HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-10-20; Item 6 - Advisory Board on Aging – Appointment Discussion 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 10, 2020
Action Agenda
Item No. 6
SUBJECT: Advisory Board on Aging — Appointment Discussion
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Membership Roster Clerk's Office, 919-245-2125
Recommendations
Applications for Persons Recommended
Attendance Record
Applicant Interest List
Applications of Persons on the Interest
List
PURPOSE: To discuss appointments to the Advisory Board on Aging.
BACKGROUND: The following appointment information is for Board consideration:
POSITION NAME SPECIAL TYPE OF EXPIRATION
NO. REPRESENTATIVE APPOINTMENT DATE
TERM
1 Rachel At-Large First Full Term 06/30/2023
Bearman
2 Colin Austin At-Large Second Full Term 06/30/2023
NOTE - If the individuals listed above are appointed, the following vacancies remain:
• None
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this item:
• GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION
Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and
volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss appointments to
the Advisory Board on Aging.
2
Board and Commission Members
And Vacant Positions
Advisory Board on Aging
Meeting Times: 1:00 pm second Tuesday Contact Person:Janice Tyler
Meeting Place: Passmore Center&Seymour Center Contact Phone: 919-245-4255
Positions: 12 Length:3 years Terms: 2
Description: These positions are filled by appointment of the Board of Commissioners with certain seats allocated to the Townships and
Town of Chapel Hill,Hillsborough and Carrboro. This board suggests policy and makes recommendations to the Board of
Commissioners and the Department on Aging while acting as the liaison between the older citizens of the County and the
County government.It is charged with promoting needed services,programs and funding that impacts the older citizens.
Rachel Bearman
1 First Appointed: 05/02/2019
Gender Identity: Female Township: Bingham Current Appointment: 05/02/2019
Ethnic Background: white Resid/Spec Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2020
Age Range: Special Repr: Number of Terms:
Colin Austin
2 First Appointed: 06/21/2016
Gender Identity: Male Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 05/16/2017
Ethnic Background: white Resid/Spec Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2020
Age Range: Special Repr: Number of Terms: 1
Dr. Jeff Charles
3 First Appointed: 09/17/2019
Gender Identity: Male Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 09/17/2019
Ethnic Background: white Resid/Spec Req: Chapel Hill Town Limits Expiration: 06/30/2021
Age Range: Special Repr: Number of Terms:
Dr. Richard White
4 First Appointed: 05/02/2019
Gender Identity: Male Township: Little River Current Appointment: 05/02/2019
Ethnic Background: white Resid/Spec Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2021
Age Range: Special Repr: Number of Terms:
Dr. Jennifer(Jenny) Womack
5 First Appointed: 05/02/2019
Gender Identity: Female Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 05/02/2019
Ethnic Background: white Resid/Spec Req: Carrboro Town Limits Expiration: 06/30/2021
Age Range: Special Repr: Number of Terms:
Vibeke Talley
6 First Appointed: 05/16/2017
Gender Identity: Female Township: Hillsborough Current Appointment: 05/02/2019
Ethnic Background: white Resid/Spec Req: Hillsborough Town Limits Expiration: 06/30/2022
Age Range: Special Repr: Number of Terms: 1
Thursday,July 30,2020 Page 1
3
Board and Commission Members
And Vacant Positions
Advisory Board on Aging
Meeting Times: 1:00 pm second Tuesday Contact Person:Janice Tyler
Meeting Place: Passmore Center&Seymour Center Contact Phone: 919-245-4255
Positions: 12 Length:3 years Terms: 2
Dr. Mary Altpeter
7 First Appointed: 11/06/2014
Gender Identity: Female Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 05/16/2017
Ethnic Background: white Resid/Spec Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2020
Age Range: Special Repr: Number of Terms: 2
Tiketha Collins
8 First Appointed: 12/02/2019
Gender Identity: Female Township: Hillsborough Current Appointment: 12/02/2019
Ethnic Background: African American Resid/Spec Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2021
Age Range: Special Repr: Number of Terms:
James Harris
9 First Appointed: 05/15/2018
Gender Identity: Male Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 05/15/2018
Ethnic Background: African American Resid/Spec Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2021
Age Range: Special Repr: Number of Terms: 1
VACANT
10 First Appointed:
Gender Identity: Township: Current Appointment:
Ethnic Background: Resid/Spec Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2022
Age Range: Special Repr: Number of Terms:
Dr. Heather Altman
11 Chair First Appointed: 06/21/2016
Gender Identity: Female Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 05/02/2019
Ethnic Background: white Resid/Spec Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2022
