Town races attract challengers

In the upcoming town elections, two challengers hope to bring new direction to growth in Hillsborough.

Paul Newton and Tom Stevens, running for Town Board and mayor respectively, say they plan to challenge the status quo. Newton is running against incumbents Frances Dancy and Mike Gering, and Stevens is challenging Mayor Joe Phelps in his bid for a third term.

Newton, who ran unsuccessfully for the board in 2003, said he hopes to represent an area of town he feels doesn’t receive enough attention from the Town Board.

A member of the planning and adjustment boards, he lives in Beckett’s Ridge, a neighborhood on the south side of town where he served as president of the homeowners’ association.

“There is no representation on the board from the south side of town, but 99 percent of Hillsborough’s growth is happening south of the Eno River,” he said.

Newton said he also wants the town to plan for economic development. As one of an estimated 40 percent of Orange County workers who commute to other areas for work — according to a study published by the county economic development commission — he said he understands the problem the town has with industry retention.

“A significant portion of light industry has left town in the past four years,” he said. “We’re losing more and more ground.”

Stevens, who has lived in the area for 16 years, is a newcomer to politics.

He is the president of Esquare Leadership LLC and said he sees the mayoral role as being a spokesman for the town.

“This is about stepping up to the plate, providing the leadership needed to plan for growth,” he said.

Stevens said it was an extensive home renovation project that inspired him to run.

“With all the energy we’re putting into that, it seems clear that we’re going to stay,” he said, laughing.

Stevens said the project parallels his goals for the town.

But he also said it is important that Hillsborough retains its small-town feel even as it expands.

“I think we need to choose our future but honor the people who have been here for decades,” he said.

Like Newton, Stevens said Hillsborough can improve its economy.

He suggests that by enhancing downtown businesses and offering residents more to do, economic growth will naturally follow.

“There need to be things to do and see,” he said. “Twenty-five percent of the population is under 19.

“I believe that our prosperity lies in getting people to live in places that are unique ­— places that have history and culture.”

This year’s elections will be held Nov. 8.

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.