BCR's Daily Fishwrap Report for May 13, 2009

• Both the N&O and the H-S have coverage of the City budget cuts in this morning's edition, though there's not much beyond what was covered in yesterday's City press release. (See earlier BCR coverage.)
• The Jordan Lake compromise bill passed the state House yesterday and moves on to the Senate; both Durham and environmental groups are pleased with the compromise -- which maintains the new nutrient standards set for the lake, but denies a state environmental commission of the power to force retrofitting of properties until they are redeveloped, and which gives the Upper New Hope portion of the lake near Durham until 2023 for meeting quality standards. The bill may face more "tinker"ing in the state Senate, sez Durham's Ted Voorhees. (H-S)
• The H-S' Matt Milliken takes a nice look at the issues on both sides of Rougemont incorporation. One major reason for interest: the ability to get water service, probably from Roxboro, though not sewer -- blocked, as dense development would be, by the proximity to Durham water supplies at Lake Michie. Still, a couple of residents quoted in the stories have land development interests at play; other residents are quoted as opposing the move, though it gained signatures from more than half the town. Of interest: a provision that could be added by the bill's sponsor that would automatically cancel Rougemont's city charter if Durham city and county agreed to merge. (H-S #1, #2)
• Opponents of a dense development on an assemblage of land in South Durham withdrew a petition asking the state Environmental Management Commission to overrule the Division of Water Quality's approval of a developer-funded survey changing a critical watershed boundary in a way favorable to the landowner.The EMC's chair had recommended dismissing the petition because of a lack of standing, in his view, by the petitioners. ( H-S)
• A review of Dept. of Public Instruction public records finds that the rate of criminal or safety offenses rose 20% in Durham Public Schools last year, from 10.29 incidents per 1,000 students to 12.23, though it's not clear to what extent this reflects better enforcement or more bad acts. (The Durham News) By comparison, Wake's rate was 8.83.
• Durham's ACORN held a protest in Southeast Central Durham yesterday to complain about vacant houses, described as scourges on neighborhoods that attract drug dealing and prostitution. (H-S)

Comments

[Sarah Foster]

Hello! I live just off of Scott King. Do you know where I could see a map that shows the new potential location for the school? I've googled and had no luck...

Many Thanks!