Time was Ed Harrison would joke about the council meeting he presided over that spilled into the next day. The meeting was memorable not only because it ended on his birthday but because of the rarity of a council meeting lasting past midnight. These days, it’s noteworthy if council ends before 11 p.m. Laurin Easthom […]
Call it a night
Posted by Nancy Oates on July 30, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/07/30/call-it-a-night/
VOE now DOA
For now, at least, beleaguered Chapel Hill taxpayers have one less expense to fund. The state General Assembly adjourned in July without enacting House Bill 1132 that would extend statutory authority for the town to continue its taxpayer-financed political campaigns, also known as the Voter Owned Election Program. The lack of action will have little […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on July 23, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/07/23/voe-now-doa/
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
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/07/16/friday-the-13th-county-style/
Big Bang Theory
How much would you pay for the fireworks display last week? Technically, we’ve prepaid for the July 4th show through our taxes, but the town put out a tip jar at the entrance gate and sent around an email with instructions on how to make a tax-deductible contribution through its Friends of Chapel Hill Parks […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on July 9, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/07/09/big-bang-theory/
Trash talk
A psychological construct has it that some people who have a hard time enduring separation will pick a fight before leaving. Stalking off angry provides a cushion against the loneliness of being apart. That could explain the near unilateral churlishness of council members at their June 26 meeting. Or maybe the sour note they ended […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on July 2, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/07/02/trash-talk/
CH2020 win
Town Council approved CH2020 last night during Part 1 of its two-episode season finale. The vote came after nearly three hours of public comment and council discussion. As with any good drama, there was a plot twist – the Planning Board came up with a list of last-minute changes. And there was a very interesting […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on June 26, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/06/26/ch2020-win/
Learn from Lemony on CH2020
Terri Buckner writes: Tonight the council will decide whether to adopt the Chapel Hill 2020 plan or send it back for additional detail/revisions. The plan combines strategic elements with the beginnings of land use guidance along with an implementation plan for addressing priorities and schedules. The plan has been strongly criticized by some for lacking […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on June 25, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/06/25/learn-from-lemony-on-ch2020/
Room for all
I looked at the agenda for tonight’s Town Council meeting and got that same sort of funny feeling in my heart I got when I saw my first gray hair or when I realized my child had grown too big for me to pick up and carry. Time was moving on, and life would never […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on June 18, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/06/18/room-for-all/
Respect for good neighbors
The bulk of tonight’s Town Council meeting will consist of discussion about the Good Neighbor Plan in connection with the IFC’s transitional housing facility and emergency shelter that will open next year on Homestead Road. The negotiations have been excruciating for both sides, and passions continue to run hot. Expect many people to speak out […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on June 11, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/06/11/respect-for-good-neighbors/
Torches waiting to be lit
Lauren Easthom isn’t the only one who has to gaze upon dead trees under Duke Energy power lines. Every time I walk along Piney Mountain Road, I stroll by a copse of trees that Duke has topped, treated and left to die, all in the name of “managing non-compatible vegetation.” (The photos at right are […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on June 6, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/06/06/torches-waiting-to-be-lit/