Recycling bins come to downtown Chapel Hill

Town of Chapel Hill crews installed along Franklin Street some 13 new recycling bins to collect cans and bottles that previously were mostly thrown in the trash. The bins were installed the week of Feb. 10. Another four recycling bins will be placed in Southern Village's central business area. Orange County's Solid Waste Department Recycling Division will collect the recycled materials.
The recycling bins were purchased through a $13,000 grant from N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The bins are being installed downtown at crosswalks, bus stops, near parking pay stations and parking lots.
Emily Cameron, landscape architect for the Town of Chapel Hill, said the sidewalk recycling project was the result of a successful partnership with Orange County.
"It's gratifying to be able to continue improving the downtown pedestrian experience while protecting the environment as we have in recent months with installation of cigarette disposal units and the new recycling containers," Cameron said.
Recovered cans and bottles will be trucked along with the other recyclable materials collected by Orange County to the private materials recovery facility in Greensboro owned by ReCommunity. From there, the materials are sorted, baled and sold for remanufacture into new drink cans, car parts, carpets, fiberfill, strapping and new plastic bottles.
While it is illegal under North Carolina law to dispose of aluminum beverage cans and plastic bottles in landfills, there have not been very many convenient opportunities for downtown pedestrians to recycle. With the exception of one recycling bin in front of the old Post Office and another on the south side of East Franklin, the closest pedestrian recycling containers were located on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus prior to the downtown installation.
According to Orange County Solid Waste Planner Blair Pollock, more than 46 million plastic beverage bottles and aluminum cans were disposed in the Orange County landfill last year.
"Providing recycling containers along Franklin Street makes recycling more convenient, and that is a key to capturing more material for recycling," Pollock said. "Demand for recyclable material is high, markets are strong and a lot of the plastic bottles are recycled right here in the Carolinas."
Orange County currently provides public recycling containers at all five Chapel Hill Park and Ride lots, and there are 60 walkway collection sites around the UNC campus. Away from home recycling is an important way to capture cans and bottles, Pollock said, because an estimated 50 percent are consumed away from home where there generally far fewer recycling opportunities.

Orange County holds pesticide applicator workshop

Orange County Cooperative Extension will host a Pesticide Applicator Workshop for Growers, Landscapers, Dealers, Bilingual Supervisors on Tuesday, Feb. 28, in the Orange County Extension Office at 306 Revere Road. The session will start at 8 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. and will prepare agricultural professionals to use the Pesticides and Farmworker Health Toolkit.
The workshop will offer three hours of pesticide applicator credit for the following categories: Private Specialty Training (X), Dealers (D), Regulatory (I), Ornamental/Turf (L), Ag Pest Plant (O), and Demonstration and Research (N). NC Cooperative Extension and the NC Farm Bureau Safety Team are excited to collaborate on this workshop.
The Pesticides and Farmworker Health Toolkit is a pesticide education resource for EPA-approved Worker Protection Standard training of Spanish-speaking farmworkers. It was developed by extension specialists Dr. Greg Cope, Dr. Catherine LePrevost and Julia Storm in the N.C. State University Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology with funding from NCDA’s Pesticide Environmental Trust Fund. Toolkits are available in Spanish and English for 11 hand labor-intensive North Carolina crops, including apples, bell peppers, blueberries, Christmas trees, cucumbers, grapes, landscape/turf, strawberries, sweet potatoes, tobacco, and tomatoes. The Toolkit features a colorful, illustrated flipchart with leaders guide, a one-page handout with essential safety messages, and interactive learning activities including jug-labeling and symptom charades. A bilingual poster is also available for purchase.
Registration for this workshop is required and space is limited. Call Orange County Extension at (919) 245-2050 to reserve your space. A breakfast meal will be sponsored by County Farm Bureaus.

