February 2009

Photos from Holden Thorp's visit to Maple View Dairy

[Chancellor & friends, photo by John Rees]Here are some photos I took on my visit today to Maple View Dairy in rural Orange County. They were hosting a celebration to thank UNC Chancellor Holden Thorp for halting the process for the airport. Mr. Thorp was there having an ice cream as well as many of the key parties that worked so hard to oppose the airport.

I was told later by someone that Chancellor Thorp is a regular visitor to Maple View already, but I did not know if that was shared in confidence so I will not divulge the source. :-)

Repeal the Anti-Lingering Ordinance

This is my first post on OP in a long, long time. But I'm fired up, friends. 

Tonight the Carrboro Board of Aldermen heard a report from the police chief that the anti-lingering ordinance in place since 2007 has been a success. No one has been arrested using the ordinance though many, apparently, have been threatened by the police and "educated."

There were five or six people in attendance in support of the ordinance and, unfortunately, I was the only member of the public there to speak against it. I called it a preemptive strike on civil liberties and below what Carrboro is all about.

And I mentioned that I know what it is like to be the victim of an assault and to live in a place where I had reason to be concerned for my safety when walking down my street.

I don't see the Carrboro I have long admired in this ordinance.

Journey of Reconciliation historic marker unveiling

Saturday, Feb 28:

February 28 Freedom Rider State Highway
Marker Programs And Unveiling Ceremony
 
12—1:30
Opening Program at Hargraves Recreation Center
NAACP President, Eugene Farrar—Welcome
1947 Freedom Rider, George Hauser—Welcome
Rev. Charles Jones Granddaughter, Karen Abbotts--Welcome
UNC-NOW—Performance Re-enactment of 1947 Freedom Ride in Chapel Hill
Freedom Riders Essay Contest Awards Presentation
 
 
1:30—2
March to Dedication Site at Rosemary and Columbia
Signs and Banners, Chants, Song, Photo Boards
 
2—2:30
Dedication and Unveiling Ceremony
NAACP President, Eugene Farrar—Dedication program
Fred Battle—Unveiling
 
2:30—4
Town Hall Reception and Program
Refreshments
Cj Suitt—Spoken Word
Tim Tyson—Background and Perspective on 1947 Journey of Reconciliation
Filmmakers Robin Washington and Julia Cheng—DVD, “You Don’t Have to Ride
JIM CROW!”
 
Co-sponsored
Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP  
Community Church of Chapel Hill Unitarian Universalist

Partner Organizations
Town of Chapel Hill
UNC-NOW

Additional events on Thursday, Feb. 26:
5:30 at Sonja Hanes Stone Center.
7:00 at Horace Williams House, organized by the Fellowship of Reconciliation and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP.

More info and context on the week's events at http://www.orangepolitics.org/2009/02/chapel-hill-gets-a-historic-marker-for-the-first-freedom-ride

Date: 

Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 7:00am to 11:00am

Location: 

Hargraves Center & Chapel Hill Town Hall

Screening "You Don't Have to Ride Jim Crow" & discussion of local civil rights history

Co-organized by the Fellowship of Reconciliation and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP, this event will feature one of the creators of the 1995 documentary "You Don't have to Ride Jim Crow," as well as discussion about historic civil rights activism in Chapel Hill. 

Reception at 7:00, film at 7:30.

Date: 

Thursday, February 26, 2009 - 2:00pm

Location: 

Horace Williams House, 610 E. Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill

University Hires Business Consulting Firm to Conduct Study

Here is the latest, Thorp's message dated February 12, 2009:  http://www.unc.edu/chan/chancellors/thorp_holden/090212-budget.php, and reproduced below. The study is to be conducted by "Bain & Company, a global business consulting firm" and "The UNC-Chapel Hill Foundation is funding the study, which is made possible through a restricted gift from a Carolina alumnus."

