This voters guide was compiled by the League of Women Voters in Chatham County and the Pittsboro Business Association. Both the League and the Association are non-partisan, non-profit volunteer organizations that do not endorse, support or oppose individual candidates or political parties. Both encourage and promote informed citizen participation in their government.
No part of this voters guide may be reproduced without permission of the League of Women Voters, or used in any way that may be construed to be an endorsement of an individual's candidacy or views by the League of Women Voters or the Pittsboro Business Association.
_____________________________________________________
The Pittsboro Board of Commissioners is elected at-large and is a non partisan board. The mayor is elected for a 2-year term. Three Town Commissioners will be elected in 2011 and each will serve for 4 years.
Each candidate was requested to limit their response to the question to 60 words or less. Replies from candidates are printed as received. The League is not responsible for the content. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order under the elected office they seek.
MAYOR'S RACE: BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
James W. Nass website
- Occupation: Independent Management Consultant
- Years lived in area: 4
- Education: BA Political Science, University of Denver Advanced Management Program, Columbia University
Randolph S. Voller website
- Occupation: Real Estate/Consulting
- Years lived in area: Over eight years in Pittsboro and 20 years in the Triangle
- Education: BA in History from Indiana University, 1991, Honors Program Marshall Fellow, 2010
COMMISSIONERS RACE: BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Clinton Byran: Did not respond
John Clifford
- Occupations: Small business owner
- Years lived in area: 4.5 years living in Pittsboro
- Education: H.S. grad with some college credits from Fordham University in New York City
Jay Farrell: Did not respond
Bett Wilson Foley Facebook Page
- Occupations: Non-profit development and communications with United Way
of Chatham County and Chatham Habitat for Humanity
- Years lived in area: 25. I grew up in Pittsboro (parents are Betty
and Noah Wilson) and I returned here to raise my family.
- Education: BA degree in Journalism/Marketing and Art (double major) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chris Grulke: Did not respond
Ray Kelley
- Occupations: Health Care Administrator
- Years lived in area: 6 Years
- Education: Associates Degree in General Studies from Central Texas College
Jeremy Shaffer: Did not respond. Facebook Page
Beth Turner
- Occupations: non-profit field, self-employed
- Years lived in area: 14 (fourteen) years, downtown Pittsboro
- Education: B.A. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1991
MAYORAL CANDIDATE QUESTION:
"What is the most critical issue that the Pittsboro Board
Commissioners should address in the next two years and what is your position on that issue?"
James W. Nass: Preparing for and managing growth. Managing growth means preparing for the growth that is to come. Growth must occur in a way that protects downtown and contributes to its' revitalization. Preparation involves making smart decisions on waste water treatment
and the location of the eastern bypass. These decisions must be based on what is good for the future of Pittsboro.
Randolph S. Voller: Pittsboro needs to figure out who it is and what it will become. Yes, maintaining our rural character, historic heritage, and natural resources are the cornerstone of who we are and will be, but investment in the green economy and developing a rugged local economy are also part of the way forward. Pittsboro's decisions must be focused on the future.
TOWN COMMISSIONER CANDIDATE QUESTION
"What is the most critical issue that the Pittsboro Board
Commissioners should address in the next two years and what is your position on that issue?"
Clinton Byran: Did not respond
John Clifford: The most critical issue facing Pittsboro is the lack of real effort in the past four years to develop a public and private partnership for financing the waste water treatment plant. We are now heading
into our third straight two-year building moratorium having wasted four years already. I will make this my number one priority when I am elected.
Jay Farrell: Did not respond
Bett Wilson Foley: Revitalizing our downtown area and converting vacant spaces into thriving businesses is the most critical issue facing Pittsboro. This will strengthen our community by creating local jobs, increasing tax revenues, raising property values, and attracting investments. With courthouse renovations beginning and a new grant, now is the time. I will put my local experience to work to make this happen.
Chris Grulke: Did not respond
Ray Kelley: The challenge our elected officials will have is to place Pittsboro for growth in the most advantageous position for our Citizens to maximize the benefits of these Five Guiding Principles... Business
Growth, Environmental Stewardship, Triad Convenience, Preservation of Our History, and Curb Appeal.
Jeremy Shaffer: Did not respond
Beth Turner: I believe that we need to address the issue of growth in our town by working hard to preserve the uniqueness of Pittsboro's history and citizens. Chatham Park Investors owns 6,500 acres just around Pittsboro, three times the current size of our town. We can work to
encourage smart development while preserving the historic core and integrity of downtown Pittsboro.
© Copyright
League of Women Voters of Orange-Durham-Chatham, North Carolina. All rights reserved.
![[LWV]](images/lwv76.gif)
