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Local figure

R. D. Smith

R. D. Smith was born in Goldsboro in 1918 and came to Chapel Hill in the 1940s to teach agriculture, after graduating from Hampton Institute and serving two years in the military during World War II. He and his wife, Euzelle, taught at the Orange County Training School and Lincoln High School. After desegregation he was one of the few Black teachers reappointed at Chapel Hill High School, where he became assistant principal, and he later served as the school district's director of transportation. From 1966 he served 21 years on the Chapel Hill Board of Aldermen, which became the Town Council. Smith Middle School bears his name, and he gave the school civil rights era memorabilia. He died in April 2016, soon after turning 98.

Sources: Chapelboro: Former Educator and Chapel Hill Alderman R.D. Smith Passes Away; The Northside News (Marian Cheek Jackson Center), November/December 2016, vol. VI, issue 8: "R.D. Smith: A Life Remembered"

Orange County Indexed has not yet linked an indexed work directly to R. D. Smith. The biography and the dated events on this page provide sources about R. D. Smith’s life and work.

Browse all 62 works on Orange County’s Black high schools: the Training School, Lincoln and Central Research sources View background reading ↓

Life and Orange County connections

Storylines this person is part of, in date order. Each has its own page.

StorylineCaring for the Old Chapel Hill Cemetery, 1960–19941960–1994 · 15 events · Ownership of the Old Chapel Hill Cemetery was long unsettled between the University and the town, and vandals damaged dozens of stones in 1974 and 1985. After Rebecca Clark showed the Town Council its neglect in 1985, the state let the town take charge in 1987, the council adopted a $290,000 improvement plan, and a 1989 deed settled ownership. In 1992 students held a candlelight march for the Black dead buried there and pressed the town to finish the repairs, and the cemetery entered the National Register in 1994. StorylineThe Towne House apartments fight, 19611961 · 4 events · In 1961 neighbors fought the Towne House, a $1.5 million, 104-unit apartment project planned off East Rosemary Street in Chapel Hill, and the fight ended with the project blocked and a new planning board in place. On June 27, over the developers' formal protest and against the Planning Board's advice, the aldermen rezoned the area to reduce the number of apartments the site could hold. The same day they accepted the resignations of all nine Planning Board members, who had questioned whether the board served any useful purpose after recent reversals of its advice. A new ten-member board was named, and on July 10, on its recommendation, the aldermen unanimously denied the Towne House a special use permit. StorylinePublic housing and the Chapel Hill Housing Authority, 1974–19941974–1994 · 41 events · In 1974 two Chapel Hill Housing Authority commissioners resigned, saying the merged authority neglected housing, and Mayor Howard Lee's inquiry found bad judgment by some employees but no scandal. That spring the director asked two senior staff members to resign. Public housing tenants accused the authority and its director of unfair practices in 1979. In 1981 the Chapel Hill Town Council approved public housing duplexes at Piney Mountain over neighbors' petitions and a suit the town won in 1982, and in 1982 Carrboro's aldermen approved 30 units off North Greensboro Street, Oakwood Apartments. After a rent strike in the 1980s and deep federal cuts, the authority's board voted in 1987 to become a town agency, and the town took over public housing as a town department. HUD grants in 1988 and 1989 paid for 24 new units and for repairs, and a 1988 settlement refunded tenants' utility overcharges. In 1991 public housing residents marched for affordable housing, safer streets and better wages. In 1992 the town added drug-activity rules to its public housing leases, refused to reinstate evicted tenants who were acquitted, and put two residents on its Housing Advisory Board. From 1993 residents pressed the town over repairs with a videotape of conditions, and in 1994 the council formed a special committee with residents, the Airport Road units were finished and the Residents Council won a federal training grant. StorylineTown elections and bond votes, 1979–19891979–1989 · 73 events · In November 1979 Chapel Hill elected Joe Nassif mayor over council members Robert Epting and Gerry Cohen and Harold Foster, returned outgoing Mayor James Wallace and two incumbents to the Town Council and added Joe Straley. Its voters approved a fire station bond but rejected a downtown parking deck and the Ridgefield open space purchase. Carrboro re-elected Mayor Robert Drakeford, Hillsborough brought back Fred Cates as mayor, and county voters defeated a $20.4 million bond package, schools included. In 1981 the new Association for a Better Carrboro took three aldermen's seats from the Carrboro Community Coalition while Mayor Drakeford won a third term, and Chapel Hill voters unseated council members Bill Thorpe and Joe Herzenberg. In 1983 Jim Porto was elected Carrboro's mayor as ABC candidates won every aldermen's seat, Chapel Hill re-elected Mayor Nassif and returned Thorpe to the council, and Hillsborough Mayor Lucius Cheshire, beaten by Frank Sheffield, resigned early. In 1985 former mayor Jim Wallace won the office back in a race he called a quasi-referendum on Rosemary Square, and in 1986 Chapel Hill voters approved $11.8 million in bonds, a new library among them. In 1987 Jonathan Howes was elected mayor, Joe Herzenberg won a council seat and Eleanor Kinnaird unseated Carrboro Mayor Jim Porto. In 1989 Howes and Kinnaird were re-elected, and Hillsborough elected Horace Johnson, by the Daily Tar Heel's account its first Black mayor. StorylineChapel Hill's growth debate and its density limits, 1981–19871981–1987 · 26 events · Chapel Hill had regulated density by floor area ratios since 1981 and added limits on dwellings per acre in 1983, and in 1984 a court upheld its denial of the Oxford Hills apartments. In 1984 Chapel Hill residents worried about water, traffic and open space formed the Alliance of Neighborhoods, and a town task force warned that developments already approved would strain water and roads. The Alliance's petition for a six-month moratorium on new development drew 3,835 signatures, but in November the council turned it down and set hearings on growth rules instead. In 1985 and 1986 the council tightened its Development Ordinance, lowered its density caps and adopted a new land use plan, and it issued no apartment permits in 1986 as a glut left more than 1,300 apartments vacant. StorylineRacial incidents and race relations at UNC, 1981–19921981–1992 · 25 events · In late 1981 the Black Student Movement and the Black Greek Council brought to light a run of assaults and threats against Black students and asked the administration to act. Chancellor Fordham promised clearer reporting procedures, and in 1982 the University formed a Study Committee on Race Relations. A survey found most Black students had met discrimination in Chapel Hill. In 1987 and 1988 racial slurs aimed at a Black MBA student and at a residence hall staff member led to racial awareness training and to Teague Residence Hall being made coed, and students founded RACIAL to promote discussion. In 1989 UNC held what the Daily Tar Heel called its first race relations symposium and Race Relations Week. Defaced posters and a noose on two Black students' door marked 1991 and 1992, statewide reports ranked Orange County high in hate crimes, and a chancellor's committee found the campus climate chilly. In 1992 students and residents marched after the Rodney King verdict, and Chancellor Hardin sought advice from Black community leaders.
Show all 7 storylines
StorylineUNC’s land use plans, the Horace Williams tract and the joint town-University committee, 1987–19941987–1994 · 24 events · In June 1987 more than 400 people came to object to UNC's campus land use plan, with its parking decks, a loop road through Battle Park and the removal of Odum Village. A joint town-University committee recommended against the loop road and against taking private property, and the Town Council and Chancellor Fordham accepted its advice in 1988. In 1989 a standing town-gown committee was formed and the council dropped the Pittsboro Street extension from its capital list. A revised plan in 1991 dropped the Pittsboro Street extension but kept a South Loop road through Odum Village and four more parking decks, which a new student group opposed, and that November the council voted to comment on state environmental reviews of University projects. In 1994 a University committee called for second and third campuses on the Horace Williams and Mason Farm tracts. Chancellor Hardin invited the towns to help plan them, Chapel Hill and Carrboro named advisory committees, and in November the Chapel Hill council rezoned parts of the Horace Williams tract so that UNC buildings there would need its review.

