Friday, November 04, 2005

Chapel Hill and Carrboro Integrated Pest Management Petition

Chapel Hill and Carrboro Integrated Pest Management Petition

This petition comes from a Southern Village resident.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

"7th Annual Graylyn/Aberdeen Block Party & Bike Parade"

"7th Annual Graylyn/Aberdeen Block Party & Bike Parade"

Some good photos. A few captions would make a huge diference!

Friday, October 21, 2005

"Market Street Halloween festivities, Saturday October 29"

"Market Street Halloween festivities, Saturday October 29"

Monday, October 17, 2005

"Resident hopes widening work can make 15-501 more bike-friendly"

"Resident hopes widening work can make 15-501 more bike-friendly"

Thursday, October 13, 2005

"Role of mobile phones in motor vehicle crashes resulting in hospital attendance

"Role of mobile phones in motor vehicle crashes resulting in hospital attendance"

This study from the August issue of the British Medical Journal.

"Slavery on Campus"

"Slavery on Campus"

This might be a great time to learn more about the slaves who are buried in the cemetery down the hill from Arlen Park, no?

"Dead end with DOT delays, dismays"

"Dead end with DOT delays, dismays"

Don't count on a decent sidewalk to walk up South Columbia Street into Chapel Hill any time soon. This story say they won't "get started" on that work until FY 2008-09.

It looks like there is a chance the work on 15-501 will be completed by then, but .....

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

"Races in Orange County"

"Races in Orange County"

What are the Southern Village issues relevant to these races and candidates? Wouldn't it be helpful to discuss what difference to Southern Village the results might make, in the event that this a) leads residents to vote on 8 November and b) Southern Village is well served in the process?

Monday, October 10, 2005

"Cards will provide disaster assistance"

"Cards will provide disaster assistance"

Will there be anything different or special within the town of Chapel Hill? Here is the county department's home page.

"Transportation chief is driven"

"Transportation chief is driven"

Sunday, October 09, 2005

"New bus schedule begins Monday"

"New bus schedule begins Monday"

Changes in the V route that passes through Southern Village affect service on the other end at Meadowmont. Here is the new schedule.

"Carrboro high school may get name in January"

"Carrboro high school may get name in January"

People in Southern Village may want to be a part of this naming process, as I assume this will be the school the only public high school serving Southern Village.

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Sinbad vs. the Mermaids

Sinbad vs. the Mermaids

The link above is to Thomas FRIEDMAN's column today in The New York Times. (Those of you who subscribe to the Times here in Southern Village can access the column without extra charge; for those who don't, unless you have signed up separately for Times Select, it will cost you a trip to a place that sells copies of the NYT to read this, or to pay something more to read it on line. I cannot post it here as it violates the law to do so.)

What FRIEDMAN describes are the different makeups - in terms of diversity - of the Iraqi Navy and the crew of the USS Chosin. He visited both in the last couple of weeks.

The question for Southern Village to ponder has nothing to do with the politics of Iraq or even the Bush Administration.

It has everything to do with diversity.

Does Southern Village look more like the Iraqi Navy or more like the crew of the Chosin? Please consider, at least........

Monday, October 03, 2005

"OWASA's lakes are 68% full; year-round water conservation requirements remain in effect"

"OWASA's lakes are 68% full; year-round water conservation
requirements remain in effect"

Our water supply again....

Saturday, October 01, 2005

"State rents the barrels on U.S. 15-501"

"State rents the barrels on U.S. 15-501"

"Land bought for open space -- Chapel Hill pays $1.05 million"

"Land bought for open space -- Chapel Hill pays $1.05 million"

Here is a map showing the large parcel, and here is the smaller one. I'd sure love to know what the Town plans to do with them! The second one looks quite land-locked.

Note to Drivers: Lose the Phone (and Lipstick)

Note to Drivers: Lose the Phone (and Lipstick)

Good advice to drivers in Southern Village as well. It is inconceivable to me how anyone would risk an accident by doing ANYTHING else while driving around Southern Village streets other than being a 100% driver. The number of drivers with cellphones in one hand and something less than 100% devoted to driving is well beyond startling, especially mothers and fathers with young children in the back seat. It is difficult to imagine action much more irresponsible than that.

