The area -- encompassing West End, Seven Lakes, Eagle Springs, Jackson Springs and the area around the village of Foxfire -- is described by the Moore County Planning Department as "the fastest growing area" in the county. That's why A was chosen to initiate the new small area planning project.
County Planning Director Andrea Surratt encouraged the small area plan initiative because of Moore County's geographical size and diversity and because one size does not necessarily fit everyone.
The plan calls for a steering committee of 12 to 18 residents of the area to get together and discuss what they want their community to be in 25 years. Committee members are still being sought, and interested residents of the area are asked to sign up at the county manager's office in the historic courthouse in Carthage, the sooner the better.
Subsequent meetings are planned for Tuesday, May 23, at 10 a.m. at Eagle Springs Fire Department, Monday, June 5, at 7 p.m. at West End Elementary School, and Tuesday, June 6, at 10 a.m. at Jackson Springs Community Building.
NORTHERN MOORE -- The Northern Moore Family Resource Center will hold a focus group session Thursday, May 25, from 7 until 9 p.m. in the fellowship hall of First Baptist Church on Hemp Street in Robbins.
A spokesperson says the focus group will explore needs of the community.
Interested persons wishing to attend are asked to call 948-4324 or e-mail nmfrc@earthlink.net. Advance notice of attendance is requested to help center staff with accommodations for the meeting.
APPOINTED -- The Rev. Carl M. Naylor of Southern Pines has been appointed to the Department of Aging Advisory Council.
The Moore County Board of Commissioners made the appointment during the May 15 meeting. At the same time the board reappointed Mark Edwards, Jim Garrett and Sarah Garrett to the council.
ETHICS -- A legislative ethics bill cleared the state House of Representatives Thursday with help from Majority Leader Joe Hackney.
An Orange County Democrat, whose district includes part of Moore County, Hackney used a parliamentary maneuver to close debate, according to an item in the Under the Dome column of The News & Observer of Raleigh. His effort worked, with 80 colleagues agreeing to cut debate, and the measure moved through the chamber with only three dissenting votes. It's now headed for the Senate.
Speaker Pro Tem Richard Morgan, Moore County's other representative, wielded the gavel Monday when the House voted on an ethics reform measure affecting the governor and Council of State personnel. Speaker Jim Black was present, but was feeling weak with hunger pangs. Dome reported that he handed the gavel to Morgan while he dashed out for a sandwich.
"Before I could get it gulped down and get back in there, the vote had already been taken," Black told the newspaper.
That bill also passed.
Florence Gilkeson can be reached at 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.
