By Rich Fowler
Staff Writer
Hillsborough’s town elections may not have the twists and turns found in Carrboro and Chapel Hill, but the issues the town is facing are no less serious.
Growth, and all of the problems it can bring, is the major issue facing Hillsborough. With a new hospital coming in a few years, and other prospects for growth on the horizon, the town will have to be careful about managing that growth without damaging its quality of life.
Three candidates are vying for two town commissioner seats, and whoever wins will have a lot of work to do. And even though the mayor is running unopposed, that doesn’t mean he’s going to have less work to do.
The candidates (in order of filing)
Tom Stevens
There is only one candidate for mayor this year. Stevens, 55, first got the job in 2005, and is seeking a third term.
He is self-employed, conducting seminars on leadership. He first decided to run for mayor in 2005, because at the time he was working on his new business and missed being involved in the community. His feelings about being mayor haven’t changed.
“I’m not so much interested in politics, but I’m very interested in where this community is going. I live here. I have a huge stake in it. So I feel like if I’m not involved and doing my part, what can I say about it?â€
Stevens is concerned about managing future growth and development. “That breaks down into a number of very specific issues, and a lot of it has to do with how we manage water, how we manage traffic and transportation, and how we help steer and engage and bring the kind of development that brings the kind of community we want to see in Hillsborough.â€
Many people are worried about the economy, and he knows that it’s an important issue for the town. “We want to do what we can from a community standpoint to encourage small businesses, to encourage economic development, to make sure people from all walks of life can prosper in this community.
“I think for my campaign, it’s to continue to do what I’m doing, which is being very active in the community, trying to make sure that our town government communicates with citizens, engages citizens and listens to citizens, and campaign by doing.â€
Mike Gering
Gering, a 53-year-old software engineer, said that one of the reasons he is running for a third term as town commissioner is that he enjoys the work.
“Hillsborough has got a lot of exciting things that have been started, but not yet completed, and I’m anxious to see some of those projects through,†Gering said. “I think this a very exciting time for Hillsborough in general, so I think there are more promising opportunities headed for us.â€
Gering said he was pleased with the performance of the town board, and that they work well together.
The issues facing the town that concern him most are growth, development, the town’s financial health, residents’ quality of life and economic improvement.
For his campaign, he said he has met a lot of people in Hillsborough and will be getting back in touch with them. “There are a number of opportunities for doing that with community meetings, forums and face-to-face time.â€
Bryant Kelly Warren Jr.
After serving as chair of both the planning and parks and recreation boards, Warren, 58, has decided to make his first run for one of the town commissioner positions. He works for the U.S. Postal Service in Chapel Hill as a carrier.
Warren decided to run because he feels passionate about the town. “I’m very concerned about what goes on in Hillsborough and what happens in Hillsborough, and I’d just like to make sure that whatever does happen is what is best for Hillsborough,†he said.
He’s concerned about a number of issues, such as reducing traffic flow, managing growth, maintaining the town’s historical character, handling annexation and expanding parks and trails. He also wants to have informational meetings throughout the town to let the people in the town know “that we do care what’s going on with them in their neighborhoods.â€
Warren plans on campaigning face to face. “Most of it is going to be personal contact.
Getting out, meeting people, going door to door,†he said. He also plans to go to the next two of the Hillsborough Arts Council’s Last Fridays to meet as many people as he can.
Frances Dancy
Dancy, 55, is seeking a fourth term as commissioner, and wants to see through what she has already started. She works at UNC’s Carolina Population Center.
“I just like the direction that we’re heading, even though I know we get criticized sometimes,†she said. “We’re not going to please everybody.â€
Dancy is excited about new businesses potentially coming to town, bringing new jobs and increasing the tax base. But she also wants to make certain that development doesn’t control the town, and that, instead, the town controls it. “We want to keep our downtown like downtown, and not have things out of proportion.â€
Dancy wants more input and involvement from the community. “We want to be mindful of the citizens and what the citizens would like to see.â€
For her campaign, she plans on going out, meeting people and putting out a few signs. “In these economic times, I have no intentions of spending a lot of money on this. I know it’s tough for people. It’s tough for me. It’s just getting out and meeting people.
“I want to encourage people to get out and vote,†Dancy said. “Don’t forget local elections.â€
We need to get young people more involved. (Notice the ages of the candidates.)That won’t be me though. I’m 54.
Mary