Comment Archives: Stories: Elections
Re: “Durham County races”
Can someone explain to me why the postcard I got says that I am in district 3B for school board, but my sample ballot (which I accessed through this page: http://www.durhamcountync.gov/departments/… does not show the cox/baker race.
????
Re: “Durham County”
First you endorsed Nifong, and then Cline. Have you considered the possibility that you are not competent to recommend anyone?
Re: “Marcia H. Morey”
This is the woman who agreed that Nifong "enjoys a reputation for truthfulness" at his criminal contempt trial after the Duke non-rape botch. She gladly worked for the wretched man.
Re: “Freda Black”
We really blew it by not electing this woman DA. I hope we have the chance to get it right. She is a brilliant legal mind and a person totally dedicated to the law and to using it for justice and fairness. She is known as the rock-hard-ass Asst. DA in the Peterson trial; but not very many know about the many pro bono cases - hopeless cases - she took on for poor whites and blacks who had no chance against the system - in many cases she won and gave the hopeless hope. What an incredible waste of resources not to have Freda Black as our DA - especially considering what we have in that office now. Let's call her back and get it right. My name is Ken Smith. I am a liberal Democrat and a Baptist minister of music - and a long-time admirer of this remarkable woman!
Re: “Rougemont hopes dashed; Durham voters OK taxes”
I would hope that Durham is smart enough to work on their own transit plan and not wait on Wake.
They have the chance to continue to differentiate themselves as a community. The money would be much better spent on a local solution than a regional one anyway. If, at some point down the line it can connect to another system, all the better, but that need not be a prerequisite.
Re: “Kevin Hill wins Wake schools race”
The people have spoken at the polls and their decision must be honored. However, I find it passing strange this story did not mention the late charges (dirty trick?) by Hill that Losurdo had put false information about her work at a bank on her personal bona fides. That charge later was refuted by Losurdo's bank manager, confirming what Losurdo has said that Hill's charge was untrue. However, the damage was already done. This appears to be akin to the tactic another famous Democrat named Lyndon Johnson used in a Texas Congressional race when he wanted his campaign to claim his opponent once had carnal knowledge of a cow. LBJ's campaign manager said, "We can't do that; it's not true," to which LBJ replied, "I know it. I just want to make him have to deny it."
Re: “Orange County 2011 endorsements”
Very interesting as to the endorsements by The Independent. As a rule I find The Independent to be a reasonable progressive periodical. I cannot; however, agree with any of their endorsements with the exception of Mark Kleinschmidt.
Chapel Hill currently has one of the most business unfriendly environments in the Triangle. The Aydan Court affair is definitely a testimonial to this. This development would have provided high density living in Chapel Hill. The price of the individual units would have been right at the median price of the town. In addition, it was to be built on land which was zoned for residential purposes by the Town. Building high-density housing in Chapel Hill is something the Town Council says it endorses. This development also would have provided $1.1 million dollars for low-income housing via the Land Trust. It had the support from an environmental standpoint of a Civil Engineer from Duke and a variety of other sources. It was voted down after 3 years of effort. In talking with a number of other developers from this area I have heard very little which makes be believe that the current Town Council is either effective or progressive. Having lived in two foreign countries which must manage high-density housing in an environmentally responsible manner (Japan and Germany) I can attest that Chapel Hill is very far behind. As one example, there is not is a charging station for electric cars in the Town. The nearest one is in Durham.
The candidates who have been endorsed by The Independent will very likley maintain an ineffective status quo.
Re: “Steve Schewel”
I appreciate the views of Mr. Schewel and his enthusiasm for running, but I am very concerned he is the publisher/owner of the Independent and wants to run for city council. Scary. The Independent now is not endorsing the city council race. How will they be able to report, without conflict of interest, on city council politics if Mr. Schewel is elected?? if they feel they have a conflict in even endorsing the race. I really want to know how this will be handled?? The Durham Hearld keeps laying people off, seems to be getting weaker and weaker, same with N&O - & they are focused on the bigger region. We really need the Independent to be strong and INDEPENDENT. Mr. Schewel buys ink by the barrel as they say. I don't understand why this ethical question is not raised. Please people, wake up. This is not a good idea. Who will be there to really watch city council for us - bring up important issues that need wider attention?
Re: “Pittsboro 2011 Voting Guide”
This is a voting guide? Sounds more like a mandate to me. "Vote for our selected candidates, we won't list those we don't like in our guide."
Re: “Durham County candidates”
With the council's inaction, in my situation, I would suggest voting gainst all incumbents. I think these seat-holders change infrequently because most people do not know enough about the council to bother. If the everyday people of Durham voted out council members that seem disinterested in the problems individuals face regarding local government then I bet you'd see a much more attentive council. Unfortunately we have a council that is involved in major projects, like the highspeed rail system from Raleigh, through Durham, to Charlotte and my comparitively minor problem (for them, not for us) of faulty water meters/fittings are hard to prove and easily deflected.
Re: “Durham County candidates”
The incumbents don't help the average citizen. If you live in the county they control any chance you have of getting help with utility errors but don't care because only city residents can vote.
Re: “Durham County candidates”
I tried to vote in today's election but am not able to. Apparently county residents cannot vote for city council members--including the mayor. This seems wrong because if there is an issue with the water department or some other city function, like the one I am currently having, the people I am supposed to be able to rely on do not answer to me at all. I believe that if I was a city resident the council would still be indifferent toward my inaccurate bills but at least I could use my 1 vote toward ousting the incumbents whereas us county residents do not need to matter at all. Everyone affected by city services should have representation--even if that representation is poor.
If you live outside the city limits your elected officials don't need you or your approval--how's that for a smack in the face!
Re: “Raleigh”
Jenn Mcnew - Not in the least. Widening roads requires acquiring more land for right-of-way. This bond doesn't give them the ability to do that. They already have that ability. The wording in the bond allows them to use the bond funds for compensating the owners of said land.
Re: “Durham”
Thanks, Rebecca. It was all part of my cunning plan...
Re: “Raleigh”
Does the addition of the terms "without limitation" & "acquisition of any related land" to the Bonds make anyone else nervous?
Re: “Nancy McFarlane”
What will you do to curb violence in our low income areas? As a minority myself who has a college degree, career and Family, I feel that some areas of Raleigh are becoming worse and worse while the rich NON-urban areas get better and more lavish. What will you do to attract young at-risk minorities to the "light" rather than to the streets and violence? Also, do you plan on addressing our failing criminal justice system?? Im tired of hearing about people getting their DWI/DUI tickets thrown out due to police/lawyer corruption.
Re: “Durham”
While I applaud the decision not to endorse in the City Council race, and give you extra credit for consulting Poynter, this ex-copy editor would have gone with a simple "We are not endorsing in this race because of a potential conflict of interest." As written, the name I remember most after reading this is "Schewel" :)
Re: “Wake County School Board”
People don't come here for nonpartisan advice. They come for partisan advice. IndyWeek is a progressive news source.
If you're interested in non-partisan information, the N&O is a good place to go: http://blogs.newsobserver.com/elections
Re: “Durham County races”
L Celeste Gardner: This page was published in April 2010. Our endorsements for the 2012 primaries will be published next week, April 18.