Briefly
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on February 8, 2005 1:59 PM
Collections down
Goldsboro's collections from its hotel rooms tax fell in 2004, but a strong finish kept the drop from being too steep.
The 3-percent occupancy tax raised $463,179 last year, Tourism Director Marlise Taylor told the Travel and Tourism Advisory Council last week. That was about $16,500 less than it tallied in 2003.
Earlier in 2004, the difference between the two years was closer to $30,000. Hotels reported lower collections nearly every month through September. But they bounced back with good months in October and November and an average December.
The council is planning several marketing efforts to push tourism, including an ad in the March issue of Southern Living.
But to keep its hotels booked, the city needs a convention center, Mayor Al King said. "No excuses, we have got to have one."
Tyndall certified
Blair Tyndall, the Wayne County emergency medical services manager for almost four years, has been certified by the state as a manager of environmental safety and health.
Tyndall completed a 121-hour class over about eight weeks at the Industrial Extension Service at N.C. State University in Raleigh. Tyndall said his other certifications, degrees and work experience figured in his latest certification.
Tyndall also worked from 1993-1998 as assistant coordinator of the county's Emergency Services department. He then joined the DuPont plant in Kinston as a shift supervisor for emergency medical technicians before returning to Wayne County in March 2001.
Duplin to hold job fair
James Sprunt Community College and the Duplin County JobLink Career Center will hold the fifth annual Job Fair on Thursday, April 14, at the Kenan Auditorium in Kenansville.
JSCC and JobLink are looking for employers who would be interested in participating in the 2005 Job Fair. Prospective participants will be invited to attend through community outreach fliers, signs, letters, newspaper articles and other methods.
The Duplin County Job Fair was established in 2001 and was held on the James Sprunt college campus.
In 2004, 32 employers and 227 community members and students participated in the event.
For information call Wanda Ramsey at 910-296-2504 or Ana Kladny at 910-296-2506.
Student aid assistance
Individuals who plan to attend college in the 2005-06 academic year and their families can get assistance with Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms on Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon in the Wayne Learning Center at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro. Financial aid professionals will assist with completing and submitting the forms.
Contact the College Foundation of North Carolina at 866- 866-2362 or through its web site, www.CFNC.org, by Feb. 18 to sign up for this free program.
Participants should bring the student's and parents' federal 1040 and W2 tax forms for 2004. Although it is not required, students and parents are encouraged to obtain Personal Identification Numbers prior to the day from the Department of Education web site, www.pin.ed.gov and complete as much as possible and bring a copy of the Pre-Application Worksheet, which is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov/preappwk56.pdf