newsobserver.com blogs -- bullseye

Quote for the evening

jaydub — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:10:00 -0500

After hearing about police frustration over stopping criminal goings-on around the intersection of South and Enterprise streets near the Durham Freeway, City Councilman Mike Woodard summed up the situation with a quote from his Uncle Buster:

"It's hard to cut grass in a graveyard because you don't get any help from the residents."

Suspect sought in attempted robbery at Walmart

jaydub — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:04:02 -0500

Durham police are trying to identify a suspect in an Oct. 5 attempted armed robbery inside Walmart at 1525 Glenn School Road.

The suspect was described as a black male approximately 6 feet tall with a slim to medium build. He was wearing a black Avirex jacket with designs on it, a green shirt, blue jeans and green and white Nike Air Force shoes.

The suspect demanded money, at knifepoint, from a female customer in a clearance area about 9 a.m. When victim screamed and fought with the suspect, he left the store without taking anything and rode away in a white, 4-door vehicle.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Walcutt at 560-4281, ext. 29121or CrimeStoppers at 683-1200.

Jordan Lake petition must go to court, Siler says

jaydub — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:34:59 -0500

The next step for the Jordan Lake watershed saga must be into court, Durham County Attorney Lowell Siler said this morning.

But it will be up to those who oppose moving the watershed boundary, which county commissioners approved Oct. 12, whether that step is taken, Siler said. Moving the boudnary would remove one obstacle blocking a proposed subdivision near the lake.

Siler also said that, if the matter does go to court, he will defend the Oct. 12 vote, despite City/County Planning Director Steve Medlin's Wednesday ruling that a protest petition filed before the vote is valid.

That ruling reversed an earlier planning department decision made before the vote.

The watershed change passed by a 3-2 vote. A valid protest petition requires a "supermajority" of at least 4-1 for approval. Whether the commissioners' approval stands is what a court will have to decide.

Siler said he still questions whether one of the signatures on the petition is valid.

The environmental group Haw River Assembly and the Southern Environmental Law Center filed the protest petition on behalf of 24 affected landowners. They have not decided on their next action, Haw River Assembly Director Elaine Chiosso said after Siler's announcement.

"We're working on it right now," she said. "You're talking about a lot of expense on the part of the public."

At the same time, the Southern Durham Development Co. is suing Durham County over putting the watershed move through a public-hearing process.

"I feel that any issue concerning the protest petition would be just another problem in an already flawed process," Southern Durham partner Alex Mitchell wrote in reply to Bull's Eye's email question.

The company holds that former Planning Director Frank Duke had legal authority when he made the change in 2006. Former County Attorney Chuck Kitchen concluded in 2008 that Duke did not have the authority.

"It is and has always been our contention that we should have never been required to go through the vote that occurred on Oct. 12th," Mitchell said. "Therefore, the whole process, including the protest petition for that vote was irrelevant."

Jordan petition valid, Medlin says

jaydub — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:27:40 -0500

City/County Planning Director Steve Medlin has ruled that the Haw River Assembly's protest petition regarding the Jordan Lake watershed case is valid.

Medlin's finding, included in a memo released tonight by County Manager Mike Ruffin, reverses an earlier decision made in advance of the county commissioners' Oct. 12 vote to change the critical watershed boundary in southwestern Durham County.

Commissioners approved the change 3 votes to 2. A valid protest petition, however, requires at least a 4 to 1 "super majority" to approve.

Durham County has not announced its position on the move in light of Medlin's ruling. Commissioners had scheduled a closed meeting on the petition, and on the related lawsuit against the county by Southern Durham Development, at 10 a.m. Thursday.

The Haw River Assembly, an environmental-protection group, filed the petition on behalf of 24 property owners affected by the change.

Ruffin released the memo upon the advice of County Attorney Lowell Siler in response to several public-records requests. The county has not released Medlin's earlier report, sent to Ruffin Nov. 13, which Siler has said contains information privileged under the law.

Coming tomorrow in The Durham News

mschultz — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:54:23 -0500

Here's a look at tomorrow's headlines:

ELLERBE ON TAP: It's more than just the stretch through Northgate Park. Jim Wise reports on two meetings this week where you can learn more about efforts to clean up Ellerbe Creek before its polluted water reaches Falls Lake.

PAWNSHOP PATROL: It's not the first place you'd think to run a gun safety program. But Jennifer Snyder, the Project Safe Neighborhods coordinator for the Durham Police Department, did just just that recently. Stan Chambers has the story.

ART TO HART: Linwood Hart always wanted to be an artist, but growing up rural you were just expected to join the FFA. Correspondent David Elstein profiles the Durham painter, one of 400 artists with work on display at this weekend's annual Durham Art Walk.

VEGAN FEAST: I'm a vegetarian, but I don't know if I could give up my eggs and milk. So maybe I should sign up for the Triangle Vegetarian Society's Thanksgiving dinner. It's vegan, which means no animal products at all, not even honey. Read columnist Elizabeth Shestak's preview.

SEX: Teen writer Destiney Robinson says kids are doing it, so why aren't more people talking about it. Read her My View column to learn more.

Lots more including Bonitta Best on Southern's tourney chase, a guide to this week's arts and entertainment and your letters. And send more -- they're one of my favorite parts of the paper -- to editor@nando.com.

Thanks for reading,

Mark

Southside planner asks steering committee to show up

jaydub — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:21:52 -0500

About 40 people turned out for the first Rolling Hills/Southside public planning meeting Monday night, according to Sandra Moore (right) of Urban Strategies, one of the lead firms involved.

That was a "reasonably good" number, Moore said, but less than half of them actually live in the Rolling Hills/Southside area on which the city is spending $745,000 to plan its future.

Her comment came in an email to the project's Steering Committee, pushing its members to show up for the next "community meeting," 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Hayti Heritage Center.

"We are sure that you want to make certain the vision reflects what you and your neighbors and constituents think important," she wrote.

Moore also said the planning consultants expect to have some preliminary drawings and some "human capital findings" to show on Wednesday.

Chief reports violent crime drop

jaydub — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:09:53 -0500

Durham's rate of violent crime continued its decline through 2009's third quarter, Police Chief Jose L. Lopez (below right) told the City Council Monday night.

Through Sept. 30, the city had had 18 homicides, four fewer than at the same point in 2008. Overall, cases of violent crime -- homicide, rape, aggravated assault and robbery, were down 13 percent from the previous year and down 6 percent from 2007.

Property crimes, though, were up 2 percent over 2008: 8,731 cases compared with 8,535. The increase, Lopez said, is primarily due to a rash of residential burglaries and convenience-store breakins.