Dated events connected with this person, in date order. See these 86 dated events in the chronology →

  1. Black residents of Chapel Hill launch a Victory Garden campaign Black residents launched a Victory Garden campaign meant to reach every Black family in Chapel Hill and Bingham townships, organized at a meeting called by Supt. A. W. Honeycutt and principal H. M. Holmes. Students in the Training School's Young Farmers of America and Excella clubs were to work a school garden on a plowed field beside the school. People: R. D. Smith, Harold M. Holmes, Allison W. Honeycutt Place: Orange County Training School, Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Chapel Hill and Bingham townshipsThe Chapel Hill Weekly, March 19, 1943, p. 1
  2. Chapel Hill opens a joint fund drive for its recreation center, Black community center and nursery Civic groups opened a $5,000 campaign led by Roy Barham to carry the white Recreation Center, the Black Community Center and the Black nursery school through 1947. The town gave $300 each to the two centers, which counted 27,304 and 8,651 visits during the year. People: R. D. Smith, Kenneth Jones Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: Roy BarhamThe News of Orange County (Hillsborough), December 5, 1946, p. 1
  3. The Training School's student council forms a student court The student council of Orange County Training School formed a student court to promote loyalty and better conduct, under the supervision of music director H. B. Pickard, social science teacher Julia Caldwell and agriculture teacher R. D. Smith. Students served as judge, sergeant at arms and secretaries. People: R. D. Smith Place: Orange County Training School, Chapel Hill · Also named: H. B. Pickard, Julia CaldwellLincoln High School student newspaper (Chapel Hill), December 1946, p. 1
  4. Principal C. A. McDougle opens Lincoln High School's year under its new name The Chapel Hill Weekly reported that Lincoln High School, the town's school for Black students, would open at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, September 12, 1949, as announced by Principal C. A. McDougle. The faculty list printed with the notice includes elementary teacher Mrs. Lucille R. McDougle and high school teacher Reginald D. Smith. People: Charles A. McDougle, R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: Lucille R. McDougle · Also mentions: Lincoln High SchoolSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, September 9, 1949, p. 6 (Negro High School Opening Next Monday) · Also: Chapel Hill Weekly, September 16, 1949, p. 2
  5. Forty-two veterans are enrolled in Lincoln High's farmer training program The Veterans Farmer Training Program at Lincoln High School had forty-two veterans enrolled in its farm classes, taught by H. M. McNeill, E. O. Bovian and agriculture teacher R. D. Smith. The school paper reported that the veterans had built two homes, wired four more for electricity and cured 17,300 pounds of meat. People: R. D. Smith Place: Lincoln High School, Chapel Hill · Also named: H. M. McNeill, E. O. BovianSearch the index · Lincoln High School student newspaper (Chapel Hill), May 1950, p. 2
  6. Lincoln High hosts the Cotton-Merrick Federation's New Farmers contests Lincoln High School hosted the annual contests of the Cotton-Merrick Federation of the New Farmers of America, made up of chapters at Black high schools in Durham, Orange, Granville, Vance, Warren and Franklin counties. Lincoln's chapter, taught by R. D. Smith, won the quartet and talent contests and would represent the federation at the state convention in Greensboro. People: Charles A. McDougle, R. D. Smith Place: Lincoln High School, Chapel HillSearch the index · Lincoln High School student newspaper (Chapel Hill), April 1957, p. 1
  7. R. D. Smith is named to a new Chapel Hill Planning Board After the whole Planning Board resigned in June 1961 in protest at the aldermen's handling of its recommendations, the aldermen named five members of a new board, among them R. D. Smith, the vocational agriculture teacher at Lincoln High School. The county commissioners named the other five. Place: Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Lincoln High SchoolSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, July 3, 1961, p. 1
  8. Chapel Hill aldermen adopt a minimum housing code and create a public housing authority After a public hearing attended by about 100 people of both races, all in favor, the Chapel Hill aldermen unanimously passed a minimum housing standards ordinance and a resolution finding slum housing in town and calling for a five-member housing authority to seek a federally financed low-rent project. A petition with 241 signers had asked for the authority; planning board member R. D. Smith said tenants paid $40 to $50 a month for unsanitary, dilapidated houses, and another speaker showed photographs of housing in the Black community. People: R. D. Smith Place: Town Hall, Chapel HillThe News of Orange County (Hillsborough), January 25, 1962, p. 6
  9. Chapel Hill re-elects Mayor Sandy McClamroch and chooses four aldermen Mayor Sandy McClamroch beat Raymond M. Williams, owner of the Farm Fresh Dairy Store, 1,502 to 442. Voters returned aldermen Roland Giduz and R. D. Smith, brought back former alderman Mrs. James W. Prothro and elected David Ethridge, while F. E. (Gene) Strowd lost the seat he had held for 12 years; L. J. Phipps was re-elected judge of the recorder's court without opposition. People: Sandy McClamroch, Roland Giduz, Luther James Phipps, R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: Raymond M. Williams, Mrs. James W. Prothro, David Ethridge, F. E. StrowdSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, May 4, 1967, p. 1
  10. Chapel Hill aldermen vote 3 to 2 for an open housing ordinance, short of the margin to pass on first reading Weeks after the killing of Martin Luther King Jr. and a petition signed by about 2,200 people, the Board of Aldermen voted 3 to 2 for a local ban on discrimination in the sale or rental of housing. The margin fell short of the two-thirds needed to pass on first reading, so the measure was set for a second vote on May 13. People: Sandy McClamroch, R. D. Smith, W. David Ethridge, Robert Varley Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: Martin Luther King Jr.The Daily Tar Heel, April 28, 1968, p. 3 · Also: The Daily Tar Heel, April 24, 1968, p. 1
  11. Howard Lee takes the oath as mayor of Chapel Hill at Town Hall More than 140 people packed the second-floor room of Town Hall for the 7:30 p.m. meeting at which town clerk Roberts swore in Lee after outgoing mayor Sandy McClamroch reviewed his ten years in office. New aldermen Joe Nassif, Mary Prothro, George Coxhead and Ross Scroggs were sworn in, and Lee's first board elected David Ethridge mayor pro tem. People: Howard N. Lee, Sandy McClamroch, R. D. Smith, W. David Ethridge, Ross Scroggs Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: David Ethridge, Joe Nassif, Mary Prothro, George CoxheadThe Daily Tar Heel, May 14, 1969, p. 1 (OCR text)
  12. Mayor Howard Lee leads a memorial march for James Cates About 65 people joined a memorial march for James Cates led by Mayor Howard Lee and Alderman R. D. Smith, four days after the killing. People: Howard N. Lee, R. D. Smith, James L. Cates Jr. Place: Chapel HillThe Daily Tar Heel, December 1, 1970, p. 1
Show all 86 dated events
  1. Chapel Hill returns R. D. Smith, Alice Welsh and Joe Nassif and elects James Wallace to the Board of Aldermen In the election that returned Mayor Howard Lee, R. D. Smith, the Black assistant principal of Chapel Hill High School, led the aldermen's race with 2,936 votes, followed by Alice Welsh, newcomer James C. Wallace of N.C. State and Joe Nassif, while incumbent Steve Bernholz finished fifth and lost his seat. About 60 percent of Chapel Hill's registered voters, 4,688 people, went to the polls. People: Howard N. Lee, R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: Alice Welsh, James C. Wallace, Joe Nassif, Steve Bernholz · Also mentions: Chapel Hill High SchoolSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, May 6, 1971, p. 1
  2. Chapel Hill aldermen set a flat $3 dog license fee By a 5-1 vote the Board of Aldermen revised the town code to set all dog tags, new or replacement, at $3 a year, rejecting a plan to prorate the fee after dog warden Gus Shoffner and Alderman Ross Scroggs argued the dog program was not paying for itself. The board also told police to patrol school grounds against mini-bikes. People: Ross Scroggs, R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: Gus ShoffnerSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, November 10, 1971, p. 2
  3. Chapel Hill aldermen vote to join the lawsuit against the New Hope Dam At a special meeting the Board of Aldermen voted 3 to 1 to ask the federal court to let the town join the suit against the Army Corps of Engineers, protesting that towns above the reservoir would bear the cost of cleaning their water to lake standards; Town Manager Robert Peck put the cost at $150,000 to $200,000 for equipment plus four to six cents per 1,000 gallons. Aldermen R. D. Smith, Alice Welsh and James C. Wallace voted yes and George Coxhead no, a day after the Durham City Council voted to join. People: Howard N. Lee, R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel Hill · Also named: Alice Welsh, James C. Wallace, George Coxhead, Robert PeckThe Daily Tar Heel, February 5, 1972, p. 1
  4. Chapel Hill aldermen put off a referendum on a town-campus bus system On August 31 the aldermen voted 4 to 2 not to put the Transportation Commission's proposed $440,000 public bus system on the November ballot, so the public could be heard first; Shirley Marshall and Mayor Pro Tem R. D. Smith wanted the November vote. The plan, drawn up by Kimley-Horn and Associates, called for 18 or 19 buses on figure-eight routes through campus, Chapel Hill and Carrboro, paid for by a town tax levy, federal funds and a $5-a-semester student fee. People: Howard N. Lee, R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel Hill · Also named: Shirley MarshallSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, September 1, 1972, p. 1
