Date: Thu, 3 May 2012 13:23:38 -0400
From: Debra Henzey
Subject: Chatham Utilities Says ‘Celebrate the Essential’ for Drinking Water Week

PITTSBORO, NC – Chatham County Utilities kicked off Drinking Water Week 2012 on May 7, 2012 with a call to “Celebrate the Essential” throughout Chatham County.

Throughout the week, Chatham County Utilities will celebrate by recognizing the essential role drinking water plays in our daily lives, with special attention to water infrastructure, the economy, and careers in the water profession.

“There is nothing more essential to a community’s health and vitality than reliable access to safe drinking water,” said David LaFrance, president of the American Water Works Association.  “Drinking Water Week provides an excellent moment to focus for a moment on the importance of caring for our water supplies and systems.”

To commemorate the occasion, Chatham County Utilities will distribute water-related goody bags to residents.  Starting May 7, residents can obtain a goody bag at the Chatham County Utilities Office located at 964 East Street, Pittsboro.  For more information, please call 919-542-8270.

For more than 35 years, the American Water Works Association and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week – a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives.

Debra J. Henzey
Director of Community Relations
Chatham County, NC

Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:12:02 -0400
From: Lynn Contant Fass
Subject: Chatham County’s future? on the Line

Chatham County,

Chatham County is facing an environmental crisis; Jordan Lake is impaired and
Fracking is likely to be forced on us and the main discussion on the
chatlist is snakes and recycling.  Oh we have those big time! Chatham County
also has a few commissioners that don’t seem to be able to think for
themselves.  Remember the game, “follow the leader”. Even if that leader is
taking Chatham County over a cliff.    Where is the research and hard facts
to backup their decisions of the draft Cary Land Use Map with Chatham County?
  Many areas of this recent map should be up for an intense review.  Wake
up every body, we are in trouble.    ****

All the area within one mile of the lake was one house per five acres.  But
then, all of a sudden, this became one house per once acre.  What happened
to the idea of protecting Jordan Lake, a drinking water supply?    I also
question why the commissioners created a high density donut hole at Mt.
Pisgah and New Hope Road.  This density is surrounded on three sides by
Markham Planation and Woods of Chatham, large lot subdivisions.  This makes
no sense!****

Mr. Bock says he wants to protect Jordan Lake, this is not going to happen with this map.  ****

Now Fracking:  Are you  aware or prepared for the pipelines that will
follow a fracking pad?  I have been a victim of these pipelines in the
past.  Yes, a natural gas line ran through my farm and Williams Natural gas
pipeline told me they would be in and out of there in a week – I wouldn’t
even know they had been there.  Seven months later, I still had with a 50
foot wide, 12 ft. deep, 1000 ft.+ mud trench through the middle of my horse
farm.  Pastures were non-existent, fencing was destroyed, and to add insult
to injury, Williams (Transco) trucked out my topsoil to sell and use on
another site.  This all happened within 25ft. from my well, my only water
supply to the horses and my home.  They went through a beautiful natural
spring fed stream, didn’t protect it. There was ground rumbling, that would
rattle my windows, the smell of natural gas at times, would fill the air,
just some of the things to expect from a natural gas pipeline companies. They
lied to me then and they will lie to you now. If your land is in the way of
the pipeline, too bad!!  They are coming through with a massive natural gas
pipeline, and it won’t benefit you or your neighbors in any way.  These
pipelines will go out to the highest bidder to run and control, and now
that is China.  Fracking should be banned in NC and all states.  It is
causing major health issues, I can’t eat natural gas, breathe it, nor drink
it, I need pure air and non-toxic water to live.  I know of no other way to
survive, as does the world.  When the earth is off balance, so are we!
 Stop Fracking Now.

Best regards,
Lynn

************************************************************
Reminder -

General discussion notes about fracking can posted to the fracking
discussion group at http://groups.google.com/group/fracking-in-nc?pli=1

I have forwarded this post there.

Chatlist moderator
**************************************************************

Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2012 14:31:43 -0400
From: Solid Waste and Recycling
Subject: Solid Waste & Recycling Division – Spring 2012 Update

APRIL IS EARTH MONTH IN CHATHAM!

