Citizen Will

Category: EconomicDevelopment

  • Transfer Site: Sept. 16th Live ‘Blog

    [UPDATE] The meeting started out with a set of criticisms, especially from Barry Jacobs, about the consultant’s work product and process. “This is not the process we agreed to…” sums up the majority’s concerns. I called for a reworking of both the process and the criteria used to determine the siting of the transfer facility, […]

  • Joining the Air Force – Authority

    As noted by Chapel Hill News Editor Mark Schultz here [OrangeChat] and here [N&O], I’ve asked the Orange County Board of Commissioners to consider appointing me to the new UNC Airport Authority (more on that here [UNC News] and here [N&O]). Dear Commissioners, I’m asking for an appointment to UNC’s new Airport Authority. As a […]

  • UNC Carolina North: How Innovative the First Step?

    I’ve said I understand why UNC feels compelled to push forward it plans for the Carolina North Innovation Center but I still want to see a master plan that incorporates this project, its supplementary infrastructure and the results of the on-going transit, fiscal equity and environmental studies before one concrete block is laid. Timing is […]

  • Closing the Door on Diversity

    One of the issues that got short shrift this election cycle was the relationship between Chapel Hill’s fiscal policy, Downtown’s “rah rah” growth plan, taxes and our goal to promote a diverse community. We know longtime residents of moderate means struggle to keep their homes. We know folks just starting out can’t get their foot […]

  • Delay is Not Our Friend

    I’m a proactive kind of guy. In the last few years I’ve tried to get our Town’s leadership to look beyond the immediate to address the foreseeable needs of our community and preparing for the consequences of our local and national policies. In some cases, like moving forward on improving our Town’s communications infrastructure, hiring […]

  • Election 2007: IndyWeek Endorsement,Booker Creek and the Incumbents

    X-posted from my campaign website. The Indy found fault with my style of dissent. I’m a big guy, have a deep voice and am passionate about my well-researched issues. I believe I’m respectful in my appearances before Council (example). Folks have told me that I’m tough but fair. The Indy’s criticism, no matter how emotionally […]

  • Election 2007: Money on the Street

    X-posted from my campaign website. “Eyes on the street” in one of the key mantras the incumbents substitute for a solid financial analysis of the economic benefits of their publicly underwritten million dollar Downtown condos. Supposedly the $8.5 million tax dollars (so far) and land worth $5-8 million ($13.5-16.5 million) will help increase Downtown’s minuscule […]

  • Election 2007: Friends of Affordable Housing Questionnaire

    X-Posted from my campaign website. I hadn’t heard of this organization prior to this election but they appear to have been active for the last 10 years. Friends of Affordable Housing is a non-partisan Political Action Committee that has been active in selective elections within Orange County during the last 10 year. The organization was […]

  • Election 2007: Chapel Hill News Candidate Questionnaire

    Here’s my answers to the Chapel Hill News candidate questionnaire. If the answers seem a bit terse, it’s because brevity was required. POLITICAL PARTY AND EXPERIENCE: 2005 Candidate for Town Council Town Advisory Boards: Horace-William’s Citizen Comm., Downtown Parking Task Force, Technology Board Other: Community Independent Expansion Comm. , Friends of Lincoln Arts Center While […]

  • Election 2007: Neighborhoods for Responsible Growth

    This year the NRG decided to vet the candidates via email. In 2005 they held interviews and presented the audio responses. Trying to be thorough, I went a bit overboard this year. Figuring no one would want to wade through 10 pages of answers, I tried to boil down this final response to the NRG. […]

  • Election 2007: Chapel Hill’s Diminished Environmental Credibility

    I’ve been clear – our Town’s ability to negotiate with UNC and other developers on environmental standards (or pretty much any other issue) is directly related to how well we practice what we preach. Southern Park is a great example. The Mayor and the incumbents (sans Jim Ward) thought the difficult decision was to authorize […]

  • Tracey Coleman on Rogers Road: Most Popular Video To Date

    At 1460 hits, this video is by and far the most popular one I’ve posted on youTube. No surprise to me as Tracey did an incredibly eloquent presentation on the flawed Solid Waste Advisory Board’s search for a new trash transfer site.

  • Election 2007: Sierra Club Endorsement

    I do know that the Sierra Club, in 2005, thought I was a candidate well-suited for addressing our Town’s environmental issues. Will Raymond has been one of the most outspoken and effective citizen activists in Chapel Hill in recent years. We look forward to him using his talents to advocate for the environment as a […]

  • Election 2007: League Of Women Voters Forum

    A big thank you to the local chapter of the League of Women Voters for an excellent forum this evening. Vicki Boyer, who occasionally posts on OrangePolitics kept the show moving along with a variety of audience questions. Unlike the Sierra Club forum, the environmental and social justice issues surrounding our neighbors out on Rogers […]

  • Election 2007: Sierra Club Interview

    X-Posted from Will Raymond for Town Council 2007: The local Orange-Chatham Sierra Club participates in the local election process two ways: endorsing candidates and sponsoring a forum. Last Sunday, Chairman Bernadette Pelissier, Political Chair Loren Hintz and member Matthew Scheer interviewed me on behalf of the Sierra Club to determine if I qualified for an […]