Will Raymond for Town Council 2007

In 2005, the IndyWeek endorsed my candidacy, this year they didn’t.

Even though I had more experience serving on the Town’s Technology Board, Horace-William’s Citizen Committee and Downtown Parking Task Force, I didn’t expect a nod.

Why not?

Surely my work trying to save the Lincoln Arts Center aligned with the Indy’s charter to promote artistic opportunities for the whole spectrum of our community. I knew challenging the fiscal difficulties Council’s private-public Downtown project, a project whose cost had spiraled out of control from $500,000 to $8,500,000, would be unpopular – but right.

I fought for the Northside neighborhoods continued existence by questioning the assertion that neighborhood gentrification and loss of minority owned business wouldn’t accelerate because of the Greenbridge development. We’re already seeing the Northside dominoes tumble. Beyond extensively documenting the Rogers Road issue, I said Council had an obligation to make that community whole. On the environment, I called for stronger protections, measurable policies and our Town to “practice what we preach”.

Wasn’t this the kind of activism the Indy usually finds notable?

For all that, I knew I had no chance of an endorsement – inside the beltway politics would make sure I was bumped.

I was willing to accept that as a consequence of trying to do what Martin Luther King, Jr. counseled ( “there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right.” )

Chapel Hill’s current political clique is small and effective. I had questioned the Emperor’s wardrobe too many times. Those endorsements were dead in the water.

What I didn’t expect was the Indy to fabricate a criticism.

… his support for further development at Eastgate shopping center, which was built over Booker Creek in an environmentally sensitive conservation district.

This is the Indy, for gosh sakes. I’ve read it from its first story onward. It won the Spectator war based on solid, progressive journalism.

If they were going to knock me, why not use any of the many issues – advocacy on behalf of hands-on arts, bridging the digital divide, economic development, simple Downtown revitalization strategies, a new budget process, open governance or any of the others – I’ve brought before Council.

But saying I wanted to damage Booker Creek further?

That’s counter to what I’ve fought for these last 5 years.

A little homework would’ve easily shown my concern for our Town’s watercourses. My call for additional protections would be more than evident. In 2005, I made improving their lot a part of my platform, (supposedly reviewed by the then Indy endorsement team).

Heck, the Sierra Club even mentioned it in their endorsement 2 years ago as one of my strengths!

Will Raymond has been one of the most outspoken and effective citizen activists in Chapel Hill in recent years. We look forward to him using his talents to advocate for the environment as a member of Town Council. In particular we are excited about his initiatives to promote energy efficiency in town buildings. He will also work to protect lesser known creeks in the Chapel Hill area and to minimize the number of single occupancy vehicles causing air pollution and traffic congestion at Carolina North.

Nothing I wrote in the Indy questionnaire, on CitizenWill or even OrangePolitics could be construed as a call to build environmentally insensitive developments on Booker Creek.

Quite the opposite.

I’ve suggested that any redevelopment on that stretch of Booker Creek come with a strong requirement to strengthen protections.

Mark M.- Yes, I know Eastgate, in terms of the watershed, would be better off dredged up and buried (somewhere within the county one supposes). Sans that solution (and not wanting to disappoint all those folks pre-waiting Trader Joes arrival), what could be done to improve the watershed and increase the commercial potential of what’s currently a strip mall wasteland?

Would it be possible over time, for instance, to encourage redevelopment facing the creek and enhancing what has become a drainage ditch back to a more natural and inviting watercourse?

I did mention Eastgate in that questionnaire in context of what will arguably be the “greenest” development our Town has ever approved:

While I celebrated Greenbridge’s developer’s commitment to build a stunningly green (though less so now) development, I was one of a few citizens that questioned its location. Greenbridge at University Square, Conner Drive, Eastgate – no problem. Greenbridge adjacent to Northside – big problem.

Surely Greenbridge’s Tim Toben and crew, when faced with improving upon Booker Creek while developing a showcase “green” building, would take on the challenge.

Finally, I’d like to thank everyone that has dropped me a line expressing their surprise (and Fred for his OP comment).

Sure, I’m disappointed that the Indy stumbled here but I don’t plan to drop them from my weekly required reading.