The Moore County Chamber of Commerce held their State of the County luncheon at the Pinehurst Members Club on Wednesday, October 31.  The featured speaker was Moore County Commissioner Nick Picerno, who gave a detailed and very interesting overview of the economic health and overall vitality of the Moore County government and the county tax base and residents.   We can be very proud of our County government and its healty conservative behavior.

The gathering included a huge number of local business entrepreneurs, elected officials, county and town staff, and media reps. The food was thoroughly enjoyable, as always at the Pinehurst Members Club, and the program was great!

I believe we saw a future US representative or senator from the great state of NC at the podium today!  (And, unfortunately not captured in the video, but wonderful in his presence, was a guest attired like a Pirate of the Caribbean who looked like Captain Jack Sparrow's twin!)  Enjoy!



Bill Cochrane

On Monday, September 17, 2012 the Steering Committee met from approximately 6-8:40pm to receive a presentation on Land Use Optimization that was presented by Steering Committee Chairman Robert Hayter.  You can see and listen to a recording of the presentation below.  (I apologize for the sound quality -- I didn't record it! -- B. Cochrane)

Following the conclusion of the presentation the new meeting facilitator, Mark Molitor, was introduced to the Committee.  Mr. Molitor facilitated a discussion with the Committee asking them questions such as what does it mean to have a land use plan, and how might they feel it should be used in the future. T o view a copy of the full meeting summary please click here.

The Committee’s next meeting will be held on Monday, October 29, 2012 at 6:00pm at the Moore County Senior Enrichment Center. (See map).  The focus of the October 29th meeting will for the Steering Committee to take part in a Land Use Plan mapping exercise and discuss their experience. All steering committee meetings are open to the public, interested parties are welcome and encouraged to attend and speak during the public comment period. A public comment period is scheduled at the end of each meeting.


Jeremy Rust
Long-Range Planner
Moore County Planning & Community Development

The problem I see with Mr. Hayter's remarks is:  Who decides what is "optimum"?  Unfortunately, it seems he might want to leave that judgement to government foremost or even alone.  Who sets "Value"?  I maintain that should be the free market.  Who decides what "Enhancement" is "optimum" for a property?  I say it should be primarily the property owner and, if up for sale, the prospective purchaser.  Certainly there must be some reasonable community standards.  Zoning protects neighbors and ensures rational development.  But private property rights are of utmost importance.  And I'm not sure where Mr. Hayter is going with the "R" for "Resource"....  Resources are definitely given to us to be used for making life better.  His use of the word "sustainability" harkens to those who argue that resources must be "conserved" or "preserved" for all future generations, thus denying a property owner the rights to using his own private property.

I say again:  It is vital that residents and taxpayers of Moore County pay close attention to what is being done in this Committee -- to the words and policies which are being proposed for inclusion in the update of Moore County's Land Use Plan.  These policies will ultimately affect the direction of the county and the degree of vitality and prosperity enjoyed by us residents and taxpayers.


Bill Cochrane

The story of Robbins, North Carolina is the story of countless towns across America.

Its mills and factories have shut down, countless buildings in the area are vacant and boarded up, and the jobs which once made this town of 1,200 people bustle vanished years ago.

Just two hours away in the city of Charlotte, President Barack Obama speaks this week at the Democratic National Convention and will tout his and the Democrats' success at avoiding economic depression.

But in Robbins the mood is subdued.  Residents try to keep their spirits up, but fear the president and the rest of the country have forgotten them.

They predict a hard road for Mr Obama as he looks to convince America to cast their ballots for him.


David Botti