Some interesting research questions come up.  Can we know  how much this study is costing, who really funded it, and  its particulars (e.g. can we see a copy of the proposal the firm wrote to get this job, and the contract with them?  Is this all a matter of public record, and should people try to see it?  One can infer from use of the word "restricted" that we may never know who is behind it. Should we?

Democratic Party Precinct Meetings

* Note: Not all precinct meetings are this night.  See the calendar at http://orangedems.com/pdfs/2009PrecinctMtgs.pdf

Precinct organizations are the basic unit of the Democratic Party. Precincts initiate grassroots political action, undertake community organizing and community service, take positions on issues of public policy, and carry out Get Out the Vote activities at election time.

The 2009 annual precinct meeting is where the election cycle leading up to the important 2010 elections begins. The principal matters on the agenda are:

  • Elect new precinct officers
  • Elect delegates to County Convention - April 18, 2009
  • Pass public policy resolutions for consideration at the County Convention
  • Plan precinct activities for the coming year
  • All registered Democrats and unaffiliated voters are welcome to attend precinct meetings.

Date: 

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Location: 

Usually at your polling place. See link in description

Mayor's Mental Health Task Force Listening Session

Listening Sessions Announcement

The Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force will hold two Public Listening Sessions on February 24th and 25th in the Chapel Hill Town Council Chambers. The purpose of these sessions is to enable Task Force members to hear from consumers of mental health services, those who are on the front lines in the mental health field, those who work in allied fields and community members at large.

The sessions are scheduled as follows:

§  Tuesday, February 24, 2009 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

§  Wednesday, February 25, 2009 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

These sessions seek to open a community dialogue on the pressing issue of the state of mental health services in the area. We invite all who are interested in presenting their views to the Task Force to:

§  Join us on February 24th or 25th to make a 3-minute statement (sign up that evening on a first-come, first-served basis;

§  Submit a written statement to the Task Force at a listening session or by email (mintern@townofchapelhill.org) or mail/delivery to Mayor’s Office, 405 Martin Luther King Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.

§  Submit a post to the Task Force blog (see below);

Persons who are organizing a group presentation and wish to speak beyond the 3-minute limit are requested to make prior arrangements through the Mayor’s Office (968-2714).

Together the community and the Task Force can identify important issues related to mental health service delivery in our area and identify potential strategies for change or improvement. As part of our effort to create a community dialogue, we have also developed a blog at http://mentalhealthnc.wordpress.com/, where we invite all members of the community to offer feedback and comments.

Date: 

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 1:00pm

Location: 

Town Council Chambers 405 Martin Luther King Jr. BLVD

Because We're Still Here (and Moving)

Last night my wife and I attended a remarkable play about the history of Chapel Hill. The play is called, Because We’re Still Here (and Moving). It runs through February 17th at the Kenan Theatre, an extension of the Paul Green Theatre.

The play is a collection of stories about African Americans whose families have been a part of Chapel Hill for over 150 years. The play weaves together many fragments of oral history in a very moving and creative way. I learned a lot about the proud history of the black community in Chapel Hill that I had not heard before. I also heard appalling family stories about slavery and racism in Chapel Hill that are a sad part of our community’s shared history.

I was particularly interested in stories about Lincoln High School (now the Lincoln Center). I have lived here for many years but, I was unaware of the history of achievement and community pride that surrounded Lincoln High School. I hope many people will get a chance to see this excellent play.

Michael B. Owen

BREAKING: Central campus buildings evacuated due to bomb threat

I just heard this announced on WCHL. The Daily Tar Heel web site has the scoop, in spite of being turned out of their office in the Union:

9:45 p.m., SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 -- The student union, Davis Library and the Undergraduate Library were evacuated Sunday night due to a bomb threat. The Daily Tar Heel office was also evacuated. According to witness reports, police are informing students to stay away from the Pit. Police came into Davis Library and told Lindy Beyer, assistant night supervisor, that there was a "credible threat." She announced over the intercom that library patrons should evacuate, but did not announce the bomb threat. Beyers said she can not be sure if the library is empty at this time. The police are currently sweeping the Pit with dogs. We will continue to update this story as we get new information.

