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During the 2013 Spring Conference of NCHPRA in Asheville, members present collected $750.00 in support of the NCSHP Caisson Unit.  Retired Trooper D. T. Tarleton, Troop F, District 4, gave an interesting presentation on the operations of the unit.

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TO: NCSHP RETIREES

FROM: MAJOR T. E. BUTLER

RE: 2013 ANNUAL FALLEN OFFICER'S MEMORIAL SERVICE

The Highway Patrol Training Academy Staff will conduct the 2013 Annual Fallen Officer’s Memorial Service on Thursday, 16 May 2013 at 1 p.m., on the grounds of the Highway Patrol Training Academy in Raleigh.

Please join us on this occasion as we honor the fallen members and surviving families of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to the Highway Patrol and the citizens of North Carolina. Refreshments will be provided after the service in the Training Academy Cafeteria. We look forward to having you with us for this special occasion.

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THE ARTICLE BELOW WAS REPORTED IN THE ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES NEWS PAPER 

A Highway Patrol communications center in Asheville is among three such centers in the state slated for closing under a cost-cutting measure included in Gov. Pat McCrory’s proposed budget, a move some local critics say could affect public safety.

The plan calls for closing three of the state’s eight Highway Patrol communications centers — the other two are in Greensboro and Williamston — eliminating 36 civilian jobs and saving $1.8 million annually, N.C. Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Pam Walker said.

In addition, 12 other civil positions in those three locations would be moved to other Highway Patrol communications centers.

The plan, if it gets final legislative approval, would cost 14 dispatchers at the Asheville center their jobs.

The center at 600 Tunnel Road takes emergency calls from 17 Western North Carolina counties. Under the governor’s proposal, WNC calls would be routed through a Highway Patrol communications center in Newton.

Walker said the Newton center is undergoing technology upgrades to enable consolidation without sacrificing response times.

“We do not anticipate any impact on safety or response time,” Walker said.

“Regardless of where the communications center is located, that equipment enables us to send out the appropriate personnel to respond.”

The governor’s plan does not affect the number of troopers in WNC, she said.

Local Highway Patrol officials said they could not comment.

The Highway Patrol communications center is separate from City of Asheville and Buncombe County communications centers.

Buncombe emergency services director Jerry Vehaun said he hopes the local Highway Patrol center stays open. Local dispatchers know the mountains well, which can aid emergency responses, he said.

“I can see more of a down side than an up side,” Vehaun said. “They won’t have anybody in the western part of the state who is familiar with all the counties. They (local dispatchers) know where the communities are. They deal with it day after day.”

Barnardsville resident Debra Ellis has been working to bring attention to the issue after hearing about it from a friend.

“It’s a public safety issue,” Ellis said. “I don’t think due diligence has been done before adding this to the budget. When I started looking into this, I got really nervous. The last thing we need is to have a major disaster here and the communications center gets overloaded and people are unable to get help when they need it.”

Walker said if the cuts are finalized, “We will do all we can to assist the affected employees. Any time you have to make budget reductions, it is a painful process for everyone involved.

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On Thursday, March 28, 2013, Major William Grey was promoted to the position of Commander of the NCSHP. L/Col. Bell was promoted to the position of Deputy Commander. Major Clayton was promoted to L/Col. More information will be posted as it is received.

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The 39th SHP Basic School will be holding their 27th annual reunion on 3-5 May 2013 at the Comfort Inn Oceanfront, Kill Devil Hill, NC.  Rates for the reunion stay is $119.00 for a street side and $139.00 for ocean front.  All retirees are invited to attend or come by for a visit.  Contact Buddy Haas for further at pappyhaas@msn.com.

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The 1955 Highway Patrol Basic School is planning a reunion in the spring 2013. This the first attempt at a reunion and they have been successful in contacting all members of the class that retired from the Patrol. They need to have the members that did not retire from the Patrol but went on to other professions to get in touch with retired Sergeant Phil Strong. If you are a member or know of someone who was a member, have them get in touch with Phil at 704.289.3484.

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