NEW BRIEFS
Local author event with Ruth Moose re-scheduled
Chatham Community Library will host local author and Chatham resident Ruth Moose at 2 p.m. on Oct. 5 in the Holmes Meeting Room. Ruth will be reading from her latest collection of short stories, “Going to Graceland.”
Ruth was a member of the Creative Writing faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill for 15 years. She’s published four collections of short stories; The Wreath Ribbon Quilt, Dreaming in Color, Neighbors and Other Strangers, and Going to Graceland (2019). She’s also published stories in the Atlantic, the Alaska Quarterly Review, the North American Review, the Southern California Review and other publications based in Holland, South Africa, England, and Denmark.
Moose has published six collections of poetry, most recently, The Librarian and Other Poems and Tea. She’s received a MacDowell Fellowship, a North Carolina Artist Fellowship, and the prestigious Chapman Award for Teaching. Her first novel, Doing it at the Dixie Dew, won the Malice Domestic prize and was published by St.Martin’s Press in 2014. Its sequel, Wedding Bell Blues, was published in 2016. Ruth lives in Pittsboro, NC.
This event is free and open to the public.
Chatham County seeks applicant for Agriculture Advisory board vacancy
PITTSBORO — Chatham County seeks applicants for one vacancy on the Chatham County Agriculture Advisory Board. The deadline to apply to fill the vacancy is 5 p.m. on Oct. 18.
The advisory board especially needs a member from either the southeastern section of the county located east of N.C. Hwy. 87 and south of U.S. Hwy. 64 or the southwestern segment located west of N.C. Hwy. 87 and south of U.S. Hwy. 64. The board typically meets eight to ten times a year at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center in Pittsboro.
The Agriculture Advisory Board advises the County Board of Commissioners on agricultural issues and related land use issues. The board also reviews applications for farm properties to be designated as a Voluntary Agriculture District to make sure they meet state requirements.
The open seat’s term will expire June 30, 2021, after which the person appointed will have the opportunity to be reappointed to a three-year term.
To complete an online application for committee service, visit chathamnc.seamlessdocs.com/f/AgBoardApplication or contact Lindsay Ray at 919-545-8302 or lindsay.ray@chathamnc.org to obtain a printed or emailed copy.
— CN +R staff reports
Chatham Community Library to host PlayMakers Mobile Theatre Group
Chatham Community Library will host the PlayMakers Mobile Theatre Group at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9 in the Holmes Meeting Room. This year’s program, “Wilder & Wilder,” will feature a medley of short plays by Thornton Wilder.
Three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Thornton Wilder is best known as the author of the beloved “Our Town.” In this 75-minute, actor-driven performance with music, audiences will get up close and personal with Wilder’s lesser known short plays, as well as some of his powerful nonfiction writing on the art of theater.
Through partnerships with area non-profits, community organizations, and local schools and libraries, PlayMakers presents professional-quality, bare bones productions of Shakespeare plays and more, cut to ninety minutes or less. In doing so, we aim to connect with new audiences in their own spaces, truly meeting them where they live. By revealing theatre to be accessible, relevant, and vital, PlayMakers Mobile builds a new audience for these timeless plays and allows PlayMakers to foster new relationships throughout the region.
This event is free and open to the public.
Chatham County seeks applications for vacancy on Tax Review Board
PITTSBORO — Chatham County’s Board of Equalization and Review has a seat for Commissioner District 2 and an alternate seat up for appointment in November. The board’s purpose is to hear and review property owners’ appeals of their property listings and valuations of real estate and personal property.
“The board has an important, complex role. It is the first level of review after staff-level reviews,” said Jenny Williams, Chatham County tax administrator. “The board must apply state laws in a consistent, uniform and non-discriminatory manner so that all property owners receive a fair and impartial hearing.”
The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Oct. 18. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
• has lived in Chatham County for at least two years prior to appointment;
• owns real estate property in the county;
• be knowledgeable about real estate matters; and
• have good moral character.
If appointed by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners, both seats would serve until December 31, 2022. Members of the Board of E&R receive a stipend of $15 per hour for their service, but the number and length of the meetings vary depending on the number of appeals filed.
New members are required to attend a training session to understand their roles under state law and the appeals process.
Except for revaluation years, most meetings of the Board of E&R are held in the spring, but a few may be held in the fall to hear appeals related to personal property. The county just completed revaluation in 2017, but is gearing up for the next revaluation in 2021.