"We continue to urge citizens to call 911 when they notice suspicious activity," Lopez said.

Mayor Bill Bell raised concern about the lower rate of clearance for criminal cases: 29 percent this year versus 45 percent in 2008 through September 2008 for violent crime and 20 percent versus 22 percent for property crime.

"I'm hopeful [the rate] will go higher," Lopez said. "To what extent, I can't say."

Councilman Eugene Brown asked about a still-unsolved four-year old murder case in which five men were killed in a condominium complex off Hope Valley Road. The killings occurred before Lopez came to Durham.

Lopez said one suspect is awaiting trial and his department is still investigating accomplices.

"We're sending investigators nationwide, following any and every lead," he said. "We do have suspects and we are investigating various leads. ... No stone's been left unturned."

Commissioners meeting Thursday on Jordan petition, lawsuit

jaydub — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:11:52 -0500

Durham County commissioners are holding a special closed meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday about the Jordan Lake protest petition, County Commissioner Becky Heron said this afternoon.

A public meeting will follow, she said. The closed meeting also concerns Southern Durham Development's suit against the county over the lake's critical watershed boundary, according to a county release.

The City/County Planning Department completed a report on the petition and sent it to county officials Friday, Planning Director Steve Medlin said. Announcing the findings would be up to County Manager Mike Ruffin, he said.

"I have not read it thoroughly," said Ruffin. He said he had been occupied over the weekend with his son's wedding. "Honestly, I have not."

The protest petition was filed prior to the county commissioners' Oct. 12 vote on a rezoning and land-use plan amendment relocating the lake's critical-watershed boundary in southwestern Durham County. The Haw River Assembly and Southern Environmental Law Center filed it on behalf of 24 affected property owners.

If valid, the petition would have required a 4-1 "super majority" vote to approve the rezoning and amendment. However, the planning department ruled it invalid because the signatories represented less than the necessary 20 percent of affected acreage, and the changes passed 3-2.

After the vote, the SELC reviewed ownership records and claimed the planning department had been mistaken and that the changes failed to win approval.

In an email this morning to County Manager Mike Ruffin, Durham resident Steve Bocckino said Medlin's report "deemed valid" the petition.

"Now that the long-overdue verdict is widely known (and it is!), it is the appropriate time to formally announce the previous error," Bocckino said.

"I am not in a position where I can speak regarding any determination on the validity of the protest petition. Any release of information, if and when new information is available, is a [Board of County Commissioners] decision," Ruffin wrote in reply.

Heron and SELC attorney Kay Bond said they had heard Medlin found the petition valid, but "nothing official or concrete," Bond said.

"Nobody's told me anything different," Heron said.

County Attorney Lowell Siler has not yet responded to Bull's Eye's request for comment.

Bronto bash draws 300

jaydub — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:19:28 -0500

Sunday's Bronto Birthday Bash drew an estimated 300 people, many of whom came away with souvenir kazoos and a song in their hearts or somewhere.

For the occasion celebrating the dinosaur statue's repair and 42nd birthday, Northgate Park resident and Bronto booster Richard Milward composed "Bronto Song" and performed it, with audience accompaniment, during the party's ceremonial segment. Rendered to the tune of "Swanee," it goes:

Bronto! How we love ya, how we love ya!

Our dear old Bronto!

The ancient world you've seen,

Back in the Pleistocene -- I mean Jurassic

We repaired ya, praying for ya, paying for ya,

T-shirts for Bronto

Thank the Museum and your neighbors too

For puttin' back your head on you!

The Save the Bronto Committee reported it had raised $1,600 for the statue's restoration and maintenance, and its Save the Bronto t-shirts are about to become collectors' items: The committee is just about sold out and has no plans to re-stock, so far at least.

"It worked out well," committee co-chair Nancy Rizzo said.

To see more of the festivity, visit www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1782476609&ref=ts .

Save the Bronto organized after vandals decapitated the 77-foot-long brontosaurus statue at the Museum of Life and Science May 30. The head was replaced and some other repairs completed during the summer.

The statue was part of a "Pre-History Trail" the late Richard Wescott, director of what was then the Durham Children's Museum, concevied and built in the 1960s. Wescott's four children, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren, were on hand Sunday.

"Every little kid -- and most grown-ups -- I know loves that sculpture," daughter Kirsten Wescott told Bull's Eye before the event, "and because my Dad -- and by extention, my Mom -- put
so much of their life energy into putting that museum in a position to become
what it currently is, I get great comfort from knowing that this community has
placed value in not only the restoration of the model, but in restoring the
acknowledgement of its creator."

Rolling Hills/Southside planning -- come one, come all next week

jaydub — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:00:00 -0500

Anyone who wants to give the Rolling Hills/Southside planners a piece of his/her mind on the subject is invited -- even urged -- to join any or all of the sessions going on next week at the Hayti Heritage Center.

That includes the planning team's setup, noon to 6 p.m. on Monday.

Formal opening is a public meeting at 6 p.m. Monday. An update session is at 6 p.m. Wednesday and a closing presentation at 5 p.m. Friday. Tuesday-Friday mornings, 8 to noon, are drop-in design sessions. Focus-group and technical meetings at other times are also open to anyone.

"We're never going to turn you away," said architect Tom Gallas, who led a public meeting on the project earlier this week.

See the attachments below for a flyer and a master schedule.

City, county taking time off for Thanksgiving

jaydub — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:53:23 -0500

The city and the county are taking time off for Thanksgiving, closing most operations Thursday through Sunday Nov. 26-29 and making adjustments to others.

Where the county is concerned:

Public Library branches and trash/recycling convenience centers are closed Thursday and Friday but reopen on regular schedules Saturday, Nov. 28.
Roadside recycling customers with Thursday pickup will get served that Saturday.
Social Services' office is closing, but social workers remain on call for abuse and neglect reporting; call 911.
Durham Center Access maintains its 24/7 schedule.

As for City Hall:

Thursday trash-collection and red-zone recycling customers will get service on Friday, Nov. 27.
The waste transfer station on East Club Boulevard is closing Thursday and Saturday but open Friday.
Durham One Call won't be answering Thursday and Friday, but requests may be left with the answering service or made online at www./durhamnc.gov/departments/onecall.
Neighborhood and recreation centers are closed Thursday and Friday, but open as normal Saturday and Sunday.

Wanted men

jaydub — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:52:21 -0500

Durham police are looking for two suspects this afternoon:

Robert Edward Lyons, for armed robbery and weapons charges.
Christopher Alexander Hicks, for burglary and larceny.

Lyons (right), 27, of Dowd Street is charged with robbing a man of cash and a wallet at gunpoint Nov. 9 in the 500 block of Dowd Street.

