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 like to have to cross the equivalent of six lanes. That’s what the north side of the Smith Level/BPW intersection will be under the current Department of Transportation proposal.
Having trouble imagining it? Think MLK/Weaver Dairy Road in north Chapel Hill. How many folks do you see walking across MLK up there? For those that try, it’s a nightmare.

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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 by the Southern Education Foundation finds that poor kids make up the majority of student populations in public schools in 11 Southern states. Forty-nine percent of students in North Carolina public schools are from poor families, up from 40 percent just seven years ago. And that is far from the whole story.

The overall percentage of poor kids in school is 49, but that number varies widely from school district to school district and from school to school within districts.

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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 by law to inspect and approve the performance of voting machines, the optical scanners took ten minutes to inspect and pass the test, while it took several hours to inspect the touch-screen machines, one of which never operated correctly and will need repair before it can be used.

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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 act that takes almost no waiting in line and only a few moments to complete seems so difficult a thing to do. It’s not exactly the MCAT or the LSAT. (And remember — it’s multiple choice.)

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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 course, his service on the Frank Porter Graham School Governance Committee benefited a diverse constituency. His skill and wherewithal in the championing of accountability, openness and transparency are tremendous assets.

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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 interests, but makes his decisions on the issues based on their inherent merit. I’ve known Cam my whole life and know that he loves this town and has the best interests of Chapel Hill at heart. Let’s do Chapel Hill a favor and keep Cam on the town council.

Kevin Cohan
Chapel Hill

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 to Katrina and Sharon. Among other numerous accomplishments, both have worked hard to improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians in Carrboro. They have been successful in securing sidewalks, smart traffic lights and bikeways along Homestead Road. As neighbors, we have witnessed the devotion Katrina and Sharon have to both their neighborhood and the larger community.

Please join us in voting for Katrina Ryan and Sharon Cook for Carrboro aldermen.

Michael and Deborah Adler
Carrboro

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Age: 65

Kids: An 11-year-old who attends Frank Porter Graham

Profession: Semi-retired not-for-profit consultant

Education: Master of Social Work in administration from Fordham University, Master of Journalism in marketing and advertising from Northwestern University, Bachelor of Arts in radio and television from Arizona State University

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Age: 43

Kids: 12-year-old son who attends Culbreth Middle School and a 20-month-old daughter

Profession: Registered dental hygienist, clinical practitioner and part-time educator

Education: Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from UNC

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Age: 47

Kids: Four children, ages 10, 12, 14 and 20, who attend Rashkis Elementary School, Phillips Middle School, East Chapel Hill High School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Profession: Physician scientist at Duke University and the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Centers

Education: Associate’s degree from Monroe County Community College, Bachelor of Science and MD from the University of Michigan

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Age: 45

Kids: Two daughters, 11 and 15, who attend Phillips Middle School and East Chapel Hill High School

Profession: Freelance grant writer

Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish from Duke University

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By Valarie Schwartz

While many of us look down at the ground to keep from tripping, some find signs when they look down.

Ernest Dollar had a big decision to make in March. He had job offers from two places where he wanted to work.

“My dream job as site manager at Bennett Place was offered,” he said from the parlor of the Horace Williams House.

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Age: 49

Kids: A 22-year-old son who attends UNC Medical School, a 16-year-old son who attends East Chapel Hill High School and a 20-year-old daughter who lives in a group home for autistic children and attends school in Granville County

Profession: CPA with William H. Bunch, CPA, PA

Education: Master of Accounting from UNC, Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from the University of Virginia

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Culbreth Middle
Boys’ Soccer

(via Kevin Dixon)
The Culbreth boys soccer team avenged last year’s first round tournament loss with a 3-1 victory over Stanford yesterday. Sam Brighton converted a penalty kick after Trey Deimler was taken down in the box for an early 1-0 lead. Man of the match Victor Zhang scored two magnificent goals off first-time volleys, one set up by a Mike McPeak corner kick, the other from a cross by Jack Vozella. Defensive player of the game was goalkeeper Joe Gustainis, who continued to show that he is the best 1v1 keeper in the conference by stopping several breakaway attempts by the Chargers. With the win, the Cougars advance to the semifinal round.

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