Age Range: Special Repr: Number of Terms: 2
Jerry Ann Gregory
12 First Appointed: 09/17/2019
Gender Identity: Female Township: Cheeks Current Appointment: 09/17/2019
Ethnic Background: white Resid/Spec Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2021
Age Range: Special Repr: Number of Terms:
Thursday,July 30,2020 Page 2
ppipp
0Orange County
Department on Aging
/endless possibilities Robert& Pearl Seymour Center 12551 Homestead Rd. I Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Jerry M.Passmore Center 1103 Meadowlands Dr., PO Box 8181 I Hillsborough, NC 27278
August 14, 2020
The Honorable Penny Rich
Orange County
Board of County Commissioners
P.O. Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Dear Chair Rich:
The Orange County Advisory Board on Aging requests that Colin Austin and Rachel
Bearman be considered for re-appointment to the Advisory Board on Aging.
Both individuals have been outstanding members of the board and are actively engaged in
the implementation of the Master Aging Plan. Mr.Austin serves on the MAP Employment
Workgroup and Ms. Bearman serves on the MAP Community Supports and Health Services
Workgroup. In addition to the monthly Advisory Board on Aging meetings, they also
participate in the quarterly meetings of the MAP workgroups.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Respectfully submitted,
Meru c� ����
Janice Tyler, Secretary
Orange County Advisory Board on Aging
Visit us online @ www.orangecountync.gov/departments/aging
Like us on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/OrangeCountyDepartmentOnAging
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Page 1 of 2 Rachel Bearman
Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name: Rachel Bearman
Name Called:
Home Address: 3215 Morrow Farm Lane
Chapel Hill NC 27516
Phone (Day): 9199422948
Phone (Evening): 9193046821
Phone (Cell): 9196189008
Email: rachel.bearman@chcmow.org
Place of Employment: Chapel Hill Carrboro Meals On Wheels
Job Title: Executive Director
Year of OC Residence: 2004
Township of Residence: Bingham
Zone of Residence:
Sex: Female
Ethnic Background: white
Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Co-Chair of Social Action Committee Beth El Synagogue; Board member Jewish
Federation of Durham-Chapel Hill; Committee member Interfaith working group Beth El
Synagogue; Committe member Jewish Community Relations Council of the Durham-
Chapel Hill Jewish Federation; Committee member of Listening Group - OC Democratic
Party; Local advocate for JStreet; Member of Preserve Rural Orange (local community
group - Bingham);
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Advisory Board on Aging
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
Currently serve as Executive Director of Chapel Hill Carrboro Meals on Wheels and engaged in
issues related to aging, and aging issues - specifically food insecurity, transporation, social
isolation, loneliness, affordable housing, that we encounter.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
To be more engaged in Orange County and further develop our community to meet the needs of
a growing aging population so that our older adults may age (in place, or in places) with dignity.
At CHCMOW we have a specific mission but there are many issues affecting our recipients and
this is a pathway to be able to lean more and engage on issues which may directly, or indirectly,
better their aging years.
Conflict of Interest:
I was unclear if my role at CHCMOW would preclude my ability to serve on the board. I do not
believe that it does but I could understand how it may.
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Page 2 of 2 Rachel Bearman
Supplemental Questions:
Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 4/3/2019 9:54:29 AM Date Printed: 4/3/2019
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Page 1 of 1 Colin Austin
Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name: Colin Austin
Name Called:
Home Address: 124 Stateside Drive
Chapel Hill NC 27514
Phone (Day): 9193703284
Phone (Evening): 9193703284
Phone (Cell): 9194498900
Email: colinaus@gmail.com
Place of Employment: Law Office of Colin K. Austin, PLLC
Job Title: Attorney at Law
Year of OC Residence: 1991
Township of Residence: Chapel Hill
Zone of Residence: C.H. City Limits
Sex: Male
Ethnic Background: Caucasian
Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Orange County Bar Association
Human Relations Commission (formerly)
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
Human Relations Commission
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Advisory Board on Aging
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
Elder Law is one of my practice areas. I am also a volunteer with the Dementia Friendly
Business initiative.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
I believe that providing for our elderly is key to a healthy community and creating bridges
between generations. Orange County does a great job at this and we can continue to be a
model for the state and country.
