Environment

Perhaps I'm the first back from the packed house at Dock side so I'll get the ball rolling.

What impressed me most was the strong group of progressive activists assembled from Chatham County. These folks are committed to achieving the kind of sustainable land-use planning and economic development strategies that progressive orangepolitics would surely endorse.

Based on last year's election, we can see that real change is coming to Chatham. Allies in Orange should acknowledge their leadership on their own turf (as was the case tonight) and work in solidarity where possible.

Some tidbits:
Wasn't expecting Kevin Foy who apparently carpooled with Bill Strom, Cam Hill, and Mark Chilton. The way my brain works, I noted that they comprised a group of Town Council members elected in 1995, 1997, 1999, and 2003 and a mayor to fill in the missing year of 2001 if you count Foy twice. I guess Alderman Chilton counts twice too.

Nearby was a table with Joe Capowski, Terri Buckner, Laurin Easthom, Alex Zaffron, and Mary Rabinowitz. Now there's a fivesome Roy might balk at coaching!

For those unfamiliar with it, the Orange Water And Sewer Authority Board of Directors is considered by many to be the most powerful non-elected body in Orange County. Members are appointed by the elected officials of the various government bodies. According to a recent announcement from OWASA:

The Carrboro Board of Aldermen, Chapel Hill Town Council and Orange County Board of Commissioners recently made four appointments to the OWASA Board of Directors.

• Mr. Mac Clarke of Chapel Hill, who began serving on the OWASA Board in 2003, was reappointed.
• Ms. Terri Buckner and Mrs. Laura Sandvik were appointed by the Carrboro Aldermen.
• Ms. Marge Anders Limbert was appointed to the OWASA Board by the Orange County Commissioners.

Ms. Buckner has served on Carrboro's Transportation Advisory Board and Environmental Advisory Board. She is now Vice Chair of the Chapel Hill Information Technology Committee and a volunteer researcher for the local Community Initiative to End Homelessness.

Here's an announcement from the folks at OWASA:

Customers are invited to “Free Fridays” at University Lake and the Cane Creek Reservoir from July 15th through August 19th

OWASA cordially invites all customers to use the Cane Creek Reservoir and University Lake for free on July 15, 22 and 29th; and on August 5, 12 and 19th.

The “Free Friday” program enables OWASA customers to rent an OWASA boat or use a private boat without the usual lake use fees. (The fee for renting an electric trolling motor does apply on Free Fridays.)

To get a waiver, an OWASA customer would need to bring a recent bill.

In addition, the Free Friday program is offered to residents of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community who receive OWASA service but do not receive an OWASA bill because they live in a development served through a master meter. Residents without a bill are asked to bring identification so that their local residence can be confirmed.

The lakes will be open for recreation through mid-November as follows: