Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2012 05:22:35 -0700 (PDT)
From: Meg Miller
Subject: my main suggestion would be to meditate on being a nicer person

I have a few suggestions for Bruce:

First of all, the use of the word Nazi is offensive, but as I read you post, not surprising coming from someone of your demeanor. 

These “guards”, as you call them answer to someone other than you.  They have rules to follow from the people who employ them.  Your rude and insensitive name calling is uncalled for.  They are not county employees.  They work for a sub and are underpaid, in my opinion, work long hours, have no benefits and not many holiday, although some were added this year.

The gentlemen who assist me every week are friendly, helpful and knowledgable.  I go to the Cole Park recycle center at least once a week and I support all the guys who work there.

I really think you need to reassess your opinion of people who don’t live up to your standard, whatever that is.  Should these folks be college educated? Would that suit your needs? 

Bruce, you’re just plain rude and demeaning and my main suggestion would be to meditate on being a nicer person.  I did.

Don’t pet the sweaty stuff,

Meg

Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:30:03 -0500
From: JenP
Subject: Thanks to the lady in post office at Pope’s Tru Value

Late Friday afternoon I went into the post office with a big box to mail and toddler in tow. I had scraped together some cash and stamps to send the box, but when I got to the counter I was still short.

Dismayed, I went back out to the car and looked for some more money/stamps, and went back inside. Another customer (who had also been there the whole time working on her own mailing) asked me if I had found what I needed, and I said, “It’s going to be close” (but knowing I probably didn’t).

The lady left, and the clerk behind the counter told me the lady had left some change to help pay the postage! It was a relief, and I was so grateful. I have no idea who the nice customer was, but hope she reads the chatlist — I so appreciate your kindness — times are tough for many of us right now, and I promise to pay your generosity forward!

Regards,
JenP

Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:32:08 -0400
From: Julie Cummins
Subject: Pittsboro Skate Park fundraiser!!! come out on Friday night!

Come out to Support The Pittsboro Skate Park Efforts on Friday night(9/23) from 7-11

This is a silent Auction of Local, National and International Artists work on Skateboard decks- all one of a kind, and all up for Silent auction at the Bowbarr in Carrboro.    There will also be a live raffle with some really cool giveaways- so come out and support a great cause.

100% of money coming in from the auction will go to the skate park, plus some of alcohol sales-

THANK YOU to the Bowbarr for their support of  the  Pittsboro Skate Park!

When: Friday night, 9/23  from 7-11

Where: Bowbarr,  705 West Rosemary St    in Carrboro

..         21 and over only- if you want the kids to see the boards come by between 6-7 for viewing. Thanks in advance for your support!

..         Check us out at Pittsboroskatepark.com

Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 07:09:42 -0400
From: Gene Galin
Subject: WoodsRock III Music Festival moving indoors because of Irene

Don’t want to spend Saturday cooped up inside watching the progress of the hurricane all day long on the TV?

Come out to WoodsRock III indoor venue for a full day’s worth of live music.

The inevitable arrival of Irene has forced a change in the WoodsRock III location. We’re moving to our Woodland Grove home where we can listen to good music, eat good food, and have good fellowship with our community in the comfort of the great indoors!!!!

Family pass – $12, Individual – $5

Location: Woods Charter School is off Andrew’s Store Rd (between 15-501 and Mann’s Chapel) – 1/2 mile from Margaret Pollard Middle School

More info at
http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,22853.0.html

Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2011 14:19:46 -0500
From: Ann Hudak
Subject: Chapel Hill Tire

I wrote yesterday about WHAT I THOUGHT was a lie that I was told by Chapel Hill Tire. I WAS WRONG!
 
The owner of Chapel Hill Tire, Mark Pons, called me today and asked me to come in to check my car again and discuss the problem. When they put my car up on the lift, they actually showed me the 2 problems so I could see them. This was a real eyeopener for someone who knows virtually nothing about cars.
 
From the time I moved here, I had been hearing unfavorable reports about Chapel Hill Tire and went there with a preconcieved notion that they still had problems with their business. What I learned today, is that Mark and his entire company have been working very hard to change the stories that come from Chapel Hill Tire. They were not happy that Chapel Hill Tire had some difficulties with unfavorable rumors and they DO CARE about any questions or problems you have. I am really impressed with Mark’s attitude regarding his customers, community and his family.
 
