I voted early for Mark Dorosin for Orange County commissioner. It was an easy decision.

Mark is ideally suited to serve our community on the county board. He has been an effective advocate for those who can least protect themselves, owned a local business, and served on the Carrboro Board of Aldermen. I really got to know Mark when we were on that board together. He is committed, creative, hard working, and brings a sense of humor that helps ease the way to getting things done.

Join me in in voting against Amendment One and for Mark Dorosin as county commissioner.

Allen Spalt

Carrboro

Paul the only option

It is very important for Republicans to consider which candidate will do the best job of repairing our economy. In this respect, Ron Paul is the clear choice.

Other candidates will allow our overgrown government to interfere in our lives, but Paul understands the importance of keeping taxes low and maintaining freedom for businesses and citizens. If we value such American principles as liberty and self-determination, Ron Paul is the only option.

Peter Olson

Chapel Hill

Dorosin cares

I met Mark Dorosin at the UNC School of Law, where he teaches a seminar on civil and political rights. His class and other work at the UNC Center for Civil Rights convinced me that he cares deeply about making the political process more inclusive.

His teaching showed me that he could lead discussions among diverse students, listen carefully and respectfully, and ask questions that advanced the conversation in ways no one else could. I know that his participation on the Orange County Board of Commissioners would be equally productive.

In addition, Mark has the business experience of running a successful bar in Chapel Hill and working at the Self-Help Credit Union. He is committed to promoting economic growth in Orange County without ignoring the quality of life that is so important to everyone here. Listening to him discuss his goals for the county has been informative and persuasive.

Christopher J. Heaney

Chapel Hill

Re-elect Hemminger

Since Pam Hemminger has been in office:

There has been no tax increase in 3 years.

More environmentally sensitive land has been protected.

Board of County Commissioners meetings have been video streamed

But above all, Pam has worked hard to ensure that our schools are fully funded, even as the state has continued to cut education funding.

Please join us in returning her to the BOCC and making sure that education funding/support stays a top priority.

On May 8, please vote to re-elect Pam Hemminger to the BOCC.

Laura and Cosby Dudley

Chapel Hill

An accessible leader

I have direct experience working with Pam Hemminger on the school improvement committee at Carbboro High School. I observed Pam work the issues, contribute thoughtful feedback, listen to parent input, gather information and make informed decision as a Chapel Hill Carrboro school board member.

For the last three years she has been accessible and willing to learn about the provision of emergency medical services in Orange County. I have also worked directly with Pam first as member of the South Orange Rescue Squad Board of Directors and for the past two years as board chair for the all-volunteer organization. She has been willing to not only listen to shared concerns in the community, but also be involved with the process of fact finding and seeking resolutions. Her hallmark with me has been her desire to act and be responsive. This is the kind of leader we need as a county commissioner.

Pam has reached out into the community to talk with individuals and groups about common concerns. Pam has worked on town boards for over 14 years, she has volunteered in the schools for 20 years, served on the CHCCS School Board for four years, and served our community in many positive ways through many different organizations. She makes a difference for each us that live in Orange County. Let’s return her to leadership in our county.

Jacques E. Morin

Chapel Hill

Passionate leadership

One of the themes of Mark Dorosin’s campaign is “A fair county and a county fair.” He wants economic development that puts the people of the county first and keeps the money local as much as possible. If Amendment One passes Mark will seek to direct the county to continue to recognize domestic partnerships. Mark proposes developing a county fair to celebrate our diversity and our music and arts and local foods communities.

Mark is the father of three children in the local public schools, a former Carrboro alderman and local business owner, and currently the managing attorney at the UNC Center for Civil Rights. To this experience in our community Mark brings a passion and leadership much needed on economic development and our schools. I am confident that Mark will finally move us forward decisively on issues such as solid waste and public transit.

What impresses me most about Mark is his sense of wanting to make participation in local government meaningful and even fun and inspiring for people. I don’t know what more we could ask for.

Join me in voting for Mark Dorosin for county commissioner.

Steve Dear

Chapel Hill

Dorosin, Rich

Please join me in electing Mark Dorosin and Penny Rich to the Orange County Board of Commissioners.

Our county is facing important challenges, including crucial decisions on regional transit, solid waste, and economic development. Both Mark and Penny will bring dynamic, progressive, visible leadership to county government in a way that engages people in the work of our community. Also, as the only candidates who have served as elected officials at the town level, Mark and Penny will bring an important perspective that is often lacking in county government.

Support a progressive Orange County. Vote for Dorosin and Rich and against Amendment One on May 8.

Damon Seils

Carrboro

Romney the

best choice

With our primary impending, other readers have surely gleaned that Mitt Romney is the clear frontrunner. What has been missing is an explanation of why Romney is the best choice.

It is easy to understand Romney’s appeal if one examines the candidates’ stances on the economy. What our nation needs right now is business growth and job creation, which Romney has made a priority both in his time in government and in the private sector. It’s time we unite around Mitt Romney.

Fred Palmer

Chapel Hill

Progressives

Local politics can be difficult to follow, given the minimal media coverage and (fortunate) lack of political party involvement. Friends often ask me for my advice about how to vote in sleepy local elections such as this year’s Orange County Commissioners race.

I can’t in good conscience endorse any of the incumbents. The current board seems to have invented a new form of government in which the staff sets policies, and then elected officials occasionally have misinformed or irrelevant discussions about them after the manager has already implemented his decision.

I strongly endorse Mark Dorosin and Penny Rich in District 1. Both will bring good ideas and real leadership to the Board of Orange County Commissioners. In District 2, I support Renee Price who will be a better advocate for progressive policies than the incumbent. If you live in Hillsborough or rural Orange County, you will also be selecting three school board members. I recommend giving a vote to Lawrence Sanders who will bring thoughtful enthusiasm to the job. And there can be no doubt that Valerie Foushee is the best choice for N.C. House in every way. I’m happy to say that The Independent Weekly agrees, and endorsed all of these candidates as well.

If you enjoy living in one of the most open-minded and forward-thinking counties in North Carolina, as I do, I hope you will join me in voting for these hard-working progressive leaders. And if you have your own ideas about who people should vote for, I hope you will join the conversation at bit.ly/IMAiG8.

Ruby Sinreich

Chapel Hill

No bailouts

for Paul

Rep. Ron Paul offers the only responsible choice for restoring our state and nation to greatness.

While both President Obama and Gov. Romney have supported bailouts and unaffordable health care plans, only Ron Paul has stood steadfast in his commitment to free enterprise. Paul will eliminate our foreign entanglements that have plundered American blood and treasure. And only Paul is committed to ending the “nanny state” that seeks to have government dictate every aspect of our lives. Our economy and our country can only be restored when government gives individuals back responsibility for their own lives.

I urge everyone reading this to vote for Ron Paul.

Michael Thompson

Chapel Hill

Our conception

As we enter another divisive campaign season, it is well to remember how this government was conceived.

First, many of the founders were deists, not Christian, including George Washington, ThomasJefferson, Ben Franklin, Tom Paine and Ethan Allen. The constitution was not based on biblical scripture, but on Philosophies of the Enlightment as well as ancient Greek and Roman law. Their deliberations are well documented in their writings.

Second, the Constitution states explicitly in article VI, “no religious test shall ever be required as a Qualfication to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” Voters were expected to apply reason rather than political or religious dogma and irresponsible rhetoric in making choices. To do otherwise undermines the freedom, equality, and diversity that makes this country exceptional.

Vote and vote wisely.

Barbara Dennis

Chapel Hill