Conflict of Interest:
Supplemental Questions:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 4/13/2016 11:48:31 AM Date Printed: 4/14/2016
8
BOCC Attendance Records For Advisory Board Re-Appointments
Advisory Board on Aging - Mar 2019 - Feb 2020
Member Original Date Appointed Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
Rachel Bearman 5/2/2019 P P N E P P P P P E
Colin Austin 6/21/2016 P P P P N P P P P P E P
P: Present @ Meeting A: Absent E: Excused Absence N: No Meeting
Informatin Current Through: February 29,2020
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Applicant Interest Listing by Board Name and by Applicant Name
Contact Person: Janice Tyler
Advisory Board on Aging Contact Phone: 919-245-4255
Lindsay Bailey
Gender Identity: Female Date Applied: 08/23/2019
Ethnic Background: white Township: Hillsborough
Age Range Res.Eligibility:
Also Serves On:
Dr. Nathan Boucher
Gender Identity: Male Date Applied: 02/10/2020
Ethnic Background: White Township: Chapel Hill
Age Range 35-59 Res.Eligibility: C.H.City Limits
Also Serves On:
Patricia Darcey
Gender Identity: Female Date Applied: 08/10/2020
Ethnic Background: white Township: Hillsborough
Age Range 60+ Res.Eligibility: Hillsborough Town Limits
Also Serves On:
Karen Green-McElveen
Gender Identity: Female Date Applied: 01/03/2020
Ethnic Background: African American Township: Chapel Hill
Age Range 35-59 Res.Eligibility: C.H.City Limits
Also Serves On: Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee
Holly Meschko
Gender Identity: Female Date Applied: 01/04/2020
Ethnic Background: white Township: Hillsborough
Age Range 60+ Res.Eligibility: Hillsborough Town Limits
Also Serves On:
Thomas ODwyer
Gender Identity: Male Date Applied: 12/10/2019
Ethnic Background: white Township: Chapel Hill
Age Range 60+ Res.Eligibility: C.H.City Limits
Also Serves On:
Monday,August 17,2020 Page 1 of 2
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Applicant Interest Listing by Board Name and by Applicant Name
Contact Person: Janice Tyler
Advisory Board on Aging Contact Phone: 919-245-4255
Nora Spencer
Gender Identity: Female Date Applied: 12/30/2019
Ethnic Background: Other Township: Bingham
Age Range 35-59 Res.Eligibility: County
Also Serves On:
Monday,August 17,2020 Page 2 of 2
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Page 1 of 2 Lindsay Bailey
Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name: Lindsay Bailey
Name Called:
Home Address: 204 Brownville Street
Hillsborough NC 27278
Phone (Day): 3045498076
Phone (Evening): 3045498076
Phone (Cell): 3045498076
Email: lindsay.bailey@unchealth.unc.edu
Place of Employment: UNC HealthCare Trauma Program
Job Title: Injury Prevention Coordinator
Year of OC Residence: 2014
Township of Residence: Hillsborough
Zone of Residence:
Sex: Female
Ethnic Background: white
Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Safe Kids Orange County
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Advisory Board on Aging
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I received my Master in Public Health in Health Behavior at UNC Gillings School Global Public
Health in 2016. During graduate school and for two years afterward I worked at a local
continuing care retirement community and acted as the wellness coordinator for residents and
staff. My job included helping senior residents navigate the community s health and wellness
resources and accessing services they required. Since 2017, 1 have worked at UNC HealthCare
as the Trauma Program s injury prevention coordinator. One of my main focus areas is senior
adults and I plan and implement evidence-based programs that reduce falls injuries and motor
vehicle accidents. I do falls prevention presentations and programs for local independent senior
communities in Orange County and partner frequently with the Orange County Department on
Aging to provide resources.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
In my professional work I have worked with a wide range of seniors, some of which who have
been resources at their fingertips and many who don t. I have learned a lot about the challenges
seniors face in Orange County such as transportation, isolation, and hunger. I want to help
seniors not only in my professional work but in a volunteer capacity as well.
