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(09/21/09 4:48am)
For Mama Dip, love is a family recipe.Mildred Council, better known as Mama Dip, celebrated her 80th birthday with friends and family at a Sunday bash benefitting her “Share the Love Fund” for the Triangle Community Foundation.Council is the owner of Mama Dip’s Traditional Country Cooking, a Rosemary Street restaurant. She turned 80 years old in April but asked her family to throw a party now so the community could benefit.The fund, created in May, aims to build self-esteem and self-worth in community kids, especially those who face financial difficulties.“Let’s forget about the word ‘single parent,’” Council said in an address to her guests. “Let’s think about children who need a friend.”During the program, Council received birthday wishes both in person and on video from people such as U.S. Rep David Price, D-N.C., Durham Mayor Bill Bell, NBA player Eric Montross and former U.S. Sen. John Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth. Council said that the community’s support for young children wanes as they grow up. She said she hopes the fund can change this.“When they get older, they give it up,” Council said.“It seems to me that our children are dropping out of school at an early age.”Andrea Bazán, president of the Triangle Community Foundation, said the fund will be based on Council’s personal values and will be managed by her family. Children who receive funds will participate in activities that emphasize basic skills like cooking, sewing and auto repair.“We want to make sure our community stays safe and strong,” said Spring Council, Mildred Council’s youngest of eight children.Spring Council said when she was young, her friends always knew they had a place to stay when things weren’t going well at home. She said her mom wanted to be able to offer the same type of support to future generations of area children.“When I was about 7 years old, Mama used to go to people’s houses and see what they needed,” Spring Council said. She said her mother carried two bags of food, cooked food for those who couldn’t and uncooked for those who could.And food has stayed a family affair for the Council household.Mildred Council said each of her children has worked for her at some point. Even her grandchildren have a place in the kitchen.“I’ve been there for 20 years,” said Tonya Council, Spring Council’s daughter. “I have my own division of Mama Dip’s called Tonya’s Cookies.”Mildred Council’s cooking has not only affected her family but also customers of the restaurant who still keep coming back for more.“I have fond memories of going to Mama Dip’s restaurant,” said Leon Herndon, an ‘87 graduate of UNC and a current medical director at Duke Eye Center of Raleigh. “That was always a special occasion because I didn’t have any money.”Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(09/11/09 3:24am)
To get evidence for a federal lawsuit against the county, a local rescue squad is also suing UNC because of what they claim is a violation of state public records law.Both lawsuits stem from the volunteer rescue squad’s worry that after being told they cannot work, emergency response times have slowed. Jeremy Browner, attorney for the Orange County Rescue Squad, said he plans to argue in the federal lawsuit that the rescue squad’s due process was violated when it was placed on stand-down in June 2008 by Col. Frank Montes de Oca, director of Orange County EMS. Montes de Oca said the group was told not to work pending a review of their work after receiving complaints of unprofessionalism. The Orange County Rescue Squad filed a state action against the University in April after it was denied access to a study containing response times for Emergency Medical Services in Orange County.The EMS Performance Improvement Center in the UNC Department of Emergency Medicine gathered the data the rescue squad is requesting.The squad plans to use the information as evidence that response times have slowed.But UNC officials won’t release it, claiming confidential patient information could be endangered. A representative with UNC Health Care said they were not permitted to comment on the case.A state hearing is set for Sept. 28 to determine if the University’s information is classified as a medical record.“We’re stuck there right now,” Browner said. “So the judge has to decide right now if we have a legal right to the release that we’re seeking. If he decides that we don’t, then the case stops there.”Browner said N.C. public records law allows anyone to request records from a public entity such as UNC.“The response that we got from UNC is that it falls under protected information based on HIPAA laws,” said Brian Matthews, chief of the Orange County Rescue Squad. But Matthews said they have not requested patient information.“We just want response times from the time of dispatch to the time they arrived to the hospital. That’s all we requested,” he said.Browner said he has found several cases in which the squad thinks response time would have improved if they could work.In one case, Browner said, it took a woman an hour to get to the hospital after she called EMS. He said the Orange County Rescue Squad was closer, but they couldn’t respond because of stand-down status.Browner will argue at the federal hearing that Montes de Oca has the authority to make a recommendation to Orange County Board of Commissioners, not to directly place the squad on stand-down.“He didn’t recommend it,” Browner said. “He just decreed it.”
