Bill Strom started it, then Penny Rich took advantage, too; then Lydia Lavelle and now Ellie Kinnaird. All left office between elections, leaving a small group of politicians to select their successors. And if Valerie Foushee is appointed to Kinnaird’s seat, a small group of politicians will decide who takes her seat as District 50 […]
All posts in category Politics
Elected or selected?
Posted by Nancy Oates on August 26, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/08/26/elected-or-selected/
Who reads this?
Blame it on the way I was raised – clamming up when accused of a wrong didn’t absolve me of the punishment. My parents’ strategy to raise responsible, contributing members of society didn’t include Miranda’s right to remain silent. They heard out my side, if I was willing to talk, then judged, ruled and implemented. […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on August 19, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/08/19/who-reads-this/
A roster with ballast
“Fling … ends” read the headline in a local newspaper over a story about candidates running for office. And as I read through the profiles of the final candidates to file for Town Council – Loren Hintz, Jonathan Riehl, Amy Ryan and D.C. Swinton – and the school board – Andrew Davidson and Ignacio Tzoumas […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on July 22, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/07/22/a-roster-with-ballast/
To be rather than to seem
Elections in Chapel Hill are when the esse meets the videri. The election filing period opened in Orange County last Friday, and residents have until next Friday to register their intent to run for public office. Chapel Hill will elect four Town Council members and a mayor in November. Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt has filed for […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on July 8, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/07/08/to-be-rather-than-to-seem/
Who can we blame now?
Chalk up what I’m about to say to jealousy, pure and simple. I’ve irritated a lot of people in my lifetime, but no one has ever agreed to pay me to stop. So when I learned that Orange County manager Frank Clifton walked away from his previous job as manager of Onslow County with $121,000 […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on July 1, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/07/01/1614/
Heated exchange over fire district
I got a hint of the complexity of the relationship between town and county governing bodies after watching Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt address the Orange County Board of Commissioners not long ago about the matter of Chapel Hill becoming the official first-responder to fires in the extra-territorial jurisdiction. At its Feb. 11 meeting, Town Council discussed […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 11, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/03/11/heated-exchange-over-fire-district/
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/
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/
Peace on the dais
Talk about your lions lying down with your lambs. Council members at Monday night’s meeting demonstrated a collegiality I haven’t seen, even going back to those councils that rubber-stamped every vote, 9-0. Jim Ward and Ed Harrison backed Matt Czajkowski more than once. Lee Storrow softened his position to avoid a deadlock on the controversial […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on December 5, 2012
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/12/05/peace-on-the-dais/