It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Alamance, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“If you find yourself in the unenviable position of having to find a living facility”
“good service. help was thoughtful and kind. used for several days.”
“Kelly Klein at Always Best was a godsend. She helped us out during a truly”
“Karla Dixon is a wonderful asset to the community and to Always Best Care in”
“Karla dixon is truly a great person for the community. She is compassionate and very”
“Thank you, Carver Living Center (CLC) for the wonderful care the staff provided for my”
“From the outside looking in, you don’t always see the care, patience, and dedication that”
“Always Best Care is hands down your go to for all in home care needs!”
“Seeing the care they provide, I’d highly recommend them to any family in need of”
“Reliable, caring, and professional—Always Best Care is awesome!”
“The staff here are compassionate, professional, and truly go above and beyond. You can tell”
“5 stars all the way—professional, compassionate, and reliable. You can tell they genuinely care!”
“Always Best Care provides excellent services to their community. Impeccable staff and care givers who actually”
“Not only is the care they provide outstanding, but the support from the front office”
“It’s rare to find a company where both the caregivers and the office staff are”
“I had a wonderful experience with Always Best Care Senior Services. Kelly Klein was incredibly”
“Kaitlyn Jones is absolutely the best. Hands down!”
“Quick responses, clear communication, and a very friendly admin team. Everything was handled efficiently and”
“Kelly was super helpful at a time i needed help she had all the answers to my”
“Always Best Care Senior Services is a premier organization.”
“Always Best Care will not disappoint! They truly provide the best service for all of”
“Always Best Care Services has been a wonderful experience, and Leslie Christian was especially helpful”
“These people were amazing.”
“Working with Always Best Care has been an absolute pleasure. As the director of Pathway”
“I Live in Durham, North Carolina. I have low vision and other limitations. I’ve been”
“If you find yourself in the unenviable position of having to find a living facility or home for your loved one with cognitive issues such as dementia, the very first thing to do is to contact Kelly Klein at Always Best Care. Kelly guided me through the entire process of investigating options, making appointments, visiting facilities, selecting the best fit, preparing for all of the paperwork involved, assembling documents and generally helping with the myriad of details necessary in making the difficult decisions for my ailing loved one. Kelly took care of it all and was a godsend to me during a very difficult time. Kelly is experienced with the process, the facilities and everything that is important to consider in memory care for your loved one. Her expertise in this area is vast and her involvement thorough. Do yourself and your loved one a favor and contact Kelly. You will be as grateful and appreciative as I am. Thank you, Kelly!!!”
“good service. help was thoughtful and kind. used for several days.”
“Kelly Klein at Always Best was a godsend. She helped us out during a truly scary time for our family and connected us with exactly what we needed. Can't recommend her highly enough!”
“Karla Dixon is a wonderful asset to the community and to Always Best Care in Chapel Hill, NC.”
“Karla dixon is truly a great person for the community. She is compassionate and very helpful.”
“Thank you, Carver Living Center (CLC) for the wonderful care the staff provided for my mother! All of the staff ( nurses, CNAs, PT & OT Staff), administrative staff and food service staff were very kind, caring and respectful. I would recommend CLC to anyone looking for a care facility for their family member(s).”
“From the outside looking in, you don’t always see the care, patience, and dedication that goes into what they do—but it’s there every single day. Truly grateful for a team that goes above and beyond, even when no one’s watching.”
“Always Best Care is hands down your go to for all in home care needs! Top tier team!”
“Seeing the care they provide, I’d highly recommend them to any family in need of in home care! Lots of options, flexibility and accommodations made for those that need it!”
“Reliable, caring, and professional—Always Best Care is awesome!”
“The staff here are compassionate, professional, and truly go above and beyond. You can tell they genuinely care about their clients and their families.”
“5 stars all the way—professional, compassionate, and reliable. You can tell they genuinely care!”
“Always Best Care provides excellent services to their community. Impeccable staff and care givers who actually care!”
“Not only is the care they provide outstanding, but the support from the front office is just as impressive. It’s comforting knowing you can call and talk to someone who genuinely cares and helps guide you through everything.”
“It’s rare to find a company where both the caregivers and the office staff are this compassionate. From day one, the entire team made us feel comfortable and answered so many of our questions with guidance.”
“I had a wonderful experience with Always Best Care Senior Services. Kelly Klein was incredibly supportive. She helped us find the right resources and solutions, and we truly felt supported every step of the way. We’re so grateful for her help.”
