Financing contract

approved for new jail

The Yadkin County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the installment-financing contract for the new jail in January 2009.

The loan is with RBC Bank in the amount of $7,400,000. The contract has not yet been signed, but had to be approved in order to lock in the low interest rate. Commissioners Brady Wooten and Kevin Austin, County Attorney Jim Graham and County Manager Stan Kiser, were attending the Local Government Commission on Tuesday where this matter would be reviewed.

Wooten and Austin felt it was necessary to represent the minority opinion of the board regarding the tremendous debt the county has undertaken and the above-average number of residents who live on a fixed income. “We believe our thoughts on this are why we were elected,” stated Austin.

The closing is scheduled of Jan. 21, 2009.

Emergency Services improves response

system

In January, the Yadkin County Emergency Services implemented an improved emergency medical dispatch system, which will increase the level of response to residents, but it operates in a different way than what citizens expect when they call 911.

The new system, referred to as EMD, was purchased through an EMS Toolkit Grant funded by the Duke Endowment. This system is now considered the compliant standard of care for EMS across the state. It also provides codes to be used, which keeps the agency compliant with new privacy laws regarding medical information.

“This is what we needed to do to serve the citizens and provide the proper level of emergency response,” said David Matthews, director of communications. “The new system has already helped to save a life.”

Future of Hoots Memorial uncertain

Yadkin County officials are examining options on how to best continue operations at Hoots Memorial Hospital in the wake of a decision by North Carolina Baptist Hospital not to renew its contract.

North Carolina Baptist Hospital has been managing Hoots Memorial through a contract with Yadkin County since 1994 according to county manager, Stan Kiser. Baptist notified Yadkin County that they do not intend to continue this arrangement. Their contract ends in March and responsibility for the hospital will revert to the county.

Property owners upset with tax bills

The Yadkin County Tax Assessor’s office began mailing out notices of revaluation in February and many Yadkin residents were not happy. Tax Assessor Phyllis Adams said they had received approximately 150 appeals and the time to appeal was not over.

The average increase across the board is around 15-20 percent. There are properties that did not have an increase in actual value. Some values fell due to depreciation, especially in manufactured homes. Property that has fallen into disrepair, the value may have decreased. This may not mean, however, that the tax bill went down. “There has been no decrease in land value. Vacant land is probably the area we have seen the most increase in,” said Asst. Tax Assessor Clayton Campbell.

New direction for

hospital

The Yadkin County Commissioners voted unanimously in March to allow a Kansas City, Mo. company, Hospital Management Consulting, LLC to begin negotiations for the transition period with Baptist Hospital and for HMC to submit a contract for management of Hoots Memorial Hospital within one week.

The month of March was overshadowed by an increase in property taxes that prompted an estimated 40 citizens to appear and speak during the public comment portion of the March 16 commissioners’ meeting. Most did not believe that while property values had fallen all the country, that Yadkin was maintaining its values.

Each commissioner was presented with a pacifier by former commissioner, the late Leon Casstevens. He scolded the commissioners for spending that the public was allowed no voice in, and specifically mentioned the middle schools, the hospital, and the new jail.

Wayne Todd, of the Deep Creek Community, stated he wanted to say what he needed to say before he got so mad he couldn’t. He related the decrease in property value of 38 percent that he heard on the local news on Monday. “My taxes went up 30 percent,” he said. “Something is wrong here. The president is lying, Congress is lying, the United States Supreme Court is lying and the news media’s lying or somebody here in this county is lying. Somebody’s wrong. I don’t know whether it’s you or the people who did this valuation, but the rest of the world can’t be wrong.”

Lloyd Davis of East Bend was more sympathetic and told the commissioners he prayed for them everyday, but he was certain the county could not tax itself out of debt.

When the public comment section was closed, a majority of the audience rose to leave. Commissioner ChadWagoner sent one of the law enforcement officers to the lobby to maintain order.

Wooten suggested a five-minute recess, but Wagoner refused and continued on with the meeting though the noise level was so high commissioners speaking could not be heard. No altercations were reported, though East Bend resident, Pat Weston did suggest she might have to do what Lady Godiva did in order to protest the high taxation in Yadkin County.

Unprecedented ‘Recall Bill’

“Public outcry” was the reason given by Rep. Darrell McCormick for his drafting and filing of HB 675 on March 18. The bill entitled “Recall Bill” provided a remedy whereby a petition could be filed by the citizens of Yadkin County demanding a recall election of specifically-named elected officials. The bill was very specific regarding the procedure that would be required for this to happen.

The bill was buried in committee and never reached the floor for a vote.

