OP Editors's blog

We Need Civility in Public Discourse

Tensions can run high in local issues, but lately the state of discourse has reached a sad low. When being the loudest person in the room and the most passionate advocate for your opinion becomes the objective at a public meeting, it’s a sign of a broken dialogue and a complete breakdown in civility.

Our state of uncivil discourse has been a long time coming. In Chapel Hill, the discussions around Ephesus-Fordham, Central West, Obey Creek, Charterwood, and other planning processes and developments foreshadowed where we are today, with outbursts, disruptions, and other tactics being used to derail conversations and suppress diverse viewpoints and opinions. Now, in Carrboro, discussions about the construction of a multi-use path from Winmore/the Landings on Homestead Road to Chapel Hill High School have seen a return to a lack of civility.

Successful streets put people before cars

{Cross posted from Chapel Hill News}

Yoga at Carrboro Summer Streets

Last summer, Carrboro closed East Weaver Street in front of Weaver Street Market one Sunday a month to open it up for people to commune, linger, meet old friends and make new ones, and use the street for physical activities like yoga, cycling and soccer. In addition, Carrboro just held its fourth Open Streets event in April.

Carrboro is just one of many communities across the country and world that have recognized the power and benefits of these Open Streets (or Summer Streets, for the summer months) events.

UNC-CH Departments & Colleges Take a Stand Against HB2

There are a growing number of departments and colleges at UNC-Chapel Hill that have taken a stand against HB2. Their statements affirm the value of all staff and students, note that they stand by UNC’s non-discrimination policy that includes gender identity and sexual orientation. Many call for the repeal of HB2. Below are those statements available now. More will be added as they become available.

UNC-CH Women’s & Gender Studies Department

http://womensstudies.unc.edu/statement-from-the-department-of-wgst-faculty-regarding-nc-house-bill-2/

UNC School of Law:

http://www.law.unc.edu/faculty/directory/eichnermaxine/

AND

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1524808561158447/permalink/1526361784336458/

CBOA Calls Special Meeting to Address House Bill 2

Carrboro alderpersons Damon Seils and Michelle Johnson, in consultation with Mayor Lydia Lavelle, have called a special meeting of the Carrboro Board of Alderpersons to consider a resolution to address House Bill 2.

The meeting will be this Saturday, March 26th, at 1:00 pm at Carrboro Town Hall.

Here is more information on the CBOA meeting.

Here is more information on the bill that was signed into law by Gov. Pat McCrory last night at 10 pm after first being introduced 10 am that very morning. Among other things, the new law does the following: 

2016 Primary Election Day Open Thread

It's Primary Day. We vote today in primaries for Orange County Board of Commissioners for District 1, District 2, and At-Large. Orange County voters are also voting to fill seats on their Board of Education.

Did you vote early? 

What are you seeing out there when you vote today?

What are your predictions?

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