Kong: Skull Island is a 2017 American monster movie directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts and written by Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein, and Derek Connolly from a story by John Gatins. The movie is a reboot of the King Kong franchise, a prequel to Godzilla, and serves as the second movie in Legendary's MonsterVerse. Take a look below for 30 more interesting and fascinating facts about Kong: Skull Island.
1. The movie stars an ensemble cast consisting of Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, Brie Larson, Jing Tian, Toby Kebbell, John Ortiz, Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Shea Whigham, Thomas Mann, Terry Notary and John C. Reilly.
2. Set in 1973, the movie follows a team of scientists and a U.S. Army unit recently withdrawn from the Vietnam War who travel to an uncharted island in the Pacific and encounter terrifying creatures and the mighty King Kong.
3. The movie was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $566 million worldwide against its $185 million budget.
4. The movie received a nomination for Best Visual Effects at the 90th Academy Awards.
5. Samuel L. Jackson stated on a talk show that throughout the filming, he and his co-stars had no concrete idea of just how big King Kong was supposed to be, since whenever they asked, they kept getting conflicting answers.
6. At 104 feet, King Kong from Kong: Skull Island is the biggest out of all the American versions.
7. Sets were built at Kualoa Ranch, Hawaii, near the same filming locations as Jurassic World.
9. The poster for the IMAX release is an homage to the iconic poster for Apocalypse Now.
10. Michael Keaton and J.K. Simmons were originally attached to the movie, but both had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. John Goodman took over Keaton's role, while Samuel L. Jackson replaced Simmons.
11. Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts admitted that he was strongly influenced by video games from his childhood. That's why the movie contains many point of view shots of guns being fires, like in a first person shooting game, and the shot of a helicopter making 360 degree spins toward the ground, which was inspired by a similar scene from a Resident Evil game.
12. At the premiere in Vietnam, the 16 foot display model statue of King Kong was engulfed in flames, which was caused by the models of smaller volcanoes surrounding the statue. The fire was extinguished in 15 minutes, and no one was hurt.
13. The Mother Longlegs spider could be an homage to the giant spider with crab claws that was cut from the 1933 movie King Kong. Also, the Skull Crawlers could be an homage to the two legged lizard that climbs up the side of the mountain in the original Kong movie.
14. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has proposed that Jordan Vogt-Roberts be the Vietnam Tourism Ambassador for a three year term.
15. In September 2015, Legendary Pictures moved the movie from Universal Pictures to Warner Brothers.
16. Actor and stuntman Terry Notary motion captures an ape in both Kong: Skull Island and the Planet of the Apes series, where he plays Rocket.
17. The Sker Buffalo resembles a larger version of a yak but its horns resemble moose antlers and it bears close similarities to Cape Buffalo and the Philippines Water Buffalo.
19. The psychovultures were originally based on stingrays.
20. In the novelization, it's revealed that Conrad's cynical demeanor stems from an incident where he failed to save a kidnapped seven year old girl named Jenny, who was killed by a sniper along with two of the five men under his command.
21. Will Brittain portrays both young Hank Marlow and his adult son.
22. In April 2016, artist Joe DeVito sued the producers of the movie for using elements of his Skull Island universe, which he claimed he created and the producers used without his permission or compensating him.
24. Kong combines features of early hominids, the mythical Bigfoot, and perhaps some aspects of the Gargantuas and Gigantopithecus, as opposed to being a more realistic gorilla as seen in the 2005 movie, King Kong.
25. Despite its name, the Spore Mantis doesn't resemble an actual mantis and instead looks more like a stick insect. It's possible that the name is a reference to Kamacuras.
26. The Skull Crawlers combine features of snakes, lizards and mosasaurs, all of which are members of the reptile order Squamata.
27. The Skull Crawlers don't appear to have the ability to digest bone, as one is seen vomiting a human skull in the boneyard, which is similar to some species of snake that eat eggs.
28. The director has said that the inspiration used for the design of the Skull Crawlers came from the Pokemon Cubone.
29. The roar of the Skull Crawler is very high in tone, possessing a raspy quality with a hiss and growl mixed in between. According to sound designer Al Nelson, the Skull Crawler roar was inspired by the pained squeal of a dying rabbit as well as the sounds of sea lions and squirrels.
30. The name Conrad and Marlow are a reference to the novel "Heart of Darkness," written by Joseph Conrad, featuring a main character named Marlow. The novel was also the inspiration for the movie Apocalypse Now.


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I've posted a few times over the last year talking about the almost universally accepted meme that QE pushes bond yields down, and posted the charts that demonstrate without any real room for doubt that this is the opposite of what has actually happened in all three QE periods to date. People are concerned now that as QE3 winds down, then interest rates may start to push up hard. Back on Planet Earth I am looking for indications that they may be preparing to decline sharply.
For today I'm looking for an AM low with an ideal target in the 1875-8 area, and then a push up towards the test of the 1897 high. I'll be watching NDX to see whether that large megaphone can break up. The historical stats for today and tomorrow are strongly bullish, though that's not the case for most of the remainder of the month, so for the rest of this week I'll be leaning bullish until we see any decent evidence to the contrary.


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Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman: Release Awlaki Memo
Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.).US Embassy Kabul/Flickr
We know from the death of extremist cleric Anwar al-Awlaki last week that Obama administration's stated authority to kill American citizens suspected of terrorism is no longer a matter of legal theory. What we still don't know is the administration's legal rationale for doing so.
Tuesday, Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), the chairman of the Senate armed services committee, told a group of reporters that the administration should release a legal memo drafted by the Department of Justice outlining the government's legal authority to kill al-Awlaki without charge or trial.
"I would urge them to release the memo. I don't see any reason why they shouldn't," Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, a key ally of President Barack Obama, told reporters…I support the decision to do it. He has declared war on us, and in war you're allowed to attack your enemy[.]"
The Washington Post reported last week on the existence of the memo—the disclosure of which is the one issue that both opponents and supporters of the administration's policy on targeted killing can probably agree. (My colleague Nick Baumann also wrote about the likely existence of the memo—and calls to release it—back in January.) Former Bush-era head of the Office of Legal Counsel Jack Goldsmith called on the administration earlier this week to release a "a redacted version of the opinion, or should extract the legal analysis and place it in another document that can be released consistent with restrictions on classified information." Georgetown Law Professor David Cole, a critic of the administration's targeted killing policy, wrote last week that "If we are engaging the enemy within the rule of law…we should have the courage to make our policies transparent, so that the people, both in the United States and beyond, can judge for themselves."
Administration officials like State Department Legal Adviser Harold Koh and White House Counterterrorism Adviser John Brennan have outlined the administration's justifications for targeted killing without mentioning al-Awlaki by name. The administration has also spent years leaking information about al-Awlaki's alleged role in al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in order to justify targeting him, even as they avoided ever actually indicting him for a crime. Given the administration's past willingness to release Bush-era memos justifying the use of torture, it's difficult to imagine how a lack of disclosure here would be justified. Whether or not you believe al-Awlaki's killing was legal or justified, the legal explanation for how American citizens can be sentenced to death on suspicion of terrorism should not remain a state secret.
Obama's Dangerous Awlaki Precedent
Justifying the Awlaki Attack
US Kills Al Qaeda-Linked Cleric Anwar al-Awlaki
Awlaki Sentenced in Yemeni Court, In Absentia

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Access Engineering: A Powerful New Reference Tool for Professionals, Academics, and Students
Originally delivered Aug 28, 2013
Source: AIChE
Preview Webinar:
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Alyson Swerdloff earned her bachelor's degree in English from West Virginia University and a master's degree in Library and Information Science from the Palmer School of Long Island University.Read more
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Webinar content is available with the kind permission of the author(s) solely for the purpose of furthering AIChE's mission to educate, inform and improve the practice of professional chemical engineering. All other uses are forbidden without the express consent of the author(s).
VLS: Great Inventions That Changed The World
You will not only learn about inventions and inventors, but also the impact they have had on our lives and the society and environment in which we live today...
Realities of CCS: Geologic Sequestration
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed a Geologic Sequestration (GS) rule under the Safe Drinking Water Act's Underground Injection Control...


