Comments for The Easthom Page http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com Connecting with the Community Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:28:27 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on The New Year by finance buddy http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/2007/01/15/the-new-year/#comment-971 finance buddy Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:28:27 +0000 http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/2007/01/15/the-new-year/#comment-971 gr8 article. gr8 article.

]]> Comment on NOT ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY by Laurin http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/not-enough-hours-in-the-day/#comment-962 Laurin Sat, 18 Apr 2009 13:50:51 +0000 http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/?p=140#comment-962 Thanks, JcBarr. When all is said and done, I'd want people to understand that I vote on my own, but that may or may not fall in line with everyone else. I'm not scared of being the lone vote, and I don't care if I'm criticized for being "out there" on some issue. All I know is that I feel that I have good common sense, and chances are, if I vote a certain way, there are a good many people out there in CH who would do the same thing....and that's what I really aim to do....vote according to what I think another reasonable Chapel Hillian would do.....to that extent it is my own vote and I feel I'm trying to do the right thing. No one is perfect however. And I'm not sure that having nine people makes up for a potential mistake. But I know that the council listens and tries to do its best to respond to what people want. Thanks, JcBarr. When all is said and done, I’d want people to understand that I vote on my own, but that may or may not fall in line with everyone else. I’m not scared of being the lone vote, and I don’t care if I’m criticized for being “out there” on some issue. All I know is that I feel that I have good common sense, and chances are, if I vote a certain way, there are a good many people out there in CH who would do the same thing….and that’s what I really aim to do….vote according to what I think another reasonable Chapel Hillian would do…..to that extent it is my own vote and I feel I’m trying to do the right thing. No one is perfect however. And I’m not sure that having nine people makes up for a potential mistake. But I know that the council listens and tries to do its best to respond to what people want.

]]> Comment on NOT ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY by jcbarr http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/not-enough-hours-in-the-day/#comment-961 jcbarr Sat, 18 Apr 2009 04:21:21 +0000 http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/?p=140#comment-961 George, count me as at least one who's not sure public financing is a good thing, but voted for the additional transfer tax and have been vocally in support of the revaluation (though I'm sure there are areas our local govts can be more efficient). I just don't see how someone like xxx could compete against a well-known incumbent if they have equal $. And Laurin, I've always admired your skepticism on the council. I've certainly been one to complain about group-think on this council and I give you great credit for obviously thinking about issues (whatever side you end up on) rather than just voting the PC way. George, count me as at least one who’s not sure public financing is a good thing, but voted for the additional transfer tax and have been vocally in support of the revaluation (though I’m sure there are areas our local govts can be more efficient).

I just don’t see how someone like xxx could compete against a well-known incumbent if they have equal $.

And Laurin, I’ve always admired your skepticism on the council. I’ve certainly been one to complain about group-think on this council and I give you great credit for obviously thinking about issues (whatever side you end up on) rather than just voting the PC way.

]]> Comment on NOT ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY by Fred Black http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/not-enough-hours-in-the-day/#comment-960 Fred Black Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:53:51 +0000 http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/?p=140#comment-960 I can understand your frustrations, Laurin. (BTW why is you clock showing posts with a time 4 hrs later?) Earlier today after I posted the first comment I received an email from someone who said that they were frustrated because it seemed to them that some Council members don't respect each other or even consider them as a legitimate office holder, so where might citizens fit into that. I didn't want to get into the substance of this with them, but it is another indicator of what I wrote. Sometimes, we do have to acknowledge that flawed perceptions really are someone's reality that elected bodies have to cope with. I can understand your frustrations, Laurin. (BTW why is you clock showing posts with a time 4 hrs later?)

Earlier today after I posted the first comment I received an email from someone who said that they were frustrated because it seemed to them that some Council members don’t respect each other or even consider them as a legitimate office holder, so where might citizens fit into that. I didn’t want to get into the substance of this with them, but it is another indicator of what I wrote.

Sometimes, we do have to acknowledge that flawed perceptions really are someone’s reality that elected bodies have to cope with.

