The vote hadn’t even been taken last night before cell phone ban supporters on council began jockeying for exceptions for their constituents unhappy with a ban. First, a couple of ham radio operators made a last-minute plea to exempt federally licensed amateur radio operators. So Jim Ward moved that the cell phone ban ordinance be […]
All posts for the month March, 2012
Exceptions to the rule
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 27, 2012
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/03/27/exceptions-to-the-rule/
Save all of us from ourselves
The town has confidence in us to use our handguns responsibly in public parks, and perhaps to use our cell phones responsibly on public roads (unless we are single or in a marriage not recognized by the state or are childless or orphaned), but not to make decisions in the best interest of health regarding […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 26, 2012
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/03/26/save-all-of-us-from-ourselves/
Dividing a small pot
Frank McCourt’s memoir “Angela’s Ashes” shares the experiences of a family that coexists with poverty, not letting it impede them as they live their lives. In one scene, a father is ready to go from Ireland to England to find work to support the family. (Forgive me if I’ve gotten some of the details wrong; […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 22, 2012
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/03/22/dividing-a-small-pot/
Why not live here?
At last night’s Town Council meeting, town business management director Ken Pennoyer and a band of technology professionals waxed eloquent on the wonders of Gig U, the ultra-high-speed connectivity coming to town. Following the presentation that detailed ways the new service would improve our lives, Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt crowed, “Why doesn’t everyone want to live […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 20, 2012
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/03/20/why-not-live-here/
Price of free speech
My column in The Weekly last week offended some Hilltop Condo owners. I had chastised the senior citizens who made multiple pleas to council to retain two rogue parking spaces residents had created in a driveway curb cut on W. Barbee Chapel Road so they wouldn’t have to drive two-tenths of a mile to the […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 16, 2012
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/03/16/price-of-free-speech/
Don’t block the bump
I’ve been pressed gently but relentlessly by people in the neighborhood where I own rental property to sign a petition to install traffic-calming devices on the streets that frame my corner lot. I’ve gently but relentlessly refused. My observation has been that traffic-calming devices – speed bumps, humps, tables, cushions and traffic undulation devices – […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 15, 2012
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/03/15/dont-block-the-bump/
Waving or waiving our values
Tonight Town Council members vote on two measures that are both for show. One vote is for a resolution urging North Carolina voters to vote against a state constitutional amendment that will ban certain people from marrying. The other is to decide whether to ban certain people from talking on cell phones while driving. On […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 12, 2012
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/03/12/waving-our-values/
Landmark proposal
Brace yourself. In a couple of weeks, Town Council will once again consider a housing project marketed to students. Landmark Properties is on the March 19 agenda to present another plan for The Retreat, a university student residential neighborhood. Last year, Landmark appeared before council with a concept plan review, and council shot it down. […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 7, 2012
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/03/07/landmark-proposal/
Second chance for Charterwood
We can all agree: $4.3 million is a serious amount of money to invest and a foolish amount to gamble. Yet when developers go before Town Council with a development project, the money they spend to plan, present, readjust and repeat frequently comes down to the mood council members are in. The Charterwood developers, after […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 2, 2012
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/03/02/second-chance-for-charterwood/