Conflict of Interest:
I do promote senior programs in my job. However, the programs I advocate seniors utilize are
cost free and the UNC Trauma Program does not charge any fees for the programs we provide
the community. Our mission is to reduce injury.
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Page 2 of 2 Lindsay Bailey
Supplemental Questions:
Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 8/23/2019 1:17:26 PM Date Printed: 8/27/2019
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Page 1 of 2 Nathan Boucher
Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name: Dr. Nathan Boucher
Name Called:
Home Address: 2012 Westbury Drive
Chapel Hill NC 27516
Phone: 9197170555
Email: bouchermailbox@gmail.com
Year of OC Residence: 2016
Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity: Male
Ethnic Background: White
Age Range: 35-59
Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
I am on the Board of Directors for A Helping Hand and previously served on advisory
boards for the Durham Master Aging Plan and the NC Institute of Medicine Serious
Illness Task Force. I am also currently on the advisory board for the NCCU Public
Administration Program and Department of Health and Human Services Falls Task Force.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Orange County Board of Adjustment (REQUIRES DISCLOSURE STATEMENT)
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I am a public policy professor and research scientist accustomed to analyzing data thoughtfully,
weighing unintended consequences and community benefit. I have no political agenda - I would
like to listen well, collaborate when able, and be there for the tough decisions.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
I would like to help ensure positive growth in our county that is tempered with consideration for
density, traffic, ecosystem, and human impact.
Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board:
I pride myself on my even hand and value multiple viewpoints. I am an OC homeowner,
taxpayer, and parent of school age children with an analytical mind and a heart rooted in
community.
Conflict of Interest:
None at all
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Page 2 of 2 Nathan Boucher
Orange Unified Transportation Board
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I am a car user, bus user, runner, and bicyclist in OC. I am a public policy professor and
research scientist accustomed to analyzing data thoughtfully, weighing unintended
consequences and community benefit. I have no political agenda - I would like to listen well,
collaborate when able, and be there for the tough decisions.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
Our community is growing rapidly and we need workable solutions to keep our county a livable
place. I would like to help ensure positive growth in our county that is tempered with
consideration for density, traffic, ecosystem, and human impact.
Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board:
I came from NYC in 2015 and Boston before that. I have been a long advocate of public transit
options using mixed methods. I am an OC homeowner, taxpayer, and parent of school age
children with an analytical mind and a heart rooted in community. I pride myself on my even
hand and value multiple viewpoints.
Conflict of Interest:
Advisory Board on Aging
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
34
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
I am a professor in geriatric medicine and population health sciences at Duke Medical School
and professor of public policy at Duke s Sanford School of Public Policy. My research there and
at the Veterans Administration (where I am a health services research scientist) is focused on
aging populations especially care in advanced illness. Family caregiver support is also my focus.
My research is at the intersection of social care and health care. Additionally, I am a senior
fellow at the Duke Center for Aging and core faculty at the Duke Margolis Center for Health
Policy.
Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board:
The care and health of our aging community and families caring for them are my focus and
passion. I am a public policy professor and research scientist accustomed to analyzing data
thoughtfully, weighing unintended consequences and community benefit. I have no political
agenda - I would like to listen well, collaborate when able, and be there for the tough decisions.
Conflict of Interest:
I am an expert in aspects of aging-related research for both Veterans and non-Veterans, and
their families.
Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 2/10/2020 5:13:01 PM Date Printed: 2/11/2020
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Page 1 of 2 Patricia Darcey
Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name: Patricia Darcey
Name Called:
Home Address: 511 Waterstone Park Circle
Hillsborough NC 27278
Phone: 9739851084
Email: patdarcey13@gmail.com
Year of OC Residence: 2018
Township of Residence: Hillsborough
Zone of Residence: Hillsborough Town Limits
Gender Identity: Female
Ethnic Background: white
Age Range: 60+
Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Member: Sportsplex
Member: Passmore Senior Center
Member: Hillsborough Women in Networking
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Advisory Board on Aging
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I am recently retired as marketing director for a New Jersey assisted living community. During
my tenure, I established warm relationships with our residents and families while working to
maintain the census of our Methodist-owned community.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
Shortly after I relocated from New Jersey to Hillsborough I joined the Passmore Center. I was
and am very impressed with the Center, from the staff to the offerings and special events. I d
like to lend my talents wherever I can.
Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board:
I have been working with an aging population in an assisted living community for a number of
years before I left New Jersey and settled in North Carolina. I am also a member of the Board of
Directors at the family center which focuses on the prevention of child abuse.
In both of these situations, the market is extremely diverse in age gender race etc.
Conflict of Interest:
Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
16
Page 2 of 2 Patricia Darcey
This application was current on: 8/10/2020 Date Printed: 8/10/2020
17
Page 1 of 2 Karen Green-McElveen
Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name: Karen Green-McElveen
Name Called:
Home Address: 457 Piney Mountain Road
Chapel Hill NC 27514
Phone: 919-929-9899
Email: kggm@bellsouth.net
Year of OC Residence: 1968
Township of Residence: Chapel Hill
Zone of Residence: C.H. City Limits
Gender Identity: Female
Ethnic Background: African American
Age Range: 35-59
Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
First Baptist Church Trustee, Chair of FBC Fellowship Ministry, Order of Eastern Star,
Chair FBC Support Line.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Advisory Board on Aging
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
As a community advocate and assistant for the elderly for over 20 years, received training from
Orange County Dept of Aging on senior citizen
resources and issues. Through advocacy learned of nursing home roles and regulations, home
care options, and common gaps in service delivery.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
County policies and priorities have a major impact on senior citizen well-being, both through
direct County services and through the County s oversight
of facilities focused on senior care. Service on the the board would be a fulfillment of my special
passion to assist seniors with limited resources.
Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board:
I am a lifetime resident of Chapel Hill with a deep passion for serving the needs of under-
resourced and poorly-informed elderly residents and their families. Beginning with serving as
primary care giver for my grandmother over 20 years ago, I have been an advocate, caregiver,
and resource for many, with particularly strong connections with the African-American
community. To help me fulfill this role effectively, I have completed formal training from the
Orange County Department on Aging, and currently serve on the Adult Care Home Advisory
Committee. I also chair the First Baptist Church Benevolence Committee, which frequently
provides assistance and guidance for the elderly. One of my primary goals in serving on the
Orange County Advisory Board on Aging would be to help create strategies to better inform the
community of resources available to support the elderly across a wide spectrum of needs and
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Page 2 of 2 Karen Green-
situations.
Conflict of Interest:
No
Boards/Commissions appointments:
Advisory Board on Aging
Application Date: 2/15/2019
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
As a community advocate and assistant for the elderly for over 20 years, received training from
Orange County Dept of Aging on senior citizen
resources and issues. Through advocacy learned of nursing home roles and regulations, home
care options, and corn
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
County policies and priorities have a major impact on senior citizen well-being, both through
direct County services and through the County s oversight
of facilities focused on senior care. Service on the the board would be a fulfillment of my special
pa
Conflict of Interest:
Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee
Application Date: 2/15/2019
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
As a community advocate and assistant for the elderly for over 20 years, have learned a great
deal about adult care options and regulations, have
visited adult care facilities frequently, and have worked with such facilities as primary care taker/
healt
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
I would like to help contribute to an environment of improved consistency in quality of care for
residents of adult home care facilities, particularly
those serving seniors with limited financial resources. Currently quality of care at many facilities
to
Conflict of Interest:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 1/3/2020 Date Printed: 1/3/2020
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Page 1 of 2 Holly Meschko
Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name: Holly Meschko
Name Called:
Home Address: 815 US Highway 70A East
Hillsborough NC 27278
Phone: 919-579-6101
Email: hollymeschko@gmail.com
Year of OC Residence: 2018
Township of Residence: Hillsborough
Zone of Residence: Hillsborough Town Limits
Gender Identity: Female
Ethnic Background: white
Age Range: 60+
Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Submitted photos for the Orange County DEAPR The Nature of Orange 2019
photography contest.
