Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger has calendared the Greene Tract resolution for a vote at town council’s Nov. 17 meeting — after the election, so that voters can’t hear candidates’ views on development of one of the last remaining natural areas in Chapel Hill, but before new council members who might be more committed to […]
All posts in category Council Members
Are we really #allinthistogether?
The Chapel Hill town manager presented a very tight budget for the coming fiscal year. As part of covering core services in a time of noticeably lower revenue, he delays for 6 months the 65-cent-per-hour pay raise for the town’s lowest-paid workers that the town committed to in being certified a Living Wage employer. But […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on May 25, 2020
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2020/05/25/are-we-really-allinthistogether/
We’re still here
While leafing through a coupon circular in the newspaper in the days leading up to Mother’s Day (don’t judge: we all cope with the stay-at-home order in our own way), I came across a somewhat alarming advertisement come-on: “Make Mom Melt Away.” In this time of mandated togetherness, I’m sure the ad copywriter for that […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on May 11, 2020
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2020/05/11/were-still-here/
Council vacancy
At its Feb. 19 meeting, Town Council officially announced the vacant seat on council and agreed to accept applications through 5 p.m. on March 27. Any town resident who is registered to vote in Chapel Hill elections and will be 21 by the date he or she is to take office may apply. Here is […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 9, 2020
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2020/03/09/council-vacancy/
Greene Tract series continues
I took time out for a lengthy vacation, half of it spent abroad and half among the 85% of Chapel Hill residents who don’t realize Chapel Hill has a town council. Stepping back gave me a new perspective on town business and how lives are lived by people who feel fulfilled, even if they know […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on January 27, 2020
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2020/01/27/greene-tract-series-continues/
Winning or transforming?
“North Korea Threatens to Resume Calling Trump a ‘Dotard’ ” — headline in Time newsfeed We have hit a new low when name-calling and bullying pass as leadership. Seeing this headline on the heels of having listened to the impeachment hearings over the past couple of weeks underscores our need for a different form of […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on December 16, 2019
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2019/12/16/winning/
Hospitality
Staff at the Durham Performing Arts Center have that hospitality thing down pat. Even if your ticket is for a seat in the very last row of the upper balcony, DPAC staff welcome you as if they are delighted that you’ve accepted their invitation to their soiree. Yet, statistically, a certain percentage of them have […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on December 9, 2019
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2019/12/09/hospitality/
Two views of affordable housing
I attended two events over the weekend that showed the complicated issue of boosting the amount of affordable housing, from the perspective of the investor and the end-user. Each left me somewhat disheartened. Community Empowerment Fund’s “Affordable Housing: The Musical” poked fun at council members, developers and others in the community while sharing the experiences […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on November 25, 2019
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2019/11/25/2852/
VOTE!
Over the past few weeks that I’ve walked through neighborhoods, canvassing voters, I’ve seen some truly lovely homes. Places that are sanctuaries from the problems and corrosive encounters with the world at large. Beautiful views; lush greenery; maybe a bubbling fountain to calm and rejuvenate one’s spirit. When the going gets tough, these folks have […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on November 4, 2019
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2019/11/04/vote/
Look before you vote
I flat out enjoy canvassing. When else can I knock on a stranger’s door and start a conversation? After weeks of traipsing through neighborhoods all over town, I feel confident about giving directions to any Amazon Prime driver. Regardless of what part of town I’m in, someone on whose door I’ve knocked will ask me, […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on October 28, 2019
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2019/10/28/look-before-you-vote/