Today marked the first day of the 2012 Franklinton Board of Commissioners Retreat. What a great day! First, the members of our Board and our department heads took a few minutes to get to know one another better. We connected in several new ways in order to build a great team for the hard work we have ahead in the coming months. (In the world of local government, this Board is technically only a 'Board' for two years; even if in 2013, the same three Commissioners are re-elected, it technically creates a new 'Board' because they've been given a new term. Thus, we do teambuilding pieces every two years.)
Following that, we took time to work through our own vision of how we hope the citizens of Franklinton will see their Board of Commissioners. We strategized major issues facing our community and local government in the next six months, and within the next 12-24 months. We heard reports from our police department, public works department, code enforcement, planning and zoning department, and our water plant department. We worked through the process of how the Board will move forward with the Town's takeover of Evergreen Cemetery, and the forward movement of the Town's negotiations with a private company, Envirolink, with managing our water plant.
Tomorrow will be a different kind of day...I'll be training our Board members on how to appropriately use their laptops and software to be able to facilitate presentations on the training materials we've gathered through the past year or two in an effort to provide professional growth opportunities for our local elected officials (and any citizens who want to join!). That should be interesting!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Life on the D List
I know...odd title. You're thinking, "You're not Kathy Griffin!" No, I'm not...but we've got at least one thing in common. The D List. For Kathy, the D list refers to her non-A-list status in Hollywood. For Elic...it's all about politics, philosophy of life, and how I function in the arena of politics. And after today, my Democratic-ness is enshrined in cement.
Earlier today, the NC General Assembly took (what is at least) an unethical step in their efforts to punish my employer, and my longtime professional association, the North Carolina Association of Educators, for having the audacity to have a voice in the inner workings of our State government. The Republican leadership chose to exact revenge for the Association's efforts to educate our members regarding what Democratic House members were planning to do in regards to voting for or against the State budget last spring. Well, two of them - Reps. Brisson and Crawford - came back to the trough for some more Republican 'hay' last night. They horsetrading their votes for some unknown payoff (like chairmanships, etc.) and throwing the members of NCAE that have worked to get them elected under the bus. The House voted last night to ban any form of payroll deduction for members of NCAE.
Why is this a big deal? NCAE was singled out. No other form of payroll deduction - from other professional organizations to the United Way and health benefits - were banned. The lead sponsor of this bill - a Republican NCAE has worked against because he NEVER supports public education - specifically said that he chose NCAE because he knew he could get it through.
Also, there is a raging amount of misinformation about the Association floating around. NCAE is a voluntary organization. It is not mandatory to join, nor is it mandatory to pay dues. North Carolina is a right-to-work state, which prevents anyone from collective bargaining, which in turn prevents any forceful deduction of dues for anyone. NCAE does many functions of a traditional educator's union; however, we do not bargain contracts. We do a good deal of lobbying for our members, specifically with regards to salary and benefits. Don't get me started on why. NCAE also actually is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. We're as hard on Democrats as we are Republicans...and independents.
Which brings us back to the D List. I've been a Democrat since birth, just about. I have voted for Republicans before. In high school, I even cast my 'vote' in the mock-Presidential election of 1992 for Ross Perot, much though I hold the Clintons in such high reverence as political heroes. But since the moment I could form an opinion, I've been a Democrat.
I'm a liberal. I'm not ashamed of it. I have some rather not-quite-liberal opinions. For instance, I believe wholeheartedly that if you break in my house, I should have the right to blow your head off and ask questions later. I believe in the death penalty. Having had the experience of losing two family members to murder, I have a personal experience which informs my opinion.
I'm very proud to be a Democrat. I'm also proud to support Democrats. This year is going to be a long one. It's going to be a long, long season of political ads and rhetoric. As time goes by, I hope we all take the time to discern between the facts and the rhetoric. While one may not agree with everything the previous General Assembly leadership did, they never took major steps to completely destroy public education. It's time to put North Carolina back on track. The vacaton was nice, but it's time to put North Carolinians first again. Get ready to Rock the Vote in 2012!
