Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:00:05 -0400
From: Brian Bock
Subject: Local elections

As Election Day approaches, we will be inundated with news about the candidates running for office in North Carolina. News coverage for local races such as school board and county commissioner is not as readily available. For this reason, it is incumbent on each of us to do our own homework in order to make an informed decision.

Fortunately, we have access to the candidates, and are able to obtain information directly and unfiltered. I encourage everyone, regardless of party affiliation, to read the platforms of all candidates and to ask questions.

Over the years I’ve written many articles about the proper function and role of government in our lives, they are easily found by doing a quick Google search, or by reviewing the letters in the Chatham Journal. I’ve distilled these into a concise format on my website www.electbock.com and shown how they can be applied to specific

Chatham County issues. You’ll find that the solutions proposed on my website offer a different approach and will bring much needed diversity of thought to the board of commissioners.

If, after reviewing my writings and website, you still have questions, please email me at brian@electbock.com I will respond promptly.

Kind regards,

Brian Bock

www.electbock.com

brian@electbock.com

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Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:35:58 -0400
From: Sarah Kuhn
Subject: Call For Artists

Hotel Hadley Studios in Siler City is seeking artists from all media to exhibit in solo or group shows on a monthly basis. The shows are rotated around the Third Friday ArtWalk. The opening will happen on that evening. The first show opens September 17. For more info or to anyone interested please send a short artist statement and 3-5

images to sarahkuhn.art@gmail.com. Thanks!
www.hotelhadleystudios.com
Please pass along to anyone you think might be interested.

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Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:47:40 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jim and Bev Wiggins
Subject: Last chance to view Chatham label quilt

A unique quilt fashioned from labels made in Chatham Mills makes its final summer showing on Sunday, September 5, between 1 and 3 p.m., at Pittsboro’s First Sunday. The well-used quilt, probably made in the 1940s, will be on display in the Chatham Historical Museum, 184 East Street, one and a half blocks east of the courthouse circle.

Fall exhibits will highlight the history of the Chatham County Courthouse, both before and after the still-standing walls went up in 1882. The museum is also open on Wednesdays from noon to 3 p.m. and by special arrangement (919 542-3603).

The Chatham Historical Museum is free and open to the public. Please stop by.
–
Jim and Beverly Wiggins

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Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:04:56 -0400
From: Tamara K Powers
Subject: High Five for Clark’s Septic Tank Cleaning Service

Thanks to all Chatham Chatlisters for your recommendations, we went with Clark’s and everything was great. They’re out of Siler City and can be reached at 919-742-3606 (Bruce Clark) or 919-742-3899 (Mark Clark).

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Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:48:12 -0400
From: “Laura Lauffer”
Subject: Continuing Ed Classes in Green Building and Renewable Energy -
Register now

Register Now ! Learn about the fantastic new buildings at CCCC, how to build green, prepare for LEED GA and more.

Water Conservation and Reuse: CCCC Campus CCCC recently installed a groundbreaking waste water treatment system, using plants to manage all waste water. Campus and community tours will describe this system as well as grey water options. Dr. Hal House, Instructor 09/23* 10/21 Thursdays 6:30-9:30 61.25, CEUS pending.
BPI Building Envelope Training This course advances the building science skills developed in the Building Analyst level training, teaching more advanced diagnostic techniques and requiring a higher level of understanding of air flow, air sealing, and moisture movement issues. John Delafield, Instructor Text Required. Field exam and test fees an

additional $250.Building Analyst Certification Required as pre requisite 10/26/27 and 29,Class meets T,W,F 8:30A – 5:30P Cost: 61.25
BPI Building Analyst Training To prepare students to participate in weatherization programs, assessing building performance, remediation, and execute job site fixes. Students can sit for the BPI field and written exam. John Delafield, Instructor Text Required. 09/13/10 * 09/18/10, Class meets entire week MTWTHFSat, 8:00A – 5:00P Cost:

121.25
LEED Green Associate Program & Building Rating System This course is designed to introduce students to the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Rating Building Rating System and the new professional designation, Green Associate. Employers are increasingly seeking staff with the LEED

certification. Alicia Ravetto, AIA, LEED AP, Instructor Class meets three consecutive Saturdays 09/18/10 * 10/02/10, 9:00A – 1:00P Cost: 210.00
Residential Building Science This course is intended to develop a fundamental understanding of building science principles and applications, i.e. heat, air, moisture flow in buildings to optimize performance. Instructor Dan McFarland, Southern Energy Management. 09/19 * 11/22, Monday evenings 6:30P – 9:30P Cost: 121.25
Introduction to Photovoltaic System Design Course covers basics of PV design and installation, preparing students for entry level PV careers or professional development and personal use. Students are eligible to sit for the NABCEP – Entry Level Certificate Exam. Exam fees are extra. Instructor David DelVecchio. 09/15/10 * 12/08/10,

