News From Lydia
My Playlist
Saturday, I was a solo guest on Tom
Arnel's 103.5 WCOM show and I got to spin several of my favorite tunes!
First I played "People Like You" by McGuffey Lane, a country rock band
from Athens, Ohio, where I grew up. They were popular when I
was in high school and college, and they have recently
reunited. As an aside, the guys who started the band lived on
McGuffey Lane, and that is the street that my Dad lives on
now. Next I played "She's a Rocket" by Stella, a local
acapella group of seven women, one of whom is a friend of mine (Julie
Woodmansee). Following that I played "Southland in the
Springtime," by the Indigo Girls, who I remember seeing at
the Cat's Cradle before they hit it big and Cat's Cradle moved to
Carrboro. Other songs I played were "Woman of Gold" by Lula's
Birthmark, a local group for which my extremely talented friend Jay
Ladd sings and writes; "I'll Cover You," one of the many songs I love
from the musical Rent; "Tuesday Morning" by Melissa Etheridge, a song
about one of the American heroes who helped take down Flight 93 despite
the fact that his country does not give him equal rights. I
closed with "Amy" by Pure Prairie League in honor of my sister Amy, and
"I Hope" by the Dixie Chicks, a song of exactly
that - HOPE.
Thanks to WCOM for hosting this musical debate.
League of Women Voters Forum Held Last Night
The forum sponsored by the League of
Women Voters last night was very informative. I was pleased
to be able to talk about my passion for Carrboro and my ideas about the
many challenges we face. The questions touched on a multitude
of issues facing our town, including development, affordable housing,
improving our transit system, and our opinion about the police
department's policy regarding immigration and undocumented aliens. I
invite voters to read my website or contact me directly if they want to
know more about my stance on these issues.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that
encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in
government. It influences public policy through education and
advocacy. I thank them for taking the time to organize this
forum.
I am Proud of my Students!
Yesterday, I greeted a bus filled with over 40 of my law students who had just returned from Thursday's Jena 6 demonstration in Jena, Louisiana. (This Youtube video gives a good overview of the Jena 6 story). When these students left on Wednesday, I was on the bus like a mother hen, checking off their names, wishing them well and telling them not to get into any trouble on their journey! The 15-plus hour bus ride down and back (with no hotel in between) was quite a commitment for these students, and showed their passion about the Jena 6 situation. I admire their activism and willingness to go these many extra miles to stand up for something they believe in. Supporting a worthy cause takes teamwork. My role was to find and secure financing for their bus trip, while other people and businesses gave support by generously donating food and shirts to their cause. I’m sure the trip was a journey the students will never forget.Thanks to the Sierra Club!
This past Monday night was the Sierra Club's Candidates Forum for the Carrboro Board of Aldermen. Questions peppered at the candidates during the two-hour forum covered a variety of issues. The questions I was asked dealt with the following topics: stream runoff; working with TTA; environmental sustainability with regard to affordable housing; spending money for increased bus service; the current drought situation as it pertains to lawns; changes needed in the northwest plan; the connector road policy and environmental considerations; mitigation of suburban sprawl; protecting areas in Carolina North; and the intersection of neweconomic development, the arts and the environment. I also was asked to distinguish myself from the other candidates. The forum was an opportunity for all of the candidates to talk about what is working in Carrboro, and what environmental challenges we continue to face.
Interview on The Peoples Channel
Chad Johnston, director of The
People's Channel, invited all area candidates to appear on
a Local
Candidate's Forum. My interview was yesterday and it is now posted on
their website at http://thepeopleschannel.org/candidates.htm.
I thank Chad for making this opportunity available to all the
candidates!
WCOM 103.5 "Musical Debate" on Saturday, September 29
I am looking forward to the WCOM
"Musical Debate" where each of the Carrboro BOA candidates
get to spin
their favorites tunes as a guest DJ on Tom Arnette's WCOM
show. I will be appearing on Saturday, September 29,
2007 from 5:00 - 6:00pm. It has been fun trying to narrow
down the songs I want to play! The Daily Tar Heel had
an article
about the debates in their newspaper today.
Thanks Mike!
I received an e-mail from Orange County Commissioner (and former Carrboro mayor) Mike Nelson the other day that he was endorsing my run for the Board of Aldermen. He wrote about my candidacy on his blog, "Leading from the Left" (August 9, 2007). His post was titled "Change, One Step at a Time." Thanks for the show of support, Mike!