Earlier today, the NC General Assembly took (what is at least) an unethical step in their efforts to punish my employer, and my longtime professional association, the North Carolina Association of Educators, for having the audacity to have a voice in the inner workings of our State government. The Republican leadership chose to exact revenge for the Association's efforts to educate our members regarding what Democratic House members were planning to do in regards to voting for or against the State budget last spring. Well, two of them - Reps. Brisson and Crawford - came back to the trough for some more Republican 'hay' last night. They horsetrading their votes for some unknown payoff (like chairmanships, etc.) and throwing the members of NCAE that have worked to get them elected under the bus. The House voted last night to ban any form of payroll deduction for members of NCAE.
Why is this a big deal? NCAE was singled out. No other form of payroll deduction - from other professional organizations to the United Way and health benefits - were banned. The lead sponsor of this bill - a Republican NCAE has worked against because he NEVER supports public education - specifically said that he chose NCAE because he knew he could get it through.
Also, there is a raging amount of misinformation about the Association floating around. NCAE is a voluntary organization. It is not mandatory to join, nor is it mandatory to pay dues. North Carolina is a right-to-work state, which prevents anyone from collective bargaining, which in turn prevents any forceful deduction of dues for anyone. NCAE does many functions of a traditional educator's union; however, we do not bargain contracts. We do a good deal of lobbying for our members, specifically with regards to salary and benefits. Don't get me started on why. NCAE also actually is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. We're as hard on Democrats as we are Republicans...and independents.
Which brings us back to the D List. I've been a Democrat since birth, just about. I have voted for Republicans before. In high school, I even cast my 'vote' in the mock-Presidential election of 1992 for Ross Perot, much though I hold the Clintons in such high reverence as political heroes. But since the moment I could form an opinion, I've been a Democrat.
I'm a liberal. I'm not ashamed of it. I have some rather not-quite-liberal opinions. For instance, I believe wholeheartedly that if you break in my house, I should have the right to blow your head off and ask questions later. I believe in the death penalty. Having had the experience of losing two family members to murder, I have a personal experience which informs my opinion.
I'm very proud to be a Democrat. I'm also proud to support Democrats. This year is going to be a long one. It's going to be a long, long season of political ads and rhetoric. As time goes by, I hope we all take the time to discern between the facts and the rhetoric. While one may not agree with everything the previous General Assembly leadership did, they never took major steps to completely destroy public education. It's time to put North Carolina back on track. The vacaton was nice, but it's time to put North Carolinians first again. Get ready to Rock the Vote in 2012!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Retirement...or Not
When I left Wakefield High School on January 20, 2006, I had a feeling then that I would likely never return to teaching in a high school setting. However...because I'd vested with the State of North Carolina in the Teachers and State Employees Retirement System, I chose to leave my contributions in the system so that they could A) grow, and B) be there in case I return to the classroom, or some other full time form of government employment.
Well kids...it's the dawn of a new day. In my family, there are three of us who were employees of the State of North Carolina at some point...my dad (as a district court judge), my brother (as local law enforcement) and me (as a teacher). We were all part of the same system, pretty much. My dad and I had long conversations about not withdrawing funds once you leave the state. But...those conversations were had in a very, very different time.
When I started teaching in 1999, the State provided employees and retirees who'd vested with 'free' health insurance through the State Health Plan. At that time, the basic deductible was $250; and there was an 80/20 copay, which was at the time $500. So...to get to 100% coverage, you had to spend $750 out of pocket. Now, mind you, 13 years ago that was a chunk of money - especially when I was only making $27,500 a year. Also, in that mix, was the fact that until 2000, there wasn't a prescription drug plan on the 80/20 PPO. Then, things began to change.
When I left teaching in 2006, the deductible was $500, and the 80/20 copay was $2000. In doing a little research, I discovered that now, the deductible is $700, and the 80/20 copay is $3200!!! I won't file retirement with the State of North Carolina for another 25-30 years...so at this rate, the deductible then would be $1,500, and the 80/20 copay would be over $6,000! In looking at my retirement proejctions...I'd only actually bring home $250 a month from my little bit of State retirement. Couple that with the worsening health insurance from the State...and I made a decision.
