Greetings from BRCA 28605!  Lots of news today.

Broyhill Service Award 2024

BRCA is proud to announce this year’s winner of the Broyhill Service Award 2024 goes to long term resident and Town Council past member Albert Yount.  David Rogers of Blowing Rock News writes an outstanding article from BRCA’s annual Member Meeting at Perry Car Barn.  We thank Chip Perry for his kindness and generosity in providing this outstanding venue for the annual event.  Please read the complete article here: https://blowingrocknews.com/yount-honored-with-paul-broyhill-community-service-award-at-brca-annual-meeting/ 

Video link of ceremony: 
https://vimeo.com/1006622068

State of The Town 2024

Presentations were made by BRAHM, the Chamber, the Village Foundation (about their plans for partnering with the town to work on the Annie Cannon Gardens and the entrance to the Glen Burnie trail), the TDA, and the Town (Town Manager Shane Fox & Mayor Charlie Sellers spoke briefly, too).  A few notes about upcoming events and other things we found interesting.  It’s worth listening to the whole thing if you have time.

1. Chamber candidate forum (in partnership with the Chamber in Boone) – 9/16/24 at 5:30 at the Appalachian Theatre.  Will include candidates for the US House, NC House and Senate, Watauga County Commissioners, Watauga County School Board
2. BR Clean-up Day – 9/19/24 at 11:00 (you get lunch, too)
3. Winterfest 2025 – 1/23 to 1/25/2025
4. Symphony at the Chetola Lake – 7/25/25 (Tickets go on sale 4/1/25)
5. Leadership Blowing Rock (Chamber program for those interested in learning about Town operations and getting to know others who are interested, too) – this is a type of program that exists in communities around the country.  Next two-year session begins in 2026. I think they said the sign-up deadline is 6/6/26.  The current group is working on a mural project for the Town (I’m not sure where it will be displayed)
6. New owner of Chetola is Warren Cathcart (he seems to be the representative of a family group)
7. BR Chamber’s Economic Development Committee has on its list of topics workforce development, specifically affordable housing and childcare availability (probably should take a look at the whole list before focusing on this piece).  The link to the complete video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ylm5sn6jnykSDsbbEIQkZg1TAt5tlx_Q/view

 
Jane Whitt Sellers

Downtown Subcommittee on Updating Development Standards

The Subcommittee met yesterday at Town Hall to discuss recommended building setbacks and maximum heights based on district location.   Those recommendations will go to the Planning Board (probably September meeting).  The next scheduled meeting will be September 18th at 1:00 PM at Town Hall.  The topic will be use of building materials.

Voting Information:

NC Absentee Ballot Request:
 https://www.wataugacounty.org/App_Pages/Dept/BOE/forms/NOV_2024_ABSENTEE%20BY%20MAIL_REQUEST_FILLABLE_COUNTY_final_Watauga-compressed.pdf

Important Calendar Dates:
September
6^th – Begin Sending Absentee by Mail Ballot

October
11^th – Voter Registration Deadline at 5:00 pm
17^th – Early Voting Begins
29^th – Last Day to Request Absentee Ballot by Mail
November
2^nd – Early Voting Ends at 3:00pm
5^th – Statewide General Election
5^th – Deadline for Absentee by Mail ballots to be received at office is 7:30 pm
15^th – General Election Canvass

Art in the Park September 7th

Thanks to all of you that attended our annual Member Meeting.  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.