Lyons is facing charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Investigator Cristaldi at 560-4281, ext. 29123 or CrimeStoppers at 683-1200.

Hicks (below), 17, of Rowena Avenue is charged with committing three break-ins within the past month on Lyon and Dale streets.

He is charged with stealing computer equipment, iPods, a camera, cash and other items, as well as two counts of injury to property.

Anyone with information on Hicks’ whereabouts is asked to call Investigator Rogers at 560-4935, ext. 29416 or CrimeStoppers at 683-1200.

Planning pushing to finish Jordan petition report

jaydub — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:17:15 -0500

Durham's City/County Planning Department should have a report on the Jordan Lake watershed protest petition done by the end of the day, but it doesn't appear it will be going public before next week.

County Manager Mike Ruffin, for whom the report is being done, is out of the office until Monday, according to his assistant Vera Alston.

"We, as a staff, are re-evaluating the information associated with the protest petition," Planning Director Steve Medlin told Bull's Eye on Thursday. "A report will be prepared and forwarded to the county manager.

"The county manager asked that I try to have that prepared and ready for him by the end of the week," Medlin said, "which is what we are definitely shooting for."

A link to the petition is below.

After the vote, the SELC reviewed ownership records and claimed the planning department had been mistaken and that the changes failed to win approval.

Last week, Medlin advised commissioners that the petition was still invalid due to problems with some signatures. The report in progress is expected to detail what those problems are.

At Monday night's commissioners' meeting, County Attorney Lowell Siler said he anticipated litigation over the petition. SELC attorney Kay Bond said Wednesday that the Center would make no decision on future action before it has details on the latest planning department ruling.

For information and documents related to the petition, see www.durhamnc.gov/departments/planning.

Kids' second-round flu vaccinations Wednesday

jaydub — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:27:42 -0500

Second-round H1N1 flu vaccinations for kids under 10 are going to be given Wednesday (Nov. 18), 3-7 p.m. at the National Guard Armory.

No charge. Children have to have an adult with them, though.

These vaccinations are only for youngsters who got their first-round treatment Oct. 19 or 21 at the Durham Public Schools Staff Development Center.

Durham County Public Health will also hold second-round vaccination clinics in December. That schedule has not been published.

For information, call 560-7882 or see www.durhamcountync.gov/departments/phth/Flu/index.html.

Learn more about Durham's schools this weekend

sadialatifi — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:30:00 -0500

Durham Public Schools is holding two huge events this weekend - their elementary magnet fair and their middle and high school fair.

Applications for magnet, year-round and small high schools will be available online beginning Jan. 4, but now is the time to gather information about each school. In addition to this weekend's fair, schools are also holding open houses throughout the rest of the calendar year.

Keep reading to learn more about the programs:

Applications for magnet and year-round and small high schools will be available online beginning January 4, 2010.

The application deadline is January 29.

ELEMENTARY Magnet Fair

Learn about elementary school magnet and year-round schools

Saturday, November 14, 9 am until 12 noon
Hillside High School, 3727 Fayetteville Street

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL Fair

Visit displays of all DPS middle and high schools (including middle and high school magnets)
Sunday, November 15, 1 pm until 4 pm
Hillside High School, 3727 Fayetteville Street

SHOWCASE OF SCHOOLS

Each school will hold at least two open houses (magnet schools often hold more) during the mid-November until mid-December time period. The complete schedule of open houses will be online in mid-October and also will be available at the Fairs in November.

For more information, visit http://choice.dpsnc.net/

Cash for grades?

sadialatifi — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:20:32 -0500

Wayne County school officials have put the brakes on a cash for grades fundraising effort at a Goldsboro middle school.

The school district reacted to today's article by Lynn Bonner, in which she reported that a $20 donation to Rosewood Middle School would have gotten a student 20 test points — 10 extra points on two tests of the student's choosing. That could raise a B to an A, or a failing grade to a D.

Are any individual Durham schools following similar policies? Or any other sort of classroom incentives to reward fundraising?

E-mail me or post a comment.

Santa Train tickets on sale next week

jaydub — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:37:44 -0500

One of the Triangle's hottest holiday tickets, for the Museum of Life and Science's Santa Train, go on sale Nov. 18 at lifeandscience.org.

Since the late 1970s, the museum's miniature railroad has been seasonally decorated for nighttime trips to Santa Claus's North Pole headquarters, followed by hot chocolate and seasonal music.

This year's schedule is Dec. 4-6, 9-13 and 16-21, departures from 5:20 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. Tickets cost $12 per-person for ages 3 and up. Children under 3 ride free, but must ride in an adult's lap.

Environmental lawyers undecided on suing Durham County

jaydub — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:30:28 -0500

The Southern Environmental Law Center hasn't decided what to do next about its twice-denied petition on the Jordan Lake watershed, SELC attorney Kay Bond said today.

During Monday's meeting of the Durham County commissioners, County Attorney Lowell Siler said he expected a lawsuit to come over the City/County Planning Department's ruling that the petition is invalid.

"We have not given any indication to Mr. Siler that we would do that," Bond said.

The possibility of litigation came up Monday when commissioner Becky Heron asked for a report on the petition's status. After Siler said it would be better discussed in closed session due to the possibility of lawsuits.

"The only way to go now is an appeal to superior court," he said.

The petition, which was not on the commissioners' Monday agenda, was referred to a closed session after the regular meeting. The closed session was also called to discuss a lawsuit against the county by Southern Durham Development, which also involves the lake's watershed.

The SELC and Haw River Assembly filed a protest petition on behalf of 24 property owners affected by the county's request to rezone and change the land-use designations of more than 230 acres around the reservoir and tributaries in southwestern Durham County.

If valid, the petition would require at least four commissioners' votes to approve the changes, instead of the normal three out of five. After Planning Director Steve Medlin ruled the petition invalid, the changes passed 3-2 on Oct. 12.

Medlin said the petition signers did not represent the necessary 20 percent of affected land area. After the vote, the SELC reviewed ownership records and claimed the planning department had been mistaken and that the changes failed to win approval.

Last week, Medlin advised commissioners that the petition was still invalid due to problems with some signatures. No further details have been released.

"That's all we know," Bond said. Not knowing the basis for Medlin's second ruling is one reason the SELC has not decided on future action, she said.

Durham Public Schools' COO to serve as interim superintendent

sadialatifi — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:45:59 -0500

DPS chief operating officer Hank Hurd will serve as the district's interim superintendent, school board members voted unanimously tonight.

Hurd will serve in the position effective Jan. 1 until the board appoints a new superintendent. Board members said they hoped to seat a candidate by April - but no later than July 1.