- Daily Tar Heel: Union, Davis Library evacuated, 2/15/08

Tax Revolt?

Property Tax Revolt I ran across the yard sign pictured at left quite a few times as I was driving through central Orange County today, particularly plastered along the strip-mall section of Hillsborough along Churton St between the two interstates. Something tells me these folks aren't interested in "revolting" by lobbying their state representatives to allow us to utilize alternative revenue options. Does anyone have any insight about the story behind the signs? Is this a grassroots effort or is there an existing anti-tax group sponsoring this?

Weaver Street Market Board Meeting

The Board meets on the third Wednesday of each month in the Community Realty building on the northwest corner of Weaver and Greensboro Streets in Carrboro. Meetings run from 6:30-9:30pm and all owners of the Co-op are welcome to attend as observers. To confirm an upcoming meeting, please contact the board here.

Date: 

Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 1:30pm to 4:30pm

Public Input/Information Session on Carolina North


A Public Input/Information Session on Carolina North will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, in the Chapel Hill Town Council Chambers of Town Hall, 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Carolina North is a proposed satellite campus of UNC-Chapel Hill. It is expected to be contained within about 250 acres of the Horace Williams Tract's 1,000 acres and be built in phases over the next 50 years, as proposed. The property lies just to the north of Estes Drive adjacent to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

The Thursday session will provide an update on the status of UNC-Chapel Hill's Carolina North plans and a description of issues being addressed by policy-makers and Town/University staffs. These issues include the following: design standards and public art; police/fire/EMS facilities and services; school site; recreation facilities; greenways, connections; historic, cultural features; stormwater management on site; water use and reclamation; energy conservation, carbon credits; Solid waste management; remediation of landfill; stream buffers; trees, landscaping; sedimentation; neighboring lands, compatibility, buffers; noise, lighting. A public comment period is scheduled. See the meeting agenda: http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/agendas/2009/02/19/

This meeting will be aired live on Chapel Hill Government TV 18. Additional informational sessions on Carolina North have been scheduled for 1 to 5 p.m. March 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. April 1.

For more information, contact the Town of Chapel Hill Planning Department at (919) 968-2728 or carolinanorth@townofchapelhill.org. Additional material is posted online at www.townofchapelhill.org/carolinanorth.

Date: 

Thursday, February 19, 2009 - 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Earth Action Day Celebration

Chapel Hill's Second Annual Earth Action Day Celebration, presented on location at UNC's Morehead Planetarium and Science Center.A free event for the whole family, Earth Action Day will provide a fun-filled afternoon of learning more about our planet and the human relationship with the environment through demonstrations, performances, and activities by and for all ages.

For more information see our Earth Action Day pages.

Date: 

Saturday, April 18, 2009 - 8:00am to 1:00pm

Location: 

UNC's Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

Festifall

The Town of Chapel Hill Parks & Recreation Department is proud to sponsor our Annual Festifall Arts and Crafts Street Fair in downtown Chapel Hill, Sunday, October 4, 2009 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Quality arts and crafts by some of the most talented artists in NC will be shown at this event. Bring your holiday shopping list and some home décor ideas for purchasing original art. Everything from live music and original arts and crafts to the ultimate Kids Zone will be displayed at this premier fall spectacular.

The sights, sounds and brisk fall air will be accented by thousands of fair goers. The Annual Festifall Street Fair is a beautiful fall event with a home-town, community touch, designed with family, friends and newcomers in mind.

We invite arts & craft exhibitors and entertainers to apply by the July 17, 2009 deadline. Limited space is available.

For more information see www.townofchapelhill.org/festifall for detailed fair info and to download an application.