Here is the text of the new Connecticut law, which takes effect today. At the very least, anyone from Southern Village who might ever be driving in Connecticut ought to read it. What is inexplicably permitted here will lead to serious law enforcement action if you get caught in Connecticut.

Friday, September 30, 2005

Architectural Review Board (ARB)

Architectural Review Board(ARB)

The ARB has a new chair, in fact two of them - Ed FLOWERS and Tony SMITH, both members of the Home Owners Association Board of Directors, according to the new list of contacts on the HOA website. The chairs are listed here along with other members.

The past chair, Joe COLE, is thanked for his service here.

What's missing? Some announcement of why and how this change took place? If I were the president of the association, I would make sure that such actions are a) explained and b) well communicated to members.

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Creating a caring senior community

Creating a caring senior community

This was in today's Herald-Sun. It might be of interest to some in Southern Village.

Friday, September 23, 2005

"Half of Europe's Citizens Know 2 Languages"

"Half of Europe's Citizens Know 2 Languages"

And in Southern Vilage?

"Old Fashioned Fun at Southern Village"

"Old Fashioned Fun at Southern Village"

Here is all there seems to be on the website about this event - tomorrow, 24 Sep 2005 - 3-6 PM.

The flyer I found on my mailbox says there will be fun, music, beer, wine and food plus Kelly the clown.

Better Together, an initiative of the Saguaro Seminar: Civic Engagement in America, Kennedy School of Government

Better Together, an initiative of the Saguaro Seminar: Civic Engagement in America, Kennedy School of Government

This list of "150 Things You Can Do To Build Social Capital" might be worth scanning. Many of them arguably are Southern Village options!

Architectural Review (AR) Feedback Committee - process

Architectural Review (AR) Feedback Committee - process

This link takes you to a SEVEN page document calling the "Operating Plan" for the Committee.

At the bottom of p.5 is an outline of the process the committee plans to follow, whoever the members are.

Rather than go through the process of "cutting and pasting" comments as contemplated in step 4 on p. 6, why not just post all of the comments as they were received and let us all read them as is for a couple of weeks and offer comment on them? That would cut out a lot of possibly unnecessary work on the part of everyone.

Thursday, September 22, 2005

"Architectural Review (AR) Feedback Committee"

"Architectural Review (AR) Feedback Committee"

With a deadline looming for comments of 30 Sep 2005, it sure would be nice to konw who the members of this committee are? At least one of member (I) of the committee would like to know who the others are, and I am sure some others in Southern Village would like to know who the members are. How else can one assess whether it is worth the time to contribute comments?

Southern Community Park

Southern Community Park

The latest from Bill WEBSTER of the Town of Chapel Hill, received today:

"Current Status: Start of detailed design phase
Design Firm: OBS Landscape Architects
The Southern Community Park is proposed to be a 70 acre park located south of Southern Village and west of 15-501. The concept plan indicates that the site will be over 50% natural. Most of the developed portions of the site are anticipated to be located adjacent to highway 15-501.

The following has occurred or is ongoing:
The Town Council approved a phasing plan for the park that includes the following first phase:
Parking lot with 125 spaces on Dogwood Acres Drive
All sewer and water extensions, restrooms, sidewalks, traffic calming, landscape buffers along US 15-501, dry detention basins, constructed wetland basins
Extension of Fan Branch Greenway Trail to the dog park
Public art
Athletic/soccer fields with lights (3)
Basketball courts (2)
Slab for in-line hockey
Children’s play area (1)
Picnic Shelters (1 large, 1 small)
Dog park
Meadow/grass play area
Disk golf course
The Town Council approved a Special Use Permit for the park on May 9, 2005
In May we received notification that the Town will receive a $500,000 Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant for this project.
We are currently working on detailed construction drawings

Construction is likely in early 2006. Plans for the project can be reviewed in my office. Please make an appointment (919) 968-2787 ext. 214) or email at bwebster@townofchapelhill.org and I will be happy to show you the plans."

