January/February 2000
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Household Hazardous Waste Collection / Latex Paint Exchange Set for March 4 at Orange Regional Landfill - February 29, 2000
Orange County reports first Rabies Case of 2000 - February 25, 2000
Agricultural Extension Presents Agricultural Summit Diversification Series - Feb. 24, 2000
Human Relations Commission to Present Awards - Feb. 21, 2000
Orange County School Funding Options Task Force to hold Initial Meeting - Feb. 14, 2000
County Extends Tax Listing Deadline - Feb. 2, 2000
Orange County Launches Second Phase of Challenge to CP&L Expansion Plan - Jan. 31, 2000
Human Relations Commission Extends Pauli Murray Award Nominations Deadline - Jan. 31, 2000
Orange County Artists’ Forum Postponed - Jan. 19, 2000
Orange County Agricultural Summit Postponed - Jan. 19, 2000
Human Relations Commission Seeks Award Nominations - Jan 4, 2000
Click here for Pauli Murray Human Relations Award Nomination Form
Orange County EMD Program Wins Statewide Award - Jan. 4, 2000
Household Hazardous Waste Collection / Latex Paint Exchange Set for March 4
at Orange Regional Landfill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 29, 2000
For more information: Orange Community Recycling, 968-2788
Help keep Orange Regional Landfill safe into the future by diverting potentially dangerous materials to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection, held the first Saturday of the month March through November.
"Hazardous waste collection from residents will resume March 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Orange Regional Landfill," says Robert Taylor, Hazardous Program Coordinator for Orange Community Recycling. "Please bring household chemicals, lawn, pool, and automotive chemicals, as well as batteries and paint for recycling and safe disposal."
"An estimated 25 percent of all hazardous materials used in this country are used by home owners," says Blair Pollock, Solid Waste Programs Manager. "We encourage citizens to minimize the consumption of hazardous materials by switching to safe alternatives. If you do opt for hazardous (toxic, flammable, corrosive or reactive) products, please purchase only what you need and use according to instructions."
Orange Community Recycling operates a Latex Paint Exchange concurrent with the household hazardous waste collection. Oil based paints are diverted for recycling, but useable latex paint is made available to residents for free. "As March is our first month back after closing for the winter, we will be restocking the shelves of the Latex Paint Exchange," says Taylor. "I advise paint seekers to come later in the day and to be patient. More paint will be available in the coming months."
Residents of Chatham, Durham, Orange and Wake counties are welcome to take advantage of this public service. A cooperative agreement means Orange County residents can take hazardous materials to collections in other counties. Chatham operates on the third Saturday, Durham on the second and fourth Saturdays, Orange on the first Saturday and Wake on the first and third Saturdays. Winter closures vary by county.
More information is available at CITYLINE 549-5100, Category 2735.
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Orange County reports first Rabies Case of 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 25, 2000
For more information: John Sauls, Animal Control, 245-2075
Orange County Animal Control reported its first rabies case of the new year this week, demonstrating that rabies is still a threat to the raccoon population.
Animal Control reported nine rabies cases in raccoons and three rabies cases in bats in 1999. In 1998, there were 39 cases of rabies reported in ground-dwelling animals and three cases of rabies carried by bats.
The peak year for rabies in Orange County, 1997, saw a total of 106 confirmed rabies cases. But Animal Control Director John Sauls cautions that the declining number of positive rabies cases does not mean that rabies is on its way out.
"Pet owners and others should not stop exercising normal precautions," Sauls said. "Rabies is still epidemic in the raccoon population, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future."
Precautions include making sure domestic pets are vaccinated against the deadly disease, and confining pets to your own property. Residents should not leave pet food outside to attract other animals. Garbage cans should be secure so they do not attract wildlife or other pets.
Sauls also recommends that crawlspaces should be closed completely and mobile homes secured by underpinning so that raccoons, opossums or other animals do not try to make your home their home. Attics should also be completely secured to help repel bats. Louvered vents and soffits should be screened and any holes repaired promptly.
Residents should contact Animal Control immediately to report suspicions raccoons or any dog or cat believed to be unvaccinated.
N.C. State law requires that pet owners display current rabies vaccination tags on their pets to prove their vaccinations are current. Pets without rabies tags or other identification will be picked up by Animal Control and impounded.
