Chatham County Roundup: Chair of the County Commissioners Karen Howard on Budget and More

Early voting in North Carolina begins on Thursday morning, helping bring the local election season to a crescendo across 16 days.

No local race has more questions surrounding it than the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners election and its eight first-time candidates.

Chatham Count Commissioner Katie Kenlan spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey in studio on Tuesday, October 21, discussing county news and events. She talked about the most recent commissioners meeting, which included budget updates, Tropical Depression Chantal recovery, and a discussion around a long-proposed housing development off Jack Bennet Road. She also further discussed development plans around some downtown Pittsboro properties that the board is working with the Pittsboro board to develop, and more.

This Week: Tami Schwerin is a re-developer of The Plant, taking a cold-war industrial plant and creating a community hub of food, beverage and experiences. Her past experience includes founding a local food, renewable energy and cultural non-profit; Abundance NC. Before that she helped build Chatham Marketplace, a local co-op grocery store. She has served on art and environmental boards of directors. She traveled the world selling software in her younger years and renovated several old broken-down houses. Tami loves a challenge and creating a world that she wants to live in. She grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina and loves the south and Pittsboro. Cathy Brooksie Edwards is the founder and director of heart2heartnc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Brooksie is dedicated to helping individuals navigate end-of-life with a greater sense of ease while supporting families, caregivers, and communities through their grief journey. The organization’s community-based events and personalized services are grounded in the power of human connection and the proven practice of various modalities—from touch and sound to movement and mindfulness. heart2heartnc is part of Sanctuary at the Burrow, a conservation green burial ground offering nondenominational end-of-life services and creating a meaningful experience that honors the dead and comforts the living. Brooksie is a licensed clinical counselor, death doula, bodyworker, kundalini yoga teacher and musician with over 25 years of experience.

Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp joined 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey in studio on Tuesday, October 14 discussing town news and events. He discussed a rezoning proposal on Park Road that was denied by the board after many community members chimed in. He also gave updates on the Chatham Park South Village Small Area Plan, the Reeves Farm development, and more. He also previewed upcoming events in town, including the Pittsboro Street Fair, and more.

Former Pittsboro Mayor, "On The Porch" Host and Chatham County Line Publisher Randy Voller spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, October 10. He discussed recent real estate trends in Orange and Chatham Counties. He also gave a quick preview of the upcoming local election in Chatham County, running through all eight candidates for Pittsboro Board of Commissioners and more.

Chatham County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rebecca Dickinson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, October 8. She discussed the recent State of Chatham event, in which Aaron Nelson from Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro helped present data about Chatham County, focusing on housing, schools, and more. She also previewed other upcoming chamber events and more.

Chair of the Chatham County Commissioners Karen Howard spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, October 7, discussing county news and events. She discussed a recent meeting with the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners, including a more detailed plan for what to do with jointly owned downtown properties that they would like to develop. She also talked about the recent "State of Chatham" event held by the Chatham County Chamber of Commerce, and more.

This Week: Emily Sutton is the Executive Director of Haw River Assembly ("HRA") as well as being the Haw Riverkeeper. She joined the staff of Haw River Assembly in 2016, managing citizen science projects to watchdog against sediment pollution and monitor the tributaries and main stem of the Haw River. She has been Haw Riverkeeper since 2018, leading the fight for HRA against pollution in the Haw River on many fronts, including emerging contaminants, Jordan Lake nutrients, and sediment pollution. She is a current member of the NC Sedimentation Control Commission. Emily grew up paddling rivers in the Midwest, and moved to North Carolina to receive her B.A at Appalachian State University in Sustainable Development, where she studied Agroecology, Watershed Ecology, and Outdoor Education. Emily lives in Durham, NC.

Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, October 3. He discussed how two new laws in North Carolina will affect the work of Sheriff's offices in the state, including Chatham County. He also discussed safety on Jordan Lake, with dangerous situations occurring every summer. He also discussed the growth of Chatham County and how it affect's the sheriff's office's work, and more.