News & Observer, The (Raleigh, NC)

June 25, 2005

Column: Triangle Politics

Author: Josh Shaffer
Toby Coleman
T. Keung Hui
Matt Dees; Staff Writers

Edition: Final
Section: News
Page: B3

Article Text:

NO LAUGHING MATTER: Don't laugh in Cary Town Hall, at least not when council member 
Jennifer Robinson is speaking.

Robinson scolded some out-of-towners Thursday after they giggled while she spoke. "This is a 
professional meeting," she said. "Do not speak out."

Robinson's lecture did not amuse the laughers.

"I thought it was unprofessional," said Carolyn Sink, a New Hill resident who went to oppose 
the town's plan to condemn land for a sewage plant in her unincorporated village in southwestern 
Wake County. "It was completely arrogant and rude."

What did Sink find so funny?

Robinson's suggestion that New Hill residents could see "a benefit" from the sewage plant. 
Robinson later said that she was only talking about the plan to put the proposed sewage plant on 
more than 200 acres of land.

"That land will help buffer," Robinson said. "I think it's a good thing, not a bad thing."

She added that voting to condemn the land was a difficult decision. "I wish you guys would 
respect that," she told the gigglers.

Copyright 2005 by The News & Observer Pub. Co.