I put the final nail in the coffin of my State service today at about 3:30pm. I sent in my paperwork to withdraw my retirement contributions, as well as my old State 401(k). Why? Re-read what I wrote above. It weight heavily on my heart. I purposely left it untouched for six years. But...seeing how things are going...I know it's not going to get better, and that money will allow Ed and I to finish the house, pay a bill or two, and...breathe. So...sayonara State retirement. You've served me well.
Well kids...it's the dawn of a new day. In my family, there are three of us who were employees of the State of North Carolina at some point...my dad (as a district court judge), my brother (as local law enforcement) and me (as a teacher). We were all part of the same system, pretty much. My dad and I had long conversations about not withdrawing funds once you leave the state. But...those conversations were had in a very, very different time.
When I started teaching in 1999, the State provided employees and retirees who'd vested with 'free' health insurance through the State Health Plan. At that time, the basic deductible was $250; and there was an 80/20 copay, which was at the time $500. So...to get to 100% coverage, you had to spend $750 out of pocket. Now, mind you, 13 years ago that was a chunk of money - especially when I was only making $27,500 a year. Also, in that mix, was the fact that until 2000, there wasn't a prescription drug plan on the 80/20 PPO. Then, things began to change.
When I left teaching in 2006, the deductible was $500, and the 80/20 copay was $2000. In doing a little research, I discovered that now, the deductible is $700, and the 80/20 copay is $3200!!! I won't file retirement with the State of North Carolina for another 25-30 years...so at this rate, the deductible then would be $1,500, and the 80/20 copay would be over $6,000! In looking at my retirement proejctions...I'd only actually bring home $250 a month from my little bit of State retirement. Couple that with the worsening health insurance from the State...and I made a decision.
I put the final nail in the coffin of my State service today at about 3:30pm. I sent in my paperwork to withdraw my retirement contributions, as well as my old State 401(k). Why? Re-read what I wrote above. It weight heavily on my heart. I purposely left it untouched for six years. But...seeing how things are going...I know it's not going to get better, and that money will allow Ed and I to finish the house, pay a bill or two, and...breathe. So...sayonara State retirement. You've served me well.
Monday, January 2, 2012
It's About Time...
Well...after taking nearly a year off from writing this blog, I'm back at it. I figured I should jump back in after I've heard so many times over the past several months, "I read your blog." So...here I am!
Happy New Year!
Ed and I have spent the past few days over at VSP (the Vine Street Project...which will one day become a home, if the construction ever ends!). Thanks to my dad, and our never-ending attempts at remodeling, we're almost done with the upstairs! Ed's been working like a champion n the staircase...he's sanded almost every one of the spindles (we still have to do the ones going to the attic) and is working on Kilzing them now. Once that's done, I can do the repairs to the woodwork.
I spent the majority of the week moving from one thing to another upstairs. After finishing the wall touchups in our bedroom, I did the touchups on the crown moulding in the middle bathroom. I cleaned up a bit (though Ed finished that chore up on Friday because his shoulders were killing him from sanding). I painted the door for the back bathroom, and picked up the two single French doors for the upstairs kitchen, and got those painted. I got the hinges up for the cabinets in the living room (upstairs), and got them completely scraped and sanded, and started repairing them. Daddy got the woodworking 99% done in the middle bathroom, and now all I have left to do is finish the touchups and paint the one side of the door facing that he had to replace.
We took New Year's Day off, mainly because my back has been killing me for two days and I just couldn't rock another day over there. So, since I'm off tomorrow, we'll go back over, and I'll get done whatever I can, and then, thankfully, I don't have to work this next weekend, so I can go back then, too. Hopefully, by the 22nd, we'll be DONE with the upstairs!
