Briefs from the November 2009 CountyLines

Groundbreaking Wake County commissioner dies

Elizabeth Bias Cofield, who became the first woman and the first African-American to be elected to the Wake County Board of Commissioners in 1972, died Oct. 23 at the age of 89. She served three four-year terms as a commissioner.

She also became the first woman and first African-American to be elected to Raleigh's school board in 1969. She was a driving force behind the desegregation of the city's and county's school systems during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Mecklenburg County honors late Commissioner Valerie Woodard

William "Pop" Woodard stands next to a plaque commemorating the achievements of his late wife, Valerie Woodard, who passed away unexpectedly in October 2008. (Photo courtesy Karen Graves/Mecklenburg County)

Members of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners along with other elected officials and community activists gathered Oct. 22 to remember Valerie Woodard and mark the renaming of a county facility in her honor.

Woodard was in her eighth year of service to the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners when she died unexpectedly of a rare blood disorder on Oct. 3, 2008.

Woodard was the first African-American female elected to the Mecklenburg County board. She championed many social causes, including fighting poverty and homelessness, reducing the incidence of HIV/AIDS, and working for equal opportunities for women and minorities.

The county facility at 3205 Freedom Drive in Charlotte was renamed the Valerie C. Woodard Center.

The facility is a converted mall that houses the county's social services, information services and technology, and real estate services offices. The county will seek LEED certification for the facility, which incorporates several green-building features such as rainwater collection and storage, rain gardens, an under-floor air distribution system, extensive use of recycled materials throughout the building, and eco-friendly paints, carpets and furniture.

The second phase of the building's renovation was completed in April. The third phase will expand the size of the facility to 400,000 square feet.

New Hertford County courthouse in the works

Hertford County commissioners voted Nov. 2 to build a new courthouse. The county had been working with NCACC Associate Member Ware Bonsall on options to renovate the current courthouse, constructed in the early 1950s, or build a new one.

The proposed $7.9 million, 40,600-square-foot Judicial Center will include two courtrooms, and office space for judges, the District Attorney's office, Clerk of Court, Register of Deeds, and probation and parole officials.

Census spreading word through new Web site

The Census Bureau has launched a new Web site, 2010census.gov. The Web site is part of a large, integrated communications effort to reach every person living in America about the importance of the 2010 Census. A Spanish Web site was to be launched in November.

This Web site is the platform on which to build a national dialogue about how each person's participation helps paint a new "Portrait of America." Site features include the truth behind census myths and shared stories about how the census is easy, safe and important.

Projected sea level rise rates to be released during Jan. 14-15 forum

The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is hosting a free Science Forum on Sea Level Rise in North Carolina on Jan. 14-15 at the Hilton North Raleigh in Wake County.

The forum will be the vehicle through which the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will release a preliminary report on the current and projected rates of sea level rise in North Carolina. Included in the report will be projected sea level rise ranges in 25-year intervals through 2100. The CRC, as well as other DENR agencies, can use these metrics as the foundation for policy development and adaptation planning.

To register, send an e-mail to Tancred.Miller@ncdenr.gov with the following information: name, title and affiliation, mailing address and telephone number. For more information visit www.nccoastalmanagement.net/slr.html.

Orange appoints Clifton manager

The Orange County Board of Commissioners appointed Frank Clifton as full-time county manager Oct. 6. Clifton, a former manager in Onslow and Cabarrus counties, had served as interim manager since June 15.

"The Board has high hopes and high expectations that Mr. Clifton will continue to lead the county forward as he has for the past few months," Board Chair Valerie Foushee said.

Haynes returns to Yadkin County

Jim Haynes, who recently retired as Richmond County manager, returned to Yadkin County on Sept. 29 to serve as interim manager. Haynes served as Yadkin County manager during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Parker-Evans steps in as clerk to Durham County board

Michelle Parker-Evans has been appointed Durham County's new clerk to the Board of Commissioners, effective Nov. 30. She succeeds Vonda Sessoms, who retired Aug. 30. Yvonne Jones has served as interim clerk since Sessoms' retirement.

Parker-Evans, currently senior executive assistant to the Durham city manager, has spent an extensive professional career spanning 23 years working with various public entities including the U.S. Department of State, the cities of Durham and Raleigh, and Durham County.

"We are grateful that Michelle Parker-Evans is returning to Durham County Government after serving in other capacities throughout the country," said Board Chairman Michael Page.

N.C. organics trading site online

The N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance has announced a new online commodity trading Web site for organic materials to help expand the development of the biomass economy in North Carolina.

NC BiomassTrader (www.ncbiomasstrader.com) is a convenient, free online waste exchange for surplus and waste biomass materials such as waste vegetable oil, restaurant grease, wood waste, manures, food waste, forest products and byproducts, and agricultural products and byproducts. The trading site is available to individuals, organizations and businesses that have biomass commodities others need or that are looking for biomass commodities.

