Mentoring program in need of volunteers

Thank you for last Sunday's articles about Volunteers for Youth's mentoring program ("Volunteers for Youth re-opening in January."). As Erin Wiltgen so ably reported, the Legislature eliminated funding in July for mentoring programs across the state. The loss of this money is a serious blow to the mentoring program Volunteers for Youth has operated in Orange County since 1982.

Despite the loss of these state funds, Volunteers for Youth is committed to continuing the mentoring program that helps meet a critical need in our community. With input from counselors, parents, mentors and youth, we are redesigning the program and will hold training for new mentors in January.

The headline in one of your articles may have confused people about the current status of our organization. In spite of tough economic times, Volunteers for Youth continues its important work of delinquency prevention through a community service program and teen court program. Mentors continue to meet with children on a weekly basis. In January, a revamped mentoring program will welcome new matches.

To find out about becoming a mentor and making a difference in the life of a child, I encourage readers to visit Volunteers for Youth's website at www.volunteersforyouth.org.

Susan Prothro Worley

Executive Director

Big rigs coming to Eubanks Road?

Commuters using Eubanks Road, beware!

If the Orange County Board of Commissioners has its way, you will be sharing the road with 12-15 tractor-trailer rigs a day bearing the county's trash from the proposed waste transfer station.

In a bow to expediency over due process, the board currently favors a 10-acre site off of Millhouse Road for the station.

It's really just an expansion of the current landfill, only they're using the back door.

And by the way, the proposed parcel belongs to the Parks and Recreation Department. It was bought with your tax dollars for inclusion in the future Blackwood Park.

Protected rural buffer zoning? Forget it -- nothing is safe.

Kathy Schenley

Chapel Hill