e-Focus Newsletter

Town of Weaverville

Memorial Day Observance May 27th

Weaverville’s annual observation of Memorial Day will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 27^th at the Community Center overlooking Lake Louise.

Lt. General Kathleen Gaines USA (3-Star Retired) is our guest speaker. Lt. General Gaines has served in Army Command for 35 years, including 15 different assignments, her final post as Deputy Commander, US Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Recently her exceptional contributions were recognized by the Army Women’s Foundation and Lt. General Gaines was inducted into the US Army Women’s Hall of Fame.

The invocation and benediction will be provided by Rev. Mike Holder of both Christ United Methodist Church and Pleasant Grove Union Church of Weaverville. The renowned Reuter Center Singers will lead the singing of the National Anthem along with a patriotic song medley. The program includes a moving video of the ‘rifle salute’ by the Weaverville Police Department Squad and taps by the Weaverville Fire Department. Amazing Grace will be performed live on bagpipes by Howard Dusenbury, returning guest for the past 3-years.

Please join us as we honor our fallen men and women, who have served and protected our country. Free parking is available at the Community Center, the above Outdoor Rec. Center lot, as well as adjacent parking below the Community Center. 

Memorial Day Town Hall & Offices Closed May 27th

Town offices will be closed May 27th in observance of Memorial Day. Trash & Recycling collection will be affected and collected on Thurs. May 30th.

To view garbage collection schedule, click Here. 

A Message From Weaverville's Police Department:

The Public Works Department has done a fantastic job at Lake Louise, creating an accessible play area for people with mobility disabilities. There were parking spaces created, as well as modifications to make the bathrooms accessible. Reserved parking for people with disabilities ensures safe and equal access to goods and services, access that most of us take for granted. 

Lake Louise can get very busy on a sunny day. Folks may find that many nearby parking spots are full, and a prime, handicapped parking spot is empty. Should you take it? No, there are serious consequences and no excuse to park in an accessible parking space illegally. Also off-limits are the parking stripes next to those spots, known as the "crosshatch" area, which are some of the most critical aspects of accessible parking spaces. This extra area allows wheelchair users to deploy the ramp on their van or get in and out of their vehicle if they transfer. Simply put, they need the extra space to get into their cars. The fine for illegally parking in one of these restricted spaces is $100 by town ordinance violation and up to $250 on a state citation. We want everyone to be able to visit Weaverville's beautiful park. It is important to respect each other. Please, be parking considerate.

In Other Police Department News-

Introducing Officer Chase Glass who joined the Weaverville Police Department in December 2023, transferring from the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as a Deputy Sheriff.

His journey into law enforcement began with Basic Law Enforcement Training at Wilkes Community College, where he also pursued an A.A.S. degree in Criminal Justice.

Beyond his professional duties, Officer Glass finds fulfillment in moments spent with family, tending to his farm, and going on outdoor adventures. Welcome to the Team Officer Glass!

Share your Opinions for our Future Transportation Projects!

The French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization and Land of Sky RPO are in process of prioritizing transportation projects, and want to hear from YOU about projects you think are key priorities to improve our region's transportation network! This survey, developed in tandem with the Land of Sky RPO and NCDOT, includes highway, transit, bike/ped, and rail projects in our region being considered in North Carolina's prioritization process. The purpose of the survey is to gain an understanding of public sentiment around each project and will be used to inform official regional priorities later this year.

The survey is available here: Project Prioritization Survey (surveymonkey.com)

Una versión en español de la encuesta está disponible aquí: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6SZHPZL

For more information on Prioritization and resources click here: https://frenchbroadrivermpo.org/spot-7-0/

The survey has been developed to be as easy and accessible as possible. If there is only one project or area you are interested in- that's fine! If you want to pour through information on all five counties in the MPO/RPO planning areas- that's fine too! All projects that are listed in the survey have been submitted by the French Broad River MPO, Land of Sky RPO, NCDOT Divisions, or are carried over from past rounds of prioritization. 



Your networks, email lists, committees, etc. are key to reaching a wide audience, so any help you can offer in sharing this survey will be greatly appreciated! The goal is to get as many responses as possible and use the results to best-inform future decision-making.

If you have issues accessing or utilizing the survey, please reach out to logan@landofsky.org  

It's the Law: Yield to Crosswalk Pedestrians & Move Over

#WatchForMeNC

Each year more than 3,000 pedestrians and 850 bicyclists are hit by vehicles in North Carolina, making North Carolina one of the least safe states in the US for walking and bicycling.

On average, about 160 pedestrians and 20 bicyclists are killed each year in the State, representing about 15% of all traffic fatalities that occur on North Carolina roads. In collisions with cars, pedestrians in particular have a lot to lose. Those hit at 40 mph have an 85 percent chance of dying.

