|
|
|
|
|
|
| Meetings
October
4
The Union County Board
of Commissioners will meet at 7 p.m. in the first floor
Board Room in the Union County Government Center at 500 N.
Main Street in Monroe.
October 5
The Union County Planning Board
will meet at 7 p.m. in the first floor Board
Room in the Union County Government Center at 500 N. Main
Street in
Monroe. |
|
Public Service
Announcement
Attention North Carolina voters. When you vote on November 2, you can select a Court of Appeals Judge by method of voting called Instant Runoff Voting. After selecting your first choice, you can rank your second and third choice candidates. For more information, contact the State Board of Elections at 886-522-4723 or visit www.sboe.state.nc.us . This message is a public service announcement from the North Carolina State Board of Elections. |
|
|
Important information about
the Nov. 2 General Election
A General Election will be
held on Nov. 2 in Union County for voting on federal,
state, county, judicial, board of education and soil and
water conservation supervisor. There will also be
a state-wide referendum to amend the Constitution of
North Carolina to provide that no person convicted of a
felony is eligible to be elected Sheriff (For or
Against) and a county-wide referendum to increase the
membership of the Union County Board of Commissioners
from five to seven (Yes or No). Polls will be open from
6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.
All residents of Union County
who are registered to vote with the Union County Board
of Elections may vote in this election. Voters
who are previously registered need not re-register for
this election. Those residents who are not
registered to vote must register on or before Oct. 8 in
order to be eligible to vote on Election Day. Any
voter who has moved since the last election must notify
the Board of Elections in writing by Oct. 8. Persons who
will be 18 by the General Election may register and vote
in this election. Forms are available at
the Board of Elections Office at 316 B East Windsor
Street in Monroe , all Union County Public Libraries,
town halls, and a form is available on the Union County
Board of Elections website at www.co.union.nc.us Forms should be
mailed to Union County Board of Elections at P.O. Box
1106, Monroe, NC 28112 .
Absentee ballots are allowed.
Requests for an absentee ballot must be made in
writing and received in the Union County Board of
Elections office by 5 p.m. on Oct. 26. Absentee
mail-in voting began on Sept. 3 and ends at 5 p.m. on
Nov. 1. The Board of Elections will meet on Oct.
12, 19, 26, and Nov. 1 and other times as may be
necessary, for the purpose of approving absentee ballot
applications. The board will also meet on Friday,
Nov. 5 at 5 p.m. to approve any absentee mail in ballots
that were postmarked by Nov.2, but received not later
than three days after the election by 5 p.m.
One-stop voting hours are
Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturdays
from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Griffin Room of the Monroe
Library located at 316 East Windsor Street .
There
will be four satellite locations for voters'
convenience:
- Stallings VFD located at
4616 Old Monroe Rd. in Indian Trail
- Hemby Bridge VFD located at
6628 Mill Grove Rd in Hemby Bridge
- Wesley Chapel VFD located
at 8821 New Town Rd in Marvin
- Wingate Community Center
located at 315 W. Elm St. in
Wingate.
One-stop satellite voting
locations will be open Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. - 6
p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Voting at all
one-stop locations begins on Thursday, Oct. 14 and ends
on Saturday, Oct. 30.
Persons wishing to register
and vote after the Oct. 8 registration deadline may
appear in person at a one-stop voting site, complete the
voter registration application form and provide proof of
residence by presenting valid documents showing current
name and address.
Canvass Day will be held at
11 a.m. in the Union County Board of Elections Office on
Friday, Nov. 12.
Per
General Statute 163-166.4. (a), (Buffer Zone concerning
election day electioneering), county board of elections,
shall, where practical, set the limit at 50 feet from
the door of entrance to the voting place, measured when
that door is closed, but in no event shall it set the
limit at more than 50 feet or at less than 25 feet.
(Buffer Zone)
For
additional information contact the Union County Board of
Elections at 704-283-3809.
| |
|
More than 80 youth
from throughout North Carolina attneded the Youth
Summit.
 |
4-Hers
attend NCACC Conference
Jordan Purser of Monroe
represented Union County 4-H in August at the inaugural
North Carolina Association of County Commissioners
(NCACC) Youth Summit, YouthVoice 2010, in Greenville ,
N.C. The Summit was held in conjunction with the NCACC's
annual meeting.
More than 80 youth and adults
from 74 counties attended the Summit . Participants had
an opportunity to interact with county commissioners,
attend the annual Horn of Plenty event sponsored by N.C.
Cooperative Extension, and take part in workshop
sessions.
