e-Focus Monthly Newsletter
Town of Weaverville
Latest News
Memorial Day Observance
A Memorial Day Observance will be held at Lake Louise Park at 11AM Monday May 30th. The guest speaker will be Major General William D Razz Waff USArmy (Ret.) General Waff retired in 2015 with over 39 years of military service. His last assignment was Deputy Chief of Personnel (G1) for the Dept. of the Army. Before that, he was Commanding General, 99th Regional Support Command. General Waff began his career at VMI and later also graduated from the U. of Mississippi , magna cum laude. General Waff now serves as an Episcopal Priest. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and later a doctorate in medical ethics. The General and his wife, The Rev. Kathleen C. Busby, MDiv, BCC, have lived in Weaverville since 2018.
The program will also include the Reuter Center Singers, the North Buncombe H.S. NJROTC, the Weaverville Police and Fire Departments, Howard Dusenbery (bagpipes) and the Rev.Skip Gillikin (First Presbyterian Church of Weaverville).
Town Accepting 2022 Citizens Academy Applications
The Town of Weaverville hosts an annual Citizens’ Academy to promote open dialogue and provide the community with education about the workings of town government. Any resident is welcome to participate. The curriculum covers current town programs, services, policies, procedures, plus a “behind the scenes” look at how Weaverville’s government operates.
 
The Weaverville Citizens’ Academy offers citizens insight into how the town functions with workshop sessions led by town department heads, town staff, and elected officials. Most sessions are held at the given department, which allows department staff to provide a tour. An overview of the department functions, along with a question-and-answer session at the end of each program are also part of each session.
 
Participants of the Weaverville Citizens’ Academy are given a foundation of knowledge regarding town government and services. This foundation and interaction with the town’s key department staff creates a stronger, informed
community, which makes it easier for the town government to function smoothly. Sessions are held once per month on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m.

In order to graduate, participants are expected to attend at least five of the seven sessions and attend one Weaverville Town Council meeting. Application to the program is required. Applications may be sent to Weaverville Town Manager Selena Coffey via mail at P.O. Box 338, Weaverville, NC 28787, or via email at scoffey@weavervillenc.org. Applications may also be hand-delivered to the Weaverville Town Hall, 30 South Main Street.
 
Interested parties should apply by completing the following application located at https://weavervillenc.org/town-accepting-applications-for-the-2022-citizens-academy/
Recent Town Code Amendments
Town Council recently adopted some revisions to its Town Code regarding noise regulations and dog waste removal.

The Town uses an online code service called MuniCode to make its Town Code easily accessible to the public. The Town’s Code of Ordinances can be accessed via the Town’s website [https://weavervillenc.org/] under the Quick Links tab or directly through https://library.municode.com/nc/weaverville/codes/code_of_ordinances Ordinances that are recently adopted are available through MuniCode a few days after adoption or through Town staff by calling Town Hall at 828-645-7116 or emailing jeller@weavervillenc.org.

Noise regulations are found in Article IV of Chapter 9 of the Town’s Code, which begins at Code Sec. 9-400. The regulations are too comprehensive to describe but a primary change is that it, with limited exceptions, amplified sound is prohibited during nighttime hours which are defined as 10pm to 6am. If you have a noise complaint please contact the Weaverville Police Department during the noise event so that it can be properly evaluated and enforcement action taken as deemed appropriate.

The dog waste removal regulations are now found at Town Code Sec. 4-77.1 and aim to reduce water pollution related to stormwater runoff and the community’s exposure to bacteria, viruses and parasites that live within dog waste. Children and other pets are especially vulnerable. The regulations require you to remove dog waste that occurs on public property, public park property, public right-of-way and certain private property, and to carry an appropriate bag or other container to do so. Enforcement will be difficult on this, but if you have evidence of a violation you can contact the Code Enforcement Officer at 828-645-7116 or jeller@weavervillenc.org. The better solution is for all of us to be responsible dog owners and clean up after our beloved pets.
A Sign of the Times
With the weather more beautiful than ever, we have plenty of pedestrians in town. Weaverville PD is somewhat famous for our, “witty” moveable signs to remind drivers to slow down and keep their eyes out for pedestrians and other drivers. With several pedestrian crossings on Main Street, and more in our residential areas, Weaverville prides itself on being accessible. Here are 8 walking safety tips from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

  1. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
  2. Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
  3. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
  4. Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
  5. If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
  6. Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
  7. Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.
  8. Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation - get up, get out and get moving.
If you see a potential problem in your neighborhood, and feel temporary extra signage might help, please call us at 828-645-5700 and ask to speak to our traffic coordinator Officer Burrell.
Thank you, Jan Lawrence!
When you think of the Dry Ridge Historical Museum, you think of Jan Lawrence. Jan has served as Director of the Board for the last 14 years. She was recruited by Jo Osborne, a founding member and first Director of the Museum. Jan quickly proved to be an able and enthusiastic supporter. 
 
As Jan relates the story, about two weeks before Jo passed away, the two of them went to Jo’s favorite restaurant, Red Lobster. Jo informed Jan that she was to take over leadership of the Museum. When Jan protested, Jo said, no one else can do it. Her advice was, “don’t let the  Museum become Weaverville’s attic.” 
 
