Three year old Ethan Watson looks over a batch of Easter Eggs Saturday at the county recreation department’s fifth annual hunt in Pittsboro. The hunt, held at the CCCC Campus in Pittsboro, drew plenty of participants and all went home with more than enough plastic eggs filled with candy and prizes. And young Ethan didn’t have to go far to fill up his basket.

Congressman Bob Etheridge on Monday presented the Goldston Fire Department with funds the department will use to buy a new truck.

Etheridge presented Goldston Fire Chief Todd Elixson with a check for $266,913.

The grant is made as part of the Fire Grant Program to provide direct assistance to local firefighters to improve effectiveness of firefighting, firefighter health and safety and to establish or expand fire prevention programs.

"This fire grant is good news not only for Chief Elixson and his firefighters but for the entire community," Etheridge said. "Putting this money in the hands of our first responders is the best way to keep our communities and families safe."

Etheridge is working on the House Budget Committee to support federal funding for firefighter grants. The committee rejected the President’s proposed $362 million cut to the initiative for the 2008 fiscal year, Etheridge said.

According to Etheridge, more than 18,000 North Carolina fire departments applied for the grant. Only 4,500 will be funded.

More residents moving into Chatham – which is inevitable and likely to happen in large numbers, planners say – means the county will require more infrastructure.

To help meet the demands that loom on the horizon, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners agreed on Monday to seek an additional allocation of drinking water from Jordan Lake.

Commissioners also plan to ask the state’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for wastewater capacity.

While commissioners say the need is certain, Chatham County’s likelihood of receiving a favorable answer to either request is uncertain.

Paul Black, a planner with Triangle J Council of Governments, met Monday with commissioners and shared updated growth projections for eastern Chatham County.

Those projections show the region will grow from the current population of 34,000 to approximately 117,131 by 2035.

more- See Thursday, April 5 paper: Vol 87, No.18

By Milburn Gibbs

It was the end of an era.

"We lost a wonderful gentleman and a great leader when former town commissioner Alexander Graves died last week," Siler City Mayor Charles Turner said.

"We served together on the town board from 1989 to 2003, when he retired.

"His first love was God, but he loved giving to the people of Siler City. I loved working with him. We got along beautifully."

In 1970, Murray Andrew was named Principal of Jordan-Matthews High School, and Alexander Graves was named Assistant Principal. It was one year after the North Carolina public schools were integrated.

"Mr. Graves was much respected," Andrew said by phone. "He was a special person, always agreeable and friendly. We worked well together and our children were friends."

Current town commissioner Larry Cheek credited Graves with being a huge influence on him.

"He touched my life in so many ways," Cheek said. I had him for a math teacher, a Boy Scout leader, and went to church with him at Corinth AME Zion in Siler City. He served as Secretary of the Board of Trustees, and was Sunday School Superintendent.

"He was a person who really encouraged everyone. He always encouraged all to strive for the best, and wanted us to pursue our educations."

Graves was known for saying, "Do your best in whatever you do. Education is my goal, but common sense goes a long way, too."

Cheek followed Graves on the town board. "I am greatly honored to serve in his seat on the board," Cheek said. "He is still in my life. He touched hundreds of young people with his caring."

Graves and fellow commissioner Guy Smith were very good friends.