Board of
County Commissioners Contact:
Buck Tredway |
News Releases September/October 2002 Click on subject to read news release
July/August
2002 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 24, 2002 For more information: Donna King, (919) 245-2449 Healthy Carolinians of Orange County and the Orange County Health Department will host a breakfast on November 14, 2002 from 7:30-9:00 AM at the United Church of Chapel Hill located at 1321 Airport Rd. The purpose of the breakfast is to present the 2002 Health of Orange County Report to the community. The report will show Orange County’s progress and status on major health issues and present the latest initiatives of Healthy Carolinians partners to address health issues in Orange County. The event is open to the public and the cost is $5. Please RSVP to Maria Hitt by November 11 at 968-2022 Ext 291. Healthy Carolinians works with the community to track data and develop grass roots programs to respond to the issues that the community believes are important. At this event a short assessment of the Health of Orange County will be presented to the public. In addition, participants will learn how they can be involved in a countywide needs assessment that the Health Department and Healthy Carolinians will be conducting in 2003. This will be a full-scale assessment that will include analysis of current data as well as numerous interviews and focus groups with residents of the county to determine what residents see as the current most important health priority issues. As a result of the 2003 assessment, Healthy Carolinians may establish new areas of focus for our community-based health and prevention programs. On November 14th there will also be displays from the 6 micro-grant projects that were funded this year by Healthy Carolinians. The Micro-grants helped to establish new prevention programs that address Healthy Carolinians 2010 goals within community agencies. The program will also share information on the many health initiatives that are now underway in the community focusing on child abuse prevention, health promotion and teen pregnancy prevention. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober
24, 2002 For more information: Orange Community Solid Waste Management, (919) 968-2788; recycling@co.orange.nc.us The next Orange
County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection will be on Saturday
November 2, 2002 at the Orange County Landfill on Eubanks Road in
Chapel Hill. The event is now open from 8am-4pm to residents of
Chatham, Durham, Orange and Wake Counties.
The HHW collections in Orange County have also been extended to
include the month of December this year. Citizens can bring paints, pesticides, automotive fluids (such as antifreeze, diesel fuel, gasoline,and brake fluid), batteries, cleaning chemicals, fluorescent lights, fertilizers, solvents, and other hazardous materials from their households to the collection. Wastes should not be mixed together but kept in separate, non-leaking containers with the original label intact whenever possible. No radioactive, medical, or business wastes are accepted. Residents don’t have to wait for a special collection to recycle motor oil, oil filters, household batteries, or automotive batteries. They can be brought to staffed solid waste convenience centers instead. The six centers are located throughout the County at Bradshaw Quarry Road, Eubanks Road, Highway 57, Ferguson Road, High Rock Road and Walnut Grove Church Road. They are all open the following hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 7am to 12pm and 1pm to 7pm. Saturday 7am to 5pm. Sunday 1pm to 5pm. They are closed on Wednesdays. If you have only a small amount of latex paint to dispose of and no other wastes, you don’t need to come to the Household Hazardous Waste collection to dispose of it. You can safely dry the paint out at home. Just be sure that the material is completely dry, as no liquid wastes are permitted in the landfill. Once latex paint is thoroughly dried, residents can dispose of the cans, with the lids removed, in their regular trash. Accelerate the drying process by stirring kitty litter or sand into the open can of paint. If the paint has been completely used up and there is only a thin residue of dried paint left in the container(less that a ¼ inch coating in the bottom of the can), it can be recycled at drop-off sites and staffed convenience centers with other steel cans. Make sure the can is made out of metal and the lid has been removed and discarded. If you need paint for projects, free latex paint in good condition that has been diverted from the HHW collection is available at “The Paint Exchange”, open during the Household Hazardous Waste Collection. Other unopened, reusable items such as spackle and stains that have been brought to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection are also offered for pick-up by residents. All services provided at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection are free to residents. # # # FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober
24, 2002 For more information: Donna King, (919) 245-2449 Changing leaves, falling temperatures, and harvest festivals are just a few of the signs that the Fall season is near. It is also the season for Flu prevention campaigns and time to prepare for a healthier winter. “Get your flu shot—not the flu,” says Public Health nurse, Pam McCall. Influenza is a seasonal threat that on average claims the lives of 20,000 Americans each year. Influenza, commonly called “the flu”, is an infection of the respiratory tract caused by the influenza virus. Symptoms include fever, muscle ache, sore throat and dry cough. Complications from the flu can include pneumonia and bronchitis, especially in older adults. Influenza vaccine is the best prevention against the flu and will help reduce the risk of illness and death. In the United States, flu vaccine is made from killed influenza viruses, which cannot give you influenza infection. There can be side effects from any medication, the most common being soreness at the injection site. Careful screening prior to receiving the injection is conducted to reduce possible allergic reactions and other complications. Different strains of the influenza viruses are in circulation in the course of a year. Production of the vaccine is based on the viruses most likely to cause the greatest problems in the up coming flu season. Therefore, it is necessary to get flu shot each year. The Orange County Health Department recommends the flu shot for: ¨ Everyone 50 years of age and older. ¨ Residents of long-term care facilities. ¨ Anyone who has long-term health problems. ¨ Anyone with a weakened immune system. ¨ Anyone 6 months to 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment. ¨ Pregnant women who will be past the 3rd month of pregnancy during the flu season (Nov.-March). ¨ Physicians, nurses, family members, or anyone else coming in close contact with people at risk of serious influenza. Public Health officials also encourage flu shots for healthy children 6-23 months of age, healthy adults, people who provide essential community services, people living in dormitories or under other crowded conditions—anyone who wants to reduce their chance of catching influenza. Special Flu Clinics are being held by the health department to meet demand. Please call and make an appointment.
