Letters to the Editor

Schizophrenic Randy Voller faces apparent conflicts of interest
[Mar. 27, 2013] The Greater Pittsboro Community Development Corporation was founded in 2010 and its President and Chairperson is Randolph Voller, Mayor of Pittsboro. There is a lot of overlap between Randy’s roles as Mayor of Pittsboro, President / Chairperson of the GPCDC, and Chair of the NC Democratic Party. How well he can separate these and be impartial for Pittsboro's Citizens? By Brad Johnson

Attendants at Chatham Recycling Centers deserve our appreciation
[Aug. 14, 2012] I read an irate letter from a Chatham county resident about the attendants at the recycling center who it is claimed took an item that should have gone to the residents.I have quite a different view;. while there may always be one person in a large group who doesn't live up to the highest standards, on the whole this is a very dedicated and unusually pleasant and polite group of people. By Karen Jordan

After nearly seven years the Chatham–Cary joint land use sub-committee has almost finished its work
[Apr. 22, 2012] After nearly seven years the Chatham – Cary joint land use sub-committee has almost finished its work. The plan covers the area located east of Jordan Lake in Chatham. It’s meant to guide future land use regulations, public infrastructure improvements, and development. There have been more than a dozen draft maps containing revisions and changes from the original. Most changes were made based on input gathered during the public input sessions held in 2006, 2009, and 2011. The latest revisions continued the refinement based on the landowners in the area and input from the planning boards of Chatham and Cary. In most cases we were able to accommodate the desires of the current property owners as related to their property. By Brian Bock
Also: Commissioner Bock Blog

Pittsboro mayor Randolph Voller and town board exhibit unfriendly business attitude
[Mar. 12, 2012] On Tuesday, February 27, the Pittsboro Board Of Commissioners unanimously approved the Haw River Christian Academy to open up in downtown. The business community joins the Board in welcoming them into our neighborhood. In the short run, the meeting was an object lesson in the power of the involved citizen. The uproar that followed the Academy’s treatment in the January meeting led to two overflow gatherings. This last one brought two television stations as well. In the face of that, the delays disappeared and the early and rapid vote of approval brought a loud cheer. By Bill Crawford

Chatham Council on Aging food pantry in need
[Jun. 22, 2011] Are you looking to give back to your community, but have no time to volunteer? How about helping out in another way, by simply dropping off some groceries to help someone in need? The Chatham County Council on Aging is currently in great need of goods for our food pantries at both the Siler City and Pittsboro Senior Centers. By Megan Coggins

Champion for the job-creator
[Jun. 21, 2011] In last year's election it was all about jobs, taxes and spending. I am pleased to see that our leaders, both in the General Assembly and in Chatham County, have stuck to this message and are keeping their promises. Private sector jobs are the priority, and they are working to make our state and county an attractive place for businesses to grow, so we can produce more jobs. This encompasses a lot of things, but reducing taxes and regulatory roadblocks for businesses is crucial. Prioritizing and controlling essential spending so that we can be in the position to lower taxes is the key to help grow our economy. By Cathy Wright

Anyone up for playing some adult softball in Chatham County?
[Jun. 10, 2011] A few of my neighbors and I are looking to play some adult softball, but can't seem to find anything organized or unorganized in Chatham County. Is there anything going on right now? By Sara B. Morand

Let's keep the county government budget in check
[May 26, 2011] With each passing day, the debt clock in our country is increasing at a frightening rate. From our federal government down to our state and local governments, it is imperative that our government rein in it's out-of-control spending. Just as private citizens are cutting back in their own budgets, so must our government. This is why I support the five percent cut in the Chatham County budget. By Nancy Clark

Beer garden party fundraiser for Chatham County Together
[May 12, 2011] I serve as a volunteer at Chatham County Together in their Graduation Project program. I get so much satisfaction from working with high school students in accomplishing a quite daunting task for them. You can see a photo of one of my students with his horse sculpture on the home page of the CCT website. Chatham County Together is a critically important resource for our communities. By Forrest Greenslade

Let's work together to make Chatham County government more efficient
[Apr. 10, 2011] Over the past year I have talked often about "streamlining" government. Since being sworn in as a commissioner, I've worked to transition the talk into action. As I and the other new commissioners have gone about our work, it hadn't occurred to me that there might be some confusion as to what is meant by streamlining. Recently however, a few members of CCEC and one of my fellow commissioners have expressed confusion when the topic of streamlining arises. Since I expect to be focusing on the topic over the next four years I thought it would be a good idea to let everyone know what I'm thinking when I say "streamline". By Brian Bock

A Bennett resident gives Mr. Logan and the Chatham School Board a piece of her mind
[Feb. 19, 2011] My name is Beth Stevens and I have been a resident of Chatham County all my life. I attended Silk Hope from kindergarten till eighth grade and then went on to Jordan Matthew high school. I can remember having a great sense of pride and community at both schools, more so at Silk Hope because I was there so long, but at Jordan-Matthews as well. I spent my high school years making many mistakes that many teens do at that age, and then went on to join the Army and served my country. By Beth Stevens

North Carolina begins debate over forced municipal annexation
[Feb. 18, 2011] The North Carolina Senate began hearing a historic debate on a forced municipal annexation moratorium. The new conservative-lead senate has promised a vote on this bill, a bill democrat leaders have blocked for years. By Chris Marie Farr

School superintendent Robert Logan's plan will ruin our community schools
[Jan. 30, 2011] My name is Daniel Stevens and I am currently serving as vice president of the Bennett Elementary School PTA. I have held my tongue long enough. This school board thinks that people on this side of the county are stupid and don't know what is best for our children. Disguising a hidden agenda as cost savings. Anyone with a couple of brain cells left over can add dollars and cents. Busing our kids half way across the county will increase transportation costs, not to mention the renovations of schools to make them compatible with the size of the children. So all the supposed savings will be eaten up and then some. By Daniel Stevens

Will Chatham County have to close a school or two?
[Jan. 27, 2011] Chatham County schools are in serious trouble. And not from our school administration, but because the Federal Government's subsidies are running out, with no plan to renew. What are they thinking? And what do we expect? I'm sure Chatham County is trying to consider all of the possibilities to keep the schools open, but things, jobs and positions will have to be cut. By Karen Craig