Craig Benedict Appointed Orange County Planning Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 28, 1999

For more information: John Link, 732-8181, ext. 2300

Orange County Manager John Link has appointed Craig Benedict as Orange County Planning Director. Benedict will begin work March 1, 1999.

As Planning Director, Benedict will supervise the work of the County's Planning and Inspections Department. The department's responsibilities include current and long range planning covering such areas as land use and transportation; building inspections, and erosion control.

Benedict has a Bachelor's Degree in Geography with a minor in geology from the State University of New York at New Paltz and a Master of Arts Degree in Geography with emphasis on urban and regional planning from Florida Atlantic University.

Benedict currently serves as Development Services Director for the City of Coconut Creek, Florida, a community in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area. As Development Services Director for Coconut Creek, Benedict supervises comprehensive planning, zoning, land development and preservation, engineering, capital improvements, and building inspections. Benedict has about 20 years experience in community planning and engineering. He has served on a variety of county and regional committees. He also has received certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Link named an Assessment Panel to assist him in the selection process. The Panel was made up of Orange County Commissioner Alice Gordon, County Commissioner Margaret Brown, Orange County Planning Board Chair Karen Barrows and Institute of Government faculty member Jake Wicker.

Orange County received 48 applications for Planning Director. The Panel completed a thorough assessment process that included on site visits by the County Manager to the work locations of the finalists.

Link said: "I am delighted with our appointment of Craig Benedict as Planning Director. I believe Craig possesses the combination of interpersonal skills, technical planning knowledge, vision and energy necessary to assist our community in addressing our issues of growth management and sustainability. Craig will be able to support us in developing a vision of our community for the years to come. I also want to express my appreciation to the members of the Assessment Panel for their outstanding contributions in this thorough and exhaustive process."

Commissioner Gordon said: "I'm very pleased that Craig has decided to join Orange County. He has superb credentials and the Panel was very impressed with his presentation, knowledge and experience."

Commissioner Brown said: "The Panel had an outstanding group of candidates to consider. Orange County is very fortunate to have such a strong group of candidates interested in becoming a part of our community. Craig's knowledge and experience will be an asset to the County."

Planning Board Chair Barrows said: "I'm looking forward to working with Craig. Although Craig has worked most recently in an urban setting, I think he appreciates what many of us value in the more rural parts of the County and will assist us in preserving some of that character."

Jake Wicker said: "Craig was an excellent candidate. He really did his homework about Orange County and is committed to our community. I think he will be an outstanding Planning Director."

Benedict said: "Orange County and its communities have set an excellent quality of life standard. Education, environmental preservation and urban services have made Orange County a beautiful place to live and work. I look forward to continuing the tradition and furthering the goals of the Board of Commissioners and community through planning."

Prepared by Elaine Holmes, Personnel Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 25, 1999

For more information: John Link, 732-8181, ext. 2300

Orange County Manager John Link has appointed Annette Moore as Orange County Human Rights and Relations Director effective February 1, 1999.

As Human Rights and Relations Director, Moore will be responsible for administering the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance. She also will coordinate activities for the Orange County Commission for Women.

Moore has a bachelor's degree in public administration from Virginia State University and a law degree from the College of William and Mary. She currently works as Interim Executive Director for the Community Reinvestment Association of North Carolina. Her past work experience includes supervisory and administrative positions in fair housing including work as Fair Housing Supervisor for the North Carolina Human Relation Commission.

Link named an Assessment Panel to assist him in the selection process. The Panel was made up of Human Relations Commission Chair Eileen Kugler and Vice Chair Leo Allison; Commission for Women Chair Martha Oxenfeldt and Vice Chair Jacky Philips; and Assistant County Manager Albert Kittrell.

Link said: "The Assessment Panel was very impressed with Moore's knowledge of human rights law, interpersonal skills in being able to relate to all citizens, and devotion to this area of public work. We look forward to her joining the Orange County team."

Moore said: "I look forward to working with and becoming a part of the Orange County community. I'm also excited about the opportunity to work with the Human Relations Commission and the Commission for Women."

Prepared by Elaine Holmes, Personnel Director

Ann Kaplan Appointed Orange County Arts Coordinator

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information: John Link, 732-8181, ext. 2300

Orange County Manager John Link has appointed Ann Kaplan as Orange County Arts Coordinator effective January 19, 1999.

Kaplan's professional experience has included work with the North Carolina Arts Council, serving as participant coordinator for the North Carolina Heritage Awards and as curator for an exhibit in Durham's annual Eno festival. She also has worked with ARTS North Carolina where she served as coordinator of the annual statewide Arts Forum.

More recently, Kaplan has worked with The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Southern Oral History Program as co-coordinator of research focusing on women's leadership in North Carolina.

Link named an Assessment Panel to assist him in the selection process. The Panel was made up of Orange County Arts Commission Chair Joy Javits Stewart and County Personnel Director Elaine Holmes.

Stewart said: "On behalf of the Orange County Arts Commission Board members, I am looking forward to working with our new Director. She came highly recommended and her dignity and calm will grace the commission's work with and for the artists of North Carolina."

Kaplan said: "I am honored to have been chosen as Orange County Arts Coordinator. As a resident of Orange County, I have witnessed the Arts Commission's excellent work to promote the arts and culture of the county, demonstrating to me how their efforts touch and enhance the lives of each citizen. I am thrilled to be joining an organization which serves to strengthen artistic expression and cultural involvement in our county."