Wednesday evenings, 6:00P – 9:00P Cost: 121.25
Exploring Sustainable Design and Construction: CCCC Campus CCCC has recently added two new state of the art campus green buildings. This class will explore sustainable building and landscape design, energy efficiencies, & alternative waste water treatment. Instructor Tim Watson 09/16/10 * 12/02/10, Thursday evenings 6:00P – 9:00

Cost: 121.50
Laura Lauffer
Sustainable Technologies Coordinator
Central Carolina Community College
“Green Central”
Pittsboro, NC
919 545 8032

Mark Your Calendars
October 15-16th
Celebrate Green Central
Green Trade Show and Home Tour
Open House,
Live Music
HOT ROOSTER and FOOD
from our New Natural Chef Program
-Free-

http://www.cccc.edu/green/celebration/

BPI Building Analyst Training
Preparing students to participate in weatherization programs, assessing building performance, remediation, and execute job site fixes, students can sit for the BPI field and written exam. Taught by John Delafield. Text Required.
Course #: C-1933
Start * End Date: 04/12/10 * 04/17/10
Day: MTWThFSa Time: 8:00A – 5:00P
Cost: 121.25 Location Code: PMC
Building Location: Bldg 2 Rm 109

Home Energy Rater HERS Training
Students assess and evaluate the energy use of an existing home or new construction, preparing the students for the energy consultant field and Energy Star certification. Includes RESNET National HERS Rater Examination. Taught by Mike Guy.
Course #: C-1934
Start * End Date: 03/22/10 * 03/27/10
Day: MTWThFSa Time: 8:00A – 6:00P
Cost: 1380.00 Location Code: PMC
Building Location: Bldg 2 Rm 109

Introduction to Sustainable Communities
Students will gain knowledge and tools for living more sustainably and reducing their carbon footprint, as well as how to apply sustainable principles and tools to businesses, large and small. Taught by Jeffery Starkweather.
Course #: C-1931
Start * End Date: 02/03/10 * 04/14/10
Day: W Time: 6:00P – 9:00P
Cost: 120.00 Location Code: PMC
Building Location: Bldg 1 Rm 229

LEED Green Associate Program & Building Rating System
This course is designed to introduce students to the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Rating System. Taught by Alicia Ravetto, AIA, LEED AP.
Course #: C-1926
Start * End Date: 03/09/10 * 03/30/10
Day: T Time: 6:00P – 9:00P
Cost: 210.00 Location Code: PMC
Building Location: Bldg 1 Rm 229

LEED Landscapes with Aesthetic Design
Understand the concepts of sustainable design while integrating aesthetic design skills.
Course #: C-1927 (JobsNOW course)
Start * End Date: 02/04/10 * 03/25/10
Day: Th Time: 6:00P – 9:00P
Cost: 65.00 Location Code: PMC
Building Location: Bldg 1 Rm 229

Net Zero Energy Homes
Learn about building and operating a house that produces as much energy as it uses on an annual basis.
Course #: C-1930
Start * End Date: 03/03/10 * 05/05/10
Day: W Time: 6:00P – 9:00P
Cost: 120.00 Location Code: PMC
Building Location: Bldg 2 Rm 109

Onsite Water Management
Develop a fundamental understanding of rainwater harvesting principles and efficient indoor and outdoor water management. Course taught by Rainwater Solutions, and will cover LEED requirements. CEU’s and PDH credits pending.
Course #: C-1932
Start * End Date: 02/02/10 * 04/06/10
Day: T Time: 6:00P – 9:00P
Cost: 96.00 Location Code: PMC
Building Location: Bldg 1 Rm 216

Residential Building Science
This course is intended to develop a fundamental understanding of building science principles and applications, i.e. heat, air, moisture flow in buildings to optimize performance. Southern Energy Management. Text required.
Course #: C-1928
Start * End Date: 02/15/10 * 04/26/10
Day: M Time: 6:30P – 9:30P
Cost: 121.25 Location Code: PMC
Building Location: Bldg 2 Rm 109

