide uniformity in the rights of legally permitted carriers of concealed hand guns has instead resulted in a hodgepodge of interpretation and passionate community divisions.  On Tuesday night, Blowing Rock was at the center of the firestorm.

Read more: All of the Park is a Playground

By David Rogers. January 10, 2011. BLOWING ROCK -- We will have a more detailed report later tonight, but more than one issue considered by the Town Commissioners at tonight's Town Council meeting have generated significant dialogue, pro and con, around Blowing Rock of late. The meeting was moved to Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM). Starting shortly after 5 pm, it lasted until approximately 8:30 pm, with an estimated 140 people in attendance.

Read more: FLASH REPORT: Town Council Approves Subway CUP, Weapons Restrictions as Proposed by Staff

January 10, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- Blowing Rock News has confirmed that the January 10th Town Council meeting has been moved from Town Hall to the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM), at 5:00 pm, 159 Chestnut St. (across from Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church), Blowing Rock.

Read more: Tonight's Town Council Meeting Moved to BRAHM

December 16, 2011. BLOWING ROCK -- In our report on Tuesday's Town Council meeting, we failed to mention that Albert Yount was elected Mayor Pro Tem by his peers as one of the first acts of the new Board of Commissioners.

By David Rogers. December 15, 2011. BLOWING ROCK -- A new "Subway" is likely to be coming to town, thanks to a vote by the Blowing Rock Planning Board to recommend approval  of Conditional Use Permit (CUP 2011-06 Subway) to the Town Commissioners.  As for proposed changes to Blowing Rock's ordinances relating to "concealed carry" rights in Town recreation areas, more discussion and debate probably lies ahead for Blowing Rock policy makers.

Read more: Planning Board Advances Gun Rights Proposal; Recommends Subway CUP for Approval

By David Rogers. December 14, 2011. BLOWING ROCK -- The final meeting of the Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners included only a small bit of "business" and a lot of ceremony Tuesday night. Photo: Mayor J.B. Lawrence thanks Phil Pickett for his service to the Town on the Board of Commissioners. Photos by David Rogers

Read more: New Town Council Sworn In; Gracious "Thank-You" for Pickett

December 14, 2011. BLOWING ROCK -- Grass Roots North Carolina president F. Paul Valone, the self-described architect of the June gun rights legislation that became effective December 1, took exception to how Blowing Rock News characterized his organization (Dec. 12 article), so we invited him to provide our readers with some illumination not only about his organization, but on the recent gun rights legislation and its impact on Blowing Rock, including upcoming consideration by the Town Council and Planning Board.

Read more: POINT-COUNTERPOINT: A Law to Save Lives in Blowing Rock

By David Rogers. December 12, 2011. BLOWING ROCK – Back in the days of the “Wild Wild West”, even the good guys holstered six-shooters and were prepared to use them if a “bad hombre” threatened family or property.  Simply put, they exercised a right to defend themselves.

Read more: Blowing Rock to Revisit Gun Rights Ordinance

PUBLIC NOTICE: November 30, 2011. BLOWING ROCK -- The Town of Blowing Rock is posting the public notice below in seeking applicants for various municipal boards, including the Planning Board, the Board of Adjustment, The Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC).

Read more: PUBLIC NOTICE: Applicants for Various Town Boards

The Town of Blowing Rock had a wastewater spill on November 28, 2011. The spill occurred at a manhole 200 feet south of Sunset Drive on Ransom Street overflowing approximately 2,800 gallons.  The cause of the spill was excessive rainfall. No known fish kill occurred. The Division of Water Quality has been notified and will be reviewing the matter. NC General Statute 143-214.1C requires municipalities, animal operations, industries, and others who operate waste handling systems to issue a public announcement when a waste spill of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters.

Matt Blackburn, Public Works Superintendent, Town of Blowing Rock, (828)295-5200

By David Rogers. November 29, 2011. BLOWING ROCK -- Blowing Rock’s total net assets increased by $1,546,571, with the increase primarily in business-type activities during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, town commissioners learned Monday (November 21) at a special Town Council meeting. Blowing Rock News offers this summary report after study of the audit document and interviews with Town officials.

Read more: Audit Conclusions Revealed to Town Commissioners

Novembe 22, 2011. BLOWING ROCK -- The Town of Blowing Rock will hold an open public meeting to receive public comments regarding plans for improvements and renovations to the American Legion building.  The meeting will be held on December 8, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. at the American Legion located at 333 Wallingford Street, Blowing Rock.

Jennifer Brown, Recreation Director, Town of Blowing Rock

By David Rogers. November 15, 2011. CRUMPLER, NC -- Blowing Rock News followed North Carolina Speaker of the House Thom Tillis to Ashe County on Tuesday, where he conducted his 19th Town Hall meeting with residents and business owners at Shatley Springs Restaurant. Photos by David Rogers

Read more: SNAPSHOT: Tillis at Crumpler's Shatley Springs

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Town of Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting on Monday, November 21, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at Town Hall located at 1036 Main Street, Blowing Rock.  The FY 2010-2011 Audit will be discussed as well as several water/sewer initiatives.

Action may be taken.

Sharon Greene, Town Clerk, 11-15-11

By David Rogers. November 14, 2011. BOONE -- North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis visited Watauga County on Monday, visiting with local government leaders for an early afternoon session at Paolucci's Restaurant before taking on all comers at a "Town Hall" style of public meeting in the early evening.

Read more: Town Hall Meeting Touched on Issues

November 13, 2011. BLOWING ROCK -- Blowing Rock News is pleased to publish letters to the editor, as long as they are written within our policies for good taste and absent hateful or obscene content.  They must also have a verifiable name and contact information (we do not publish anonymous letters of any kind).

Read more: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Albert Yount

November 13, 2011. BLOWING ROCK -- Blowing Rock News is pleased to publish letters to the editor, as long as they are written within our policies for good taste and absent hateful or obscene content.  They must also have a verifiable name and contact information (we do not publish anonymous letters of any kind).

Read more: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: J.B. Lawrence

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Town of Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners will attend a Speaker’s Local Leaders Roundtable luncheon with (NC House) Speaker Thom Tillis on Monday, November 14, 2011 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The invitation only event will be held at Paolucci’s Italian Bar & Grill on West King Street, Boone NC.

Sharon Greene, Town Clerk, 11-09-11