Town of Carthage joins regional council of governments

At its Wednesday, Jan. 25, meeting, the Triangle J Council of Governments’ Board of Delegates unanimously approved a request by the Town of Carthage for membership into the regional organization. Carthage, the county seat of Moore County, is the county’s third municipality to join Triangle J since 2001 when regional boundaries were shifted, adding Moore County to region J. The Town of Carthage is Triangle J’s 36th member government.
Carthage Town Commissioner Artie Barber will serve as the town’s delegate to the Triangle J Board of Delegates. Barber represented Carthage at the board meeting and expressed the town’s interest in becoming part of the regional organization.
Triangle J Council of Governments is a membership organization comprised of municipal and county governments across a seven-county region. The organization leads regional planning and collaborative efforts in land use and infrastructure, water resources, energy efficiency and air quality. TJCOG also coordinates county-based services for the region’s aging population.
Designated by the State of North Carolina as Region J, the organization covers Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange and Wake counties. To learn more about TJCOG, go to www.tjcog.org.

Huntington's Disease Society of America hosts hoop-a-thon

We at the Huntington's Disease Society of America, North Carolina Chapter, believe it is important to help families in North Carolina affected by Huntington's Disease, including the children. This year, we are putting on a youth-focused hoop-a-thon on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 8:30 am to noon at Gravelly Hills Middle School in Orange County. Geoff Schwarts of the Carolina Panthers will be participating as a team captain of one of the teams, and we will also be auctioning off a football signed by Carolina Panthers Quarterback Cam Newton. All proceeds will be going to the North Carolina Chapter of Huntington's Disease Society of America to help families in North Carolina affected by Huntington's Disease.
Huntington's disease is a genetic disorder which is caused by an expanded gene in a person's DNA. It is is also a neurodegenerative disorder, which means the condition affects the cells of the brain and causes damage over time. This stops the brain and body from working as well as they used to. As a result, people develop symptoms of Huntington's disease. These symptoms can be divided into three main types: involuntary movements, cognitive and behavioural. Currently, there is no cure for Huntington's, and there is a 50 percent chance of it being passed on to offspring. It is fatal. About 10 percent of people diagnosed with Huntington's have a juvenile form, which is much worse than adult onset.

Orange County residents will receive Pauli Murray Human Relations Awards Sunday, Feb. 26

The Orange County Human Relations Commission will host the Pauli Murray Human Relations Awards Ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 26. The event will be held in the Central Orange Senior Center Ballroom at 103 Meadowlands Drive from 3 to 5 p.m.
The Pauli Murray Award is presented annually by the Human Relations Commission to an Orange County youth, an Orange County adult and an Orange County business that have served the community with distinction in the pursuit of equality, justice and human rights for all residents.
This year’s ceremony will include musical entertainment, poetic recitals by the Sacrificial Poets, the winners of the Human Rights Student Essay Contest reading their winning essays and the recipients of the Pauli Murray Human Relations Award being recognized.
The public is encouraged to attend this community event. A reception will follow the ceremony.
For more information, call (919) 245-2487.

Applicants needed for Orange County Board of Equalization and Review

One major way citizens can have a positive impact on the future of Orange County is to volunteer to serve on the various county advisory boards and commissions.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners is currently recruiting for the Orange County Board of Equalization and Review. This board hears appeals from citizens who are protesting assessed property values. The Board of Equalization and Review is charged with ensuring that all taxable property is appraised according to the standards required by the General Statutes of North Carolina.
The Orange County Board of Equalization and Review will meet up to three days per week for approximately three to four hours per meeting for up to three consecutive months (April through June). Members will be paid for all meetings attended.
Interested Orange County residents with knowledge of real estate are encouraged to apply. Other interested residents will also be given consideration. If interested, apply at www.co.orange.nc.us/boards.
Select "Equalization and Review Board" under "Boards and Commissions Listing." For additional information or call Donna Baker (919) 245-2130 or Jeanette Jones (919) 245-2125.
With more than 20 different boards and commissions, volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners have an opportunity to influence the way of life in Orange County.