Hurd is filling in for outgoing superintendent Carl Harris, who resigned last week to move onto a post with the U.S. Department of Education. Harris, who was superintendent for three years, will leave the school system Dec. 31.

Hurd has been with Durham Public Schools for seven years. He previously served as the associate state superintendent for financial business services for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction and also worked at Harnett County Schools. He said he will continue as chief operating officer in the district in addition to his new duties.

Read the full story in tomorrow's N&O.

Parker-Evans gets commissioners' clerk job

jaydub — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500

Michelle Parker-Evans is Durham County’s new Clerk to the Board of , succeeding the retired Vonda Sessoms.

A Shaw University graduate, Parker-Evans is currently senior executive assistant to the Durham City Manager.

The board clerk's responsibilities include preparing agendas, maintaining official minutes and managing the clerk's office. Her salary as board clerk is $61,000 per year.

Parker-Evans is a Durham native who has also worked for the cities of Durham and Raleigh and the U.S. State Department.

Flu vaccinations available Wednesday

jaydub — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:03:57 -0500

Durham County's health department is giving H1N1 flu vaccinations for high-risk people Wednesday (tomorrow, Nov. 11) at the National Guard Armory.

The clinic opens at 10 a.m. and carries on until the vaccine runs out.

Pregnant women, people between six months and 25 years old, people 25 to 64 years old with medical conditions and healthcare personnel are at high risk of the disease. A parent has to come with anyone under 18.

The armory is at 801 Stadium Drive, off North Duke Street across from County Stadium. Parking is available there, and a free shuttle service will be operating between the armory and the county health office at 414 E. Main St.

To find out more see www.durhamcountync.gov/departments/phth/Flu/index.htmln or call 560-7882.

Board seeks community input on superintendent search

sadialatifi — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:01:11 -0500

The Durham community is invited to offer input to the school board regarding the qualities DPS should seek in a new superintendent at a special Kitchen Table Conversation on Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 7:00 until 8:45 pm at the DPS Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road.

The Board of Education has begun the process of searching for the district’s next Superintendent.

"This is perhaps the most important task this board will undertake. It is critical that the voices of as many of our parents, staff and interested community members as possible are heard as we work together to identify the qualities the board should seek in DPS' next superintendent," a release said.

Trained facilitators will lead small group conversations to ensure that all attendees have the opportunity to share their viewpoints and ideas regarding this significant endeavor.
Refreshments will be provided. Interpreters will be available for Hispanic/Latino speakers.

Space is limited to 150. Register online or call DPS Public Affairs at 560-3652 by November 30 to reserve a space.

Jordan petition referred to closed session

jaydub — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:02:44 -0500

What promised to be a routine meeting of the Durham County Board of Commissioners turned testy at the outset, when commissioner Becky Heron asked County Attorney Lowell Siler for a report on the Haw River Assembly/Southern Environmental Law Center's protest petition regarding the Jordan Lake Watershed boundary.

Siler said that would be better discussed in a closed session, because he expects the petition sponsors to take the matter to court.

"I hope we don't have to go to litigation," Heron said. "I just want a report."

Eventually, the board voted to discuss the petition in closed session, along with discussing the Southern Durham Development lawsuit against the county over the watershed.

The protest petition was filed prior to the commissioners' Oct. 12 vote on a rezoning and land-use plan amendment that effectively relocated a critical watershed boundary in southwestern Durham County. The Haw River Assembly and SELC oppose thhe relocation.

Before the vote, the Durham City-County Planning Department ruled the petition invalid. The rezoning and plan amendment passed 3-2; had the petition been validated, approval would have required four votes to pass.

Subsequently, the Assembly and SELC reviewed the petition and claimed the planning department's decision was mistaken. Last Thursday, Siler released a statement upholding the decision because of unspecified problems with some signatures.

"What's wrong with the signatures?" Heron asked.

Commissioner Joe Bowser said discussing the petition tonight would be unfair to commissioner Brenda Howerton, who was absent; Bowser also said discussion should be reserved for closed session due to anticipated litigation.

"The public needs to know," Heron said. Reading a prepared statement, she said, "The response from our staff has been so ambiguous. ... It's time to shine a light on what's been going on behind closed doors for the last two weeks "

Commissioners Chairman Michael Page said he regretted Heron's statement and resented her implying that the County Attorney had acted inappropriately. Heron said she was not disparaging the County Attorney. Bowser said the planning department was the agency that had decided the petition was invalid.

"I agree with Joe on one thing," Heron said, "this all started with the messup in the planning department."

The whole dispute stems from former Planning Director Frank Duke's 2006 decision to relocate the boundary, based on a survey commissioned by a landowner now partner in a subdivision proposed for a tract removed from the critical watershed by the boundary relocation. In 2008, then-County Attorney Chuck Kitchen determined that any boundary change required state approval, and Duke had exceeded his authority.

Craft on the craft

mschultz — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:21:39 -0500

Write what you know.

All Howard Craft knew was how he felt after getting called up for Desert Storm, watching Rodney King getting pounded on TV.

“It just really shook me up,” he says.

“As an African American, who was getting ready to lay it on the line for red, white and blue and apple pie, to watch the television and see somebody that looks like you get beat mercilessly in the streets, and then have to get up, put your boots on and go salute,” he explains. “That really shook me up.”

Tensions play out in Craft’s “Caleb Calypso and the Midnight Marauders,” now playing at Manbites Dog Theater. Go see it and its standout cast.

I interviewed Craft, the playwright, for tomorrow's Durham News. Here's an excerpt:

Q: Where did the idea for this play come from?

A: “A lot of the plays written about the military, they don’t get to the essence of who the people are. I wanted to write something that gave you real human beings that allowed you to see past some of the stereotypes.”

Q: What was your experience like? What was your job in the military?

A: “Like the people in the play I was a tank driver, well a tank crewman. I drove. I loaded. I got out before it was time for me to become a gunner and went to school.”

Q: Why’d you get out?

A: “I’ve never really been good as a joiner ... When people ask me was your experience good or bad, I can’t put it in those terms. I learned a lot about myself, I learned a lot about other people. My roommate was from Idaho my first year. What that does is it knocks down walls. The stereotype of what you think a person is, it goes out the window pretty fast.”

Craft will hold an question and answer session after Sunday's matinee. Call 682-3343 for reservations.

Durham Performing Arts Center earns $400K for city in first eight months

mschultz — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:53:10 -0500

After eight months, the Durham Performing Arts Center has generated $401,706 for the City of Durham, more than four times the first full-year expectations, according to a draft audited financial statement for period ending June 30, 2009.

According to the financial statement released today, the Durham Performing Arts LLC made a profit of $1,004,265, of which 40 percent, or $401,706, is to be shared with the city, which owns the building.

