Chatham Citizens for Effective Communities (CCEC) is a grass roots citizen action group initiated in 2003 by four neighbors concerned with a proposed large residential/commercial development known as Briar Chapel.  Soon others joined the cause, and CCEC was born.

CCEC is composed of two distinct groups.

CCEC, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(4) advocacy/legislative arm of the organization. CCEC - Institute, Inc. is the 501(c)(3) is tax exempt educational aspect of the organization. Both organizations have the mission to empower citizens to enhance Chatham's future. This empowerment is accomplished in several ways:

CCEC, Inc., the advocacy/legislative group, is proactive and speaks out on issues of concern throughout the County, working to promote well-planned conservative growth, protection of our natural resources and diverse culture.

CCEC - Institute, Inc. is the educational arm of the organization and accomplishes this mission by conducting seminars, forums and courses.

Both CCEC groups are issue oriented and do not endorse candidates for political office (neither is a Political Action Committee –PAC).

CCEC seeks to empower citizens to enhance Chatham’s future.  This is accomplished in a variety of ways:

CCEC fosters communication between citizens and their government, and provides information pertinent to issues affecting the well being of the county.

CCEC provides opportunities for citizens and governing officials and staffs to learn how to better manage residential/commercial development through the practice of “Smart Growth” principles, and to become more effective citizens.

CCEC advocates on behalf of the citizens of the entire county on issues that threaten to impact the well being of the county.

CCEC collaborates with other citizen action groups to monitor all issues that come before county government, and coordinate efforts to speak on behalf of the citizens.

 

Growth, usually referring to residential growth, is a fact of life. Given Chatham’s rural character, natural and recreational resources, and its location along major highways and proximity to the Triangle and Triad, it is no wonder that Chatham County is the second fastest growing county in North Carolina, and among the top 100 in the United States (according to statistics from the US Census Bureau).

Chatham has always been growing, but never in its history has it grown at the astounding rate it now is, or with the density of residential development that is now seen.  CCEC does not oppose residential development.  However, CCEC is a proponent of development that is built upon Smart Growth principles and designs, and development that is not greater than the land and the people can bear.

To this end, CCEC is in favor of well developed planning that produces ordinances that will ensure the quality of life that makes Chatham County unique. 

• June  '03 Forum - "What can the Land and the People Bear?" (Pittsboro)-  advocating smart growth principles

• Created a volunteer professional group of technical advisors: water, soil, erosion, economics, traffic, etc.

• Coverage of every Board of Commissioners' Work Sessions and regular meetings

• Coverage of all Planning Board Meetings

• September '03 Forum (9/03) - "Good Stewardship of the Land: Win, Win for  Everyone" (Siler City)

• Sponsored booths at the Chatham County Fair, Pittsboro Fair, Haw River  Festival

• Countered the concept of "BIGGER IS BETTER"

• Supported Southeast Chatham Citizens' Advisory Group in their fight against new waste management area

• Supported Chatham County United in fight against annexation by Cary

• Advocated for further study of Chatham Downs commercial development as it went through the process

• Proposed the concept of a Commercial Corridor Ordinance for 15-501

• Received Not For Profit Status from the State and Federal government

• Produced a CCEC Brochure and beginnings of a web site along with a continually growing list-serve for informing all citizens

• Supported the development of the Compact Community Ordinance. ;the 1999 Vision of the County; the Land Use Plan and the  concept of Smart Growth 

• Co-sponsored two forums on Briar Chapel to inform citizens of the specifics in the Briar Chapel development proposal - held in Pittsboro and Siler City 

• Presented a researched, consistent approach for Open Government

• Continued to raise considerations of stronger buffers, affordable housing, waste water treatment, environmental issues, etc. for many proposed developments and spoke out at the public hearings

• Developed a strong, respectful, media connection

• Maintained a data base on new developments, projected numbers of people and school population growth

• Spoke on growth in Chatham County at the Orange and Chatham County Sierra Club

• Supported the Soil and Erosion Ordinance and hiring of a Soil - Erosion  Engineer

• Formed a separate Water Task Force to study water issues

• Recommended an Appointment to the Recreational Advisory Committee

• Along with other citizens groups, prepared an Amendment to the Watershed Ordinance, when Commissioners refused to act to protect the watershed. (Currently in the review  process)

• Have supported the 1% Land Transfer Tax in order to obtain funding for the county while equalizing the tax base for all

• Supported proposed State legislation to protect Jordan Lake from further degradation

• Supported Chatham Hospital at a "needs assessment meeting" for the of a new hospital

• Continued to support CAARL (Citizens Against Airport Road Landfill) by providing information and assistance

• Encouraged citizens through CCEC Alerts and Bulletins to support issues that CCEC sees as meeting its mission
  
  
  
  

We will continue to encourage citizens to enhance Chatham's future by:

• Continued monitoring of development activity in the County

• Expansion of  inclusiveness, diversity, east-west connection in all we do

• Support for  sustainable agriculture and conservation of farm land

• Support of sound economic development

• Monitoring of solid waste, landfill, water, stream, environmental issues

• Expansion of our volunteer base in order to cover the town governments

• Activation of  CITIZENS COLLEGE, a civic educational program in 2006

• Continuation of alerts and bulletins on critical issues
  
  
  Read CCEC's Position Paper On The Issue Of Electoral Reform In Chatham County
  
  Read CCEC's Position Paper On The Redistricting Referendum for November 2006
  
  
  
  

CCEC is not a PAC (Political Action Committee).  CCEC is an apolitical grass roots citizens' action group. CCEC has both a state and federal non-profit status as both a 501(c) 3 and 501(c) 4, neither of which allows it to operate as a PAC, although the 501 (c) 4 designation allows for influencing legislation.

CCEC Board of Directors
President - Loyse Hurley
Vice President - Rita Spina
Treasurer - Joe Fraser
Secretary - Caroline Siverson

CCEC Board Members
Esta Cohen
Bob Eby
John Graybeal
Rich Hayes
Gary Simpson
 

Click here to link to our helping page.