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 2007 Student Planning Association Network Workshop - The ECU Planning Society, the Student Planning Association Network (SPAN), and NC APA Section 5 hosted the first annual Alumni Planning Program Workshop and Banquet on Friday, April 20, 2007 on the East Carolina University campus. A morning session on design standards was presented by Dr. Mohamad Kashef, Assistant Professor in the Planning Program. During the afternoon session, staff from the City of Greenville discussed their Revitalization in Greenville’s Historic Center City Plan. The day was topped off with concurrent tours of the ECU campus and the City of Greenville Greenway. Following the afternoon sessions, the ECU Planning Program, SPAN, and the ECU Planning Society hosted the annual SPAN Banquet on campus at the Mendenhall Multi-Purpose Room. The banquet was more of a social event, with ample time to mingle and network. Steve Nalley, SPAN President, recognized seniors and James Rhodes, Planning Society President, presented student awards. Friday evening, ECU’s Baseball team played Savannah State at the Clark-LeClair Stadium and won 14 to 1.
 GIS DAY 2006 - On November 15, the Pitt County Planning Department celebrated its 5th consecutive GIS Day. Activities this year centered around two classes at Creekside Elementary School in Pitt County. The two classes studied the components of a map, the importance, the uses and the profession of making maps. Mrs. Howard’s kindergarten class created their own maps, making sure to include essential map components such as a legend, date, etc. They also watched a video and made map hats. Mrs. Strack’s first grade class watched a short demonstration by the planning staff on map-making, created a large community wall map and studied some world history using the classroom world map. The idea of using computers to make maps really sunk in with one first grader when he asked the question, “Does you hand get tired when you color all of the those places?” He was thinking that we sat down with crayons and colored all of the areas on the choropleth map we were displaying. We showed him a diagram of maps being created on computers and printed on the plotter. Relief seemed to come over his little face. The classes also read some geography themed books such as Dr. Seuss’s There’s A Map On my Lap and Mapping Penny’s World. This year, with the help of Air Mania Custom Printing Services in Greenville, the Pitt County Planning was able to provide the teachers with a Pitt County Planning Department GIS Day T-shirt. Teachers, students and planning staff had a great time! The Planning Department would like to thank Mrs. Ramirez at Myford Elementary School in Irvine, California for some great ideas that helped make this years celebration a great one!
 Environmental Education - Bryan Evans and Jonas Hill recently gave a presentation at Hope Middle School to Mrs. Cargile's 8th grade science class about water quality and protecting the environment. During the presentation Bryan and Jonas used a Groundwater Flow Model and an Enviroscape Model to illustrate the effects of pollution and its impacts on the environment.
 Geography Awareness Week 2005 - On November 17th, 2005, County Staff celebrated GIS Day 2005 and Geography Awareness Week with Mrs. Howard's kindergarten class from Creekside Elementary School. Students received a short lesson about maps and the geography of our County and State. Afterwards, Mrs. Howard read a few books about maps and the students got a chance to make their own maps.
 Pitt County Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update - Citizens were encouraged to attend the public forum to discuss concerns and ideas related to transportation issues within Pitt County. NCDOT officials were present to receive public input regarding the preliminary Pitt County Comprehensive Transportation Plan. Consultants from H.W. Lochner were also present to answer questions pertaining to the proposed Southwest Bypass. An overview of the draft Pitt County Comprehensive Transportation Plan was presented.
 Geography Awareness Week 2004 - The week of November 15 - 19, 2004 was designated as Geography Awareness week by National Geographic. The focus of Geography Awareness Week is to teach children about the importance of geography and their physical surroundings. As part of this movement, on November 17, department staff participated in preschool story hour at Sheppard Memorial Library. The theme this year was Treasure Maps which focused on teaching the children about reading a simple map to hunt for treasures. The children were introduced to maps, compasses, animals, landforms and street addresses. As part of the course of travel, the children learned about natural features such as rivers, wooded areas, beaver dams, mountains and swamps. A special thank-you goes out to Phyllis Conner and her staff for co-coordinating the event and allowing us to participate.