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Agricultural Extension Presents Agricultural Summit Diversification Series
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2000
For more information: Kay Evans, Agricultural Extension, 245-2050
The sessions listed below are part of a follow-up series from the Agricultural Summit. The purpose of this series is to offer more in-depth information on various types of farm diversification opportunities that might offer possibilities to increase farm income. We hope that you will consider participating in some of the sessions that interest you.
#1 Greenhouse Tour – March 1 – 9:00 a.m.
As a continuation of the Agricultural Summit program, there will be a tour of various types of greenhouses on Wednesday, March 1st for anyone interested. The purpose of the tour is to look at alternative uses for tobacco greenhouses such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and ornamentals. This tour would also be suitable for those interested in greenhouse production who don’t already have greenhouses.
If you are interested in this tour, please call the Extension Office at 245-2050. We will meet at the Extension Office at 9:00 a.m. and carpool to several greenhouses locally and in surrounding counties.
#2 Organic Vegetable Production – March 8 – 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Keith Baldwin and Dr. Nancy Creamer from NCSU will discuss in detail the nuts and bolts of Organic Vegetable Production systems covering the following items:
- Marketing
- Basics of Organic Production
- Organic Fertilizer Materials
- Insect and Disease Control
This meeting will be held in the Foods Lab at the Extension Office in Hillsborough.
#3 Income from Forestry and Wildlife Resources – March 15 – 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Chris Morman and Dr. Bill Gardner, from the Forestry Department at NCSU will present a program covering the items below:
- Timber Harvest Tips
- Woodlot Management
- Hunting Leases
- Shooting Preserves
- Outdoor Tourism Opportunities
This meeting will be held in the Foods Lab at the Extension Office.
Please call the Extension Office at 245-2050 to register for any of these meetings.
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Human Relations Commission to Present Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 21, 2000
For more information: Pamala Pagan, 245-2250
The Orange County Human Relations Commission has awarded the 1999 Pauli Murray Human Relations Award to Aubrey Chris Nutter of Hillsborough. 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 1999 Pauli Murray Human Relations Youth Award has been awarded to Danielle Brittany 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.
This year for the first time, the Commission is also awarding a Pauli Murray Human Relations Business Award to Weaver Street Market of Carrboro. 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 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".
The Commission will be presenting these awards at a reception in honor of Aubrey Chris Nutter, Danielle Brittany Price and Weaver Street Market on Sunday, February 27, 2000, at 3:00 p.m. at A. L. Stanback Middle School Media Center on Highway 86 South, Hillsborough. The public is invited to attend.
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Orange County School Funding Options Task Force to hold Initial Meeting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 14, 2000
For more information: Rod Visser, 245-2300
The task force recently appointed by the Orange County Board of Commissioners to examine options for establishing parameters for local funding of future annual school budgets holds its first meeting tomorrow.
The meeting is scheduled for 3:00pm in the Public Meeting Room of the Orange County Government Services Center, 200 S. Cameron St., in Hillsborough. The task force consists of two representatives from each of the governing boards involved – Moses Carey and Barry Jacobs of the Board of County Commissioners; Susan Halkiotis and Keith Cook of the Orange County Board of Education; and Elizabeth Carter and Nick Didow of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education.
In June 1999, as part of their adopted goals for fiscal year 1999-2000, the Orange County Board of Commissioners indicated their intention to establish parameters that would guide the development of future County budgets with regard to school funding. The Board views this as important, in that the portion of the County’s annual General Fund budget devoted to schools has increased to more than 48 percent in recent years. The Board received a report from County staff last fall that outlined some points that could be considered in establishing a framework for future school budgets.
The School Funding Options Task Force was appointed because the Board of Commissioners believes that it would be beneficial to receive direct input from school board members as to the nature of these parameters prior to their formal adoption by the Board of Commissioners. The task force is expected to deliver its report to the Board of Commissioners in early March.
Moses Carey, Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners and of this task force said: "The Orange County Commissioners have for a number of years provided the highest annual amount of local school funding per pupil in the State of North Carolina. We look forward to discussing with the school boards how we can establish parameters that will maintain our traditional commitment to excellence in public education. We hope that without setting any hard cap, per se, we will find a way to balance the needs of schools with other high priority public services."
