February 2004

I was inspired to start a thread about economic issues by the Carrboro Board of Aldermen's meeting last night. Dr. James Johnson gave a presentation looking at what a "sustainable community" is and how that factors into and helps create a sustainable economy in a given city. Chapel Hill and Carrboro have many of the qualities of a sustainable community: respect for diversity (ok, that can be argued, but let's not focus on that), good schools, high quality of life. And yet, outside of the university, most folks commute to RTP and Durham and Raleigh for work. As an environmentalist who is concenred with sprawl and pollution, this concerns me.

Is there a chance our future holds more jobs locally? What are Chapel Hill and Carrboro doing right to create more opportunities for citizens to work in town? What are they doing wrong? Is there a focus on a particular type of business that the towns are trying to attract?

So the National Weather Service is forecasting an inch overnight and then two to four inches Thursday.

I know most people don't think of me as very Southern, but

1. I have lived in North Carolina for 22 of my 32 years, and
2. I HATE snow!

When will this madness end?

So, because of the endless appeals of North Carolina legislative districts, North Carolina's primary elections for 2004 have been delayed until July at least. In order for North Carolina to be represented at the Democratic National Convention, delegates will have to be selected before that time. In order to avoid the expense of conducting a statewide presidential preference primary all by itself, Democrats will have a statewide caucus for the first time in more than 25 years.

I have been wondering how this is going to work for those of us who vote in Orange County. According to the state Democratic Party website, we will be conducting the caucus on Saturday April 17, 2004 between 8 AM and 12 Noon. As near as I can tell, this will be very much like a primary election except that:

I apologize for the length, but there doesn't seem to be any info online.

As a warm up to March 20:

Please Spread the Word and join us for the International Day of Action Against War Profiteers: Tuesday, February 24

"Why are RTI , UNC, Duke, NCCU, and NCSU willing accomplices to war profiteering?"

"Why Won't Bush and RTI allow real democracy in Iraq?"

RTI: You CHOSE to take this contract, now CHOOSE to promote FAIR AND FREE ELECTIONS. NO, NO TO SELECTION. YES, YES TO ELECTIONS.

RTI & LOCAL UNIVERSITIES OUT OF IRAQ.

Let the Iraqi People Speak for Themselves. REAL DEMOCRACY NOT U.S.
APPOINTOCRACY

Tuesday, Feb. 24; 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM On the corner of Corwallis Rd. and NC
Hwy 55 in Durham.

Bring signs and banners. We will have a lively street-side demonstration at a busy intersection followed by dinner and a strategy session beginning at approximately 6:00pm.