Date: 

Sunday, October 4, 2009 - 9:00am to 2:00pm

Location: 

West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill

Orange County Democratic Party County Convention

The 2009 Orange County Democratic Party County Convention will be at Mt Zion AME Church Fellowship Hall, located at 5124 NC Highway 86 North of Hillsborough. New OCDP officers will be elected, and resolutions from precinct meetings will be debated and voted on for referral to District and State Conventions.

Date: 

Saturday, April 18, 2009 - 7:00am to 12:00pm

Municipal Candidate Filing Begins

2009 municipal and Chapel Hill/Carrboro School Board election filing will begin on Monday, July 6th at 8:00am and conclude on Friday, July 17th at noon.

Date: 

Monday, July 6, 2009 - 4:00am

Municipal Candidate Filing Ends

2009 municipal and Chapel Hill/Carrboro School Board election filing will begin on Monday, July 6th at 8:00am and conclude on Friday, July 17th at noon.

Date: 

Friday, July 17, 2009 - 8:00am

Public Forum on Voter-Owned Elections

What: Public Hearing, Chapel Hill Town Council
When: Monday, February 23, 7:00 p.m.
Why: Come support Voter Owned Elections Monday, February 23

Background:
On   July 16, 2007, the Town of Chapel Hill received authorization from the North Carolina General Assembly to establish a Voter Owned Elections (public financing) program for local municipal election campaigns. The Town is the first local government in North Carolina to have received this legislative authority. The State Board of Elections required some improvements to the town's proposed program, so Chapel Hill is having a second public hearing on Monday night. Town Council members invite public input and supporters of Voter Owned Elections should attend the public hearing.

For more information or to RSVP, please email jennfrye@democracy-nc.org.

Date: 

Monday, February 23, 2009 - 2:00pm

Location: 

Chapel Hill Town Hall

Orange County Campaign for Change (OC3) YES WE CANS Food Drive

President Obama believes that we, as Americans,
have a responsibility to help our communities and fellow citizens
PLEASE JOIN
the Orange County Campaign for Change
in supporting the
YES WE CANS FOOD DRIVE
to benefit the
Interfaith Council (IFC)
&
Orange Congregations in Mission (OCIM)
 
Help collect food in your neighborhood, at your work place, among friends
BRING ALL DONATIONS TO EITHER LOCATION (non perishable items only):
The Carrboro Farmers Market
(in the Free Speech Zone)
Cup-A-Joe 120 W. King St.
Hillsborough
Both from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, on February 28th
(see www.mybarackobama.com for details)
 

Date: 

Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 4:00am to 7:00am

Tonight - Carolina North Public Input/Information Session

There is another Carolina North Public Input/Information Session tonight, February 19, 2009, at 7PM in the Town Council chamber.  There is already a draft of new language for the Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) to cover development on the Carolina North property as well as a draft of a development agreement which would be the basis for the Town of Chapel Hill's oversight of this massive project. Both of these drafts as well as a great deal of other information can be obtained at http://www.townofchapelhill.org/index.asp?NID=1821

Chapel Hill gets a historic marker for the first freedom ride

[1947 freedom riders]Did you know that the first civil rights "freedom ride" took place in 1947, fourteen years before the 1961 riders captured the nation's attention by exposing the brutality of Jim Crow in the South? The Journey of Reconciliation was organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), which was born at the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), and was led by FOR staff members Bayard Rustin and George Houser.

The interracial group of nine men on the Journey of Reconciliation set out from Washington, D.C. on April 9th, 1947. They met some resistance from passengers and drivers on buses in Virginia and North Carolina. But when they attempted to sit at the front of a bus in Chapel Hill on April 12th, the driver refused, and removed some of the riders by force. They were then attacked by angry cab drivers at the Chapel Hill bus station, and arrested by local police. Their subsequent time serving on a chain gang led Rustin to write about the experience. His serialized journal led to major reforms in the North Carolina prison system.

North Carrboro Precinct Meeting

I hope folks living in North Carrboro precinct will attend tonights meeting in the Springvalley Mailhouse at the corner of Springvalley Rd & Pathway Drive.We will meet at 7:30-8:45pm (the President speaks at 9pm and oh yes, UNC tip off).

