May 4, 2001

Ashe County educator 
named Teacher of the Year
Carmen Wilson, a math teacher at Ashe County High School, was named the 2001-02 North Carolina Teacher of the Year at a banquet in Cary Tuesday night. Ms. Wilson will represent North Carolina in the national teacher of the year competition. Plus, she will receive a brand car, thanks to the N.C. Automobile Dealers Association. She succeeds Laura Bilbro-Berry, a second grade teacher at John C. Tayloe Elementary School in Beaufort County, who won the award last year.

Wilson said that she has always enjoyed helping others to understand the beauties and the intricacies of mathematics. "Many rewards to teaching are intangible and immeasurable. I love to see the look on students' faces when they suddenly understand a new or difficult concept."

The Automobile Dealers Association sponsored the state teacher of the year dinner and will cover the expenses associated with six regional leadership and professional development symposiums that will be led by the regional Teachers of the Year. In addition, North Carolina Ford and Toyota dealers are offering teachers an additional $500 rebate toward the purchase or lease of any qualifying new 2001 vehicle during the month of May. The N.C. Center for International Understanding presented Wilson with the Carolyn Hunt Scholarship that will pay for a trip abroad.

Wilson has taught 11 years, all at Ashe County High School. She is a member of the N.C. Council of Teachers of Mathematics, N.C. Association of Educators and Delta Kappa Gamma (Society of Women Educators). She was named Ashe County's teacher of the year in 1998-99 and 2000-01, nominated for the 2001 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching, and named to the Who's Who Among America's Teachers in 1998. She also was a Tandy Technology Scholar in 1994. Wilson received her bachelor of science and master’s degrees in mathematics/secondary education from Appalachian State University. She also is a National Board Certified teacher.

Wilson will spend next school year traveling the state as an ambassador for the teaching profession. She also will receive a one-time $7,500 stipend and a trip to the national conference. In addition, the state teacher of the year serves as advisor to the State Board of Education.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peggy Smith, principal at East Clayton Elementary School in Clayton, was named Wachovia Principal of the Year for the state of North Carolina. East Clayton is a School of  Distinction, which means that 80 percent or more of the students are at or above grade level or proficiency.


Funeral home director pleads guilty to state tax evasion
A Fuquay-Varina funeral home director pleaded guilty Monday to three counts of attempting to evade or defeat state and county sales taxes. Carl A. Trice, 51, pleaded guilty in Wake County Superior Court to the offenses, which occurred while he was doing business as Trice Funeral Home. From Jan. 1, 1996, through Dec. 31, 1998, Trice failed to report or remit $27,158.59 in state and county sales taxes collected from his customers. Since January 1996, Trice had only filed two of the 60 monthly sales tax reports that were due. Superior Court Judge David Q. LaBarre sentenced Trice to two, consecutive six-month minimum, eight-month maximum prison terms. The sentences were suspended, and Trice was placed on supervised probation for a period of 36 months. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $27,158.59 to the Department of Revenue, pay a $13,500 criminal fine and perform 100 hours of community service within the first six months of probation. Trice must also timely file all returns and pay any taxes due during the period of probation.

State issues year’s first ozone alert
The N.C. Division of Air Quality issued a Code Orange ozone alert for the Triad on Thursday, the first such warning of bad air quality this year. A Code Orange means people who are sensitive to air pollution should avoid moderate exertion outdoors in the afternoon. The air pollution forecast for Thursday predicted that ozone levels would exceed the standard of 0.08 parts per million (ppm) averaged over 8 hours. In 2000, the N.C. Environmental Management Commission adopted rules that will require a two-thirds reduction in ozone-forming emissions from power plants and other industrial sources. The 2001 session of the General Assembly is considering legislation that would require further cuts.

DOT plans hearing on new rest area in Haywood County
The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a citizens informational workshop on Thursday, May 17, for proposed construction of a new rest area to serve Interstate 40 West just east of S.R. 1534 (Thompson Cove Road) near Exit 27 in Haywood County. The meeting will be held from 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the Cafeteria at the Haywood Community College Student Center located on Freedlander Drive in Clyde. Representatives from NCDOT will be available to answer questions and receive comments from the public about the proposed project. For more information, contact Bryan Kluchar DOT at (919) 733-7844, ext. 216.

NCCBI spotlights state’s Northeast region
About 60 people attended an NCCBI reception at the Barker House in Edenton on April 19 which featured the official unveiling of the Northeast North Carolina community profile published in the April edition of the North Carolina Magazine. NCCBI President Phil Kirk saluted the region for its “positive, can-do attitude” and for its progress in landing numerous economic development projects. He also saluted the region for its emphasis on improving public education at every level. Also attending the event were Ruth Doherty, advertising director of the North Carolina magazine; Rosemary Wyche, NCCBI vice president of development; and Lawrence Bivens, the freelance writer who authored the community profile.

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