|
Board of County Commissioners Contact: David Hunt Return to Orange County Home Page |
News Releases July/August 2008 Click on subject to read news release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release Date: August 28, 2008 Contact: Muriel
Williman, Orange County
Solid Waste Management, (919) 968-2788 Labor Day Landfill and Solid Waste Schedule
Curbside recycling
will be collected as
normally scheduled on Labor Day. If your recycling day falls on
Monday, September 1st be sure to have your bin to the
curb by 7:00AM that day or put it out the night before.
The Orange County Landfill will be closed Monday September 1st in honor of Labor Day. All services at the landfill, including mulch sales and the Hazardous Household Waste Collection will also be closed. The landfill and all associated services will resume normal hours of operation at 7:00AM on Tuesday September 2nd. The Orange County Solid Waste Convenience Centers will be closed Monday September 1st and will resume normal hours of operation at 7am on Tuesday September 3rd. Recycling services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 24-hour recycling drop-off sites located at: · Cedar Falls Park, Weaver Dairy Rd., Chapel Hill · Carrboro Plaza, Hwy 54, Carrboro · Hampton Pointe, Hwy 86, Hillsborough · Meadowmont, Hwy 54, Chapel Hill · University Mall, Estes Drive, Chapel Hill # # # FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release Date: August 26, 2008 Contact: Jeff
Thompson, Orange County
Purchasing, (919) 245-2657 or Kim Vrana, President, Resolute Building Company, (919)
493-1000 Crane Accident on Orange County Site in Hillsborough At approximately noon today, a construction crane in Hillsborough arced with an elevated power line injuring three construction workers. The injured workers were taken by ambulance to the hospital. Two were released a short time later. The crane was located next to power lines running along the south side of West Margaret lane near Churton Street in downtown Hillsborough. Power was lost to portions of Hillsborough, but has since been restored. Telesis Construction Management, the Construction Manager At Risk for the new Orange County facility and Resolute Building Company, the general contractor, are currently investigating the accident. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release Date: August 19, 2008 Contact: James Hester, Orange County
Parks and Recreation, (919) 245-2660 Cedar Grove Bluegrass Festival This free festival on Saturday, September 27th is sponsored by the Orange County Parks and Recreation Department. Performing will be Diana Jones, Mike Jones and Young at Heart, the Cagle Family, Chuck and the Waggin Ears, the Apple Chill Cloggers, and the New River Rock Skippers. The festival will be held at the Northern Human Services Center (located on Highway 86 North) in Cedar Grove, from 12noon to 6:00pm. Gates will open at 10:00am for the event. The festival will be held rain or shine, bring your chairs and blankets. Food vendors will be on site. For more information call 919-245-2660. http://www.co.orange.nc.us/RecParks/music_festivals.asp # # # FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release Date: August 13, 2008 Contact: Katherine
Cathey, Organization Development Manger, Orange County
Human Resources, (919) 245-2050 Orange County Personnel Hearing Board to Meet The Orange County Personnel Hearing Board will meet on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. for an employee grievance hearing. The meeting will be held at the Link Government Services Center, 200 South Cameron Street, Hillsborough, NC, in the public meeting room. # # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release Date: August 13, 2008 Contact: Fletcher
Barber, Jr., Orange County Cooperative Extension Director, (919)
245-2050 or Noah Ranells, Orange County Agriculture Economic Development
Coordinator, (919)
245-2330 Breeze Farm Incubator Open House Orange County Cooperative Extension and the Economic Development Commission, in collaboration with NC State University’s College of Agriculture & Live Science will host an open house at the WC Breeze Family Farm Extension & Research Center on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 from 4 pm to 6 pm. The open house will feature the People Learning Agriculture Now for Tomorrow (PLANT) @ Breeze program, a new farm enterprise incubator in Orange County. The PLANT series introduced apprentice farmers to the basic how-to’s of small scale, sustainable vegetable and fruit production. Sessions included whole farm planning, marketing, pest & weed control, planting, harvesting, soils, fertility, crop rotation, building a business plan, recordkeeping, and integrating livestock into a farm. The field component of the farm enterprise incubator is based at the W.C. Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Center in Northern Orange County at the intersection of Walnut Grove Church Road and Schley Road. Colonel William C. Breeze and his family donated the farm to NC State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Science. The open house is for anyone interested in learning more about the incubator program as well as other projects at the Breeze Farm. Food produced on the farm as well as other local farms will be served. The farm recently received media attention after a tour by chefs and managers in the food service industry that were interested in organic and locally produced agricultural products. If you would like to attend please contact Beverly Shuford, 919-245-2050 or email beverly_shuford@ncsu.edu. A light meal will be served. For more information about the Breeze Farm please visit http://orange.ces.ncsu.edu/ . # # # FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release Date: July 31, 2008 Contact: Todd Jones, Orange County Chief Information Officer, (919)
