After 40 fantastic years as a professor of voice, this May tenor Stafford Wing finished his last term of teaching in UNC-Chapel Hill's Department of Music.
To celebrate his legacy, at 2 p.m. Saturday in Hill Hall Auditorium the Department of Music will present a special concert with Grammy-nominated Metropolitan Opera star Victoria Livengood. Sharing a range of classical and popular vocal music, this free performance also features several other alums that studied under Stafford Wing and are now working in music. Additionally, he will perform, as will department chair and director of opera, soprano Terry Rhodes.
While Carolina abounds with stellar faculty, Professor Wing was one of Chapel Hill's finest. A dedicated, distinguished and inspiring teacher, under his leadership the voice division flourished. He has helped to launch countless careers and continues to serve as a mentor to many.
Leading by example, his career included performances on some of the world's greatest stages in a variety of genres; he also has been a constant in the Triangle's music scene. In addition to his engaging performances, Stafford is known for his endearing personality. Over the years he was always one to bring in new listeners. Saturday's concert is no exception and offers a unique opportunity to hear a range of notable singing.
This weekend is also a homecoming for those whose lives Stafford has touched. There will be many wishing him well, both in person and from afar.
Additional details about the event are available at music.unc.edu and alumni.unc.edu/wing.
Casey Molino Dunn
Class of 2005, UNC-Chapel Hill
Czajkowski instills pride in cynical voter
I have been a homeowner in Chapel Hill for over eight years but never even considered voting before. That is, until I met Matt Czajkowski at a neighbor's house, where he was speaking to a group of us from our area.
Cynical, like many people who have lived in Durham first and then moved to Chapel Hill "for the schools," I thought Chapel Hill was all about the status quo, maybe even a bit snobbish. I have never sensed an atmosphere of making progress but rather one of "keeping what is ours" and that no one would want change. But I judged prematurely and was wrong.
Matt's first comments were on the subject of property taxes, and I went from cynical to very interested. Like me, he thinks they are too high and making Chapel Hill too expensive for folks who have lived here for decades. On the issues he brought to our attention, he made common sense and was willing to see more than one side. He spoke on a wide range of topics, from property taxes to panhandling on Franklin Street, and he made sense on all of them. He seemed fair, and talked about consensus and listening to more than one point of view.
I was drinking sweet tea, so I knew it was not the libation, but I found myself excited about him like I was about my candidate back in November last year.
Could there be change? Could there be a vision other than status quo?
Matt made me think so. I drilled him with questions after his talk. Both Matt and his wife were nothing short of refreshing. They really want to make things better, and do it sensibly. They do not feel like Chapel Hill is done, that much more is on the horizon, and that we need to plan for the growth and needs over the next 20 to 50 years.
For the first time, I was as proud to live in Chapel Hill as I was when I was in Durham and supporting what Durham has done with its downtown. This man is fair, open and talented. I look for big things for Chapel Hill during his tenure, and he has not only my support, but my long-lost enthusiasm.
Anthony Nicholas Galanos
Chapel Hill
Czajkowski has answers to challenges
I encourage you to make the sensible choice for the sensible candidate for mayor and vote for Matt Czajkowski.
He has demonstrated that he is willing to face tough issues sensibly and logically. He uses his years of business experience to do the kind of analysis that others seem to reject. He has ideas to move us toward solutions to the challenges that we face. He also demonstrates that public service decision making is not a popularity contest; it's about doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do.
He will represent all citizens.
Fred Black
Chapel Hill
Residents urged to make smart choices
While the upcoming Chapel Hill mayoral and Town Council elections may not be as glamorous as '08's presidential election, it is important that voting remain integral. With that in mind, I strongly urge residents to make the smartest choices for Chapel Hill -- mayoral candidate Matt Czajkowski, and Town Council candidates Jon DeHart, Matt Pohlman and Gene Pease.
Matt Czajkowski's history as town councilman exemplifies his devotion to making downtown Chapel Hill a safer, more inviting place -- he has been the only council member to advocate for improved lighting, the anti-panhandling ordinance and better parking. Vote Matt Czajkowski for Mayor of Chapel Hill -- the sensible choice.
Christopher B. Willis
UNC Senior
Haven-O'Donnell backs library plan
As a Friend of the Carrboro Branch Library at McDougle School, I urge all Carrboro voters to support Randee Haven-O'Donnell's bid for re- election to the Board of Carrboro Aldermen. When in April of this year the Carrboro Branch Library was faced with dissolution, her efforts were crucial in getting the town to pass a special resolution denouncing the proposed closure.
The Carrboro Branch Library remains open and we are now planning a free-standing South West Orange Regional Branch Library to serve Carrboro residents better. Randee Haven-O'Donnell knows all the issues involved in this monumental task. We need her on the Board of Aldermen for expertise and continuity if this project is to materialize.
Please re-elect her. She will get the job done.
Nerys Levy
Chapel Hill
Dancy qualified for school board seat
Rarely do candidates come along with the qualifications, intellect, leadership skills, and big-picture view as does Susana Dancy. She is an absolute MUST for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education.
With three children in the district, she has seen first-hand the challenges facing our elementary, middle and high schools, and challenges parents face when advocating for their children. She is a team player who has led the effort for the long-overdue construction of the Carrboro High School arts wing using federal stimulus money.
She has frequent contact with key players within Carrboro High, the Board of Education, Lincoln Center and county commissioners, and has been a tireless presence at school board and county commissioner meetings. As a real estate developer for first-time home buyers, she has keen insight on working with budgets during challenging times. She viewed figures for the CHCCS budget, identified a discrepancy that turned out to be a district error that was then fixed.
Please don't let this opportunity pass to have such a qualified, talented and effective person on our school board.
Jim Rogalski
Chapel Hill
