What's UNC doing to curb booze abuse?

Much is written about abusive student drinking, declaring this a community problem.

The drinking problem among many UNC students is serious -- seems many come to Chapel Hill just to have a place to drink too much.

While I'm concerned about the health implications of their dangerous drinking choices, I'm embarrassed by the alcohol-driven and immature misbehavior of many of them. Franklin Street is not a place to take children at night, and many permanent residents constantly fall victim to student vandalism and disruption. So, yes, it's a community problem.

But despite UNC's no-alcohol policy, the campus seems awash in alcohol. So while asking the community to do more, I wonder what UNC is doing to deal with its own "problem."

The UNC Department of Public Safety is nowhere to be found when it comes to enforcing underage drinking laws on campus. No threat to student drinking, visit a football game to witness the open student use of alcohol, or read about the many unconscious students found on campus. Reports claim that alcohol poisoning among students here is at a record level, and alcohol-related deaths are at their highest level. Cortland Smith comes to mind.

Their Department of Public Safety is more a part of the problem than part of the solution. So when you ask us to do more, ask the university to use its own resources in the "community" effort to protect its students.

David R. Lee

Chapel Hill

Former principal gives support to Lee

I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Christine Lee for over six years, and it is with enthusiasm that I endorse her election to the Board of Education of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. Christine has had three children attend schools in the district -- one has graduated and the other two are enrolled at East Chapel Hill High School -- and she has worked consistently for the improvement of both their and their peer's educational experiences.

While there are many things that allow Christine to stand out in the field of board candidates, three things quickly rise to the front.

First is her willingness to consider the needs of all students when advocating a position. I saw this first-hand when she and I served on the district's Long-Range Strategic Planning Task Force. Her input helped ensure that all students' needs were included in that guiding document.

Second is her self-sacrifice. In addition to a demanding professional and personal life, Christine has willingly provided service to the schools, originally as a member of the Smith SIT, and most recently as a member of the East Chapel Hill High SIT.

Finally, Christine is always willing to ask the hard questions necessary to ensure that a decision is the right decision. Christine asked these questions of the superintendent this fall regarding the district's modified transcript policy, and she asked these questions of me regarding the school's structure for co-curricular support while I was principal at East. Throughout these discussions, her focus has been on making sure that all students' needs are addressed when an answer is provided.

It is with enthusiasm and commitment that I support Christine Lee's bid for a seat on the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education.

David J. Thaden

Chapel Hill

Gering demonstrates modesty, honesty

I have been a resident of Hillsborough for approximately 13 years. During that time I have watched the progress being made in most aspects of Hillsborough's renewal, both in the restoral of its historic significance and in the lifting of its management to achieve current progress in its governance and, thus, in the voter confidence in its Town Commission.

I want to commend board member Mike Gering, especially, because of his great leadership in helping to bring about Hillsborough's positive outlook. He has served for eight years, and in that time we have seen Hillsborough blossom. Mike is modest enough to give many others the credit, but Mike was very often in the leadership role. He led efforts for well-planned senior housing; he fought for developments that were good for the town but also would help the tax base; and he has opposed developments that would be harmful to our town, e.g. asphalt plant too near and the proposed waste transfer station.

Mike is a very honest man and calls them like he sees them, and his votes most often protect all our interests.

I would encourage all Hillsboroughans to come out and vote for Mike Gering in the coming town elections. We will all continue to be proud of Mike's work for us.

Max Preston

Hillsborough

Kleinschmidt is the "sensible" candidate

I have been hearing the word "sensible" used many times in the current Chapel Hill mayoral campaign. I think a "sensible" mayoral candidate would be characterized as someone with intelligence, good common sense, excellent listening skills and soundness of judgment or reasoning.

A sensible candidate would be someone accustomed to weighing many different opinions and finding the wise, thoughtful way. A sensible candidate would be wholly committed to the hard (and sometimes thankless) task of building consensus in our diverse community.

Mark Kleinschmidt has served on the Chapel Hill Town Council as a sensible, responsive and caring member for the last eight years. As our mayor, Mark will focus on the issues of: Justice for all in our community, the caretaking of our natural environment, the best ways to build a creative arts-friendly and vibrant downtown, affordable housing for all our citizens, and our needs for quality, clean mass transit.

Mark is our sensible candidate for mayor of Chapel Hill. He will bring his warm and informed intelligence to help shape the future of our rich and generous town.