(09/01/09 3:13am)
Negotiations for a building contract are finally coming together for a local children’s museum seeking a much bigger space.Kidzu Children’s Museum representatives are working on a proposal with town staff to use the top of a parking deck on Rosemary Street. They said they hope the contract will be considered at the Chapel Hill Town Council’s Sept. 28 meeting.Kidzu Children’s Museum representatives said they hope to build a 20,000-square-foot building on the top of Wallace Parking Deck, which is owned by the town of Chapel Hill. The top floor is an open community area not used for parking.Kidzu is a museum that offers children an opportunity to learn through playing, said Jonathan Mills, chairman of the board of directors. The current Franklin Street location is about 2,700 square feet, which Mills said is not enough to accommodate its exhibits and visitors.Mills said significant progress has been made in the last eight weeks but that initially there were hurdles.“I think speed is an issue, getting everybody on the same page,” Mills said. Kidzu representatives originally petitioned the Town Council the first week of September 2008, and progress was slow.“The town staff has been incredibly busy,” Mills said. “But I think at the moment we are a priority.”Mills said Kidzu has used the elapsed year to work with town staff, creating the contract they’ll propose in September.“We’re just trying to come up with something that the Kidzu people and the town staff would offer and the council would consider,” said Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos. “It would be up to the council to decide whether to approve.”If the town approves Kidzu’s proposal contract, the museum’s representatives will need to submit an application to the town planning department to undergo development review before they begin to build, which could take months, Karpinos said.Mark Kleinschmidt, Chapel Hill town council member, said the council is excited about the possibilities the new location could bring.“We’re wanting to do everything we can to help them out,” he said. With the building site located in the center of downtown, Kleinschmidt said he’s hoping Kidzu’s new location and larger size could make downtown attractive to a different crowd.“I’m hoping that they’d be able to develop a building up there that would be a real anchor for our downtown,” he said. “In the last decade or so, the 100 block has become almost solely devoted to the University.”The new building will come with a hefty price tag, Mills said. If the town approves the contract, Kidzu will begin its formal capital campaign to raise the $5.5 million to $7 million needed for the building and its exhibits alone.But Mills said he thinks the efforts will be worth it.“Our goal is to be one of the leading educational innovators in the country,” Mills said. “And that’s a big deal.”Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(08/27/09 4:28am)
A historically black and low-income community is hoping a newly completed survey will help them gain access to the Orange County water and sewage system.The Gillings School of Global Public Health was invited by the Rogers-Eubanks community, where the county landfill is located, to conduct a household survey of water and sewer infrastructure.The survey showed evidence of fecal contamination and E. coli bacteria in the drinking water, although past tests funded by the county have shown no tainting.“These are bacteria that are not harmful,” said Chris Heaney, a UNC research associate who worked on the survey. “But if they’re there, viruses that cause stomach illness would probably be there.”Heaney said that the fecal contamination could come from a variety of sources.The survey was funded through a grant awarded by the Program on Ethnicity, Culture and Health Outcomes, ultimately funded by the School of Public Health.The Rogers-Eubanks Neighborhood Association, using records provided by the Orange Water and Sewer Authority, identified 73 households as part of their community. Thirty-eight households were approached and 27 completed the survey.Robert Campbell, the co-chairman of the Rogers-Eubanks Coalition to End Environmental Racism, said their goal is to bring water and sewer services to the entire community.“The neighborhood needs to be brought up to standards,” he said. The community is not connected to the main lines because it lies outside the town limits of both Chapel Hill and Carrboro.Ed Holland, the director of long-range and regional planning for OWASA, said extending water and sewer lines to the entire community would cost about $3 million.“If anybody puts up the money, we would probably do it,” he said. “But somebody’s got to pay for it.”Campbell and Heaney said they hope local governments will use the survey to apply for Community Development Block Grant funding for the water and sewer project.“If there’s any information that can be used to spur the local governments in their efforts to try and get data that would be needed for a successful application, that would be great,” Heaney said.One roadblock could be affordability. The survey states only 54 percent of residents would be able to afford the utilities.But Campbell said the current goal is on securing the services.“We need to get connected to the system and get to that later,” he said. “We pay for it just like every one else pays for it. We work.”
(08/26/09 3:39am)
The Chapel Hill Town Council might not have enough support to move forward with a waste transfer station possibility at Millhouse Road when it discusses the proposal next month.The Millhouse Road site is close to the historically black and low-income community that has been hosting a landfill for 37 years.In addition to the issue being politically unpopular, Mayor Kevin Foy, who proposed the site as an option, will be out of the state Sept. 14 when the council plans to discuss offering the land to the county, town council members said.And the recent resignation of council member Bill Strom could make it difficult for council members to reach a majority vote.Though the Orange County Board of Commissioners voted to consider the site, and consulting group Olver Inc. reported that it is qualified, some officials and residents question it as a strong political choice.County Commissioner Barry Jacobs said he doesn’t think that the land will be offered to the county and knew that when he voted to consider the site. “I would be surprised if it happened, especially in the middle of an election campaign,” he said.Town Council member Laurin Easthom said the meeting will be held even if Foy is absent but that the item might not be discussed at that time.“The Town Council is going to be forced to consider the option,” Easthom said. “We’re going to have to deal with the issues at our meeting.”Jacobs said that while he has heard much opposition to the Millhouse Road site, there are obvious advantages in the fields of transportation, the environment and cost.“It may be that it isn’t a good place, but rather than make a decision out of hand, I at least wanted to hear what the pros and cons are,” he said.Mark Kleinschmidt, a Chapel Hill Town Council member, said that while he looks forward to discussing the matter more in-depth, he’s not inclined to move forward with making the offer.“I think it’s incompatible with that area of town,” Kleinschmidt said. “That’s where I am.”Residents of the Millhouse Road community and the Rogers Road community said they are hopeful that the town council will eventually decline to offer the land.Millhouse Road residents have said they consider themselves neighbors of the landfill.“We are arguing, and I think we have the support of the town council,” said Miriam Thompson, secretary of the NAACP of Chapel Hill-Carrboro. “I think they are going to get such powerful opposition I’m hoping they will reject what was originally the mayor’s proposal.”Robert Campbell, the co-chairman of the Rogers-Eubanks Coalition to End Environmental Racism, said three of six council members were invited to the Millhouse site to see where the waste transfer station would be located.Campbell said that he thinks the council will not offer the land because they will not have a majority vote to do so.“I believe that the councilmen that took the tour will not vote to use it as a waste transfer site,” he said. “Because of those three councilmen, in the absence of Bill Strom, it won’t pass.”Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(08/25/09 1:43am)
Student government is hoping to reach out to the Chapel Hill community through a Homecoming parade, safe celebrations after games and student voices on a downtown decision-making board.