Free tree pruning workshop Feb. 25

Orange County Cooperative Extension will host a peach and apple tree pruning workshop on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The workshop and demonstration will be held at Orchard Creek Farm, 4812 Timberwood Trail in Efland.
Dr. Michael Parker, NCSU Extension Specialist, will provide a hands-on demonstration on pruning established peach and apple trees and explain how to train young trees. The workshop will also cover common insect and disease control options.
For additional information, contact Sandra Beal at 919-563-3643.

Arts grant recipients honored by Orange County Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners of Orange County honored the Orange County Arts Commission’s Fall 2011 arts grant recipients with the presentation of award checks at its Tuesday, Feb. 7, regular meeting.
The fall 2011 grant recipients are:
• A.L. Stanback Middle School
• ArtsCenter
• Christ Church Preschool
• Franklin Street Arts Collective dba FRANK Gallery
• Free Spirit Freedom Institute & Gallery (fiscal agent Hillsborough Arts Council)
• Friends of the Carrboro Branch Library
• Grady A. Brown Elementary School PTA
• Hillsborough Elementary School
• Historical Foundation of Hillsborough & Orange County
• Kristi Vincent Johnson
• McDougle Elementary School PTA
• Preservation Society of Chapel Hill
• Susan Simone
• WCOM-FM
• Sean Wellington
• Women’s Voices Chorus
These awards represent $23,251 in Orange County funds awarded to nonprofit organizations and artists for arts programming during calendar year 2012.
The Orange County Arts Commission is a county agency that strengthens the arts in Orange County, which includes the townships of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough. Created in 1985 by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners, the Arts Commission’s 15-member citizen advisory board meets the second Monday each month (except for July) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The Orange County Arts Commission is housed in the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, 501 W. Franklin St. in Chapel Hill. For more information, contact Martha Shannon at (919) 968-2011 or visit www.artsorange.org.

NCDOT makes improvements to Chapel Hill rail crossing

The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Rail Division has made crossing safety improvements at an intersection in Chapel Hill.
NCDOT revised crossing signals and installed gates at the intersection of Homestead Road and the Norfolk Southern Railroad (NS) tracks. This $212,519 improvement project was paid for with 90 percent federal funds and 10 percent state funds. Maintenance funding for the project will be divided equally between the state and NS.
Two freight trains a day travel through the railroad crossing at a maximum of 10 miles per hour.
This project is a part of a comprehensive statewide NCDOT program to enhance highway safety by adding or improving signals and gates at public railroad crossings. Automatic warning devices are now in place at more than 2,400 of the 4,100 public at-grade crossings across the state.

Improvements made to Orange County rail crossing

The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Rail Division has made crossing safety improvements at an intersection in Orange County near Durham.
NCDOT revised crossing signals and installed gates at the intersection of University Station Road and the Norfolk Southern Railroad (NS) tracks. This $210,318 improvement project was paid for with 90 percent federal funds and 10 percent state funds. Maintenance funding for the project will be divided equally between the state and NS.
Two freight trains a day travel through the railroad crossing at a maximum of 10 miles per hour.
This project is part of a comprehensive statewide NCDOT program to enhance highway safety by adding or improving signals and gates at public railroad crossings. Automatic warning devices are now in place at more than 2,400 of North Carolina's over 4,100 public at-grade crossings.

Second positive rabies test for 2012

On Wednesday, Feb. 8, Orange County Animal Services received its second positive rabies result of the year from the North Carolina Rabies Laboratory. The case originated the previous day, Feb. 7, when a Hillsborough resident in the vicinity of Borland Road and Old Woods Road witnessed her dog killing a raccoon on his property. The resident called Animal Control, which removed the raccoon from the property to have it tested for rabies.
In this case, fortunately, the dog was currently vaccinated against rabies and has received a booster shot pursuant to North Carolina statute. According to the law, if there is a reasonable suspicion of exposure, a dog or cat with a current vaccination must receive a booster shot within 120 hours, or five days. By contrast, an unvaccinated animal must either be destroyed or quarantined for a period of six months.
As a result of the positive result, a communicable disease nurse from Orange County’s Health Department will contact the dog owner to evaluate her risk of rabies exposure. The concern in this cases is the possibility of secondary exposure from the dog, as it licked the owner in the face after the incident. As is always the case, a decision about the post-exposure prophylaxis that protects people from rabies is based upon an assessment of all the factors involved in a situation of this kind.
As with any confirmed rabies case, this one underscores the importance of effective rabies control to ensure the health of people and their animal companions. Animal Services Director Bob Marotto stressed the importance of prevention and knowledge in our communities and the county as a whole.
“Knowing not to handle any animal that has possibly been exposed to rabies, even if it is your own pet, is an important piece of information for all citizens of Orange County to know,” he said.
This is the second positive rabies result this month, and the second of 2012. There were 11 positive cases in the county in 2011.

