Fact-checking Carla Babb's piece

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:22:34 -0400

Journalism professors stand by Carla Babb's decision to hold her ground.

But at least one pointed out that her Carolina Week piece on John Edwards' campaign headquarters was not entirely accurate, either.

In an e-mail to Dome, UNC-Chapel Hill professor Phil Meyer noted that it's not accurate to say that Southern Village is "the most affluent area in Chapel Hill."

Based on a quick review of million-dollar homes for sale, he argues that the Governor's Club neighborhood (nine), Meadowmont (six) and the downtown (five) are the most affluent.

"The number of million-dollar homes offered in Southern Village? Zero," he wrote.

Meyer notes that there are 86 properties listed for over a million dollars in Chapel Hill.

"Perhaps his student critics could develop a mapping algorithm that would identify all available office spaces with no million-dollar homes within walking distance, say 4,000 feet," he writes. "While they are at it, they could also make sure there are no upscale shopping centers nearby."