HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 11-06-2025; 8-h - Proclamation Recognizing and Honoring Leo Allison 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 6, 2025
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-h
SUBJECT: Proclamation Recognizing and Honoring Leo Allison
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Thomas C. Jepsen, Treasurer, Chapel
Hill Historical Society, 919-929-1793
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing and honoring Leo Allison as an "Orange
County Community Treasure".
BACKGROUND: The Chapel Hill Historical Society has requested a Board proclamation
recognizing and honoring Leo Allison as an "Orange County Community Treasure".
Leo Allison was born 92 years ago in Efland on the land where he now lives. Mr. Allison's father
worked in the shipyards in Baltimore and later at White Furniture Company in Mebane in order to
buy the property in Efland. As a young man, Mr. Allison and his uncle farmed tobacco on the land
where his house now stands. Mr. Allison attended Central High School in Hillsborough, and
graduated from North Carolina Central University in 1954 with a degree in mathematics and
physics. He briefly taught at Leesville High School in Halifax, Virginia, where he met and married
his wife, Mary. Mr. Allison then took a job with a company in Buffalo, New York. While there, he
interviewed with IBM, and began a career with IBM in 1957 that lasted until his retirement 34 years
later, holding positions in Owego, New York; Manassas, Virginia; and California, before returning
to North Carolina.
Upon retiring and returning to Efland, Mr. Allison realized that as a small rural community, Efland
had few ways to communicate its needs to the County. An annual community event was
organized, which took place in early October each year. Mr. Allison worked with other community
leaders, including former County Commissioners Stephen Halkiotis and Moses Carey, to
determine ways to address community needs. United Voices of Efland Cheeks, a 501(c) (3) non-
profit entity, was organized in 1994. Mr. Allison also led a committee to develop plans for a park
and athletic field, and request funding for the project. The park now stands next to the Efland
Cheeks Community Center, and provides recreational facilities for the community.
Mr. Allison was also significantly involved in the organization of the senior centers in Hillsborough
and Chapel Hill. He led efforts on planning for the bond referendum to finance the building of the
Passmore Senior Center on Meadowlands Drive in Hillsborough in 2007. Mr. Allison has also
served on several Orange County committees and boards, including the Orange County Planning
Board and the Orange County Board of Adjustment. He also has served as President and Vice
President of the state wide Legal Aid organization.
Mr. Allison believes that leaders need to consider the basic needs of residents — food, clothing,
shelter. In terms of the local community, more business development is needed to provide jobs.
Healthcare also needs reform so that people do not have to declare bankruptcy or lose their
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homes to foreclosure to pay for medical care. Mr. Allison would also like to see the two Orange
County school systems consolidated to provide equal educational opportunities to all County
residents. Mr. Allison also believes Efland should be incorporated as a municipality to give it a
greater voice in planning and development.
In addition to his successful professional career, Leo Allison is proudest of the work he has done
as a volunteer for his community. His story is truly one of a man who has returned to his roots to
serve his community.
Upon Board approval, Commissioner Phyllis Portie-Ascott is scheduled to present the
proclamation to Mr. Allison at the Historical Society's annual Community Treasures celebration
on Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 2:00-4:00 pm at the Seymour Center on Homestead Road
in Chapel Hill.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
proclamation.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• VISION STATEMENT — We are a diverse, inclusive, and healthy county working together
to strengthen our community and enhance the quality of life for all residents.
• GUIDING PRINCIPLE — PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION
We build meaningful relationships and connections that allow us to create holistic and
integrated systems of support for all.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the proclamation recognizing and honoring Leo Allison as an "Orange County
Community Treasure".
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 3
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING
LEO ALLISON
AS AN ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY TREASURE
WHEREAS, Leo Allison was born 92 years ago in Efland on the land where he now lives;
and
WHEREAS, as a young man, Mr. Allison and his uncle farmed tobacco on the land where
his house now stands, and after attending Central High School in Hillsborough, Mr. Allison
graduated from North Carolina Central University in 1954 with a degree in mathematics
and physics; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Allison began a 34-year career with IBM in 1957 that lasted until his
retirement in 1991, holding positions in Owego, New York; Manassas, Virginia; and
California, before returning to North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, upon retiring and returning to Efland, Mr. Allison realized that as a small rural
community, Efland had few ways to communicate its needs to the County and
subsequently led efforts and worked with other community leaders, including former
County Commissioners Stephen Halkiotis and Moses Carey, to determine ways to
address community needs, including the establishment of United Voices of Efland Cheeks
in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Allison was instrumental in efforts to plan and secure funding for a park
and athletic field now located next to the Efland Cheeks Community Center that provides
recreational opportunities for the community; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Allison was significantly involved in the establishment of the senior
centers in Hillsborough and Chapel Hill and led efforts on planning for the bond
referendum to finance the building of the Passmore Senior Center on Meadowlands Drive
in Hillsborough; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Allison has also served on several Orange County committees and
boards, including the Orange County Planning Board and the Orange County Board of
Adjustment;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby
recognize and honor Leo Allison as an
Orange County Community Treasure
and encourage the residents of Orange County to join with us in expressing gratitude to
Leo Allison for his community spirit and his service to Efland and the entire Orange County
community through his volunteer work to benefit all residents.
This the 6t" Day of November, 2025.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners