Este fin de semana aproveche de los varios eventos que tendrán lugar en nuestra comunidad. El viernes en la tarde hay el evento para apoyar al político Barack Obama en Carrboro Town Commons. El sábado es el trigésimo aniversario del mercado al aire libre de Carrboro, y el mismo día hay la feria escolar de Carrboro Elementary. El domingo es un día muy importante para Carrboro por ser el día de la cuidad. Finalmente, hay el festival griego en East Chapel Hill High School. Sigue leyendo para informarse mejor.

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by Taylor Sisk
Staff Writer

Two challengers and the incumbent are running for the North Carolina Court of Appeals seat presently held by Jim Wynn. Wynn, a Cary resident, was first elected to the Court of Appeals in 1990. He served as an associate justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court in 1998. Jewel Ann Farlow is a Gibsonville private-practice attorney. Dean R. Poirier lives in Mount Olive, is an appeals referee and has worked as an adjunct instructor of law at Mount Olive College, North Carolina Wesleyan College, Kaplan University and Liberty University.

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by Susan Dickson
Staff Writer

Six candidates are vying for three seats on the Orange County Schools Board of Education. Incumbent Al Hartkopf is running for re-election, challenged by newcomers Eddie Eubanks, Steve Halkiotis, Tony McKnight, Jeff Michalski and Stan Morris.

School board member Dennis Whitling resigned in February, following his arrest on charges of embezzlement. School board member Liz Brown is not running for re-election.

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by Susan Dickson
Staff Writer

Four Democratic candidates are running for one District Two seat on the Board of County Commissioners. No Republicans are running for county commissioner in the district.

A 2006 referendum approved by voters increased the board from five to seven members and split the county into two voting districts. With the exception of a portion near I-40 and Whitfield Road, the two new county districts mirror the two school systems’ boundaries, with District Two similar to the Orange County Schools District and District One similar to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools District.
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By policy, this newspaper does not endorse candidates. Matters of public policy, however, are fair game.
After weighing both sides in the debate over a real estate transfer tax, we strongly suggest you vote for it. Here’s why:

1. Another source of funds — The transfer tax will be a source of revenue for schools and parks that is not the ad valorem property tax. In Orange County, there is already a hefty tax burden on homeowners, especially longtime residents now living on a fixed income. Each year, as budgets are settled, much of the tension is over balancing support for a growing school system with the property tax burden. Like it or not, that dynamic will remain in place for a considerable time. An increase in commercial development, seen as the main way to reduce the burden, won’t happen overnight and, given the pace of residential development, may only help us maintain the balance we have now.

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By Chris Fitzsimon

Virtually every poll finds that the economy and health care are the issues people in North Carolina and the nation are most concerned about, and they are undeniably related.

People know that if they lose their job, they will lose their health care. Even if they stay employed, they may face rising premiums and co-pays they can’t afford or their employer may drop their coverage altogether.

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By Steve Peha & Margot Carmichael Lester

As we head to the end of the school year, we find ourselves in testing season. We also find ourselves unsettled as a nation with regard to the value and appropriateness of this now-annual ritual. Government officials at the state and federal levels contend that widespread testing is the only way to insure successful reform. But the general public, when it looks at test results, isn’t so sure. In the middle, of course, are administrators, teachers and kids, three groups whose opinions don’t seem to matter as much as perhaps they should.

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While Carrboro is in the process of revamping its building rules, I hope they will contact the State Fire Marshall’s Office about a little known federal law passed in 1997: (42 U.S.C. 4151—4157, 7 CFR 1930 Sub part C), which states that owners of apartment buildings must install visual alarms for deaf residents at no cost. This applies to all apartment buildings, old or new.

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On behalf of the Jung Society of the Triangle Area, I want to express appreciation for the fine article Valarie Schwartz wrote about our organization and its 25th anniversary.

I have long enjoyed her writing when she was on the staff of the Chapel Hill News. How fortunate you are to have her with The Carrboro Citizen now.

Marilyn A. Dyer

For Vernon

I have known Page Vernon for over 25 years. In that time, I have worked with Page in regards to youth and families in Chatham County in her role as attorney, guardian ad litem, board member and mentor. The words I use to describe Page are: honest, thoughtful, compassionate and fair. She knows which questions to ask, how to assess complex situations and communicate solutions. Page Vernon has all the qualities for making just and difficult decisions in a court of law. It is without question that I fully support her election to district court judge!

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For Jones

Orange County is at a critical point. Cost of Growth, Affordable Living and How Dense Should We Be? These are the vital issues before the Orange County Board of Commissioners. A $200 million city school debt faces us. Commissioners act as if it came from outer space.

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For Pelissier

Bernadette Pelissier would make a great county commissioner. She’s capable and fair-minded and will put energy and time into the position. If elected, she will put an emphasis on social services, including mental health and health care. She’ll be a strong advocate for affordable housing and the environment. She’ll make a good link between those of us who live in town and folks in more rural areas of the county. I’m voting for her in the at-large district for county commissioner and encourage you to as well.
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For Carey

I expressly disassociate my personal sentiments expressed here from those of the NAACP, in which I play a leadership role. I write to express my support for Moses Carey to represent us in the North Carolina Senate. Like many of my friends, I love Ellie Kinnaird and have the greatest respect and admiration for her work over the years. Like Senators Obama and Clinton, she and Moses have almost identical political positions. So why am I voting for Moses over Ellie? Two reasons.

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For Kinnaird

It’s unfortunate that we must choose between two fine public servants, Ellie Kinnaird and Moses Carey. Both have served us well for many years. Both are willing to raise controversial issues. Both are Democrats with liberal leanings. I missed their debate, but I heard it wasn’t much of a debate because they agree on most of the issues. It’s unfortunate that this race not only divides our community, but I see where it has divided households too. So how will you make your decision if you haven’t already? For me the choice is clear. I grew up with Ellie’s sons and much later I watched Ellie as mayor of Carrboro help shape it into the vibrant, unusual town that it has become today. There are many reasons Carrboro is a great place to live. Ellie Kinnaird is one of them.

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Students at Carrboro High School lined up recently to buy tickets to the school’s first prom. The prom will be held at the Carrboro Century Center on May 10 from 8 p.m. to midnight. Photo by Shannon David.

By Shannon David

Carrboro Commons Writer

“Get pumped CHS juniors because the first ever Carrboro High School prom is here! Get ready to turn the lights down and turn the music up,” read weekly announcements at Carrboro High School.

On May 10, Carrboro High School will hold its first prom, from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Carrboro Century Center.

The student body has been working hard all year to put on this event.

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