CCEC Alerts & Bulletins

CCEC BULLETIN: July 10, 2010

Municipal Broadband Survives!

Remember the Municipal Broadband Moratorium that was being pushed by Sen. David Hoyle on behalf of Big Telecom? We are pleased to inform you of the outcome of the broadband wrangling that CCEC asked our list serve readers to weigh in on earlier this year. It experienced all sorts of permutations on its journeys through the General Assembly.

The 2010 General Assembly session finally ended at 5:32 Saturday morning with bills flying back and forth at a frenzied pace. It was at approximately 5:00 a.m. that proponents of municipal broadband breathed a sigh of relief as the House threw a legal block into the bill that would have banned municipal broadband efforts in NC.

How this prestidigitation was accomplished is understood by only the most savvy legislative watchdogs and reporters. For those of us who enjoy magic tricks (who doesn’t?), read all about how it was done from the Save NC Broadband web site:
http://savencbb.wordpress.com/.

Bottom line, North Carolina's municipal broadband providers have won another victory over local service provider incumbents AT&T, Time Warner Cable and CenturyLink, which weren't able to get their anti-community fiber bill passed. That’s good news for NC cities like Wilson and Salisbury that have built their own respective Fiber to the Home (FTTH) networks. And it’s also good news for Chatham and its municipalities that reside in the “slow lane” of internet communications, and could benefit from the chance to follow the lead of the Wilsons and Salisburys.

To all who spoke to your legislators on this major issue, well done! You may wish to contact Rep. Joe Hackney (Joe.Hackney@ncleg.net 919-733-3451) and Sen. Bob Atwater (Bob.Atwater@ncleg.net 919-715-3036) who went to bat for us on this issue.

CCEC BULLETIN: July 10, 2010

CCEC Endorses NC SAVE$ ENERGY

Helping families save money on their utility bills
Creating green jobs
Improving housing conditions across North Carolina.

Would you endorse that kind of agenda? CCEC would… and has! Looking ahead to the 2011 legislative session, CCEC’s Board of Directors has acted to stand along with other statewide groups concerned about social justice, jobs and economy and taking control of our own energy future. We’re endorsing a citizen based movement modeled on programs that have proved successful in other states. It’s called “NC SAVE$ ENERGY,” and its purpose is to bring REAL energy efficiency to NC.

What is NC SAVE$ ENERGY?
NC SAVE$ ENERGY is a proposal by consumer, social justice, senior, environmental and citizen action groups to create an independent energy efficiency program for North Carolina. Once enacted, this $60 million dollar fund would provide money for projects that create thousands of green jobs, reduce household utility bills, and protect vulnerable populations and the environment. We are working to get this passed through the state legislature in 2011, during the long legislative session which begins in January. You shouldn’t be surprised to know that powerful lobbying forces will oppose this proposal. That’s why we are starting now to form alliances and inform the public as we push for passage in 2011.

Why does North Carolina need NC SAVE$ ENERGY?

· 2 million people across North Carolina live in substandard housing conditions

· North Carolina (currently) has an unemployment rate of over 10%

· Stimulus funding for weatherization projects will run out in 2012

· North Carolina alone dumps more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuel than 186 nations. Wasting electricity means burning more coal and increasing global warming.

NC SAVE$ ENERGY would address all of these issues.

How would NC SAVE$ ENERGY work?
NC SAVE$ ENERGY would fund projects to weatherize houses, provide green job training programs, monitor energy use and reduction, create and sustain revolving loan funds, and carry out other programs that are aligned with the program’s goals. Six states have implemented such programs, lowering energy costs for millions of customers, creating thousands of jobs, and reducing greenhouse gases by millions of tons a year. NC SAVE$ ENERGY would generate its funding through a small fee, averaging $2 per month per household.

Why not let the electric utilities run their own efficiency programs?
Well, why not pay a donut manufacturer to design your diet plan? The purpose of the utilities is to sell power for a profit. Expecting utilities to manage energy efficiency involves an inherent conflict of interest. (Don’t contract with Red Foxx Builders, LLC to construct your chicken coop or Wiley Coyote Security Services, LLC to guard it.) An independently administered program would have a clear mission to carry out cost-effective efficiency activities in the public interest.

How can I learn more? You can visit www.ncsavesenergy.org –or- contact NC SAVE$ ENERGY Campaign Coordinator, Jennie Renner-Yeomans, at 919-260-5517 or jennie@ncsavesenergy.org.

CCEC BULLETIN: July 8, 2010

“Give them an inch, and they’ll take a mile.”

It’s more than just a benign cliché when you are forced into a face-off with the Department of Transportation (DOT). Opening the doors to Chatham County by even a crack is like opening a bag of chips before the hungry eyes of the DOT. You can bet they won’t eat just one. Plan on tossing that empty bag right into the trash can.

The DOT has its eyes on the prize of our entire County, but is willing to whittle away a little at a time, bite by bite and mile by mile. Chatham is a big County to consume all at once, but the DOT’s approach is similar to the plan for eating an elephant: one bite at a time. The eastern border near Hwy 751 to the Pittsboro US64 bypass will provide the hors d'oeuvres before the main course.

A similar approach by the government and citizens of Chatham is needed if there is to be any hope for preserving the County’s quality of life as we know it. Small but persistent steps by a growing cadre of informed and inspired citizens will be needed to throw up a road block to deter or detour the DOT’s ultimate plan to turn Chatham’s main thoroughfare (US64) into another super interstate, the likes of I40.

Over the past weeks CCEC has alerted citizens to the threat posed by the DOT’s studies on the US64 Corridor, presented information regarding the studies and sought citizen involvement in the effort to curb the DOT’s appetite for Chatham’s resources. We’ve reported on the DOT’s denial of CCEC’s request to extend the time for citizen comments beyond June 30.

