I am Patrick Barnes and I am writing to announce my plan to seek a second term on the Chatham County Board of County Commissioners. In 2004, I outlined what I thought was needed for Chatham County and what I would do if elected. I would like to review what I have accomplished for you and the people of Chatham County these past three years. I hope you will agree that we have made a lot of progress and that I have kept the promises I made as a candidate.
I promised to work for proactive economic development and job education to prepare Chatham for the future. For a number of years very little had been accomplished. I made sure we restructured the Economic Development Corporation and hired a new director. Currently the EDC is in the midst of completing the County’s first strategic plan for economic growth, http://www.chathamedc.org/. Working with Commissioner Mike Cross and others, I made sure we established the Chatham County Industrial Park in Siler City with plans for a new regional hospital and community college branch at this location. I am particularly proud of the new environmental biotechnology wing at the Pittsboro community college where we offer training in emerging technologies.
I promised to insist that the County implement its existing and already approved plans. While your commissioner, we established a one-year moratorium on residential development to allow us time to review and update our ordinances and procedures. We have added staff to the planning department, hired Chatham’s first erosion control officer, restructured the Planning Board, and passed key ordinance updates to lighting design and stream buffers. Ordinance development committees were established and new and improved policies for commercial development and other standards are almost complete. We have included all interested parties in this work. We are implementing the Land Conservation and Development Plan as promised.
I promised to bring the citizen’s voice back to Chatham government. Getting our fair share when dealing with regional governments such as Cary was one of the main reasons I wanted to be a commissioner. Other regional governments have too long dictated their terms to Chatham on issues of water, sewer, highway construction, land use planning, and annexation. Most recently, along with BOC Chair Lucier, I insisted on Chatham County’s participation in Western Wake County’s design meetings for a large wastewater treatment plant planned for the New Hill area. While Chatham was not initially invited to these meetings, we are there anyway to ensure Chatham’s interests are represented.
Improvements to county services and the development of a capital improvement plan are among the successes of the last three years. A full time county attorney position has been created as promised. The position has begun to serve us well, particularly in our dealings with Cary and other regional governments. Immediate improvements have been made to the Dunlap building to provide the access and delivery of county services (including the health department). Our capital plan calls for a new elementary and high school in NE Chatham, a new library, and a new judiciary building.
I truly believe that “Chatham County will be a place that cooperatively controls its own destiny to assure the state of well-being desired by all of our people, while proudly preserving diverse cultural heritages and the County’s rural character.” * I believe that Chatham County is in a better position now than it was three years ago, but there is more to do. I wish to continue to serve as your commissioner to build on our successes.
I ask for your financial support [Committee to elect Patrick Barnes], your help on my campaign, and most importantly your vote in 2008. Thank you!
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* Adopted Strategic Plan, adopted Land Conservation and Use Plan
Campaign Contacts:
Patrick Barnes,
274 McCoy Road, Apex, NC 27523
919 362-5950
patrickbarnes@bellsouth.net
Larry M. Hicks
919 968-0508
A CONSTRUCTIVE VOICE FOR CHATHAM CITIZENS
