Orange County commissioner Alice Gordon announced she would seek another term on the board. She will run in District 1. Two years ago, the board expanded from five to seven members and added district representation. District 1 represents the heavily populated southern third of the county, closely mirroring (though not exactly) the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school district.
Here’s Gordon’s official statment:

Today Alice Gordon announced her re-election campaign for Orange County Commissioner in District 1, representing the Chapel Hill and Carrboro area.

She said she is running because she would like to build on her contributions to county government, and cited environmental advocacy, regional transportation, and school excellence as three areas in which she has made a difference.

She will work on these and other county issues in a fiscally responsible way and strive to maintain important county services that support our core values, while recognizing that the county has significant budget constraints. The county must increase the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations, and strive to streamline county services to reduce expenses.

Commissioner Gordon is a dedicated advocate for our environment. To date, the county’s award-winning “Lands Legacy” resource conservation program, which she was instrumental in creating, has protected over 2500 acres, including land for parks, farmland preservation, and protection of our water and other natural resources. Her focus now will be the wise use of our water resources, so that we have clean water that is fairly allocated. She will also work for the completion of planned recreation and park facilities when financially possible. read more…

Orange County commissioner Barry Jacobs has announced that he will seek re-election to the board. Jacobs said he will run for the at-large seat. In his previous four years ago run all commissioners ran at large, but under new rules started two years ago for the expanded county board, candidates can run either as an at-large or district-based candidate. Here’s Jacob’s official statement:

Serving as an Orange County commissioner has been an honor and a privilege. After careful consideration, and at the generous urging of friends, supporters, and colleagues, I have decided to seek re-election in that capacity.

We face a tremendously unsettled economic landscape and a period of significant transition within Orange County government. I believe my experience, willingness to listen, and commitment to seeking collaborative, creative solutions are well suited to guiding us through these challenging times.

I remain firmly committed to quality public education and environmental stewardship; to social justice and a compassionate safety net for those least able to help themselves; to government that is cost-effective and customer-oriented; to meaningful support for sustainable economic development; and to proactive partnerships within and beyond our county in education and library services, transportation and national resource protection, agricultural enhancement and solid waste management, land-use planning and improved service delivery.

Over the coming weeks and months I will share fresh ideas on how to approach the challenges and opportunities that confront us, just as I have through 25 years of leadership as a citizen-volunteer and public servant.

Chatham County commissioner George Lucier has announced he will seek re-election to the District 3 seat.
Here’s the official statement:

Chatham County Commissioner George Lucier Will Run for Second Term

George Lucier will seek re-election as Chatham County Commissioner from District 3. Lucier, a Democrat, was elected in 2006, and has a long record of public service at the local, state and national levels. He is currently Vice Chair of the Board of Commissioners and served as Chair in 2008 and 2009. Lucier also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Central Carolina Community College, the Chatham County Board of Health and the Economic Development Corporation.

While serving on the Board of Commissioners, Lucier has focused on what he calls the four essential areas of success for Chatham County; economic development, education, land use and regional planning, and fiscal responsibility. read more…

Chatham County commissioner Tom Vanderbeck announced his bid for another term in Chatham’s District 4 seat.
Here’s the official statement:

Tom Vanderbeck announces bid for re-election as County Commissioner from District 4

Chatham County Commissioner Tom Vanderbeck announced today that he is seeking re-election. Vanderbeck, a Democrat, resides in District 4.

“In 2006, I ran on a campaign of open, honest government, sustainable economic development, thoughtful growth and quality schools,” Vanderbeck states. “I believe that we have turned Chatham County in the right direction and have made significant progress; however, there is much more to do to make Chatham the sustainable community we all desire.” read more…

Filing for board of commissioners, Orange County school board, and state and federal legislative offices opens this morning at noon.

Kevin Foy signals (via a tweet) that he’s not running for U.S. Senate. He tweets:

I decided not to run for the U.S. Senate seat next year – but I very much appreciate all the support and encouragement I’ve received.

By Beth Mechum, Staff Writer

Election season has come and gone, but the Carrboro Board of Aldermen will have a decidedly familiar look.

Voters re-elected Mayor Mark Chilton, who garnered more than 70 percent of the votes, with 1,658. They also returned aldermen Jacquie Gist and Randee Haven-O’ Donnell, with 24.84 percent (1,507 votes) and 23.92 percent (1,451), respectively. read more…

By Kirk Ross, Staff Writer

Chapel Hill — On Wednesday morning, Chapel Hill Mayor-elect Mark Kleinschmidt was sitting relaxed, coffee in hand, just outside the office now occupied by his predecessor, Kevin Foy.

In between receiving congratulations as various staff passed by, he was relating the events of the previous evening with Town Manager Roger Stancil, particularly the surreal experience of lights and cameras recording his every move.

Asked what the two had planned for the day, the new mayor quipped, “I think I’m planning what’s for breakfast.” read more…

By Kirk Ross, Staff Writer

In the race for four seats on the Chapel Hill Town Council, Penny Rich, who ran unsuccessfully two years ago, was the top vote getter, with 4,278 votes. She was followed by incumbents Ed Harrison, who received 4,081 votes, and Laurin Easthom, who received 4,035. The fourth seat on the council was won by Gene Pease, who received 3,794 votes. read more…

By Kirk Ross, Staff Writer

Chapel Hill — The swearing in of the new mayor and council members takes place in early December, but the constitution of the town’s governing body will be incomplete until they take up the vacancy left by the resignation of Bill Strom early in the campaign season.

Strom, whose term would have expired December 2011, resigned on Aug. 1, after the end of the filing period. The timing meant that the vacancy would not be added to the ballot. read more…