Munich, February 21, 2017. – "Apple will launch a car in the next five to six years." With these words Marc Sachon, professor of production, technology and operations management, opened a recent talk at IESE's campus in Munich. "So who thinks this will happen?" he asked the audience.
Prof. Sachon said the reason for Apple to introduce a car boils down to the fact that the company needs a new product. Today the majority of Apple's revenue comes from the iPhone, but recent market launches have not been producing the same effect as previous generations had. Also, the iWatch didn't deliver as expected. "A new product is needed," he said.
Apple's expected entry into the automobile sector comes at a time of drastic change. Driverless cars are making headlines, and Uber too. Traditional automobile companies are collaborating with Silicon Valley players, and new start-ups and business models are emerging. At the same time, technology is becoming more affordable.
Analysts see the car of future being electric and autonomous, and predict a time when car manufacturers won't be judged on how many cars they sell, but on how many miles their cars travel.
"The automotive sector is in a state of flux," said Prof. Sachon, who is the longstanding academic director of IESE's annual Automotive Industry Meeting.
"There are reasons to assume that Apple is working on a car," Prof. Sachon said, noting news reports on Apple's efforts in this area. The company's recent statement that it had put its automobile plans on ice didn't convince Prof. Sachon.
"Now what would the Apple car look like?" Prof. Sachon asked the audience. Small, battery-powered and designed for high-density areas, was the consensus.
Sachon went further: "The car would certainly be highly standardized with as few parts as possible." In this regard, Apple would draw on experience with the iPhone: basically one model with individualization through software. With the advent of bendable displays, individualization could be quite simple for the interior, for example.
Plenty of customers would also likely be found among Apple's extensive and very devoted user base, which includes many people with above-average purchasing power.
The big auto manufacturers have reason to fear, Prof. Sachon says. Though they want to enter new markets, they are held back by the "asset trap" in the form of big factories. Apple has followed a different approach, working with manufacturers and not owning the lines on which its products are made.
Prof. Sachon closed his session with the same question he asked at the beginning: "Who thinks we'll see an Apple car in the next five to six years?" Convinced by Prof. Sachon's arguments, many more hands went up than at the start of the evening.


Office facilities, 3 rehearsal studios, 2 pianos, a fully professionalyl equipped black box theatre with maximum seating of 250 people, audience foyer, café, 30 double and single rooms, shared toilets and bath rooms, shared kitchens and a great number of meeting rooms with audiovisual equipment and much more. The centre is located in Anneberg Park with a view over Nykøbings's creek. We are close to both sea and fjord, so remember your swimming gear.
All guests have their own single or double room. Upon arrival guests receive a towel, linen and a room key, which also gives acces to the entrance doors. Before you leave, we kindly ask you to take off the used linen and put it, together with the towel, in the linen cart down the hall.
Breakfast at. 08:00 to 9:00 a.m.
For all meals, coffee,tea and ice water, will be served. Outside the stated times you are always welcome to use the kitchenettes.
Plan your trip within Denmark using the website www.rejseplanen.dk. (Choose Danish, English or German language.) Our address is Den Danske Scenekunstskole, Annebergparken 22, 4500 Nykoebing Sjaelland, Denmark.
You can also download it as an app for Android or Apple – search for Rejseplanen.
Nearest airport is Copenhagen Airport Kastrup.
You can travel by train from Copenhagen Central Station to Holbæk Station, change train in Holbæk and go to Nykøbing Sjælland Station and walk from there.
Walking distance from Nykøbing Sj. is about 25 minutes/2,2 kilometres. (Please see attached map).
When you arrive - please note that our house is only staffed during day time hours!


text:
2018 Black Music Honors Award Recipients Legendary Singer/Actress Stephanie Mills and Hip Hop Group Whodini
Entertainment, Events
August 13, 2018 by Kontrolmag
Grammy ®Award-winning singer, songwriter, and actress Stephanie Mills and renowned Hip-hop group Whodini have been added to the dynamic list of honorees for the 2018 Black Music Honors. The highly anticipated evening, hosted by television and radio personality Rickey Smiley and Grammy® Award-winner and actress LeToya Luckett, will celebrate the artistry of the music industry's most revered icons.
Mills will receive the Legends Award, honoring her illustrious music and acting career spanning more than four decades. Brooklyn-based rap group, Whodini, will be presented the Hip Hop Icon Award for their musical contributions.
The celebratory night will also feature exciting performances by Keyshia Cole, Raheem DeVaughn, Next, Young Buck, Yo-Yo, Ruben Studdard, Jade Novah, Demetria McKinney, V. Bozeman, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Monie Love, Kierra Sheard, and Jonathan McReynolds.
The annual two-hour television special taping will broadcast in national syndication from Sept. 8-30, 2018 and will air on Bounce TV Sept. 28, 2018. Proceeds from the 2018 Black Music Honors will benefit the 2019 opening of the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in Nashville. NMAAM's mission is to educate the world, preserve the legacy, and celebrate the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack.
Event sponsors include AT&T, McDonald's, Walmart, Johnson & Johnson, Chevrolet and State Farm as title sponsor. For more information on Black Music Honors, please visit www.blackmusichonors.com and connect on social media @blackmusichonors #BMH2018 and #BlackMusicMatters
The 3rd Annual Black Music Honors show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson, with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as Producer and Michael A. Johnson as Producer and Director.
Tags: Black Music Awards, LeToya Luckett, Rickey Smiley, Stephanie Mills, Whodini
Kontrolmag
Just A Little Juicy Chat- Interview with Ms. Juicy
TV One Begins Production On "Rickey Smiley For Real" Season 5
"Down For Whatever" w/ LeToya Luckett, Hosea Chanchez & Bre-Z !


I am looking for a content writer to write 4 Articles a month of 800-1500 words about safari operators Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives, with a focus (3/4) on local communities and women empowerment. The articles will incorporated into a monthly new letter, however, will need to be SEO focused and help generate company brand awareness.
On a given table of contents, a ho...graphic or pictures, no layout cover has to be made. Filetype winword.docx. The writter should have at least scuba instructor knowledge and very good writing skills (in English). The requested content is for beginner's level, up to full OWD. For the details, examples could be provided but should not taken as 1:1.
Pocket FM is a social audio sharing platform where literally anyone can become an RJ. We are democratizing the radio for India to bring ba...nostalgia we all grew up with. Our mission is to build a radio platform to bring together communities to share stories and spread knowledge. We need content creators who can convert the English content in Hindi.
I want creative for my website and facbook ads.
I am preferring native speaking English writer or ability to write in the American style." I need one or two article writers for several sites. Website types 1)Beauty 2)Fashion 3)home Design etc. Please mention your rate for per 1000 words and sample along with your cv.
Make Content layout and Side navigation with MINIMAL customization on an Existing JS and Bootstrap 4. See Existing JS for Main Navbar for Hamburger: [kirjaudu nähdäksesi URL:n] Customise js without breaking existing main Navbar and use minimal custom css to make using Bootstrap 4.
I wanna hire someone to write my bio.


This fancy but friendly chain restaurant still retains a local feel with its helpful, invested staff and its ability to multitask.
"We have regular, everyday groceries as well as those specialty items you can add to your cart," says Hillary Bradbury, the marketing team leader for the Victory Drive location. "We have great local producers and special items that might make dinner a little bit more advanced.
"You can still get your applesauce and cereal, but you can also get certain spices you might need to make tabbouleh."
In addition to stocking exotic spices, the store also holds plenty of events, including healthy eating demonstrations. Some of the demos feature specific ingredients and show ways to cook the food to its full, healthiest potential.
As a company, Whole Foods prides itself on stocking products that are organic, fair-trade, responsibly-grown, and GMO-free. All their products are guaranteed to be good for you, and any member of the staff can help you find food that's best for your diet.
The store also has a buffet of healthy ready-made food, for the lazy cook with good intentions.
The win is even more special to Hillary and her team because Whole Foods doesn't do any advertising outside of the occasional holiday spot. Whole Foods has a lot of dedicated fans who know the value of the food they sell.


3 Bedroom house for rent. Main floor.
Looking for a low rental 2-3 bedroom house to call home (preferable pet friendly.) in the next 3-4 months. Please contact!
3 bedroom house for rent. Only 25 minutes from Swift Current. Comes with washer dryer stove microwave & dishwasher. Close to hospital. Utilities not included.
3 br, fully furnished and --a 2br, fully furnished in Shaunavon.
Nice 3 bedroom duplex in CHAPLIN. Commuting distance from Swift Current and Moose Jaw. Quite town. Duplex has it's own fenced yard and deck.
Working married couple looking for a long term, pet friendly home in or close to Swift Current.