When I do get back to work on Tuesday, I'm headed straight to a workshop in Greensboro, then back to the office. There's a two page list from Town Hall and a one pager from NCAE that I have to get done ASAP, so that means at least three long days this week! Here's to crossing things off the To Do list!
Happy New Year!
Ed and I have spent the past few days over at VSP (the Vine Street Project...which will one day become a home, if the construction ever ends!). Thanks to my dad, and our never-ending attempts at remodeling, we're almost done with the upstairs! Ed's been working like a champion n the staircase...he's sanded almost every one of the spindles (we still have to do the ones going to the attic) and is working on Kilzing them now. Once that's done, I can do the repairs to the woodwork.
I spent the majority of the week moving from one thing to another upstairs. After finishing the wall touchups in our bedroom, I did the touchups on the crown moulding in the middle bathroom. I cleaned up a bit (though Ed finished that chore up on Friday because his shoulders were killing him from sanding). I painted the door for the back bathroom, and picked up the two single French doors for the upstairs kitchen, and got those painted. I got the hinges up for the cabinets in the living room (upstairs), and got them completely scraped and sanded, and started repairing them. Daddy got the woodworking 99% done in the middle bathroom, and now all I have left to do is finish the touchups and paint the one side of the door facing that he had to replace.
We took New Year's Day off, mainly because my back has been killing me for two days and I just couldn't rock another day over there. So, since I'm off tomorrow, we'll go back over, and I'll get done whatever I can, and then, thankfully, I don't have to work this next weekend, so I can go back then, too. Hopefully, by the 22nd, we'll be DONE with the upstairs!
When I do get back to work on Tuesday, I'm headed straight to a workshop in Greensboro, then back to the office. There's a two page list from Town Hall and a one pager from NCAE that I have to get done ASAP, so that means at least three long days this week! Here's to crossing things off the To Do list!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Remembering my Grandmother...My Eulogy from her Funeral
I had the privilege of knowing three of my four grandparents. My mom’s dad, Elic, passed away nearly 50 years ago. My dad’s dad, Hubert, died just over 25 years ago. My mom’s mom, as most of you know, passed away just over 20 years ago. And today, we’re all gathered to remember my dad’s mother, and our family’s matriarch, Elizabeth Senter, the grandparent I was fortunate to have in my life the longest. Today marks a turning point in my life, and the lives of so many of us, this transition of living without knowing my grandmother is just a phone call away. That’s what happens when someone walks the Earth for over 80 years, I suppose. I’ve wondered several times what life would be like without grandparents around me. Now I know. It stinks.
When I was growing up, I was asked with great frequency, “Are you going to be a lawyer when you grow up, like your granddaddy and daddy?” And when I responded, “No, I’m going to be a science teacher,” I always got the same response. The person who was asking the question was at one confused and horrified. The only person that never had to warm to the idea of my being a teacher was my grandmother. She, like my parents, supported nearly every decision I made and was there at nearly every milestone event. She was there at my 6th grade graduation, at honor society inductions, and for awhile, my family’s annual vacation to that Great Smoky Mountain Mecca, Dollywood. Like about a third of Franklinton, I also worked for her for a bit while I was in high school. She helped shape who I am as a person…so if you don’t like it…you know who to blame. Her love was unwavering…and even though she’s gone, I know it’s still there, and today, in this Sanctuary…it’s here.
Speaking of confusing and horrifying decisions…about four years ago I decided that I wanted to run for Mayor of the Town of Franklinton. My father looked at me like I’d grown an extra ear, and said, “Well…it’s a thankless job that pays absolutely nothing.” My grandmother, however, was ecstatic. “I think that’s wonderful, just wonderful!,” she said. She even politicked for me. And on the night of my election, when she found out that I’d won, she sat in the kitchen at my parents’ house crying, because she was bursting with pride. I came in and knelt down next to her, and she looked in my eyes and said, “I can die happy now, Elic.” I was honored, a few weeks later, when she held the Bible at my swearing in ceremony. It’s a moment that I will treasure for the rest of my days.
