WCHL’s 2007 Babble-thon: Growing, Learning, and Living Together

[UPDATE]

I just called in to challenge the Chamber’s Aaron Nelson’s “triple bottom line” bull (the idea that the Town has greatly ignored economic development in deference to social and environmental justice) and to ask how we keep Chapel Hill affordable for existing residents. I’m afraid they’re not quite setup to take questions. I spoke with Christy Dixon who is working the problem. This is a great opportunity to get direct responses from some of our key local leaders – I hope folks are willing to slog through and call to comment.

[ORIGINAL]

It’s time again for WCHL 1360’s

2007 Chapel Hill- Carrboro-Orange County Forum: Growing, Learning, and Living Together. The forum will be held on Wednesday, April 18th and broadcast LIVE on WCHL from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm.

What an interesting group of local talent WCHL has assembled – elected folks, University leaders, the distinguished and even some old-school rabble rousers.

If you have an issue you’re particularly interested in, I suggest you call [ 919.929.WCHL (9245) ] during the forum. It’s also a great opportunity to solicit “clarifications” on local public policy from both our elected leaders and the University..

The all-day forum features five panels and ten hours of discussion. Panelists include Town and University officials, local business owners, representatives from civic organizations, as well as local residents.

8:00 am Town & Gown Relations: Growing Together

Moderator: Walter Sturdivant

• Dick Baddour, Director of Athletics, UNC-CH
• Ken Broun, Chair, Leadership Advisory Committee on Carolina North/Former Mayor, Town of Chapel Hill
• James Carnahan, Chair, Carrboro Planning Board
• Mark Chilton, Mayor, Town of Carrboro
• Dan Coleman, member, Carrboro Board of Aldermen
• Mike Collins, Co-Chair, Neighbors for Responsible Growth
• Laurin Easthom, member, Chapel Hill Town Council
• Kevin Foy, Mayor, Chapel Hill
• Jonathan Howes, Vice Chancellor of University Advancement, UNC-CH
• Richard Mann, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, UNC-CH
• Gene Pease, Gimghoul Neighborhood Resident
• Roger Perry, member, UNC-CH Board of Trustees
• Roger Stancil, Town Manager, Town of Chapel Hill
• Bill Strom, Mayor Pro Tem, Chapel Hill Town Council
• TBD

10:00 am Keeping it in Orange: The Price of an Unsustainable Economy

Moderator: TBD

• Delores Bailey, Executive Director, EmPOWERment, Inc.
• Creighton Blackwell, Chapel Hill Market Executice, RBC Centura
• Robert Dowling, Executive Director, Orange Community Housing and Land Trust
• Barbara Jessie-Black, Executive Director, PTA Thrift Stores
• Scott Maitland, Owner, Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery
• Chris Moran, Executive Director, Inter-faith Council
• Aaron Nelson, Executive Director, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce
• Greg Overbeck, Owner, Chapel Hill Restaurant Group
• Ruffin Slater, Owner, Weaver Street Market
• Steve Stewart, Town Manager, Town of Carrboro
• Tim Toben, Vice Chairman, Board of Visitors at the UNC-CH Environmental Program
• TBD

12:00 pm Crime & Safety: Its Not Mayberry Anymore

Moderator: Walter Sturdivant

• Allen Baddour, Orange/Chatham Superior Court Judge
• Margaret Barrett, Executive Director, Orange County Rape Crisis Center
• Charles Blackwood, Captain, Orange County Sheriff Department
• Joel Booker, Captain, Carrboro Police Department
• Joe Buckner, District Court Judge 15B
• Brian Currin, Interim Chief, Chapel Hill Police Department
• Carl Fox, Orange/Chatham Superior Court Judge
• Kevin Gunter, Lieutenant, Chapel Hill Police Department Community Services
• Carolyn Hutchinson, Chief, Carrboro Police Department
• Dan Jones, Chief, Fire Department of Chapel Hill
• Joyce Kuhn, Executive Director, Orange Chatham Alternative Sentencing, Inc.
• Steven Moore, Chapel Hill resident
• Lindy Pendergrass, Sheriff, Orange County Sheriff Department
• Donna Kay Smith, Executive Director, Family Violence Prevention Center
• Tom Tucker, Chairman, Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership
• TBD

2:00 pm Education: Think Globally, Teach Locally

Moderator: Ron Stutts

• Mosey Carey, Orange County Commissioner
• Mike Hanas, Principal, Carolina Friends School
• Kim Hoke, Director, Public Schools Foundation
• Graig Meyer, Coordinator, Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate
• Denise Morton, Associate Superintendent of Curriculum Instruction, Orange County Schools
• Neil Pedersen, Superintendent, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
• Sharon Ritchie, Co-Director (First School), Frank Porter Graham Development Institute
• Lisa Stuckey, Chair, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board
• Jeff Thomas, Principal, Carrboro High School
• Steven Weber, Director of Secondary Education, Orange County Schools
• TBD

4:00 pm The Arts: Too Important to Leave to Professionals

Moderator: Jon Wilner

• Steve Balcom, The Splinter Group
• Glenn Booth, owner, Local 506
• Joseph Haj, Producing Artistic Director, Playmakers Repertory Company
• Randee Haven-ODonnell, member, Carrboro Board of Aldermen
• Emil Kang, Executive Director of the Arts, Carolina Performing Arts
• Michael Maher, owner, Wootini
• Tess Mangum-Ocana, Concerts and Facility Director, The ArtsCenter
• Mac McCaughan, Co-Founder, Merge Records
• John Plymale, Producer, Sixty-Five Roses
• Derek Powers, Manager, Cats Cradle
• Mike Roig, artist
• Kirk Ross, local musician
• Alex Zaffron, member, Carrboro Board of Aldermen