Most of the overall income was generated by ticket sales, rental income, and concessions totaling nearly $7.9 million, with most of the expenses involving stage show costs amounting to more than $5.6 million, according to a news release. Other expenses were administrative related to building operations, including utilities and other operational costs.

During the first year of operation, Nederlander and PFM loaned DPAC about $100,000 to cover pre-opening and marketing expenses of the facility, the release said. That amount will be deducted from the final remittance to the City.

To read the draft audited financial statement, go here.

Hundreds expected at Middle School Career Expo today

sadialatifi — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0500

Hundreds of Durham students are expected at this evening's career expo for middle school students.

Over 200 professionals from fields like video game development to law are slated to come out and talk about their careers.

The first 200 students to show up will receive a free Chick-Fil-A Kid's meal and a chance to win door prizes. Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend. They can enter to win one of two $50 gas cards.

The Expo takes place today from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m at Northgate Mall, 1058 West Club Blvd. A map of the events and more information is available here.

Kids Vote their own way

jaydub — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:50:54 -0500

Mayor Bill Bell and three City Council members swamped their challengers in today's election, but kids saw things a little differently.

While Bell took 77 percent of the grownups' vote, he beat challenger Steven L. Williams just 57 percent to 43 percent in the Kids Voting Durham program of the Durham County Cooperative Extension.

In the Ward 1 council race, youngsters chose 22-year-old challenger Donald Hughes over incumbent Cora Cole-McFadden, while in the official election Cole-McFadden won 76 percent of the votes.

The other council races were close. Ward 2 incumbent Howard Clement got 1,159 votes to challenger Matt Drew's 1,096, and in Ward 3 Mike Woodard beat opponent Allan Polak by just 12 votes.

Grownups gave Clement more than 71 percent and Woodard 86.5 percent.

About 2,500 young people cast ballots in Kids Voting, according to program coordinator Carolyn Kreuger.

For Kids Voting, the Octagon Club at Durham School of the Arts prepared Candidate Guides with the candidates' answers to questionnaires about involving young people in local government, making public transportation more youth-friendly and enhancing recreation opportunities for teens among other issues.

The guides even gave a personal touch, detailing candidates’ favorite ice cream and activities when they were young.

Tips wanted on bank job

jaydub — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:06:17 -0500

Durham police are seeking information about a bank robbery that occurred Oct. 26 at the Wachovia Bank, 2000 West Main Street.

According to police spokeswoman Kammie Michael, a male entered the bank around 3 p.m. and handed a teller a note demanding money. The suspect did not display a weapon, but fled with an undisclosed amount of money and was last seen running toward Ninth Street.

The suspect was described as a tall, thin black male with a dark complexion. He was wearing a ball cap with a design, sunglasses, a brown tweed jacket, a white T-shirt and dark pants. He was carrying a bag similar to a laptop computer case with a shoulder strap.

Anyone with information is asked to call Investigator Rogers at 560-4935, ext. 29416 or CrimeStoppers at 683-1200

Turnout low, but better than last time

jaydub — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:32:58 -0500

All systems have been running "teriffic," Elections Director Mike Ashe said this afternoon.

Except for voter turnout, that is.

Participation in today's municipal election for mayor and three City Council seats has been low, Ashe said, but better than the Oct. 6 primary in which only 4.36 percent of Durham's registered electorate turned out.

By about 1:45 p.m., the polling place at Forest View Elementary School was far ahead of its primary total, with 243 ballots in compared with just 182 last month.

By 3:10, 61 voters had been through the process at Brogden Middle School, well past the 54 who turned out last month; and Edison Johnson Recreation Center had seen its 85th ballot cast. That was one more than the total voting there in the primary.

At midafternoon, several precincts appeared on track to beat their primary numbers. The N.C. School of Science and Math, historically one of the city's busiest precincts, saw its 123rd voter around 2:20; its primary total was 148.

The Forest Hills Clubhouse had seen 151 voters by 1:45, closing in on its October total of 151, and at the same time St. Stephen's Episcopal Church had had 150, compared with its primary total of 187.

"Democracy is having a great day," Ashe said.

Mixed message

jaydub — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:25:08 -0500

The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, as it is wont, is passing out cards at some of the polls today listing the candidates it's endorsed.

That list includes incumbent mayor Bill Bell. But the committee's poll workers are also passing out campaign cards for Bell's opponent, Steven L. Williams.

A case of impartiality, or what?

Durham schools fill 'Barrels of Love'

sadialatifi — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0500

Durham schoolchildren have again begun their annual tradition of filling "Barrels of Love" with food for the Salvation Army's pantry.

Each school in Durham has collection barrels for nonperishable foods. Some are holding competitions for the most food collected, too.

“Every year, this drive is one of the biggest sources of nonperishable foods for our pantry,” said Debbie Avolin, director of social services for The Salvation Army, in a press release. “Durham’s young people work really hard to collect tons of canned goods for people in need.”

Continue reading to learn more about how you can help:

If you don't know a school child but still want to donate, additional barrels are located at:

The Salvation Army Family Store, Durham Regional Hospital, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, CitiFinancial at Cross Creek, SECU at Ben Franklin, South Duke Street and Cross Creek; Teleflex at Weck Drive and TJ Alexander; and Wal-Mart at New Hope Commons.

City reconsiders "landmarks" and tax breaks

jaydub — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:26:56 -0500

The City Council voted 6-0 tonight to re-evaluate the historic landmark program, deferring action on six properties that were up for the designation and a 50 percent property-tax break.

At the request of City/County Planning Director Steve Medlin, the council put off voting until May to allow staff time to research the available options and make recommendations.

Council member Farad Ali abstained from the vote. Ali was not present at the council work session where reviewing the landmark program had been discussed.

Several council members, as well as several Durham County commissioners, have raised concerns in recent weeks about the loss of tax revenue from properties approved as "landmarks." Such properties are taxed at half their assessed valuation.

Seventy-two houses, places of business and public buildings already have the designation. Capping the number of designations per year and changing the size of the tax break have been mentioned as possible program amendments.

Several citizens spoke against any changes to the program, among them Preservation Durham Director John Compton and developer Michael Lemanski, whose Liberty Warehouse is one of the properties deferred.

"The landmark program is an economic development program," Lemanski said.

Compton made the same point, and pointed out that landmark owners give up some property rights in exchange for the tax break.

"They're subjecting themselves to a ... process their neighbors are not subject to," Compton said.

1,006 early ballots cast in city election

jaydub — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:38:49 -0500

Early voting in Durham's city election closed Saturday with 1,006 citizens having cast ballots.