Now that I’ve been around a minute or two, I know that there’s one thing that mayors get to do, that they don’t have to ask for permission from anybody. Proclamations are documents mayors get to create, just because they’d like to. So today, I’ve got a proclamation to read…and for once, this one I wrote myself.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Dancing
I know it's random...but I'm thinking about Dancing with the Stars! Over the past five years, I've really grown to enjoy that show! It may seem random...but there is logic behind it. When I was in high school, my grandmother (Elizabeth Senter) decided that she wanted to take up ballroom dancing. So...she did! She began at 71 taking lessons at Arthur Murray Dance Studios near downtown Raleigh. And she was GOOD. She had a blast! She went to competitions - and won! - went on cruises, went to dances in different areas...it was amazing to see. So, when this ballroom dance competition began, at first, I thought to myself, "This has got to be the stupidest idea I have ever heard." (I thought the same thing about Survivor, American Idol, and America's Next Top Model...andI feel the same about Skating with the Stars.)
So...I didn't watch the first year. But I've been in it nearly every season since. DWTS does a fall and a spring season. Some aren't that great to me, but they pulled out the stops this year. I vote every Monday night to make sure that NOBODY PUTS BABY IN A CORNER! I LOVE watching Jennifer Gray (Team Jennhougher) dance. Except for last week, she has been absolutely amazing. I'm convinced that she was ROBBED last night - her routine deserved perfect TENS! I don't know why she didn't get them! But I'll be watching tonight...and hoping that my 42 votes (6 votes per e-mail address and by text message) pay off!
So...I didn't watch the first year. But I've been in it nearly every season since. DWTS does a fall and a spring season. Some aren't that great to me, but they pulled out the stops this year. I vote every Monday night to make sure that NOBODY PUTS BABY IN A CORNER! I LOVE watching Jennifer Gray (Team Jennhougher) dance. Except for last week, she has been absolutely amazing. I'm convinced that she was ROBBED last night - her routine deserved perfect TENS! I don't know why she didn't get them! But I'll be watching tonight...and hoping that my 42 votes (6 votes per e-mail address and by text message) pay off!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Training
I'm in Winston-Salem for the NC League of Municipalities annual conference. I LOVE this conference. It is one of the few real learning opportunities available to elected officials. Yesterday, after serving on a panel of education professionals during Homecoming festivities at Elon, I came to Winston (I used to live here, so I get to call it that) to participate in a workshop called Balancing Your Budget During Tight Times. It was AWESOME. There was a game with real scenarios, and a visioning exercise. It was hands on, and the presenters didn't talk at us. I came away wanting to have this in Franklin County with my colleagues from other municipalities. I think they'd like it too!
This morning, I attended a workshop called Involving the Public in the Budgeting Process. As most of you know, this is a sore spot for me. But - the difference between me and some bitter old man is that I want to learn. I want new tips! I want to find a better way to do things! And after today's session, and some brainstorming at Barnes and Noble, I think we may have a few! Hearing some of today's suggestions was rather validating, because some of the tips they gave were things I was already planning, like having community meetings, doing educational outreach, and doing short YouTube videos. I also liked the idea of a Citizens Budget Advisory Committee. Spread the love! (Or, depending on who's talking...the hate.)
I'm energized. I'm so energized, I updated my website!
Oh...and you can catch a bit of what we're doing here.
This morning, I attended a workshop called Involving the Public in the Budgeting Process. As most of you know, this is a sore spot for me. But - the difference between me and some bitter old man is that I want to learn. I want new tips! I want to find a better way to do things! And after today's session, and some brainstorming at Barnes and Noble, I think we may have a few! Hearing some of today's suggestions was rather validating, because some of the tips they gave were things I was already planning, like having community meetings, doing educational outreach, and doing short YouTube videos. I also liked the idea of a Citizens Budget Advisory Committee. Spread the love! (Or, depending on who's talking...the hate.)
I'm energized. I'm so energized, I updated my website!
Oh...and you can catch a bit of what we're doing here.
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