Morgan Creek Trail and Merritt Pasture Access

Morgan Creek Trail and Merritt Pasture Access

This is the latest from Bill WEBSTER at the Town of Chapel Hill, received by e-mail today:

"Current Status: Preparing concept plan
Design Firm: Coulter Jewell Thames
The Morgan Creek Trail is proposed to be an extension of the existing Fan Branch Trail that currently serves Southern Village. The trail would continue from the intersection of Culbreth Road and Highway 15-501 to Smith Level Road at the Carrboro Town line near Frank Porter Graham School. This trail would likely require several bridges and underpasses. The project would also include access to the Merritt Pasture.

The following has occurred or is ongoing:
· The NCDOT has funded a conceptual plan study for the Morgan Creek Trail from Merritt Pasture to Smith Level Road. A citizen Committee started work in November 2002. A public forum was held on June 10, 2003 at Frank Porter Graham School. Approximately 15 people spoke. All were in favor of the project.
· The Committee is currently recessed pending the results of flood analysis of key bridge locations. The work is nearing completion. Once the flood model is complete we will bring the Committee out of recess and complete the concept plan. We expect to present the concept plan to the Council in late 2005."

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

15-501 progress!

15-501 progress!

I actually drove today on the new stretch of 15-501 in front of Southern Village, and I look forward to testing out the sidewalk as well. The people doing the work met the date that they had posted earlier.

Merlion opening....

Merlion opening....

Another restaurant in Southern Village is open, according to this piece in the News and Observer today. See earlier post.

I just called the restaurant and confirmed that they are now fully open!

And....today - 22 Sep 2005 - I joined a friend there for lunch. They are still working out the routine, but I was very favorably impressed. Melinda, who is from Singapore, and has lived here in Chapel Hill for 6 or 7 years is the principal in the venture - her first restaurant - and has 4 or 5 partners, including Simon from Malaysia. My dishes were "curry samosa" as an appetizer (excellent) and "Singapore Hainanoise chicken" (watch the bones)as the main course. I may have misspelled the "Hainanoise". Will try to correct that on a future visit. Melinda seems very determined to serve authentic food from Singapore, taking into account local preferences here. She is very happy to explain the food and its Singaporean roots!

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

OWASA - Water Watch

OWASA - Water Watch

Southern Village gets its water from the Orange Water and Sewer Authority.

This page and the one which you can reach at the "click" just below today's date (or here) provide up-to-date information on rainfall, reservoir level, and related data, some presented in comparative charts and graphs.

Monday, September 19, 2005

Evacuation plan - Chapel Hill

Evacuation plan - Chapel Hill

I raised with one of our Town Council members - Sally GREENE - the question of whether or not Chapel Hill has an evacuation plan. This may not be needed for a hurricane, but with a relatively nearby nuclear plant, and with hazardous materials resident in, and being transported through, Chapel Hill, it seemed to me that the important question was knowing where to turn for information in the event of emergency.

Below you will find both the first response from Cal HORTON (at the bottom) and my reply (at the top) with a question and a comment. Follwing that exchange you will find HORTON's response to my reply (sorry to make this co complicated!) which I received almost immediately. And, (again, sorry!) the last item is my second response to him.

"Dear Mr. HORTON,

Thank you for getting back to me. And thank you for such a clear explanation.

I have one follow-up question and one comment:

1. If someone wanted to learn more about the Emergency Operations System, is there a place or a person to which or to whom one could turn? I am not that person, but am curious to know if more detailed information is available or whether all the details are kept confidential, only to emerge in the unlikely event of an emergency?

