After much discussion, the County Commissioners have settled on a proposal that we the voters will get to decide on this fall. They suggest leaving the board at 5 members, with 2 elected at-large (as all five are right now), 2 elected from the Chapel Hill "Township" (which includes Carrboro), and 1 elcted from the rest of the county.

The Board of Commissioners tentatively agreed Thursday on an election map that would require three of the five commissioners to live in newly created districts. Although the board is adding this residential requirement, all county residents will vote on all seats in the primaries and general election.

Voters will decide yea or nay on the plan in a referendum in November...

Last year WCHL was "Building Bridges," so tell us, have we successfully crossed those troubled waters, or is there still work to be done?

My fingers are still numb from typing up summaries of last year's Community Forum, but it's time to start looking forward to that big talk once again. Because the community should not just be on the receiving end of a discussion, I want to get all of you involved now.

Please, state in no uncertain terms what you think the issues for this year's talk should be.

Right now we're leaning toward traffic patterns/pedestrian safety… workforce housing versus affordable housing… crime and public safety. What's the new wrinkle in the Town/Gown debate?

Are we off base? What's more important to you? Who should be the people talking about what matters the most to this area? (And since we want at least 7 people on each panel, don't be shy about nominating folks)

Thanks, Daniel.

Please join hosts Mark Chilton, Mayor of Carrboro; Jefferson Holt; Lex and Ann Alexander; and Katie Early on Wednesday, February 15th from 7:00 to 9:00PM at 3 Cups (431 West Franklin Street) in Chapel Hill for an evening of food, drink and conversation to benefit the Common Sense Foundation.

Those in attendance will be the first to receive copies of Common Sense's newest publication on a woman's right to emergency contraception. Admission is free; donations are encouraged. To RSVP, contact me by e-mail at brian@common-sense.org or by phone at 919-821-9270.