Dirty mouth? Clean it up: Orange County dental clinics should merge

In light of increasing expenses and decreasing revenues, the Orange County Board of Commissioners is cutting costs.Despite the concerns of Orange County residents, the county’s two dental clinics should be consolidated to help with the budget.

Donate blood to win back the title from Appalachian

TO THE EDITOR:With a little bit of luck and a lot of donors, UNC can take back the distinction of holding North Carolina’s largest single-site, single-day blood drive.In the past two years, Appalachian State took that title away with its September drives, collecting more than 1,060 units in 2008 and just over 1,000 last year, beating our 966 and 976, respectively.

Expansion unnecessary: county should fund branches beyond Chapel Hill

If nearly half a library’s users are commuters, their local libraries are failing them. Orange County should dedicate funds to improve its general library system rather than expand just the Chapel Hill Public Library.The Orange County Board of Commissioners plans to vote on the Chapel Hill library’s budget June 1.

Local response to climate change and oil supplies

TO THE EDITOR:Congratulations to the organizers of Coal-Free UNC for convincing UNC to stop using coal by 2020! This is a huge step in the right direction. It gives hope to the thousands of local residents who are concerned about climate change.

Quick hits for May 13, 2010

Oil SpillThumbs DownThe Gulf of Mexico oil spill was catastrophic. Luckily, hair salons across the country are donating hair to make oil slip soppers to absorb the mess.   GraduationThumbs Up

New laws don’t face the real problem

Tears fell down my face as I read that the Arizona law, SB 1070, had been signed into action by Gov. Jan Brewer on April 23, 2010. Although this law has been passed, we cannot afford to forget about it.

Unsustainable coal: Phasing out coal energy is a step in right direction

UNC is one step closer to becoming carbon-neutral by 2050.The University’s decision to phase out the use of coal in exchange for a more sustainable energy solution comes at no better time.

Residents beware of water: UNC must be held accountable for wastewater site

Rural Orange County residents shouldn’t feel safe drinking well water next to an animal testing facility that repeatedly leaks treated wastewater.The staff at the Bingham facility does not know how to properly handle a wastewater treatment system. Four leaks and spills in a period of four months is unacceptable.

Editorial Cartoon for May 13

Editorial Cartoon for April 28, 2010

I’ve loved getting to know you this year

Today, I become an editor emeritus of The Daily Tar Heel. Or at least I’ll go with that title. It sounds a lot cooler than “former,” right?I’m ending a journey that began four years ago, when I came to campus with not a whole lot more than a map, a national championship T-shirt and a goofy OneCard picture.By the grace of God, that map led me into the DTH office.

QuickHits for April 28, 2010

Durham strip clubThumbs DownTalks have begun about building a 10,000-foot strip club on nearly 24 acres in north Durham. Wow, this will totally   ruin Durham’s upstanding image. All we can say is: Get ready for some earthquakes.  Obama in N.C.Thumbs Up

One word: quality: The University most focus on maintaining academic quality to preserve the value of a UNC diploma

As the school year comes to a close and planning begins for the next one, administrators at the University must keep academic quality on the top of their agenda. With budget cuts — and more are coming, by the way — the task of keeping the University a top-of-the-line institution doesn’t look like one to envy.

Save our education: Governor, General Assembly must recognize value of faculty to UNC and avoid overly burdensome cuts

Enough is enough. The UNC system can’t take any more financial hits to its academics.Gov. Bev Perdue’s recent budget proposal has another $100 million of cuts for the UNC system on top of the $162.5 million cut from the 2009-10 budget and $52 million in the 2010-11 budget.We get it. Education is expensive. The state tax revenue is shrinking. Cuts have to be made.

More adventure awaits after UNC

As graduation nears, it is time I came clean.Out of the dark and into the light. I’m referring to blues, of course. Yep, I went to Duke.Just so we’re clear, I won’t be using this column to declare any loyalties to one or the other. I defer to the words of the great Mark Twain: “I don’t like to commit myself about heaven and hell — you see, I have friends in both places.”

No future in exclusion: Republicans should move beyond discriminatory ideology

Last week’s controversy surrounding the ousting of the Duke College Republicans’ chairman, Justin Robinette, sent red flags flying all over the place. From Independent Weekly to the Huffington Post, allegations that the young Republican had been outed, ousted and barraged with hate speech sent bloggers reeling.

Where there’s smoke…: Hookah Bliss deserves an exemption from state law

After several months of defiant civil disobedience, Adam Bliss, owner of the popular Chapel Hill hookah establishment Hookah Bliss, has decided to comply with North Carolina’s new indoor smoking regulations. He did so by parting with his Alcoholic Beverage Commission permit, which means that his shop will not be able to sell alcoholic beverages any longer.

Grand reductions: ASG should have adopted amendment to cut stipends

The Association of Student Governments has yet again failed to demonstrate that it is dedicated to reform that would produce tangible benefits for students.An amendment cutting some officer stipends to a more reasonable level in exchange for more money for campuses was overwhelmingly defeated during Saturday’s meeting.

Cartoon for April 27, 2010

Talk, text in a car — Are you drunk!?

I have a hypothetical situation for you to consider. You are leaving a party and are faced with the option of riding shotgun with a buddy who’s knocked back a few gin and tonics or a friend who is constantly on the cell phone. Surprisingly, this is not a no-brainer.