Board of
County Commissioners Contact:
Buck Tredway |
January/February 2001 Click on subject to read news release
November/December 2000 Orange County Youth Programs Cancelled Tonight FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 22, 2001 Contact: Bob Jones, (919) 245-2660 Due to weather conditions, the Orange County Recreation and Parks Department has cancelled all youth programs for this evening. For more information, please call Bob Jones, Director, Orange County Recreation and Parks Department, at 245-2660. Orange County
Small Business Loan Program Provides FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: February 19, 2001 For more information: Dianne Reid, Economic Development Director, (919) 245-2325, dreid@co.orange.nc.us The Board of Directors of the Orange County Small Business Loan Program Company is pleased to announce a new resource for local businesses. The loan program, designed to stimulate successful business development and expansion, can make loans of $5,000 to $50,000 to businesses located in Orange County. The program is a joint effort of the county and local banks to make credit available for the purchase of equipment or real estate, working capital, start-up funding, and the expansion of business services or products. Area banks participating in the program are Bank of America, Central Carolina Bank, Wachovia, BB&T, First Union, Centura, First Citizens, and Harrington Bank. "This program recognizes the crucial role that small businesses play in the Orange County economy," said Orange County Commissioner Margaret Brown, Vice President of the Loan Program Company Board of Directors. "Nationally, businesses employing fewer than 25 people account for over 80 percent of all new jobs. It is our goal that local businesses have access to the capital they need to thrive and expand." "It has taken several years to get the program up and running, but we’re delighted to expand the pool of money available to Orange County’s many small businesses," said Earl Tye, President of the Loan Program Company Board and City Executive for BB&T. "We look forward to receiving applications and closing our first loan." Additional information and applications are available through the Orange County Economic Development Commission, P.O. Box 1177, 110 East King Street, Hillsborough, (919) 245-2325, and through the EDC's website: www.co.orange.nc.us/ecodev. ### Human
Relations Commission Announces Awards Reception is Feb. 25 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: February 15, 2001 For more information: Annette Moore, Human Rights and Relations Director, (919) 245-2250, amoore@co.orange.nc.us The Orange County Human Relations Commission has awarded the 2000 Pauli Murray Human Relations Award to Bonnie B. Davis of Hillsborough and Joe Herzenberg of Chapel Hill. The award, originally established in 1990, is given to an Orange County resident who have served with distinction in the pursuit of equality, justice and human rights for all citizens. The 2000 Pauli Murray Human Relations Youth Award has been awarded to Jacquelyn Lynn Price of Hillsborough. The youth award was established in 1996, and is given to recognize an outstanding young person who has, through recognized actions, demonstrated a concern for the rights of all people. The 2000 Pauli Murray Human Relations Business Award has been awarded to Sports Endeavors, Inc. of Hillsborough. The business award established in 1999. This award recognizes an outstanding business that has encouraged diversity in the workforce; provided leadership and direction for upward mobility for all employees; had programs which enable employee self-improvement; promoted and participated in community activities related to human relation issues; and demonstrated positive roles in human relations. The Commission will be presenting these awards at a reception in honor of Ms. Bonnie B. Davis, Mr. Joe Herzenberg, Ms. Jacquelyn Lynn Price, and Sports Endeavors, Inc. on Sunday, February 25, 2001, 1:00 p.m., at A. L. Stanback Middle School Media Center on Highway 86 South, Hillsborough. The public is invited to attend. The Orange County Human Relations Commission celebrates this month as Human Relations Month and believes that in order to achieve justice and equal opportunity for all Orange County residents, they must all strive to create an atmosphere where people are valued and accepted rather than merely tolerated, and therefore have chosen to promote that idea through the theme, "Building Bridges: From Tolerance to Acceptance." # # # Airline
Tickets Highlight Prizes for FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 13, 2001 Contacts: Patty Griffin, Communications Manager, Convention and Visitors Bureau, (919) 968-2060 Photographers of all ages and skill levels can compete for a number of travel-related prizes in the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau 2001 "Be A Tourist in Orange County" Photography Contest. Each of the contest’s five categories will receive a first, second and third place prize. First place winners will receive overnight accommodations and meal for two at an Orange County Hotel/B&B; second place wins a $75 gift certificate for camera equipment, supplies/services; and third place receives a dinner certificate. Also, the "Best of Show" will be awarded at the end of the contest for the single best slide, print or image. This winner shall receive two roundtrip airline tickets to anywhere Midway Airlines flies, sponsored by Meridian, the in-flight magazine for Midway Airlines. The five contest categories are: 1) Sports, Nature and Recreation; 2) Orange County’s Four Seasons; 3) Uptown and Downtown: Daytime & Nightlife Fun; 4) Historical Orange County; and 5) Orange County Images of Distinction. Entries may be submitted as color 35 mm slides, color prints (no larger than 8" x 10") or digital images. The entry deadline is 5 pm on April 6. Winners will also initially have their photos published and/or displayed during May to celebrate National Tourism Week. For a complete set of rules and an official entry form drop by the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau at 501 W. Franklin St., Suite 104, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, call 919/968-2060 or visit the web site www.chocvb.org. Entry forms can also be picked up in Chapel Hill at The Chapel Hill Herald, 106 Mallette St.; Photoquick, 1400 E. Franklin St., University Photo & Video, 1202 Raleigh Road; Wolf Camera (Chapel Hill North), 1804 Airport Road and in Carrboro at Southeastern Camera & Supply, 205 W. Main St. Human Rights
