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Blue Ridge Parkway Northwest Trading Post could remain open
by James Howell
Staff Writer
jhowell@heartlandpublications.com
After facing the grim possibility of closing, the Northwest Trading Post is now more likely to remain open for another season.
After facing the grim possibility of closing, the Northwest Trading Post is now more likely to remain open for another season.
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There is still a chance the Northwest Trading Post, a staple of the Blue Ridge Mountains for 54 years, will remain open.

Phil Francis, the superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway, attended the West Jefferson Community Partnership Meeting on Friday Oct. 26 to give some good news to all of those concerned about the Trading Post’s future.

“The Northwest Trading Post might not shut down after all,” said Francis.

The Northwest Trading Post’s current contract ends in December, and according to Mark Morgan of the National Parks Service, the current concessioner decided not to bid on the upcoming contract for the 2013 season. So far, the non-profit board that operates the facility had not received any bids to keep it open.

As a non-profit concession for the National Parks Service, the Northwest Trading Post had slowly accumulated a large amount of interest from a loan used to finance an addition made to the property, making the Trading Post unattractive to bidders.

According to Francis, the main deterrent for bidders was the debt service on the earlier construction loan for the addition, which totaled between $400,000 and $500,000.

The Blue Ridge Parkway raised enough money to pay off the Trading Post’s interest, said Francis.

“With the possessory interest gone, the Trading Post should be a much more attractive business for entrepreneurs,” said Francis.

Francis has remained positive that the Trading Post will receive bids now that the interest has been paid off.

“We think there are people interested in bidding,” said Francis.

Francis also said “there is a reasonable chance for bidders to make a profit,” and “as a business, the Trading Post offers a good rate of return.”

At the end of the meeting, Cabot Hamilton, the executive director of the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce, said “this is great news.” He also said losing the Trading Post would have a negative impact on tourism in the county.

Hamilton agreed with Francis, saying “the possessory interest was a major concern for bidders.”

Besides an initial six-figure fee, a bidder will only need to pay a franchise fee of one or two percent of gross profit. The Trading Post has a potential to earn over $300,000 per year, leaving a franchise fee a mere $3,000-$6,000, said Francis.

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price

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Sheriff, deputies file for extension in civil rights suit
by Dylan Lightfoot
Staff Writer
dlightfoot@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 6904 views | 0 0 comments | 26 26 recommendations | email to a friend | print

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams and two deputies were granted an extension last week in responding to a $7.5 million federal suit filed against them by Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price.

Charlotte Attorney Christopher Raab representing Williams and the deputies said today that a motion for an extension had been filed for and approved June 10.

Defendants Williams, Sheriff’s Sgt. Jerry D. Lewis and Sheriff’s Deputy Randy M. Lewis have until July 19, to respond to charges of violating Price’s civil rights, said Raab.

“We will have a response ready in about two weeks,” he said.

Enforcing a court order from Watauga County, Williams ordered the deputies to take possession of Price’s 2007 Toyota Oct. 26, 2012.

Price claimed in his May 30, complaint that the Toyota was taken without a valid warrant and without territorial jurisdiction in violation of his 4th, 5th and 14th amendment rights.

The suit also named as defendants Watauga County Clerk of Court Diane C. Deal, and five Watauga-based attorneys who were involved in an Oct. 16, 2012, arbitration hearing in which Price’s Toyota was awarded to the plaintiff, Citifinancial Auto, who held the loan on the car.

Deal said today she is being represented by the N.C. Attorney General’s Office. Spokesperson for the Attorney General Noelle Talley said no response to the charges had been filed, but that Deal’s counsel planned to meet the Friday filing deadline.

Price alleges in his May 30, complaint that the awarding of the car was in error, as the judgment against him was overturned on Oct. 15, 2012, by a Watauga County District Court judge 11 days before the car was repossessed.

An order from Chief District Court Judge Alexander Lyerly to set aside the arbitration award pending trial was issued Nov. 14, 2012, according to documents filed in the arbitration.

Also filed with the arbitration documents is a copy of a third-party check for $13,817.46, which Price allegedly gave to discharge the auto loan in June 2012.

According to a transcript of the arbitration hearing, Citifinancial’s attorney said that the check was returned “unable to locate account.”

Price, who is representing himself in the case, said June 19, that all eight defendants in the suit had been served and had three weeks to respond.

An attempt to contact Price was unsuccessful.

