Sen. Burr to speak at chamber program

U.S. Sen. Richard Burr will be the guest speaker for the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce’s third Business Start-Up Competition award luncheon on May 28 at the Maggie Valley Club.

Sen. Burr, R-N.C., will announce the winner of the Business Start-Up Competition $10,000 award. Nineteen businesses submitted business plans to the chamber’s in hopes of getting the award. A selection committee of bankers and economic development professionals judged the business plans and chose a winner.

The Chamber Business and Community Development Committee believes that a key pillar of economic development in the community is to promote the start-up and expansion of local and small businesses in addition to the typical focus on recruitment and relocation of larger manufacturing or related businesses that employ large numbers of people.

With this vision in mind, the business plan competition was implemented to encourage and financially reward prospective business owners who choose to start a business in Haywood County. Previous recipients include More Than Closets and Studio Thirty-Three.

Sen. Burr has served North Carolina in Washington since 1994. He was first elected to the House of Representatives where he was a passionate legislator on health care issues and worked to restore accountability to the federal government. He was elected to the Senate in 2005. Burr serves as ranking member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee where he works to improve the quality of health care and service veterans receive. Burr also sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee; the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; the Energy and Natural Resources Committee; and the Indian Affairs Committee.

The luncheon is from 12:30-2 p.m. at the Maggie Valley Club. Tickets are $20 and advanced purchase is required. For more information contact the Chamber at 591 North Main Street or call 828.456.3021.

HCC launches Creative Institute on Aging

Haywood Community College is launching The Creative Institute on Aging, a new series of programs that will address issues relevant and important to older adults in the community. The college is interested in expanding the services offered to senior adults, recognizing that Haywood County and the state of North Carolina is fast becoming a retirement mecca.

In 2007, more than 33 percent of the population in Haywood County was over the age of 55 and more than 20 percent were 65 and over.

“The college has many services available for our senior population offered through the continuing education program,” said Rinda Green, HCC Coordinator of Corporate and Community Education.

HCC will launch the Institute with the first-class series entitled, “The Retirement Puzzle — Fill in the Missing Pieces.” This 7-week series will provide students the necessary tools needed for successful retirement and estate planning. Students will be given a workbook with the essential documents for estate planning as a foundation. Students will have “homework” to help them develop a financial portfolio. Other topics will include examining assets, building a financial legacy, and information on how to protect your identity and nest egg.

The class will be held Tuesdays, June 3 through July 15, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Continuing Education Building on the campus of HCC. Lillian Norris, financial consultant, will lead the class. Guest speakers from various agencies in the community will also contribute. The cost of the 7-week program is $125 and is free for North Carolina residents age 65 and older.

To register for the class “The Retirement Puzzle*Fill in the Missing Pieces,” or for more information, call HCC at 828.565.4246.

Human trafficking is topic of June 12 forum

The growing international problem of human trafficking will be the focus of a community education forum on June 12 at the Franklin First United Methodist Church.

The 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. forum is sponsored by the Zonta Club of Franklin, REACH of Macon County and the 30th Judicial District Alliance Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. The forum is open to the public at no cost.

The U.S. government says some 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders each year and millions more are trafficked within their own countries to be indentured servants, farm laborers or worse.

Speakers include representatives from the FBI, local law enforcement, attorneys, public health specialists, immigration specialists and victim support groups. Registration may be made online at www.30thalliance.org or info@30thalliance.org or by calling 866.496.5406.

Two deaths in Haywood County plane crash

Haywood County Emergency officials have confirmed the discovery of two victims who were traveling in a Cherokee 6 Single-Engine airplane that disappeared in Haywood County around 8 a.m. Monday, May 12. The passengers have not been identified.

Emergency officials discovered the wrecked plane in the Shining Rock Wilderness Area near Cold Mountain at about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 13. The aircraft was discovered by Civil Air Patrol aircraft and the N.C. Highway Patrol Helicopter.

