Marc Basnight President Pro Tempore of the Senate
Representative Bill Owens
BJ’s Carolina Cafe, Jarvisburg
Tickets are $15 and a delicious meal featuring BJ’s famous BBQ will be served!
Please contact Josh Bass, Becky Howard, or Gary McGee for tickets.
| 12/2/2009 | ||
| Raleigh |
Gov. Bev Perdue today announced the U.S. Small Business Administration has agreed to provide low-interest government loans to help eligible homeowners and businesses in Dare County cover losses and normal operating expenses from a nor’easter that struck Nov. 10-15.
“The remnants of Hurricane Ida caused significant loss and damage to businesses and homeowners on our northern coast,” said Perdue, who had requested the SBA loans. “These federally-backed loans will provide needed relief and help our people and communities recover from their losses.”
Senate Pro Tempore Marc Basnight of Dare County said that, “I am hopeful that this federal declaration will assist our community in its recovery. Anything would be helpful to people who have already lost so much.”
“This is good news for the people and businesses who have suffered and lost so much. I applaud Governor Perdue for moving quickly to obtain assistance that will help our people put their lives back together,” said Rep. Tim Spear.
More than 25 homeowners and businesses were significantly impacted by the storm. The SBA declared Dare County a disaster area as a result of the storm. Under SBA rules, homeowners and businesses in Currituck, Hyde and Tyrrell counties that also suffered losses may be eligible for assistance.
Interested homeowners and businesses in the impacted area can meet with SBA representatives beginning next week at Disaster Assistance Centers located at the Nags Head Town Hall, 5401 South Croatan Highway in Nags Head and the Swan Quarter Government Center, 30 Oyster Creek Road in Swan Quarter. The centers will operate Tuesday through Friday, Dec. 8-11, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Monday to Tuesday, Dec. 14-15, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program provides loans to help business owners pay bills when their businesses are not producing income. The EIDL is available even if the business did not suffer physical damage; loans are available only to applicants determined by SBA to have no credit available elsewhere. All Economic Injury Disaster Loans are made at the 4 percent interest rate with terms up to 30 years. Small businesses may borrow up to $2 million, but specific amounts and terms are set by the SBA based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Business owners can also call SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than Feb. 1, 2010 for physical damage (homes, personal property, businesses) and Sept. 2, 2010 for economic injury.
Small businesses, small agriculture cooperatives and most private non-profit organizations affected by the disaster will need to submit to the Small Business Administration:
• a completed SBA Disaster Loan Application (form 5), and
• IRS Tax Information Authorization (Form 8821).
Additional information that may be submitted at a later date includes:
• Most recent three years federal income tax returns
• Monthly sales
• Current personal financial statement
• Balance sheet
• Profit and loss statement
While the Treaty of Versailles officially ended “The Great War” on June 28, 1919, the hostilities of World War I actually ceased months before – on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. A year later, Nov. 11 was declared “Armistice Day” by President Wilson:
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
With subsequent battles taking its toll on American troops, President Eisenhower renamed the observance Veteran’s Day in 1954 and called upon “the entire citizenry … to join hands in the common purpose” of honoring those who served our country in valor.
Their wishes still resonate here in North Carolina, which is the home of more than 775,000 vets and nearly 120,000 service members. We also proudly count about 25,000 members of the N.C. National Guard and Reserve Forces. To honor them and those who came before, ceremonies, parades and remembrances are planned across our state, including our State Veterans Nursing Homes in Fayetteville and Salisbury.
I ask all North Carolinians to join us by taking a moment to reflect and thank those who have served our country with honor, and especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Fly your flag. Go to a celebration or a parade. Visit an aging vet or thank one you see on the street. You’ll be glad you did.
