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★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ The Macon County ursday, February 13 4:30 pm Macon County Public Library Distributed in Franklin, Highlands, Otto, Sylva, Dillsboro, Webster, Cullowhee, Scaly ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ & Shopping Guide Mountain, N.C.; and Dillard, & Clayton, Ga. January 30, 2020 • 24 Pages Volume 37 Number 36 FREE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER www.themaconcountynews.com 67IN THIS ISSUE Page 3 Adams takes police chief position in Waynesville Franklin High School students voted for their favorite candidates to be named Mr. & Ms. FHS 2020 choosing Alex Emma Torres and Jesus Torres for the titles. The two were crowned at the annual dance in the FHS gym flanked by the court also chosen by the students. For more photos, see page 12. Photo by Ellen Randall Page 4 Guffey shares ‘A Serious Look at Local English’ Parents plead for board to restore arts education Brittney Lofthouse – Contributing Writer Macon Middle School hasn’t provided art classes for stu- dents in nearly a decade. Three years ago, the middle school lost its chorus position – not because there aren’t qualified individuals for the position, but because the school district made the decision to use those funds elsewhere in the budget. Members of the community lined the walls outside of the Macon County Board of Education meeting room on Mon- day night, all waiting to plead with board members to re-in- vest in the school district’s arts education. Page 16 “Having arts in the schools is instrumental for our stu- dents’ development,” said Maggie Jennings, a Macon Franklin community celebrates Burns Night County Schools parent. “From helping with their mental 828.369.6767 health to putting them in the same level as children across the PRST STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID state, even the country, our students need… no, they deserve www.themaconcountynews.com PERMIT 22 [email protected] GOODER PUBLISHING CORP. Maggie Jennings implores the Macon County School Board to FRANKLIN, NC 28734-3401 See ARTS IN SCHOOL page 2 restore arts in the schools. 2 THE MACON COUNTY NEWS & SHOPPING GUIDE VOLUME 37 NUMBER 36 THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2020 The group also advocated on behalf of ARTS IN SCHOOLS Union Academy, the county’s alternative school, which does not provide music or art Continued from page 1 opportunities to students. the arts.” Providing statistics on how music and art Jennings was joined by another parent, impact a child’s overall educational experi- Sarah O’Neal, who spoke on behalf of a ence and academic success, Jennings’ im- grassroots movement referred to as ARTS plored board members to take the for MCS. The group has been brainstorming presentation into the school district’s budget ways to gets art education classes back into planning process and prioritize their request. schools and on Monday night came armed Another focus of the presentation was on with a three-year proposal which included how Cartoogechaye and East Franklin Ele- adding seven art and music classes, building mentary are slated to lose the classroom they a new Fine Arts Center at Franklin High have dedicated for art and music in the next School, and purchasing modular units for year or so due to mandated legislation. two overcrowded elementary schools who “The North Carolina Legislature has man- are slated to lose the space they currently dated smaller class sizes and for us to be have dedicated for art and music. able to do that, we will need extra class- Jennings and O’Neal presented board rooms to put those teachers to be able to members with a request to fund a part time lower the class sizes,” said Macon County arts coordinator for Macon County Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Baldwin. “So at in the coming fiscal year. In addition to a East Franklin and Cartoogechaye, that will program coordinator, the group asked for be in the music/art room.” new positions for both art and music on the Jennings noted that since they are losing elementary level, an art position at Macon the dedicated classroom space, both East Middle School, and afterschool chorus class Franklin and Cartoogechaye will still have for elementary students, and for the district art and music once a week, one the first se- SCC hosting ‘Nonprofit Summit’ to commit to providing well-equipped pro- mester and the other the second half of the Southwestern Community College is of- Tiffany Henry, director of SCC’s Small Busi- grams with supplies to be able to provide art year, but the art and music teacher will be fering a workshop to provide local nonprofit ness Center, speaks with attendees at a recent and music to students. on a cart that travels from room to room. organizations with the tools they need to workshop. Macon County Schools currently does not Macon County Board Chairman Jim support their services and achieve long-term provide art or music classes for preschool Breedlove said that the presentation would success. classes, something ARTS for MCS wants to be considered during the budget planning The Small Business Center at SCC will Great Smokies Health Foundation in Sylva, see change as part of their three-year vision. process, which is just beginning. host a “Nonprofit Summit” from 9 a.m.