Michael G. Parker
michaelgparker.bsky.social
Michael G. Parker
@michaelgparker.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael G. Parker
EXCLUSIVE: Chapel Hill native and former town council member Karen Stegman plans to run in the primary election for the Board of Orange County Commissioners next year.

Here’s what she told us about her plans:
EXCLUSIVE: Karen Stegman Announces Campaign for Orange County Commissioner Seat - Chapelboro.com
Chapel Hill native and former town council member Karen Stegman plans to run for the Board of Orange County Commissioners in 2026.
chapelboro.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Reposted by Michael G. Parker
With attention shifting to the 2026 election cycle — one local elected official already shared she will not seek another term.

Sally Greene posted on her Facebook page Monday she plans to depart the Board of Orange County Commissioners next winter.
Orange County Commissioner Sally Greene Will Not Run for Re-election in 2026 - Chapelboro.com
Sally Greene posted on her Facebook page Monday afternoon she plans to depart the Board of Orange County Commissioners next winter.
chapelboro.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Reposted by Michael G. Parker
“As an addiction medicine doctor, I have significant concerns about involuntary addiction treatment,” Cara Borelli writes in a letter to The Times. “Based on studies that compare voluntary to mandatory treatment, the evidence does not indicate that mandatory treatment reduces substance use.”
Opinion | When Addiction Treatment Is Involuntary
Readers respond to a proposal in Utah to forcibly remove homeless people. Also: Stolen treasures; America’s gambling problem; why retire?
nyti.ms
November 9, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Reposted by Michael G. Parker
Many city halls are deep in budget-time. Some are pushing austerity ideologies, and are ignoring the difference between costs and cost-savers/value creators. Citizens, PAY ATTENTION, and never forget that the TRUTH about a city’s REAL aspirations isn’t found in its visions. It’s found in its budget.
November 9, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Reposted by Michael G. Parker
A typical European car is parked 92% of the time. It spends 1/5th of its driving time looking for parking. Its 5 seats only move 1.5 people. 86% of its fuel never reaches the wheels, and most of the energy that does, moves the car, not the people.

Sound efficient?

HT @ellenmacarthurfdn.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Reposted by Michael G. Parker
the day his primary challenger announces will be one of the biggest political fundraising days in history
Q: It's election day in NYC. Did you vote for Mamdani or Cuomo?

Schumer: "Look, I voted, and I look forward to working with the next mayor to help NYC."
November 4, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Reposted by Michael G. Parker
To all 55,000 runners in the NYC Marathon today:
November 2, 2025 at 5:16 PM
"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them." Ray Bradbury
October 26, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Someone should do a useful idiot map of the Trump administration. For example: Trump is Putin's useful idiot and Mike Johnson is Trump's useful idiot.
October 22, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Reposted by Michael G. Parker
3pm, Town Commons in Carrboro
No matter where you live or if you’ve never protested before, there’s a local No Kings Day event for you. Join a peaceful protest to make it clear that We The People will never bow down to a wannabe king: www.nokings.org?SQF_SOURCE=i... #NoKings
October 18, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Mr. Mamdani could do more good for more people if he used most of the money free buses would cost to improve service and allocate the rest for free service for those with financial need. Oh, and Cuomo should be ashamed of himself.
Asked about free buses, Mamdani says it'd cost less than the tax credits Cuomo gave to Elon Musk as governor.

Cuomo says he opposes free buses because, he says, they'd become "mobile homeless gathering places."
October 17, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Reposted by Michael G. Parker
"Four recent studies, all published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports, highlight the necessity of getting this year’s influenza vaccine," Dr. Leana S. Wen writes. https://wapo.st/3Wx0X5w
Opinion | Thinking of skipping your flu shot? Here’s why you should reconsider.
Four recent CDC studies highlight the necessity of getting this year’s vaccine.
wapo.st
October 10, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Reposted by Michael G. Parker
a media organization that increased voter turnout, is funny, breaks news, holds parades and fun events and has a point of view?

why, that’s us.
October 6, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Reposted by Michael G. Parker
The brownshirts are everywhere.

And they *will* come to your street eventually.

This is not just going to happen to "other people."
Coming soon, to a city near you!! 📢🚨
#FuckICE #FuckTheGop
October 5, 2025 at 9:19 PM
This approach is working well in North Carolina's Research Triangle.
Big transit systems should make it easier for low-income residents to qualify for free or reduced-price rides. Good suggestions here.

Progressives should focus on ideas like these, rather than trying to drop fares entirely (which would be fiscally irresponsible, among other problems).
Free and low-fare transit programs fail to reach many in need: report
More outreach programs and automatic enrollment could make these programs accessible to more people, says a report from the Regional Plan Association, a New York nonprofit.
www.smartcitiesdive.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Reposted by Michael G. Parker
Big transit systems should make it easier for low-income residents to qualify for free or reduced-price rides. Good suggestions here.

Progressives should focus on ideas like these, rather than trying to drop fares entirely (which would be fiscally irresponsible, among other problems).
Free and low-fare transit programs fail to reach many in need: report
More outreach programs and automatic enrollment could make these programs accessible to more people, says a report from the Regional Plan Association, a New York nonprofit.
www.smartcitiesdive.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Reposted by Michael G. Parker
But Oregon Metro didn’t stop with data. As part of the hub, the agency released "Community Quick-build and Demonstration Projects," a practical guide to quickly addressing dangerous areas once they’ve been identified.
September 24, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Reposted by Michael G. Parker
Did you know that transportation is the 2nd largest household expense after housing?

‼️Moving shouldn’t depend on owning or driving a car.

🌟#WeekWithoutDriving is when we call for change! September 29–October 5, 2025 | Sign up now: buff.ly/F8iHsgt
September 15, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Reposted by Michael G. Parker
A green bus stop movement is installing plants on bus shelters, providing habitats for pollinators and countering the urban heat-island effect.
How these green bus stops help bees and communities
A green bus stop movement is installing plants on bus shelters, providing habitats for pollinators and countering the urban heat-island effect.
wapo.st
September 15, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Reposted by Michael G. Parker
Liars are counting on the fact that for some reason, too many of us are remarkably reluctant to call liars liars.
September 14, 2025 at 4:37 PM
"It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit." Noel Coward
September 14, 2025 at 2:57 PM
"From barbarism to civilization requires a century; from civilization to barbarism needs but a day." Will Durant
September 13, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Reposted by Michael G. Parker
17.6 million fewer vehicles have entered the congestion relief zone this year. New York has faster commutes, fewer crashes, and higher public transit ridership, all thanks to congestion pricing.

But Donald Trump wants to make New York gridlocked again.
September 10, 2025 at 5:17 PM