Macon League of Women Voters disbands: Members reflect on 27 years of work toward a well-informed community
An aging membership, the inability to recruit younger members, a lack of civic engagement and a shift away from nonpartisanship are all factors the Macon County chapter of the League of Women Voters just couldn’t seem to overcome.
The nonpartisan advocacy group that has worked to encourage civic engagement in Macon County felt it had no choice but to disband after 27 years.
Veteran portraits on display in Macon
By Kurt J. Volker • Contributing writer
In recognition of Veterans Day 2017, the Macon County Art Association will conduct its sixth annual Veterans Portrait Presentation Ceremony at noon Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Uptown Gallery on Main St. in downtown Franklin. The portraits have been on display at the gallery since Nov. 1.
Macon to receive $100,000 for community needs
Macon County will receive $100,000 to be used for “community purposes” thanks to help from Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin.
Seven WNC counties to host Annual Stand Down
By Kurt J. Volker • Contributing writer
In cooperation with the seven Veteran Services offices in the WNC region, the Macon County Veterans Services Office will host the fourth annual Veterans Stand Down from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, at the Robert C. Carpenter Community Building, 1288 Georgia Road, in Franklin.
Antique toy museum moves into Cowee School
Jim Geary has been collecting toys since he was a boy in 1950. The fascination and hobby that has stuck with him throughout his life all started with a 1911 Rolls Royce model car kit.
Macon governments avoid praying at meetings
With all the controversy and uncertainty about the right and wrong way to do it, the town and county governments in Macon County err on the side of caution when it comes to praying at meetings.
Macon pushes forward with broadband expansion
Macon County’s concerted efforts to bring better broadband capabilities to residents are moving right along.
State tries to curb indigent defense expenses
Court-appointed lawyers are the crux of the U.S justice system because it is their duty to ensure every U.S. citizen is granted their constitutional right to a fair trial, but many lawyers in Western North Carolina are concerned a new pilot program implemented by the state could threaten that right.
Macon is one of six counties across the state that is being included in a pilot program in which court-appointed lawyers are compensated using a flat-fee schedule instead of an hourly rate. According to data from the Indigent Defense Office of North Carolina, indigent defense costs increased 168 percent between 1989 and 1999 while caseloads increased by 90 percent. Capital defense costs rose 338 percent during the same time period.
Macon forms task force to fix fire service inconsistencies
Macon County Commissioners hope a newly established Fire Task Force will be able to create more consistency among the county’s 11 fire districts.
Macon commissioners split on budget approval
By Kurt J. Volker • Contributing Writer
Following a somewhat contentious debate leading up to final budget approval, Macon County Commissioners last week approved a $49.6 million spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017, with no hike in property taxes. That rate will remain 34.9 cents per $100 of property valuation.