-4 and Brett Woods, Director of the SCC Foun- p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, in the Burrell dation. Garashi-Ellick has more than 30 Building on SCC’s Jackson Campus. years of nonprofit experience, with Woods Nonprofit experts from both Jackson and bringing 20 years of experience to the work- Macon counties will be leading seminars for shop, respectively. the day. “This is a fantastic opportunity for local “There will be a total of 10 speakers rep- nonprofits to network and learn,” said resenting five different organizations with Woods. “Getting a full day of training from more than 150 years of combined experi- experienced professionals for free is a rare ence in the nonprofit world,” said Tiffany opportunity.” Henry, Director of SCC’s Small Business Participation is free and lunch will be pro- Center. “You’ll learn the creative ideas and vided. Preregistration is required: strategies you’ll need to accelerate change http://bit.ly/nonprofitsummitSBC. Prospec- and have a greater impact.” tive attendees are encouraged to register a Workshop topics include donor relations, week in advance. board and staff development, communica- For more information about any of the tions, stakeholder engagement, marketing services and seminars offered by SCC’s and more. Small Business Center, contact Henry at Macon County Schools parents Maggie Jennings (L) and Sarah O’Neal spoke on behalf of a grass- Featured speakers include Michele [email protected] or roots movement known as ARTS for MCS at Monday night’s school board meeting. Garashi-Ellick, Executive Director of the 828.339.4426. EAGLE TAX BREAKS PLUS Across from BI-LO Serving WNC for 22 Years LLC FREE VETERAN OWNED Estimates $25 OFF AND OPERATED! Tax Preparation Not Your Ordinary Tax Service! Additional $25 credit on your bill for NEW CLIENTS Locally owned and operated by Carrie H. 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THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2020 VOLUME 37 NUMBER 36 THE MACON COUNTY NEWS & SHOPPING GUIDE 3 Adams takes chief position in Waynesville Brittney Lofthouse that he is leaving at the depart- Contributing Writer ment and said they have “sev- eral capable individuals who When Waynesville Police De- can lead the department how it partment announced their new needs to be done.” police chief last week, Franklin Adams said the support from officials were caught by surprise. local business and veterans or- “Town Manager Robert Hilts ganizations he has seen over announced that he has appointed the last eight years has been in- David P. Adams as Waynesville’s valuable and has helped the de- Chief of Police. Mr. Adams is partment purchase needed currently serving as Chief of Po- equipment and to help grow the lice for the town of Franklin,” department. read the news release circulating Adams was one of 32 candi- around Western North Carolina dates who applied for the Way- last Thursday morning. nesville Police Chief position “We are still talking about and noted that the new position what we are going to do next and is a tremendous opportunity for plan to have more information at Franklin Police Chief David Adams has taken a position his career. the next board meeting,” Mayor as police chief for the town of Waynesville. The Waynesville Police De- Bob Scott said. “This came as partment is larger than Franklin kind of a surprise to us so we are still figuring it out.” and will be a new adventure for Adams professionally. Chief Adams came to Franklin eight years ago when Terry “My proudest accomplishment in Franklin is the career Bradley retired after 18 years of service to the town of development we have prioritized over the last eight years,” Franklin. he said. “From advanced law enforcement certificates, to “I appreciate all the support that the town of Franklin and specialized training, the staff has been able to engage in ca- the residents have given me over the last eight years, this is reer development that will benefit the entire town.” all bittersweet,” Chief Adams said.