“Kaitlyn Jones is absolutely the best. Hands down!”
“Quick responses, clear communication, and a very friendly admin team. Everything was handled efficiently and professionally.”
“Kelly was super helpful at a time i needed help she had all the answers to my questions and made me feel heard I can move forward with the decisions i need to make in the future Thank You for the support”
“Always Best Care Senior Services is a premier organization.”
“Always Best Care will not disappoint! They truly provide the best service for all of your in home care needs!”
“Always Best Care Services has been a wonderful experience, and Leslie Christian was especially helpful throughout the process. She was kind, professional, and took the time to answer questions and make everything feel easy and comfortable. It’s clear that she truly cares and wants to provide the best support possible. I would definitely recommend Always Best Care Services to anyone looking for dependable and compassionate care.”
“These people were amazing.”
“Working with Always Best Care has been an absolute pleasure. As the director of Pathway Community Living, I’ve had the opportunity to work with them when coordinating housing for clients, and every interaction has been nothing short of excellent. Their team is incredibly professional, organized, and easy to communicate with. I work most closely with Karla and Leslie, and I can’t say enough good things about them. Their communication is top tier, they’re always responsive, and they make the coordination process smooth and stress free. It’s rare to find partners who are both this professional and this genuinely kind. I truly appreciate the partnership and look forward to continuing to work with this amazing team.”
“I Live in Durham, North Carolina. I have low vision and other limitations. I’ve been working Always Best for a couple of months now. Jordyn is doing a wonderful job! She is able to clean to cook to go through the mail with me. Recently, she filled out some challenging forms. She’s taking notes for me at a medical appointment. She also has a generous nature! Always, Best chooses well and is reliable!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Alamance, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Alamance, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Alamance, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
After weeks of hemming and hawing, Alamance County’s commissioners have tentatively agreed to retain the two waste haulers that presently provide curbside trash and recycling services outside the county’s cities and towns.In the first of two “readings” on Monday, the board of commissioners voted 4-to-0 to renew franchise agreements with Republic Services and Waste Industries – the latter of which does business in Alamance County as GFL, or Green for Life.Under these deals, Republic will have the ne...
After weeks of hemming and hawing, Alamance County’s commissioners have tentatively agreed to retain the two waste haulers that presently provide curbside trash and recycling services outside the county’s cities and towns.
In the first of two “readings” on Monday, the board of commissioners voted 4-to-0 to renew franchise agreements with Republic Services and Waste Industries – the latter of which does business in Alamance County as GFL, or Green for Life.
Under these deals, Republic will have the nearly exclusive right to serve two zones that comprise the county’s eastern and northwestern reaches. GFL, meanwhile, will have a corner on a third, more southerly zone. Both companies will retain these service areas for up to five years – during the first two of which, the monthly fees that Republic can charge will be limited to $22.00 for trash pickup and $9.50 for recycling, whereas GFL’s rates will be held to $20.95 and $11.55 for the same services.
The commissioners ultimately awarded GFL and Republic these zones based on the recommendations of county staff members who had evaluated these incumbent waste haulers against five competing firms. In each case, the staff members considered factors ranging from a company’s service record to its resources in equipment and manpower in these assessments.
But in the end, the staff’s endorsements hinged on each bidder’s combined rates for garbage and recycling pickup. In Zone 3, this number proved to be GFL’s quote of $32.50, while Republic nabbed Zones 1 and 2 with a combined sum of $31.50. In both cases, the two incumbent waste haulers only bid on the areas they currently serve.
The inexorable pull of these low bids was summed up by commissioner Sam Powell before he reluctantly seconded the motion to renew the franchise agreements with GFL and Republic.
“I think we have some good firms wanting to provide this service,” Powell told the rest of the board before Monday night’s vote, “and I’d like to see all of the firms get a portion of that…But I think what we want to have is a contract that is economic . . . and maybe we need to take the staff recommendation.”
Opting out is now in
The agreements that the commissioners accepted on Monday will still need to be finalized in a “second reading” that’s scheduled to take place on November 2. Once that hurdle is cleared, the two incumbent waste haulers will have until January 1 to meet the terms of their new county-issued franchises.
