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Chapel Hill Town Council keeps options open on Strom seat

Submitted by jessedeconto on 09/14/2009 - 19:25

The Chapel Hill Town Council declined to vote Monday on whether to appoint the fifth-place finisher in November's election to complete the two years left on Bill Strom's seat.

Mayoral candidate and sitting council member Matt Czajkowski called for a straw vote to give the voters "clarity" about the council's intentions. But other council members opted not to bind the newly elected council to a particular approach.

Mayoral rival and council member Mark Kleinschmidt called Czajkowski's plan a "political stunt."

"It's also a fiction," Kleinschmidt said. "What if the fifth-place person doesn't, in fact, apply [for appointment?] It's a meaningless exercise."

Council members Jim Ward and Sally Greene urged all eight candidates to apply, as suggested by Citizens for Responsible Government spokesman Bruce Ballentine and candidate Will Raymond. But incumbents Laurin Easthom and Ed Harrison have resisted that call.

Kleinschmidt said a fifth-place finish should carry much weight in the
appointment process, but it shouldn't be the deciding factor. Ward said a wide spread between fourth and fifth place in
the race for four seats might indicate a weak candidacy.

Carol Ann Zinn, another member of CRG's steering committee, was the only member of the public to speak on the issue Monday night. She urged the council to wait until January, after the new members are seated, before making an appointment.

"We can't bind each other to a particular decision that's not going to made until at least Nov. 9," Kleinschmidt agreed. "It's beyond our power. We just can't do that."

1252975030 Chapel Hill Town Council keeps options open on Strom seat The News and Observer Copyright 2011 The News and Observer . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comments

دردشه|العاب|منت

Wed, 10/07/2009 - 15:27 — semsem777

MattC has some splainin' to do

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 23:06 — chobserver

Since we're checking addresses and sales of homes, why not take a look at public record of the sale(s) of Matt Czajkowski? According to public records, register of deeds in Orange County, Matt C bought his home on Burning Tree in 2002. He SOLD his home in 2005, full deed transfer to a Milton Cooke for $550K, then presumably while still living in his home during that time, he bought it BACK in 2007, full deed transfer from Milton to Czajkowksi, for $650,000. Why would he do that? Is it normal to buy a house and live in it a few years, sell it (deed transfer) for 550K then turn around and buy it back for 100K more two years later? Was he living in his home the whole time? Did he move out in 2005 when he sold it and then turn around and move back in 2007? What is up with the all of this? If he lived there the whole time, then did he pay rent to a Milton Cooke? It's clearly spelled out in the public record, just go to the Orange County website under register of deeds. Search Czajkowski and see for yourself. I'm sure there's a good reason. Maybe he could 'splain.

Duh

Fri, 09/18/2009 - 04:45 — elvisboy77

Sounds like he put it up for collateral on a business deal.

This is something completely foreign to people who work for "non-profit" entities and have no clue about investing or risking their own money.

no duh

Fri, 09/18/2009 - 07:36 — chobserver

The title transferred. He did not own the home for two years. That is not collateral. Doh! Sounds like he was hiding his assets, on his "business deal." But! Who knows. I'm sure he can 'splain.

sdasd

Wed, 10/07/2009 - 15:06 — semsem777

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scaw

Wed, 10/07/2009 - 15:07 — semsem777

Collateral Coshmatteral

Fri, 09/18/2009 - 23:22 — elvisboy77

How about coming up with some facts about why this apparent "business" transaction (look up business if you are a non profit person) calls in question the character of Mr. C?

Obamanites are such silly people sometimes.

"many" times in fact.

Conspiracie Faux

Fri, 09/18/2009 - 07:51 — TerryDiddle

"marcoplos" has mysteriously become "chobserver."

<a

Wed, 10/07/2009 - 15:10 — semsem777

<a

Wed, 10/07/2009 - 15:09 — semsem777

T-diddle - Your batting average on facts

Fri, 09/18/2009 - 12:33 — marcoplos

remains at .000

Which puts you

Fri, 09/18/2009 - 23:17 — elvisboy77

In competition cellar-wise with the conspiracy theory-evil profiteering-Halliburton aka the totally evil military industrial complex is the root of all evil and by the way don't build a landfill on hwy 54 much less an airport Mark Marcopolos.

