Home >> May, 2008

Northwood and Chatham Central Softball Tournament Pictures – 4/12/08

Posted on: Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 in: Recreation and Sports


122 pictures from the Northwood and Chatham Central Softball Tournament that was held at the Northwood High School.

Have You Reserved a Lot Yet?

Posted on: Monday, May 26th, 2008 in: Development

Only 6 days remain until builders start writing contracts for Briar Chapel on Saturday, May 31st!

If you haven’t already met with me and reserved your favorite lot, now is the time to do so. Give me a call today at 919-360-1285 to schedule an appointment.

Perry Harrison fields a Relay for Life team

Posted on: Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 in: Education

Perry Harrison School fielded a team for the Pittsboro Relay for Life event this past weekend.
Below is a pictures of the happy participants – “Teachers teaming for a cure”.
Thanks to everyone who participated in this worthwhile event.

Limited Release Preview Event

Posted on: Thursday, May 15th, 2008 in: Development

Would you like to have the opportunity to select the home of your choice in Briar Chapel before the public grand opening? If the answer is “yes,” please let me know and I will get you an invitation to attend a private, LIMITED RELEASE PREVIEW EVENT that’s being held on May 31st.

In order to prepare for this special event, we need to get together to pick a floor plan and location that’s right for you. Once we’ve done that, we’ll start the pre-qualification process with an approved homebuilder and get a priority number, which will allow us to choose an appointment time for the preview event.

Time is running out, so let’s get started right away. Please call me at 919-360-1285 to get the process started.

Prime Briar Chapel Lots Still Available

Posted on: Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 in: Development

If you are interested in Briar Chapel, now is the time to build! Prices are only going to go up, and the best lots won’t last long.

I would love to show you all of the great floor plans available to choose from, and introduce you to all that Briar Chapel has to offer. Give me a call today at 919-360-1285 so we can prepare for the upcoming pre-sales event in less than two weeks. Priority numbers are being given out, so time is of the essence.

May 12th Board of Education Meeting Summary

Posted on: Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 in: Education

The Chatham County Board of Education held a regular session on Monday, May 12, at the central office in Pittsboro.
The Safelle Janitorial Services Company presented its quarterly awards to Bennett School custodial staff and its employees.
Susan Little, Chief Finance Officer, presented a memo to the Board regarding a 2007–2008 Contract for Audit Services. The Board [...]

Board Meeting Agenda – 5/12

Posted on: Monday, May 12th, 2008 in: Education

[ May 12, 2008; 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. ]
CHATHAM COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
PITTSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA
WORK SESSION

Central Office Board Room
Monday, May 12, 2008

Open Session — 6:45 p.m.
(BOE members will likely vote to adjourn to a closed session to discuss privileged [...]

BOE candidates forum at PHS

Posted on: Monday, May 12th, 2008 in: Education

[ May 15, 2008; 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. ] The Perry Harrison School PTSA has invited the candidates for the Board of Education to come to the school for a “Meet the Candidates” Forum.  All five candidates running for the BOE will be present.  The forum will take place in the multipurpose room on Thursday, May 15 from 7-8:30 PM.  Questions will be submitted [...]

Horton Principal Leaving May 31

Posted on: Monday, May 12th, 2008 in: Education

Mervin Jenkins, Principal of Horton Middle School, has resigned from Chatham County Schools effective May 31. Jenkins, who is in his second year as at Horton, is leaving to take a position in Atlanta with AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) as Eastern Division Assistant Director. The district hopes to name an interim principal during the [...]

Education expenditures in the 2008-09 Chatham County proposed budget

Posted on: Monday, May 12th, 2008 in: Education

The Chatham County manager’s proposed budget includes a 5.5-cent property tax rate increase to 67.2 cents per $100 of assessed property value to pay for growth. The proposed tax increase, a 9 percent jump in the tax rate, would provide 1.2 cents for school needs.
The proposed 2008-09 Chatham County budget provides:
* Full funding of school [...]

Bonnie’s Blurbs: Orchids Dead, Orchids Live

Posted on: Monday, May 12th, 2008 in: Musings, Pittsboro

Orchids Dead, Orchids Live
…notes written the first of May.
Motivation comes slowly, and then it races towards you. That’s what Spring ‘08 has been for us. First the idea that I might have two classes back to back on Wednesdays was daunting – and then the requisite number of couples did not appear for the [...]

Misconceptions about Briar Chapel

Posted on: Saturday, May 10th, 2008 in: Development

The other day, I was talking with somone who wasn’t all that thrilled about Briar Chapel. As I listened, it quickly became apparent that they had several misconceptions about the development, which were a result of some of the rumors that were floating around Chatham County during the planning stages.