2. The use of multiple media to alert us makes very good sense, but I would think that you would want to establish a couple of places - specific radio station or stations, specific website or websites, specific telephone number or numbers - which would be the very best places to turn for information in the event that we citizens learn that an emergency situation may be starting or may be upon us. In other words, at the moment that someone needs to know what's going on, where can we be as sure as the circumstances permit to find what we need to know from the Town of Chapel Hill, containing information on how we reach any other information that might be provided from another player at the time of the emergency? Finally, it would seem to me that you would want to test this system from time to time in the same way that there are periodic tests of broadcast emergency system (which you did not specifically mention). In part, what I am getting at is exactly what we are seeing today with President BUSH and Admiral ALLEN urging the people of New Orleans to go slower on returning to the city, and Mayor NAGIN urging a faster return. I am wondering if you have run through the communications aspect of this to insure that we are not likely to be hearing instructions from multiple entities in a potentially conflicting manner. There is no substitute for a test in order to reduce this risk to a minimum. One related point - if the Town of Chapel Hill is collecting e-mail addresses to be used as part of the communications plan for such announcements, I would urge you to get on with that in a public fashion and to create an easy-to-use registration page that insures protection of the addresses, yet near certainty that they will be used depending on the emergency.

Thank you again for responding to my query.

(I did not copy all the people you did on your note to me. Feel free to share this if you like.)

Best,
Terry Maguire

At 01:43 PM 9/19/2005, you wrote:

Dear Mr. Maguire:

Thank you for letting us know of your concern about emergency preparedness. Specifically, you asked whether the Town of Chapel Hill has an evacuation plan.

The Town of Chapel Hill developed an Emergency Operations System about fifteen years ago and has regularly updated it. The system establishes a framework for leadership, decision-making, planning, organization, operations and communications in a wide variety of natural disasters and human-caused emergency conditions. Later this year we will take the steps necessary to conform our emergency Operations system to the new National Incident Management System, with additional training for all department heads and key emergency operations staff.

Evacuation of all or part of the Town could be required in some circumstances, for example: a major incident at the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant or a large hazardous materials transportation incident on Interstate 40. We are not in the area of immediate impact for the Harris Plant where specific warning devices and evacuation routes have been established, but there are procedures in place to provide warnings to the other areas (such as Chapel Hill) that might be affected by an incident. In the case of a hazardous materials incident on the Interstate, local government first-responders would initiate actions based on their on-site assessments. An incident of sufficient magnitude would result in a declared emergency and the emergency response system would be invoked.

A decision to evacuate all or part of the Town would be made based on the facts of the situation and an assessment of the threat.

Primary media for announcements would include radio and television; web-based announcements and e-mail messages also would be used. If required, mobile units would be dispatched to specific areas to broadcast messages through public address equipment.

Most transportation would be by private vehicles; public transit buses and other publicly owned vehicles would be used to transport those not having personal transportation.

We would invoke mutual aid agreements already established with other North Carolina governments as necessary to obtain personnel and equipment needed.

The Town of Chapel Hill has substantial experience in managing emergency operations, including recovery from Hurricane Fran and other weather events of historic proportions over the past two decades. Since the 9-11 tragedy, we have given even greater attention to emergency preparedness and development of joint response capabilities with our neighbors.

We believe that our Emergency Operations System establishes the framework needed to manage a wide variety of community emergencies, including the evacuation of citizens if necessary.

Please give me a call if you need additional information.

Sincerely,
Cal Horton

************************************

W. Calvin Horton
Town Manager
405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
919-968-2744 Office
919-967-2626 Home
919-969-2063 FAX
www.townofchapelhill.org
calhorton@townofchapelhill.org

Response received to reply above:

"Mr. Maguire:

Below I respond to your additional inquiries.

