News
Beltline Expansion Behind Schedule
By Sarah Kiser, Editor-in-Chief
While documents distributed
by the NCDOT in August of 2017
read that the Final Environmental
In August of 2017, the
Meredith College community was
informed that the North Carolina
Department of Transportation was
planning to take up to 19 acres of
its land that borders on the beltway
where there is currently a sports field,
foliage, and the Raleigh greenway.
The Meredith Herald spoke with
NCDOT employee John Williams to
cover the issue in that same month.
The NCDOT informed the public
that a decision on a design-build
construction design would be made
by February about what to do at
Wade Avenue. Months passed and
no one heard anything. Meredith
students left in the spring expecting
to return to wonderland to find it
torn and trampled by bulldozers.
This was not the case. The same
grassy field and line of ancient trees
waves in the wind as before.
That means either something
or nothing occurred which protected
Meredith’s land for the time being.
Representatives of the College,
students, and alumnae raised
concerns to the NCDOT that the
land they intend to take is the only
land Meredith has left for future
expansion since this is not the first
time the State of North Carolina has
closed in on the College’s property.
Document was anticipated to be
published in Nov. 2017, the NCDOT’s
website says, as of Sept. 25 2018, that
the document was finalized in May
2018.
Sean Williams, a public
relations officer for the NCDOT,
was not sure why the environmental
document was finished later than
expected. Williams said that since
August of 2017, “the division has been
filing requests for proposals.” After
three rounds, there are 4 shortlisted
teams: Archer Western Construction,
LLC, Granite Construction Company,
S.T. Wooten-Zachary Design-Build
Team, and The lane Construction
Corporation.
On Oct. 2, the division will
open price proposals “with award
coming soon after” according to
Williams, meaning that a bidder will
be picked and the project can move
forward. Then the amount of land
to be taken from Meredith College’s
property will be determined.
After that date, the public
may hear more news. Right of way
acquisition and construction under
design-build contract are both
planned to occur sometime this year.
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Sizzilin' September in October
By Abigail Ojeda, Features Editor
Do you want to meet up with friends
that you didn’t see over the summer,
or get to know other Meredith
students? Save time for the Meredith
Sizzlin’ September Street Fest that
has been rescheduled for Oct. 12,
from 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m in the chapel
parking lot.
The best part about this
weekend plan is that it’s completely
free, and there will be live music,
food trucks, carnival games, activity
booths, and giveaways. Students can
sign up for free meal vouchers to
choose from one of four food trucks
(check your emails in the coming
days for the link).
Emily Berrier, ‘19, said that
Sizzlin’ September has been a way
for her to spend time with old friends
while reconnecting with people she
didn’t know as well: “I went last year
with my little, but spent time with
friends who I didn’t know as well and
wanted to get to know better,” she
said.
Live music will be played
throughout the evening. The
Catalinas, a beach music band, will
kick off the event followed by the N.C.
State acapella group. Grains of Time.
Last year, Maggie Mertz
went as a freshman and enjoyed the
combination of music, food, friends,
and having fun: “It’s a great time
to socialize and get to know new
people,” she commented.
This event is sponsored by the
Meredith Activities Board, and guests
are welcome to come and participate.
Don’t miss out on this annual event!
Do you want to see your name in print?
Are you passionate about writing?
Do you need portfolio pieces or course credit?
Join the staff of The Meredith Herald
Positions Open:
Sports Reporter
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ALL MAJORS WELCOME!
We Want YOU to Vote!
By Olivia Slack, Staff Writer
of time and research the candidates
On November 6, get ready to
cast your ballots, because it’s Election
Day 2018. For some students, this
may be their first time voting, so here
are a few ways you can get ready for
the
big day.
First thing first, you have
to register to vote. Meredith makes
it easy to do this, as they provide a
link to a website called TurboVote
where you can register to vote. You
can find the link to TurboVote on the
right side of your Brightspace home
page underneath your course list.
Make sure to register by October 12,
or else you won’t be able to vote in
November.
Once you’re registered to
vote, make sure that you inform
yourself on candidates and their
positions on issues that are important
to you. No matter if you consider
yourself a Democrat, Republican,
Libertarian, or other, a responsible
voter should look into the positions
of all candidates. Make sure that
you don’t just vote along party lines,
but for individuals who represent
your beliefs, even if they are from
the “other party.” Take just a little bit
running for office in your area.
Third, be sure that you
know where you can vote. You can
find your assigned polling place
by visiting www.wakegov.com/
elections/voters. If you’re unable
to get to the polls on November
6, there are a few options for you.
First, you can vote early at one of
nine different locations, October 17
through November 3. To find out
more information about early voting
in Wake County, you can visit www.
wakegov.com/elections/info/early.
You can also request an absentee
ballot from the State Board of
Elections website.
Finally, please do cast your
vote this year; do right by yourself,
your country and Meredith College!
In 20i6, Meredith was given a silver
medal for voter registration and
participation, and had the highest
rates in the state.
As a citizen, the best way
to ensure that your voice is heard
is to elect representatives who will
advocate for you. Exercise your right
to vote this Tuesday, November 6.
Retraction from September 12: In "Plant Blindness" The Herald
mistakenly reported a sequoia tree in front of Harris Hall instead
of the correct Sycamore tree.