Durham Committee says No! to tax

The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People is officially and “overwhelmingly” opposed to Durham County’s proposed 1-percent prepared-food tax, committee chairwoman Lavonia Allison said today.

“There was long, long discussion,” Allison said. “Plenty of discussion.”

The tax would primarily pay for recreational amenities such as museums and parks, and for some marketing, beautification and workforce training.

Its food-tax position was one item among the committee’s endorsements for the Nov. 4 general election. The endorsements came after a week of candidate interviews and approval by the membership this weekend.

The committee endorsed the Democratic presidential ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and U.S. Senate candidate Kay Hagan, by acclamation. For governor, it supports Democrat Bev. Perdue and for U.S. House, district four, incumbent Democrat David Price.

In legislative races, the committee endorsed incumbents Bob Atwater for state senate district 18; Floyd B. McKissick Jr. for senate district 20; Larry D. Hall for house district 29; Paul Luebke for house district 30; and H.M. “Mickey” Michaux” for house district 31.

Allison said only candidates who requested interviews with the committee were considered for endorsement, whether or not they had opposition.

She was particularly enthusiastic about Danielle Adams, who is running for soil and water conservation district supervisor.

"A bright young lady who ... taught us something about soil and water conservation that we all need to be aware of," Allison said.

Allison also said that, because this year's ballot is very long, voters should be careful to fill out both sides.

Here are the Durham Committee's other endorsements:

Lieutenant Governor: Walter H. Dalton
Attorney General: Roy Cooper
State Auditor: Beth A. Wood
Agriculture commissioner: James Ronald Ansley
Insurance commissioner: Wayne Goodwin
Labor commissioner: Mary Fant Donnan
Secretary of State: Elaine F. Marshall
Superintentent of Public Instruction: June St. Clair Atkinson
State Treasurer: Janet Cowell
District Attorney, Dist. 14: Tracey Cline
NC Senate, Dist. 18: Bob Atwater
NC Senate, Dist 20: Floyd B. McKissick Jr.
NC House, Dist. 29: Larry D. Hall
NC House, Dist. 30: Paul Luebke
NC House, Dist. 31: H.M. "Mickey" Michaux
Durham Co. Commissioners: Joe W. Bowser, Brenda Howerton, Michael D. Page
Durham Co. Register of Deeds: Willie L. Covington
NC Supreme Court, Assoc. Justice: Suzanne Reynolds
NC Court of Appeals, Wynn seat: James A. "Jim" Wynn
NC Court of Appeals, Tyson seat: Sam J. Ervin IV
NC Court of Appeals, McCullough seat: Cheri Beasley
NC Court of Appeals, Stephens seat: Linda Stephens
NC Court of Appeals, Arrowood seat: John S. Arrowood
District Court Judge, Dist. 13: William A. Marsh III