and Relations Department FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: January 29, 2001 For more information: Milan Pham, Orange County Department of Human Rights and Relations, (919) 245-2255 The Orange County Department of Human Rights and Relations, in association with Orange County and Chapel Hill/Carrboro Schools, the UNC Campus Y, The Orange County Dispute Settlement Center, and the Orange County Arts Commission, will sponsor a youth summit, focused on the theme of "Building Bridges: From Tolerance to Acceptance." The summit will be held February 23rd and 24th, 2001 at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Hanes Art Center and at the Sheraton Hotel in Chapel Hill. Three hundred area youth are expected to attend the Summit, along with government officials, members of local organizations, and representatives from educational institutions. The Summit will initiate dialogue between the youth of Orange County and the community at large concerning the issues of racism, sexism, violence and discrimination in our schools and communities. Philadelphia-based poet, recording artist and activist Ursula Rucker, best known for her work with hip-hop group The Roots, will open the Summit with a performance on Friday evening at 7:30 pm in the Hanes Art Center Auditorium. Sista Rhonda and the Cypher Poets will also perform. "The Summit will give the community a chance to interact and dialogue with youth in a way we don’t normally," says Annette Moore, Director of the Department of Human Rights and Relations. "It will allow youth to not only discuss these issues, but work towards finding solutions to resolve them." The Summit will take place as part of Human Relations Month, a series of activities and events throughout the month of February sponsored by the Department and the Orange County Human Relations Commission. Other events will include an essay contest, an art exhibit, and the presentation of the Pauli Murray Human Relations Award. The Summit is open to the public; for registration information, call Milan Pham at 245-2255. More information on the web: Ursula Rucker bio: www.apbspeakers.com/info.asp?id=000260 Orange County Department of Human Rights and Relations: http://www.co.orange.nc.us/hrr/ Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools: Orange County Schools: UNC-Chapel Hill Campus Y: Orange County Arts Commission: # # # Orange
County is Designated a FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 27, 2000 For more information: David Stancil, (919) 245-2590, dstancil@co.orange.nc.us For the third consecutive year, the County of Orange has been designated a Groundwater Guardian community for 2000-2001. The County joins 156 communities across the nation in this designation, and is one of four local governments in North Carolina to receive the distinction. Groundwater Guardian is a program of The Groundwater Foundation, and is designed to encourage citizen involvement in groundwater protection projects in their communities. Groundwater Guardian activities range from education and awareness programs to implementing wellhead protection programs 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. During 2000, 156 communities representing 37 states and Canada achieved Groundwater Guardian designation by forming community teams and voluntarily working on groundwater protection projects. This is Orange County’s third year as a Groundwater Guardian community, having first been designated in 1998. The Orange County Water Resources Committee, chaired by Don Cox, serves as the local Groundwater Guardian team. The primary area of emphasis for the Committee is the multi-year Ground Water Resource Investigation being conducted cooperatively with the U.S. Geological Survey, and production of a series of brochures on ground water issues. The results of the resource investigation with USGS are anticipated in February, 2001. This Committee also coordinates the Ground Water Center, a service for County citizens with questions about groundwater. The Ground Water Center is housed in the Orange Soil and Water District office in Hillsborough, and can be accessed by visit or by calling 644-3333 (after-hours voice mail available). Additional information on the Water Resources project can be found on the Orange County web site at http://www.co.orange.nc.us/ercd. For more information about this release, contact David Stancil at (919) 245-2590 or dstancil@co.orange.nc.us. Flu Vaccinations Still Available FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: January 25, 2001 For more information: Rosemary Summers, Health Director, (919) 245-2400 Flu is on the rise in North Carolina, but it is not too late to be immunized against the disease. The Orange County Health Department still has flu vaccine available for those who have not yet been immunized. The Health Department will be offering Influenza