Gary Kahn, a Southern Village resident, has taken interest in Chapel Hill government since moving here from New York City two years ago.
He said he has been an outspoken citizen for the past year, attending meetings and advising council members on decisions.
He said he publicly opposed the proposal to raise property taxes to fund public transportation initiatives.
Kahn believes his familiarity with urban ideals will give the council a new perspective.
“Chapel Hill is headed toward becoming a town-city, and I think that because I’m from a city like New York City that faces many big city issues, with my help, Chapel Hill could avoid some of those issues,” Kahn said.
Amy Ryan
Longtime resident and planning board member Amy Ryan said her involvement in planning the Chapel Hill 2020 initiative has led her to seek the open council seat.
Ryan said she wants to be a part of the implementation process for the goals laid out by Chapel Hill 2020.
She said she would also like to see the council use more data.
“We don’t often have the data we need to make well-informed decisions like fiscal impacts,” Ryan said.
Ryan said she feels confident in her ability to jump into the council in the middle of the term.
“I’ve been in town a long time and am familiar with how it works,” she said. “I’m not concerned that I couldn’t get up to speed.”
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Jon DeHart
Jon DeHart, a branch manager at a Wells Fargo bank, said his management experience would be an asset to the council. He serves on the town’s transportation board.
“Being on the transportation board has made me familiar with how we are going to develop a light rail system to better serve our population,” DeHart said.
DeHart is also active in his church and the YMCA, and because of two unsuccessful bids for the council in 2009 and 2011, he said he knows many of the council members.
Sally Greene
Former council member Sally Greene served on the council between 2003 and 2011, where she worked on an inclusionary zoning ordinance to secure affordable housing in new developments.
Greene said she wants to do more with affordable housing and homelessness.
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