Comments on: Grading The Last Eight Years of Leadership in Raleigh: Is North Carolina Better Off? http://www.nccivitas.org/2009/grading-last-eight-years-leadership-raleigh-north-carolina-be/ North Carolina's Conservative Voice Thu, 16 May 2013 15:43:18 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Birds of a Cartel Feather Flock Together - Civitas Review http://www.nccivitas.org/2009/grading-last-eight-years-leadership-raleigh-north-carolina-be/comment-page-1/#comment-5949 Birds of a Cartel Feather Flock Together - Civitas Review Tue, 19 Jun 2012 15:11:38 +0000 #comment-5949 [...] our job growth and per capita income growth has been falling further behind the national average for the past decade plus. Our state’s true economic record, then, indicates that businesses must view our [...]

]]> By: NC’s Job Growth Continues to Lag Behind National, and Regional Trends - Civitas Review Online http://www.nccivitas.org/2009/grading-last-eight-years-leadership-raleigh-north-carolina-be/comment-page-1/#comment-2616 NC’s Job Growth Continues to Lag Behind National, and Regional Trends - Civitas Review Online Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:09:05 +0000 #comment-2616 [...] results are pretty consistent with previous evaluations on economic performance I conducted, finding NC job growth trailing the regional average from [...]

]]> By: william.smith612 http://www.nccivitas.org/2009/grading-last-eight-years-leadership-raleigh-north-carolina-be/comment-page-1/#comment-187 william.smith612 Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:54:25 +0000 #comment-187 “It is an honor to represent Henderson, Polk, and part of Buncombe County in the State Senate. I’ve built up seniority, influence, and knowledge of the legislative process during my eight years in the General Assembly. I’ve kept my promise to vote for lower taxes, limited government, and traditional values. I’m staying focused on ways we can improve the economy and take care of constituent services.”
“I’m going to miss working with my dear friend, Representative Carolyn Justus, in the next session should I be re-elected. But I’ll continue to do all that I can to represent Western North Carolina’s interests and reflect our values in Raleigh.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Tom Apodaca (R-District 48) has been selected to serve as a North Carolina Delegate at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-Saint Paul on September 1-4, 2009. Chosen by North Carolina’s Republican Party Executive Committee to be an at large John McCain delegate. In addition, Senator Apodaca will be given a seat on the convention floor and participate in a range of convention sessions.
“It is truly a privilege to represent North Carolina voters at the Republican National Convention,” said Senator Apodaca. “I look forward to working on issues that affect us all in America. Having the opportunity to play a key role in the nomination of our country’s president and vice president is an experience I will always honor.”

Henderson County Teachers Meet with State Board of Education Chairman and State Superintendent of Public Instruction
A group of five teachers from the Henderson County school district met with State Board of Education Chairman, Howard Lee, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction, June Atkinson, on Wednesday, July, 16 in Raleigh.
Hendersonville math teachers Diana Wilson, Sharman Norman (Hendersonville High School) Mike Norman, Jill Jackson (Hendersonville Middle School), and Suzanne Taylor (North Hendersonville High School) traveled to Raleigh to provide the state’s top education officials with some insight on the education system from a teacher’s perspective. The teachers voiced concerns specifically about the End of Grade and End of Course tests administered to students each year. The teachers feel that these tests, which have been the subject of much debate in recent years, restrict their ability to effectively instruct students, and encourage a culture of “teaching to the test” in North Carolina public schools.
“The EOC tests force teachers to cover such a vast amount of information that students are unable to grasp fundamental principles,” remarked one teacher. “We need to empower teachers so that they can make the decision on what strategy is best to instruct their students.”
Concerns about the state-wide curriculum, school accountability standards, and students’ college readiness were also discussed at the meeting. Chairman Lee, Superintendent Atkinson and their guests engaged in a healthy discussion that yielded several ideas on improving the state’s education system as a whole.
Hendersonville Senator, Tom Apodaca, also met with the teachers from his home district on a busy legislative day at the General Assembly. A long-time advocate for improvements to the state’s education system, Senator Apodaca was happy to listen to the educators’ concerns.
“I am extremely proud to represent such fine teachers who, on their own time and money, traveled to Raleigh to make their voices heard and to ensure that we are doing the best we can for students in Henderson County and North Carolina,” said Senator Apodaca.
Pleased with their opportunity to express concerns to state leaders, the teachers planned to contact top officials again in the future, and to encourage other teachers across the state to do so, as well.

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