Solar Water Heating; Principles and Installation Practices
Understand the concepts and applications of thermal solar water and space heating. Course meets every other Saturday. Taught by Fred Stewart, Solar Consultants. Text required.
Course #: C-1929
Start * End Date: 02/06/10 * 04/10/10
Day: Sa Time: 9:00A – 4:00P
Cost: 121.25 Location Code: PMC
Building Location: Bldg 2 Rm 108

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Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:09:04 -0400
From: Debbie Roos
Subject: New pollinator exhibit at NC Botanical Garden

I was thrilled to collaborate with the staff at the North Carolina Botanical Garden to create a new pollinator exhibit: Behold the Humble Pollinators. The exhibit highlights Cooperative Extension’s demonstration pollinator garden at Chatham Mills.

You can see the NCBG’s press release about the exhibit at http://bit.ly/9qX3tZ

Learn more about the pollinator garden at http://bit.ly/95ZS1C

Have a great weekend,
Debbie

Debbie Roos
Agricultural Extension Agent
Chatham County Center
North Carolina Cooperative Extension
919.542.8202
debbie_roos@ncsu.edu
www.growingsmallfarms.org
www.facebook.com/debbie.roos.nc
www.twitter.com/GrowSmallFarms

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Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:12:35 -0500
From: Elizabeth M. Haddix
Subject: Elizabeth Haddix Withdraws from Chatham School Board Race

Although you may still see my name on the ballot this fall, I have withdrawn from the Chatham School Board election due to an exciting and very time consuming life change: I’ve accepted the Staff Attorney position at UNC School of Law’s Center for Civil Rights. This new position involves litigation and collaboration with community groups and organizations to ensure fair access to quality public education for all children.

The same commitment to progress which compelled me last Spring to run for one of the two open District Four seats on the Board calls me to the work I will be doing at the Center. I look forward to collaborating with the Board and Chatham County residents and organizations as we all move closer to our common goal: excellence in education and opportunity for all Chatham County’s children.

I support the work our current Board has done, and I admire the integrity and commitment to the public good demonstrated by its members. The only criticism I offer reflects on us all as a community: currently, there is not a single person of color on the board. A county as rich in diversity as Chatham should strive to reflect that diversity in all of its public offices: without it we risk missing vital information necessary to building a strong, safe and balanced society. I support Delcenia Turner for District Three in this race, and urge fellow Chatham citizens to support her as well. Ms. Turner’s experience, both in her life and work, and her demonstrated commitment to progress in our community will be a great asset to the Board and to Chatham County educators and administrators.

I hope that our county board of commissioners and school board will continue to collaborate to improve schools in Chatham County. By all accounts, this collaboration has been possible because of the people at the table. I endorse Commissioners Lucier, Thompson and Vanderbeck in their reelection races this November, and urge all Chatham voters to participate in this important step towards improving schools and opportunity in our county.

Elizabeth M. Haddix
Attorney at Law
P.O. Box 1785
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Tel. 919.542.9800

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Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:47:47 -0400
From: Margaret Zwilling
Subject: CCCC Continuing Education

Continuing Education – a few of our September classes.

9.1.10-11.3.10: Poetry: A reading and writing workshop. Time: 6-8 pm. Pittsboro, Cost: $120. Molly Luby has taught literature and writing at CCCC since 2004. She is the managing editor of CCCC’s own literary magazine The Red Clay Review. Molly is also an award-winning poet whose work has appeared most recently in The Helen Burns Poetry Anthology: New Voices.

9.4.10, 9.18.10: Introduction to Glassblowing. Time: 1-5 pm. Cost: $65 per class. This workshop will be held at the Instructor’s studio. The class is designed to give those with no experience the tools to make basic solid and blown glass objects. Once students have completed this course they will be able to safely operate a variety of glassworking equipment. Jonathan Davis been is a well known for his glass blowing; and is a regular artist on the Chatham Studio Tour.

9.7.10-10.26.10: Handweaving. Time: 6:30-8:30 pm. Siler City, Arts Incubator. Cost: $75. Jean Vollrath is a well known local weaving. Her signature pieces can be seen frequently in local art galleries. Her classes are popular with both beginners and advanced weavers.

9.10.10-10.8.10: Ballroom, Shag & Mambo dance. Each class lasts one hour. Basic Shag starts at 7:00 pm; followed by Basic Ballroom 8:00 pm; Mambo/West Coast, 9:00 pm. Cost each class $35.00/per person.