Here are some facts I shared with them about Briar Chapel, which helped to clear up some of the confusion:
  • developers have preserved more than 50% (900 acres), including steep slopes, stream beds, significant tree stands, and several historic structures found on-site
  • it is the first (and largest) community in the Triangle to require homebuilders to comply with the rigorous new home construction requirements and third-party testing of the N.C. Green Building Initiative, creating high performance, healthier homes with measurable cost savings for residents and contributing to an improved quality of life
  • contrary to earlier rumors, Briar Chapel will NOT include a golf course
  • 30 percent of the homes face south to increase efficiencies and solar capabilities
  • the clubhouse will be LEED-certified
  • the developers convinced Thompson Contracting, who is handling site development, to use biodiesel in some of its earth-moving equipment
  • 64 units will be made available for affordable housing
  • Newland Communities has already donated over $1 million to our local Habitat for Humanity
  • all stone used in Briar Chapel is native to the site, including its beautiful masonry walls, roadbeds and trails (but excluding the gravel in the parking lot at the Info Center)
  • meandering, bifurcated roadways were designed to maximize the tree canopy for the native birds
  • 24 miles of trails connect the entire community
  • a $10 million sewage treatment plan was constructed allowing for spray irrigation and the use of reclaimed gray-water irrigation for all open space
  • the developers have created and funded a foundation that will support local artists and various green initiatives (more on this later)

I could go on, but I think you get the point. Although no housing development is perfect, I hope you’ll agree that Newland Communities is striving to be responsible and make a positive difference in the world by creating enduring, healthier communities.

Thank you

Posted on: Friday, May 9th, 2008 in: Politics

Now that the Democratic primary is over I want to extend my sincere thanks to all who supported, worked for, and voted for me. I also would like to thank my opponents who have offered their congratulations.

I am honored and gratified by your support and will continue working hard to live up to the trust you’ve put in me. Watch this space for updates on helping with the November election!

Thank you,
Mike

Election Results

Posted on: Thursday, May 8th, 2008 in: Politics

The election results are in and the citizens of Chatham have spoken. I am disappointed that I will not be able to continue my service to Chatham beyond November 2008. I congratulate my opponent, Sally Kost, and wish her well in the general election in …

Briar Chapel Builders Announced

Posted on: Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 in: Development

Newland Communities has announced that they have selected four area builders to comprise the builder team for Briar Chapel, who will all be required to build sustainable, environmentally responsible homes. The builder team consists of Chatham Builder Guild, LLC; M/I Homes, Inc.; McNeill Burbank; and Vanguard Homes.

I have already met with some of these builders, and am prepared to assist you in choosing one that will best meet your needs. Please contact me today to get started.


About Chatham Builder Guild
The Chatham Builder Guild, LLC, is a select group of custom builders serving the Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham County area. Based in Chatham County, N.C., this group of award-winning builders was created to provide truly custom construction, innovative design and personalized service which individually-owned and operated firms can offer. Guild associates are long-standing members of the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties, are consistent Parade of Home winners, and are active participants in the Green Building Council.

About M/I Homes
M/I Homes, Inc. was founded in 1976 and is one of the nation’s leading builders of single family homes. M/I Homes has established an exemplary reputation based on a strong commitment to superior customer service, innovative design, quality construction and premium locations. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, M/I Homes serves a broad segment of the housing market including first-time, move-up, luxury and empty nester buyers.

About McNeill Burbank
McNeill Burbank, an affiliated company of Saussy Burbank, has been crafting new homes in the Raleigh, N.C. area since 1992. McNeill Burbank has built more than 700 new homes and won numerous awards for quality and style. The unique designs borrow architecturally from the past while blending a contemporary, timeless look that’s rare today. McNeill Burbank prides themselves on the new communities they have chosen to build in, in just the right locations. Saussy Burbank is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based homebuilder, nationally recognized for building homes with distinctive architectural details and innovative floor plans.

About Vanguard Homes
Vanguard Homes was established in 2006 as the outgrowth of a successful North Carolina-based homebuilding company in operation since 1980. With unwavering determination, Vanguard remains committed to being an area leader in homebuilding quality, service, and innovation validated by measurable differences in community development, product design, and home efficiency.

Senior VP of U.S. Green Building Council Visits Briar Chapel

Posted on: Monday, May 5th, 2008 in: Development

Newland Communities hosted a pre-event opening reception for the Third Annual Green Home Tour, which occurred this past weekend.

Michelle Moore, the senior vice president of the U.S. Green Building Council, was the guest speaker and discussed Newland’s partnership as a founding sponsor of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Green Home Guide.

To learn more about this historic event, please refer to the press release.

Green Home Tour Starts Tomorrow

Posted on: Friday, May 2nd, 2008 in: Development
I hope you’ll join me on the Third Annual Green Home Tour this weekend. With 40 entries, this year’s tour should be a fantastic event that you don’t want to miss!

All of the homes have been entered in the green-building certification program that’s run by the Green Home Builders of the Triangle. You’ll see first-hand that green homes can fit a broad spectrum of aesthetic tastes and retain their curb appeal while still being more energy efficient, healthier, and environmentally responsible.

Below is a picture of the Briar Chapel Information Center, one of the entries in the tour. If you visit, please be sure to let the builder’s sales agents know that you would like me to represent you in the purchase of your next home.


Directions: Take 15-501 south from Chapel Hill. Go approx 5 miles and take a right at Briar Chapel’s main entrance, Briar Chapel Parkway. Go approx 1.5 miles, and this house (Briar Chapel’s Information Center) will be on the right at the corner of Briar Chapel Parkway and Windy Knoll Circle.

I look forward to seeing you on the tour!