Slade consistent, dedicated to town

This election day I will regret not living in Carrboro because I will not be able to vote for Sammy Slade.

Of all the people running in this election both in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, I don't know of anyone as sincere, altruistic and dedicated in his desire to help his community as Sammy Slade. I have been following Sammy for many years, and he has shown himself to be consistent and true to his ideas.

Sammy was green before it became fashionable, anti-war when too many were in favor of it, and all along calling for sustainability for the good of us all.

Anna Morosoff

Chapel Hill

Czajkowski forthright, can tackle problems

I moved my family and business to Chapel Hill in 2007. With children enrolled at UNC and East Chapel Hill High School, I have witnessed the community's strengths but also its complex challenges with downtown parking and the need to grow our tax base in ways that improve our quality of life.

In my view, we need leaders with experience at long-term planning and ones who welcome input and scrutiny from citizens, businesses and the university.

Please join me in voting for Matt Czajkowski, an experienced and forthright candidate for mayor of Chapel Hill.

Andrew C. Burns

Chapel Hill

Czajkowski cares about students, too

For three years, I have known Matt Czajkowski and his family.

I have been especially impressed with Matt's desire to make downtown be and feel safer.

He often asks me about the collegiate perspective of safety at night on Franklin Street. As a student, that concern means a lot to me. Matt wants to improve downtown Chapel Hill, with better lighting and security. He wants us all to feel comfortable over on Rosemary and Franklin streets.

He cares about all the safety of all citizens, including us students. Check Matt out at www.mattformayor.org

Melissa Hofman

Chapel Hill

Junior, UNC-CH

Cook an advocate for wide range of causes

I would like to endorse Sharon Cook for the Carrboro Board of Aldermen. Over the past decade, she has been an advocate for a wide range of issues facing Carrboro's residents including neighborhood preservation, pedestrian safety and environmental protection. She also has worked on many more issues as a member of the town's Planning Board for the past two and a half years.

Sharon is concerned about whether the citizens living in Carrboro today will be able to afford to stay here. She is concerned that our town government is on an unsustainable economic path, one that would force many longtime residents to move out of Carrboro. Over the past two years that's become increasingly clear.

She is a longtime resident of Carrboro and a parent of a UNC undergraduate. She has a personal commitment to keeping Carrboro a safe and welcoming place for students. Sharon is eager to thoroughly discuss and debate the facts in this campaign and the many other issues facing our town.

Vote for Sharon Cook, alderman for Carrboro Town Board.

Scott Justus

Chapel Hill

Wolff's suggestion puzzling platform

Kevin Wolff must be putting something funny in his orange juice these days. What is up with his repeated suggestion that frontrunner Matt Czajkowski should step aside?

Even more puzzling is the thought that anyone would want to waste their important vote in favor of Mr. Wolff or Mr. Cho, neither of whom have garnered much support and have a slim chance of winning. A vote for either of these gentlemen is, in effect, a vote for Mark Kleinschmidt.

Mr. Kleinschmidt is perhaps well intended and well meaning, but since December of 2001, when he was first elected to the Town Council, we have heard of no concrete plan or vision, from him for either lowering the burdens of property taxes or offering a vibrant, healthy, comprehensive plan for our wonderful town of Chapel Hill.

Matt has displayed clear, sensible leadership over and over, even when it may not have been popular. The logical, crystal-clear conclusion for Mayor of Chapel Hill is Matt Czajkowski -- a voice and vision for Positive Change and financially prudent leadership.

Barbara Postma

Chapel Hill

Gering's balance befitting of re-election

I urge all eligible voters of Hillsborough to vote for Mike Gering. Living in the extraterritorial jurisdiction mile, my husband and I are greatly affected by decisions of the Hillsborough Town Board without being able to vote. Mike Gering has proven by his past service that he cares for all citizens and their welfare.

While working on the progress and fiscal health of the town he is also very conscious of the historical significance of Hillsborough. It is a balance that shows his deep commitment.

Mike will continue to serve our town and its citizens well.

Marianne Wolf

Hillsborough

Slade dedicated to sustainable future

I've known Sammy Slade for years as an activist in environmental and grassroots democracy issues. He's sincerely dedicated to a just and sustainable future for Carrboro, and he lives in a way consistent with his beliefs.

Let's elect Sammy Slade to the Carrboro Board of Alderman.

Fritzi Ross

Carrboro

Czajkowski first to question insurance

During Matt Czajkowski's time on the Chapel Hill Town Council, he has demonstrated sensible leadership. He was the first one to question council's vote to quietly award itself health insurance for life.

I applaud his desire to fill the Strom vacancy by appointing the "first runner-up" from the November election. The unfortunate timing of this resignation, especially coming on the heels of the establishment of voter-owned elections, assures a selection rather than an election.

Absent an election, can we at least have transparency regarding the council's selection criteria? I know where Matt stands on this. He has my vote.

Barbara Crockett

Chapel Hill

Enough is enough on town expenditures

Chapel Hill town employees whose healthcare benefits are greater than any of which I have ever heard are benefitting at my expense (and yours) from Town Council's blatant ignorance of proper expenditures. Mayoral contender Mark Kleinschmidt cannot imagine what it is like on our end, since he does not own property and therefore pays no property taxes.

I am unwilling to support this kind of thinking, which is ultimately out of my pocketbook (and yours). I trust that Matt Czajkowski, aided by several of the like-minded Town Council challengers, will work hard to extricate us from this mess.

Ed Adkins

Chapel Hill