Heel insurance: Students should research health insurance plans

This fall students will be required by UNC to acquire health care insurance.Students need to do their homework to decide whether they want health insurance provided by the University.The students not covered by an individual or family health insurance plan by Sept. 24 will automatically be billed by the University for a new systemwide plan.

Homeless communication: Carrboro pantry should not combine with kitchen

Community members in and out of Carrboro should be concerned by the Inter-Faith Council’s plans to turn Carrboro’s food pantry into a combination pantry and food-serving facility.The Inter-Faith Council is optimistic about the relocation, but residents should be wary.The already tight and heavily trafficked streets of Carrboro are the wrong location for a homeless kitchen.

Routing safety: Bus rider safety should not be ignored

Resident safety should not be forgotten in the planning of bus route changes — especially in the aftermath of an abduction attempt.The Chapel Hill Transit Department is recommending the elimination and reduction of some bus services for the fall of 2010.

Editorial Cartoon for May 27, 2010

Quick hits for May 27, 2010

BP Oil SpillThumbs DownIt’s been more than 30 days since the Gulf oil spill and the well is still gushing. What’s BP’s newest solution? Procedure “top kill.”  Memorial DayThumbs Up

Quick hits for May 20, 2010

Wear TwinsThumbs DownThis is what abandonment feels like. We had high hopes for the Wear Twins. They may have a legit reason for leaving, but they didn’t share with us. Episcopal ChurchThumbs Up

Editorial cartoon for May 20, 2010

Grab your summer by the horns

As you navigate through the array of opportunities available this summer, never underestimate the importance of a challenging experience. While you could spend the next few months putting your feet up and basking in the warmth of the sun, not only will you increase your chance of skin cancer, but you will miss out on seriously beefing up your future.

Balance the books: Cutting teachers is not the answer to Perdue’s woes

Gov. Bev Perdue’s recommended cut of nearly $315 million to K-12 education is a threat to the foundation of public education in North CarolinaThe N.C. Senate is taking a step in the right direction with its recent budget, but it is not enough.

Room for improvement: Chapel Hill safety makes strides but still has gaps

Security lapses in Chapel Hill’s safety standards leave much to be desired.Police need to understand that summer simultaneously equals fewer students, all of whom have more reason to be outside.Students actively run on campus for exercise and enjoyment. They would not do so if they didn’t think it was safe.

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