Volunteered for the Garden Club at the Passmore Senior Center in Hillsborough.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Affordable Housing Advisory Board
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I currently live in affordable housing as a first time apartment dweller. I waited 3 years, 7 1/2
months for an opening.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
I currently live in affordable housing as a first time apartment dweller. I waited 3 years, 7 1/2
months for an opening, so I am interested in the process of affordable housing, and would like
the opportunity to advocate for more affordable housing; there s a great need for it.
Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board:
The diversity I would bring to any advisory board I may have the privilege to serve on is this:
I am new to the area, and after living in my own home for 28 years, and the same town for 60
years, I now live in an affordable apartment complex for people 55 and over, for which I was on
the wait list for 3 years, 7 and 1/2 months! In addition to aging, I have an invisible but disabling
rare disease that mainly affects women, and my grandson is a multi-racial special needs child on
the autism spectrum.
Conflict of Interest:
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Page 2 of 2 Holly Meschko
Advisory Board on Aging
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I am aging, and it is quite a transition!
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
I live in affordable housing with other aging residents. On a daily basis, I see the challenges that
the aging population faces, but the general population is unaware of; transportation, food
shopping (affordability)and preparation, laundry, the inability to afford entertainment, cable,
telephone, internet, etc. and basics such as quarters for laundry.
Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board:
The diversity of opinion I believe I would bring to the Aging Board or any other board, is my life
experiences, which is this::
I am 63. In addition to experiencing the aging process, I have a rare disease that mainly affects
women. I moved into an affordable apartment complex for residents age 55 and over after living
in my own home in Ohio for 28 years. I see the daily struggles that many residents experience;
loneliness, boredom, financial difficulty, difficulty preparing a meal, inability to get out(drive),
being last in the lives of their children whom they raised, sadness, and, unfortunately, an
unwillingness by many to accept diversity and differences in others, etc.
I am also a grandmother to a bi-racial special needs teenage boy who's on the autism spectrum
who's experienced bullying in school.
Conflict of Interest:
Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 1/4/2020 Date Printed: 1/6/2020
21
Page 1 of 2 Thomas ODwyer
Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name: Thomas ODwyer
Name Called:
Home Address: 105 Boulder Lane
Chapel Hill NC 27514
Phone: 919-906-0581
Email: greenbuilder4us@aol.com
Year of OC Residence: 1985
Township of Residence: Chapel Hill
Zone of Residence: C.H. City Limits
Gender Identity: Male
Ethnic Background: white
Age Range: 60+
Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Just completed 7 years of service on the Orange County Commission for the
Environment, I am a Hospice Volunteer, and I participated with the Council on the Aging s
Master Aging Plan (MAP). I am currently attending Aging in Community series lectures,
as housing needs for aging in place will be in demand now and even more in our
community s future. Universal Design supporter, and I attend BOCC meeting that impactt
the environmet ( recycling recently) We must find a way to partner with our municipalities
and provide pro active policies which support the needs of an aging community while
making a real difference in Energy sources and consumtion
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
Orange County Commission for the Environment, 7 years. Off the Commission as of Dec.
7
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Advisory Board on Aging
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I design for aging in place and would support creating policies to incentivise this much needed
paradigm
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
I want to help my community to live out their lives fully in there homes .. ( if possible)
Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board:
I am 66 years old and am a semi retired Chapel Hill GreenBuild Designer with interest and
dedication to aging in place design.
I am a trained Hospice worker, and my wife and I practice helping others in need, whether they
are young or old.
We have cared for our parents at the end of their lives, making their living environment more
ambulatory friendly, plus we spent personal time with them as they passed away.
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Page 2 of 2 Thomas ODwyer
Being able to live longer in an existing home is a achievable most times without great expense.
1.A second handrail on stairs is like night and day for anyone approaching balance issues. It's
like having a Walker to go down stairs with. Both hands are on something. One simply doesnt
help near enough.
2.Grab bars can also change one's life, inside the home and outside.
3.Making sure there are good communications to emergency services and family
4.1-Inderstanding how to use Smartphones can change an elders life.
5.Are there social workers who visit and check the food storage situation.
