Platform

As mayor of Chapel Hill, I will encourage "Natural" growth of our town, while respecting the environment, and protecting and improving our neighborhoods and downtown. I will bring common sense, open public dialog and accountability back to Chapel Hill government. For too long, the voices of the residents have been ignored in favor of closed-door meetings and partisan games. As a community, we can continue to prosper by managing our growth using "Smart Growth," an approach that is fiscally prudent, inclusive and leverages the expertise and experience of the community. Although economic times will continue to affect our major employers (UNC, BC/BS and the school system), we can still prosper as a community.

I believe that government should be open, fair, respectful, responsible and reasonable. With my broad experience and focused leadership, providing more balanced decisions that are more efficient, more cost effective, and more results oriented; Chapel Hill will prosper.

For the past two years, council member Matt Czajkowski has tried to raise a number of important issues during town council meetings. But he has found himself without an ally to second many of his motions. (Note that without the public petition (700+ citizens) and outcry, the rest of the town council would have continud to ignore Matt again and not rescinded the town council Health Care for Life program.) If Matt is elected mayor, it is very likely there will be no other moderate voice on the council, as the composition of the council is unlikely to change this year. (See the recent Sierra Club endorsements for town council.) Therefore, Matt will have no one to second his motions (needed to bring any issue to the floor for debate and a vote) or help bring a moderate voice. However, with me as mayor and Matt on the town council, together we will bring a more balanced perspective to the critical decisions that our town faces. This is the only way to ensure that the important issues will receive an open and public discussion.

As mayor, I will build a productive, cooperative bridge between Matt and the rest of the town council. With me as mayor, we can build upon the base that Matt has started to create, and take us into a new era of improved government and town leadership.

Smart growth and Natural Growth: Smart Growth starts with smart decisions. As mayor, I will work to ensure that town committees include members from the community who have relevant experience and expertise. As a result, we will get more balanced and informed perspectives on growth and eliminate moratoriums on land development.

I will work to streamline and increase objectivity in the land development approval process. The current process is unpredictable, slow and subjective, which drives cost into development projects. These costs are then passed onto citizens in the form of increased prices and increased taxes. Reasonable growth and the environment are not mutually exclusive. We can do it and do it efficiently and affordably with Smart Growth.

"Natural" Growth: I will bring my "Natural" growth approach to the town council, which will not try to stimulate or retard our growth from what would be natural in any particular economic climate. So during difficult economic times, our development will be slower, and in good economic times our growth will be faster. In eaither economic environment we will be planning for where we are headed in the economic cycle (which repeats).

Downtown development: I will expedite sidewalk and lighting improvements in downtown Chapel Hill. As noted by members of the business community, four years have passed without noticeable improvements in either sidewalks or lighting.

Homelessness and panhandling: Panhandling, a result of homelessness, is depressing our downtown. I will take personal responsibility to find a solution to homelessness, which will curb pan handling and create a more vibrant and welcoming atmosphere on Franklin Street.

Control government spending: I am educated and trained in engineering/science, business, finance and law. I will use my knowledge and years of experience to bring efficiency to government spending and to eliminate waste in municipal operations.

Carolina North: I fully support the development of Carolina North, UNC’s future research and development campus, as I firmly believe that it serves the best interests of the town. The council has obstructed and delayed this important engine of economic growth. I will work hard to put this project back on track so that when UNC is ready, building can commence. Truly, the town council was short-sighted to delay this opportunity for our community and for the advancement of cancer research.

A sense of community: I propose reinstituting the Apple Chill Festival so that families again can once again enjoy this community-building art festival in downtown Chapel Hill. With sound policies, we can ensure a safe, enjoyable event free from the kinds of disruptions that troubled past events.

Leadership you can count on: I am not a politician. I am a leader and a consensus builder who will promote the involvement of ALL citizens and points of view.