The 2013 endorsements

Maria Palmer

Maria Palmer has continually put others ahead of herself during her time in Chapel Hill and should be given the chance to continue do so as part of the Town Council.

Having started the first Hispanic congregation in the area, as well as serving as a representative of minority communities, Palmer believes that all voices in Chapel Hill should be heard.

Palmer brings a fresh perspective that may not otherwise present itself on the Town Council. She has extensive experience with the school system as well as with generally underrepresented Chapel Hill residents.

Additionally, Palmer will impact the Town Council in a positive way by encouraging council members to solicit input in various locations. It is important to remember that the whole city should not be treated as one homogenous group.

Palmer knows the town and the constituencies that she will serve. She has worked to reach out to underrepresented minorities, and with her on the Town Council, a sense of inclusion should be felt throughout the entire community.

Amy Ryan

After working on the planning committee for the Central West Area’s development, Amy Ryan may have suffered the vitriol of some of the most impassioned this town has to offer.

Despite this, she has looked to be more involved in the town and should be rewarded with the opportunity to do so.

While voices from every corner seem to be crying for development in all shapes and sizes, Ryan’s tempered caution is needed on the Town Council. She seems to realize more than any other that much of the value this town offers is in its small town atmosphere and its connection to the University.

She is also the only voice that has shown some dissent on the planned light rail, citing its large costs and the fact that it would largely only cater to those affiliated with the University.

Though she may be outnumbered during council meetings, her views must be heard. They will force the other council members to confront opposing views and, in the end, craft stronger legislation.

Ed Harrison

Ed Harrison has been an integral member of the Chapel Hill community for many years. He’s been working on long-range projects as a member of the Town Council for more than a decade, and to see him leave now would be detrimental to the town’s progress.

Harrison has been pushing for the implementation of transportation projects, such as the light rail line and the town’s plan to increase bike safety. Because he has been here for the history surrounding all of these important issues, he has a well-rounded and informed view of the problems facing Chapel Hill today.

Harrison was raised to always answer phone calls and as a result, he has a reputation for being extremely accessible and he stresses his commitment to constituent service. Over the years, he has learned a lot about the University and understands that the student body often shapes many aspects of the way Chapel Hill grows — he respects its input as a whole.

If re-elected, he would provide consistency during a time when Chapel Hill is in the midst of a number of long-range developments.

Sally Greene

After a brief recess from the Town Council, Sally Greene now has a better perspective on her position.

You don’t have to look long to find one of this incumbent’s many accomplishments.

She was instrumental in creating the town’s first neighborhood conservation districts and she served on the 140 West Franklin development negotiating committee. She has also been a strong advocate for homelessness programs in the town.

Greene has shown a tremendous commitment to affordable housing. Since heading up the committee on affordable rental housing, the Downtown Housing Improvement Corporation, a local nonprofit, is set to partner with the town and make 140 rentable units available to the area.

Receiving her Ph.D. in English from UNC, Greene values the importance of student input and their role in the Chapel Hill community.

With her combination of experience, commitment and success, Greene has the know-how to meet these challenges.