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To be rather than to seem
by Nancy Oates on July 8, 2013
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Posted by Nancy Oates on July 8, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/07/08/to-be-rather-than-to-seem/
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DOM
/ July 8, 2013Go for it, Nancy.
Many
/ July 8, 2013videri quam esse
Scott Maitland
/ July 8, 2013Many….don’t tell me you are really Colbert!
Harrison announced he is running today.
Many
/ July 8, 2013Colbert?
Many
/ July 8, 2013ahhh I see. Google is useful.
Sorry, it is just an obvious play on Nancy reference to the NC state motto “esse quam videri” – To be rather than to seem……reversing it is too obvious for anyone to take credit. Besides Mr. Colbert is from South Carolina. Lux Libertas!
Mark Marcoplos
/ July 9, 2013Many – you need to get out more often.
Bonnie Hauser
/ July 9, 2013Important post Nancy. Thanks
There are only a few days left. Why aren’t more people running?
How many people understand or appreciate what is happening in their community? Do they care? Do they vote?
If you can’t get a broader range of candidates (as of today – all the mayoral candidates are unopposed) — how can you get these important issues in the public discussion?
Fred Black
/ July 9, 2013Bonnie, in 2011, 3 ran for mayor and 9 for council. In 2009, 4 ran for mayor and 8 for council. In 2007, 2 ran for mayor and 7 for council. Note that many of the same people ran in each of those elections for mayor, people like Kevin Wolff, and there were repeaters for council..
I’m not sure that there are enough people who are dissatisfied enough with the incumbents to want to run, or alternatively, want to invest what’s necessary to run AND serve. I suspect when filing ends, you will see more candidates.
Questions is, will any incumbents loose (only 2 in the last 20 + years) and who will be the newcomers? Are they “different” from the incumbents? Campaigns may suggest that they could be but our history suggests otherwise, in my opinion.
Bonnie
/ July 9, 2013Thanks Fred. Interesting isn’t it. Especially when you consider how the race in 2009 compared to 2011.
Regardless of who wins, is it possible to elevate the debate in a way that informs the public on issues? How would a legitimate candidate get good public exposure?
Do you think WCHL might host a candidate forum for each contested race. Maybe Nancy could design the questions?
Fred Black
/ July 10, 2013Im sure they will host a forum this year.
Mark Marcoplos
/ July 10, 2013Every election year, we are faced with the puzzling question: Why don’t we have more candidates representing the Silent Majority? The answer may be contained within the question. Or maybe one of the anonymous posters could better explain this.
Fred Black
/ July 10, 2013Should say “pretty sure” WCHL will host a forum.
Good question Mark! I’m hoping that George Cianciolo will decide to run. Also, given the number of people who applied for the seat Sally was appointed to, I suspect the some more of them will file.
CitizenWill
/ July 10, 2013Fred, aren’t you helping George run?
DOM
/ July 10, 2013Seriously, Nancy –
Why don’t you run? I know you eat, sleep and breathe Chapel Hill. And I think you’d find you have many supporters too.
Fred Black
/ July 10, 2013Will, helping? I just learned that he plans to file before the deadline. Am I missing something? Are you running again?
Matt Czajkowski
/ July 10, 2013When a long time citizen of Chapel Hill, an artist, local musician and IFC volunteer writes a commentary for the Chapel Hill News and is excoriated in a tweet like this from Patrick (citybeautiful21) “Boomer in $470k house finds once-in-a-blue-moon flood great excuse to increase income inequality in Chapel Hill” it only serves to stifle reasoned debate and discussion. Let people who do this know it is unacceptable in Chapel Hill! Many good people in Chapel Hill question the underlying tenets of “new urbanism” and their concerns have validity!
Nancy
/ July 10, 2013DOM — I’m far too busy whipping people into shape (or lobbing spitballs from my computer, depending on your viewpoint) to run for office. But once I retire, and grow a thick enough skin to survive the humiliation of perhaps getting only 2 votes, I’ll let you know, and maybe you can staple fliers to lampposts for me.
DOM
/ July 10, 2013Matt –
Now I know why I don’t tweet.
DOM
/ July 10, 2013Nancy –
Waiting impatiently…
Bonnie
/ July 10, 2013Matt – you nailed it. Thanks. And thanks to Nancy for providing a venue for many voices to be heard.
