October 2005

Rutherfurd steps aside

BREAKING NEWS! Walker Rutherfurd just used his closing statement at the DTH candidate forum to announce his resignation from the race!!!

His statement was thoughtful and mature. He said he would be applying for the Chapel Hill Tech Advisory Board. Well done.

Thorpe's Dean Dome vote

Here's a statement from Bill Thorpe clarifying his leadership in protecting neighborhoods on Town Council during the 1980's:

I am writing to clarify my role in Council votes over the Smith Center Special Use Permit. I believe that by providing voters with this background, they will understand that I have long been a strong advocate for the people and neighborhoods of Chapel Hill.

Here are the facts: In July 1980, I voted to approve the university's application for a special permit to construct the Dean Dome, having cast two prior opposing votes because of my concerns about the impact the development would have on the surrounding neighborhoods. These two 'no' votes were based on the legitimate objections raised by nearby residents about noise and traffic problems. I voted 'no' until the council secured noise buffers and more traffic controls. After securing those concessions, I voted yes - the vote alluded to by Mr. Davis.

Blockin' out the scenery

It looks like most of the campaign signs are up. Allan Louden, associate professor of communication at Wake Forest University and a specialist in political advertising, told the Herald earlier this week ("Sign Language: Carefully chosen words on a campaign placard could spell victory, or not, on Election Day" October 04, 2005):

The right sign, designed the right way, with just the right information, could mean the difference between a vote won or a vote lost, especially among folks who head to the polls unsure of whom to vote for.

In a close race, a couple of those votes could define the margin between victory and defeat.

Louden also says signs with a one-color background convey a candidate who is "solid, substantive and serious." Locally, that would include Mark Kleinschmidt, Alex Zaffron and Laurin Easthom.

White signs often fade into the background when placed among several signs, according to Louden. Bad news for Ed Harrison, Randee Haven-O'Donnell and Jason Baker. I would imagine that something distinctive about the sign would overcome the disadvantage of white thereby favoring Mark Chilton and Catherine DeVine.

A New UNC Campus - In Kannapolis!

Chapel Hill Herald, Saturday October 08, 2005

Last month's announcement of a new research campus in Kannapolis places UNC's Carolina North project in a new light. It also vindicates ideas promoted by Chapel Hillians over the past decade.

As described in Carolina Newswire on September 12, billionaire David H. Murdock, owner of Dole Food Company, and UNC System President Molly Broad unveiled plans for the North Carolina Research Campus, a massive scientific and economic revitalization project that encompasses the former Cannon Mills plant and entire downtown area of Kannapolis. They were joined by Mike Easley, Elizabeth Dole, Richard Burr, Robin Hayes, Marc Basnight, James Black, and a host of other officials.

Broad observed, "We cannot overstate the significance of the University's embarking - in partnership with Dole and David Murdock - on a project of this magnitude, scale, and potential. This initiative advances our three-part mission of teaching, research, and public service - and in the process gives new meaning to the terms 'collaborative' and 'multi-disciplinary.'

How Do We Get Out of Iraq?

Are you troubled by the disaster in Iraq but fearful of the consequences of an early withdrawal? Looking for alternatives between the extremes of “Stay the Course” and “Out Now”? On Monday October 10, 7:30 - 9:30 PM, the Orange County Democratic Party is sponsoring a public forum to educate citizens about the alternatives for withdrawal of US forces from Iraq, focusing on realistic scenarios and their consequences, and to provide a forum for discussion of the situation in Iraq.

Where: Chapel Hill High School auditorium.
When: Monday October 10, 7:30 - 9:30 PM

Speakers

Guest posting

Readers are encouraged to submit short, progressive opinion pieces for publication on OrangePolitics. The rules are that it be local, informative, and not express a typically conservative viewpoint. This last criterion is obviously subjective and is decided by the editor.

Guest posting

Readers are encouraged to submit short, progressive opinion pieces for publication on OrangePolitics. The rules are that it be local, informative, and not express a typically conservative viewpoint. This last criterion is obviously subjective and is decided by the editor.

Help develop a local "Animals' Platform"

At the Compassionate Living Festival (The Power of One Conference) in RTP this past weekend (October 7-9, 2005), The Animals' Platform was presented. To explain very briefly, it is a platform that will be used at the national level to get animal rights onto the political agenda for the 2006 election season. It will be updated every 2 years for each election season. You can see The Animals' Platform at http://www.animalsandsociety.org/animals_platform.htm.

Everyone was highly encouraged at the conference to develop an Animals' Platform at the state and/or local level. Malcolm Kenton volunteered to develop a list-serve for people interested in participating in the development of a North Carolina Animals Platform. If you are interested in joining the list, you can subscribe by going to the website at http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/ncanimalsplatform .

Chamber forum

If anyone goes to the WCHL / Empowerment / Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum at Hargarves tonight, please report back. I have a conflict and can't attend. Their forum for Carrboro candidates last week was pretty interesting, about 50% recycled and about 50% new answers.

WCHL / Empowerment / Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum - Chapel Hill

The Chapel Hill Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, in association with EmPOWERment and WCHL, will host a candidate forum for candidates for Chapel Hill Mayoral and Town Council races at Hargraves Community Center.

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