UNC
Yesterday, I was going some historical research on the Chapel Hill Iron Mountain Railroad, the original name of the rail line that ran from the Carolina campus through what is now Carrboro on to University Station between Hillsborough and Durham.
I found the original 1873 Charter, and wonderful narrative on the coming of the railroad in Kemp Plummer Battle's 1912 tome the History of the University of North Carolina. The initial 1873 attempt failed, and the 1879 legislative session rechartered the railroad with the new name "State University Railroad", in place of the earlier name "Chapel Hill Iron Mountain Railroad".
Students are voting today in this year's student body elections. You can't walk through the main part of campus without being assailed by a horde of shouting, sign-bearing, leaflet-handing campaign workers. But, if you don't spend time on campus or read the DTH, you probably had no idea. While some local elected officials have certainly benefitted from their experience with student government (I'm looking to you, Mark Kleinschmidt), one might wonder just how much influence the student body president and congress has on the larger issues affecting the town and university. I worked my butt off for Tom Jensen's unsuccessful 2005 student body president campaign, which was the first and only time I recall sitting council members weighing in (Tom was endorsed by Bill Strom and Sally Greene). Other than that, do town folk care?
Below are excerpts from each Student Body President candidate's town relations platform...
J.J. Raynor:
Philip Duchastel has a searing column about Carolina North in yesterday's Chapel Hill News. I think he raises some good points, although he also seems to look at the issue as if no conversation or process has come before. I certainly don't agree when he says that "all assume building Carolina North is good." And I also wish he would propose some kind of better way forward instaed of just predicting Chapel Hill's doom.
...the big questions have gone unspoken. The behemoth of those is growth. It seems assumed by all that growth is desirable, and of course that growth is possible. I beg to differ.
Focus the Nation is a national teach-in on global warming
solutions for America—creating a dialogue at over a thousand colleges,
universities, high schools, middle schools, places of worship, civic
organizations and businesses, and directly engaging millions of
students and citizens with the nation’s decision-makers. The students
at UNC signed onto this initiative in the fall of 2006 and have been
working since then to put together an event that will bring the
community together around this important discussion.
In support of the student effort, Orange County and the Town of
Carrboro have officially proclaimed January 31, 2008 as Climate Change
Awareness Day and the Town of Chapel Hill will be making a similar
proclamation very soon.
Please join the students in the activities they have planned or through private discussions with your family and friends.
ACTIVITIES AT UNC CHAPEL HILL
January 30
Great Hall of the Student Union
6:00 pm: Environmental Social
Meet local governmental leaders, environmental faculty, and other
leaders on and off campus. Beverages and finger food will be served.
Wow. I don't know if I was the cause of it or if it was already planned, but even without having Mr. Moeser over for coffee, there is a great op-ed in the Chapel Hill News. (Source Here)
I credit her for speaking eloquently about the need for this development from a personal and professional level. In a way, this seems similar to Councilman Matt Czajkowski's call for more development to support Chapel Hill. As a parent, who wants involved professors teaching my kids, I understand her plea for a place to work near her research.
I continue to say that I would prefer Carolina North to almost any other use I can imagine for this property. If something has to be built - and it does - this is the best use. We just have to make sure that this land is used best.
Pages
About Us
OrangePolitics is a not-for-profit website for discussing progressive perspectives on politics, planning, and public policy in Orange County, NC. Opinions are those of their authors. Learn more.
Community Guidelines
By using this site, you agree to our community guidelines. Inappropriate or disruptive behavior will result in moderation or eviction.
Zircon - This is a contributing Drupal Theme
Design by
WeebPal.
