Don't expect a lot of blogging between now and 2006. You should all be be spending vacation (if you are fortunate enough to have one) with your loved ones anyway.

Here are a few interesting items from all around the county this slow news week:

• The times they are a-changing. Once picketed by preachers and denied permits by the town, PHE is now the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce's "business of the year."
  - N&O: Naughty or nice? Shunned firm honored 
• First porn (see above), now this. Is Hillsborough turning into Chapel Hill?
  - N&O: Pricey condos to top Hillsborough building

  Local real estate listings are featuring something never seen before in Hillsborough: $700,000 condos for sale.

  In a town where three-bedroom houses still go for $150,000, and bigger homes on an acre can be bought for less than $500,000, the condos may seem a bit pricey.

Looks like we're going to experience a bit more fun than expected in this May's elections. Orange's voting machines, along with 100 other NC counties, have been decertified. From the HeraldSun's Emily Coakley

Orange County's Board of Elections is working to buy new voting machines after the county's current machines were decertified by the state earlier this month.

The county isn't alone. Voting equipment for all of the state's 100 counties was decertified, said Todd McGee, director of communications at the N.C. Association of County Commissioners. This has led to some worry among county officials.

Chief among the concerns is whether the two vendors approved to supply voting machines to the state will be able to deliver orders from 100 different counties by the May primaries, McGee said.

Hmmm, I think there's a bit more to worry about than whether the vendors will deliver on time.

So, what can we do to influence the choice of equipment?

On January 19, 2006 the Carrboro Board of Aldermen will host a public forum and interview applicants for the vacated Board of Aldermen seat.

As a group, I think the Board will be looking for two specific attributes in the appointee: 1) the motivation to make positive contributions to the community and solve community problems, and 2) the necessary conviction and capability to do the job well--- but what other qualities will the Board look for?

What other qualities should the Board look for? a community builder?, a peacemaker?, a hard worker?, a visionary?, someone measured and balanced?, someone inspirational?, a relative unknown?, someone experienced and well-versed?, someone with superior analytical skills?, someone non-controversial?, integrity?, wisdom?, social lubrication?, fresh ideas?...

What do people think?