OP Candidate Forums

It's been a while since I posted on OP, but I'm a regular reader and am delighted to serve as moderator of the upcoming OP online candidate forums. Details here.

As I spelled out in a column this week in The Citizen, elections aren't just about deciding who gets a term in office. They're an important part of the community dialogue, a time when we can restate our values and tell our elected leaders — whether they are running or not this year — what's on our minds.

In addition to picking our political leaders, elections are an opportunity for each of us to participate in the conversation about where we are going as a community. It’s a time when we decide what’s important and can speak to those eager for our votes in a frank and direct way.

Having a community dialog focused on the best way forward and a hard look at the recent past is essential to charting a path ahead in public policy that reflects our values and beliefs. There are few opportunities when ears and hearts are quite as open to something new, challenging or even contrary to the status quo.

In towns as small as Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Pittsboro and Hillsborough, opinions stated directly to candidates, whether at forums, neighborhood gatherings or via door-to-door canvassing, actually have a chance to sink in.

The first forum is with candidates for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education. It is arguably the toughest local elected office in terms of time and commitment and involves making decisions that affect the whole community.

Looking forward to the conversation with the candidates and OP readers. Please join us at 7 pm this Sunday.

Thanks,

Kirk Ross