vaccine on a first-come-first-served basis Wednesday, January 31, 2001 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Kerr Drug-University Mall, South Estes Drive at Willow Drive, Chapel Hill. The cost of the ‘flu’ vaccine is $12.00. Medicare Part B recipients are eligible for free vaccine and should bring their Medicaid card. Call 245-2400 for more information. # # # "Be a Tourist in Orange County" Photography Contest For Immediate Release January 24, 2001 Contact: Patty Griffin, Communications Manager, Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, (919) 968-2060 The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau announced today its 2001 "Be A Tourist in Orange County" Photography Contest. Photographers of all ages and levels of experience are invited to submit works that capture these five categories in Orange County: 1) Sports, Nature and Recreation; 2) Orange County’s Four Seasons; 3) Uptown and Downtown: Daytime & Nightlife Fun; 4) Historical Orange County; and 5) Orange County Images of Distinction. Entries may be submitted as color 35 mm slides, color prints (no larger than 8" x 10") or digital images. The entry deadline is 5 pm on April 6. Each of the five categories will have a first, second and third place winner with prizes and certificates awarded. The Best of Show will be awarded at the end of the contest for the single best slide, print or image and this winner shall receive a special grand prize. Winners will also initially have their photos published and/or displayed during May to celebrate National Tourism Week. For a complete set of rules and an official entry form drop by the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau at 501 W. Franklin St., Suite 104, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, call 919/968-2060, visit the web site www.chocvb.org or request by e-mail at pgriffin@chocvb.org. Entry forms can also be picked up in Chapel Hill at The Chapel Hill Herald, 106 Mallette St.; Photoquick, 1400 E. Franklin St., University Photo & Video, 1202 Raleigh Road; Wolf Camera (Chapel Hill North), 1804 Airport Road and in Carrboro at Southeastern Camera & Supply, 205 W. Main St. # # # Arts Commission Revising Grant Categories January 23, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ann Kaplan, Director, (919) 245-2335 After much conversation with past grantees, artists, educators, the Orange County Arts Commission has begun a process of reviewing and reassessing our annual grant cycles. The two past categories of grants offered:
The Arts Commission will be revising the grant categories in February, 2001 and announcing the new grants and their details in March, 2001. We welcome comments, suggestions, and general feedback concerning these categories and how they may be revised to the benefit of Orange County arts and culture. Please feel free to call us at (919) 245-2335 or email us at arts@co.orange.nc.us. # # # "Buy Recycled" Conference Grant Awarded to Orange County by State of North Carolina For Immediate Release Friday, January 19, 2001 Contact: Orange Community Recycling, 968-2788, recycle@co.orange.nc.us Orange County was awarded a $4,500 grant from the State of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources this year to host a conference encouraging the purchase of goods with recycled content. Sarah Ketchem, Waste Management Analyst with the North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance, presented the Orange County Board of Commissioners with a plaque designating acceptance of the award at the Board meeting on January 18, 2001. With the grant award, Orange Community Recycling is hosting a Buy Recycled Conference Monday February 19, 2001 for purchasing agents in the government and private sectors. Agents and personnel that would like to know more or share their experiences with environmentally preferable, recycled or "green" purchasing are invited to attend. To register for the conference, contact Lynn Bossong, Orange County recycling education specialist at 968-2788. Conference cost is $19 and includes lunch and a resource book. Vendors of recycled goods may register to display their products at the conference for $79. # # # Agricultural Summit is February 1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: January 18, 2001 For more information: Fletcher Barber, (919) 245-2050 Orange County will hold its third annual Agricultural Summit, Thursday, Feb. 1, at Schley Grange Hall, at the intersection of Schley Road and N.C. 57. The summit will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and lunch will be provided. Participants will hear an update of the North Carolina Tax Credit Program for farmland preservation, and the North Carolina Farmland Preservation Trust that makes funds available to local governments and land conservation groups to purchase development rights for farmland preservation. The Orange County Environment and Resource Conservation Department earlier this month received a $107,000 grant from this fund to help purchase development rights on two Orange County farms. Betty Bailey of the Rural Advancement Fund International in Pittsboro will speak on strategies for preserving farming during times of agricultural transition. Marketing of agricultural products will be the focus of farmer-led topics to be examined this year. Farmers to speak include Muffin Brosig from Maple View Farm who will address marketing strategies for value-added products and farm processed foods. Maple View has been very successful in developing a retail market for their bottled milk. On January 1, they opened an on-farm store to sell farm-produced ice cream as well as their bottled dairy products. Mitchell Wrenn, a strawberry and vegetable producer, will discuss his success in marketing produce and fruit in a rural area of eastern Wake County. Mr. Wrenn has also developed a successful plant brokerage and custom farm services business for other strawberry and vegetable growers. Brothers Bill and Dwayne Hering of Clinton, will explain their success in marketing quality hay through some ingenious techniques, including the use of the Internet, while maintaining a family turkey operation. For more information, or to register, call the Cooperative Extension office at (919) 245-2050. # # # Orange County Holds Special Flu Clinics January 9, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Sue Rankin, RN (919) 245-2400 The Orange County Health Department has received