]]> Comment on NOT ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY by laurineasthom http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/not-enough-hours-in-the-day/#comment-959 laurineasthom Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:18:38 +0000 http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/?p=140#comment-959 Thanks George and Fred for your comments. Thanks George for your support. Serving on council is definitely not easy. I am frankly getting tired of sporadic complaints (not you Fred) about the council being an old boy network that doesn't listen to citizens and we all get together and preplan things according to our group agenda. Stuff like: we all try to slip things by in our own self interest.... We are antigrowth....we all want health care for the rest of our lives and we don't care about anyone else...just ourselves. We all drink our own koolaid and we are all set in our ways and don't have minds of our own...we are products of the pitfalls of misguided groupthink. Stuff like: We devised a scheme to keep out good citizens who want to run for council by clinching our own positions with public financing. Huh? It's all a bunch of @%$#. I can tell you right now I haven't had an easy time on the council, and have many times where I've been the sole dissenter or have tried to push things that just haven't gotten anywhere amongst other council members. Yet I understand that, and try my best to acknowledge that we can sometimes agree to disagree....and in the end, we all know that we are trying to make Chapel Hill a better place. If anyone hates the old boy network mentality, it's me. I have dealt with that on a professional level, where women have often been struggling as dentists in a profession previously dominated by male dentists. If people are frustrated by the council, then I hope they voice their concerns, openly. We cannot read people's minds or know what they are thinking unless they show up to a meeting or email us or meet with us, etc. And the argument that it's a waste of time we won't listen is simply not the case. I will listen. I may not agree with the particular viewpoint, but convince me! I'm not set in my ways. Thanks George and Fred for your comments. Thanks George for your support. Serving on council is definitely not easy.
I am frankly getting tired of sporadic complaints (not you Fred) about the council being an old boy network that doesn’t listen to citizens and we all get together and preplan things according to our group agenda. Stuff like: we all try to slip things by in our own self interest…. We are antigrowth….we all want health care for the rest of our lives and we don’t care about anyone else…just ourselves. We all drink our own koolaid and we are all set in our ways and don’t have minds of our own…we are products of the pitfalls of misguided groupthink. Stuff like: We devised a scheme to keep out good citizens who want to run for council by clinching our own positions with public financing. Huh? It’s all a bunch of @%$#.
I can tell you right now I haven’t had an easy time on the council, and have many times where I’ve been the sole dissenter or have tried to push things that just haven’t gotten anywhere amongst other council members. Yet I understand that, and try my best to acknowledge that we can sometimes agree to disagree….and in the end, we all know that we are trying to make Chapel Hill a better place.
If anyone hates the old boy network mentality, it’s me. I have dealt with that on a professional level, where women have often been struggling as dentists in a profession previously dominated by male dentists.
If people are frustrated by the council, then I hope they voice their concerns, openly. We cannot read people’s minds or know what they are thinking unless they show up to a meeting or email us or meet with us, etc. And the argument that it’s a waste of time we won’t listen is simply not the case. I will listen. I may not agree with the particular viewpoint, but convince me! I’m not set in my ways.

]]> Comment on NOT ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY by George Entenman http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/not-enough-hours-in-the-day/#comment-958 George Entenman Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:34:21 +0000 http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/?p=140#comment-958 Laurin, I for one am very grateful that you are finding the resources to serve on the council. We sure need you. As for Fred's comment, it seems to me that people bothered by "voter-owned elections" have probably bought the kool-aid that this somehow helps incumbents. Probably the same people who voted against the transfer tax and are now whining about the property tax, something that the transfer tax was designed to lower. Keep up the good work, Laurin. -- ge Laurin,

I for one am very grateful that you are finding the resources to serve on the council. We sure need you.

As for Fred’s comment, it seems to me that people bothered by “voter-owned elections” have probably bought the kool-aid that this somehow helps incumbents. Probably the same people who voted against the transfer tax and are now whining about the property tax, something that the transfer tax was designed to lower.

Keep up the good work, Laurin.

– ge

]]> Comment on NOT ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY by Fred Black http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/not-enough-hours-in-the-day/#comment-957 Fred Black Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:35:03 +0000 http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/?p=140#comment-957 Laurin, Your thoughts are very interesting and filled with good advice! I'm not sure if it's understood how much folks are divided on our new taxpayer funded elections. Therefore, it will be interesting to see who takes and who doesn't, and what the ramifications are. Every time I talk with someone opposed to the Council's 8-1 decision, I asked why they didn't come and speak against it. The response is typically, why bother. As there are several important issues in this same category, we shall see if this sense of "frustration" with the Council makes a difference in the next election. Note the other example on the opinion page in this morning's CHH. Laurin,

Your thoughts are very interesting and filled with good advice!

I’m not sure if it’s understood how much folks are divided on our new taxpayer funded elections. Therefore, it will be interesting to see who takes and who doesn’t, and what the ramifications are. Every time I talk with someone opposed to the Council’s 8-1 decision, I asked why they didn’t come and speak against it. The response is typically, why bother. As there are several important issues in this same category, we shall see if this sense of “frustration” with the Council makes a difference in the next election. Note the other example on the opinion page in this morning’s CHH.