The CCEC Board of Directors formally responded to the DOT report prior to the June 30 deadline, stating our primary concerns with the study and plans. Please take a moment to follow this link to our web site to see the first small step we’ve taken to stand up, speak out and try to deny them that inch which will eventually stretch the full length of Chatham:
http://www.chathamcitizens.org/alerts-bulletins/alerts-bulletins.html#comments

Please stay tuned and become involved. As we continue to lead the opposition, we encourage your commitment of dollars, time and abilities to assist in the cause. Checks should be written to CCEC, Inc. and mailed to CCEC P.O. Box 412 Pittsboro, NC 27312. To offer assistance or learn more, contact info@chathamcitizens.org and visit our web site at www.chathamcitizens.org

CCEC ALERT: July 7, 2010

June 29th CCEC comments provided to Dan Thomas of the NC DOT on their US 64 Corridor report

Dear Mr. Thomas:

Chatham Citizens for Effective Communities, Inc. (CCEC) is a grassroots citizen organization with hundreds of citizens on our list serve. We respectfully offer the following comments on the DOT’s April 2010 draft study report on the US 64 Corridor.

One issue that needs immediate attention is the safety issue at the intersection of Rte 751 and US 64. The DOT currently acknowledges the serious problem at this intersection. The above average incidents of crashes at this intersection need to be resolved immediately and should not wait until any short or long term plan is accepted. There must be immediate measures that can be implemented to prevent or reduce these accidents and save lives.

As stated in the report the intention of the DOT is to develop a master plan that will enhance mobility and safety along US 64 while balancing community access and interests. This goal has not been met for Chatham County.

Outlined below are several of our issues that lead us to this conclusion:

SAFETY - SHORT TERM PLAN

1. The short-term proposal calls for only 5 access points (or intersections) within Chatham. US 64 is an evacuation route in the event that the Shearon Harris nuclear facility has a critical incident. Limiting the roadway to only 5 access points will delay the prompt evacuation of Chatham citizens in the event of an emergency. Currently, people are able to access this road directly from their homes and businesses, which allows for a more rapid evacuation.

2. These same limited access points will increase emergency response times within our community. This problem is not resolved by the DOT’s statement that a decrease in traffic flow, congestion and increased speeds will make up this response time.

3. These same increased response times may raise the fire insurance rates for customers within this area.

4. The area involved with this proposal includes Jordan Lake. Although the DOT believes that synchronized traffic lights will solve any U-turn Superstreet problems, we respectfully disagree. Boats being trailed by cars, trucks and RVs during the peak usage of the lake will interfere with the smooth flow of traffic along US 64. During a busy weekend there are numerous boats using the lake and those heading east when coming out of the park facilities will have to cross over US 64 to make the U-turn. Tired drivers hauling boats will, indeed, create an unsafe condition in the late afternoon when they have a limited space to cross over the traffic. Additionally, while synchronized lights are good in theory, frequently they do not remain perfectly synchronized as any experienced driver knows. To rely solely on this as a safety measure is unrealistic.

SYSTEM LINKAGE- SHORT TERM PLAN

1. The DOT’s rationale for the plan is based on anticipated growth in the area. Yet, this same anticipated growth does not lend itself to any consideration of mass transit. If the estimated growth requires an expansion of the roadway and such an expenditure of funds, why does this not require consideration of mass transit?

2. Clearly, this report does not address the consideration of the high speed rail line from Richmond, Virginia to Charlotte North Carolina. Consideration should be given to providing connections to that line as a mass transit alternative.

3. Based upon the 2000 census, the DOT indicates that only 0.2% of Chatham citizens use public transportation as mass transit. This is an interesting observation, since there were no public transportation options available to Chatham citizens in 2000. It is certainly not a valid reason to eliminate any consideration of mass transit in the future. The absence of mass transit considerations appears to us to be a missing component at a critical time of peak oil production and climate change and the need to provide new alternatives to vehicular travel. Furthermore, in 2009, a new bus route with a hybrid/clean air bus has been added along Rte 15/501 and is proving popular with riders as a source of mass transit along that route. Therefore, people will use mass transit if it is available.

4. There are no provisions for park and ride facilities for either mass transit or carpooling.

5. Chatham has many bicycle enthusiasts. While the plan does provide for bicycle lanes, they are not through lanes and there is no direct connection to the American Tobacco Trail from Pittsboro. Furthermore, the proposal calls for bicyclists to make the same U-turns as does vehicular traffic. Not only is this an unsafe condition, but it is also unrealistic. As the DOT acknowledges, bicyclists are not inclined to get off their bicycles and walk across a road. Better planning provisions for connectivity are needed, and as a result this plan is incomplete.

6. US 64 is the only east/west route through Chatham County. In many areas, it serves as a main street within the community. Limited access will cause reliance on interrupted service roads for citizens to conduct their business and access their homes. Already constructed, narrow side roads are also inadequate to handle the rerouted traffic. The conversion of US 64 into a Superstreet with limited access, only serves to create another problem along the periphery of the road. The report does not address this problem.

ENVIRONMENTAL/CULTURAL ANALYSIS - SHORT TERM PLAN

1. As a regional source of drinking water and recreational opportunities, the protection of Jordan Lake has long been a major concern of Chatham citizens. The Department of Water Quality considers the lake as being impaired, and as a result there are newly implemented Jordan Lake Nutrient Rules. We understand that DWQ now considers turbidity to be a problem also. This entire project, both in the short and long terms, is one that will further degrade the lake. While not acknowledged in the report, Jordan Lake is also a source of drinking water not only for Cary but also for Chatham County. Additional pollution increases the costs for treating this water and can pose a safety hazard for Chatham customers because of the additional necessary treatment.

2. In addition to the direct impacts of the project on streams, wetlands, and stream buffers and the increase in impervious surfaces from the project, which the DOT considers to be minimal, there are serious concerns about the construction impacts, including silt and run off, for both Jordan Lake and the Haw River. We do not believe adequate consideration has been given to protection of these valuable resources of Chatham County, nor do we agree that the impacts would be minimal.

