By Steve Peha Recently, I visited a number of schools: high schools, middle schools and elementary schools; public, private and religious schools. Each acknowledged the same problem with literacy: Too many kids were so far behind in reading that they couldn’t function in their classes. But when I made suggestions about how to improve things,…
Author: Staff
More than a budget driver
By Chris Fitzsimon Tuesday’s budget and tax briefing for state lawmakers was billed as a look at the “major drivers†in the growth of the state budget, with most of the time spent on trends in education and Medicaid. Lawmakers will hear more detailed reports on both issues in the coming days, but Tuesday’s Medicaid…
Council sticks to library plan
By Kirk Ross Staff Writer The Chapel Hill Town Council voted 8-1 to reject a proposal to consider a branch library downtown or in other locations in lieu of adding to the current building.
Foy pushes regional transit sales tax
By Kirk Ross Staff Writer In his annual state of the town report, Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy said the residents of the Triangle have to be willing to show they’ll help pay for a regional public transit system as an important step in getting one built. The region has grown and is in need…
Professor’s book about Siler City soccer team chosen for UNC summer reading program
By Jasmina Nogo Staff Writer “I was surprised and shocked when I received the phone call,†said Paul Cuadros, an assistant professor at the UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communication, about learning that his book, A Home on the Field, was chosen as the summer reading for the incoming class of 2013. Cuadros is…
Board calls for public comment on anti-lingering ordinance
By Susan Dickson Staff Writer Following passionate pleas from several residents, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen voted on Tuesday to schedule a public hearing regarding the anti-lingering ordinance for the intersection of Davie and Jones Ferry roads. The board approved an anti-lingering ordinance for the intersection in November 2007 after residents of the surrounding neighborhood…
Carrboro wants feedback
The Carrboro Board of Aldermen and the town manager are requesting feedback from town residents regarding Carrboro community needs to be included in the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. A public hearing will be held Feb. 24. The town manager plans to submit a recommended budget on May 5. A public hearing…
Carolina North meetings scheduled
As The Citizen went to press Wednesday night, university and town officials were scheduled to go over a draft development plan for the Carolina North. According to an updated timeline, a development plan that includes up to 3 million square feet of building space could be ready to be submitted to the town in early…
Chatham CIP hearing scheduled
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on a proposed update on the county’s five-year Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) on Monday at 6 p.m. in the Superior Courtroom in Pittsboro. The plan include the schedule and financing for large purchases of buildings, land, facilities and equipment. To view the plan go…
County appointments
The Orange County Board of Commissioners recently made several appointments to boards and commissions. Appointments include; • Advisory Board on Aging – Haryo Marsosudiro and Heather Altman; • Affordable Housing Advisory Board – Nannie Richmond; • Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau – Jim Parker; • Commission for the Environment – Lucy Adams, Loren Hintz, Michelle…
Meeting times change
Meetings of the Orange County Board of Commissioners will begin at 7 p.m. starting in March, unless otherwise noted. Meetings previously began at 7:30 p.m. The change is temporary, for the 2009 calendar year. During construction and facility improvements, meetings normally held in Hillsborough at the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom will be held at the…
Harrington navigates recession, sees mortgage lending increase
By Margot C. Lester Staff Writer Chapel Hill — With banks still sputtering after last year’s huge federal bail-out – including three bank failures already this year – it would be easy to think that all financial institutions are on the ropes. But one local lender is beating the odds with high reserves and a…
Ellis resignation concerns community
By Susan Dickson Staff Writer The recent resignation of Chapel Hill High School Principal Jackie Ellis has sparked concern and speculation among some community members that the demands of the job prevent the school from maintaining a single principal for more than a couple of years. Ellis announced her resignation in late January, and will…
SEPTA meeting
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Special Education Parent-Teacher Association will hold a meeting on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the lower-level conference room of the Chapel Hill Public Library. Participants will view the program How Difficult Can It Be?, which explores the frustration, anxiety and tension faced by children with learning difficulties and disabilities. A…
CHS meeting
The second annual Carrboro High School Town Hall Meeting will be held on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Hargraves Center on North Roberson Street. For the event, Principal Kelly Batten will answer questions on a variety of topics regarding Carrboro High. The interactive session is hosted by the Carrboro High PTSA.