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

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Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price

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Sheriff, deputies file for extension in civil rights suit
by Dylan Lightfoot
Staff Writer
dlightfoot@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 6904 views | 0 0 comments | 26 26 recommendations | email to a friend | print

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams and two deputies were granted an extension last week in responding to a $7.5 million federal suit filed against them by Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price.

Charlotte Attorney Christopher Raab representing Williams and the deputies said today that a motion for an extension had been filed for and approved June 10.

Defendants Williams, Sheriff’s Sgt. Jerry D. Lewis and Sheriff’s Deputy Randy M. Lewis have until July 19, to respond to charges of violating Price’s civil rights, said Raab.

“We will have a response ready in about two weeks,” he said.

Enforcing a court order from Watauga County, Williams ordered the deputies to take possession of Price’s 2007 Toyota Oct. 26, 2012.

Price claimed in his May 30, complaint that the Toyota was taken without a valid warrant and without territorial jurisdiction in violation of his 4th, 5th and 14th amendment rights.

The suit also named as defendants Watauga County Clerk of Court Diane C. Deal, and five Watauga-based attorneys who were involved in an Oct. 16, 2012, arbitration hearing in which Price’s Toyota was awarded to the plaintiff, Citifinancial Auto, who held the loan on the car.

Deal said today she is being represented by the N.C. Attorney General’s Office. Spokesperson for the Attorney General Noelle Talley said no response to the charges had been filed, but that Deal’s counsel planned to meet the Friday filing deadline.

Price alleges in his May 30, complaint that the awarding of the car was in error, as the judgment against him was overturned on Oct. 15, 2012, by a Watauga County District Court judge 11 days before the car was repossessed.

An order from Chief District Court Judge Alexander Lyerly to set aside the arbitration award pending trial was issued Nov. 14, 2012, according to documents filed in the arbitration.

Also filed with the arbitration documents is a copy of a third-party check for $13,817.46, which Price allegedly gave to discharge the auto loan in June 2012.

According to a transcript of the arbitration hearing, Citifinancial’s attorney said that the check was returned “unable to locate account.”

Price, who is representing himself in the case, said June 19, that all eight defendants in the suit had been served and had three weeks to respond.

An attempt to contact Price was unsuccessful.

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price

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Sheriff, deputies file for extension in civil rights suit
by Dylan Lightfoot
Staff Writer
dlightfoot@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 6904 views | 0 0 comments | 26 26 recommendations | email to a friend | print

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams and two deputies were granted an extension last week in responding to a $7.5 million federal suit filed against them by Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price.

Charlotte Attorney Christopher Raab representing Williams and the deputies said today that a motion for an extension had been filed for and approved June 10.

Defendants Williams, Sheriff’s Sgt. Jerry D. Lewis and Sheriff’s Deputy Randy M. Lewis have until July 19, to respond to charges of violating Price’s civil rights, said Raab.

“We will have a response ready in about two weeks,” he said.

Enforcing a court order from Watauga County, Williams ordered the deputies to take possession of Price’s 2007 Toyota Oct. 26, 2012.

Price claimed in his May 30, complaint that the Toyota was taken without a valid warrant and without territorial jurisdiction in violation of his 4th, 5th and 14th amendment rights.

The suit also named as defendants Watauga County Clerk of Court Diane C. Deal, and five Watauga-based attorneys who were involved in an Oct. 16, 2012, arbitration hearing in which Price’s Toyota was awarded to the plaintiff, Citifinancial Auto, who held the loan on the car.

Deal said today she is being represented by the N.C. Attorney General’s Office. Spokesperson for the Attorney General Noelle Talley said no response to the charges had been filed, but that Deal’s counsel planned to meet the Friday filing deadline.

Price alleges in his May 30, complaint that the awarding of the car was in error, as the judgment against him was overturned on Oct. 15, 2012, by a Watauga County District Court judge 11 days before the car was repossessed.

An order from Chief District Court Judge Alexander Lyerly to set aside the arbitration award pending trial was issued Nov. 14, 2012, according to documents filed in the arbitration.

Also filed with the arbitration documents is a copy of a third-party check for $13,817.46, which Price allegedly gave to discharge the auto loan in June 2012.

According to a transcript of the arbitration hearing, Citifinancial’s attorney said that the check was returned “unable to locate account.”

Price, who is representing himself in the case, said June 19, that all eight defendants in the suit had been served and had three weeks to respond.

An attempt to contact Price was unsuccessful.

