Category Archives: Uncategorized

Spring 2021 Office Hours

Spring is here! It’s a great time for us to get outside and for me to resume my community office hours. Join me and an occasional special guest to talk about all things Carrboro. We will continue to follow the public health guidance by meeting outdoors. I’m looking forward to these opportunities to talk with you in person.

  • Sunday, May 2, 1:00-3:00 pm — ? Martin Luther King Jr Park — Special guest: Chapel Hill Council Member Tai Huynh
  • Wednesday, May 12, 12:00-1:30 pm — ? Gray Squirrel Coffee Company
  • Saturday, June 19, 12:30-2:30 pm — ? Honeysuckle Cafe — Special guest: George Barrett, executive director, Marian Cheek Jackson Center for Saving and Making History

Preview of summer office hours:

  • Saturday, July 17, 11:00 am-1:00 pm — ? Present Day on Main — Special guest: Carrboro Council Member Barbara Foushee

These dates and times may change. Check this page for updates, or follow along on Twitter or Facebook. And feel free to contact me anytime.

Updated June 23, 2021.

Thank You, and a Look Ahead

On November 5, Carrboro voters offered me the privilege of serving a second term on the Board of Aldermen. I am beyond grateful. Thank you.

There is important work ahead for Carrboro in the next few years. I’m looking forward to engaging in this work with all of you and with my colleagues, including Alderperson-elect Susan Romaine, who will join the board on December 3.

Meanwhile, Tuesday’s election didn’t slow things down. Just this week, Mayor Lavelle and I attended a meeting of the Orange County Board of Commissioners to discuss Carrboro’s perspective on the proposed widening of NC 54 west of town. I also gave a presentation to the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee on upcoming transportation projects in Carrboro and Chapel Hill. Today, I attended the Orange County Democratic Party’s annual legislative lunch to rally around a push for statewide change in the critical 2020 election.

There is no shortage of ways to get involved in the issues you care about, both here in Carrboro and around the state. Let’s talk. I continue to hold monthly community office hours to discuss your thoughts about local issues. Drop by my next office hours on Sunday, November 17, between 2:00 and 4:00 pm 12:30 and 2:30 pm at Johnny’s on West Main Street.

For occasional updates (no more than monthly) about Carrboro issues, subscribe to my email list. You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Office Hours With Special Guest James Williams

James Williams

James Williams (Photo: Town of Carrboro)

A new season of office hours begins with special guest James Williams, former chief public defender of Orange and Chatham Counties and currently a member of the executive committee of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP, among other things. Join us on Sunday, September 23, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at Looking Glass Cafe.

James and I will be available to chat about whatever Carrboro issues are on your mind and about the important racial equity work James is doing in Carrboro and beyond. Drop in at any time. We look forward to seeing you.

Plan ahead for my future office hours:

  • Sunday, October 21, 11:45 am-1:00 pm (w/ Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard)
  • Saturday, November 10, 11:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Sunday, December 2, 1:00-3:00 pm

Good News for Carrboro’s Amblers and Pedalers

Late-breaking news from the North Carolina Department of Transportation at this morning’s meeting of the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization: With the completion of the latest statewide prioritization of transportation projects, NCDOT programmed funds for three important pedestrian and bicycle projects in Carrboro.

1. A sidewalk on the north side of Jones Ferry Road from Davie Road to Main Street. This project will complete a large gap in a heavily used portion of Carrboro’s sidewalk network in the most densely populated part of town.

2. A sidewalk on Barnes Street between Jones Ferry Road and King Street. This project will connect residential areas in and around the Lincoln Park and Whispering Hills neighborhoods to the major pedestrian corridor on Jones Ferry Road.

3. And now for the big one: Sidewalks and bike lanes on Estes Drive between N Greensboro Street and the town limit (and continuing to Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in Chapel Hill). This project promises to improve one of Carrboro’s biggest problem areas for pedestrians and cyclists. It will take time for the project to move through public comment, design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction, but we’re finally on the list.

While those of us on the policy-making board of the MPO have the fun of making decisions about which projects to submit for funding, the real work is done by professional staff on the technical committee. This committee includes staff from the Carrboro Planning Department, who worked hard this year (as they do every year) to identify projects that meet our community’s needs and have a strong likelihood of receiving funding. I’d say they’ve had a good year.

Summer Streets, Part One

This weekend, the return of hot weather marked the return of office hours. My special guest was Mayor Lydia Lavelle. We took advantage of the town’s first try at Summer Streets, during which Public Works closed East Weaver Street to traffic for much of the day. As I said on Twitter, there was something downright civilized about closing the street (if just for a little while) and reclaiming the space for people.

Office Hours and Summer Streets With Guest Lydia Lavelle (Photo: Alicia Stemper)

Office hours during Summer Streets 1 with special guest Lydia Lavelle (Photo: Alicia Stemper)

With this temporary pedestrian plaza in place, Lydia and I found a shady, breezy spot in the middle of Weaver Street, and one of us (possibly me) ate blueberry pancakes. Our visitors came to share their thoughts about the impact of new development on Carrboro’s character, questions about policing, and ideas about repairs and upgrades to town facilities.

Mark your calendar for the town’s two remaining Summer Streets events: July 19 and August 23. We would love to receive your feedback. And I might just use those opportunities for more office hours.

2015 Abortion Access Bowl-a-Thon

Photo: Lydia Lavelle

Photo: Lydia Lavelle

Today I participated in a panel discussion at the NCCU School of Law, “Women’s Health Policy in North Carolina and National Trends.” I shared information about the Carolina Abortion Fund‘s work and discussed barriers that North Carolina women face in accessing abortion services.

This is a good opportunity to hit you up for money. I’ve recruited a crack team of Orange County elected officials and one political spouse—The Wrecking Electeds—to participate in the Fourth Annual Abortion Access Bowl-a-Thon. Please help me, Chapel Hill Town Council member Donna Bell, Orange County commissioner Mia Day Burroughs, Carrboro alderwoman Bethany Chaney, Hillsborough commissioner Jennifer Weaver, and superstar Jason James to reach our modest fundraising goal. Just a few dollars will go a long way for this group of first-time bowlers.

Thank you for your support!

Our Special Day Is Near

Friends and Neighbors,

The time has come to see what kind of voter turnout Carrboro can muster for an uncontested special election.

Please remind your friends to vote on Tuesday.

Whatever method you choose to reach people, your recommendation will drive turnout in this unusual election.

All of Carrboro’s normal voting locations will be open Tuesday from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. Voters who are unsure where to vote can find their information on the Orange County Board of Elections website at http://aries.co.orange.nc.us/VoterInformation.aspx.

With gratitude for your support,

Damon

Early Voting Begins

Early voting begins today for the Carrboro special election. Here are the details:

Location for early voting: Orange County Board of Elections at 208 S Cameron Street in historic downtown Hillsborough.

Dates and times for early voting:

  • Thursday, February 28, 9:00 am–5:00 pm
  • Friday, March 1, 9:00 am–5:00 pm
  • Mondays through Fridays, March 4–15, 9:00 am–5:00 pm
  • Saturday, March 16, 9:00 am–1:00 pm

You also have the option to vote on election day, March 19, at your normal voting location in Carrboro. Click here for more voter information.