3. Inadequate consideration has been given to the New Hope Rural Historical Archaeological District at Big Woods Road. This district was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. It consists of two separate parcels of land that contain historic archaeological remains of houses and outbuildings that contain intact deposits related to the occupation of the area prior to its acquisition by the Corps of Engineers. The boundaries of the district contain several distinct archaeological sites. US 64 goes right through the middle of one of these parcels. There is no mention of any measures that are proposed to mitigate any adverse effects on this site. While the report mentions a determination was made under 23 USC 138. 4 (f) that this site is not a protected historic resource, this section refers only to the legal transportation requirements. NC General Statutes 121-12(a) requires consultation with Office of State Archaeology regarding this district because it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the report omits the results of any such consultation. Furthermore, should Federal funding be used for this project, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act would apply and no mention has been made of this requirement.

LAND USE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. The citizens of Chatham County have voiced their objection to strip malls as an economic development source and the County has revised certain ordinances to avoid them. Other land use planning is currently being undertaken for the county. The extensive use of service roads contemplated by this report will only encourage strip malls in the short term. Additionally, the project calls for the relocation of established businesses. The loss of such locally owned business will negatively impact the economic development in the county.

2. The county has also expended money, time effort and has had citizen input during the development of a strategic economic development plan for the county. The DOT proposal runs contrary to this plan in the short term and certainly will negate economic development for the long term.

3. A major transportation route along US 64 is not in the best interests of residents living in the affected area. These residents purchased their homes with the expectation that their property values would increase or at the minimum remain the same. An interstate highway, with limited access, running past their homes will decrease property values, as well as raise concerns about noise, air pollution and general quality of life issues.

While this report only addressed a small section of the NCDOT’s plans for changes to US 64, the overall picture cannot be omitted from consideration. The ultimate plan is for the highway to go from US 1 through Cary and Apex, to the Pittsboro by-pass, then into the western part of Chatham, continuing with a by-pass around Siler City, to Rte. 49, and ending in Charlotte. In the past, the DOT has clearly stated that the purpose of this route is to alleviate the congestion on I 40. Such a plan will not draw people into Chatham County. It would, however, enable people to pass through the county without stopping. It would create a north/south divide of this rural county that would hinder the agricultural, industrial, economic, cultural, recreational and residential interests of the people. This is not in the best interests of the citizens of Chatham, nor is it in the best interests of this rural area.

Additionally, the transportation vision contained within the US 64 Corridor Study Report is, in our opinion, archaic. It speaks in terms of yesterday’s concepts, while the rest of the United States is generating new ideas for transportation such as monorail, high-speed trains, articulated, hybrid busses, etc. The outmoded message presented to Chatham County and the State is - more of the same - more and wider highways to accommodate petroleum-based, gas guzzlers without any consideration of future trends. This smacks of a philosophy that says, "We have to do it this way because that’s the way its always been done". It appears that the Department of Transportation has directed its planners to use this old concept of road development to solve the I 40 congestion problems by building more roads and eventually duplicating the congestion problems on US 64. It is the "same old, same old" solution that lacks creativity and ingenuity and eliminates any other possibilities.

In conclusion, we strongly oppose this proposal because we do not consider it to be in the best interests of the county’s citizens, now or in the future. Therefore, we recommend consideration of other options and suggest that any long term plans for transporting people and goods must include forward-thinking mass transit alternatives such as high speed rail and energy efficient busses that reduce dependence on fossil fuels and automobiles, while affording the potential for enhancing economic development within the state.

Respectfully submitted,
Board of Directors,
Chatham Citizens for Effective Communities, Inc.
Loyse Hurley, President

CCEC ALERT: June 18, 2010

NCDOT US 64 CORRIDOR STUDY - Part II

Chatham Needs Players… Barking Dogs and Giant Slayers

Hypothetical Question: What are your chances of winning the State Lottery?

(Hint: There are two possible answers.)

A-1 Slim, IF you play.

A-2 None, if you DON’T play.

Real Question: What is Chatham’s chance of detouring (dissuading) the State Department of Transportation (DOT) in its quest to Super size US 64 through our county?

(Hint: See above.)

The NCDOT’s plan to Super size the primary east –west route through the heart of our county has created a “David vs. Goliath” match up, with the prize being two distinctly different Chathams. To hold on to the sustainable, economically and environmentally sound future we envision for our predominantly rural county, Chatham’s only hope is to confront the giant. You can’t win if you don’t play.

The Chatham County Board of Commissioners (BOC) confronted the giant last year on Phase I of the proposal, and the NCDOT paid little or no attention as evidenced by this Phase II. In order to raise the odds of winning from none to slim, we, the people, must now become players in the game of follow the leaders. We, the people, must be heard loud and clear as we join to raise our collective voice. “The dog that barks the loudest gets the bone.” At this most critical moment in its long history, Chatham County needs players, “barking dogs” and “giant slayers.”

Last week CCEC’s Bulletin alerted you to a NCDOT’s study, now in phase II, and informed you of our concerns regarding its negative impacts on our county. Once completed, it would result in a short term plan to reconfigure US 64 from Cary to Pittsboro. That would lead to a long term plan to create an interstate highway from Raleigh to Charlotte similar to I-40 and I-85. The stated purpose would be to relieve pressure from those routes and to hasten the journeys of the masses of people and their goods the NCDOT projects will inhabit the “US 64 Corridor.”

Last year, CCEC concurred with the BOC’s determination that Phase I was a bad idea. Phase II shows it’s still a bad idea, and we are committed to assembling a team of players (organizations, businesses and individual citizens) to request the NCDOT to hit the brakes. We asked them to extend the public comment period beyond June 30, but were denied. Therefore, we are now asking for a quick response to the NCDOT from our list serve subscribers who agree that the short and long term plans to alter US 64 through Chatham should be abandoned. That’s just a beginning; the first step on a long journey.