Prepared by Elaine Holmes, Personnel Director

Orange County Accommodations Featured in New Travel Guidebook

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 25, 1999

For more information: Patty Griffin, Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau (919) 968-2060 732-8181, ext. 2300

The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau announced today that six Orange County accommodations are included in a new travel guidebook Inn Spots & Special Places in the Southeast. Chapel Hill's Carolina Inn, The Siena Hotel, and The Village Bed and Breakfast, Mebane's Inn at Bingham School and Hillsborough's The Inn at Teardrop and the Hillsborough House Inn are featured in this 374-page guidebook by writers Nancy and Richard Woodworth of West Hartford, CT.

According to the authors, the guidebook features the finest inns and B&Bs, restaurants, attractions and shops in 26 of the Southeast's best-loved areas throughout the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

Chapel Hill restaurants highlighted include Crook's Corner, La Residence, Four Eleven West, Carolina Crossroads, Il Palio Ristorante and Top of the Hill. Attractions featured are the Morehead Planetarium, Ackland Art Museum, The North Carolina Botanical Garden, The Coker Arboretum, The North Carolina Collection Gallery, The University of North Carolina campus, and Historic Hillsborough. Shopping on Franklin Street and in Carr Mill Mall are mentioned. An "extra-special" nod goes to A Southern Season in Eastgate Shopping Center.

The newly published book, at a cost of $16.95, is the third in a series. New England and Mid-Atlantic are the others. Consumer Reports Travel Letter praises the guidebooks as "setting a standard for regional guides." Wood Pond Press publishes the books. Books are available through local bookstores or direct from the publisher. Phone (860) 521-0389, Fax (860) 313-0185, email: woodpond@ntplx.net; Home Page: www.getawayguides.com

Visitors Bureau Publishes Updated Orange County Visitors Guide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 25, 1999

For more information: Patty Griffin Communications Manager, Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau (919) 968-2060

Chapel Hill, NC - The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau has published a new Visitors Guide for Orange County.

This 60-page guide is a comprehensive listing of accommodations, attractions, restaurants, shopping, transportation offerings and other areas of interest to travelers and visitors coming to Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough. The four-color guide also features a pullout map and a listing of major annual events. The purpose of the publication is to assist travelers in planning their visit to Orange County.

For information about this third edition of the Visitors Guide, please visit the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau web site at www.chocvb.org or call (919) 968-2060.

Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Launches New Web Site

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 25, 1999

For more information: Patty Griffin, Communications Manager, Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau (919) 968-2060

CHAPEL HILL -- The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau has launched a new, redesigned Home Page developed to better serve visitors and residents in Orange County. The web site address is http://www.chocvb.org.

The revamped site has information on Orange County attractions, accommodations, restaurants, shopping, sports and recreation, tours, transportation, and visual and performing arts. There is also a calendar of annual events. Finally, the site features area resources, as well as details tailored for meeting and event planners.

"We are very excited about our comprehensive new web site," said Joe Blake, Executive Director of the Visitors Bureau. "This is another important way we can promote Orange County as a travel destination and provide up-to-date information for area citizens."

Commissioners Scheduled to Discuss Application Process for Proposed Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant Expansion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 19, 1999

For more information: John Link, County Manager 732-8181, ext. 2300

At the January 16th County Commissioners Retreat, the Board received information concerning the proposed expansion of CP&L's Shearon Harris nuclear power plant. Specifically, the proposal involves the expansion of its high level nuclear waste storage operation for used nuclear fuel rods. As a result, the commissioners intend to add an item to tonight's agenda to discuss pursuing public involvement with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) during the permitting process.

In addition, the Board will work cooperatively with CP&L to learn as much as possible about the plan for expansion. To that end, members of the board are planning to attend a tour of the Shearon Harris facility next week. This tour, scheduled for either January 26th or 27th, will provide the commissioners with an opportunity to further express to CP&L officials the Board's desire to work closely with them in this effort.

As the Board considers public involvement with the NRC, the County will be bound by the constraints of the NRC process. The NRC's process for public input requires the following:

If the NRC staff determines that the County has "standing", i.e. there is a valid claim to being affected by the proposed expansion, Orange County will be eligible to participate or intervene in the application comment and review process.

According to Commissioner Alice Gordon, "The Board wishes to gather as much relevant information as it can within the time constraints of the NRC process. It is to the County's advantage to preserve its options now, should it become necessary to intervene in the NRC review process later. The Board of Commissioners will make the decision to intervene only after reviewing the requested information."

In order to intervene in the permitting process, Orange County must submit credible contentions, i.e., those based on legal or technically sound analysis. To that end, the Board will have to acquire the technical and legal assistance to evaluate CP&L's proposal and permit application. The estimated cost of the consulting and legal services range between $12,000 and $18,000. The commissioners will discuss and consider acting on these steps at tonight's regularly scheduled board meeting. If approved, it is anticipated that the consultant's reports will be received no earlier than February 2, 1999.

As a corollary, the Board is contacting Chatham County and other local jurisdictions to ascertain their level of interest in intervening in the permitting process. With more jurisdictions involved, there will be more opportunities for sharing public concerns, as well as obtaining additional information regarding the impact of an expanded nuclear waste facility.

For more information, please contact John Link, Orange County Manager, at 732-8181, ext. 2300.

Prepared by Sharron Hinton Siler, Management Analyst