That's 112 more than the 894 who voted early in the Oct. 6 primary. The primary set a record low for voter turnout, 4.36 percent according to the Board of Elections' official count.

Precincts open at 6:30 tomorrow morning and remain open for voting until 7:30 p.m.

The mayor's chair and three City Council seats are on the ballot.

Sculptor unveils Lowe's Grove library art

jaydub — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:23:53 -0500

Sculptor Thomas Sayre and Durham Public Library Director Skip Auld unveiled this morning a model of the piece of art commissioned for the new branch library at Lowe's Grove.

The yet-unnamed sculpture is an 17-foot tall stack of earth-cast concrete slabs.

"This harkens back to the tobacco barns and other rural structures that were at that site," Sayre told the county commissioners. "A totem for the cars zooming up and down Alston Avenue."

"There needs to be some kind of explanation," commissioner Becky Heron said.

The library is being built at the former site of the Lowe's Grove Farm Life School, at Alston Avenue and N.C. 54. Nearby residents established a school there more than a century ago.

Sayre plans to cast the slabs in red-clay molds, to give the concrete a coppery color suggestive of logs.

"It is from the earth," he said.

The stack is eight feet by nine feet at its base.

"It will be here 100 or 200 years from now," Auld said.

Another Sayre sculpture, "Gnomon," is at the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics in Durham.

Commissioners OK names, walls

jaydub — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:35:54 -0500

Durham County Commissioners approved names and aesthetic touches for two new county buildings this morning.

The new headquarters on East Main Street for public health and social services will be called "Durham County Human Services." Previously it had been called a "human-services complex."

" 'Complex' sounds complicated," commissioner Ellen Reckhow said.

The new courthouse on Dillard Street will be the "Durham County Courthouse." Previously it had been referred to as the Durham County Justice Center.

But when people are trying to find the building where court is held, said architect Travis Hicks, they look for the Durham County Courthouse. Adding "Justice Center" to the county's current "Judicial Building" and "Old Courthouse" would compound confusion, he said.

The name "Durham County Justice Center," he suggested, would denote the block including the new courthouse, a new parking deck and the county jail.

The wording on the glass wall by the Human Services entrance in the architect's rendering above will be replaced by:

"Durham's vitality is built upon the health of our residents and the capacity of our community to foster and enhance the wellbeing of every citizen."

"It is about the county and its citizens," said architect Phil Freelon. "And why that's important to us as a community."

Commissioners also liked an idea for a three-story wall backing a stairway inside the new courthouse: using hundreds of small historic photographs as a mosaic making up a wall-sized image of a Durham landmark such as the 1916 Old Courthouse.

"Commemorating our history is a great idea," Reckhow said.

Durham superintendent to leave, work for Obama administration

sadialatifi — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:25:35 -0500

Durham Public Schools superintendent Carl E. Harris will leave the school system at the end of the calendar year in order to work for the U.S. Department of Education, according to a news release sent this morning.

Harris has accepted a position as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education for Policy and Strategic Initiatives with the federal agency.

“It is with heavy but deeply grateful hearts that the members of the Durham Public Schools Board of Education accept the resignation of Dr. Carl Harris. Dr. Harris has provided a quiet strength in his leadership of our district over the past three-and-a-half years,” said Minnie Forte-Brown, chairwoman of the Durham school board. "Durham’s loss is definitely our nation’s gain. We wish him well as he takes his wisdom and his experience to Washington to improve schools across our country.”

Harris has served as superintendent of Durham Public Schools since July 1, 2006. Previously, he was the superintendent of Franklin County Schools.

Update: Harris is expected to stay in his post through "at least" Dec. 31, according to DPS spokesman Michael Yarbrough. The school board will soon decide who will serve as an interim superintendent, he said. They'll then work out the details for picking a new superintendent. The board's next meeting is Nov. 19.

The full news release is posted after the jump:

Dr. Carl E. Harris, Superintendent of Durham Public Schools has accepted a position as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education for Policy and Strategic Initiatives with the U.S. Department of Education.

Harris has served as Superintendent of Durham Public Schools since July 1, 2006. He previously served as Deputy Superintendent. At DPS, his focus is on advancing academic achievement, fostering relationships with parents, businesses and the community and improving school administrative leadership.

From 1999 until 2004, Dr. Harris was Superintendent of Franklin County Schools, where he was instrumental in bringing about significant increases in student achievement for all ethnic groups.

The Central Carolina Regional Superintendent of the Year award was presented to Dr. Harris in August 2009. Earlier in the year, Dr. Harris was appointed a member of a steering committee of The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards to develop advanced certification for school administrators.

Among a number of DPS accomplishments during Harris’s tenure are:

o Increased student achievement in a number of areas;

o A lower dropout rate

o Increased Advanced Placement participation and identification of Academically Gifted Students

Six new schools opened in Durham under Harris’s administration, with a seventh in the works. Hillside New Tech High School, Southern School of Engineering, City of Medicine Academy, Spring Valley Elementary School, the Performance Learning Center and the Holton Career and Resource Center all have opened in the last three years. Lakewood Middle Montessori School will begin serving sixth-graders next fall and will open in the renovated Lakewood YMCA in fall 2011.

“Durham is a community that truly cares about its children. I am proud that we have earned the respect and support of our community,” said Harris. “I am especially proud of the leaders we have in place at the district and school level. We have great classroom teachers who focus each day on improving academic achievement for all students and many other dedicated staff members who support teaching and learning. The collaboration among our leaders, teachers, staff and parents will allow Durham Public Schools to continue providing quality educational opportunities for all students.”

“It is with heavy but deeply grateful hearts that the members of the Durham Public Schools Board of Education accept the resignation of Dr. Carl Harris. Dr. Harris has provided a quiet strength in his leadership of our district over the past three-and-a-half years,” said Minnie Forte-Brown, Chair of the Durham Public Schools Board of Education. “Dr. Harris leaves a school system that has improved academic achievement, a significantly lower dropout rate and a slate of new schools that offer support targeted to specific student needs. Durham’s loss is definitely our nation’s gain. We wish him well as he takes his wisdom and his experience to Washington to improve schools across our country.”

DPS board to discuss school improvement plans, AP/IB curriculum today

sadialatifi — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0500

The Durham Public Schools' board of education plans to talk about individual school improvement plans and Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate classes at their monthly instructional services committee meeting today.

They'll also be discussing contracts for supplemental educational services (SES), or the mandatory extra tutoring supports that must be available for students when schools don't pass federal testing standards.

The meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the school system's headquarters, located at 511 Cleveland St. Committee meetings are open to the public.

The entire agenda for today's meeting can be viewed here.

