Blue Skies Ahead!
Most days this past week were cold, raining and dreary -- but we did have blue skies on Tuesday, Feb. 16, as seen here from McDougle Middle School Track. Blue skies are ahead, and the first day of spring is March 20!
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Swearing-In Ceremony of Police Chief Chris Atack
The swearing-in ceremony of Chris Atack as the new Carrboro Police Chief took place today (Monday, Feb. 15) in a short, socially distanced event at Town Hall.
The ceremony was led by Town Clerk Catherine Dorando with Town Manager David Andrews. It was attended by Chief Atack's wife Tina and their sons Ryan and Eli, and his parents Geoff and Linda Atack. Other family members attended remotely via Zoom.
Congratulations, Chief Atack!
Scholastic Journalism Week in Carrboro
Mayor Lydia Lavelle has proclaimed Feb. 21-27 as Scholastic Journalism Week in Carrboro.
“I ask all residents to express their encouragement and gratitude to our student journalists and the teachers and advisers who support them,” Mayor Lavelle said.
Read Mayor Lavelle’s proclamation at http://townofcarrboro.org/DocumentCenter/View/8786/2021-Scholastic-Journalism-Week
It explains how the scholastic journalism experience imbues young people with capabilities and tools that are essential to a successfully functioning democracy. Our community values careful reporting of and commentary on current events of local, state and national importance.
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Food Distribution Set for Feb. 25
A Community Food Distribution is set for 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 25, at Carrboro High School, 201 Rock Haven Road.
Food boxes are open to all and available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a limit of two households per vehicle.
This event is hosted by the Orange County Department of Social Services in collaboration with the Town of Carrboro.
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BIPOC Business Roundtable Discussion
CARRBORO, NC -- The Carrboro Department of Economic Development has announced a BIPOC Business Roundtable Discussion scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25.
The Town seeks to hear the needs and challenges of Black, Indigenous, Latinx and People of Color businesses in Carrboro, and the role the Town needs to play to help businesses start and grow. Additionally, the roundtable discussions serve as an opportunity for BIPOC Business Owners to get to know and support each other.
The meeting expands upon the Town’s efforts over the past year and a half to listen to the needs of its BIPOC populations and find ways to systemically improve their lives from the Town’s perspective. The Town held two previous Minority Business Roundtables in July 2020 and a previous BIPOC Business Roundtable Discussion in November 2020.
Businesses interested in participating in the roundtable discussions are asked to pre-register. Register and find more information at http://www.townofcarrboro.org/152/Economic-Development
CONTACT INFORMATION
Town of Carrboro
Jon Hartman-Brown
919-391-7846
JHartman-Brown@TownofCarrboro.org
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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, Feb. 23, to consider an agenda https://bit.ly/3duLjCo also available 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
Past Meeting
The Carrboro Town Council met virtually Tuesday, Feb. 16, on the agenda a bit.ly/2Zaf8jc and took the following actions:
- Recognition of Black Lives Matter Town Murals: The Town Council recognized the artists behind the recent Black Lives Matter Town Murals. View the recognition video at youtu.be/T6MkHBxPkbY
- Monthly Reports from Police, Fire, Stormwater Utility, and Economic Development: The Council received the reports.
- Public Hearing on Text Amendments to the Land Use Ordinance Relating to Dimensional Requirements in B-1(C) and B-1(G) Districts, Permit Requirements for Town-Owned and Operated Facilities, and Tree Canopy Coverage Standards: The Town Council closed the public hearing to consider an ordinance to amend the text of the Land Use Ordinance.
- Comprehensive Plan Process: Carrboro Connects, the Town’s Comprehensive Planning process, continues to move forward with task force meetings and community engagement. The Council received an update on the current process and progress of this effort. Learn more at www.carrboroconnects.org
- Information on Text Amendments Required as part of G.S. Chapter 160D, Part 2: The Council received the second installment of draft text amendments to the Land Use Ordinance required by the adoption of G.S. Chapter 160D.
About the Town Council
The Town Council is the legislative and policy-making body for Carrboro, consisting of seven elected members: Mayor Lydia Lavelle, Mayor Pro Tempore Barbara Foushee, Council Member Jacquelyn Gist, Council Member Randee Haven-O’Donnell, Council Member Susan Romaine, Council Member Damon Seils, and Council Member Sammy Slade. More information is available at http://townofcarrboro.org/248/Town-Council
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Black Experiences: Storyteller Donna Washington
Storyteller Donna Washington joined us on Feb. 17 for her presentation "Black Experiences," a Black History Month program.
The Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources has worked with the artist to make the program available through Feb. 23 at bit.ly/36WQifa
Donna Washington is an internationally known, multiple award-winning storyteller, spoken word recording artist, and author. A highly-animated performer, she has been entertaining, educating, and inspiring audiences with her vocal pyrotechnics, elastic face, and deep characterizations that bring folklore, literary tales, and personal narratives to life for over 30 years.
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31st Annual Pauli Murray Awards Ceremony
The Pauli Murray Award is presented annually by the Orange County Human Relations Commission to an Orange County youth, an Orange County adult, and an Orange County business that have served the community with distinction in the pursuit of equality, justice, and human rights for all residents.
This year's winners are Quinton Harper (adult), Savannah Clay (youth), and Present Day on Main (business).
Guest speakers include poet Nikki Giovanni, NC Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green, and local poet Alani Rouse.
The virtual event is scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28. Register at orangecountync.gov/PauliMurray
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Voting is open until Sunday, Feb. 28.
Each winner will receive a trophy and $1000 in advertising support in the form of advertising on Chapel Hill Transit buses.
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Carrboro Project Updates
Get updates on Town of Carrboro Projects from the Climate Action Plan to sidewalk improvements to business outreach initiatives and more at https://bit.ly/3dsI9zh
Curious about the CASA Merritt Mill Affordable Housing Project? This will provide 48 affordable housing units near Lincoln Center on the north side of Merritt Mill Road. The properties are split by the Carrboro-Chapel Hill municipal boundary line. As a result, 24 of the units will be located in Carrboro, and 24 will be located in Chapel Hill. Construction is anticipated this spring. Meanwhile, they’re looking for a name! If you would like to submit an idea, visit https://bit.ly/2M4eT6s
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Carrboro Invasive Species Awareness Week
Mayor Lydia Lavelle has proclaimed Feb. 22-28 as “Carrboro Invasive Species Awareness Week” and asks residents to join in the efforts to support native species.
An invasive species is an organism that causes ecological or economic harm in a new environment where it is not native. Invasive species are capable of causing extinctions of native plants and animals, reducing biodiversity, competing with native organisms for limited resources, and altering habitats.
The Town of Carrboro adopted its first ordinance against invasive species in 1999. The Town’s Community Climate Action Plan also encourages the protection and enhancement of ecosystems.
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