1. Fire Chief Dan Jones is our key representative for emergency management. He can be reached at djones@townofchapelhill.org
2. WCHL 1360 continues to serve as our key emergency notice station. Other radio stations and television stations also pick up major stories. Channel 18 on the Time Warner cablevision service carries notices in emergencies. The Town’s website http://www.townofchapelhill.org/ is the primary web address for emergency information.
3. We have tested the system each year in actual events, principally snow and ice storms, but also as we prepare for and manage the Halloween event and other major events each year.
4. We speak with one voice in Chapel Hill during emergencies.
5. We will add your address to our list of citizen e-mail addresses. We are collecting addresses through our new website, as well as through individual contacts with citizens.
6. The list of persons who received the earlier message included the Town Council, candidates for election to the Council and the staff of the Manager and Attorney. A copy of the message also was provided to the Town’s media file for review by reporters.
We cannot provide security for addresses. All addresses in our system are part of the public record under the law as we understand it.

Please feel free to communicate with me or Chief Jones if you need additional information.

Sincerely,

Cal Horton"

My second response:

"Dear Mr. HORTON,

Unable to reach you by phone, let me make a couple of points here as briefly as I can.

Your point 2. - In what way do you communicate to us as citizens that WCHL is the "key emergency notice station"? I missed it if it was sent to us in the 6 years we have lived here, and that is entirely possible! I believe you mean Channel 14, no? Is that, too, noted in communications of some sort from the Town to us residents? I would think you would want to have a newspaper website as part of your network as well or at least tell us we should go to your website for information.

Your point 3. - Have the tests included the media part of it, including your own website? They should if they have not.

Your point 4. - I would not question the internal coordination in the Town's government. I have no reason to doubt what you say. What concerns me is how the Town is set to coordinate for OUR benefit the messages we receive in all those media that may come from the County, the State and the federal government. How do you insure that what goes onto the website, for example, is not going to conflict with what is put on the County website, if that is what the County does. Ditto the State.

Your point 5. - I would urge you to rethink the collection process for e-mail addresses. I saw nothing on the website that told me I should sign up to receive emergency information. There is a signup but it does not mention emergencies. If that is what you are talking about, it should be made clear. And I believe you need to affirmatively ask - in writing - that all citizens add their e-mail addresses.

Your point 6. - As a media lawyer, I find the point about the e-mail address privacy a fascinating one. I have no response to your point. And I would always argue for openness anyway. It should be clear on the website, however. That's only fair. And I would, of course, expect this exchange to be a part of the public record!

Thank you,

Terry Maguire

'Invisibles' mar California democracy

'Invisibles' mar California democracy

This BBC report on elections in California may be worth noting. How many of us know the name of the chair person of OWASA, for example?

Sunday, September 18, 2005

"Ending capitalism, er, homelessness"

"Ending capitalism, er, homelessness"

Homelessness is getting a fair amount of discussion in Chapel Hill and Orange County. It is not a subject I have ever heard discussed in Southern Village since arriving here 6 years ago. The attached provides some background and links related to the discussion.

"Long live the county landfill"

"Long live the county landfill"

This Chapel Hill News story reports on the state of the county landfill, and measures taken to add to its useful life.

Look at some of the numbers. We have, what, about 2,000 people living in Southern Village? If each one of us consumes the 2.6 pounds/day reported in the story for Orange County, that means each day, our little Southern Village produces more than 2 tons of garbage.

Wouldn't it be interesting if they keep track of the weight of garbage collected in Southern Village, will tell us what it is, and then see if we cannot work together to reduce whatever the number is?

Here is where that reseach might begin for anyone willing to do it.

"Petitioning parliament by mouse"

"Petitioning parliament by mouse"

This is a BBC story about how e-government is being deployed in Scotland. Take a look at it. There is much in the model that ought to work equally well for Southern Village. Above all, it means that more of the business of the Scottish Parliament or the various bodies governing parts of our lives here in Southern Village are in public view. Sunshine on process and substance in both places is a very good thing.

"Committee exploring wi-fi network"

"Committee exploring wi-fi network"

This Chapel Hill News story reports on Wi-Fi discussions for, I presume, downtown Chapel Hill. As far as I know, the only place we can make a wireless connection in Southern Village outside our homes is a La Vita Dolce.

Does anyone know of others?

Is there an argument for seeking more connectivity in Southern Village? Who would use it for what?