245-2285 Orange County Register of Deeds Database Compromised On Wednesday, July 30th, at approximately 10:50 a.m., the Orange County Register of Deeds database was infected with malicious software. Register of Deeds staff notified the Information Technologies department upon receiving complaints that the web-based inquiry tool was returning errors. After troubleshooting the problem, Information Technologies disabled the Register of Deeds web inquiry at approximately 12:15 p.m. that day. The security incident is what is called a "Cross Site Scripting Attack," sometimes known as a “SQL Injection” attack. This is an unauthorized breach of a database server, which becomes infected through a webpage that is publicly accessible, in this case the Register of Deeds’ web-based inquiry tool. Research indicates that persons who used the web tool to query Deeds information between 10:50 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. on July 30th were exposed to the malicious code. The malicious code pointed these users to a website not affiliated with Orange County. This other website attempted to download more malicious software on those users’ computers. Depending on the virus protection software on these computers, users may have been exposed to the malicious software from the other website. As of 2:00 p.m. July 31st, the vendor of the Register of Deeds software, AmCad, and the County’s Information Technology team have restored the application and database to full functionality, with the exception of the suspect web-inquiry component. The web-based inquiry tool will be brought back on line as soon as the vulnerabilities can be fully addressed. Access to Register of Deeds information is available at the Register of Deeds office at 228 S. Churton Street, Suite 300 in Hillsborough. Information Technologies is contracting with a network security consulting service to perform additional analysis of the root cause of the incident, so that Information Technologies and AmCad can perform mitigation. As a precaution, this network security consulting service firm will also analyze our other web services for similar vulnerabilities. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release Date: July 23, 2008 Contact: Laura
Blackmon, Orange County Manager, (919)
245-2300 Moore Named New Staff Attorney for Orange County Laura E. Blackmon, Orange County Manager, announced the appointment of Annette Moore as the new Staff Attorney for Orange County starting July 28, 2008. As Staff Attorney, Moore will provide in-house legal services for County departments, reporting directly to the County Manager. She will work in cooperation with the County Attorney on all legal matters including research and document preparation, and as necessary on litigation and other legal matters. Moore has worked for Orange County since 1999, serving as Director of the Department of Human Rights and Relations, Special Counsel to Orange Person Chatham Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Authority and most recently as Policy and Compliance Officer. Her experience with Orange County includes providing advice on legal issues, policies and procedures related to human resources, public records and record retention, contracts, risk management, land use regulations and the Americans with Disability Act. Prior to work with Orange County, Moore served as the Fair Housing Manager with the North Carolina Human Relations Commission. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Virginia State University and a Juris Doctor Degree from The College of William and Mary. She has also held leadership positions on various non-profit boards, including Vice-Chair of El Centro Latino. “With Annette’s in-depth knowledge of Orange County Government, she will be able to hit the ground running as she takes on this new position,” Blackmon said. Moore is ready for the new challenge. “I am excited, honored and look forward to this opportunity to serve as the new Staff Attorney for Orange County,” Moore said. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release Date: July 21, 2008 Contact: Shoshannah
Smith, Orange County Department of Human Rights and
Relations, (919)
960-3877 Orange County Human Rights and Relations Seeking "Community Civil Rights Educators" ORANGE COUNTY- The Orange County Human Rights and Relations Office is continuing to offer training for the Community Civil Rights Educator Program, which was started last year. The program is designed to empower community leaders and help residents understand their rights and responsibilities. Additionally, the support of community leaders will improve the level of trust community members have in the process and in the Office, increasing the likelihood that individuals will seek to vindicate their rights. Between five and ten people will be selected to participate in the Program in the fall. Once the trainings are complete, the Educators will sign a contract with the Office for a period of a year during which the Educators will conduct community outreach. Successful completion of quarterly requirements will result in the award of a monetary stipend. To be considered for selection as a Community Civil Rights Educator, an applicant must be 18 years old or older, a resident of Orange County, not employed by Orange County Government, and not related to current members of the Orange County Human Relations Commission or the Commission for Women. Individuals selected to participate in this program, must attend three (3) mandatory training sessions to be held on October 4, October 18, and November 1, 2008. All trainings will take place at the Seymour Senior Center in Chapel Hill from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You may obtain an application via the web at www.co.orange.nc.us under the What’s New section; at the Human Rights and Relations Office home page http://www.co.orange.nc.us/hrr/index.asp, by calling Jennifer Galassi at 919-960-3876; or you may pick up an application at the Town Hall in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, as well as at El Centro Latino. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release Date: July 18, 2008 Contact: Brenda
