next week

Well, despite taking a break to go to the Spelling Bee, Josh and I managed to get the paper out pretty much on time. It was actually kind of nice to take a step back from production — if only for an hour — and go see something nice out in the community.

But anyway, here's what I'm working on for this week:
- Central Elementary has a man from Sierra Leone teaching students about Africa. I went and took some pictures. It was really interesting.

- The Orange County Special Education Parent-Teacher Association is having an organizational meeting tomorrow (March 12) at 7 p.m. over at Central in the media center. I'll be going to that to get some information about this.

- It's that time again: "eco" classroom update. I'll be sitting in on the meeting at Stanford and putting something together for the education page.

- I'll be writing something about the Spelling Bee, of course.

- The Board of Education is having their meeting Monday, and I'll be there to cover that.

- After a small glitch, our new feature, "Educator of the Week," will be back this week. If you know a teacher or administrator that deserves recognition, please e-mail me at v.shortley@newsoforange.com.

- And finally, I'll have two profiles on two 18-year-old precinct chairs, like Josh said.

If you know of any other events or stories, drop me a line!

Tuesday's overflow

We had intended to at least have the picture of the NOC spelling bee winner in today's issue, but there was very little space. So little, in fact, that several other things were pulled; some will run next week, others just could not make the cut. Among the victims of "space considerations:"

— A story about the county exploring a fire/rescue study, which led to some discussion on what should be considered critical spending. That will run next week.

— A feature on Matt Hughes and Kimberly Rider, both 18-year-old precinct chairs recently elected in Hillsborough. We had something written after Vanessa talked to Hughes, but decided a joint package would probably work just as well (if not better) next week.

—Spelling Bee pictures and recap — we'll post more throughout this week and have an article on the Bee next week. Gabi Stapel was the winner and will be taking on the rest of the nation (and parts of the world) later this spring. Interestingly, fourth-graders took the top three spots, despite being matched up against students as old as eighth-graders.

— Rabies Watch — Our nifty graphic did not make the cut for the print edition. We'll post the information online (sans graphic).

— Crime Watch — We were planning on starting an ongoing space, in conjunction with the department of corrections, featuring a photo and fast facts on someone wanted on outstanding charges who the state is trying to apprehend. Not sure when we'll be able to start using that.

— Joy Kwapien's "Food and Farm" column, which we'll run next week.

— Several news briefs and small stories that didn't find a home will appear here, on www.newsoforange.com or in later editions.

As promised in the print edition, here's two other shots from the pinewood derby featuring local cub scouts (the kids on the front of the print edition are northern Orange County locals; the event included scouts from around the district).

spelling bee

So, I just got back from the spelling bee. It was quite lovely and went 17 rounds, not including championship rounds.

Here are the winners. We'll have more details and pictures in a blog tomorrow (since we're still working on producing the paper), as well as next week's paper, since we ran out of room in this one. Too much great content.

Third place: Jessica Eberle, fourth grader at New Hope Elementary.

Second place: Daniel Vaughan, fourth grader at Efland Cheeks Elementary.

First place: Gabriella "Gabi" Stapel, fourth grader at Hillsborough Elementary.

Here's a picture of Gabi with NOC General Manager Keith Coleman, who was also the event's emcee:


Congrats to everyone. All the kids did a great job. And thanks to everyone who came out and supported the kids.

County manager to leave June 30

BREAKING: Orange County Manager Laura Blackmon announced in an e-mail to county staff this morning that she will be leaving her position with the county as of June 30 and will be moving to Tennessee.

There are a few unanswered questions as to who fills her shoes and when, but it would appear as though she will stay through the course of this trying budget process, which will probably include cuts to several services (we'll explore that next week). For now, here's the copy that was sent this morning:

"Dear Employees,

By now you have probably heard I gave notice to the BOCC on Friday that my husband and I have decided to leave the area and move to Tennessee. My last day on the job will be June 30, 2009. I know the timing of this announcement is not good, but my employment agreement with the county requires I give 90 day notice and I was running out of time. By the end of June I will have been here over 2 ½ years. This is not as long as I had originally thought I would stay, but life isn’t always as we plan it.

