Everybody has to know that it is election season. Candidates for national or statewide office seem to be able to raise huge amounts of money. Behind all that cash is the implication of at least access to the politician, if not outright influence by donors. But the average person interested in public service is intimidated by the prospect of essentially begging for money to run a campaign, as well as all the "baggage" that comes with these contributions.

Public service seems to require a wealthy candidate or a person willing to sell their souls (votes) to special-interest groups. Fortunately, Chapel Hill is moving in a different direction with the adoption in June by the Town Council of an ordinance establishing a pilot public campaign financing program for the 2009 and 2011elections. This means that potential candidates for public office in Chapel Hill can benefit from this measure and they need to start planning now. Next year will be here soon.

Rules require candidates for the Town Council or mayor who seek public funding to comply with the b ordinance that limits spending as well as fundraising. Applicants will need to demonstrate a significant level of support from the public by getting relatively small contributions from a modest number of Chapel Hill voters.

Council candidates will need to get $750 from at least 75 contributors while citizens running for mayor are required to get $1,500 from at least 150 donors to qualify for public funding.

Council candidates can get $3,000 and those in the race for mayor can get $9,000 in public money to spend in the election. There are limitations on how much total money can be collected by those who qualify. Local politicians generally agree that candidates can conduct an adequate campaign at this funding level.

Potential benefits of this plan include attracting more and more diverse candidates for each position, which has been the case in other cities using this system. It also serves to protect

the integrity of the election process. Participation is optional and not mandated.

It would also counter the influence of special-interest groups such as those that spent more than $200,000 in Orange County to defeat a land

transfer tax. What was not said in that referendum was that the state is forcing local governments to find new sources of money to pay for new schools, some roads, parks and other infrastructure. Very few people advocate tax increases but we need to remember that we live in one of the most prosperous parts of this state and the United States. This reminds me of the statement attributed to the Jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes, "I like to pay taxes. With them I buy civilization."

Another direct benefit of publicly funded elections is that it will produce policies that reflect the will of the people, not just wealthy donors or lobbyists.

This plan has succeeded in this state in judicial elections and has also worked well in Portland Ore., and Albuquerque N.M. Now is the time for you, if you want to be a participant in Chapel Hill government and not just a critical spectator, to run for public office. You do not have the "I can't afford it" excuse any more. In fact you can thank the current Town Council for making it possible for more people to challenge them in the next election!