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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: November 6, 2025 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-h <br /> SUBJECT: Proclamation Recognizing and Honoring Leo Allison <br /> DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Proclamation Thomas C. Jepsen, Treasurer, Chapel <br /> Hill Historical Society, 919-929-1793 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing and honoring Leo Allison as an "Orange <br /> County Community Treasure". <br /> BACKGROUND: The Chapel Hill Historical Society has requested a Board proclamation <br /> recognizing and honoring Leo Allison as an "Orange County Community Treasure". <br /> Leo Allison was born 92 years ago in Efland on the land where he now lives. Mr. Allison's father <br /> worked in the shipyards in Baltimore and later at White Furniture Company in Mebane in order to <br /> buy the property in Efland. As a young man, Mr. Allison and his uncle farmed tobacco on the land <br /> where his house now stands. Mr. Allison attended Central High School in Hillsborough, and <br /> graduated from North Carolina Central University in 1954 with a degree in mathematics and <br /> physics. He briefly taught at Leesville High School in Halifax, Virginia, where he met and married <br /> his wife, Mary. Mr. Allison then took a job with a company in Buffalo, New York. While there, he <br /> interviewed with IBM, and began a career with IBM in 1957 that lasted until his retirement 34 years <br /> later, holding positions in Owego, New York; Manassas, Virginia; and California, before returning <br /> to North Carolina. <br /> Upon retiring and returning to Efland, Mr. Allison realized that as a small rural community, Efland <br /> had few ways to communicate its needs to the County. An annual community event was <br /> organized, which took place in early October each year. Mr. Allison worked with other community <br /> leaders, including former County Commissioners Stephen Halkiotis and Moses Carey, to <br /> determine ways to address community needs. United Voices of Efland Cheeks, a 501(c) (3) non- <br /> profit entity, was organized in 1994. Mr. Allison also led a committee to develop plans for a park <br /> and athletic field, and request funding for the project. The park now stands next to the Efland <br /> Cheeks Community Center, and provides recreational facilities for the community. <br /> Mr. Allison was also significantly involved in the organization of the senior centers in Hillsborough <br /> and Chapel Hill. He led efforts on planning for the bond referendum to finance the building of the <br /> Passmore Senior Center on Meadowlands Drive in Hillsborough in 2007. Mr. Allison has also <br /> served on several Orange County committees and boards, including the Orange County Planning <br /> Board and the Orange County Board of Adjustment. He also has served as President and Vice <br /> President of the state wide Legal Aid organization. <br /> Mr. Allison believes that leaders need to consider the basic needs of residents — food, clothing, <br /> shelter. In terms of the local community, more business development is needed to provide jobs. <br /> Healthcare also needs reform so that people do not have to declare bankruptcy or lose their <br />