Briefs from the July 2010 issue of CountyLines

Beginning third from left, Henderson County Manager Steve Wyatt, Board of Commissioners Chairman Bill Moyer and County Engineer Marcus Jones were among participants in a groundbreaking ceremony for the county's future compressed natural gas fueling station. (Photo courtesy Christina DeStefano/Henderson County PIO)

Henderson County making move to alternative fuel

Henderson County held a groundbreaking for its new compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station June 15 at the county's maintenance facility. The event was attended by representatives of the N.C. Department of Transportation, the Land-of-Sky Regional Council, Buncombe County and the City of Hendersonville.

A private business operates a public CNG station in the Buncombe County town of Arden. The City of Asheville also operates a station. (Photo by Jason King)

The county received $610,500 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for the station last year. The county also received a stimulus grant for two buses in the amount of $585,841. The county will order the two new CNG transit buses this year and will eventually replace the entire transit fleet with 100 percent CNG buses. Future purchases of CNG powered sedans and light trucks are also planned.

"Converting to CNG is the right thing to do fiscally and environmentally," said Henderson County Chairman Bill Moyer. "This measure reduces our fuel costs. Being energy efficient is an important element of the county's Energy Plan."

Based on recent fuel purchase prices, the county would save as much as $1.40 per gallon for gasoline and $1.70 per gallon for diesel by using CNG. CNG engines are anticipated to last longer because the fuel does not contain chemicals that are likely to react with fuel system lines. Some of the vehicles will be hybrids that will run on gasoline or CNG.

Carbon monoxide, which is a harmful pollutant produced by vehicles and among the most toxic of gases emitted by diesel and gas engines, is typically reduced by up to 80 percent in CNG vehicles. Hydrocarbons such as octane are reduced by 45 percent in the exhaust of CNG engines.

This project will result in the first CNG station in Henderson County. A completion date is planned for later this year.

Church elevated to Yadkin County manager

Yadkin County commissioners promoted Aaron Church, who previously served as deputy county manager, to county manager in mid-June. He succeeds Jim Haynes, who held the position on an interim basis since late September 2009.

Before joining Yadkin County, Church served as assistant to the county manager in Burke County for three years.

Chowan names Parker interim county manager

Paul Parker, a former three-time Pender County interim manager, was hired June 29 as Chowan County's interim manager. Peter Rascoe resigned as Chowan County manager in May.

In addition to his role as interim manager, Parker also served as assistant county manager and public works director during his six years in Pender County.

Former Albemarle counties join East Carolina LME

East Carolina Behavioral Health (ECBH) grew to 19 counties in late June after adding the 10 counties previously served by the Albemarle Mental Health Center. The 10 Albemarle counties – Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Martin, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell and Washington – join Beaufort, Bertie, Craven, Gates, Hertford, Jones, Northampton, Pamlico and Pitt counties in ECBH.

ECBH is one of 23 Local Management Entities across the state responsible for managing, coordinating, facilitating and monitoring the provision of mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse services. In terms of counties represented, ECBH is the largest LME. Smoky Mountain Center serves 15 counties in the western part of the state.

Wilson County DSS initiative draws national attention

A Wilson County social services program was recently highlighted in the Summer 2010 edition of the NACHSA Networker, a publication of the National Association of County Human Services Administrators.

In the article, which is available for viewing online at www.nachsa.org/Resources/nachsanetworkr.htm, county DSS Director J. Glenn Osborne provides an overview of the division's "Leading by Results" (LBR) performance management philosophy and how that philosophy has led to positive results for citizens.

According to Osborne, Wilson County DSS is one of 29 in the state that has adopted the LBR model. While frameworks are similar, he wrote, details and emphasis can differ by county.

Alice Davis (seated) represented the many elderly clients serviced by the Adult Protective Services Division at a DSS ceremony recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Her case was among the more than 400 referrals made to DSS this year to investigate adult abuse, neglect or exploitation. The Adult Protective Services Division helped Davis receive in-home aide and meals delivered to her home that enabled her to maintain her independence. (Photo courtesy Dawn Dudley/Durham County PIO)

Durham County commemorates World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Durham County is home to more than 35,000 residents age 60 or older and 25,000 individuals with disabilities between the ages of 16 and 65. Each year, Durham County's Department of Social Services (DSS) recognizes this population by celebrating Vulnerable Adult and Elder Abuse Awareness Month. DSS also recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, celebrated this year on June 15.

On June 23, employees and several members of the community gathered for the DSS ceremony to recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. DSS officials proudly placed a marker outside the county's new Human Services Building.

Currently in the county, 10,000 adults age 65 and older live alone; 7,500 live below the poverty line; and 9,000 have a disability. These individuals are often targets for abuse, neglect or exploitation. Due to the high risk associated with this growing population, DSS officials expect to see the number of referrals for adult abuse, neglect or exploitation double by 2030.

Moxley joins Onslow County as attorney

Onslow County announced June 15 the hiring of its first full-time county attorney, Lesley Moxley. The Lenoir County native previously held the same position in Macon County, and has also worked in Moore and Durham counties.

Moxley is the immediate past president of the North Carolina Association of County Attorneys. She succeeds Ron VonLembke, who left the county attorney position in December 2009 when he relocated away from the area.

County Manager Jeff Hudson said the hire marks a major change in direction for the county, which has been served solely by retained attorneys in past years.

"Our community faces complex challenges," he said. "The Board of Commissioners has hired an individual with a great deal of experience in North Carolina government law.

"We now have an attorney who is focused on service to only one client: the citizens of Onslow County."

Williams returns to Graham County board; Snyder resigns

After bidding adieu to one member, the Graham County Board of Commissioners welcomed a familiar face in July.

In late June, Bruce Snyder resigned his seat on the board. Snyder, who was elected in 2008 and had more than two years remaining in his term, cited personal reasons in his decision.

Raymond Williams, who previously served 18 years on the board, was appointed in July to fill the seat left vacant by Steve Odom. Odom resigned in early June.

Guilford's Davis officially in state Senate race

Guilford County Commissioner Bruce Davis officially received enough signatures to have his name appear on the November ballot as an unaffiliated candidate for the North Carolina Senate. His name will appear on some ballots twice; he is unopposed in his bid for re-election to the Board of Commissioners.

Current Senate seat-holder Katie Dorsett is not seeking re-election.

New courthouse in Hertford County's future

Hertford County commissioners on July 6 adopted a resolution approving the construction of a 40,600-square-foot, two-story Judicial Center. Current plans call for the facility to have two courtrooms, as well as office space for various court-related departments.

NCACC Associate Member Ware Bonsall Architects performed a Courthouse Needs Assessment for the county and penned the cost at a little less than $8 million. The county plans to construct the facility across the street from the current courthouse.

Chatham partners with Wal-Mart to collect water bill payments

Chatham County in July began offering water customers the option of paying their water bills at any Wal-Mart location for a small service fee, according to Michelle Ballard, customer service manager for Chatham County Utilities.

"This is a new service offered in partnership with Wal-Mart to give customers more options for paying their monthly water bills," said Ballard.

Wal-Mart charges an 88-cent fee for delivery of the payment within three business days. For $1.88, the payment is delivered to Chatham Utilities the next business day.

Buncombe County video project wins national prize

Buncombe County's Project ASSIST Tobacco Prevention Coalition took home 2nd place honors in a national video contest sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. The "Celebrating Smoke-Free Voices Video Contest" was an opportunity to motivate women to quit smoking and remain smoke-free. The video, "Because!" was produced by the Coalition with help from BCTV 2, the county's Government Access Channel.

SHORTS

Bladen: Earl Storms is back as sheriff, a position he held for 16 years until 1994. The Board of Commissioners appointed Storms as interim sheriff July 1 following the resignation of Steve Bunn, who had less than six months remaining in his 16th year as sheriff. … Catawba: Cynthia Eades took over as human resources director July 1. She previously held the same position in Iredell County and has held positions in Person and Cabarrus counties. ... Cleveland: Sens. David Hoyle and Marc Basnight presented Commissioner Eddie Holbrook with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the state's most prestigious honors, on June 9. Holbrook, a longtime successful men's basketball coach at Gardner-Webb University, has been recognized by Governor Beverly Perdue for helping lure businesses and jobs to the county. … Currituck: Robert Glover, deputy chief of the Fire-Emergency Medical Services Department since November 2008, has been elevated to interim chief following the resignation of Michael Carter. … Gaston: Colleen Bridger will step down after eight years as health director at the end of July in order to become director of the South Carolina Institute for Child Success. … Gates: The county's Rural Health Services has transferred the deed to its dental clinic to the county. Built in 1977 by a nonprofit using private donations, the clinic served the county's dental needs for 35 years but was unable to retain dentists long-term. The county plans to re-open the facility. … Hyde: Commissioners on June 21 appointed Interim County Manager David Smitherman as clerk to the board and Justin Gibbs as assistant clerk. … Montgomery: Laura Morton resigned as clerk to the board June 30. … Scotland: Joe Knott, who has directed the county's Department of Social Services since January 2007, will retire July 31. He is a 21-year veteran of the county's DSS.