Government
I am seeing strange posts on Facebook telling people to register to vote in late May. The deadline for regular registration is Apr. 13 for the May 8 primary. My understanding is 17 year olds who turn 18 before the Nov. 2018 election can vote in the May primary. I hope all the high schools encourage students to register to vote.
"Did you make a resolution about voting in the new year? Here are 8 reminders to ensure you can cast votes in the 2018 primary and general elections and beyond. Please take a few minutes now to ensure you’re ready to vote this year in North Carolina."
As the holiday season sets in, many of Orange County's public bodies are taking a break. This week, only the county commissioners are meeting. They'll be electing their chair and vice chair later today. All of the other boards are off this week.
A new month will bring new and newly re-elected officials to Carrboro and Chapel Hill, and on the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board. In addition to the swearing in of new members, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board will consider approving new courses, while the Hillsborough Town Board considers rezoning more than 1,300 acres south od downtown near the intersection of I-85 and N.C. 86.
As we welcome new elected officials, the process will also being for selecting new members for the county commission. Candidate filing opens Tuesday.
CARRBORO BOARD OF ALDERPERSONS
CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL
With the elections behind us, Orange County's boards and commissions are getting back to work. The Carrboro Alderpersons' meeting may shape up to be an exciting one, with some in the business community requesting more information from the IFC about it's planned Food First Community Kitchen. The Chapel Hill Town Council will review several concepts and hold public hearings on changes to the LUMO and a special use permit, while the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board will discuss how to use its assigned reserve funds. The county commissions will talk living wage and consider entering into a new interlocal agreement for "Launch Chapel Hill"
Both the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners and the county school board are on break this week. The Assembly of Governments meeting originally scheduled for November 19 has been cancelled.
CARRBORO BOARD OF ALDERPERSONS
After two terms on the board, Orange County Board of Commissioners vice chair Bernadette Pelissier will not seek reelection next year.
Bernadette Pelissier, Orange County Commissioner, has announced that she will not seek re-election in 2016. I want to be the first to thank Commissioner Pelissier for her seven years of service to our county and community. She has been an extraordinary leader, and she will be missed.
I have been talking with folks from across Orange County and have received words of encouragement to run. I have been chair of the Orange County Democratic Party for the past five years and have the desire to take my leadership to the next level. I want you to know that I am considering this opportunity.
Orange County is my home and is very special to me. I was raised in Hillsborough, and I graduated from and am employed by UNC-CH. Orange County has been home for my family for six generations.
That’s why I’m excited to consider running for Orange County Commission. Our county is the cornerstone on so many fronts including education, economic development, green energy, and equality. I’ll be talking with many of you during the next several days and weeks. I will weigh your feedback that will help make my decision.
I look forward to hearing from you.
This year's municipal election is over. There were wins I was proud of and losses that deeply disappointed me. Regardless of who you supported in this year's elections, I think we can all agree that everyone who ran should be given our thanks for stepping up to the plate; that the incumbents who lost should be given our gratitude for their years of service; and that the council and mayoral newcomers should now be given our help, advice, and honest feedback to keep Chapel Hill moving forward on progressive issues.
I'm a fan of the TV show The West Wing, and though it ended years ago I rewatch it regularly. Not the least of the reasons why I keep watching is that it portrays a universe in which nearly everyone involved in political leadership is motivated by strong ideals, and works every day with a sense of duty to make their country a better place. And I'm reminded today of fictional President Josiah Bartlett's phrase at the end of every battle, won or lost: What's next?
After the happiness of victories and sadness of losses begin to fade, it's time for us to ask ourselves: What's next for Chapel Hill?
It'll be a busy week across Orange County this week. The Carrboro Alderfolks will discuss bicycle-friendliness and the Lloyd Farm propery mediation process, while the Chapel Hill Town Council will get an update on UNC-related development. Both school boards will review the student performance data recently released by the state, while the Hillsborough Town Board will get an update on the Colonial Inn. The county commmissioners will meet with the Mebane City Council on public transportation and the Buckhorn EDD, and will get an update on Southern Branch Library in a serperate meeting.
CHALT and the Sierra Club/Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce/WCHL will hold candidate forums for Chapel Hill candidates.
Nearing the end of the summer break and after the long Labor Day holiday weekend, only a couple of local governing boards will meet this week. Both the county commissioners and the Carrboro Board of Alderpersons will hold work sessions.
Last night the Orange County Democratic Party’s Executive Committee voted unanimously to endorse Evelyn Lloyd, Brian Lowen, and Mark Bell for the Hillsborough Town Board at the Party’s monthly executive committee meeting.
An ad hoc committee was appointed following a motion at the September session of the County Executive Committee. County Commissioner Renee Price chaired the committee, which unanimously recommended endorsing the three Democrats running for Hillsborough’s Town Board. Tonight’s action officially endorsed these three Democrats vying for the three seats up on the Hillsborough Town Board in this year’s elections.
Endorsing in nonpartisan elections is a rare event. Between these three candidates they have decades of service to the Town of Hillsborough and our greater Orange County community. Whether it has been as part of the current membership of the Town Board, service on town advisory boards, or in the community, these candidates exemplify the character and values that make Hillsborough and Orange County great.
Pages
About Us
OrangePolitics is a not-for-profit website for discussing progressive perspectives on politics, planning, and public policy in Orange County, NC. Opinions are those of their authors. Learn more.
Community Guidelines
By using this site, you agree to our community guidelines. Inappropriate or disruptive behavior will result in moderation or eviction.
Zircon - This is a contributing Drupal Theme
Design by
WeebPal.
