County Politics

Tom Vanderbeck to challenge Chatham BOC chairman
[Feb. 24, 2006] Tom Vanderbeck filed today to challenge incumbent Chatham County commission chair Bunkey Morgan in the May 2 District 4 Democratic primary. Vanderbeck is building a grass-roots campaign, meeting as many voters as possible and raising necessary campaign funds one voter at a time. By Tom Vanderbeck

Carl Thompson to challenge incumbent for Chatham Commissioner seat
[Feb. 20, 2006] Former three term Chatham County commissioner Carl Thompson formally kicked off his campaign for the District 5 Commissioner seat against incumbent Tommy Emerson with a rally attended by over 100 supporters at Alston Chapel Church near Pittsboro. Thompson, a life-long resident of Bear Creek, was the first African American elected to a county office since Reconstruction in 1978, at age 24, when he began his first term as county commissioner. He served until 1990.

Former commissioner, Carl Thompson says he will run
[Feb. 11, 2006] Carl Thompson, former Chatham County commissioner, announced Friday he will run for District 5 commissioner against incumbent Tommy Emerson. District 5 includes Siler City.

Bob Atwater to run again
[Feb. 2, 2006] State Senator Bob Atwater is seeking a second term. Atwater announced Wednesday he will run for re-election to the District 18 seat, which covers Chatham and Lee counties plus the southwestern portion of Durham county.
Also: Senator Bob Atwater

Chatham County Democratic party precinct meetings
[Feb. 1, 2006] The Chatham County Democratic Party is having precinct meetings on Thursday Feb. 9, at 7 pm at your voting place. N Williams and Merritts Chapel precincts will meet in the cafeteria at North Chatham School, use the bus parking lot entrance. East Mann's Chapel will meet at Drydock Restaurant that evening at 7pm. By Karl G. Kachergis, CCDP Secretary

Citizen's College: How government works
[Jan. 26, 2006] Thinking of information as currency, Chathamites are invited to, “pay yourself first” by enrolling in Citizens’ College: How Government Works. It’s the payoff for investing a small amount of your time (33 hours over 11 weeks) and dollars ($25 or scholarship) in an enlightening and enlivening environment where Chathamites gain information about the workings of local government that can empower them to be more knowledgeable, involved, and effective citizens. By Gary Simpson

George Lucier to run for Chatham County Commissioner
[Jan. 21, 2006] George Lucier, a former head of the county planning board, has announced he plans to run for a seat on the Chatham County Board of Commissioners. Lucier will file as a Democrat for the District 3 primary scheduled for May 2.

Letter to Audrey Poe & E.H. Dark, Chatham Board of Elections
[Jan. 16, 2006] I recently caught wind of the following letter that was sent to Audrey Poe & E.H. Dark, the two Democrat members of our Chatham Board of Elections. They probably received it more than a month ago. It simplifies and clarifies the issue greatly. By John Bonitz

Pittsboro Together endorses challengers for mayor and town board race
[Sep. 27, 2005] Pittsboro Together, a grassroots political action committee, announces its endorsement of three new candidates for the fall municipal election. The citizens’ group supports challengers Randy Voller for Mayor and Pamela Baldwin and Efrain Ramirez for two open seats on the Town Board. By Jim Hinkley - Pittsboro Together Co-Chair

Candidates' answers to Pittsboro Together questionnaires
[Sep. 27, 2005] Each question is followed by answers from three town board candidates competing for two open seats, listed in alphabetical order as follows: Pamela Baldwin, Efrain Ramirez and Chris Walker. Those answers are followed by Randy Voller, who is a candidate for Mayor. Incumbent Mayor Nancy May did not complete the questionnaire, but did provide some statements during a telephone interview, which are included following the questionnaire.

Questions for Pittsboro Town Board and Mayoral candidates
[Sep. 13, 2005] The Pittsboro Together committee has sent a questionnaire to local municipal candidates on issues affecting Pittsboro and will publicize candidates' answers, and the committee's endorsements, in about two weeks. See what the questions are. By Elizabeth Reid

Pittsboro citizens launch political action group for municipal election
[Sep. 13, 2005] Leaders of Pittsboro Together seek to endorse a slate of candidates who are committed to long-range planning and economic development, downtown vitalization, open government, expanded cultural and recreational opportunities, and preserving and enhancing the unique small-town feel of the county seat. The committee has sent a questionnaire to the candidates on these issues and will publicize candidates' answers, and the committee's endorsements, in about two weeks. By Elizabeth Reid

Local developer runs for Pittsboro Mayor
[Aug. 7, 2005] Randy Voller, a local developer interested in open government, downtown revitalization and prevention of suburban sprawl, has filed to run for Mayor of Pittsboro. He has a vision for the economic development of Pittsboro that includes promotion of the arts, recreation, diverse downtown businesses and small high-tech businesses and industries. By Randolph Voller

Baldwin runs for Pittsboro town board
[Aug. 7, 2005] Pamela Baldwin, a lifelong resident of Pittsboro, has filed to run for a seat on the Town Board. She is the first African American to run for the board in 30 years. (Isaiah Taylor ran successfully for re-election in 1975 and served until 1979.) By Pamela Baldwin