Top Stories for July 19

Trees and grass with a walking path and lake in the background on a sunny spring day.

Mecklenburg County provides this weekly rundown of top stories from the Board of County Commissioners meetings and from the Public Information Department’s newsroom. The Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 2 at 6 p.m. The agenda will be available here or view the meeting at Watch.MeckNC.gov.

 

  1. ADA at 33: At its July regular meeting, the Board of County Commissioners proclaimed July 26, 2023, as "National Disability Independence Day" in Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte. On that date in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law, ensuring the civil rights of people with disabilities. The legislation established a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte celebrate passage of the ADA and reaffirm their pledge to continue work on improving life for all people with disabilities in our community.
  2. Helping Children Heal: Public Health received national recognition for its Child Development-Community Policing program. The program serves children and families who have experienced trauma, collaborating with law enforcement to ensure healing and support are provided to our most vulnerable children. The program and its director, Stacy Butler, were recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) with a 2023 Model and Promising Practice Award. Mecklenburg County’s Child Development Community Policing program is one of the oldest and largest programs of this kind in the nation and has served as a model for law enforcement-mental health cross-training partnerships.
  3. Planning for Parks: Park and Recreation is making it easier for neighbors to know when land near them is purchased and planned for future parks or nature preserves. Nearly 60 future parks and preserves, totaling approximately 3,000 acres of parkland, await full funding and development. Additionally, the County continues to purchase land for green spaces and conservation. Residents can now locate future park projects and track land purchases using the Parkland Reserves webpage.
  4. Girls Pick up the Pigskin: Park and Recreation and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) athletics have teamed up to host the first flag football league for middle school girls this fall. The new league will expand football participation opportunities for girls at an affordable price to their families. The league is open to girls ages 11 to 13. Mecklenburg County residents and nonresidents alike can participate. Games will take place at various recreation centers across the county. Girls of all experience levels are also invited to a skills clinic on Saturday, July 22. The eight-week fall season kicks off Sept. 11.