9.13.10-11.1510: Basic Welding for Beginners. Time: 6-9 pm. Siler City, Sage Academy. Cost: $136.25, additional $30. metals fee.

For more information about our classes please go to our website: cccc.edu/; click Continuing Education.
For our Creative Writing Program: cccc.edu/creative writing/
To register for Continuing Education classes, please call 545.8044.

Maggie Zwilling
Community Services Coordinator
Continuing Education
Central Carolina Community College
Pittsboro Campus
919.545.8048

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Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:40:05 -0400
From: Teresa Garrett
Subject: Scratch’s Pizza

We ate at Scratch’s Pizza in the Wal Mart shopping center in Siler City the other night. I just wanted to say that the pizza was good, the salad bar was fresh, the restaurant was clean, and the service was excellent.

Check them out!

Teresa

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Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:48:32 -0400
From: Rita Marley-McKenzie
Subject: where to donate computer

Lee Pollard with Computer Therapy is the wonderful person who takes in computers and refurbishes them for those who need them.
lee@computer-therapy.com

This program has helped numerous foster children/teens to have computers to complete schoolwork and learn new skills.

Thanks to all of you who have contributed to this wonderful program!
Rita.

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Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:45:06 EDT
From: Ed Williams
Subject: Lefty flunky junking Bunkey

I was going to write a posting about Roger Spencer’s non-response (#3809 22 Aug) to Bunkey Morgan’s posting (#3809 20 Aug), but there have been some good answers – Linda Cooper, Wayne Britt and Lawrence London (#3811 23 Aug). So I will only add a couple of things, very briefly. First, roger Roger!

Second, I challenge Roger to give us an example of any falsehood or distortion in anything Bunkey writes in his Chatlist posting or in his long ad in the Chatham News-Record. Anything at all.

Ed Williams

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Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:57:48 -0500
From: Tom Glendinning
Subject: Subject: Ban The Bunky

I am glad to see that Bunkey’s opposition respects the first amendment so vigorously #:-o

“If he or his ghost writers had something valid to contribute for The Common Good, sure. But to keep hammering away with a single issue used as a tool for political revenge is wearisome…..Life is tough enough…..let’s limit the negativity here if we can…….ChainBreaker”

When the chatham coalition rants and floods the chatlist, media, blogs, surveys and polls everything is fine. Another point of view and the debate becomes limited to approved dictums.

I won’t bother to quote what political systems practiced this censorship, but Brer Adolph and Uncle Joe come to mind, however.

Best of all, it’s Chathamcentric.

Now, let’s talk property rights, business friendly policies, spending, jobs! These are topics of political vengeance? They effect all of us, especially in the neglected half of the county where just paying the tax bill is an onerous privilege. If proponents of the limited first amendment are for the Common Good, then, why are these issues important to the other half the county?

To my friend Lawrence London, the loss of forest land to development was happening long before Bunkey got here and will continue long after we are gone. Demands of population growth, employment in the Triangle, and the focus of Chatham to survive solely on residential development cast a die for the county’s future.

If our tax base had more industry, as it did when Moncure industries paid one-third of county taxes, we would have less residential sprawl, more jobs for residents, and a balanced tax base. But the ‘green’ proponents deny the logic of this argument. And what is sustainable anyway? To me, it means that which survives, not a designer
definition of what is supposed to be.

Pro Bono Publicorum

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Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:23:44 -0400 (EDT)
From: Rod and Nancy Dail
Subject: RE: Ban the Bunky

It’s funny!!! When certain people express their opinions, there is immediately a call for them to be banned. Yet, when other people rant and rave like lunatics, no one says a word!

I do not think that someone should be banned from a Chatham-centric chatlist just for expressing his opinion on issues that affect the residents of Chatham County. Especially in this time before an election when we can vote to make the right kind of change.

Last time I checked, I am still living in the United States of America and there is something I’ve heard about called freedom of speech! Just because someone says something you don’t agree with, doesn’t give you the right to ask for them to be banned, just don’t read what they write. It’s your choice!

Nancy Dail
dails4jesus@embarqmail.com

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Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:37:35 -0400
From: “JUNE”
Subject: new construction

Does anyone know what is being built on the corner in Pittsboro across from the McDonalds?

*******************************************************
June -

It is apparently going to be a Cruizer’s gas station

http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,19404.0.html

Gene Galin
Chatlist moderator
*******************************************************

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Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:36:55 -0400
From: “Lawrence F. London, Jr.”
Subject: I don’t live in Chatham but am only a few miles from the county line.

