JACKSON — County Manager Wayne Jenkins received further directive from commissioners this week to find out more about building a county-wide transit system.

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Commissioner Virginia Spruill voiced her concerns the county’s elderly and poor population were being underserved and a county public transit authority needs to be implemented.

This directive comes after commissioners were informed in the June 15 meeting the Choanoke Public Transportation Authority (CPTA) was raising rates again. The company provides transportation for the elderly of the county to and from specific destinations and it’s time to renew their contract. While commissioners approved the contract, they instructed Jenkins to try negotiating the price. If that was not possible, he was to begin investigating the cost of developing a transportation authority run by the county.

Jenkins informed commissioners he tried negotiations with CPTA, to no avail. He assured them he is investigating the possibilities of public transit as instructed but it is going to take some time. He said he would keep the commissioners updated on developments.

Anthony Clark of UHURU, a community development corporation, is receiving a letter of support from commissioners to seek grant funding from various sources to acquire Rich Square Creecy School. Clark said he intends to use the school as a multi-purpose community facility.

Clark said there is a lack of recreational and occupational opportunity in Rich Square and he believes the facility can help. The school was recently closed as part of school consolidation.

While Commissioner Spruill and others were supportive of the idea they were cautious, and told Clark the school must first be made public property by the school board and that has not happened yet. Clark said he understood but that a letter of support would allow him to access stimulus funds through N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, Department of Commerce Division of Community Assistance and Community Development Block grants among others. UHURU has hired Eva Clayton and Associates to help find funding for the acquisition.

“I would support giving you a letter of support,” said Spruill after questioning Clark about the county’s role in the acquisition. The other commissioners agreed and a letter of support will be drafted for Clark.

Citizens on Moore Rook Lane won’t be getting any help from the county to move a telephone pole that’s preventing them from being able to get their road paved. According to Carl Hawkins, who lives on Moore Rook Lane, the road is so bad county garbage pick up won’t go there anymore and they’re afraid ambulance service is next.

Dominion Power is charging more than $7,000 to move the pole. Commissioners said they are unable to use public money to fund private enterprises and since the road is privately owned, there is nothing they can do.

 Finally, the county is gearing up for its turn to determine where to spend $2 million in funding from the Golden Leaf Foundation. Golden Leaf members and facilitators will begin meetings with the community for the Community Assistance Initiative in Northampton County, July 21 at 6 p.m. at the Cultural and Wellness Center. The initiative is a grants program targeting Tier One counties. Golden Leaf staff and board work directly with community leaders and citizens following a process whereby the community comes to a consensus on the key issues in that county. A list of priorities and projects having the most potential for positive impact for the county are developed and presented to Golden Leaf for approval. Golden Leaf will award approximately $2 million in each county, but grant award amounts may vary.  This is a public meeting and members of nonprofit organizations and citizens are encouraged to attend.