From the Desk of Senator Debbie Clary….
Happy New Year!
The 2011 Session of the NC General Assembly will begin on January 26th
with the swearing in of all 120 members of the House and 50 members of
the Senate. It will be a historical day with Republicans electing
leadership of both Chambers. While work on the session started in early
November, the actual beginning of session marks a time of challenge with
over a $3.7 Billion budget deficit.
Inspiring Way to Start the New Year...
I like to think of this as a great and inspirational way to start our
2011! These are some of my favorite quotes and I hope you enjoy them as
you start a fresh new year!
http://www.greatquotesmovie.com/
Start out the New Year right...Straighten Out Government!
"If you have ideas of rules or regulations that defy common sense,
hamper business growth or get in the way of progress, visit
http://www.setgovernmentstraight.nc.gov." This is the statement from
Governor Perdue's December newsletter that I thought well worth
repeating. When you click on the link, you'll find a form that will ask
for suggestions. I encourage you to utilize this communications tool
with the Governor's office and appreciate your ideas.
What's Happening on the Home Front?
Congratulations to the Kings Mountain Gateway Trails! In their recent
newsletter, it was noted that the trail had 60,000 visitors in 2010!
One visitor that was spotted on the trail was Senator Marc Basnight from
Dare County. We welcome our friends from the far eastern regions of the
state. According to Shirley Brutko, there are three additional miles of
trail under development. I've certainly enjoyed hiking the trail and
would encourage you to grab a warm jacket and hit the trail too.
AT&T Press Conference
This past week AT&T and the Cleveland County Chamber announced the
availability of 3G mobile broadband network in Shelby and Cherryville.
This is a wonderful addition to the area's telecommunication network and
Representative Moore and I felt privileged to be honored at this
ceremony.
Senator Clary receives proclamation from Cleveland County Chamber of
Commerce for her support of business and industry during the AT&T press
announcement of the expansion of their 3G network in Shelby and
Cherryville.
Did You Know?
There are very different traditions across the state of North Carolina
when it comes to ringing in the New Year...
In Black Creek, North Carolina they drop a large red heart at the Black
Creek Family Enrichment Center. This tradition began with a former
Mayor with a big heart! Founding the Senior Activity and Child Care
Center, former Mayor Smith spawned a tradition within the community by
hosting a dance and hoisting a big red heart on a pole. Traditionally,
the Enrichment Center has dropped a big red heart to commemorate the
dedication of the late mayor and the town's slogan of "A Small Town with
a Big Heart."
In uptown Charlotte, North Carolina the Charlotte Center City Partners
produce an array of festivities for New Year's. At the stroke of
midnight a lighted crown is raised 25 ft in the air to begin the New
Year.
First night is celebrated in Raleigh, North Carolina with festivities
and the dropping of a giant acorn. This giant 1,250 pound copper and
steel acorn was created to herald Raleigh's nickname "The City of Oaks."
This year will mark the 20th year of the dropping of the giant acorn in
downtown Raleigh.
At the RBC Center in Raleigh the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate their New
Year by dropping an oversized hockey puck. The RBC Center and the
Carolina Hurricanes invite fans to come and celebrate New Year's with
them.
In Mount Olive, North Carolina the Mt. Olive Pickle Company drops a 3 ft
pickle down a flag pole at the stroke of midnight into a large redwood
barrel to symbolize a "pickle tank." The pickle is well lit when it
makes the 45 ft plunge into the barrel and is greeted with the tune of
Auld Lang Syne.
Thanks as always for your support and for the honor and privilege of
serving as your Senator! |