Improperly applied, the principles of the new urbanism can be as shortsighted as the notion that cutting unemployment benefits will attract business to NC. It doesn’t matter which side youre on. It’s disturbing to see how willing we are to trivialize complex issues and revert to ideology. As we grow in size and complexity, we face real problems that require thoughtful and respectful problem solving. Yet those who bring important facts to the table are easily marginalized
We are capable of more and we surely care – all of us.
I loved Callie’s column, and if I could, I would tweet “shame on us”.
jondehart
/ July 10, 2013Nancy,
I would canvass for you . I know the doors of the frequent voters…
Matt Czajkowski
/ July 10, 2013Jon, I would canvass for you and Nancy — seriously!
Bonnie, either Jon or I could set you up with a Twitter account. Then you could tweet for Nancy!
Mark Marcoplos
/ July 10, 2013What is the sound of one tweet stifling? Apparently civic discussion is doomed by one person’s opinion.
I’m all in favor of more voices in the marketplace – get out and make the arguments. We’re all better for it. But don’t whine that others in the marketplace are taking unfair advantage – they are just expressing themselves. They have no more an advantage than anyone else. Although I would argue that anonymity is not the strongest launching pad.
Bonnie Hauser
/ July 10, 2013count me in! If we get in before voter id, can I use the identity of one of the 90% of the residents who dont vote – and vote for Nancy myself?
Hey Matt – is Patrick – Patrick McDonough of TTA? Doesn’t he have a strong vested interest in “the new urbanisim” – regardless of whether it fits? Is it appropriate for a TTA employee to be taking pot shots at citizens who have taken the time and trouble to express an important point of view?
DOM
/ July 10, 2013I don’t understand the nuances about the “new urbanism.” Is it not a good thing? I don’t know exactly what it is, but if it means more walkable areas and less suburbia I’m all for it.
Terri Buckner
/ July 10, 2013Bonnie–as long as we still believe in free speech, where a person works has no impact on the appropriateness of his or her speech, especially when it is not associated with their employment.
Bonnie Hauser
/ July 11, 2013When the free speech degrades into name calling and empty rhetoric, then its up to us to call it out for what it is – especially when its from a professional involved in public policy. If Roger Perry used name-calling for anti-development interests, we’d call that immature and unprofessional. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all noticed tactics used to dismiss people we disagree with?
DOM – “the new urbanism” becomes a problem when ideology is used to justify building up of every corridor in town. We’re not working from a blank slate. There are established neighborhoods and communities, and density is not always a compatible adjacent use. It needs to be pursued thoughtfully.
There’s widespread support for Ephesus Church and Glen Lennox – where the proposed development starts a process of “unsprawling” chapel Hill’s strip malls and parking lots, and creates a more urban feel.. Downtown too. .
But its hard to imagine MLK/Estes or Obey Creek as a destination with high density. These sites are adjacent to established neighborhoods and the neighbors rightfully expect zoning protection from intense adjacent development. Neighborhoods can be walkable and delightful too – and offer housing diversity.
Callie added in the question of whether we have the infrastructure (and experience) to handle extreme weather patterns which are becoming more common. Our community relies on stream buffers and permeability to handle nature. When we pave paradise – will we have the infrastructure needed to handle the run off? Not to mention schools, public safety, transportation and other impacts.
Terri Buckner
/ July 11, 2013Bonnie–you didn’t call Patrick out. You asked a public official if a specific individual’s comments, based on his employer, were appropriate. I can’t know your intent in asking the question of Matt, but it came off as an attempt to silence someone whose comment you didn’t like, based on his employment with an agency you have previously expressed contempt for.
Callie’s article expressed an assumption that there is a cause and effect relationship between dense development and the recent flooding. The question is more complex. First, we need to be asking whether the flooding could have been prevented with more rigorously engineered stormwater solutions or or was this, probablistically, an event that could not be engineered around.
There’s too much jumping to conclusions IMHO. Patrick is assuming the statistically unpredictable conclusion and Callie and others are assuming over-development. Given the frequent calls for data-driven decision making, it seems like we should start with data-drive problem identification.
Bonnie Hauser
/ July 11, 2013Terri – use whatever explanation you like. I found the comment to be dismissive. When I realized that it came from a TTA employee – I was disturbed. I’d be similarly disturbed if it were a county or town employee- but they seem to know better.
“Boomer in $470k house finds once-in-a-blue-moon flood great excuse to increase income inequality in Chapel Hill”
Terri Buckner
/ July 11, 2013Disliking the comment/tweet is your prerogative Bonnie. But when you ask an elected official if it isn’t a problem because of employment status, hinting that you want something done about it, it moves from being your opinion to a request to stifle free speech. That is more than just dismissive.