Carmen Elliott

Chapel Hill

Strategic thinking one of Czajkowski's assets

I strongly feel that Matt Czajkowski is the right person to chart the future course for Chapel Hill. Matt has the unique combination of characteristics that an educated, caring community like Chapel Hill needs. He is a strategic thinker who has a viable set of programs to strengthen the community's financial well being, improve the viability of our downtown business district and support our diverse community goals.

A leader of impeccable integrity, Matt Czajkowski has shown the dedication and logical thinking that has been valuable and will be more so in the future.

Matt's the leader we need!

Larry Loeser

Chapel Hill

Czajkowski's plan for downtown is exciting

I think Matt Czajkowski's ideas for the re-birth of our downtown are some of the most exciting I have heard. They are both achievable and will also greatly benefit our local arts community.

Michael Brown

Chapel Hill

Lofty ideals fine; but fix the potholes first

Rising taxes and the questionable financial decisions of our town government makes us uncertain about our ability to afford Chapel Hill in the long term.

We need a pragmatic approach to governing Chapel Hill. Our elected officials need to measure the long-term impact of their decisions, be faithful stewards of our very hard-earned tax dollars and prioritize the needs of this community.

Lofty ideals are great, but please address them after you fix the potholes that are half the size of my car at Cedar Falls Park.

Join us in supporting Matt Czajkowski as our next mayor for Chapel Hill.

Monica and Jose Gulisano

Chapel Hill

Czajkowski best for young professionals

Why is it that my all my young professional friends move to Durham and Chatham counties instead of living in Chapel Hill, where they would love to live? It's because they refuse to pay the astronomically absurd taxes of Chapel Hill!

That's why I am voting for the mayoral candidate who is going to support business and commercial development. Residents can no longer shoulder the tax burden. ... I strongly believe it is a huge mistake for Chapel Hill to lose all the young people who live here. Join me in voting for Matt Czajkowski!

Whitney Long

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill needs new leadership

Having owned a restaurant on Franklin Street for six years, I recognize the incredible (and, sadly, unmet) potential of our downtown. While a business owner, I participated in numerous meetings and committees until I figured out that downtown will never change until leadership at the highest levels of Chapel Hill changes. Fortunately, this year Chapel Hill has a choice for new direction.

With Matt Czajkowski as mayor, safety, panhandling, crime, and cleanliness will be addressed in significant ways.

For 10 years, past town councils have made an effort to ignore these issues and the problems of business owners.

Neil Newcomb

Chapel Hill

Czajkowski runs exemplary campaign

Council member Matt Czajkowski has been looking after our interests, insisting on the kind of transparency that we deserve, against the formerly entrenched bloc led by those out of sync with their constituents. In his run for mayor, Matt represents changing Chapel Hill demographics, mainstream folks who hold liberal values but who are also concerned about financial stability for ourselves and for our town.

Encouraged by Matt's exemplary campaign for mayor, we are pleased that he's a person of integrity and honor for whom we will cast our votes for Mayor of Chapel Hill!

Sandy Turbeville and Glen H. Elder Jr.

Chapel Hill

Brownstein possesses knowledge and energy

I enthusiastically support Shell Brownstein for school board. Years of service to our schools in many different capacities and hours of research on children's learning have given Shell a thorough understanding of how the system works at all levels. This working knowledge coupled with Shell's passion to provide the best possible education to all students makes her a strong advocate and resource for parents and students.

Through her work with twice exceptional students, Shell has demonstrated a keen ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of school programs. Most importantly, Shell has demonstrated that she has the knowledge, drive and energy to bring about positive change. She will be a strong addition to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education.

Tess Wesley

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill needs Czajkowski at helm

I have two urgent requests of every registered voter. First, please vote! Less than 20 percent of us will do so. Your future is NOW! Second, please vote for Matt Czajkowski for mayor. We need his leadership skills to find solutions to the problems of our town today and in the next few years.

Enough of Carolina North. Matt brings experience, sincerity, honesty and directness to the table and will seek solutions to the challenges before us.

Dedicate your shoe leather to go and vote for Matt Czajkowski. Do it today. You are needed. Thanks for being an active member of our town.

Don Boulton

Chapel Hill

Environmental stewards deserve the votes

Easthom, Harrison, Raymond and Rich.

Why?

Incumbents, Laurin and Ed, have most notably provided an open door for help and questions to their constituents, have served us well, and have demonstrated critically needed stewardship for our environment.

Candidates Will and Penny are both willing to challenge assumptions, ask the questions that need to be asked, and will be able to hit the ground running when elected.

Together, these four knowledgeable council members will listen to our concerns, ask our questions and protect our environment, neighborhoods, and town.

Del Snow

Chapel Hill