A majority of Chatham’s 2019 municipal races are unopposed, but three races have multiple candidates vying for the opportunity to represent their towns or districts.
Siler City Mayor John Grimes is seeking re-election to the board where he has served as mayor since his appointment in 2013 after more than a decade on the Siler City Board of Commissioners.
Grimes has two opponents for the November election, Jackie Adams and Albert Reddick. The three have different backgrounds, but similar goals for the future of the town.
Grimes, a 50-year resident of Siler City, is a veteran of the U.S. Army and of a variety of political roles. He’s running on his record and his goals reflect a continuation of that record.
“I am running to continue the tremendous progress we have made for Siler City and its citizens,” Grimes said. “The town board and I enjoy a productive, progressive and dynamic relationship which has yielded proper management of $32 million in grants — removing the burden on the taxpayer for expanding and upgrading our water and sewer capacities and other needs — explosive job creation (1,200-plus at Mountaire alone) and addressing affordable housing which is needed. Our recreation program continues to thrive. Parks throughout the town have been significantly upgraded. We promised a first-class aquatic center, and we delivered. We know what we’re doing and we know how to do it well. I’d like the opportunity to continue.”
Adams, the owner of The Oasis market in downtown Siler City, a farmer, corporate leader and, in her words, “mentor entrepreneur,” is running to revitalize Siler City.
“I am running to bring the life and resiliency back to Siler City as a welcoming, warm and inviting city for all people,” Adams said. “I am the candidate with experience and knowledge built on a decade of actively focusing on community development in Siler City and Chatham County. There are no walls or boundaries in my outreach effort and of the people I look to serve.”
Her goals include improving water and sewer quality and capacity, bringing quality business and jobs to Siler City and bringing affordable and sustainable housing to Siler City.
Reddick is a Vietnam veteran, author, and owner of a Siler City non-profit is running on unifying a diverse community.
“The mission and vision of Siler City, although noble and virtuous, can only be attained when transformational leadership exists that propels all stake holders toward obtainable success,” he said.
Reddick’s goals include “jobs that pay a living wage with benefits, a vibrant downtown that is economically diverse, water that is clean, and affordable safe housing.” He said he is the best candidate because he is “not only well versed in the dynamics of this city’s government and livelihood, but also brings a broad cultural toolkit of diverse experience.”
Commissioner Mike Constantino (District 3) is facing two challengers for his seat in November — Curtis Brown and Timothy “Cookie” Brown.
Constantino has been on the board since 2011, when he sought office to try to “turn the tide” of business losses in town. He cited his record while on the board of bringing about 2,000 jobs to town, improvements to the soccer field at Braxton Fields, and opening the license plate agency. His goals include improve handling of waste and recycling issues, continue to bring new businesses to town and bringing industry to the Chatham-Siler City Advanced Manufacturing site.
“I know I don’t have deep roots here in Siler City, but I believe my service record and dedication these past eight years speaks for itself,” Constantino said. “It is my hope that the residents of my district recognize that and will keep me in office with their vote.”
Curtis Brown, who retired from working for the town, brings utility management and planning board experience. He wants to update the water and wastewater treatment systems to encourage economic growth and work on affordable housing. He believes his experience with the town and civic groups provides him with the “knowledge of the system” to support growth.
“Industries create jobs,” Brown said. “Jobs create consumers. Consumers want to purchase homes, vehicles, groceries, tires, etc. That supports businesses, grows the tax base and increases water and wastewater revenue. All our citizens and town departments will benefit.”
Timothy “Cookie” Brown has spent his entire life in Siler City and has been active in community organizations. He said wants the “opportunity to serve the town and citizens of this community to continue to build on the foundation started long ago.” His goals are to improve water quality, revitalize downtown, seek road improvements and gain more community participation by town residents. He believes his “tenacity” sets him apart from the other candidates.
“I am always looking for ways to make improvements and build on what we already have,” he said. “Always come to the table with a problem and a solution and not just waiting for someone else to find a solution. I also believe as a town commissioner or anyone serving in relation to the town citizens that participation and attendance in town-sponsored events, meetings, etc., should be a priority.”
Seven candidates are vying for three open seats on the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners — incumbents John Bonitz and J.A Farrell III, along with challengers Pam Cash-Roper, Heather Johnson, Bridget Perry, Kyle Shipp and Lonnie West. Commissioner Bett Wilson Foley chose not to run for re-election.
Asked what their goals are, many candidates mentioned similar topics — affordable housing, infrastructure and preserving the character of Pittsboro as it faces impending growth. Several candidates also mentioned the need to increase staff, based on available budget, to support the growing needs of the community.
With such a crowded field, candidates were asked what made they the best qualified for the role and stand out from the other candidates.
“Among these Board candidates, I’ve been the loudest voice demanding excellence in our local government. If you’re conservative or liberal, we all want government to do it’s job, stay out of the way whenever possible, and to do it well without forcing residents to jump hoops to keep our Town from making horrible mistakes,” Bonitz said.
“Working with the Democratic Party for the last several years has taught me of the diversity of people in Pittsboro and Chatham,” Cash-Roper said. “We need to address the needs of the town and its citizens. We have a diverse group running for these positions and I feel I have the people skills to work with and compromise with the board.”
“My lifelong ties to the community and my 8 years of experience on the town board,” Farrell said.
“I am grateful to have been a part of promoting Pittsboro for many years now and am familiar with the issues facing our Town,” Johnson said. “I work closely with Pittsboro businesses and non-profits to connect them with opportunities for growth and development.”
Perry did not directly answer either question, but noted she is “running for a position on the board because I really love this town, and would like to see it retain the qualities that make it so special while it grows.”
“There are candidates with more experience in the local area and with municipal government which is very respectable,” Shipp said. “I will bring my energy, technical expertise and leadership skills to the table. Most importantly, I will seek the opinion of the residents and act on their behalf as representative.”
“Because of my varied life experience and my close interaction with the citizens of Chatham County and Pittsboro, I hope to represent the thoughts and ideas of local families and individuals,” West said.
Jim Nass will run unopposed for the role of Pittsboro’s mayor. Nass has lived in Pittsboro since 2007 and during that time he has served as the chairman of a number of organizations, including the Pittsboro ABC Board, the Citizens Committee on Chatham Park additional elements, the Pittsboro Affordable Housing Task Force and the Interim Affordable Housing Board. He’s also been a member of the Main Street Pittsboro Board.
“Pittsboro is undergoing a period of rapid change and how these changes are managed will have a significant impact on the future of our wonderful town,” Nass said in a statement. “I believe that we have been given a unique opportunity to actually shape what that future will look like.”
Three of the four seats up for election on the Siler City Board of Commissioners will go unopposed. Incumbents Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Cheek (District 2), Bill Haiges (District 4), and Thomas (Chip) Price (at-large) will return to their positions the board in the fall.
Goldston Mayor Tim Cunnup and incumbent town council members Steve Cunnup (Ward 2) and Charles Fields III (Ward 4) are running unopposed again this year. Both Mayor Cunnup and Commissioner Cunnup have indicated to the News + Record that they are hoping this will be their last years on the board.
“I am hoping that there will be a qualified candidate to take my place at that time,” Mayor Cunnup said.
All of the incumbent representatives on the Goldston-Gulf Sanitary District Board, Ricky Beal, Henry Kitchings, and Danny Scott, are also running unopposed.
Reporter Casey Mann can be reached at CaseyMann@Chathamnr.com.