  5. Chapel Hill aldermen add $2,000 to the downtown business district study The aldermen unanimously raised the budget of the Central Business District Study Committee by $2,000, adding to the $9,000 first set aside for its study of downtown parking, rents and urban renewal; on November 6 they had committed $2,000 to the committee's fund-raising so the study could begin. People: R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel HillSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, November 15, 1972, p. 1
  6. Chapel Hill aldermen agree to an informal pause in rezoning and new development permits Rather than the formal pause until July 1 the Planning Board had asked for, the aldermen voted 4 to 1, with R. D. Smith against and Joe Nassif abstaining, to refer rezoning, special use and subdivision requests to the Planning Board and to look favorably on its requests for delay while it finished studies toward a growth plan. Planning Board chairman Phillip Cooke called the town's land use plan vague and incomplete. People: R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel Hill · Also named: Joe Nassif, Phillip CookeSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, December 5, 1972, p. 1
  7. Chapel Hill aldermen appoint Thomas Gardner to Coxhead's seat Meeting in special session, the Board of Aldermen unanimously named Thomas Gardner, owner of Quick Food Mart and part owner of Huggins Hardware, to fill George Coxhead's seat until the November election; Alderman Joseph Nassif said the board had looked for someone equivalent to Coxhead, who spoke for business. Gardner, a UNC graduate who came to Chapel Hill in 1939 and had served on the Recreation and Human Relations commissions, was sworn in on February 5. People: R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel Hill · Also named: Thomas Gardner, Joseph Nassif, George Coxhead · Also mentions: Huggins HardwareSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, January 31, 1973, p. 1
  8. Chapel Hill aldermen adopt a town-wide dog control ordinance Over the objection of Alderman R. D. Smith, who wanted a full leash law, the Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance requiring that from January 2, 1974 all dogs off their owners' property be under restraint by leash, at heel, by voice control, in a car or in an enclosure, with hand-held leashes still required downtown and fines of $15 for a first offense and $25 after. It also required rabies shots for cats; dog warden Gus Shoffner had proposed a stricter leash law that the board softened after a crowded meeting on October 8. People: Howard N. Lee, R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel Hill · Also named: Gus ShoffnerSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, October 24, 1973, p. 2
  9. Chapel Hill aldermen fold the area's programs for the elderly into the Orange County Council on Aging At a meeting that also heard local gasoline dealers object to stricter zoning rules for service stations, the Board of Aldermen approved merging area programs for older residents into the Orange County Council on Aging. The board also designated towing zones in the downtown business district after complaints that delivery trucks used spaces set aside for the handicapped. People: R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel HillSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, January 31, 1974, p. 2
  10. Chapel Hill aldermen reorganize the town administration under two assistant town managers In executive session on October 7 the Board of Aldermen approved Police Chief William D. Blake, chief for 16 years and on the force for 33, as assistant town manager for public safety and Kurt Jenne, director of urban development, as assistant town manager for development and community services, and on October 21 it approved the reorganization plan. Blake took charge of police, emergency services, animal control and civil preparedness and Jenne of planning, inspections, human services, recreation, the library and transportation, and Town Manager Chester Kendzior expected a new police chief within six weeks. People: Howard N. Lee, R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: William D. Blake, Kurt Jenne, Chester KendziorSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, October 23, 1974, p. 2
  11. Chapel Hill doubles its parking meter rate and readies tokens good for meters, lots and buses Chapel Hill converted nearly all its parking meters from 10 to 20 cents an hour, at a cost of about $900, and stored three-way tokens in the municipal building that could be used in meters, at attendant parking lots or in bus fare boxes. A town official said Chapel Hill would be one of the first places in the nation to use such tokens, and R.D. Smith, chairman of the aldermen's streets committee, said merchants might give them to customers; the town hoped the idea would help win a federal demonstration grant for the buses. People: R. D. Smith Place: Chapel HillSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, October 22, 1974, p. 1
  12. Mayor Lee breaks a tie to keep Chapel Hill's revised charter before the General Assembly Chapel Hill's aldermen split 3-3 on Alderman Alice Welsh's motion to recall the revised town charter from the legislature, and Mayor Howard Lee broke the tie to keep it there. Lee also broke a tie to pass his own amendment limiting the town's power to run social services; the revisions added a Human Services Department, a town day care program and absentee voting in town elections. People: Howard N. Lee, R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel Hill · Also named: Alice WelshSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, April 11, 1975, p. 1
  13. Chapel Hill aldermen apply for $465,000 in federal community development funds The aldermen approved an application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for $465,000 in community development funds, moving day care and housing rehabilitation money to other lines until the town had legal authority to spend for those purposes. They also endorsed, unanimously, a state Senate bill letting cities run community development programs. People: R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel HillSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, April 16, 1975, p. 1
  14. Chapel Hill elects Howes, Vickery, Epting, Smith and Silver to its enlarged Board of Aldermen Chapel Hill voters filled five seats on a Board of Aldermen enlarged from six to eight members, electing Planning Board chairman Jonathan Howes (3,624 votes), economist Ed Vickery, lawyer Robert Epting, incumbent R. D. Smith and physics professor Marvin Silver from 14 candidates. William H. Thorpe, one of two Black candidates, finished sixth, 49 votes behind Silver, and dropped a recount request after rechecking the Coker Hills precinct. People: Jonathan Howes, R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: W. Edward Vickery, Robert Epting, Marvin Silver, William H. Thorpe, Ed VickerySearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, November 5, 1975, p. 1
  15. Chapel Hill aldermen replace the town's water and sewer authority members with three of their own The Chapel Hill Board of Aldermen voted 6-2 to remove its three appointees on the Orange Water and Sewer Authority, chairperson James Lamb, John McKey and former alderman Sid Rancer, and to seat Aldermen Robert Epting, Jonathan Howes and Shirley Marshall in their places. Supporters said elected members would represent the public better, while Lamb and UNC utilities director Grey Culbreth said the change made the authority political. People: Jonathan Howes, R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel Hill · Also named: James Lamb, John McKey, Sid Rancer, Robert Epting, Shirley Marshall, Grey Culbreth · Also mentions: Orange Water and Sewer AuthorityThe Daily Tar Heel, January 8, 1976, p. 1
  16. Developers propose Laketree, a planned subcommunity south of Chapel Hill Two New York development firms proposed Laketree, a 388-acre balanced subcommunity off U.S. 15-501 south of Chapel Hill with 518 apartments, 300 condominiums, 234 houses, a 31-acre lake, a shopping center, an office park and its own sewage plant, for up to 3,600 residents, at a July public hearing. Dogwood Acres neighbors petitioned for another hearing over traffic, and the planning board set a special meeting for September 30. People: R. D. Smith Place: U.S. 15-501 south of Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Dogwood Acres, U.S. 15-501Search the index · The Daily Tar Heel, September 20, 1976, p. 5
  17. Chapel Hill aldermen adjourn without charging UNC for watering a football field in the drought At a special session called by Aldermen Ed Vickery and R. D. Smith, the Chapel Hill Board of Aldermen voted 5 to 4, Mayor James Wallace breaking the tie, to adjourn without acting against the University for watering Navy Field from its water system on September 1 in violation of the water ordinance; the next day the University paid the town $100 voluntarily. People: N. Ferebee Taylor, R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: James C. Wallace, Ed Vickery, James WallaceThe Daily Tar Heel, September 8, 1976, p. 1
  18. Chapel Hill aldermen amend the drought ordinance to let pools that use no new town water reopen The Chapel Hill Board of Aldermen voted 6-2 to change the drought water-use ordinance, which had made it unlawful to use any swimming pool, so that it barred only putting town water into a pool. The change answered a petition of more than 3,000 students that Chancellor Taylor had turned down under the old ordinance, and the University cleared Bowman Gray Pool in Woollen Gym to reopen with water trucked from Hillsborough to replace backwash losses. People: N. Ferebee Taylor, R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Bowman Gray Pool, Woollen GymThe Daily Tar Heel, October 13, 1976, p. 1
