North Carolina cities and towns value their employees. That is not some simple platitude. It’s the truth. And that truth is borne out in how cities and towns treat their employees, with solid pay and great benefits for work that often involves a fulfilling mission of service to a larger community. Every job in every town and city contributes...
Not so long ago in North Carolina, holding local elected offices — or at least being actively involved in local politics in some capacity — was seen as almost a necessity in order to seek higher offices such as state legislator. In the 1950s and 60s, the North Carolina General Assembly was heavily populated with former city council members,...
New year, new you, new desk calendar loaded with trivial “holidays” you didn’t know existed, like Penguin Awareness Day (Jan. 20), Stuffed Mushroom Day (Feb. 4) and Bunsen Burner Day (March 31). Even with the help of a calendar, it’s difficult to keep up with, particularly on days doublebooked with observances. June 26, for instance. It’s simultaneously Take Your...
A decade ago, Wilkesboro touted the same rich heritage it does today—one of old brick and a mountainous horizon. From every historical and geographical standpoint, nestled in the semi-High Country of western North Carolina, downtown should have been bustling with visitors and residents alike.
But it was not. That character sat idle. Nothing was happening.
“Downtown was neglected,” said Wilkesboro Planning...
In early May of last year, the North Carolina House passed legislation that would create a presumption that nine forms of cancer are occupations diseases for firefighters when covered under the state workers compensation laws. Doing so, it would change who must carry the burden of proof when firefighters make workers compensation claims involving those forms of cancer.
Currently in...
In 2016, NCLM finalized a comprehensive strategic plan: Vision 2030, a forward-looking framework that has established key guidelines for what North Carolina municipalities should look like a decade from now.
Its conclusions were not arrived at lightly. With support from the UNC School of Government, this years long process involved extensive information gathering, a forecasting of trends, and a statewide...
It’s budget season.
Few other times in local government will carry such weight, and consequences of the resulting product can emanate far into your town’s future. It is now that you will dig into the numbers, review and maneuver state requirements, and take up perhaps the ultimate mantle of your position: financial leadership.
Whether you are elected or appointed, this budget...
Everyone knows it. People are busy. It’s not easy to bring public attention even to the issues that affect everyday life, even when change is in the air and that change may not be in the interest of large segments of the public.
The challenge of bringing people’s attention to critical public policy issues has become even more difficult as...
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