ANDREWS
Aldermen re-election
Two seats on the Andrews Board of Aldermen are the only local offices on the ballot in Cherokee County this November.
This off-year election is the result of a 2015 resolution that amended the town’s charter by staggering the terms of elected aldermen. Aldermen Jonathan Ellison and Mike Sheidy have both announced that they are running for re-election, the town announced in its quarterly newsletter.
“I’m extremely proud of the progress we’ve made with our recreation department, our police department and the dramatic improvements we’ve made to our infrastructure,” Ellison was quoted in the town’s newsletter. “We still have some infrastructure opportunities, and I would like to see us secure more grants in the coming years. With continued support from the public, I look forward to continuing the growth and prosperity of Andrews.”
“I look forward to continuing serving the Town of Andrews,” Sheidy said. “I’m actively involved in discussions to increase the amount of workforce housing in Andrews, and I’d like to see this goal to completion.”
The filing period to appear on the ballot is July 7-21. Those who plan to run for office must be a resident of Andrews for at least 30 days.
For details, call the Cherokee County Board of Elections at 828-837-6670, or visit 40 Peachtree St.
Only 17 percent of the town’s 1,012 registered voters participated in the 2019 municipal election. The election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 7.
MURPHY
Radford on state board
Murphy Mayor Tim Radford has been chosen to help lead the N.C. Mayors Association in the next year.
 |
Radford’s selection to the organization’s Board of Directors was announced during the organization’s quarterly meeting as a part of the N.C. League of Municipalities’ City Vision annual conference last week in Concord. He joins newly elected directors Oak Ridge Mayor Ann Schneider, Morrisville Mayor T.J. Cawley, Spring Lake Mayor Kia Anthony and Washington Mayor Donald Sadler.
“There are over 550 towns and cities across the state. Many face similar issues,” Radford said. “I’m honored to serve in a leadership role where we can exchange ideas, find solutions and secure funding so towns like Murphy can thrive. We are stronger together.”
Leland Mayor Brenda Bozeman was chosen as chair of the group, while Parmele Mayor Jerry McCrary was selected as vice chair. Lenoir Mayor Joe Gibbons completes his term as chair of the organization.
At the meeting, Gibbons emphasized the importance of the collaboration and sharing of best practices that comes about through its membership.
“As mayors, we cannot do it alone. This association provides us with a platform to build lasting relationships and work together to benefit our communities for years to come,” he said.
The N.C. Mayors Association is an affiliate organization of the N.C. League of Municipalities formed specifically to provide a platform for all of the state’s mayors to work together regarding major goals and challenges.
ANDREWS
Town will open pool
The Town of Andrews is shooting for the last week in May or first week in June to open the town pool, Mayor Reid said in the town’s quarterly newsletter.
“We’d like to have it open before school lets out and maybe have physical education or some other type of classes at the swimming pool like we used to do in the ‘70s and ‘80s,” he said.
Groups and families can reserve the pool for birthdays and other private parties by calling Parks & Recreation Director James Ellis at 757-289-5231. Lifeguards are provided.
ANDREWS
UPS drop-off at chamber
After closure of the local Hobby Shop, Andrews’ only manned UPS drop-off location, the Andrews Chamber of Commerce continued the service at its office at 955 Main St. downtown.
The location downtown Andrews does not sell boxes nor shipping supplies; however, pre-boxed packages can be shipped via UPS every weekday. The Andrews location is not equipped to read QR codes, so when requesting returns from Amazon and other retailers, ask for a label instead.
ANDREWS
Town hall police HQ
Renovations to the old Town Hall in Andrews have been completed, and the Andrews Police Department and a Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office substation are using the space.
Administrators moved out of the old Town Hall last year into a renovated real estate office at 188 Main St.
ASHEVILLE
Cawthorn pleads guilty
Former U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) pleaded guilty Friday to bringing a loaded handgun through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport last year, according to his attorney, CNN reported.
Cawthorn, whose trial was set to start Friday, entered a guilty plea for the third-degree misdemeanor charge of possession of a dangerous weapon on city property, according to his attorney, Missy Owen. He was fined $250, without probation, and his gun will be returned.
The incident in April 2022 was the second time in just over a year that airport authorities had stopped Cawthorn with a gun. In February 2021, agents at Asheville Regional Airport found an unloaded gun and a loaded magazine in his carry-on bag.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Mail carriers collect food
The U.S. Postal Service will be collecting nonperishable foods for local pantries while delivering mail Saturday. Just leave a bag by or hanging on the mailbox.
ANDREWS
Duke seeks big rate hike
North Carolina regulators held a hearing on Duke Energy Progress’ proposed 17.7 percent rate increase last week, though the company is touting a “significant and positive” partial settlement on some aspects of the request.
A partial settlement between Duke Energy Progress and the N.C. Public Staff that advocates for ratepayers was filed last week with the N.C. Public Utilities Commission that addresses cost recovery of historical capital investments, depreciation for coal plant retirements, and multiple operational items and accounting adjustments. The settlement also addresses capital projects and related costs in the company’s three-year rate plan proposal.
In December, Duke Energy Progress filed a rate hike request with the Utilities Commission that would increase the company’s revenues by $623.5 million over three years, with most of it going toward improvements to align with the state’s transition to clean energy. Duke serves Andrews and surrounding areas.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Cherokee County Veterans Forces meets at 10 a.m. today at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in Murphy.
- Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Central Office, 911 Andrews Road in Murphy.
- Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Commissioners Boardroom (342) at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in Murphy.
- Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
COMING SOON
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will hold a budget work session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, in the Commissioners Boardroom (342) at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in Murphy.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will hold a budget work session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, in the Commissioners Boardroom (342) at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in Murphy.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 5, in the Commissioners Boardroom (342) at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in Murphy.
- Andrews Housing Authority meets to discuss the annual plan at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at the authority office, 291 Whitaker Lane.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 26.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown.