Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:25:24 -0400
From: Gene Galin
Subject: Last Week’s Hottest Chatham Online Bulletin Board Topics

1. Resolved: Jeff Starkweather is the biggest boob in Chatham.  (Read 4455 times)  at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,24190.0.html

Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:10:04 -0500
From: Gene Galin
Subject: Pittsboro Courthouse Restoration update 1.11.12

Ghost lines are emerging as layers of material are removed from the court house interior, exposing the massive brick walls.

The remainder of the wood structure and plaster have been removed, exposing the hand made brick as they were when first placed in 1881. It is now possible to see faint ghost lines on both corners the west
side of the second floor, suggesting a balcony or a third floor similar to the east side at the time of the fire.

There is now evidence to support local attorney Wade Barber’s memory of a raised area of seating in the court room.  It was obvious during the design phase that the toilets that occupied the west side were not
original, but until now it has not been possible to make any conjecture as to what there might have been.

Abandoned stair cases have also been exposed in other parts of the building, thus making it possible to understand more about the original building plan and the changes that were made over the past 131 years.

Pictures and more information at
http://blog.hobbsarchitects.com/2012/01/11/pittsboro-courthouse-restoration-update-1-11-12/

Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 22:18:01 -0500
From: Gene Galin
Subject: Last Week’s Hottest Bulletin Board Topics

1. WCHL – Walmart Coming To NE Chatham County on 15-501 near Orange County line  (Read 3498 times)  at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,24679.0.html

2. Injury at Christmas parade  (Read 2524 times)  at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,24667.0.html

3. when is the christmas parade?  (Read 954 times)  at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,24600.0.html

4. CC – Carrboro residents oppose proposed Family Dollar  (Read 701 times)  at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,24681.0.html

5. Sportsman Lanes Bowling in Siler City is closing  (Read 567 times) at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,24674.0.html

6. 751 South project near Jordan Lake  (Read 469 times)  at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,24653.0.html

7. Rick Rosen: A Job Well Done  (Read 239 times)  at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,24668.0.html

8. Local company creates a video for their Christmas sales!  (Read 224 times)  at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,24677.0.html

Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 21:04:36 -0500
From: Tim Walker
Subject: Walmart in Chatham County

What a very thoughtful post from Ellen Pearson, re. making Walmart more a more responsible corporate citizen! It made think of the last time I was in Costco in Durham. They actually had Cackalacky sauce (a local product, out of Chapel Hill) for sale!

So, I would definitely agree with the point “Would you like certain products to be available to compensate for the excess traffic, the loss of local businesses, the loss of property values?  Tell Walmart what you think.”  And vote with your feet.

Tim Walker

Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 12:45:41 -0500
From: John R Dykers
Subject: New Walmart

50 years ago, even 60, that intersection was known as 5 points and has been commercial even longer. It was the sight of an ABC store, the closest for Chatham County residents. Gas station, massage parlor, appliance store, et al. The increase in traffic has come with the four lane of 15-501.

For comparison, Cole Park Plaza intersection at the time was only a side road west and all the other corners were woods and fallow meadows.

“Everybody’s gotta be somewhere”. The only resolution is pregnancy prevention.

John Dykers

Date: Tue, 6 Dec 2011 15:48:33 -0500
From: Gene Galin
Subject: Walmart Coming To Chatham County on 15-501 near Orange County line

Chapel Hill Town Manager Roger Stancil says that “plans for a new Walmart had been filed with Chatham County, right over the line, which I think would make it very convenient for people to leave Chapel Hill, shop in Chatham County and then come back and live here.”
 
Orange County economic development director Steve Brantley says the average Walmart generates about $70 million in retail sales.
 
“The significant property tax and retail sales tax from that Walmart will be supported, probably in large part, by Orange County shoppers,” Brantley says.
 
The Walmart currently in Hillsborough pays $200,000 in county property taxes each year, and produces about 10 percent of Orange County’s annual sales tax revenue.

Read the entire story at http://www.chapelboro.com/Walmart-Coming-To-Chatham-County/11663162

Chatham Online BBS discussion at http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,24679.0.html

Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2011 03:34:34 -0500
From: Adam Feher
Subject: Chathamcentric post about fracking

I promise not to frack. I won’t even frack on the ‘down low’.  Can we stop talking about it now? 

Adam.

Date: Tue, 1 Nov 2011 15:18:07 -0400
From: Tom Glendinning”
Subject: Another ‘fracking’ comment

The discussion about gas drilling is basically good for information gathering, if, and only if, the comments are made based on sound evidence. This discussion in Chatham has surpassed the its usefulness.   The BOC has no sway whatsoever in the regulation of or enforcement of the practice.  Any further comments at BOC meetings are simply an exercise in futility and ego feeding, or the need to be in the spotlight.
 
The NC legislature will make determinations on gas drilling in the state since it was outlawed by previous legislation, under coal mining.  Coal mining has produced water quality problems and releases of methane gas to local environments in several states.  In fact, the Pennsylvania example of burning water was the result of such a problem and ignoring state warnings not to drill in that rock formation.
 
These emotionally inspiring examples are fine for unfair justification of a poor argument.  They are, however, falsely founded on fact, making “Gasland” a fraud for true information on gas drilling.  But the witnesses against ‘fracking’ want something other than factual evidence.  They want another fight, no matter what the topic or venue.  So no evidence or argument contrary to their belief will suffice.  Theirs is a holy war, so full of holes it could not stand up to scrutiny but fought with the conviction that it is right.
 
There are risks in everything on earth.  Driving a car will expose one to death by vehicle.  Walking in the woods could lead to being eaten by a bear. Breathing fall air could expose one to pneumonia.  Etc., etc., etc.  The small concentrations of bad chemicals in ‘fracking fluid’ are within the limits of EPA drinking water standards for one mixture used.  Other “pollutants” are used in everyday products consumed by the American public. So why are we not banning cosmetics, automobile antifreeze, cooking products, and so on?  These product contain the same chemicals used in the drilling fluid.  In fact, using the same logic, we ought to ban automobiles because we want to ban gas drilling for using a chemical (at .001% concentration) that is carcinogenic if it is in our drinking water.  Laws and regulations need to be fairly and evenly prosecuted over the land, not unfairly imposed on one practice or company.
 
This fluid will not be drunk.  It will be treated by methods known to render the small amounts of pollutants ineffectual.  Besides, more of the same pollutants already exist in our environment and public drinking water systems.  Where is the outcry about them?  The endless protests at board meetings?  The bottomless posts on the Chatlist?
 
Tom Glendinning

Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2011 10:22:19 -0500
From: chathammatters
Subject: In response to Darryl Wally

We may, or may not, eventually have Hydraulic Fracturing in the State of North Carolina.  But if we do, I certainly hope we ALL will advocate for effective regulation to safeguard both our water supply and our property rights, it’s in no one’s best interest to harm either.

  Isn’t it better to make informed decisions, rather than ones based on propaganda, and fear?

Darryl Wally  says:
“Well regulated by whom? That is a joke considering how rightwing politicians and local pundits are trying to eliminate government regulation. If you count on the fracking industry to regulate itself, the fox is in the hen house, and that is not only myopic, it is dangerous”

But here in the real world (as opposed to Wally world):
- Each State regulates Hydraulic Fracturing and some don’t even permit it (the industry does not regulate itself… anywhere in the United States).
- Republican, Independent, and Democrat law makers in the States which permit Hydraulic Fracturing all have signed and support regulation of this industry, nowhere in the United States does the industry regulate itself.

You seem out there like the Movie Gasland which is in competition with Michael Moore for the “Largest Deviation from Reality in a Propaganda Movie” Award.

Just one example of Gasland’s gaseous emissions:
The most dramatic part of the movie: tap water so laden with gas that people can set it on fire…  It turns out that has nothing to do with Hydraulic Fracturing. The scene was shot in Colorado, where the filmmaker is in the kitchen of a man who lights his faucet.  But Colorado investigators went to that man’s house, checked out his well and found that Hydraulic Fracturing had nothing to do with his water catching fire. His well-digger had drilled into a naturally occurring methane pocket…. gosh, fancy that..

Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2011 11:12:12 -0500
From: Darryl Wally
Subject: Well regulated by whom?

> Date: Sat, 5 Nov 2011 09:56:39 -0400
> Re: “Tom Glendinning”
> “The point here is that the substances and compounds in “fracking” fluid are part of our lives in everyday products.”
>
> If that is the case, why won’t the fracking industry release ALL the components used? They refuse to do so. It has also been stated in reports that some chemicals which are known are carcinogenic.
>
>  “My main argument for this industry is that it offers employment for those who have lost jobs in our county and a stable supply of fuel within our borders.  These two benefits far outweigh my concerns about pollution from a what will be a well regulated process.”

Well regulated by whom? That is a joke considering how rightwing politicians and local pundits are trying to eliminate government regulation. If you count on the fracking industry to regulate itself, the fox is in the hen house, and that is not only myopic, it is dangerous.

But, given your response, I know you will sleep well no matter what transpires (as long as it generates money).