Saturday, September 17, 2005

Southern Village merchants

Southern Village merchants

This is a great list of all the merchants in Southern Village and someone seems to be keeping it up to date!

Merlion opening?

Merlion opening?

What's the latest on Merlion? Is the restaurant open?

StudiO2 Fitness opening date?

StudiO2 Fitness opening date?

The expanded StudiO2 Fitness club was supposed to open in Southern Village on 30 Sep. Is that still on track? Nothing here will tell you.

Architectural review

Architectual review

This "architectural review" process is off to a very bad start. See this earlier post.

The principal problem is a glaring omission on the part of the Feedback Committee to do important homework and present it to all of us. Our "architectural review" rules here in Southern Village are affected by many things - by at least one federal law, by at least one state law, by the covenants that "run with the land", actions by the HOA Board of Directors and various pieces of paper adopted, distributed, and still kicking around. Here are just some of them.

Why is this important?

We can all read the current guidelines. And we can offer our views about them, but in order to do so intelligently, and to avoid much wasted time, we need to know that which we cannot change, that which we can, what the history and rationale was (if known) and some sense of context for commenting on the current rules.

I simply do not understand why the Committee has refused to do this, or why the Committee seems to accord it such little importance.

ShipOnSite

ShipOnSite

This from today's News and Observer....."ShipOnSite, the shipping and eBay auction store, has opened its most recent location in Chapel Hill's Southern Village shopping center off U.S. 15-501".

Here is the site for the parent company. And here are the contact details.

This appears to be the SV store's home base in the web.

Luring Us Out of Our Cars

Luring Us Out of Our Cars

This is a 2004 article about Southern Village, posted on a University of North Carolina site by the Active Living by Design people. Perhaps there are more "studies" about life here than most of us realize?

Friday, September 16, 2005

Raising a question about the entrances to Southern Village and the sidewalks

this is an audio post - click to play

OWASA considers bold initiative on water

OWASA considers bold initiative on water

OWASA's board considered a proposal at its last meeting relating to OWASA v. bottled water. I posted the advance story, and the summary of the results, on a blog I am helping to develop for another "village", this one in western Kenya.

Thursday, September 15, 2005

"Architectural Review Feedback Committee"

"Architectural Review Feedback Committee"

The committee chair, Jeremy PURBRICK, has asked his committee to comment on the current guidelines, with a deadline to respond of 30 Sep 2005. Anyone else who has any comments of any kind should send them to Jeremy at this e-mail address: arfeedback@southern-village.net

Here is another way of putting that:

"The AR Feedback Committee has been asked by the SV Homeowners Association Board to review, with as many residents as possible, the entire set of SV "architectural" rules. Once finished, the Committee will recommend any changes that it deems needed. If you do not offer your views on any level - whether on broad questions, or on very specific sections, your views may not be heard.. Send an e-mail to arfeedback@southern-village.net to follow/participate in the Committee's work, including offering first round comments by 30 Sep 2005."

This article from the News and Observer is useful to this process, talking about changes in the state law titled "Planned Community Act".

Active Living By Design

Active Living By Design

This organization has its offices in Southern Village. How many residents are aware of this? What has been the impact on Southern Village, if any?

Bridgehaven "Church"

Bridgehaven "Church"

Any "church" with a ".com" web address leaves me scratching my head. In any case, we seem to have a second "church" in Southern Village, apparently renting space on Sundays at Scroggs School.

There sure don't seem to be a lot of names on the website so no way to know who is behind this......

Amy TIEMANN on Bookwatch

Amy TIEMANN on Bookwatch

Amy lives in Southern Village. This is from the Chapel Hill Herald 14 Sep 2005:

"Local writer set for WUNC-TV's "Bookwatch"
CHAPEL HILL -- Local author Amy Tiemann will be featured on UNC-TV's literary series North Carolina Bookwatch at 5 p.m. Sunday.
Tiemann, the author of "Mojo Mom," will address the unrealistic expectations that society has placed on mothers and will share with host D.G. Martin the ways women can reclaim what she refers to as "Mojo" -- that feeling of being at your best as a mother and as an individual. "

"Principal leaving Chapel Hill High School for Virginia job"

"Principal leaving Chapel Hill High School for Virginia job"

I wonder how many Chapel Hill High students live in Southern Village? For them, at least, this must be an important development.