  19. The state Division of Archives and History approves Chapel Hill's historic conservation ordinance In a letter of November 9 the State Division of Archives and History approved Chapel Hill's historic conservation ordinance, which would create a district along East Rosemary, East Franklin, Hillsborough, Boundary and North streets and a nine-member Historic District Commission to review exterior changes. The state asked that the commission get at least 45 days to act; the aldermen had cut the limit to 30 and were to take up the ordinance December 13. People: R. D. Smith Place: Chapel HillSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, November 22, 1976, p. 1
  20. Chapel Hill aldermen let Tri-Delt sorority move into three houses in the historic district The Chapel Hill Board of Aldermen voted 5 to 3 to grant Delta Delta Delta sorority a special-use permit to turn three houses at 407 East Franklin Street, owned by Mrs. Frederic E. Coenen, into a residence for 45 members with a dining addition and a 25-car lot. Rosemary Street neighbors led by Carolista Baum, who feared traffic and a changed neighborhood, said they would sue. People: R. D. Smith Place: 407 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill · Also named: Carolista Baum · Also mentions: Rosemary StreetSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, November 30, 1976, p. 1
  21. Chapel Hill aldermen reject the Laketree planned community By a 5 to 4 vote the Chapel Hill Board of Aldermen defeated the six resolutions needed for Laketree, a 387-acre planned suburb on U.S. 15-501 between Culbreth Junior High and Dogwood Acres with houses, apartments, condominiums, a shopping center, an office park and a 31-acre lake. Opponents said the town's water, sewer and roads could not carry more growth, though the town manager and Planning Board had recommended most of the plan. People: Jonathan Howes, R. D. Smith Place: U.S. 15-501, south of Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Dogwood AcresSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, September 14, 1977, p. 1
  22. Chapel Hill aldermen reject curbside garbage pickup for Colonial Heights After the Chapel Hill Board of Realtors presented a petition signed by 2,300 residents, the Chapel Hill Board of Aldermen voted 7 to 2 against an experimental ordinance that would have had Colonial Heights residents roll green garbage cans to the curb instead of leaving refuse in back yards. The board did approve biweekly curbside pickup, without the green cans, in the Briarcliff and Colony Woods areas. People: R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel HillSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, September 29, 1977, p. 4
  23. Lake Forest residents oppose a 106-unit apartment complex on Old Oxford Road At a Board of Aldermen hearing the Lake Forest Association and neighbors opposed a special-use permit for 106 apartments on a 27-acre tract near Kroger Plaza, citing noise, traffic at Old Oxford and Markham roads, property values and an earlier promise of no more apartments there. Alderman R. D. Smith confirmed that agreement. People: R. D. Smith Place: Old Oxford Road near Kroger Plaza, Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Kroger PlazaSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, March 16, 1978, p. 1
  24. Chapel Hill aldermen move ahead with a sewer-allocation policy to steer growth At a joint meeting with the planning board on the town's growth management and comprehensive plan, the Chapel Hill Board of Aldermen decided to go forward with a sewer-allocation system that would give projects fitting the town's land-use plan priority for sewer service. The meeting also aired disagreement over how freely to grant special-use permits. People: Jonathan Howes, R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill Municipal Building, Chapel HillSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, September 22, 1978, p. 3
  25. Chapel Hill withdraws from the lawsuit against the Interstate 40 link After two hours of debate the Board of Aldermen voted 7-2 to pull the town out of the suit Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County had brought against the state Department of Transportation over its choice of the Interstate 40 link east of town. Mayor James C. Wallace had argued that leaving the suit might win state help for a southern bypass and a larger northern planning area; B. B. Olive of Durham, who coordinated the opposition, objected, and the board added that it meant no harm to the other plaintiffs' case. People: R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: James C. Wallace, B. B. OliveSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, February 28, 1979, p. 1
  26. Chapel Hill aldermen raise bus fares and pass prices By a 5-3 vote the aldermen adopted the Transportation Board's plan to raise the Chapel Hill Transit fare from 25 to 30 cents and the yearly pass from $40 to $48 from July 1, rejecting a steeper plan from the town staff. Fares had been 25 cents since 1974, and the discounted student academic-year pass rose from $32 to $36. People: R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Chapel Hill TransitSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, March 15, 1979, p. 3
  27. Chapel Hill Town Council puts parking and fire station bonds on the ballot and drops an open space bond The Chapel Hill Town Council put a $2.6 million bond for downtown parking, including a deck on Municipal Lot No. 1 on Rosemary Street, and a $450,000 bond for a fire station at Weaver Dairy Road and N.C. 86 on the November 6 ballot. After two hours of heated debate it voted 5 to 4 to rescind its July 9 open space resolution and then voted down a $300,000 bond to buy open space. People: Bill Thorpe, R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Municipal Lot No. 1, Rosemary Street, Weaver Dairy RoadSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, September 6, 1979, p. 1
  28. South Orange Black Caucus chairman David Hinds declines to run for Town Council David Hinds, chairman of the South Orange Black Caucus, said he would not run for the Chapel Hill Town Council because he expected council member R. D. Smith to seek re-election and did not think two Black candidates could both win; he did not want to split the Black vote. He faulted the council for voting by personal alliances, citing its 5 to 4 rezoning of the Baity land and its reversals on the open space bond. People: R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: David HindsSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, September 20, 1979, p. 3
  29. Joe Straley is elected to the Chapel Hill Town Council In the municipal election, newcomer Joe Straley won one of four council seats with 2,796 votes, joining James C. Wallace, R. D. Smith and Jonathan Howes and edging out Joe Herzenberg. He was sworn in for a four-year term in December. People: Joe Straley, Jonathan Howes, R. D. Smith, Joseph A. Herzenberg Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: James C. Wallace, Joe HerzenbergSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, November 7, 1979, p. 1
  30. Mayor James Wallace leads the voting for the Chapel Hill Town Council Outgoing Mayor James Wallace topped the Town Council race with 3,385 votes, followed by 14-year council member R.D. Smith with 3,315 and incumbent Jonathan Howes with 3,039; physics professor Joe Straley took the fourth seat. Historic District Commission chairman Joe Herzenberg (2,692) and transportation board member Bruce Tindall (2,442) lost. People: Jonathan Howes, Joe Straley, R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: James Wallace, Joe Herzenberg, Bruce TindallSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, November 7, 1979, p. 1
  31. Joe Nassif is sworn in as mayor of Chapel Hill Joe Nassif took the oath of office as mayor from James Wallace, who moved from the mayor's chair to a council seat, and then swore in council members Joe Straley, the only newcomer, Wallace, Jonathan Howes and R.D. Smith. The new council chose Howes as mayor pro tem, and the departing members Gerry Cohen, Robert Epting and Ed Vickery each received a key to the town. People: Jonathan Howes, Joe Straley, R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill Town Council, Chapel Hill · Also named: Joe Nassif, James Wallace, Gerry Cohen, Robert Epting, Ed VickerySearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, December 5, 1979, p. 1
  32. Chapel Hill Town Council withdraws its request for a southern bypass Reversing its 1979 stand, the Town Council voted 6 to 3 to strike a southern bypass around Chapel Hill, which residents of southern Orange and Chatham counties had opposed, from its road requests to the state Department of Transportation. Former mayor James Wallace, Bill Thorpe and Bev Kawalec voted no, and the University, which wanted the bypass, said the change complicated its plans. The town, county and Carrboro lists went to a DOT hearing in Carrboro Town Hall on March 26. People: Jonathan Howes, R. D. Smith Place: Town Council, Chapel Hill · Also named: James Wallace, Bev Kawalec, Bill Thorpe · Also mentions: Orange and Chatham countiesSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, March 26, 1980, p. 1
  33. The Chapel Hill Town Council raises bus pass prices and fares by 62.5 percent The council voted 8 to 1 to raise Chapel Hill Transit's pass prices and fares by 62.5 percent from July 1, setting a 12-month pass at $79, a nine-month pass at $65 and the adult fare at 35 cents to meet rising fuel and operating costs. Joe Straley, who had proposed smaller increases, cast the only vote against; Student Government protested that a bus pass would now cost more than a campus parking permit. People: Joe Straley, Jonathan Howes, R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel HillSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, May 29, 1980, p. 6
