Lynne Vogel's blog

The Howard & Lillian Lee Scholars Charter School Proposal

The Howard & Lillian Lee Scholars Charter School Application

Parties pursuing education funds must first form non-profit corporations in order to qualify for North Carolina school charters. Once these five-year contracts are granted, charter school corporate boards can then align with for-profit entities for school management. The Howard & Lillian Lee Scholars Charter School application is a case in point.

Privatizing public education: The K12 corporate push for North Carolina virtual charter classrooms

The K12, Inc. North Carolina Virtual Charter School Proposal

K12 Inc., the purveyor of multi-state on-line virtual charter school programs, plans to establish a presence in North Carolina by aligning its interests with those of the Cabarrus County School Board. The K12 Inc. business plan was offered to school board officials, the chartering entity, on November 1, 2011. For its efforts, the school board will receive a 3% administration fee.

"A Rich Heart"

Christopher Ivicic Photo

 
‎"Do not judge by appearances;
a rich heart may be under a poor coat."
~Scottish Proverb~

Buncombe County, NC Mountain Real Estate Landslide Risk Report

Western North Carolina landslide photo — SouthWings flyover 2010

Western North Carolina Mountain Real Estate Caveats

Western North Carolina Mountain Real Estate: Material Facts Disputed

Western North Carolina landslide photo — SouthWings flyover 2010

Western North Carolina Mountain Real Estate: Landslide Risk Counties

It has been observed that mountain-view real estate can inspire blindness. 

Jackson County, NC landslide photo — SouthWings flyover 2010

The Ridges of Franklin NC Developer Dismisses Wildflower Hazardous-Land Data

Wildflower, an Ultima Carolina LLC Subdivision Development 2004

Federal officials [FEMA] designated all Western North Carolina counties landslide-hazardous in 1998 so Robert Ullmann and Hardy Smith, Ultima Carolina co-partners, should have known that the Macon County, NC Wildflower subdivision tract was not suitable or safe for residential development. This risk assessment was based primarily on soil survey data.

 Ultima Carolina Communities :  Wildflower, Avalon, Black Bear Falls and Fontana Trace were all sited on unstable ground.

Hamlet Estates at St. James: Chinese Drywall Lawsuit Revelations

Photo of under-construction home in the Hamlet Estates at
St. James Subdivision November 2007— "Incentives, to Fight the Doldrums" New York Times

Hamlet Estates at St. James Defective Drywall Lawsuit

Macon County, NC Real Estate: No Disclosure for "Foreseeable Hazards and Adverse Conditions"

FHA—Subdivision Site Suitability Requirement

Developers who expect to offer FHA-insured mortgage loans for homes in their proposed or newly-completed subdivisions must complete a  Builder's Certification of Plans, Specifications, & Site  disclosure statement. Some of the issues that might affect project viability are: toxic waste, flood, noise and earth movement. FHA classifies unstable land as "foreseeable hazards and adverse conditions."

FHA  Landslide/ Soil Hazard Concerns:

(1) Does the site have any rock formations, high ground water levels, inadequate surface drainage, springs, sinkholes, etc.?
(2) Does the site have unstable soils (expansive, collapsible, or erodible)?
(3) Does the site have any excessive slopes?
(4) Does the site have any earth fill?

Swain County, NC Real Estate Landslide/Soil Hazard Report


 Steep, high excavations in debris fan deposits can be unstable. This cut slope failed during the May 5-7, 2003 rains in Swain County. Although the log cabin remained intact, the failed debris pushed it 3-5 feet off its foundation—NCGS
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