Age: 46
Neighborhood: Fox Meadow
Family: Partner, Alicia Stemper; children, Riley (12) and Avery (9)
Profession/Business: Attorney/Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, North Carolina Central University School of Law
Education & Experience: B.A., St. Andrews Presbyterian College (1983); M.R.R., North Carolina State University (1985); recreation supervisor & recreation manager, City of Durham (1986-1993; 1996); J.D., North Carolina Central University (1993); City of Durham Recreation Advisory Committee (1994-1996); City of Durham Open Space and Trails (DOST) Commission and Trails Committee (1994-2003); chaired the Carrboro New Horizons Task Force, a temporary group created to serve as a liaison and communication conduit between the town and the newly annexed residents (May 2006 – June 2007); member, Carrboro Planning Board.
Endorsements: NC Sierra Club, Carrboro Police Officers Association, The Victory Fund, Hank Anderson Breakfast Club, Chapel Hill News, Independent Weekly
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
I hope to be an effective alderman, offering sound opinions, worthwhile ideas and appropriate questions as items come before the board. I hope to be an alderman that Carrboro citizens can see truly cares about our town. I will carefully research and analyze all sides of an issue and I will explain my reasoning. I will work diligently with the other members of the board to reduce our residential tax burden and to implement our revised Northern Small Area Plan. I am excited about our greenway plan and I look forward to offering my expertise as greenways and trials are developed. And if elected, although I will be serving the entire town, I live in northeast Carrboro, and I hope that my perspective as a resident from that area will be helpful to the board.
What are the top two or three critical issues facing Carrboro?
1. We need to relieve the tax burden on homeowners. I believe we need to explore and support commercial or true mixed-use development nodes in northern Carrboro, continue to grow commercially downtown, attract new businesses by strengthening our Economic Development Office and be prepared to help entrepreneurs capitalize on the business opportunities that Carolina North will create. We also need to support current businesses through continuing the “Shop Orange†campaign.
2. We need to steward Carrboro’s growth and development in a way that maintains the quirky charm that we cherish, while providing an infrastructure that is both efficient and environmental. I will encourage the use of “smart growth†principles.
3. We need to continue to promote a variety of affordable housing options and to monitor all development for access to public transit.
What have you learned about our town in the campaign?
I have learned that Carrboro is home to such a variety of people that we cannot be called homogenous on any variable. I have learned that our residents are opinionated and we are passionate — mostly about issues that affect us in our neighborhoods or in our wallets. This is as it should be, but it is why I believe we need town leaders charged with searching for solutions that are best for the town overall, because sometimes our individual needs compete. I have learned that we have a great deal of expertise in our town. We have high ideals and these ideals are expensive! Most importantly, I have been reminded that people respect the truth. I look forward to continuing to learn more about Carrboro, especially if I am fortunate enough to serve on the board of aldermen.