The ECHO - Town of Seven Devils

Page 1
Fall 2011
The ECHO
From the Mayor pg.1 - News & Updates pgs. 2-4 SafetyFest pgs. 5-6 - Meeting Schedule pg. 7
FROM THE MAYOR
Economists predicted at the beginning of 2011 that North Carolina and its municipalities would begin to
see an improvement in their economy this year, but it has not happened. Not surprisingly, in September, Moody's
outlook for the U.S. local government sector was negative. Locally, in our Town, property tax revenues, which
constitute the majority of our revenues, are being suppressed by falling home values while fixed costs continue to
grow. The slow recovery has many implications for the State's budget leaving many questions regarding how the
General Assembly will continue to look for savings at a cost to local municipalities. Also, anticipated reduced
federal spending will mean less aid to local governments, making it more difficult to keep up with infrastructure
and other vital needs. According to Moody's, nationwide, state aid and property tax revenues comprise over 60%
of local government revenues; and it is predicted that these revenues are not likely to rise to pre-recession levels
for some time. There is some good news. Standard & Poor's did not downgrade cities and states as they did the
Federal Government and may keep their AAA bond ratings. This will provide our Town the ability, if we need it, to
continue to borrow for infrastructure needs as we pay off outstanding balances. Despite this continued economic
downturn (call it what you will), residents should still be assured that we will continue to provide critical services
you demand. The fundamentals of cities have not changed. We still operate under debt cap limits and must go
through exhausting processes prior to any borrowing to ensure our ability to repay. Additionally, we are statutorily
required to have a balanced budget each year. So far, our Town has successfully made it through this extended
depressed economic period without any property tax increases. Through long-term capital planning, we have
actually been able to make major infrastructure improvements during this time. With your help, we will be able to
make it through this decline while continuing to provide critical services and improvements to our Town.
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Seven Devils Staff:
Ed Evans: townmanager@sevendevils.net * Debbie Powers: townfinance@sevendevils.net * Beth Taylor: townclerk@sevendevils.net
Police Chief Chuck Davis: policechief@sevendevils.net * Fire Chief Bobby Powell: firechief@sevendevils.net
Page 2
Fall 2011
Time for News &
Updates
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The Seven Devils Art Guild
The Town Council
recognized Bill & Elaine
Diercksen for their
generosity to some of
America’s soldiers in the
Special Forces 5th Group and
the 101st Airborne Division
from Fort Campbell,
Kentucky. To show
appreciation, the Town
named August 8, 2011 as Bill
& Elaine Diercksen Day.
Left to Right: Mayor Dodson, Bill &
Elaine Diercksen
Seven Devils Art Guild
Page 3
Fall 2011
Time for News &
Updates Cont...
From your Recreation Commission......
Don‘t forget to be active each day! We have a wonderful Walking
Guide available at Town Hall with seven different walking paths
mapped out and rated by difficulty for you. The maps are also
available on the town website: www.sevendevils.net . There are
also two beautiful tennis courts with a picnic area open for your
enjoyment at no charge.
Many of you were so generous to contribute to the
playground fund at the SafetyFest book sale.
Thank you for your donations. The Recreation
Commission is working hard to make the dream of
a nice playground area for our residents and
visitors a reality. If you would like to make a
donation to this project, please contact Town Hall
for more information.
We are so fortunate to live in such a charming and scenic area!
Help Keep Seven Devils beautiful. Don‘t litter and as you walk
around town, if you happen to see litter along the road, please take
a moment to pick it up.
Election Update
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Operation Medicine Cabinet will be held
Saturday, October 8, 2011 from 10-2 at the
Foscoe Volunteer Fire Department.
Outdated & unused OTC, prescription, and
illegal drugs, syringes, lances and other
medical supplies may be dropped off for safe
disposal~ no questions asked. Keep drugs out
of children‘s hands & local waterways.
Police Chief Chuck Davis will accept drugs in advance at Town
Hall if you are unable to drop them off on October 8th.
Municipal Elections to fill three positions on Seven Devils Town
Council will be held on Nov 8, 2011. Early voting for this election
begins on Oct 20, 2011. Four candidates have qualified for these
vacancies; Kathy Copley, Richard DeMott, Larry Fontaine and
Brad Lambert.
The Voter Information Group is sponsoring a Forum on Oct 13,
2011 at Town Hall from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. The purpose of the
Forum is for citizens to be able to meet the candidates, know their
qualifications and experience for the office and become aware of
their views and vision on particular topics affecting the Town.
We encourage you to send your topics of interest to Bobbye
Hurlbrink (bobbyeh1@charter.net) so that they may be addressed.