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On 10.18.09, In State Party Information, By Becky Howard
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) has conditionally approved the state’s application for federal assistance to build a 100-bed State Veterans Home in Black Mountain. Conditions for the $14.6 million award include finalizing design documents, approval by involved state agencies, and advertising and award of construction bids. “This facility will go a long way toward providing the long-term, skilled care that our veterans deserve,” said Gov. Bev Perdue. “The collaboration between the Department of Administration and Department of Health and Human Services to identify an appropriate site already owned by the state is a great example of government working for the people.” The amount of $14,632,787 has been set aside by the USDVA for the Western North Carolina project, according to a letter of award from USDVA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. Last month, the USDVA announced that $12,119,575 in federal matching funds have been set aside for a similar facility in Kinston. Both projects are funded by appropriations through the N.C. General Assembly and funds made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. There are two State Veterans Homes presently in North Carolina, one in Fayetteville and the other in Salisbury. Each of the new facilities will provide residential care for up to 100 veterans and will employ 150-170 staff. On 10.18.09, In State Party Information, By Becky Howard
On 10.18.09, In State Party Information, By Becky Howard
On 10.18.09, In State Party Information, By Becky Howard
Gov. Bev Perdue this week asked her attorneys and the N.C. Department of Justice to review all options available to the state to reverse and delay the N.C. Supreme Court ruling in the State v. Bowden case. The court’s decision in that case will force the early release of murderers and rapists serving life sentences, including seven who were originally sentenced to death. The governor this week received a list of 20 violent offenders who will be released on Oct. 29 and dozens more who will be released in the next few years because of the court’s ruling. Each of the first 20 inmates who will be released have been reviewed for parole multiple times and denied. The court’s decision also prevents any additional review or recommendation by the Parole Commission, nor can these offenders be subject to any kind of monitoring or post-release supervision. “I’m appalled that the state of North Carolina is being forced to release prisoners who have committed the most heinous of crimes, without any review of their cases,” said Gov. Perdue. “I don’t believe the General Assembly’s intent in 1974 was to let these violent offenders out of prison early. Releasing these potentially dangerous criminals is not in the best interest of the state or our citizens.” The Department of Correction is attempting to notify all known victims of these crimes and is working with district attorneys and victims advocates to locate victims for whom it does not have current contact information. Victims who have not been contacted are asked to call the DOC Office of Victim Services toll free at 1-866-719-0108. In addition, DOC is working to identify recommended re-entry programs for offenders due to be released, although participation cannot be required. On 10.03.09, In State Party Information, By Currituck Democrats
On 09.17.09, In Local Party Information, State Party Information, By Currituck Democrats
if you wish to thank him for his support, his contact information is listed below. Attorney General’s Office Attorney General Roy Cooper 9001 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-9001 Phone - 919-716-6400 Becky Howard, Chair Currituck Co. Democratic Party 252-453-2863 252-202-2982 RALEIGH, NC – North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman David Young issued the following statement after President Obama’s addressed a Joint Session of Congress about his health insurance reform plan.“Tonight, President Obama made an overwhelming and compelling case to the American people about the need to pass health insurance reform this year. “The core of his plan is simple: provide more security and stability for people who have insurance, provide quality, affordable care to those who don’t, and rein in skyrocketing costs that are crushing American families, businesses and the government itself. “The President’s plan will protect North Carolinians from unfair insurance industry practices. It’ll prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against someone for a preexisting condition and it’ll stop them from dropping someone’s coverage when they get sick, and need help the most. “Too many of North Carolina’s residents and small businesses are struggling under the high costs of care. Reform will bring down costs, but creating a Health Insurance Exchange – a kind of one stop shop for health plans. It’ll also provide new tax credits to help people buy insurance and create a public insurance option to increase competition, lower costs and expand choice. What’s more, the President’s plan won’t add to our deficit – it’ll pay for reform upfront – and it takes the best from Democratic and Republican ideas. “We are closer than ever to passing comprehensive reform and President Obama has laid out a clear path forward. Unfortunately, Republicans in North Carolina have decided to stand in lock-step opposition to reform. They want to maintain the status quo and hurt President Obama politically. Opponents of reform have a choice. They can either stop playing partisan games and come up with their own reform proposal, or they can start explaining to the American people why it’s better to stand by and do nothing at all as thousands more North Carolinians face skyrocketing costs and lose their coverage every day. Being the Party of No on health insurance reform just won’t cut it.” “Democrats in North Carolina support President Obama’s plan for health insurance reform. The time for action is now.”
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North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, will support Northeastern North Carolinians in their fight against the Navy’s proposed Outlying Landing Field. (OLF)