In This Issue
Commissioners Vote to
Leave Sun Valley Drop-Off
Site Open
Air Show Tickets on Sale
N.C. Public Health Urges
Seniors to Prevent Falls by
Staying Strong
Union Update
September 28, 2011
Annual Drinking Water
Treatment Change and Fire
Hydrant Flushing Schedule
Commissioners Vote to Leave
Sun Valley Drop-Off Site Open
Increase Garbage Disposal Fees
Wesley Chapel Fall Festival
Master Gardeners Plant Sale The Union County Board of Commissioners have approved an increase in garbage
Firefighters for the Cure 5K disposal fees to 75 cents for bags over 13 gallons at all Solid Waste drop-off sites in
the county.
Run/Walk
Meetings &
Events
Click here to visit the
County's online calendar of
events, which includes
meeting notices, activities
and events, County
closings and much
more. Quick Links
www.co.union.nc.us
www.union.lib.nc.us
During its FY2011-2012 budget deliberations, the Board of County Commissioners
decided to close the Sun Valley drop-off site, reduce the hours of operation at the New
Salem drop-off site to Saturdays only and increase the cost to dispose of garbage at all
sites to 50 cents for bags over 13 gallons because of an operation deficit of $98,000.
The disposal fee for bags up to 13 gallons would remain 25 cents. These changes were
scheduled to take effect Oct. 1.
At its Sept. 6 meeting, commissioners requested that Public Works perform a fee
analysis to determine if increasing the garbage disposal fee from 50 cents to 75 cents
would eliminate the current operation deficit. The analysis revealed that charging a 75
cents disposal fee for bags over 13 gallons and up to 55 gallons would eliminate the
operation deficit if the fee is in place for an entire year and the sites experience no
decrease in use by the public.
The fee increase and reduction in hours at the New Salem to Saturdays will now occur
on Nov. 1. The Sun Valley drop-off site and all other drop-off sites in the county will
continue to operate on their normal schedules.
"With this fee change, which is the first change in many, many years, the County will
continue to be able to provide this important service to our citizens," said
Commissioner Todd Johnson. "We will evaluate the waste stream in the future to make
sure it is adequate to cover the cost of this service." Air Show Tickets on Sale
County to Auction
Surplus Vehicles
The 2011 Warriors and Warbirds Air Show will
once again entertain crowds this year on Nov. 4,
5 and 6 at the Charlotte -Monroe Executive
Airport. Advance purchase discount tickets are
currently available at Monroe City Hall (300 West
Crowell Street) or at the Airport (3900 Paul J.
Helms Drive).
Guests can purchase the Saturday and Sunday
individual day adult tickets for $8 and child over 12 and veteran tickets for $4 at these
Union County will hold a
surplus vehicle auction on
Saturday, Oct. 1 at 10 a.m.
at 610 Patton Avenue in
Monroe.
All vehicles will be sold "as
is" and "where is" with no
warranty, express or
implied, which extends
beyond the description of
the vehicle. Sale will go to
the highest bidder with all
sales final on the day of the
auction. Purchasers will
bear sole risk of loss for all
vehicles remaining on the
premises after five
businesses days from the
day of the sale. Payment
must be made by cash,
money order, cashier's
check or credit card. No
checks will be accepted.
To view a list of vehicles
being auctioned, visit
www.co.union.nc.us. Successful
Gardening Class
locations or by calling 704-282-4542. Children 12 and under will be admitted free.
Tickets at the gate are $10 for adults and $5 for children and veterans. The Friday night
activities are $5 for everyone 12 and older. Tickets can also be purchased online at
http://warriorsandwarbirds.eventbrite.com/.
"Each year the show gets bigger and better," said Pete Hovanec, City of Monroe
Communications & Tourism Officer. "To be able to offer these tickets for these
discounts helps to ensure we are able to make the event affordable for everyone. This
is truly a great family event geared towards paying tribute to our service men and
women and we want as many people as possible to come and experience a piece of
history."
This year's show features as many as 30 history WWII-era aircraft with a special
emphasis on the recreation of the Battle of Britain. A spitfire, Focke Wulf 190,
Hurricane Hawker and many others will give spectators a glimpse into the battle for air
superiority between England and Germany.
As many as seven P-51 Mustangs will give patrons a glimpse of high speed precision
flying at its best. Two B-25s are scheduled to attend as well as FW 149s, P3s, TBM
Avenger/Dauntless, C-54 Spirit of Freedom, A-26, C-47, P-40, T-6, C-45s and much,
much more. There will also be several food and toy vendors and a children's area.