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County Extends Tax Listing Deadline
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 2, 2000
For more information: John Smith, Tax Assessor, (919) 245-2101
Orange County citizens have two extra weeks to list their property taxes, courtesy of Old Man Winter.
County Commissioners approved the extension at last night’s regular Board meeting. Citizens now have until Monday, February 14 to list their property taxes without incurring a late filing penalty.
"Due to the inclement weather and treacherous road conditions during the last two weeks of January, it has been difficult and perhaps impossible for some citizens to get their listing in before the January 31 deadline," said County Tax Assessor John Smith.
North Carolina general statutes give the County Commissioners the authority to extend the tax-listing period for up to 30 days.
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Human Relations Commission Extends Pauli Murray Award Nominations Deadline
For Immediate Release
January 31, 2000
For more information, contact: Mariah McPherson, Chair HRC Awards and Honors Committee 919-732-2583, or Pamela C. Pagan, Civil Rights Specialist Department of Human Rights & Relations
Nominations for the Pauli Murray Awards were due in the Department of Human Rights and Relations offices by Monday, January 31, 2000, at 5:00 PM. Due to the inclement weather the deadline date has been extended until Monday, February 14, 2000, at 5:00 PM.
Nomination materials are available at the Orange County Department for Human Rights and Relations in Hillsborough; Orange County public libraries; Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough town halls; Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce; Chapel Hill - Carrboro Chamber of Commerce; and on the Orange County Government Web Page under Press Releases (http://www.co.orange.nc.us).
For more information, contact the Orange County Human Relations Commission at 919-245-2250.
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Orange County Launches Second Phase of Challenge to CP&L Expansion Plan
For Immediate Release
Jan. 31, 2000
For more information: Paul Thames, 245-2300
Orange County today launched the second stage of its legal challenge to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC’s) refusal to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) regarding Carolina Power & Light’s (CP&L) proposal to more than double spent nuclear fuel storage capacity at its Shearon Harris nuclear power plant.
The County filed a set of "contentions" with the NRC’s Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) – the judicial arm of the NRC. The contentions object to the NRC Staff’s determination that no EIS is required because the proposed license amendment would not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. The County seeks to demonstrate in a public evidentiary hearing that the risks of a severe spent fuel pool accident at Harris are indeed significant and deserve a complete and thorough environmental analysis.
According to Orange County’s expert witness, Dr. Gordon Thompson, the NRC Staff’s "no significant impact" determination is based on an outdated understanding of severe accident risks. Dr. Thompson, an expert on severe accidents at nuclear facilities, noted that the NRC has never taken into account new information which shows that if there is an accident that degrades the reactor core, it is likely to lead to an additional accident involving the spent fuel pools. "In a severe reactor accident, there is a significant risk that the water in the spent fuel pools will boil down, but operators will not be able to gain access to the pools to refill them because of high radiation levels. A boil-down of spent fuel water could lead to overheating of the fuel and a very large release of radioactivity from the pools." According to Dr. Thompson, the NRC has never acknowledged or evaluated this risk.
Orange County’s attorney, Diane Curran, added that "the purpose of requesting the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement is to obtain a complete and accurate assessment of the accident risk and a comparison with other, alternative methods of spent fuel storage." The County advocates a combination of dry storage and lower-density pool storage as a safer alternative to high-density storage in fuel pools. "Dry storage avoids the risk of associated with loss of water from the storage pools," commented Dr. Thompson. "Pool storage with a less dense configuration of spent fuel assemblies would also reduce the risk associated with water loss.
In the first stage of the case, the NRC’s Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) is currently considering Orange County’s evidence regarding the inadequacy of CP&L’s proposed measures for criticality prevention and quality assurance of piping. The County presented its evidence to the ASLB in an oral argument on January 21, 2000. The County has asked the ASLB to deny CP&L’s request for an operating license, because CP&L has failed to implement physical measures for preventing a chain reaction in the spent fuel pools. In addition, CP&L has improperly evaded the requirement to seek a construction permit amendment before putting into service piping that was left idle for 17 years after the Harris construction permit for Units 3 and 4 was abandoned.