This Bulletin will conclude with a summary of the rationale for scuttling the plans, and a sample communication piece. These may be used as talking points for letters to be written by citizens to flood the mail and/or e-mail boxes at NCDOT offices. This needs to be a “flash flood” that makes big enough waves in Raleigh to rock the boat and connect the DOT’s dream to Chatham’s nightmare.

In addition to asking for your fervent pleas to the NCDOT to cease and desist, we must make one other request for assistance. Because this is a major undertaking that promises to be more of a marathon than a sprint, we are in need of human and monetary resources to fuel the effort and stay the course. Please consider volunteering a portion of your time and talents to this cause. We will need people to assist us in delivering flyers, creating signs, informing and involving your friends and neighbors, attending meetings, etc. To offer volunteer services, please contact us at info@chathamcitizens.org and inquire further as to how you may help out. Please also consider donating some of your monetary resources. Even a small amount from each concerned citizen on this list serve has the potential to grow to a significant sum. You can make out a check to CCEC, Inc. and mail it to: CCEC P.O. Box 412 Pittsboro, NC, 27312.

Rationale for Opposing US 64 Corridor Plan
You need to make the decision whether or not you want a new interstate highway to go through rural Chatham County. CCEC does not. Listed below are a select dozen issues that lead us to this conclusion:

The proposal calls for only 5 access points onto US 64 within Chatham County.

1. Limited access to intersections will place a north/south divide in the county.

2. US 64 is an evacuation route for Shearon Harris. Limited access will impede any immediate evacuation.

3. Emergency response times will be increased.

4. Slower emergency response times may increase fire insurance rates.

5. Boaters exiting Jordan Lake will have to turn right, cross two lanes of traffic and make a u-turn to go east. The NCDOT claims that synchronized signal lights will solve any safety problem. Tired drivers hauling boats will create an unsafe condition in the late afternoon, especially when they have a limited space to cross over the traffic. Additionally while signalized lights are good in theory, frequently they do not remain perfectly synchronized as any experienced driver knows. To rely solely on this as a safety measure is unrealistic.

6. There are no considerations of mass transit of any type or any park and ride provisions for car pooling.

7. While the plan does provide for bicycle lanes, these lanes are not thru lanes. Therefore, this will require bicyclists to dismount and walk over to another lane, in some cases crossing US 64 on the way.

8. Environmental damage to Jordan Lake and the Haw River from road construction and impervious surface run off is certain, as is significant damage to streams, stream buffers and wet lands.

9. The NCDOT plans to construct service roads along the route. These service roads will by their nature encourage sprawl strip malls, which are discouraged in our current planning because they are a poor economic development strategy.

10. The plan is inconsistent with the economic development strategic plan.

11. The NCDOT plan will necessitate relocation of some homes and businesses.

12. The plan will result in lower property values for homes in the area as well as air and noise pollution.

Informational Resource
To further add to your knowledge of this critical matter, we suggest the following link to two recent articles in INDY WEEK.COM, written by Rebekah Cowell, a resident of Chatham County. The first one listed is “hot off the presses,” and includes quotes from CCEC’s President, Loyse Hurley: (Note – You may need to hold down CTRL + click to follow the links.)
http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/chatham-commissioners-get-extra-time-to-chime-in-on-us-64/Content?oid=1483717

http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/us-64-expansion-could-further-pollute-jordan-lake-uproot-chatham-county-businesses/Content?oid=1409872

Sample Letter
Consider this as a starting point to “prime the pump” and help you “kick start” your own letter (email or standard mail) to inform the NCDOT that you are opposed to their short and long term plans for US 64 through Chatham County. Please state clearly the reasons for your opposition, modifying the letter to suit yourself. Comments should be received no later than June 30, 2010.

(Date)

Dan Thomas, P.E.
NCDOT Transportation Planning Branch
1554 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1554
(919) 715-5482 ext. 389
danthomas@ncdot.gov

Greetings from Chatham County:

As an informed and concerned citizen of Chatham County, I am writing to respectfully voice my opposition to the conclusions drawn by the NCDOT in its “US64 CORRIDOR STUDY, WAKE AND CHATHAM COUNTIES, CORRIDOR STUDY REPORT DRAFT, APRIL 2010.”

I begin by sharing my disappointment in the NCDOT’s denial of a request to grant Chatham’s citizens an extension for public comment in order to become better educated regarding the extensive amount of information contained in the study.

Some of my specific concerns are as follows:

In conclusion, I strongly oppose the NCDOT’s plans for US 64 through Chatham County, as I find them to be inconsistent with the County Vision statement and the emerging Land Use and Development planning that seeks to create a sustainable and viable environment and economy in keeping with Chatham’s unique character.

Sincerely,
(Your name and contact information)

Thank you for your time and effort in becoming a player on the team that is forming to help dissuade the NCDOT of its plan for altering US 64 through Chatham County. Inform your neighbors and encourage them to get on board. And, again, please consider donating some time and $$$ to CCEC to further this cause. We’d also appreciate it if you would provide CCEC with a blind copy (BCC) of your letter, or at least inform us if you have sent a letter so we can track citizen responses: info@chathamcitizens.org

CCEC ALERT: June 11, 2010

NCDOT US 64 CORRIDOR STUDY: Chatham says, “Thanks, but NO THANKS!”

BE AWARE! There is a study being conducted by the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) that, if acted upon, could forever change life in Chatham County as we know and appreciate it.

Background

In May of 2009 the Chatham County Board of Commissioners (BOC), drafted a letter of concern to the NCDOT Phase I proposal regarding its short and long term plans to convert highways 64 and 49 between Cary and Charlotte from four and two lane roads traversing primarily rural landscapes to an interstate highway model to relieve pressure on I-40 and I-85.
(The BOC letter and NCDOT response are attached. A link for viewing the study report is available at the end of this bulletin.)

