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sunday Partly Cloudy 34/18 Inside carrborocitizen.com December 31, 2009 u locally owned and operated u Volume III No. xLii Free A year of big changes, fading hopes
By Kirk Ross She was followed in death a month tions were released, that the market Economic anxiety and a highly un- Staff Writer later by another official town treasure woes and housing downturn that had popular property revaluation helped and one of her early political rivals started in the previous fall were go- fuel outrage and tax protests that Early on in January 2009, many — newspaperman and former Cha- ing to have a profound impact on the turned out hundreds to rallies orga- in these towns were still focused on pel Hill alderman Roland Giduz. year ahead. nized by the local chapter of Freedom- the changing of the guard in Wash- In early 2009, the effect of another State and local governments, al- Works, a group led by former U.S. ington, D.C. changing of the guard was being felt ready implementing hiring freezes House majority leader Dick Armey. With close to 72 percent of Or- in town and especially on campus as and squeezing their budgets, cut That put the focus on Orange ange County voters pulling the lever new UNC Chancellor Holden Thorp further, and reports from social ser- County commissioners, who were for Barack Obama, the election of pulled the plug on a search for a new vice agencies and local food pantries faced with not just a tax rebellion, but the first black president was still the airport site in Orange County. showed a quick climb in the need for a rapidly expanding deficit and a fight big buzz, and a major — by Carolina A few months later, the Chapel the basics. The unemployment rate in over proposals for a solid waste trans- standards — snowstorm contributed Hill Town Council finally opened the state would rise from 5 percent in fer station. to collecting around TV sets and ra- official hearings on the first phase April, 2008 to 11.2 in June of 2009. While all this was happening, Roy dios on Inauguration Day. of Carolina North. Approval of the It fell a bit in the latest round of num- Williams and the UNC men’s bas- Prior to taking office, the presi- university’s plan and the town’s new bers but is not expected to its 2008 ketball team brought home another dent lost one ardent supporter, zoning rules for the 975-acre Horace levels until well into 2011. national title. On his way to that tri- though, as Rebecca Clark a tower- Williams tract quickly followed. In Orange County, which has umph, starting forward Tyler Hans- ing figure in the black community While politics were a pre-occu- traditionally posted one of the low- brough became the leading scorer in and the chief marshal of its political pation early on, it was clear by the est rates in the state, unemployment Atlantic Coast Conference history. Photo by Ken Moore clout, passed away on the first Sat- end of January, when a variety of climbed from 3.2 percent to 7 per- Alligator hide-like bark distinguishes old urday in January. economic reports and budget projec- cent over the same period. SEE YEAR PAGE 3 persimmon trees.
flora By Ken Moore The Year in Pictures Begin 2010 enjoying Clockwise from top left: winter’s beauty UNC basketball players Mike Copeland and Danny Green ow well I remem- enjoy a little dance at the ber one winter walk, homecoming celebration when stopped in mid-stride the newly crowned national by the sounds of snow champions returned to the Smith Center. (Photo courtesy falling through the bare of UNC Sports Information) fHorest canopy. That sound of snow touching the earth remains audible Protesters rally at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina in my recollections. headquarters in Chapel Hill. Driving back from Raleigh on (Photo by Taylor Sisk) I-40 recently, my companion A summertime flu scare saw remarked on the beauty of the hand sanitizers popping up winter landscape, particularly not- all over town. (Photo by Ava ing the magical effect of shining Barlow) copper-colored leaves on trees in Charles Brown, who filed a the forest racing by us. complaint after being stopped In spite of the cold, I cherish the by Chapel Hill police in a case winter fields for their remarkable of mistaken identity, talks colors: browns, burgundy and con- with customer John Berry trasting off-whites, and the mixture at Brown’s barbershop on Rosemary Street. (Photo by of textures of fluffy seed heads Ava Barlow) and starkly bare branches. The forest, shorn of its green See pages 4 & 5 for The Citizen’s annual timeline for 2009. leafy canopy, is filled with low-angled light inviting the woods walker to proceed from room to room, taking in particular furnishings most often hidden by lush summer foliage. The lay of the land is easily vis- ible across the open forest floor, dramatic ups and downs with old erosion gullies crisscrossing every- where. Here and there the path sometimes intersects animal trails. I can never resist taking off on one of these little trails in the hope that I’ll discover the critter at the end, but each time the animal seems to have disappeared with nary a trace. However, off