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The Weekly Report showcases the activities and accomplishments of the many Departments
within Rutherford County Government. Click on the directory lists, headings and text in blue to be linked to more information.
Department Directory
Agriculture/Cooperative Extension
Airport
Board of Elections
Building Inspections
County Manager
County Commissioners
Economic Development
Emergency Medical Services
Fire Marshal
Finance
Human Resources
Information Technology
Library
Public Works and Planning
Register of Deeds
Revenue
Senior Center
Social Services
Soil and Water
Solid Waste
Transit
Tourism Development Authority
Veteran Services
Weekly Report
Highlight of Departmental Activities
July 2, 2018
Typically known as
the Fourth of July and
Independence Day,
July 4th has been a
federal holiday in the
United States since
1941, but the tradition
of Independence Day
celebrations goes
back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-1783).
In June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies, then fighting in the
revolutionary struggle, weighed a resolution that would declare their
independence from Great Britain.
On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence,
and two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independ-
ence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson.
From 1776 until the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the
birth of American independence,
with typical festivities ranging
from fireworks, parades and con-
certs to more casual family gath-
erings and barbecues.
County offices will be closed on
July 4th. Have a happy and safe
4th!
2
Agriculture/Cooperative Extension
Animal Control
Animal Control Weekly Update
Total animals taken in
35
Animals adopted into forever homes
11
Animals sent to rescued groups to be vetted and adopted into forever
homes
14
Animals returned to owners
1
Calls completed
66
Tracy Davis:
• Conducted cooking demonstration at Haynes Library.
• Completed follow-up of June programs.
• Prepared programs for July.
Hannah Bundy’s week consisted of:
• July newsletter prep - newsletter was sent out electronically on Monday, July 2nd.
• Newspaper article for the Daily Courier.
• 4H District Activity Day on June 24th.
• Home visit for diagnosis of plant issues.
• Fall class planning for Fall gardening class series.
3
Board of Elections
911 Communications Center
Call Summary
Rutherford County Communications
240 N. Washington Street
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Report Date: 06/17/2018 to 06/24/2018
Total 911 Calls
Total Admin Calls
Total Calls
923
2,180
3,083
Director Debbie Bedford and staff:
• Filing for Soil and Water Conservation Supervisor continues until July 6th at Noon.
• Participated in a webinar with the State on Wednesday.
• Preparing payroll and end of year tasks.
• Processed several data requests.
• Reorganizing of storage cabinets and records.
4
County Manager and Commissioners
Finance Department
The Finance Office processed accounts payable. Several interdepartmental meetings were attended by di-
rector and staff.
Listed are several events, meetings, and activities in which the County Manager, Commissioners and staff
were involved with the following individuals, departments and businesses:
• Planning and Projects
• Department Head Performance Evaluations
• Human Resources
• Senior Center
• Solid Waste
• Building Inspections
• Finance
• Information Technology
• Veteran Services
• Library
• Transit
• Broad River Authority Board
• Airport Agenda Review for upcoming meeting
• Individual Agenda Review meetings with Commissioners for upcoming meeting
• Rail to Trails
• Foundation Forward meeting
• Retirement Event for Ann Gerth, IT
• County Attorney
Other activities and events this week included meetings with citizens, numerous calls, interoffice meet-
ings, conference calls, public relations, advising, and preparation for various responsibilities.
Information Technology
5
Human Resources
Library
New Books New DVDs
The Sanctuary by Raymond Khoury
Murder in Paradise by James Patterson
The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand
Unbridled by Diana Palmer
The Moscow Deception by Karen Robards
Harry by Angela Levin
The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
Homespun Holiday by Kelly Ann Riley
Tea is for Treasure by Kristin Eckhardt
Framed for Life by Kristi Holl
Humbug Hijinks by Kristi Holl
A Fedora Offense by Donna Kelly
Death Takes a Holiday by Susan Sleeman
Danger in Spades by Elizabeth Penney
The Christmas Riddle by Susan Sleeman
Stranger in the Looking Glass by Jan Fields
Six Feet Undertow by Elizabeth Penney
The Secret Letter by Mary Blount Christian
Season of Misdeeds by Kay Marshall Strom
A Ring of Deception by DeAnna Julie Dodson
Pieces from the Past by Elizabeth Penney
Loom and Doom by Susan Sleeman
Life Without Baby by Lisa Manterfield
Girl with a Gun by Kari Bovée
Lost Empress by Sergio de la Pava
The Warner Loughlin Technique by Warner Loughlin
Birdhouses by Leslie Garisto
Liar, Liar by Lisa Jackson
Into the Free by Julie Cantrell
Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky
The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware
Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
The Book Club by Mary Alice Monroe
Mona Lisa Smile
Fools Rush In
Along Came a Spider
The Shrink Is In
In Good Company
The Wedding Planner
The Prodigal Son
All in the Family
Battle of Britain/A Bridge Too Far
Erika Woody (Haynes Branch)
The HR Director held meetings to discuss personnel issues, exit interviews, and retirements.
