Examine candidates' environmental stance

Thanks to the Orange-Chatham Sierra Club chapter for its candidate forum and its subsequent endorsements of Mark Kleinschmidt for Chapel Hill mayor and of Ed Harrison, Laurin Easthom, Jim Merritt and Penny Rich for Chapel Hill Town Council.

As the owner of a small business, I know that concern for the environment is a foundation for long-term economic development, and I feel that Kleinschmidt, Harrison, Easthom, Merritt and Rich will work hard to see that Chapel Hill grows in a responsible and deliberate manner. I hope that readers will carefully examine the environmental positions of candidates before they vote.

Burwell Ware

Chapel Hill

Kleinschmidt skilled and progressive

In the Chapel Hill elections, please join me to vote for Mark Kleinschmidt for mayor. Mark has an eight-year progressive record as well as the skills to lead our town and to foster harmony on our Town Council.

For council members, I will vote for Laurin Easthom, Ed Harrison, Jim Merritt and Gene Pease. The first three are incumbents who have shown good judgment on environmental as well as budgetary issues. Mr. Pease stands out among the challengers. I believe he will put his long town committee experience and business acumen to good use for us.

These five plus the council members elected two years ago should lead us well through the current issues that our town and its citizens will face in the near future.

Joe Capowski

Chapel Hill

Czajkowski is fiscally responsible

I support Matt Czajkowski for mayor of Chapel Hill. His platform issues, fiscal responsibility, managing growth and revitalizing downtown, resonate deeply with me. I've also appreciated his commitment to transparency and the actions he has taken to stand by that commitment.

We need a mayor and council that do not simply accept the status quo but constantly question whether policies and plans are working. We need a mayor who will govern through the use of data rather than relying purely on perception. I believe Matt is the candidate who will best lead the council in that direction.

Terri Buckner

Orange County

Chapel Hill Council needs complete change

Many people have asked for whom I will vote. I feel that we need a complete change in Chapel Hill leadership to move us through difficult economic times.

Voting for persons who claim years of experience on the Town Council simply guarantees that we will have the same faulty decisions. We need leaders who have the training and experience to deal with challenging economic questions that face Chapel Hill now and in coming decades. I will vote for Matt Czajkowski for mayor and Jon DeHart, Gene Pease and Matt Pohlman for Town Council.

David Hughes

Chapel Hill

Re-electing Gering vital to Hillsborough

Hillsborough is very fortunate to have had Mike Gering on the Town Commission for eight years. And as Hillsborough residents we are grateful that he is enthusiastic about continuing to serve.

Mike was first elected in 2001 with the pledge to help shape Hillsborough's future, and that he has done. During the past eight years numerous proposals have come before the board that needed careful study of the facts and to hear from people who would be affected. Mike has diligently put in the work needed.

He has been an opponent of proposals that would have a negative impact on the town and a proponent of proposals that would be helpful. Mike was a leader in opposing the asphalt plant that could have had a disastrous affect on Hillsborough and the area's natural resources. Likewise he took a stand against locating the waste transfer station within Hillsborough's Economic Development District.

He has been a leader in initiating the town's purchase of the Collins property and its development. He has consistently championed the Riverwalk project, which will provide recreational benefits to residents and economic benefits from tourism and business investments in our town.

Mike has led many committees and task forces, including the senior housing task force and work that led to the water rate assistance program. He has worked collaboratively on the Strategic Development Plan that provides an unparalleled opportunity for Hillsborough to develop intentionally and wisely.

Mike Gering excels in keeping many important factors in mind when issues are studied: the people, the environment, natural resources, historic preservation, and the town's infrastructure, to name a few. His voice on the Town Commission is vital to Hillsborough's future.

Mary Ann Peter

Robert H. Peter

Hillsborough

It's time to elect new faces, new ideas

Matt Czajkowski showed his financial good sense when he was the only Town Council member who opposed lifetime health insurance for town officials.

When we moved here 11 years ago we loved to go downtown. Now, the empty store fronts and parking problems have driven us away. We believe Mr. Czajkowski can, as mayor, expand both business and jobs opportunities here.

We need more transparency in our local government. We need new faces and new ideas in City Hall, so Gene Pease, Jon DeHart and Matt Pohlman will also get our votes.

Please vote early or on Nov. 3 for these candidates, who will honor Chapel Hill's past and understand our future.

Carol and Victor Minton

Chapel Hill

Time to correct Council's mis-steps

I am a retiree living near Ram's Plaza who has followed Town Council's many mis-steps for 11 years. David Hughes, UNC retired business administration professor, sums it up, "Town out of touch with economic reality." (Chapel Hill News, 10-11-09, P.9A)

Matt Czajkowski, Jon DeHart, Matt Pohlman and Gene Pease are experienced budget planners, financially responsible, business and commerce experts, socially liberal, pro-justice and environmentally concerned.

Vote for them for broader representation in Chapel Hill and avoid the frequent-candidate bloc.

Lynne Kane

Chapel Hill

Price to discuss healthcare reform

I am writing to invite Chapel Hill-Carrboro community members to have breakfast with Congressman David Price on Monday, Oct. 26, from 8-9:30 a.m. at the Carolina Club. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce is hosting Price to hear about health care legislation, cap and trade, and other important issues being discussed in Congress. We are extending the special member price of $25, which includes a full breakfast, to all community members.

Price will also preview what he expects Congress to discuss in the coming session and take question from attendees.

I hope that you can join us for this important event and exciting opportunity to talk with the congressman. Registration for the event is required. Please visit www.carolinachamber.org/events or call our office at (919) 357-9988 to register.

Aaron Nelson

The writer is president and CEO of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce.





Wisdom, experience Czajkowski's strengths

Matt Czajkowski offers the experience and wisdom that Chapel Hill needs in a mayor.

During candidate forums, he has detailed his ideas for revitalizing downtown, using specifics instead of just cheerleading. He would freeze the town tax rate for two years and look for ways to cut town expenses.

And his approach to Town Council business has been a refreshing mix of candor and common sense -- he was the lone council member to bring to light the sneaky health insurance-for-life issue last year because he believed the public should have a say on that issue.

Matt has my vote for mayor on Nov. 3.

Don Evans

Chapel Hill

Pease has talent and sense of humor

I write to endorse wholeheartedly Gene Pease, a candidate for Chapel Hill Town Council. Gene has demonstrated his commitment to the community through his service on the OWASA board, the planning board and the Chapel Hill Public Library Foundation. In these positions he built a record of leadership and accomplishment.

Gene is a talented and seasoned CEO of mid-sized companies. He understands budgeting and financial management and would bring those talents to town government in a time when we need to moderate the tax burden and support our local businesses.

In working with Gene, I find him to be reasonable, thoughtful and collaborative. He listens to all viewpoints and has a nice sense of humor, which he will certainly need as a council member.

Please join me in electing Gene Pease to the Chapel Hill Town Council. He will be an effective, positive leader on day one.

Rosemary Waldorf

Mayor of Chapel Hill 1995-2001

Doctoral student stands behind Green

When I first heard that Dr. Joseph M. Green was running for a position on the school board I was elated. Green is the type of individual that has a heart for the betterment of all children. As I sat here and grasped the idea of his candidacy, I thought to myself, how amazing it would be to share this hidden treasure with such a deserving community of constituents; hence, the reason for this letter.

Green is considered by many to be a very precious and rare jewel. Yet, he is far more useful if placed in a position that facilitates his gifting to promote student success for multitudes. It is for this reason that I stand strongly behind him in his bid for a school board seat.

Perhaps you are wondering who I am, and why you should listen to me? I am one of Green's prot