In The News...
June 23, 2008
RURAL CENTER AWARDS GRANTS TO DISTRICTS OF TARLETON, GOSS
Grants will help build economy, water system
RALEIGH - Representative Cullie Tarleton and Senator Steve Goss are pleased to announce the award of $170,000 in grants from the Rural Economic Development Center to help with projects in their area.
“Our small communities need assistance from many sources if we are going to help them weather these difficult economic times,” Rep. Tarleton said. “The Rural Center has been a great partner in these efforts and we’re grateful they are again reaching out to the people of northwest North Carolina.”
“Small towns are important to the fabric of our state, but sometimes they can’t afford to take on projects that allow them to prosper,” Sen. Goss said. “We need to help them build their infrastructure and their economy and the Rural Center helps that happen.”
One grant will give the Town of Lansing $130,000 grant through the NC Small Towns Economic Prosperity (NC STEP) Demonstration Program. The program is intended to help small towns recover from economic changes or natural disasters, provide information on the economies of small towns for policy making and develop and test models to aid those small towns.
A $40,000 grants was awarded for the High Country Regional Water Resources Assessment Plan through the Rural Center’s Clean Water Partners’ Infrastructure Fund, which helps local governments with infrastructure projects. Ashe County is included in the High Country region.
Rep. Tarleton represents Ashe and Watauga counties. He is vice-chairman of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and is a member of the Appropriations Committee. Sen. Goss represents Alexander, Ashe, Watauga and Wilkes counties. He is vice-chairman of the Transportation Committee and is a member of the Finance Committee.
June 16, 2008
REP. CULLIE TARLETON APPOINTED TO ZOO FUNDING
AND ORGANIZATION STUDY COMMISSION
RALEIGH - North Carolina House Speaker, Joe Hackney, has appointed Representative Cullie Tarleton to a new Study Commission whose purpose is to study the future funding and organization of the North Carolina Zoo. This new Study Commission has been created jointly by Speaker Hackney and President Pro Tempore of the NC Senate, Marc Basnight. The Study Commission will have 22 members, which will include members of the House and Senate along with several large members from around the state.
"I am a big fan of our NC Zoo," said Rep. Tarleton. "I served on the Zoological Park Council for 26 years and was Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Building Committee prior to being elected, so I'm very familiar with our wonderful zoo. We have built one fo the finest natural habitat zoos in the world and as we look to the future it's time for us to re-examine the current funding and organization of our zoo."
The North Carolina Zoo, located in Asheboro, N.C. recently announced an elephant and white rhino breeding program that places the NC Zoo among the premier zoos in the country.
The Study Commission will begin its work immediately and will make a report to the General Assembly by December 31, 2008.
June 12, 2008
JUNE 10TH: MOUNTAINEER DAY IN NORTH CAROLINA
Governor Easley Honors Appalachian Football Team
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by Jeff Eason, Mountain Times
Mountaineer fans have realized for a while now that the Appalachian State football team is the most successful pigskin program in North Carolina history. If any Tarheel, Demon Deacon or Wolfpack fans doubt it, they can just ask the governor.
On Tuesday, June 10, Governor Michael F. Easley and the N.C. General Assembly declared it to be “Mountaineer Day” in the state in honor of the ASU Mountaineers and the team’s three consecutive 1-AA championships during the 2005-2007 seasons. Several members of the football team including seniors Nic Cardwell, Trey Elder, Scott Suttle and Justin Woaseah were on hand in Raleigh Tuesday for the event.
“Appalachian State’s commitment and determination have created a football dynasty in North Carolina,” said Easley. “”I congratulate the team on its third NCAA championship title and look forward to cheering on the Mountaineers this fall.”
The team won its third straight championship by defeating the Delaware Fighting Blue Hens 49-21 in Chattanooga, Tenn. last December. The magical memorable season began in early September when the Mountaineers upset the Michigan Wolverines—then the fifth ranked team in the country—in Ann Arbor.