Oh no, it's the last day of the 31st edition of the MCM Comic Con London. But don't cry. We have a least one day! Just like the previous day, the programme promises us a lot of good things. So let's start!
If you ask people how they would describe a Comic Con, then they probably would say 'a place where the 'everyday' meets the fantasy' and that's also what we saw when we entered the ExCeL centre. Policemen posing with Stormtroopers. Both protectors of the world but at the same time also very different. We could start the last day without worrying.
The first thing of the last day started with the Verne Troyer panel, one of the smallest but at the same time also biggest actors of the cinema world. You probably know him from the Austin Power movies The Spy Who Shagged Me and Austin Powers in Goldmember. Troyer mentioned that acting in those movies was a great experience, especially because a guy of his size was able to beat the crap out of Mike Myers. Every actor has dream roles that he wants to play and Troyer is no exception to that. He mentioned that he dreams of playing a leading role in a romantic comedy and at the same time being a director of a movie would also be a dream coming true. Of course, Troyer his size was mentioned more than once. Apparently, he has a game room in which the furniture is so small that when people of a 'normal' size are visiting him, they felt awkward and uncomfortable, just like Troyer does every day.
After that panel, we had some time on our hands so no better time to discover all the other things the MCM Comic Con London has to offer, apart from the panels and press room. We bumped into The Joker… made by Lego. It's one of the pieces that you can see during The Art of The Brick exhibition in South Bank. Go and check it out! It's great! We were also able to check out the Wonder Woman costumes, which were there on display. And of course, if there's one thing you need to do during a Comic Con like this, is checking out all the memorabilia that you can buy. From backpacks to signed scripts and from things to make your cosplay complete to clothes you can wear every day.
But now back to our favourite NCIS: LA couple Kensi and Deeks. Both Daniela Ruah and Eric Christian Olsen decided to visit the Comic Con also on Sunday and greet their fans during the NCIS: LA panel. Just like during the press interviews, both were very funny and goofy and they even shared more personal stories. It seems that Daniela had an imaginary friend when she was younger called Jasper. Even Eric didn't know about this and he was shocked to hear that.
After their panel, we had one more last panel to go to. Does the name KJ Apa sounds familiar to you? No, maybe not but ask one of the girls attending the Comic Con and they will tell you all about him. We will tell you something about him as well. He's from New Zeeland, is only 19 years old and plays Archie Andrews in the very popular American television series Riverdale. You can already guess it. His panel was full of girls who wanted to ask him questions. Even the presenter was fangirling over him. We loved that. But now back to his Q&A. Apparently, just like any other Australian, Vegemite is part of his daily life. For you who don't know it, Vegemite is a spread made from different yeast extracts and taste very salty. Comic Con is all about television, movies and of course cosplays. One of the questions to KJ was in which cosplay he would attend a Comic Con. His answer: Chewbacca. He saw someone as Chewbacca waiting in line to get an autograph and KJ would have love to get Chewbacca waiting in line for his autograph. According to him, that would be stoked.
And if there's one thing that was stoked as well, then it was this edition of the MCM Comic Con London. We had a lot of great interviews, amazing panels but the most stunning things were the people. They spent so many hours on their cosplays and everyone looked incredible. It made the world more colourful one than it was and we would love to see their cosplay every day and not only during a Comic Con! If not, then we'll have to wait until the 27th October to attend the 32nd edition of the MCM Comic Con London.


NTI Echo is the perfect solution for all your cloning needs. It is a smart cloning software that allows you to make an exact copy of your computer's HDD to another HDD or SSD. NTI's design makes this once tedious upgrade task a breeze for users of any age.
Dynamic Resize Cloning: With a single click of the mouse Echo will clone your entire hard drive (i.e. Operating System, Programs, Data, Partitions, etc.) to another drive. Dynamic Resize cloning method uses Echo' smart cloning technology and will automatically resize the original drive's partitions to fit onto a smaller or larger replacement drive. This is the default and recommended cloning method.
Filter Cloning: Allows users to exclude certain files from the cloning process. Echo will make a clone of your drive and at the same time exclude the files you have selected from being part of the newly cloned drive. An ideal solution for when the target drive is too small for all of the source drive's data.
Partition Cloning: Allows for partition only cloning for users that need more flexibility. Perfect for cloning just the Operating System partition on a user's computer hard drive to a new smaller solid state drive.
One-to-One Cloning: Retains the original hard drive's partition structure and size when cloning to a replacement drive. With this cloning method if the new drive is larger than the original drive the unused space on the new drive will be left unallocated for future use.
User Defined Cloning: Enables the user to adjust the size of the partitions on the new drive. This cloning method allows the user to customize the replacement drive by increasing or decreasing the partition sizes to fit their free space requirements.
Installed on Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista or XP. Limited RAID support: Type 1 or Mirroring type only, available on v3.5, get your free update to v3.5. Does NOT support encrypted or dynamic disk types.


$30 wristbands are selling fast for unlimited rides. Writbands will not be sold on the day. Cyclone = 3 tickets, Super Slide = 1 ticket, Cup & Saucer = 2 tickets, Adult Castle = 2 tickets.
Come along and join the fun at the MONMIA CARNEVALE on SUNDAY 16 OCTOBER from10:00am until 3:00pm !


With the renewed emphasis on environmental stewardship many have assumed, incorrectly, that printing has a negative impact on the sustainability of forests. A new educational campaign, however, is spreading the word that "Print Grows Trees" by illustrating how a vibrant print industry is the critical link to making sure private woodland owners continue to use their land for the development of forests, instead of selling the land to industries that may negatively impact our fragile ecosystem.
"In a world bombarded by electronic images and media, many forget the value of print to our society. It contributes in economic, social and environmental ways that have not been clearly represented to the public. 'Print Grows Trees' concentrates on the environmental, because the misconception that if we stop using print we'll save trees, has had a critical impact on not only the print industry, but also on the private landowners who are the keepers of America's trees. We just want people to make their communications' decisions based on facts."
- J. Albert Maddox, Chairman, Print Grows Trees.
Learn more about how the printing industry is making a significant contribution to the sustainability of forests and protecting woodlands from clear-cutting and conversion to environmentally irresponsible uses at the Print Grows Trees website.


