Hot Topics

Deer Dog Hunting: A Bad Practice for Orange County

Orange County Voice supports a ban on deer dog hunting throughout Orange County. The county has become too densely populated to safely allow this practice to continue. We support most forms of hunting, including using dogs to hunt birds and rabbits. More...

Community Planning and Development

How will the county's new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) impact our rural commuities.  The UDO is a consolidation of all county planning ordinances.  As the county aggressively pursues development it its three economic development districts (EDDs), OCV is planning to work on local community plans.  Efland and Caldwell (NC 57) have already developed plans.  Bingham is a priority for 2011.  

In addition, we will be seeking upgrades to zoning ordinances to protect rural communities from unwanted municipal development including airports, landfills, and waste facilities. We will also be seeking zoning controls over governments and UNC who are essentially exempt from zoning ordiances. 

Talkin' Trash - Today and Tomorrow

OCV is intimately involved in planning for trash and recycling in the county.   We started when we fought the siting of a waste transfer station in the rural community.   We  also worked to keep the county convenience centers open - since they are a cost effective resource for handling trash and recycling in the rural community.

We are committed to responsible waste management - where waste facilities are socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible. We believe waste to energy holds the greatest promise for the long term - sited in an industrial area near power,  interstate highways, and water/sewer infrastructure.  We will oppose new waste facilities sited in any residential community.

Community Safety and Security

We are actively working with the county sheriff and the rural fire departments to assure the safety and security of the rural community.   This initiative has several important aspects:

1) Advocating and supporting community watch networks in the rural community
2) Protecting property rights from dog hunters, trespassing and other issues

Rural Orange County Heritage

Rural Orange County's heritage dates back to Lord Granville land grants from the early 1700s.   Some of our oldest rural families settled in the area at that time.  OCV is planning a rural heritage program. Details to come.