The upcoming Sewer Bond Referendum in Goldston has Mayor Tim Cunnup feeling optimistic about his town’s future.

"It’s gone rather well," Cunnup said.

On June 22, Goldston residents will vote whether to use $3.7 million of bonds to finance the acquisition and construction of a sewer infrastructure that would provide a centralized system for the town.

The cost will also cover the construction of a pump station and the extension of a force main to the City of Sanford.

Through the public hearings on the matter and word on the street, Cunnup is feeling confident that his town will soon have a centralized sewer system.

"Citizens have been asking and wanting to know all about the project and the feedback has been very positive," Cunnup said.

"They realize how important this is to the town," Cunnup said.

Cunnup said that good working relationship with the county commissioners and the school board has helped the project along.

In March, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners agreed to help Goldston in its efforts, making the long-standing wastewater problem one step closer to being resolved. The BOC unanimously agreed to purchase capacity in the system, which would total $126,000 over a 40-year period.

"It’s all come together to get to this point. It looks very promising, as long as the referendum passes majority vote," Cunnup said.

A second Democratic Primary will be held on Tuesday, June 22 held to elect the Democratic nominee for US Senate.

The run-off election is between Elaine Marshall and Cal Cunningham.

Multiple versions of the video are posted on YouTube. The footage shows Etheridge walking on a sidewalk, and then approached by a young man who says, "Hi Congressman. How are you? Do you fully support the Obama agenda?"

Etheridge, 68, asks who the man to identify himself before appearing to shove the camera away from him.

"Who are you?" Etheridge repeatedly asks.

The video shows the Congressman grab the man’s wrist.

"We’re just here for a project," the young man says, later identifying himself only as a "student."

The footage of the encounter, which is about a minute in length, shows Etheridge pulling the man closer to him and grabbing the man’s neck while he continues to ask, "Who are you?"

Off-camera, another person yells, "Sir! Sir! Sir! Please!" Etheridge lets go and walks away.

The young man’s face is intentionally blurred in the video and his identity had not been disclosed as of early Tuesday.

more- See Thursday, June 17, 2010 edition

There probably aren’t many people who can say that they love a place so much they’ve never left.

But this is how This is how Dorthy Ritter Phillips feels about Chatham County. Not only has she been here for her entire life, her children and grandchildren have as well.

"I couldn’t think of living anywhere else," she said.

While living in Chatham County, Ritter Phillips has also had a long and successful career in public education, though the educator will soon close that chapter of her life when she retires at the end of the month as principal of Bennett School.

Ritter Phillips is retiring after 33 years in education.

She’s served as principal of Bennett School, a position she gained after her previous stints as a teacher at Bennett and JS Waters and assistant principal at both JS Waters and Chatham Central.

Ritter Phillips attended Bennett School as a child, as did her children, and now her grandchildren as well.

Over the years, first as a student, then a teacher and finally a principal, she has gained the love, trust and support of the community.

Ritter Phillips always knew she wanted to work with kids. As a student, she was inspired by her own teachers to go towards the career path that she eventually chose.

She said she believes that being an educator involves so much more than just teaching academics. Those who were lucky enough to have been her students can vouch for this. Upon hearing of her retirement, Ritter Phillips had more than one former student reveal to her what they remember most about being in her classroom.