 Stormwater Best Management Practice Academy - On March 24, 2004, Pitt County, the City of Greenville, and NCSU co-hosted a Stormwater BMP Academy to give design professionals and local governments an overview of stormwater practices to be used in the Tar-Pamlico Basin. Selected BMPs discussed included wet ponds, stormwater wetlands, bio-retention areas, rain gardens, level spreaders, and permeable pavements. Presentations included case studies, updates on local stormwater programs and use of the Tar-Pamlico stormwater nutrient management model.
 Home Builders Association - James, Frankie and Dwane were guest speakers at a monthly Home Builders Association meeting at the Pitt County Shriners Club in Winterville. Topics we presented include general planning, zoning administration, stormwater management and soil erosion and sedimentation control. There were over 90 members in attendance-
 GIS DAY 2003 - Sheppard Memorial Library - This was an event held at Sheppard Memorial Library in conjunction with Phyllis Conner, the Head Librarian of the Children's Library. We structured a preschool storyhour around Geography Awareness and Maps. The title of the event was "Find our Way" Geography Awareness for Preschoolers. It was held on Wednesday morning, November 19, at Sheppard Memorial Library. About 49 people (27 children) attended the event. Ms. Conner read four books related to travel and maps. The children participated in songs and dances that revoved around the "Find Your Way" them. Afterwards, the children were able to travel on a life-sized map/maze in which they traveled from their home to the library.
 GIS DAY 2003 - Willis Building - Our event was held on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 in Greenville, NC at the Willis Building at East Carolina University. The event was held from 1:00 - 4:00 pm and was open to the general public. Stations were set up by ECU, Greenville Utilities Commission, City of Greenville and Pitt County. Our intended audience included college students, local professionals and citizens of Pitt County . Items on display included paper maps, PowerPoint presentations, internet applications and research projects. Our guest speaker was Dr. Tom Crawford from East Carolina University who spoke to the assembly about "The Integrative Power of GIS."
 GIS DAY 2002 - East Carolina University, Greenville Utilities Commission, City of Greenville and Pitt County hosted GIS Day on Wednesday November 20 at the Willis Building on the corner of Reade and First Street in Greenville. GIS or geographic information system is a tool utilized to assist individuals with decision-making tasks relating to our community. GIS Day, celebrated world-wide as well as locally, was hosted as part of Geography Awareness Week to educate the public about mapping technology and how this technology benefits their community. "Current estimates indicate over four hundred citizens attended the event, marking a milestone and setting the stage for future GIS Day events," stated Ralph Forbes, Pitt County's GIS Manager.
 C.R.A.S.H. 2003 - Community Response to Attain Safer Highways - Staff attended a reception on January 22nd at the Willis building in uptown Greenville sponsered by the Safe Communities Coalition of Pitt County. There were 11 fatalities in 2002 resulting from motor vehicle crashes for Pitt County. This was a 56% decrease from the previous year of 23 fatalities. The Pitt County Planning Department utilized GIS to map out those fatalities that occurred since 1995. Various agencies such as the Sheriff's office, Greenville Police, State Highway Patrol, District Attorney, Department of Transportation, Greenville Public Works and other government entities utilized these maps to reduce the number of traffic related fatalities in Pitt County. To celebrate the 56% reduction and acknowledge all those members who have contributed to this achievement, a press conference and reception was held at the Willis Building. The event was hosted by Herb Garrison, MD, director of the East Carolina Prevention Program. Featured speakers included Pitt County Commissioner Chairwoman Beth Ward and Pitt County General Assembly Representative Marian McLawhorn.
 Development Workshop - The Planning Department held a Development Regulations Workshop at the Pitt County Agricultural Center on January 14th. A total of 65 registrants from the development community signed up for the workshop. Participants included developers, surveyors, engineers, builders, landowners and architects. The workshop presenters focused on all aspects of development from planning to implementation.
 Countywide Zoning Public Forums - Three public forums were held in January to solicit input on the draft Countywide Zoning Ordinance. The first forum was held on January 7th at Chicod Elementary School with 34 citizens attending. The second forum on January 9th at Farmville Central High School was attended by 20 citizens. The final forum on January 14 at Stokes Elementary School was the largest with 52 people in attendance. The next set of public forums will be held in March.
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