On 8/23/2010 9:56 PM, Chatham Chatlist wrote:
> ——————– 4 ——————–
> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 19:08:23 -0400
> From: Roger Spencer chainbrakers@gmail.com
> Subject: Ban The Bunky
>
> I see Bunky has been using his wealth to pay for huge advertisements in
> the local papers. Do we really need to endure him on the Chatlist too?
> If he or his ghost writers had something valid to contribute for The
> Common Good, sure. But to keep hammering away with a single issue used
> as a tool for political revenge is wearisome…..Life is tough
> enough…..let’s limit the negativity here if we can…….ChainBreaker

Just made an interesting discovery with Thunderbird email client. When
reading the Chatlist (when will there be one for Orange County where it
is much needed?) I highlighted the above article (ready to cut and
paste) then hit the reply button and voila’, the text and header of
Roger’s timely message appeared in my reply exactly as seen above. Neat.

Yes, Roger, the object is to beat us down with mind-numbing propaganda,
exhorting us to “get with the program”, polarize and divide and conquer
or bore us to tears. Some loyal Chathamite Republicans, having earned
the right to call themselves “conservatives”, years ago conswerved and
conspired to get The Bunky elected to the CC BoCC so he could open the
floodgates to exploitation of Chatham’s great reserves of open land for
the benefit of the real estate and development industries and thus
“reduce the tax burden on Chatham citizens”. Some, just ahead of the
election, switched political party affiliation to Democrat so they could
assist The Bunkey achieve his political aspirations, afterward switching
back to the GOP. Well, you know the rest. How many thousands of Chatham
acres were clearcut in preparation for the building boom that never came?

I don’t live in Chatham but am only a few miles from the county line.
My great great Grandfather, great Grandfather, Grandfather and Father
were all from Chatham. With the control my Grandfather had over what
development would be allowed in Pittsboro and some of Chatham, Bunkey
would not have gotten to first base under his watchful eye. All that
squandered land would still be growing crops, trees, weeds and wildlife,
just as it had for hundreds of years before.

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Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:30:00 -0400
From: Wayne Britt
Subject: County commissioners will not respond to an average citizen

I think Bunky is pointing out some good facts; the county commissioners will not respond to an average citizen with a point blank question.

Just my view point.

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Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:39:37 -0700 (PDT)
From: Bunkey Morgan
Subject: Commissioners need another excuse for not paying employees the increase they earned?

On June 21, 2010 the Chatham County Commissioners told me there were not enough funds to honor the employee’s pay increases promised on the PFP Agreements for the FY2008/2009 work period.

During the period in question property values increased from 7.4 Billion to 8.6 Billion. The property tax income increased 4.8 Million dollars and the commissioners increased many fees. The county’s fund balance, savings account, increased by $695,000 this last year even after having to make up budget cuts by the General Assembly. So there was enough revenue to meet the county’s obligations.

The commissioner’s next statement to me was 11 – 17 positions would have to be eliminated if they gave employees their increase they earned. The number of county employees has decreased since July 2008 when the PFP agreements were approved and there are six less employees today than 2008. If we did not count all the new positions our commissioners have added since 2008 the decrease in employee count would be much more than the 17 needed to cover this expense.

A third statement to me by the chair and vice-chair was no one received raises during this period. If that statement was true why did salaries increase $1,007,544 during the last two years? Â Some employees did receive an increase, some behind closed doors, but not the employees completing their PFP. I’m happy for anyone who received a raise, but you need to be fair with all employees which met the requirements. Here are two examples of “in your face” by our commissioners.

1. A key person with the responsibility of administrating employee’s PFP received a $5,100 increase in September 2009. This happened to be the same period employees did not received their PFP increase.

2. A department head received a $5,900 increase in 2009 by commissioners in closed session without making it public and without having official minutes on record.

YOU HAD MORE INCOME AND FEWER EMPLOYEES, BUT SALARIES INCREASED $1,007,544.

NOW PLEASE EXPLAIN TO YOUR EMPLOYEES WHY THEY DID NOT RECEIVE THEIR RAISE.

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Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:08:09 -0700 (PDT)
From: Hope Crossing Animal Hospital
Subject: Rabies Clinic August 21-28

Hope Crossing Animal Hospital is having their rabies clinic on August 21st through August 28th. Rabies shots are only $5. No exams are required, but you will need to make an appointment. Please call soon as space is limited!