Most of the meetings are during the daytime, but some may be held in the evenings to accommodate taxpayers’ schedules, usually for Revaluation appeals. On rare occasions, special meetings may be called on such issues as audit appeals or review of late applications for tax exemptions.
To complete an online application, visit chathamnc.seamlessdocs.com/f/CommitteeForm. You also may contact Lindsay Ray at 919-545-8302 orlindsay.ray@chathamnc.org to obtain an email or printed copy.
NCDOT sends millions to local municipalities to improve transportation networks
RALEIGH — The N.C. Dept. of Transportation has begun distributing more than $147.5 million in State Street-Aid to Municipalities, also known as the Powell Bill fund, to 508 cities and towns across the state. The initial allocation, almost $73.8 million, was sent out last week. The next allocation in the same amount will be paid by Dec. 31.
Powell Bill funds are to be used primarily for the resurfacing of streets within the corporate limits of the municipality but can also help pay for construction, improvements, repairs and maintenance of any street or public thoroughfare, including bridges, drainage systems, and curb and gutter, as well as the planning, construction and maintenance of bikeways, greenways or sidewalks.
“Funding provided through the Powell Bill helps cities and towns pay for needed repairs, maintenance and construction of their transportation network” said Transportation Secretary Jim Trogdon.
The number of municipalities, who have to apply to be considered for funds, receiving payments is the same as last year. The amount each municipality receives is based on a formula set by the N.C. General Assembly, with 75 percent of it based on population, and 25 percent based on the number of locally maintained street miles. This year that breaks down to $110.7 million for population and $36.8 million based on street miles. Based on those categories, that is $19.35 per person and $1,590.84 per mile.
Municipal officials are legally responsible for the proper management of these funds and can be held personally liable for any unauthorized expenditures.
Twenty-three cities are receiving at least $1 million, led by Charlotte at $20.5 million, based on its population of 852,992 and 2,523 miles of maintained roads. Raleigh will receive $10.7 million, followed by Greensboro ($7.3 million), Winston-Salem ($6.3 million), Durham ($6.3 million) and Fayetteville ($5.2 million).
The fund is named for Junius K. Powell, a former state senator and mayor of Whiteville, who was a primary sponsor of the 1951 bill to help the state’s cities with urban road problems. The first allocation of Powell Bill funds was for $4.5 million and was distributed to 386 cities and towns.
A complete list of cities and towns receiving Powell Bill funds and the amounts, as well as additional information about the Powell Bill Program is on the NCDOT website.
Chatham Community Library to host Science Fiction Film Series
Chatham Community Library is hosting a four-part science fiction film series during the month of October, from 6-8 p.m. Thursdays in the Holmes Meeting Room.
Films in the series include:
10/3: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978). When seeds drift to earth from space, mysterious pods begin to grow and invade a small town, replicating the residents one body at a time.The film was nominated for Best Science Fiction Film by the 1979 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films.
10/10: Children of Men (2006). In 2027, in a chaotic world in which women have become somehow infertile, a former activist agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea. In 2007 this film was up for three Oscar nominations; Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, Best Achievement in Cinematography, and Best Achievement in Film Editing.
10/17: Blade Runner (1982). A blade runner must pursue and terminate four replicants who stole a ship in space, and have returned to Earth to find their creator. This film was nominated for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Effects, Visual Effects at the 1983 Academy Awards.
10/24: District 9 (2009): An extraterrestrial race, forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth, suddenly finds a kindred spirit in a government agent who is exposed to their biotechnology. In 2010 District 9 had four Oscar nominations for Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, Best Achievement in Film Editing, and Best Achievement in Visual Effects.
These events are free and open to the public. For additional information please call the Library at 919-545-8084.
Chatham County approves concept plans for two parks
PITTSBORO — In August, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners approved the park master plan for Earl Thompson Park in Bynum and Southwest District Park in Bear Creek. The planned improvements are part of the Comprehensive Master Plan for Parks, Recreation, Greenways and Blueways, which the Board approved earlier this year. The Comprehensive Master Plan will guide the future of Chatham County parks, recreation programs, facilities, greenways and more over the next ten years. Earl Thompson and Southwest Park are the first in the Comprehensive Master Plan to be redeveloped since they were constructed first.
The park master plans for Earl Thompson Park include natural surface trails, an all-inclusive playground, a picnic shelter and a natural amphitheater. The park master plan for Southwest District Park includes a community center, walking trail expansion, a splash pad, basketball courts and tennis/pickle ball courts. Over the next few months, Chatham County staff will be working to prioritize these elements, develop a park phasing plan and secure funding sources.
