Agenda - 09-17-2013 - 5a - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 1 does not reflect reality, which is that capital improvement projects in schools have been 2 delayed, and there are many unmet needs. He said everyone knew Northside Elementary 3 school was going to open this year, and fixed costs are on the rise as federal grants end, and 4 the sequester sets in. He said the budget should meet these challenges. He said the Board of 5 County Commissioners is being asked to solve problems caused by other entities. He said this 6 Board has always supported their schools he asks that they fully fund the schools' request. 7 8 Brian Curran is a member of the Orange County Habitat for Humanity Board, and he is 9 here to pitch their new program called Brush with Kindness. This program provides much 10 needed exterior repairs to existing homes of low income residents. He said efforts are currently 11 focused in the Fairview, Rogers Road and Northside communities, as well as some rural areas 12 of the county. He said the group has requested $20,000 from Orange County through the 13 outside agency process. He said this is the first time this program has asked for funding from 14 the county, and this money would be used to expand the program and complete 15 new 15 projects. He said County funding would be used to leverage other sources of financing. He 16 previously worked for the Chapel Hill Police department for about 25 years and spent much of 17 that time in Northside, where he has watched many changes in this neighborhood. He said he 18 recently participated in a memorable project in that area in which the workers came upon a civil 19 war wall. He said support from the County is critical to the success of the program. 20 21 Keith Edwards lives in the Northside Community, and he showed a newsletter that 22 neighborhood residents receive each month with news and events. This newspaper has a 23 section called "Ask Keith", in which she tries to find out information and shares it with her 24 community. One question from the April newsletter asked her to share her experience working 25 with the Brush with Kindness program. She said her experience was unbelievable, and she was 26 amazed by the human kindness she received. She said her house and her deck now remind her 27 of the people that helped restore them. She said these people gave her a lifetime gift, and she 28 asked the Board of County Commissioners to support the Brush of Kindness program. She also 29 asked the Board to fully fund the schools. 30 31 Willie Mae Patterson said she appreciates Habitat and the work the group did around 32 her house and yard through the Brush of Kindness program. She said she hopes the Board will 33 fund this program. 34 35 Glenda Wade lives in Cedar Grove, and she knew about Habitat through her work with 36 Stanback Middle School. She said Brush for Kindness came out and beautified her home. She 37 asked, on behalf of single parents like herself, that the Board help fund the Brush with Kindness 38 program. She also asked for full funding for the school system. 39 40 James Stroud spoke on behalf of his mom, who took advantage of the Brush with 41 Kindness program for her home and yard. He said that the work done by this program helped 42 his mother to avoid having to sell her home. He asked that the Board please fund this program. 43 44 Adward Assure is community development manager for Habitat for Humanity. She 45 thanked all the residents who have spoken on behalf of the Brush with Kindness program. She 46 said this program serves all of Orange County. She said collaboration is a big aspect of Habitat, 47 and the group has worked with many local programs to complete these exterior upgrades. She 48 said that the program continues to grow and thrive. There have been 27 new applications since 49 February of this year. She said the need is high and all resources are put to good use. She 50 said the program gives a way for students and local volunteers to help and to give back. She 51 hopes to double the work done last year and requests that the Board fund this program. 52