Pancake Day fundraiser free to community

BY JESSI STONE N EWS EDITOR F ranklin Town Council recently approved purchasing two parcels of land in the downtown area for a total cost of $206,660.

In a 4-1 vote with Councilmember David Culpepper opposing, the town council approved purchasing the former Texaco property at 196 West Palmer Street for $180,000.

“I think $180,000 is well over market value for the property,” Culpepper said.

Councilmember Joe Collins agreed but added that the town really needs the property near its police department and fire department for future utility expansions. “I’m having a hard time thinking it’s really worth the price we’re willing to pay for it — especially to the average person — but I’d have a harder time if someone came and bought it at that price or a lesser price,” Collins said. “With enough years, I think the sting of paying a few dollars more than I think we should will go away, and for that reason I will be in favor of the purchase.”

Councilmember Jack Horton said there were some concerns about potential environmental issues on the property but that the town had been assured that there are no underground oil tanks or contamination issues. The town has a letter from the Department of Environmental Resources stating “no further actions” are required for the property.

“(The property) is important to future town utilities — we’ll need to reroute a sewer line soon through there and it’s close to the police department and fire station,” Horton said.

The town purchased the property, which is 0.67 acres, from the Sloan family. The town will pay for the property out of fund balance.

The second piece of property the town voted unanimously to purchase was 0.43 acres at 311 Clyde Street that adjoins the town’s water towers in East Franklin. Town Attorney John Henning Jr. said the owner Jerry Porter was willing to sell the parcel to the town at tax value — $26,660. “This property has a clear advantage for future expansion,” he said regarding the town’s water and sewer infrastructure.

Since the purpose of buying the property is for future water and sewer infrastructure, the town will pay for it with revenue from the water and sewer enterprise account.

In other business, the town will move forward with enforcing its minimum housing standards in response to complaints about an abandoned home located at 118 Wilkie Street. Town Planner Justin Setser told the town council neighbors have been complaining about the house since September 2019. He received an administrative search warrant to inspect the property, which was deemed dilapidated. Renters had been living there prior and had left most of their belongings behind when they were evicted. Setser met with the owner in the fall and ended up granting an extension since he was ensured cleanup work would begin.

“At first the owner worked with us and did clean up a lot of the garbage on the property and removed several of the junk cars, but cleanup stopped after Thanksgiving, and we haven’t had any communication with the property owner since that time,” he said. “It’s exceeded 90 days. I need the council to give legal direction to move forward at this point.”

Henning said the town would need to file a lawsuit in order to get the owner to demolish the home. If the owner refuses, the town can seek a judgment and get permission to demolish the home and then go after the owner to reimburse the town for the cost.

Setzer said the house was valued at $33,660 but is now valued at $690. The board voted unanimously to file the lawsuit and start the proceedings.

Empty Bowls Haywood Pathways Center’s 2nd Annual

Thursday February 27 6-8pm Hart Theater Waynesville

Attendees select a bowl handcrafted by local WNC potters and enjoy a meal of various soup tastings, bread and dessert donated by local restaurants. The bowl guests take home serves as a reminder of all of the empty bowls in our community as well as the warm hearts that work to fill them.

Charter school accepting new students

Mountain Discovery Charter School is a free, public, K-8 charter school located in Bryson City and serves students from Swain, Jackson, Macon, Haywood, and Graham counties.

Mountain Discovery utilizes experiential learning, creativity, and high personal and academic expectations. MDCS fosters a love of the natural world through its focus on outdoor education. All students are actively engaged in learning that has value and consequence beyond the classroom.

Interested students may be enrolled using the link on our website, www.mountaindiscovery.org, through March 6. Learn about voting at library

How to be an Information Superstar in a World of Fake News and the Internet will be a program offered at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the Jackson County Public Library.

Library staffer Danielle Duffy will lead participants through the last election information event. Participants will be given the tools to double check the information that they see online and in their social media threads, both text and images. The group will also look at some reliable websites and library resources. This event will be hands-on in the computer lab on the second floor of the library. For more information, call the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva at 828.586.2016. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library.

TICKETS Early Entry (Advance Purchase Only): $40/adult, $15/child Advance Purchase General Admission: $25/adult, $10/child General Admission at the Door: $30/adult, $15/child Soup Only (No Bowl): $15/adult, $5/child

Robbin Brophy Enrolled Agent 828-558-4300

We Have A Special Knack For Keeping Your Finances On Track.

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