Chatham Commissioners passed a resolution proclaiming April 2012 as Earth Month in Chatham County in support of county agencies and community groups hosting events related to Earth Day throughout the month.

Get all the details at www.chathamnc.org/EarthMonth

To read the rest of the Spring Update including details on free document shredding, holiday closures, great recycling prizes, and more, visit: http://chathamnc.org/index.aspx?recordid=3450&page=1403

Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:25:24 -0400
From: Gene Galin
Subject: Last Week’s Hottest Chatham Online Bulletin Board Topics

1. Resolved: Jeff Starkweather is the biggest boob in Chatham.  (Read 4455 times)  at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,24190.0.html

Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:45:47 -0500
From: Solid Waste and Recycling
Subject: Reminder – Recycle your trees for free until January 20th

FREE TREE-CYCLING
Yard debris, including trees, cannot be accepted at Chatham County Collection Centers. Residents needing to dispose of Christmas trees can recycle REAL trees for free at the Main Solid Waste & Recycling Facility at 720 County Landfill Road, on the following dates, from 7am to 3:30pm (please weigh in at the scalehouse):

January 12, 13
January 17, 18, 19, 20

After January 20th, regular yard debris rates will apply ($20/ton, $2 minimum). REMOVE ALL DECORATIONS, POTS, STANDS.

Please note this main facility is CLOSED on Monday, January 16th for Martin Luther King Day.

RECYCLE OLD STRINGS OF LIGHTS

Thanks to a “bright idea” by a county resident, old non-working strings of lights can be recycled at the Main Solid Waste & Recycling Facility at 720 County Landfill Road during the Tree-cycling dates listed above. Our electronics recycler will take these lights as long as they are separated from the rest of our electronics. Drop them in the designated container set up at our main office when you recycle your tree.

RECYCLE PAPER GIFT WRAP, CARDS, BOXES

As long as you remove strings, bows, ribbons, excess tape, foil or glitter, you can recycle your unusable paper gift wrap, empty flattened wrap rolls, empty flattened gift boxes, and gift cards in any MIXED PAPER bin at our collection centers (decal required) or behind the office at the main facility at 720 County Landfill Road (no decal required).

If you have corrugated cardboard boxes (remember, corrugated has that middle wavy layer), please remove all inside packaging, then flatten and recycle these boxes in the separate container for CARDBOARD.

VISIT US ONLINE:

www.chathamnc.org/recycle
www.twitter.com/WiseOnWaste
www.facebook.com/WiseOnWaste

Disclaimer: The purpose of our membership on this listserv is to provide Chatham County residents with timely information related to programs, events, services and news.  We value your comments and questions, but Chatham County may not be able to address all of them through this listserv. Please contact our office directly at 919-542-5516 or via email at recycle@chathamnc.org for information on specific issues related to the Solid Waste & Recycling Division.

In keeping with the NC Public Records Law, posts or emails sent by a county representative, or emails sent by the public to a county representative, including attachments, may be released to others upon request for inspection and copying.

Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:40:59 -0500
From: Solid Waste and Recycling
Subject: Solid Waste Decals for Chatham Collection Centers Arriving by Mail End of January

Landowners in the unincorporated areas of Chatham County who paid their 2011 county property taxes and annual solid waste fees by the Jan. 5, 2012 deadline should look for their new 2012 Solid Waste and Recycling decals in the mail near the end of January.

The mailing envelope features the new logo for the Chatham County’s Solid Waste and Recycling Division and also features the words “SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING 2012 DECALS” printed in green on the back.

Chatham County issues two decals annually for each qualified household. A decal is required to use the county’s 12 collection centers for disposal of trash and recyclables as well as the Swap Shops.

Landlords are responsible for distributing decals to their tenants. Landowners and tenants may purchase replacement or additional sets of decals for $10 each through the Solid Waste and Recycling Division’s main facility at 720 County Landfill Road just west of Pittsboro off of US 64 West. Identification and proof of residency will be required, such as a utility bill or driver’s license, and purchasers must certify that they are obtaining the decals for authorized purposes.

