Election forum sparsely attended

With only two candidates participating, a Hillsborough election forum became a dialogue between an incumbent and a challenger who are competing for different seats.

The Orange-Chatham Group of the Sierra Club hosted a forum Thursday for Hillsborough Town Board and mayoral candidates.

Commissioner Mike Gering, who is running for his second term, and Tom Stevens, who is a challenger for mayor, talked about - and agreed on - many environmental issues.

Mayor Joe Phelps could not attend due to a family emergency.

Commissioner Frances Dancy and challenger Paul Newton had previously scheduled engagements.

The event was the first Sierra Club election forum held for Hillsborough candidates and the second forum the club has hosted this election cycle.

"There's a target for a lot of growth here," said moderator Melissa McCullough. "We recognize that most town issues do affect the environment."

Both candidates called for a master plan for sustainable development and to protect the Eno River.

"We need to have a master plan - we need to have a backbone to preserve the greenways and protect the watershed," Stevens said.

Gering mentioned his initiative to create a master plan for sidewalks that he hopes to see more fully realized.

"Nobody on the town staff could remember the last time a sidewalk was built," Gering said. "Unfortunately it's a kind of a stark realization to see how much a single foot of sidewalk costs - about $81 per foot of sidewalk."

The candidates were asked about new developments and what they would like to see in the future.

"There's no question about growth in Hillsborough: It's here. There's no question about traffic in Hillsborough: It's here," McCullough said.

Gering and Stevens both said they would like to see higher density development to preserve open spaces.

"It makes the most sense economically and for the quality of life to attract nonpolluting industries," Gering said.

"Part of building a sustainable community is to provide people with jobs and recreation that don't rely on automobiles. ... To avoid development that can be classified as urban sprawl."

Stevens said he would like to see the community work together to define itself.

One upcoming project is the Eno River Walk, which Gering said is nearing planning stages.

"I'm optimistic that we'll see the river walk starting next year," he said. "It helps protect and celebrate the Eno, one of our most precious resources."

The Sierra Club will hold its next forum for Chapel Hill candidates Sept. 27 in Town Hall.

 

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