Mark Chilton's blog

Help Wanted

The Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools website reports as follows:

Applications to Fill School Board Vacancy Due Nov. 19

Valerie Foushee formally resigned from the Board of Education Nov. 4 after she was elected Nov. 2 to serve on the Orange County Board of County Commissioners. Foushee has served on the school board for seven years. Her term will expire in 2005.

The board has announced plans to advertise the opening and will conduct an orientation session for potential candidates on Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. at Lincoln Center.

Applications are due Nov. 19 by 5 p.m. to the Superintendent's Office. The timeline and application forms are available on the school system's website at: http://www.chccs.k12.nc.us/Welcome.asp?DP=SB

Board members will interview candidates at a special meeting on Nov. 29 and select a replacement on Dec. 2. The new board member will be sworn into office on Dec. 16 to complete Foushee's unexpired term. Next School Board Discussion on High School Schedules Slated for Nov. 18

Electoral Reform Begins at Home

There are four major electoral changes that Orange County voters should consider. Take note everyone, I said ‘consider.' I am not entirely sure what the best approach would be, but I do think the current system doesn't adequately reflect the diversity of viewpoints in Orange County.

For what they are worth, here are four ideas for County electoral reform that have been bandied about:

1. Increasing Membership

Reading the Tea Leaves

We know that both Moses Carey and Valerie Foushee won the Commissioners race, but how did Valerie come out on top? Let's take a look at what really went down in the Orange County Commissioners race.

To draw out some conclusions about the County Commissioners race, I split up the precincts into five (value neutral) groups based on the results in this race. At the bottom of this post you will find those groupings (inadequately) defined.

DISCLAIMER: There is no significance to the order in which the Groups were lettered. There is nothing implicitly better about Group A versus Group D, for example. They are just identifying terms. Also, I hope I am merely presenting what I found, rather than what I wish that I found, so please do not read this post as reflecting what I think about merger etc. For the record, I voted for Val and Moses, just like almost all voters in my precinct.

Looking at those Groups, here is what I conclude (initially):

Ballantine opposes regional rail

Republican gubernatorial candidate Patrick Ballantine is quoted in today's Raleigh N&O as opposing regional commuter rail in the Triangle. Ballantine argues that it is a waste of money for the state to support Charlotte's proposed light rail system as well. Says Ballantine in the N&O: "Right now you're not going to be able to take people out of their cars -- despite the traffic. That takes an incredible cultural change that we're not ready for."

Democratic Governor Mike Easley supports state investment in both systems. The N&O Article quotes Easley's Secretary of Transportation: "There appears to be a great deal of wisdom in providing public transportation through additional bus service in rural areas and urban areas, and in the light rail piece for Charlotte and Raleigh."

I think Ballantine is the "incredible cultural change" that I am not ready for.

Hillsborough Planning Board

Arglebargle or fuferau?

There's something more to the story of Kelly Hopper being kicked off the Hillsborough Planning Board than meets the eye. Admittedly she skipped a lot of meetings, but it sounds like there is more at work in this decision than that.

Anyone want to let us in on the big secret?

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