About rabies
Raccoons are a host (or reservoir) species to rabies in our area and the region. Any other animal that becomes rabid in this area is likely the victim of the spillover effect. When an animal other than the dominant reservoir species contracts the virus, it is called spillover. The other species that are most susceptible to getting rabies from raccoons are dogs and cats, groundhogs, skunks and foxes.
The other host species of rabies—in our region and others—is bats. Of the few cases of rabies in humans in our country in recent years, most have been traced to bats. If there is any possibility of exposure from a bat, it is critical that citizens immediately contact their animal control program. If an incident involving a bat—or other rabies vector such as a raccoon or skunk—should occur outside regular hours of service, an Animal Control Officer should be reached right away through Emergency Communications (911).

2012 low-cost rabies vaccination clinic schedule
Low-cost ($10) rabies vaccination clinics for 2012 have been scheduled and are now available on the Animal Services website. The next clinic will be held Thursday, Feb. 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Animal Services Center. Authorized by North Carolina State law, such clinics provide pet owners with substantial savings on rabies vaccinations while ensuring that pets have a current vaccination.

Did you know?
• It is a law in North Carolina that dogs, cats and ferrets older than 4 months must have a current and valid rabies vaccination at all times.
• Orange County’s ordinance also requires that all pets wear a rabies vaccination tag.
• Pets with current rabies vaccinations that may have been exposed to rabies must be revaccinated within five days, or 120 hours, or they will be treated as unvaccinated pets.
• Unvaccinated pets that may have been exposed to rabies must either be destroyed or quarantined at a veterinary office for six months at the owner’s expense.
• Rabies can be transmitted through secondary exposure as well, so do not touch your animal without gloves if it has had any possible exposure to a rabies vector.
• If a rabies suspect is alive, do not attempt to capture the animal. Keep visual contact with the animal until Animal Control arrives.
• If you discover a bat inside your house, be sure not to release it, but do remove yourself and any animals from the area.
• Always call Animal Control immediately if you find a bat in your residence, even if there is no evidence of a bite.

Renee Price to run for county commissioner

I, Renee Price, am excited to announce my decision to run for election to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners.
I will be running for the District 2 seat to represent the people of Hillsborough, Efland and the beautiful rural areas of Orange County—from the southern part of White Cross to the northern tip of Cedar Grove.
Why do I want to spend hours and days in meetings and reading pages of agenda packets? Because I care.
The people of Orange County need a bigger voice and a bolder presence at the table when decisions are made that affect the quality of our lives. All of us have a stake in the process as we proceed to meet the challenges of the day.
Since 1990, Orange County has been my home; the people of this county have become my friends and family; and I am passionate about our community. Therefore, I am ready to push the envelope for:
n excellence in education and opportunities for a broad spectrum of students.
n small business expansion, rural economic development and living-wage jobs.
n stewardship of our natural resources and living environment.
The Republican-dominated legislature slashed our school budgets; yet we still have to maintain public school buildings and rehire our teachers and staff. The bank bailout, though it had good intentions, short-changed the 99 percent; so, this is a time to invest in ourselves, at the local level. And the Eno River is an amazing ecosystem; we have to protect these natural areas from irresponsible development and activities such as roadways and intense land uses that would threaten our water supplies.
My goal is to pursue creative ways and means to boost our local economy, reduce unemployment, combat hunger, inspire our young people, assist our senior citizens and promote energy efficiency. Tourism is one industry that has begun to make a significant impact in Orange County’s revenue stream.
The time is long overdue to use innovation in providing essential services and facilities. We need a progressive agenda while at the same time assuring that our tax revenues are spent wisely.
As we think about new agendas, I believe that we must hold fast to the concept that government is for the people and by the people. The decision-making process in our county currently needs improvement in two areas, and, when elected, I intend to promote:
n collaboration with other local governments—both within and beyond our borders.
n open government, government that is transparent and that responds to the people.
These two elements are key for effective leadership and for building community.
Orange County has much to offer and much of which to be proud—our diverse cultural heritage, a thriving arts community, working farms, value-added production, service organizations, volunteer rural fire departments, health and wellness centers, brilliant minds and talented individuals.
I look forward to working with the members of this community in guiding Orange County on a path to a sustainable future. My campaign is about fiscal accountability and about social, environmental and economic justice for the people of Orange County.