We want to consider a mortgage foreclosure moratorium resolution.

Do you know about Orange County Campaign for Change(OC3) and the YES WE CANS Food Drive? Come find out.

Elect precinct leadership.

Hope to see you. Bring a chair or cushion to sit on.

 

OP video collection

Short videos by Ruby Sinreich (and maybe others) about recent happenings on OrangePolitics and around the county.

The most recent videos are shown in reverse chronological order (newest to oldest). To see related blog entries, check out the OPTV archive. Some videos are on Ustream and some are on blip.tv.

Live Video streaming by Ustream

Check Yes to Elect Democrats!

Do you want to help ensure Democrats win in 2010?

What if one step was so simple it only required you to place a check mark on a form you already have to fill out?

This year, when you file your taxes, be sure to check off the Democratic Party under NC Political Parties Financing Fund.

Doing so won't cost you one extra penny on your tax return or reduce your refund, and you'll be helping to guarantee that Democrats across the state have the necessary funding to compete in 2010.

It's that simple.

Additionally, you can also support public financing of campaigns by supporting the Public Campaign Fund.

This Fund pays for a useful Voter Guide sent to all homes and helps candidates in NC's top courts who accept spending limits and refuse big campaign donations.

Niether of the options affects your tax bill or refund in any way.

 

Mayor's Task Force on Mental Health

I am interested in comments from anyone who attended the "listening sessions" this week sponsored by the Mayor Foy's Mental Health Task Force. The sessions were on Tues. and Weds. evening. I got to the Tues. session too late to get a sense of where the Task Force is heading.

I think many people are aware of the problems facing the public mental health system in Orange County and elsewhere. I am interested in what the Task Force intends to accomplish. I hope someone who attended will comment.

Orange County Organizing Committee meeting

From an OP comment:

The next county-wide general meeting of the OCOC will be March 9th. The meeting will start at 6:30 pm with meetings of the 6 interest groups (living wage, affordable housing, immigrant families, healthcare, education, and the environment) and at 8:00 pm there will be a general meeting when the interest groups report back and other business is discussed. We will end promptly at 9 pm.

Molly De Marco

 

Date: 

Monday, March 9, 2009 - 2:30pm

Location: 

Binkley Baptist Church, 1712 Willow Drive, Chapel Hill

Carolina North Public Education Session

This is organized by the Town of Chapel Hill for residents to better understand and participate in the planning process for CN. I can't find an agenda online, but check http://www.townofchapelhill.org/index.asp?NID=1817  or http://www.townofchapelhill.org/carolinanorth

Date: 

Wednesday, March 4, 2009 - 10:00am to 2:00pm

Location: 

http://www.townofchapelhill.org/CurrentEvents.asp?EID=2793

12th Annual Community Dinner

Advance tickets only! According to their web site:

The Community Dinner is a community building event, crossing economic, racial, religious and ethnic barriers and presenting a wealth of wonderful, culturally diverse food and entertainment. A large number of the tickets for the dinner are distributed to people who might not otherwise be able to afford to attend. You can feed a family of four with a $22 donation.

The Community Dinner is not a fundraising event, but rather an awareness raising event, designed to bring people from all walks of life together for an afternoon of great food and entertainment.

Date: 

Sunday, March 1, 2009 - 8:00am

Location: 

McDougle School Cafetorium, 900 Old Fayetteville Rd., Carrboro

"Quality for Pedestrians: Pitfalls in Policy Making"


Rob Methorst to present "Quality for Pedestrians: Pitfalls in Policy Making"

CHAPEL HILL – Rob Methorst, a senior advisor with the Dutch Ministry of Transport, will present a lecture titled "Quality for Pedestrians: Pitfalls in Policy Making " on Friday, March 20 at 1:00 pm in the Tate-Turner-Kuralt auditorium on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The free, public lecture is being cosponsored by the UNC Highway Safety Research Center, the UNC Injury Prevention Research Center, the Carolina Transportation Program and the Department of City and Regional Planning.