(08/23/09 7:44pm)
Entrepreneur Magazine has cited Chapel Hill as an emerging player in the global economy. That’s why it named the town one of the top 10 places in the country to be an entrepreneur in this month’s issue.Chapel Hill officials said they have been taking steps to improve startup conditions.Adam Klein, the vice president of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, said the town has improved its process for developing buildings. But for restaurant owners who opened businesses in July, the traditional summer lull and economic difficulties have led to a rough start.Ross Moll, the co-owner and manager of R&R Grill, and Kelly Bruney, owner of Butternut Squash, said that business has been unpredictable since they opened their doors.“It’s peaks and troughs,” said Bruney, whose vegetarian restaurant is located at University Square. “Some Friday nights we’re completely full, some Friday nights we’re at a quarter of capacity. There’s no trend.”Moll and Bruney both started with spaces easily convertible for what they wanted. They said what helped them the most when starting up was the community.“The people are so welcoming,” Bruney said. “The local business owners really support each other.”On opening day, other University Square business owners came in to eat, she said.Moll, whose bar and grill is in the Bank of America building on Franklin Street, said he relies on word-of-mouth marketing, but that’s been hard to depend on during the summer.“It’s slow,” he said. “There’s no students here, there’s no parents visiting, there’s no friends visiting. A big portion of the Chapel Hill population is missing.”Moll said he and his father, a co-owner, went into the summer opening knowing what they were getting into.“Financially, we worked out best-case and worst-case scenarios,” he said. “We’re probably not near where our best-case scenario is. We put enough aside to prepare for that.”Both Moll and Bruney are optimistic about the school beginning again.“We’re doing rain dances for you,” Bruney said, referring to the return of students. Students, in conjunction with a growing population, create profit potential in the local economy, Klein said.That is what some business owners say they are waiting for.“You’re in an area that has a lot of capital flowing into it,” Klein said. “That’s a great place for entrepreneurs to be.”Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(04/22/09 4:00am)
The local emergency services department says services will be hurt if they don't receive more money from the county this year.Two local paramedics said their department is understaffed and underfunded. ""There is a shortage of paramedics"" one paramedic said. We're tired. We're all tired.""The paramedics were granted anonymity because they are forbidden by the county to speak to the press.County officials did not return calls for this article and have not commented on the state of emergency services.Orange County Emergency Medical Services officials are asking for more money to improve services" but with upcoming budget cuts this might not be possible. The average response time for emergency services is 17 minutes.In a March presentation to county commissioners Col. Frank Montes de Oca director of Orange County Emergency Services said he would like to see paramedic response time decrease to 12 minutes.He also said the time could increase to more than 19 minutes if funding is not increased.The county has an increasing and aging population that has stretched current funding thin.2008 to 2009 saw a 26 percent projected increase in emergency responses.Montes de Oca said in March that improvements though costly" are necessary to make sure community services don't suffer. The changes he suggested to commissioners would cost a combined $2.3 million.""If they don't get funding" it's going to be awful difficult to operate" said Gordon Joyner, the executive director of the North Carolina Association for Rescue and EMS Inc.Joyner said county EMS stations might not be able to buy fuel and replace or buy new equipment. They also might have to respond to fewer calls.They've got to come up with some solutions"" he said.Orange County EMS received attention after the death of Atlas Fraley, a Chapel Hill High School student. Fraley, 17, died Aug. 12 in his home after a former Orange County paramedic allowed him to sign his own release.Bart Lineback, the emergency medical sciences department head at Wake Technical Community College, said since the baby boomer generation has retired, there has been a dramatic increase in the need for health services.There's more people that need the health care" and there aren't as many paramedics to handle the demand" he said.Despite the shortage, Lineback said his department has seen incredible growth in the number of people coming through his EMS program. He also said the demand for paramedics remains high.We have very few people that can't find a job" he said.Assistant City Editor Evan Rose contributed reporting.Contact the City Editor at
(04/12/09 4:00am)
Business owners and UNC officials are unsure about the future of a downtown shopping center set for University purchase by July.UNC representatives say no definitive plans have been created concerning the University Square property which is home to businesses offices and Granville Towers.The UNC-Chapel Hill Foundation revealed its intent to purchase the property in June 2008. The Foundation a private organization that handles gifts and contributions for the University will pay $45.75 million.The University is continuing to sign leases for up to three years for the property while it finalizes plans.Dick Mann vice chancellor of finance and administration said UNC will be doing a series of studies and consulting to see what if any" action should be taken for the development.""It's probably going to be a couple of years before we see any activity over there. We don't really know what we're going to do there yet.""Gordon Merklein" executive director of real estate development for UNC said that the three major options for the property include keeping it as is" redevelopment or taking a start from scratch approach.But business owners are unsure of