By Chris Fitzsimon Race and economics and inequality Two major reports released this week paint a disturbing picture of the economic disparities between African-Americans and whites and highlight the stark contrast in the progress of the two races in the last 40 years. A study from the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute for Private Enterprise at…
Category: Opinion
Exile on Jones Street: 11/15/07
By Kirk Ross Barring any calamities, pressing federal mandates, acts of God or other compelling reasons to reassemble, the Legislature is not due back in Raleigh en masse until noon on Tuesday, May 13. By then, the candidates for Council of State and the federal and state legislative slates ought to be sussed out. And,…
Marty Ravellette was a teacher too
By Jock Lauterer At Sutton’s, Marty Ravellette’s daily morning hangout, the late Carrboro landscaper and motivational speaker liked to read over stories journalism students had written about his life. “This kid got it,†he used to say of a piece he liked. Photo by Jock Lauterer I always wanted to write a story about Marty…
Remembering Joe
By Erik Ose Joe Herzenberg With Joe Herzenberg’s death, North Carolina has lost one of its most caring, kind and generous lights. I first met Joe in 1990, as an undergrad. We shared mutual interests in progressive politics, the local political scene and voter registration. Joe was thrilled at the idea of trying to re-awaken…
For the Record: The lost art of civility
It would be a lie to say that civility is the answer to all the ills of modern politics — local, state, national and global. But damn folks, now that this election is over, let’s give it a whirl. I’ve covered a lot of governmental boards, commissions, councils and what-have-ya’s and have witnessed decent behavior…
Averting climate catastrophe
 By Jim Warren “Business-as-usual, if it continues for even another decade, will be disastrous …†James Hansen, the nation’s foremost climate expert, is issuing this call for public action — before climate disruption becomes irreversible. On November 17 in Chapel Hill, Dr. Hansen will focus on the need for dramatic reductions in greenhouse gases. His…
Exile on Jones Street: Primary coloring book: U.S. Congress Part One
By Kirk Ross Now that traditional low voter turnout has determined the make up of most of the boards and bodies that comprise the government closest to the people, let’s take a look at what’s up with that distant entity on a hill to which we dispatch 15 stout-hearted North Carolinians as our representatives in…
Letters to the Editor: 11/08/07
Chaos theory In chaos theory, the movement of the butterfly’s wings has consequences for the path of the coming storm. I thought I would pass on the consequences of the local media not publishing my guest editorial regarding the supporters of Mr. Coleman for political office. I received a call at the end of last…
Asphalt overkill on Smith Level Road
By Tom High Any citizen driving Smith Level Road has probably noted the scores of pedestrians crossing the road at the BPW Club Road intersection after being dropped off at the bus stop. It’s bad enough for them currently, and that’s with only having to cross three lanes of traffic. Imagine what it will be…
Poverty and struggles in school
By Chris Fitzsimon Despite what we are told is a healthy economy and relatively low unemployment rates, the percentage of poor students in public schools is on the rise in North Carolina and the South. It is yet another reminder that helping poor families remains the most important education reform. A report released this week…
Letters: 11/1/07
Chatham County touch-screen voting Many Chatham County voters are deeply concerned about the reliability of the new touch-screen computer voting machines that are to be used in the upcoming election in Chatham County. Ensuring accurate voting is a non-partisan issue. At the most recent meeting of the Chatham County Board of Elections, a meeting required…
For the Record: 11/1/07
Vote like you mean it Here’s your chance to be different, to not be just part of the pack. Tuesday is your day to prove you’re a maverick. Come next year, everyone’s going to be headed to the polls. This year, nothing says cutting edge like an “I Voted†sticker. Seriously, it’s sad that an…
Candidate Endorsement Letters: School Board
Supporting Wallach Gary Wallach will make an outstanding advocate for all of our children. Some of his advocacy efforts have found their way into the news and onto the web, including his defense against teacher assistant and gifted specialist cuts in 2005 and his challenge of the fairness of the latest redistricting plan. And of…
Candidate Endorsement Letters: Chapel Hill
Supporting Hill I believe Cam Hill to be the choice for re-election to the Chapel Hill Town Council. Cam, a Chapel Hill native, has shown himself to be the people’s representative (all the people) through his record during his first four years on the council. He does not allow himself to be influenced by special…
Candidate Endorsement Letters: Carrboro
Supporting Cook, Ryan We have a choice in this upcoming election for positive change for Carrboro. That is why we support Katrina Ryan and Sharon Cook for aldermen. Katrina and Sharon will protect Carrboro’s identity while promoting sane and reasonable growth. Preservation of our natural environment and the safety of our communities are important issues…