Earlier this week a representative of the NCDOT visited (upon request) a BOC Work Session, with accompanying Power Point presentation and printed Phase II study proposal. CCEC representatives were also in attendance. Only very minor changes were made in the Chatham section of the report. At the end of the presentation, the BOC requested an extension for comment on the US 64 Corridor Study project to allow for adequate time for Chatham governmental boards to respond. CCEC has also requested an extension to 9/1/2010 for public comment.

Building Citizen Awareness and Response

This is the first in a series of CCEC Bulletins intended to introduce this critical issue to the public, increase citizen awareness and understanding, provide a link to an online informational document, and seek involvement in a coordinated effort to oppose the current short and long term study proposals.

We plan to issue other Bulletins that will provide talking points to address specific problems that we believe will negatively affect Chatham’s future if this plan is enacted (for example, the further degradation of Jordan Lake and the Haw River, the loss of revenue for displaced businesses, impact on residences in the area and delayed response times for emergency responders to name just a few).

Thanks, but NO THANKS to a Bad Idea

“We respectfully submit that the US 64/NC 49 plan be promptly abandoned as a bad idea for the reasons stated above.” This concluding sentence from the May 2009 BOC letter clearly conveys the Commissioners’ opinion of the NCDOT plan as a “bad idea” and states their request for prompt abandonment of the project. Needless to say (but we’ll say it anyway), the NCDOT respectfully disagrees and has no intention of scuttling its extensive (and expensive) study or its short and long term plans. Given this divergence of opinion and the degree of resolve on the part of the NCDOT to push ahead, it is apparent that Chatham is at a critical point

To our east in Wake County, that critical point was reached some time ago, and led to the formation of an Apex/Cary citizen action group (SAVE 64) to address the study/plan as it relates to their communities. Now, at this critical moment in Chatham’s history, CCEC is seeking to lead the way in collaborating with other Chatham (and Wake) county citizen groups, county governmental authorities, affected businesses and homeowners’ associations and private citizens to respond assertively to the NCDOT’s short and long term plans for US 64. In support of the BOC’s desire for the NCDOT to abandon its study and project, we are taking the initial steps in what will likely become a marathon journey.

While we can appreciate and respect the NCDOT’s intentions to serve the masses, we respectfully disagree with the project and challenge the plans that we believe run amuck of Chatham’s own Vision and ongoing planning for a sustainable, safe and sound environmental, economic and recreational future. For this reason, we seek to inform, educate and motivate citizens regarding the short term US 64 Corridor Study and its intended long range outcomes as they impact the lives and resources of Chatham and it residents and visitors

Informational Resources (for any who care to explore)

“Do We Have a Deal For You” – A light hearted satirical monologue to break the ice on this critical issue. Please open attachment in this email.

Chatham BOC Letter to NCDOT: May 2009 and NCDOT response
Please open attachment in this email.

NCDOT web site US 64 Corridor Planning
CRTL+click:http://www.ncdot.org/doh/PRECONSTRUCT/tpb/shc/studies/us64/solutions/

Stay Tuned…

Our next Bulletin will update you on the NCDOT’s response to our extension request and begin to take a closer look at the “potholes” in the plan to super size 64. We’ll be asking for you to join the crusade and will provide directions for the first steps along the journey.

CCEC ALERT: Broadband Blues – Part II

Earlier this month we posted a bulletin titled: Chatham County and the Broad Band Blues. (See below)

This ALERT is the second verse; and it goes something like this:

We need your immediate response on this 11^th hour appeal! Tomorrow (May 27) around 1:00 p.m. the NC Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to vote on a bill that would hinder local governments from providing citizens with strong broadband communications services. With the confusing title: "No Nonvoted Local Debt For Competing System” (bill S.1209) you’d be hard pressed to figure out that the bottom line is that this bill would kill local efforts to connect more people across the state. The bill would ban municipal broadband networks that bring fast, affordable Internet services to North Carolina communities that need them the most. If you’d like to try to digest the information for yourself, follow this link: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2009/Bills/Senate/PDF/S1209v0.pdf

Corporate monopoly providers of internet access (think Time Warner Cable and AT&T) like this bill and are pushing with full force for its passage. Chatham County and Pittsboro governments vehemently disagree and have told legislators why this bill deters economic development, prevents educational opportunities and inhibits our agricultural community from communication and marketing their products. The Senate Finance Committee is getting an ear full right now from corporate lobbyists. CCEC asks that you add your voice, and tell Senators this is a bad bill for citizens. Once again, the citizens need to speak out and be heard.

Here’s a sample email communication to get you started. Add your personal thoughts as you wish, and then cut and paste the text along with the email and send it off pronto.

(subject line: VOTE NO ON SB 1209)

Dear members of the NC State Senate Finance Committee:

I respectfully request that you vote "no" to SB 1209 or any future bill that may resemble it.

For the sake of the citizen consumer and the municipal and/or county government that serves them, NC should not limit our present and future internet access options by endorsing legislation that restricts competition and will rule out the ability of county and municipal governments to meet the needs of the public and local business community. Please work with your municipal and county leaders to provide as many options as possible to serve North Carolina with a strong world class broadband network.

Thank you for considering the good of the public and local government in this critical matter.

Sincerely,

(your name and address)

(To: cut and paste into address line)

Martin.Nesbitt@ncleg.net , Daniel.Clodfelter@ncleg.net , Larry.Shaw@ncleg.net , RC.Soles@ncleg.net , Tony.Foriest@ncleg.net , Margaret.Dickson@ncleg.net , Charlie.Albertson@ncleg.net , Linda.Garrou@ncleg.net , Don.Vaughan@ncleg.net , Charlie.Dannelly@ncleg.net , Steve.Goss@ncleg.net , Jean.Preston@ncleg.net

Even better, give a personal call. Tell them you live in Chatham County where we desperately need all the help we can get to enable us to get on the internet super highway and stop singing the Broadband Blues.

