Never have I been so glad to work from home as after listening to the presentation on the state of the town’s transit system. For an hour and a half last night, Chapel Hill Transit’s interim director, Brian Litchfield, waxed eloquent about where we are and where we’re going, bus-wise. Federal and state funding projections, […]
All posts for the month January, 2013
Park it where?
Posted by Nancy Oates on January 29, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/01/29/park-it-where-2/
And the answer is …
After last Wednesday’s marathon student-bashing that pushed a couple concept reviews off the agenda, tonight’s meeting portends to be something of a sleeper. Nothing nefarious slipped into the Consent Agenda – even the resolution to amend the town manager’s authority to enter into contracts turns out to extend the authority to department heads, not concentrate […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on January 28, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/01/28/greene-piece/
Greene-lash
Laurin Easthom announced last night that she will not run for re-election in the fall. Oddly, she used her announcement as a twisted rationale for voting against a new voice on council. Her logic: A new voice on council would be good, just not now, and not until you’ve gone through the hazing process of […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on January 24, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/01/24/greene-lash/
Driving us crazy
Terri Buckner works, walks and drives in Chapel Hill. Here’s her take on Chapel Hill drivers learning the rules of the road: At last week’s Chapel Hill Town Council meeting, a resident petitioned the town to remove 3-way stops on Umstead Drive. His request launched a discussion about how many drivers don’t know what to […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on January 23, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/01/23/driving-us-crazy/
Outgoing to be incoming?
Must you be an extrovert to lead? Experts at Kenan-Flagler Business School I’ve buttonholed say no. Some leaders excel at relationship building and charisma. Others lead with their analytical abilities and strategic thinking. Still others attract a following through their insights, innovation and entrepreneurship. You’ll find introverts in all three groups. Politicians, on the other […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on January 21, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/01/21/outgoing-to-be-incoming/
Taking citizens hostage
Here’s what rural community advocate Bonnie Hauser has to say about Town Council’s proposal to annex some neighborhoods on the southern edge of town: After a year of deliberation, the County’s Emergency Services Workgroup recommended forming a new fire service district in the area just south of town off Mount Carmel Church Road. The workgroup […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on January 18, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/01/18/taking-citizens-hostage/
Off to a fun start
No full moon Monday night. Nevertheless, two unusual discussions bookended the Town Council meeting. Early on, council discussed a petition to remove stop signs from three all-way stop intersections where streets teed into Umstead Drive. The signs had been taken down during recent street construction along Umstead, and the petitioner cited that as a golden […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on January 16, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/01/16/off-to-a-fun-start/
The contestants
You’ll want to tune in an hour earlier tonight to meet the applicants for the vacant seat on council and to hear the presentations any of them might make. Council will meet at 6 p.m. in its usual spot – council chambers in Town Hall – and the event will be broadcast on public television. […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on January 14, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/01/14/the-contestants/
Penny-wise or Penny foolish?
I had mentally packed Penny Rich away in mothballs after she took the county commissioner job, figuring I’d have to find new material for drama. But she hasn’t been gone even a month when here she is turning up like a bad – No, she’s heard all those jokes since grade school. Let me take […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on January 7, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/01/07/penny-wise-of-penny-foolish/
A sense of place
Bonnie Hauser, president of the grassroots organization Orange County Voice, sends this holiday greeting from New England: This year, and every year, I spend Christmas in western Massachusetts (“the Berkshires seem dreamlike on account of their frosting…”). A few inches of snow, a little sun, and a brisk 30 degrees – warm for the area, […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on January 1, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/01/01/a-sense-of-place/