the impact the University's plans could have on them.""Nobody knows anything"" said Mike Meyer, the manager of Franklin Sweets. He says that his store's operations won't change until definite plans force them to.We're going to do business as usual"" he said.Other business owners said, while communication between University officials and the tenants has occurred, few plans were cemented.They told us that they would let us stay here for three years"" said Cynthia Lennon, owner of Cynthia's Tailor Shop. Lennon said the tenants had a meeting with Mann, who told them that nothing would change in the immediate future. Merklein confirmed the University is using a 3-year timeline as a general guide for decisions about leases and tenant relocation.After the property changes hands, UNC must honor tenants' leases.The University purchased a legal contract when they purchased the building" Merklein said.He said the change in ownership shouldn't lead to any change in operation for the time being. He said he hoped to work with the tenants throughout any redevelopment that may occur.We plan on keeping them as long as the buildings" Merklein said.Mann said once plans are formed, the tenants will be promptly informed. How long that could take, however, is unknown.It's the kind of thing that's not decided overnight"" he said. We don't have any fixed ideas.""Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(03/18/09 4:00am)
Medical examiners could not determine what caused a 17-year-old Chapel Hill football player to die unexpectedly last August. The autopsy released Wednesday for Chapel Hill High School senior Atlas Fraley leaves many questions unanswered.Fraley died Aug. 12 after complaining of a headache at a scrimmage and then calling 911" saying his whole body hurt.Emergency Medical Services responded and left after they ""advised him in regard to adequate hydration"" the autopsy says.They did not notify his parents, who found him on the floor surrounded by bottles of water and Gatorade, the autopsy says.County officials referred all questions to County Manager Laura Blackmon. Multiple calls to Blackmon were not returned.Donald Strickland, the family's attorney, released a statement that asks whether Fraley would have survived had he been hospitalized.We will continue our investigation into the tragic death of this fine young man"" the statement says.‘No definite explanation'The autopsy states that most of Fraley's organs were normal. His lungs were mildly inflated.Dr. John Butts, the state's chief medical examiner, wrote no definite explanation for this young man's death is evident."" The medical examiner's office would not comment on the case. Other experts say it is rare to not be able to determine a cause of death.""Seventeen-year-old athletes do not die of natural causes"" said Kevin Guskiewicz, UNC's chairman of exercise and sports science.Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the NYC Medical Examiner's Office, said sometimes examiners list an undetermined cause of death when evidence can't fully support a hypothesis.Fraley had a history of asthma and cramping, including an incident a year before in which he was treated with intravenous fluids.In the autopsy, Butts proposed several possible explanations of what led to Fraley's death, including that he might not have drank sufficient fluids that day.Butts also suggests an acute asthmatic attack or a cardiac event could have led to the death.Dr. Cam Patterson, UNC's chief of cardiology, said it would be exceedingly unlikely"" for someone with no detectable heart problems to die of a cardiac attack.County won't release resultsAfter Fraley's death" county and state responders and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools announced investigations into the treatment Fraley received.Those investigations were said to be waiting on the autopsy's release for completion. Autopsies typically take 60 to 90 days to complete — Fraley's took 7 months.Wednesday the county said it would not release a completed peer review of the paramedic's actions. The county cited personnel and medical privacy laws as their reasons for withholding the review.The press release does not say whether any policy changes resulted from Fraley's death. Changes would not be subject to privacy laws.Stephanie Knott the schools spokeswoman said their attorney's investigation is expected soon.The state EMS report also was waiting on the autopsy. That report will go to a disciplinary committee to decide any action to be taken against the treating paramedic said Chief Drexdal Pratt said.Senior writer Sarah Frier contributed reporting.Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(03/18/09 4:00am)
After seven months without a leader the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness will have a coordinator. Jamie Rohe a Chapel Hill employee who helped organize Project Homeless Connect was named the interim coordinator Tuesday by Orange County commissioners in a move to make the partnership's activities more efficient.The program coordinator organizes and attempts to achieve the goals for the county's Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness.The position remained empty after former coordinator Carson Dean who held the position from March 2008 until August 2008 accepted a position as executive director at the Uptown Shelter in Charlotte. He was the first person to hold the position and said he had planned on staying longer but left because of the offer.Since then the partnership has operated without an official coordinator and some members say the work has slowed.Laurie Tucker a member of the executive team said that while the vacancy's effects haven't been drastic" a coordinator is needed to keep the ball rolling on projects.""Even without the coordinator we have been working"" she said. It just slows us down a little bit.""The Ten Year Plan aims to eliminate chronic homelessness through community involvement without neglecting the needs of the general homeless population.Standing committees within the partnership have been maintaining progress of the organization's goals.""We've been moving right along but we need a coordinator to keep the