Why I Am Running

Chapel Hill is at a critical juncture. There is broad unhappiness with many of the Council’s policies and a groundswell of support for change. Chapel Hill needs a Mayor who has demonstrated he is willing to take a fresh approach to the challenges we face. During my time on the Council, I have proven that as Mayor I will take a consistently balanced and practical approach. I have also shown that I will insist on transparency in Council discussions such as when I demanded a public discussion of the Council’s proposal to give itself lifetime healthcare benefits. I was the lone vote in opposition until the resulting public outcry caused the Council to reverse its decision.

We have an opportunity to change the focus and approach of how Chapel Hill is governed – and we must. We must address fiscal sustainability, implement growth in a manner that does not dilute the special qualities of Chapel Hill and bring vitality back to our downtown. During my time on the Town Council, I have been outspoken about the need to:

• impose fiscal discipline and generate additional non-property tax revenues;
• re-evaluate the approach we have taken to managing growth
• take the necessary steps to bring vitality back to downtown.

My experience on the Town Council, combined with my professional history, uniquely qualifies me to guide the Town as we address our fiscal problems; encourage new businesses to locate here; and to restore the faith in government of our citizens. I am running for Mayor because I cannot stand to see the Chapel Hill which we all love continue with its unsustainable fiscal policies, its approach to growth has not fully addressed critical issues that are a byproduct of that growth, and a downtown which should be the core of our community but for so many is not.

You can help get Chapel Hill back on the right track. I ask for your support in any form you can provide it. We need to ask for donations because I am not taking taxpayer funds. Indeed, I was the only Council member who voted against taxpayer-subsidized campaigns. If you can volunteer that would be enormously helpful. The only way we can be sure of change is to get out the vote. If you would like a yard sign and bumper sticker to show your support, we would be happy to deliver one to you. Just click on any of the buttons above if you can help.

We are conducting many meetings with citizens around town. The calendar page on this web site has my current schedule. We are constantly adding events and invite you to attend any of them. If you do not see any that are in your community please let us know if you could help us organize one.