We are back after a very busy 2 weeks! Lots of news today.
BRCA 2025 Priorities Survey Results
Our survey was distributed to our audience in mid-May and closed on June 15th. Here is what “you” said was most important to you as a local citizen, voter, and taxpayer.
#1 at 63.83% is Main Street protection of character and charm
#2 at 60.64% is Limiting short term rentals
#3 at 59.57A% is Improve ambulance service
#4 at 48.94% is concern over increases property taxes
Registered voters taking survey 59.14%
Non-registered 40.86%
Seasonal? 48% yes 52% no
BRCA member 72.83% yes 27.17% no
Ambulance Update
It was recently reported that the Watauga County Commissioners approved EMS services purchase. The county will begin county management from the current contractor on January 1, 2026. Third party billing will be managed by EMS Management & Consultants in Winston Salem, NC. Commissioners also approved over $236,000 purchase of radios and a 2025 Ford F-150 to replace the 2019 Dodge Ram. A job posting for a new EMS management position is active. That was published by Nick Fogleman, local reporter for Watauga Democrat. County Commissioners are now gathering information and discussing the location of an ambulance base closer to Blowing Rock.
Music @ Broyhill Park August 14th
BRCA is sponsoring its final Summer Concert at Broyhill Park 5-7 PM on August 14. Our band will be The King Bees. Admission is free. Bring a friend, a chair, and a cooler.
Blue Ridge Parkway Update
On Aug. 4, the National Park Service reopened approximately four miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 280.9 to 285.5, near Bamboo Gap. The Parkway identified at least 57 landslides of varying complexity across nearly 200 miles of western North Carolina as a result of Hurricane Helene. Work to restore road access, repair road damage, and stabilize these slides began in the fall of 2024, and is planned in three phases.
BRCA Update
Each year BRCA recognizes those who donate $250 or more with a special reception and community update. George & Betsy Wilcox hosted our first event in June for 30 attendees. Tom & Tina Barrett hosted the July event of 40 attendees. We sincerely appreciate those donor’s generosity. The annual donations between $250 and $1,000 annually continues to grow. BRCA will have its annual Member Meeting and presentation of the annual Broyhill Service Award at the Perry Car Barn on August 28th at 5:00 PM. More details to follow.
Thank You!
On behalf of all of us at BRCA we sincerely appreciate your financial support and your ongoing engagement. Thank you for following us. We also want to welcome our new members and viewers; we welcome you to BRCA. Have a great weekend. If you are not a member of BRCA please consider joining for a little as $100 annually.
Tom Barrett
Executive Committee Member & VP