work going"" said Sally Greene, Chapel Hill Town Council member and a member of the partnership's executive team.The activities are going on but they're not going on with the organizational expertise.""But Dean said the board's extended search for a new coordinator shouldn't affect the partnership's plan to eradicate homelessness.""The several months that they've taken in the long run probably won't set them back"" he said.It would have been more detrimental to pick the wrong person.""Greene" a member of a committee formed to find a new coordinator said a candidate should be able to organize activities both productively and efficiently.The daily work of the position includes communicating with partner agencies stakeholders and local governments to keep them involved in and informed of the partnership's goals.The committee has stopped searching for a coordinator. Greene said she is unsure when the search for a full-time coordinator will resume.In the meantime Rohe will fulfill the short-term duties for six months for a maximum of $40"000.""I love this work of helping to end homelessness"" said Rohe, who is currently the community development program monitor for the town of Chapel Hill. She said she was interested in pursuing the full-time position if all goes well.I really like the idea of working with a lot of people across the community to get them organized and in agreement with our common goals.""Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(02/25/09 5:00am)
There was enough opposition against a Carrboro property development to delay the decision on the creation of a new connector road.The resistance was in response to a second road into the proposed Colleton Crossing development which residents of neighboring communities say will bring traffic to their neighborhoods.The Carrboro Board of Aldermen decided to postpone further discussion of the proposed road until April 28. The road would provide a second form of access to a planned neighborhood blocked on all sides by existing neighborhoods.Originally" the road was planned for use as an emergency access only. But developers expressed a desire to use it as an alternative entrance and exit for the neighborhood in order to ease the traffic burden on Claymore Road.The road would pass through the property of two nearby houses.""I don't understand why the planning department would have requested the developers to further explore an easement and it somehow ended up in my backyard"" said Kay Hengeveld, the owner of an affected lot. We were never told that it was going to be considered.""The second road from the development would intersect Tallyho Trail" which provides access to the Fox Meadow Neighborhood. The developers said a main road would make commuting easier for residents.The Highlands residential area is one of two neighborhoods expected to be impacted in more ways than one by the proposed development of Colleton Crossing in Carrboro.In previous town meetings residents voiced their concerns about the implications of the construction of a connector road from the neighborhood.Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(02/16/09 5:00am)
Although plans are far from finalized for the proposed UNC satellite campus some residents already have concerns about its proposed northern exit road and the traffic it might bring to local neighborhoods.The concern from homeowners stems from the possibility that the main exit of Carolina North will lead to a significant increase in traffic on the Weaver Dairy Road Extension.The exit is planned to intersect Homestead Road at the same point as Weaver Dairy Road Extension.Chapel Hill Town Council Member Laurin Easthom said the council agrees that there should not be a road connection from Carolina North to Homestead Road.Easthom said the proposed exit goes against the Horace Williams Citizens' Committee Report on Carolina North" which serves as a guideline for the town's decisions concerning the campus.The 2003 report recommends that the University limit use of the Carolina North campus as a cut-through for automobiles and protect local neighborhoods through proper roadway design and placement.""(The northern exit) would provide avoidance of three traffic lights on Martin Luther King"" said Ed Bassett, a resident of a Weaver Dairy Road neighborhood. I don't believe it is intended to be a major access highway"" but we believe that people may choose to use it to exit Carolina North.""The proposed Carolina North campus is planned for 250 acres.Residents fear heavy traffic flow from students and faculty who may choose to avoid Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard traffic by using the Weaver Dairy Road Extension instead.To decide where the connector road should go" the University and trustees conducted a preliminary report that said the proposed location would be the most appropriate said David Bonk the long range and transportation manager for Chapel Hill.But the town has not seen that analysis Bonk said.University officials could not be reached for comment.The town is also planning to conduct its own transportation study to determine the proper placement" which is scheduled to be conducted this spring.Bonk said Carolina North's 50-year completion timeline makes it hard for the town to plan what will be needed.""I think part of the dilemma is that when the University says it's needed" we're not sure when it's needed" Bonk said.No plans have been finalized, Easthom said, and the council will continue to work with University trustees to make sure everyone's interests are considered. Until then, concerns will continue to be voiced.It's against town policy" Easthom said. It's against the current town council's wishes" and it's going to be a point of contention in future meetings.""Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(02/11/09 5:00am)