Unlike the existing franchise agreements, the new arrangements contain additional customer service requirements and penalties for missed pickups that neither GFL nor Republic has previously had to confront. The new agreements also guarantee lower monthly fees than those that both companies presently charge their rural customers. According to the county’s solid waste department, the combined reductions for both trash and recycling will amount to $7.18 a month for Republic’s customers and $5.09 a month for each household that GFL serves.
The two firms will also have to contend with a new “opt out” clause that the commissioners have inserted into the county’s solid waste ordinance as a courtesy to residents who are persistently dissatisfied with their franchised waste hauler.
The commissioners originally approved this provision earlier this month by a margin of 4-to-1, and they formally adopted it, on second reading, in a 3-to-1 decision on Monday. (In both cases, the dissenting vote had been cast by commissioner Pam Thompson).
The new language approved by the board’s majority allows rural households to petition county staff for a “hardship exemption” from their local waste disposal franchises. The basis for this hardship can be a disability, a credible issue with harassment or safety, or the waste hauler’s poor service – although this third cause of action requires no fewer than three complaints that the franchise holder is unable, or unwilling, to rectify.
The county’s solid waste staff will have the discretion to accept or reject all hardship claims. If the claim is accepted, the staff will assign another county-approved waste hauler to serve the rural customer – at a rate that is no less than the franchise waste hauler in that particular zone.
Not down for the count…
The fact that GFL and Republic had defeated all other comers on price would’ve seemed to consign the hopes of the five other bidders to the proverbial wastebin. Yet, several of the runners up were on hand to press their claims when the commissioners first took up the proposed franchise agreements in September, and none have been more relentless in their appeals than Charlotte-based Meridian Waste.
Meridian originally made its debut in Alamance County three years ago when it acquired an existing landfill for construction and demolition debris that had been operating in the southern part of the county. The company went on to obtain the county’s permission to expand this facility as well as the size of the area from which it trucks in debris. Although the commissioners initially approved these changes in a narrow 3-2 decision, the company’s subsequent track record seems to have done much to win over the current members of the county’s governing board.
Meridian had hoped to parlay the success of its landfill into a rural waste collection franchise – only to fall short in its bidding war with GFL and Republic. Meridian’s representatives nevertheless showed up in full force when the proposed franchise agreements came before the commissioners on September 21, and they pledged to make up for their disadvantage on price with brand new equipment, first-class customer service, and greater integration with the community.
Meridian’s representatives went on to reiterate their claims when the commissioners convened earlier this month, and on Monday, they returned yet again with a stable of well wishers to advance their case for a franchise.
During a designated public comment period that evening, the commissioners heard praise for Meridian’s customer service from Chris Ewing, a commercial construction superintendent who patronizes the company’s landfill in Alamance County. They also heard about the company’s community outreach from Cressa Jackson, a young mother who used to live near this facility. Meanwhile, Kevin Owens, a field training organizer for the Green Berets, touted the “generosity and patriotism” that Meridian has shown in its support for the U.S. Army’s Special Forces.
The commissioners even heard a few words from Kent Coble, who had previously operated the construction waste dump that Meridian went on to buy and expand.
“I hit a home run when I sold that landfill to Meridian,” Coble told the commissioners. “It’s amazing what they have done.”
Monday’s public comment period also drew some remarks from another unrequited waste hauler who had competed for the county’s business.
Tim Heyman, a consultant for Anchor Disposal, complained about the particulars of the review process that had found his client on the losing end of this seven-way competition.
Heyman contrasted Alamance County’s procedures unfavorably with Forsyth County, which he said awards its franchises based solely on the cost of curbside garbage collection. He added that the high value which Alamance County puts on recycling is undermined by the fact that only 27 percent of the rural households served by a franchise waste hauler opt for this service.
“You go with that deal,” he added, “73 percent of your residents are going to pay more.”
Incumbent advantage
The county’s incumbent trash haulers weren’t exactly without their defenders during Monday’s public comment period.
Among those who approached the podium that evening was Shane Walker of Republic Services, who emphasized his company’s 22-year-long history of collecting trash and recycling in Alamance County.
“We’ve treated this partnership as an ongoing job interview,” he told the commissioners. “We have consistently operated at a high level for the county and its residents…our proposal offered the lowest price, and our 22-year record of service speaks to our reliability.”
Meanwhile, Norma Yanez of GFL warned the county’s governing board that a competing waste hauler would face an insurmountable challenge if it tried to take over one of the three service areas by the county’s January 1 deadline.