  34. The Chapel Hill Town Council asks for a Planetarium crosswalk and a signal at the NCNB Plaza crosswalk By a 6 to 3 vote the council called for a study of a crosswalk on East Franklin Street at Morehead Planetarium, a traffic light at the existing crosswalk by NCNB Plaza and synchronized lights between Henderson and Columbia streets, after two students were struck near the Planetarium that spring. Jonathan Howes and Student Government said the signals would speed traffic rather than protect pedestrians; the state agreed to install the NCNB light in its next fiscal year. People: Jonathan Howes, R. D. Smith Place: East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Morehead PlanetariumSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, June 12, 1980, p. 1 · Also: The Daily Tar Heel, September 24, 1981, p. 6
  35. The Chapel Hill Town Council endorses OWASA's Cane Creek Reservoir Ahead of the Army Corps of Engineers hearings, the council formally endorsed the proposed 3-billion-gallon reservoir, citing the draft environmental impact statement's finding that Cane Creek would give purer water than the Haw River or B. Everett Jordan Lake. The same night it approved the Phase IV plan for North Forest Hills over Piney Mountain Road neighbors' protests, with R. D. Smith and Bill Thorpe opposed, and put off acting on the town's ban on drive-in windows. People: Bill Thorpe, R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel HillThe Daily Tar Heel, August 27, 1980, p. 1
  36. Chapel Hill moves to condemn a Caldwell Street Extension home to straighten a Northside street By late October 1980 Chapel Hill's town attorney had begun condemnation proceedings against a house on Caldwell Street Extension, home to its owner for about 40 years, to realign the street through the Northside neighborhood with Community Development money. The council had voted 5-3 on September 8 to use part of a $2.1 million federal grant to remove the hairpin curve where Caldwell Street, once School Lane, met Gomains Avenue and Mitchell Lane; the town offered market value, up to $15,000 in relocation money and moving costs, or to move the house to a vacant lot. People: R. D. Smith Place: Caldwell Street Extension, Northside, Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Mitchell LaneThe Daily Tar Heel, October 30, 1980, p. 1
  37. Chapel Hill Town Council approves converting The Oaks Apartments to condominiums After months of hearings, the Town Council voted 5 to 4 to grant the special-use permit letting Brant Homes of Greensboro sell the 124 units of The Oaks Apartments as condominiums. Mayor Joe Nassif and council members R.D. Smith, Joe Straley and Joe Herzenberg voted no, Herzenberg saying conversion violated the comprehensive plan in so transient a town; Bev Kawalec said the town needed a conversion policy but should approve this request. People: Joe Straley, R. D. Smith Place: The Oaks Apartments, Burning Tree Drive and N.C. 54 East, Chapel Hill · Also named: Joe Nassif, Joe Herzenberg, Bev KawalecSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, January 14, 1981, p. 3
  38. Northwest Chapel Hill residents protest a federal redevelopment plan at a council hearing A hearing on a HUD-funded plan to improve substandard housing north of Rosemary Street, between Church Street and Carrboro, ran more than two hours as residents objected that the Chapel Hill Housing Authority could condemn property not brought up to code within a year. Housing Authority chairman Theodore Parrish said condemnation was unlikely, council member R.D. Smith sided with the residents, and the council referred the $2.1 million plan to Town Manager Gene Shipman. People: R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill Municipal Building, Chapel Hill · Also named: Theodore Parrish, Gene Shipman · Also mentions: Rosemary StreetThe Daily Tar Heel, January 28, 1981, p. 1
  39. Town Council approves Coker Hills West, a subdivision near the Horace Williams runway The Town Council voted 6-2 to approve a preliminary sketch for Coker Hills West, a subdivision lying partly inside the flight hazard zone of Horace Williams Airport, after Town Manager Gene Shipman reported that it met town standards except for that location. Council members Joe Straley and R.D. Smith voted no, Smith saying approval did not protect people's health and safety. People: Joe Straley, R. D. Smith Place: Near Horace Williams Airport, Chapel Hill · Also named: Gene Shipman · Also mentions: Horace Williams AirportSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, February 25, 1981, p. 3
  40. Town Council approves UNC's electric substation on Mason Farm Road By a 5-4 vote the Town Council granted the University a special use permit for an electric power substation on Mason Farm Road near Finley Golf Course and the N.C. Botanical Garden, against the advice of Town Manager Gene Shipman and the Planning Board, which held that the site lay in a critical environmental area under the land use plan. Joe Herzenberg, voting no, said the site was out of harmony with its surroundings; R.D. Smith said it was better to run the lines over University land than private property. People: Jonathan Howes, R. D. Smith Place: Mason Farm Road near Finley Golf Course, Chapel Hill · Also named: Joe Herzenberg, Gene ShipmanThe Daily Tar Heel, March 25, 1981, p. 3
  41. Chapel Hill Town Council adopts the Northside redevelopment plan with power of eminent domain By 6 to 2 the council approved the community redevelopment plan, paid for by a $2.1 million federal Small Cities grant for 1979-1982, which lets the town condemn substandard and vacant lots so the Housing Authority can clear them and resell them to low-income families, with 21 duplexes and single-family homes and 18 units for the elderly planned. Council member R.D. Smith, voting no, said it had taken Black families "a long, long time" to acquire the property, and Jim Wallace called forced transfer distasteful; Mayor Joe Nassif said the land was needed for homes. People: R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill Municipal Building, Chapel Hill · Also named: Joe Nassif, Jim WallaceThe Daily Tar Heel, April 15, 1981, p. 3
  42. Chapel Hill Town Council starts condemnation for a greenway between Umstead Park and the Hargraves Center On September 13, 1982, the Chapel Hill Town Council voted 7-1 to have the town attorney begin condemnation of two lots near Mason Road and McMasters Street, a 1.55-acre and a 0.37-acre tract whose owners had turned down the town's offers of $10,500 and $6,000. The land was needed to finish a greenway of walking trails linking Umstead Park with the Hargraves Center, part of a community development plan that went back to the 1965 report of the Mayor's Task Force on Open Space. People: R. D. Smith Place: Mason Road and McMasters Street, Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Hargraves Center, Umstead ParkThe Daily Tar Heel, September 15, 1982, p. 1
  43. Chapel Hill Town Council backs a study of a teen center in the post office basement On March 28, 1983, after the Rev. Gordon Dragt asked for a place on Franklin Street where high school and junior high students could gather away from alcohol, the Chapel Hill Town Council voted unanimously to have the manager work with the Downtown Chapel Hill Association on a feasibility study of a teen center in the vacant basement of the Franklin Street Post Office. Council members R.D. Smith, Jim Wallace and Bev Kawalec questioned drawing teenagers to the main block of Franklin Street and putting the center in a building that also housed a court. People: R. D. Smith Place: Franklin Street Post Office, Chapel Hill · Also named: Gordon Dragt, Jim Wallace, Bev Kawalec · Also mentions: Franklin StreetSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, March 30, 1983, p. 3
  44. Carrboro officials count eight Black members among 87 appointees to town boards In April 1983 Carrboro Mayor Robert Drakeford and Alderman Hilliard Caldwell said Black residents were underrepresented on the town's boards and committees, where eight of 87 appointees were Black against a town population about 17 percent Black; Caldwell set a goal of 30 percent before his term ended, and Drakeford said the town did too little business with Black-owned firms. Chapel Hill council member R.D. Smith counted six to eight Black members on Chapel Hill's boards. People: Hilliard Caldwell, R. D. Smith Place: Carrboro · Also named: Robert DrakefordSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, April 28, 1983, p. 2
  45. Chapel Hill re-elects Mayor Joe Nassif and puts Preston, Howes, Smith and Thorpe on the Town Council In the Chapel Hill municipal election of November 8, 1983, Mayor Joe Nassif was re-elected without opposition, and newcomer Nancy Preston (3,500 votes), incumbents Jonathan Howes (3,049) and R. D. Smith (2,665) and former council member Bill Thorpe (2,336) won the four Town Council seats; Katherine Wright finished fifth and incumbent Joe Straley last, 73 votes behind Thorpe. Turnout was 27.8 percent, and the Daily Tar Heel reported that it was the first time two Black candidates, Smith and Thorpe, had been elected to the council in the same election. People: Jonathan Howes, Bill Thorpe, Joe Straley, R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: Joe Nassif, Nancy Preston, Katherine WrightSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, November 9, 1983, p. 1
  46. Chapel Hill Town Council approves a Teen Center in the Post Office basement On November 14, 1983, the Chapel Hill Town Council voted 7 to 1 to approve a Teen Center in the basement of the Post Office building. R. D. Smith dissented, saying teenagers wanted to be on Franklin Street, not in a basement, and District Attorney Wade Barber worried about conflicts with the District Court upstairs and the security of his offices; the town manager said the lease would settle those details. People: R. D. Smith Place: Post Office building, East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill · Also named: Wade Barber · Also mentions: Franklin StreetSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, November 16, 1983, p. 3
