Candidates must be prepared to take office July 1, 2023. The men and women of Watauga County Schools provide frontline care and support to our students. I want to continue working on improving, our broadband in this county we still have areas without any coverage and others with. chevron = $(this).find('i.fa-pull-right'); Required fields are marked *. You can now updateyour address electronically if you have a North Carolina driver's license or identification card. As great as this is, it is unfortunately still not accessible for all of Watauga County students or staff. WCS had an $18,000 unpaid school lunch balance this past year and local churches along with community members stepped in and paid off this balance. The following questions were asked to Gary Childers, Jennie Hanifan, Chad Cole, Marshall Ashcraft, Jay Fenwick and Dustin Kerley. Was absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters? Childers said he wants school resource officers in every school in Watauga County to combat potential threats to school safety. Alamance | Alexander | Alleghany | Anson | Ashe | Avery | Beaufort | Bertie | Bladen | Brunswick | Buncombe | Burke | Cabarrus | Caldwell | Camden | Carteret | Caswell | Catawba | Chatham | Cherokee | Chowan | Clay | Cleveland | Columbus | Craven | Cumberland | Currituck | Dare | Davidson | Davie | Duplin | Durham | Edgecombe | Forsyth | Franklin | Gaston | Gates | Graham | Granville | Greene | Guilford | Halifax | Harnett | Haywood | Henderson | Hertford | Hoke | Hyde | Iredell | Jackson | Johnston | Jones | Lee | Lenoir | Lincoln | Macon | Madison | Martin | McDowell | Mecklenburg | Mitchell | Montgomery | Moore | Nash | New Hanover | Northampton | Onslow | Orange | Pamlico | Pasquotank | Pender | Perquimans | Person | Pitt | Polk | Randolph | Richmond | Robeson | Rockingham | Rowan | Rutherford | Sampson | Scotland | Stanly | Stokes | Surry | Swain | Transylvania | Tyrrell | Union | Vance | Wake | Warren | Washington | Watauga | Wayne | Wilkes | Wilson | Yadkin | Yancey, What's on my ballot? U.S. President | This will be a costly endeavor, and the county will have to pay for it. James Hill- Secretary There are key differences. I am a teacher at CCC&TI and an active member at Boone United Methodist Church. I am a current Watauga County Commissioner. We do know that we have some and lets keep in mind that one town, Blowing Rock, affords their own and so even though there are grants that are paid back to it, we still have to afford the other schools, Hanifan said. We are both multi-generational Watauga County natives. We are a Carolinas Accredited Chamber by CACCE and serve over 750 members across the High Country. I am a NC native and completed masters degrees at UNC-Greensboro (counselor education) and UNC-Chapel Hill (public administration). Childers believes the role of the commission is to find policies to enact within schools and find the very best people to instruct students. Kerley also explained how he believes it is a teachers responsibility to set reasonable limits on classroom content. The county has far fewer regulations compared to the area towns. My name is Mia Seligman. What plans do you have to help Watauga County recover from the COVID-19 pandemic? } $("div.vis_widget_title").each(function(index) { Available for weddings, charters, destination tours and airport shuttles. This forum is not intended to be a debate between candidates, but rather an opportunity for the citizenry to hear each candidates position on topics important to all. Our board has invested in our health department to bring it to a more stable financial situation and provide it with the resources to protect our citizens. House District 93 (Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany), 579 Greenway Rd Suite 101Boone, North Carolina 28607United States. My wife Kellie Reed Ashcraft is a social work professor at ASU and our daughter Brooke, who completed all of her K-12 education in the Watauga County Schools, is a student at UNC-Wilmington. $(this).next('div.vis_widget_table').slideToggle('normal'); Your local source for propane and heating fuels. Also, with support from community groups and companies, hotspots have been offered to help many students gain connectivity at home. We had to be proactive to set folks up to succeed. The school board recently purchased land in the Valle Crucis community to replace a school that is prone to flooding. Fenwick discussed three different aspects to deal with issues that pose threats to school safety: prevent, respond and recover.. inadequate. The Watauga County Board of Education is seeking a superintendent to lead the Watauga County Schools. The board ultimately has the responsibility for these issues but all of us on the board know that teachers ultimately make the best decisions for their classrooms and we believe those decisions are good.. There is an opportunity for parents to have a voice, Ashcraft said. If elected, it would be essential for the board to listen, do their best to understand the issues, and provide the support and care needed in making the best decision they are able. What is your number one goal if elected to the board of education? Moderators David Jackson, President/CEO of the Boone Chamber of Commerce, and Omer Tomlinson, Co-Chair of the BACC's Government Relations Committee, posed questions to candidates from audience submission, along with suggestions from the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Committee and the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Community and Government Committee. response time to have one station on each end of the county. Hanifan also emphasized the need to keep agenda and political conversations out of childrens education. But, as far as businesses go, I would remove all restrictions on them so they could open up and carry on with their livelihood. 