The 2011 decals expire on Feb. 29, 2012. As of March 1, 2012, the new 2012 decals are required to use the collection centers. If landowners have not received their 2012 decals by mid-February, they should contact the Solid Waste & Recycling office at 919-542-5516 to verify their address.

The Solid Waste and Recycling Division does not receive any general tax dollars and instead relies on annual fees and other sources of revenue to fund its programs and services, including operating the 12 collection centers.

The county tax bill features two related solid waste fees:

 *   The $34 Disposal Fee is charged to landowners with dwellings in the unincorporated areas of the county, who rely on the Collection Centers as their primary legal means to dispose of household waste. Those living within town limits are not charged.
 *   The $91 Solid Waste Fee is charged to all landowners with dwellings in unincorporated areas of the county, but also is charged to town residents who want access to services at the Collection Centers.

These fees cover part of the disposal and operating costs of the centers as well as other programs operated by the Solid Waste & Recycling Division, such as the Household Hazardous Waste Disposal program.

In effect since 2006, the decal program provides residents and the county an efficient way to identify collection center users as residents who have paid their solid waste fees. Residents have the option of displaying the decal in the vehicle’s windshield or carrying it with them to show the attendant on duty at the centers.

If residents do not have a decal when they arrive at a center, the attendant on duty can call the Solid Waste and Recycling Division during regular office hours to verify that the user’s solid waste fees have been paid and provide a one-time pass. After hours and on weekends, visitors without a decal will not be able to use the collection centers.

Businesses and out-of-county residents are not allowed to use the collection centers because the centers are designed for and funded by Chatham County homeowners. Landlords are not permitted to bring waste generated by work performed on their rental properties because this is considered business waste, which should be handled by privately-owned transfer stations in Siler City, Sanford, and Durham that accept waste for a fee. Nearby counties also have special construction and demolition landfills and recycling facilities..

Chatham County offers an array of free recycling options that do not require a decal at its main facility at 720 County Landfill Road for county residents and businesses. For a complete listing of programs and services, as well as alternative disposal options, visit www.chathamnc.org/recycle<http://www.chathamnc.org/recycle>, or contact the division by phone at 919-542-5516 or by email at recycle@chathamnc.org<mailto:recycle@chathamnc.org>.

Disclaimer: The purpose of our membership on this listserv is to
provide Chatham County residents with timely information related to
programs, events, services and news.  We value your comments and
questions, but Chatham County may not be able to address all of them
through this listserv. Please contact our office directly at
919-542-5516 or via email at recycle@chathamnc.org for information on
specific issues related to the Solid Waste & Recycling Division.

In keeping with the NC Public Records Law, posts or emails sent by a
county representative, or emails sent by the public to a county
representative, including attachments, may be released to others upon
request for inspection and copying.

Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:57:17 -0500
From: Tami Schwerin
Subject: Abundance Foundation volunteer opportunities

Connie,
Thanks for asking about volunteer opportunities!  Chatham County is blessed with amazing non-profits.

We focus on education around sustainability, particularly local food, local economy and renewable energy.  We have a DIY Sustainability Workshop Series in which we need (1) volunteer to assist the Instructors per workshop.

We have a group that is kicking of the 2nd Chatham County Schools Chef Challenge in the 17 schools/8000 kids and will need help getting the word out and with some of the logistics.

April 21st, we are having a 5K Earth Day race and Earth Day celebration at Briar Chapel and will need some help.

We have an upcoming Sustainability Summer Camp last week of June and could use help with camp counselors and possibly some short workshop instructors during that week.

In October we need a TON of people to help put on the Amazing Pittsboro Pepper Festival.  **a hugely fun and wonderful event focusing on local food and sustainable agriculture with our wonderful Chefs of the Triangle.

If you are interested in any of these, please email us!
in abundance,

–
Tami Schwerin
tami.schwerin@gmail.com
919-444-9300
http://www.theabundancefoundation.org
Building our local foodshed, modeling renewable energy and inspiring community.

Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:48:39 -0500
From: chathammatters
Subject: Response to Angela Blueskies and Lynn Fass

Response to Lynn Fass and Angela Blueskies:

- unfortunately you seem determined to promote fear-mongering instead of fact, Gasland for example is anything but fact.