Discussion and additional questions from citizens will be
encouraged.
We hope you will take this opportunity to meet and get to know the
people who will represent you in the next years.
Find us on Facebook! The Town of Seven Devils is now on Facebook. You can ‘like’ us simply
by going to our website’s home page < www.sevendevils.net > and click on the ‘like’ button on
the right hand side of the page. You can share your own photos, as well as get updates on what
is happening in Town. Just keep in mind that we cannot honor any work orders placed on
Facebook, so if you have a request, please continue to call Town Hall or e-mail the Clerk.
Page 4
Fall 2011
Time for News &
Updates Cont...
Household Hazardous Waste Collection:
The Watauga County Sanitation Department will host a
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Saturday,
October 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to provide residents
a safe and convenient way to dispose of their household
hazardous waste. No commercial waste will be accepted.
Location: Watauga County Landfill, 336 Landfill Road,
Boone, NC 28607
Examples of what will be accepted:
Paint (If there is only a small amount
of paint left in can, open container and
let dry or add kitty litter or oil dry.
Once dry, this can be disposed of in the
garbage.)
• Household batteries
• NiCad batteries
• Lead acid batteries (car type)
• Antifreeze, ethylene
• Gasoline, lighter fluid
• Solid and liquid pesticides
• Oxidizers
• Used oils
• Household cleaners
• Fluorescent lights
Right-of-Way Clearing
Thanks to all of you who have taken care of the right-of-ways
clearing so quickly!! The Town recently sent out letters to
residents asking them to assist us in making our roads safer by
making sure our right-of-ways are clear of excess foliage. If you
have not received a letter, please keep an eye on any shrubbery or
trees near the road; and, if they look to be in the way, please trim
them back. This effort will make it easier for our Public Works
Department come winter when they are clearing the roads of all
that snow you know we will get! This will also help our fire trucks in
navigating our narrow roads year round.
Page 5
Fall 2011
Time for SafetyFest
Updates
The Eighth Annual Seven Devils SafetyFest took place on a
picture perfect day. It was ideal for checking out the many
booths, soaring up on the ladder truck, listening for your
name as a raffle winner, bidding on silent auction items and
enjoying the best BBQ in the High Country. It was a time to
spend with family, friends and neighbors. Thank you for your
support! Proceeds benefit the Seven Devils Fire, Police, and
Public Works Departments. The Recreation Commission sold
books and raised funds to go towards playground equipment.
Thank you to our Platinum, Gold and Silver Sponsors, our
Placemat Sponsors, and our Silent Auction and Raffle
Sponsors. A special THANKS to the many volunteers and
Town employees who helped to make this all possible!
SAFETYFEST 2011 VOLUNTEERS
Denise Aldridge , Carroll & Linda Berkley, Bob Bridges, Jane
Champion, Bob & Lois Dodson, Bill Ehmig, David & Sue
Ehmig, Michael Fields, Larry & Anne Fontaine, Gordon &
Mary Frank, Bob Garland, Sam & Jenny Gray, Dan & Ann
Griffin, Mary Hooper, Barry Isquith, Jim & Marsha Jones,
Connie Lee, Bill Logan & Bobbye Hurlbrink, Don & Mary
MacLean, Sara Manning, Lou McLean, Shirley Nelson, Bill &
Mary Overholser, Barbara Pariseau, Carlton & Ilene Pool,
Heidi Powell, Lee & Martha Stearns, Barbara Tarlton
SPONSORS
PLATINUM
Seven Devils Tourism Development Authority
West Consultants
Skyline Telephone
Moretz Paving
Blue Ridge Electric Corporation
Stevens Fire Equipment
Blue Horse Productions
SPONSORS CONT...
GOLD
Eggers Construction
Mountain Community Bank
Friendship Family of Dealerships– Mitch Walters
Bob the Builder Consultants
SILVER
Grandfather Trout Ponds
New River Building Supply
Pepsi Bottling Ventures
Freeman Gas
TOWN HALL STAFF, PUBLIC SAFETY
OFFICERS & PUBLIC WORKS
Ed Evans, Debbie Powers, Beth Taylor, Chad Simons,
Chuck Davis, Bobby Powell, Jimmy Keener, Roy Vance,
Johnathan Harris, Brian Hicks, Kevin Aldridge, Kevin ―Bubba‖
Russell, Mark Virginia, Brian Johnson
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
George Ehlinger, Kay Ehlinger, Jim Drum, Mike Tarlton, Dick
Nelson, David Hooper, Tom Bookstaver, Phyllis Miller, Earl
Pariseau, Brad Lambert, Kay Lambert, Fire Chief Bobby
Powell, Town Council Liaison Richard DeMott
...and all the unnamed, but valued helpers!
