By Rose Laudicina
Staff Writer
CHAPEL HILL – At the first Orange County candidate forum of the 2012 primary election season, 10 candidates voiced their opinions on transit, school mergers and Amendment One.
Sponsored by the Orange County Democratic Women, the forum last week enabled the Democratic candidates to introduce themselves to voters and answer questions from the audience.
Before the forum began, Matt Hughes, Orange County Democratic Party chair, reminded attendees that the primary election on May 8 is also the general election for both Amendment One and for the three Democrats vying for two seats in the county commissioner District One race, as no Republican candidates have filed.
Hughes also reminded attendees about the new maps drawn for the N.C. House of Representatives, N.C. Senate and U.S. House districts.
Running against each other in the primary for the District 50 seat in the N.C. House of Representatives are Valerie Foushee, who serves on the Orange County Board of Commissioners, and newcomer Travis Phelps.
The first question of the night – whether the candidates support Amendment One, which would define marriage as only between a man and a woman – sparked immediate controversy and comments among those in attendance.
Foushee said she opposed the constitutional amendment, adding, “I don’t understand why we would introduce legislation that would offer discrimination in our constitution.â€
By contrast, Phelps said he supported the amendment, citing his religious beliefs as the reason for his support.
“I cannot vote against it; I have to vote for it because of who I am,†he said.
Hughes didn’t ask other candidates for their positions on the amendment, but they elected to voice their opinions during the forum’s question-and-answer period, all saying they opposed the amendment.
The three candidates running for two District 1 seats on the Orange County Board of Commissioners were asked if they would support a merger of the county’s two school districts due to the significant budget cuts each district is facing.
Candidate Mark Dorosin, a former Carrboro Board of Aldermen member, said he supports collaboration but sees a merger as unlikely unless a large public majority asks for it.
Candidate Penny Rich, who serves on the Chapel Hill Town Council, agreed with Dorosin.
“I don’t think there is a consensus for merger in the two school systems,†she said. “Collaboration is good … and we are trying to do more of that as our dollars are shrinking.â€
Incumbent Commissioner Pam Hemminger shared her competitors’ views.
“We have the two highest-funded school districts in the state,†she said. “The community has not asked for merger, and previously the community came out in force saying they are not for merger.â€
The two Democratic candidates for the District 2 seat on the board of commissioners were asked about their thoughts on the county’s proposed transit plan, with specific regard to the Hillsborough Amtrak train station.
“I have concerns about the transit plan as it has been proposed,†incumbent Commissioner Steve Yuhasz said. “We need to make sure the agreements we have ensure that the interest of unincorporated Orange County and Hillsborough are in the overall plan.â€
Challenger Renee Price also said she wanted to make sure the Hillsborough train station was made a priority.
“We have an opportunity to make Hillsborough and Orange County a destination,†Price said. “This is a great opportunity for economic development in Hillsborough.â€
The winner of the District 2 primary will run against Republican candidate Chris Weaver in November.
Orange County Board of Commissioners Chair Bernadette Pelissier is running for reelection to an at-large seat on the board, unopposed in the Democratic primary. She will run against Republican Mary Carter, who is the wife of Dave Carter, a Republican candidate for the District 23 N.C. Senate seat.
At the forum, Pelissier said she is running for reelection to continue working on tough issues such as transit.
Incumbent Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, who represents District 23 in the N.C. Senate, is running unopposed in the Democratic primary and will face Carter in the November election.
Kinnaird discussed the importance of education and of ensuring its proper funding and support.
Rep. Verla Insko, incumbent candidate for the District 56 seat representing Carrboro and Chapel Hill in the N.C. House, is running unopposed in the Democratic primary, but will face Republican Karrie Mead in the November election.
Inkso highlighted her extensive work on health care during her years serving in the House, noting her efforts to ensure the implementation of the affordable care act.