Stephanie Wade, candidate for Carrboro Town Council

Carrboro voters will elect a new mayor and at least two new Town Council members in November.

Incumbent Council member Eliazar Posada is seeking a second term and will compete with four newcomers — Jason Merrill, Catherine Fray, April Mills and Stephanie Wade — for three open seats in the Nov. 7 general election.

Carrboro Mayor Pro Tem Susan Romaine and Council member Sammy Slade chose not to seek another term.

The new council will also fill a vacancy on the board next year, replacing Barbara Foushee, who is unopposed in her race to be the town’s next mayor. Carrboro Mayor Damon Seils decided earlier this year to step down after one term in office.

Early voting in the nonpartisan Nov. 7 election starts Oct. 19 and runs through Nov. 4..

To find polling places and full details on early voting, visit co.orange.nc.us/1720/Elections or contact the Board of Elections at 919-245-2350 or vote@orangecountync.gov.

Name: Stephanie Wade

Age: 49

Occupation: Self employed

Education: Bachelor of Arts degree

Political or civic experience: I have worked for the U.S. government, universities around the country, and I worked for the State of North Carolina for 18 years.

Campaign website: stephaniewadenc.com

What do you think the town’s top three priorities should be? Choose one and describe how you will work to address it.

▪ Public transportation to achieve affordable housing

▪ Safer streets

▪ Flooding and stormwater mitigation

Carrboro has long ignored stormwater and flooding issues in the community. In the recent Carrboro Connects project, many citizens voiced their concerns about how stormwater and flooding affect them and their communities. One of my first actions in office would be to meet with the stormwater advisory board and identify actionable steps we can take to reduce the impact of flooding in our community.

The future of the Bolin Creek Greenway is a key issue this year. What do you see as its role in the town’s future, and should it be paved?

I don’t believe we have all of the information to make a decision on the greenway.

Carrboro is experiencing more infill development and housing. What would you do to guide town growth and meet current and future housing needs?

I would focus on thoughtful development, affordable housing initiatives, environmental sustainability, zoning reforms, data-driven decision making from towns that compare to Carrboro, supporting local businesses, and preserving green space. We should invest in our town’s infrastructure, make sure that our communities and neighborhoods are involved in the decision-making process, work with Chapel Hill and UNC when we can to obtain our goals. In essence, a holistic approach is needed to address this issue.

Do you support keeping Orange County’s rural buffer, where the lack of water and sewer limits growth? How do you see the town growing with or without the buffer?

A balanced approach might involve reevaluating the buffer’s boundaries and regulations, taking into account factors like responsible development, water and sewer infrastructure expansion, and affordable housing initiatives. This would allow for growth while ensuring that the community’s needs are met. Ultimately, the decision on whether to maintain or modify the rural buffer should be made after careful consideration of all these factors, and in consultation with local residents, experts, and stakeholders to determine the best path forward for the community’s growth and sustainability.

How can the town bring people together who have different viewpoints to find workable solutions?

Online engagement platforms, collaborative problem-solving work sessions, community surveys, local government transparency and accountability, and partnering with local organizations to reach a broader audience. Building a culture of respectful engagement and collaboration takes time and effort. Carrboro can benefit from many different strategies to foster a more cohesive community where different viewpoints are valued and workable solutions can be found.

This story was originally published October 12, 2023 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Stephanie Wade, candidate for Carrboro Town Council."

Tammy Grubb

The News & Observer

919-829-8926

Tammy Grubb has written about Orange County’s politics, people and government since 2010. She is a UNC-Chapel Hill alumna and has lived and worked in the Triangle for over 30 years.