text:
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
ALEXANDER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
2001 PLANNING RETREAT
BROYHILL INN & CONFERENCE CENTER, BOONE, NC
RETREAT HELD IN THE INTEGON ROOM
W. Darrell Robertson (tardy)
Ed Hedrick, County Attorney
Judy Feimster, Administrative Assistant
Greg Cronk, Information Technology Director
Keith Hertzler, Chamber of Commerce Director
Sylvia Turnmire, Director of Planning & Development
Corey Teague, County Planner
Connie Killian, Planning & Zoning Commission Chair
Andy Baker, Planning & Zoning Commission
Carl Bunton, Planning & Zoning Commission
Lloyd Jarvis, Planning & Zoning Commission
John Marshall, WPCOG Planner
Dr. Cuyler Dunbar, President of CVCC
David Icenhour, Reporter The Taylorsville Times
ABSENT: Terry Foster, Planning & Zoning Commission
Wendall Kirkman, Planning & Zoning Commission
On Thursday, January 18, 2001, at 7:10 PM, the Alexander County Board of Commissioners began the 2001 Planning Retreat in the Integon Room at the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center in Boone, North Carolina.
WELCOME AND GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Chairman Odom welcomed everyone attending and stated that the 2000 Planning Retreat was a great success and was sure that the 2001 Planning Retreat would be also. Commissioner Watts gave general instructions and stated that he was pleased to have the Planning and Zoning Commission members present for the upcoming discussion.
COUNTY-WIDE ZONING
Sylvia Turnmire, Director of Planning & Development, gave an update on the county-wide zoning and stated that 7 of the 10 townships had been assigned proposed zoning districts which included Ellendale, Taylorsville, Bethlehem, Wittenburg, Millers, and Sharpes I and II. Little River, Sugarloaf, and Gwaltneys Townships will be completed at the February 1, 2001 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting.
Commissioner Darrell Robertson arrived at this time. The time was 7:15 PM.
John Marshall, Western Piedmont Council of Governments Planner, presented a revised copy of the Zoning Ordinance. Several additions and deletions have been made including regulations regarding parking spaces, signs, buffers, naming of districts, etc. Mr. Marshall reviewed each of the changes in the Zoning Ordinance with the group.
During Mr. Marshall's presentation, County Attorney Ed Hedrick arrived. The time was 7:30 PM.
A discussion was held concerning billboards within the county. Keith Hertzler, Chamber of Commerce Director, stated that there is a demand for billboards along Highway 64/90 for business advertisements.
Commissioner Robertson stated that he didn't like the idea of large billboards being constructed in Alexander County and suggested looking into purchasing the smaller informational signs similar to ones seen on Interstate 40. Commissioner Robertson felt that these signs do the same job as a billboard by providing information to the drivers as to what type of businesses are ahead.
The unipole design for signs was also mentioned. Commissioner Watts stated that the unipole designs were very expensive, perhaps as much as $40,000.
Lloyd Jarvis, Planning & Zoning Commission, stated that he was concerned about the maintenance of these proposed billboards and inquired about who would be responsible for them. Several suggested requiring the owner of the billboard to provide maintenance. Questions were raised about the maintenance if a billboard owner was to relocate and who would provide the maintenance on the billboard afterwards.
Chairman Odom suggested that the County rent informational signs to business owners. The signs would have a similar design and the County staff would then be able to oversee what types of sign were being put up and eliminate any unwanted advertisement.
Commissioner Harbinson suggested that the Planning & Zoning Commission meet with Keith Hertzler, Chamber of Commerce Director, to discuss and investigate this matter further in order to get local business input.
Telecommunication towers were also discussed. Maps were distributed that showed where all towers were located within the county. Topics discussed included alternative tower structures such as clock towers, light poles, and church steeples. Mr. Marshall stated that the alternative tower types were encouraged and stated that this issue should be considered before the public hearing is held for adoption of the Zoning Ordinance. Many were concerned about the distance between a tower and a residential home and several stated that there should be a distance requirement written into the Zoning Ordinance for these towers.
Commissioner Watts asked if a moratorium should be declared on towers if a permit had already been given. It was stated that the towers should be "grandfathered" if a permit had been released. Mr. Marshall stated that if the Board of Commissioners were to adopt the Zoning Ordinance within a 2 or 3 month period, the moratorium should take place lastly. If the Board were to wait for 6 months or more, the moratorium should take place first.
Sexually Oriented Businesses
Sexually Oriented Businesses were discussed. Commissioner Harbinson stated that he felt this issue should be completely eliminated from the Zoning Ordinance and simply not dealt with. Commissioner Watts stated that no one wanted these types of establishments in the county and also felt that this part of the Zoning Ordinance should be left out and possibly saved until it was absolutely needed.
TIMETABLE AND OTHER CONCERNS
Commissioner Watts stated that he was concerned about the Zoning Ordinance being presented at the same time as the revaluation.
Rick French, County Manager, inquired about the geographical maps of the county. Mr. Marshall stated that a draft map should be completed by the first part of April. Ms. Turnmire stated that most of Alexander County was zoned RA-20 (Residential-Agricultural).
Ms. Turnmire inquired about the Zoning Ordinance time-table. Commissioner Robertson stated that he felt that the Zoning Ordinance should be put out to the public as soon as possible. Connie Killian, Planning & Zoning Commission Chairperson, stated that she felt more information should be gathered from the Bethlehem community since they will be subjected to new zoning with the approval of the Zoning Ordinance in Alexander County. The Board agreed that there should be many informational meetings and fewer public hearings. Commissioner Robertson suggested scattering the public hearings, possibly having them at the 2 junior high schools. It was agreed that 2 public hearings would be held as well as 4 informational meetings. Commissioner Odom suggested that Ms. Turnmire and 1 or 2 of the Planning & Zoning Commission members participate in Norris Keever's radio show "What Do You Think".
It was agreed that the proposed Zoning Ordinance will be presented to the Board of Commissioners for approval at a special called meeting to be held on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 at 7:00 PM in the Commissioner's Room.
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
Ms. Turnmire gave an update on the Planning & Development Department which included permit types and totals, inspection types and totals, a 1997-2000 comparison, a 1999 and 2000 revenue comparison, and a zoning permit breakdown. Ms. Turnmire stated that 3,509 permits were issued in 2000 including building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, manufactured home, and zoning permits. Also in 2000, 10,796 inspections were conducted including building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, manufactured home, zoning, and fire inspections. This total also included reinspections.
DISCUSSION WITH DR. CUYLER DUNBAR, PRESIDENT OF CATAWBA VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dr. Cuyler Dunbar, President of Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC), began his presentation by giving some background on CVCC and when the college began in Alexander County in 1991. At that time, CVCC scheduled 110 curriculum classes to be offered. Of those 110 classes, 52 had enough enrollment to actually be held. There have been approximately 500 students to complete curriculum courses. CVCC has offered 2,924 continuing education classes and educated 22,000 continuing education students.
Dr. Dunbar stated that the continuing education classes usually cost approximately $60 or more depending on the type of class and time length of the class. The Alexander CVCC site is planning for occupational training as well as college credit courses for high school students.
Commissioner Harbinson inquired about training for prison guards since there will soon be a new prison in the county. Dr. Dunbar stated that it could be possible to provide a Criminal Justice Program and Psychology courses for prison guards. Commissioner Harbinson also inquired about CVCC working with Catawba Memorial Hospital in the future for training in the Nursing Program. Dr. Dunbar also stated that this could be possible after consideration by the CVCC Board of Trustees.
Commissioner Robertson inquired about vocational classes. Dr. Dunbar stated that there was not enough interest in the vocational classes in the past to continue offering them. Dr. Dunbar mentioned that CVCC did offer a motorsports class that was self-funded. The cost of the class ranges from $600 - $900 and involves a lot of motorcycle and four-wheeler sports.
Dr. Dunbar informed the Board that the CVCC Board of Trustees had approved the renovation of building that was recently purchased by Alexander County for the community college. Dr. Dunbar stated that they had advertised for an architect and had scheduled a presentation for February 6, 2001 at 12:00 PM. Dr. Dunbar stated that the Board of Trustees would like to receive recommendations from the Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education on the building renovations so that they may be given to the architect.
A draft lease agreement was provided to the Board. Dr. Dunbar stated that the lease would have to be approved by the Board to proceed with the renovation project. The new building is in a good location and has room for expansion in both the main building and parking. Dr. Dunbar stated that CVCC was required to provide 2 parking spaces per student. Along with the servicing community college, some county offices could be operate in the recently purchased building. The offices could possibly include the Employment Security Commission, JobLink, Smart Start, etc.
Several members of the Board expressed concerns of representation on the CVCC Board of Trustees. Dr. Dunbar stated that he had recommended that Alexander County receive 2 positions. The Board of Trustees has approved 1 position and may approve another. There is a chance that a third position may be available if authorized by the Governor of North Carolina.
The Board also expressed concerns for Alexander County's share on the state bond monies. Dr. Dunbar stated that there was no definite dollar amount specified for Alexander County's share of the state bond monies but that the building and proposed renovations had been approved and were supported.
After a short review of Friday's events by County Manager Rick French, the meeting was adjourned at 10:50 PM.
Luther Stock, Tax Administrator
Nan Campbell, DSS Director
Leeanne Whisnant, Interim Health Director
Terry Foxx, Emergency Management Director
Nolan Jarvis, EMS Director
Russell Greene, Fire Marshal
Ray Warren, Sheriff
Seth Chapman, Clerk of Court
Ben Hines, Register of Deeds
Linney Rogers, Cooperative Extension Director
Mark Heath, Carolinas Partnership
Lee Sharpe, Alexander Community Hospital Board Chairman
Evelyn Clemmons, Hospital Administrator
Joe Richardson, Hospital Interim Chief Financial Officer
Gene Haynes, City of Hickory
Chuck Henson, City of Hickory
Brian Starnes, Martin Starnes & Associates
Dr. Kenneth Boham, President of Caldwell Community College
Larry Taylor, CCC Board of Trustees Chairman
Tom McNeel, Superintendent of Caldwell County Schools
David Icenhour, Reporter with The Taylorsville Times
On Friday, January 19, 2001, at 8:05 AM, the Alexander County Board of Commissioners met in the Integon Room at the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center in Boone, North Carolina to continue the 2001 Planning Retreat.
Brian Starnes, Martin Starnes & Associates, gave a financial update for Alexander County. The update included topics such as General Fund information, Enterprise Fund information, current and projected revenues and expenditures, department budget information, and deficit information.
Mr. Starnes presented a Power Point slide show presentation and gave the following information:
1. The projected deficit is $200,000 less than the budgeted deficit.
2. The projected unreserved fund balance is 11% of expenditures compared to LGC minimum of 8%.
3. Actual General Fund revenues total $12,506,041 and actual expenditures total $10,967,649. The total revenues over expenditures total $1,538,392.
4. The projected fund balance for June 2001 equals $4,190,990 and $2,336,750 for unreserved fund balance.
Enterprise Fund
1. After 6 months the Enterprise Fund shows a $340,000 deficit, which is over the $164,000 that was expected.
2. Actual Enterprise Fund revenues project to $447,999 and actual expenditures project to $787,815.