Orange County Agricultural Summit is Feb. 13

Agriculture makes a major contribution to the well-being of Orange County residents, both those living within and outside the county. In addition to direct contributions to the local economy in the form of product sale receipts and expenditures on farm services and inputs—along with employment on farms and farm support businesses—farmers also make significant contributions as stewards of the remaining amounts of undeveloped land (often called open space) in the county. Their stewardship protects the county's soil and water resources, recharges groundwater and abates storm water runoff, connects wildlife habitat, and safeguards the scenic and historic vistas that have defined Orange County's character.
"It is in the county's best interest to safeguard, promote and maintain the local agricultural industry and protect farmland," said Board of Orange County Commissioners chair, Bernadette Pelissier. "Enabling farmers who want to continue to farm is a cost-effective way of maintaining the quality of life of everyone in Orange County."
To better understand key issues affecting the local agricultural industry, Orange County sponsors an annual Agricultural Summit to address geography, economic trends and regulations governing farming.
"It is critical for all of us in Orange County to understand the values and concerns of the farmers themselves, and this annual Summit helps all of us accomplish this," Pelissier said.
The Annual Orange County Agricultural Summit will be held Monday, Feb. 13, at the Big Barn Convention Center in the Daniel Boone Village, 388 Ja-Max Drive off S. Churton Street. The day-long event is from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including afternoon tours. Residents throughout the region are encouraged to attend.
Speakers include N.C. 4th District U.S. Rep. David Price discussing the Farm Bill and other agricultural issues, local farmers and experts in farm diversification, soil, water as well as apicultural experts. Also on hand will be Orange County planning and economic development staff who will address new rules for farm enterprises in Orange County.
Additionally, Jack Tapp of Busy Bee Apiaries will speak about his fruit-flavored creamed honey business, Vintage Bee Honey, and how it got to where it is today.
Afternoon tours include the new Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center in Hillsborough and Walters Unlimited at Carls-Beth Farm in Efland.
The summit fee is $10, which includes a catered lunch by Bob Compton. On-site registration at the Big Barn will take place from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Pelissier will welcome the group at 8:30 a.m., with the first session beginning at 8:40 a.m.
To register for the summit, contact the Orange County Cooperative Extension office at (919) 245-2050. For additional information, including the agenda and driving directions, visit http://orange.ces.ncsu.edu/ or http://www.orangecountyfarms.org/ .