Katrina evacuees?

Katrina evacuees?

According to Chapel Hill Town Council member, Sally GREENE, "Molly McConnell, who lives in the
Glen Lennox Apartments, reports that six families are staying there. The apartment complex' owner, Grubb Properties, is offering 90 days' rent for free. Our lives are all touched, indirectly if not directly,
by the impact of this disaster, and we are all called to respond the best way we can."

That's Glen Lennox Apartments. How about Southern Village?

On the Table

On the Table

One of the many interesting people - Suzanne Havala Hobbs - who make their homes in Southern Village!

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Progress on 15-501?

Progress on 15-501?

The flashing sign out on 15-501 says that the traffic pattern will change 20 Sep. Could it be that the other side of the road finally will open then????

"Chapel Hill joins carbon dioxide reduction project"

"Chapel Hill joins carbon dioxide reduction project"

What will the impact of this be on Southern Village? How can residents of Southern Village participate? Shouldn't we appoint a representative/liaison to the organizers?

Monday, September 12, 2005

Stop signs

Stop signs

We have a lot of stop signs in Southern Village. They mean what they say. If someone does not think there ought to be a stop sign at any place, they are free to ask that it be removed. While it is there, the las says you must stop FULLY.

Only police officers who witness a car failing to stop can issue summonses.

But there are other options.

A citizen can initiate a complaint directly.

And it is possible to ask the police simply to speak to the offending party.

Our new community police unit is there for this very purpose. You can call Sgt GUNNER or Officers WAGNER or CLARK at 969-2068, generally between 8:30 AM and 5 PM.

I may start posting license plates of cars I have seen that have not fully stopped at intersections. Others may wish to do the same.

A young fellow in a silver 4 door car, an older model, just went through two stop signs, one at the Weaver Street Market corner and the other below, at the day care center intersection. He stopped around the corner and I pulled up and stopped. He admitted he had not stopped and said there was no need to do so because there were no people around. He told me to go ahead and call the police; they will do nothing to him, he said.

That's not the attitude I expect of people in Southern Village.

Architectural review

Architectural review

I received this e-mail in the last few days from Jeremy PURBRICK:

Subject: Architectural Review meeting next Tuesday

From: Jeremy Purbrick To: arfeedback@southern-village.net

Dear Southern Village Neighbor:
This is to remind you that the first meeting of the new AR Feedback Committee will be held on Tuesday September 13 at 7 p.m. at 105 Market Street (next to the church). Please come! We want your opinion of architectural review in Southern Village!
You can find more details at southern-village.net, or by calling me at 942 4189.
Thanks for getting involved to make the best neighborhood even better!
Jeremy Purbrick

Saturday, September 10, 2005

WCOM Yard Sale

WCOM Yard Sale

This station, as many know, has its transmitter at Scroggs School. I received this e-mail today:

"Hello WCOM listeners, volunteers, supporters:

Our yard sale is set to roll next Saturday, September 17 and we hope you can help us by donating items for sale. We also need some hardy volunteers to help us Friday night, the 16th, and Saturday all day. If you have a few hours to spare on either day, please write stationmanager@communityradio.coop and let us know when you are available. (You can also just come by the station and pitch in Friday eve and Saturday- we can't have too much help!)

In this era of unprecedented media consolidation and the disappearance of local-origin radio, your community radio station is more important than ever- please join us in this totally home-grown endeavor.