In addition, the youth
attendees debated and decided on the top 10 issues
facing youth. These issues stemmed from ones that
4-Hers and youth in every county identified and
compiled. The youth then met in groups to
prioritize the top 10 issues in their Cooperative
Extension district. The state 4-H Council officer
team shared the top 10 issues with the county
commissioners.
YouthVoice 2010 was developed
because of NCACC's 2010 President Mary Accor's
commitment to youth and to developing youth leaders.
North Carolina 4-H Youth Development and North
Carolina Cooperative Extension were the lead partners
and led the efforts to plan the conference and organize
YouthVoice
2010.
North Carolina 4-H has more
than 240,926 youth enrolled in the program as well as
21,200 youth and adult
volunteers. |
Horse Hoofers
provide food to Deb Stein of Operation
Reachout.
 | Hoof Helpers
assist the hungry
The Hoof Helpers 4-H Club did not
waste anytime getting involved in the North Carolina 4-H
Youth Development new initiative, Hungry to Help.
This initiative is a partnership between NC 4-H and
the Food Banks of North Carolina, all of which
are affiliates of Feeding America, our nation's largest
hunger-relief organization.
The Hoof Helpers
definitely set the example for others to follow. They planted potatoes,
worked hard to care for their crop and harvested the
potatoes. Yet, they did not stop here. They donated 160
pounds of potatoes to one of the Second Harvest Food
Bank's distribution centers, Operation Reachout of
Monroe.
Operation Reachout's
Director, Deb Stein, says their programs feed more than
4,000 people a month in Union County . Operation
Reachout has an in-house lunch, a dry good's pantry, and
a gleaning program. In order to assist Operation
Reachout, the Hoof Helpers 4-H Club also collected and
donated 100 pounds of non-perishable goods to help feed
the hungry.
|
North Carolina
observes Falls Prevention
Awareness Week September 20 - 26
Gov. Bev Perdue has declared
the first week of fall, Sept. 20-26, as
Falls Prevention Awareness
Week . North Carolina joins 35
other states and the Falls Free™ Coalition in the effort
to raise awareness of fall injuries and the serious
problems they present for seniors.
Over the course of a year, more
than 40,000 emergency room visits across the state are
the result of fall injuries suffered by seniors,
according to the N.C. Division of Public Health's Injury
and Violence Prevention Branch. That's over 110 visits
each day. In 2008, 627 North Carolina seniors lost their lives due
to a fall. In addition to the high toll on people's
health and well being, fall injuries are also very
expensive. In 2007, hospital charges alone added up to
more than $425 million statewide.
"Fall injuries not only
reduce mobility for seniors, but they often lead to a
loss of independence and earlier admission to nursing
homes," State Health Director Jeff Engel said.
"With a growing senior population, it is critical for us
to educate individuals and caregivers about ways to
prevent
falls."
Studies show that a
combination of interventions can significantly reduce
falls in the older adult population. Experts recommend a
physical activity regimen with balance, strength
training, and flexibility components; consulting with a
health professional about getting a fall risk
assessment; having medications reviewed periodically;
getting eyes checked annually; and making sure the home
environment is safe and supportive.
At senior centers across
North Carolina, programs like A Matter of Balance and
tai chi classes help older adults gain the strength,
improved balance, and confidence to help them live
healthier lives and preserve their
independence.
"We need to raise awareness
of prevention programs and opportunities available to
seniors to encourage them to take part in those
activities," Dennis Streets, director of the North
Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services, said.
"Many senior centers and community programs across the
state offer opportunities for seniors to become more
physically active. "
"Participating in some kind
of exercise, like tai chi, which improves balance, can
help seniors stay strong and help prevent a fall,"
Streets said. "However, the general idea is to get
moving, and if other activities like dancing or walking
better suit someone's ability, we encourage them to
start there."
North Carolina
is part of the Falls Free™
Coalition, which includes 35 states and 70 national
organizations, professional associations and federal
agencies across the country dedicated to reducing
fall-related injury and death among older adults.
Events for Falls Prevention Awareness Week are happening in many communities across the state. Contact your local senior center or Area Agency on Aging (AAAs) for more information. For a list of senior centers, visit
www.ncdhhs.gov/aging/scenters/scenters.htm
. Contact information for AAAs may be found at
www.ncdhhs.gov/aging/aaa.htm
.
Consumers can easily find locations for evidence-based health promotion programs like A Matter of Balance and Tai Chi on the NC Roadmap for Healthy Aging:
http://ncroadmap.org
.
| | |
| Highway Patrol to enforce child
passenger safety laws
September
20-26, is National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week in
North Carolina . During the week, members of the Highway
Patrol will be actively enforcing all child passenger safety
laws across the state. According to the National Highway
Transportation Safety Administration, an estimated 8,959 lives
were saved by child restraints from 1975 to
2008.
