Just picked up the paper and finally got some word from the school. Bill Wilcox is reporting that the holdup is 'issues with the language in the stipulations of attached to its Special Use Permit application can be resolved.' It confirms that the school is pursuing other options. It states that the parking is the major sticking point, and who would hold the insurance and liability (which is what I had heard). Remember, the dentist office next door, connected to Bett Wilson Foley, wants access to the parking lot but it seems does not want to be liable or pay for the insurance (read my opinion). Also at issue is how to coordinate special events held at night by the school since the town has also requested use of the parking lot (which is absurd in my opinion).

The article points out that this was a 15 month process, taking much longer than anticipated, forcing the school to pursue other options.

Mr. Butler (from HRCA) also addressed the rumors that belle/caddy and others were attempting to spread, that the landlord was changing his mind on what to do with the property. Mr. Butler states that this was not true.

"Mr. (John) Justice has been nothing but good and gracious throughout the whole process. He has bent over backwards to help us," Mr. Butler said. He went on to say that Mr. Justice changed NOTHING in the LOI since October when it was signed, meaning the option to purchase.

Source:  The Chatham Record, Thursday, May 17, 2012. Pittsboro, NC Vol. 133 No. 26.
Article: Private School May Relocate - Bill Wilcox
No online link to full article, and front page not posted yet.

I hope that suffices for sourcing Gene, if not, let me know and I will change it.

The way I read it is that the town took entirely to long processing the request, forcing the school to look elsewhere, while wanting use of the parking lot for themselves and the dentist office while laying liability and insurance payment on the school, as well as the town. They were diplomatic when speaking with of the town, as I would be when I am not out of the woods yet. However, the claim that Mr. Justice is at fault is a fabricated lie, spread by those in support of the Mayor. Read into it what you like, but that is MHO.

PLEASE pray for Christopher Hasbrouck's family and the Emerson family.  Schuyler Emerson, Christopher Hasbrouck's girlfriend, took her own life yesterday.  These families have been through so very much and could really use the support and prayers from us all.

Children find calm and companionship at Pittsboro cat refuge
Refuge�s rescued cats offer children comfort and communication

By Dave Hart, dhart@newsobserver.com

Read the entire story at http://www.carynews.com/2012/05/09/56983/children-find-calm-and-companionship.html

PITTSBORO - Half a dozen kids knelt on the floor around a cage in the kitten house at Siglinda Scarpa�s Goathouse Refuge, peering at the litter of four-week-old kittens and mama cat inside.

�What would you name them?� asked Mary Ruth Coleman, a senior scientist at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute. �These kitties don�t have names yet.�

Blake Levow-Guerra, 8, pointed to one. �I would name that black one Brownie,� he said. �And that one with the patch, I would call him Patchy.�

The 14 children, accompanied by several parents and teachers, who visited the Goathouse Refuge last week are students at the Jordan Lake School of the Arts, a small school in Apex that focuses on arts, nature and active learning. Many, though not all, of the students have autism or other developmental challenges.

Visiting the 16-acre Goathouse Refuge, where most of the approximately 200 cats free-range in their spacious and beautiful wooded enclosure and several outbuildings, offers such children unparalleled opportunities, said Beth Kuklinski, who founded the Jordan Lake School in 2009.

When the students first went to Goathouse last week, they visited the chickens and geese, and explored the pond, where they were especially intrigued by the tadpoles. Then they entered the cat enclosure, where each child wound up pairing up with one of the cats in a bonding process that happens naturally, Coleman said.

Learning to speak cat



The diminutive and charismatic Scarpa, who was born in Italy, knows first-hand what a difference an animal can make in a young person�s life. The internationally known ceramic artist as well as an animal welfare activist founded the cat refuge on the grounds around her home, off N.C. 87 north of Pittsboro, in the late 1990s.

She demonstrated the different shades of meaning in a cat�s vocalizations. A soft meow with an upward lift in pitch at the end is a way of calling someone. A low drawn-out moan conveys worry or sadness. Discomfort at being played with too roughly evokes a sort of chirp: �Meep! Meep! Meep!�

Just hoping they have a better selection than the Siler City Walmart.  It might actually hurt revenue from Orange County though, as some folks might be too afraid to walk through the doors... though those kind of folks probably don't shop at wally-world anyway.

copied from "This That and Everything Else"

May 14th  5:45 PM
Northbound

Passing Cole Park Plaza

COMPLETELY EMPTY (except for the bus driver)


*Whenever anyone sees the bus, check out the ridership and come here and report.  A running log will be interesting.  Record the time and place so
if there's anyone who thinks we are making it up they can check the logs and see that that is where the bus was at that time of day.  But we'll hope we
all use the honor system.

I don't know him but he sounds impressive.


"Dr. Shilesky (www.drdonforchatham.com) has an exceptional background in the environmental field.  He finalized his academic studies with a Doctorate of Science in Civil and Environmental Science from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Shilesky will bring scientific and technical expertise to his candidacy for Commissioner in Chatham County."

Drove through downtown this morning and saw signs up in the window of what used to be Hickory Mountain Country Store (and before that the equestrian place).  The signs said "Consignment and Gifts" coming soon.  No opening date listed that I could see while driving by.  Anyone know the scoop??  Sounds interesting...

once upon a time, a little girl named Heather tried to get an office space rent free (or reduced, depending on who you ask). she offered people desks in her office, with free wi-fi offered by the land lord. she paid little rent, because it was a new space and the land lord was desperate to fill it. she had no lease. but she wanted to charge rent to her new office mates, and get a free office, and maybe make a little extra.

it happened the Town of Pittsboro needed to rent space, too. they signed a lease, guaranteeing the land lord income for the period of the lease, at his full asking price.

little Heather had no lease! she was not paying full rent! she had no signed co-office renters, either, but she had lots of email and friends who loved to spread lies and rumors on the BBS.

the land lord decided to go with the paying tenant with the lease. ce qui horror!

http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php/topic,24800.0.html

This topic has been moved to North Carolina.

http://chatham-county-nc.com/bulletinboard/index.php?topic=26336.0