Chilton coasts to third term as mayor (The Chapel Hill News.com)
Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton handily won a third term Tuesday, beating challengers Brian Voyce and Amanda Ashley.
Incumbents Jacquie Gist and Randee Haven-O’Donnell were re-elected to the Board of Aldermen. Challenger Sammy Slade picked up the third open seat, defeating Sharon Cook and Tim Peck.
In unofficial results, Chilton won 72 percent of the vote to far outpace his two opponents.
He and about a dozen supporters crowded into Jessee’s Coffee and Bar on East Main Street Tuesday evening as the first returns started coming in. His wife and children huddled over a laptop and shouted out the results for Chilton as he hugged and kissed his mother.
“Thank you to the voters of Carrboro,” Chilton said. “I want to see Carrboro continue to move on a path to become a more walkable and bikeable community.”
He also pledged to continue working on public transit and redeveloping the downtown while preserving the town’s feel.
Voyce, who finished second, was unavailable for comment. Ashley said she was glad she ran because she was able to bring up new ideas.
“Don’t leave it to the professionals,” she said. “Take democracy into our own hands.”
Voyce did carry Hogan Farms, a northern precinct that includes areas annexed in 2006, with 163 votes to Chilton’s 141.
Gist, who won her sixth consecutive term, spent Election Day speaking with voters at the polls.
“I’m very grateful,” she said. “I think the priority of this term is getting through the economic crisis.”
Haven-O’Donnell received a champagne toast at a friend’s house after winning her second term.
“We’re very pleased with the campaign we’ve run,” she said. She said she will work on protecting the local environment and making wise decisions about the economy.
When Slade stopped by Jessee’s Coffee and Bar Tuesday night, a small crowd clapped for him. Chilton presented him as the man of the hour.
“I’m very excited,” Slade said. “It’s kind of catching up with me now.”
Slade says he wants the town to be a national leader in dealing with climate change, but he also wants to address economic issues.
“Carrboro’s becoming very expensive,” he said. He said some of his younger friends have had to move away because of the high cost of living.
“I look forward to representing the immigrant community,” said Slade, whose mother Columbian.
Cook said she ran a good campaign and she had fun running.
“I wish the new board members and continuing board members the best of luck,” she said. “I hope that they will truly, truly represent our entire town.”
Tim Peck said he was somewhat disappointed, but said it was a good effort for a first run.
“People need new leaders and new points of view,” he said.
In unofficial results posted by the Orange County Board of Elections, Chilton received 1,658 votes, or 72 percent, in the mayor’s race. Voyce got 450 votes, for 20 percent, and Ashley received 171 votes for 7 percent.
In the Board of Aldermen’s race, Gist was the top vote-getter, with 1,507 votes, for 25 percent of vote. Slade and Haven-O’Donnell finished in a near-dead heat; Slade received 1,461 votes and Haven-O’Donnell 1,451, each at 24 percent.
Cook received 903 votes for 15 percent, and Peck got 697 votes, or 11 percent.
Cook, like Voyce, carried the Hogan Farms precinct. She received 257 votes there, to Haven-O’Donnell’s 156 and Gist’s 155.
Published: Nov 03, 2009 11:59 PM
Modified: Nov 03, 2009 11:59 PM
By Julian March, Correspondent