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#MoveOver

North Carolina enacted the Move Over Law: NC’s Move Over Law (G.S. 20-157) protects law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and emergency services workers as well as those who work along the roadside at the N.C. Department of Transportation.

The law requires motorists to move over a lane or slow down considerably when approaching emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road with lights flashing. Failure to do so could result in a $250 fine, and violators could also face misdemeanor or felony charges, if someone is injured or property is damaged.  

Weaverville 2024 Summer Concert Series Announcement

Our bands are booked and all set to rock your world this summer! So dust off your dancin' shoes and get ready to groove because we've got an amazing lineup waiting for you, your family, and friends!

Stormwater Friendly Lawn Care

Spring is in the air and lawn care is on our minds. There are many easy things we can do to keep our lawns looking good while also protecting our water quality. Follow these Tips from the Sodfather for stormwater-friendly lawn care:

• Mow high and let the clippings lie – they contain 90% water, which is good for the lawn, and keeps nutrients out of waterways.
• Keep yard waste off the street and away from storm drains and drainage ditches.
• Compost clippings and leaves to create your own natural fertilizer.
• Have your soil tested before applying fertilizer and only apply it if needed.
• Use phosphorous-free fertilizers unless your soil is lacking in P, and use slow-release nitrogen fertilizers or organic compost.
• Only use the recommended amount of fertilizers, and don’t apply before windy or rainy days.
• Reduce potable water usage by choosing native and drought-resistant plants, and by collecting rainwater in a rain barrel. Rainwater also contains nutrients so it can further reduce the need for fertilizer.
• Do not overwater lawns and garden. Use a soaker hose, a porous hose that releases water directly to the ground, which can reduce overwatering that carries away fertilizers that would otherwise enrich lawns and gardens.

Look for phosphorous-free fertilizers (0 in the middle), and choose slow release to eliminate 3-4 applications per year (image source: wikiHow, Creative Commons License)

FREE Weaverville Library Plant Exchange

Weaverville Library Plant Exchange- Bring in plants to swap for plants... It's a Plant Exchange!

When- Tuesday, April 16 – Thursday, May 16, 2024

Location- Weaverville Library - 41 N. Main St. - Weaverville

Phone- (828) 250-6482

Email- weaverville.library@buncombecounty.org

Details- The popular annual Houseplant Exchange is back and this year we're going bigger and bolder! We're adding garden starts and seedlings. Bring in anything you don't want and take anything you do! The plant exchange is available all hours that the Weaverville Library is open April 16th- May 16th. The exchange is free and self-serve.

Arbor Day Celebration Honoring 'Dottie' Sherrill

The Town of Weaverville celebrated Arbor Day on Friday April 26th, by planting the legacy Oak Tree at Town Hall tree circle, as a symbol of late Mayor Sherrill's life’s work in beautifying our community and her unwavering dedication to serving as a civil servant.

Mayor Sherrill was a remarkable individual who dedicated her life to improving the lives of those around her. She was a passionate advocate for the environment and worked tirelessly to make our community a better place. By planting this Oak Tree, we hope to honor her memory and continue her legacy of service for generations to come.

We wish to thank our Public Works Dept. Team, Mayor Fitzsimmons and Council member Wood, and Mr. Brad Hughes, Dottie's grandson, and the whole Sherrill family!

Photo Credit: Paul King - to view the library click: Here

2024 Second Primary to be held on May 14th

2024 Second Primary to be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 for the following contests: Republican nomination for lieutenant governor (Hal Weatherman and Jim O’Neill) and the Republican nomination for state auditor (Jack Clark and Dave Boliek). For more information regarding early voting, absentee ballets, or registration go to: Here

Participation in the Second Primary is open to:

• Registered Republican voters
• Unaffiliated voters who voted the Republican party’s ballot in the first primary
• Unaffiliated voters who did not vote in the first primary

Community Room Town Hall

30 S. Main Street

• May 14, 2024: Election Day (6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.)
• May 14, 2024: Absentee ballot return deadline (7:30 p.m.)

Questions?

Email elections@buncombecounty.org

Call (828) 250-4200

Tuesday, May 14th Annual Budget Public Hearing and Town Council Workshop Location Change Notice

Due to the run-off GOP elections to be held on Tues. May 14th in Town Council Chambers, at Town Hall, the Town Council Workshop on Tues. May 14th will be held at:

• Weaverville Fire Station, 3 Monticello Rd. Meeting Room

Public Hearing for FY: 2024-25 Annual Budget

The Weaverville Town Council will hold a public hearing during its scheduled Workshop May 14, 2024, at the Weaverville Fire Station Meeting Room, 3 Monticello Rd. beginning at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be reached, for the purpose of receiving public input on the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 proposed budget.

For more information click here.

May Town Council & Board Meetings:

Weaverville Center for Creative & Healthy Living News

Weaverville Town Hall

30 South Main Street, P.O. Box 338,

Weaverville, NC 28787

Phone: (828) 645-7116