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

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Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

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Sheriff, deputies file for extension in civil rights suit
by Dylan Lightfoot
Staff Writer
dlightfoot@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 6904 views | 0 0 comments | 26 26 recommendations | email to a friend | print

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams and two deputies were granted an extension last week in responding to a $7.5 million federal suit filed against them by Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price.

Charlotte Attorney Christopher Raab representing Williams and the deputies said today that a motion for an extension had been filed for and approved June 10.

Defendants Williams, Sheriff’s Sgt. Jerry D. Lewis and Sheriff’s Deputy Randy M. Lewis have until July 19, to respond to charges of violating Price’s civil rights, said Raab.

“We will have a response ready in about two weeks,” he said.

Enforcing a court order from Watauga County, Williams ordered the deputies to take possession of Price’s 2007 Toyota Oct. 26, 2012.

Price claimed in his May 30, complaint that the Toyota was taken without a valid warrant and without territorial jurisdiction in violation of his 4th, 5th and 14th amendment rights.

The suit also named as defendants Watauga County Clerk of Court Diane C. Deal, and five Watauga-based attorneys who were involved in an Oct. 16, 2012, arbitration hearing in which Price’s Toyota was awarded to the plaintiff, Citifinancial Auto, who held the loan on the car.

Deal said today she is being represented by the N.C. Attorney General’s Office. Spokesperson for the Attorney General Noelle Talley said no response to the charges had been filed, but that Deal’s counsel planned to meet the Friday filing deadline.

Price alleges in his May 30, complaint that the awarding of the car was in error, as the judgment against him was overturned on Oct. 15, 2012, by a Watauga County District Court judge 11 days before the car was repossessed.

An order from Chief District Court Judge Alexander Lyerly to set aside the arbitration award pending trial was issued Nov. 14, 2012, according to documents filed in the arbitration.

Also filed with the arbitration documents is a copy of a third-party check for $13,817.46, which Price allegedly gave to discharge the auto loan in June 2012.

According to a transcript of the arbitration hearing, Citifinancial’s attorney said that the check was returned “unable to locate account.”

Price, who is representing himself in the case, said June 19, that all eight defendants in the suit had been served and had three weeks to respond.

An attempt to contact Price was unsuccessful.

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(0)
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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

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Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price

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Sheriff, deputies file for extension in civil rights suit
by Dylan Lightfoot
Staff Writer
dlightfoot@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 6904 views | 0 0 comments | 26 26 recommendations | email to a friend | print

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams and two deputies were granted an extension last week in responding to a $7.5 million federal suit filed against them by Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price.

Charlotte Attorney Christopher Raab representing Williams and the deputies said today that a motion for an extension had been filed for and approved June 10.

Defendants Williams, Sheriff’s Sgt. Jerry D. Lewis and Sheriff’s Deputy Randy M. Lewis have until July 19, to respond to charges of violating Price’s civil rights, said Raab.

“We will have a response ready in about two weeks,” he said.

Enforcing a court order from Watauga County, Williams ordered the deputies to take possession of Price’s 2007 Toyota Oct. 26, 2012.

Price claimed in his May 30, complaint that the Toyota was taken without a valid warrant and without territorial jurisdiction in violation of his 4th, 5th and 14th amendment rights.

The suit also named as defendants Watauga County Clerk of Court Diane C. Deal, and five Watauga-based attorneys who were involved in an Oct. 16, 2012, arbitration hearing in which Price’s Toyota was awarded to the plaintiff, Citifinancial Auto, who held the loan on the car.

Deal said today she is being represented by the N.C. Attorney General’s Office. Spokesperson for the Attorney General Noelle Talley said no response to the charges had been filed, but that Deal’s counsel planned to meet the Friday filing deadline.

Price alleges in his May 30, complaint that the awarding of the car was in error, as the judgment against him was overturned on Oct. 15, 2012, by a Watauga County District Court judge 11 days before the car was repossessed.

An order from Chief District Court Judge Alexander Lyerly to set aside the arbitration award pending trial was issued Nov. 14, 2012, according to documents filed in the arbitration.

Also filed with the arbitration documents is a copy of a third-party check for $13,817.46, which Price allegedly gave to discharge the auto loan in June 2012.

According to a transcript of the arbitration hearing, Citifinancial’s attorney said that the check was returned “unable to locate account.”

Price, who is representing himself in the case, said June 19, that all eight defendants in the suit had been served and had three weeks to respond.

An attempt to contact Price was unsuccessful.

