Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell in-studio on Thursday, April 17. She discusses the opening of Chapel Hill’s first fully-inclusive playground at Community Center Park on Wednesday and how rewarding of a project it is to see be completed. Then, Anderson shares insight into the town council’s budget discussions after Wednesday’s work session — which has elected officials considering how to address a $6.7 million shortfall while not cutting down programs to help low-income community members. Finally, she details an upcoming open house on coal ash remediation at 828 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and other upcoming events around town.

Conversations With the Mayors is an ongoing series on “News on the Hill” where host Andrew Stuckey visits with the local government leaders who help shape our communities in Chapel Hill and the surrounding area. Each Tuesday he visits with Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell; Wednesdays feature a conversation with Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford; Thursdays feature Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson, and Fridays include a conversation with Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee. You can listen to previous “Conversations With the Mayors” here.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill's Vote on 828 MLK Redevelopment Seeks to End 'Hamster Wheel' of Inaction
Chapel Hill's Town Council voted to make a new plan for a future Municipal Services Center. It's step toward addressing coal ash on the site.
Following Concept Plans, State DEQ to Review Chapel Hill's Police Department Property
The Chapel Hill Town Council discussed potential development plans for the 828 Martin Luther King Jr. property at its April 27 meeting, a necessary step for advancing the town’s plans to address coal ash on the site. The land, where the current Chapel Hill Police Department has been located since the 1980s, is now set […]
Here Are the Orange County Local Governments' Approved Budgets, Tax Rates for 2025-26
Each of Orange County's local governments successfully approved their operating budgets and tax rates in June. Here are the highlights.
Chapel Hill Hears Update on 828 MLK Boulevard's Potential Uses, Coal Ash Remediation Options
The Chapel Hill Town Council recently heard an update on the effort to develop the 828 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard site.
Orange County's Governments Receive Budget Proposals, Grapple With Adding Taxes or Cutting Services
The managers of three Orange County local governments recommended adding to residents' increased tax bills in their FY26 budget proposals.
With Federal Funding Losses and Revaluation, Orange County's Governments Weigh Difficult Tax Rate and Budget Choices
The annual budgeting process is typically an exhaustive one for Orange County’s local governments and staff – but this year, it may be even more so
Chapel Hill Cuts Ribbon, Opens Fully Inclusive Playground at Community Center Park
Chapel Hill leaders, parks and recreation staff, and families in the disability community gathered to open the new playground on Wednesday.
Chapel Hill: Amy Ryan on Town Budget Discussions, New Playground Equipment, and A E-Bike Library
Chapel Hill Mayor Pro Temp Amy Ryan joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell in studio on Thursday, April 3.
Chapel Hill Signs Finalized DEQ Agreement for 828 MLK Boulevard Coal Ash Site
The Chapel Hill Town Council recently finalized a decade-long effort for finding a solution to the coal ash at 828 MLK Jr. Boulevard.
Chapel Hill Reveals Inclusive Playground Design and New Town Playground Features
The Town of Chapel Hill is set to install new playground features at its parks this month to make them more inclusive.
›