Home >> March, 2008

Briar Chapel Launches New Website

Posted on: Monday, March 31st, 2008 in: Development

Newland Communities has just launched its new website for Briar Chapel, which ties very nicely into the “Path to Nature” advertising campaign they launched a few months ago. Along with the utility and landscaping work along 15-501, this is yet another sign that things are progressing towards the opening of their information center during the Green Home Tour in May. Stay tuned to this blog for more details.

Now is the time to let me know if you are interested in moving to Briar Chapel. By doing so, I can help builders gauge demand, and provide input on what buyers are looking for in terms of size and price.

Sen. Kay Hagan on CCCC campus in Pittsboro, NC

Posted on: Friday, March 28th, 2008 in: Education

[ March 26, 2008; 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. ] State Senator Kay Hagan, Democratic candidate for the United States Senate spoke on Wednesday evening in the multipurpose room of the Central Carolina Community College in Pittsboro. She is running against Republican incumbent senator Elizabeth Dole.

County Commissioners Mike Cross and George Lucier along with Chatham County Democratic Party chairman Karl Kachergis were at the event. [...]

Blog Author Peter Winkler Becomes Certified EcoBroker®

Posted on: Thursday, March 27th, 2008 in: Development, Pittsboro

It’s official… I have earned the EcoBroker Certified® designation. This means that I have successfully completed a formal training program on the energy and environmental issues that affect real estate transactions. In other words, I am certified to address and encourage the benefits of energy efficiency and green features in homes, such as the ones that will be built in Briar Chapel.
From windows to moisture control to energy savings, I now have more resources at my disposal to help my buyers and sellers make better real estate decisions.

Third Annual Green Home Tour

Posted on: Saturday, March 22nd, 2008 in: Development, Pittsboro

Mark your calendars! The 3rd Annual Green Home Tour will be held on May 3, 2008 (10 am to 6 pm) and May 4, 2008 (Noon to 6 pm). Including several Briar Chapel entries, there are currently 42 homes on this year’s tour. Stay tuned for more details.

Northwood School Board Candidates Forum

Posted on: Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 in: Education

On Tuesday, March 18th, immediately following the Curriculum Fair (6:00-7:30 pm) at Northwood High School, there was a
2008 Chatham County School Board Candidates Forum in the multimedia room.
All five candidates from Districts 1 (Norman Clark’s seat) and 2 (Holly Duncan’s seat) attended the event.
The hostess of the event was NW PTSA president Beverly Sizemore.

We were [...]

How I know I am getting old

Posted on: Monday, March 17th, 2008 in: Uncategorized

Yesterday I had the BEST day. My friend Mike picked me up at 10:30 and we drove out to this little town called Pittsboro and had brunch at the General Store. [...]

School overcrowding impacts learning

Posted on: Monday, March 17th, 2008 in: Education

In January 1995, the Citizens’ Commission on Planning for Enrollment Growth submitted a report, “Bursting at the Seams,” to the Chancellor of the New York City Board of Education, Ramon C. Cortines. Although the report address “urban” school overcrowding, it appears that the observations would also apply to “non-urban” schools.

THE IMPACT OF SCHOOL OVERCROWDING
http://www.ericdigests.org/1996-1/overcrowding.htm
Research on [...]

Video: Easter Egg Hunt is an egg-citing success

Posted on: Sunday, March 16th, 2008 in: Education

[ March 15, 2008; 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. ] The Chatham County Parks and Recreation Department’s 6th annual egg hunt was an egg-citing success. Groups of kids swarmed the field at the Central Carolina Community College in search of Easter eggs.

You can view a video clip of one of the younger groups on their hunt (taken at much risk to my own safety)

I also [...]

Pittsboro Elementary to Host Science Discovery Night

Posted on: Saturday, March 15th, 2008 in: Education

[ March 18, 2008; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] The Pittsboro Elementary School, along with the school PTA, will host a lasagna dinner and science discovery night on Tuesday, March 18, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Students will show their science kit projects to their families. In addition, organizers have invited guests from some different science areas to set up exhibits for informal “show and tell” [...]

Pittsboro Elementary to Host Science Discovery Night

Posted on: Saturday, March 15th, 2008 in: Education

[ March 18, 2008; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] The Pittsboro Elementary School, along with the school PTA, will host a lasagna dinner and science discovery night on Tuesday, March 18, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Students will show their science kit projects to their families. In addition, organizers have invited guests from some different science areas to set up exhibits for informal “show and tell” [...]

Chatham Schools Human Resources to Host Job Fair

Posted on: Friday, March 14th, 2008 in: Education

[ April 5, 2008; 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. ] The Human Resources Department of Chatham County Schools will host a teacher job fair on Saturday, April 5, at Horton Middle School from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Horton is located at 79 Horton Road in Pittsboro. Appointments are not necessary. Attendees should bring a copy of their resumes.

