Conversations with the Mayors (97.9 The Hill)

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, May 28, discussing town news and events. She gave updates on the town budget, including the timeline for the budget's likely passage. She also talked about the town's long on going rewrite of the Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO), which will become a council focus going into the summer. She also previewed some upcoming events, the reopening of a town swimming facility, and more. The post Chapel Hill: Budget Updates, LUMO, Upcoming Events appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, May 27, discussing county news and events. She discussed the recent movement on the budget, which as seen a flurry of amendments as commissioners and staff try to reconcile some tough budget choices without raising property taxes. She also previewed the upcoming public hearing on the budget, reviewed Memorial Day events in our community, and more. The post Orange County: Budget Amendments, Memorial Day, Upcoming Public Hearing appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, May 22, discussing town news and events. She talked about the upcoming Freight Train Blues concert, which was moved indoors to the Drakeford Library Complex due to threatening weather. She also gave an update on the town's budget, which recommends cuts to non-profits and other financial pressures, leading some council members to consider a tax increase. She talked about the budget timeline and more. The post Carrboro: Budget Pressures, Budget Timeline, Freight Train Blues appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, May 21, discussing town news and events. She gave an update on the town budget after a public hearing earlier in the week. She also discussed updates to the town's climate action plan, and incentives package for Blue Sky Robotics to bring 150 jobs to their headquarters downtown. She also talked about the upcoming Memorial Day holiday and more. The post Chapel Hill: Budget Updates, Climate Action Plan, 150 Jobs Downtown appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, May 19, discussing town news and events. He talked about the latest budget conversations for the town, which include the town board asking the town manager for a tax increase. He discussed the timeline for the updated budget, other upcoming town events, and more. The post Hillsborough: Budget Update, Tax Increase, Water and Sewer appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, May 15, discussing town news and events. She gave an update on the town's proposed budget, which does not call for a tax increase, but does have funding cuts for nonprofits, and other financial pressure points for the community and local governments. She also talked about some climate action funds that are available, and more. She also previewed some upcoming community events and more. The post Carrboro: Budget Update, Funding Cuts to Nonprofits, Climate Action appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, January 22, discussing town news and events. She talked about the upcoming winter weather and the preparations being made as the town expects snow and ice over the weekend. She also discussed the most recent town council meeting which saw the passage of amendments to the town's Land Use Management Ordinance. She talked about UNC's announced plans for the Carolina North campus, and more. The post Chapel Hill: Storm Prep, LUMO, Carolina North appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, January 16, discussing town news and events. She discussed participation in a protest march in Carrboro last weekend. She also outlined the Poet's Party at the Drakeford Library Complex, as well as previewing next weekend's Carrboro Film Fest at the same location. She also previewed several Martin Luther King, Jr. Day activities in our community, and more. The post Carrboro: Protests, Poet’s Party, MLK Preview appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, January 16, discussing town news and events. She shared discussions from the town council's two day retreat last weekend, which included budget talks and more. She also talked about the town's launch of their newly designed website which went live on Thursday. She previewed upcoming weekend events including Martin Luther King, Jr. memorials and more. The post Chapel Hill: Council Retreat, New Website Launch, MLK Day appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, January 14, discussing county news and events. She previewed next week's meeting of the Orange County Commissioners, which will be their first gathering of the year. She also talked about the upcoming Orange County Government Academy, which is currently taking applications. She discussed the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, and more. The post Orange County: Preview of Upcoming Meeting, Orange County Government Academy, MLK Day appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, January 13, discussing town news and events. He talked about the business of the most recent board of commissioners meeting, which saw a rezoning request for Oakdale Village, and more. He also discussed some upcoming utility work that will close a section of Corbin Street, as well as a New  Years Eve automobile accident that saw a cemetery wall damaged on Corbin Street, and more. The post Hillsborough: Oakdale Village Rezone, Utility Work, Cemetery Wall Damaged appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, January 8, discussing town news and events. She talked about the town returning to a more normal schedule after the holidays. They both discussed the challenges around signing kids up for summer camp in the Chapel Hill area. She also talked about the town council meeting from this week which included discussion of amendments for the town's Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO), and more. The post Chapel Hill: LUMO, Summer Camp, Upcoming Events appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, January 6, discussing town news and events. He talked about the