additional flu vaccine and will sponsor two special
immunization clinics. The public can receive flu and
pneumonia shots at the following walk-in clinics:
The flu vaccine costs $12. The cost for the pneumonia vaccine is $15. Medicare Part B recipients are eligible for free vaccine and are reminded to bring their Medicare card. "The flu season runs through April, so it’s not too late to get vaccinated", states Rosemary Summers, Orange County Health Director. "Many people delayed getting their flu shot because of early vaccine shortages and requests from health officials to allow the most at-risk citizens to receive their shots first. With the renewed supply, we are encouraging those who waited to take advantage of this opportunity for immunization and reduce their risk of contracting the flu," said Summers. For more information, please call the Orange County Health Department at 245-2400. # # # County to Receive Grant to Help Protect Farmland in Northwestern Orange January 5, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: David Stancil 245-2590, Rich Shaw 245-2591 (FPTF contact: Chuck Roe 919/828-4199) The County learned yesterday that its grant request for $107,000 toward the purchase of a conservation easement on a farm near Mebane has been approved. Agriculture Commissioner Meg Scott Phipps announced the award as part of $1.4 million awarded statewide from the Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. On December 8, the County submitted a grant application to the Farmland Preservation Trust Fund to assist with the Lands Legacy program’s first farmland conservation easement. The request asked for $107,000 (or half of the cost) of purchasing an agricultural conservation easement on 70 acres of land on High Rock Road, owned by Victor and Lucille Walters of Cedar Grove Township. 92-year-old Victor Walters, Orange County Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1953, has farmed in the County since the 1920’s, and on this land since 1942. The County Environment and Resource Conservation Department is working with the Walters’ family on the details of the conservation easement, the total cost of which is anticipated to be $215,000. The County anticipates finalizing an easement agreement in February. The entire Walters farm is comprised of 277 acres, all of which is in the County’s Voluntary Agricultural District program. Most of the 70 acres proposed for the easement is in pasture, used for growing hay and raising mixed breed dairy cows and Angus beef cattle. The land proposed for easement also includes a farm pond and a barn. County Commissioners Chair Steve Halkiotis said, "We are very pleased to hear of this grant award. We hope that this grant will continue the momentum that has been created for conservation easements and land conservation in Orange County." Commissioner Margaret Brown added, "I am delighted that we are starting our initial farmland conservation easement with this grant." Commissioner Barry Jacobs stated, "Once again, we're gratified the state has recognized the worth of an Orange County initiative to protect open space. The county is committed to an active course of preserving agriculture and significant open space. We hope the success of the Walters project will encourage other farmers and rural property owners to consider the advantages of conservation easements as a tool to meet their individual needs while also advancing important public purposes." Conservation easements place voluntary restrictions on the future use of private property. Land that has a conservation easement remains in private ownership, but limits certain kinds of intensive development while protecting important conservation values, such as productive farmland and/or natural areas. The grant award is the fifth in the last 12 months for the County’s Lands Legacy program, established by the Board of Commissioners in April 2000. The program, administered by the Environment and Resource Conservation Department, seeks to protect the county’s high-priority natural and cultural resources (including prime farmland) through purely voluntary means. Since March of 2000, Lands Legacy has secured $1.14 million in State and Federal grants to protect resource lands. The Farmland Preservation Trust Fund was established by the General Assembly in 1997, and provides matching funds to local governments and non-profit land trusts for "protecting rural lands, principally used for agricultural purposes and particularly in the vicinities of urban growth areas, and near high-priority waterways and other environmentally sensitive areas." A total of $1.5 million in grants was available this year from the Fund. The funds are administered by the Conservation Trust for North Carolina on behalf of the NC Department of Agriculture. The Conservation Trust is dedicated to conserving land resources throughout North Carolina through direct action and by helping communities, private land trusts and landowners protect lands most important for their natural resources. # # # |