NCDOT awards $2.9 million contract to resurface roads in Orange County

The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a contract to resurface nearly eight miles of roadway in Orange County.
The $2.9 million contract was awarded to Rea Contracting, a division of Lane Construction Corp. of Charlotte. Work can begin as early as April 2 and is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 10.
The following roadways will be resurfaced:
• .83 miles of U.S. 15/501 from just east of Erwin Road to the Durham County line;
• 1.6 miles of N.C. 86/Martin Luther King Boulevard from Estes Drive to Franklin Street;
• .47 miles of S. Greensboro Street from Main Street to Rand Street;
• 1.5 miles of N. Greensboro Street/Hillsborough Road from Lorraine Street to Main Street;
• 1.5 miles of Seawell School Road from High School Road to Estes Drive;
• .8 miles of Seawell School Road/High School Road near Homestead Road; and
• 1.2 miles of Orange High School Road from the U.S. 70 Bypass to Miller Road.
Resurfacing these sections of roadway will extend the lifespan of the pavement, improve safety and provide a smoother ride for motorists.
This is one of 31 contracts totaling $85.5 million awarded by Conti for highway and bridge projects across North Carolina. NCDOT awarded the contracts to the lowest bidders, as required by state law. The bids received on the projects awarded came in about 7.5 percent, or about $7 million, below NCDOT estimates. Since Gov. Bev Perdue took office in January of 2009, NCDOT has awarded 472 highway contracts totaling $3.6 billion to ensure that all North Carolinians have access to jobs and educational opportunities.
For more information about funding for infrastructure improvements in North Carolina, as well as other NCDOT projects and activities, visit www.ncdot.gov.

Raccoon is first positive rabies test for 2012

On Tuesday, Feb. 1, Orange County Animal Services received the first positive rabies result from the North Carolina Rabies Laboratory for 2012. The case involved a raccoon submitted because of possible exposure it may have had with two household dogs in the vicinity of Bethel-Hickory Grove Church Road and Dairyland Road in Chapel Hill.
The case originated on the morning of Monday, Jan. 30, when a Chapel Hill resident discovered a dead raccoon in her driveway. The resident called Animal Control since she had let her dogs out unsupervised earlier and was unsure as to whether they killed it but assumed that they had. Animal Control removed the raccoon from the property to have it tested for rabies.
Fortunately in this case, the dogs were both currently vaccinated against rabies and will receive a booster shot pursuant to North Carolina statute. According to the law, if there is a reasonable suspicion of exposure, a dog or cat with a current vaccination must receive a booster shot within 120 hours, or five days. By contrast, an unvaccinated animal must either be destroyed or quarantined for a period of six months.
Because of the positive result, a communicable disease nurse from Orange County’s Health Department will contact the dog owner to evaluate her risk of rabies exposure. The concern in these cases is usually the possibility of secondary exposure from the owner’s handling of his or her own dogs after the attack.
As is always the case, a decision about the post-exposure prophylaxis that protects people from rabies is based upon an assessment of all the factors involved in a situation of this kind.
As with any positive rabies test result, this case underscores the importance of effective rabies control to ensure the health of people and their animal companions. Animal Services Director Bob Marotto stresses the importance of prevention and knowledge in our communities and the county as a whole.
“Knowing to call Animal Services immediately and booster your animal within the 120-hour period required by NC General Statute is always of extreme importance,” Marotto said. “As important as having a current vaccination, knowing to booster can make a tremendous difference for a dog or cat, and for its human household.”
This is the first positive rabies result for Orange County in 2012. There were eleven positive cases in the county in 2011.
Raccoons are a host—or reservoir—species to rabies in our area and the region. Any other animal that becomes rabid in this area is likely the victim of the spillover effect. When an animal other than the dominant reservoir species, which is the raccoon in North Carolina, contracts the virus, it is called spillover. The other species that are most susceptible to getting rabies from raccoons are dogs and cats, groundhogs, skunks and foxes.
The other host species of rabies in our own region and others is bats. Of the few cases of rabies in humans in our country in recent years, most have been traced to bats. If there is any possibility of exposure from a bat, it is critical that citizens immediately contact their animal control program. If an incident involving a bat—or other rabies vector such as a raccoon or skunk—should occur outside regular hours of service, an Animal Control Officer should be reached right away through Emergency Communications (911).


2012 low-cost rabies vaccination clinic schedule
Low-cost ($10) rabies vaccination clinics for 2012 have been scheduled and are now available on the Animal Services website. The next clinic will be held Thursday, Feb. 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Animal Services Center. Authorized by North Carolina State law, such clinics provide pet owners with substantial savings on rabies vaccinations while ensuring that pets have a current vaccination.

