ANDREWS
New mayor pro tem picked on 3-2 vote; mayor breaks tie
A split vote of the Andrews Board of Aldermen on Thursday unseated Brandi Smith as mayor pro tem, replacing her with Alderman James Mclean.
Mayor James Reid said the pro tem position is usually filled after the most recent election by the top vote-getter. After the 2023 municipal election, Mclean was the top vote-getter, but Reid said Mclean wanted to get some experience before he sought the pro tem seat.
That time has arrived. Aldermen Mclean and Ted Paul voted for the switch, with Smith and Alderman Steve Jordan voting against it. Reid broke the tie, voting to appoint Mclean.
Mayor pro tem serves as an assistant mayor, filling in for the mayor when he is absent.
“It’s just a title,” Smith said after the vote. She said she looked forward to “a whole lot less stress” and congratulated Mclean on his new role.
MURPHY
From trash to treasure
Friends of the Murphy Public Library are at it again with a fun and deal-offering Trash to Treasure sale planned from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
Everyone is invited to come out and snag some great savings on items like frames, kitchenware, craft supplies, books, baby items, ceramics and who knows what else, because they're still busy unpacking everything.
Donations are still being accepted. Generous donations helps the library, 9 Blumenthal St. downtown, generate funds for books, DVDs, children's library items and more.
Details: Call Charlene at 248-770-5290.
ANDREWS
Town board at the library
The Andrews Board of Aldermen held its meeting Thursday at the Andrews Public Library, which has been at the center of a contentious dispute over town funding.
Franklin Shook – director of the Nantahala Regional Library, which includes the Andrews Public Library – attended the meeting to explain the library’s mission, services and funding.
The town contributes $100,000 per year to the Andrews library, with $20,000 going to the building and $80,000 going to pay the co-managers. Shook thanked the town board for approving the contribution without a cut – Mayor James Reid had sought up to a 50 percent cut, but agreed to the full allocation after lengthy discussions with board members.
Shook explained that the $80,000 pays the salaries and most of the benefits for the two workers, but falls short of paying for the full benefits package. He said the balance required will be covered by funds provided by Cherokee County, but makes less money available for book acquisitions.
SYLVA
Wagon Train misses county
The Western North Carolina Wagon Train, after spending years based in Cherokee County, is now taking the annual trip to different areas.
This year’s Wagon Train was in Jackson County last week, with rides in Cullowhee and Webster. Organizers ask drivers to look for the N.C. Department of Transportation information signs and be patient on back roads.
Details: Visit facebook.com/wnc.wagontrain.
ANDREWS
Town weighs a big change
The Andrews Board of Aldermen will be looking into whether it should change how the town is managed – whether it should be run by the mayor with a town administrator, or by a town manager who reports to the entire board.
Mayor James Reid said Thursday he opposes the change, but the proposal will resurface at a future workshop following further research.
Reid said a “council-manager” form of government works well for larger towns but he prefers the current structure, which gives the mayor a strong position in town management.
“I don’t want things to slip through the cracks,” he said.
Such a change would require an amendment and public hearing. The board will return to the subject at a future workshop.
RALEIGH
500K in Medicaid
More than half a million North Carolinians have enrolled in Medicaid expansion since the program began seven months ago, which means beneficiaries are able get the quality health care at a low cost.
Gov. Roy Cooper was joined by N.C. Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley; Dr. Karen Smith MD, FAAFP, a family physician in Raeford; and Verlina Lomick, CHW-IV, director of community outreach & advocacy for Kintegra Health, and other health-care advocates to celebrate reaching this major milestone, which had been projected to take as long as two years.
"People across our state continue to feel the positive impact in their lives with access to affordable health-care coverage,” Cooper said in a release.
Since Dec. 1, 2023, new Medicaid enrollees have filled more than 1.9 million new prescriptions for conditions like heart health, diabetes, seizures and other illnesses. Medicaid has also covered more than $28.6 million in claims for dental services since expansion began. And as of today, 503,967 North Carolinians have enrolled in Medicaid expansion.
Details: Visit medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/north-carolina-expands-medicaid.
NANTAHALA
1st festival set in July
The Nantahala Community Development Club is planning on hosting its first Arts & Crafts Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 27 – rain or shine – at the Nantahala River rafting launch at the corner of U.S. 19/74 and Wayah Road.
Stroll the festival along the Nantahala River and see handcrafted pottery, glass, metal and wood crafts from local artisans. Meet business owners providing a unique Nantahala River experience. And enjoy music and games for all ages, along with food trucks and much more.
Corporate sponsors are Duke Energy and Balsam West. The Cherokee Scout is also a sponsor.
Details: Email nantahalaclubfestival@gmail.com.
RALEIGH
Bill restricts truck length
House Bill 593 officially became state law on July 8 after receiving the governor’s signature. State Rep. Karl Gillespie (R-Franklin) is the primary sponsor of “Various General Local Laws.”
Originally titled “Restrict Truck Length Through Cullasaja Gorge,” HB593 underwent various changes in the Senate, which included the addition of local government ordinances. However, the original intent of the bill, including the language pertaining to Cullasaja Gorge was retained.
HB593 addresses a pressing safety concern in Macon County by increasing the penalty for violating the vehicle restriction law on a particularly dangerous road. “The frequent incidents of large commercial trucks getting stuck on this road have created hazardous conditions for residents and first responders, while diverting essential resources from the community,” Gillespie said in a release.
The N.C. Department of Transportation has adopted a rule prohibiting truck tractors with trailers longer than 30 feet on a segment of U.S. 64 between State Road 1533 and N.C. 106 in Macon County. HB593 would make violation of the motor vehicle combination length restrictions on a segment of these roads subject to an additional civil penalty.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Help seniors with needs
The Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors is holding a summer drive to help homebound seniors in Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties, according to a release.
With many seniors unable to leave their homes, the items below can help with everyday needs. The collected items will be given to nutrition sites so they can be delivered alongside Meals on Wheels.
Drop off donations – items like adhesive bandages, blankets, detergent, hand lotion, non-slip socks, paper towels, soap, tissues, toilet paper, wipes, shampoo and conditioner – to the Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors office in Murphy or at:
- Carolina Mountain Homes in Ranger.
- Coldwell Banker in Murphy.
- ReMax Town & Country in Murphy.
- Old Town Brokers in Andrews.
- Exit MVP Properties in Murphy.
- Adventure Realty in Murphy.
Details: A wish list is available on amazon.com.
RALEIGH
State has new party
The State Board of Elections last week recognized the Constitution Party of North Carolina as an official political party in the state.
Recognition of this party means voters have another choice of party affiliation when registering to vote or updating an existing registration. Voters may register with the Constitution, Democratic, Green, Libertarian, No Labels or Republican parties, or they can register as unaffiliated. This recognition also means that voters currently registered with a different political party or as unaffiliated may switch their affiliation to the Constitution Party if they wish.
The Constitution Party of North Carolina also will have candidates on ballots in November, who include Walter Vinny Smith for governor and Wayne Jones for lieutenant governor. The board plans to meet again soon to decide whether to recognize We The People and Justice for All parties.
Details: Visit ncsbe.gov/registering/updating-registration.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Public meetings this week
-
Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Central Office, 911 Andrews Road in Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page, if possible.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page, if possible.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown and Editor Randy Foster.