log onto www.jeffersonpost.com for archive • games • features • e-edition • polls & more
INSIDE
WEATHER
Arts Council starts Tree Fest exhibit.... Page 3
Sunny: High 44 Low 27
SPORTS
INSIDE
JV boys win again.... Page B1
Speed hiker to speak at library .... Page 7 $1.00
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013
Vol. 88, Issue 96
Jefferson mayor resigns from post Cites health as reason for stepping down Wil Petty
Staff Writer jpetty@civitasmedia.com
Jefferson mayor Dana Tugwell announced his resignation via letter to the Jefferson Board of Alderman on Monday, Nov. 25. “It is now obvious that I cannot satisfactorily fulfill the duties, responsibilities or expectations of the office of mayor for the town of Jefferson,” the letter read. “I deeply regret that my health conditions have brought us to this point, but we need to acknowledge that and take corrective action.” Tugwell had served as mayor for the town of Jefferson for 14 years. Tugman had not presided over an aldermen meeting for several months. Alderman Bluferd Eldreth
Wil Petty | Jefferson Post
Members of the Jefferson Board of Alderman discuss the next steps to take, following the resignation of town mayor Dana Tugman. They are (from left:) Charles Caudill, Luther Anderson,Bluferd Eldreth, town manager Cathy Howell, Max Yates and Mark Johnston.
was selected as mayor pro tem during the time Tugwell had been away. “I appreciate the confidence and I’m sorry that the mayor has not been with us for awhile,” Eldreth said. “I wish he could have contin-
ued on.” Tugwell in his letter said it was his intent to serve his full term as mayor but now realizes that is no longer possible. “I cannot see any fairness or decency in my keeping the title of mayor while others fulfill the
duties of that office,” the letter said. “Therefore, it is with deep regret that I ask you (the alderman) to consider this as my letter of resignation from the office of mayor of the town of Jefferson.” The board unanimously ap-
proved Tugman’s resignation. As mayor pro tem, Eldreth will now automatically serve as mayor for the remainder of Tugwell’s term which runs through 2016. “The board will now have to decide what they want to do as far as finding a new alderman,” said town manager Cathy Howell. Following the acceptance of Tugwell’s resignation, the board unanimously passed a resolution commemorating the former mayor. In other action taken by the Jefferson Board of Alderman: . Aldermen Bluferd Eldreth, Mark Johnston and Max Yates were sworn in, following their re-election. . The board approved minutes from previous meeting. . The board discussed upcoming garbage plan bids. . In attendance were: Aldermen Luther Anderson, Charles Caudill, Bluferd Eldreth, Mark Johnston and Max Yates. Also in attendance was town manager Cathy Howell.
Social Services The season for giving provides assist for heating Christina Day
Staff Writer cday@civitasmedia.com
Wil Petty | Jefferson Post
Wil Petty | Jefferson Post
The Operation Christmas Child drive in Ashe County collected 1,015 shoeboxes to be distributed to impoverished children globally. The drive was sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse and children from Generation Excellent helped load the boxes at the First Baptist Church in West Jefferson into a truck provided by Hometown Furniture. Pictured are: Jordan Bare, Caroline Bare, Haley Bare, Issac Kolseth, Josiah Kolseth, Cayla Miller, Noelle Miller, Pam Miller, Shayla Miller, Leah Privette, Quinn Privette and fundraising organizer Lauren McClure.
As temperatures in Ashe County begin to fall, residents in need of help heating their homes can contact the Ashe Department of Social Services. Amanda Marze, a supervisor at the Work First division of Social Services said that they will begin accepting applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) on Monday, Dec. 2. In order to qualify for assistance from LIEAP, applicants must be 60 years of age or older, or disabled and receiving services through the division of Aging and Adult Services, and have income equal to or less than 130 percent of the poverty level. Applicants’ liquid assets cannot exceed $2,200. The benefits for those who qualify for LIEAP can
vary. All households with wood heat can receive up to $200 in assistance, while those using kerosene, fuel or propane can receive between $200 and $400, depending on household size and income. Another program offered by Work First, the Crisis Intervention Program, (CIP) started on Friday Nov. 22. The program is already out of federal funding. “It started Friday and ended Friday,” Marze said. “Our funding for this program was cut by $40,000 this year.” Marze said she encourages all of those in need who feel that they may qualify for LIEAP to apply at Family Central. She warns that it differs from CIP in that it is not immediate and that assistance can take between four and six weeks. Once qualified, checks See HEAT | 6
Downtown businesses ready for Small Business Saturday Wil Petty
Staff Writer jpetty@civitasmedia.com
Wil Petty | Jefferson Post
Founder Adam Ham (left) and Program Director Amanda Hodges started Operation Christmas Cheer in 2012 as a way to provide stocking gifts for children in the county. Last year, Ham provided stockings for 51 children and this year wants to raise that number, with the community’s help, to 125 stockings.
Operation Christmas Cheer enters second year in Ashe Wil Petty
Staff Writer jpetty@civitasmedia.com
With the Christmas season around the corner, Operation Christmas Cheer is starting up again in Ashe County. Last year, founder
Adam Ham was able to provide stockings to 51 children in the county. This year, he hopes to be able to provide 125 children with the stockings. “During the summer months I sell new toys at See CHEER | 6
Business owners throughout West Jefferson’s downtown area are preparing for the holiday rush as Small Business Saturday is approaching. The shopping holiday started in 2010 as a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, two days which cater to larger chains. The day focuses more on locally-owned businesses, to help give them a boost. “(The day) is good for bring people into our business,” said Tabetha Howell, owner of Tab-A-Dees, located on West Jefferson’s Backstreet. “It has been advertised and more people are learning about it occurring every year.” Tab-A-Dees has been open for two years and the
Wil Petty | Jefferson Post
Lisa Willingham, co-owner of The Artists’ Theatre in West Jefferson, stands with items at her shop. The Artists’ Theatre, among other businesses in the county, will participate in Small Business Saturday during Thanksgiving weekend.
weekend after Thanksgiving remains one of its busiest weekends. “It is a big shopping day for us,” Howell said. “It might not be as busy as it is on the main street, but we are getting more people
directed toward us.” Howell said there will be specials for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, with some items being 25 percent off. For Ashe County Cheese, the weekend after
Thanksgiving is its busiest weekend of the year. “We have a lot of people coming in locally and buying trees, but a lot of local people stay and we’re thankful for that,” Josh Williams, owner of Ashe County Cheese said. “It is our busiest weekend of the year.” For the weekend, Williams said the store offers more of its products to sample as a way to show appreciation. Also, the factory will run those two days so people can see how the cheese is made, and some items will be discounted. Williams said they are anticipating their biggest sales days ever this weekend. “Traffic for us has been up all year,” he said. “We look for it to possibly be See BUSINESSES | 6