  47. Joe Nassif takes the oath for a second term as Chapel Hill mayor with the new Town Council On December 5, 1983, after farewell speeches by departing members Joe Straley and Jim Wallace, N.C. Court of Appeals Judge Willis Whichard swore in newcomer Nancy Preston, returning former member Bill Thorpe and incumbents R.D. Smith and Jonathan Howes, and Mayor Joe Nassif took the oath for his second term. The council elected Bev Kawalec mayor pro tem and re-elected David Roberts town clerk. People: Bill Thorpe, Jonathan Howes, R. D. Smith Place: Town Hall, Chapel Hill · Also named: Joe Nassif, Nancy Preston, Bev Kawalec, Willis Whichard, Joe Straley, Jim WallaceSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, December 7, 1983, p. 3
  48. Chapel Hill Town Council approves the 351-unit Colony Lake development On its third try the council voted 7-2 for Carolina Communities of Durham's revised Colony Lake condominium project, which the Planning Board had recommended 6-0 on February 7 after the developers bought land to connect Standish Drive with Old Durham Road instead of Cooper Street, a route University Heights and Colony Woods residents had opposed. Mayor Joe Nassif and R.D. Smith voted no over safety concerns about the project's 3-acre lake; building was planned from 1985 to 1993, with land next to Cooper Street to become a town park. People: R. D. Smith Place: Standish Drive and Old Durham Road, Chapel Hill · Also named: Joe NassifSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, February 29, 1984, p. 3
  49. Chapel Hill Town Council adopts merit pay for town employees and turns down its own raise The Chapel Hill Town Council adopted, 8-1, a performance-based pay plan giving town workers raises of up to 5 percent (at least 2.5 percent in its first year), and voted 5-4 against Winston Broadfoot's proposal to raise council salaries by $1,000 from $3,000. People: R. D. Smith Place: Town Council, Chapel Hill · Also named: Winston BroadfootSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, May 31, 1984, p. 1
  50. The Town Council lets the Inter-Faith Council shelter homeless people in the old police building The Chapel Hill Town Council approved an Inter-Faith Council for Social Service proposal to use the basement of the old police building at 100 West Rosemary Street as a temporary night shelter for homeless people, open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. with trained volunteers from member congregations, until April 30. The IFC had rotated the shelter among churches that winter and was weighing the purchase of a house on Cameron Avenue for a later site. People: R. D. Smith Place: Old police building, 100 West Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Inter-Faith Council for Social Service, Cameron Avenue, 100 West Rosemary StreetSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, January 16, 1985, p. 3
  51. The Town Council approves the Rosemary Square contract The Chapel Hill Town Council unanimously approved a contract with the Fraser Company for the $19 million Rosemary Square project, which was to replace the municipal parking lot on West Rosemary Street between the post office and NCNB Plaza with a 120-suite hotel, a public plaza, a renovated alley, a parking deck of 325 public and 175 private spaces and 22,400 square feet of shops and offices. The town agreed to issue up to $3.5 million in bonds and the developer to give the town benefits worth $925,000; a motion by Nancy Preston and David Pasquini to wait a month for another hearing failed 6 to 2. People: R. D. Smith, Jonathan Howes Place: Municipal parking lot, West Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill · Also named: Nancy Preston, David Pasquini · Also mentions: West Rosemary StreetSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, February 1, 1985, p. 1
  52. The Chapel Hill Town Council allows public bulletin kiosks on sidewalks The Town Council voted 6 to 1 to amend the development ordinance to permit kiosks or bulletin boards in public areas and on sidewalks, such as around the post office, with no side over six square feet. The Downtown Chapel Hill Association had asked for boards to stop posters on buildings and trash cans; R. D. Smith spoke against the change. People: R. D. Smith Place: Franklin Street, Chapel HillSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, March 13, 1985, p. 3
  53. Town Council orders an end to game-day parking in the Old Chapel Hill Cemetery Acting on a letter from Chapel Hill Preservation Society president Mary Arthur Stoudemire, who said well over 100 cars had parked on graves during the Clemson game on Nov. 9, the council directed Town Manager David Taylor to take whatever steps were needed to keep cars out; council member R. D. Smith proposed chains and a cable at the entrances. Police counted about 30 cars that day. People: R. D. Smith Place: Old Chapel Hill Cemetery, Chapel Hill · Also named: Mary Arthur Stoudemire, David TaylorSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, November 14, 1985, p. 1
  54. Black residents hold about 11 percent of Chapel Hill and Carrboro advisory board seats The Daily Tar Heel counted 8 Black residents among the 73 people Carrboro's Board of Aldermen had named to advisory boards and 9 among Chapel Hill's 84 appointees; Carrboro's planning board and downtown development board had no Black members, while three of 10 on Chapel Hill's Board of Adjustment were Black. Carrboro Alderman Hilliard Caldwell, the only Black member of that board, and Chapel Hill council member R.D. Smith said more Black residents needed to apply. People: Hilliard Caldwell, R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill and CarrboroSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, December 3, 1985, p. 1
  55. Chapel Hill Town Council lowers density caps and floor-area limits for new development The Chapel Hill Town Council voted 7-2 to cap new housing at 3 to 15 dwelling units an acre depending on zoning, down from as many as 20, and 8-1 to reduce the floor space allowed per acre; Mayor James C. Wallace and R. D. Smith dissented, Smith arguing the limits would end affordable apartment building. The council tabled a 40-foot height limit, set up a Community Planning Task Force for the draft Interim Land Use Plan and called a hearing on the land use plan for the area of joint planning with Orange County. People: R. D. Smith, Jonathan Howes Place: Municipal Building, Chapel Hill · Also named: James C. WallaceSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, February 26, 1986, p. 5
  56. Chapel Hill Town Council puts five bond issues totaling $11.8 million on the November ballot The Town Council voted to put five general obligation bond issues before voters on November 4: $4 million for the public library, $2.5 million for street improvements, $2.5 million for parking and open space, $2 million for town offices and public meeting rooms and about $800,000 for fire protection. At the hearing the library bond drew the most debate; the Friends of the Chapel Hill Library said the 1967 library circulated more books than any other public library in the state. People: R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel HillSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, September 10, 1986, p. 3
  57. Chapel Hill Town Council and the OWASA board meet jointly on the water supply Meeting jointly after the summer drought, OWASA told the Town Council that University Lake was too small for the community, that bids for the permanent Cane Creek dam were being advertised with construction to start in January and take at least three years, and that water from Lake Butner piped through the Durham line could bring the supply to about nine million gallons a day. OWASA's director called Jordan Lake a costly source and said OWASA should be a service provider, not a judge of where growth goes. People: Jonathan Howes, R. D. Smith Place: Chapel HillThe Daily Tar Heel, September 24, 1986, p. 1
  58. Chapel Hill Housing Authority asks the Town Council for help Squeezed by federal budget cuts, the Chapel Hill Housing Authority, independent since 1962, asked the Town Council at a work session for money to keep up its 312 low-rent units, which needed an estimated $3 million in repairs, and the council discussed taking over the authority's work and weighed a payment in lieu of taxes or $50,000 in community development money without deciding. Tenants spoke for keeping an independent authority, and the council set $35,000 to $70,000 as the price range of affordable housing in Chapel Hill. People: R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel HillThe Daily Tar Heel, October 8, 1986, p. 3
  59. Chapel Hill Town Council studies three bids for its affordable home ownership project The Town Council heard proposals from Capricorn Construction of Carrboro, Isler and Associates of Durham and the Partnership for Affordable Housing of Chapel Hill to build 26 to 33 low-cost houses priced about $59,500 to $70,000 on town land at Merritt Mill Road and Grant Street and on Legion Road, with construction possible from spring 1987. People: R. D. Smith Place: Merritt Mill Road and Legion Road, Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Merritt Mill RoadSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, November 19, 1986, p. 5
  60. About 130 people rally and march down Franklin Street on the King holiday About 130 people rallied at the Franklin Street post office on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and marched under police escort to First Baptist Church, where the Rev. J. R. Manley led a prayer. The UNC Anti-Apartheid Support Group and the Orange County Rainbow Coalition of Conscience sponsored the event, which the Daily Tar Heel called Chapel Hill's first community celebration of the holiday and which joined King's memory to the call for divestment from South Africa. People: Bill Thorpe, Fred Battle, R. D. Smith Place: Franklin Street post office to First Baptist Church, Chapel Hill · Also named: J. R. ManleySearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, January 20, 1987, p. 3