# # # County Volunteers, The American Way FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October
23, 2002 For more information:
Orange
County agencies believe their volunteers exemplify the American Way as
shown by volunteers selected for their commitment and impact on the
community. Twenty
individuals and four groups will be recognized at a local reception on
October 30th from
5 – 7 p.m. at the Chapel Hill Senior Center as “Orange County Key
Volunteers.” In addition, five of the Key Volunteers will receive
the N.C. Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service (formerly known as
the “Governor’s Awards”)at a regional reception. Sponsors of the
local event include the Orange County Commissioners, RSVP (Retired and
Senior Volunteer Program), and Volunteer Orange. Barry
Jacobs, Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners says, “Tennessee
is known as the Volunteer State. Perhaps in honor of the passion and
dedication of the hundreds of volunteers who enrich our community and
help fuel our government, Orange should be called the Volunteer
County.” 2002 N.C. Award For Outstanding Volunteer Service Award (formerly known
as the “Governor’s Award”) Winners From Orange County Charles
Paddock
Charles has over 16 years of volunteer service to his credit. He has served this community at a number of agencies. His work with the many programs at the Orange County Department on Aging has been extremely important for many people. Overall, Charles is an extraordinary volunteer. He is patient, efficient, knowledgeable, kind and has a wonderful way with all types of people who come from a wide variety of backgrounds. He is quietly unhurried. When he is with you, you have his undivided attention and he gives you the consideration you deserve. He truly energizes people with his enthusiasm so that they “catch” it, too. He makes people feel a true part of a team effort and that what they do is extremely important, no matter what it is. Violeta Simon Violeta
began volunteering 18 years ago with Interfaith Council and has also
worked with several programs including Shared Learning. Her current
volunteer work at the front desk with El Centro Latino has shown
outstanding creativity, consistency, and dedication.
She is dedicated to her work and very reliable.
Violeta is constantly working in the community to improve the
quality of life of people she serves. She has made a particular
impact on the Latino community through El Centro Latino because of
her resourcefulness, patience and genuine desire to help. Jean Waterbury Jean
has been volunteering with Ronald McDonald House since it's opening
in 1986. She is truly
the workhorse of the RMH volunteers. She is a whirlwind Blue Ribbon Mentor Advocates This
group has shown tremendous dedication and has far exceeded the role
of “Volunteers.” They consistently go above and beyond the role
of a typical mentor. They are the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School
District’s most active group of volunteers who are committed to
closing the minority achievement gap. Each one has become like a family member to their mentees.
They have provided friendship, advocacy, and an important
role model for many youths who may not have otherwise had these
valuable influences. Each
Blue Ribbon Mentor has also contributed mightily to the academic
success and future life successes of each individual child that they
have taken time to mentor.
The Blue Ribbon Mentor Advocates have made tremendous
differences in the lives of many children. People's
Court Mediators
The
People’s Court Mediators have shown great dedication in helping
people help themselves in dealing with problems.
With over 16 years each of experience in court mediation,
they are highly efficient in helping to resolve disputes and reduce
the court's caseload. The
Dispute Settlement Center's Mediation program has become a model for
other court districts in the state. They are the most involved
volunteers that our judicial district has.