1. Environmental health department has spent 91% of budget in the first 6 months. The salaries and benefits area is over 100% of budget. These amounts should be 50% of budget in December. There were questions as to accuracy of the budget after more recent data suggested only 51% had been spent.
2. DSS has received notice of $175,000 reduction in child care funding. This will result in reduced services or more local funding.
3. Current projections anticipate $100,000 transfer to Solid Waste fund.
4. Transferring the Public Buildings salaries out of the Landfill Fund will increase the General Fund deficit and reduce operating losses of the landfill.
5. There is some concern with the Landfill Fund. Revenues are undercollected by 24% and expenses are over budget by 5%. This needs to be an area of immediate attention.
Alternative Plans of Action
1. Evaluate the need for $684,000 transfer to Capital Improvement Fund and decide whether the transfer is necessary in this fiscal year.
2. Freeze capital outlay spending for January 2001 through June 2001. This will result in a savings of $250,000.
Discussion was held concerning the Solid Waste and Landfill Funds. The Board was informed that BFI Inc. charges a flat rate for 20 tons. The Landfill is still charged for 20 tons whether they have 20 tons or not. It was also suggested that all fees are not being paid at convenience centers.
The county landfill is for Alexander County residents only. It was suggested that I.D. cards be provided so employees can determine that only Alexander County residents have usage of the landfill. Greg Cronk, Information Technology Director, informed the Board that new software is being installed at the landfill that will allow invoices to be printed daily and monthly.
After the presentation, Mr. Starnes stated that he would like to thank the Finance Department employees Toni Miller, Kim Stine, and Pat Kearney for all of their hard work. Mr. Starnes stated that these ladies have done an excellent job during the absence of Ken White, Finance Officer.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
At this time, Ben Hines, Register of Deeds, presented Commissioner Watts with a copy of his parents' marriage certificate. The new marriage certificate was nicely done with a gold border and presentable frame. The marriage certificate will be given to Commissioner Watts' mother, Mrs. Moselle B. Watts, on Sunday, January 21, 2001 where she will receive the Alexander County Board of Education Award of Honor.
Rick French, County Manager, led the discussion regarding space needs. Jim Powell, ADW Architects, recently completed a space needs study for county departments. One of the major needs in the county is courthouse space.
Courthouse and Detention Center
Ray Warren, Sheriff, commented on this issue by stating that there was crowding problem during court cases which leads to security problems and trouble conducting proper court processes. The jail is also very crowded which also causes security as well as sanitation problems. Another problem is that the jail is not equipped to house female prisoners. Females must be transferred to another facility outside the county.
Discussion was held regarding building a new jail facility. Mr. Warren stated that a new jail should be built to provide an adequate male and female facility for 130-140 inmates. A cinder block jail is less expensive, costing approximately $100,000 per cell. The Board informed the group that the timeline for building a new jail would be 5 or 6 years away if the planning process began now. Mr. Warren stated that mobile jail units could be used short-term until a new jail is built.
Mr. Warren stated that the time had come to either expand or move to a satellite facility due to need of office space. There is currently 1 office for 12 road officers to complete paper work and there is no place to talk with families in private.
There are currently 4 detectives, the DARE Officer, and the Resource Officer housed in the former Dayton Chevrolet Building that was purchased by Alexander County in 1998. Mr. French stated that the rest of the facility could be used if heating and cooling was installed.
Seth Chapman, Clerk of Court, also commented on the crowding problem during court sessions. Mr. Chapman stated that there are usually 350 court cases on Mondays and both courtrooms are used. Sometimes the Commissioner's Room has to be used to accommodate for all cases to be heard or used for a jury room. The Clerk of Court staff is also in need of space. The Deputy Clerk of Court's office is in the vault and there is no private interview office for staff to speak with families regarding family wills, inheritances, incompetency hearings, etc. Mr. Chapman stated that he felt it wasn't fair to the families to have someone walk by and hear the conversations taking place.
Mr. Warren informed the Board that there were no metal detectors in the courthouse which are greatly needed. An adequate metal detector would cost approximately $3,500 but the metal detectors would need to be staffed which would increase the cost.
Mr. French suggested moving the Commissioner's Room to the building that was recently purchased for the community college and allowing the courts to use the current Commissioner's Room. More audio/visual equipment could be installed at the new building as well.
Commissioner Harbinson began discussion on building a new courthouse behind the old prison property, soon to be the juvenile detention center. Approximately 25 acres hopefully will be donated to Alexander County by the State of North Carolina. The state will probably restrict use of this land to public safety use. The property has a market value of $1 million. Commissioner Harbinson that he felt the "one-stop" courthouse should be seriously considered for this property. The "one-stop" courthouse would include all related departments within the building including Clerk of Court, Tax Office, Register of Deeds, Sheriff's Department, Juvenile Courts, Probation, etc.
Commissioner Harbinson stated that the "one-stop" concept could not be done unless a new courthouse was built. Commissioner Harbinson also stated that he felt the proposed property was a good location, easily accessible, and was at no cost to the County and in need of being used. The Library is also in need of space. Commissioner Harbinson suggested moving the library to the current courthouse once the new courthouse is built. Economic Development could also be housed in the library building and the former Dayton property could be sold.
Commissioner Hammer stated that he would rather renovate the current courthouse and stated that he felt it would be less expensive to expand than to built a new courthouse. Commissioner Hammer felt that the courthouse should not be moved since it has always been located in the same place.
Commissioner Harbinson stated that he felt this issue should be looked at 40 years down the road and not just 5 years and that it should be started from scratch and done right.
Mr. Warren stated that the current courthouse was in bad shape. There is constant mechanical system failure. There is also fungus in the ventilation which causes the heating and cooling systems to fail in some areas of the building. Mr. Warren also stated that the jail needed to be within walking distance from a new courthouse and suggested having an underground tunnel installed to prevent prisoner escapes when transferring from jail to courthouse.
Russell Greene, Fire Marshal, added comments by stating that there were some ADA issues involved with the courthouse. There are currently no public restrooms located upstairs which could result in lawsuits.
Ben Hines, Register of Deeds, stated that the he was in hopes to have a paperless Register of Deeds office in the near future and felt that the "one-stop" courthouse was a great idea and would benefit the county greatly.
Commissioner Harbinson suggested that a long-term task force be formed to study the courthouse issue, visit surrounding courthouses and jails to gather input, and study cost projections of renovation or building. The task force will consist of individuals such as the Sheriff, Clerk of Court, and Register of Deeds.
It was agreed that the task force will be established at the February 6, 2001 Commissioner's Meeting. The task force will have 1 year to study and research the courthouse issue. All information and recommendations will be presented for review to the Board of Commissioners at the 2002 Planning Retreat. Commissioner Harbinson suggested involving Jim Powell, ADW Architects, in the process.
Mr. French reviewed other department's space needs with the Board.
Update on Prison
Ray Warren, Sheriff, gave an update on the Alexander County prison and stated that the project re-bidding should be completed soon and bids received by March 1, 2001. Construction on the new prison will begin in early July. Mr. Warren stated that the State budget shortfall should not affect the prison in any way.
Rick French, County Manager, briefly reviewed the latest water agreement between Alexander County and the City of Hickory.
Gene Haynes and Chuck Henson, City of Hickory, informed the Board of repairs that the City of Hickory crew has completed on the Highway 16 South and Sugarloaf water systems since January 1, 2001. Mr. Haynes informed the Board that they have not located all meters but are in the process of doing so and were confident that water bills would go out on March 1, 2001. Mr. Haynes stated that they had identified approximately 1,323 water users.
Mr. Haynes stated that Energy United still has some deposit money from some water customers and that the deposit will be returned when the water user left a homeowner's property.
Mr. French stated that the County will be paying Energy United for the collections agreement and that the Energy United November and December water bills were being taken at the Tax Office.
Judy Feimster, Administrative Assistant, informed the Board that the Administration Office had received many calls from individuals who had not paid their water bill for several months service and wanted to catch up by paying the amount back monthly. The Administrative staff was instructed to inform individuals that they weren't allowed to do such.
Mr. Henson stated that the tank in Bethlehem behind West Junior High School was in need of repair since the tank is leaking. The cost of this project will be approximately $80,000. Mr. Henson also stated that engineering should begin on the Rink Dam Road project after July and construction should begin in 2002.
Other water projects were discussed including a water petition submitted by residents on Three Forks Church Road. Several suggested using leftover CDBG grant money to fund a water line along Three Forks Church Road. The Bethlehem water system was also discussed. Mr. French stated there will be negotiations between the Town of Taylorsville and Energy United regarding water rates.
Mr. French stated that a City of Hickory collections office will be established in Taylorsville sometime in the near future for Highway 16 South and Sugarloaf water districts. Commissioner Hammer suggested establishing a small collections office in the Tax Office.
REVALUATION UPDATE
Luther Stocks, Tax Administrator, stated that the County is currently conducting a reappraisal of all real property. The reappraisal will consist of a full measure and list of real property and a review of the properties after the corrections are made. Revaluation staff includes Ron McCarthy, Consultant; Stan Vance, County Appraiser; Sally Lackey, Data Entry and Office Manager; George Brown, Data Collections and Residential Review Appraiser; Brian Penley, Data Collections; and Greg Brookshire, Data Collection. Mr. Stocks stated that the county contains 22,000 parcels of property and approximately 12,800 residential parcels have been viewed as well as 1,200 commercial and industrial parcels.
Staff is working on a number of things including data collection, neighborhood identification, data entry, preliminary land pricing, and cost studies. Staff plans on finishing several items within the next year including field review document preparation, training residential reviewers, residential and commercial value review, data entry post value review, appraisal manual preparation, scheduling of values, value editing, etc. The final stage of the revaluation process will occur April 1, 2002 – May 10, 2002 with the Board of Equalization & Review Appeals.
The revaluation process currently occurs every 8 years. Several Board members stated that they would like to have a 4-year cycle for revaluation. Commissioner Watts suggested waiting 5 years after this revaluation so the next revaluation will be in a non-election year, then proceed with revaluation every 4 years after that. For example: years for revaluation 2002 – 2007 – 2011 – 2015.
Commissioner Harbinson stated that he would like for Alexander County citizens to be able to list their property on the county web site in order to sell the property at appraisal if desired. Commissioner Harbinson also stated that he would like to hire a Public Information Officer to inform and explain to the public about this project as well as other new and ongoing projects.
Mr. Stocks stated that during the last revaluation, public hearings were held and will be held again this year.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & GIS UPDATE
Greg Cronk, Information Technology Director, gave an update on the 2000-2001 Information Technology Department projects which included the following information:
