Around 300 people attended the 2009 Watauga County Democratic Party convention Saturday at the county courthouse.

Party chair Diane Tilson welcomed the assembly with remarks concerning the number of Democrats elected in 2008 in local, state and national races, referring in particular to Election Day 2008 when “Watauga County shined as a blue beacon on the map.”

The convention heard from local and state representatives including Loretta Clawson, mayor of town of Boone, Jim Deal, chair of Watauga County Commission, Cullie Tarleton, N.C. House of Representatives, and Steve Goss, N.C. Senate.

Clawson, noting that the council is a non-partisan board, reported on town business matters. “We have watched our dollars,” she said.

The town has collected more than 97 percent of taxes, according to Clawson. Sales tax revenue saw slight decreases through the ASU and ski tourism seasons. However a larger decrease was noted over the last month. Clawson also reported that falling interest rates have affected the town’s money reserves.

She set the record straight regarding stimulus funds. “The town has not received any stimulus money as of yet,” Clawson said. “We have recently applied for a $12,000 grant.”

The grant will benefit the Boone Police Department. The money, if awarded, will be used to relocate a radio antenna to address issues with portable radio coverage for officers. The N.C. Department of Transportation has received stimulus funds to aid in the completion in the widening of U.S. 421 and the AppalCart has received some government funding for public transportation.

Deal expressed optimism in regard to the year’s actions of the county commission. “These are difficult times,” he said. “However, the state of Watauga County is excellent.

“I think of expanding green building practices, the use of resources in an appropriately efficient way and the incredible new high school.”

Deal reported the high school project is two months ahead of schedule and still on budget. The building will also use green building practices such as water recapture and geothermal wells.

“We should take a great deal of pride in what the county is doing for the young people,” Deal said.

Both Cullie Tarleton, N.C. House of Representatives, and Steve Goss, N.C. Senate, were present to address the convention.

Tarleton spoke to the assembled crowd about what to expect in the coming state budget.

The governor’s budget and House of Representatives are completed. The Senate budget is expected in the next few weeks.

“We will have three documents and none of those will agree,” Tarleton said. “A final document will need to be hammered out. It’s a tough year. We are facing a $4 billion revenue shortfall.”

Tarleton said North Carolina is expected to receive an estimated $6 billion in stimulus funds from the federal government. He said he hopes constituents will agree the money should not be used for recurring expenses, so as to get the maximum dollars for the funds.

“There is a light at the end of the tunnel and I don’t think it is an other train coming,” Tarleton commented on the economic conditions of the state.