town's sewer pump station near the Eno River coming fully back online for the first time since Tropical Depression Chantal. He also talked about the process of getting the BRIC funding to have that pump station moved. He looked ahead to the new year for the town, and more. The post Hillsborough: Sewer Pump Station, BRIC Funding, New Year appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, December 18, discussing town news and events. She recapped the recent meeting of Metro Mayors, which was hosted by Chapel Hill. She also took a look back at some of the major stories for the community, including Tropical Storm Chantal, and more. She also reported that the Homestead Skate Park has reopened after being closed for upgrades. The post Chapel Hill: Metro Mayors Recap, Look Back at 2025, Skate Park Opens appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, December 16, discussing town news and events. He discussed the ongoing saga around BRIC funding for local communities, including Hillsborough. He also talked about some recent holiday events, the upcoming Solstice Lantern Walk, and more. The post Hillsborough: BRIC Settlement, Holiday Events, Solstice Walk appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, December 5, discussing town news and events. She outlined the most recent Carrboro Town Council meeting in which the council chose a new Mayor Pro Tem, had a resolution recognizing outgoing council member Randi Haven-O'Donnell, and swore in newly elected members. She also talked about the Carrboro tree lighting this weekend, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade, and more. The post Carrboro: Council Meeting, Holiday Events, Braxton Foushee Day of Service appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell discusses an upcoming town board meeting, ongoing storm recovery, and future holiday events. The post Hillsborough: Chantal Recovery, ICE in the Triangle, and Holiday Events appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford speaks with 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, Nov. 26. Ahead of her rotating off as board chair, Bedford shares her plans to run for re-election in District 1, as well as shares the other candidates she knows so far. She also discusses what she can […] The post Orange County: CITEL Deal, Finishing Board Chair Duties and Filing Period appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Bell joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, Nov. 25 to detail news around town. The post Hillsborough: Fourth Amendment Rights, Urban Service Boundary and Holiday Service appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, November 21, discussing town news and events. She discussed the most recent meeting of the town council, including the passage of the Downtown Area Plan. She also talked about the recent presence of federal immigration officials in the Triangle, and a resolution passed by the town council in response to that. She also recalled Thursday's ceremony inducting Braxton Foushee into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and more. The post Carrboro: Downtown Area Plan Passes, Supporting Immigrant Communities, Braxton Foushee Honored appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, November 20, discussing town news and events. She discussed the latest on federal immigration action in the community, which as seen no documented cases of arrests in Orange County so far. She also updated the latest from the town council, which included proclamation, a LUMO vote being put off until January, a change to a housing development that will add money to the town's affordable housing fund, and more. The post Chapel Hill: Federal Immigration Action Update, Town Council Meeting Recap, Upcoming Events appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, November 19. She discussed the reaction to federal immigration officers in the Triangle area, including a statement read at the commissioners' meeting last night. She also talked about a development proposal off NC 86 which was denied by the board. She discussed a facilities upgrade plan, previewed upcoming community events, and more. The post Orange County: Reaction to ICE, Development Denied, Facilities Upgrade appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, November 18, discussing town news and events. He talked about reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers being in Hillsborough. He also clarified the town's use of license plate reading technology, previewed some upcoming community events, and more. The post Hillsborough: ICE in The Triangle, Plate Readers, Community Events appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Carrboro Mayor Pro Tem Danny Nowell spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Friday, November 14, filling in for Mayor Barbara Foushee. He discussed the most recent Town Council meeting, which saw discussion of the town’s Unified Development Ordinance, which dovetailed into a discussion of the downtown area plan. He also talked about leaf […] The post Carrboro: Unified Development Ordinance and the Downtown Area Plan appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, November 13, discussing town news and events. She discussed the highlights from the Chapel Hill Town Council meeting from earlier in the week, including an update to the town's formal petition process. She also talked about the Gap in SNAP funding and the ways in which the community came together to fill those gaps. She also previewed upcoming events and more. The post Chapel Hill: Town Council Meeting Recap, Filling the SNAP Gap, and More appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, November 12, discussing county news and events. She talked about the commissioners recent discussion of rural land use. She outlined a plan to sell vacant park land off Millhouse road to a recreation non-profit. She discussed Veterans Day activities in the community, an upcoming "repair cafe" coming to the Whitted Building, and more. The post Orange County: Rural Land Use, Selling Vacant Park Land, