Orange County NC Website
Dwight Corbet of the Corbet Community Store said that he talks with a lot of the people in the <br /> community. He said that the youth have very little to do in the Cedar Grove community. They walk the <br /> streets and play video games. He made reference to a survey done by the Canadian Parks and Recreation <br /> Association and said that all youth are at risk - some greater and some lesser -for obesity, poor health, social <br /> isolation, negative peer influence, negative behavioral patterns, unlawful activity, low self-esteem, poor <br /> grades in school, and high school dropouts. Cedar Grove youth fall under one or more of these risk <br /> categories. He said that the association has determined that parks and recreation is definitely a preventive <br /> intervention in the development and redevelopment of our youth. He believes that the park will be used by a <br /> large number of people in the Cedar Grove community and the surrounding communities and will benefit all <br /> age groups. <br /> Richal Vanhook said that he has lived in the Cedar Grove Township for 40 years. He said that <br /> there is not a field in the northern Orange area for the families in the community to play softball or for batting <br /> practice. The Cedar Grove field is booked six days a week. Since 1991, a team has been formed out of the <br /> community for the summer and fall leagues, which travel to other counties. This provides revenue to the <br /> other counties in the amount of$500 for each team and $15 for each player for out-of-county fees. This is <br /> $15,950 of revenue for another county for just one team. This is why they feel it is imperative to have a park <br /> in Cedar Grove. <br /> Commissioner Brown said that since the last park bond passed, the community center at Cedar <br /> Grove has been the County Commissioners' priority and we have accumulated two parcels of land in order to <br /> expand the facilities. She said that they have been working for the last two years to try and put in another <br /> septic system so we can expand the activities offered in this area. She thanked the citizens for coming and <br /> showing interest. She feels that they can all work together over the next year and create a wonderful park. <br /> Chair Jacobs asked that citizens provide contact numbers so they can be included in the process. <br /> He said that the County was going to try to keep all of the parks on an equal footing. <br /> Donald McDonald, President of the homeowner's association at Camden Place, a subdivision that <br /> directly abuts Winmore subdivision, said that he is an Orange County resident who feels he does not have <br /> any representation at this time. He said that they are not against development or affordable housing. He <br /> said that they are not for a mixed use village of high density right in the middle of the countryside. He said <br /> that one specific issue is the schools. Seawell Elementary and Chapel Hill High School are now <br /> overcrowded. Seawell Elementary is at 136% with no change in the foreseeable future. This proposed <br /> development will pose a serious problem. He said that they need representation because the developer has <br /> openly stated that schools are not his problem. The second issue is the environment and flooding. His <br /> property abuts Winmore and adjacent to his house is a series of houses, which are in jeopardy of flooding <br /> during every rainstorm. He said that OWASA has recognized the danger of flooding in this area and elevated <br /> all of the storm drains by six feet. He also spoke about an emotional issue. He said that when they moved <br /> into this area, they were glad to be in the northern transition area, which was to be highly regulated and the <br /> neighborhoods were to be in the same tone of development. He begged the County Commissioners to make <br /> sure that this development is something that we would all be proud. <br /> Laura Wenzel lives on Tallyhoe Trail and said that her perspective is different on Winmore. She <br /> used to be against connector roads until she learned more. She feels that there needs to be additional <br /> connector roads and sidewalks in the northern transition area. It would be great to have bike paths between <br /> the neighborhoods and to Winmore. <br /> Jim Duly spoke about Hog Day, which is June 14`h and 15`h. He thanked the Board of County <br /> Commissioners for their support. He presented Hog Day t-shirts and other items to the County <br /> Commissioners from last year and this year. He noted that the artwork was done by two students from <br /> Orange High School. <br /> b. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters were considered as the Board addressed the <br /> items on the agenda below.) <br /> 3. BOARD COMMENTS <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to a letter supporting Smart Start that Michelle Rivest put <br /> together. The Board has had an opportunity to look at it and he asked everyone to sign off on it so it can be <br /> sent. This letter is going to the Governor and the legislative delegation to show the plight of young children in <br />