The Museum has flourished under Jan’s leadership. Standards have been raised, artifacts and 
records properly stored, The Board has grown and new Volunteers have been recruited.  
Relationships with the community and regional museums have been expanded. Thanks to  
Jan’s tireless effort, a new home has been found in the Weaverville Community Center. As a 
new Board takes over, Jan will remain a valued member as Director Emeritus. No one can  
replace her.

~ Contributed by the Board of the Dry Ridge Historical Museum
Six At-Home Bearwise Basics
PaymentUs: A New Way to Pay
Customers now have a new way to pay for miscellaneous items with the Town of Weaverville. The new payment site is called PaymentUs. This site allows you to easily pay for miscellaneous items such as parking tickets, utility fees, trash bins, donations, zoning fees, etc. Along with its ease of use comes multiple methods of payment. In addition to debit/credit cards you can pay by electronic check, PayPal, PayPal Credit, and Venmo! Please note, these other methods of payment are only available if you are paying on your mobile device or computer, not in our office. Furthermore, you can pay for multiple miscellaneous items in one transaction by simply clicking the “Pay Another Account” button once you have the required fields completed for the first item. The link for PaymentUs is: https://ipn.paymentus.com/rotp/toweIf you have any questions regarding this new miscellaneous payment site, please call our office at (828) 645-7116.

Please note that PaymentUs is NOT for paying water bills. To pay water bills online please visit MyGovHub at https://weavervillenc.mygovhub.com.
Mark your calendars
This Month's Message from the
Weaverville Center for Creative & Healthy Living
Dear Friends of WCCHL,

The local Registrar of Voters has set up shop in the Albert Weaver Room at the Community Center (please remember to Vote!) which means several programs have been relocated from the Community Center above Lake Louise to the Community Room at our Town Hall. Please keep in touch with our instructors to track the fluid nature of our schedule for the next 3 week. The instructors’ 0names and emails are on the updated schedule (attached below). Most effected are Yoga with Wendy Lantis (bloomingself@gmail.com) - and Tai Chi with Barbara Ramsey (bgramsey13@aol.com). 
             
Live Music: With the weather getting warmer, the Winter Mountain Music Jam (indoors) has moved outdoors to become Music on the Back Porch beginning in May and running through the Fall. On the Second and Fourth Tuesdays of the Month come join us on the Covered Porch at the Community Center. If you play an acoustic instrument and enjoy the traditional music of the Blue Ridge, you are invited to join along. If you just want to come listen, please join us for this free musical program. Please note the start time has changed to begin at 7:00 PM and will run until at least 8:30 PM. 

Clarifications: Kae Nance has asked that we clarify she is teaching Line Dancing and that her 8-week classes are filling fast. If you want to participate, contact Kae soon at (kaemance@gmail.com). Also, if you are interested in joining the Book Club, Connie Gray asks that you contact her directly via email at (connies.cookies@gmail.com).

Special Events: Free Concerts

  • The Weaverville Storytellers Troupe will regale us once again on Wednesday, May 25th from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Albert Weaver Room at the Community Center.  Our performers will include Jill Totman, Lee Lyons, Cindy Berryman-Fink, and Chataqua Scholar Becky Stone.
  • Concert for Ukraine: On Friday, May 27th, from 7:00-9:00 PM a special musical concert will be led by Al Schlimm and Joan D'entremont plus other musical artists to perform a concert to raise money and awareness for the Ukraine Relief Effort. Donations will be collected at the end of the concert.
  • Note: These two evening events are perfect opportunities to support our local food and beverage merchants in town before and after the concerts. 
  • Healthcare Lecture: The community outreach educators from HUMANA will be present “Shakedown on Sugar” on Wednesday, June 1st, from 1:00-2:00 PM in the Multipurpose Room. They will bring the HUMANA Healthy Van to deliver some sugar-free treats after the lecture. 
 
On the Air: Earlier this month Brian Muys, (Our Vice Chair for Marketing and Social Media) arranged for us to be interviewed by Blaine Greenfield on his Blaine’s World podcast that aired last week. Here is the link to the complete podcast that included an interview with Bounty & Soul. B... - WPVM 103.7 - Featuring the arts & culture of Asheville. (facebook.com).
 
Finally, and as always, we want to hear from our readers if you’re interested in any other future programs. Also, next week we are opening discussions with local parents about potential programs for school aged children this summer. Please let us know if you want to join in the conversation.
 
Respectfully, on behalf of the WCCHL Board of Directors,
Respectfully submitted on behalf of our Board of Directors,
Tom
Thomas M. Balestrieri, Board Chairperson / 904.347.3312

Note: Please refer to the attached Updated Program Schedule for a list of classes and activities. Just show up to participate or contact the instructor via email as posted on the Schedule for details.
Town Elected Officials & Contact Information
Mayor & Town Council

Patrick Fitzsimmons, Mayor

Jeff McKenna, Vice Mayor

Doug Jackson, Councilman

Andrew Nagle, Councilman

John Chase, Councilman

Michele Wood, Councilwoman

Catherine Cordell, Councilwoman

Town Manager Selena Coffey

Town Hall Physical Location:
30 South Main Street, Weaverville, NC

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 338, Weaverville, NC 28787

Phone:
(828) 645-7116

Town Hall Business Hours:
8:30am - 5:00pm
(closed from 12:30-1:30pm)

Town Council Meetings:
4th Monday of each month at 6:00pm
30 South Main Street, Weaverville, NC