Luis Salazar says his car dealership and customers have seen better days.""More and more people are coming in with credit issues and are looking for a lot of financing"" said Salazar, owner of Franklin Auto. We had to lower our price range in cars to cater to the people out there.""Area auto dealerships are experiencing at least a 15 percent drop in new car sales" owners said. Meanwhile used car sales are up.Joe Wiedholz the general manager of University Ford in Durham said his new car sales have decreased 40 percent. Wiedholz said he and his manufacturers have also reduced inventory. Nationally new car sales are down an average 39 percent for Ford General Motors Toyota and Chrysler.Credit lines that have typically been there for interested customers have been lost as a result of the financial crisis said Steve Hennessy co-owner of Hennessy Automobile Companies in Atlanta.Looking at the last two completed months of business Hennessy said the national new-car market is near 10 million new vehicles sold per year a sharp drop from the almost 17 million cars sold per year from 2001 to 2008.This nationwide sales decrease has translated into industry job losses in local dealerships.Wiedholz said the dealership has laid off 25 percent of its workforce. Brent Rascoe general manager of the University Pre-Owned Superstore on Chapel Hill Boulevard" laid off his entire sales staff. ""We no longer have actual salespeople here anymore"" Rascoe said. Our sales were going down and the number of sales we were reducing to did not warrant having a sales staff.""But used-car sales have quadrupled since the staff layoff and inventory cut"" Rascoe said.""We've been on the upswing since October"" he said.Performance BMW Marketing Specialist Jill McCullough said that although their new auto sales have dropped about 10 to 15 percent, their sales in used cars have increased.We've seen a 30 to 40 percent increase in used cars" so they've offset nicely she said. We really have actually seen a little bit of growth" so we're not displeased. We actually are hiring.""But not all auto dealers are faring as well. Many shouldn't expect much of an improvement in 2009"" Hennessy said.Salazar said his dealership is depending on their typical increase in spring business in order to recover. ""If we don't"" we're gonna fall in a big hole. That's the scary part.""Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(02/08/09 5:00am)
Although Chapel Hill officials say it's too early to tell funding cuts could leave some bus commuters without a ride.Preliminary estimates state funding cuts of $4000 or about 2.5 percent of Chapel Hill Transit budget said Augustus Cho chairman of the Chapel Hill Transportation Board.Officials say cutting lines would be a last resort" but reduced hours of service are possible.""There were some early estimates of changes in our state funding that would create a hole in our budget"" said Steve Spade, director of Chapel Hill Transit. But we're still looking to confirm that."" Funding for Chapel Hill Transit comes from the federal government" the N.C. Department of Transportation and funds from UNC Chapel Hill and Carrboro.The transit budget for Chapel Hill is $16.25 million for the current year. UNC pays $6 million" Carrboro $1.03 million and Chapel Hill $2.7 million. The state and federal government funds the remainder.""Whatever they cut" we have to cut proportionally" Cho said.Town officials say final funding will ultimately determine the routes that must be altered or terminated.When the numbers do roll in, the board will give its feedback to the director who will then present in to the Chapel Hill Town Council.Spade said that the transit system tries to cater to the University's needs as much as possible and that cutting lines would be a last resort.We work with each community to figure out what the budget is going to look like and what their services are going to look like"" said Spade. Obviously the thing we try to do last is look at service cuts.""Spade said it's still too early to tell the town's course of action concerning transportation.""We're in tough economic times and it's going to be a difficult year"" Spade said. But we always prepare for the worst.""But many residents said they're still worried.James Malloy" a sophomore math major at UNC" lives at Odum Village and uses the bus two or three times a day.""If any of the bus lines were cut" I would not make it to my early morning classes he said. I work as well" and I take the bus as far as I can.""Alison Duncan" a senior at UNC" said she lives two miles away from campus. She said a cut would complicate her commuting schedule.""That would be bad for me" she said. It's a five-minute bus ride so without it" it would create some difficulties.""Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(01/23/09 5:00am)
Chapel Hill's homeless men will soon have a new place to seek shelter food and education.Despite some hesitancy from local business owners many citizens are excited about the shelter's potential to help those in need.The UNC Board of Trustees voted Wednesday to lease land to the town for $1 per year" eight months after University and town officials announced the plan. ""The University is cooperating with the town and trying to provide them with an appropriate location"" said Bruce Runberg, associate vice chancellor for facilities planning and construction. The new shelter's 1.6-acre plot is part of a 13-acre tract of land UNC purchased from Duke Energy in a deal that closed in December, said Runberg.John Dorward, the associate director for the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service, said the council expects the proposed shelter will be a great improvement for the area.It's a piece of property that we've been looking at for a long time"" he said. It's a great location from our standpoint.""The council will manage the new shelter" which will be built on the corner of Homestead Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.Reading and writing programs will be conducted at the new facility in addition to the planned sleeping quarters for men Dorward said.Rev. Richard Edens one of the pastors of United Church of Chapel Hill which is right next to the new shelter's site" said his congregation has volunteered at the current shelter for some time.""We've had an active role in the homeless shelter for 20 years"" Edens said. We plan to continue to do so.""But not everyone is as optimistic about the new shelter. Some local business owners are worried that it might affect potential customers.""I'm scared I'm going to lose business"" said Sal Tornetta, owner of Sal's Pizza and Ristorante, located across the street from the new shelter's site. I don't like it"" but it's too late now.""Sam Zheng of China Wok said he is also apprehensive about the new homeless shelter.""It's possible that maybe they would drag crime up"" he said. The town's current shelter — the Community House on Rosemary Street — has been used for the last 18 years both as a community kitchen and sleeping quarters.It will close once the new shelter opens, and its community kitchen will be relocated to an undecided location.Dorward said a lot of work remains before the shelter can be completed in the next few years.We have to do a lot of preliminary work" Dorward said. Realistically" we anticipate a couple of years.""Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(01/14/09 5:00am)
