Pittsboro has only two contested races on the Nov. 2 ballot, but it’s the one for mayor which may give voters a double-take: it pits former Mayor Cindy Perry, who gave up the seat in 2019 to endorse the man she’s facing — incumbent Mayor Jim Nass. Here's more on Perry's campaign:
Full name: Cynthia (Cindy) Sax Perry
Date/place of birth: 7/29/1947, Pearl River, NY
Current occupation: Attorney, Retired
Campaign website/social media: Facebook: Cindy Perry for Mayor 2021
Family (names & ages, as of Election Day, of immediate family members): Husband: Dan Perry; Adult Children: Ward, Hally and Cynthia
Party affiliation: Municipal elections are non-partisan. I am an active Democrat.
Current and previous elected offices held or sought & terms of service: Mayor of Pittsboro 2015-2019, Candidate for Chatham County School Board in late 1970’s
I am seeking this office because I care deeply about the Town of Pittsboro and its people. Pittsboro is grappling with growth issues around infrastructure, water quality, environmental concerns and affordable housing, and these require strong leadership and diplomacy. I am confident that my legal and political experience will help Pittsboro thrive.
The Mayor assists in setting the agenda and conducts Board of Commissioners Meetings. The Mayor is the spokesperson for Pittsboro initiatives, news and celebrations with the citizens and the broader community.I am qualified to fill that role because I did so from 2015-2019 with success and the spirit of unity and respect.
In 2019 I was pleased that Jim Nass was interested in running for Mayor. I wanted to devote time to other community work, such as serving on the Board of Second Bloom, our domestic violence agency. In recent months, numerous citizens urged me to run again. I realized that I sincerely missed my work as Mayor. As I am completing my Board service with Second Bloom, I am ready to return to local government.
Pittsboro voters will do that.
My fiscal philosophy is conservative taxation and conservative spending. It is important for Pittsboro’s ad valorem tax rate to remain low enough to fund infrastructure improvements and be competitive with other communities. Eventually, tax revenues from Chatham Park will allow the Town to have greater resources for staff, facilities and plans that are currently beyond our means. Until that income comes to fruition, we will need to do extensive master planning to be prepared when the income allows those expenditures to be made. I favor funding through State and Federal grants and programs in order to keep our tax rate low. I am in favor of State action on water quality so that our ratepayers will not shoulder the burden of installing costly drinking water filtration devices to resolve issues created upstream.
The health of our children is my first priority. There is no issue of greater importance. First, we must complete comprehensive protections for our children and vulnerable populations. The current $2+ million dollar expenditures for the Town’s water plant do not remove 1,4 Dioxane, a suspected carcinogen. By the end of this year expenditures will reduce PFOS and PFOA, but not 1,4 Dioxane. We cannot wait for State funding for additional improvements to our drinking water system. We must work creatively to fund crucial improvements to our drinking water, and simultaneously get the State and upstream communities to recognize this unconscionable predicament. Once the State has recognized and funded the cost of our improvements, we can shift town resources to other important initiatives.
Chatham Park was approved in March of 2015 before I became Mayor in December of that year. Given that approval, I have worked to fine-tune details of the development, overseeing the Board’s review, revision and passage of Additional Elements. Those Elements involve environmental protections in open space, parks, tree protection and infrastructure. My philosophy is to advocate for the best protections for Chatham Park’s development, since it will impact “legacy Pittsboro” in many significant ways, especially our environment and our eclectic small downtown businesses.
Town staff turned over after my terms ended. I have had limited interactions with Chris Kennedy, the new Town Manager, but on each occasion he has impressed me with his well-informed advocacy for our Town. Other than these observations, it would not be appropriate for me to evaluate the Manager, since he serves at the pleasure of the Board of Commissioners.
(1). Increase water quality protections through State assistance and appropriate penalties on upstream dischargers; and
(2). Institute Climate-Saving-Initiatives.
I disagree that the Mayor is a figurehead for the Town. The Mayor is a vital and visible representative of the Town. The Mayor conducts Town Board Meetings, assists in agenda development, is the chief spokesperson for the Town in the public and press, and the Town’s representative at state and national meetings. For example, I served as the Town’s representative at the 2018 Chicago Mayors’ Climate Conference that gave our Town an amazing amount of press and recognition.The principles I have brought and will bring to the job are: as an attorney, I bring the principles of speaking in conformity with the law and facts. As the former Mayor, I bring the principle of experience being the best teacher. As a long-time resident, I bring the constituent contacts and relationships that give me the principles of keen leadership.
Downtown businesses, Warm and welcoming community, Community Artists and Non-profit Agencies
Communication with citizens and Infrastructure improvements, especially water quality, and affordable housing
I will remain active with our community and government.