  61. Chapel Hill Town Council sets rules for an affordable homeownership project The Town Council set guidelines for a demonstration project of affordable houses to be built by Isler and Capricorn Associates, aimed at households earning 60 percent or less of the Chapel Hill median income of $30,400, which town reports put at a top house payment of $700 a month. Preference was to go to first-time buyers and families who had lived and worked in Chapel Hill for a year, house size was to match household size, and the town held the first option to buy a house back when it was resold. People: R. D. Smith Place: Chapel HillThe Daily Tar Heel, February 4, 1987, p. 2
  62. Chapel Hill Town Council tightens the noise ordinance At Mayor James Wallace's urging, the Town Council voted unanimously to cut the loudest permitted sound level from 85 to 75 decibels and to end permitted amplified music at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays instead of 1 a.m. Neighbors of the Delta Upsilon fraternity had filed a petition with 64 signatures, while fraternity leaders and the owner of He's Not Here said the change would end outdoor bands; the Daily Tar Heel reported that Wallace called fraternities "trash piles" and public nuisances, a remark he qualified the next day. People: R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: James C. Wallace, James WallaceSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, February 10, 1987, p. 1
  63. Chapel Hill Housing Authority board votes 5 to 4 to become a town agency Facing deep federal cuts, the Chapel Hill Housing Authority's board voted 5 to 4 in favor of becoming dependent on the town instead of remaining the independent agency it had been since 1962. The same night tenants of its 312 apartments in Chapel Hill and Carrboro told the Town Council at a public hearing that they feared a town takeover would mean eviction and sale of the units; council member R. D. Smith and Town Manager David Taylor said federal rules barred any sale and no one would be evicted. People: R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: David TaylorThe Daily Tar Heel, April 1, 1987, p. 7
  64. Chapel Hill Town Council approves a noise permit and street closing for Springfest The council voted unanimously to give Henderson Residence College and the Springfest '87 Committee a noise permit and to close part of Raleigh Street for the April 11 all-campus concert, which had drawn more than 5,000 people in 1986. The organizers accepted police conditions: monitors for parking and alcohol, proof-of-age checks and hourly sound readings under the new 75-decibel limit. Coming two weeks after the Burnout denial, council member Jonathan Howes called it the kind of event the council liked to see. People: Jonathan Howes, R. D. Smith Place: Raleigh Street, Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Henderson Residence CollegeSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, March 24, 1987, p. 1
  65. Chapel Hill Town Council votes 5 to 4 for a student-written noise amendment on first reading Mayor Jim Wallace presented a noise ordinance amendment written by Student Body President Brian Bailey, and the Town Council voted 5 to 4 to enact it after moving the weekend cutoff from Bailey's 2 a.m. to 1 a.m. It allowed 80 decibels at permitted campus events and 70 decibels without a permit Thursday through Saturday. Because the vote fell short of two-thirds, the amendment needed a second majority vote, set for April 29. People: Bill Thorpe, R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Airport Road, Chapel Hill · Also named: Jim Wallace, Brian BaileySearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, April 15, 1987, p. 3
  66. Chapel Hill Town Council tables the students' noise ordinance amendment and forms a committee to study noise Student Body President Brian Bailey's amendment, which would have raised the limit for outdoor parties to 80 decibels and moved the weekend cutoff from midnight to 1 a.m., had passed 5-4 on April 13 but needed a second vote. At the request of Bailey and Vice Chancellor Donald Boulton, the council voted unanimously on April 29 to table it, leaving the ordinance passed in February in force, and to form a committee of students, faculty and residents to study noise; a revision committee chaired by assistant town manager Ron Secrist first met on August 19. People: Bill Thorpe, R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: Brian Bailey, Donald Boulton, Ron SecristSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, May 21, 1987, p. 4
  67. Chapel Hill Town Council holds a second public hearing on Rosemary Square After a petition drive by opponents, the council held a public hearing on the $33 million Rosemary Square hotel, office, retail and parking complex at Rosemary and Henderson streets in place of a scheduled work session. Of 27 speakers, 17 favored the project, which the council had approved in 1985 with a town share of about $3.5 million in exchange for parking spaces. People: R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Rosemary and Henderson streetsSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, October 5, 1987, p. 4
  68. The joint University-town committee votes against closing Columbia Street or widening Pittsboro Street past three lanes The joint University-Town Committee voted 7-1 to recommend to the chancellor and mayor that the University land-use plan close no part of Columbia Street and widen Pittsboro Street to no more than three lanes, against the draft plan's six. Members also agreed that Cameron Avenue in front of South Building should be closed to cars by day for pedestrian safety, but only after an impact study. Council member R.D. Smith cast the lone no vote, fearing a wider street would bring the Pittsboro Street extension. People: R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Cameron Avenue, Columbia Street, Pittsboro StreetSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, November 6, 1987, p. 1
  69. Chapel Hill Town Council approves a special-use permit for the Westcourt complex downtown The council voted 6-3 for a special-use permit for Westcourt, an office, shop and residential complex on West Franklin and West Rosemary streets made up of the old Southern Bell building, to be renovated into about 30,000 square feet of commercial space, and two new six-story residential buildings. Julie Andresen, David Pasquini and R. D. Smith voted no over the 88-foot height, the walled design and one parking space per apartment; developer Guilford Waddell planned to start in February or March. People: R. D. Smith Place: West Franklin and West Rosemary streets, Chapel Hill · Also named: Guilford Waddell, Julie Andresen, David PasquiniSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, December 3, 1987, p. 2
  70. The first houses of Chapel Hill's Tandler affordable homeownership project near completion Three houses in the Tandler subdivisions, on town-owned land off Legion and Merritt Mill roads, were nearly finished under Chapel Hill's Homeownership Demonstration Program. Capricorn Isler and Associates was to build 34 houses priced at $50,000 to $60,000 for families earning $18,000 to $26,000, with the town putting $800,000 into mortgage financing; 22 were already reserved, with priority for town and University employees. People: R. D. Smith Place: Legion Road and Merritt Mill Road, Chapel HillThe Daily Tar Heel, December 3, 1987, p. 4
  71. Chapel Hill Town Council postpones a $5 million parks and open space bond vote The council voted 8-1 to put off a $5 million bond referendum for land for parks, greenways and open space, introduced by Jim Wallace in August for the November ballot, probably to March after a January 23, 1989, public hearing; speakers wanted more time to inform voters and to avoid competing with the county's $30 million bond vote on November 8. David Godschalk cast the only no vote, and the town manager's office estimated the bonds would add about 4 cents to the tax rate. People: R. D. Smith Place: Municipal Building, Chapel Hill · Also named: Jim Wallace, David GodschalkSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, September 14, 1988, p. 4
  72. Chapel Hill Town Council approves the Pavilion on Franklin on the Cat's Cradle site On July 6, 1992, the Chapel Hill Town Council voted 5 to 2 to grant a special-use permit for The Pavilion on Franklin, a five-story mixed-use building at West Franklin and Church streets on the site of the Cat's Cradle, and amended the town's transportation management plan to drop 154 of 185 required parking spaces in favor of trolley use, leased carpool spaces, bicycles and bus passes. Julie Andresen and Roosevelt Wilkerson voted no and former council member R.D. Smith warned that the lack of parking would hurt downtown. People: R. D. Smith Place: West Franklin and Church streets, Chapel Hill · Also named: Julie Andresen, Roosevelt Wilkerson · Also mentions: Cat's CradleSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, July 9, 1992, p. 4
  73. Chancellor Hardin meets Black community leaders at his home to seek advice on race relations Worried that racial tension on campus would worsen, Chancellor Paul Hardin met for about three and a half hours on August 17, 1992, at his home with six faculty members and six Black community leaders, including civil-rights activists Lillian Lee, the Rev. J. R. Manley, Lewis Roland and R. D. Smith. Hardin said the group might become an advisory committee; former school board member Fred Battle said housekeepers, students and other grassroots leaders should have been included. People: R. D. Smith, Chuck Stone, Fred Battle Place: Chancellor's residence, Country Club Road, Chapel Hill · Also named: Paul Hardin, Lillian Lee, J. R. Manley, Lewis RolandSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, August 26, 1992, p. 1
  74. R. D. and Euzelle P. Smith Middle School opens A new middle school named for R. D. Smith and his wife Euzelle, longtime residents of the Pottersfield neighborhood who taught in the local schools for decades, opened in 2001. Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: Euzelle P. SmithSearch the index · Marian Cheek Jackson Center, From the Rock Wall: R.D. and Euzelle P. Smith Middle School