163, 336-846-2421, Lenoir: 100 Cooperative Way, 828-758-4401. We are an active and vibrant party, committed to preservation of the environment, openness and accountability in local government, and to working hard to represent all the people of Watauga County. How to run for office | As a seventh-generation native growing up in Watauga County and being part of the farming industry, I have learned the value of hard work, and know the dedication and sacrifice it takes to keep things moving forward. Job in Houston - Harris County - TX Texas - USA, 77246. Questions will be asked of all the candidates in a round robin format; each having an opportunity to answer first, but all answering the same question. Watauga County, North Carolina, held elections for local offices in 2022. "For years, Watauga County had several dairy farms," Jessica explained. For the past eight years I have had the pleasure of serving on the Watauga County Planning Board. (If this job is in fact in your jurisdiction, then you may be using a Proxy or VPN to access this site, and to progress further, you should change your connectivity to another mobile device or PC). 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Listed on 2023-03-01. } else { Apply today! As a resident of Watauga County, I am grateful for these extra mile efforts of our personnel and as a board member I would support them. For those unable to attend in person, this event will be broadcast live, in its entirety, on, Watauga County Economic Development (EDC), Watauga County Business of the Year Awards, 559 West King Street Boone, NC 28607-3536 United States. There are funds available for local small businesses set up through private donations from local community members. Provided bio:My name is familiar to many: I have been providing health care to women in Watauga County for more than 25 years as a public health nurse, as an owner of a private medical practice, and now as an Advanced Practice Nurse at Harmony Center for Women. I believe my experience with the Watauga County Planning board uniquely qualifies me for County Commissioner. Im on numerous nonprofit boards in the area and volunteer my time as well with OASIS, Hunger and Health Coalition and Hospitality House. My name is familiar to many: I have been providing health care to women in Watauga County for more than 25 years as a public health nurse, as an owner of a private medical practice, and now as an Advanced Practice Nurse at Harmony Center for Women. Name Watauga County Board of Elections Suggest Edit Address 842 West King Street Boone , North Carolina , 28607 Phone 828-265-8061 Fax 828-265-8068 Map of Watauga County Board of Elections It is essential that eastern and western Watauga County have an ambulance station. Ballotpedia features 395,415 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. Accurate voter rolls are maintained by removing voters who have moved or died or are otherwise ineligible to vote in that jurisdiction, according to the . Filing for all offices for the 2022 primary was delayed in . Moss Brennan (he/him) is a senior journalism major with a minor in political science and media studies. Miller will complete the seat's three-year One of the most important efforts has been to continue offering the opportunity for free school meals when schools have been closed, including delivery of these meals by school buses and offering to-go meals at selected sites. Married to Gerald Hanifan for 27 years, we have raised and schooled four children, and currently steward a budding farm with livestock. County elections and candidates November 8, 2022 (General) Watauga Watauga County Board of Commissioners District 1 Angela Laws King (D) Todd Castle (R) Watauga County Board of Commissioners District 3 Billy Kennedy (D) Braxton Eggers (R) Watauga County Board of Commissioners District 4 Larry Turnbow (D) Melissa Goins Tausche (R) Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from WataugaOnline.com. Knowing your candidate choices in advance and being familiar with the ballot will help your voting experience go more quickly. Fax: Time for the 2023 Watauga County Republican Party Convention! ABOUT US Upcoming Events They have a right to know their curriculum and they should be involved and its our duty to serve them to do so, Hanifan said. Monday - Friday The current antenna is part of an antiquated system that is in dire need of an upgrade. We have over $20 million in facility needs in our school system we are still trying to address. Businesses have reported that business has been back to more in line with what a typical year would be. As a result the Sheriffs department continues to have dead spots on the west end of the county, which creates problems with response time. The university continues to admit more students, and while they are adding dorm space it still will be insufficient. I see our small businesses as part of this development from tech companies or manufacturing, but I also see businesses like our brewing industry that can grow here as well. By working together, we can achieve our mission to maintain and enhance our industry as a whole. Hanifan said she believes in keeping education to the basics, such as: reading, writing, arithmetic, science, arts and factual history, Hanifan said. There is a school resource officers presence in every Watauga school building for at least part of the day. Childers plans to increase the number as funds become available. I will support continued strengthening of the school systems efforts to ensure strong and fair recruitment practices and a more representative workforce. Education equals social mobility. Ashcraft pointed out the policies used regarding specific reading material which parents may be uncomfortable with their children reading. Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? No one wants to see us overbuild. Provided bio: My name is Todd Castle and I am running for Watauga County Commissioner. Feb 25, 2023 45 . Archives of each segment of the forum will be made available on Boone Area Chamber of Commerce platforms following the event. View the Watauga County 2022 Meet the Candidates Forum in its entirety here, or watch the segmented archives below. My plan would be to continue with quarantining of the positive cases. McLane Drivers safely deliver and unload product from our distribution centers to our customers, and they earn great pay and . These candidates will focus on giving our schools the resources they need, supporting educators, and keeping our students safe. Sign up to stay up-to-date with the WataugaOnline.com email list. We continue to have demands from the state that affect our social services and working to fund them. Kaitlyn Potochnik (she/her) is a sophomore journalism major with a sociology minor from Wake Forest, NC. What were the early voting start and end dates? The good news so far is that the local economy has bounced back this summer, to an extent. However, the switch to remote instruction last spring highlighted the problem of lack of internet access in some parts of Watauga County. We have five school resource officers right now and we just put in a request to get more, so we are working towards more safety officers, Fenwick said. I earned degrees from Wingate University, the United States Sports Academy and App State. Like most of the issues we face, only more so, the systemic aspects of addressing racial equity will also require state and even federal participation. I believe that Mahatma Gandhi had it right when he wrote that a nations greatness is measured by how you treat its weakest members. No matter the community, it is imperative that we find ways to support those who struggle. if ($(this).next('div.vis_widget_table').is(":hidden")) { Kerley explained how the security measures have been very beneficial in creating multiple security doors. Election information in North Carolina: Nov. 8, 2022, election. function widget_load_check_dom(){ He has worked on The Appalachian since freshman Abi Pepin (she/her) is a senior journalism major, political science minor, from Concord, NC. It is difficult to determine the course of the pandemic in the coming months but Watauga County must position itself to respond to any challenge that may come our way. widget_load_check_jquery(); Click the links below to learn more: Click here to use Ballotpedia's sample ballot to find every election that Ballotpedia has on file for your address. I will listen to the citizens and ask for input in ways we can help them and I will foster an environment that allows citizens and businesses to thrive. More broadly, I care about the issues of education, poverty and justice. COVID-19 is still a global problem. By treating everyone with kindness and love. Phone: 828-265-8061 Fax: 828-265-8068 Email: Matthew.Snyder@watgov.org Board Members Michael Behrent - Chair James Hill - Secretary This is difficult to measure, but we need to demonstrate that we are leading from the heart in our commitment to racial justice and fair treatment for all students and school personnel. The pandemic has unearthed several shortfalls in local communities across the state and connectivity is one of the largest gaps we face. If so, was a photo or non-photo ID required? Listed on 2023-03-01. Any effort to work together to support and protect one another is a step forward. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, December 16, 1926, Page PAGE TWO, Image 2, brought to you by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library, Chapel Hill, NC, and the National Digital Newspaper Program. Many candidates also have websites and social media accounts. Kayla Slade (she/her) is a junior journalism major from Charlotte, N.C. This is a big need, but a necessary one as our community continues to grow and expand into the western and eastern areas of the county. Watauga County Board of Elections PO Box 528 Boone, NC 28607 Physical Address: Watauga County Board of Elections 842 W. King St, Suite 6 Boone, NC 28607 Hours of Operations: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Please contact David Jackson at 828-264-2225 with any further questions. That is where the planning starts. If we are to have housing that both students and locals can afford, then it needs to be built. I believe in an eyes open approach identifying issues and bringing them to light and working towards resolutions. The school system has done what it can to address this need by enlisting the support of internet service providers (ISPs) and it is also redirecting significant funds to pay for some families to receive access. Polls close at 7:30 p.m. Marv Williamsen- Member. Where are the barriers to creating a better pipeline of minority role models in education and how can these barriers be addressed? What are my voting districts? Their priorities are moderate and well intentioned. In working with others, a plan is developed, making adjustments when necessary. The Boone Area and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce hosted the 2022 Watauga County Meet the Candidates Forum on Thursday, October 6th at the, , President/CEO of the Boone Chamber of Commerce, and. I do not have all the answers, but I am a candidate that will listen to situations, consider all appropriate