Despite drawing from a smaller population base than neighboring Chapel Hill, we found three strong candidates running for the Carrboro Board of Aldermen.
The Daily Tar Heel editorial board endorses Katrina Ryan, Lydia Lavelle and Joal Hall Broun for the Carrboro Board of Aldermen.
Ryan: Just good business
As the owner of two small businesses, Ryan is well-equipped to tackle what she sees as the main issue facing Carrboro: economic development.
She presented specific ideas for revitalizing Carrboro's commercial tax base, recognizing the necessary balance between locally owned and socially responsible commercial development.
She wants to see zoning that allows for one mass retailer such as Target or Costco. Given her business experience, she is confident of the positive effect such commercial zoning will have on the town without hurting local goods.
Ryan has vested interests in both the annexed areas and downtown because her daily life operates in both, as a homeowner in the annexed section and a business owner in downtown.
Along with a stake in two areas of Carrboro, she also will be an asset to Carrboro's relationship with Chapel Hill. One of her small businesses will open up on Franklin Street later this year.
We were impressed by her plan to bring buildings up to date under current fire codes by requiring all tenants to meet at least two of five safety measures.
Ryan is also very pragmatic. She stresses that sometimes there is no need to form committees in order to get something accomplished and realizes some boards and committees currently in existence haven't done any projects in some time.
We hope, however, that she will be wary before removing too many committees because sometimes pragmatic answers do need a little bureaucracy to set agendas.
Lavelle: Balance of power
Lavelle led the New Horizons Task Force for a year after the annexation of the northern area of Carrboro; as a result, she is the best suited to represent the interests of that demographic that until now has been underrepresented. She has experience mediating between the traditional town and the annexed region.
She also recognizes the critical need to expand Carrboro's commercial tax base and supports mixed-use developments in the north. From her time on the planning board, she understands the development process and would like to see it streamlined and the land use ordinances made clearer.
And while green space, such as greenways and trails, is a priority for Lavelle, we trust her to balance that with the necessary economic development.
Lavelle, who works at the N.C. Central law school, has experience working with students and is interested in addressing the needs of this demographic.
Lavelle, as a former law partner of Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy, has a connection to Chapel Hill that is both a blessing and a curse. So long as she doesn't allow her friends on the town council to influence the board through her, the connections will be a benefit to inter-town cooperation.
Broun: Vote for experience
Broun is running for her third complete term on the Board of Aldermen, and there's a reason she was elected her first two. She shows a stronger understanding of many of the issues than any of the candidates.
Broun wants to increase the commercial tax base to help bear the burden on residential taxpayers in Carrboro. This is obviously a logical step to take, but it's also been a goal for several years. We expect to begin seeing results this term.
We were also impressed with how Broun portrayed a message of mutual respect in many areas, including Carolina North negotiations, Chapel Hill-Carrboro relations and Carrboro's relations with the annexed subdivisions. She even proposed throwing a festival in that end of town.
Broun also gave a critical analysis of retrofitting apartments with up-to-date fire codes. She says that while it's a good idea, the board needs to weigh the costs first, balance those with safety and then proceed accordingly. We like that she wants to take a close look at the process, but action definitely needs to be taken.
Our biggest hesitation with Broun is that she seems particularly ideological, especially concerning issues such as the Hispanic population in Carrboro and crime. While not inherently a bad thing, Broun must be sure not to let ideology get in the way of action.
The contenders
Dan Coleman has well-formulated ideas about making Carrboro family friendly, but we were not as impressed by his accomplishments while in office. Considering that he was never actually elected to the board in the first place, we feel that there are stronger candidates in the race.
Frank Abernethy, while he would bring a fresh perspective to the board, is less experienced than the other candidates and doesn't have as strong a grasp on the issues facing Carrboro.
Sharon Cook has good ideas, particularly for business and development, but generally her views are extremely similar to Ryan's, especially with issues relating to the annexation. While we support her ideas, Ryan is the stronger candidate, and the board needs diversification.
We hope that you'll go out and vote today, Saturday or Tuesday. When you do, cast your votes for Carrboro Board of Aldermen for Ryan, Lavelle and Broun.