Thank you to all that attended the Social Security workshop.
What’s Been Going On:
• Continued to sign up patrons for the Summer Reading Program.
• Hung up event flyers at the Caroleen post office.
• Switched out books on display in the children’s area.
• Moved books from the new shelf in the children’s area to the regular shelves.
6
Library continued from page 5
Stephanie Long (County)
• selected 20 titles to lease from the July Baker & Taylor Quick Call list.
• discarded several DVDs from our collection due to age and condition.
• requested items for patrons through Interlibrary Loan.
• processed several new books, including:
Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky
All We Ever Wanted by Emily Griffin
Liar, Liar by Lisa Jackson
A High Sierra Christmas by William W. Johnstone
Lost Creed by Alex Kava
Those Other Women by Nicola Moriarty
Unbridled by Diana Palmer
Murder in Paradise by James Patterson
Once a Scoundrel by Mary Jo Putney
Between You & Me by Susan Wiggs
• cataloged and processed several DVD donations, including:
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Entrapment
Life on Liberty Street
Pink Floyd: The Wall
Requiem for a Dream
RiverWorld
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Traded
A Wrinkle in Time
Joy Sharp (Mountains)
Whew! It has been a busy week at Mountains Branch! Last week we welcomed The Ammons Sisters for
their “Spirit of Appalachia Program”. We had a great turnout for this exploration of mountain culture. The
audience was delighted by storytelling, music, dance, and especially the spontaneous pastel art created to
accompany the tales. (Pictures on page 7.)
Last Friday Mountains Branch transformed into a twinkling, sparkly art gallery as the Friends of the Li-
brary held their Gala Fundraiser – An Evening of Art, Music & Libraries. The highlight of the evening
was the unveiling of a special “Soul of Lake Lure” sculpture, which will be raffled off to raise funds for
our new electronic sign. Speaking of the new sign, we want to give a big shout out to Rutherford County
Maintenance and Camp Electric for installing the sign for us!
Summer Reading kicked off this week with a great program by Mad Science!
Kenneth Odom (County)
• held Teen and Adult Maker Camps last week and then prepared for camps this week.
• worked closely with Mountains Branch and Haynes Branch on internet outages and computer issues
due to the afternoon storms.
• Maker Camp (8-12 year olds) will be held next month. There are a few spots left at Mountains Branch.
Call Kenneth at 828-287-6327 for more information.
7
Maria Davis (County)
Maria continues to work closely with local people to design adult programming for Rutherford County Li-
brary. We have a lot of activities coming up. Please see our website (www.rutherfordcountylibrary.org) or
our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/rutherfordcountylibrary) for more information.
Tamara Edwards (County)
Tamara had a beach themed pre-school story time at all three branches. Our first full week of Summer Read-
ing programming is under our belt. Mad Science was here to entertain and educate us all. If you missed the
program, you missed out!! Ms. Believable was here this week and she was so fun to watch! Our next week
of Summer Reading will be Kid Senses July 10, 11, and 12th. Call Tamara at 828-287-6116 for questions or
more information.
Library continued from pages 5-6
8
Library continued from pages 5-7
9
Library continued from pages 5-8
10
Library continued from pages 5-9
11
Register of Deeds
The Register of Deeds office works with the public everyday and continues to give prompt, courteous
and accurate service.