Places in this person’s story

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Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Site locations from the N.C. State Historic Preservation Office survey, Open Orange, Orange County GIS, OpenStreetMap and a few other published sources named on each site’s page; town and community pins show approximate locations.

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People named in the same events

People named in the same dated entries as R. D. Smith, those sharing the most entries first. Each line links one of the shared entries in the chronology, where its source is cited. A shared entry shows these people in the same event, not how well they knew each other.

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Background on Orange County’s Black high schools: the Training School, Lincoln and Central

Background reading on Orange County’s Black high schools: the Training School, Lincoln and Central. These works cover the broader subject and may not discuss R. D. Smith. Follow a link to find a copy or view the material.

Black Freedom and the University of North Carolina, 1793-1960

Chapman, John K. · 2006 · John K. (Yonni) Chapman

John K. Chapman's 2006 study of race at UNC from 1793 to 1960, issued by the author. Chapman argues that standard university histories play down the institution's role in upholding white supremacy through slavery, Reconstruction and the Jim Crow era, and that they leave out what African Americans contributed to the campus. It also covers segregation in education and the social conditions of Black residents of Chapel Hill across two centuries. 215 pages with maps.

NC Cardinal UNC

Oral history interview with Burnis Hackney, February 5, 2001: interview K-0547, Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007)

Hackney, Burnis · 2006 · University Library, UNC-Chapel Hill

Burnis Hackney entered Chapel Hill High School, newly integrated, in 1966, one of the first Black students there after Lincoln High School closed. In this Southern Oral History Program interview, recorded February 5, 2001, by Bob Gilgor, Hackney weighs his conviction that integration was right against what was lost when Lincoln's traditions were set aside, and how the merger played out for students. About an hour and a half. Published online in 2006 by the UNC-Chapel Hill Library in Documenting the American South.

NC Cardinal UNC

Oral history interview with Fred Battle, January 3, 2001: interview K-0525, Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007)

Battle, Fred · 2006 · University Library, UNC-Chapel Hill

Fred Battle grew up in Chapel Hill under segregation and describes that world in a Southern Oral History Program interview recorded January 3, 2001, by Bob Gilgor. He portrays the Black community of his youth as centered on the church and on Lincoln High School, recalls his schooling there, and tells of his college years in Greensboro and the civil rights demonstrations he joined there. Published online in 2006 by the UNC-Chapel Hill Library in Documenting the American South.

NC Cardinal UNC

Oral history interview with Gloria Register Jeter, December 23, 2000: interview K-0549, Southern Oral History Program (#4007)

Jeter, Gloria Register · 2006 · University Library, UNC-Chapel Hill

Gloria Register Jeter (born 1952) attended both segregated and integrated public schools of Chapel Hill and offers a critical view of how desegregation was carried out, in a Southern Oral History Program interview recorded December 23, 2000, by Bob Gilgor. Jeter argues that the merger of Lincoln High School into Chapel Hill High School cost the Black community its school traditions and institutions, and describes the student protests that followed. Published online in 2006 by the UNC-Chapel Hill Library in Documenting the American South.

NC Cardinal UNC

Oral history interview with James Atwater, February 28, 2001: interview K-0201, Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007)

Atwater, James · 2006 · University Library, UNC-Chapel Hill

James Atwater, born in 1932 into a family that had lived in Chapel Hill for generations, talked with Jennifer Nardone in February 2001. He describes the town's Black community between the 1930s and the 1950s: how neighbors dealt with one another in church, at school and in social life, and what schooling under segregation meant at Orange County Training School and Lincoln High School. About an hour and eighteen minutes; electronic edition from the UNC library, 2006, through Documenting the American South.

NC Cardinal UNC

Oral history interview with Joanne Peerman, February 24, 2001: interview K-0557, Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007)

Peerman, Joanne · 2006 · University Library, UNC-Chapel Hill

Joanne Peerman, a Chapel Hill native and the daughter of a well-known coach, was in one of the first classes to integrate Chapel Hill High School. In this Southern Oral History Program interview, recorded by Bob Gilgor in February 2001, she describes her schooling under segregation and after it, the last years of Lincoln High School, and the civil rights demonstrations that accompanied school integration. About an hour and a half; electronic edition from the UNC library, 2006, through Documenting the American South.

NC Cardinal UNC
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Oral history interview with Raney Norwood, January 9, 2001: interview K-0556, Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007)

Norwood, Raney · 2006 · University Library, UNC-Chapel Hill

Raney Norwood was among the African American students who moved from Lincoln High School to the newly desegregated Chapel Hill High School. Interviewed by Bob Gilgor in January 2001, he recalls the traditions left behind at Lincoln, a hard first year at the new school, and the nonviolent protests students mounted to carry those traditions over. An Upward Bound math-science program also comes up. Runs about an hour and three quarters; electronic edition issued by the UNC library in 2006 through Documenting the American South.

NC Cardinal UNC

Oral history interview with Rebecca Clark, June 21, 2000: interview K-0536, Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007)

Clark, Rebecca · 2006 · University Library, UNC-Chapel Hill

Interview recorded June 21, 2000 with Rebecca Clark (1915-2009), a Black Chapel Hill resident, for the Southern Oral History Program at UNC. Clark, educated in Chapel Hill's segregated schools, describes working life under segregation and the economic discrimination she met in it. Topics also include Lincoln High School, school integration, and Howard Lee, elected mayor of Chapel Hill in 1969. Interview K-0536 in collection #4007.

NC Cardinal UNC

Oral history interview with Sheila Florence, January 20, 2001: interview K-0544, Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007)

Florence, Sheila · 2006 · University Library, UNC-Chapel Hill

Sheila Florence (born 1947) was one of the first African American students to enter Chapel Hill High School when it desegregated. In this January 2001 interview with Bob Gilgor she describes growing up in segregated Chapel Hill, the poor state of the town's Black schools, including Lincoln High School, the harassment she faced at the formerly white school, and the civil rights demonstrations of the era. About an hour and forty minutes; electronic edition from the UNC library, 2006, through Documenting the American South.

NC Cardinal UNC

Oral history interview with Stella Nickerson, January 20, 2001: interview K-0554, Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007)

Nickerson, Stella · 2006 · University Library, UNC-Chapel Hill

Stella Nickerson describes her girlhood in Chapel Hill's Black community during the years of school integration. Interviewed by Bob Gilgor in January 2001, she remembers a close neighborhood in which work, school and church were bound together, the disciplined atmosphere of the all-Black schools, and the changes integration brought as students moved from Lincoln High School to Chapel Hill High School. Runs about seventy-two minutes; electronic edition from the UNC library, 2006, through Documenting the American South.

NC Cardinal UNC

Oral history interview with Thurman Couch, February 12, 2001: interview K-0537, Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007)

Couch, Thurman · 2006 · University Library, UNC-Chapel Hill

Thurman Couch went from Lincoln High School into the first group of African American students at Chapel Hill High School. Interviewed by Bob Gilgor in February 2001, he compares the two schools, speaks as a former athlete about sports before and after desegregation, and argues that integration cost the Black community its school traditions and weakened the bond between school and neighborhood. The town's civil rights demonstrations also come up. About an hour; electronic edition from the UNC library, 2006, through Documenting the American South.

NC Cardinal UNC

Oral history interview with Walter Durham, January 19 and 26, 2001: interview K-0540, Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007)

Durham, Walter · 2006 · University Library, UNC-Chapel Hill

Walter Durham, born about 1948 into a landowning Black family, grew up between Carrboro and Chapel Hill and attended Carrboro's all-Black schools until Lincoln High School merged into Chapel Hill High School in 1966. Over two sessions with Bob Gilgor in January 2001 he describes neighborhood life, church and school, what students lost and gained in the merger, and the civil rights demonstrations of the 1960s. About two hours and ten minutes; electronic edition from the UNC library, 2006, through Documenting the American South.

NC Cardinal UNC

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