How's your school doing?

sadialatifi — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:12:45 -0500

The state's Department of Public Instruction released School Report Cards for districts and individuals schools late last week.

Each school's report card can be viewed at www.ncreportcards.org. You can click to view details on each school district and each school in categories like technology usage, funding, test scores, suspensions and teacher quality.

It's a quite interesting and comprehensive read. In addition to the standard testing reports, you can also check out how many of your school's computers have Internet access, or how many teachers have advanced degrees.

Public invited for Rolling Hills/Southside sessions

jaydub — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:26:09 -0400

Planners for the Rolling Hills/Southside are holding a community meeting on the project Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville St. just south of the Durham Freeway. The public is invited.

According to Kate
Casas of Urban Strategies, one of the firms involved, the project's steering committee is also holding a public planning charette charette, November 16-20. Details are not final.

Polak calls for ethics probe on Woodard forum comment

jaydub — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:26:24 -0400

City Council Ward 3 candidate Allan Polak has requested a city inquiry into a code of ethics violation he alleges his opponent, council member Mike Woodard, committed this week.

Polak has claimed that Woodard lied during an exchange about city email records during a candidates' forum Tuesday night. Woodard said that Polak's account of what happened is confused.

Last week, Polak requested Woodard's official email records for October 2008. Council members' email regarding city business is public information under state and city law. The records contained only emails received, none sent

According to Bull's Eye's audio recording of the forum, Woodard said, "You're incorrect," after Polak said Woodard had inquired about the missing emails only 'because in fact I raised the issue and I discovered the issue. And he was alerted either by the city clerk’s office or someone at city hall" that Polak was reviewing his emails.

Woodard made no further response during the forum except to say, in answer to an
audience question, that if the missing emails are found he would be
willing to make them public. Afterwards, and again this morning, he told Bull's Eye that he inquired about the missing emails before Polak did.

Woodard said he knew of Polak's request to review the emails because the city clerk sends all such requests to council members.

Woodard's "you're incorrect" comment interrupted Polak's account of an encounter on Monday when Woodard told Polak he knew that Polak had requested the emails.

Polak then said, "That is a complete lie. Yesterday, when we were outside of Duke University, Mr. Woodard specifically stated to me in front of Mr. Clement that he knew that I had reviewed his emails. He said this to me yesterday. ... That's unbelievable, sir."

In an email sent this morning to City Manager Tom Bonfield, Polak said, "I believe his behavior was in direct violation of the Code of Ethics Section III which states that "every public official shall Act Honestly. ... I formally request that an inquiry be made regarding this matter." was in direct violation of the Code of Ethics Section III which states that "every public official shall Act Honestly. ... I formally request that an inquiry be made regarding this matter."

Census office gets staff

jaydub — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:41:47 -0400

The U.S. Census Bureau has appointed a slate of managers for its 2010 Census office in Durham:

Yvonne Sanks, office manager;
Lawrence Alston, field operations;
Glenda Smalls, quality assurance;
Rebecca Savitski, administration;
Stephen Foreman, recruiting;
John Davis, technology.

The Durham office will support census operations in Durham, Franklin, Granville, Orange, Person, Vance and Warren counties.

Durham's office, at 201 W. Main St., is one of 15 census offices in North Carolina.

City plans no tax hike -- yet

jaydub — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:20:42 -0400

City Manager Tom Bonfield said this morning that the city administration does not expect a hike in the tax rate next year.

So far.

"There is nothing being contemplated at this point," he said. "I'm not saying it's not a possibility."

County Manager Mike Ruffin told the county commissioners yesterday that an increase in the county's property-tax rate will probably be required in light of projections for falling revenue and rising expenses.

The city has not started its budget process for 2010-11 yet, Bonfield said. He expects a report on first-quarter income and spending "in a couple of weeks." Those figures will give a basis for preliminary projections and starting to plan ahead.

Bonfield is introducing three-year financial planning at City Hall, replacing the conventional process of budgeting year by year. Preliminary work on a plan for 2010-13 should be done by the end of 2009, he said.

Haw group says Jordan Lake petition is valid, wants boundary change reversed

jaydub — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:14:26 -0400

The Haw River Assembly isn't giving up its fight against changing a watershed boundary line for Jordan Lake.

The Assembly and the Southern Environmental Law Center claim that the Durham City-County Planning Department erred in ruling its protest petition invalid. They want the county to acknowledge the change did not win county commissioners' approval by a 3-2 vote Oct. 12.

If valid, the petition would require a 4-1 vote for approval.

SELC attorney Kay Bond (right) said Durham County has not responded to its claim except to say it is seeking more information.

Planning Director Steve Medlin said the only contact his department has had with the SELC is a Tuesday telephone call for information. The department has not evaluated any claim regarding the petition since the invalid ruling prior to the commissioners’ vote, he said.

The commissioners' approval for a rezoning and land-use plan amendment, which effectively relocated a protected area beside the lake, removed one obstacle from Southern Durham Development Inc.'s plan for a subdivision between Jordan Lake and N.C. 751 in southwestern Durham County.

Durham conservationists, the Haw Assembly and the SELC opposed the change, claiming it it reduces protections for the most polluted part of Jordan Lake and allows development within an area originally designated as critical for water quality.

The protest petition was signed by 24 property owners affected by the boundary move. The planning department ruled it invalid because those owners represented less than 20 percent of those affected.

After reviewing property maps, SELC and the Assembly claim planning incorrectly omitted some property, and that the signatories in fact represent 20.9 percent, making the petition valid under Durham regulations.

"We cannot find any reason those properties should have been left out," said Elaine Chiosso, Haw River Assembly director. "We feel quite confiddent that they have made a mistake."

Bond said there have been no decisions made on next steps, if Durham County does not agree that the change was not approved.

"I think we'll wait and see," she said.

Skateboard park opens Nov. 7

jaydub — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:56:40 -0400

Durham opens its taxpayers' nifty new skateboard park (the one City Council candidate Donald Hughes says wasted taxpayers' $500,000) Saturday week, Nov. 7.

For the occasion, the Ujamaa Boardhouse and Durham Central Park are throwing a party from the ribbon cutting at noon to 4:30 with bands, giveaways and the Toy Machine Skateboard Team showing its stuff.

The Skate Park is on Foster Street next to the Liberty Warehouse, across from the Durham Farmers' Market. To find out more: wwwDPRPlayMore.org, 560-4355.

County expects tax-rate rise next year

jaydub — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:32:33 -0400

Durham County began its 2010-11 budget process today, with projections for more expense, less revenue and an increase in the property-tax rate.

"Next year is really going to be worse than this year," County Manager Mike Ruffin told the Board of Commissioners during a budget work session this morning.

