Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
2 <br /> of all festival spending benefited Orange County businesses, revitalizing nearly $100,000 back <br /> into the local economy. <br /> Erik Valera, Vice-Chair of the Orange County Arts Alliance, highlighted the UPROAR <br /> festival's role in connecting the community amid public political division, economic strain, and <br /> global uncertainty, claiming it offered necessary connection and joy, especially after recovering <br /> from Tropical Storm Chantal, which impacted the Eno Arts Mill and halted fundraising efforts. <br /> Despite these challenges, with aid from the county, towns, and community, the festival was a <br /> success, supporting businesses, uplifting artists, and bringing statewide recognition to Orange <br /> County. <br /> b. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br /> (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) <br /> 3. Announcements, Petitions, and Comments by Board Members <br /> Commissioner McKee attended the NAACP banquet a few weeks ago. He said the <br /> keynote speaker read a poem that reminded him of what every board member, but also every <br /> community member, is obligated to do. He read the poem "The Cold Within" by James Patrick <br /> Kinney. He said that when situations are happening like there are now at the federal level (40 <br /> days into the government shutdown, people going without, and travel falling apart) it makes him <br /> think that the folks sitting in Washington should have to do the same things the Cardinals do when <br /> they elect a new pope. He suggested that Washington officials should stay in the Capitol until they <br /> reach a solution, as they would reach an agreement a lot quicker. <br /> Commissioner Greene reported on the brief GoTriangle meeting on October 22nd that <br /> discussed potentially holding a future board meeting on a bus. She was a panelist at the Neighbor- <br /> to-Neighbor panel on October 28th about the impact of House Bill 1, titled "Who's Picking Your <br /> Pocket?" She shared that Commissioner Portie-Ascott moderated the panel. The panel <br /> conversation pivoted to what can be done about the SNAP shutdown, and in keeping with <br /> Commissioner McKee's reading, she acknowledged that a lot of responsibility has fallen to the <br /> Board and community to keep neighbors healthy and safe, and well-fed. After the panel, she and <br /> other Commissioners attended State School Superintendent Mo Green's presentation of his <br /> strategic plan at Chapel Hill High School. <br /> Vice-Chair Hamilton expressed regret for missing the Piedmont Food Open House on <br /> October 23rd due to illness. She said she also attended Mo Green's regional tour, who shared an <br /> ambitious strategic plan to improve and create educational excellence for our North Carolina <br /> public schools. She emphasized the critical nature of SNAP benefits, noting they are one of the <br /> most efficient ways of investing in the well-being and productivity of residents and should not be <br /> looked at as charity. She stressed that children who are hungry cannot perform well in school, <br /> and adults who are hungry are unlikely to be productive at work or home. She also acknowledged <br /> that SNAP benefits support farmers and businesses in the food industry. She called on federal <br /> leaders to find a way to fund SNAP benefits and thanked those supporting neighbors in need, <br /> providing the Orange County Department of Social Services contact number (919-245-2800) for <br /> immediate food assistance. <br /> Chair Bedford announced upcoming Veterans Day events on Tuesday, November 11th, <br /> including a breakfast at 8:30 AM at the Passmore Center in Hillsborough and a ceremony at 11:00 <br /> AM at the Veterans Memorial. She noted that veterans constitute a large percentage of SNAP <br /> benefit recipients and mentioned Project Green Light, which involves the display of green lights <br />