Agenda - 10-07-2008- 7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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~; ~ ~ . ~OCd171111L'llC~a~lOll '~ : Foster community interaction and activity. t~.~$i.on S~rate~~es: A. Increase opportunities for residents from different parts of the county and different backgrounds to work together. The SOCF process has raised our expectations for what is possible through the collective efforts of a diverse set of citizens. To continue building a sense of community, we must continue to invent.and embazk upon joinf projects that embody such shazed values as our desire to provide basic human services to all of our citizens, to preserve open space and the environment, and to develop our young people to their fullest potential. B. Create multi-use community facilities that would enable a variety of functions such as a school, community center, senior center,. senior care facility, adult learning center, teen center, day care facility, medical clinic, branch library, arts space, and outdoor recreation. Locate these centers in town neighborhoods and villages located in town transition areas. . C. Promote neighborhood design, for new neighborhoods which encourages social interaction. D. Create more all-county shared events, such as an Qrange County Fair, art, drama, and music festivals. Strive to make events multi-cultural and of interest to all residents of the county.. E. Improve relationships between the University and Orange County residents. The University is both a means by which some community-building takes place and an impediment to it. We note with enthusiasm the community building aspects of the UNC athletics program, and our citizens' access to the University's libraries, cultural evegts, and amenities. We acknowledge with appreciation the University's role in attracting our base of highly educated and active citizens, and the valuable links beyond Orange County generated by the University's cultural and academic programs. While there are many positive links between the University and the larger community, there aze also some things that could be done to improve those connections. The University could: ^ Increase staff assigned to local and community relations. ^ Elicit citizen and county representation on appropriate UNC committees and boards; ^ Increase the Uruversity's contributions to local problem solving by encouraging faculty and staff involvement. ^ Ho]'d "open houses" on various topics, information sessions, and celebrations. ^ Make a more public statement of the campus resources and activities available to local citizens. ^ Share recreational facilities and services on a planned schedule. F. Publish an Orange County community handboolr/calendar for organizations and their activities, community events, cultural and artistic opportunities, etc. A copy to be available to every family and in the library. Encourage UNC to do the same covering events and campus organizations which provide community activities (i.e. Think Alain, the coniinuing education publication which has information on all the not-for-credit learning opportunities the University makes available). Publish this information on the Internet as well. G. Establish partnerships between urban and rural residents through community support for local farming by: ^ having farm tours for school children as well as adults; ^ creating links~with organizations that support farming; • supporting mazketing and consumption of local farm products; and ^ surveying local citizens' needs/desires for farm products. 139 23