Chapel Hill town staff have suggested looking toward Asheville's rules for guidance in fixing their panhandling problems.But Asheville residents and officials said that their stricter rules have not fixed the problem.Asheville rules prohibit panhandlers from asking for money day and night while Chapel Hill's limits vocal soliciting only at night.Terrie Gale the Chapel Hill Police attorney wrote in an e-mail provided in the agenda for Monday's Chapel Hill Town Council meeting that the town might want to consider Asheville's rules noting that it hadn't been challenged in court.Several Asheville citizens however" said they have not noticed significant differences in panhandling activities since the ordinance's 2002 enactment.""I'm not saying it doesn't have any impact" it probably does but it doesn't have the impact that people downtown would like to see said Asheville Police Chief William Hogan.Some downtown Asheville business owners said they have also seen little change. We haven't seen anything change as a result of any ordinances" said Jason Sellers, manager of the Laughing Seed Cafe, which gets occasional panhandling. Chapel Hill downtown business owners and Town Council member Matt Czajkowski are pressing for some kind of change, though, and it's not the type that goes in the palms of panhandlers.Czajkowski proposed Monday either making panhandling restrictions stricter or a complete ban.I think any business owners on the street would tell you that it hurts business"" said Trent Reisberger, owner of Cold Stone Creamery on Franklin Street. I've had panhandlers come in here and ask customers for money and we've had constant problems with theft from our cake displays and our tip jar.""At Monday's meeting"" ordinances from cities around the U.S. were compared to Chapel Hill's. Czajkowski asked town staff to look more closely at these ordinances to see if they could be implemented in Chapel Hill.""I've talked to so many people that have written Franklin Street off for a variety of reasons"" Czajkowski said. One of them is panhandling and along with the panhandling there is passive aggressive behavior.""Business owners and some town officials say the town's current rules are not enforced and find the possibility of changes attractive.Chapel Hill has already attempted to find alternative ways to help the needy. Programs like Real Change from Spare Change encourage people to give money to a collection fund that would go to a street outreach team"" instead of to open hands on the street.""There are some good people out there who really need help"" said L. King, the manager of Light Years.But Czajkowski said banning panhandling on Franklin Street would eliminate all problems faced by unwelcome solicitors.Because it's an outright ban" I think it has more of an impact in improving the perception of Franklin" he said.A ban is easy for people to understand.""Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(11/25/08 5:00am)
Carrboro officials are making sure businesses don't stop coming to town.They're taking informal measures to ensure continued business patronage in the midst of a slow economy.""We're not actively recruiting business" but we make it known that this is a place where businesses can start and grow" said James Harris, community and economic development director for the town. Efforts to encourage business come amid fears that the economic climate might prove a formidable opponent for the town's development hopes.It is slowing the construction of the newly built business" Harris said. UNC economics professor Ralph Byrns said hard times might leave the town with few options.I'm extremely skeptical that they can do much he said. If they view business as a primary source of revenue" they might change taxes that would discourage businesses from locating or staying downtown.""Byrns said the town could also reduce regulations that might scare away companies.""I could see maybe subsidizing new businesses" but they have to watch out because they could shift higher tax burdens on other businesses" he said.But some business owners say Carrboro is already a great place to set up shop.Robert Irwin, manager of Townsend, Bertram & Company, an outdoor gear store in downtown Carrboro, said business couldn't be any better. It's up from last year actually"" Irwin said. Irwin attributes the store's great downtown location to part of their success. He knows, though, that other businesses aren't as lucky.I know that sales are down in a lot of places"" he said. I have heard rumors.""Carrboro officials are hoping that testimonials like Irwin's encourage local businesses to flock the downtown area.The town is emphasizing long-standing incentives designed to promote local business growth as well as a project encouraging local shopping. Carrboro's 22-year-old revolving loan fund has funded nearly 30 businesses" including Weaver Street Market" Harris said.""There are so many resources that are available to the business community"" he said.The building vacancy rate in Carrboro is only about 4 percent, and new businesses are planning to move in as soon as the economic tide turns, Harris said.There are a number of new proposed buildings planned and approved for Carrboro"" Harris said. They will not be built right away due to the downturn in the business climate.""Many residents" like Irwin" remain optimistic.""I think that people are quick to support a local business here"" Irwin said. We couldn't have a better spot.""Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(11/10/08 5:00am)