I am sorry that I made the comments I did without giving Chapel Hill Tire the opportunity to answer my questions FIRST! I know some of you have emailed me to tell me your stories and it is my hope that you will give Chapel Hill Tire a new opportunity to impress you. They SURE DID impress me!!!!
 
Anne Flannery

Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2011 09:27:03 -0500
From: Parker Stockdale
Subject: Chapel Hill Tire in Cole Park

Hello Chatlisters:

I feel compelled to rise to the defense of CH Tire-Cole Park as in today’s Chatlist a ‘lister cast aspersions on the veracity of their advice in a recent transaction.  My experience with them over the last three years has been excellent.  They find things now and then on my car and trucks and explain them thoroughly and are very upfront about how to deal (or not deal) with items they have found. 

I always have the option to do nothing about the flaws found.  They come up with ways I can save money on the vehicles. 

Just two days ago I went in for an oil change and they gave me the car back saying they had noted leaking rear differential fluid.  So they, on their own initiative, checked service bulletins on my car and discovered that GM has had problems with the leaks and detailed the remedies needed.  When I picked up the car they gave me the service bulletin and said to take it to my dealer as they would fix it for free as it was a warranty item.  The dealer found a blocked rear axle vent and fixed it quickly at no charge. 

Little things like that mean a lot when we’re nursing our vehicles along.  CH Tire has my vote, and my business.   

Parker Stockdale.

Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 05:09:54 -0800 (PST)
From: BOB and KATHRYN ROYSTER
Subject: Country Breakfast

If you are looking for something to do on the morning of February 12, come and join us for a Country Breakfast!  Mark your calendars now.

COUNTRY BREAKFAST
Mount Carmel Baptist Church
2016 Mt. Carmel Church Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(The church is located on Mount Carmel Church Road @ the Chatham/Orange County Line-near Carolina Meadows and Governor’s Club.)
Saturday, February 12
7:30 – 11:30 A.M.
Menu Includes:
Country Ham & Sausage
Bacon, Eggs, Grits & Gravy
Stewed Apples
Homemade Biscuits
Jams & Jellies
Coffee & Juice
A breakfast that Grandma would be proud to serve!
Adults: $10.00
Children (under 12): $5.00
EAT IN OR TAKE OUT!     ALL YOU CAN EAT!

We hope to see you there.

Thanks!
Bob Royster

Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2011 16:07:26 -0500
From: Karen Birbeck
Subject: Wrought Iron Gem!

I love this place.  I just found out about “The Last Unicorn”.  We were looking for something for my husband to play with in his welding class.  We also “need” lots of yard art and a new mailbox post.  This was just the place for us. 

“Architectural Antiques, specializing in wrought iron gates and fencing, stained glass and other pretties.  It was an adventure just wondering around this place.  Its almost all outdoors.  Probably more than a acre.  Some pieces are as-is.  Some have been cleaned up.  He has this really neat octagonal building with a fire pit in the middle – the Meditation Room – open to any by appointment. And Lots more.  Cool!

I really enjoyed meeting Gaines Steer, walking around his place and even coming home with a few finds.  We will return!

The Last Unicorn
536 Edwards Ridge Rd.
Chapel Hill, NC 27517

http://www.thelastunicorn.com/
info@thelastunicorn.com

Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2011 11:31:06 -0500
From: Tom West
Subject: Step up to the plate and be an Eco Hero, Chris Garriss

Chris -

Happy to hear that you have been around for more than 60 years. Hopefully it means you are a man of some wisdom.

I am not so happy to hear that you feel that you and about two or four or six other people feel that you are entitled to ride what is essentially a 40 passenger limousine service that taxpayers had to pay $360,000 for.

If you don’t mind me asking – If you care so much about our school children, why do you think it is okay to spend $10,000 a month for magic bus when there not enough money for school buses?

http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,14262.0.html

As for your informal “survey,” how many people did you specifically survey? Did you even consider asking any of the hundreds of people who signed the online petition supporting the Pittsboro Express bus (but apparently almost none of which chose to use it)

http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php?topic=15482.0

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/pch/signatures-1.html

You may feel that you have paid your fair share by handing over a $3 fare. Do you realize that based on current ridership the actual cost per rider is between $10 – $20 per trip?

Instead of what appears to be whining about saving taxpayers $360,000 let’s discuss how you are going to handle this challenge and turn yourself into an Eco Hero.