“We only bid on our current franchise area,” Yanez went on to add. “We didn’t want to take a chance on our reputation for franchise transition. Nor did we want the liability for all the new penalties in the new franchise agreement, and there will surely be issues and surely be penalties if these franchises are awarded to anyone else.”
The commissioners also heard testimonials from some satisfied customers of the two incumbent waste haulers.
Henry Vines, a one-time candidate for the board of commissioners, said he has been pleased with service he has received from both of the companies.
“I see no reason to change contracts when we have good, reliable people in place,” he added. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
“I’ve used Republic for 12, or13 years,” concurred area resident Jeff Yusiewicz, “and they do a pretty good job. When there’s a problem, I call, and they pick up the phone.”
Done and dusted
When all was said and done, these competing claims and contrary contentions left some of the commissioners unsure just how to proceed with the proposed franchise agreements.
“[We’ve heard] a lot of interesting information on trash,” declared Steve Carter, the vice chairman of Alamance County’s commissioners. “Some of this information I just got this afternoon…and I think it begs for taking a hard look at how we do these contracts the next time they come up for renewal.”
In the meantime, Alamance County’s attorney Rik Stevens urged the commissioners to reach a decision that night in order to give the franchise recipients enough time to mobilize their operations by January 1.
“There’s going to be a pretty healthy ramp-up requirement,” he added, “particularly for any new providers… So, I would urge the board to consider adopting some kind of franchise tonight as the first reading.”
On that note, commissioner Pam Thompson made a motion to approve the staff’s recommendations in favor of GFL and Republic. After much handwringing, Powell offered a hesitant second, and the motion passed by a margin of 4-to-0. The two franchise agreements must now come back before the commissioners for a second vote of approval on November 2.
Commissioner Ed Priola was absent from Monday’s proceedings.
Sale runs from Sept. 11-20 at May Memorial Library in BurlingtonThe Friends of the Alamance County Public Libraries’ biannual book sale is back with 50,000 books, CDs, DVDs and other items stocked at May Memorial Library in Burlington.The sale runs Sept. 12-20. Members of the organization can start shopping a day early on Sept. 11.The nonprofit hosts the yearly sale in the fall and spring. Around 95% of all proceeds go back to Alamance County’s four public libraries, according to Hal Vincent, president of F...
The Friends of the Alamance County Public Libraries’ biannual book sale is back with 50,000 books, CDs, DVDs and other items stocked at May Memorial Library in Burlington.
The sale runs Sept. 12-20. Members of the organization can start shopping a day early on Sept. 11.
The nonprofit hosts the yearly sale in the fall and spring. Around 95% of all proceeds go back to Alamance County’s four public libraries, according to Hal Vincent, president of Friends of the Alamance County Public Libraries.
“The goal then is to raise money that more directly helps with community betterment, tackling such issues as childhood literacy, and honestly a vibrant collection of books and resources for the county residents of all ages to be able to have a robust and rich amount of resources as opposed to a small, tiny amount of resources,” Vincent said.
Each year the sale is different. A completely new collection of items is available, meaning shoppers won’t find the same book twice.
Annually, the two sales generate more than $50,000 in revenue, Vincent said. To keep the collection fresh for the next sale, unsold items are sold to other organizations or companies, or donated.
The organization collects donations throughout the year at donation drives and participating library locations. Vincent, who is also an Elon University professor, said the organization occasionally assists with picking up and collecting large donations.
“We like to say that there's always a find,” Vincent said. “It's not the same books that didn't sell once or twice or three times, and it keeps getting worse and worse. We get the same quality that you found last time. You're going to find it again because there, it's a whole new round of donations that we received.”
This year marks the 41st year of the sale. The Friends of the Alamance County Public Libraries hosted its first book sale in 1985.
Vincent said the sale not only allows customers to learn more through new books, but also supports the entire community.
“Every dollar you spend might really not just be changing a person's life, but might really be changing our entire county as we learn and know more,” Vincent said.
Members of The Friends of the Alamance County Public Libraries can start shopping the sale, Friday, Sept. 11 from noon to 6 p.m. The sale is open to the public starting Sept. 12 in the basement of May Memorial Library at 342 S Spring St, Burlington, NC, 27215. Shoppers should use the Davis Street entrance. The sale accepts cash and check only.
When to go:
Saturday, Sept. 12 | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 13 | 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 14 | 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 15 | 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 16 | 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 17 | 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 18 | 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19 | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 20 | 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
336-270-4352
