2010

Something's got to go

Ruby Sinreich — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 10:49:17 -0500

For better or worse, Orange County voters have rejected two different proposals for raising more money for county government. And yet, I don't hear anyone seriously calling for shutting down any of the vital services offered by the county. They're going to have to find some slack somewhere, so perhaps we can help.

Please vote for your top three recommendations for how to balance the county budget. If you don't see your preference, just write-in an option and it will be added to the poll.

Election 2010 Maps: The Orange General

Damon Seils — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 01:09:43 -0500

The maps in this post show results from selected contests in the 2010 general election.

2010 general election wrap-up

Ruby Sinreich — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 21:15:52 -0500

Pardon the commercial at the beginning, here's my run down of the results in David Price's return to Congress and the 1/4-cent sales tax referendum's narrow loss. I meant for it to be short, but it's 13 minutes long. Sorry! I need an editor. ;-)

Election Day Open Thread

Ruby Sinreich — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 05:30:00 -0500

Did you vote early, did you vote today, what did you see? Any candidates at the poll sites? Any rude campaign workers?

And most importantly, where are the candidates' parties tonight?

I won't be attending any of them as I'll be glued to the computer watching results, phoning it in to WCHL occasionally, and then recording my customary election wrap up video. (Should I use Ustream again? http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/6682869 It's so full of ads.)

UPDATE: The polls just closed, and I'm adding this widget to show tweets about the election results:

Mini-pundit poll: sales tax referendum

Ruby Sinreich — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:37:19 -0500

This fall's general election in Orange County didn't really merit a full-on pundit contest. I think the referendum on the quarter-cent sales tax offers more drama than any of our other local races. (Except maybe the Price-Lawson rematch.) So I thought I'd ask your esteemed opinions on this.

With the Chamber behind it, the Sales Tax Referendum seems to have a lot more of a chance than the real estate transfer tax did when it was on the ballot over two years ago. Do you think this one will pass?

McKee swatting a fly with a shotgun

Ruby Sinreich — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 21:57:08 -0500

I was surprised to read on the OrangeChat blog this week that Democrat Earl McKee, running for an open County Commissioner seat in District 2 (northern and western Orange) has raised and spent well over $10,000. He already won the primary in May, in which he narrowly beat Renee Price, and promises to be the kind of (relatively) conservative voice that the not-so-new-anymore county commission districts were designed to elicit.

Souls to the polls

James Barrett — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:57:41 -0500

It may be hard to think of a tax increase as "justice," but Orange County has an example of just that in its proposal on the November ballot to raise the sales tax by one-quarter cent. A portion of the revenue if this wins approval will go toward providing a solution for Habitat for Humanity homeowners in Efland (many of whose homes were built by our member churches), who have been facing a 300 percent increase in their sewer rates. Justice United agrees that this tax increase, which means paying 25 cents more per every $100 you spend, equals social justice.

We will gather at 9:30am at United Church. After a brief press conference with our partner groups, we will walk over to the Seymour Center to cast our votes.

Orange County Democratic Party Annual Breakfast

Jason Baker — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 20:47:32 -0500

Where: Carolina Club, UNC Chapel Hill Campus

Tickets: Purchase online with credit card or reserve with check: www.ocdplegislativebreakfast.com

$40 in advance, $75 at the door

Host: Sponsored by the Orange County Democratic Party

Early voting ends

Ruby Sinreich — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:31:30 -0500

Early voting begins

Ruby Sinreich — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:30:37 -0500

...Tomorrow! (Read on for details.)