I know you understand how difficult a year this will be for the budget. The BOCC has committed itself to a revenue neutral tax rate which means the tax rate will generate the same amount of revenue from property taxes as last year. A lot of residents are upset about the revaluation of their property, but the neutral tax rate should keep their taxes in check unless their property has increased in value above the average of all properties in the county.

Revaluation and neutral tax rate, however, are not the problem in and of themselves. The real problem for the coming year is most of our other revenue sources are declining, we have new facilities opening which means an increase in utilities and general operating costs, we have an increase in demands for services, especially in the human resources departments and the state is beginning to withhold revenue from us because of its budget shortfalls.

Things are not looking good for the county or the two school systems, which have already been told they too will see a decrease in funds next year. The Budget Office has estimated the shortfall to be about $8 million, which will be difficult to absorb without cutting services or staff. The BOCC has emphasized its desire NOT to reduce staff but to seek other ways of cutting expenditures. Those of you who are fully funded from outside sources such as grants, state and/or federal monies are more vulnerable than other employees because it will be hard to absorb the cost of your salary and benefits should those funding sources disappear. Nevertheless the Commissioners and Management are adamant about keeping everyone employed, so we will do our best to make sure no one loses their job.

Having said all that, it is crucial everyone understand and support the difficult decisions being made over the next few months. You have probably already heard there will be no cost of living or merit increases for employees next year. We are also expecting about an 8% increase in the cost of medical benefits next calendar year. These costs can be contained if we work hard to stay healthy and reduce our claims for insurance. Unfortunately that is easier said than done.

The department directors have submitted their budgets with a 10% reduction in operating line items, overtime and temporary employee expenditure requests. I am hoping this 10% cut will be enough given the shortfall we are expecting in revenues. However, some departments are actually seeing an increase in the cost of doing business (Public Works, IT, Parks and Recreation for example) or an increase in service demands (such as Health, DSS, and Emergency Services). In reality, once the final budget is approved some departments will see more cut from their budgets than other departments. I don’t see how this can be avoided. Tough decisions will have to be made about whether or not we open new parks or county buildings that are now almost complete, whether we cut operating hours for libraries, the animal shelter, senior centers and other county facilities, or whether we limit the amount of services we provide for those residents in our community most in need of assistance.

I think the bottom line will be for us to reduce, eliminate, or delay those services that are important but not as critical as our core services, which are the services the county provides because it is legally required by statute or because government is the best agency to do so. Such decisions will not be easy and we must do all we can to suggest, inform, recommend and ultimately support the Board of Commissioners who will be tasked with that responsibility.

In closing let me just say thank you for all you do for the residents of Orange County. As public servants we have a unique responsibility to the community and I know you will continue to do the very best job you can despite the difficulties ahead."

Slow ride, take it easy

The Hillsborough town board Monday will consider, among other things, a speed limit reduction in several residential streets in the Historic District. The changes would bring the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 or 20 mph.

The following streets would be affected:
• Caine Street, from Union Street to St. Mary’s Road
• Mitchell Street, from Corbin Street to Queen Street
• Cameron Street, from Corbin Street to King Street
• East Corbin Street, from Churton Street to the end of the town limit
• East Tryon Street, from Churton Street to St. Mary’s Road

The impetus for this move is that the Historic District Commission heard from residents in the St. Mary's Road area who said that drivers speed through the area as a cut-through to Cameron Park Elementary and county offices downtown. Additional roads were added to the list by town staff and the police department.

The TOTAL cost for all new signs would be about $500, the town estimates.

Would this affect your in-town travel at all? I find that, at least while traveling south on Churton Street, I don't even need the gas pedal to cruise along at 30 mph.

What's coming

UPDATE: I should really check the calendar before saying there's a meeting. Turns out there is not a rail station Friday. The next meeting will be held in two weeks. My apologies.

Well, it's Thursday and my dance card for next week is pretty full - lots of meetings and wrap-ups to write in the next few days. Here's what I am working on so far:

• A write-up of the revaluation speakers at Tuesday's meeting (I hesitate to call them members of Tax Revolt or Freedom Works-led speakers, since it seems that people I have spoken to who were there aren't really associated with the group.)
I'd love to know people's thoughts on how likely it is that commissioners will vote to roll back the revaluation, similar to how it was done in Rockingham County last month.

