After my first child was born, I considered making a career change that would involve going back to college for several classes. I lived in New York City at the time, and my babysitter was a student at a different college than the one I attended. All of us relied on public transit to get […]
All posts in category Courts
Vote like it’s finals
Posted by Nancy Oates on October 22, 2018
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2018/10/22/vote-like-its-finals/
The cost of crime
In the U.S. 1 in 4 of us has a criminal record; 4 in 4 of us have a criminal history. Ever driven over the speed limit? Had a drink while underage? Inhaled? Three out of 4 of us are the lucky ones, to have had the luxury of not getting caught. Last Thursday, the […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on September 24, 2018
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2018/09/24/the-cost-of-crime/
The Bail Trap
Some 40% of Americans can’t cover a $400 emergency expense, according to a federal survey conducted earlier this year. If they don’t have access to credit, they’d have to borrow from family or friends. If they have tapped out those resources, then bills go unpaid, utilities get shut off. Sometimes that $400 bill starts a […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on August 6, 2018
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2018/08/06/the-bail-trap/
Playing the game: basketball and politics
Town Council members caught some flack last year when we approved the 2016-17 meeting schedule and moved our first regular Monday night meeting in April to the first Wednesday. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Final would be held that Monday, and if UNC were to play in it, many of us would want to watch. “You […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on April 3, 2017
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2017/04/03/playing-the-game-basketball-and-politics/
How much is that rent, really?
Trying to find an apartment in Chapel Hill affordable to your typical Chapel Hill worker takes diligence and a roommate. An apartment complex may advertise rent at one price, but by the time the management adds up all the additional mandatory fees — valet garbage pick-up, package delivery acceptance, weight room access, and Internet and […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on September 12, 2016
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2016/09/12/how-much-is-that-rent-really/
Add to pre-vacation to-do list: Vote
Your vote in the June 7 primary for N.C. Supreme Court candidates matters more than you might think. The seven-judge panel at present has four Republicans and three Democrats, and their votes on civil rights and quality-of-life issues have followed party lines. The top-two vote-getters in the June 7 primary will vie for the seat […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on May 30, 2016
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2016/05/30/add-to-pre-vacation-to-do-list-vote/
HB-2 & You & Me & Us & Them
I wish our state lawmakers would do something useful like pass legislation to quell the sex life of trees. My allergies tell me pollen season has started with a vengeance. Instead, the N.C. General Assembly that wants to see a driver’s license before you vote, now wants to see a birth certificate before you use […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 28, 2016
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2016/03/28/hb-2-you-me-us-them/
Vote Tuesday, May 6
What are the chances that a lottery ticket you buy might change your life? Not good odds. But here’s something you can do that likely could change your life and everyone’s around you. Go to the polls and vote. Tuesday, May 6, is primary day in Orange County. The candidates we elect will make decisions […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on May 5, 2014
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2014/05/05/vote-tuesday-may-6/
ACLU v. Chapel Hill
The next lawsuit shaping up could pit Chapel Hill against the ACLU. On Friday, town attorney Ralph Karpinos received a letter from the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina warning that constitutionally the town can’t bar the ad placed on town buses by Church of Reconciliation that advocates for the […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on October 1, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/10/01/aclu-v-chapel-hill/
“Towing” the line
Maybe because I’m a rule follower I don’t get the appeal of appealing the permanent injunction issued Aug. 2 against Chapel Hill’s towing and cell phone ordinances. But last Wednesday, in a special Town Council meeting called before the Sept. 4 deadline to appeal, six of nine council members voted to file an appeal for […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on August 27, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/08/27/towing-the-line-2/