Diogenes
/ July 11, 2013Boomer superbiae
Many
/ July 11, 2013Admittedly very rusty, but wouldn’t it be the accusative singular “superbiam”?
Terri,
I think the public social behaviour of employees at TTA is relevant. Besides arrogantly showing his ass, this guy is part of TTA. TTA benefits directly from the taxes paid by the “boomers” and others with a like opinion.
I think this guy gives credence to the impression that TTA is composed of a bunch of group thinking zealots. TTA seems to view anyone with different data or viewpoints with contempt. I experienced the same attitude from Mr. Jason Baker on this and another forum. Sadly for Mr. Baker I have a pretty thick hide, but not everyone does. I still don’t see a social media policy for either the ToCH or the TTA, but I am pretty sure Patrick (citybeautiful21) posts would violate any one I have ever read.
If he were employed by me, (and indirectly, he is) he would be looking for another job and I don’t mind saying that a bit. I want something done about it too.
As Matt aptly pointed out; attempting to bully and derail the conversation by insult and innuendo is counter productive. I think that a less than gentile message needs to be circulated to the TTA employees. “You don’t have to like your critics or people who question you, but your right to freedom of speech ends at the point where you begin insulting or bullying them.” Further, dismissive responses toward legitimate discussion will not be tolerated. That is just good policy.
The larger point that “100” year events are now occurring every 10. As pointed out this affects population and density (or urbanism) plans. That is just plain fact. If infrastructure and response plans need to be upgraded and considered in a cost/benefit, I am all for it. Apparently TTA does not feel that way.
Diogenes
/ July 11, 2013This is a tough one Many. Accusative, of course, is used primarily for the direct object of transitive verbs. Boomer as used here is a noun — coupled with a second noun — which is not really grammatically correct — so I’m not sure how you just use two nouns together in Latin. On the other hand it could be looked at as a description of Boomer as in “Proud Boomer” although in that case it should probably be Superbus Boomer. The genitive seems most appropriate for that. Lastly, to simply use two nouns together — Boomer Pride — perhaps the nominative is best. Cogitationes vestræ in subiecto?
Many
/ July 11, 2013Diogenies, Thank you. Of course you are correct. ego inclinant ad Praeposito Sapientiam.
Diogenes
/ July 11, 2013Many pius es but a simple emoticon would have sufficed!
Terri Buckner
/ July 11, 2013Many,
If a transit employee is prevented from making public comment on newspaper article about stormwater issues, regardless of how you dress it up, it’s suppression of his freedom of speech. Shame on you and Bonnie for even suggesting such a thing.
Fred Black
/ July 11, 2013Note that Patrick tweeted as himself and not in his work capacity, and has the fortitude to be himself instead of hiding behind an anon posting name.
Diogenes
/ July 11, 2013Oh Fred, You’re such a boomer!
Many
/ July 11, 2013Note that Fred is selective in his stated commitment not to engage anonymous posters, making his veracity questionable in all things.
Many
/ July 11, 2013I am a recovering emoticon abuser
Many
/ July 11, 2013Terri, if that is you assessment so be it. However, shame on you for supporting a obnoxious bully.
Bonnie Hauser
/ July 11, 2013Thanks Many and Diogenes – but I’m lo
Many and Diogenes – I’m lost in your free speech. Hope I’m not missing much.
Thanks for acknowledging that there are different expectations of professionals who work in public service capacities. Since the town and county employees don’t take public shots at citizens (certainly there are times that they’d love to) – you might infer that’s policy – and a good one.
Of course Jason doesn’t work for the town or county and he’s free to say what he pleases.
This was poor judgement on Patrick’s part – hopefully he gets that. And maybe TTA will reign in political tweets from their employees.
Many
/ July 11, 2013Bonnie, I do not think it is the “reigning in”, so much as the civility. I have worked for and contracted with several large corporations that have social media polices that keep them from getting sued and more importantly, don’t alienate and belittle their customers.
I don’t think that is too much to ask.
I think it is true that people can exercise their different expectations of privacy, and still be at least moderately civil.
I am not a Pollyanna, but implying people are oppressing the less fortunate because they question development, or reject clear and unambiguous data without even reading it because it comes from a source that is politically unpalatable to them is just wrong.
I apologize if I incorrectly labeled Mr. Baker a TTA employee. I think you will agree that it is an easy mistake to make.