Let the competition begin!! LOL

It's also interesting that

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 18:15 — anitabadrock

It's also interesting that the Strom address in those closing docuemnts is stated as a PO Box in Todd, NC which is a long way from Chapel Hill.

It doesn't have to be this complicated. The Carrboro Alderman decided pretty matter of factly to apoint the next highest vote getter for the Herrera vacancy without the difficulty or controversy it seems to be for Chapel Hill.

Strom has a house in Todd

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 19:09 — marcoplos

Has the obsession with a conspiracy made everything so complicated?

I need to check my archives

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 20:54 — elvisboy77

I think this was covered in the X files. All you conspiracy theorists, hang onto your hats.

Or ask Kleinschmidt. Not that he would tell you the truth, he has too much at stake here.

Blind Man's Bluff

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 20:25 — TerryDiddle

Yeah, gee, why would we think anything's amiss?

Yeah but

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 18:57 — elvisboy77

Carrboro does not have Mark Kleinschmidt scheming to stay in office, one way or the other. This sort of scam requires more careful planning.

Too bad it backfired on him. His plan is now out. Sorry, Mark!

It's Official!

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 13:45 — Claudius

It's now official - Bill Strom intentionally deceived the citizens of Chapel Hill.

NYC purchase was AUGUST 5, 2009

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 12:19 — anitabadrock

Fred, the documents actually say he purchased the property on AUGUST 5, 2009, NOT SEPTEMBER 5, 2009.

Mark Kleinschmidt's political stunt

Tue, 09/15/2009 - 10:33 — CH_GOTV_2009

Mayoral Candidate Czajkowski attempted to lead his colleagues on the council to give the citizens of Chapel Hill insight about how the open seat would be filled. That was true leadership and the kind we so desperately need. Mark Kleinschmidt reacted in a tepestuous and emotional way, as he has so often done on so many other issues, because the outcome would have been very different from the scripted scenario he's playing out for Kevin Foy and Bill Strom. KLeinschmidt's hot-tempered reaction was the political stunt - juvenile theatrics to stifle the conversation. Council member Greene went along and engaged in this destructive and often repeated process of taking a thoughtful and well researched suggestion and thrashing it with empty rhetoric. Kleinschmidt cannot hide collaborating with Foy and Strom, the timing of his announcement to run for Mayor and the games they are playing to keep his coconspirators in office. We (voters) have to clean up this mess in November.

Matt Cz's transparent gaming

Wed, 09/16/2009 - 06:34 — marcoplos

Why would he even ask that the present council weigh in on a decision that the new council will make?

Transparent government, not gaming

Wed, 09/16/2009 - 09:16 — tbuckner

Matt C repeatedly demonstrates his commitment to transparent decision making/government.

The fairest solution

Wed, 09/16/2009 - 09:40 — marcoplos

is to allow the next council to make the appointment.

"We can't bind each other to a particular decision that's not going to made until at least Nov. 9," Kleinschmidt agreed. "It's beyond our power. We just can't do that."

Given that logical perspective, Matt Cz is just playing games.

I don't see any logic

Wed, 09/16/2009 - 12:12 — tbuckner

The current council started the application process; and the current council will have the option of making an appointment. Choosing to delay any further decisions until AFTER the election is the gaming I see going on. It sounds like "let's wait and see if the people we want get elected and if not, we'll use the appointment process to override the decision of the voters." I have a hard time believing that is the intent, but it's hard to interpret it any other way.

Not the Same

Wed, 09/16/2009 - 10:08 — fhblack

Allowing them to make the decision is not the same as you proclaiming that this is "a decision that the new council will make." NOV 9 IS STILL THE CURRENT COUNCIL!

You say "FAIREST?" But of course you still support Strom's right to cause this mess tht could have been avoided if he had cared to do so.

Fred - you must have learned something new

Wed, 09/16/2009 - 10:46 — marcoplos

What have you learned that allows you to definitively state that Strom could have avoided the timing?

Middle school debate teams are instructed to make only statements that they can back up. Where's the explanation?

Mark,

Wed, 09/16/2009 - 11:43 — fhblack

you are a master of deflection and it's obvious thst you will not admit your error(s).

Fact: Bill planned the sale of his home and his departure in the Spring. He decided when to leave the council (1 Aug) based on his own objectives and he will not discuss the matter. He asked about the rules so he must have known that the timing mattered. He also decided to make his announcement in the Independent and not one of the Chapel Hill papers; "thanks Chapel Hill for electing me three times!"