Chatham County Schools has a hiring incentive package that [...]

Jordan-Matthews Senior Is Scholarship Winner

Posted on: Friday, March 14th, 2008 in: Education

Like most high school seniors, Jordan-Matthews student Jakelin Bonilla has a big decision to make — where to attend college. But her choice between NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill has just gotten tougher, since she recently was notified that she has been awarded major scholarships at both schools.
Bonilla has been chosen as both a Park [...]

Woods Charter School Building Progress Continues

Posted on: Wednesday, March 12th, 2008 in: Development, Education

Progress on the new Woods Charter School in Briar Chapel continues. In the photo below, you will see that curbing and sidewalks are being installed. Work is also being done on the inside in order to get the school ready for occupancy in the Fall.

At a recent meeting of Chatham’s BOE, the Board discussed several options to relieve overcrowding at the North Chatham School. In addition to installing additional mobile classroom pods and re-assigning students to another school, they discussed the possibility of leasing the current Woods Charter School facility at Cole Park plaza to house some of the North Chatham students. It is scheduled to be vacated by July 1st. A decision will be made at the next meeting on 3/17/08.

Many believe this problem would have been resolved sooner had the new middle school that is planned for Briar Chapel been built on time in 2009 (construction has been delayed until 2010).

Video: Northwood dress rehearsal of Grease

Posted on: Wednesday, March 12th, 2008 in: Education

Northwood ran through their first dress rehearsal of their spring musical “Grease”. Recognized a lot of familiar faces from last year’s production of “Beauty and the Beast”. I had the opportunity to get some photos along with some video clips of the musical numbers. You can view the musical pieces from the first half performance [...]

Video: BOE discusses choosing architectural firms for new high school

Posted on: Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 in: Education

The Board of Education voted to speak with Corley, Redfoot & Zach (CRZ) architectural firm to negotiate a contract for the new high school on Jack Bennett Road.
Below are some video clips of the discussions -

Note: The video clip below touches on the unsafe road conditions on Jack Bennett Road.

March 10th Board of Education Meeting Summary

Posted on: Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 in: Education

The Chatham County Board of Education held a meeting on Monday, March 10, 2008, at the central office board room.
Safelle Janitorial Services Company presented its quarterly award to the custodial staff of Siler City Elementary and its employees. The custodians will each receive a certificate and Walmart gift card.
The Board voted to speak with Corley, [...]

CJ – School survey highlights teacher and staff concerns

Posted on: Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 in: Education

Read the entire story here
Pittsboro, NC – The Chatham County Board of Education is in the process of searching for a new superintendent. At the beginning of this candidate search, Board members sought input by releasing two surveys, one for teachers and staff and one for the community. Results of these surveys are not traceable [...]

My environmental accomplishments

Posted on: Monday, March 10th, 2008 in: Politics

I recently interviewed representatives from the Sierra Club regarding my environmental records. Here are my notes for that meeting, I think you can see that I have an excellent record of protecting our environment and natural resources. This is listed in reverse chronological order.

2008

Human Sewage Sludge / Poultry Waste Application – Our BOC is currently looking at farm land application of these waste products and their possible harmful effects on humans and live stock grazing.

Drought Definitions and Criteria – As Second Vice Chair of Triangle J - Council of Governments, I want you to know that we voted 2/27/08 to set up a forum and initiate criteria that would bring Triangle area governing bodies to the same page. Currently we have quite different criteria which makes it very difficult for citizens to understand when two areas are in the same stage and one can water lawns and wash cars while the other can’t.

Regional Water Plant and Water Intake – George Lucier as BOC Chair and I as BOC Vice, have had two meetings and correspondence with Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, UNC, OWASA, Durham City, Durham County and DENER in an effort to form a partnership to bring this to a reality. These facilities would be located on the West side of Jordan Lake and would serve the area for years to come and facilitate sharing when one area is experiencing water shortages while others may not be.

Regional Treated Waste Water Discharge Allocation – Lucier, Barnes and I have been working to gain a discharge allocation for Chatham County. With no additional allocations available in the Haw River, Jordan Lake or Robison Creek, we have been looking at the upper Cape Fear River below the Buckhorn Dam for our discharge location. Chatham has received a letter from DWQ stating that we can apply for a 19 million gallons per day Discharge Permit when we have our plan in place. This can evolve into a partnership with Pittsboro, 7,500 acres of Goodnight (Preston Development) property south of Pittsboro and Chatham County.

Energy Efficiency – Voted for and contracted with an engineering firm to perform an Energy Efficiency test of all Chatham government building, including schools. Ongoing.

Green Building – Voted for and approved Green Building Standards in all future Chatham County tax payer funded building construction.