the beaten path, I always find some botanical or other natural feature of interest. In the winter, the true architec- tural characteristics of trees are revealed, with the dramatic sky- ward stretching of massive limbs. In addition, the amazing diversity of bark surfaces becomes apparent. One of my favorite trees is the Board of governors to Defense in Carson case persimmon. They may be de- tected scattered in open fields and review tuition proposal, new asks for tipster info throughout forests by dramatic rules for codes of conduct Defense lawyers for the two men According to search warrants, an horizontal angled limbs. The bark charged in the 2008 killing of UNC Stu- anonymous caller told investigators is dark and deeply fissured into The UNC Board of Governors after the budget was passed. dent Body President Eve Carson are ask- to contact a man who later became chunks that make me imagine al- will take up a proposal next week Also due for review by the board ing for more informa- a confidential infor- to ask the legislature to approve an are new guidelines for student ligator hide. tion on who tipped mant in the case. alternative to a tuition plan adopted conduct codes. The new rules are off investigators. Baddour said he as part of the state’s 2010-11 budget. the result of work by a task force According to search SEE FLORA PAGE 8 In a discovery expects to issue a rul- The General Assembly capped tu- set up by Bowles that looked into hearing in Hillsbor- warrants, an anonymous ing next week. ition increases at the lesser of $200 conduct codes and hate crimes in ough before Superior Atwater also faces or 8 percent for each campus. the wake of racist graffiti at N.C. Court Judge Allen caller told investigators to a May trial in federal The board meets next Thursday State. Baddour , lawyers for court as well as state and Friday at the Spangler Center in The proposal acknowledges the Demario James At- contact a man who later charges. His attor- inside Chapel Hill. need to balance free expression water and Laurence became a confidential neys filed a motion UNC system President Erskine and First Amendment rights with Alvin Lovette Jr. Dec. 11 requesting In memoriam 2009 Bowles plans to ask legislators to the responsibility of students to asked for information informant in the case. a change of venue. consider an alternative to that plan respect the “rights, dignity, worth from Crimestoppers The motion argues See page 6 when lawmakers return to Raleigh and freedom of each member of about the case. The that Atwater, who Index in May. the academic community.” two men were charged with first-degree is facing a possible death penalty if UNC officials will outline their The language in the proposal murder in the killing of Carson, who convicted, could not get a fair trial in thinking on tuition and fee increases makes it a violation of the student Community ...... 2 was found dead on Hillcrest Circle in the North Carolina. at a policy workshop next Thursday, code of conduct to harass and early morning hours of March 5, 2008. Along with hundreds of newspaper Obits ...... 2 where board of governors members intimidate individuals based on News ...... 3 She had been shot several times. clippings, they introduced the results are also scheduled to hear a briefing their race, color, religion, national Year in Review ...... 4,5 At Wednesday morning’s discovery of a June poll saying 80 percent of the Opinion ...... 6 on the state economy and the impact origin, gender, sexual orientation, hearing, Orange County District Attor- potential jury pool had heard of the Classifieds ...... 7 of the governor’s 5 percent “hold- gender identity, creed, disability ney Jim Woodall argued against turning case and 52 percent believe Atwater to Almanac ...... 8 back” in funding announced shortly or veteran status. — Staff Reports over the tipster information. be guilty. — Staff Reports 2 THURSDAY, December 31, 2009 Community The Carrboro Citizen Community Briefs Community Calendar Sanofi-aventis donates $2 million to sunday, Jan 3 Compassionate Friends — Free Family to Family — A series of Tutoring — Hillsborough Police ArtsCenter Sampler — Meet self-help support for all adults grieving 12 weekly classes structured to help Department and UNC Habitat for N.C. Cancer Hospital Humanifty offer tutoring sessions for instructors from various arts - from the loss of a child or sibling. Third family members understand and sup- ndays, 7-8:30pm, Evergreen students in Orange County School’s In a Dec. 21 ceremony at the N.C. Cancer Hospital, painting and drawing to dancing and Mo port a family member suffering with United Methodist Church. 