Blog
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Yes, Virginia, there really is a Tooth Fairy
Posted Aug 27 at 12 PM
Eric Dollinger, Asheville August 26, 2010
Asheville Citizen Times
Recently my belief in the Tooth Fairy and various other quasi-mythical creatures has been strengthened. I now believe Jedi-Knights, Oompa Loompas and committed, caring, politicians might actually exist.
Earlier this year access to quality dental care for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians was in danger of losing funding. As a dentist concerned about oral health in our state, I picked up the phone to call my N.C. Rep. Jane Whilden. What happened next left me speechless.
She answered the phone herself, treated me with respect and listened to my concerns about preserving adult dental Medicaid. She reviewed the proposed budget and assured me she would look into the situation. Over the next few weeks she worked the halls in Raleigh, showing other legislators real-life examples of how preserving someone's smile changes lives. In the end, Rep. Whilden worked with other legislators to protect essential basic and preventative dental services.
It's time that we as North Carolinians and Americans rise above the archaic way of doing politics. People over Party. That should be our new American platform. D and R have new meanings in this brave new world. D-Do. R-Right. Do the Right Thing. Thank you Rep. Whilden.
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Jane Whilden helped save Institute of Outdoor Drama
Posted Aug 27 at 12 PM
John Russell, Asheville - August 8, 2010
Asheville Citizen Times
Rep. Jane Whilden deserves the gratitude of all the citizens of North Carolina for her tireless efforts to save the Institute of Outdoor Drama.
The IOD is the only organization in the U.S. providing national leadership in fostering artistic and managerial excellence and expansion of the outdoor drama movement through training, research and advisory programs.
The institute serves as a national clearinghouse for more than 101 constituent theatre companies across the nation and provides invaluable data on leisure tourism trends for its members, including the 13 outdoor theaters in North Carolina.
Due to budgetary cutbacks in the UNC system, the IOD was scheduled to lose its home of 46 years at UNC Chapel Hill.
Thanks to Whilden and other members of our legislative delegation, the IOD received a transfer of funds from the existing budget of the N.C. Division of Tourism and will relocate to East Carolina University in Greenville.
Whilden became aware that this fund transfer, which had been passed by the N.C. Senate, had been dropped from the House budget, and worked tirelessly to persuade her fellow legislators to restore this critical funding.
Our thanks to Rep. Jane Whilden for saving this North Carolina treasure.
Russell is managing director of the Montford Park Players.
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Let's Move Buncombe
Posted May 24 at 1 PM
Local women leaders launch “Let’s Move Buncombe!” campaign to fight childhood obes
From the Buncombe County Government website:
From fresh food in school cafeterias to child friendly farmers markets to preschool programs to family walking trails, these elected officials propose to get the word out to the community. They want to help kids be more active, eat better, and get healthy. Each month the officials will visit and participate in a local effort that promotes healthy living and works to reverse the childhood obesity trend.
“Let’s Move Buncombe!” was inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama's national invitation to join her national “Let’s Move!” Initiative.
The ten women elected officials signed on and participating include: NC State Representative Susan Fisher, NC State Representative Jane Whilden, Buncombe County Commissioner Holly Jones, Buncombe County Commissioner Carol Peterson, Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy, Asheville City Councilwoman Esther Manheimer, Black Mountain Vice Mayor Joan Brown, Montreat Mayor Letta Jean Taylor, Montreat Commissioner Mary McPhail Standaert, and Weaverville Vice Mayor Dottie Sherrill.http://www.mountainx.com/blogwire/2010/local_women_leaders_launch_lets_move_buncombe_campaign_to_fight_childhood_o
