Planning board member vies for Board of Aldermen Seat

If you're a voter in Carrboro, you can expect to see a little more of Board of Aldermen candidate Sammy Slade on his bicycle with a flier.  

Sharon Cook, an unsuccessful 2007 candidate for the Board of Aldermen, filed Thursday afternoon.

 Before Cook filed, Slade had an easier shot to succeed retiring Alderman (and Mayor Pro Tem) John Herrera. 

 Herrera threw his support behind Slade when he announced his retirement several weeks ago.

 You may remember seeing Cook's name in the news recently. As a member of the planning board, she had proposed a text amendment to the Carrboro Land Use Ordinance that would affect farms.

 Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton has all but dismissed Cook as a rabble-rouser. He has said Cook and others "continually disparage the town... claiming Carrboro is 'anti-farm.'" Chilton has also said Cook's motives were to provide "campaign fodder for her next campaign."

Cook, 55, and Slade, 34, are the two challengers (although filing doesn't close until noon) for three seats up for re-election. Herrera is not seeking re-election, but incumbents Jacquelyn Gist and Randee Haven-O'Donnell have already filed.

 Chilton is also seeking a third-term. So far, one challenger, Amanda Ashley, has filed to run for mayor.