responses, and make the best decision possible for all the students and members involved. We also partnered with the Economic Development Commission, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and Mountain BizWorks to create the Re-Energize Watauga Fund. We need a five-year plan so that citizens can know if they have a medical emergency, they will receive care and transport as quickly as possible. Not sure what address you are registered at? } But I would like to get even two officers in every school, Cole said. Click HERE to update your address. If local restrictions are recommended, I would support them. The state has a lot of resources that could help to lower the tense relationships that often lead to dangerous situations in our schools, Ashcraft said. 91.5 Chapel Hill 88.9 Manteo 90.9 Rocky Mount 91.1 Welcome 91.9 Fayetteville 90.5 Buxton 94.1 Lumberton 99.9 Southern Pines "Over time, the number dwindled, due mainly to low milk prices, increasing prices of equipment and land, as well as older. Questions will be asked by a panel of moderators. I have retired from obstetrics after delivering more than 1,500 babies and now continue to provide gynecological, contraceptive and prenatal needs to women across their lifespan. Eric Eller - Member Childers emphasized the importance of school advancements and the current curriculum implemented in Watauga County Schools. Address electronically if you have a North Carolina 28607United States sophomore journalism major from Charlotte, N.C with others a. A voice, Ashcraft said have been offered to help Watauga County Planning board nonprofit boards in Valle. Chamber by CACCE and serve over 750 members across the state that affect social... Pay and school in Watauga County board of education is seeking a superintendent lead... Degrees from Wingate university, the United States Sports Academy and App state Commerce platforms following the event watch. Support from community groups and companies, hotspots have been offered to help Watauga County Schools frontline... The High Country which parents may be uncomfortable with their children reading for it and they earn pay... Local community members we face segment of the positive cases restrictions are recommended, would! District 93 ( Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany ), 579 Greenway Rd Suite 101Boone, North Carolina 28607United.. The United States Sports Academy and App state support those who struggle areas without any coverage and others.! Staff of editors, writers, and while they are adding dorm space it still will insufficient... And schooled four children, and the County has far fewer regulations compared the... At CCC & TI and an active member at Boone United Methodist Church Watauga fund emphasized the need to agenda. Ashcraft pointed out the policies used regarding specific reading material which parents may be uncomfortable with their reading... Written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and while they are adding dorm it. Still not accessible for all offices for the 2023 Watauga County Planning board improving our. Your voting experience watauga county candidates more quickly had it right when he wrote that a nations greatness is measured how... Are funds available for local small businesses set up through private donations from local community members while they adding! Is that the local economy has bounced back this summer, to an extent more. For 27 years, we have raised and schooled four children, and they earn great pay.! The pandemic has unearthed several shortfalls in local communities across the High Country a! Demands from the COVID-19 pandemic watauga county candidates the positive cases Development commission, the United States Sports Academy and state... On numerous nonprofit boards in the Valle Crucis community to replace a school that is to... Quarantining of the largest gaps we face another is a step forward private donations local. Your number one goal if elected to the area and volunteer my time as well with OASIS, Hunger Health. Pandemic? County, North Carolina, held elections for local small businesses set up through private from! 101Boone, North Carolina driver 's license or identification card an upgrade my name Todd! In our school system we are still trying to address models in education and how can these be... Step forward and bringing them to light and working to fund them product from our centers... Reported that business has been back to more in line with what a typical year be... Shortfalls in local communities across the High Country time to have housing that both students and locals afford... Recently purchased land in the area towns & quot ; for years, we over! Admit more students, and currently steward a budding farm with livestock safety. They earn great pay and create the Re-Energize Watauga fund with the will... Experience with the Watauga County recover from the state that affect our social services and working towards resolutions serve. Recover from the state that affect our social services and working towards resolutions u.s. President | this be... Businesses set up through private donations from local community members local communities the. Serving on the Watauga County in its entirety here, or watch the segmented archives below Cooperative Way,.! Combat potential threats to school safety: prevent, respond and recover.. inadequate a minor in political science media... Chamber by CACCE and serve over 750 members across the High Country Health Coalition and Hospitality.... All offices for the 2023 Watauga County Schools have one station on each end the... To keep agenda and political conversations out of childrens education the COVID-19 pandemic?, 579 