Chatlist Chatters

Electing or hiring on the basis of religion, race, gender and age
[Apr. 28, 2008] When it comes to hiring people for jobs, there have been several long struggles by women's suffrage and civil rights movements to attain equality in this country whereby no one is discriminated in seeking employment on the basis of their religion, their gender, their race or their age. And these long struggles continue today across Chatham County and America. By Al Wyllie

I support Cross and Barnes
[Apr. 23, 2008] I have never had such a hard time deciding whom to vote for as I have had with this Board of Commissioners election. I guess that is good for me because who ever wins supports many of the same priorities I have for Chatham county. I have been forced to weigh the negatives for the election. By Peter Theye

What does "affordable housing" really mean?
[Apr. 3, 2008] In Chatlist 3079, there was a posting about an "Affordable Housing Summit" meeting to be held April 14. I had hoped to see some follow-up on this, but have seen nothing. I would like to know what "affordable housing" is. Can somebody provide a clear Chathamcentric definition? By Ed Williams

Understanding Chatham County
[Apr. 3, 2008] As a native of Siler City, I've seen many, many changes over the years. My parents are both small business owners there, so my family has heard many different views on the direction our town has taken. Some good, most bad. Personally, I do have mixed feelings. By Rita Marley-McKenzie

Affordable housing summit to tackle hurdles
[Apr. 3, 2008] In today's Chatlist Ed Williams asked a number of questions about the Affordable Housing Summit that will take place at the Community College In Siler City on April 11, starting at 9 a.m. By Robert Eby

A challenge to Chatham County - Let's lead our state in love
[Apr. 3, 2008] We have an opportunity, as a community, to show our state how special our county is. On Thursday April 17, at 10:30 a.m., there will be an open house for the new Juvenile Justice facility at 560 Progress Blvd. in Siler City. By Maggie Crandall

Communist County of Chatham?
[Apr. 1, 2008] It sounds a bit off the wall but there are things that make one compare Chatham to a communist country. It's so easy especially when you see our rights being taken away from us every day. In a communist country you are told what you can do with your share of the land. You are told what you can and can't do with it. You are instructed how to do almost every aspect of daily living seen in the public eye. When the wants of the minority are controlling the rights of the majority the makings of communism are in the works. By Mark Stinson

About the Chatham rabbit
[Mar. 31, 2008] As it happens, I kept a blog about the history of Chatham County last year and called it Chatham Rabbit. Most of my research comes from close readings of first the Chatham RECORD and then the Siler City GRIT from the period circa 1906 to 1918. By Will Sexton

Water witching
[Mar. 31, 2008] I am not a dowser but I have used the dowsing technique to find water underground. It is not some psychic power or magic. I don't know why it works but I do know that it does. A friend suggested to me that I "dowse" my own well when I was in the process of building my dream house (what dream what that again? Ohm, yeah, happiness). Being somewhat of a skeptic about most things unseen I looked at the procedure from a scientific perspective and really tried to think about WHY dowsing could work. By Dan Cahoon

Ethanol not the lone cause of higher grain prices
[Mar. 17, 2008] I feel I must share some information about ethanol and increasing feed prices. My mother runs a dairy in Silk Hope, and her feed costs have risen just as high and quickly as poultry farmers' have. As a Chatham taxpayer, I too am affected by the loss of the Pilgrim's Pride jobs. As a Chatham neighbor, I feel for all those affected. By John Bonitz

Why I am voting for Michele Berger
[Mar. 14, 2008] As evidenced by this short bio, Michele Berger's life has been one of extraordinary challenges and accomplishments...and she's interested in more of the same on behalf of the town and people of Pittsboro. A creative problem-solver, a team player and clear communicator, Berger cares deeply about justice. By Lesley Landis

Starkweather and the Herald
[Mar. 5, 2008] I've tried to stay out of the commentary about Jeffrey Starkweather's candidacy since I'm clearly biased (I've been happily married to him for 22 years). But I do want to share my perspective on his leadership of the Chatham County Herald, since someone stated on the Chatlist and the bulletin board recently that he was responsible for the newspaper going out of business, which is not accurate. By Dee Reid

"We Love Seniors Month" a big success
[Mar. 4, 2008] Hundreds of Chatham folks joined the Council on Aging clients, staff and volunteers in thirty special events in February getting to know each other and to reach a better understanding of the quality of life issues seniors in Chatham County face. By Angel Dennison

Barnes and Cross versus Kost and Starkweather
[Mar. 4, 2008] As a longtime supporter of the Chatham Coalition, I have great concerns about the Coalition's recent statement of non-support for Patrick Barnes and Mike Cross, and, now the just-announced candidacies of Jeffrey Starkweather and Sally Kost. In the Coalition's commendable desire to "do right" for Chatham, something has been lost - the ability to appeal to a diverse group of supporters. By Jan Hutton