|
CCEC
Bulletin: 11/16/07
PUBLIC HEARING ON REDISTRICTING
WHY SHOULD YOU SUPPORT A NEW TAX?
Take yourselves back to August 2006 when "redistricting" became an issue. The BOC had appointed a token bi-partisan committee who spent 3 hours to "study the issue" and come up with a new map. The new map was voted in (with a 3 to 2 vote) in spite of citizen opposition which included outrage that the new map would completely disallow a sitting Commissioner (Patrick Barnes) to run again for another term.
A newly revised map was presented at a work session of the present Commissioners two weeks ago and will be on the Agenda for this Public Hearing.
What does it offer?
.. It meets the goal of redistricting;
.. Based on the 2000 census figures, it balances the population among the districts reducing the disparity from about 3% to 1%;
.. It would right a moral wrong by allowing all sitting Commissioners to run for re-election;
.. It allows the citizens to evaluate the actions of all sitting Commissioners and hold them accountable; and
.. It acknowledges the citizens' vote against district-only voting.
What doesn’t it offer?
.. It eliminates the new Siler City District IV;
.. The process itself has not had input from County citizens.
To see the newly drawn map go to the County Website (www.chathamnc.org/)
Note: The filing date for those who wish to run for elective office is in late February. Since the public needs to know what district they reside in before that time, there has been little opportunity for the citizens of the County to weigh in on this new map.
Since voting is one of our most valuable rights, please come to the public hearing Monday night and make your views known. Your voice is important.
CCEC Bulletin: 08/06/07
water, water...problems here and everywhere
We have often given you information about issues and asked you to communicate to others about them…such as the Haw River and Jordan Lake etc., but it is rare that we have mentioned the Rocky River. We are asking you today to take action on the following NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 19th.
The Rocky River runs from the western part of Chatham County, into the Siler City reservoir system, through Chatham County in a southeasterly direction and ends up in the Cape Fear watershed. It is a narrow, beautiful waterway that ambles often between wide banks of pristine woods. The Siler City Wastewater Treatment Plant services Siler City and two major chicken processing plants. The effluent from the treatment plant contributes to approximately 90% of the flow in the river below the area of Love’s Creek during dry weather.
CCEC Bulletin: 08/16/07
August 20 Public Hearing "Triggers" and "Buffers" ERB Concerns
You are urged to attend a Public Hearing next Monday August 20 at Pittsboro’s Superior Courtroom
(in the circle) at 6:00 p.m. and offer your support for the newly formed Environmental
Review Board (ERB)
Environmental Assessment Triggers
At this public hearing the ERB will introduce recommendations for determining the conditions needed to trigger an "environmental assessment (EA)." Because of the vast amount of development activity particularly in the north eastern section of the county and the impairment of both Jordan Lake and the Haw River from excessive nutrient run off and silting from construction activities as well as from the development at full build out, this hearing is critical to the future environmental health of the land, water and air in which we live.
An "EA" is basically a detailed scientific study of the potential impact of a development on the environment, and is advisable when a development project could adversely affect, air and water quality, wildlife and aquatic life, solid waste disposal and the areas which drain into our waterways. As a result of this Public Hearing, criteria may be established that would trigger such an environmental assessment.
CCEC Bulletin: 08/06/07
“There’s No PLACE Like HOME”
Borrowing Dorothy’s memorable line from “The Wizard of Oz,” Town Commissioners last Monday were urged
to remember what over 60 citizens had been hammering home for the past two weeks; there’s no PLACE
(Pittsboro Place) like HOME (home town, home grown Pittsboro). The first speaker announced that she
had been told by Mr. Jackson II at the end of the first public hearing session that “I always win.”
She and approximately 40+ citizens chose to speak their piece, nevertheless. Citizens also submitted a
portion of an opposing petition with over 400 signatures in what has turned into a classic
“David vs. Goliath” epic. The citizens of Pittsboro and the surrounding area waxed eloquent and
shed a bright spot light on the deception and half-truths of the presenters representing
Pittsboro Place. And yet, there is no evidence that the Town Board will choose to delay deliberation
on the most potentially destructive request to come before the town in its 220-year history.
CCEC
Alert
: 7/25/07
THE BATTLE FOR PITTSBORO – ROUND TWO
Round two of the heavyweight battle for the right to determine the future of historic
small town Pittsboro takes place next Monday night at 7:00 pm in the Superior Courthouse
located in the center of the REAL downtown Pittsboro. This is a classic “winner takes all”
struggle of two opposing forces vying for the very heart and soul of a community.