“We are excited about the vision for Earl Thompson and Southwest District Parks,” said Tracy Burnett, director of Chatham County Parks & Recreation. “We hope the improvements will give an enhanced experience for parkgoers in our community.”
In addition to the park master plans for Southwest and Earl Thompson Parks, there will be three more park plans: a master plan for Southeast Park in Moncure, a Brooks Creek Corridor plan and an updated master plan for Northeast Park.
The public is encouraged to attend input sessions scheduled for Southeast Park in Moncure. Dates, times and locations are:
• Moncure/Haywood Food Truck Festival
1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Oct. 5
Moncure School, 600 Moncure School Road, Moncure
• Park Design Workshop Open House
6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Nov. 7
Moncure Fire Station #8, 2389 Old US 1, Moncure
• Park Concept Open House
6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Dec. 9
Moncure Fire Station #8, 2389 Old US 1, Moncure
Residents can stay updated on developments with the park master plans by visiting chathamnc.org/ParksMasterPlan. Also, community members can receive email updates by visiting chathamnc.org/enotify; scroll down to the News section; look for Parks & Rec Master Plan News.
Strong America Tour coming to Pittsboro
On Saturday, Oct. 5, Main Street Pittsboro will welcome Charles L. “Chuck” Marohn, Jr., founder of Strong Towns, when he visits Pittsboro on his coast-to-coast Strong America Tour.
He will be speaking at 7 p.m. at the Chatham County Agricultural & Conference Center at 1192 US64 Business, Pittsboro.
Attendance is free and open to the public.
Marohn’s tour kicks off the release of his new book, “Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Rebuild American Prosperity.” He is traveling to dozens of communities across North America — big cities and small towns alike —t o share the ideas in his book and give audiences a new way to think about how they approach revitalization and growth.
The presentation will begin by showcasing why so many towns in North America are struggling financially despite decades of robust growth. Marohn will then invite the audience to “choose their own adventure” from a range of presentation tracks and go deeper into just one area where their unique community can make a change today. Designed to be dynamic and bespoke to each town, the Strong America presentation is part community conversation, part lecture from an expert, and the catalyst you need for your place to become financially stronger.
In every stop on the tour, a Strong Towns staff member will write an essay about the stories they find there. Then, Marohn will put all of the essays together in a new e-book that paints a portrait of what a Strong America looks like today. It will include photos, profiles of local advocates doing what they can to make their own towns stronger, tour diary updates from the road, and great writing from Strong Towns advocates from across the country.
Pittsboro will also be featured in other Strong Towns content and on Strong Towns social media feeds, which reach an international audience of millions of readers annually.
To see some of the other towns that are on the Strong America Tour, visit www.strongtowns.org/events.
The hosting agency, Main Street Pittsboro, aims to keep the focus on a distinct district in downtown Pittsboro as the town grows. Main Street Pittsboro advocates for, initiates, produces, and partners on projects and events that keeps downtown dynamic and relevant.
— CN +R staff reports
Chatham Community Library to host local author Andrew
Taylor-Troutman
Chatham Community Library will host local author Andrew Taylor-Troutman at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 8 in the Holmes Meeting Room. Andrew will be reading from his latest collection of essays and poems, “Gently Between the Words.”
Poet and pastor Andrew Taylor-Troutman lives in a world of strife, cynicism, anger, and mundane chaos. His world is our world, but where many find only pessimism and a desire to retreat inward,Taylor-Troutman sees an opportunity for connection and community. In this latest collection Taylor-Troutman guides readers through seemingly simple stories of death, life, parenting struggles, successes and failures that speak to larger questions we all face: How do we best spend our time? How can we raise our kids to be kind and confident? Who do gives us guidance and wisdom? What does love look like in our lives on a day-to-day basis?
This event is free and open to the public.
West Chatham Food Pantry Receives Donation from Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation
SILER CITY – West Chatham Food Pantry has received $2,700 from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to help feed local residents.
A West Chatham Food Pantry spokesperson expressed the organization’s “sincere appreciation to be awarded this grant. Without it, we could not feed our hungry clients.”
Clients receive food every two weeks as long as they meet qualification guidelines. The pantry is open three times a week for food pickups. The Food Pantry also offers home delivery for those unable to physically come to the Pantry; and has a FuelUp program which is a weekend backup program that provides grocery items to elementary school children in three schools in the county.
Established in 2001, the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to feeding the hungry in the communities it serves. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $12 million in grants.
— CN +R staff reports