Council update: Dedication of Peace & Justice Plaza tomorrow

[Sally]

Dear friends,

Our first Council meeting of the year was held on Sept. 14. As the
first order of business, we continued an earlier discussion of the
timeline for applying for the Council seat vacated by Bill Strom.
Following our ordinances that govern this situation, we set the
deadline as late as we could--and still were not able to set it at a
date after the upcoming November election. As I said at our Sept. 14
meeting, I hope that all candidates for the office will put their name
in. Doing so should in no way be thought of as a sign of weakness or
self-doubt. The Council has agreed not to make the appointment until
at least the Nov. 9 meeting, the first after the election. But we may
choose to wait longer. Although some have fanned the flames of
conspiracy around this unfortunate issue, I assure you that for my
part I am trying to do the best I can to act appropriately in response
to an awkward situation that I wish we were not in.

Also at the meeting on the 14th, we heard a presentation from OWASA on
its long-range water supply plan, which is being updated. The good
news is that the draft report finds that existing supplies (counting
the planned quarry expansion) can accommodate our water needs further
into the future than had been thought, even with substantial growth.
The cost model continues to present problems, though: the reward that
customers get for using less water is more expensive water. We will
need to stay in conversation about how to achieve the two important
goals of conservation and keeping costs reasonable.

Tomorrow, SUNDAY, at 3 p.m., we will gather to dedicate the marker
that gives the formal name Peace and Justice Plaza to the space in
front of the old Post Office on Franklin Street. Mayor Foy will lead
off the event, which will include remarks by Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, UNC
law professor emeritus Dan Pollitt, and individuals who will speak
briefly on behalf of the nine local activists whose names are on the
marker: Charlotte Adams, Hank Anderson, James Brittian, Joe
Herzenberg, Mildred Ringwalt, Hubert Robinson, Joe Straley, Lucy
Straley, and Gloria Williams. More information here:

http://tinyurl.com/kjcq6c

I hope to see you there!

Please be in touch, as always, with issues and concerns about our
town.

Sally

Sally Greene
Chapel Hill Town Council
http://sallygreene.org
http://greenespace.blogspot.com