Name	Phone	E-mail
Sen. Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. (Senate majority leader)	(919) 715-3001	Martin.Nesbitt@ncleg.net
Sen. Daniel Gray Clodfelter (chair)	(919) 715-8331	Daniel.Clodfelter@ncleg.net
Sen. Larry Shaw (co-chair)	(919) 733-9349	Larry.Shaw@ncleg.net
Sen. R.C. Soles, Jr.	(919) 733-5963	RC.Soles@ncleg.net
Sen. Anthony E. Foriest	(919) 301-1446	Tony.Foriest@ncleg.net
Sen. Margaret H. Dickson	(919) 733-5776	Margaret.Dickson@ncleg.net
Sen. Charles W. Albertson	(919) 733-5705	Charlie.Albertson@ncleg.net
Sen. Linda Garrou	(919) 733-5620	Linda.Garrou@ncleg.net
Sen. Don Vaughan	(919) 733-5856	Don.Vaughan@ncleg.net
Sen. Charlie Smith Dannelly	(919) 733-5955	Charlie.Dannelly@ncleg.net
Sen. Steve Goss	(919) 733-5742	Steve.Goss@ncleg.net
Sen. Jean R. Preston	(919) 733-5706	Jean.Preston@ncleg.net

Chatham County and the “Broadband Blues”

No, its not a new blues group that you’ll hear playing this week at the General Store Café in Pittsboro, or even next Friday at Bynum’s Front Porch Music series. Chatham County’s broadband blues is anything but entertaining for rural citizens caught in the slow lane on the internet’s back roads in one of the state’s largest geographic rural counties.

While much of America zips along the internet highway at warp speed, too many of Chatham’s rural neighbors limp along to the non-melodious tones of dial-up modems laboriously trying to connect to an information laden world barely within their reach. The fact is that in this county most citizens do not live within municipalities, a fact that often sentences them to “slower than molasses in January” internet connectivity.

For most of my residency in Chatham I was relegated to that legion of limp-a-longers. Moving into Pittsboro three years ago gave me a reprieve from my sentence, as my new digs came with a magical cable connection and I became a (beep-beep) “Road Runner” padding the corporate pocket of my broadband internet provider that gladly feeds my information age addictions. I now take zippy internet for granted as I write this bulletin and zap it off to you in the blink of an eye. So do you IF you can down load it in a heartbeat.

But, what of the fate of our limp-along internet tortoise neighbors? Are they doomed forever to the frustration and penalty of eating our dust on the information highway? Is there no way of leveling the playing field and getting them into the game? Enter the e-NC Authority. Created by the N.C. General Assembly, the e-NC Authority is dedicated to obtaining broadband for all citizens, which would increase prosperity for North Carolina citizens and businesses by creating jobs through technology-based economic development, provide for better connections for health care providers, provide better communication for our farmers and improve educational access for our children - all of which requires a broadband Internet platform for success. That’s a good thing… a very good thing!

Right now you can widen the road and narrow the gap by participating in an online survey conducted by e-NC Authority that gathers input directly from citizens and businesses about their use of Internet services. Please visit the e-NC Authority Web site at www.e-nc.org and see the survey notice at the bottom of the home page. If you represent a business, nonprofit organization, or government office, click that survey link. If you represent an individual household, click that survey link. For more information, you may contact the e-NC Authority at (919) 250-4314 or info@e-nc.org. Additional details about the survey can be found in its press release. The survey must be completed by May 19.

I’ve just completed it on behalf of CCEC in under15 minutes. That’s less time that it took to create this invitation seeking your participation to help some needy neighbors stop singing the “Broadband Blues.”

Two Opportunities Worthy of Citizen Participation:
Community Opinion Survey
Conservation Options for Triangle Landowners

The Chatham County Public Health Department is conducting an opinion survey on which issues and concerns should be addressed in the county over the next four years. The purpose of the assessment is to identify factors that affect the health of a population and determine priority areas to address. It is important to have input from Chatham County residents so that agencies and organizations can effectively work with community members to develop action plans that address these concerns.

The surveys will be available at Wren, Goldston, and Pittsboro libraries, Chatham County Public Health Department sites in Siler City and Pittsboro, and Chatham County events through the end of June. To make the process even easier, the questionnaires will also be available on line at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/2010CHAsurvey<http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2010CHAsurvey.

For more information on the Community Health Assessment, please contact Marissa Jelks, Communications Specialist Chatham County Public Health Department at 545-8517 or marissa.jelks@chathamnc.org

Triangle Land Conservancy is conducting a series of Workshops entitled Conservation Options for Triangle Landowners. These workshops are free of charge and are intended to provide information on conservation opportunities for landowners interested in keeping their land available for farming, forestry, and /or wildlife habitat. Topics covered will include conservation easements, with a focus on tax benefits as well as the newly created Wildlife Conservation Lands Program, which allows landowners to enroll qualifying lands into a present use value program specifically for wildlife habitat protection. Resource professionals will be on hand to talk with participants before and after presentations to answer specific questions.

April 26, 2010 at the Little River Community Center Complex, 8307 Roxboro Road, Bahama, NC

April 29, 2010 at the Archer Lodge Community Center, 14009 Buffalo Road, Clayton, NC

May 3, 2010 at the Lee County Farm Bureau Auditorium, The McSwain Center, 2420 Tramway Road, Sanford, NC

May 4, Bestfood Cafeteria, 220 East 11^th St. Siler City, NC

May 6, Agriculture Building Auditorium (behind the Courthouse Annex), 45 South Street, Pittsboro, NC

All workshops are from 5:30 to 8:00 PM and include dinner free of charge.

