Balancing our books We knew at some point some elected official would rise to make the case for a library for downtown Carrboro. We just didn’t know that person would be a member of the Chapel Hill Town Council. That probably wasn’t council member Matt Czajkowski’s intention when he chimed in Monday night during discussions…
Action Agenda for the Common Good
Editor’s note: The following document was presented at the delegates’ assembly for the newly formed Orange County Organizing Committee. The assembly, held last Sunday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, brought together dozens of churches and other religious organizations along with elected officials and local social and housing service agencies to study a series of proposed…
Not so affordable college
Chris Fitzsimon For the past eight years, Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine has named UNC-Chapel Hill the best value in public higher education in its annual rankings of universities, based on a combination of quality and affordability. That might lead you to believe that North Carolina is among the nation’s leaders in making higher education affordable….
Manager recommends waste transfer site on 54
Orange County Manager Laura Blackmon has named a 147 acre parcel .7 miles west of Orange Grove Road on N.C. 54 as the preferred site for the county’s waste transfer station. In memos to the board of county commissioners, Blackmon and the county’s solid waste department staff cited the site’s high score according the county’s…
Few bright spots in local unemployment picture
By Margot C. Lester Staff Writer When the state released October’s unemployment figures just before Thanksgiving, there was little to give thanks for (see chart at the end of this story). The number of out-of-work North Carolinians inched closer to 7 percent and local figures were essentially unchanged. Unemployment rolls in Orange and Chatham counties…
What else can the government do?
With the federales quick to bail out the banks – and maybe the Big 3 – it’s only natural to wonder if the fine folks in Washington will bail out the jobless. Don’t hold your breath. Short of extending unemployment benefits (which they’ve already done), legislators can’t to do much to ease the direct pain…
Breakdown: The will to find a better way
By Taylor Sisk Staff Writer Nicholas Stratas refers to mental illness as a “fragmenting†problem. Stratas, a Raleigh-based psychiatrist and former state deputy commissioner of mental health, explains that as we become adults, individuation takes place – boundaries develop, thoughts, feelings and actions are forged – and we go through a process of internal integration….
Aldermen support same-sex marriage
By Susan Dickson Staff Writer The Carrboro Board of Aldermen voted 5-0 on Tuesday to support civil marriage for same-sex couples. Board member Jackie Gist proposed a resolution of the board’s support of civil marriage for same-sex couples earlier this month in response to California’s Proposition 8 and other measures approved by voters in several…
Busy holiday weekend ahead
This weekend is as packed with holiday fun as a stocking on Christmas morning. On Friday, Carrboro Town Hall will light its Christmas tree. Music and family fun accompanies the tree lighting, which takes place at 6 p.m.
Human Rights events
The Chapel Hill and Carrboro communities will celebrate human rights throughout the week to honor the 60-year anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was presented to the United Nations on Dec. 9, 1948 and signed by member nations the next day. The weekend kicks off with a day-long series of presentations and…
News brief: Atwater pleads not guilty
Demario James Atwater pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to federal carjacking and firearms charges in the slaying of UNC Student Body President Eve Carson. Atwater, 22, is one of two suspects charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Carson.
News brief: Rabid cow
A cow from a Hillsborough cattle farm tested positive for rabies Nov. 17 at the State Laboratory of Public Health.
News brief: Foushee elected county chair
The Orange County Board of Commissioners elected Valerie Foushee as chair of the board for 2009. Foushee has served on the board since 2004 and served as vice chair for 2008. The board elected Mike Nelson as vice chair for 2009.
Human Rights Week to recall declaration’s 60th
The Chapel Hill and Carrboro communities will celebrate human rights throughout the week to honor the 60-year anniversary of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was presented to the United Nations on Dec. 9, 1948 and signed by member nations on Dec. 10.
Community brief: CHHS holiday concerts
Chapel Hill High School students will perform a number of holiday concerts in December: • the Jazz Combos, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.; • the ninth-grade concert band, symphonic band and percussion ensemble, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.; • the orchestra, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m.; and • the chorus, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m.