Each mentor builds an intense personal relationship with his
or her mentee and family. This job can require a mentor’s
attention at any time and they give of 2002 Orange County Key Volunteer - Individuals Natalie
Ammarell 2002 Orange County Key Volunteer - Groups ARC
of Orange County – Community Connections Program October 17, 2002 For more information: Donna King, (919) 245-2449 Hillsborough— An average of 13 children under
the age of 19 die each year as a result of bicycle crashes in North
Carolina and an additional 120 children are seriously injured. Head injuries pose the greatest risk to bicyclist. The Hillsborough Police Department, Orange County Schools, Helping Hands of Whitted, Orange County Safe Communities and SAFE KIDS Orange County are teaming up to provide a bicycle safety course to children of the Fairview and Whitted Forest communities. On Saturday, October 19, 2002, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Hillsborough Community Policing Center will be the host site for the “On the Road” bike rodeo and safety course. Children interested in participating will need to bring their bike and bike helmet. Parents are being asked to accompany their children and participate in the educational sessions. Parents will need to register and sign a permission slip for each participant. Sergeant Irving Davis, Hillsborough Police, has
designed three age appropriate bike rodeo courses to help cyclist
improve their skills and practice real life situations.
Free bike helmets will be provided to those in need. Children aged 12 and up will be taken ‘on the road’ for a four mile residential skills ride. They will have the opportunity to practice entering intersections, traveling with traffic, obeying traffic signs, using appropriate hand signals, and learning when to ride and when to walk their bike. Food, fun, and games will be a part of the day’s festivities. Participants will be entered into a drawing to win State Fair tickets. “We hope children will have fun as they learn to be more safe as they ride. We know we can eliminate 85% of all head injuries if we can keep bike riders wearing their helmets”, states Louise Echols, SAFE KIDS Orange County. For more information on participating in
the bike rodeo and safety course, call Sergeant Irving Davis,
Hillsborough Police Department, at 732-2441. # # # Changes to Regular Meeting Calendar October 16, 2002 For more information: Donna Baker, (919) 245-2130 The Orange County Board of
Commissioners has made changes to their regular meeting calendar for
the year 2002. The Board of Commissioners
has changed the meeting time for their scheduled Work Session on
Monday, October 21, 2002 to 5:30 p.m. at the Government
Services Center, 200 South Cameron Street, Hillsborough, North
Carolina. The Board of
Commissioners has scheduled a Work Session for Monday, October 28,
2002 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services
Center, 2501 Homestead Drive, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in order to
discuss animal shelter issues. The Board of
Commissioners has moved their scheduled Board Retreat from Saturday,
December 7, 2002 to Saturday, January 25, 2002, beginning at
9:00 a.m. at the Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Drive,
Chapel Hill, North Carolina. # # # October 14, 2002 For
more information: Paul Thames, Orange County Engineer PUBLIC PROCLAMATION REGARDING
USE OF WATER OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM SUPPLIED BY THE
ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM, INC. AND THE TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH AND
FROM ANY RAW WATER SUPPLY WITHIN ORANGE COUNTY USED BY THE ORANGE-ALAMANCE
WATER SYSTEM, INC. AND THE TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH Pursuant to the provisions of the ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE CONSERVATION OF WATER DURING A WATER SHORTAGE, RESTRICTING THE USE OF WATER AND WATER WITHDRAWALS, AND ALLOCATING AUGMENTED STREAM FLOW FROM RESERVOIRS, I, Barry Jacobs, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners, having been provided with information that the water level of Lake Orange has risen point that it is less than 24 inches below full do hereby issue this PUBLIC PROCLAMATION declaring to all persons that the all Water Shortage Stages (V-Emergency, IV-Danger, III-Warning and II-Alert) and all of the associated mandatory or voluntary water use restrictions applicable to users of water from the public water system supplied by the Orange-Alamance Water System, Inc. and the Town of Hillsborough are now rescinded. This proclamation, and lifting of all water conservation restrictions pursuant to it, shall be in effect until the Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE CONSERVATION OF WATER DURING A WATER SHORTAGE, RESTRICTING THE USE OF WATER AND WATER WITHDRAWALS, AND ALLOCATING AUGMENTED STREAMFLOW FROM RESERVOIRS" is amended or repealed or until the Chair by Public Proclamation, declares that a Stage II Water Shortage ALERT is reinstated. By order of Barry Jacobs, Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, this the 14th day of October, 2002. September 26, 2002 For more information: Orange Community Recycling, (919) 968-2788; recycling@co.orange.nc.us The next Orange County household
hazardous waste (HHW) collection will be on Saturday October 5, 2002 at
the Orange County Landfill on Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill. The event is
now open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. to residents of Chatham, Durham, Orange and
Wake Counties. The HHW
collections in Orange County have also been extended until the end of
the year, occurring the first Saturday of each month through December.