After a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion in Raleigh, Mountaineer teammates and coaches moved the North Carolina Legislative Building, where a joint resolution honoring the ASU football team and longtime ASU supporter Mariam Cannon Hayes was passed unanimously by the state’s House of Representatives and Senate.
ASU head coach Jerry Moore and Chancellor Dr. Kenneth Peacock spoke before both bodies of the General Assembly.
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(l-r) Gov. Easley,Trey Elder, North Carolina State Rep. Cullie Tarleton, Scott Suttle and Nic Cardwell hold up the Mountaineers three national championship trophies at a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion. Photo courtesy Appalachian Athletics.
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June 12, 2008
REP. CULLIE TARLETON ANNOUNCES
GRANT FOR ASHE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
by Jeff Eason / Mountain Times
RALEIGH - State Representative Cullie Tarleton (Ashe and Watauga District 93) has announced that Ashe Memorial Hospital will receive a $562,404 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation. Rep. Tarleton received word of the grant from Mark Sorrells, Senior VP of the Foundation.
Several of us, including Pat Mitchell, Director of Economic Development for Ashe County have been working with the Foundation for some time now to make this grant a reality," said Rep. Tarleton. "Ashe Memorial Hospital is critical to the citizens of Ashe County and I'm delighted the Golden Leaf Foundation has awarded the hospital this grant. This money will be put to good use providing for the citizens of Ashe County. I'm very grateful to the Foundation."
R.D. Williams, CEO of Ashe Memorial said, "This grant will be of immense assistance to Ashe Memorial Hospital and will allow the facility to replace critical equipment, while protecting jobs and access to care for the residents of our service area. The grant will also fund two initiatives which will be used to identify additional opportunities for growth for the organization as well as allow for Ashe Memorial Hospital to transform its operation using LEAN principles adapted for healthcare."
The Golden LEAF Foundation was created in 1999 to administer one half of North Carolina's share of the master settlement with cigarette manufacturers. The Foundation is a nonprofit devoted to advancing the economic well being of North Carolinians and to transforming its economy.
June 12, 2008
REP. CULLIE TARLETON ANNOUNCES GRANTS
RALEIGH - State Representative Cullie Tarleton (Ashe and Watauga District 93) has announced the awarding of two Rural Center grants, both of which will greatly benefit their respective communities.
One grant of $75,000 will go to Family Central / Ashe County Partnership for Children for their Buy Local Meat Project. This grant will allow them to provide freezer space / accommodations to farmers who raise and slaughter animals for re-sale to the public. Having freezer accommodations will allow these farmers to store their meat prior to selling. "Family Central is doing great things not only for Ashe County but for the region," said Rep. Tarleton. "Having this new freezer facility will only enhance what they're doing for the citizens of the region. It'll also encourage more local farmers to participate in their Buy Local Meat Project."
The second grant of $168,000 will go to the Town of Boone to help offset the cost of their new water interconnect agreement with ASU. This interconnect is part of Boone's Drought Crisis project. "I applaud Boone, Mayor Clawson and the Town Council for their pro-active approach to this water crisis exacerbated b the drought that unfortunately continues," Rep. Tarleton stated, "I'm also grateful to Chancellor Peacock and ASU for their cooperation. As the drought continues, all of us must work together to both preserve water and to make sure adequate water is available to meet the needs of our growing area."
The North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center (Rural Center) was established in 1987 devoted exclusively to state rural advancement. In 2007, the Rural Center received a $138.5 million dollar appropriation from the General Assembly which includes $100 million dollars for the Clean Water Partners Infrastructure Program from which the Boone grant came.
May 27, 2008
TARLETON, GOSS WANT TO ADD RARE
NATURAL COMMUNITIES TO PARK SYSTEM
Legislation would add about 1,300 acres to state holdings
RALEIGH - Rep. Cullie Tarleton and Sen. Steve Goss have each introduced bills in their chambers that would add ecologically significant tracts of land to the state park system.
The legislation (House Bill 2496 and Senate Bill 1930) would apply to the Yellow Mountain State Natural Area in Avery and Mitchell counties and the Bear Paw State Natural Area along the Avery-Watauga county line.