Pre-registration is required, please visit: www.triangleland.org/workshops to register. For more information contact:

Leigh Ann Cienek
Conservation Planner
Triangle Land Conservancy
1101 Haynes St, Suite 205
Raleigh NC 27604
T (919) 833-3662 x101
F (919) 755-9356
lcienek@tlc-nc.org

ACTION ALERT
U.S. Senate Bill S 510
PLEASE ACT ON THIS REQUEST IMMEDIATELY

We all want safe food

Why such urgency you ask? Because it is possible this Bill (US Senate Bill 510 – The Growing Safe Food Act) could be brought to the floor of the U.S. Senate by this Tuesday. While this bill is good overall, there are provisions in it that could harm our local farmers.

The intention of this bill is excellent! Who doesn’t want safe food? However, the local food supply chain does not pose the same contamination problems as the large commercial provider because the trip from field to market is much faster and doesn’t involve as many hands in the processing arena.

This bill as it stands, is a “one size fits all” geared to the large commercial farmer and is not fair and equal for small local farmers. The small scale farmers in the country, who readily supply Farmer’s Markets and local stores within 200 miles of their farms, would bear the brunt of some unnecessary burdens and cost increases

The large corporate food systems are rightly supportive of this legislation as a means to address consumer confidence in their food supply chain. There is good reason for this, as it has been these suppliers that have been hit with several “pathogen contaminations” of the nation’s food supply. Our local farmers who supply food to table within 200 miles of their farm could be driven out of business if changes are not made to this bill. The safety of the local supply is not in question, there have been only 2 incidents of contamination from a local food supply source … one in NY state… the other in Pennsylvania.

While we can endorse the overall intention of this bill, we are urging the following changes that will allow our small farmers to stay in business and protect the food supply at the same time:

Include provisions of S 2758, The Growing Safe Food Act, into S 510, which would provide funding for programs to get food safety information to the small farm producers;

S 510 would make the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) mandatory for everyone and require our local growers to fence in all their fields to keep nature at bay. They would also regulate the use of any animal manure products. Therefore, we are recommending these practices be voluntary for the small farmer.

The small food businesses and farms should be excluded from the mandatory Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point rules (HACCP) as it would put a heavy cost on these small producers. Basically, these HACCP requirements are directed at large facilities that process food and would be a real bureaucratic hardship on local producers;

Eliminate the Traceability Rules for food sold directly from the producer to the consumer via a farmers’ market or store; in lieu of a total elimination, then greatly simplify the requirements to basic record keeping for these small producers.

Exclude small food business, and farms and businesses with gross profits under $750,000 from this bill.

Please call our NC Senators before Tuesday and request that modifications be made to this bill. (Unfortunately, neither have e-mail addresses.)

Sen. Richard Burr, NC, (202) 224-3154

Sen. Kay Hagan, NC (202)-224-6342

Let’s protect our local farmers!

By making the requested changes to this bill, you will be:

1) Supporting the small farmers of North Carolina;

2) Supporting the “green movement” in the state; and

3) Still maintain rules that can make our food safer than before.

State of the County Address Summary

For those unable to attend Monday’s State of the County address, we share the following summary as posted recently on the county web site. At the end you will also find a link to the visual (Power Point) presentation.

On March 15, Chatham County Commissioner Chair Sally Kost presented the 2010 State of the County Address, highlighting major activities of the county and giving a summary of the county's financial position.

"County government has been impacted by the downturn in the economy, but because of strong financial planning and proactive steps to cut costs, Chatham County is in a sound fiscal position," Kost said. "Because of our planning, we have been able to begin construction on important facilities when construction prices and interest rates are low, at a major savings to taxpayers."

Kost noted that sales tax revenue has plummeted and interest earned on the county's cash reserves has fallen over the past two years by the equivalent of one cent on the property tax rate. She cautioned that the historic growth rate in the property tax base is not likely to continue in the near future.

The loss of sales tax revenue has shifted the mix of revenues so that the county depends much more on property taxes than it had in previously years.

"One would think that because we rely more heavily on property taxes than most counties that our tax rate would be significantly higher than the state average. However, our tax rate is not much higher than the state average," Kost pointed out.

Four surrounding counties, Durham, Lee, Harnett and Orange, all have higher tax rates than Chatham. "Those surrounding counties with a lower tax rate than ours all have a much lower investment in education that we do," she said.

Chatham's commitment to education spending is fourth highest in the state for overall appropriations for school operations in the 100 counties. "Only Durham, Orange and Dare provide a higher amount for schools, but Durham and Orange both have higher property taxes than Chatham and Dare County is authorized to levy a one-percent land transfer tax," Kost said.

The county was proactive in cutting budget expenses in both 2009 and 2010 by reducing operating budgets, delaying new facilities, eliminating salary increases and leaving positions unfilled.

Kost indicated that when comparing Chatham to the average per capita spending across North Carolina that the county spends significantly less per person. The statewide average is $1,397 per person and the average for counties with similar populations is $1,299 per person.

"Chatham's spending is far less at $1,088 per capita. This is a strong indicator of the county's higher level of efficiency," Kost said.

One impact of the economic downturn is that demands for key county services have skyrocketed. "The big challenge is that while the recession has taken a toll on revenues, it has substantially increased the demand for several services, especially in social services, health and public safety," Kost said.

"We are proud of the departments and employees who have shouldered these increasing workloads with limited resources in difficult times for our communities," Kost said.

Kost highlighted emergency preparedness as a specific function where much of the work is done out of public view. "Citizens share in the responsibility for being prepared for disasters and emergencies, but we also have clear role for overall community safety."

Kost commended the 11 volunteer fire departments located throughout the county and mentioned the challenges they face. These departments responded to more than 6,000 calls for help in 2009.