Your presence at this defining moment in the long history of Pittsboro is not only kindly requested,
it is most fervently sought. Over 40 citizens committed to preserving the true identity of Pittsboro
have yet to speak their piece, and if you aren’t already among them, then they need your ears,
your support and your physical presence. This will be one of THE more critical public meetings
in the 220 year history of this town.
CCEC
Alert
: 7/18/07
"Pittsboro Place" Could Leave Pittsboro DISplaced
The Empire is on the march again with a plan to create the Mother of all Malls on
the edge of town that makes South Point look like small potatoes. It would encompass 1.3 million
of commercial development (equivalemt to 6 Super Wal-Marts plus parking decks and other tall buildings
at a later date) and 332 residential units A flyer distributed by the developers to homes within
Pittsboro tauts Pittsboro Place as an economic savior, a mecca for jobs and a place to dine out,
take in a movie and bowl. That’s their one sided propaganda. But the fact that they have canvassed
neighborhoods with promotional flyers urging citizens to turn out to support the project indicates
that they know they have a battle on their hands to try to push this Giant through the back door as
quickly as possible.
CCEC Bulletin: 4/17/07
A Land Transfer Tax Makes Sense
How will Chatham County pay for the infrastructure needed to support our burgeoning
population (117,131 residents in Northeast Chatham alone, and approximately 146,200
residents within the County by 2035 according to recent Triangle J projections)?
Where will the funds come from for school, county office and social service buildings,
water and sewer systems, court houses, fire houses, and libraries?
CCEC
Alert
: 3/1/07
TARGET 2011
CCEC is supporting the Haw River Assembly (HRA) in targeting 2011 as the year for
implementing rules to clean up our main source of drinking water in Chatham County.
Other forces are working against us, playing a game of DELAY that makes Dean Smith’s
old “4 corners offense” look like a run and gun game.
A BRIEF WATER HISTORY LESSON: JORDAN LAKE . . .
CCEC Alerts: 2/17 & 19/07
JOINT CHATHAM/CARY MEETING
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners will be holding a joint meeting with the Cary Town Council on Tuesday, February 20th (this coming Tuesday evening) at the North Chatham Elementary School, Multipurpose Room...3380 Lystra Road. The meeting will begin at 7 PM.
OF BARKING DOGS & SQUEAKY WHEELS
The old adages are true; it’s the loudest barking dog that first gets fed and the squeakiest wheel that first gets the grease. These realities should be at the forefront of the minds of all citizens of Chatham as our Board of Commissioners leads the charge toward the implementation of a 1% Land Transfer Tax that could significantly boost the revenue needed to fuel the burgeoning county budget. A read of the well presented information on the LTT as a potential new option for the county should go a long way in demonstrating its merit as compared to other choices.
CCEC Bulletin: 2/5/07
Chatham County has a new Planning Board
This morning, February 5, 2007, the Board of Commissioners made changes that affected the Chatham County Planning Board 's make-up and terms of office. The old Planning Board was and a new one was appointed. citizens as we prepare for Monday’s information exchange.
CCEC Bulletin: 1/27/07
County Water Facts & FAQ’s
An Invitation To Become “Water Wise”
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners (BoC) is conducting a public information exchange on the county’s WATER issues to be held Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. at the Superior Courthouse on the traffic circle in Pittsboro. In our earlier bulletin this week CCEC highlighted the potential costs of meeting the growing needs for potable (drinkable) water. In this follow up bulletin we seek to address potential questions on the minds of citizens as we prepare for Monday’s information exchange.
CCEC Bulletin: 1/25/07
Welcome NC General Assembly Back With A Conservation Request
CCEC Bulletin: 1/23/07
Wade In(to) The Water!
Special BoC Meeting & Public Information session 1/29/07
While visiting the County web site yesterday CCEC found this notice:
“Notice is hereby given that the Chatham County Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting in the Chatham County Superior Courtroom, Courthouse Circle, Pittsboro, NC, on Monday, January 29, 2007 beginning at 6:00 PM… The purpose of the meeting is to hold a public informational session to receive input and exchange information on Chatham County’s long-range water issues.”
[And might we add that the potential cost to the county could be some $70 MILLION!!!]
CCEC Bulletin: 1/17/07
BoC Meeting and Public Hearings 1/16/07:
Drought Broken by Commissioners’ 5-0 Vote
Remarks from the Citizens of Chatham County
CCEC Bulletin: 1/13/07
BoC Meeting and Public Hearings 1/16/07
Agenda
|
