Czajkowski for mayor: It’s time for a new vision for Chapel Hill, and Matt Czajkowski offers the most appealing way forward

It’s time for a new vision for Chapel Hill. Because of his fiscal prudence and emphasis on growth, Matt Czajkowski is the right choice for Chapel Hill mayor.

The city needs a break from the leadership of the last eight years, and Czajkowski can deliver on an alternate vision.

He is often the lone dissenter in the Chapel Hill Town Council; he has demonstrated that he is not afraid to take bold steps. This willingness to push the council is an important strength.

While he has shown that he is not the greatest consensus builder, during his two-year tenure as a council member, Czajkowski has helped steer the board to take timely and pragmatic stands for Carolina North and the Innovation Center.

As someone with a strong business background, Czajkowski will help the board act decisively in tough economic times.

For example, Czajkowski opposed a recent resolution granting lifetime health care benefits to town council members, demonstrating his fiscal responsibility.

Czajkowski also recognizes that the town needs to step away from mixed-use developments such as Meadowmont and Southern Village — which have not lived up to their commercial promise.

Czajkowski is the best candidate to secure future development for the town. He has stated that he wants to place an emphasis on bringing new retailers and high-density commercial destinations to help the town generate more revenue. But he is also cognizant that massive growth is not going to happen, and that it is not what Chapel Hill wants.

He plans to push a broader panhandling resolution through the council, pointing to Burlington, Vt., as a successful model.

Czajkowski recognizes the dire need for additional downtown parking, with the understanding that the lack of parking is hurting business.

He would be the strongest advocate for building new parking structures, recognizing the success Durham has had by using parking to lure businesses.

The mayor is essentially a figurehead for the town. Czajkowski’s vision for the future of Chapel Hill is what we need for the next two years.

Czajkowski has stressed that the mayor’s role is to conduct fair, balanced and open discussion on the council. We believe he will be able to do this.

Why not Kleinschmidt

While Mark Kleinschmidt has demonstrated strong leadership over the past eight years, it’s time for a new direction for Chapel Hill.

Under his leadership, Chapel Hill became more friendly to businesses without harming the unique feel of Chapel Hill through the creation of the Economic Development Office.

He is interested in soliciting citizen input, and has shown a willingness to listen to citizen concerns. He understands the need to push resolutions through the council as quickly as possible, but has stated that he will not truncate this process to the point that citizen input is eliminated.

While admirable, we believe that Kleinschmidt’s priorities are more focused on social justice than economic prosperity, which should be the No. 1 priority now.

Kleinschmidt has served the council well and has many excellent ideas. But he simply represents the status quo.

This is a personality driven race, and we think it’s time for a fresh face.

Why not Cho

While Augustus Cho has some innovative ideas about Chapel Hill’s public transportation system and public safety issues, many of his ideas are simply unfeasible.

Most notably, his plan to turn two blocks of Franklin Street into a “park” seems quixotic. And his proposed increase in sales tax is certainly not the best idea now — especially because of its regressive nature.

In addition, he has not had any experience on the council, which he would lead if elected mayor.