In My Opinion

Victimless crime? What is that?
[Mar. 27, 2008] It is astounding how our society continues to create semantically contradictory justifications to excuse abuses of power. It is even more astounding how easily we buy into the hype. What, pray tell us, constitutes a “victimless crime?” By Delcenia Turner

Best group of volunteers
[Feb. 11, 2008] I am part of the best group of volunteers. We’ve been going strong here in Pittsboro and surrounding communities since 2002 in the fight against cancer. We volunteer for the American Cancer Society and particularly for the year-round fundraising efforts through the Pittsboro Relay for Life. By Suz Clark
Also: Pittsboro Relay for Life

Council on Aging meets the needs of an aging population
[Nov. 15, 2007] The Council on Aging provides programs and services to people who would otherwise have significant needs that would result in institutionalization, which is a great cost taxpayers would shoulder. Our clients are people from all walks of life, all means of support, and the majority of them were born in Chatham County and have lived here all their lives. By Angel Dennison

The NC Boys Choir and the Individuals With Disabilities Act
[Sep. 24, 2007] My son was a participant in the North Carolina Boys Choir until last spring when the director of that group kicked him out. My son was kicked out of the choir because I confronted the director for his comments about the abilities of my son. By Dan Cahoon

Pittsboro town board thumbs its nose at the people’s mandate
[Aug. 24, 2007] What happens in Pittsboro, does not stay in Pittsboro! And what is about to happen in Pittsboro is an affront to all Chatham citizens far and wide. Please read what follows, and respond with your presence. By Pittsboro Together

Pittsboro chicken plant is vital resource for small farmers
[Aug. 13, 2007] Regarding the chicken plant in Pittsboro, if the plant that is being referred to is the JBF Processing plant on Jay Shambly road, then folks need to know a few things about poultry processing. First, this plant is an extremely rare commodity in the farming community on a nation wide level. Lack of access to processing is often the reason there are entire regions in the US where farmers can't think of raising poultry to market. By Jeannette Beranger

"Pittsboro Place" could leave Pittsboro DISplaced
[Jul. 23, 2007] The "Empire" is on the march again and ready to "strike back" with a plan to create the Mother of all Malls on the edge of town that makes South Point look like small potatoes. It would encompass 1.3 million sq. ft. of commercial development (equivalent to six Super Wal-Marts plus parking decks and other tall buildings at a later date) and 332 residential units. A flyer distributed by the developers to local neighborhoods and area homes in Pittsboro tauts Pittsboro Place as an economic savior, a mecca for jobs and a place to dine out, take in a movie and bowl. By Rita K. Spina

If there was ever a time for a moratorium, it is now.
[Jun. 12, 2007] If there was ever a time for a moratorium, and more importantly solid planning and implementation of plans, it is now. Chatham is faced with accelerated population growth. We cannot keep pace, let alone get ahead of the curve. By Larry Hicks

Manufactured news
[Jun. 12, 2007] I am greatly concerned about the accuracy of Leah Friedman’s reporting in the N&O story entitled Foes cry 'foul' over Chatham moratorium, which ran June 5, 2007 and conclusion you reached based on her reporting that led to your editorializing on open government in Chatham County in the Chapel Hill News on June 6, 2007. By John E. Hammond
Also: Chatham Online Bulletin Board

Current Chatham board is living up to its promise of open government
[Jun. 7, 2007] I am puzzled where Growth Matters get its information about Chatham County because it continues to publish incorrect and biased reports about government actions in our county. The reason the hearing on the moratorium was continued to the next evening [May 22] was for the very reason that you claimed in a subsequent post that the moratorium was not needed. The county board’s meetings are still filled with public hearing and deliberations on residential development requests. By Jeffrey Starkweather
Also: Growth Matters

When you are in a hole, stop digging
[May 25, 2007] If there was ever a time for a moratorium, and more importantly solid planning and implementation of plans, it is now. Chatham is faced with accelerated population growth. We cannot keep pace, let alone get ahead of the curve. By Larry Hicks

North Chatham High School needed regardless of expansion of Northwood
[Apr. 10, 2007] While I understand your desire to explore all options was one of the basis for your consideration of a possible expansion of Northwood High School, I believe we cannot afford to abandon the need for the NE Chatham high school, whether or not we add an addition to Northwood High School. By Jeffrey Starkweather

Northwood's track is an accident waiting to happen
[Mar. 21, 2007] Can anyone explain to me why Northwood High Schools track is in such disrepair? My daughter just joined the track team and they had a meeting on Friday, February 23rd to talk about track this season. Eight-six kids are on the track team. That's wonderful. However there is one problem. By Susan DiFranco

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