Weekly update, February 20

Greetings!

This was a busy week with The Carrborean Radio Hour airing each day on WCOM 103.5 (wcomfm.org) to continue coverage of competitive Orange County primary elections. We also had a fun chat with Dr. Whitney Fry of Flame Tree Story, a Carrboro business focused on storytelling and facilitation.

Competitive Orange County Primary Races

There are no competitive races in the Republican primary for Orange County offices. The competitive races in the Democratic primary are listed below; here are links to the recorded interviews and the summarized transcripts of those interviews. All candidates were invited to join us for a conversation; all candidates responded except Amy Jo McLamb.

Orange County Board of Commissioners, At-large: Adam Beeman, Karen Stegman

Orange County Board of Commissioners, District 1: Jamezetta Bedford, María T. Palmer

Orange County Register of Deeds: Penny Rich, Amy Jo McLamb

Orange County Sheriff: Charles Blackwood, David LaBarre

The Carrboro Film Fest

The Carrboro Film Fest is happening next Friday, February 27 - Sunday, March 1 and The Carrborean is a main sponsor. Take a look at our preview and plan your weekend there. One of the films showing Sunday is The True Cost of Power, about Duke Energy and Carrboro's historic lawsuit against the power company. We interviewed the filmmakers on The Carrborean Radio Hour last month and put part of that interview in February's print edition of The Carrborean. Last week, Carrboro's lawsuit was dismissed and the Town is now considering next steps. NC Warn advises the Town and issued a brief statement.

News from Town, County, and the CHCCS Board of Education

We've summarized Town Council meeting highlights here and CHCCS Board of Education meeting highlights here. Update from CHCCS regarding the meeting last evening (February 19):

CHCCS may study up to five elementary schools -Ephesus, Estes Hills, FPG Bilingüe, Glenwood and Seawell- for potential closure or consolidation, in order to address financial shortfalls caused by declining student enrollment and underutilized schools. 

• Use this link to review the ideas and considerations for elementary school closure criteria as presented on Feb. 19 (PDF)
• No decisions have been made, and we are currently working on the criteria to determine which schools to close.
• This is about closing buildings. It is not about eliminating any academic programs or services for students. Students enrolled in programs will be able to complete their program pathway.
• The process will be guided by data, transparency and district values.
• Any final action will take place publicly with opportunities for community feedback. 
• Shaping the Future Together: Visit this webpage for information and prior communications on this important topic.

Home Repair Lab and OWASA will host a workshop on ways to save energy and water to bring down your bills. Drakeford Building, 203 South Greensboro Street on March 5 from 6 - 7:30pm. RSVP here.

The Carrboro Music Festival performance applications will be accepted until April 30. The Festival will be held September 27!

Final Notes

The Community Bulletin Board has announcements and opportunities for giving and civic engagement and is updated weekly.

There's so much going on in Carrboro! Check out The Events Calendar to see what's happening and help us keep it up to date.

As always, please consider a paid subscription to support community journalism (local news told by the people living it) and ask your favorite businesses if they advertise in The Carrborean. Subscribers at the "Angel" tier get the first-ever Carrborean T-shirt among other benefits. Thank you! Big thanks to The Merch for printing the shirts! 

Poetry Moment