Chatlist Chatters

Lucier is wrong. Grant money for Pittsboro Express bus does come from taxpayers
[Oct. 26, 2009] Actually, the fact is that Chapel Hill Transit figures the bus will cost $360,000 to run for 18 months. While they have a grant for half of that, the grant money comes from taxpayers. Progressive elected officials and bus supporters seem to forget that fact. By Donna Kelly

Free weekly community lunch at St. Bartholomew's Church
[Oct. 26, 2009] Yes, there still is a free lunch! Every Thursday at St. Bartholomew's Church, corner of Salisbury and Rectory Streets, in downtown Pittsboro. From 12 Noon until 1 PM, we serve delicious restaurant quality food to anyone who comes in the door. No forms to fill out. By Karen Ladd

Commissioner Lucier claims financial watchdogs are pushing a deliberate and politically-motivated lie
[Oct. 19, 2009] I have read on several occasions that the bus costs taxpayers 360k–this is a deliberate and politically-motivated lie and assumes that the bus would be funded for 18 months without any ridership and does not include the fact that we have the 176k grant which you mention—who in their right minds would turn down an opportunity to get 176k to initiate a much requested bus route that offers the opportunity of lessening traffic congestion on 15-501.

Chatham County government busing cash out of taxpayer pockets
[Oct. 14, 2009] I think I mentioned before the idiotic idea of a Pittsboro Express bus route using the most inefficient bus on the planet was a bad idea. I also had several agree with me that there was a transit network of smaller buses already running in this county that could be used to do the same job. By Mark Stinson

Pittsboro Express bus between Pittsboro and Chapel Hill is just a niche
[Oct. 13, 2009] On Monday, October 12 this appeared on the Chatham Chatlist: "The bus is a perfect example of this. Now that we have it, folks have to give up their habit/addiction of driving their own car to work/school/whatever and learn to ride the bus. Admit it - you jump in your car without even thinking of the bus, don't you? You don't even wonder if a bus/train/other form of public transportation is available that could save you money, wear-and-tear on your car, the environment. You just jump in your car and off you go. Same for everyone else out there. It is a habit that we all need to give up eventually when more and more Public Transportation becomes available." By Jeff Lane

Visit display honoring Chatham Habitat for Humanity's 20 year history
[Oct. 8, 2009] A display chronicling Chatham Habitat for Humanity's 20 year history, incorporating Home Stores merchandise and many interesting photographs, is currently on view at the former Home Store Too space at 467 West Street in Pittsboro through October. These items will lead supporters on a "walk down memory lane." By Bett Essen

Chatham Area Shag Association nominated for Beach Music Award
[Oct. 7, 2009] Chatham Area Shag Association, along with sister clubs, Bass Lake Shag Society, Eno Beach Shag Club and Sanford Area Society of Shaggers were nominated for a Carolina Beach Music Award for Shag Club Event of the Year for "Shaggin' With Your Sweetheart." By Patricia L. Johnson

School bus safety issue resolved with help of School Board member
[Sep. 27, 2009] I wanted to thank everyone that responded to my concerns over the school bus route on Piney Grove Chapel Road. I heard from people all over the county with similar concerns and problems. We finally got our situation resolved. Do you know what it took? By Kathy Cockman

Higher gasoline prices in Chatham County
[Sep. 22, 2009] The higher gasoline prices we see in Chatham County are probably not originating at the local gasoline stations or convenience stores. We in North Carolina have been held hostage for a long time to a limited number of distributors who tightly control the prices at the pumps and to the excessive taxes our state legislators inflict upon us. Yesterday at a convenience store in Virginia, I paid $2.27 and at a convenience store near me in Chatham County the same grade is $2.54. By Alfred Wyllie

Buying local has gone a bit too far if you ask me
[Aug. 15, 2009] Al Davis has had too many "buy local" experiences this week for me not to express my concern. People came up to him and asked if his shrimp is from North Carolina. Ummm, Louisiana Fresh Shrimp is the name of his company and that is usually posted very clearly where ever he sets up. Every person who was told that it is not from North Carolina would not purchase shrimp BUT those same people left with at least a pound of FREE shrimp from Al, because he is such a sweet guy. By Donna Bianco

Chatham Marketplace does need to engage owners to be successful
[Aug. 4, 2009] Chatham Marketplace definitely needs its owners to engage as owners! And yes, we need our owners asking us the tough questions! That is why we've hosted nine owner forums since February of this year as well as our Annual Meeting in May. We will host more Owner Forums at the end of this month, and I'll post those dates to the chatlist once they are finalized at tomorrow's board meeting. By Kathleen Conroy

Owners need to start asking questions about Chatham Marketplace's poor financial situation
[Aug. 3, 2009] Frankly I'm concerned, as I think anyone who has a vested interest in Chatham Marketplace should be. Chatham Marketplace started with the promise of being a hub of local organic fair supporting the local farmers and a hub of the local community. But as I walk into the store these days and talk with some of the employees whom I have known for a long time I sense an air of discontent and fear. By Jon Tompkins

Good things going on in Chatham County
[Jul. 18, 2009] There's often a lot of negative talk about our local surroundings, but today I'd like to discuss some "good things" that may get overlooked with all of the daily bickering & chatter. I've had the opportunity of working with several local businesses during my time at the library. I have to say that I'm most impressed with the businesses in this community and their support for our local establishments and organizations. By Amber Walsh

Technology and space availability for school board meetings
[Jul. 17, 2009] I'm pretty sure that the level of technology at a K-4 or K-8 school is different than at a high school, and I think that is appropriate. I don't know if all of the elementary or K-8 schools have wireless (like the central office and I believe the high schools do) because those students usually don't have laptops like high school students do (or will next year with the 1 to 1 laptop initiate at the high schools.) By Mia Munn