July 2014

Transit Equity: A Platform for Growth and Economic Prosperity

As counties in the Triangle move forward with plans to expand transit options and enhance mobility, please join us for a discussion about the importance of incorporating equity components into transit planning. By prioritizing and committing to equitable development, lawmakers can ensure that the benefits of transit investments are broadly shared so low- and moderate-income residents will not be left behind as new opportunities enter the Triangle.  Transit investments can be a powerful force for social and economic equity if lawmakers choose to protect residents from displacement and enhance connectivity by coordinating transit, housing, and jobs policies. The result: strong, affordable, and accessible communities. 

Date: 

Friday, July 25, 2014 - 8:00am to 9:30am

Location: 

Junior League of Raleigh, 711 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh

School Board Cutting Custodian Salaries to Reduce Budget?

During budget discussions last night, some members of the Chapel Hill Carrboro School Board indicated that they would support a strategy to cut their budget that would affect some of our lowest income workers. A proposal was made to move 15 custodians from being school district employees making $11/hour to contractors making only $9.60/hour. This would save $30,000, but is it really the way we want to save money? Not me.

The School Board may vote on this budget cut on July 17th, depending on when the North Carolina General Assembly passes the state budget and what it includes.

As The Runoff Election Approaches, A Look Back At Our Sheriff's Forum

Early voting for the Orange County Sheriff’s Run-off between David Caldwell and Charles Blackwood kicks off this Thursday. Below are excerpted answers from Blackwood and Caldwell from the OrangePolitics’ Sheriff’s Forum.
 

OFFICE HOURS WITH BOCC CANADATE GARY KAHN

office hours with Gary Kahn are  Mon -Fri 2-5 pm at Tabbacco Road Chapel Hill. in the Bar Area. to discuss campaign issues anyone might have. Thanks. Gary Kahn.P.s. Now through election day.

 

Corporations Do Have Rights

I’m not turning into Karl Rove. Honest. But I do not understand why progressive writers I otherwise deeply respect, like #BobGeary of #TheIndependent (‘Supreme Court rulings reinforce workplace discrimination'), have such an obsession against corporate America.

To be honest, I sense it has nothing to do with constitution, law or rights, and an awful lot to do with the fact that these folks do not like Republicans. And most large corporations are run by Republicans.

Look. I don’t much care for Republicans, either. But that does not mean that they do not have rights. And it does not mean that corporations do not have rights, too.

Monthly OP Editors Meeting

Date: 

Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 11:00am to 1:00pm

Location: 

Looking Glass Cafe

Open Office Hours with Lee Storrow

Join Chapel Hill Town Council Member Lee Storrow for open office hours to discuss your concerns in Chapel Hill.

I'll provide refreshments, just bring yourself. Come whether you have a specific concern, or just want to hear more about what local government is doing. Past conversations have tended to go in a lot of different directions, but am definitely interested in feedback and thoughts about downtown Chapel Hill for this gathering.

Date: 

Thursday, July 24, 2014 - 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Location: 

Industry- 403 West Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill NC,

This Week in Orange Politics: July 14-20

Though many of Orange County’s public bodies are off this week, don’t forget to vote in the runoff/second primary for sheriff. The polls will be open 6:30am to 7:30pm. Both school boards will also be meeting. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board will consider a technology contract, while its Orange County counterpart will get an update on the budget for the upcoming year. The Hillsborough Town Board will have two meetings, one for general matters and other for changes to the Unified Development Ordinance.

Here’s the full summary:

CARRBORO BOARD OF ALDERPERSONS

  • The Carrboro Board of Alderfolks is in summer recess.

CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL

  • The Chapel Hill Town Council is in summer recess.

CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION

Election Day Open Thread

Today is runoff day across Orange County!

Democrats in all precincts have the chance to choose between Charles Blackwood and David Caldwell in the Democratic primary for Sheriff while Republicans in the northern part of the county can vote to choose the Republican nominee for Congress in North Carolina's 6th district. Unaffiliated voters who voted in the May 6th primary may only vote the same party in today's runoff. Unaffiliated voters who did not vote on May 6th can vote today and, if applicable, choose which party ballot they wish to cast. A total of 1519 voters cast their ballots early at the Board of Elections office in Hillsborough.

What are you seeing at the polls today? I was voter #1 at Smith Middle School just after 6:30am this morning with no other voters in sight.

Results will be posted online after polls close at 7:30pm tonight.

Sign the Petition to Expand Early Voting

Yesterday, I attended the Board of Elections meeting where they were to approve the early vote schedule for the fall. Though I knew there could be some others in attendance regarding an early vote site on campus (I was part of the informal committee looking for sites and suggested Carolina Hillel as a possibility, which was eventually approved). There were at least a dozen people in attendance speaking, as I did, in support of expanded hours on Saturday and adding Sunday as a voting day. While Orange County exceeded the number of hours required by law in the primary, I believe we should expand hours even more. Because of the response, the Board is delaying their decision next week.

On Tuesday, July 22 at 11:15am, members of the Orange County Board of Elections will consider our county's early vote plan. They were originally slated to approve the plan at yesterday's meeting, but due to the number of people present in support of expanded opportunities opted to postpone their decision.

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