Jocelyn Oberdick

News

Council Downscales July 4 Festivities

By Jocelyn Oberdick | April 26

At a budgetary work session Wednesday, the Chapel Hill Town Council voted against the complete elimination of the town's Fourth of July celebration for this year. Instead, the council members decided that the festivities would be a scaled-down version of the traditional celebration, which typically involves a fireworks display at Kenan Stadium. This decision could save the town at least $20,000. The change is designed to save Chapel Hill money and help with this year's unusually tight budget.

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Local Parents Team Up, Support Third High School

By Jocelyn Oberdick | April 15

A local group of parents is advocating the construction of a new high school by flexing its political muscle. Citizens Advocating for a Third High School, tagged CATS, is an organization composed primarily of parents with children in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. A new school is needed, parents argue, because of overcrowding. One of the group's goal is to get current and potential local leaders involved in discussion regarding the new school.

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Town Discusses Parking Fee Hike To Boost Budget

By Jocelyn Oberdick | April 4

A potential 25 cent hike in the town's hourly meter parking rates could mean another $47,000 to pad a thinning town budget. But because of concerns for downtown merchants who could stand to lose business with these hikes, Chapel Hill Town Council members also have decided to consider the idea of subsidized parking downtown. The town is facing a $1.4 million shortfall, which was caused mostly by Gov. Mike Easley's plans to withhold municipal funds to curb a $900 million statewide shortfall.

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Aldermen to Hear Downtown Report

By Jocelyn Oberdick | March 21

Two researchers involved in outlining Carrboro's Downtown Vision Project will present their findings to the Carrboro Board of Aldermen tonight. The presentation comes almost seven months after the Walkable Communities Group worked with residents and officials during a weekend-long Vision 2020 workshop. A presentation was expected that same weekend in September but was postponed due to national tragedy.

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Town May Cut Funds, Increase Taxes to Aid Financial Shortfall

By Jocelyn Oberdick | February 28

A significant cut in state funding to Chapel Hill is likely to force both a cut in town department services and a rise in taxes for residents. The Chapel Hill Town Council met Wednesday with officials from the local finance, police and fire departments to discuss the town's budget for the upcoming year. The budgetary discussion was affected by Gov. Mike Easley's decision to withhold funds from state municipalities to compensate for a $900 million state budget shortfall. The withheld funds will mean a $1.4 million cut for Chapel Hill.

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Residents Link Property Use, Value

By Jocelyn Oberdick | February 26

When looking for contributors to the existence of local poverty, Chapel Hill's landfill and the expanding quarry in Orange County continue to be the focus of heated debate. But there are few statistics to back up the claims. Historically, residents near both the quarry and landfill have expressed their frustration and dissatisfaction with the effects of those land uses on local neighborhoods. They say the landfill and quarry have caused a lowered social and economic status for the people living in these areas.

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Growth in Chapel Hill May Pause

By Jocelyn Oberdick | January 25

Chapel Hill Town Council members debated Wednesday whether placing a moratorium on future development is necessary until the board can create a comprehensive development ordinance. The Town Council held a work session in response to three petitions that residents and local officials presented to the town during May and June 2001. All three petitions specifically requested that the council enact a moratorium on development in northeast Chapel Hill.

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Tract Developing Committee Slots Filled by Officials

By Jocelyn Oberdick | January 18

The recent appointment of two county officials to the Horace Williams Tract Planning Committee has filled all six available government seats and has local officials searching for residents to complete the group. At the Orange County Board of Commissioners' meeting Wednesday night, Commissioners Barry Jacobs and Margaret Brown nominated themselves to serve as members on the planning committee. The board unanimously approved the candidates.

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Waldorf Set To Relinquish Mayoral Post

By Jocelyn Oberdick | December 3

After six years as Chapel Hill's mayor, Rosemary Waldorf will relinquish her position today to pursue other goals. Mayor-elect Kevin Foy will be inaugurated as the new mayor of Chapel Hill at 7:30 p.m. at the Chapel Hill Town Hall. Waldorf said she opted not to seek the post again because it was time for a new face to lead town government. "People need to do their service and then move on so that new energy and new ideas can fill these roles," she said. Waldorf first came to Chapel Hill in 1970 as a UNC student.

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Police: Extra Cost for Halloween Worthwhile

By Jocelyn Oberdick | November 27

Police officials reported Monday that this year's Halloween celebration, which drew about only half the crowd of last year's, cost the town an additional $35,000. But Chapel Hill Police Chief Gregg Jarvies told Chapel Hill Town Council members Monday night that safety should not be sacrificed to reduce the cost of policing Halloween and that the additional money was a necessary price to pay.