Rabies vaccination is safe, effective and required by law. All cats and dogs over 3 months of age are required by NC law to have a valid rabies vaccination. The first shot is good for 1 year, and each shot thereafter is good for 3 years. Please bring proof of previous vaccination if you are not a client with us.

Thank you!

David Webster

Hope Crossing Animal Hospital

58 East Cotton Rd Pittsboro

(919)542-1975

VOTED BEST VET IN CHATHAM 2009

www.hopecrossing.com

Intersection of E. Cotton Rd and Hamlet Chapel Rd at 15-501, between Allen & Sons BBQ and Fearrington Village.

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Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:11:36 -0400
From: Calvin Oxendine
Subject: General Store Cafe

In the past 7-8 years that I have lived in Pittsboro I have eaten at the GSC probably close to 100 times. Not all of those experiences have been good, some due to lackluster service and some due to variable quality standards. I have expressed my concerns or displeasure both in this forum and by email to the proprietors.

I am not writing to complain today. I am writing to let everybody know that the GSC is back. I have eaten there twice in the last two weeks and have been delighted both times. This is positive feedback. Whatever is going on in the kitchen lately is a good thing. I encourage everybody to rush on down and get your favorite dish before something changes. I am not kidding. The Pittsburrito that I had was the best that I have had in years. Keep up the good work.
Cal

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Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2010 21:04:24 -0400
From: Donna Kelly
Subject: NCDOT proposal for US64

For anyone that’s interested in the US64 proposal I strongly recommend going to the NC DOT website to view all the details about the plan, not just the talking points that CCEC and our current Board of Commissioners have been promoting lately. I was very disappointed to see that CCEC did not list the NCDOT site in their links for more information although it was mentioned in one of their bulletins at least. http://www.ncdot.org/doh/PRECONSTRUCT/tpb/shc/studies/us64/overview/

This project started in December 2007. The proposal has been refined after public meetings in 2008 and 2009. A final draft was released May 5, 2010 with public comment accepted from May 5 until June 30, 2010. During this process NCDOT sent out newsletters to affected property owners, meetings were announced in local papers and on TV and anyone that was interested in the proposal could have been added to their email list at any time during the study period. They really did make an effort to seek public input and received quite a lot.

While I have my complaints about DOT at times, this is an attempt to be proactive and consider long range options to deal with increasing traffic based on actual numbers. NCDOT has to balance all the uses of US64 as a state and regional highway as well as local uses. Many of the arguments I’ve been hearing against this proposal have nothing to do with the actual proposal but a desire to move in directions that are not under control of this study. Although it’s being characterized as a proposal to create an alternative to I-85/40 it’s actual a recognition that this is already happening and an attempt to deal with the reality that traffic on US64 is increasing for many reasons.

Although characterized as the same old reaction of just building more highways, NC is actually a national leader in the use of alternatives, such as Superstreets, to move traffic more safely and efficiently without building more highways. I’ll admit Superstreets do appear confusing at first, but after talking with a number of people at one of last year’s meetings I gained a better understanding of how they work. Here’s an interesting report on the Superstreet concept:

http://www.accessmanagement.info/AM08/AM0807Hummer/AM0807Hummer.pdf

The short range plan which includes the Superstreet could be phased in as the need occurs in specific areas and money becomes available. The long range plan which includes limited access would only be phased in when the short term solutions can no longer handle the traffic. The long range plan does not preclude other options that may delay the need even longer. The real need right now is at the eastern end of the study area in Cary while the need decreases as you travel west into Chatham County. It’s likely that the short term plan will suffice longer than 30 year, especially further west and possible that the long term plan will never be needed.

There will be additional public input and more detailed planning before anything is done. This plan is just an overall guide to what may happen in the future. It’s amazing that many of the same people that were promoting the BOC’s Major Corridor Ordinance and the Land Use Plan are so incensed by this plan. It seems rather hypocritical that opponents to the BOC’s plans are told that they’re being unreasonable but when the BOC supporters are in opposition to NCDOT’s plans there is no limit to the amount of input and influence they feel they should have in that process.

Long range planning as a general guide can be a good idea but no one can foresee the future. It’s when plans are drawn up to deal with imaginary future problems or the aesthetic preferences of a select group of individuals and rigidly applied to current conditions that they are unacceptable. While not perfect, this plan is based on actual numbers and observed growth patterns.

Again I encourage anyone interested in this plan to go to the NCDOT website and read about what NCDOT is actually proposing rather than just reacting to what some people are afraid is going to happen.

Donna Kelly
Pittsboro

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