Government

Money to open museum could be in hand soon

Margaret Wimmer — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0500

GREENSBORO — The historic Woolworth building could reopen next year for the 50th anniversary of the lunch counter sit-ins, which helped reshape American racial relations and remains a touchstone of the 1960s civil rights movement.

Sit-in Movement Inc., the nonprofit guiding the restoration, is about to receive roughly $10 million needed to finish the project and open the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, said state Rep. Earl Jones , a founder of the organization and a board member.

Board mostly nice in discussing ousters

Margaret Wimmer — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0500

GREENSBORO — Those expecting a clash in the first meeting among Guilford County commissioners since the county manager, deputy manager and county attorney abruptly left in December were let down Thursday.

Chairman Melvin “Skip” Alston , who corralled votes among the 11-member board that could have forcibly removed those former employees, said those conversations to gather support weren’t the public’s business.

Report: Repairs to I-795 could cost up to $22M

rseals — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:15:12 -0500

RALEIGH (AP) - A new federal highway report says the state of North Carolina should make extensive repairs to faulty asphalt on Interstate 795 in Wilson County, a fix that could cost as much as $22 million.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that a 68-page report on I-795 from the Federal Highway Administration blames flaws in the pavement itself, citing among the problems separation between pavement layers that should be bonded together as one.

Developers reconsider offices for North Elm

Amanda Lehmert — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:39:28 -0500

GREENSBORO - After neighbors protested plans for a office facility, local developers said they will consider other options at the intersection of North Elm Street and Cornwallis Drive.

Local developers, operating under the name Cornwallis Elm LLC, planned to build two office buildings and a two-story parking garage on four single-family lots.

State ready for inauguration of first female govenor

rseals — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:34:35 -0500

RALEIGH (AP) - Since North Carolina's founding as a colony of the British crown more than 400 years ago, 99 men have taken office as chief executive.

For No. 100, voters in the Old North State decided it was time for a change.

"It is an important historic moment," said Jennifer Roberts, chairwoman of the Mecklenburg County commissioners, who is bringing her 9-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter to Raleigh on Saturday to watch Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue take the oath of office as the state's first female governor.

Obama team urges delay in digital TV transition

mfuchs — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:34:34 -0500

WASHINGTON (AP) - President-elect Barack Obama is urging Congress to postpone the Feb. 17 switch from analog to digital television broadcasting, arguing that too many Americans who rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air channels won't be ready.

Charge dropped against incoming state lawmaker

John Newsom — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:01:16 -0500

CHARLOTTE (AP) — An incoming North Carolina lawmaker no longer faces a criminal charge after turning over business documents.

The Charlotte Observer reported today the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office has dropped a misdemeanor against Charlotte Rep. Nick Mackey.

The Democrat was charged last week in connection with a July judgment against his law firm for unpaid rent, attorneys fees and other costs totaling about $100,000. Mackey said it was a misunderstanding and thought the documents had been sent. He said he plans to pay the debt.

City's ready if stimulus is approved

Brenda Hiles — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0500

GREENSBORO - It's a wish list that might make Santa cringe.

In this case, the city would be happy if it gets even one of the items it wants.

The City Council this week approved a 62-item, $309 million list of construction projects that the city could launch with the help of the promised economic stimulus package from Congress and the Obama administration.

Commissioners may vote to hire outside law firm

Brenda Hiles — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0500

GREENSBORO - A $12,000 monthly contract for a part-time interim county attorney awaits county commissioners' approval tonight, even as the outgoing attorney's contract keeps her four more months as a consultant.

Commissioners must replace former County Attorney Sharron Kurtz, who resigned in December.

Some commissioners defended the added expense to hire attorney Tom Terrell and his firm, Smith Moore Leatherwood, for 20-hour workweeks even as Kurtz remains a consultant under her resignation agreement.

N.C. DOT layoffs of temp workers surge beyond 750

rseals — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:31:29 -0500

RALEIGH (AP) - The state Department of Transportation has now laid off more than 750 temporary workers, an agency spokesman said Wednesday, as sagging revenues lead to further cost-cutting and delays for highway projects.

Layoffs of temporary employees, largely assigned to field offices statewide, began in late October and had only reached 88 dismissals as of early last month. But the agency had said hundreds of additional departures were among the roughly 1,000 time-limited employees.

Griffith to give reading at N.C. inauguration

mgrossman — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:19:14 -0500

RALEIGH (AP) - Actor Andy Griffith will again usher in a new North Carolina governor.

The North Carolina native will participate in Saturday's inauguration of Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue in Raleigh. Her office said Wednesday he will deliver a reading following her inaugural address.

Griffith may be best known for his role as Sheriff Taylor in the popular 1960s sitcom "The Andy Griffith Show." He now lives in Manteo.

Griffith also participated in the 2001 and 2005 inaugurations of outgoing Gov. Mike Easley.

Perdue: Economy will block free tuition in '09

mgrossman — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:52:12 -0500

RALEIGH (AP) - Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue is dialing down some expectations in her first year as North Carolina governor, including plans to offer free community college tuition.

Perdue said Wednesday she knows the state's bad fiscal picture means her campaign platform of free tuition at community college won't occur this year. She hopes there will be money to expand outgoing Gov. Mike Easley's college affordability program for students in low-income families.

State health director resigns

John Newsom — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:48:58 -0500

RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina's state health director is leaving her job after eight years in office.

Leah Devlin told The News & Observer of Raleigh she decided to retire to get some balance back in her life. She will step down at the end of January, and said this week she has no fixed plans for another job.