The Web site is a spinoff from the commodity trading site, NC WasteTrader.

Revised Economic Developers Handbook released

The School of Government at UNC-Chapel Hill and the N.C. Economic Developers Association have published the third edition of the Economic Developers Handbook. The handbook includes a history of North Carolina's economic development efforts; how local, state and regional developers participate; the role of elected officials; potential recruitment tools; an overview of financial assistance programs; and emerging trends.

The handbook is available for free download on the Economic Developers Association Web site, www.nceda.org.

Iredell Commissioner Keadle running for Congress

Iredell County Commissioner Scott Keadle is challenging U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry for North Carolina's 10th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Both McHenry and Keadle are Republicans and will appear on the May 4 Primary Election ballot. Keadle was elected to a four-year term to the Iredell board in 2008.

Dunston takes the handoff Person County's Jimmy Clayton passed the chairman's gavel to Franklin County's Sidney Dunston on Sept. 24 during the Kerr-Tar Council of Governments Annual Awards Banquet. Clayton was named the COG's Outstanding County Elected Official for 2009. (Photo courtesy Kerr-Tar COG)

Durham chairman named to Governor's Crime Commission

Durham County Board of Commissioners Chairman Michael Page was appointed by Governor Beverly Perdue in October to the Governor's Crime Commission.

The Crime Commission advises the governor on matters related to the criminal justice system and makes recommendations for improving the justice system, protecting individual rights and promoting public safety. The commission has 42 members, each serving a three-year term. The governor appoints 25 members.

State publication on water and drought available online

State officials have created a publication to explain how people can protect the state's water supplies, the relationship between surface and groundwater, and the impact of drought.

The N.C. Division of Water Resources created "The Water Connection" and posted it in October to its Web site, www.ncwater.org.

Dockery named Columbus extension director

Dalton Dockery will take over as Columbus County cooperative extension director Dec. 1. Dockery has worked in Columbus, Bladen and Sampson counties during a 14-year career. He succeeds Jacqueline Roseboro, who retired in March after a 14-year career as extension director. Howard Wallace has been serving as interim extension director since Roseboro's retirement.

Moore OKs plans for new public safety and detention facility

Glenn Ware, an architect with NCACC Associate Member Ware Bonsall, presented to the Moore County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 19 plans for the design and development of a new public safety and detention center.

Commissioners approved the plans for the new facility, which will be built to accommodate 192 inmates but could be expanded to hold 500 to 600 inmates.

NACo webinar provides help on Five Star grants

NACo will host a webinar Dec. 10 from 2 – 3:15 p.m. to provide an overview of its Five Star Restoration Grants program. The grants support community-based wetland, riparian and coastal habitat restoration projects. Visit www.naco.org for more information.

SHORTS

Alexander: Chris Bowman was sworn in as sheriff Oct. 13. Bowman served as chief deputy to Hayden Bentley, who retired Sept. 30. … Buncombe: Former Commissioner Patsy Keever is mounting a challenge to Rep. Bruce Goforth for the 115th District seat in the N.C. House of Representatives. The two Democrats will appear on the May 4 Primary Election ballot. … Catawba: The county honored Waste Education/Recycling Coordinator Amanda Kain as its Employee of the Year and the Leadership Team for Child Welfare Reorganization of Social Services with its Team Award on Oct. 20 during the county's Awards Night. ... Granville: The county launched a redesigned Web site in October that features a clean look. The site can be accessed at www.granvillecounty.org. … Greene: The county and the Town of Farmville in Pitt County entered into a 40-year agreement to share the expense of a 1 million gallon water storage tower that will serve the town and the 10 water systems in Greene County. … Guilford: Commissioners appointed Mark Payne, formerly with Johnston County, as county attorney in October. … Orange: Mike Nelson, a commissioner since 2006, announced in October that he will not seek re-election to the Board of Commissioners in 2010. Before being elected to the county board, Nelson served on the Carrboro Board of Aldermen before being elected to five terms as Carrboro's mayor. … Pender: Former Commissioner Paula Chewning Walls died in an automobile accident Oct. 21. The 58-year-old served on the Board of Commissioners from 1990-94. … Rutherford: Officials are requiring employees to take three days of unpaid leave before June 13, 2010, in order to help cover a $350,000 budget shortfall caused by lower than expected sales tax revenues. … Stanly: Melanie Holles was appointed library director Nov. 2. Holles, who previously served as acquisitions and outreach services librarian, has served with the county for the past 11 years. She succeeds Penny Welling, who retired Sept. 30 after 14 years as library director. ... Wilkes: The Board of Commissioners on Nov. 3 approved plans for a new $15 million, 256-bed jail. … Commissioners also voted to postpone the county's revaluation scheduled for 2011 to 2013. Tax Administrator Alex Hamilton told commissioners that real estate transactions have been so slow that it did not justify the cost of a revaluation.