SANFORD - N.C. Sen. Ronald Rabin (District 12) recently visited Central Carolina Community College to discuss several issues.

Rabin visited with CCCC President Bud Marchant and Martha Underwood, a college trustee, to discuss the current college bond referendum that will be on the Lee County ballot for the Nov. 4 election.

The referendum includes four measures - (1) Construction of the Lee Health Sciences Center; (2) Expansion and renovation of the Veterinary Medical Technology facility; (3) Renovation and expansion of the Emergency Services Training Center and the Lee County Campus; and (4) New construction and renovation at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center and renovation of the Small Business Incubator.

Rabin expressed his support for the bonds. "Any local initiative such as the community college bonds is a step in the right direction, because the community colleges are in essence at the core of our workforce enrichment movements," Rabin said. "If we're going to have a vibrant economy, we have to have a workforce ready and prepared to take the jobs."

Rabin added, "The community college is exactly the right place to be and the right way to get the skills to get a job in this economy."

Trustee Underwood said Sen. Rabin's interest in the college and its building needs is encouraging. "He strongly supports our efforts to expand the technical skills of our citizens, so families can earn a better living and so employers desire to move here and hire our expert workforce," she said.

"Senator Rabin is a conscientious and tireless worker for higher education through our community colleges. He favors our CCCC bond initiative as a way to provide facilities where people acquire professional skills and boost their earning potential."

Rabin, who represents Lee, Harnett and Johnston counties in the N.C. State Senate, also heard a report from Trustee Underwood involving community college faculty salaries.