The expanded hours and dates will help accommodate the high demand for
this special collection service, and encourage participation in the
County’s Toxics Reduction Improvement Program, or TRIP, to keep
harmful substances out of our landfill.
Citizens can bring paints, pesticides,
automotive fluids (such as antifreeze, diesel fuel, gasoline, and brake
fluid), batteries, cleaning chemicals, fluorescent lights, fertilizers,
solvents, and other hazardous materials from their households to the
collection. Wastes should not be mixed together but kept in separate,
non-leaking containers with the original label intact whenever possible.
No radioactive, medical, or business wastes are accepted. If you have only a small amount of
latex paint to dispose of and no other wastes, you don’t need to come
to the Household Hazardous Waste collection to dispose of it.
You can safely dry the paint out at home. Just be sure that the material is completely dry, as no
liquid wastes are permitted in the landfill.
Once latex paint is thoroughly dried, residents can dispose of
the cans, with the lids removed, in their regular trash. Accelerate the
drying process by stirring kitty litter or sand into the open can of
paint. If the paint has been completely used up and there is only a
thin residue of dried paint left in the container less that a ¼ inch
coating in the bottom of the can), it can be recycled at drop-off sites
and staffed convenience centers with other steel cans.
Make sure the can is made out of metal and the lid has been
removed and discarded. If you need paint for projects, free latex paint in good condition that has been diverted from the HHW collection is available at “The Paint Exchange”, open during the Household Hazardous Waste Collection. Other unopened, reusable items such as spackle and stains that have been brought to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection are also offered for pick-up by residents. All services provided at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection are free to residents. # # # Lori
N. Taft Appointed Recreation and Parks Management Director FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 20, 2002Contact:
John Link, County Manager, 245-2300
Orange
County Manager John Link has appointed Lori N. Taft as Recreation and
Parks Management Director. Taft
will begin work Monday, October 28, 2002. Taft
will plan, organize and direct a comprehensive recreation and parks
management program for Orange County.
With approval of recent bond referenda, Orange County is
significantly expanding its parks.
Once sites are acquired and concept plans developed, Taft will
lead the development, management and maintenance of the new parks. Taft
worked for over 17 years in the Recreation and Parks Department for
New Castle County, Delaware. She
began work there as supervisor of sports and athletic activities for
youth and progressed to District Recreation Supervisor.
She
left New Castle County to become Parks Administrator for the
Wilmington State Parks for the State of Delaware.
While in that capacity, she managed the transition of these
parks from New Castle County to State of Delaware management, and led
a comprehensive assessment and planning process for these parks.
Currently
Taft lives in Oak Ridge, North Carolina where she has been actively
involved as a volunteer serving on the Town’s Parks and Recreation
Committee. The
search process included national recruitment.
It yielded 51 candidates. Commissioner
Brown said: “Parks are
the wonderful ingredient in our quality of life.
Lori’s experience will be of great value to the citizens of
Orange County in the development of our parks.” # # # Animal Control Reports 19th and 20th Cases of Rabies for 2002 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date:
9-19-02 Contact
information: John Sauls, Animal Control, 245-2081 Media contact: Donna King dking@co.orange.nc.us Animal
Control reported today that two raccoons sent to the state public
health lab during the past two weeks tested positive for rabies. In
the first case, which occurred on Walker Rd. northeast of
Hillsborough, a young couple was disturbed by her dogs barking during
the night They were unable to determine the cause until morning, when
they found one of her two dogs barking at something in the garage.
They discovered that there was a raccoon behind some lawn equipment
and stored items in the garage and the dog could not get to it. They
secured the dog in another area and the raccoon emerged out in to the
driveway and then the yard where the young man shot it. Although
the young woman handled the dog when she picked it up to secure it, it
was believed that neither of the dogs actually made contact with the
raccoon. The dogs were up to date on their rabies vaccinations. The
people were referred to a communicable disease nurse in the Health
Department. On
Monday of this week, at 8:30 am, a woman who lives on Art Rd. near the
Person County line saw a raccoon biting her dog in the stomach. The
raccoon let go and she got the dog and put it in a bathroom in the
house. She called Animal Control right away. The Animal Control
Officer arrived to find the raccoon had died in her yard. In addition
to the wound on the dog’s stomach or side there was also a wound on
the dog’s mouth. The
dog had been a stray that the resident had taken in. She had taken the
dog to the vet and had it vaccinated for rabies for the first time six
days earlier. Unfortunately, six days is not enough time for the
vaccine and the body’s immune system to begin producing rabies
antibodies. The state public health veterinarian confirmed that we
would have to treat the dog as if it had not been vaccinated. That
means the dog would either have to be destroyed or confined alone for
six months. Ultimately the owner chose not to confine the dog. Animal
Control Director John Sauls said, “Once again a dog has lost its
life. A more timely rabies vaccination would have saved the dog.
