JACKSON — Getting closer to stricter rules for Internet cafes, finding out what youths think about gangs and considering allocation of grant money were topics on the table at the latest Northampton County commissioners’ meeting.

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Commissioners voted to pass a moratorium on Internet cafes.

The county is following the lead of several other cities and counties in the state by working to control Internet cafes through ordinances.

County Manager Wayne Jenkins told commissioners during their Monday meeting the ordinance is left open-ended until either the General Assembly, the Northampton Planning Board or the commissioners make a decision.

Prior to the vote, a public hearing was held to get input.

Commissioners’ Chair -woman Fannie P. Greene said she and Commissioner Robert Carter attended the recent Assembly Day in Raleigh, where the issue was discussed.

“It’s a problem all over the state,” she said. “We were assured the matter will be looked at by the General Assembly.”

The action is an attempt to close a loophole under which some businesses offer sweepstakes-style gaming that is seen as a form of gambling.

Tackling gangs

Also at the meeting, Walter Simmons, executive director of the Northeastern Economic Empowerment Corp., updated commissioners on the progress of 2009-10 Northampton County Gang Assessment award from the state.

To determine whether there is a gang problem in the county, 1,200 surveys were given to fifth- through 12-graders and people ages 10 through 24.

“To date, 1,000 surveys have been completed,” Simmons said. “We have a partnership with East Carolina University in compiling the data.”

The results will be shared with citizens and on a statewide level.

Northeastern Economic Empowerment Corp. and the Northampton County Gang Assessment Steering committee have held two gang forums. They were at the Seaboard Town Hall and Branches Chapel Baptist Church in Rich Square.

Simmons said the third and final gang forum will be Aug. 14 at the Northampton County Cultural and Wellness Center. Results of the survey will be given at the forum.

The event will be for children, their parents and the community. Activities include sports, food and fellowship.

“According to the surveys collected, one of the main reasons why our children are joining gangs is because of lack of parental involvement and lack of positive activities for youth to engage.” Simmons said. “The major thing is just for people to come out and interact. We want it to be a family-oriented event.”

Senior-care funding

Office on Aging Director Debby Warren held a public hearing on the 2010-11 Home and Community Care Block Grant allocation.

“Each year, Northampton County is allocated monies through the Home and Community Care Block Grant for services for eligible senior adults,” Warren said. “It is the responsibility of the Office on Aging financial advisory board to recommend which services to fund and how much is to be allocated to each service.”

Scheduled federal and state block grant funding for fiscal year 2010-11 for the county is $291,303, pending legislative approval.

The allocations are:

• Department of Social Services: $63,359 for in home level I, $54,929 for in home level II, adult day care at $12,566 and Adult day health at $4,565.

• J.W. Faison Senior Center: $33,060 for center operations and $20,154 for congregate meals.

• Choanoke Area Development Association: $1,224 for housing improvement.

• Northampton Health Department: $62,469 for home-delivered meals.

• Office on Aging: $4,338 for medical transportation, $25,759 for general transportation and $8,880 for information/case assistance.

Warren said a local match from the county of 10 percent is required in the amount of $24,414. J.W. Faison Senior Center and the Roanoke Valley Adult Day are responsible for their own matches.

Due to a misunderstanding, some people who wanted to speak during the public hearing didn’t get a chance to. They have asked to be put on the agenda of a future meeting.

ALSO AT THE MEETING ....

Northampton County commissioners:

• Approved a proclamation recognizing the Roanoke Valley Veterans Fly-In on June 19 at the Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport.

• Set a public hearing for 1:30 p.m. June 21 on the $6 million U.S. Department of Agriculture loan for a new Department of Social Services building.

• Appointed Clara Parker for the Regional Aging Advisory Board. The board is informed and votes on various aging issues in the region from the North Carolina Division of Aging.

• Reappointed Floyd Grant to the Choanoke Public Transportation Authority for a two-year term.

• Reappointed Cynthia Moore and Johnny Melvin Black to the extraterritorial jurisdiction district for the town of Woodland.

What’s ahead?

The next regular scheduled Northampton County commissioners’ meeting will begin at 1 p.m. June 21. It will include a public hearing on the proposed 2010-11 budget.