Vote yes on Connect NC bond

The Orange County Commission for the Environment (CFE) encourages Orange County voters to vote in favor of the Connect NC bond referendum on the March 15 ballot.

The bond would provide $75 million (out of a total $2 billion package) to build and improve facilities at state parks, which would help fund work on visitor centers, hiking trails, and campgrounds.

Among the parks and trails that would receive significant funding are Eno River State Park and the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail, both partly located in our county.

The bond funding will enable the county to invest in improving and expanding trails at Eno River State Park and help acquire properties or easements necessary to complete the NC Mountains-to-Sea trail within the county. In addition, the bond includes funding for Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. By funding improvements to these treasured state parks and trails, all county residents will have an opportunity to benefit from the Connect NC Bond for years to come.

​The bond also provides over $300 million in loans and grants for water and sewer infrastructure statewide. Orange County will be well-positioned to apply for these funds to repair, rebuild, update, and strengthen the county’s water and sewer systems. These improvements could help prevent the loss of treated drinking water through leaking water supply pipes, an important consideration especially in periods of drought. Additionally, these funds can be used to address sanitary sewer infrastructure that is dated or in disrepair, thereby reducing chronic leakage from pipes, as well as sewage overflow events during heavy rain storms.

​For all these reasons, the CFE strongly encourages voters to support the Connect NC bond referendum on March 15.

Marcoplos a rare candidate

I’m delighted this year to have the opportunity to vote for Mark Marcoplos for county commissioner.

It’s rare to find in one candidate the combination of visionary thinking and practical problem solving, fresh ideas and extensive public service within our county, a true progressive voice who is actually more committed to listening to folks than to talking.

I can’t think of anyone I'd rather see in a position of leadership in Orange County.