Citizen Will

Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Election 2010: Sales Tax Referendum

    [UPDATE 2] The referendum is shelved with a margin of over 1,000 votes. Next up, the transit tax referendum. [UPDATE 3] Just listened to a really inept analysis of the sales tax referendum problems on WCHL. WCHL is usually ridiculously deferential to Aaron Nelson of the local Chamber of Commerce – rarely calls him out […]

  • Election 2010: Lincoln & Library

    As of 6pm Lincoln Center was at 241 voters, a better than expected turnout for this year’s mid-term. As of 6:35pm the Library weighed in at 647 voters, lagging Caldwell. Considering that Estes Hills precinct had a large early voting contingent, the numbers on the ground there are not necessarily indicative of voter disinterest. I […]

  • Election 2010: Caldwell Precinct Turnout

    Quick update on Caldwell precinct located in north Orange County near Rougemont. I handed out Democratic party voter guides from 9:30am until 4:00pm to a steady and heavy stream of voters. With over 680 voters clocking in by 4pm, the precinct was trending towards a very healthy showing – a possible total for today of […]

  • Nov. 2nd, 2010 Election

    In case there’s any confusion, Morgan Freeman had nothing to do with this post! I’ll be helping the Orange County Democratic Party over at the Caldwell precinct in northern Orange County from 9:30am to 4:00pm. Drop by if you’re in the area. Over the last week I’ve received emails asking my recommendations for the judicial […]

  • Clark, Bigelow Out

    Following up on yesterday’s post(Chapel Hill Council: Union Busters?) the Chapel Hill News reports (Solid waste workers under investigation are fired) that Clark and Bigelow have been fired. They will have 14 days to appeal the decision. It appears Council was informed Wednesday night but, as per the Town’s rules, played no part in the […]

  • Chief Blue?

    Looks like only one of the five potential internal candidates for Police Chief expressed interest in the position: Chris Blue. Chris’ evaluation “will focus on the characteristics that have been identified that we need in a chief and the extent to which his behavior fulfills those characteristics. The basic characteristics we are looking for were […]

  • Chapel Hill Council: Union Busters?

    [UPDATE] Oct. 29th, 2010 Chapel Hill News reports that Clark and Bigelow have been fired. They will have 14 days to appeal the decision. It appears Council was informed but as per the Town’s rules played no part in the decision. The Council chambers were definitely rocking last night. The strange issue of Town employees […]

  • Chapel Hill Police Department’s Community Outreach – Round 2

    Looks like I’m stuck on “law and order” mode with the latest series of posts. The Chapel Hill Police Department is hosting an additional community outreach Nov. 4th, 4:30 and 5:30pm at Extraordinary Ventures, Elliot Rd. (INFO). The meetings present an opportunity to comment on and improve the department’s new strategic plan. The plan’s current […]

  • Hearts and Mines

    The Triangle is a great place to live for many reasons, one of which is the incredible folks you meet from all walks of life who are working to make the world a bit better. Carrboro’s Joan Widdifield is working to improve Bolin Creek’s health. A regional resource, Bolin Creek, its associated watersheds and subsequent […]

  • Our Next Police Chief

    [UPDATE:] I blew it! As Fred Black reminded me, the Chief is selected by the Town Manager. While the Council can talk about the parameters and criteria of selection, the choice is Roger Stancil’s. Just got home from tonight’s Council meeting. The meeting ended with a closed session to consider personnel matters so they shooed […]

  • Farewell Chief!

    I rushed back from Asheville this evening and missed the announcement (WCHL1360 and Daily Tar Heel) that Chief Brian Curran is resigning effective Nov. 30th. I posted Sept. 24, 2007 when Brian was appointed. I’ve had an opportunity to meet Brian in a few different venues these last few months and my initial impression that […]

  • Parks Impact Fee: How Many (More) Goodies Do High Density Developers Need?

    I spoke before Council this evening on the proposed changes to Section 5.5 (Recreation) of the Town’s Land Use Management Ordinances (LUMO). The changes, which were discussed over a decade ago, approved by the NC Legislature July 10, 2008, essentially amount to an impact fee paid by developers to support parks and recreation. To quote, […]

  • Well Done Rogers Road Coalition!

    Some welcome news on the Rogers Road front. The Rogers-Eubank Neighborhood Association has been awarded a Federal EPA Environmental Justice grant to help address some of the long term environmental issues that neighborhood has faced as a consequence of taking on our trash disposal burden. Recipient: Roger-Eubanks Neighborhood Association Project Name: PITCH (Partnerships in Transforming […]

  • Civilian Review Board: Process Lurches Forward

    I was unable to attend the latest Civilian Review Board meeting but according to the Indy’s Joe Schwartz, the process continues to lurch forward. One point that I thought needed answering, why wait for NC legislative approval, was dealt with. Sally Greene and Mark Kleinschmidt both seemed to endorse moving forward creating a board that […]

  • A Busier Week: University Square Meeting, Aug. 18th

    In listing the roll of important events this coming week, I accidentally left out one that promises to be quite interesting. Cousins Properties Inc., which is leading the redevelopment of University Square for Chapel Hill Foundation Real Estate Holdings Inc., will host a public meeting Wednesday, Aug. 18, to discuss the long-term vision for the […]

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