There will also be the official unveiling of "The Tinker Belle." This C-46 purchased by
the City of Monroe. This special cargo/transport played a vital role in transporting goods
and troops from China to Burma and India, flying over the Himalaya Mountains.
While the air show will entertain and "wow" guests, it also serves as an education
vessel and a means to pay tribute to the brave men and women who have defended
and served our country. We encourage guests to ask questions about the history of
these aircraft and take the time to talk to the men and women in uniform and thank
them for their service.
For more information about the show ticket sales or group ticket discounts (20 or
more), call Pete Hovanec at 704-282-4542. More information about the show can be
found at www.warriorsandwarbirds.com. Thursday, October 6
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Union County Ag. Center
3230 Presson Road in
Monroe
Topic:
Heirloom Plants in
Grandma's Garden Speaker: Vikki Tesar manages an
1830's era historical family
garden at the Museum of
the Waxhaws and has
been a Union County
Master Gardener volunteer
since 2007. Her program
will provide the history of
Grandma's Garden and
some of the plants that
might be found there. Plus,
she will provide tips on how
to go about getting some of
the plants for our own
gardens - sources and
propagation information. N.C. Public Health Urges Seniors
to Prevent Falls by Staying Strong
Each day, more than 110 senior citizens end up in emergency departments across
North Carolina because of injuries from falls. Recognizing that falls are a major health
problem for older adults, Gov. Bev Perdue has declared the first week of fall, Sept. 1924, as Falls Prevention Awareness Week.
"Many falls among people over 65 can be prevented simply through regular exercise,"
State Health Director Jeff Engel said. "Older people can make tremendous
improvements in their balance and strength by getting fit and staying active. Small
changes can make a big difference and go a long way to preventing falls."
Over the course of a year, more than 40,000 emergency room visits across the state
are the result of fall injuries suffered by seniors, according to the N.C. Division of Public
Health's Injury and Violence Prevention Branch. And tragically, more than 600 North
Carolina seniors die each year due to falls. Fall injuries also are very expensive. In
2007, hospital charges alone added up to more than $425 million statewide.
Studies show that a combination of interventions can significantly reduce falls in the
older adult population. Experts recommend a physical activity regimen with balance,
strength training, and flexibility components; consulting with a health professional about
getting a fall risk assessment; having medications reviewed periodically, getting eyes
checked annually; and making sure the home environment is safe and supportive.
She'll also tell us about her
work to create an outdoor
"living museum" with local
heirlooms at the Museum
of the Waxhaws. Bring all your questions
and join us for this
excellent, enlightening,
stimulating class. We will
be asking for $10 for the
classes to help support the
Master Gardening
program. At senior centers across North Carolina, programs like A Matter of Balance and tai chi
classes help older adults gain the strength, improved balance, and confidence to help
them live healthier lives and preserve their independence.
"A good first step for seniors is to ask their doctors if they are at risk for a fall," Sharon
Rhyne, programs manager at the N.C. Division of Public Health and member of the
North Carolina Falls Prevention Coalition said. "Doctors can talk with patients about
strength or balance exercises that are a good fit for their lifestyles."
North Carolina is part of the Falls Free© Initiative, which includes 43 states and 70
national organizations, professional associations, and federal agencies across the
country dedicated to reducing fall-related injury and death among older adults. Annual Drinking Water Treatment Change and Fire
Hydrant Flushing Schedule
In order to meet stricter federal and state
drinking water regulations, the City of Monroe
operates its water treatment plant located on
Lake Twitty using the practice of
"chloramination," to disinfect the drinking water.
The chloramination process, which uses a
combination of chlorine and ammonia, has been
used for years by many water utilities across the
country. Other water systems in North Carolina currently using the chloramine water
treatment process include Raleigh, Cary, Fayetteville and Union County.
As part of the operating permit issued by the North Carolina Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, municipal systems using chloramines for water
disinfection must revert to using only chlorine once per year to ensure good overall
water quality in their distribution piping systems.
The City of Monroe is planning this conversion, which will begin Oct. 1 and will last
approximately four weeks. Fire hydrant flushing will occur on weekends during this
period. The City will issue a follow-up news release when the conversion back to
chloramines is scheduled. While most customers will not notice the change, some may
notice a slight change in the taste of their water.
There are special groups of customers, including kidney dialysis patients, fish aquarium
owners, and certain industries, which will need to be aware of the change and possibly,
make adjustments in the way they remove chlorine from their water. The City's Water
Resources Department is notifying all local medical facilities and fish stores of the
upcoming change to ensure they are prepared.
Any customers or citizens needing additional information about this program can call
the City of Monroe Water Resources Department at 704-282-4601 or read more
information on the City website at www.monroenc.org.