February 2004

Big thanks to Linda Convissor who passed on this information from Victoria Hackler who passed this on from the Town of Chapel Hill:

FYI- The town web site has been down a week now because our vendor has been having major technical problems. The agenda information is still accessible. Direct citizens, council members and anyone who inquires to our internal site http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/agendas/agendas2004.htm for agenda information. Feel free to pass this address along until the site is back up. The vendor told me that they hoped to get it back up today but no guarantee.

I've been to it before, it's a very energizing experience! Check it out:

2004 SURGE Conference:
"It takes a lot of little people to make a BIG DIFFERENCE"
on February 6-8th at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill!!

We now have a list of the confirmed speakers and workshop leaders on our website at www.surgenetwork.org .

These times call for unprecedented cooperation from all organizations dedicated to justice and peace! Join over 100 student activists already registered for this February weekend hosted by SURGE, Students United for a Responsible Global Environment, and scores of other groups, so that we can build a strong movement! We will have educational and training workshops, great speakers, music, delicious meals, and networking sessions to make sure that we stay linked after the weekend is over.

Registration Fee only $10*
(*includes housing and food, negotiable based on need)

register online at www.surgenetwork.org

I haven't been keeping up with Carrboro's supposedly-controversial Pacifica development, but it seems to be making headlines a lot.

The planners of Pacifica say they will move ahead with the housing project, despite town officials' refusal to cap the developers' share of the financial burden.

Pacifica, a controversial subdivision approved by the Board of Aldermen last June, will add 46 units to an 8.3-acre lot at the end of Hanna Street and Watters Road.

Touted by some developers and aldermen as a tool for integrated affordable housing, Pacifica sparked criticism from those who argued the subdivision would increase traffic and noise in the surrounding community.
-Chapel Hill Herald, 2/5/04

It always seemed to me to be a good proposal, and I've assumed that opposition came from the anti-infill NIMBYs in the area. Am I right or am I missing something? Pardon the bad analogy, but is this Carrboro's Meadowmont? What's this "cap" business?

"Something stinks south of Mebane"
Late last month, community members, a few farmers and Orange County health officials met to air out concerns that the byproduct of municipal wastewater treatment - sewer sludge - being applied to farmland is contaminating water wells and causing sickness in the community. Though there is no evidence yet that the fertilizer is a health risk, one Oak Grove resident believes there is reason for fear.
-The News of Orange County, 2/4/04

It was my understanding that OWASA does something similar with recycling their waste as fertilizer at local farms. It sounds like these farmers are patronizing Synagrow Industries of Texas and Burlington's treated wastewwater instead of OWASA's crap. Does our shit stink?

I'd like to see a lot more UNC students involved in local government, and a less Board of Trustees members funding local campaigns.

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.

Peggy Misch has a posse... and they're keeping the heat on local leaders to resist the Bush Administration's attempts to dismantle civil rights and liberties. In addition to the county Democratic Party, they're talking about taking their resolution to Hillsborough. It has already been passed by the governing bodies of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Orange County as well an the N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers.

Orange County civil liberties activists are working to make a resolution opposing the USA PATRIOT Act component of the official platform of the county's Democratic Party.

The Orange County Bill of Rights Defense committee agreed at a meeting Thursday to begin rallying support for the resolution before local Democratic precincts hold their meetings March 9.
- Daily Tarheel, 2/20/04

I have been wondering for some time now how "liberal" Chapel Hill really is. It often seems as if our progressive reputation somehow gives us permission to do things we otherwise would be challenged for (like Nixon going to China).

For example, of all the critical issues addressed by the Town Council the one that I have seen bring the absolute biggest number of passionate protesters to Town Halln was the elimination of back-yard pick up. It was like armageddon would be upon us as soon as we rolled our garbage to the curb. In addition, the continued attempts to whitewash downtown so that suburbanites will feel more comfortable parking their large cars while ignoring the poverty that results from their greed is another prime example.

Finally, this very website has been deluged with postings from readers ranging from Republican to Libertarian. Progressive voices here are few. I suspect this may not be representative of the readership, or maybe I'm just deluded by the myth of a left-leaning community.

I just received the following announcement from the Friends of Bolin Creek. Sounds like a fun and educational trip.

Friends of Bolin Creek Walk: The Impact of Carolina North on Bolin Creek Watershed

February 29, 2004 at 2:00 p.m.
Beginning at Seawell Elementary School Parking Lot

Walk the Ground!
See how UNC's Plans might impact the Land and Bolin Creek

For More Information
Call Dave Otto 966-6226 or Dave Cook 942-5315

There are lots and lots of meetings relating to UNC's development plans, but this Monday is one not to miss. The Chapel Hill Town Council will hold public hearings on two issues that will define the future deliberations about Carolina North.

1. The report of the Horace Williams Citizens Committee (HWCC). This committee was charged with the task of advising the Council on issues related the Horace Williams tract and the University's development of it. The HWCC has worked on this report for over a year. It contains detailed goals and principles, from the econmic and environmental impacts to constuction phasing, transit plans, and neighborhood protection. This report should be used in the future to provide some support to the Council by demostrating the community's goals for this land.