News Releases

Orange County, North Carolina

For additional information contact David Hunt, Information Specialist, (919) 245-2126. 

March /April 2010

Past Orange County News Releases  Solid Waste News

Finance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release Date: March 5, 2010

Contact: Clarence Grier , Financial Services Director, (919) 245-2453


Orange County Government Saves Over 1 Million Refinancing Bonds

ORANGE COUNTY, NC – Orange County Government refinanced existing bonds for a total savings over $ 1.1 million dollars. 

On Thursday, March 4, 2010 representatives from Orange County Government and Sanford Holshouser, LLP, bond counsel for Orange County met to sign closing documents on the sale of $22,455,000 in General Obligation Bonds. 

The bonds were originally issued in 2001 and 2003 at an interest rate ranging from 4% to 4.7%.  Over 10 institutions participated in the bidding to refinance the bonds.  The new interest rates range from 2% to 4%.  The effective interest rate to Orange County was 2.5226% with a total savings of $1,120,542.50 over 12 years. 

Savings are attributed to the higher than typical number of bidders and lower interest rates currently on the market. 

“The county is still in a strong financial position,” said Bob Jessup, a partner with Sanford Holshouser, LLP the bond counsel for Orange County for over 10 years. Bond ratings include: S&P AA+, Moody Aa2, and Fitch AAA. 

Additional support was provided by BB&T Capital Markets who served as the County’s financial adviser in connection with the bond sale. 

“We have been working on the refinancing project for the last four months and are very happy with the final outcome,” said Clarence Grier, Orange County Financial Services Director. 

 # # #

Manager

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release Date: March 2, 2010

Contact: David Hunt, Information Specialist (919) 245-2126


Orange County Government Offices on Two Hour Delay Wednesday

ORANGE COUNTY - Based on the Winter Storm Warning and predicted overnight precipitation, Orange County Government offices will operate on a two hour delay the morning of Wednesday, March 3, 2010.  Offices that normally open at 8:00 a.m. are now scheduled to open at 10:00 a.m.

Updates on Orange County Government operating hours will be provided on the main Orange County switchboard number at (919) 732-8181. 

As always, emergency services are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. 

 # # #

Aging

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release Date: March 1, 2010

Contact: Latonya Brown, MHSA, Aging Resource and Benefits Specialist (919) 968-2082


Orange County Department on Aging partners with Triangle J Area Agency on Aging to Get Seniors Extra Help with Prescription Cost

ORANGE COUNTY, NC –Extra Help may be available to Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and assets to help pay for Medicare Prescription Drug plan premiums, deductibles, and co-pays.  

On Wednesday, March 10, 2010 the Orange County Department on Aging, Seniors Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), and the Triangle J Area Agency on Aging will assist eligible seniors in signing up for Extra Help on their Medicare prescription drug costs as part of the Relay for Extra Help. 

There will be two sign-up and information sessions on Wednesday, March 10, 2010.  The morning session will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Cedar Grove Community Center, Room #4, 5800 Highway 86 North, Hillsborough.  The afternoon session will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Wal-Mart, 501 Hampton Pointe Blvd, Hillsborough.

Those planning to attend should bring the following items to complete the application:

  • Social Security and Medicare cards,
  • any letters from Medicare or Social Security,
  • information on Individual Retirement Accounts,
  • bank account statements,
  • payroll slips,
  • income tax documents
  • investment statements.

Individuals may also apply on-line at www.ssa.gov or by calling NC SHIIP at 1(800) 443-9354.

For additional information, please contact:

Latonya Brown, MHSA, Aging Resource and Benefit Specialist, 919-968-2082

OR

Jane Armstrong, Triangle J, Area Agency on Aging, jarmstrong@tjcog.org 919-558-9341

 # # #

Commission for Women

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release Date:March 1, 2010

Contact: Jennifer Galassi (919) 245-2302


Recognizing and Preventing Human Trafficking

March is National Women’s History Month.  The Orange County Commission for Women (CFW) will celebrate Women’s History Month on Saturday, March 27, 2010 in the theater at the Seymour Senior Center, located at 2551 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

The CFW will commemorate Women’s History Month by focusing the County’s attention on the issue of human trafficking at this year’s event—“The Community’s Role in Recognizing and Preventing Human and Sex Trafficking.”  The short film “Dreams Die Hard” will be viewed in which four survivors of human trafficking in the United States tell their stories.  The film will be followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Donna Bickford, Director of the Carolina Women’s Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  The panelists will also engage the audience in conversation about the issue.  Bickford, who holds adjunct appointments in the Departments of English and Comparative Literature and Women’s Studies, is a core member of RIPPLE (Recognition - Identification - Protection - Prosecution - Liberation – Empowerment), The North Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force.  RIPPLE is a state-wide interdisciplinary group of professionals with expertise in fields pertaining to human trafficking.  Bickford pointed out that, “Human trafficking is a 32-billion dollar a year global criminal enterprise as well as a violation of someone’s civil and human rights.  We all need to be aware that human trafficking impacts our communities; this event will help educate our residents about the topic.” 

A light breakfast will be available at 9:30 a.m. and the program will begin at 10:00 a.m.  This event is free and open to the public.  For additional information or questions, please call 245.2302.

The Commission for Women is a volunteer advisory board to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners dedicated to assessment, advocacy and research toward the end of improving the quality of life for women in Orange County.  The mission of the Orange County Commission for Women is to empower women and girls, and promote their equality in all spheres of life through advocacy, education, and outreach activities.  One way in which we carry out that mission is by building coalitions with, and acting as allies for, disadvantaged groups.

 # # #