VOLUME 147 ISSUE 8 | THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2024
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
C HATHAM NEWS & R ECORD THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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BRIEF this week
Pittsboro farmer wins NC AgVentures grant Meredith Leight of Pittsboro was one of 56 North Carolina growers awarded a grant towards innovative projects aimed at diversifying farm operations. Granite Springs Farm includes a diversified farm garden with over 50 different fruits and vegetables, plus microgreens, mushrooms, ginger and turmeric. Meredith has been experimenting with subtropical fruits and will use the grant to renovate a greenhouse to see if it’s possible to grow citrus sustainably in North Carolina. The AgVentures grant is funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission and administered by the NC Cooperative Extension Service.
Help clean up NC highways NCDOT is running its annual Spring Litter Sweep, providing gloves, safety vests and trash bags for local volunteers to help pick up local roads. In 2023, more than 11 million pounds of trash was picked up from North Carolina roadsides. If you have questions, contact Wanda Willett, Chatham County’s NCDOT Litter Management Coordinator, at 336-3184000 or call the maintenance office at 919-742-1970 to pick up supplies. Visit NCDOT.gov for more.
Mobile home insurance could hike by 50% The NC Department of Insurance says insurance companies want to raise rates by as much as 49.9% for mobile home casualty policies over the next three years. Mobile home fire policies could increase by more than 80%. Both policies include flood coverage, with the proposed changes affecting some 148,000 policyholders in North Carolina. “The N.C. Department of Insurance has received the filing from the Rate Bureau,” Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said in a press release. “We are in the process of reviewing the filing, according to state law.” Emailed comments should be sent to 2024MH@ncdoi. gov by April 30, with all comments shared with the NCDOI Rate Bureau.
PHOTO COURTESY ANNETTE ROBERSON
Ruritan National President Robin Davenport, right, presents Silk Hope Ruritan President Bob Crawley with a certificate celebrating the 70th anniversary of the club.
Silk Hope Ruritan Club tallies 70 years of service It’s been a community pillar, embodying the values of “Fellowship, Goodwill, and Community Service” By Dan Reeves For Chatham News & Record SILK HOPE — Northwest of Pittsboro, amid sprawling fields and rustic farms, lies the small rural community of Silk Hope. A run-down gas station, doubling as a surprisingly delicious BBQ joint, suggests a community forgotten. But nearby, an
immaculate fire station and the 5,000-square-foot Silk Hope Community building tell a different story. For seventy years, the Silk Hope Ruritan Club has been a community pillar, embodying the values of “Fellowship, Goodwill, and Community Service.” The tireless efforts of its members have led to real improvements in the quality of life in Silk Hope. From restoring the fire department and supporting the local PTA, Scouts and Little League baseball to disaster relief, blood drives and roadside clean-ups, the Ruritans have
Pittsboro asks for concessions on new storage facility The proposed facility will feature 100,000 square feet of enclosed storage space as well as room for RVs and boats By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record A POTENTIAL new storage facility was the main topic of discussion at the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners April 8 meeting, with a public hearing on the rezoning request needed for construction to move forward. The approximately 11 acres of property located at on the 2300-block of US Highway 64 Business West — due west from the recently approved Reeves Farm development — would need to change from RA-2 to M-1 conditional zoning for the project to move forward. “The owner says he intends to utilize the site for a maximum of 100,000 square feet of enclosed storage space and he intends to place 40 permanent parking spaces for boats and RVs,” said planning director Randall Cahoon-Tingle. “The owner, in his application, states that his intention is to preserve the rural and agricultural features in the build-
ing’s design and design elements. There will be no on-site employees, customers will access the site via a keypad and the nighttime lighting is intended to be aimed downward and to be unobtrusive.” “I am impressed with the extent in which this applicant has demonstrated their willingness to attend to the unique concerns of this community,” said Commissioner John Bonitz. “I don’t own a boat, but reckon the people that are moving into Reeves Farm might, and they’re not going to be able to store it in their neighborhood because we’re asking for such a tight density, narrow plot lines and no parking areas. I think that the storage is needed. There’s much better ways to stimulate our economy, but I am sympathetic to the applicant’s history with the process and I’m open to approval of this project with additional concessions and conditions.” The biggest expressed concern is that a storage facility doesn’t fit the residential agricultural land use plan for the area. Planning board recommended denying the zoning request. “I agree with our planning board and our planning staff,” said Commissioner J.A. Farrell. See PITTSBORO, page A3
been steadfast in their dedication. Perhaps most impactful is their support for local students, with scholarships totaling more than $230,000 awarded to local high school seniors since 1983. The spirit of Silk Hope, characterized by its generosity and commitment to service, was well evident at the community center during The Ruritan Club’s 70th Anniversary celebration last Monday. The event was a testament to the club’s continued ability to bring Silk Hope together, with local Bluegrass band New Direction providing enter-
tainment and Brown’s Chapel Methodist Church Ladies serving a BBQ and chicken dinner. Thanks to the active participation and support of the community, the celebration appeared a resounding success. Ruritan National President Robin Davenport was on hand to present a certificate acknowledging and congratulating the club, giving a speech to inform Silk Hope members of the organization’s operations from a national perspective, citing Silk Hopes’s numerous achievements as a terrific example for the Ruritans. A roster of former and current club leaders spoke proudly of past accomplishments and goals for the future. After an invocational prayer and welcome introduction to guests by treasurer and past president Johnny Johnson, the group honored deceased members and those See SILK HOPE, page A2
Waste management debated by Siler City commissioners The renewal of Waste Industries garbage contract is under threat By Robert Owens For Chatham News & Record SILER CITY Commissioners tackled the town’s 2024-25 budget at a special Saturday meeting on April 6. One of the more contentious moments of the meeting came during discussion of waste management, currently contracted through Waste Industries, about how well the waste is managed, and whether to renew the contract. “Have we talked to them about their quality of service?” asked Mayor Donald Matthews. “Because those calls are coming in. Matter of fact, my garbage is still on the curb. It was supposed to be picked up yesterday.” The board seemed inclined to agree with the mayor’s concerns, but the lack of competitors was likely to be an ongoing problem if the contract was terminated. Starting a municipal-run trash program comes with
heavy upfront costs, while continuation of the current contract will see a paying an extra 3%. “We need to take a close look at their contract and see what is stated and, if they’re in violation, we need to move on from them because they are doing everything from busting cans, leaving cans in the middle of the street, spilling garbage on the street. I mean they’re horrible,” Matthews said, leaving no doubt about his opinion on the current service. “If we can get away from them and find a way to get out from under them we need to do that ASAP.” In a less controversial move, a new $750,000 emergency fund will be created that will require future auSee SILER CITY, page A2
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