First in Line to apply to a town advisory board.
Apply at http://townofcarrboro.org/228/Advisory-Boards-Commissions
Yes, we're having a little fun with the Bernie Sanders meme from Inauguration Day. Seriously, we hope you might consider applying and getting involved in your local government and community.
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Update on the South Greensboro Street Sidewalk Project
Please join us for an update on the South Greensboro Street sidewalk project!
The Town of Carrboro will be holding two remote public meetings on the installation of a sidewalk along South Greensboro Street from the north end of Old Pittsboro Road to Public Works Drive.
These meetings will include an opportunity to hear from engineering consultant team Ramey Kemp Associates, Inc. (RKA) on the proposed design for the sidewalk and anticipated schedule for completion.
The dates and times for these meetings are:
- Thursday, Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Jan. 30, at 11 a.m.
To receive an invitation to participate in either meeting, please email Tina Moon at cmoon@townofcarrboro.org
Please be sure to indicate the date of the meeting you wish to attend.
If you are unable to participate in one of the public meetings, have questions or would like more information, please call Tina Moon at 919-918-7325.
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Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett Day in Carrboro
Mayor Lydia Lavelle has proclaimed Tuesday, Jan. 26, as Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett Day in the Town of Carrboro to honor the Orange County native who played a key role in developing one of the COVID-19 vaccines.
“We recognize her remarkable research and success in creating a vaccination to defeat the pandemic,” Mayor Lavelle said. “I urge all of the residents of Carrboro to take time to recognize and honor this outstanding achievement of one of Orange County’s own daughters.”
Tuesday, Jan. 26, will be special for another reason, also -- Happy Birthday, Dr. Corbett!
Kizzmekia S. Corbett, PhD, is currently a research fellow in the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory at the National Institutes of Health [NIH], National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases [NIAID], Vaccine Research Center. A viral immunologist by training, she was appointed to the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory in 2014, and has focused her work on developing novel coronavirus vaccines, including mRNA-1273, which has become a primary vaccine against the virus that causes COVID-19.
Dr. Corbett was raised in the Cedar Grove community of Orange County. She attended A.L. Stanback Middle School and graduated from Orange High School. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, with a secondary major in Sociology, in 2008, from the University of Maryland–Baltimore County, where she was a Meyerhoff Scholar and an NIH undergraduate scholar; and earned her Doctorate of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in 2014.
Dr. Corbett has been acknowledged by Dr. Anthony Fauci, NIAID Director, for her research and results in the development of a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, and is now receiving national acclaim.
Read the entire proclamation that details the outstanding achievements of Dr. Corbett at https://www.townofcarrboro.org/DocumentCenter/View/8644/2021-Dr-Corbett-Day
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Town of Carrboro to Commemorate George Henry White as part of Black History Month
CARRBORO, NC – The Town of Carrboro will be hosting a virtual program to commemorate the 120th anniversary of George Henry White’s historic farewell address to Congress. The online event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1.
The event will be held via Zoom and will be simulcast to the Town of Carrboro’s YouTube account at www.youtube.com/CarrboroNC To register for the Zoom webinar, please visit: https://townofcarrboro.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-lorm6uDSauaS23HIFNzvQ
After serving in the North Carolina State Legislature, George Henry White represented the State of North Carolina in the United States House of Representatives for two consecutive terms from 1897 to 1901. Congressman White was a leader in the introduction and the fight for anti-lynching legislation.
At the time of his farewell address, White was the only African American Congressman, and he would be the last until 1929. It would not be until 1992 that another African American was elected to represent the State of North Carolina in Congress. Following his last term, White went on to practice law and eventually moved to Philadelphia where he ran a land development firm and founded the city’s first African American owned bank.
The event, which is part of the Town of Carrboro’s annual Black History Month celebration, will be emceed by retired chief public defender for Orange and Chatham Counties, James E. Williams Jr. Opening remarks for the event will be provided by special guest and current U.S. Congressman G. K. Butterfield.
More at https://www.townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1563
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31st Annual Pauli Murray Awards
The Orange County Human Relations Commission will present the 31st Annual Pauli Murray Awards at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28. The community is invited to acknowledge and celebrate the honorees for their displays of courage in upholding the ideals of social justice and equal opportunities.
Register in advance for this virtual event at orangecountync.gov/PauliMurray
The Pauli Murray Award commemorates the life of the late Dr. Pauli Murray, a distinguished and remarkable person who confronted discrimination, racism and sexism in her life.
The Pauli Murray Award is presented annually to an Orange County adult, youth, and business that have served the community with distinction in the pursuit of equality, justice, and human rights for all residents.
Nominate an Individual, Youth, or Business in Orange County to receive the Pauli Murray Award at orangecountync.gov/ThePauliMurrayAward All nominations are due Feb.12, 2021.
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Carrboro Extends Park Pavilion Fee Waivers
Responding to community needs for social distancing and outdoor gathering spaces, the Town of Carrboro will continue to waive fees through March 31 for pavilion rentals at public parks.
Pavilions are located at the following parks:
- Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1200 Hillsborough Road
- Wilson Park, 110 Wilson St.
