update union county March 16, 2010 INSIDE: Students Helping to Plan UCTV 16 Programming...1 This is Your Court Returns to UCTV 16...1 Logo Designers Recognized by Commissioners...2 Volunteers Needed at Earth Day Events...2 5K Race to be Held at Earth Day 2010...2 Meeting & Event Announcements...2 Vacancies on Boards and Committees...3 Poor Man s Supper & Bake Sale...3 Union County Dog Walk...4 Earth Day 5K...5 Students Helping to Plan UCTV 16 Programming A Masters of Public Administration class from UNC Charlotte is helping to develop programming for the Union County Government Channel, UCTV 16, for the next year. Each year professors in UNCC s MPA program select a project submitted by an area local government that deals with a problem or issue facing that jurisdiction. Union County s project proposal was selected by the class this semester. In December of last year, the County submitted a project to be considered by the Public Management Problem Solving class, said Union County Public Information Officer Brett Vines. We were fortunate to have the class select our project proposal to develop a programming strategy and annual programming plan for UCTV 16. According to the class project plan, the students goal is to develop a programming strategy and annual programming plan that will disseminate important information to Union County s citizens in the most efficient and effective way possible. The objectives of the class are to provide recommendations on programming policies and processes; recommend regular and seasonallyappropriate programming; identify typical resource requirements for the operation of government television; and develop strategies for assessing and increasing viewership. The class is currently soliciting input on UCTV 16 from citizens, department managers and elected officials. The class is conducting telephone and on-site surveys of Union County residents to see if they watch UCTV 16, and, if they do, what programs they watch and what programs they would like to see on the channel. The survey is also available on the Union County Web site at www.co.union.nc.us. I encourage everyone to go to our Web site and fill out the short four question survey, Vines said. It will help the class as they develop their plan. Upon completion of the project, the class will present their report to department representatives, elected officials and key stakeholders. This is Your Court Returns to UCTV 16 The Union Update is an electronic newsletter distributed by Union County s Public Information Department. For more information on any of the articles or announcements, visit the Union County Web site at www.co.union.nc.us or contact Brett Vines at 704-283-3546 or brettvines@co.union.nc.us. A new episode of This is Your Court is now airing daily on the Union County Government Channel, UCTV 16, at 8:15 a.m., 4:15 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. This is Your Court, hosted by District Court Judge Chris Bragg, features oneon-one interviews with Judge Bragg and a person working within the local judicial system. The show is designed to educate the public on different aspects of the Union County and North Carolina judicial systems. The guest appearing on the new episode of This is Your Court is Dottie Thomas, senior coordinator of Pretrial Services for the Union County Sheriff s Office. To view the entire UCTV 16 program schedule, visit www.co.union.nc.us.
Logo Designers Recognized by Commissioners The Union County Board of Commissioners on Monday recognized the finalists in the Earth Day 2010 logo design contest. Meeting & Event Announcements The contest, which was open to middle school, high school and South Piedmont Community College students, attracted more than 150 entries. After reviewing each logo, judges chose a design by Stephen Lopez of SPCC as the winning logo. A logo designed by Kendra Kummerer of Marvin Ridge High School was selected as first runner-up. Corey Nance of Porter Ridge High School was second runner-up, Sarah Plascyk of Marvin Ridge High School was third runner-up, and fourth runners-up were Joyce Rodriquez, Miles Laney and Emily Davis from Parkwood High School. The logo Lopez designed will be used on all promotional material including t-shirts made from recycled material. Earth Day 2010 is a family event designed to promote healthy living by Union County and the City of Monroe are co-sponsoring Earth Day 2010 on Saturday, April 17 in downtown Monroe. A full-day of activities is planned and volunteers are needed to help make Earth Day 2010 a successful event. Volunteers will assist with event and 5K race set-up, race registration, vehicle gas cap check, directing traffic for the recycling area, unloading in the recycling area, activities and crafts, recycling and information booth, race Earth Day logo designed by Stephen Lopez providing a fitness opportunity, while encouraging attendance and participation at the Earth Day celebration. Earth Day activities begin at 10 a.m. and end at 2 p.m. The event will offer the opportunity to recycle items such as paper, electronics, household hazardous waste, tires, batteries, white goods (appliances), and used motor oil and oil filters. Other activities will include demonstration booths, giveaways, arts and crafts, tree poem readings and much more. Volunteers Needed at Earth Day Event finish line helpers, water stations, event and race tear down, and event cleanup. Individuals can volunteer for as little as 30 minutes or for the entire day. Anyone volunteering before March 22 will receive a complimentary event t- shirt. For more information or to sign-up to volunteer, call Tamara Dwyer at 704-254-6497 or email at tdwyer@unionhabitat.org. 5K Race to be Held at Earth Day 2010 Union County and the City of Monroe will host a 5K to benefit Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, April 17 in downtown Monroe. The race is part of Earth Day 2010. Registration on the day of the race begins at 7 a.m., but pre-registration is encouraged. Participants can register online at www.sportoften.com for the 5K race March 16 Fire Study Public Hearing - Emergency Services Education & Consulting Group is seeking input from the general public on the Fire Study that is being conducted for Union County. This meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Board of Commissioners Meeting Room of the Union County Government Center. March 18 The Union County Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting on Thursday, March 18 at 9 a.m. in the Personnel Training Room of the Union County Government Center. The purpose of the work session is to discuss and consider site selections for utility improvements, including, but not limited to, a water tower in western Union County; consider appointments to the Community Trustee Council at CMC- Union; and discuss Task Order #50 with HDR Engineering in connection with the eastern Union County Water Supply Project and consider authorizing County Manager to approve task order, subject to legal review. The Union County Transportation Advisory Board will hold a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Personnel Training Room on the first floor of the Union County Government Center at 500 N. Main Street in Monroe. March 22 and Children s Fun Run. The preregistration cost for the 5K is $20 for The Union County Board of runners and $15 for walkers. On the Commissioners will hold a special day of the race, the cost is $25 for meeting with the Stallings Town runners and $20 for walkers. All race Council at 6 p.m. at the Stallings Town entrants receive an Earth Day t-shirt Hall located at 315 Stallings Road. made from recyclable material. The 5K begins at 8 a.m. and Children s Fun Run starts at 9:30 a.m. Continued on next page
The certified 5K course is flat and winds its way in and out of downtown Monroe, with the finish line adjacent to all the family friendly Earth Day activities. Proceeds from the event will provide financial resources to assist Habitat for Humanity in environmentally friendly building practices. Vacancies on Boards and Committees The Union County Board of Commissioners is requesting that persons who are interested in serving on the following boards and/or committees complete a personal profile sheet. 1. Adult Care Home Advisory Committee (4 vacancies) 2. Nursing Home Advisory Committee (3 Vacancies) 3. Union County Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Authority (2 vacancies for unexpired terms and 3 vacancies for terms expiring May 2010) 4. Juvenile Crime Prevention Council: A. Substance Abuse Professional 5. Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (1 vacancy for a member with a physical disability) 6. Union County Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee (2 vacancies for unexpired terms) Profile sheets may be obtained by calling Lynn West at 704-283-3810 or from the County s Web site at www.co.union.nc.us. Please submit completed profile sheets by Tuesday, April 13, 2010, to the Office of the Clerk to the Board of Commissioners, 500 N. Main Street, Room 922, Monroe, NC 28112, or by fax 704-282-0121 or by email to west@co.union.nc.us.