Sounds like

Wed, 09/16/2009 - 20:17 — Many

he wanted to be certain he was playing by the rules, Fred.

Fred

Wed, 09/16/2009 - 13:12 — marcoplos

How do you know he planned his (exact date of)departure in the spring?

Mark,

Wed, 09/16/2009 - 14:00 — fhblack

You want "evidence" that I can't provide, and even if I did, I doubt that you would accept it.

Let's just say he did what he did: create a mess that could have been avoided.

Fred - fair statement on evidence

Wed, 09/16/2009 - 15:14 — marcoplos

I appreciate your acknowledgment that there is no evidence to provide. I also totally understand that, in the absence of a statement from Strom, that speculation abounds. He should have made a statement and that would have avoided all this.

I promise you that, if clear evidence were available, I would accept it.

Let's face It

Wed, 09/16/2009 - 11:15 — TerryDiddle

The fact that Strom has provided NO information or explanation of his poorly-timed departure proves that this was done intentionally.

And if that isn't enough proof for you, he had already established NY residency before his announcement -- if that isn't downright dishonest, I'll eat my middle-school beanie.

Wow

Wed, 09/16/2009 - 16:11 — Claudius

Does anyone know if this is really true -- if indeed Bill did move out of state before resigning his position as council member couldn't that be grounds for some kind of lawsuit from the town?

He did not move out of state

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 07:26 — marcoplos

He rented a place in town after selling his house.

But

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 09:25 — fhblack

He sold the house in June. According to NYC tax records, on September 5, 2009, Jennifer L. Strom and William B. Strom of PO Box 81, Todd, NC, purchased a COOP unit at 387 Grand Street on the lower Eastside.

http://a836-acris.nyc.gov/Scripts/DocSearch.dll/detail?Doc_ID=2009080400245001

Now keep believing if you want that he didn't pick 1 Aug for strategic purposes instead of having his seat on the ballot. How long does it typically take to buy a piece of property in NYC?

Some 'Splainin' to Do

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 10:04 — TerryDiddle

To the best of my understanding, he had established legal residency in NY state two months before purchasing the condo, or sometime in early July.

My brain is sliding over to the side of my head

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 13:19 — marcoplos

No-one's ever bought property and not immediately moved in?

Keep the fire burning and don't let facts get in the way.

You just refuse

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 13:41 — fhblack

to get it! Is it not clear that if he had desired, his seat could have been on the ballot? He made a choice for it not to be. That is why there is anger on this. Don't for a minute believe that a 1 Aug date was not chosed for a reason. Slide your brain back and use it!

That's it from me to you on this topic Mark.

Thanks Anita for the correction - pretty compelling to me.

Fred - first you honestly say you don't have evidence

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 19:07 — marcoplos

and then you tell me I'm seeing it all wrong because I don't buy the flimsy arguments.

Look - life is complicated. Take a deep breath and imagine how it could have happened without it being a conspiracy. If you can imagine at least one scenario, then intellectual honsesty should prevail in the absence of no real evidence. I'm just advocating fairness.

I said

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 20:19 — fhblack

that I was through on this with you, but you come back. Show one post where I claim "conspiracy." I said he did what he did for political advantage and there is enough there for me (and numerous others) to fairly draw that conclusion. Nothing illegal in my mind, only shafting the voters for selfish ends. You are free to disagree.

Selfish Ends

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 20:29 — TerryDiddle

Are we sure that what Strom did was NOT illegal?

Based on what?

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 10:18 — tbuckner

What are you basing your "best understanding" on?

Fred--thanks for doing the work of the local media!

New Council?

Wed, 09/16/2009 - 08:56 — fhblack

After the applications are received in October, if the Council desires, it can make a decision at any meeting. A new council will not be sworn in until December 7th.

How is the current council not able to decide this?

Why Not?

Wed, 09/16/2009 - 06:55 — TerryDiddle

I think it's interesting that Mr. Kleinschmidt wants to keep the issue open. Could it be he wants his friends on the council to select him if he loses the race for mayor?

You hit the nail on the head Terry Diddle

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 05:17 — elvisboy77

Kleinschmidt wants his buddies to appoint him when he fails at his mayoral run. It is so obvious and so Kleinschmidt- to heck with due process or fairness, I want my way!

I hope it backfires on him.

Chapel Hill Town Council keeps options open on Strom seat

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