Rutherford Weekly

N.C. TRACTOR & FARM SUPPLY 299 Railroad Ave., Rutherfordton • 828-288-0395 Mobile: 828-429-5008 • mf1dpshehan@gmail.com SALES SERVICE PARTS PROUDLY SERVING RUTHERFORD, CLEVELAND, GASTON, LINCOLN, POLK COUNTIES AS THE AREAS HOMETOWN MASSEY FERGUSON DEALER. IF YOU BUY ANYWHERE ELSE YOU WILL PAY TOO MUCH! IF YOU BUY ANYWHERE ELSE YOU WILL PAY TOO MUCH! GREAT GREAT SELECTION SELECTION SMALL TOWN FRIENDLY, BIG TIME RESULTS ISSUE NO. 36 •September 10, ISSUE NO. 36 •September 10, 2020 • 2020 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 Our 28 th Year IN GOD WE TRUST! IN GOD WE TRUST! 135 W Main St., Spindale 828-395-2140 www.circlebBBQ.com www.circlebBBQ.com 11-8 Tues.-Thurs.; 11-9 Fri. & Sat. DINE IN • CARRY OUT • CATERING Family Family Family Family of of 4: 4: to go only to go only ©Community First Media Community First Media • 1 pound BBQ or pulled chicken • Pint of slaw • Pint of beans • Jumbo hush puppies • 8 rolls • Gallon of tea $ 25 25 00 00 only only Rutherford County has received a $586,000 grant for housing rehab for low to moderate income homeowners from Community Development Block Grants. Scott Gadson, executive director of the Isothermal Planning and Development Commission praised eff orts throughout the four-county region to deal with the challenges of housing. Of the $586,000 grant, he said, "Right now we're assessing properties and reaching out to contractors." Once chosen the money will pay for improvements to 19-20 low to moderate income homes. The planning commission is shepherding a task force on housing needs that has been looking for grants and identifying needs in a housing environment that needs lots of love. Gadson said the Housing Task Force is determined to keep working until some goals and actionable steps can be identifi ed. "Covid has thrown the momentum in disarray," but nonetheless Gadson added, "The majority of folks show up online." He also talked about the fact that, "We house Section 8. We continue to be on a road to self improvement. We're having to serve people diff erently (because of Covid.) Training and building capacity within the housing staff . We are also more aggressive in pursuing grants." The Community Development Block Grant program has not been involved in housing since 2011, but because of the CARES Act, that program is again looking at housing. IPDC is administering that for Rutherford. Gadson said there are new opportunities out there in the area of housing and economic development. Rutherfordton Town Manager Doug Barrick said, "I am delighted at the work that our Housing Task Force is doing, we are taking on one of the biggest issues in our four-county region (Rutherford, Cleveland, McDowell, and Polk). "Even through the pandemic, we have engaged community leaders and stay committed to strengthening the quality of life for our community. Each of our communities in the four-county area is unique and provides a sense of place but what draws us together is the bond to create viable solutions to address all sides of the housing issues from aff ordability to quality as well as inventory and preservation." Housing inventory is a huge issue in Rutherford County where the average age of the housing stock is more than 30 years. That's the average. Barrick also said, "I feel confi dent with the engagement we have had to date and the passion of the task force we will present a set of working goals with implementable goals for our community. Quality of life begins in the home and it sees our work as the task force to ensure that elected offi cials, nonprofi ts, business leaders, and individuals all have the opportunity to explore and implement the solutions we bring forward." Craig Hilton who shares leadership with Barrick of the Housing Task Force said, "May I say how grateful I am to be working with such a dedicated group of professionals focused on one of today's most pressing needs. "Preserving those unique qualities that make living in our beautiful region so special, while providing for the rapidly shifting changes and requirements that are occuring about us, is a big challenge and one that I am honored to be a part of reviewing." IPDC has also secured a home fi nance grant for McDowell County, according to Gadson. Some Help Coming For Low Income Housing About 20 Houses Set To Be Rehabilitated Story by Pat Jobe Story by Pat Jobe VETERAN NURSE ADDS MEDICAL SERVICES TO NONPROFIT AGENCY CARE MANAGEMENT COULD HELP SENIORS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Born and raised in Bostic, Kristin Austin embodies the best in small town friendly Rutherford County. The nurse practitioner who holds a masters degree from UNC- Charlotte loves nursing because, "growing up in a Christian home, I was nurtured on teachings from the Bible and the commandments of Jesus to serve and love one another. God created mankind in His image and desires for human beings to experience a relationship with Him; He also desires to give new life and healing to all. I believe that through the realization and acceptance of salvation we are brought into a new spiritual life that brings healing and purpose to our lives. Because I have experienced salvation through Jesus Christ, how I treat others, what I value, and how I spend my time is refl ective of the grace, forgiveness, and love that I have received from God." That affi rmation came from her graduate school paper on her philosophy of nursing which matches nicely with her new job with Blue Ridge Hope, the local nonprofi t that seeks to serve the disadvantaged on a number of fronts including medical care. Among her duties will be a program called "Care management," which is open to seniors 65 and older who may need help with any number of daily challenges including things like wheelchair ramps and home repairs. While Austin won't be building a ramp or fi xing a leaking roof, she can match a need to an agency like Rutherford Housing Partnership which has been doing that kind of work for years. Similarly Austin will assess other needs and make referrals. Needs might include help paying for medications, assessment of medications and side effects, grooming, laundry, and cooking. She will be in a position, as a nurse, to communicate with the patient's primary care provider as ongoing medical care is needed. She can be reached through Blue Ridge Hope's offi ce on Main Street, Rutherfordton at 828-202-3075 or through its website, blueridgehope.org. She is married to Seth Austin and they have one son, Micah. She has been a nurse practitioner for four years and also works for United Health Care in Rutherford, Polk, McDowell and Cleveland counties. She graduated from East Rutherford High School and holds an undergraduate degree from Gardner Webb. She said, "I love helping people and feel like health is as much about mental and spiritual issues as anything else. If you're down or depressed it's going to affect your physical health." She has also worked for Forest City Family Medicine on East Main Street in Forest City. "When people have exhausted their resources, I like the feeling of giving someone hope," she said. Blue Ridge Hope is a 501(c)3 nonprofi t organization which can receive tax deductible donations at its website or through the mail at 185 N. Main Street, Rutherfordton, 28139. Story by Pat Jobe Housing challenges are being faced in Rutherford County by a task force of leaders who care. Kristin Austin

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