967-3221, K-5 classes at the Community Policing pharmaceutical company sanofi-aventis Chief Executive sewing - at the Carrboro ArtsCenter mental illness. The class is free and chapelhilltcf.org ponsored by NAMIOrange. Contact Station, 501 Rainey Ave. Tutors are Officer Chris Viehbacher announced the company’s $2 University Mall satellite space across s million commitment to the N.C. Cancer Hospital Endow- from Deep Dish Theater. Participate Introduction to Buddhism — Gove Elder at 967-5403 or gbelder@ students from UNC. Call 732-2441, bellsouth.net. ext. 26 to register. ment. in mini-classes and see what the Classes offered Wednesday nights, In recognition of the donation, the hospital named the ArtsCenter has to offer. Sign up for 7:30-9pm in November at Piedmont Garden Tour — Free tour of Kids facility’s advanced telecommunications conference center classes at the sampler event and KTC Tibetan Buddhist Meditation the N.C. Botanical Garden display Toddler Time — Carrboro Branch “The sanofi-aventis Conference Center.” receive 10 percent off your total class Center at 109 Jones Creek Place, gardens. Saturdays, 10am, in front of Library. Thursdays, 4pm. 969-3006 N.C. Cancer Hospital, home of the UNC Lineberger registration. This offer is good only on Carrboro. All are welcome. The class the Totten Center at the Garden. the day of the event and only at the is informal and designed for discus- 962-0522, ncbg.unc.edu Preschool Story Time — Comprehensive Cancer Center, is N.C.’s only public can- sion. A brief sitting meditation will be Saturdays, 10:30am, Carrboro Branch University Mall location. The event is Jazz at the Mall — University Mall cer hospital. The $180 million facility opened in August. included. Suggested donation for each Library. 969-3006 free and open to the public. presents free jazz concerts every class: $5. 968-9426, piedmontktc.org. CHCCS teachers achieve national Sunday, 2-4pm Express Yourself! — Art program Monday, Jan 4 Yoga for Everyone — UNC Com- for ages 3-8 and their caregivers. board certification Chatham County Christmas prehensive Cancer Support Program Job Search Meeting — A net- Saturdays, 10:45-11:15am, 11:30am- As part of National Board Certification Day, the Tree Disposal — Chatham County presents Yoga for Everyone. Each class working and support group for job noon, Kidzu Children’s Museum, 105 residents can dispose of non-arti- Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools announced that 24 will include a full yoga practice as well hunters. Wednesdays, 9:30-11am, E. Franklin St. $2. 933-1455, kidzuchil- ficial Christmas trees at the Waste teachers from 13 district schools achieved National Board as exploration of physical movement, Binkley Baptist Church, 1712 Willow drensmuseum.org Management Office west of Pittsboro for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certifica- meditation, breathing techniques, and Drive. 942-4964 from 7 am to 3:30 pm on Jan. 4-8 and Volunteers tion during the 2008-09 certification cycle. relaxation. All levels are welcome. Open-Mic Poetry — Tuesdays Jan. 11-15. RSVP 55+ Volunteer Program The recipients are: Patrice Cook, Phillips MS; Court- Classes will be held on Mondays from except first Tuesday, 7-9pm, Looking — Seeks volunteers at least 55 years nee Cox, Smith MS; Shauna Ferguson, McDougle MS; 11am - 12:30pm. Carolina Pointe II, Glass Cafe & Boutique, 601 W. Main saturday, Jan 9 of age and older who would like Karen Galassi-Ferrer, East Chapel Hill HS; Natalie Parental Educational Clinic — In 6013 Farrington Road, Suite 101 in St. 636-5809 Chapel Hill. 966-3494. assistance in finding an opportunity Gaston, McDougle Elem.; Rebecca George, Rashkis this free workshop designed for par- Walking Tour — The Preservation that matches their interests. 968-2056, Elem.; Molly Grayson-McDonald, FPG Elem.; Rebecca ents and caregivers of special needs DivorceCare — Support group Society of Chapel Hill offers “Walk co.orange.nc.us/aging/RSVPindex.asp Hite, Carrboro HS; Arica James, Rashkis Elem.; Margaret children, participants will explore for those separated or divorced. This Way,” walking tours of Franklin Meals on Wheels — Seeks vol- Johnson, Rashkis Elem.; Meghan Leonard, McDougle conflict resolution and communica- Mondays, 7pm, Orange United Street every Sunday at 2 pm. $5. 942- unteers to deliver meals and/or bake tion skills. 10am - 12pm at Orange Methodist Church. 942-2825, con- 7818 or chpreservation@mindspring. Elem.; Alisa McAlister, McDougle MS; Elise McLean, simple desserts for recipients in the United Methodist Church, 1220 nect2orange.org com for more information. Reserva- Carrboro Elem.; Cristin Najera, Rashkis Elem.; Dennis community. 942-2948 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Chapel Meditative Yoga — UNC tions recommended for groups of five Norris, Chapel Hill HS; Colleen Rohner, Carrboro Elem.; Hill. The registration deadline is Jan. 7. Susanne Rusan, FPG Elem.; Michael Sasscer, Chapel Hill Comprehensive Cancer Support or more people. Orange County Literacy — To register: [email protected], Program presents Meditative Yoga: Seeks volunteers to help with adult lit- HS; Tamra Schuch, Scroggs Elem.; Courtney Sears, FPG Breastfeeding Café — An infor- 942-8083 ext. 2. A calming, stress-relieving yoga eracy, basic math and English language mal drop-in gathering of breastfeeding Elem.; Amy Untch, Seawell Elem.; Gisele Washington, class to stretch and strengthen the tutoring, creative writing workshops Ongoing moms will be held every Monday East Chapel Hill HS; Jodi Wise, FPG Elem.; and Betty body gradually. Classes will be held at local homeless shelters and family Cancer Support — Support from 1-2pm