The County web site has been upgraded and includes expanded information about county departments. Staff will work to insure that the web site is kept up-to-date.
A Local Area Network (LAN) has recently been installed at the EMS base located on Highway 90. This will provide file and print sharing services to computers within the building.
An expanded county Wide Area Network (WAN) to EMS base and landfill has been installed. Staff plans to connect the new Animal Shelter with the same technology.
A new telephone system was installed at the Health Department and Library.
The Library and IT Department is working with EpixTech to install a new library automation system that will provide electronic card catalog service.
The Sheriff and IT Departments are working with OSSI to install a new Jail and Records Management System that will provide access to automated records and information.
Staff is working to configure a new Solid Waste collection and billing system.
Mr. Cronk also discussed projected 2001-2002 projects which included:
The possibility of extending county fiber optic WAN to the recently purchased community college building is being reviewed.
Staff is looking at purchasing multimedia presentation equipment in the case that the Commissioner's Room is moved to the new building. This equipment would include Power Point projectors, overhead slide equipment, TV's, remote cameras, sound equipment, and broadcasting equipment. Commissioner Watts stated that he has been in contact with Charter Communications regarding this issue.
County staff is talking with Charter Communications for the possibility of an Alexander County Government Access channel that would provide agendas, minutes, and job openings on a specialized TV channel.
Staff is reviewing the possibility of expanding primary Internet access bandwidth. The County is currently utilizing a T-1 line. The County also shares Internet bandwidth with Alexander County School System. It has been suggested that with the increasing demand and such an upgrade, that the school system share in cost with the County.
Staff is reviewing Windows 2000 and planning an upgrade of all computers.
At this time, Mr. Cronk stated that the County is involved in the development of a County Geographical Information System (GIS) with the help of the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG). In 1999, the County entered into a contract with L. Robert Kimball for the development of the initial GIS data layers which include digital orthophotos, property parcels, E-911 address and street centerline, planimetric, topography, server lines, water lines, and necessary metadata for a total cost of $842,114.
Mr. Cronk informed the Board that the County has received all data layers from Mr. Kimball and staff has installed the hardware in the Planning & Development Department and Tax Office. WPCOG is currently developing software to allow staff to update the property parcel layer and the E-911 street addressing and centerline layers and are expected to be completed by the first part of February 2001.
Mr. Cronk recommended that the County create a GIS Coordinator position which will reside in the Information Technology Department and be responsible for developing and supporting the GIS program. It was agreed that the request for this position will be brought before the Board for approval at the February 6, 2001 Commissioner's Meeting. The current contract with WPCOG cost approximately $47,000 and expires June 30, 2001.
CAROLINAS PARTNERSHIP
Mark Heath, Carolinas Partnership, gave an overview of the Carolinas Partnership and specific issues that the organization is involved in. The Charlotte Region Carolinas Partnership is the oldest of 7 Partnerships and was started in 1992. The organization is 60% private funded and 40% publicly funded. Mr. Heath stated that the Charlotte Region Carolinas Partnership's main goals were as follows:
Market the Charlotte region to the world.
Facilitate economic development dialogue for the Charlotte region.
Support economic development efforts of the Charlotte region investors.
Build relationships in the Charlotte region private and public sector.
Mr. Heath discussed with the Board several aspects of the Carolina Partnership including issues such as marketing activities, prospect management, trade missions, and relationship building. Mr. Heath also stated that in order for Alexander County to get serious consideration from the Carolinas Partnership, the County should make an investment in schools which has been completed. The County has also purchased the new property for the community college which could also house a Carolinas Partnership branch office.
An Alexander County Industrial Incentive Policy was also discussed. Mr. Heath stated that most counties had some type of incentive policy but not all counties had a written policy. If a county doesn't have a written policy, they make decisions on incentives on a per business (per application) basis. Commissioner Harbinson stated that he would like for Alexander County to have a written incentive policy that would be fair to everyone.
Mr. Health stated that it was also a good idea to split the Economic Development Council from the Chamber of Commerce. Keith Hertzler is currently the Chamber of Commerce Director and the Economic Development Council Director. Mr. Health said that he felt that both organizations would function better and much more smoothly if broken into 2 organizations.
ALEXANDER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Commissioner Robertson arrived at this time. The time was 1:40 PM.
Lee Sharpe, Alexander Community Hospital Board of Trustees Chairman, gave an update on the Alexander Community Hospital (ACH) which included information about the patient accounts receivable problem. Mr. Sharpe also discussed the Critical Access Analysis. Several individuals including the Hospital Board, Board of Commissioners, Hospital Administration, and health care providers have met with the N.C. Dept of Rural Health to consider the Critical Access Analysis for ACH. After careful consideration, it was recommended that ACH become a Critical Access Hospital (CAH).
Critical Access is designed to provide urban fringe and rural areas an opportunity to continue to provide reasonable health care and emergency services. Becoming a CAH will result in changes in operation such as reduced cost and increased emphasis on outpatient services. Based on the State's analysis, the estimated Medicare reimbursement as a CAH indicated a projection of an increase of up to $1,064,000.
Mr. Sharpe stated that the last 6 months had been very difficult for ACH. There have been cash shortages because of billing and accounting problem. There was also a technical update and computer conversion. Employees had to learn a new system which put things further behind.
Evelyn Clemmons, Hospital Administrator, explained the criteria that must be met to become a CAH which included:
The hospital must be located in a state that has established a Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program.
The hospital must be located more than 35 miles away from any other hospital or be in an area with designated provider shortages.
Emergency care services must be provided 24 hours.
The hospital must provide no more than 15 acute care beds and meet staffing requirements.
Provide inpatient services for a period not exceeding an average, determined on an annual basis, of 96 hours per patient.
Have an agreement with at least 1 hospital in the network for patient referral and transfer, use of communication systems of the network, use of transportation systems of the network.
The group also watched a brief video that explained the process of the Critical Access Program. Ms. Clemmons also presented copies of a letter from Serge A. Dihoff, Health Care Specialist, which saluted the Board of Commissioners for their help with ACH. Ms. Clemmons and Mr. Sharpe also conveyed their appreciation.
Ms. Clemmons also stated that the area may be reclassified as rural. Nolan Jarvis, EMS Director, asked if just the ACH property would be reclassified or if it would be a county-wide reclassification. Ms. Clemmons stated that she would research the matter further. Mr. Jarvis stated that a county-wide reclassification would be a positive change.
Mr. Sharpe and Ms. Clemmons introduced Joe Richardson, Interim Chief Financial Officer for ACH. Mr. Richardson gave a brief update on financial standing of ACH and stated that he had a positive outlook for the action plan for the patient accounts receivable problem.
Ms. Clemmons discussed with the Board current projects such as the capital fund drive. Marion Powell, Fundraiser Director, has met with local churches and asked that they commit to renovating a room in ACH. It was stated that some churches had agreed. Ms. Clemmons stated that approximately $57,000 had been donated to the capital fund drive and staff hoped to used the funding for needed equipment and facilities. ACH hopes to build a roof and canopy for people to drive under for drop-off or pick-up of patients at the former Family Care office.
The ACH staff stated that they would keep the Board informed of the Critical Access process.
SOCIAL SERVICES UPDATE
Nan Campbell, Department of Social Services Director, presented a Power Point slide show presentation, provided updates, and gave information on the following DSS programs for FY 2000-2001:
1. Challenge for Children
Total cost of program $16,659,605
Total cost to County $996,057
2. Low Income Assistance
Families Served 495
Average pay per family $62.47
3. Food Stamps
Number of cases 517
Amount issued $932,407
4. Rest Homes
Number of cases 99
Total cost of program $556,218
5. Health Choice
6. Work First
Number sent to work 48
7. Emergency Assistance
Number served 326
8. Child Day Care
Number served monthly 314
Number on waiting list 126
9. Child Support
Number served 33
Total amount collected $1,189,638
10. In-Home Aide
Number served monthly 48
11. Community Alternative (in-home skilled nursing care
12. Adult Day Care Homes
Number of homes 1
Number served 6
13. Protective Services
Number of received reports 25
Number evaluated 15
Number substantiated 5
14. Guardianship
Number of cases 1
Number of payees 12
15. Nutrition
Number of participants 89
Number of meals served 10,919
16. Child Protection
Number of received reports 415
Number investigated 288
Number substantiated 140
17. Child Placement
Number of foster homes 7
Number of children 23
Children is DSS custody 44
18. Adoption
Number of homes approved 19
Finalized adoptions 9
19. Independent Living
Number served monthly 5
Ms. Campbell stated she, as well as DSS Staff, had several concerns including the cost of Medicaid services, employee turnover, increase in federal funding, lack of space for staff and storage, increase in older adults needing care, and increase in ethnic minorities needing service (language barrier). After addressing these problems, Ms. Campbell pointed out several goals that have been set for DSS including addressing the employee turnover problems, developing a training plan, expanding public relations for ethnic minorities for better communication, developing child abuse prevention programs, and continuing to meet state standards.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Leeanne Whisnant, Interim Health Director, gave an update on the Alexander County Health Department and also made an announcement that the Health Department administered 1,200 flu shots this season and still had more of the vaccine left.
Ms. Whisnant gave a brief overview of each service offered by the Health Department including:
Adult Health/Breast and Cervical Cancer Clinic: This clinic provides screening for early cancer detection for breast and cervical cancers.
AIDS Testing and Counseling: This testing is strictly confidential and free of charge.
Child Service Coordination: The program follows special needs children who are at risk for developmental problems from birth to age 3.
Childcare Nurse: This programs ensures the health of children in childcare homes.
Environmental Health: This program assures a clean and healthy environment to live, work, and play in. Site evaluations are held as well as food and lodging inspections and waste management.
Family Planning Clinic: This program provides contraceptives and counseling, pregnancy testing, and exams.
General Clinic: These include cholesterol, diabetes screening, blood pressure, height/weight, immunizations, TB tests, and pregnancy tests.
Health Education: This program provides information about disease prevention and promotion of a healthy life through classes.
Home Health: This program provides direct patient care to a homebound individual.
Maternity Clinic – Prenatal Care: This clinic offers complete maternity services including OB/GYN and Midwifery clinic.
Medical Laboratory: The laboratory provides services such as gram stains and cultures, hemoglobin, urinalysis, pregnancy testing, and disease testing.
SID's Counseling: This program provides Sudden Infant Death Syndrome grief counseling and follow-up for families.
STD Program: This program provides services to anyone with a sexually transmitted disease.
Vital Records: This program is responsible for the timely filing and accuracy of all births and deaths that occur in the County.
Well Child Clinic: The clinic provides screenings for children including physicals, developmental and nutritional assessments, and sickle cell screenings.