Transaction Group
Totals
Certified Vital Records
83
Marriage Licenses
12
Recorded Deeds
76
Recorded Deeds of Trust
37
Recorded Certificates of Satisfaction
42
Recorded Various Other Documents
38
Oath Given to Notary Publics
3
Recorded Plats/Surveys
6
12
Revenue Department
Customer Service Totals
Phone Calls 296
Customer Service Assistance 169
Information/Data Requests 1
Website Hits 3,645
County Growth Indicators
Building Permits Reviewed 174
Deeds Reviewed 98
Collections Progress
Deeds Certified 38
Total Taxes Collected $71,711.65
• Thanks to all the emergency personnel for their hard work on Tuesday, June 26, during the severe storm
that went through the county. We appreciate the ones that must go out in any weather to assist and pro-
tect our citizens. Thanks to Danny Searcy and his department for checking on the leak the Tax Office
discovered during that terrible storm.
• The office is working on getting to the 2018 billings. Just a few more weeks and they will be in the
mail.
• Collections is working hard on getting delinquent taxes current. Contact the Collections Department at
287-6000 if you need assistance.
• We enjoyed having Farragut staff in our office while they were working on some updates to our system.
• Issued six bank attachments with a total of $13,107.92.
13
Sheriff’s Office
Pictured right: Shelly Owens’ (Sheriff’s Office)
granddaughter, Emily, enjoying a ‘splash’ from
the heat!
Happy
Retirement
Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office
Cordially invites you to attend a
Retirement reception
In Honor of
Howard Gordon “Celebrating 30 years of Outstanding Service
to the Citizens of Rutherford County and the Rutherford
County Sheriff’s Office”
July 27th, 2018
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office
Conference Room
14
Social Services
At the June Family and Children’s breakfast meeting, Selina Johnson, Programs Director for Least of
These Carolinas (LOTC), gave staff an overview of the services her organization provides to foster chil-
dren in Gaston County and the surrounding areas. Located in Gastonia, this nonprofit (founded from a pas-
sion to assist caregivers involved with Department of Health and Humans Services) helps meet the needs of
the foster/kinship community throughout the Carolinas.
Selina shared a Bag of Hope that LOTC is providing for a foster child in our custody. A Bag of Hope is a
large duffel bag with the child’s name embroidered on it. These bags contain specific things the child
needs and wants like new clothes, toi-
letries, and so much more. The group
was also shown a Life Box for a Ruth-
erford County child aging out of foster
care. A life box is for youth graduat-
ing high school, entering the work
force, getting their first place, going to
college and more. They are custom
made for each youth.
LOTC is blessing to the children we
serve and we are fortunate to have
them include us in their outreach. If
you would like more information on
how you can help this incredible or-
ganization please contact Selina at 704
-215-4344, visit their website
www.lotcarolinas.com or follow them
on Facebook (pictured left).
Surprise after surprise awaited our
Program Director, Amanda McGee, upon her return to work after her long-fought battle. She was greeted
in the supervisor team meeting by all the supervisors she manages wearing shirts that spell out “We ♥
Amanda” on the front and “The A Team” on the back. Her shirt read, “I put the A in Amandatory”. After
the team meeting, everyone gathered in the conference room for lunch catered by Pat Evans. Amanda was
presented a declaration by her team, that June 13 was the official “Amanda Tanner McGee Day”. A dona-
tion was made to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance in Amanda’s name. We are thankful Amanda is back at
work helping keep kids safe! (Pictured below and on page 15.)
15
Social Services continued from page 14
16
Solid Waste
Director James Kilgo:
• Electronics recycling.
• Had Department Head Performance Evaluation.
• Worked on budget and reports.
• Completed timesheets.
The office staff is preparing for end of fiscal year while taking care of customers.
The staff at the transfer station has been busy processing MSW and recycling tonnages.
The C&D staff continues to process C&D tonnages coming in while maintaining the grounds, and hauling
dirt for cover.
The airport staff continues to work on maintaining the grass in the airport grounds.
The Shop is busy with preventative maintenance to equipment and vehicles and repairs in equipment.
Please continue to recycle.
Customers served
476
Loads hauled from Centers
71
MSW loads to Lenoir
41
Recycling loads to Conover
2
Tire customers
12
18
Tourism Development Authority continued from page 17
19
Tourism Development Authority continued from pages 17-18
20
Transportation Services
EMS:
EMS management staff conducted interviews for several open Lead Medic positions. Five employees ap-
plied and were interviewed and the new positions plan to be announced by Friday. Also, congratulations to
part-time paramedics, Kyle Herndon and John Davis on passing oral boards this week. Director completed
new contracts this week for rescue squads and all skilled nursing facilities. Director also attended the
monthly Stakeholders and EMS meetings for the World Equestrian Games. Call volume for the week is as
follows:
Transit:
Transit is pleased to welcome Scott Davis as a new part-time van driver. Scott has completed his classroom
orientation this week and has started riding, driving and observing current drivers in preparation to begin
driving solo in revenue service. Director Giles continues to finalize Transportation contracts and send to
our contract customers for their approval and signature. Operations Manager met with local vendor to es-
tablish vehicle washing service for all Transit vehicles due to former vendor discontinuing this service.