6.Protect the elderly from getting overcharged
Conflict of Interest:
Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
Sustainable/Smart Development of land should be the norm in our future. My
understanding is, it requires legislative approval for ordinances that have certain
requirements. We should do as many things possible to support environmentally
responsible development, such as creating solar easements for future renewable power
use, smarter energy efficiency improvements in new construction, Smart Grid
development, or work on ways to propose changes in the legislature to better protect our
environment on local levels. STAFF COMMENTS: Applied for Commission for the
Environment 05/11/2006; Applied for Orange County Planning Board 06/15/2012.
ADDRESS VERIFICATION: 105 Boulder Lane is in Chapel Hill Township, Chapel Hill
Jurisdiction, Chapel Hill Town Limits.
This application was current on: 12/10/2019 Date Printed: 12/10/2019
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Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name: Nora Spencer
Name Called:
Home Address: 3807 NC Hwy 54 W
Chapel Hill NC 27516
Phone: 7042132406
Email: noraEspencer@gmail.com
Year of OC Residence: 2014
Township of Residence: Bingham
Zone of Residence: County
Gender Identity: Female
Ethnic Background: Other
Age Range: 35-59
Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Currently a member of the Orange County Human Relations Commission (but rolling off
next month)
Member of Orange County Home Repair Coalition via Dept. on Aging
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
Orange County Human Relations Commission (current)
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Advisory Board on Aging
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I spent 10 years in corporate HR with Lowe s and IBM before going back to school for a Masters
in Social Work (which brought me to Orange County). The two populations I wanted to serve
included underserved women and seniors.
As a result, after graduating I founded a nonprofit called Hope Renovations, which is due to
launch this fall. Our mission is to inspire hope in women and older adults for a joyful future . We
will be doing this by carrying out small to mid-size repairs/renovations in the homes of older
adults who are aging-in-place, with the work being carried out by our trainees, who are
underserved women in our community seeking living-wage work in the construction trades. As I
have been starting up this nonprofit over the past two years I have been introduced to many
aging-related topics in our county.
This is mostly thanks to Hope Renovations involvement with the Orange County Housing
Preservation Coalition. and our connection to Carol Woods (with one of Carol Woods leaders
serving on our board). In addition, I received my CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist)
designation in 2018.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
I believe that my close involvement in housing and aging-in-place in Orange County can be of
benefit to this commission. Housing stability is of key importance to multiple measures of health
and happiness for older adults. My hope is that my knowledge and connections will provide a
useful perspective in this board s work. In addition, as the leader of a nonprofit that works within
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the aging community, I feel that involvement with this commission will provide me with
opportunities to learn more about Aging in Orange County from a broad perspective which will
help Hope Renovations better serve older adults in the community.
Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board:
I can think of three ways my participation would add a diverse viewpoint.
For one, I have a unique viewpoint as a 40 year old woman with aging parents and a husband in
his 60s. The"young senior"viewpoint is very close to my personal life.
For another, as someone who lives in a rural part of the county, and indeed grew up in rural NC,
I am close to the unique challenges and issues that rural seniors face.
Finally, as an Arab-American woman, I have a unique perspective on aging in that culture and
how Middle Eastern older adults and families perceive services and accessibility.
Conflict of Interest:
As mentioned, Hope Renovations will be providing repairs/renovations to older adults in our
community. Our work will be offered on a sliding scale, with low to moderate income seniors
paying reduced prices or nothing at all. However, we will be selling our services to seniors, as
revenue generated from this activity will support our mission. I am unsure if this creates a
conflict of interest but I wish to be forthcoming.
Boards/Commissions appointments:
Human Relations Commission
Application Date: 12/11/2016
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I have worked in Human Resources, organizational development and talent acquisition
(specifically diversity recruiting)for the past 15 years. I am in the process of making a career
switch to Social Work (receiving my MSW from UNC in May)due to my strong
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
I received my B.A. from UNC in 2001 and wanted to come back to Chapel Hill for many years.
Finally, in 2014, 1 came back to attend graduate school. My husband and I have put down roots
and we intend to stay. I m looking forward to getting more involved
Conflict of Interest:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 12/30/2019 Date Printed: 12/30/2019