Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 07:35:19 -0400
From: Fact Guy
Subject: Chatham Dems and Republicans agree on major issue
We have ample evidence that John Graybeal and Jeffrey Starkweather are in charge of leading the opposition against the conservative commissioners. Graybeal and Starkweather will continue to write letters (for others to sign) with misleading talking points in the hopes of confusing us.
Let’s look at the facts based on actions and meeting minutes.
This group says they want commissioners who will support our towns. The facts confirm that we already have that. Here are just a few of the ways the county has been supporting municipalities. Have any of these folks asked our town elected officials what they think of the commissioners?
*Pittsboro*:
In 2012 the town needed to replace waterlines under Hillsboro St. to improve the water system for the town. They could not afford to complete the project so they asked the county to help. According the the minutes of the May 2012 meeting here is the result of that request:
*”The Chatham County Board of Commissioners further agrees to provide financial **support for the Hillsboro Street Transmission Line Project by appropriating an additional **$223,432.50 as a direct contribution to the Hillsboro Street Transmission Line Project **budget”*
*Goldston*:
The town has begun construction on a wastewater line critical to the future of Goldston. The town cannot afford the project without assistance from the county. The mayor asked the county for help. According to the minutes of the meeting in 2012 when the request was made, here is the result:
*”The County agrees:*
*a) To pay to the Town an annual payment of $126,000.00 (the “Annual **Payments†) to be used by the Town as herein provided. Such payment shall be made after **written notice from the Town and not later than 30 days prior to the due date of the annual debt **service payment financing the Town’s Wastewater Collection System Project”*
*Siler City:*
In order to achieve the certification for the siler mega site, hundreds of thousands of dollars needed be invested in site readiness, including over $1 million in engineering studies. The Town could not afford that and the effort would have stalled without help from the county. The county agreed to sell unused property in the Siler City industrial park and use the proceeds to pay for the engineering work. Because of that, the site is now certified. Even the most conservative estimates say this will create 3000 – 5000 jobs and add over $1 billion in capital investment.
If Penley, Starkweather, Graybeal et. al really want what they say the want, they will vote to reelect commissioners Petty, Stewart, and Bock.