WIC – Women Infants and Children: This program is a nutritional program for women, infants, and children.
Ms. Whisnant also reviewed several new programs offered by the Health Department including Hepatitis B Vaccines, School Employee Screenings, Paternity Testing, and additional Midwifery Clinic, additional GYN Clinic for Family Planning Program, Foster Parent Physicals, and a billing move from ICD-9 and CPT Coding System.
Commissioner Watts, as well as the entire Board, conveyed his appreciation to Ms. Whisnant and the entire Health Department staff.
EMERGENCY SERVICES PLAN UPDATE
Terry Foxx, Emergency Management Director, presented a Power Point slide show presentation and gave an update on the Emergency Services Plan as well as LEPC, Terrorism, and Communications.
Emergency Services Plan
Mr. Foxx stated that the Emergency Services Plan was an old format and had not been updated in 10 years. A new format was obtained from N.C. Emergency Management. Updated information pertinent to each area of emergency services and county government must be obtained and placed into the revised plan. Mr. Foxx stated that after the revisions are in draft format, each department involved will receive a copy of their section for review and each will then submit any changes. The local Emergency Management Team will receive all changes and apply them to the master plan. Once final revisions have been made by all departments, the plan will be submitted to the Board of Commissioners for final approval.
Mr. Foxx stated that the LEPC is a mandate of the SARA Title III of the Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 and is made up of state and local government and community agencies. The Alexander County LEPC has been inactive for 8-10 years. Categories included in the LEPC includes local government, local and state law enforcement, DOT, emergency management as well as fire and medical staff, public and environmental health, hospital, transportation, print media, civic groups, and manufacturing groups.
Terrorism Preparedness
Mr. Foxx stated that Alexander County was not exempt from terrorism and felt that action should be taken to be prepared for such action. Mr. Foxx stated that planning, training, practical exercises, and evaluations are steps that can be taken to be prepared. A terrorism plan is currently being drawn up and will spell out response procedures and training needs for county responders and government officials. A Terrorism Task Force has also been formed of personnel from law enforcement, medical, fire, rescue, emergency management, public works, and public health.
Mr. Foxx stated that there has been a constant problem with staff being able to hear each other on the communications radios as well as talking back to the 911 center in various parts of the county. Areas in Vashti, Bethlehem, and Ellendale had very poor communications due to the terrain.
On August 3, 1999, the Board of Commissioners approved a communications study to measure the current system and repair the problem. After completion of the study, plans were presented to the Board of Commissioners who approved the plan on December 7, 1999. The plan included a new tower on Linney's Mountain and voting receiver sites at Vashti and Bethlehem. The County also decided to build its own tower and final project bid was approved on May 2, 2000 with Wireless Communications. The County is to provide and install its own generator oversee electrical and phone service installation. Mr. Foxx stated that funds are being generated by the 911 surcharge collected from landlines and wireless phone systems. Both remote towers have been erected and are nearing completion and the Linney's Mountain site is approximately 75% complete.
Chairman Odom expressed his appreciation for the dedication and hard work that has been put into the communications project.
DISCUSSION WITH DR. KENNETH BOHAM, PRESIDENT OF CALDWELL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dr. Kenneth Boham, President of Caldwell Community College began his presentation by giving some history on Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC & TI) and discussed the Watauga Campus in detail. Dr. Boham informed the Board that the Watauga Division of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute was established in 1973. In 1987, the Watauga County Commissioners renovated a 6,800 square foot building and turned the building over to CCC & TI. In 1988, the General Assembly designated $100,000 for the design of the first permanent building on a Watauga Campus and the county purchased a 39 acre site for the campus. A $250 million statewide community college bond referendum was approved in 1993 and $2,261,539 of the $8,361,539 given to CCC & TI was reserved to construct classrooms and labs for the Watauga Campus. In 1998, a 23,000 square foot facility opened at the Watauga Campus of CCC & TI.
Dr. Boham stated that the Watauga Campus included a staff of approximately 42 people. Several members of the Board inquired about curriculum class offerings. Dr. Boham briefly described the types of courses offered and stated that students had the choice of pursuing an Associates Degree, a certificate, or a diploma in their field of study. Certification classes, basic skills programs, GED courses, dual enrollment, and continuing education classes are also offered. Dr. Boham also stated that the Watauga Campus currently has a ESC (English as a Second Language) class being offered and that negotiations were being made with Appalachian State University to provide a Bachelor Degree program at the Watauga Campus.
Dr. Boham addressed the state bond referendum monies at this time by stating that the monies would not be given in a lump sum but spread out for a period of 6-7 years. Larry Taylor, CCC & TI Board of Trustees Chairman and County Commissioner, explained that state bond monies are stretched out for longer periods of time but the amount distributed increases every year.
Dr. Boham informed that Board that they could advertise for an architect within 3-6 months for renovation of the Grier Lackey property recently purchased by the County but stated that construction could not begin until 2002 due to slow distribution of state bond monies.
Board of Trustees representation was also discussed. Dr. Boham stated that they were willing to provide 2 positions on the Board of Trustees for Alexander County. One position would be for a 2-year term and the other for a 4-year term.
Tom McNeely, Watauga County Schools Superintendent, spoke regarding the community college issue and about his experience with Watauga County Schools.
Dr. Boham suggested that the Board meet with Jack Hoke, Alexander County Schools Superintendent, to zero in on dual enrollment interests and also meet with business industry leaders to determine their needs for occupational training.
Commissioner Harbinson expressed his appreciation to those present from CCC & TI and stated that he saw no reason to look elsewhere than CCC & TI for community college service for Alexander County. Commissioner Harbinson stated that he had heard nothing but positive things and felt confident about going with CCC & TI since Caldwell and Alexander Counties have a similar workforce.
All members of the Board conveyed their appreciation to Dr. Boham, Mr. Taylor, and Mr. McNeely for their presentation. The Board agreed that this issue would be put on the February agenda for the February Commissioner's Meeting.
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM.
PRESENT: Joel C. Harbinson, Vice-Chairman
Jack Hoke, Alexander County Schools Superintendent
Brent Fox, Board of Education Chairman
Gary Lail, Board of Education
Jim Lowe, Board of Education
Derek Latham, Board of Education
Dale Clary, Board of Education
Debra Watts, Administrative Assistant
ABSENT: David S. Odom, Chairman
Sharon Mehaffey, School Finance Officer
Craig Mayberry, Board of Education
Tim Lackey, Board of Education
On Saturday, January 20, 2001, at 8:30 AM, the Alexander County Board of Commissioners met in the Integon Room at the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center in Boone, North Carolina to continue the 2001 Planning Retreat.
REPORT ON EDUCATION
Jack Hoke, Alexander County School Superintendent, as well as Brent Fox, Board of Education Chairman, stated that the report would consist of several issues including facilities, personnel, system grades, and new program. Mr. Hoke also stated that Tim Lackey's resignation from the Board of Education would be effective February 14, 2001 and that his seat would be filled as soon as possible. It was also stated that Craig Mayberry, Board of Education, was attending the Inauguration and could not attend the 2001 Planning Retreat.
Mr. Hoke gave an update on the following projects. Photographs were also provided.
Alexander Central High School
Orkan Architecture is to give the Board of Education a firm completion date at the February 13, 2001 meeting. The original timeline has called for completion by June 30, 2001. Mr. Hoke stated that if the facility was not completed by then, it would be his recommendation to move the 6th grade students to the middle schools in 2002-2003 and move 9th grade students to ACHS at the 2001-2002 semester break.
The Board of Education will wait until April to adopt the school calendar for the 2001-2002 school year to allow a late start to help with a move.
Central Park – Softball/Soccer
Several items have been completed at Central Park including the irrigation system, dugouts, fencing, softball scoreboard, grass, parking lot, and lighting. Items remaining to be completed include the press box/concession stand, infield of softball field, renovation of concrete bleachers, installation of aluminum bleachers, batting cages and backstops.
Central Park – Tennis
Several items have been completed including asphalt, fencing, and lighting. Items remaining to be completed include sealing the courts, painting the courts, seeding the area, paving the parking lot, sidewalks, and restrooms.
Mr. Hoke stated that a grand opening will be held on the weekend of March 23-24, 2001. A tennis tournament will be held for Alexander County citizens on Friday night and Saturday. A softball tournament will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2001. Mr. Hoke proposed a Home-Run Derby between the Board of Education and the Board of Commissioners during the grand opening tournaments.
Ellendale Elementary School
On January 17, 2001, the Board of Education voted to approve the financing of the new Ellendale Elementary School. The project will be financed with First Union National Bank at 4.97% for 20 years.
Mr. Hoke stated that the new Ellendale Elementary School will be a first class facility and a symbol of pride and accomplishment for the Ellendale community.
Next Phase
Mr. Hoke stated that the current junior high schools were overcrowded. The Board of Education plans to expand both facilities to an 800 capacity for the 2002-2003 school year.
Overcrowding is also a problem at Sugarloaf Elementary School as well as the Central Office. Both facilities are currently using mobile units. Expansion will take place in the near future.
Questions were raised about the use of the old Wittenburg Elementary School and soon to be old Ellendale Elementary School buildings. Commissioner Harbinson suggested that the Board of Education and Board of Commissioners choose 2 members each to serve on a task force to study the options for each buildings and report back at a later date.
Both boards agreed that members would be chosen at their February meetings and a recommendation would be given by April 1, 2001.
Mr. Hoke discussed the school system employment and stated that all teaching staff was 100% certified. Mr. Hoke also discussed the total number of employees within departments and stated that the school systems will be raising teacher supplements.
SYSTEM GRADES
Mr. Hoke gave an update of the student performance, curriculum, school status, and drop-out information. Detailed information was provided to the Board which included many bar charts showing the performance for each school in Alexander County.
Mr. Hoke stated that every school in Alexander County had met expected growth. Every school has been exemplary except Stony Point and Taylorsville Elementary schools and East Junior High School. Alexander Central has gone from Low-Performing in 1996-97 and 1997-98 to Exemplary in 1998-99 and 1999-00. Stony Point Elementary student performance has improved and Wittenburg Elementary has one of the highest writing scores in North Carolina.
Mr. Hoke reviewed several items including Student Accountability Plan, Alternative School Plan, Drop-Out Reduction Plan, and curriculum expansion and improvement through CVCC relationship.
PROPOSED NEW PROGRAMS
Mr. Hoke presented a list of programs proposed by the Board of Education professional staff. Mr. Hoke stated that the Board would discuss these programs further as the budget is developed. Some proposed short-term programs are Summer Remediation Program, Expanded Exceptional Children Program, Student Assistance Team. Proposed long-term programs included Alternative School and Career and Technical Education Center at ACHS.
Mr. Hoke reviewed some of the details of the programs including total costs of each.
Commissioner Robertson suggested that the Board of Education and Board of Commissioners meet quarterly to discuss these types of issues.
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 AM.


