Chatham Weblogs

Cross votes "yes" to Briar Chapel
[Feb. 19, 2005] I have received a truckload of e-mail from fellow citizens, most of whom supported my campaign and are NOW shocked, distressed, outraged, dumbfounded, retrieving their vote, disgusted, moving out of Chatham County, very disappointed, stunned, let down, concerned about a comment I made to Paul McCoy (taken completely out of context), revoking my campaign sign space, would like to have their vote back--and their contribution, looking for a rail (for me to ride), lighting matches (for the tar pot), expressing my needs, providing very sage advice and are actually concerned about how well I sleep at night-but they weren't ALL that nice. By Mike Cross
Also: Mike Cross' Weblog

Ex Parte (private) communications
[Feb. 11, 2005] Ex Parte communications... sometimes referred to as inappropriate "ear bending" and "influencing of the judges." Some land use decisions, i.e., conditional and special use permits, variances and appeals of zoning officials' decisions are quasi-judicial in nature and require all communications be restricted to official Public Hearings to ensure fairness and impartiality on the part of decision makers. By Mike Cross
Also: Mike Cross' Weblog

Update on the 1% Land Transfer Fee proposal
[Feb. 6, 2005] The NC General Assembly currently allows the 1% Land Transfer Fee (LTF) in seven counties: Currituck, Dare, Camden, Chowan, Pasquotank, Perquimans, and Washington. This tax revenue is restricted to capital expenditures such as sewage systems, solid waste disposal, beach replacement, schools, county-operated buildings and related equipment as well as retiring debt incurred for this purposes. By Mike Cross
Also: Mike Cross' Weblog

Briar Chapel affordable housing
[Feb. 3, 2005] I met with representatives from Habitat for Humanity, Empowerment Inc, Newland Carolinas, planning staff and citizen representatives to discuss concerns relative to the 120 affordable housing units in the Briar Chapel proposal. At the Feb 1, 2005 Planning Board, the Habitat and Empowerment presentation resulted in many unanswered questions and no proposal. By Mike Cross
Also: Mike Cross' Weblog

Property tax reappraisals
[Jan. 25, 2005] We all have the same concerns about the upcoming property tax reappraisal. Chatham county is required by the state government to to reappraise real property at intervals no longer than eight years. Our county has opted for every four years for two reasons: 1. Each year between appraisals, we lose revenue necessary to provide the services we all require; 2. We are growing rapidly in some areas and the "shock factor"of an eight year appraisal will be much more extreme and certainly not less. By Mike Cross
Also: Mike Cross' Weblog

January 18, 2005 Board of Commissioners' meeting
[Jan. 23, 2005] One commisioner's view of a county commision meeting. Mike Cross shares his insider view on his new weblog. By Mike Cross
Also: Mike Cross' Weblog