"The Patrol is committed to
educating and assisting the public with child passenger safety
seats," said Lt. Colonel Michael W. Gilchrist, deputy
commander of the Highway Patrol. "The safest way
to transport children is in an approved, weight appropriate
child restraint seat."
It is a violation of North
Carolina law to place a rear-facing child passenger safety
seat in front of an active airbag. Children are five times
safer riding rear-facing than forward-facing into the second
year of life. Children under the age of eight and less than 80 pounds
must be properly secured in a weight-appropriate child
restraint system. All children under age five and less than 40 pounds
must be in a child safety seat. Children under age 16
are required to wear a seat belt in both the front and back
seats. All drivers as well as front and back seat
passengers are also required to buckle up. Penalties include
two driver's license points and fines up to
$161.
Statistics show motor vehicle
accidents are the number one cause of death and injury to
children in the United States .
However, when child safety seats are used correctly,
they reduce infant fatalities by 71 percent and toddlers
fatalities by 54
percent.
"Using child safety seats and seat
belts are not only the law, it's also common sense," said
Reuben Young, Secretary of the Department of Crime Control and
Public Safety. "As a parent myself, I want to make sure
every citizen knows how to properly use a child safety
seat."
For
more information on child and passenger restraint laws, please
go to www.ncbuckleup.org .
|
| Events
2010 Taste of Union
Saturday, September 25 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
First
Presbyterian Church in Monroe
Supports Operation
Reachout
For more information, call 704-290-6255
Rabies
Clinic
Saturday, September 25 from 12:30
p.m. - 2 p.m.
Union County Animal Shelter
3344 Presson
Road in Monroe
For more information, call
704-283-8303
Operation Medicine
Drop
Saturday, September 25 from
noon - 4 p.m.
Get rid of old, unused or out-of-date prescription or
over-the-counter medications
Wal-marts in Monroe and Indian Trail
Waxhaw Police Department
Food Lion in Wingate
New Town Market Shopping Center in Waxhaw
Stallings Municipal Park
For more information, call 704-283-3765 or
704-821-0306
Monroe
Art Walk
Friday, October 1 from 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Saturday,
October 2 from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. For more information,
contact jrantschler@juno.com
Wesley Chapel Fall Heritage
Festival
Saturday, October 2
from 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
In front of Hickory
Tavern and Brooklyn Pizza in Wesley Chapel
Parade, games,
food, entertainment, pet contest and much more
Sheriff's Office
Golf Tournament
Monday, October 11 at 8:30 a.m. (shotgun
start)
Stonebridge Golf Club
Supports Sheriff's Youth Programs
For more information, call Jim Kennedy at
704-226-3844
Indian Trail Family
Fun Day
Saturday, October 16 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Downtown Indian Trail
Free rides, entertainment, activities, give-a-ways,
etc.
Contests - pie baking, best dill pickle and pumpkin
decorating
Hendrick Hurricane
Golf Classic
Supports Union County Chapter of American Red Cross
Thursday, October 28
Registration and lunch at 11 a.m.
Play begins at noon
Stonebridge Golf Club
$95 per player
Sponsorships are available
|
| Vacancies on
Union County boards and committees
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 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 Community Advisory Committee (at least 4 vacancies)
2. Agricultural Advisory Board (1 vacancy as of June
2010)
3. Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (1 vacancy for each
of the following: a substance abuse professional; a member of
the business community; a member representing United Way or
other non-profit; a commissioner appointee, and 2 vacancies
for persons under the age of 18)
4. Nursing Home Advisory Committee (at least 3
vacancies. Members cannot have a financial connection with or
have an immediate family member in a nursing home)
5. Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (1 vacancy for
a member with a physical disability)
6. Planning Board (4 vacancies as follows: 1 unexpired
term for regular member ending 4/20/2011; 2 unexpired terms
for regular members ending 4/20/2012; and 1 unexpired term for
regular member ending 4/20/2013)
Profile sheets may be obtained by calling Lynn West at
704-283-3810 or from the County's website at www.co.union.nc.us. Please submit completed profile sheets by Tuesday, September
28, 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
westco.union.nc.us.
Note: Information provided in the profile sheet shall be
considered a matter of public record and may, therefore, be
subject to disclosure upon request pursuant to North
Carolina's Public Records Law, N.C.G.S., Section 132-1, et
seq. | |
| |
