I am writing to express my support for Sammy Slade as a candidate for Carrboro’s board of aldermen.
I’m a farmer and journalist who covers food policy for a national
publication. In my work, I travel regularly, observing how communities are responding to the ill effects of a food system that thrives on low wages, cheap energy and lax environmental controls while churning out low-quality, health-ruining food.
I’ve known Sammy since I moved part-time to Carrboro in 2006. Over and over again in that time, he has demonstrated his commitment to Carrboro as a robust, inclusive and economically vibrant community – one that sees food production as a tool for economic development and public health. I’ve been especially impressed by his efforts along with other local citizens to establish the Carrboro Community Garden –which has quickly become one of the best-run and productive community gardens I’ve seen anywhere.
Sammy also played a key role in launching and organizing the annual Carrboro Farm Tour – one of the most innovative efforts I’ve seen to raise community awareness to the potential of (truly) local food production. And he works in less visible ways, too; for example, he acts as chair of the Carrboro Local Living Economy Task Force.
We currently have a former community organizer as president. The time has come to empower community organizers at the local level. I have no doubt that Sammy will be a responsive, responsible and inclusive alderperson – one with a vision, based on years of experience, of Carrboro as a resilient and dynamic community.
TOM PHILPOTT
Food editor, Grist Magazine