Did you know?
• It is a law in North Carolina that dogs, cats and ferrets over the age of 4 months must have a current and valid rabies vaccination at all times.
• Orange County’s ordinance also requires that all pets wear a rabies vaccination tag.
• Pets with current rabies vaccinations that may have been exposed to rabies must be revaccinated within five days, or 120 hours, or they will be treated as unvaccinated pets
• Unvaccinated pets that may have been exposed to rabies must either be destroyed or quarantined at a veterinary office for six months at the owner’s expense.
• Rabies can be transmitted through secondary exposure as well, so do not touch your animal without gloves if it has had any possible exposure to a rabies vector.
• If a rabies suspect is alive, do not attempt to capture the animal. Keep visual contact with the animal until Animal Control arrives.
• If you discover a bat inside your house, be sure not to release it, but do remove yourself and any animals from the area.
• Always call Animal Control immediately if you find a bat in your residence, even if there is no evidence of a bite.

Orange County Economic Development unveils new website

Orange County Economic Development launched its redesigned website—www.growinorangenc.com—offering a glimpse into the county’s renewed focus on economic development. The website is part of a strategic effort by the department to increase awareness of Orange County as a business location and provide the key types of information needed by businesses and site selection firms looking to expand or locate a business.
The website provides up-to-date information on the county’s three economic development districts targeted for commercial and industrial growth. The redesign also provides tools to allow users to search for available buildings and sites as well as current demographic data including labor force, wages, training availability and information on Orange County’s quality of place. With workforce skills and location being prime factors in the business site search process, the website showcases Orange County’s position along major transportation corridors and its proximity to several renowned research universities. Prospective investors can identify Orange County’s core positioning within the Research Triangle Region and the Research Triangle Park.
While www.growinorangenc.com officially launched the week of Jan. 30, the site will continue to grow and evolve. Future developments will include an interactive property search feature, videos showcasing local businesses and highlighting those economic development activities that will be funded by the quarter-cent sales tax recently approved by voters.
“Today’s business site selection process is more competitive than ever,” Steve Brantley, county economic development director, said. “The search increasingly begins on the Internet and includes much more than just looking at available properties; those involved in today’s business site searches are looking for a glimpse into the community—from demographics and work force availability to educational and cultural opportunities in the area. This website was developed to showcase the assets Orange County can offer as a prime business location.”

Annual Agricultural Summit to be held at Big Barn

Agriculture makes a major contribution to the well-being of Orange County residents, both those living within and outside the county. In addition to direct contributions to the local economy in the form of product sale receipts and expenditures on farm services and inputs, along with employment on farms and farm support businesses, farmers also make significant contributions as stewards of the remaining amounts of undeveloped land—often called open-space—in the county. Their stewardship protects the county’s soil and water resources, recharges groundwater and abates storm water runoff, connects wildlife habitat, and safeguards the scenic and historic vistas that have defined Orange County’s character.
“It is in the county’s best interest to safeguard, promote and maintain the local agricultural industry and protect farmland,” Board of Orange County Commissioners chair Bernadette Pelissier said. “Enabling farmers who want to continue to farm is a cost-effective way of maintaining the quality of life of everyone in Orange County.”
To better understand key issues affecting the local agricultural industry, Orange County sponsors an annual Agricultural Summit to address geography, economic trends and regulations governing farming.
“It is critical for all of us in Orange County to understand the values and concerns of the farmers themselves, and this annual summit helps all of us accomplish this,” Pelissier said.
The annual Orange County Agricultural Summit will be held Monday, Feb. 13, at the Big Barn Convention Center in the Daniel Boone Village at 388 Ja-Max Drive off S. Churton Street. The day-long event runs 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including afternoon tours.
Speakers include North Carolina 4th District U.S. Congressman David Price discussing the Farm Bill and other agricultural issues, local farmers and experts in farm diversification, soil and water as well as apicultural experts. Also on hand will be Orange County planning and economic development staff who will address new rules for farm enterprises in Orange County.
Additionally, Jack Tapp of Busy Bee Apiaries will speak about his fruit-flavored creamed honey business, Vintage Bee Honey, and how it got to where it is today.
Afternoon tours include the new Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center in Hillsborough and Walters Unlimited at Carls-Beth Farm in Efland.
The summit fee is $10, which includes a catered lunch by Bob Compton. On-site registration at the Big Barn will take place from 8 to 8:30 a.m.
To register for the summit, contact the Orange County Cooperative Extension office at (919) 245-2050. For more information—including the agenda and driving directions—visit http://orange.ces.ncsu.edu/ or www.orangecountyfarms.org.