- Baldwin Park, 346 Broad St.
- Henry Anderson III Community Park, 302 N Carolina Hwy 54 W
More at http://townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1543
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Orange County Health Department Shares Information to Speed Vaccine Effort
The Orange County Health Department is receiving an extremely high volume of phone calls and emails regarding vaccine registration. It is asking for the public’s patience and sharing information to help answer questions and speed the vaccine process for everyone.
“We understand your frustrations with the COVID-19 vaccination process,” said Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart. “We feel the same frustration due to the limited doses of the vaccine, and we are training additional staff as quickly as possible to answer calls and emails.”
Appointment scheduling
The Health Department is currently only scheduling Phase 1 and 2 for vaccine appointments. These groups are health care workers, long-term care residents and staff and older adults ages 65 and up. Please wait until your phase of the vaccination process opens to call to schedule an appointment or to complete the vaccine interest form.
More at http://townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1573
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Town Council Update
Meeting agendas and updates are issued from the Town Clerk’s Office. To receive these by email or text, sign up for Carrboro Town News at townofcarrboro.org/signup
Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. Reach the Town Council with your ideas, views and questions at council@townofcarrboro.org
Coming Up
The Town Council will meet virtually at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, to consider an agenda https://bit.ly/3iDSb0L that will be posted at carrboro.legistar.com
To view, livestream at carrboro.legistar.com OR YouTube.com/CarrboroNC OR Cable TV 18 (in Carrboro). To speak at the meeting email publiccomment@townofcarrboro.org
To view this complete update including a summary of the past meeting, please visit http://townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1577
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TO RECEIVE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON CARRBORO COMMUNITY NEEDS AND PRIORITIES
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 BUDGET BEGINNING JULY 1, 2021
On February 2, 2021, the Carrboro Town Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments and suggestions on Carrboro community needs and priorities for the budget beginning July 1, 2021.
The Town Manager plans to submit a Recommended Budget to the Town Council on May 25, 2021. A public hearing to receive comments on the Manager’s Recommended Budget will be held on June 8, 2021. The final budget is planned for adoption on June 22, 2021.
The Town Council and Town Manager welcome feedback from Town residents throughout the budget process. Carrboro residents may send written suggestions and comments to the Town Clerk at 301 West Main Street, Carrboro, NC 27510; or email them to publiccomment@townofcarrboro.org.
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Long-Term Recovery Plan Ready for Review
The draft Orange County Long-Term Recovery and Transformation Plan is ready for review, with two virtual public meetings occurring this week and public comment available online through Jan. 29.
The draft plan for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and other disruptions is attached and available at orangencforward.org, a website of the Orange County Long-Term Recovery Group. The partnership of nearly 150 community stakeholders, Orange County and the towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough has been working on a plan since July 2020.
Watch a brief introductory video at https://www.orangencforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/OC-Plan-Announcement-Vid-1.mp4 to better understand the plan and why your participation is needed. The video is also available in Spanish, Chinese-Mandarin, Karen, and Burmese.
Public comment
Community members are invited to share their feedback on the plan at one of two virtual town hall meetings or through a public comment form at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9HVCL98 on the Long-Term Recovery Group’s website. The form will be available through Jan. 29, and translation instructions are available in Spanish, Mandarin-Chinese, and Burmese.
Up to 300 people may participate in each virtual town hall meeting, and the meetings will be recorded and posted to the group’s website:
More at https://www.townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1567
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Community Food Distribution
A Community Food Distribution event is scheduled for 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at Carrboro High School, 201 Rock Haven Road.
Anyone in need is welcome. The distribution is first come, first served. It is free of charge, and there are no eligibility requirements.
Due to COVID-19, distributions are held on a drive-through basis. Boxes are placed inside vehicle trunks.
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Around Town
Lifeline: Hunger Relief During the Pandemic
The ArtsCenter in Carrboro is hosting an online exhibit of photos taken by Tom Simon, capturing some of the many people who have been a part of our region’s hunger relief effort during the pandemic.
“As I photographed this effort across North Carolina’s Triangle region,” observed Tom, “I began to see it as a human chain that starts with farmers, food service workers, donors, volunteers and so many more. It reaches all the way to the table of those who are hungry. Who are the people who make up this chain – this Lifeline – that’s stretched so thin during the pandemic? What I found was an abundant sense of community, compassion and a mission to help those in need. In the recipients there is gratitude, pride and a resolve to keep themselves and their families whole in the face of a crisis that seems to have no end. Above all, I’ve been inspired and invigorated by the humanity on display.”
View the online exhibit at https://artscenterlive.org/2021/01/04/lifeline-hunger-relief-during-the-pandemic-by-tom-simon/
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Traffic Alert: Roundabout Project Update
Construction on the N. Greensboro Street-Estes Drive roundabout continues.
Work on the installation of the large stormwater pipe will resume the week beginning on Monday, Jan. 25 Please be alert. Traffic patterns may change and there may be additional traffic delays.
Find project updates at http://www.townofcarrboro.org/2249/Estes-Dr-North-Greensboro-Roundabout
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