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SAPFO's
Plans Leave
Questions
G-R-O-W-T-H.
That word haunts the
dreams of anyone following
Chapel Hill news - myself included.
Late last year, mayoral candidates
debated the different ways to manage
growth in the
town.
The effects of
unchecked
growth on the
environment has
been a swan
song for local
leaders.
In the last few
weeks, the
Chapel Hill
Town Council
effectively put a
halt on all new
JONATHAN
CHANEY
CITY
COLUMNIST
growth in the town until a comprehen
sive development ordinance could be
hammered out this fall.
Now another facet of “growth man
agement” has re-emerged: tying new
growth to school capacity.
At its meeting last week, the Chapel
Hill Town Council held a public hear
ing on the Schools Adequate Public
Facilities Ordinance.
Although the name is complicated,
the ordinance’s underlying idea is not.
Under the new rule, if anew housing
development wants to be built in
Chapel Hill, developers would have to
prove that the influx of new kids
would not overcrowd available school
space at the elementary, middle and
high school level.
Before it can be enforced, this ordi
nance must be approved by both the
Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Orange
County school boards and the govern
ing bodies in Chapel Hill, Carrboro,
Hillsborough and Orange County.
So far, both school boards have
given their approval.
Although nothing definitive was
laid out at last week’s Town Council
meeting, the ordinance was referred to
the Chapel Hill Planning Board for
further study. The board should have
its recommendations ready for the
council’s March 25 meeting.
The idea is simple and appealing.
No new housing developments are
allowed to be built if there aren’t sewer
lines, water lines or roads to accom
modate them. Why shouldn’t develop
ments be forced to prove that there’s
enough space in local schools?
Because the proposal looks so good
on paper, most of those speaking
before the council at the meeting last
week spoke in favor of rapid adoption.
A little too rapid, I’d say.
SAPFO, as the ordinance is known,
is riddled with lingering questions.
And despite the fact that this ordi
nance has been through the political
mill for years - passing from board to
board and attorney to attorney -and
it has been rewritten and revised, fun
damental questions still remain.
First, how will SAPFO affect afford
able housing in this area (another swan
song of local politicos)?
This concern has been present since
the ordinance first began circulating.
After all, if you begin issuing certifi
cates to developers based on school
capacity, the reduction in housing
stock would raise the price tag of any
new home built in town.
Of course, affordable housing has
always been a high priority for local
leaders. I doubt this ordinance would
severely reduce the amount of afford
able housing available - especially if the
council follows through on its proposal
to stipulate a certain amount of afford
able housing per new development.
Another concern is how to project
school enrollment figures. It’s not as
easy as looking into a crystal ball and
anticipating how many kids will be in
10th grade three years down the road.
How will UNC factor into this as it
expands its base of students and adds
new faculty and staff (who will proba
bly be tugging along children with
them)? Will the Horace Williams
development be exempt from school
capacity certification?
But perhaps the biggest concern
should be the willingness of the county
to open up its checkbook.
If the idea behind SAPFO is to bal
ance growth with school capacity, will
school capacity continually be paced
with growth?
This was a problem pointed out by
council member Bill Strom last Monday
night. To pace school construction with
growth, Orange County must keep a
steady stream of ftmding for new
schools - not bulk school building via a
multimillion dollar bond when over
crowding hits the breaking point.
School overcrowding is a problem.
But before passing this ambitious
ordinance, it would be best to answer
a few of these pending questions to
avoid a host of future troubles.
Columnist Jonathan Chaney can be
reached at jhchaney@email.unc.edu.
Durham Man Arrested for Area Burglaries
Burglary Suspect Nabbed
jl On Saturday, the suspect stole two
V IBM laptops and a fleece pullover
from 321 W. Cameron Ave.
The suspect attempted to steal a
” laptop from the residence of two
UNC students at 1:17 a.m. Monday at
316 W. Rosemary St.
Police arrested Devon Jacob
Withers at 4 p.m. Monday at 325
W. Rosemary St. in connection with the
crimes.
When arrested, the suspect was in
” possession of two phones. Police find
the boxes erf two cordess phones at Kerr
Drug at 109 E. Franklin St on Monday.
Resident May Face 2nd Blindness
After one surgery to restore his vision lost
in an accident, a high school sophomore
awaits another to help him keep his sight.
By Erika Heyder
Staff Writer
A year after technologically advanced surgery gave him the
gift of sight, Francisco, a soft-spoken high school sophomore,
is slowly watching the miracle fade.
Today, Francisco is finding himself closer and closer to
darkness, the way he lived his life for six years before science
offered him the chance to see again.
Seven years ago, a young Francisco picked up a bottle of
sulfuric acid while walking along a stream near his home. The
bottle exploded in his face, leaving him completely blind.
Since the incident and even after the surgery, Francisco’s life
has revolved around struggle - educationally and financially.
After his surgery, some elements, to his day had to be
reworked to accommodate his hectic schedule. Francisco’s
family decided to have him home-schooled by Carol Klein,
a guidance counselor at Chapel Hill High School, where
Francisco attended as a freshman despite vision problems.
