Briar Chapel undergoes first of two public hearings

By Randall Rigsbee

While the proposed Briar Chapel has detractors, a four-hour public hearing last Thursday underscored that the controversial plan for what would be the county’s largest mixed-use development also has proponents.

A crowd of 391 people attended the hearing at Northwood High School on Oct. 7 and many of them demonstrated support for Briar Chapel not only in their comments but also in wearing green “Yes BC” stickers.

Much of the hearing was a presentation by developer Newland Communities; but following an introductory presentation by Newland’s attorney, Gray Styers, and comments from peer reviewers hired by Chatham County to review the developers impact assessments, the hearing got underway.

Because of the huge public interest in Briar Chapel and the large volume of speakers wishing to comment, county officials tightly structured the public hearing’s format.

The hearing ran from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. and will be continued Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Northwood High School auditorium.

Last week’s hearing was also restricted to comments on a proposed text amendment to the Compact Community Ordinance, which would allow Newland to extend Briar Chapel’s boundary by an additional 30 acres and cross US 15-501, and to the proposed development’s fiscal impacts.

When the hearing resumes next week, the topics are environmental impact, traffic impact and general comments are expected to be addressed.

more- See Thursday, October 14 paper: Vol 84, No.46

Schools review safety plans

From Staff Reports

In response to recent national concerns about terrorism and the safety of American schools, Chatham County school administrators are reviewing safety plans and procedures the school district has in place to ensure the safety of its students and employees.

 The fifteen schools across the district routinely conduct safety-related drills. 

“We always want to reassure our students, families, staff, and the community that we are vigilant in our attention to school safety measures,” said superintendent Larry Mabe. “At the same time we need the continual assistance of all of these groups in helping our plans to work. Our schools are so much a part of their individual communities.  Knowing we have citizens who are watchful of our campuses with us is invaluable.”

Darlene Cooley, Safe and Drug Free Schools coordinator, reviewed a letter that Deputy Secretary of Education Eugene Hickok sent to school leaders nationwide on October 6.

The letter contains suggestions of security measures for schools based on the advice of the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 Cooley noted that the Chatham County school system has almost every suggestion on the list already in place in its comprehensive crisis plan.

 She credited the work the school system has done for several years with Chatham County Emergency Services in creating strong district wide and individual school safety plans.

more- See Thursday, October 14 paper: Vol 84, No.46

By Cara Rotondaro

The changing of the seasons, from winter to spring to summer to fall, is often pleasant.

However, the onslaught of flu season, which coincides with the arrival of colder weather, isn’t welcome.

Nevertheless, influenza is something the country deals with each year, and this year there is the added complication of a flu vaccination shortage. 

That is why hundreds of people lined up outside county health clinics this week to make sure they got the shot.

This year, many will be asked to go without.  

The Chatham County Health Department, like departments all over the country, is requesting that only individuals who fall into certain high-risk groups receive the shot due to the lack of vaccine.

Based on Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations, the department recommends that only the following groups receive the flu vaccination:

-All children aged 6-23 months

-Adults 65 and older

-Persons aged 2-64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions

more- See Thursday, October 14 paper: Vol 84, No.46