Departments train to improve insurance ratings

Earlier this month, leaders from Orange County fire departments attended a class taught in Hillsborough by the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal. The sessions focused on the requirements for improving the fire insurance ratings for fire departments, which, in turn, could potentially reduce the cost of fire insurance premiums for property owners. Several volunteer fire departments have submitted requests to OSFM to be graded to improve the insurance rating of their respective fire districts.
Few people understand the complexity of fire insurance costs and the Insurance Services Office ratings of their local fire department. Insurance premiums—both residential and commercial—can be impacted by multiple variables, including installation of smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, construction material, square footage, number of stories and floors, distance from a fire station, etc. Insurance costs are also impacted by the ISO rating of the primary fire department covering a home or business.
The OSFM training session covered a multitude of details and requirements involved in improving ratings. More than 20 types of forms are potentially required for evaluating each fire department. As a sampling, form content ranges from water source—such as a pond—volume, signed by a certified soil and water engineer to the North Carolina Department of Transporation certified weight rating of each fire truck.
Each requirement comes with a price tag and at times requires prioritization. Certified personal protective equipment or turnout gear with air pack runs about $5,000 per firefighter. OSFM requires a minimum of 20 members older than 18 for a single station and 28 members for a two-station department. Some departments have a junior program for high school age volunteers.
Orange County has 12 rural fire districts. Efland, Eno, New Hope, Orange Grove, Cedar Grove, Caldwell and White Cross fire departments cover rural districts. Orange Rural (Hillsborough), Chapel Hill and Carrboro fire departments cover municipal and rural areas. Mebane and North Chatham fire departments are located outside of Orange County but cover areas within Orange County.
The chiefs of these departments meet on a regular basis and continually strive to improve fire protection services for the residents and businesses in Orange County.

Pelissier receives Public-Private Partnership Award

Bernadette Pelissier, chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, was recognized by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Jan. 24.
Pelissier received the 2011 Chair’s Award for Public-Private Partnership at the chamber’s annual meeting.
“Since her election to the Orange County Board of Commissioners, chairwoman Pelissier has prioritized economic development and reached out to the chamber and treated us as an important partner,” Marc Ponds, past chair of the chamber, said. “We appreciate how she worked to earn the chamber’s support for the quarter-cent sales tax, listening to our concerns and helping adjust the proposal in a way we thought best served the needs of our business community. Commissioner Pelissier reaches out when she has questions and invites chamber feedback and partnership.”

BOCC volunteer appointments

On Jan. 24, the Orange County Board of Commissioners appointed the following citizen volunteers to County advisory boards and commissions:
• Mrs. Andrea Riley—Orange County Arts commission
• Ms. Jane Cousins—Orange County Emergency Services Work Group
• Ms. Mary Parrish—Orange County Emergency Services Work Group
• Ms. Ashley Tittemore—Human Relations Commission
• Dr. Mary Ann Peter—Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
Congratulations. The Board of Commissioners appreciates your willingness to serve your community.
With more 30 different boards and commissions, volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners have an opportunity to influence the way of life in Orange County.
For additional volunteer opportunities, check online at http://www.co.orange.nc.us/boards or call Donna Baker at (919) 245-2130 or Jeanette Jones at (919) 245-2125.