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

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Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

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Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price

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Sheriff, deputies file for extension in civil rights suit
by Dylan Lightfoot
Staff Writer
dlightfoot@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 6904 views | 0 0 comments | 26 26 recommendations | email to a friend | print

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams and two deputies were granted an extension last week in responding to a $7.5 million federal suit filed against them by Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price.

Charlotte Attorney Christopher Raab representing Williams and the deputies said today that a motion for an extension had been filed for and approved June 10.

Defendants Williams, Sheriff’s Sgt. Jerry D. Lewis and Sheriff’s Deputy Randy M. Lewis have until July 19, to respond to charges of violating Price’s civil rights, said Raab.

“We will have a response ready in about two weeks,” he said.

Enforcing a court order from Watauga County, Williams ordered the deputies to take possession of Price’s 2007 Toyota Oct. 26, 2012.

Price claimed in his May 30, complaint that the Toyota was taken without a valid warrant and without territorial jurisdiction in violation of his 4th, 5th and 14th amendment rights.

The suit also named as defendants Watauga County Clerk of Court Diane C. Deal, and five Watauga-based attorneys who were involved in an Oct. 16, 2012, arbitration hearing in which Price’s Toyota was awarded to the plaintiff, Citifinancial Auto, who held the loan on the car.

Deal said today she is being represented by the N.C. Attorney General’s Office. Spokesperson for the Attorney General Noelle Talley said no response to the charges had been filed, but that Deal’s counsel planned to meet the Friday filing deadline.

Price alleges in his May 30, complaint that the awarding of the car was in error, as the judgment against him was overturned on Oct. 15, 2012, by a Watauga County District Court judge 11 days before the car was repossessed.

An order from Chief District Court Judge Alexander Lyerly to set aside the arbitration award pending trial was issued Nov. 14, 2012, according to documents filed in the arbitration.

Also filed with the arbitration documents is a copy of a third-party check for $13,817.46, which Price allegedly gave to discharge the auto loan in June 2012.

According to a transcript of the arbitration hearing, Citifinancial’s attorney said that the check was returned “unable to locate account.”

Price, who is representing himself in the case, said June 19, that all eight defendants in the suit had been served and had three weeks to respond.

An attempt to contact Price was unsuccessful.

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Comments-icon Post a Comment
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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price

slideshow
<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price

slideshow
<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price

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Sheriff, deputies file for extension in civil rights suit
by Dylan Lightfoot
Staff Writer
dlightfoot@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 6904 views | 0 0 comments | 26 26 recommendations | email to a friend | print

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams and two deputies were granted an extension last week in responding to a $7.5 million federal suit filed against them by Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price.

Charlotte Attorney Christopher Raab representing Williams and the deputies said today that a motion for an extension had been filed for and approved June 10.

Defendants Williams, Sheriff’s Sgt. Jerry D. Lewis and Sheriff’s Deputy Randy M. Lewis have until July 19, to respond to charges of violating Price’s civil rights, said Raab.

“We will have a response ready in about two weeks,” he said.

Enforcing a court order from Watauga County, Williams ordered the deputies to take possession of Price’s 2007 Toyota Oct. 26, 2012.

Price claimed in his May 30, complaint that the Toyota was taken without a valid warrant and without territorial jurisdiction in violation of his 4th, 5th and 14th amendment rights.

The suit also named as defendants Watauga County Clerk of Court Diane C. Deal, and five Watauga-based attorneys who were involved in an Oct. 16, 2012, arbitration hearing in which Price’s Toyota was awarded to the plaintiff, Citifinancial Auto, who held the loan on the car.

Deal said today she is being represented by the N.C. Attorney General’s Office. Spokesperson for the Attorney General Noelle Talley said no response to the charges had been filed, but that Deal’s counsel planned to meet the Friday filing deadline.

Price alleges in his May 30, complaint that the awarding of the car was in error, as the judgment against him was overturned on Oct. 15, 2012, by a Watauga County District Court judge 11 days before the car was repossessed.

An order from Chief District Court Judge Alexander Lyerly to set aside the arbitration award pending trial was issued Nov. 14, 2012, according to documents filed in the arbitration.

Also filed with the arbitration documents is a copy of a third-party check for $13,817.46, which Price allegedly gave to discharge the auto loan in June 2012.

According to a transcript of the arbitration hearing, Citifinancial’s attorney said that the check was returned “unable to locate account.”

Price, who is representing himself in the case, said June 19, that all eight defendants in the suit had been served and had three weeks to respond.

An attempt to contact Price was unsuccessful.

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price

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