Louie Rivers III, a social science advisor for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and former professor, announced his bid for the Chapel Hill Town Council this week. Rivers is one of six candidates who have announced bids for the four available seats on the council this fall.

“Since the last presidential election, I have become increasingly concerned if Chapel Hill is ready for an uncertain future,” Rivers told Chapelboro, noting that the federal and state governments may be less willing to support the town as in years past. “I think that I have the relevant expertise and the temperament to work with other members of the council, town staff and the broader Chapel Hill community to make sure that our community is getting ready for the future.”

In addition to his work with the EPA, Rivers has served on the town’s Planning Commission and with the Booker Creek Watershed working group. Prior to joining the EPA, Rivers was a professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State University for nine years and in the Environmental Science program at Michigan State University for five years. He holds a master’s degree and a doctorate in natural resources management and policy from Ohio State University.

Rivers described his leadership style as “collaborative and inclusive,” citing his prior experience in local governance as a key factor in his decision to run.

“It is important that people know that they will be taken seriously in Chapel Hill governance and that they can influence local decision processes,” Rivers said. “For many people, town governance is a bit of a black box. I want to open up that black box and make participation in Chapel Hill government easier for busy people with limited bandwidth.”

For more information on who is running for local seats around the Orange and Chatham County communities, click here.

 

Featured image via Louie Rivers III

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