We’ve gotten spoiled. With Town Council’s newfound determination to end council meetings before midnight, and breaking out council discussions in midweek work sessions at the library (which are not on TV nor videoed and accessible by computer), the regular Monday night meetings end two to three hours after they begin. Tonight may be an exception. [...]
All posts in category Taxes
Feature presentation
Posted by Nancy Oates on May 20, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/05/20/feature-presentation/
It’s only a slice
Don and I live simply. Because we are so focused on paying our high property taxes (purportedly the highest in the state), we rarely go out to dinner. But once in a while, we’ll pick up a pizza to go. Last night, Don called Tedesco’s, our favorite Italian joint, to place an order, but the [...]
Posted by Nancy Oates on April 22, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/04/22/its-only-a-slice/
A representative view
Former Town Council member Julie McClintock, who also worked for the EPA, has participated in many planning efforts. She offers her reaction to the town’s priority-budgeting survey: In a recent email from the Town, I was invited to take a budget survey to show “what [I] value.” Since I’m an engaged citizen, I took the [...]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 18, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/03/18/a-representative-view/
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/
Too big to donate?
Shortbread Lofts got off easy when it came to making a contribution toward affordable housing. Should that set precedent for downtown redevelopment projects going forward? Cousins Properties apparently thinks so. Cousins makes a return visit to council tonight for a zoning change and special use permit to tear down the existing University Square buildings at [...]
Posted by Nancy Oates on February 11, 2013
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2013/02/11/too-big-to-donate/
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/
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/
Yesterday’s transit tomorrow
Smart Transit for Orange County writes: Smart Transit for Orange County is asking voters to vote “NO” (AGAINST) the transit tax so that a better plan can be developed. The diverse group of pro-transit leaders from the towns and the county who joined together to oppose the transit tax referendum said the tax increase would [...]
Posted by Nancy Oates on October 29, 2012
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/10/29/yesterdays-transit-tomorrow/
See the world
Come see the world with me, and all it will cost is a couple of gallons of gas. Granted, with the supply chain disruptions in the Midwest – a ruptured pipeline in Wisconsin and equipment problems that shut down refineries in Indiana and Illinois – that’s nearly the cost of a couple of lattes a [...]
Posted by Nancy Oates on August 13, 2012
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/08/13/see-the-world/
Friday the 13th, county style
You know that point in a horror flick when the heroine lets down her guard just a little bit, and you know something bad is going to happen, you just don’t know what? You find yourself mumbling, “Stay out of the boat, Alice, it’s not what it seems,” or “Don’t pick up the phone, Drew [...]
Posted by Nancy Oates on July 16, 2012
http://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/07/16/friday-the-13th-county-style/