OCV Newsletter, April 2014   
Dear Neighbor:

It appears that spring may, at long last, be upon the doorstep.  Beech trees have heralded the onset of longer days and warmer temperatures by dropping their copper-toned leaves, almost overnight!  Across our county, fiddleheads are unfurling, native dogwoods are in bloom, and delicate spring wildflowers line woodland paths and trails.  Springtime showers and thunderstorms transform the fields of rural Orange County into rich, green pastureland.

In this season of new growth and vitality, it is appropriate to report that the community-wide Communications Network, a seed planted, in part, by OCV, continues to develop and move forward.  In this newsletter, we'll also bring you up to date on the county's proposed Solid Waste Service Tax District.  With the May 6 Primary Election less than a month away, we thought you might be interested in hearing about the dates, times, and locations for Early Voting.  
In This Issue
Upcoming Events
Community Groups Connecting
Rural Residents Voice Strong Opposition at BoCC Public Hearings to Solid Waste Service Tax District
It's Primary Season! Dates, Times, and Locations for Early Voting

Upcoming Events    

  • Voter Registration for May Primary Election Ends: Friday, April 11.
  • Orange County Board of Commissioners Meeting: Tuesday, April 15, at 7:00pm, at the Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill.
  • Sheriff's Candidates Forum: Wednesday, April 16, from 6:30-7:45pm, at the Chapel Hill Public Library, Meeting Room B, Library Road, Chapel Hill.  Hosted by the Orange County Democratic Party.
  • Early Voting Begins: Thursday, April 24. 
  • 19th Annual Piedmont Farm Tour: Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27, from 2:00-6:00pm.  Farm Tour brochures available at Weaver Street Market.  Click here for more information.
  • Primary Election: Tuesday, May 6.    

Community Groups Connecting      

 

OCV's plans for a community-wide Communications Network continue to move forward.  As you may recall from our March 2014 Newsletter, we set the goal of creating a network linking community groups throughout the county.  We are pleased to report that this concept has been well-received, and that several groups have agreed to partner with OCV on this project.

 

We are currently building a website, one with access to social media, to promote the exchange of ideas, support advocacy, and conveniently distribute information throughout the rural community.  Because Orange County's towns share such an important relationship with more rural parts of the county, we have encouraged the towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough to join this network.

 

It is generally understood that many of the groups who become part of this network may have members without access to computers and "smart phones," or have members who simply choose not to make use of such technology on a daily basis.  It will be up to each group within the network to devise low-tech means of providing information to such members.

 

The OCV Board is excited to see this Communications Network moving from idea to reality, and believe that over time it will serve to strengthen our county-wide community through direct communication among groups of varied interest. 

 

For information on how you or your group can join the Communications Network, contact Nick Davis.  Please put "Communications Network" in your email's subject line. 
Rural Residents Voice Opposition at BoCC Public Hearings to Solid Waste Service Tax District

On February 2, 2014, the Orange County Board of Commissioners voted to hold two public hearings to consider the establishment of a Solid Waste Service Tax District.  The first of these hearings was held Tuesday, March 18, at the Southern Human Services Center, in Chapel Hill; the second hearing followed, on April 1, and took place at Hillsborough Common's Social Services Center.

At each of these public hearings, rural residents voiced strong opposition to the proposed tax district.  Several articles regarding this issue were published in local newspapers.  Here are links to two of them.  The first was written by OCV Board member Norma White.

http://www.chapelhillnews.com/2014/03/21/3721992/norma-white-county-should-reject.html?sp=/99/586/885/905/909/

http://www.chapelhillnews.com/2014/03/28/3740589/your-letters-march-30.html?sp=/99/586/885/905/908/ 

On Tuesday, April 15, at 7:00pm, the Orange County Board of Commissioners will convene a meeting to discuss and vote on whether or not to proceed with this Solid Waste Service Tax District.  The meeting will take place at the Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road, in Chapel Hill.
It's Primary Season! Dates, Times, and Locations for Early Voting
 
Colorful campaign signs are popping up along the main thoroughfares of Orange County.  They're packed in tight at major intersections, some standing straight, others all a kilter.  No one can miss the fact that Primary Election season is upon us. 

In our March 2014 Newsletter, we provided you with some primary basics:
  • a list of candidates who had filed for state and local races
  • important dates and deadlines regarding voter registration
  • information about the impact NC's new voting laws will have on this election 

With the May 6 Primary less than a month away, it's time to look at a few more details.  The following chart clearly gives the dates, times, and locations for Early Voting:

 

 
We will continue to keep you informed on issues that may effect you.  In the meantime, if you have news or an event that you would like us to include in our newsletter, please contact Nick Davis.

 

Thank you for your continued support for Orange County Voice and the rural community.
  

Sincerely,

The OCV Board
Alex Castro, Jr., Chair, alexcastrojr@hotmail.com 
Nick Davis, Vice-Chair, nickdavis80@gmail.com 
Tish Galu, Treasurer,  galump@centurylink.net 
Norma White, Secretary, n.b.white@embarqmail.com 
Mike Hughes, mmh@mmhpe.com 
                                                                                               
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.  - Margaret Mead 
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