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Orange County Artists’ Forum Postponed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 19, 2000
For more information: Ann Kaplan, Arts Coordinator, 245-2335
The Orange County Artists’ Forum, scheduled for 7 p.m. today, January 19, has been postponed due to expected winter weather.
The artists’ forum has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 2, 7 p.m., at Homestead Community Center.
(Attention News Editors: Please add this notice to your list of weather-related cancellations.)
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Orange County Agricultural Summit Postponed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 19, 2000
For more information: Fletcher Barber, Cooperative Extension Director, 245-2051
The Orange County Agricultural Summit, scheduled for Thursday, January 20, has been postponed due to expected winter weather.
The agricultural summit has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 3, Schley Grange Hall, at the intersection of Schley Road and N.C. 57 in northern Orange County, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(Attention News Editors: Please add this notice to your list of weather-related cancellations.)
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Human Relations Commission Seeks Award Nominations
January 4, 2000
For more information: Mariah McPherson, Chair HRC Awards and Honors Committee 919-732-2583
The Orange County Human Relations Commission is inviting members of the Orange County community to submit nominations for the 1999 Pauli Murray Human Relations Award.
This award honors individuals who have a significant history of promoting and fostering better human relations among the diverse residents of Orange County.
The Commission is also awarding a Pauli Murray Human Relations Youth Award, and is seeking nominations for an outstanding young person who has demonstrated, by one or more recognized acts, a concern for the rights of all people.
This year, for the first time, the Commission will award a business the Pauli Murray Human Relations Business Award. This award will honor an outstanding business that has encouraged diversity in the workforce, provided leadership and direction for upward mobility for all employees, sponsored programs to enable employee self-improvement, promoted and participated in community activities related to human relations issues, and demonstrated positive roles in human relations.
Nominations are due in the Commission offices by Monday, January 31, at 5:00 p.m. Nomination materials are available at the Orange County Department for Human Rights and Relations in Hillsborough; Orange County public libraries; Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough town halls; Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce; and Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce.
Application materials are also available at the County’s web site: www.co.orange.nc.us/OCCLERKS/pmanom.htm.
Originally established in 1990, the Pauli Murray Human Relations Award commemorates the life and achievements of the late Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray. Dr. Murray's family had deep roots in Orange County, where her grandmother was a slave and her great-grandfather was a slave owner.
She distinguished herself as a lawyer, professor, priest, writer, poet, feminist and activist who confronted racist ad sexist acts, here in North Carolina and across the United States. An "On the Road with Charles Kuralt" film clip featuring Pauli Murray's 1978 celebration of the Eucharist at the Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill, where her ancestors worshipped, will be shown at the awards ceremony on Sunday, February 27 at A.L. Stanback Middle School.
For more information, contact the Orange County Human Relations Commission, 245-2250.
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Orange County EMD Program Wins Statewide Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 4, 2000
For more information: Nick Waters, 919-968-2050
Orange County’s Paramedic Initial Response Program has been recognized as a 1999 Outstanding County Program by the N.C. Association of County Commissioners.
Orange County was recognized along with two programs from other counties in the General Government and Public Awareness/Public Participation categories. The association received more than 85 entries in the three categories.
The award will be presented at an Orange County Board of Commissioners meeting in early 2000.
The project changed the concept of emergency medical services from one based solely on response time to one of patient outcome. Instead of a traditional 911 call bringing an ambulance for transportation to the hospital, Orange County’s program focuses on the appropriate treatment and transportation for each patient.
The County established an emergency medical dispatch system that prioritized each call based on symptoms described to 911 telecommunicators. Paramedics were removed from ambulances and placed in zone cars. The County also put into place a first responder program of specially trained firefighters with training in basic life support and operation of automatic defibrillators for acute calls, and a patient transportation program.
The project has allowed paramedics to better manage resources and handle growth without adding staff. The sudden cardiac arrest "save" rate has increased from 6 percent to 20 percent since the implementation of the program. The new system also reduces potential liability to the County by dramatically reducing the number of times EMS units must respond with lights and sirens.
"The project is innovative and can easily be replicated," said Outstanding County Program Award judges. "It is a cost-effective method of service delivery without impacting the quality of service in potentially life-threatening situations."
For more information, contact Nick Waters at 968-2050.
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