Eric for Boone

A 35% increase in PPA electricity rates is obscene and will break the backs of many in our community. Worse, the NC Utilities Commission approved this rate increase WITHOUT A HEARING. Even worse than that, their announcement tries to soften the blow by saying that refunds of the new rate increase would be issued "should [they] subsequently be found to be unjust or unreasonable after any public hearing in this matter that may subsequently be held by the Commission."

What's so galling about that? The decision comes literally days after the NC Court of Appeals ruled that refunds cannot be issued even in cases of illegal rate hikes because of a bill passed by the GOP-controlled NC legislature last year (over the Governor's veto and ironically called the "Power Bil Reduction Act") that basically exempts Duke Energy and other power providers from issuing refunds even when their actions are illegal: https://wcti12.com/news/local/nc-appeals-court-overturns-block-on-duke-energy-rate-hike-as-stein-warns-of-higher-bills

I'll say it again, in case you haven't learned the lesson: Your GOP reps in Raleigh and Washington do not care about the impacts of their decisions on you. And the "regulated" monopolists and their investors behind these decisions don't care about you either.

Remember the...um...constituent who complained about the Pride Flag at Town Hall? Well, she doubled down. So did I.

I received an email this morning from a constituent complaining about the Progress Pride Flag on display at Town Hall this month. She called it "totally offensive," although she did not explain why. Hers is the third such complaint I have received in the past two days. Here's my reply:

Boone Town Council has created an opportunity for citizens of Boone to share with Town Council members their stories of how policy changes and other actions by the current federal administration are affecting them. This is your opportunity to be heard and for your local elected officials to better understand the direct impact of federal action on your lives.

Your next opportunity is Wednesday night, April 23, at 6:00pm. The comment period will open shortly after a couple of town proclamations, probably around 6:15 or so.

media0.giphy.com

Early voting starts today in Watauga County. Information below is from the local Board of Elections. Some things to keep in mind:

1) Bring your ID/NC Driver's License. It's required now in NC to vote.
2) You can vote at ANY of the Early Voting locations. I'll be voting at ASU, since the local Republicans are constantly trying to take that site away.
3) Please vote YES on the Watauga County referendum on Commissioner elections. Under the current gerrymandered system shoved through by Sen. Hise via a local bill, I and most of the rest of Boone don't actually have a Commissioner who resides in our district, and we won't until 2026--classic "taxation without representation." To learn more about this electoral graft, see https://blog.wataugawatch.net/2024/06/wataugas-chance-for-home-rule.html

As a historian, I can tell you without hyperbole that this is the most important election of our lifetimes, unless you were alive in 1860 or 1864. Get out and vote. Your life and the lives of those you love likely depend upon it. I hope to see you in line today.

Send a message to learn more

It’s official! I will be serving as a Boone Town Council member for the next four years! I am so THANKFUL for your support of my candidacy. I look forward to making Boone a better, more affordable place for working class folks to live. Stay tuned....

Board of Elections certifies 2023 municipal election results BOONE — The Watauga County Board of Elections certified the 2023 municipal election results, which means some municipalities will have new elected officials.

TODAY IS THE DAY! If you haven't voted yet, this is your opportunity to do so, provided you show up at your NC polling station between 6:30AM AND 7:30PM. If you live in the Boone town limits, I hope that you will consider casting your vote for me in the Town Council race, and I thank you in advance for your support.

Some important reminders:

1) You MUST bring a current, state-issued (or university/college-issued) ID or a US passport with you to the polling station. Details on this new requirement in NC are here: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id

2) You MUST vote at your assigned polling station. You can find your polling station here: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/PPLkup/

We're getting down to the wire! Just SIX more early voting days! If you can, please vote at the ASU Student Union to help preserve this voting location for future elections. Most importantly, just vote!!! And I am especially grateful if you cast your ballot for me and my stance on the issues.

What does Eric stand for? This is what Eric stands for.

In other news, I sat down recently with David Jackson on the Boone Chamber of Commerce's "Mind Your Business" podcast to answer questions about my campaign. Check it out below!

2023 Boone Town Council Candidate - Eric Plaag Boone Town Council candidate Eric Plaag visits with Boone Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO David Jackson in advance of the 2023 Town of Boone municipal...

I'm delighted to announce that I have been endorsed by both the Sierra Club of North Carolina and Pam's Picks. You can read my answers and Pam's analysis of my campaign here:

Candidate Profiles 2023 – Pam's Picks Candidate Profiles 2023 NOTE: Please read “My Take On This Year’s Election” to learn why even though the Town Council races are not contested this year, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you vote is in this year’s elections. There are three seats up for grabs for this year’s Town of Boone’s elec...