Nonni’s comes to Yadkin

Nonni’s, a national specialty food company, opened a commercial bakery in Yadkinville in April, investing $27 million and adding 172 jobs during the next three years. The expansion was made possible in part by a $300,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

Nonni’s Food Co., headquartered in Illinois, is owned by Vivartia SA, an international food company headquartered in Greece with operations in 29 countries.  The new commercial bakery in Yadkinville will make products the company has successfully marketed in Europe and other world markets.  Nonni’s is a specialty food marketer and manufacturer with leading positions in a number of premium markets, including biscotti, bagel and pita chips, flat breads, Melba toast. 

The company has facilities throughout the U.S. and distributes the name brands of Nonni’s, New York Style, Old London and Devonsheer. 

Salaries for the 172 new positions will vary by job type, but the average annual wage will be $29,570 not including benefits.  That is more than the Yadkin County average annual wage of $26,156

5-D beginning to

resemble a

reservoir

In June, Yadkin’s dam and reservoir, still referred to as “5-D” is taking shape. The difference in the landscape from November to the present is remarkable. On Friday, Jason Walker, Director of Yadkin Soil and Water and Jerry Gardner, Resident Project Representative for Schnabel Engineering, Inc. provided a tour and explanation of the progress on the dam.

Gardner estimates the project to be about 25 percent complete. A very large hole has been excavated at the site where the dam itself is now being constructed.

A cement plant is located on top of the hill above the site and concrete is transported to the pour by conveyor.

The earthmovers are not working at the moment, as specialized labor is being utilized to begin the base of the concrete section of the dam, which will extend 700 feet to the earthen section of the dam, which will measure approximately 800 feet for a total of 1500 feet across the end of the lake. An estimated 50,000 yards of roller-compacted concrete will be used. However, that type of concrete is sensitive to the temperatures and cannot be poured until early fall when temperatures drop to 70 degrees or under. The section of Deep Creek that has been rerouted will be returned to its last known path when this work is completed.

Gardner and Walker estimate that the major construction portions of the project will be complete by the end of the year, barring extended periods of bad weather. The lake is expected to fill with the spring rains in 2010.

Though some do not approve of the project and others are still and probably will remain quite bitter over the land that is being used, the construction has resulted in around 100 jobs for local construction workers when all contractors are working. Those employees of the contracted companies have also rented and purchased homes in Yadkin County and are helping to support the local restaurants during these tough economic times.

“Everything is going pretty much as planned,” said Walker. “We’ve had no major budget overruns, and the construction issues have been minor.”

The dam and reservoir are the culmination of around 50 years of planning and mitigation projects to the Deep Creek, which caused serious flooding for many years. Not only will the lake itself provide a pleasant atmosphere for hiking and those wanting to spend some quality time outside, the lake will offer fishing, and non-motorized boating.

Making dreams come true

“Aug. 24th was the culmination of more than two years of a dream and a real effort to make that dream come true,” said John Willingham, Executive Director of the Yadkin Arts Council. On Monday, the arts council, its supporters and the public are invited to share in the joy of the ground breaking for Phase One of the magnificent Yadkin Cultural Arts Center.

Many residents and business owners agree that this center is the beginning of a revitalization of the downtown area. “I think it’s going to be a great thing,” said Yadkinville Mayor, Hubert Gregory.

The actual shell of the building will be preserved. Phase One will create classrooms, a coffee house with wi-fi, offices, a small gallery, an outdoor walkway, artists’ stalls and more. “Everything we’ve planned will be completed with Phase One excepting the theatre,” said Willingham. “This will be a community resource for the entire area for special events.”

Arts Council Board member and Vice President of Yadkin Valley Bank, Andy Anderson believes the downtown area will be enriched by the presence of the cultural arts center. “I can’t express enough my appreciation for the people who have made contributions,” he said. “Without them and people like John and Donna Willingham, this wouldn’t be happening. The importance of continued and additional support for this project cannot be stressed enough. Those who are giving to make this possible reflects the pride in our community the citizens have.”

“The new Cultural Arts Center will be used as a tool for expression in our community and economic development for the nearly 500 visitors a week that come to our County.  I’ve lived and/or worked in Yadkinville my entire life and I am super excited about the possibilities this worthy endeavor holds.”  - Mark R. Brandon, Vice President – Yadkin Arts Council.

Yadkin loses

another county manager

Yadkin County Board of Commissioners’ Chairman, Chad Wagoner announced during an August meeting that County Manager, Stan Kiser had submitted his resignation.

Kiser, who explained that this move would allow him to be closer to his family, has accepted a position with Caldwell County.

Kiser said that he had enjoyed working with the people in Yadkin County. Each of the commissioners wished him the best and thanked him for his service.

“I will always have very fond memories of my time here,” said Kiser.

Wagoner said, “It saddens me greatly, although I do wish him the best.”

Kiser accepted a position with Caldwell County.