• After almost everybody left the meeting, there was an interesting discussion on an emergency services study which could cost anywhere between $20,000-$112,000, depending on the depth and breadth of review that commissioners decide to pursue. Read next week for an explanation of what they're mulling.

• The Rail Station Task Force meets again tomorrow, their first get-together since receiving tacit approval on their recommendation of the Collins site. This is where the proverbial rubber will meet the road, as big ideas now have to be dictated into dollars, cents and a battle plan.

• I'm trying to look into a few details about the waste transfer station process, which had been buried a little since the latest big controversy - revaluations - hit the scene. Not much else to tell right now.

• The town board meets Monday. Possibly a Colonial Inn update?

I assume you'll be hearing from Vanessa's cubicle sometime soon.

Murphy's Law Tuesday

Tuesday, our production day, is always somewhat of an adventure, and yesterday was no different.

Thanks to snow delays and other factors, we relied on some great teamwork to make sure we had Spelling Bee contestants for the paper (thank you, Kay Daniels at the OCS office). The Bee will be held at 4 p.m. March 10 (Tuesday) at New Hope Elementary, and the winner gets to to go D.C. to compete against the nation's best spellers. We'll have coverage of this now-annual event in next week's issue.

For reasons that are still beyond me, our Internet connection failed at the very moment last night that I was attempting to send our front page to the press in Virginia, so I'm glad that it all came through without a major hitch.

Last night's commissioners' meeting included several hundred residents upset about their tax revaluation, and I had the misfortune of showing up 15 minutes late to the meeting (but got there before anybody from the public started speaking). After wrangling my way inside, I took notes while seated on the floor outside of the main Senior Center room used for the meeting , flanked by many members of the Orange County Sheriff's department (watching the room, not me). There was a strong law enforcement presence last night.

About 80 percent of the room emptied out after the speakers went before the board during the public comment session. On my way in, I noticed the following: Cars circling for almost non-existent parking; several dozen people waiting outside in the cold, pressing ears and eyes to the outside glass to find out what was going on inside; and countless more leaving as I arrived, likely determining that space wouldn't open up anytime soon. I hope to have a fire marshal's count of how many came soon, but it looks to be on par with the last meeting of residents on the issue.

Their message seems pretty clear — rescind revaluations and wait until 2013 (or maybe 2011, as Rockingham County has done), as allowed under the General Statutes. Once the March 31 deadline for appeals has passed, we'll likely see what the next move will be.

We'll have more today or tomorrow about what stories we're working on this week.

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Since I'm from up North, I love the snow. It was a lovely sight to wake up to this morning, though the ice coating the roads from yesterday's rain was not quite as lovely. Even so, I took some pictures on my way to work. I figured I'd share in the hopes that perhaps more of you will be persuaded to do so.

This is on Old Heritage Court, off of Old N.C. 86. It's a little cul-de-sac with a few houses on it on your left if you're driving north towards town. The snow was so densely covering the woods and brush in this area that it was hard to tell what was what. There was no one around at all; I think maybe one person drove by on Old 86 while I was out taking pictures, looking like a crazy person. I wish I would've brought my galoshes; I would have ventured further into the woods in an effort to get an even better shot.

This is the light pole at the corner of Old Heritage Court and Old N.C. 86. The road in the background is Old 86, heading north. This area was like a tunnel almost; the trees were all covered with snow.

Like Josh said, if any of you have any snow day pictures, please send them in! I only took a few in Hillsborough; most of mine were out in the county or in Carrboro.

Drive safely out there.

In like a lion ...

It's a picturesque snow day — if you're a student. Pretty much everything is canceled - local schools, county offices, the Preserve Rural Orange meeting on the waste transfer station progress (rescheduled for March 15).

We'll update in the paper, too, but the Orange Lady Panthers' basketball team advanced to regionals after winning yet again on the road Friday. They will play next on Wednesday in Greenville.

Being Monday, I am tied to my desk doing a million little things. If you go out to enjoy the snow today, send us some pictures. We can post some up here or in the paper. They can be sent to editorial@newsoforange.com.