Although a school day is rarely, if ever, normal for
Francisco, he says he believes learning at home suits him bet
ter.
Klein, who works with Francisco and his family outside of
her job as guidance counselor, said he performs better than he
did in a school setting because he is receiving individualized
instruction.
Although schoolwork is a daily tribulation for Francisco
and his family, his life is further complicated by his weekly
treatment in Nashville, Tenn. “Going to Nashville once a week
makes school hard, but he is doing well in school despite hav
ing new challenges with his harder coursework,” Klein said.
But the most hidden problem facing Francisco and his fam
ily is the financial burden of the treatments.
Last year, the family received community donations and
grants that eased the burden. But the funds have been deplet
ed, and imminent surgery and trips to Nashville are expensive.
See FRANCISCO, Page 5
UNC to Lose Sorority, Gain Fraternity
Like Delta Sigma Phi did
successfully, Phi Mu plans to
rent out its house for a few
years and then regroup.
By Will Arey
and Rachel Clarke
Staff Writers
UNC’s Greek community will soon
welcome back a fraternity -but at the
same time, it will have to say goodbye to
one campus sorority.
Delta Sigma Phi, a fraternity that
operated at UNC from the mid-1920s
until 2001, will be fully operational again
in the fall of 2002.
But Phi Mu sorority will close in May
Video Showing Offers Perspective on Al-Jazeera
By Graham Parker
Staff Writer
Students and faculty will get a rare
inside look at the Arab world today,
courtesy of a unique presentation by
UNC Professor Gorham Kindem.
Kindem, a communication studies
professor at UNC, has put together a
video presentation about al-Jazeera, a
little-known Arab television network,
and its view of the terrorist attacks,
women in the Arab world and the ongo
ing war in Afghanistan. “Al-Jazeera, An
Arab Voice for Freedom or
Demagoguery ? The UNC Tour,” will
show at 2 p.m. today in the Carolina
Union film auditorium.
Al-Jazeera came under intense glob
al scrutiny after Sept. 11.
The network’s broadcast of Osama
bin Laden’s militant diatribes brought
the network into the global spotlight and
raised new questions about freedom of
the press in the Arab world.
On Nov. 4, an entourage of UNC
officials toured the Doha, Qatar base of
al-Jazeera and spoke with the station’s
producer. Kindem was among the fac
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Francisco continues to face the challenges of losing his eyesight, enduring delicate and
expensive surgery, and patiently working through the recovery period.
-a victim of the same financial woes
that forced Delta Sigma Phi to shut
down last year.
Delta Sigma Phi voluntarily closed in
May 2001 because
the chapter had
difficulty recruiting
new members.
Jay Anhorn,
director of Greek
affairs at UNC,
said Phi Mu was
unable to recruit
enough members
to pay the rent and
“Numerous fraternities around
the nation have to fold every
year because of membership and
recruitment problems. ”
Mai l O'Brien
Interfraternity Council President
upkeep of the
group’s main house, a smaller house and
a house director’s cottage.
“Last week, the chapter voted them
selves to close down,” Anhorn said. He
ulty members to visit al-Jazeera, and he
said he found the tour informative.
After the trip, Kindem interviewed
other UNC officials from the tour, ask
ing their opinions of the network’s peo
ple and ideas. “I think that most people
who went on the tour found it very vdu
able," he said.
Kindem combined this interview
footage with an interview of a station
producer Samir Khader and some al
jazeera broadcasts.
“He’s added other perspectives,” said
Christine Ogan, who will respond to
Kindem’s production.
Ogan is a professor of journalism at
Indiana University and a Park professor
of journalism at UNC.
The al-Jazeera broadcast footage is
vital because it shows an Arab perspec
tive on things like the conflict between
Israel and Palestine and the growth of
women’s movements in the Middle
East. But Ogan said Khader’s interview
is the most important part of the film.
The interview includes Khader’s
views of bin Laden and the attacks -
views Kindem says represent popular
Arab opinions “on the street."
News
By Kellie Dixon
City Editor
Chapel Hill police arrested a Durham man
Monday afternoon in connection with a first-degree
burglary that occurred at a UNC student’s resi
dence Monday morning.
Shortly after being arrested, police linked the
man to another recent crime in the area.
Devon Jacob Withers, 25, of 3311 Shannon
Road, 19-D in Durham was arrested Monday at 4
p.m. at 325 W. Rosemary St., reports state. Withers
is being charged with two felony counts of first
degree burglary, two felony counts of larceny and
one misdemeanor count of larceny, reports state.
Withers was incarcerated at Orange Countyjail
at 5:30 p.m. on a $40,000 bond, reports state.
Withers was arrested shortly after a burglary that
reportedly occurred at 1:17 a.m. Monday at a resi
dence located at 316 W. Rosemary St.
DIN/GARY BARRIER
said the decision was made by the chap
ter alone and not by the national Phi Mu
organization or by the University.
