MLK, Jr. DAY

On the third Monday in January, America pays tribute to the late Rev. Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., born on January 15, 1929. Were he alive today, Dr. King would be 93 years of age. Because of the sacrifices he made, including the ultimate sacrifice when he was assassinated on April 4, 1968, numerous groups in Orange County and across the nation organize events and tributes to Dr. King and the people of the civil rights movement. 

This year, the omicron variant and winter storm Izzy caused our events to be virtual or postponed. Please check Facebook pages of local nonprofits, church groups, towns or institutions for updates or recordings of weekend events.

In celebrating the birth of the Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr, let us remember why he lived, and commit our efforts to fulfilling his dream--i.e., the American dream of freedom, justice and peace. Quoting Dr. King, "Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle."

Happy Birthday, Dr. King!

The Graduates

Four cadets recently graduated from the Basic Law Enforcement Academy conducted by Durham Technical Community College and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Congratulations to:

• Robert Jobe, who joins the Orange County Sheriff’s Office
• Darryl Kinch, who joins Duke Public Safety
• Marwan Mohammed, who joins Duke Public Safety
• NaQuandra Wallace, who joins the Carrboro Police Department

Due to the omicron surge, Wallace, Mohammed, Kinch and Jobe were unable to enjoy the standard ceremony and celebration. Nevertheless, they deserve to be recognized for completing the comprehensive coursework and rigorous training to become public safety professionals.

Izzy pays a visit

Children who have never seen snow may delight in seeing the white stuff falling gently from the sky. On Sunday, freezing rain and sleet mixed with snow caused dangerous driving conditions and power outages. Orange County, inclusive of the Towns, was in a State of Emergency.

We have so many county employees to thank for executing the State of Emergency Declaration, activating the Emergency Operations Center, communicating essential messages, and making mass care arrangements should they have been needed.

These situations require all hands on deck, regardless of the day or time. We appreciate you:

• Kirby Saunders, Sarah Pickhardt and the Emergency Services Team
• Sheriff Charles Blackwood and his team of deputies who patrolled the snow-covered roads and provided real-time updates on social media to show the hazardous driving conditions.
• Bonnie Hammersley and Travis Myren, County Manager's Office
• John Roberts, County Attorney
• Laura Jensen, County Clerk 
• Community Relations Director Todd McGee and the Communications Team
• Department on Aging Director Janice Tyler and the Passmore Center, which was ready to serve as an emergency shelter if needed
• Nancy Coston, DSS Director
• Dr. Nyah Hamlett, Superintendent of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, and Dr. Monique Felder, Superintendent of Orange County Schools.

Omicron still hanging around

www.orangecountync.gov