Thinking about going to Washington for the inauguration?

mumbarger — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0500

Thinking about going to Washington for the inauguration?

Expect to pay a lot for a hotel.

Be prepared to stand in the cold.

And forget about a ticket.

Still, it's not too late to be a part of history.

By the time Jan. 20 rolls around, millions of people will be pouring into the city for the ceremony.

"The inauguration is big," said Darrell Poynter, manager of the Starr Travel agency in Greensboro. "Everybody that's anybody wants to be there."

Most of those attending won't have tickets.

Hagan takes oath, co-sponsors first bill

mumbarger — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0500

WASHINGTON - Shortly after taking her oath of office Tuesday, Sen. Kay Hagan added a small blue and gold pin to the front of her gray suit jacket.

It was perhaps the smallest point in a day filled with pomp and circumstance, but an important one for the Greensboro Democrat - identifying her as a U.S. senator to those who work in the Capitol complex.

Developer plans building on S. Elm Street

Jay Reddick — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0500

A local development group wants to erect a five-story, $3.6 million mixed-used building at 324 S. Elm St. in the heart of downtown’s historic area.

The contemporary design project, which has raised concerns among some property owners and preservationists, would include two floors of restaurant space, two for offices and a top floor with two corporate apartments.

The developers, LindBrook Development Services, also want space in the adjacent public parking lot and a $100,000 forgivable loan from the city of Greensboro to make the project work financially.

Mayor doesn’t want taxes raised

Jay Reddick — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0500

Citing the tough financial times, Mayor Yvonne Johnson said she doesn’t want to increase taxes next year.

At the City Council meeting Tuesday night, Johnson asked the city manager to develop the 2009-10 budget with no additional taxes.

If the request is formally adopted by the City Council, this would be the second year in a row that the council did not increase taxes.

Last year, the City Council had to cut $7 million to approve a hold-the-line budget.

YWCA officials hopeful as they study cost-saving actions

Jay Reddick — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0500

The president of the YWCA board of directors said Tuesday she believes the financially troubled nonprofit can be saved.

“I think the YWCA is going to survive,” said Judi Rossabi, who took over the board leadership late last year. “(But) we have to change the way we do things in the current economic situation we are in. Everybody is working to keep the place alive.”

In late November, the YW failed to make its payroll and faced a debt of more than $100,000.

Perdue completes Cabinet with health department pick

rseals — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:34:08 -0500

RALEIGH (AP) - Democratic Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue wrapped up her Cabinet picks Tuesday by choosing a Republican and former deputy at the troubled Department of Health and Human Services to lead the agency.

Perdue chose Lanier Cansler as HHS secretary even though he was the No. 2 person at the agency from 2001 to 2005 as its efforts to fix the state's mental health system were widely criticized.

Auditor's review examines temporary state workers

rseals — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:46:15 -0500

RALEIGH (AP) - A state audit finds that North Carolina state government could save millions of dollars if it handled differently how agencies hired temporary workers.

State Auditor Les Merritt released a performance review Tuesday. The audit found that five state agencies examined could have saved up to $3.5 million if they used an open and competitive bidding process with staffing vendors.

Merritt's office suggested a temporary staffing contract across state government would be more efficient.

Auditor's review examines temporary state workers

rseals — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:46:15 -0500

RALEIGH (AP) - A state audit finds that North Carolina state government could save millions of dollars if it handled differently how agencies hired temporary workers.

Merritt's office suggested a temporary staffing contract across state government would be more efficient.

Hagan sworn in to U.S. Senate seat

mgrossman — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:13:05 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Kay Hagan officially became a U.S. Senator at 12:15 p.m. today, taking the oath of office from Vice President Dick Cheney on the Senate floor.

Shortly before noon, Hagan arrived on the floor, waved to her husband and children sitting in the gallery, and greeted other senators, including West Virginia's Robert Byrd.

In an interview just before the swearing in ceremonies, Hagan said she would be thinking of her uncle, Lawton Chiles, who served as a U.S. senator from Florida.

"I know my Uncle Bud would be proud," Hagan said of Chiles.

State approves Grandfather Mountain purchase

John Newsom — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:48:13 -0500

RALEIGH (AP) — The state of North Carolina's acquisition of the Grandfather Mountain tourist attraction is almost complete.

The Council of State voted today to spend $12 million to buy about 3,200 acres owned by the Morton family and Grandfather Mountain Inc.

Gov. Mike Easley announced the deal in September, with plans to turn the Avery County site into a state park. The Morton family will keep operating the nature center and the park's famous swinging bridge near the summit of the 5,946-foot peak.

State fast-tracks bonds for universities, government buildings

Joe Killian — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:07:03 -0500

RALEIGH — The Council of State fast-tracked the sale of $744.15 million in bonds in a meeting today. The bonds will help pay for new projects and renovations at state institutions, including UNCG and N.C. A&T.

The Council, made up of the governor and other state-wide elected officials, voted to speed up sale of the bonds, which was already approved by the legislature. According to Gov. Mike Easley's office, about $65 million will be issued this spring, another $258 million will come in the fall and the rest will follow in later years.

High Point to discuss sex offender ban

mfuchs — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:04:07 -0500

High Point's public safety committee is expected to discuss a proposed ordinance to ban registered sex offenders from public parks at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Committee Chairman John Faircloth believes a recommendation to the city council may be made.

The city is considering the ordinance after the state Supreme Court upheld a similar law in Woodfin. Greensboro banned registered sex offenders from its parks last September.

The Wednesday meeting will be held in the manager's conference room on the third floor of the city municipal building, 211 S. Hamilton St.