“A lot of times organizations feel it’s
better to close on
good terms and try
to come back
later,” he said.
Anhorn said the
local Phi Mu chap
ter plans to rent
out its house on
Henderson Street
for two or three
years and then try
to regroup - just as
Delta Sigma Phi successfully did this
semester.
At the same time, Anhorn said he was
excited about Delta Sigma Phi’s come-
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PHOTO COURTESY OF GORHAM KINDF.M
UNC Professor Gorham Kindem (reflection) interviews Samir Khader,
producer of Qatari television station al-Jazeera, for a film showing today.
“These were rumors that (Khader)
refused to either air or reinforce or deny
them," Kindem said. “His personal
opinion was that it was an inside job."
The residence’s two inhabitants - both UNC stu
dents - called police to report that that they saw the
suspect attempt to steal a laptop from the residence,
said Chapel Hill Police spokeswomanjane Cousins.
One of the victims - both of whom were at home
during the incident - said she heard a noise that
prompted her to investigate, Cousins said.
“She saw a black male in her house holding her
laptop, and she yelled for her roommate to come in
the room,” Cousins said. “(The victims) told (the
intruder) to wait there and they would go to the
security office.”
Cousins said the suspect threw the laptop and
ran out of the residence.
When officers arrived at the scene, they couldn’t
locate him.
Cousins said based on the information the vic
tims provided, officers investigated the incident fur-
See BURGLARY, Page 5
back. “I am really looking forward to
their return to Greek campus life,” he
said.
“The amount of success they achieve
will be a true sign as to whether there is
still interest in the Greek community at
UNC.”
Kyle Roslund, a member of Delta
Sigma Phi at the national level, empha
sized the fraternity’s strong values.
“Delta Sigma Phi was founded on the
principle of religious equality, and it
continues to promote values of leader
ship, learning, service, friendship, diver
sity and respect and fun,” he said.
Roslund said Delta Sigma Phi advo
cates the responsible use of alcohol,
pointing out that the fraternity’s house -
See CHAPTERS, Page 5
A discussion will follow the video.
The Art & Entertainment Editor can
be reached at artsdesk@unc.edu.
Wednesday, February 27, 2002
Legislators
Talk Deficit
With Town
State legislators who call
Orange County home came
to the Town Council meeting
to discuss budget cuts.
By Adrienne Clark
Staff Writer
Emotions flared Monday night at a
meeting between the Chapel Hill Town
Council and Orange County’s four state
legislators as the two groups debated the
pending budget situation.
The meeting focused on Gov. Mike
Easley’s decision to withhold money
from municipalities to help deal with a
S9OO million state deficit.
The withheld funds will spell a $1.4
million cut for Chapel Hill.
Town Council member Mark
Kleinschmidt said it is the responsibility
of the legislators to stand up for the
town government.
“The legislators should step up, advo
cate for better decisions, prevent ridicu
lous tax cuts,” Kleinschmidt said. “The
money from the tax cuts would more
than have paid for (the deficit).”
Mayor Kevin Foy said one of the
objectives of the meeting was to plan
ways to prevent this situation from
recurring.
“We discussed ways we might partic
ipate to make sure it doesn’t happen
again,” Foy said.
“We’re asking the legislators to guar
antee our money won’t be used and to
give local governments direct authori
ty.”
The local legislators responded to the
council members’ claims that the state,
not the municipalities, should be held
responsible for the deficit.
Rep. Verla Insko, D-Orange, said
Tuesday that town governments should
not have to bear the state’s load.
“The cities and counties shouldn’t
subsidize the state,” Insko said. “They
have their own shortfalls to deal with.”
Insko said Easley is aware of the sit
uation but has to balance the budget
any way he can.
“He has to take any steps necessary
and pull in available sources,” Insko
said. “He has that authority.”
Insko said the best way to provide for
local governments is to give them
autonomy in determining tax rates, a
power Chapel Hill doesn't have. The
town needs state approval to raise taxes.
Insko said a real estate tax or an
impact fee, a charge that would apply to
residential developers, would be the
best way to help the town governments.
Kleinschmidt said the problem is that
the state is withholding money already
budgeted for the fiscal year.
“This isn’t about planning for the
future,” he said. “It’s important the state
understands what it’s done to our situa
tion.”
But council member Flicka Bateman
said Easley has promised local govern
ments a return in revenue should the
state not need the money.
“If things get better, local govern
ments will be the first to get money he
releases,” Bateman said.
Kleinschmidt said he isn’t certain that
the funds would be returned to the town.
“(The legislators) seem to think we’ll
get our money back,” Kleinschmidt
said. “I’m not sure.”
Council member Pat Evans said that
although she is not sure of the amount
the council will get back, she believes
the legislators will try to release as much
as they can.
“Will they make every effort to give
back the money? Yes,” she said.
Bateman said she is not sure the
money will be returned.
“I have no idea,” she said. “At this
point, we have to plan for the worst and
hope for the best."
The City Editor can be reached
at citydesk@unc.edu.
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