State of Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
“Because an informed public debate on hydraulic fracturing depends on accurate information, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) would like to correct errors in the film’s portrayal of the Colorado incidents.”

“Gasland incorrectly attributes cases of water well contamination in Colorado to oil and gas development when our investigations determined that the wells in question contained biogenic methane that is not attributable to such development.”

   • Source: State of Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission, Correcting Gasland

John Hanger, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Gasland is “fundamentally dishonest” and “a deliberately false presentation for dramatic effect.”

   • Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, ”Gasland’ documentary fuels debate over natural gas extraction,” June 23, 2010

Ground Water Protection Council
Gasland “stated that the Ground Water Protection Council refused an interview with…[Josh Fox] regarding the practice known as ‘hydraulic fracturing’. This statement by the filmmakers was inaccurate. To our knowledge, no one representing the production company approached us for comment on this subject…Had Mr. Fox or his representatives contacted us, we would have been receptive to discussing this issue as we have on numerous occasions when contacted by media outlets.”

   • Source: Groundwater Protection Council Statement on Gasland.

***************************************************
Ok folks -

We are trending back to a generic discussion about fracking again.

I am forwarding this notice to the fracking discussion group at fracking-in-nc@googlegroups.com

This group is growing. If you interested in continuing to discuss fracking simply join the group and send your emails there.

Thanks so much.

Gene
Chatlist Moderator
******************************************************

Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:32:24 -0500
From: Solid Waste and Recycling
Subject: Final Household Hazardous Waste Event – Sat. Nov. 19th

Chatham residents can bring toxic, ignitable, corrosive, and reactive items, as well as leftover paint, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and electronics from around their homes, for this final drop-off event on Saturday, November 19th. No other items are accepted at the facility during this event because the scales & office are closed.
 
Event:                   Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off
Date:                     Saturday, November 19, 2011
Time:                     9am to 3pm
Location:              720 County Landfill Road, (approx. 6 miles west of Pittsboro, off US64)
 
This is the FINAL EVENT of the season. The facility will close for December, January, and February, and will re-open on the 3rd Saturday in March 2012.. Visit www.chathamnc.org/hhw or call 542-5516 for details on what to bring and how to prepare your items.
 
Disclaimer: The purpose of our membership on this listserv is to provide Chatham County residents with timely information related to programs, events, services and news.  We value your comments and questions, but Chatham County may not be able to address all of them through this listserv. Please contact our office directly at 919-542-5516 or via email at recycle@chathamnc.org for information on specific issues.
 
In keeping with the NC Public Records Law, posts or emails sent by a county representative, or emails sent by the public to a county representative, including attachments, may be released to others upon request for inspection and copying.

Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2011 18:10:59 -0500
From: Solid Waste and Recycling
Subject: America Recycles Day Promotion – Nov. 10th-15th

America Recycles Day is November 15th. To celebrate, Chatham County residents with a current solid waste decal can fill in a recycling pledge form at any of our 12 Collection Centers between November 10 and November 15, 2011. For pledging to recycle more, you’ll receive a fun promotional giveaway (while supplies last). Your pledge

form will be entered to win an 18-gallon green recycling bin and an America Recycles Day T-Shirt. The charcoal grey t-shirt is made of 50% recycled PET plastic and 50% transitional organic cotton. One pledge form is allowed per household. One winning pledge form will be drawn from each center the following week. Ask the attendant on

duty for your pledge form. Contact our office with any questions at 542-5516.
 
Recycling reduces our disposal costs and returns valuable materials back to the economy to be used again. To learn more about what can be recycled at Chatham County’s Collection Centers, visit www.chathamnc.org/recycle. Happy America Recycles Day!
 
Disclaimer: The purpose of our membership on this listserv is to provide Chatham County residents with timely information related to programs, events, services and news.  We value your comments and questions, but Chatham County may not be able to address all of them through this listserv. Please contact our office directly at

919-542-5516 or via email at recycle@chathamnc.org for information on specific issues.
 
In keeping with the NC Public Records Law, posts or emails sent by a county representative, or emails sent by the public to a county representative, including attachments, may be released to others upon request for inspection and copying..