University and town officials announced a deal Friday by the UNC-Chapel Hill Foundation to purchase Granville Towers and University Square in a deal valued at $45.75 million. At an announcement at Chapel Hill Town Hall, UNC Board of Trustees Chairman Roger Perry said the university has no immediate plans to alter the site, but that…
News Brief: Chatham votes in new budget
At its last meeting, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners adopted a new budget that reduces the tax increase by 35 percent, with the approved tax rate for 2008-2009 being 65.3 cents per $100 of property appraisal. Most actions taken by the commissioners were to reduce the budget, like the decreased funding for a new…
For the Record: Sanity calling
We have a few simple and relatively inexpensive items to add to this year’s public works budget: Large signs downtown encouraging those piloting automobiles not to talk on the phone while driving. Perhaps it is because so many Citizen staffers get around on foot or by bike that we’ve heard a number of first-hand reports…
For the Record: Wisdom returns
The Chapel Hill Town Council made a wise choice on Monday by rescinding its vote the previous week to make themselves and other council members eligible for lifetime insurance benefits after serving eight years. Though council work is indeed demanding, town employees have to report for duty full time for 20 years to get the…
For the Record: Summer’s here (duh)
You may have noticed that warmer weather has settled in. We have scientific proof of that thanks to a friend of ours — a local deli owner — who with the aid of a highly accurate, instant-read thermometer recorded temperatures on downtown sidewalks last week of well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
The lay of the land in the disability rights world
By Vicki Smith A year ago, a new advocacy group for North Carolinians with disabilities was launched. Over the past 12 months, the staff of the new organization – Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC) – has learned a lot. Not only did we learn mundane things, like how to use the new database and fill…
Keep Medicare premiums fair
By Bill Wilson Congress is embroiled in a debate over Medicare while older adults get ready to reach deeper and deeper into their pockets to pay for their health coverage. Medicare beneficiaries are willing to pay their fair share. They expect their premiums to go up, but they should not have to shoulder an extra…
The familiar budget battle
By Chris Fitzsimon The full Senate budget proposal was on display Tuesday in the Senate Appropriations Committee and there were few surprises in it, as many of the key decisions were released in sparsely attended subcommittee meetings late Monday afternoon. There wasn’t much of a debate Tuesday either. Most of the two-hour budget committee meeting…
A fiscal “Tale of Two Citiesâ€
Comparing Boone to Carrboro … by the numbers By Brian Voyce Carrboro rulers love to compare themselves to Paris, France. But the town with the mightily overblown “Paris of the Piedmont†moniker is more appropriately compared to the town of Boone. Both are in North Carolina. Both are subject to the same municipal rules and…
Community Calendar: 06/19/08
Special Events Potluck in a Pasture — local food, local farm, local arts and music. Share organic food and recipes with neighbors. June 29, 6-8pm. Contact 219-9840. Create ‘08 — June 20-22. 190 Sycamore Trail, Prospect Hill (N of Hillsborough). Live music, camping, open mic, community art, dance, workshops, kid stuff and more. $20 in…
Community Brief: Kids classic
The Carolina Kids Classic charity golf tournament celebrates its 20-year anniversary today (Thursday) and features coaches Butch Davis, Roy Williams and Dean Smith. The tournament has raised over $2.5 million since it began. The money is donated to the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill, the North Carolina Children’s Hospital and the Childhood Trust, agencies…
Community Brief: New Kidzu
Kidzu is closed until July 10 to prepare for its new exhibit, “KidZoom: The Power of Creativity,†opening July 11. KidZoom will encourage children to be creative in all aspects of living and features creative work by local artists and artisans. While the museum is closed, they will offer “Kidzu Around Town†programs at various…
Carrboro High changes principals
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools has announced that Carrboro High School Principal Jeff Thomas has been reassigned to the district’s central office. A district press release did not say why Thomas was reassigned, or what position he will fill at the central office. Thomas has served as principal of Carrboro High for two years, and opened…
Spiderworts’ many colors “curiously lurking amongst the grassâ€
Spiderworts’ many colors “curiously lurking amongst the grass†In spite of the early heat wave, cool shades of spiderwort flowers continue to cheer up the early morning hours. The one moving around my yard is most likely Tradescantia ohiensis, Smooth Spiderwort, with leaves having a somewhat whitish cast (glaucous) to them. The pair of leaves…