NEWS BRIEFS by Virginia Daffron | vdaffron@mountainx.com BEHAVIORAL REHAB FACILITY FOR HOMELESS DOGS OPENS IN WEAVERVILLE
FIRED UP: Representatives from county fire departments prepare to deliver their funding requests to the Board of Commissioners during a budget work session on May 8. Photo by David Floyd
Chiefs ask commissioners for fire tax increase At one time, Swannanoa Fire & Rescue was considered a minorleague farm team for the Asheville Fire Department, says Swannanoa Fire Chief Anthony Penland. “Because it seemed like I would train all of these guys, like they do in the minor leagues, and then they would go on to the professional ranks there at the city,” Penland told the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners during a budget work session on May 8. “Being able to retain our firefighters because we offer a competitive wage, that’s something we have to do.” Since he became fire chief in 2001, Penland says he has lost more than 25 firefighters to other jobs because he can’t offer a compensation package in line with other North Carolina departments. Commissioners learned during a workshop in January that, based on the outcomes of a pay study conducted by the N.C. Association of Fire Chiefs, fire departments in Buncombe County pay, on average, $2,452 to $51,071 below the pay scale of fire departments in the state. Penland and chiefs from 11 other fire departments discussed financial concerns with commissioners as the board plans the county’s fiscal year 2019 budget. The chiefs hoped to wrangle increases in fire tax rates for their districts from the process. Several chiefs were also hoping to snag funding for equipment upgrades, infrastructure and new staff positions.
The requests range from 0.8 cents to 6.5 cents and, if approved without change, they would equate to about $2.7 million in extra money for fire service in the county. Last year, the county’s fire district operating budget was $28 million. The FY 2019 requests are: • Barnardsville: $0.16/$100 to $0.20/$100 • Broad River: $0.14/$100 to $0.16/$100 • East Buncombe: $.099/$100 to $0.12/$100 • Fairview: $0.105/$100 to $0.17/$100 • French Broad: $0.14/$100 to $0.165/$100 • North Buncombe: $0.112/$100 to $0.12/$100 • Reynolds: $0.113/$100 to $0.123/$100 • Riceville: $0.11/$100 to $0.128/$100 • Skyland: $0.091/$100 to $0.101/$100 • Swannanoa: $0.129/$100 to $0.14/$100 • Upper Hominy: $0.125/$100 to $0.145/$100 • West Buncombe: $0.12/$100 to $0.135/$100 You can read more about the requests at avl.mx/4y5. The county will hold a public hearing on its fiscal year 2019 budget on Tuesday, June 5, and commissioners will render their final decision on Tuesday, June 19. — David Floyd X
Even as the percentage of shelter animals adopted into new homes continues to increase, extremely fearful dogs remain difficult or impossible to successfully rehome. To help these dogs, many of which have experienced cruelty or neglect, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals opened a first-of-its-kind permanent behavioral rehabilitation center in Weaverville on May 10. The 28,000-square-foot facility is located on 13 acres and has the capacity to rehabilitate 65 dogs at a time. According to an ASPCA press release, the dogs will be treated daily by a team of animal behavior experts implementing scientifically sound techniques to reduce their fear of people and acclimate them to real-life situations that can induce trauma and severe stress. In addition to rehabilitating severely fearful dogs, the ASPCA will be launching a researchbased training program, called the Learning Lab, at the center for shelters around the country. The facility includes a dormitory and space for shelter professionals to visit and learn from the center’s team. For more information on the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center, please visit aspca.org/BRC. RESIDENTS ASKED FOR INPUT ON SOUTH ASHEVILLE PARK CHANGES Jake Rusher Park is the city of Asheville’s only public park south of Interstate 40. In its current state, the facility doesn’t stand up to comparison with other city parks. A new design scheme adds amenities including restrooms, new parking and picnic areas with grills. For kids, the plans include playground
LEARNING TO TRUST: Flora, center, and Anderson, right, are two of the canine residents at the new ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center in Weaverville. ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker, left, and ASPCA staffers Pia Silvani and Tim Molina interact with the dogs. Photo courtesy of ASPCA improvements and a new splashpad, while residents of all ages may enjoy proposed basketball, pickleball and tennis courts. To be sure the design fulfills community needs and wants, the city will host two meetings to collect feedback on the proposed plan: • Saturday, May 19, 2-4 p.m. in Jake Rusher Park, 132 Peachtree St., Arden • Thursday, May 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Skyland Library, 260 Overlook Road, Asheville Input from the sessions will help guide the final design, with bond-funded construction anticipated to wrap up in fall 2019. For more information, see avl.mx/4xy. A WORLD APART IN SWANNANOA A 526-acre tract abutting the Chemtronics Superfund site will remain a world apart, sealed off from the public but permanently protected for the benefit of wildlife, scenic views and buffering other protected lands. The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy will serve as steward for the Swannanoa property, which was separated from a larger tract owned by Chemtronics; the remaining 535 Chemtronicsowned acres are classified as a Superfund site due to MOUNTAINX.COM
industrial contamination. According to a press release from SAHC, “Extensive site analyses indicate the land within the conservation easement boundary is not contaminated.” The forested, steep slopes of the property rise to elevations over 3,580 feet. The tract adjoins a large block of contiguous, protected land in the Black Mountains that includes the Asheville watershed, Pisgah National Forest, Mount Mitchell State Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is located less than a mile away. The Audubon Society’s Black and Great Craggy Mountains Important Bird Area covers a portion of the property. SAHC stewardship staff will monitor the conservation easement area annually, and the property will be managed for forest health, according to a forest management plan. “This land has been a longtime priority for conservation for nearly 20 years, and I’m thrilled to see this project finally come to fruition,” says Michelle Pugliese, SAHC’s land protection director. X MAY 16 - 22, 2018
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