Commissioners Receive Updates, Declare Marriage Between Only One Man and One Woman

By Ron Fitzwater

Last week, the county commissioners spent some time hearing from various directors and facilitators about the state of several county entities.

Danny Staley, Appalachian Health District Director, told commissioners that what he always liked to do when reporting to them was to give them more than just numbers.

"I like for you to know about some of the issues facing the county; some of the health concerns and trending that we see, as well as some of the good things that have happened and some of the things that we have done to address some of the problems we are beginning to see in the community," Staley said

According to the 2009 Community Health Report, the document used by Staley to deliver his report, the rates of overweight and obesity continue to rise among adults and children. "This is a great risk factor for many diseases including heart disease, stroke, cancer and type two diabetes among other chronic illnesses," he said.

Tobacco use is still the most preventable cause of death according to the report, and AHD suggested an increase in taxes for tobacco products, more tobacco-free workplaces and public places, among other suggestions.

Next to speak was Ron Joyner, Chairman of the Ashe County Extension Advisory Committee (ACEAC).

"As chairman of the ACEAC, I am pleased to be here today to speak on behalf of the Ashe County Center (ACC) of Cooperative Extension. I am also pleased to be able to share with you some of the successes and impacts of Extension here in Ashe," Joyner said.

Joyner presented several items to the board from the 2008 Ashe County Program Impact Report, including such highlights as: Through the joint efforts of Ashe County, Ashe Partnership for Children and Cooperative Extension, the ACC received over $400,000 in grants that provided opportunities for academic tutoring services in all schools in the county through an afterschool program with an average daily attendance of 230 youth. The ACC has utilized 1,048 volunteers who have contributed 21,502 hours valued at $403,592, realized $604,723 in resource development and has enabled clients to save or increase their income $1,573,209 collectively.

Following Joyner was Nancy Kautz who introduced her new community outreach program coordinator Janet Braithwaite and presented the commissioners with invitations to the 2009 Ashe County State of Health and Quality of Life Forum.

"You have heard me preach on my soapbox before about how health is not just the absence of disease but it is a state of socio-economic, physical and spiritual well being," Kautz said.

Kautz outlined the events that the commissioners would see at the forum and encouraged them to attend.

(Please see Joel Frady's report on the forum on page 3.)

Additional business conducted by the commissioners included the first presentation of names of persons nominated to continue to serve on the Local Emergency Planning Committee. Those nominated were Debbie Edwards, James Williams, Randy Hanson and Tiawana Ramsey. Commissioners approved the first reading and will finalize the appointments at their next meeting.

Finally, the board voted to approve a resolution in support of Senate Bill 1608, Defense of Marriage and approved the wording of an official statement on the issue of the need for a public pool in the county.

The Ashe County Board of Commissioners meet the first and third Monday of each month in the small courtroom on the third floor of the Ashe County Courthouse beginning at 3:30 p.m. Public comment is always sought.