Ruby Sinreich's blog

Barry Jacobs to Run for State House!

Submitted by Ruby Sinreich on February 5, 2004 - 5:26pm

You heard it here first, folks. Barry tells me he will run for the newly-formed State House District 50. Of course we still have to wait to hear the final fate of the latest redistricting plan (PDF).

Read some advance endorsements of his campaign by OrangePolitics readers.

What's Up With Pacifica

Submitted by Ruby Sinreich on February 5, 2004 - 1:26pm

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?

Great Student Conference in Chapel Hill

Submitted by Ruby Sinreich on February 4, 2004 - 3:44pm

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

Lobbying Against Lobbying

Submitted by Ruby Sinreich on February 3, 2004 - 2:09pm

It can't be a surprise to many folks that some current and former UNC employees on the Town Council are uncomfortable with the proposal to have people who are paid to lobby the Council register and document their activities. To me, their objection is further evidence of the need for better monitoring of lobbying activities.

To borrow some "logic" from red light camera supporters, you have nothing to be afraid of if you're not doing something wrong. This proposal won't stop local citizens from cornering their favorite Council member at the grocery store and bending their ear about a pet issue. It simply acknowledges the fact that there are now people, employees of both private and public entities, whose job it is to influence the Council. This is an evolving situation that should be addressed.

Backdoor to Agendas

Submitted by Ruby Sinreich on February 2, 2004 - 6:26pm

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.

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