”This is an exciting opportunity,” Rep. Tarleton said. “Not only can we add to our state’s growing park system but also preserve for our citizens and our environment land that contains rare species. I fully support acquiring this property for our state park system.”
"North Carolina has unique and priceless natural resources and we must protect them. This legislation will preserve Yellow Mountain and Bear Paw as state parks for generations to come," Sen. Goss said.
Both pieces of land are home to rare species. The approximate 1,000 acres at Yellow Mountain are home to the northern flying squirrel, the spruce-fir moss spider and Gray’s lily, as well as other rare plants. The Bear Paw tract is at least 300 acres. Heller’s blazing star, Blue Ridge goldenrod and Roan rattlesnakeroot are among the rare plants found at the site.
Both tracts are currently privately owned. If the state agrees to take ownership, the land would be donated to the state or paid for with private donations.
The legislative Environmental Review Commission has already recommended that the state add the sites to the state park system.
May 21, 2008
TARLETON BILL WOULD PROTECT
LAUREL SPRINGS RESEARCH STATION
Proposal would prevent closing or sale of ag research site
RALEIGH - A bill sponsored by Rep. Cullie Tarleton would block the state from closing the Upper Mountain Research Station in Ashe County as recently recommended by a state study.
The Upper Mountain Research Station sits on about 450 acres in Laurel Springs. It has 11 full-time workers and a budget of about $700,000. It is the only one of the state’s 18 agriculture research stations in Northwest North Carolina and the only one in the proper geographic area to conduct studies for the state’s Christmas tree industry.
“Christmas trees have a $54 million a year impact in Ashe County alone,” Rep. Tarleton said. “It’s critical to the county and the state that the Upper Mountain station remain open so that research vital to our tree growers can continue.”
North Carolina has the nation’s second-largest Christmas tree industry, behind only Oregon. The state has more than 1,600 Christmas tree growers and they produce about 50 million trees a year on more than 30,000 acres. Ashe County is the state’s top producer of Christmas trees and bout 90 percent of all the trees in the state are grown in Ashe, Avery, Alleghany, Watauga, and Jackson counties.
The Program Evaluation Division of the General Assembly recommended in a recent report that the state shut down the Upper Mountain station and six others that with less than 40 ongoing research projects. The report also recommends selling the land used by the research stations.
Rep. Tarleton’s bill would also specifically block the state from selling the Upper Mountain property, which has an estimated value of $4.1 million.
February 11, 2008
REP. TARLETON FILES FOR RE-ELECTION
Rep. Cullie Tarleton filed today for re-election to the N.C. House of Representatives
and pledged to continue working for North Carolina families by ensuring a quality education for our children, improving our state's economy and making quality healthcare available to all North Carolinians.
"With the national economy slowing, we must work to protect North Carolina's economy by making health insurance affordable, assisting small businesses and maintaining access to quality public education," said Rep. Tarleton.
Rep. Tarleton added that "We can't turn our back on North Carolinians who work hard every day at their jobs but can't make ends meet to afford healthcare for their families. We have an obligation to our children to make sure they get a good education from qualified, well paid teachers that we work to keep in the state. Providing our children with a great education and keeping our state financially secure will ensure their futures here in North Carolina."
"I believe every North Carolinian who wants to work should be able to work and that's why I favor investing in technical education and workforce retraining programs," said Rep. Tarleton. "We've made progress, such as raising teacher pay, making community colleges more affordable and providing funding for dropout prevention, but there is a lot of work yet to be done to keep our communities strong."
Rep. Tarleton is seeking a second two-year term in the state House, representing the 93rd District. He currently serves on several committees including Education, Appropriations, Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources. The district includes Watauga and Ashe Counties. Rep. Tarleton lives in Blowing Rock and is married to Sylvia Tarleton. They have three adult children and six grandchildren.
"Serving as your representative is a tremendous honor and privilege. I hope that you choose to return me to office so I can continue to work hard for you and our shared priorities of education, jobs and healthcare," Concluded Rep. Tarleton.
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