FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Brenda Stephens 732-8181, ext. 2525

In an effort to be more efficient and effective in program operations, the Orange County Public Library will target its outreach services to pre-school children and senior citizens in the community. Effective March 1, 1998, citizens will notice a library van instead of the bookmobile en route to 31 preschools, day care centers, and adult care homes throughout the county.

According to Brenda Stephens, Director, Orange County Public Library, “the library has traditionally offered bookmobile services to reach those citizens in isolated areas. However, since citizens are more mobile and a second branch library has opened in Carrboro, the need for the “old” bookmobile services has changed.”

“It is critical that services are provided to those least likely to have transportation and access to library services,” said Stephens. “Because the van is smaller, it’s easier to maneuver and will allow us to cover a broader geographic area. We’ve already added seven new sites!” “Also, by focusing on young children and older adults, we are better able to expand and enhance our service delivery,” said Stephens. Patrons who once received neighborhood stops are encouraged to visit either the newly remodeled library in Hillsborough or the Carrboro Branch Library at McDougle Middle School.

For more information about Orange County Public Library services, please contact Brenda Stephens at 732-8181, ext. 2525.

Prepared by Sharron Hinton Siler, Management Analyst, County Manager's Office

COMMITTEES ON COMMUNITY-BUILDING AND SUSTAINABILITY TO KICK OFF IN FEBRUARY / MARCH

February 12, 1998

CONTACT: Dave Stancil, Shaping Orange County’s Future Project Coordinator, 732-8181 (Hillsborough), extension 2590; 967-9251 (Chapel Hill); 644-3002 (FAX)

With six topic-based citizen committees completing their charge of gathering information and identifying key issues, Shaping Orange County’s Future (SOCF) will begin the process of tying these issues and data together through two “umbrella” committees. These committees are so-named because they address over-arching issues that relate to and include the other issues previously-identified: exploring inter-relationships and thinking about topics of economy, environment and resource protection, education, land use and growth and others in a new and different light.

The Sustainability Committee will meet for the first time on February 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel Hill Town Hall (Personnel Training Room). This committee of citizens, working with SOCF Task Force members and local consultant Kit McGinnis, will define sustainable development, develop local principles for sustainability that can be incorporated into decision-making processes, develop a set of indicators to measure change and local quality of life, and ensure that the Shaping Orange County’s Future effort is consistent with sustainable concepts. A final report will be prepared and tentatively presented around the first of June.

The Community-Building Committee will begin its work in mid-March, developing a definition and principles of community-building and then exploring local practices that exemplify or fall short of these principles. The committee of local citizens and SOCF Task Force members, working with Andy Sachs of the Dispute Settlement Center, will then make recommendations on opportunities to reinforce community-building within this effort and overall. The Committee will report its findings in late-June.

Both committees are open to all citizens interested and willing to commit to being a part of the process. A number of citizens have already identified an interest in working with these groups, and others are welcome to join.

Shaping Orange County’s Future is a joint initiative commissioned by the elected boards of Orange County, Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The Task Force of rural and urban citizens has a two-pronged charge to build a sense of community across Orange County’s rural and urban areas, while also developing a countywide vision of the future on a wide variety of quality of life issues.

For more information, contact project coordinator Dave Stancil at the numbers above.

ORANGE COUNTY DESIGNATED A 1997 GROUNDWATER GUARDIAN COMMUNITY

FEBRUARY 1998

CONTACT: Dave Stancil, Shaping Orange County's Future Project Coordinator, 732-8181 (Hillsborough), extension 2590; 967-9251 (Chapel Hill); 644-3002 (FAX)

Groundwater Guardian, a program of the Groundwater Foundation, is designed to encourage citizen involvement in groundwater protection projects in their communities. Groundwater Guardian activities range from education and awareness programs to full implementation of wellhead protection plans and local land-use ordinances. Each community Groundwater Guardian team determines what projects are most needed in their area and the Foundation supports these efforts. The Groundwater Foundation serves as the catalyst and organizer, but the participating communities own the program, the process, and the life-long benefits.

During 1997, 143 communities representing 36 states, Canada, and Mexico achieved Groundwater Guardian designation by forming community teams and voluntarily working on groundwater protection projects. Orange County, NC has been designated as one of these communities. The 1997 National Groundwater Guardian Designation Conference was held in connection with the Foundation’s Groundwater Educators Workshop on November 22-24, 1997 at the McDonald’s Corporate Campus in Oak Brook, Illinois. Groundwater Guardian community projects were showcased and community representatives had the opportunity to meet others engaged in groundwater protection. Diana Phillips of the Orange County Water Resources Committee represented Orange County at this year’s conference and accepted the designation plaque at a special ceremony on Monday, November 24.

The Orange County Water Resources Committee is a group of 10 citizens charged with investigating the quality and quantity of ground water in the County. The Committee is currently working in conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey on a ground water resource investigation, and also is working to provide public information through the Orange County Ground Water Center (644-3333). Housed in the Orange Soil and Water District Office, the Center provides an information service for citizens with questions about their ground water. More on the Ground Water Center can be found on the County’s web site at www.co.orange.nc.us/Orange, under the Hot Topics icon.

