These problems are what the Rev. Robert Campbell , president of the Rogers Eubanks Neighborhood Association , said led the organization to complain to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Civil Rights .
The Rogers Road neighborhood was promised sewer and water hookups and a community center more than 40 years ago in exchange for housing the county landfill. Residents have yet to see the promises kept.
The neighborhood association alleged in its complaint that the Orange County Planning and Inspections Department and the Orange Water and Sewer Authority worked together to discriminate by denying water and sewer service to the historically black community.
“In order to get the attention, we used the laws that were already on the books,” Campbell said. “Because the quality of life has been impacted, something needs to be done.”
In a letter sent to the EPA, Orange County attorney John Roberts said the accusations were baseless.
Friday marked seven and a half years since the complaint was filed, and nearly five years since an investigation was launched, said Carissa Cyran, spokeswoman for the EPA . Still, no report has been released.
Some officials believe the investigation slowed discussion between Carrboro, Chapel Hill and the county for neighborhood improvements.
“While we are not directly implicated, I think the board has always approached this as something that needs to be resolved before we make any big-time financial commitments,” said Carrboro Town Attorney Michael Brough .