Many
/ July 11, 2013By the way [insert emoticon here]
I recently ran across this site: http://www.urbanobservatory.org/
I think the idea is a very interesting one, allowing people in urban environments to share and compare.
Bonnie Hauser
/ July 11, 2013thanks Many –
I looked a the urban site – great idea. What’s the difference between a city and a town?
Chapelboro ran a benchmarking piece today – Chapel Hill ranks 6 among best places in NC to raise a family. Schools helped secure a spot. Biggest problem – too expensive.
http://chapelboro.com/news/news-around-time/studies-rank-chapel-hills-quality-intelligence/
Terri Buckner
/ July 12, 2013Many–the definition of a bully is someone who uses strength or power to intimidate others. Patrick has no special strength or power. He stated his opinion. I see no difference in his statement and many of those that you, I or Bonnie make, other than his was more bluntly stated.
What i find exceedingly interesting is that in one of your recent posts on the topic of Roger Stancil, you outed yourself as someone who has previously been a local government manager. In that post you were criticizing Roger’s handling of personnel issues. But now you are advocating silencing a public employee in his personal opinions on a matter not associated with his employment. Doesn’t give me any confidence whatsoever in your ability as a manager.
Many
/ July 12, 2013Terri,
You too are entitled to your opinion. However, just to correct the record; I have not served as a paid public employee, nor have I been government property. I have always (and successfully I might add) marketed my expertise in the public sector to both government and industry.
What I find exceedingly interesting is your definitions and perceptions are dated (as usual). A cyberbully like Patrick is obviously past your current understanding, however the condition does exist I assure you. Look it up, or actually listen to someone younger than you are.
Patrick has taken on the role of spokes person for his employer in a public forum.
Bottom line: Bullies like Patrick are exactly *why* social media policies are necessary, “Lack of Common Sense” is why people like Patrick are being fired in the real world. http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeannemeister/2013/02/07/to-do-update-companys-social-media-policy-asap/
Many
/ July 12, 2013Bonnie,
There is no one standard definition of a city. City status can be claimed for population size or for an particular economic, political or administrative significance. When we lived in London, the local only recognized the core as “The City”, but to outsiders like up the City was much larger.
I put that web site out there not because it is at all relevant to Chapel Hill, but more that the comparison concept as a platform for decision making seems important to me. Over the past year, I was struck by the wildly changing demographic put forth by the TTA for example, and Penny Rich’s comparison of Chapel Hill to Phoenix (which does not even pass the laugh test for anyone who has spent time in both places). The “spin factor” was so intense it set off alarm bells. By the time I had a chance to research the issue and compare apples to blackberrys [insert emoticon here], it was too late.
It just seems like a good baseline would have been useful get up to speed quickly and separate the BS out of a group think business case. Of course having a modicum of due diligence on the part of the TC and OCBoCC would have been helpful too.
Terri Buckner
/ July 12, 2013Here’s Patrick’s Twitter description of himself: “Urban planning ideas for the 21st century, informed by being a husband, father, transit rider, pedestrian, and East Coast dweller.” No where does it say he works for TTA; not in his description and not in the post under debate; and not in any of his tweets over the past several months (which I just went back and reviewed). The link between Patrick and TTA is coming from you and Bonnie with your persistent, frequent attacks on that organization.
Nancy has chosen not to follow any kind of moderation guidelines on this site. In other words, she has decided to honor freedom of speech over civility or anything else. For a discussion to be occurring over limiting the the right of someone else’s freedom of speech on this site by someone who won’t take responsibility for his/her own words is the reason social media is not more widely embraced.
For you, in your anonymous role, after the attacks your have made on Patrick and Jason, to claim any knowledge of cyberbullying is really a joke. If you want to pursue ethical, transparent use of social media, then use your real name and take responsibility for your words.
Many
/ July 12, 2013OK Terri, Apparently I hit a nerve [insert emoticon here]
Then we agree to disagree.
I choose to see his tweet as an unnecessary and insulting comment to the very people that pay his salary. Patrick is a very public cheer leader for transit and a well documented and public TTA employee. That makes him a spokesman for TTA. I for one, hope TTA is watching, and reprimands Patrick for his bad judgement.
As you know, what I think does not count as far as Patrick’s continued employment, I wonder why you care so strongly what I think? Methinks thou doth protest too much…………. We’ll probably never know if TTA smacks him on the back of his head, but given TTAs suppression of different opinions on transit through UNC, I sort of doubt it.