MELVIN APPOINTED ACTING HUMAN RIGHTS & RELATIONS DIRECTOR

02/11/98

Contact: John Link 732-8181, ext. 2300

Orange County Manager, John Link, has appointed Oliver Melvin as Acting Human Rights and Relations Director. Melvin has been employed with Orange County as Civil Rights Specialist in the Human Rights and Relations Department since April 1996. He will begin this interim role effective February 16th.

Melvin has several years of progressive experience in this field. Prior to his tenure with Orange County, he was employed with the City of Wilson as a Human Rights Officer. He has also served as a Compliance Specialist with the City of Durham.

“I am pleased to have Oliver on board to manage the work of the Human Rights and Relations Department while we recruit a permanent replacement . He has been an asset to the Department and I have every confidence in his leadership and administrative skills, said Link.

Prepared by Sharron Hinton Siler, Management Analyst, County Manager's Office

RABIES STILL PRESENT IN ORANGE COUNTY

Feb. 5, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: John Sauls, 732-8181, ext. 2081

“Even though we are in the midst of winter, Orange County is still experiencing incidences of rabies,” according to John Sauls, Orange County Animal Control Director. “Many people assume that rabies is only present in the summer, but that’s not true. It’s a year-round disease and citizens need to continue to take the necessary precautions.”

The epidemic first began in July 1996. Since that time, 131 cases have been confirmed. The majority of the cases involved raccoons (114); however, other animals including skunks (14), a fox, and two cats all tested positive with the virus. The cats are the only domestic animals that have tested positive for rabies since 1954.

At present, 189 dogs and 17 cats have been exposed or suspected of being exposed to the rabid animals. Of these pets, 30 were not vaccinated against rabies; 22 were euthanized and 8 were quarantined for six months. To date, 137 people have been exposed or suspected of being exposed to the rabies virus. As a result, many have undergone post exposure rabies treatment.

Orange County Animal Control officers are continuing to canvass all neighborhoods where rabies cases have been confirmed. Citizens are provided with information regarding the epidemic and advised about precautions.

“To protect your family, pet owners should vaccinate all dogs and cats and confine them to your property. Pets should not be allowed to run loose, especially at night,” said Sauls. Citizens are encouraged to call Animal Control for free pick up of stray, unwanted or unvaccinated dogs and cats. For more information, call 732-8282, ext. 2075.

Prepared by Sharron Hinton Siler, Management Analyst, County Manager's Office

SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT RECEIVES FOURTH COPSFAST GRANT

Feb. 4, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sheriff Lindy Pendergrass or Maj. Don Truelove, 732-8181, ext. 2900

Orange County Sheriff, Lindy Pendergrass has received a three-year grant, in the amount of $450,000, from the US Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPSFAST). These funds will be used to establish six full-time Deputy positions.

Over the past eight years, the Sheriff’s Department has received several federal and state grant awards to assist in protecting Orange County citizens. These awards, totaling $4,059,784, have been used to renovate and construct additional jail space, increase police presence, and address crime issues in communities and neighborhoods throughout the county. The Department was the first in the state to develop a crisis intervention team, a unit of specially trained social workers, to assist victims of crime.

The Department has also placed school resource officers in all secondary schools in Orange County. Their presence has helped to curtail crime in the schools and provide a safer learning environment for students. Funding from the jail grant helped to establish 58 additional beds for prisoners (an increase from 71 to 129).

“I am very excited about this new grant award,” said Orange County Sheriff, Lindy Pendergrass. “It will enable us to add deputies which are really needed to keep up with the safety concerns of our growing community.”

Prepared by Sharron Hinton Siler, Management Analyst, County Manager's Office

FIRST STOP BEGINS IN ORANGE COUNTY

Feb. 3, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Martin Witt, 732-8181, ext. 2858

Beginning February 1, 1998, applicants for the Work First program will be required to register for employment with the Employment Security Commission before they can be approved for assistance. First Stop, a new component of Welfare Reform, will give each Work First applicant the opportunity to receive an employment evaluation and possible referral to a job.

Effective immediately, all Work First applicants will be assessed to determine whether they must comply with First Stop requirements. If so, they are allowed 10 calendar days from the date of application to register for work at the Employment Security Commission. Unless applicants are deemed exempt from First Stop, failure to comply will result in denial of their Work First applications. The only adult applicants considered exempt from this process are those who are: (1) receiving Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, or Veteran’s benefits based on disability or age (65 or older); (2) the single custodial parents of a child under 12 months of age; or (3) the payees only, such as grandparents.

According to Martin Whitt, Orange County DSS Income Maintenance Director, “The intent of the First Stop program is to have each non-exempt Work First applicant evaluated for employment by ESC and if appropriate, referred to a job. Even for those who are not job-ready, it is a critical process that must be completed before assistance can be approved.”

GREG PAYNE APPOINTED ACTING EDC DIRECTOR

Feb. 3, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: John Link, 732-8181, ext. 2300

Orange County Manager, John Link has appointed Greg Payne as Acting Economic Development Director. Payne, who been employed with the county as Economic Development Assistant since October 1995, will begin serving as Acting Director effective February 2, 1998.

Prior to his tenure with Orange County, Greg served as Assistant Town Manager for Community Development in Berryville, Virginia. He has also worked for Clarke County, Virginia as the Planning and Zoning Administrator.