Columns

Chatham County capital improvements vs. funding
[Mar. 15, 2005] Chatham County faces a very unique and troublesome growth situation! We’re not talking about a town within a county growing itself at a responsible rate while providing infrastructure, jobs and services for it’s citizens. We’re talking about an ill prepared county within the “Greater Triangle” about to be run over by residential development. No one knows exactly what our future holds, but it is most important that we be allowed options to generate the revenue necessary to address this situation and to do the best possible job for our current citizens, newcomers, and the Triangle. By Mike Cross
Also: Mike Cross' Weblog

Tentative proposal would change impact fees
[Feb. 15, 2005] A proposed motion to change the Educational Facilities Impact Fee Ordinance was brought up at the Board of Commissioners meeting on February 7,2005. The motion did not receive a second and Commissioner Barnes requested more time to study the proposal. Such a proposal raises some issues in our minds. By Chatham Citizens for Effective Communities
Also: Chatham Citizens for Effective Communities

Chatham County Development Watch
[Feb. 14, 2005] While CCEC does not stand in opposition to the development of briar Chapel, we wish to advocate for the best possible design of this, the first Compact Community in Chatham County, in order to mitigate any adverse fiscal, environmental and traffic impacts while maintaining the quality of life desired by the citizens of the County. We believe that Newland Communities has worked diligently to improve on the original proposal presented in advance of the Compact Communities Ordinance. However there are yet improvements to be made. At the conclusion of the Public Hearings, CCEC presented written requests and recommendations for improvements in the Newland proposal. See a rundown of current large developments planned for Chatahm County. By Chatham Citizens for Effective Communities
Also: Chatham Citizens for Effective Communities

Chatham Coalition objections prevent major impact fee change
[Feb. 9, 2005] Objections raised by a spokesperson for the Chatham Coalition helped prevent County Commissioner chair Bunkey Morgan on Monday from pushing through a proposed major change in school impact fees without public notice or a public hearing. The proposed change would raise school impact fees on new residences in the northeastern part of the county, including Pittsboro to $4,000 while at the same time eliminating all such fees in the southwest. Impact fees in the northwestern part of the county, including Siler City, were to be raised to $2,500, while those in the Moncure area would be lowered to $1,400. Currently, the impact fee across the county is unified at $1,500 for each new house constructed. By Jeffrey Starkweather
Also: Chatham Coalition

Commisioner Mike Cross starts a weblog
[Jan. 18, 2005] Commissioner Mike Cross ran on a platform of keeping citizens informed and involved. As part of his commitment to keep us informed, Commissioner Cross has started a weblog in which he gives his experiences and impressions as a county commissioner. in some cases, he will also be using the web log to explain his thinking and reasoning behind votes and actions that he takes as a commissioner. By Mike Fox
Also: Mike Cross Weblog

Pearl Harbor Day 2004
[Dec. 7, 2004] The day after the devastating Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt addressed the Congress with his eloquent speech requesting a declaration of war. The clarity of his words remains bracing, even 63 years after the horrible day:
Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation
[Nov. 25, 2004] Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

Previewing primaries: N.C. Senate
[Jun. 17, 2004] RALEIGH - While the political chatter in Raleigh seems hardly to stray from the topic of who is after whom in the North Carolina House of Representatives, the future control of the North Carolina Senate hasn't drawn as much attention. It should have. By John Hood
Also: Carolina Journal

A Public-Service Announcement
[Apr. 15, 2004] Maybe you saw the public-service ads in 2003 reminding North Carolinians of the millions of dollars in unclaimed property they are owed or informing them of the state's no-call list for telemarketers or warning of identity theft. Each of those ads prominently featured state leaders, identified by name and face, who were instrumental in producing them. Apparently you won't be seeing those ads in 2004.
Also: Common Sense Foundation

Citizens seek public hearing on the Homestead development at Jordan Lake
[Mar. 11, 2004] Local citizens' groups are asking The Chatham County Board of Commissioners to schedule a second public hearing on the Homestead residential development proposed for the west side of Jordan Lake. the commissioners vote to approve the development without another public hearing, their action could result in a legal challenge," said Jeffrey Starkweather, a Pittsboro attorney and co-author of a 200-page report critical of the development. By Jeffrey Starkweather
Also: Chatham Citizens for Effective Communities