It could be your dog next! The only way to protect your dog (or
cat) is to be sure it has an up-to-date rabies vaccination.” There
are two upcoming reduced cost rabies clinics dates: the first is on
Saturday, September 21st, from 9 am until 11 am at the
Animal Shelter. The second date is Thursday, September 26th,
from six ‘til seven pm at the two following locations: the
courthouse parking lot on Margaret Lane in Hillsborough and the
Caldwell Community Center on N.C. Highway 157 North. Cost is $5. per
vaccination. Animal
Control and the Animal Protection Society continue to provide numerous
cheap and convenient rabies vaccination clinics, Sauls said. However
it is up to the pet owner to actually bring the pets to the clinics.
“The price for failure to vaccinate is a $100.citation if Animal
Control finds that you have failed to vaccinate even after we ordered
you to do so. On the other hand the penalty for you dog can be death
if the rabid raccoon finds him before we do.” #
# # County Receives $784,000 Grant to Purchase Farmland Conservation Easements September 17, 2002 FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts:
David Stancil 245-2590, Rich Shaw 245-2591,
Brent Bogue, 245-2750 (USDA/NRCS contact: Dick Fowler,
919-873-2104) Orange County has received a grant of $784,155 in
matching funds for the purchase of agricultural conservation
easements, from the USDA Farmland Protection Program. Signed into law this spring as part of the 2002 U.S.
Farm Bill, the Farmland Protection Program was allotted $48 million
nationwide to assist local governments and land trusts in the
acquisition of agricultural conservation easements. The program is administered by the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS), a branch of USDA. North Carolina’s
share is $2.2 million for the current fiscal year. The County’s Environment and Resource Conservation
Department, with assistance from the District Conservationist
and Soil and Water District staff, has been working with
several farms on potential easement acquisitions. At the time
proposals were requested for the USDA funds, three Orange County farms
were ready to pursue the easements. On June 27th, the Board of Commissioners
approved the submittal of a grant application to the Farmland
Protection Program. On July 15th, the County submitted a
formal request for $788,900 in matching funds to acquire easements on
the three farms. The grant award of $784,155 is 99.4% of the requested
amount. At this evening’s Board of Commissioners meeting,
the Board will consider authorizing the cooperative agreement to
receive the grant funds. Once signed, the County and farm owners will
have until September 30, 2004 to complete the terms of the easements. This is Orange County’s second grant for farmland
easement acquisition. In January, 2001, the N.C. Farmland Preservation
Trust Fund awarded a grant of $107,000
for the purchase of an easement from Victor Walters on 71 acres of the
Walters farm in Cedar Grove Township. That easement was completed and
recorded in July of 2001. The
USDA/NRCS funds will be matched by funds from Orange County for the
easement acquisition. County funds will come from monies dedicated to
conservation easements in the approved capital budget for 2002-03, and
future funds in the FY 2002-2012 Capital Investment Plan. The three farms total 424 acres, two located in the
northwestern portion of the County and one in the southwest.
Additional details on the individual farms will be provided at a later
time. "We're thrilled to have federal support that stretches local
tax dollars as we preserve our environment and make good on our
commitment to help Orange County farmers protect their land,”
noted Board of Commissioners Chair
Barry Jacobs. “Farming is
never easy. But in this time of
depressed prices, dwindling tobacco markets, and drought, purchasing
conservation easements is a way to assist farmers with their land
stewardship while provided much-needed
capital. The rest of us benefit by protecting important open space and
by keeping farmers in business. We hope others in and beyond the
agricultural community will join us in preserving the natural beauty
of our county." 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 sixth since March 2000 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 voluntary means. Since March of 2000, Lands
Legacy has secured $1.94 million in State and Federal grants to
protect important resource lands. The Farmland Protection Program allows USDA to enter into agreements with states, tribes, local governments and non-profit organizations such as land trusts to protect productive farmland. USDA provides up to 50% of the appraised fair market value of the conservation easement. The 2002 Farm Bill represents an investment in conservation on private lands, with a planned $13 billion nationally over the next six years.
# # # Composting
Demonstrations to be held
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