Here are the details- see you this weekend. Please forward this to your neighbors, and as always, stay tuned to 103.5 FM!
___________________________________________
WCOM Radio Benefit Yard Sale
Saturday, Sept. 17, ALL DAY!!!
This is your chance to clean out your attic and help WCOM at the same time, at the biggest yard sale this town has ever seen! Bring your saleable donations to the station on Friday evening, September 16, between 5-9 PM or Saturday until 3 PM. Please price your items to sell (masking tape and a sharpie work well). We'll start selling at 8 AM Sat and keep selling until it's all gone!
All proceeds go to your community radio station. Receipts will be available for tax purposes.
WCOM operates under a license held by the Public Gallery of Carrboro, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
_____________________________________________
WCOM 103.5 FM / www.communityradio.coop / 929-9601/ news@communityradio.coop
201 N.Greensboro StCarrboro, North Carolina 27510United States"

Arlen Park cemetery (PUREFOY family (CA. 1837))

Arlen Park cemetery (PUREFOY family (CA. 1837))

A few background mentions:
Southern Village website
Southern Village newsletter (2004)
Chapel Hill News (more history)

Word has it that "Arlen" actually came from a North Carolina pronunciation of "Ireland", and it all relates to the walls in the cemetery, as they were. Here is a piece on Irish stone wall written by a knowledgeable Irish stone mason.

I walked over to the cemeteries. I'm appalled and very angry, partly with myself (for not checking earlier), partly with others.What I found - apart from the wall - is that all those headstones that had been vandalized remain untended. Is there any plan to repair the damage?And then I walked over to the "slave" cemetery area, and I could not even find it in the woods. I was not dressed to get into the bushes, so I only walked around the square. Is no one taking any care of that cemetery?

Has anyone done a map of the two cemeteries showing who is buried where? Best guess....

Ocala Community Turns Away Katrina Evacuees

Ocala Community Turns Away Katrina Evacuees

The board of the Southern Village Homeowners Association said this week that there is NO restriction on housing evacuees in Southern Village.

Friday, September 09, 2005

Benches

Has anyone seen anyone sitting in the new benches on Edgewater? I'll add a photo here so there is no confusion. They look mighty ugly and unused. Why could more attractive ones not have been placed in such a way that someone could sit and look at one of our two ponds?

How much did they cost?

Who submitted bids?

Who decided where to put them?

Bidding

Bidding

One of the information items that ought to be posted somewhere are the Homeowner's Association Board's procedures to be used when the Board is purchasing services. At what level are such projects put out for public bid? What is done to put them before potential bidders?

Cellphones while driving

Cellphones while driving

How about putting pressure on our neighbors who insist on behaving so irresponsibly as to drive a motor vehicle in Southern Village - with all of our children running about - while talking on a cellphone. It's a dumb thing to do whenever behind the wheel, and people who do so in Southern Village ought to be embarrassed into stopping.

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Sex offender

Sex offender

The first person on this page has a Southern Village address. Here is another link which you can use to access more information; simply type the name in the form that appears.

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Police open southern substation

Police open southern substation

This is a Chapel Hill News story about the opening of the community police station in Southern Village, in the Lumina building.

Friday, August 19, 2005

SUVs and Southern Village

SUVs and Southern Village

It seems to me that there are more and more "trucks" (aka SUVs) parked and driving around Southern Village. Most often when I see one on the move there is only one person inside, and no child seat (occupied) visible in the back.

Are people simply trying to show off by buying a bigger, more fuel-consuming car, than the neighbor? Surely, people in Southern Village are smarter about their finances and the environment than to be buying these things mostly for show, don't you think?

Thursday, July 21, 2005

More condos

More condos

The News and Observer reports on plans for more condominiums in the Market Street section of Southern Village.

When I called Montgomery Development to ask for more details, I could get no confirmation of the basic story from Christine EDWARDS in that office.....and, as a result, no additoinal details as to precise location. She did confirm that there is only one parking lot in the center of the Village, and that is the one on Market Street.

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

"15-501 … When will it ever end?"

"15-501 … When will it ever end?"

Another Chapel Hill News story, this time reporting on progress, or lack of it, in the "renovation" work being done on highway 15-501, which runs in front of Southern Village.

"Shopping center nears completion"

"Shopping center nears completion"

The Chapel Hill News reports on progress in the commercial area of Southern Village.