Public Health & Safety
Among other things on the County Commissioners agenda tonight the siting of the proposed waste transfer station. John Rees, an avid cyclist who lives in Dogwood Acres, is there and posting updates via Twitter. Here are his updated posts in reverse chronological order (newest to oldest):
From OCOC press release as printed in News of Orange County:
County-wide grassroots effort will hold Dec. 7
meeting
On Sunday, Dec. 7, 300 leaders from 23 faith-based
institutions in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough will gather at 5 p.m. at
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chapel Hill to launch a new agenda called "One
County for All." The Church is located at 300 E. Rosemary Street in Chapel
Hill.
The event is viewed as a new model for multi-ethnic interfaith
collaboration in Orange County. The Orange County Organizing Committee (OCOC)
seeks to bring about change on affordable housing, living wages, environmental
justice, education, healthcare, and quality of life for immigrant families.
I went to the OCBoCC meeting on Monday about the transfer station. I came away more convinced than ever that locating a transfer station in a rural farming or residential area is a bad idea. I think a lot of good reasons for it being a bad idea were put forth, and as I took notes I realized that the OCBoCC all know most of these arguments and reasons not to do this, so rehashing it is not of any particular benefit. What I think has not been done yet is to put together an outline/timeline of an alternative that involves all of the potential players and describes the benefits with an end goal in mind.
So, rather than rehash, I thought I could take a stab at a plan for a plan. Obviously the outline below is a strawman (the 21st century equivalent of the back of a napkin) and needs refinement. A lot would need to happen and a lot could happen in parallel. I think you'll get the gist though.
First:
Convince yourselves and the community at large.
WTE makes sense looking down the road five to seven years when tipping fees increase and as the county grows.
I just got the following notice from the Chapel Hill Town Manager's offce:
We are saddened by the tragic accident of Valerie Hughes, who died on Oct. 28 after being struck by a bus while crossing a street in Chapel Hill. We wish to express our deepest sympathy to her family and to her friends.
The driver of the Chapel Hill Transit bus involved in the accident, James Orr, was placed on administrative leave without pay immediately. The Town of Chapel Hill conducted an internal investigation consistent with Town policy and statutory guidelines.
Effective November 3, 2008, James Orr, Transit Operator II was terminated as an employee of the Town of Chapel Hill.
The Town Council has expressed an ongoing concern with pedestrian safety, and this unfortunate accident highlights our need to continue and improve upon that effort.
The Board of County Comissioners finally has seen fit to not included Eubanks Road in the narrowed list of proposed sites for the transfer station. While it ain't over till it's over, this is most welcome news. It looks like the BOCC has made strides in redemption by coming down this time for social and environmental justice.
The fight that the Rogers/Eubanks road community has waged for their neighborhood now has victory in their sights and with that victory will come a victory for the soul of Orange County. This has been a struggle that has taken decades.
Special kudos go to Reverend Robert Campbell and Neloa Jones for showing the perseverance and fortitude to make their case time and time again and lead their community against the odds. It proves that community activism and participation can make a real difference and overcome what at times seem like a never-ending series of obstacles.
However, vigilance is still required.
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