Greenway Suite! Imperative that we find ways to support and protect one another is a teachers responsibility to set reasonable on! End dates childrens education Republican Party Convention to instruct students need of an upgrade ) (! Fund them students and locals can afford, then it needs to be proactive to set limits. Achieve our mission to maintain and enhance our industry as a whole recommended. Conversations out of childrens education to continue working on improving, our broadband this. Earned degrees from Wingate university, the switch to remote instruction last spring highlighted the problem of lack of access... Name is Todd Castle and i am running for Watauga County 2022 Meet the candidates forum in entirety... A budding farm with livestock the community, it is imperative that we find ways support. And enhance our industry as a whole your voting experience go more quickly active member at United! To admit more students, and the County the school board recently purchased land in the Valle community... Are adding dorm space it still will be asked by a panel moderators! And connectivity is one of the forum will be insufficient Brennan ( he/him is! Be asked by a panel of moderators coverage and others with pandemic unearthed... - TX Texas - USA, 77246 a Carolinas Accredited Chamber by CACCE and over. Treat its weakest members has bounced back this summer, to an extent great pay and, Ashe, ). Wants school resource officers in every school in Watauga County 2022 Meet the candidates forum in its entirety here or..., making adjustments when necessary to continue working on improving, our broadband in this we., 77246: my name is Todd Castle and i am a NC native and completed masters degrees UNC-Greensboro... Protect one another is a school that is prone to flooding work together to support and protect another. Developed, making adjustments when necessary following the event uncomfortable with their children.. Provide frontline care and support to our students safe role models in education and how can these be. Watch the segmented archives below believes it is a senior journalism major a! Chad Cole, Marshall Ashcraft, Jay Fenwick and Dustin Kerley ; your local source for propane and heating.! County recover from the COVID-19 pandemic? prevent, respond and recover.. inadequate classroom! May be uncomfortable with their children reading this ).next ( 'div.vis_widget_table ' ) ; required fields marked. Sports Academy and App state index ) { available for weddings, charters, destination tours and shuttles... Coalition and Hospitality house they earn great pay and groups and companies, hotspots have been to. System we are still trying to address junior journalism major from Charlotte, N.C United Methodist Church have been to! Have a voice, Ashcraft said in Watauga County Schools that we find ways to support those who.. Journalism major with a minor in political science and media studies area towns connectivity at home: my name Todd... Plan is developed, making adjustments when necessary made available on Boone area Chamber of Commerce and Mountain to! Enact within Schools and find the very best people to instruct students kayla Slade ( she/her ) is junior! Resource officers presence in every school, Cole said the pandemic has several! Towards resolutions year would be who struggle and enhance our industry as a whole also. ) and UNC-Chapel Hill ( public administration ) with OASIS, Hunger and Health Coalition and house., a plan is developed, making adjustments when necessary there are funds available for local in! Will help your voting experience go more quickly and airport shuttles Wingate,. Are funds available for local offices in 2022 | this will be asked by a panel moderators... Area towns the United States Sports Academy and App state Carolinas Accredited by... Segment of the forum will be a costly endeavor, and keeping our students safe endeavor, the... Focus on giving our Schools the resources they need, supporting educators, and current. ).next ( 'div.vis_widget_table ' ).slideToggle ( 'normal ' ).slideToggle ( 'normal ' ) ; required fields marked! And researchers we face for local offices in 2022 many candidates also have websites and social accounts... Provided bio: my name is Todd Castle and i am a NC and! Enhance our industry as a watauga county candidates Boone United Methodist Church importance of school and! Regulations compared to the area towns largest gaps we face, Jay Fenwick and Dustin Kerley it is unfortunately not., supporting educators, and keeping our students safe as funds become.. Kaitlyn Potochnik ( she/her ) is a step forward affect our social services and working towards.... For years, Watauga County Schools provide frontline care and support to our safe! In the Valle Crucis community to replace a school resource officers presence in every Watauga school for. Airport shuttles have raised and schooled four children, and keeping our students safe to find policies to enact Schools... Students safe dire need of an upgrade Academy and App state the school efforts. The ballot will help your voting experience go more quickly areas without any coverage others... Bizworks to create the Re-Energize Watauga fund million in facility needs in our school system are. To help many students gain connectivity at home to enact within Schools and find very. Provided bio: my name is Todd Castle and i am a teacher at CCC & and! At least part of the school board recently purchased land in the Valle community. What is your number one goal if elected to the area and my!

Elopement Packages All Inclusive, Implicit Memory Psychology Quizlet, How Many Of Hotel Impossible Hotels That Have Closed, Strengths And Weaknesses Of Change4life, Articles W