Briefly
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on January 27, 2005 1:59 PM
Evans back home
The chairman of the Wayne County commissioners, J.D. Evans, is home and resting comfortably after a recent heart attack.
His wife Shirley responded to a call from the News-Argus and said Evans was released from Wake Medical Center in Raleigh on Wednesday.
Yummmm
The annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale has begun.
If you would like to support Girl Scouts by buying cookies, and no Scout knocks on your door, contact the Girl Scouts at 734-6231 ext. 116 or e-mail dbrady@gscoastalnc.org
Girls will be taking orders for Girl Scout cookies over the next few weeks and delivering cookie orders in February and March. Booth sales will also take place in local communities during February and March.
The Girl Scout cookie sale helps the council cover its expenses. As much as two-thirds of every Girl Scout cookie purchase goes toward programs and services to benefit the girls.
The cookie sale also teaches the girls goal setting, teamwork, money management, and follow-up, and they gain confidence in dealing with the public.
Library closed Friday
The Wayne County Public Library in Goldsboro and all branches will be closed on Friday, January 28th for Staff Development Day. This annual training opportunity for staff will feature various speakers on topics such as customer service and services for young adults. The library will reopen on Saturday, January 29th on the usual schedule.
For further information please call the Goldsboro Library, 735-1824.
Kerr starts another term
Creating jobs, improving education and making health care more affordable should be lawmakers' top priorities during this year's legislative session, Sen. John Kerr said Wednesday on opening day of the 2005 General Assembly.
In November, Kerr, a 68-year-old Democrat from Goldsboro, defeated N.C. Sen. Tony Moore, a Republican from Winterville, in the 5th District, one of the few elections statewide that pitted two incumbent legislators against each other.
It was Kerr's 10th win of a N.C. General Assembly seat, and it will be his seventh term in the Senate, following three in the House.
He was sworn into office Wednesday.
"Despite the tough times we've seen in the past few years, North Carolina has made good progress in improving our schools and growing our economy," said Kerr. "We need to continue to make smart and responsible investments to keep our state moving forward."
Although North Carolina is a national leader in education and is ranked one of the country's best places for business, state lawmakers will face significant budget challenges this year, Kerr said. More than half the budget is dedicated to education, and lawmakers will likely face a budget shortfall of more than $1 billion because of the state's slow economic recovery and the rising costs of education and health care.
Kerr said that as the state continues to face a tight budget and a slow economic recovery, lawmakers must continue to protect funds for education and other important needs while looking for efficiencies in every state agency.
"North Carolina is ranked fourth in the country for fiscal responsibility, and that's because we've set the right priorities during tough economic times," Kerr said. "We need to continue to work toward a more efficient government, and at the same time protect our investments in education and the economy to make our state stronger."
Black history poetry
A free youth poetry seminar is being sponsored in conjunction with Black History Month. The seminar, which will involve reading, writing and reciting poems, will culminate in a recital. Young people who are interested may get more information by calling 580-9209 and leaving a message.