"Despite the economic situation, the county has been able to move forward with several important facilities," Kost said."These facilities are investments in our community and we have been able to take advantage of lower construction prices by moving forward now," Kost said.

She noted that the county expects to save nearly $6 million on the new judicial center, the Margaret B. Pollard Middle School, the joint library with Central Carolina Community College (CCCC), the Siler City Center of CCCC and the Sustainable Technologies building at CCCC in Pittsboro.

The county continues to have a strong relationship with the school board, Kost said. The school board successfully nominated the Board of Commissioners for the 2009 Outstanding County Board Award presented by the NC School Boards Association in November.

"Education spending for the current budget year increased by four percent, while we reduced the rest of the county budget by seven percent," Kost said. "Unlike many of the other school systems across the state, Chatham County Schools did not lay off any employees."

Kost said that economic development to provide more jobs and to expand the county's tax base is a top priority. "We have an outstanding Economic Development Corporation and they are moving into a major implementation phase of our long-term strategic plan."

The county will continue to finalize a draft Joint Land Use Plan with Cary. "State law currently allows Cary to annex with few restrictions. If Chatham County is to have a say in how eastern Chatham is developed, a joint land use plan is absolutely critical," Kost said.

A public hearing on the proposed joint plan will be held in August, with adoption of the plan scheduled for October.

Other major initiatives highlighted by Kost included:

Adoption of a voluntary Farmland Preservation Plan.
Creation of plan to "bank" land that can be used for future parks and/or schools, with a focus on securing land for a park in the Moncure area and a long-term lease for land on Jordan Lake for a park at Bells Landing.
Continued progress in implementing the new Jordan Lake Rules through a partnership with the Town of Pittsboro and other surrounding local governments.
Approval for land at Bynum Park to be used for a community garden.
Development of a 20-Year Parks & Recreation Master Plan to guide facilities and programs at current and future parks. Two park properties were donated to the county this year, including Briar Chapel Park and land donated by Carl H. and Margaret Atwater Strowd.

Kost said that the county's major challenges for the future include addressing the economic impact on the budget. "We expect state budget decisions to affect us as well, so this is a difficult reality when we already have made major budget cuts and some of these are not sustainable."

The opening of several new facilities next year, including the Margaret B. Pollard Middle School and the new Joint Library at CCCC in Pittsboro, will add new operational costs to the budget.

Other upcoming challenges highlighted in the address included:

Updating the Land Conservation and Development Plan.
Continuing efforts to expand infrastructure, especially high-speed internet access.
Offering competitive wages for staff and addressing staff workload pressures with limited resources.

To view the 2010 State of the County presentation, click here. (CTRL + click)

And if anyone is interested in seeing the 2009 State of the County Power Point presentation, please contact us at info@chathamcitizens.org

CCEC BULLETIN: State of the County Address

The purpose of this bulletin is to encourage citizens to attend the upcoming State of the County address. The CCEC Board believes the County Commissioners have some major accomplishments to share, and citizens will be well served by taking this opportunity to learn what’s being done to make Chatham a better county for all.

The State of the County address takes place next Monday March 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the Superior Courtroom on the circle in Pittsboro. Current BOC Chair, Sally Kost, will deliver the address.

CCEC’s Board of Directors along with like-minded citizens remember all too well a time not all that long ago when there were no State of the County addresses. Information from the Commissioners was hard to come by, and citizen input was stonewalled by the three blocks of granite that formed the always predictable majority (who never… ever… not even once met a residential development proposal they didn’t approve of, regardless of negative impacts).

CCEC believes we’ve come a long way from those inglorious days. We encourage fellow citizens to come to the State of the County address to listen and learn with open minds about the issues, processes, procedures and effective positive outcomes that are moving Chatham toward a more sustainable, environmentally friendly, educationally healthy and economically sound future.

If you’ve never attended a BOC meeting, or have been absent as of late, now is the time to drop in and learn about the work being done on critical issues and the major challenges that we face. The Commissioners will appreciate your interest and support. Last year’s address was outstanding, and we expect high marks again on Monday night from a Board of Commissioners that has honored transparent government and worked closely with citizens’ input to enhance Chatham’s future.

All that being said, this is a good time to close with a disclaimer and a reminder of what CCEC is, and is not.

IS NOT: You won’t find CCEC raising money for… spending money on… or otherwise beating the drum for any particular party or politician. We’re not in the business of waving colors whether they be red, blue, green or some other shade in-between. We’re not about measuring any person by their political stripes and then giving them a thumbs up, or a thumbs down. We care not about personalities and parties. CCEC is not a political action committee, not a partisan animal.
IS: What we do care about is issues, processes, procedures and effective end products; and what we do seek to be about is engaging, educating and empowering citizens to enhance Chatham’s future. That’s our purpose, our mission. End of disclaimer

CCEC is cooperating with Chatham County government to alert residents of a critical telephone survey now being conducted in the county. Please read the following, and participate in the survey if you are called.

_________________________________________

Chatham Residents Should Respond to Critical Survey on Internet Access

Through at least March 15, a phone survey of Chatham County residents is underway that would provide critical information to help obtain better internet access in under-served parts of the county. If you receive a phone call from a North Carolina Internet Authority or e-NC Authority, please take the time to complete the phone survey.

The survey is countywide, but residents in and around Pittsboro, Siler City, Moncure, Goldston and New Hill are alerted that phone calls are underway in those areas.

The survey is funded through a federal grant and will help map out where there are gaps in high-speed internet access across the county. Chatham is one of 19 counties included in the survey, which would be costly for the county to conduct on its own. "This makes it very important for Chatham County to be well represented in the study," said Debra Henzey, director of community relations for Chatham County.

The resulting data would help position Chatham County or the towns in the county to apply for future grant funding to fill internet access gaps identified by the survey. The federal grants available for internet access have required documentation of the gaps in internet services, which this survey would help address.