Local Mayoral Races Mostly Clean, Quiet

Each race has two candidates -- but the level of tension in the Carrboro race is much lower than in Chapel Hill.

Chapel Hill mayoral candidates Kevin Foy and Lee Pavao, both Chapel Hill Town Council members, have said they are pleased that the race for the most part has avoided negative campaigning.

"Like in any election it has gotten a bit testy, but there has been no mudslinging," Foy said.

But Pavao cited one instance in which a campaign pamphlet Foy sent out contained inaccurate information.

"(There is one) distortion in it that can be verified," Pavao said.

In the pamphlet, Foy said that Pavao does not support the Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance, an ordinance geared at handling overcrowding -- a statement Pavao claims is "absolutely untrue."

Pavao said he has worked 2 1/2 years on SAPFO and is one of two members on the task force responsible for putting together the schools ordinance.

But Foy said that in November 1998, when he brought up the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance to the council, Pavao voted against it. Foy said the proposed ordinance included SAPFO.

"Now (Pavao is) trying to revise the history of this thing and act as if he's supported it when in fact he hasn't," Foy said. "He has been on a committee, but that committee hasn't managed to bring forward a proposal that (the council members) are able to pass."

Despite discrepancies in some of the candidates' campaign strategies, both say the race has remained positive.

Just west of this hotly contested battle, in Carrboro, is a second mayoral race that is unfolding without as much conflict.

Both candidates are campaigning with similar strategies. Incumbent Mike Nelson has created a leaflet and a brochure that have been mailed to homes throughout Carrboro.

Candidate Stacy Smith described her campaign as "very grassroots," and emphasized that she has not used any paid advertising but has relied heavily on getting out and meeting her fellow residents face-to-face.

Despite the fact that community forums have been the only opportunity the candidates have had to interact with one another, they both praised each other as quality opponents.

Nelson commented on how well Smith has conducted an effective campaign in a relatively short amount of time without previous experience.

Smith said, "As a fellow candidate and the incumbent, (Nelson) is very cordial and been a gentleman during the debates."

The biggest difference between the two campaigns has been in their financing. Whereas Smith's campaign is largely self-financed, Nelson has gathered funds for his campaign through a fund-raiser and mailings to individuals.

"Because it is my sixth campaign it has been pretty organized in all aspects since all the pieces are in place," Nelson said.

Although the candidates have been watching the Chapel Hill race, Smith warned against drawing parallels between the Chapel Hill and Carrboro races.

Smith said the race in Chapel Hill has probably become more heated than Carrboro's because of the various issues on which Foy and Pavao oppose each other. "I think there have been larger disagreements between Pavao and Foy. Mike and I agree on a lot of things."

The Chapel Hill and Carrboro races will be determined Tuesday.

The City Editor can be reached

at citydesk@unc.edu.