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Nominations sought for Athena Award

Henderson County News

Friday is deadline for 63 Community Foundation scholarships

The deadline for submitting applications for the Community Foundation of Henderson County's scholarships for the 2013-2014 academic year is on or before 5 p.m., Friday, March 1.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

BRCHS names chief operating officer

Jennifer Hoots has assumed duties as chief operating officer of Blue Ridge Community Health Services, the health agency announced.   Read Story »

Breaking News

Ice storm slickens roads, knocks out power

An ice storm overnight coated trees, created hazardous driving conditions and knocked out power to hundreds of customers. The National Weather Service issued an ice storm warning for Henderson and Buncombe counties until 9 a.m., when forecasters said the precipitation should turn to rain.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Chimney Rock climb set to benefit Boys & Girls Club

CHIMNEY ROCK — Those thirsting for the thrill of climbing majestic rock cliffs hundreds of feet above Hickory Nut Gorge can try the adventure on Saturday while helping the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Park Ridge adds family practitioner at Biltmore

Park Ridge Health is pleased to welcome Teresa Bradley, M.D., board-certified in family medicine, to its network of primary care providers.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Burr aide joins county as business promoter

Henderson County has hired an aide to U.S. Sen. Richard Burr as the county's first director of Business and Community Development.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Park opponents urge Village referendum

FLAT ROCK — For the first time since it has been publicly debated, a proposed Flat Rock park received a mostly thumbs down from residents who feared the result will be a longterm financial burden and a property tax increase to cover operating and maintenance cost.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Health Department expands clinic hours

In response to community and client input, the Henderson County Department of Public Health is extending clinic appointment hours.   Read Story »

Flat Rock News

Village Council meets on park today

FLAT ROCK — The Flat Rock Village Council, in its first public discussion reacting to a proposed park at the Highland Lake Golf Club property, indicated support of the idea while also raising questions about the yearly maintenance cost."I'm in favor of pursuing this," said Vice Mayor Nick Weedman. "The initial capital investment and initial development of the park can be handled within our existing financial structure."The ongoing cost, he added, is another question and one that the council needs to try to answer. Council members focused on two main options for park maintenance: contracting with Henderson County or hiring a private contractor. The Flat Rock Village Council is holding a public meeting at 2 p.m. today to continue the park discussion.In a 41-page report it drafted after three months of research, public input and cost projections, the Highland Lake Park Exploratory Committee recommended that the Village Council buy the 66-acre golf course land and develop it for passive use in phases. Counting a purchase price estimated at about $1 million, the capital investment would be about $2.5 million. The committee was unable to get a quote from Henderson County on how much annual maintenance would cost, in part because the advisory panel could not say in detail what improvements would be on the grounds."I think that's one of the things that really needs to be understood before we ever make a commitment because it's not so much the development as it is the ongoing costs that will continue forever I guess," Weedman said.Mayor Bob Staton said the council has some time to research and deliberate but not a lot. The golf course is preparing now for the spring-summer season. The Village Council will face an up-or-down vote on the purchase if it were to get word, around June, that it had won a $475,000 grant for the acquisition.Councilman Jimmy Chandler questioned the park committee's recommendation for a new entrance and new parking lot right away, at a cost of $434,000. That could wait, he suggested, until more is known about traffic.Councilman Don Farr said maybe not. The state DOT could require the new entrance for safety reasons, he said.Councilman Ron Davis praised the committee's report broadly but took issue with its suggestion that volunteers could run the park."Flat Rock has enjoyed a wealth of volunteers," he said. "But volunteers can only go so far in my opinion and we need to think about that carefully, particularly if we set up some sort of non-profit foundation."In a 1,600-word letter articulating opposition to the park, Flat Rock resident Bob Demartini, a retired business owner, said the idea was a "want and not a need."Weedman said no one disputes that. But he added, "If we're trying to do things to improve the Village of Flat Rock, is this one of the things that can do it, and to me that answer is yes."Staton rebutted a part of Demartini's brief that said the committee report had referenced "multiple polls purporting to confirm that a majority of Flat Rock residents favor investing in the park and its ongoing expense.""I don't see anywhere in this report where any such claim is made," said Staton, a lawyer. "There are reports in here analyzing those comments that came in, the majority of those who responded were in favor. But that's not to say that a majority of the citizens of Flat Rock approve of what we're talking about."Vice Mayor Nick Weedman suggested that the village might want to try to poll the townspeople again.Village administrator Judy Boleman said the subject has already been the subject of abundant news coverage, polling and public comment opportunities."It's been in the newspapers on a weekly basis if not more," she said. "There has never been more of an effort in the village to make this stuff public and ask for input than there has been with this park."   Read Story »

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