Two more candidates are in the running for county commissioner. Incumbent Brenda Howerton filed for re-election on Thursday and Larry Wayne Dixon, a newcomer to Durham politics, filed Friday.

They bring the field to seven, running for the five Board of County Commissioners positions. Incumbent Ellen Reckhow has also filed, along with challengers Dilcy Burton, Anita Daniels-Kenney, Wendy Jacobs and Will Wilson.

Durham NAACP President Fred Foster has registered a campaign committee for a try at a commissioner's seat, but has not filed as a candidate. Neighborhood organizer Steve Hopkins has announced his intention to run, but also has not filed.

Candidate filing ends at noon Wednesday.

Candidates continue to file for state and local races in Orange County this week.

Current Chapel Hill Town Council member Penny Rich filed to run for county commissioner Dist. 1 seat, challenging incumbent Pam Hemminger.

State Sen. Ellie Kinnaird filed to run for reelection.

Republican W. Lewis Hannah Jr. filed to run against Commissioner Valerie Foushee  and Republican Rod Chaney for the N.C House of Representatives Dist. 50 seat.

Republican Mary Carter filed to run against Commissioner Chairwoman Bernadette Pelissier for the at-large county commissioner seat.

Current Board of Education member Tony McKnight joined incumbent Stephen Halklotis and Lawrence Sanders to run for the Orange County Board of Education.

As Durham's City Council and county commissioners worked through next year's budgets this week, some differences of opinion have emerged.

For example, over the Neighborhood College program -- a formerly twice-yearly course for Bull Citizens on how local government works. Some council members were not amused that the county has withdrawn its funding for next spring's term.

Mayor Pro Tem Cora Cole-McFadden wondered whether to bring the matter up at the next joint meeting of commissioners and council members.

"The county's just not committed to it," Councilman Mike Woodard said. "It's not fair for us to staff it without county help."

City Manager Tom Bonfield's recommended budget provides $3,000 for a class this fall.

"We need to show [the county] the value of investing in our citizens," Woodard said.

To which Council Member Diane Catotti responded, "Sounds like they're blowing them off on a regular basis, these days."

When Bull's Eye asked, Catotti declined to elaborate.