Methorst will discuss his international perspective on the ingredients needed for successful policy making to improve conditions for pedestrians.

Date: 

Friday, March 20, 2009 - 9:00am

Location: 

UNC Tate-Turner-Kuralt auditorium

When does talk about Roger's Road turn into neighborhood improvements?

There were two articles in the CHH today on the services and improvements that the historic Rogers Road neighborhood has long been lacking.

http://www.heraldsun.com/orange/

For the Historic Rogers Road neighborhood it appears that the neighborhood's role as the garbage receptacle for Orange County may be coming to an end.  However vigilance is still required because it ain't quite over yet.

The long sought after services and neighborhood improvements are not anywhere in sight.  Over the decades there has been no lack of talk, task forces, official pronouncements of support, planning committees, lists etc...  Almost nothing concrete has ever come of all this. 

The neighborhood is split into multiple jurisdictions complicating any chance of real progress and  offering ready made excuses to all the jurisdictions for failure to act.  As with most other things it also boils down to money and with the current economic environment it gets even more difficult.

Public hearing on Smith Level Rd (S. Greensboro St) widening & BIKE improvements

NOTICE OF A COMBINED PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS TO SR 1919 (SMITH LEVEL ROAD) FROM SOUTH OF ROCK HAVEN ROAD TO BRIDGE NO. 88 OVER MORGAN CREEK IN CARRBORO

TIP Project No. U-2803 Orange County

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will hold a Pre-Hearing Open House and Combined Public Hearing on March 9, 2009 at Carrboro Elementary School, located at 400 Shelton Street, Carrboro, 27510.

NCDOT representatives will be available at a pre-hearing open house in the auditorium lobby between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to answer questions and receive comments relative to the location and design of the proposed project. Interested citizens may attend at any time during the above mentioned hours. Handouts and comment sheets will be distributed. The formal public hearing will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. The hearing will be open to those present for statements, questions and comments. The presentation and comments will be recorded and a written transcript will be prepared.

NCDOT proposes transportation improvements to SR 1919 (Smith Level Road) which include: widening Smith Level Road to three lanes (between Rock Haven Road and Culbreth Road), transition between three to four lanes (between Culbreth Road and BPW Club Road), and widen to a four-lane, median divided roadway between BPW Club Road and Morgan Creek. A roundabout intersection is proposed at the intersection of Smith Level Road and Rock Haven Road.

Sidewalks and bicycle accommodations are proposed throughout the project.

A map displaying the location and design of the project and a copy of the environmental document – State Environmental Assessment / Finding of No Significant Impact - are available for public review at the Town of Carrboro, 301 W. Main Street, Carrboro, 27510.
The map is also available online at:
http://www.ncdot.org/doh/preconstruct/highway/roadway/hearingmaps_by_county/ .

Anyone desiring additional information may contact Ed Lewis, Human Environment Unit, at 1598 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1598, by phone (919) 431-6585, by fax (919) 431-2001 or by email at elewis@ncdot.gov.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this hearing.
Anyone requiring special services should contact Mr. Lewis as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.

Date: 

Monday, March 9, 2009 - 12:30pm to 5:00pm

Location: 

Carrboro Elementary

Revaluation in Orange County

From this week's issue of The Carrboro Citizen — Reporters Margot Lester and Rich Fowler offer a detailed look at the revaluation issue.
• Main Story: Revaluations squeeze home, business owners
How revaluations are calculated
How to appeal your revaluation
Neighborhoods with the highest and lowest increase in revaluations
 

Community Guidelines

By using this site, you agree to our community guidelines. Inappropriate or disruptive behavior will result in moderation or eviction.

 

Content license

By contributing to OrangePolitics, you agree to license your contributions under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.

Creative Commons License

 
Zircon - This is a contributing Drupal Theme
Design by WeebPal.