Growth central to Hillsborough election

The mayor of Hillsborough said he hopes the two town commissioners elected in November will focus on sustainable growth while maintaining the small town’s character.

“The town has been around for over 250 years, so we have a long history,” Mayor Tom Stevens said. “I think we all want to see continued vitality, not the turning of the town into a museum.”

Three candidates are running for the two seats: incumbents Mike Gering and Frances Dancy, and challenger Bryant Kelly Warren Jr.

The two members will work closely with Stevens, who is running unopposed for the second time in a row after winning his first election in 2005 by only 43 votes.

He said nobody has run against him because of his administration’s transparency.

“People do have access and participation,” Stevens said. “It’s definitely one of our goals to have a high degree of civic engagement.”

Hillsborough has a council-manager government system. The Town Board is the legislative body, while the town manager directs the day-to-day affairs of the town.

Board commissioners are elected to staggered four-year terms.

Frances Dancy

Frances Dancy has served on the Hillsborough Town Board for three terms.

She has also served on the board of the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitor’s Bureau and the Triangle J Council of Governments, which brings together municipal officials in a seven-county region to discuss issues.

As a commissioner, she said she has helped the town modernize.

“When I first came on the board, the town staff didn’t even have computers, so I made sure the technology has been improved,” Dancy said. “We’re working more efficiently now with the staff to help serve the citizens better.”

She said she sees improving Hillsborough’s economic health and managing growth as the most important tasks for the next term.

“I’ve enjoyed being on the board, and I hope that the citizens think I’ve done a good enough job to elect me again,” Dancy said.

Mike Gering

Mike Gering has been on the board for eight years. He said his accomplishments include pushing for a train station and leading the town’s tourism board.

“I’ve demonstrated that I can lead the town board, and I successfully guided us through a number of difficult times,” Gering said. “There are a number of things I’ve started and that still need to be completed. I want to see them through.”

He said the town’s challenges during the next four years include controlling growth and improving the town’s financial health.

“When I ran for election in 2001 and again in 2005, I wanted to help shape Hillsborough’s future to preserve its unique qualities,” he said. “I would like to continue guiding Hillsborough’s future in constructive ways.”

Bryant Kelly Warren Jr.

Bryant Kelly Warren Jr. was born in Hillsborough and has served on town government boards since 1998.

He is the chairman of the Parks and Recreation Board and a former chairman of the Planning Board.

“I don’t have any problems with the two incumbents. They’ve done a great job,” Warren said.

“But I feel like it might be time to see what I can do.”

He said the biggest challenge facing the town during the next four years will be managing growth.

“I’m going to try to make sure the growth coming into the town is the growth Hillsborough wants and that it will benefit the people of Hillsborough,” Warren said.

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.