U.S. SENATOR ELIZABETH DOLE VISITS MACON COUNTY

A chilly autumn day didn't dampen the spirits of Macon County Republicans as a large crowd was on hand to welcome US Senator Elizabeth Dole to Franklin.

Dole addressed the crowd of approximately 150 on the many issues facing our nation. She then met with many of those attending, listening intently and discussing their concerns with them.

Dole's stop in Franklin was part of her weekend swing through the far western counties of North Carolina.

Above U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole meets supporters in Franklin, NC during a campaign visit on Saturday, October 18, 2008.

CRUMLEY'S DAUGHTER VISITS MACON COUNTY

Jamie Crumley, a student at Western Carolina Universtiy, visited Franklin on Thursday, August 21, 2008.

She spoke to several citizens promoting her father's candidacy for North Carolina Attorney General.

She highlighted the importance of the Attorney General's job as the chief law enforcement officer of North Carolina guiding the SBI, State Highway Patrol, and policies for North Carolina Sheriff's and Police departments.

McCrory Meets With Macon Residents

Pat McCrory, Republican candidate for North Carolina Governor, met recently with residents from Macon County. McCrory is the current Mayor of Charlotte and the meetings were held in his office in Charlotte. The meetings were scheduled to enable McCrory to speak with local residents and learn, first hand, of the problems facing mountain areas.

Among those attending from Macon County were Ken Lane, a deputy with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, Tony Angel, a small business owner specializing in web development and management, Ann Dryman, a retired educator, and Gary Dills, a member of the Macon County Economic Development Commission.

Topics covered during the afternoon meeting were varied. In the area of education, McCrory and his aides heard a number of concerns. Among those were the application of the No Child Left Behind Act. There was agreement among those attending that education demands accountability but there were concerns expressed concerning application of the Act as it currently stands. Similarly, emphasis was placed upon the issue of high school dropouts. One way to combat the high dropout rate, it was stated, was to channel potential dropouts into technical training and put less focus on college preparation. This, McCrory was told, would give them job skills in case they do drop out and, further, attempt to dissuade them from leaving high school.

Moving to economic development issues, those attending reiterated the need in Western North Carolina for job training and employment. “We have lost most of our manufacturing base”, said one person, “and we are being forced to focus on the service industry.” McCrory heard that, to a large extent, construction and the real estate market within Macon County is drying up. McCrory was also reminded that western portion of the state has long been ignored and that the State must continually promote the tourism industry to assist those employed in this important sector of the local economy.

McCrory thanked those persons who traveled from Macon County to Charlotte to attend the meeting. McCrory promised to remember Western North Carolina when he was elected Governor. “I know that Western North Carolina has long been neglected by the Governor of this State,” McCrory stated, “but that will change with a McCrory Administration. The people of Western North Carolina deserve a voice in Raleigh and I will insure that it is heard,” he added.

As an example of this neglect, McCrory promised to address the Lottery Funding inequities and bring the West a fair share of the lottery proceeds. McCrory agreed that the high school dropout rate was unacceptable and that additional effort is needed. “It is the Governor’s job to ensure that North Carolina’s education system is preparing our students for the 21st century, by training them for jobs that allow them to compete. As our Governor, I will work hard to ensure a brighter and more productive future for our children,” he stated.

On economic development, McCrory recognized the need for employment opportunities in the region. “Jobs are leaving our State and new companies don’t have good reasons to move here,” he said. “I will work to change that and, yes, this will include efforts for Western North Carolina,” he said.

And, finally, on the issue of real estate and construction, McCrory pledged to work with leaders of Western North Carolina’s counties to promote jobs in this sector. “I oppose, however, imposition of additional land transfer taxes, however,” he stated, adding, that “ they work against jobs and employment in this area.”

Attendees from Macon County who attended the meetings were joined by persons from several other Western North Carolina counties. “We were happy to have an opportunity to meet and speak with Mayor McCrory,” said Dills, who added that “McCrory has an understanding of the problems facing Western North Carolina counties and he has pledged to work with those counties to solve those problems. We appreciate his efforts in this area.”