Here’s how we start -

1) Over the next several weeks you talk to some of the two or four or six people you share the 40 passenger bus with

2) You ask them what they plan to do once the Pittsboro Express service ends

3) After they voice their complaints you tell them you have a great money saving and ecologically sound alternative plan. A great solution that does not involve government.

4) You ask them if they want to save themselves money, save the earth and save taxpayers $360,000

5) When they ask you how they can do that, you tell them.

6) You tell them that since you all ride the bus together, you can all still ride together.

7) All you have to do is CARPOOL together!

Isn’t that a great plan? You and your two or four or six buddies can CARPOOL together.

If your buddies don’t understand the concept, direct them to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpool

Another good resource is http://www.erideshare.com/

If you happen to have one of those finicky economics or math types on the bus with you them you can explain the numbers to them.

If the car you share gets 20 miles per gallon and it’s about 20 miles from the Pittsboro Courthouse to UNC Hospitals you use about a gallon of gas each way.

With gas at about $3 per gallon you will spend $6 per day for gas. Divide that between 4 people and it only costs each of you $1.50 per day round trip, which is less than riding the bus!

Like the Visa commercial says:
Chris and his three buddies carpooling – $1.50 a person per day
Saving taxpayers $360,000 – Priceless

Go ahead Chris! Be a trendsetter! Don’t let the man hold you down! Take some initiative TODAY and get that carpool going!

And one last thing Chris. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such a stand-up guy and stepping up to the challenge! You can be Chatham County’s own ECO-HERO!

BTW, even if you do not believe the people who have seen an empty Pittsboro Express bus, there has been at least one documented case of the Ghost bus being empty.
Check out http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,15206.0.html and you will see that there were few and no riders on the Pittsboro Express

Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2011 18:40:00 +0000
From: Karen E Crowell
Subject: public transportation & on the job training

To quote a recent chatlist post:

“Why is it my responsibility as a taxpayer to subsidize transportation for you to get to work? Should I also buy your food and pay your mortgage because your income is limited? Sorry, but I believe in personal responsibility and this belief that the nanny government is here to take care of you has gotten out of control.”

Since you are so cost-conscious when it comes to government spending, consider this. It is far cheaper to subsidize child care, transportation and job training – which are significant obstacles to many people looking for work – than it is to feed, house and pay for the health care of the unemployed when they can’t find a job and have no other source of income. People who can’t afford to live close enough to where they are likely to find work, and who don’t have enough money to pay for gas and insurance, rely heavily on public transportation. Even families who have a car sometimes have to rely on public transportation if more than one person is employed and their shifts don’t coincide or their jobs are located in opposite directions from where they live.

If you own a car and you have a job that pays enough to cover your expenses, be thankful. Not everyone does. Ignoring that fact doesn’t make you a better person either. And apart from the issue of need, public transportation is important to consider if we want to stop polluting the air we breathe.. If you don’t breathe, then don’t worry.

As for the empty bus complaints, consider the fact that people who ride the Pittsboro-Chapel Hill bus might depart much earlier than you do to get to work. It takes time to get to the bus stop in the morning, time for the bus to get to its destination, and time to walk to your office from the bus stop where you get off. Some people even take more time to catch yet another bus to get to where they work, because the bus only stops at a few locations. So while you’re out and about running errands later in the day when most businesses are open, many of these commuters have been on the job long before you headed out the door.

Even in Chapel Hill there are plenty of big, nearly empty buses on the roads. From about 10:00 to 3:00 fewer people ride, so the buses make fewer trips with far fewer passengers on board. It probably isn’t practical for them to own a fleet of smaller buses to run the same bus routes during the middle of the day, while their big buses sit idle.

So even if you think it’s wasteful for such a big bus to make the trip from Pittsboro to Chapel Hill and back, it might be the only size bus they can provide. Maybe a better solution would be investing in a smaller bus, but don’t tell me that a big bus is worse than no bus at all.

There is always more to a story than what we think or what we’re told. That is why it pays to take the time to consider things carefully and not jump to conclusions. As someone recently pointed out, the new commissioners jumped to many conclusions with the decisions they made recently. Had they taken the time to investigate more thoroughly the circumstances in which previous decisions were made, they might have come to different conclusions.

Everyone know that it takes time for most newly hired employees to learn a job, especially if they have little or no experience. It doesn’t bode well that these new commissioners already think they have all the answers. Maybe they will learn by their mistakes, but at what cost to the taxpayers?

Karen Crowell

Pittsboro