Transit staff discussed available transportation services with Hands of Hope and Life in Forest City for
some of the clients to possibly use to be able to go to doctor appointments. Transit has received our fifth
new van and will now move forward with preparing all five vehicles for revenue service.
TYPE
CURRENT WEEK
Emergency Calls
160
Non-Emergency Calls
16
TYPE
CURRENT WEEK
WEEKLY AVG
Total Miles
9,063
9,090
Local Trips
1,258
1,131
Out of County Trips
84
89
Unduplicated Passengers
199
211
Total Revenue
$17,891
$19,615
21
Transportation Services continued from page 20
NACO called Director Kerry Giles early this year about an article for the CN County Newspaper. Direc-
tor Giles received a voicemail from a system in Dallas, TX this week because one of their board members
brought in the article and they want more information on how Rutherford County Transportation Services
operate.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines “food insecurity” as the lack of access, at times, to enough
food for all household members. In 2016, 12.3 percent of U.S. households were food insecure. One of the
barriers to getting food is transportation.
Five years ago, a rural North Carolina county began helping its residents get to food pantries with a new
transportation program that is still going strong today.
“We knew there was a need and transportation can oftentimes be a barrier,” said Kerry Giles, Rutherford
County, N.C. Transportation Services director.
Churches and other organizations have provided food to local residents there for many years but had not
considered that those with the greatest need may not have transportation to get to those resources.
Click on link to read more: http://www.naco.org/articles/north-carolina-county-goes-extra-mile-transport-
residents-food-pantries
22
23
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/381813972287409/
Sign Up To Volunteer Go to:
https://tryon2018.com/page/volunteer
24
BRNHA Offering Grants for Regional Heritage Projects
Since 2004, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership has awarded 154 grants totaling over $2.1 million to projects that preserve, interpret, and develop
the heritage resources of the region. These awards have leveraged over $4.5 mil-
lion in matching contributions from the state, local governments, and the private sector.
We are pleased to offer another round of grants this fall. Applications are due Octo-
ber 1 and applicants will be notified by Feb. 1, 2019. Funds for the Blue Ridge Na-tional Heritage Area's matching grants program are provided by the federal govern-
ment through the National Park Service.
The maximum grant award is $16,000. Applicants must provide at least a one-to-one match from non-federal sources.
Of particular interest are projects that are regional or multi-county in scope, involve
active partnerships between organizations, and leverage substantial matches from project participants and other grantors.
BRNHA staff will hold several grant information sessions around the BRNHA region in July 2018. Attendance is optional, but is recommended for those who have not
attended information sessions for previous BRNHA grant cycles.
Please review the grant guidelines on the BRNHA website and RSVP to Rob Bell ([email protected] or 828-296-7230, ext. 229) if you plan to attend a
session.
The date for the Rutherford County meeting is: Rutherfordton
Tuesday, July 17 2–3 p.m.
Rutherford County Administration Office 289 N. Main Street
Rutherfordton, NC To learn more, visit our website here.
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County Commissioners County Office
Bryan A. King, Chairman Alan Toney, Vice Chairman Hazel Haynes, Clerk to Board
Michael Benfield, Eddie Holland, Greg Lovelace Richard Williams, County Attorney
Follow us online! www.rutherfordcountync.gov
County Manager Steve Garrison
Kimberly Aldridge, Weekly Report Editor
828.287.6060
Buffalo Creek Park and the Weedpatch Mountain Trail are both back open.
The Rocky Broad RiverWalk is open, as well. The bridges that led across to the small island washed away
in the flood, so you will not be able to access that area until they are rebuilt but you can still enjoy a scenic
walk by the Rocky Broad River. A community workday was held on the RiverWalk last Monday and many
of the trees and debris that were in the main path were removed.
More information on these trails and others can be found at http://www.rutherfordoutdoor.org/trails-
overview.
Email us at [email protected] or call (828) 351-3235 if you would like to sign up for any of the
ROC workdays, clean-ups, or group hikes/river floats.
.