The prospect of raising taxes in the current economic climate did not sit well with the commissioners, but staff estimates for the county's balance sheet were grim.

The county faces a $4.37 million increase in debt service costs, with county revenue expected to drop $9.8 million from the current fiscal year. Appropriations from the state government are expected to go down as well.

Vehicles and other hardware will need servicing and replacement, and staffs for two new libraries will have to be paid. County employees will see no raises and spending will be cut, Ruffin said, but, all in all, a tax increase appears inevitable.

"It's not a question of whether, but of how much," Ruffin said. "What do you want to do?"

Ruffin was not asking for an answer right away, but did want a consensus on some proposed guidelines that included a 75.53-cent cap on the property-tax rate. The current rate is 70.81 cents per $100 valuation.

"We are still looking at doing a lot of reducing in the county’s budget next year,” Ruffin said.

Today's meeting was the earliest county staff has ever brought the commissioners into a budgeting process, Ruffin said.

"It's important to have you involved early," he said. "This is a different climate."

Mangum leader named DPS principal of the year

sadialatifi — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:53:54 -0400

Gwen Johnson, principal of Mangum Elementary School, was named Durham Public Schools' Principal of the Year this morning.

Johnson was chosen by a committee of former award recipients and DPS administrators. She will now repesent the school system in the North Carolina Wachovia Principal of the Year competition.

Johnson has been principal at the school since 2004. Before that, she taught at Oak Grove Elementary. She holds degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill, NCCU and East Carolina University.

In today's Durham News

mschultz — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:06:59 -0400

I'll post later today on last night's InterNeighborhood Council meeting. There was an interesting presentation by Sue Dayton of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League on neighborhoods polluted by Perc, a dry cleaning solvent now known to be a likely carcinogen and cause other serious health problems.

That happened too late to get into this morning's Durham News (we go to press Monday nights). Here are some other local headlines:

UP THE CREEK: A plan to restore Ellerbe Creek as it flows through Northgate Park is pitting water safety against public safety. Staff writer Jim Wise reports on what happens when good intentions have unanticipated consequences.

THRILLER IN THE PARK: Personally, I don't think the woman in the Michael Jackson jacket on our front page got MJ's hair right (and I heard on the radio this morning his new movie is expected to make $250 million its first week!). Virginia Bridges has our story on the attempt to set a world record Saturday night in Durham Central Park.

CONNECTING THE DOTS: So I took a walk with Marcia Owen last week. The director of the Religious Coalition for a Non-Violent Durham spoke with me about restorative justice. I explain it for those who don't know what it means in today's Editor's Desk column.

Lots more, including Bonitta Best on sports, Alan Teasley on music and Simon Woodrup on dogs.

As always, thanks for reading,

Mark

Polak calls Woodard comment "complete lie"

jaydub — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:34:09 -0400

City Council candidate Allan Polak (below right) called a statement by councilman Mike Woodard "a complete lie" during a candidates' forum Tuesday night.

The accusation came after Woodard told Polak a statement he had made was "incorrect." Woodard did not respond to Polak's "lie" statement. Woodard and Polak are opponents for the City Council's Ward 3 seat in next Tuesday's election.

Their exchange came after Polak revealed what he called "a gaping hole in the City’s Electronic Records Retention practices" in his opening statement at the forum, sponsored by the Black Law Students Association of the N.C. Central University Law School.

In particular, the "hole" was in council members' email records.

Under city and state law, city officials' email concerning city business is public information, available for any citizen to see. Last week, Polak asked the city clerk for Woodard's records for October 2008. The record included 118 emails Woodard received, but none he had sent.

Polak found the same results for September 2008. When he requested another council member's record, he found emails sent, but none received.

In a prepared statement read at the forum, Polak suggested Woodard (left) might have answered his emails from a personal account, a practice city policy discourages.

"Mr. Woodard should have known better," Polak said.

"In fact, I do," Woodard said, and read an email he sent the city attorney, city clerk and information services director on Friday, after seeing Polok's request and the record provided to him. Council members are routinely notified whenever their email records are requested, Woodard said after the forum; one reason is, they have to provide a password for the clerk to access their records.

Woodard's email expressed his own surprise at the absense of sent messages. "I'm confident something has been overlooked," he wrote. "Please review the system again."

Polak then said Woodard sent his email only "because in fact I raised the issue and I discovered the issue. And he was alerted either by the city clerk’s office or someone at city hall. He was told."

Woodard started to interrupt, but Polak continued,

"Mr. Woodard, you mentioned to me yesterday -- "

Woodard: "No."

Polak: " -- that you knew I had reveiwed your emails. How were you aware of that? How were you aware of that? You mentioned to me while we were outside -- "

Woodard: "You're incorrect."

Polak: "That is a complete lie. Yesterday, when we were outside of Duke University, Mr. Woodard specifically stated to me in front of Mr. Clement that he knew that I had reviewed his emails. He said this to me yesterday in front of Duke University as we went to enter the [candidates'] forum.
"That's unbelievable, sir."

Woodard did not reply, but, responding to a question from the audience later during the forum, said he believes the problem is "a technical issue that can be easily fixed" and that he would be willing to share the sent emails once the records of them are located.

Polak said, in his statement, that his discovery of the missing records, consultation with the city clerk and attorney and suggestions for solving the problem demonstrated "is the type of experience and public advocacy that I would bring to City Council."

"Historic" tax breaks getting reconsideration

jaydub — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:46:22 -0400

Tax breaks for owners of "historic" properties are coming under scrutiny from Durham's City Council and Board of County Commissioners.

With new candidates for "historic" status nominated every year, the number is mounting up and so is the hit to the city's and county's revenue. For the county, the amount is about $42,000 per year, commissioner Becky Heron said during the commissioners' meeting tonight.

“As historic properties build up in your community," commissioner Ellen Reckhow said, "it’s taking a lot of value off the tax books.”

The commissioners approved a set of tightened standards for "historic" nomination tonight, and the council holds a public hearing on the same proposal Monday. But both council members and commissioners are calling for a review of the whole program, adopted years ago to encourage historic preservation.

"We could have hundreds of these houses," Councilman Eugene Brown said during last week's council work session. "There has to be some limitation placed on this program, in my judgment."

Drought "moderate," water supply OK

jaydub — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:30:00 -0400

Durham County moved into the "moderate drought" category last week, as defined by the state Division of Water Resources. Here's how Durham's water supply stands, according to the city water department:

Days of supply of easily accessible, premium water remaining (Lake Michie, Little River Reservoir): 162 days
Days in Teer Quarry storage remaining: 15 days
Days of less accessible water below the intake structures remaining: 48 days
Total days of supply: 225