at the Red Hen. A La Wooten, Carrboro HS. on Fridays from 10am-11:30am. literacy workshops. New tutor train- groups for cancer patients and their Leche repersenative will be there to Carolina Pointe II, 6013 Farrington ing workshops every month. Carr Mill Upcoming athletic registration families. cornucopiahouse.org provide information and answer ques- Road, Suite 101 in Chapel Hill. For Mall, Second Floor, 636-4457 tions, 201 Weaver St. opportunities more information, 966-3494. The Carrboro Recreation and Parks Department will be sponsoring a spring baseball program for ages 6-12, a middle school baseball league for ages 13-14 and a girls’ Obituaries volleyball program for ages 10-13. Registration for these programs will begin Jan. 5 for William Everett sity, he began work with the now serves as the primary tion on the frontlines. Carrboro residents and Jan. 6 for non-Carrboro residents Billingsley Seaboard Airline Railroad in water source for Chapel Hill Everett was very interested Norfolk and Richmond. and Carrboro. He retired in family genealogy for both at the Carrboro Century Center. The fee is $55 for Orange William Everett Billing- In 1967, he returned to from OWASA in 1996. He his mother and father, and County residents and $92 for non-residents. Registration sley, a Chapel Hill resident North Carolina and worked was a member of the Sertoma traced the Billingsley history forms are accepted on a first-come, first -served basis and since 1967, was originally with the Physical Plant Divi- Club of the Triangle, Cape back to the early 1600s in must be signed by a parent or guardian. For more infor- from Hamlet, N.C. (Rich- sion at UNC Chapel Hill and Fear River Assembly, Ameri- England. mation, call 918-7364. mond County). Everett later with the electrics section can Waterworks Association, He is preceded in death by passed away on Monday, Athletic camps at Carrboro of the Utilities Division. At University United Method- a son and daughter, William December 21, 2009 after a that time, both the town and ist Church, and he served Lawrence Billingsley and Recreation and Parks Department long battle with congestive the university were served as president of the Chapel Melinda Billingsley Cashwell; The Carrboro Recreation and Parks Department is heart failure. by this body. When the state Hill/Carrboro Chamber of his parents; his brother Mar- sponsoring the following athletic camps for the summer: Born on July 9, 1930, he legislature required the uni- Commerce. cus Billingsley Jr.; and two basketball camp, June 28–July 2 for ages 9-11; basketball was 79 years old, and the versity to dispense with this Everett was a natural sisters, Carol Griffin and Lois camp, July 12-16 for ages 6-8; field hockey camp, June son of the late James Marcus private telephone, electric, leader from a young age, Raines. He is survived by his 28–July 2 and July 12-16 for ages 10-13; Taste of Sports and Lula Gibson Billingsley. water and sewer utilities, the becoming a successful debater son, Andrew Everett Billing- camp, July 19–23 for ages 6-9; Ultimate Frisbee camp, He graduated with honors Chapel Hill Town Council and president of his Hamlet sley Sr.; his daughter-in-law, July 26-30 for ages 10-15; and volleyball camp, July from North Carolina State appointed Everett as execu- High School Senior class. He Claire Sturkie Billingsley; his 26–30 for ages 10-13. University in mechanical tive director of the water and led many projects and pro- grandsons, Andrew Everett Registration for these programs begins Jan. 5 for engineering in 1957 and sewer system. Officially, this grams during his undergradu- Billingsley Jr., Alexander Carrboro residents and Jan. 6 for non-Carrboro residents earned a master’s degree in became the Orange Water ate years at NC State and was Stewart Daly and Stephen at the Carrboro Century Center. The fee is $85 per camp. commerce from the Univer- and Sewer Authority (OWA- a student instructor during Cashwell; and his sister and For more information, call 918-7364. sity of Richmond in 1966. He SA). He served OWASA for his senior year. He also was brother Page and Roy Bill- In conjunction with the Triangle Futbol Club, the also pursued doctoral studies 21 years, which included a member of the Theta Tau ingsley. department is also sponsoring half-day soccer camps on in business at the University the severe water shortage of Honors fraternity. A funeral service was held June 14-17 and July 19-22, 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. for ages of North Carolina at Chapel the 1970s; out of this, he led Everett was drafted into December 30 at University 6-14. Mini-kicker soccer camps will be held on the same Hill. the drive for the property the Army in 1950 during the United Methodist Church. dates, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., for ages 4-5. Visit trianglefc.org After graduating from purchase and building of the Korean Conflict and served to register. North Carolina State Univer- Cane Creek Reservoir, which as a medic in a MASH opera- 7ALL TO WALL FLOOR TO CEILING EVERYTHINGINCLUDING WINES CHEESES CHOCOLATES COFFEE TEA
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