Jonathan Chaney

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Licensing Can Protect Area Renters

By Jonathan Chaney | January 16

Students always have something to complain about with housing. Some are fortunate enough to live in the Soviet-style high rises of Hinton James Residence Hall. Many choose to venture out into Chapel Hill and Carrboro. They either complain about the inflated rent of area apartments or are forced to cram five people into a two-bedroom shanty to keep costs low. The college years are not ones of luxury for most students. But some are forced to live in unsanitary or unsafe conditions with little help from their landlords.

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Towns Must Keep Buses Convenient

By Jonathan Chaney | January 9

Who says you can't get something for nothing? On Jan. 2, Chapel Hill Transit bus service became fare-free.

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Waldorf's Challenge To Mayor

By Jonathan Chaney | December 5

Tis the season for schmoozing. "Thank yous," handshakes and standing ovations filled the Chapel Hill Town Hall as hors d'oeuvres circled around Monday night. Chapel Hill held its changing of the guard as the new mayor and Chapel Hill Town Council members took their place and three political veterans departed from town government. Kevin Foy was sworn in as Chapel Hill's new mayor, replacing Rosemary Waldorf, who held the role for six years. Waldorf chose not to run for re-election this year, saying that local government needed some fresh faces and new blood. And after six ye

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Your Town, Community Need Help

By Jonathan Chaney | November 21

The marker near Municipal Road and Airport Road is not encouraging. The marker shows Triangle United Way donations for this year - and the red bar barely eclipses the halfway mark. The goal is $26 million. The total raised so far: about $14 million. For the first time in its history, the group had to extend their deadline for contributions by three weeks, until Dec. 13.

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Factors May Clear Path For Railway

By Jonathan Chaney | November 14

For years, regional rail has held the promise of alleviating the crushing amounts of traffic on the roadways between Chapel Hill, Durham, Research Triangle Park and Raleigh. Unfortunately, there always seemed to be obstacles in the way: financing, questions about whether or not the public would use it and reluctant politicians. After last week, however, the likelihood of a regional rail system within the next decade has improved markedly.

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Precautions Overkill on Halloween

By Jonathan Chaney | November 7

You hear it all the time: Chapel Hill is a special town, with a special atmosphere. Local politicos tout the sense of community, and most people would agree that Chapel Hill exhibits a vibrancy you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in this state. That sense of uniqueness is exemplified by Halloween night on Franklin Street.

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Low Down On Local Elections

By Jonathan Chaney | October 31

A week from today, there will be a new mayor in Chapel Hill for the first time in six years. Mayor Rosemary Waldorf will not be seeking re-election this year, and Chapel Hill Town Council members Kevin Foy and Lee Pavao are battling for the seat. In Carrboro, we'll know if Mayor Mike Nelson, who has been in office since 1995, will get a chance to finish up "one last term" to see several projects come to completion. What's the low down on Local Elections 2001? First, Chapel Hill: Style Over Substance

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New Hotel Will Only Help Town

By Jonathan Chaney | October 24

A proposed addition to West Franklin Street could breathe new life into the downtown area. And for once, there seems to be broad support for new construction. Last week, the Chapel Hill Town Council held a public hearing on The Franklin, a five-story, 66-room hotel slated to be built across from Ham's, where the abandoned Trailways Bus Station currently sits. The bus station was purchased last year by Richard and Robert Capps of Greenville for $795,000. The Capps also own hotels in Greensboro, Jacksonville and Greenville.

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Elections Chance for Hispanics

By Jonathan Chaney | October 17

This year's Carrboro Board of Aldermen election aims to make local government more responsive to a growing chunk of the town. The Hispanic population has been booming in Carrboro. Hispanics now make up 12 percent of the town. Unfortunately, that elevated margin of residency has not translated into an equal amount of participation or representation by the town's government. But two things might help change that Nov. 6. First, bilingual ballots will be offered for Spanish-speaking voters for the first time by the Orange County Board of Elections.

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Cast Votes For Heir to The Throne

By Jonathan Chaney | October 10

The throne is up for grabs. Rosemary Waldorf, Chapel Hill's mayor for the last six years, is not seeking re-election. But the mayor of Chapel Hill also holds another title: King of the Liberals -- or in this case, Queen of the Liberals. So on Nov. 6, the town will choose her successor. Let's face it: Even in the best circumstances, local elections garner little public interest and participation. Just as campaigning season was gearing up, terrorist attacks rocked the nation on Sept. 11. News outlets have covered the story 24/7 ever since.