Stephens, Orange County Public Library Director, (919)
245-2525 Orange County Public Libraries Reinstate Hours of Operation HILLSBOROUGH, NC – Hours of operation for all Orange County Public Libraries will be reinstated beginning July 28, 2008. County and Library management have re-visited the departmental budget and identified certain purchases to be delayed until next fiscal year and a reduction in monies budgeted for inventory replacement. These adjustments will generate funds sufficient to cover the temporary personnel costs for hours of operation at the Main Library and its branches. Please note these changes. Orange County Public LibrariesMain LibraryMon – Thurs 9 –8 pm Fri 9 – 5 pm Sat 9 – 5 pm Sun 1 – 5 pm Total 64 hours McDougleMon 3:30 – 8 pm Tues – Thurs 3:30 – 8 pm Sat 10 – 2 pm Sun 1 – 5 pm Total 26 hours Cedar GroveMon – Thurs 11 – 7 pm Sat 10 – 2 pm Total 36 hours CybraryMon – Fri 9 – 5 pm Sat 10 – 2 pm Total 44 hours For additional information visit the Orange County Library website http://www.co.orange.nc.us/library/orange/ or call (919) 245-2525. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release Date: July 10, 2008 Contact: Donna Baker, Orange County Clerk to the Board of Commissioners, (919)
245-2130 Orange County Board of Commissioners Special Meeting Notice The Board of County Commissioners will hold a special meeting on Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at the Link Government Services Center, 200 South Cameron Street, in Hillsborough for the purpose of: (1) discussing the qualifications of consultants to engage in a search process for a county attorney, and (2) to consider hiring an attorney to file the necessary documents with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to request an extension for comment on a proposed expansion of the Shearon Harris nuclear power plant, leading to the possibility of a subsequent intervention by Orange County. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release Date: July 9, 2008 Contact: Laura
Blackmon, Orange County Manager, (919)
245-2300 Library Director Announces Retirement Brenda Wilson Stephens, Orange County Library Director, has announced her retirement effective November 1, 2008. Stephens began her library career in Orange County over 30 years ago, driving the bookmobile. She advanced to Library Director, a position she has held since 1993 when the library system moved under Orange County Government. She has also served as the Regional Director for the Hyconeechee Regional Library System covering Caswell, Orange and Person counties. Stephens fondly remembers the early years. “When I began my career, at Confederate Memorial Library in the quiet downtown of Hillsborough, Edna Dawkins put me to work driving the bookmobile. Each day was an opportunity to touch another area in the county and extend the positive programs of the Library to another resident of the County,” Stephens said. The public library system has evolved significantly in the past three decades. When Stephens started work with the library there were no computers at the library. There were no DVDs, CDs or even VHS tapes to be checked out. The library catalog system has moved from paper cards to a highly refined electronic database which can be accessed anywhere in the world. “Brenda Stephens has set a high standard of service, both in terms of extending library opportunities throughout the county and in setting an example for her strong, responsive staff,” Barry Jacobs, Chair of the Orange County Commissioners said. With a new library slated for opening in the spring, search for a new director will start immediately.# # # FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release Date: July 7, 2008 Contact: Kathy Porter, Orange County RSVP 55+ Volunteer Program, (919)
968-2054 Orange County Seeks Nominations in NC Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards Program Orange County Nominations are now being accepted for the 2008 North Carolina Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service. The presentation of these awards offers our community a unique opportunity to identify and recognize outstanding volunteers who have made a significant contribution to their community. There are many outstanding volunteers who contribute thousands of hours to make Orange County a better place to live. County and city governments could not operate without the dedication of volunteers as well as our many local non-profit agencies. This year marks the 30th anniversary of this program that showcases North Carolina's most dedicated volunteers. Through the years, North Carolinians have proven their concern and compassion for their neighbors by volunteering in their local communities. Each county selects five individuals (no age limitations), businesses, and/or groups to be recognized for their outstanding contributions to their communities. One of the five individuals from each county will be nominated for the NC Outstanding Volunteer Medallion award of which twenty will be chosen for the award. A local NC Awards Selection Committee evaluates the nominations. Nomination forms are available in Orange County by contacting the Orange County RSVP 55+ Volunteer Program at 968-2054 or the front desk of the Seymour Center, 968-2070 and posted online at www.co.orange.nc.us/aging/RSVPindex.asp. Please return the completed forms by using one of the following options: Mail or Deliver to: RSVP 55+ Volunteer Program The Seymour Center 2551 Homestead Road Chapel Hill, NC 27516 E-mail: kporter@co.orange.nc.us Fax: 968-2093
Submit nominations no later than August 1, 2008. # # # |