
{"id":21362,"date":"2011-10-13T14:24:55","date_gmt":"2011-10-13T18:24:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/?p=21362"},"modified":"2011-10-13T14:24:55","modified_gmt":"2011-10-13T18:24:55","slug":"chapel-hill-hopefuls-talk-economy-housing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/2011\/10\/13\/chapel-hill-hopefuls-talk-economy-housing\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapel Hill hopefuls talk economy, housing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>By Brooke Parker<\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Staff Writer<\/em><br \/>\nCHAPEL HILL \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Economic development and housing affordability, with an emphasis on Northside and nearby neighborhoods, were highlights of a Chapel Hill Town Council candidate forum on Tuesday. <\/p>\n<p>The forum was hosted by EmPOWERment Inc., Neighbors for Responsible Growth, Citizens United for Responsive Building, the Community Empowerment Fund, the Marian Creek Jackson Center and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP.  <\/p>\n<p>Eight of the nine candidates vying for the four available seats on the council attended the forum, while candidate Augustus Cho did not attend. <\/p>\n<p>Candidate Jason Baker said that in focusing on economic development, the council needs to consider the economy and the environment equally, adding that the two go hand-in-hand.<\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153When we talk about environmental and economic justice, we are talking about providing jobs in our community,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. <\/p>\n<p>Incumbent Mayor Pro Tem Jim Ward said the council needs to look out for the future of Chapel Hill, agreeing that job creation is key to helping the economy thrive.<\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We need to grow jobs here so that we are not forcing the next generation away from this community,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Give them a variety of jobs in the future.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p>Incumbent Matt Czajkowski said he believed that economic development and jobs must come before housing affordability. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What we have to do to [create housing affordability] is to create jobs for people that allow them to make a living wage and also to have the dignity that a job brings with it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153While affordable housing is vital, we as a country face the challenge of creating those jobs.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Candidate Lee Storrow said that funding safety-net programs is vital to economic development, mainly among the poorer demographic. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If we aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t doing the hard work to fund those programs, then I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think we can be successful,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We need to continue to fund our nonprofits in Chapel Hill.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p>Candidate Laney Dale said he believed that an improved budgeting system is key to economic development, adding that the community needs to play a larger role in local politics,\u00e2\u20ac\u0153to make sure that we make the right decisions and that we take care of the entire community, not just the loudest.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p>Candidate Jon DeHart said he felt that the most pressing need in the community was affordable rental housing, emphasizing that taxes play a major role in housing affordability. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve worked in the housing industry, and it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a major issue if you can pay your taxes or not,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We need to come up with some sort of fund to help people pay for their taxes.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p>Incumbent Donna Bell said she felt that the best way to deal with housing issues is to continue to grow and change in order to create a sustainable community. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I believe that Chapel Hill might have to go back into the building business,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Back into the business of building and controlling larger properties.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Candidate Carl Schuler said he believes that transparency is necessary to create a more productive civic environment in Chapel Hill. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153My issues for Chapel Hill are largely built and based upon the common needs that have been addressed by many people I have come across in the town,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Having availability [to residents] is key.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p>The candidates will face off again in an online forum on Oct. 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. at orangepolitics.org<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Economic development and housing affordability, with an emphasis on Northside and nearby neighborhoods, were highlights of a Chapel Hill Town Council candidate forum on Tuesday. 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