Coming Soon! The Town of Seven Devils is getting its very own Web Cam allowing for citizens
to check the conditions of the roads anytime they want. Keep checking our website
<www.sevendevils.net> to see when it is up and running. We will also announce it on our
Facebook page.
Fall 2011
PLACEMAT AD SPONSORS
Master‘s Touch Stoneworks, Freeman Gas, Main and Main
Paving, Stevens Fire Equipment, Foscoe Pharmacy, Joe
Newton‘s Plumbing, Creekside Electronics, Inc., Shelton‘s
Roofing, Jared Munday Electronics, Inc., Mountaineer Heating
& Cooling, A & L Concepts, LLC, Blue Horse Promotions, Inc.,
High Country Communications, TDA, Quiznos, Bob the Builder
Consultants, Farm Bureau—Bradley Myers, Foscoe County
Corner Deli & Catering, Wallace Propane & Welding Supply,
Automatic Door Company, Inc., Northwest Glass & Mirror, Sup
―Herb‖ Gutters, Advanced Realty—Carol J. Sommer
SILENT AUCTION & RAFFLE SPONSORS
Dick & Shirley Nelson, Vance & Laura Duggan, Ethelyn
Harvey, Michael Fields, The Lighting Gallery, Grandfather
Mountain, Tweetsie Railroad, Greater Foscoe Mining Co.,
River and Earth Adventures, Grandfather Winery, Bella‘s,
Hearthstone Tavern, Puerto Nuevo, Bayou Smokehouse and
Grill, Nick‘s Restaurant & Pub, Eat Crow, Dilly‘s, Grandview
Restaurant, Wolf Creek, Thelma‘s Things, Honey Bear
Campground, Leatherwood Mountains, Blue Ridge Vision,
Barter Theater, Lees McRae Summer Theater, Gamekeeper
Restaurant, Blackberry Mattress Outlet, The Brown House, A
to Z Auto Detailing, Boone Ford, Regis Salon, Clemmons
Produce, Ski Country Sports, Avery Rent All, Erick‘s Cheese
and Wine, Special Additions, Dande Lion, Consignment
Cottage, Lowes Food, Walmart, Chimney Wizard, Mountain
Grounds Coffee, Impeccable Pooch, Mountain Dog, Don‘t Bug
Me, Tanger Outlets, Friends of Seven Devils, David & Sue
Ehmig, Richard DeMott, Elisa Ranney, The Guilded
Edition, Ultimate Kitchen Design, Blowing Rock Park,
Mystery Hill, Fun ‗N‘ Wheels Family Fun Park
Page 6
Time for SafetyFest
Updates Cont...
SILENT AUCTION & RAFFLE SPONSORS CONT...
Hawksnest Zipline, Mike‘s Inland Seafood, Casa Rustica
Restaurant, Stonewalls, The Painted Fish Grill, Bandanas
BBQ, Pappy‘s Barbeque, Dan‘l Boone Inn, Dunn‘s Deli,
Quiznos, Windrush Antiques, Village of Sugar Mountain Golf
Course, High Country Hearth, Strawberry Goldie
Photography, Blue Ridge Veterinary Clinic, Appalachian
Summer Theater , Horn in the West, New River Building
Supply, DeWoolfson Down, Banner Elk Car Wash,
Flanigan‘s Auto Service, Levi‘s Barber Shop, Sassy & Co.,
Mountaineer Garden Center, Boone Paint @ Banner Elk,
Perfect Nails and Tan, Finders Keepers, Rustic Rooster,
Mountain Girl, Lowe‘s Home Improvement, Food Lion,
Skyline Telephone, Golf Shop—Foscoe, Stone Cavern,
Foscoe Fishing Co., Attic Treasures, Country Gourmet,
Mr. E‘s Video, Seven Devils Public Safety Committee
Fall 2011
Page 7
Seven Devils Meeting Schedule
Town Council
5:30 p.m.
Board of Adj.
5:30 p.m.
Planning Board
5:30 p.m.
Public Safety
5:30 p.m.
TDA
9:00 a.m.
Public Works
10:00 a.m.
10.10.11
10.24.11
10.17.11
-None-
10.25.11
10.18.11
11.14.11
11.28.11
11.21.11
-None-
11.22.11
11.15.11
12.12.11
12.27.11
-None-
-None-
12.27.11
12.20.11
Seven Devils Town Council
Mayor Bob Dodson
Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Copley
Richard DeMott
Kay Ehlinger
David Ehmig
Town of Seven Devils
1356 Seven Devils Road
Seven Devils, NC 28604
WWW.SEVENDEVILS.NET