text:
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EASTERN STATES PETROLEUM CORP. v. ROGERS, ATTORNEY GENERAL, ET AL.
Gerard R. Moran and Edwin G. Martin for appellant.
Solicitor General Rankin, Assistant Attorney General Doub, Alan S. Rosenthal and Seymour Farber for appellees.
CASTELLANO v. COMMISSION OF INVESTIGATION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Reported below: 5 N. Y. 2d 1026, 6 N. Y. 2d 753, 878: 158 N. E. 2d 250, 159 N. E. 2d 201, 160 N. E. 2d 125.
Osmond K. Fraenkel for appellant.
The motion for leave to file supplement to the motion to dismiss is granted. The motion to dismiss is granted and the appeal is dismissed as moot.


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Montesegale é uma comuna italiana da região da Lombardia, província de Pavia, com cerca de 319 habitantes. Estende-se por uma área de 14 km², tendo uma densidade populacional de 23 hab/km². Faz fronteira com Borgo Priolo, Fortunago, Godiasco, Ponte Nizza, Rocca Susella, Val di Nizza.

Demografia

Comunas de Pavia (província)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


THERESA MAY's two top aides Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy have both quit after top Tories warned the PM would face a leadership challenge if they didn't go.
Mr Timothy said the election result was a "huge disappointment" - but blamed the loss on a "surge for Labour" rather than the Tories' own decisions.
Mr Timothy, who has worked with Mrs May since she was in the Home Office, wrote today that he hoped MPs would get behind the Prime Minister for the good of Brexit, but that he admitted the social care policy was a key failure on his behalf.
Pressure was mounting on the PM to stand down today - after two thirds of members said in a poll they thought she quit.
Both aides were in the firing line for the disasterous election result which saw Mrs May lose her majority - and 17 MPs.
The PM is expected to reshuffle her top team later but so far her cabinet is the same - with Philip Hammond, Boris Johnson, Amber Rudd, David Davis and Michael Fallon remaining in position.
Mr Timothy said in a post for Conservative Home: "I take responsibility for my part in this election campaign, which was the oversight of our policy programme. In particular, I regret the decision not to include in the manifesto a ceiling as well as a floor in our proposal to help meet the increasing cost of social care.
"But I would like to make clear that the bizarre media reports about my own role in the policy's inclusion are wrong: it had been the subject of many months of work within Whitehall, and it was not my personal pet project.
He went on to say that the Conservative campaign "failed to notice the surge in Labour support" - taking aim at those like Sir Lyton Crosby who were running the election messages.
"The Conservative election campaign, however, failed to get [that Britain is a divided country] and Theresa's positive plan for the future across" he said.
Mr Timothy said this was partly "because modern campaigning techniques require ever-narrower targeting of specific voters, and we were not talking to the people who decided to vote for Labour."
With Brexit talks set to begin in just 10 days time, he also stressed the need to support the PM - and not appear weak in front of Brussels chiefs.
"I hope the Conservative Party in Parliament gets behind the Prime Minister, and allows her the political space to negotiate that deal," he said.
Fiona Hill said in a statement: "It's been a pleasure to serve in government, and a pleasure to work with such an excellent Prime Minister. I have no doubt at all that Theresa May will continue to serve and work hard as Prime Minister – and do it brilliantly."
Tory MP Anna Soubry said the news was "excellent" and "the best thing he's done in a long time".
And Nigel Evans said he hoped a more "inclusive" style of government would now begin. "Nick Timothy was one of the architects of this social care policy that derailed us," he added.
But Labour's Tom Watson said Theresa May was "the one responsible for her own defeat".
At last some good news from Downing Street- resignations of advisors must be the start- inclusive style of governance must follow ..
This morning a former aide to Theresa May lifted the lid on the "toxic" atmosphere inside No 10 - where her top advisers Nick and Fiona were "rude, abusive and childish".
Katie Perrior, who was Director of Communications at Downing Street under the PM until she called the election, reaveled the extent of the dysfunctional team behind Mrs May - as Tories warn she must sack them or face a leadership challenge.
She told Radio 4's Today programme: "Actually she needed to broaden her circle of advisers, she needed to have a few grey hairs in there who have been around the block a bit, who could say don't do that, don't make enemies when you don't need to."
And she told of how the PM failed to overrule her advisers - even when they were spouting ridiculous ideas.
She also said that Mr Timothy "used to love reminding people what a hierachy was and how it worked" - the pair have worked together for years.
In a scathing article in The Times overnight, she said: "The chiefs of staff were great street fighters but poor political leaders.
"What I could never work out was whether Mrs May condoned their behaviour and turned a blind eye or didn't understand how destructive they both were. For all the love of a hierarchy, the chiefs treated Cabinet members exactly the same — rude, abusive, childish behaviour."
Who are Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill?
Nick Timothy: BORN in Birmingham, the steelworker's son, 37, first worked for Theresa May as a Home Office special adviser.
Nick was appointed her joint chief of staff last July.
He is said to have had a key role in the Tory manifesto and was blamed for the catastrophic "dementia tax".
He lists his hobbies as Aston Villa and Graham Greene.
Fiona Hill: SHARP-tongued Fiona Hill switched to politics from journalism, having worked for The Scotsman and Sky News.
The divorcée, 44, from Greenock, Renfrewshire, was a fierce May loyalist when a Home Office special adviser.
Sidelined after a spat with Michael Gove in 2014, she returned in July as Mrs May's communications chief.