OrangePolitics - Progressive perspectives on Orange County, NC.

Who's driving this thing?

Ruby Sinreich — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:12:17 +0000

Last night, the County Commissioners did a pretty good job of displaying why it has been so easy, maybe even necessary, for the County Manager to be such a policy leader. Fortunately, I did see Barry Jacobs really step up and push the board forward on transit. I think he'll be even more effective when joined by 2 or 3 new allies after the general election.

Big items on the agenda included delaying property revaluation, reappointing the defunct Economic Development Commission, and approving a long-awaited transit plan. They managed to do all three, but not without some kicking and screaming. See my live tweetage and other responses on Storify and below.

Chain Store Storms the Gateway to Carrboro

Catherine Adamson — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:54:40 +0000

The intersection of Alabama Avenue and Jones Ferry Road is the first impression of Carrboro for visitors entering town from Highway 54. It is important to the Central Business District and the Farmer's Market that this section of Jones Ferry Rd makes a good first impression. This is the Gateway to Carrboro.

Orange Primary 2012: County Commissioners, District 1

Damon Seils — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:28:57 +0000

In a tight Democratic primary involving 3 candidates for 2 seats in Orange County's district 1, civil rights attorney and former Carrboro alderman Mark Dorosin came out ahead with 10,474 votes. He will be joined on the Board of Commissioners by current Chapel Hill Town Council member Penny Rich (9709 votes). Because there was no Republican primary in district 1 this year, Dorosin and Rich will take their seats after the general election in November. They will replace outgoing commissioner Valerie Foushee and incumbent commissioner Pam Hemminger (9167 votes).

Orange County Asks, What Amendment?

Damon Seils — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:54:13 +0000

In the statewide vote, Amendment One passed easily with 61% of the vote. However, Orange County overwhelmingly rejected the amendment by a vote of 79% to 21%. (Our neighbors in Durham County likewise voted 70% to 30% against the amendment.) Some precincts in Carrboro and Chapel Hill voted against the amendment almost unanimously. The map below shows the Orange County precinct-level results of the referendum.

Election day open thread and poll

Ruby Sinreich — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:30:00 +0000

It's OP's annual Election Day Open thread to report back what you're seeing and share any other election-related thoughts. We didn't have a Pundit of the Year contest this time, but I'm still curious to hear your predictions. I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours...

Breaking Down the County Commission Finance Reports

tjcrayton — Sun, 06 May 2012 17:49:02 +0000

Last Monday, candidates running in this Tuesday’s primary submitted their first campaign finance reports of the cycle. The Orange County Board of Elections posted these reports last week, and if you’re interested in looking through them, they’re available here. If you don’t have that kind of time, then here’s some relevant information you might find useful to know, sorted by district and candidate.

District 1

Mark Dorosin
Raised: $10,364.15
Total Aggregate Contributions: 77
Total Donors Reported: 45
Cash on Hand: $5,650.08

Take my endorsements, please!

Ruby Sinreich — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:54:59 +0000

Early voting is well underway, and many of you have already made up your minds about who to vote for. This is our annual special-rules post to learn who your favorites on this year's ballot. Here's OP's 2012 candidate list including links to all of their websites. And our eletion info in general is at orangepolitics.org/elections-2012.

The rules: only write who you are voting for (and why, if you like). You may also list the people you would vote for if you lived in their districts. Do not refer (by name or specific description) to any candidates that you are not publicly supporting. If you do not follow the rules, your comments will be removed. (You are free to write comments on other posts, or even post your own blog entry, that are critical of the candidates. In fact, you are warmly invited to do so!)

Shocking stats on race and school suspensions in Orange County and especially Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools.

Ruby Sinreich — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:42:53 +0000

Chapel Hill 2020 Crosses The Finish Line

Jeff Miles — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:49:16 +0000

Last night marked the last meeting of the stakeholder involvement portion of the Chapel Hill 2020 process. After brief introductions from the leadership of the process and town staff, the theme groups met to consider the action items drawn up by town staff based on pervious meetings. If you haven’t yet been able to have your say on 2020, you still have a few opportunities including:

The information meeting for the town advisory boards on Chapel Hill 2020 on May 10 at 6 p.m. in the Town Council Chamber
A “public information meeting” on May 14 at noon in the Town Council Chamber
A public hearing when the Town Council receives the plan as part of its regular meeting on May 21 at 7 p.m. in Town Council Chamber

Moving through the rest of the year and beyond, there will also be opportunities for involvement that aren’t directly related to Chapel Hill 2020.

Early voting opens with a bang: 605 at Ramshead day 1

gercohen — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:13:17 +0000

Early voting opened with a bang Monday.

1270 early voters countywide Monday, here are totals by location:

Ramshead on campus 605
Carrboro Town Hall 226
Seymour Center 243
BOE office in Hillsborough 168
Mt Zion (Cedar Grove) 28