Organizers of a longtime charity effort supporting the homeless are hoping the bad economy won't hinder their efforts to help the needy.Today businesses participating in the 20th annual Restaurants Sharing 10 Percent or RSVVP pledge to give 10 percent of their gross profits to local homeless organizations.Coordinators remain optimistic about community involvement despite the drop in disposable income many families have experienced.Benefitting from the event are three groups that offer services to the homeless: the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service in Carrboro" the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina in Raleigh and Urban Ministries of Durham.The declining economy has presented further challenges for organizers this year. ""A lot of restaurants are feeling that people aren't eating out as much"" said Lee Cheney, special events and food drive manager for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.Cheney, the Raleigh coordinator, said the downturn in the economy has brought restaurant participation down one-third from last year.Irene Briggaman, RSVVP committee member and founder of the event, said total restaurant pledges are down to 105 this year compared to last year's 113.But Durham organizer Julia Webb Bowden, director of development at Urban Ministries, said that despite tough economic times, many of the restaurant owners she has spoken with have been understanding about the cause.It's actually been inspiring" she said. On the more idealistic side" people in the restaurant business really want to feed people.""Last year" the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area raised about $23000 through the event. John Dorward associate director of the Inter-faith Council and the organizer for the event in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area" attributes the success to locally owned restaurants.""We are only a couple restaurants short from last year" he said. The vast majority said" ‘This is important and we want to participate.'""Katrina Ryan" owner of Sugarland on Franklin Street" said the drive is important because it raises awareness about homelessness.""I think as a local business you end up with more of a sense of community" she said. Really" it's a pretty small way to help out and we're happy to do our part.""When the event first started in 1989" only 43 restaurants signed up and about $6000 was raised Briggaman said.Though the economy affects everyone" she said the homeless are often hit the hardest and should be remembered through this event on which the aid organizations depend.""There are a lot of people that are trying to make ends meet and this support keeps them from falling through the cracks"" she said. SUPPORT RSVVPTime: All day todayLocation: See full list of participants at http://rsvvp.org/RSVVP_08/Participating_Restaurants.htmlContact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(10/29/08 4:00am)
The resiliency of children sometimes amazes those around them and Khari Clark-Hester is no exception.On April 10 Khari6 of Hillsborough was paralyzed from the waist down when a truck struck her mother's car. While both her mother and little sister were mildly injured" Khari's spinal cord was severed.""When you tickle the bottom of her feet" sometimes they'll move so it wasn't severed all the way" said Malcolm Hester, her grandfather.Now, more than six months later, Khari's family is watching her thrive once again.Khari is really cheerful and happy"" said Hester. I'm taking it worse than she's taking it.""Back in school now" Khari's favorite subject is math. She's bound to a wheelchair but says nothing hurts.Khari's grandparents with whom she lives most of the time have been instrumental in her recovery. And the Hester family hasn't been alone in their efforts to expedite Khari's recovery. Co-workers and community members have been there every step of the way.While Hester was in and out of work for seven weeks" he often switched shifts with co-worker Howard Hobson at the Hillsborough Water Treatment Facility in order to help care for his granddaughter's needs.""I switched over seven days out of 14"" said Hobson. They're doing great now.""Ricky Clark" Hester's coworker and longtime friend and others organized a local golf tournament held in June at Cedar Grove Golf Course. The group sold about 3000 tickets raising more than $8"500 for Khari and her family. Hester said the family didn't realize how expensive all the medical equipment would be.""I'm truly surprised everyone would want to help out like this"" he said. I'm truly grateful for it.""Russell Bateman" Hester's supervisor" also helped by giving Hester time off work. Bateman's parents donated a 1998 Chevrolet Suburban to the family.But Bateman said what the family really needed was moral support.""All the guys down here did the same thing: to listen" to be there" basically being a friend.""Khari's favorite activity is playing with her sister and" despite her wheelchair she loves playing outside with her friends.She said she can't remember the day of the accident" but her ""mommy"" papa and grandma"" helped her through recovery.This week in therapy"" she said she did ""up and down the hill"" — practiced going up and down ramps in her wheelchair to build arm muscles.Physical therapy on Tuesdays is a new addition to Khari's weekly schedule"" but family members aren't giving up hope on the possibility of seeing her walk again.""She gets in that wheelchair" and she's following her friends around if she's not leading them Hester said.She's got some new braces now for her feet" so we're waiting to see.""Khari has become a town inspiration to her community and continues to improve every day"" Hester's co-workers said.""That little girl has got the best attitude out of any kid that has been through what she has been through"" Bateman said. I'm just amazed.""Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.