In My Opinion

Northwood's overcrowding shortchanges students
[Mar. 12, 2007] When the teachers of your core subject classes are raising the flag about class sizes there is a problem. This is from the latest Teacher Advisory Committee minutes. This committee is made up of the teachers of the year from the county schools. By Meg Miller

Coping with segregation within churches
[Mar. 9, 2007] Recently on the Chatham Chatlist, a conversation has started regarding church segregation (an earlier note may have been posted before I joined a week ago). Here is the first post I saw. By Mindy Douglas Adams

My vision for Pittsboro's future
[Feb. 28, 2007] I have had the pleasure of being a resident of Chatham County for 5 years this February and now the owner of a small business in Pittsboro for a little over a year. I am definitely proud to say I live here and I encourage people to come visit. Pittsboro is one of the sweetest towns I have ever been to. By Monica Howell
Also: The Bead Hive

Economic development for Chatham’s future
[Jan. 19, 2007] Last December, the UNC Center for Competitive Economies presented an economic opportunity ‘SWOT’ analysis of Chatham County. This oft-used assessment tool provides a baseline assessment of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats facing Chatham as it begins to establish a pro-active approach to attracting quality business to the County. By Larry Hicks
Also: Chatham Strategic Plan
Also: Chatham Land Conservation and Development Plan

Another POD for Northwood?
[Jan. 5, 2007] Those of us who frequent Northwood High School have been wondering why the entire section of woods was cleared to make way to the new 8 classroom POD. I have been told the space next to the existing POD is for parking and, yep, ANOTHER POD. By Meg Miller

Governor Easley should keep promise to taxpayers
[Dec. 13, 2006] In response to Governor Easley’s comments regarding his desire to keep the quarter-cent sales tax increase that is slated to expire next year, Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger (R-District 26) released the following statement:

Why I'm voting for Gerald Totten for Board of Education
[Nov. 7, 2006] I don't usually endorse local candidates. This is only my third one. I'd like to proudly say that I will be voting for Gerald Totten, candidate for the Chatham County Board of Education on Tuesday. I hope you join me in casing your vote for Mr. Totten as well. By Gene Galin
Also: Chatham Journal's Election Special Issue
Also: Chatham Coalitioan BOE questionnaire and answers

Shameful vote for incentives for ISP
[Oct. 17, 2006] Last night Chatham County citizens witnessed our lame duck board once again refuse to evaluate data and public input and instead poke a finger in the watchful eye of its constituents. By Lesley Landis

Take back our vote
[Oct. 10, 2006] Take Back our Vote is a committee formed to oppose the referendum on district voting. District voting is an attempt to divide the African American community and other communities in Chatham because the same power hungry and greedy officials who controlled the purse strings in Chatham County want to continue to hold onto the political strings thru this district voting scheme. By Margie Ellison

Voting by district: A parable
[Aug. 25, 2006] Years ago Bynum had an operational one lane bridge. The DOT planned on closing it. Most of the people of Bynum opposed closing it. At the public hearing many residents of Bynum showed up. Many people outside of Bynum appeared as well. By Greg Stafford

December
[Aug. 22, 2006] At the point I am writing this, Tuesday morning, there is still one more evening of hearings to go on redistricting. The discussions of Monday night, as with the July Board of commisioners' meeting, have poured into the next day. But I can already predict the ending. By Larry Hicks

Chatham's estimated water needs are off target
[Aug. 9, 2006] Chatham County's estimated need for water is about six times current usage of 1.17mgd and is nonsense. As I told our commissioners in 2001, Hobb's estimates were based on peak demand whereas (according to the State) estimates of growth should be based on average demand. By Elliot Cramer

No rush to decide on water supply issues for Chatham County
[Aug. 7, 2006] The Chatham County Board of Commissioners has apparently agreed to spend $32 million to obtain water from Harnett County, including $8.7 million to upgrade Harnett's water treatment plant. Just this year the current board has already transferred $5 million from the fund balance to accommodate the Harnett County option.

Flashing lights at Cole Park are a safety hazard
[Jun. 28, 2006] The ongoing problems with the lights at Cole Park have been something I've been talking with folks about for over a year and a half now. Anytime there is a power surge or the lights go out this light goes into flash mode. The only person who can fix it is a tech. that has to come from Carthage. That usually takes 2 hours. That is unacceptable. By Meg Miller