The tail number matches the identification number on a plane reported by the Air Force Rescue Control Center as missing on Monday. No other details were available at press time.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Agency were on their way to continue the investigation on Tuesday afternoon, including notifying the families of the victims.

The agencies involved in the search for the plane have included the Haywood County Sheriff’s office, Haywood County Emergency Management, Haywood County Emergency Medical Services, Cruso Fire Dept., U.S. Forest Service, N.C. Forest Service, and N.C. Civil Air Patrol (Asheville Squadron), N.C. Highway Patrol, N.C. Emergency Management and the S.C. Civil Air Patrol.

Swain County challenges flood maps

Swain County has decided to challenge the floodplain maps created by the N.C. Floodplain Mapping Program and FEMA and ask the agencies for a second study.

The maps were created with new technology and identify flood risk areas for the purpose of making flood insurance available.

Scores of people turned out at the presentation of the maps April 22 and 23 to protest what they perceive as inconsistencies between what the maps showed and what they’d observed in real life.

Some feel that the new maps would add to restrictions on land use in the floodplain and further restrict private property rights.

According to County Manager Kevin King, the floodplain mapping study was conducted using aerial and satellite data and did not actually involve a limited detail study where researchers walk around the area.

“We requested they get someone on the ground to do the study,” King said.

In its letter to the director of the state’s Floodplain Mapping Program, county officials also said the study was conducted hastily and requested to see historical data the new maps are based on.

King, Floodplain Administrator Kevin Seagle and Emergency Management Director David Breedlove signed the letter.

Haywood hosts 11th Democrat luncheon

More than 30 Democrat women from various clubs in the 11th Congressional District attended a luncheon meeting on Saturday, May 10, at the Beaverdam Community Center in Canton.

Judge Linda Stephens from the N.C. Court of Appeals and a candidate for re-election was the main speaker. Several other candidates or their representatives, including Rep. Ray Rapp, D-Mars Hill, Sen. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, and a representative for Rep. Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, also spoke.

Hosting the event were members of the Haywood County Democrat Women with Shirley Roberts, the District Women’s Chairperson, presiding. The Haywood County Democrat Women’s organization meets regularly on the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Jukebox Junction in Bethel. All are welcome.

Extension holds food preservation classes

A series of classes on food preservation will be held at the Haywood County Cooperative Extension office in May. The classes will be taught by area extension agents using the latest research-based information.

• Jams & Jellies, May 1, 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. $10.

• Canning, May 29, 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m., $10.

• Drying & Freezing, June 12, 1 to 3 p.m., 6 to 8 p.m. $7.

The fee is for educational supplies and refreshments. Payments are accepted at the door in exact cash or check. To reserve a seat contact Jean Burton at 828.456.3575 or jean_burton@ncsu three business days before the class is scheduled.

Green Energy Park to dedicate greenhouses

The Jackson County Green Energy Park (JCGEP) will dedicate its greenhouses to the late Coy Melton in a ceremony planned for 1:30 p.m. on May 21.

JCGEP is honoring Melton for his generous donation of the steel that was used to construct the greenhouses

Immediately following the dedication tours of the greenhouses and the entire park will be offered. The walking portion of the tour will include visits to the landfill gas system, the newly operational greenhouses, the future site of the pottery and glassblowing facility, and the fully functioning blacksmith studios (with a blacksmith on site for demonstrations).

For more information about the dedication call 828.63.0271.

Film looks at future ‘Beyond War’

There is a movement afoot in this country designed to help people begin imagining what the world would look like “Beyond War.” Not only what it would look like, but how might different countries might get there.

A viewing of the 29- minute DVD titled, “Beyond War” is being sponsored by The Haywood Peace Fellowship at 7 p.m. on May 15 in the Wesley Classroom of the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville. Following the film there will be an announcement of a six-week study group on this subject with opportunity for those interested to sign up.