]]> Comment on Large Amounts of Herbicide in Your Backyard? by Kalindi http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/2007/09/24/large-amounts-of-herbicide-in-your-backyard/#comment-951 Kalindi Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:56:54 +0000 http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/2007/09/24/large-amounts-of-herbicide-in-your-backyard/#comment-951 One other thing to consider... Think of the poor Mexicans they hire to do this awful work for pennies- I am sure the money they make as contract labor will not pay their hospital bills when they get sick from working with those toxic chemicals. One other thing to consider… Think of the poor Mexicans they hire to do this awful work for pennies- I am sure the money they make as contract labor will not pay their hospital bills when they get sick from working with those toxic chemicals.

]]> Comment on Large Amounts of Herbicide in Your Backyard? by Kalindi http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/2007/09/24/large-amounts-of-herbicide-in-your-backyard/#comment-950 Kalindi Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:48:49 +0000 http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/2007/09/24/large-amounts-of-herbicide-in-your-backyard/#comment-950 I agree with Christina- Duke is SCUM! They make my husband want to go out and get a gun to pull out on those work crews! Just last week they notified us that they would "trim" our trees. Well, they came through and clear cut at least an acre of our forest, and slaughtered 10 trees which bloomed gorgeous flowers which were intentionally planted near the power lines b/c they did not grow taller than 20 ft. Our once beautiful forest is now a massacred wasteland. Their crew of Mexicans did it in a few hours. We too live off of spring water and all of our neighbors have wells. When I called Duke about the inevitable spraying I spent 45 mins. on and off of hold trying to get some kind of information- ANY information- when is the spraying scheduled for, what chemicals are sprayed? How do I stop the spraying from happening- at least on my property? The girl had NO ANSWERS!!!! Duke doesn't even know what it is spraying!!!!! It could be agent orange for all they know. What ever it is it must be carcinogenic to be able to wipe out plant life as it does. The destruction of our trees was bad enough- now Duke wants us all to get cancer. They must be hand in hand with the pharmaceutical companies as well as the herbicidal companies. It seems to me they would realize that if they make us all sick and we die- we won't be customers anymore! Although I am a non-violent vegetarian, I think I will encourage my husband to go out and buy a gun- considering our government won't protect us from/seems to be in alliance with these bloodthirsty for cash corporate scum. I agree with Christina- Duke is SCUM! They make my husband want to go out and get a gun to pull out on those work crews! Just last week they notified us that they would “trim” our trees. Well, they came through and clear cut at least an acre of our forest, and slaughtered 10 trees which bloomed gorgeous flowers which were intentionally planted near the power lines b/c they did not grow taller than 20 ft. Our once beautiful forest is now a massacred wasteland. Their crew of Mexicans did it in a few hours.

We too live off of spring water and all of our neighbors have wells. When I called Duke about the inevitable spraying I spent 45 mins. on and off of hold trying to get some kind of information- ANY information- when is the spraying scheduled for, what chemicals are sprayed? How do I stop the spraying from happening- at least on my property? The girl had NO ANSWERS!!!! Duke doesn’t even know what it is spraying!!!!! It could be agent orange for all they know. What ever it is it must be carcinogenic to be able to wipe out plant life as it does.

The destruction of our trees was bad enough- now Duke wants us all to get cancer. They must be hand in hand with the pharmaceutical companies as well as the herbicidal companies. It seems to me they would realize that if they make us all sick and we die- we won’t be customers anymore!

Although I am a non-violent vegetarian, I think I will encourage my husband to go out and buy a gun- considering our government won’t protect us from/seems to be in alliance with these bloodthirsty for cash corporate scum.

]]> Comment on Large Amounts of Herbicide in Your Backyard? by Tommy http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/2007/09/24/large-amounts-of-herbicide-in-your-backyard/#comment-949 Tommy Sat, 20 Dec 2008 16:22:49 +0000 http://laurineasthom.wordpress.com/2007/09/24/large-amounts-of-herbicide-in-your-backyard/#comment-949 I tried the path our Lt. Govenor recommended but it failed to produce any positive results. It appears the North Carolina Utlity Services Commission can not read the very items it says I can not prove such as Duke Energy's stipulation that right of way land owner's are to purchase "No Spray" signs even when the Duke Energy forms are provided to them as proof. The process is a sham and is one sided. When a hearing was asked for, one was not granted! For our NCDA inspectors to use and quote from a document that is not binding nor legal at meetings is a waste of tax payer dollars. These folks should be fired! I tried the path our Lt. Govenor recommended but it failed to produce any positive results. It appears the North Carolina Utlity Services Commission can not read the very items it says I can not prove such as Duke Energy’s stipulation that right of way land owner’s are to purchase “No Spray” signs even when the Duke Energy forms are provided to them as proof. The process is a sham and is one sided. When a hearing was asked for, one was not granted! For our NCDA inspectors to use and quote from a document that is not binding nor legal at meetings is a waste of tax payer dollars. These folks should be fired!

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