During this local election season, 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro spoke with candidates for races representing Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and Pittsboro. Each answered the same set of questions regarding their decision to run for elected office, their background in the community and what they wish for residents to think of when voting this fall. Their answers (lightly edited for clarity and brevity) are shared here, as well as links to their respective campaign websites or pages. If a candidate did not respond or chose not to speak with 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro, it will be designated with no audio.
Pittsboro Board of Commissioners
(3 seats)
The Town of Pittsboro continues to be in an important chapter — as its leaders keep adjusting to new residents in the Chatham Park neighborhoods while preparing for more growth the development and other Chatham County projects will bring to the region. The county seat has been at the forefront of facing some of the area’s most challenging topics, like expanding utilities, addressing water quality, and seeking ways to enhance its downtown’s character. With two incumbents and four challengers running for three available seats, Pittsboro may be one of the more exciting local election cycles this fall.
Here are the questions each candidate was asked:
- Why were you inspired to join this race?
- What are the top three issues your campaign is built on? (Concise response, then please expand)
- What is something you believe the town board has done well in the last four years, and is there anything you would have done differently?
- How do you envision newer, outer-lying neighborhoods (like the Chatham Park community) becoming more cohesive with downtown or established Pittsboro neighborhoods?
- In your own words, what is the best possible future of Pittsboro as it grows?
- When voters see your name on the ballot, what do you want them to think of?
John Bonitz (incumbent)
Photo via John Bonitz.
J.A. Farrell (incumbent)
Photo via the Town of Pittsboro.
J.A. Farrell did not respond to 97.9 The Hill/Chapelboro.com’s request for an interview.
John Foley
Kali Korey
Kali Korey did not respond to 97.9 The Hill/Chapelboro.com’s request for an interview.
C.P. Stewart
Photo via C.P. Stewart.
Allen B. Wilson
Photo via Allen Wilson.
Pittsboro Mayor
The Pittsboro Mayor is not a voting member of the town’s board of commissioners — but they still play a critical role in being a voice for the town’s direction, values, and policies. Cindy Perry returned to the mayorship in 2021 after taking a break from office two years prior, but is stepping away once again to turn the reins over to a new leader. Kyle Shipp, a sitting town commissioner, is set to make the leap to becoming mayor as he runs unopposed in this cycle.
Here are the questions we asked:
- What led you to the decision to make the jump from town board member to mayor?
- Despite running unopposed, what do you hope to learn from voters and what is something you hope to inform them about?
- How do you envision the Chatham Park community becoming more cohesive with the rest of the greater Pittsboro community?
- What is your vision for the best possible version of Pittsboro?
- When voters see your name on the ballot, what do you want them to think of?
Photo via Kyle For Pittsboro Mayor.
Early voting in Orange County runs from Thursday, October 19, through Saturday, November 4. Election Day will be Tuesday, November 7. For more election coverage and candidate introductions, visit Chapelboro’s Local Election Coverage page.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.
