Any article that promises tips on how to trim a household budget gets my attention. Self-employed and married to someone who retired early, I’m highly motivated to keep our expenses low. But invariably I come away from those financial advice columns disappointed – whatever they suggest, I’ve already done. At this point, there’s very little […]
Worth less if free?
An item near the end of the agenda for the April 25 Town Council meeting announced the beginning of the selection process for appointing members to various town committees. But a vote earlier in the evening may have left some prospective committee members wondering, Why bother? Midway through the meeting, the council reconsidered its previous […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on May 4, 2011
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2011/05/04/worth-less-if-free/
More voices
At the WCHL community forum on “Local Media Ecosystems – Objectivity, Bias, Access,” aired last Thursday, panelists included two bloggers but only one newspaper editor. Carrboro Citizen editor Kirk Ross was the sole representative of print journalism. (The next day, The Citizen announced that Ross would be succeeded as editor by Susan Dickson, the publisher’s […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on May 2, 2011
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2011/05/02/more-voices/
Opportunity
A perfect storm of work, family and personal commitments makes it difficult for me to blog until the end of the month. If anyone would like to submit a guest blog, the Chapel Hill Watch space will be available for the next couple of weeks. Send your post to me in an e-mail, neoates at […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on April 16, 2011
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2011/04/16/opportunity/
Bookstore is not a library
While I was shopping in Dillard’s one day last month, Mr. Dillard himself and a regional manager were roaming the store. As I paid for my purchase, the salesclerk commented how fortuitous it was that the entourage happened by in time to see a customer buying something. Truth be told, the store was not exactly […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on April 7, 2011
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2011/04/07/bookstore-is-not-a-library/
Preserve Northside
At the Town Council meeting on March 28, several Northside residents petitioned council for a moratorium on building permits. Although Northside was granted Neighborhood Conservation District status in 2005 to preserve the character of the historically black working-class neighborhood, developers have found ways to skirt the rules and continue building student rental housing under the […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on April 6, 2011
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2011/04/06/preserve-northside/
Greenbridge short on green
As Greenbridge toes into the starting block of becoming a business school case study, its owners facing bankruptcy, I’m hoping someone who understands financing or the law will explain what I’m missing. Greenbridge partners came together in 2006 and broke ground in October 2007 on the $54 million project that brought 97 condos on the […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on April 4, 2011
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2011/04/04/greenbridge-short-on-green/
How to be heard
The way winter has persisted, especially after we had a few days of Southern spring, has everyone feeling peevish, and Town Council members aren’t immune. It didn’t help matters Monday night when the council meeting started off with an act of civil disobedience: Several people signed up to filibuster in order to draw attention to […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 30, 2011
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2011/03/30/civilly-disobedient/
Signs of change
I’m rattled. Last night’s meeting marked the second time that I agreed with Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt. I fear one of us is making a terrible mistake. Dwight Bassett, the town’s economic development director, and Gene Poveromo, development manager, teamed up to present a modified proposal to the sign ordinance. The photos they presented showed tasteful […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 29, 2011
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2011/03/29/signs-of-change/
Four and more
How many teenagers can stay home alone without parental supervision before it becomes not a good idea? The Town of Chapel Hill has set the limit at four. Except in areas zoned R-3, like Northside and a couple of historic districts downtown. Those neighborhoods can stuff many more than four in a residence, as long […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 28, 2011
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2011/03/28/four-and-more/