Inspection closes majority of cells in jail

In September after several less than desirable jail inspections, a majority of the cells in the Yadkin County Jail were deemed inadequate for use to house prisoners, mainly due to plumbing issues. Though media reported far and wide that the Yadkin County jail had been closed, and some commissioners were adamant that it was closed “for all practical purposes.”

The jail was never completely closed according to Lt. Tom Helms. The number of persons who can be held at the Yadkin County location is between three and seven. Out of 28 beds, there were seven beds that could continue to be used.

New park for Yadkinville

When the town of Yadkinville decided to take over the former town park to build the new Yadkinville Police Department, they made a promise to the local children that they would build a better park in the near future.

The long-promised Yadkinville Community Park officially opened Oct. 20. The park had been in use for several weeks by those who simply could not wait for the grand opening.

Mayor Pro Tem, Eddie Norman, on behalf of the Mayor and the Commissioners welcomed visitors and thanked all those who were responsible for making the park a reality. “This park would not have been possible without these folks here. It took a lot of work. We’re very proud of what’s been done.”

“The people of this community helped to build this park,” said Norman. “I’m proud of this town, proud of this community, proud of this Board for doing things in this community that are the right things to get done in this community.”

Hoots Memorial

for sale

The Yadkin County Commissioners approved a Resolution of Intent, advertising Hoots Memorial Hospital for sale.There are restrictions involved in the sale and the board has the right to refuse any offer that is made if it does not adhere to the restrictions.

“Hopefully the sale of the hospital will relieve possible additional burden to the taxpayers for losses, and we’ll still have a hospital in Yadkin County,” said Commissioner David Moxley.

Included at the very top of a list of 15 prospective buyers, is HMC/CAH Consolidated, Inc. This is the company that is currently managing Hoots Memorial for the county. HMC representatives made it clear when they took over the hospital earlier this year, that they are in the business of purchasing hospitals and making them better.

The deadline for receipt of the proposals is 5 p.m. on January 6, 2010.

Flight of Honor

Four veterans from Yadkin County traveled on the Oct. 3 Flight of Honor to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C. J. D. Melton, Ray Ireland, Donald Hudspeth and Arthur Holcomb.They all expressed how humbled the memorial made them feel. “It was an honor and a privilege,” said Melton.

East Bend says Yes to alcohol sales

In the November election, East Bend voted almost two to one to allow the sale of alcohol in establishments in East Bend.

Judge threatens commissioners

A Guilford County Superior Court judge who is still calling the shots in matters related to a Yadkin County jail made an appearance at a November county commissioner meeting causing eyebrows to raise across the state.

Judge John Craig thanked the board for allowing him to appear then proceeded to remind everyone in the room of his authority.

“I see that this is labeled as being a hearing for you, but it’s really not that. It’s simply a brief message that I wish to convey to you. I am here to announce that I feel it’s necessary to conduct a Show Cause Hearing in Yadkin County Superior Court. I’ve set a date of January 8, 2010 and at that hearing we will hear evidence and testimony as to why the Court’s Order to build a new jail in Yadkin County has not been complied with to date. I will prepare a formal order in the upcoming weeks and each of you will be served with a copy along with a subpoena requiring your attendance. Now, at this hearing as I said, I will receive evidence and testimony in order to determine if this Board or any of its individual members should be held in contempt for failure to perform your duties in violation of your oaths of office to properly conduct the county’s business and failure to uphold the constitution and laws of this state. I will make specific inquiries into the steps taken by this Board to comply with the Court’s Orders that go all the way back to December 2006 as well as the failure to begin construction at the site which was voted upon by the Board.”

Craig continued citing his reasons for what he was doing and what he intended to do. Subpoena’s and Notice of Hearing were issued and most served on Dec. 19.

Two new middle schools

Members of the Board of Education, county commissioners and others instrumental in the construction of two new middle schools in Yadkin County gathered Monday to celebrate their accomplishments with a ribbon-cutting at both Starmount Middle School which has been opened since the beginning of the school year and Forbush Middle School which opened after the first nine weeks.

Dr. Barbara Todd, former superintendent spoke to those gathered. Todd thanked the former board of commissioners for going ahead with the decision to build the middle schools despite the controversy surrounding that decision. “It was the right thing to do,” Todd said.

Two new tasting rooms in Yadkinville

Two additional tasting rooms located in downtown Yadkinville with the opening of the Uptown Wine and Gallery.

“John Willingham has always had the vision of a tasting room next door to the Cultural Arts Center,” explained Susan Lyons of the Arts Council. “Cultural tourists stay longer and spend more money.”

What may soon be touted as an extremely unique situation for some time to come includes the Allison Oaks Tasting room across the street, which will allow Yadkinville to lay claim to three tasting rooms in a one block area as well as a gallery, the Cultural Arts Center and who knows what else might that spring out of this remarkable group effort. “This will be a huge step in the economic development of the downtown area,” said Lyons.