Watershed Protection Ordinance – Voted for and expanded buffer setbacks for Seeps and Springs, Wet Lands, Ephemeral, Perennial and Intermediate Streams Reservoirs and Rivers.

Land Conservancy – Continuing to work with Triangle Land Conservancy to help create wildlife corridors while including parcels for future schools and parks.

Jordan Lake Nutrient Levels – Voted with resolution asking NC to enact the new lower nutrient level criteria for any and all discharge that will end up in Jordan Lake.

NE Park – Voted and approved expenditures of recreation fees to build the NE Park which will be located on 400 acres, south of 64 East at Bells Landing.

Staff Engineer – Voted to fund and hired staff engineer to monitor/direct county construction.

Staff Environmental Resources Director – Voted to fund and hired an ERD to oversee/ensure appropriate environmental measures are included in all applications for developments and to ensure environmental concerns are met.

Staff Erosion Control Enforcement Officer – Voted to fund and hired ECEO to visit construction sites to ensure proper erosion control measures are adequately implemented and to impose fines where appropriate. We previously relied on overloaded state inspectors.

Staff Land Use Ordinance Enforcement Officer – Voted to fund and hired OEO to ensure land uses are consistent with applications and zoning.

2007

Green Building Taskforce – Voted to establish GBT to research green building criteria and make recommendations to the BOC as to how we could include these energy efficient methods in our future construction.

Commercial Corridors Taskforce – Voted to establish CCT to research and advise the BOC as to how best to protect our major corridors and to establish commercial nodes for future commercial construction. This process will ensure we maintain some rural aspects/open space/scenic views along our major corridors.

Agricultural Districts – Voted to establish ADs to promote/support our farmers while ensuring we maintain our rural heritage/open space for all to enjoy.

2006
Fly Ash
– Successful in deterring a proposal for a golf course and park in the Moncure area using the Fly Ash from the coal fired Cape Fear power plant. My research revealed the fact that Fly Ash (by-product of burning coal) contains 13 pollutants/hazardous components which exceed all standards for human drinking water, taste and odor, acute standards for Aquatic life and chronic standards for Aquatic life. This could have been very problematic for a community where soils don’t perk well and the Haw River and Deep River converge to form the Cape Fear River.

2005

McGills Mulch Facility – This plant, located in the Moncure Industrial Area, makes Garden Mulch using saw dust, partially treated human waste water and the flushing water from cleaning the butchering rooms of poultry plants. The odors were unbearable to the community and where there’s odor, there is likely harmful bacteria in the air. I was successful in getting DENR Air Quality, Chatham Land Use Enforcement involved. The building was enclosed as it was supposed to be when it opened. The heat treatment equipment to kill the bacteria is now operable and inspected by DENR and the community has a much better neighbor.

Prior to being elected to the BOC

Woodall Family Farm – This “Farm” injects and plows partially treated human waste water into the ground from area Waste Water Treatment Facilities. Again with the odors, bacteria and possible ground water contamination. I was successful in getting DENR and Chatham Land Use involved. Proper chemical application (primarily Lime) is now being enforced and monitoring wells are installed.

Moncure Air Quality SummitAs president of Southeast Chatham Citizens Advisory Council, I arranged a summit with representatives from all 9 Moncure Industries, local Ministers (12 Churches within 5 miles) and interested citizens. We had become aware of the many toxic chemicals being released into the air and made our case for moving forward with DENR’s Maximum Attainable Air Quality rules requiring new equipment. The Industries in the Moncure Area now meet these standards.

Multi-State Solid Waste Dump – Waste Industries had a proposal on the table to make Chatham County, specifically the Moncure Industrial Area, home to a multi-state solid waste dump. I founded the Southeast Chatham Citizens Advisory Council. With research and public involvement, we managed to get the applicants to withdraw their proposal.

School Board Candidates Forum

Posted on: Monday, March 10th, 2008 in: Education

[ March 18, 2008; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] On Tuesday, March 18th, immediately following the Curriculum Fair (6:00-7:30 pm) at Northwood High School, there will be a:

2008 Chatham County School Board Candidates Forum

Come hear the views, opinions, and proposals of the 5 School Board Candidates. All five candidates from Districts 1 (Norman Clark’s seat) and 2 (Holly Duncan’s seat) have responded that they [...]

Northwood presents spring musical revival of “Grease”

Posted on: Friday, March 7th, 2008 in: Education

[ March 13, 2008 7:00 pm to March 15, 2008 7:00 pm. ] Break out those poodle skirts, peter pan collars and saddle oxfords! It’s time to join the gang at Rydell High when Northwood turns the clock back to 1959 for the spring musical revival of Grease!

This third Northwood production of the 1972 high school classic was staged previously in 1988 and again in 1998. The 2008 [...]