bvelliquette@heraldsun.com; 918-1042
CARRBORO – The Carrboro Board of Aldermen informally decided not to fill the vacancy on its board left by the resignation of John Herrera and instead let the voters decide in November who should earn the spot.
Herrera had already announced he was not going to run again in November because he had married and wanted to spend time with his new family, but he was expected to complete his term. Then suddenly last week he submitted his resignation effective immediately, saying he had purchased a home in Holly Springs and was moving out of Carrboro.
Five people have filed to run for three seats on the Board of Aldermen, including incumbents Randee Haven-O’Donnell and Jacquelyn Gist.
Sharon Cook, a member of Carrboro’s planning board, Tim Peck and Sammy Slade also have filed to run for the three open seats.
Mayor Mark Chilton, who also is facing opposition in the race for mayor, suggested that after the election, the new board member should be immediately sworn in rather than waiting until December.
In a related matter, the board voted to appoint Haven-O’Donnell as mayor pro-tem to fill that vacancy left by Herrera’s resignation.
