About
Don Evans has been a newspaper editor for 30 years, most recently with The Chapel Hill News. Nancy Oates is a freelan
c
e business and features writer and has voted in every election since she turned 18.
A community thrives on vigorous discussion. This blog welcomes informed debate and information that contributes to that goal. We reserve the right to delete comments that don’t further that debate or that stray from the path of civility. Keep comments on-topic, and don’t pick fights or insult each other.
ChapelHillWatch's Blog 
September 29, 2009 at 2:48 PM |
Thank you for your site and your service to the community!
October 29, 2009 at 1:47 PM |
I have recently become involved with the politics of Chapel Hill and am glad I have played a small part in getting the word out about getting the Town Council to delay filling Bill Strom’s seat until the new members of the Council are elected. I have also just become aware of your web site and have enjoyed reading numerous articles from both of you. I look forward to continually following your “insight” into Chapel Hill. Having lived here for almost 13 years, I plan to spend the rest of my life in this great community and hope that Matt Czajkowski is elected and Chapel Hill is able to move forward to make it an even better place to live!
October 30, 2009 at 10:51 AM |
Thought you might be interested in this exchange of emails I had with Mr. DeConto about his N&O story.
Mr. DeConto,
Thanks for your quick response. Still, I take issue with your use of “pro-development” to describe the Citizens group. It seems too narrow and prejudical a term to use to label a group that lists support for sustainable, environmentally sound growth, public transportation and cooperating with UNC to enhance public safety among its goals Since you’ve covered Chapel Hill politics, you must be aware that the “pro-development” label carries negative connotations and, in my opinion, comes close to being an editorial comment and not a fact. (I’m not a member of Citizens for Responsible Growth and had never heard of them until this controversey broke out over Bill Strom’s seat.)
Best,
Pam Durban
Jesse DeConto wrote:
> Ms. Durban,
>
> I’ve interviewed the members of the group, watched them in dealing with the Town Council over the years and, most importantly, read their platform online. Five out of seven of CFRG’s platform points concern, at least in part, encouraging new business and smoothing the way for development.
>
> Jesse
>
> On Oct 29, 2009, at 3:43 PM, pam durban wrote:
>
>> Dear Mr. Deconto,
>> Thanks for reporting on the controversy surrounding the appointment of Bill Strom’s successor to the Chapel Hill city council.
>> In your story, you refer to the Citizens for Responsible Government as a “pro-development” group. Does the group describe itself that way or is that your wording or did someone else label the group that way? I ask because I signed the petition sponsored by this group and have not heard anyone refer to it as “pro-development.”
>> Thanks.
>> Best,
>> Pam Durban
November 8, 2009 at 7:54 PM |
I’d love to hear more of your take on the Cam Hill flyer issue. It appears he’s dying to talk about it – expressing his thoughts and feelings on OranPolitics.org… Maybe you could interview him for his own take on his behavior
March 20, 2010 at 12:29 PM |
Always interesting to check into this blog and find out what is happening in Chapel Hill that is controversial. I thought the number of development proposals for the northwest part of Chapel Hill that are on the table coupled with an incomplete plan from the university regarding how traffic will be handled for Chapel Hill North would generate some fresh ideas. I’m concerned and don’t believe the fixed lane bus on MLK, Jr. will answer my concern. What is going to happen to all the traffic coming in on Homestead from Carrboro. Please, please, before it is too late, let’s work on the traffic issues in this part of town. Thanks