News briefs, 10-1-20
Census deadline extended
The self-response deadline for the 2020 Census has been extended to Oct. 31 by order of U.S. District Judge Koh in California. An appeal is expected, but as of now the new 2020 Census response deadline is Oct. 31.
To date, an estimated 6% of N.C. households — some 592,492 people — have not responded.
The most accurate census data comes from self-response. For more, go my2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020.
October mulch sales available at Chatham County Solid Waste & Recycling
PITTSBORO — Chatham County Solid Waste & Recycling will offer mulch sales on Saturdays and Wednesdays during October at the Solid Waste & Recycling Main Facility located at 28 County Services Road, Pittsboro.
Saturday mulch sales are from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31.
Wednesday mulch sales are from 7 a.m. to noon on Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28.
Solid Waste & Recycling staff will load the mulch, but residents must haul it. Mulch is $5 per scoop; each scoop is about one cubic yard. Staff will load large trailers and dump trucks only with a large scoop for $10 per scoop. Note: Saturday sales are cash or check only. Sales in October will continue as long as supplies last.
First Chatham Park Homes unveiled in Triangle Parade of Homes
PITTSBORO — On Saturday, October 3, the widely anticipated Chatham Park will host its first public event celebrating the opening of its first residential community, Vineyards.
Chatham Park will unveil five new homes during the event, all open for public tours. The event takes place from noon until 5 p.m. during the second weekend of the Triangle Parade of Homes. Featured in the parade are two cottages, designed and built by Fresh Paint by Garman Homes, and one custom home, which also serves as the Chatham Park Information Center, built by Prewitt Custom Homes. Visitors will be able to get a curb-side peek of other in-progress custom homes being built by Upright Builders, Upton & Co. and Walker DesignBuild.
“Vineyards is the first of many neighborhoods to be built over the next three decades in Chatham Park, each offering diverse housing options and attracting a broad community of residents,” says Julian “Bubba” Rawl, co-owner of Preston Development Company, which is spearheading the Chatham Park project.
In addition to viewing new homes in Vineyards, event-goers will be able to participate in a public art project, sponsored by Preston Development, visit the new Chatham Park Information Center, see the site of the new Thales Academy and experience Knight Family Community Park, the new 10-acre park to be donated by Chatham Park to the Town of Pittsboro. The park features a variety of play areas including a Play Garden for active and imaginative play, a large multi-use play field for Frisbee or a game of soccer, and much more.
“The creation of the first park in Chatham Park is an investment in the Town of Pittsboro that will benefit future generations for years to come” says Chuck Smith, the vice president of Planning for Preston Development. “Recreation and open space amenities that can be used for play and exercise provides a much needed community focal point.”
The event address is 235 Cottage Way in Pittsboro.
— CN+R staff reports
Edward Jones Ranks No. 1 among full-service investment firms
Financial services firm Edward Jones ranked No. 1 among investment firms for customer experience in The US Customer Experience Index for 2020. This is the fifth consecutive year the firm has received the highest spot on the CX Index among investment firms from Forrester Research, an independent research firm.
Forrester’s Customer Experience Index methodology measures how well a brand’s customer experience creates and sustains the loyalty of its customers.
In addition to the No. 1 ranking overall, Edward Jones finished highest in the categories of Customer Service and Clear Communications among investment firms. And the likelihood of recommending their investment firm was highest among Edward Jones clients.
“We strive to build deep personal relationships with every one of our clients,” said Ken Cella, Edward Jones principal for the Client Strategies Group. “It begins with understanding what is most important to our clients, then how, when and where they want to be served, which helps us deliver an ideal experience for each client.”
The ranking was based on responses from 15,765 US individuals measuring 21 brands in the investment firm industry. The proprietary survey results are based on consumers’ opinions of the experiences with the brands in the survey.
Chatham County financial advisors include Laura Clapp, Kathy Brommage, Lee Shanklin, Chad Virgil, Kevin Maley, Eric Williams, Paul Shockley, Sharon Dickens and Jessica Villagrana.
Chatham County Libraries enabling online holds
Beginning Oct. 1, library card holders will be able to place holds on up to eight items using the online catalog. Items are not being transferred between branches, so holds will be restricted to the assigned location of the item(s). This may require patrons to change their pickup location as part of the holds process.
Example: If an item is located at Wren Library in Siler City and your default pick-up location is Goldston, you will need to change the pick-up location to Wren in order to successfully place a hold. Otherwise you will receive a message stating “No copies available to fill this request.”
Once holds are processed, library staff will contact patrons to arrange for a pick-up date and time. Curbside pickup service is available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Patrons are still able to call the library for assistance in selecting materials.
If your library card is designated as “Internet Only User”, you will need to call your local branch to have this changed. “Internet Only User” patrons are not able to place holds.
— CN+R staff reports
Chatham County Public Health Department encourages community to utilize COVID-19 helpline
PITTSBORO — Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chatham County Public Health Department has been hosting and operating a helpline and email address designed to answer community questions about the coronavirus and provide helpful information.
“As the summer ends, the virus is still with us and likely will be for some time, so we remain committed to keeping the public informed about the coronavirus and how they can stay safe,” CCPHD communications specialist Zachary Horner said. “Through the helpline so far, we have given suggestions and guidance to various businesses and citizens — fulfilling our mission as a local health department.”
Those suggestions and guidance include: criteria for employees returning to work, guidance on obtaining and using personal protective equipment (PPE), location of COVID-19 testing sites and issues related to customers at businesses not wearing face coverings.
By either emailing coronavirus@chathamnc.org or calling 919-542-8220, residents can get their questions answered by a member of the Chatham County Public Health Department team. Both will be checked multiple times a day between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, excluding holidays, and an answer will be returned as soon as possible.
Spanish speakers seeking information can leave a message on either the email or the phone line in Spanish, and a Spanish speaker will reach out.
For more information on Chatham County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit chathamnc.org/coronavirus (in English) and chathamnc.org/coronavirusespanol (in Spanish). For more information on the Chatham County Public Health Department, visit chathamnc.org/publichealth and facebook.com/chathamhealth.
Free tuition for selected workforce training programs at CCCC
SANFORD — How would you like free tuition to pursue training in high-demand workforce training programs leading to a state or industry-recognized credential?
It’s possible at Central Carolina Community College thanks to the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Scholarship.
“We are very excited about the opportunities these scholarships afford our residents,” CCCC President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman said. “Our communities have some excellent employment possibilities and these scholarships aid in making CCCC career pathways that prepare our students for those jobs more accessible. We appreciate the Governor’s support.”
Available career pathways and certifications include BioWork, Cardiovascular Monitor Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, MIG Welding, NCCER Construction, Nurse Aide, Pharmacy Technician and Phlebotomy. Many of these options offer students the opportunity to earn credit for prior learning toward future degree pathways.
“At Central Carolina, we aim to provide the right pathways and support necessary to help you achieve your dreams,” said Dr. Brian S. Merritt, CCCC’s Vice President & Chief Academic Officer. “We are grateful to Gov. Roy Cooper and the State Board of Community Colleges for this special allocation that can fund the necessary costs and fees for these valuable training and certifications to help meet local workforce needs.”
For more information, call (919) 545-8663 or (919) 545-8051 or email to ConEdScholarships@cccc.edu.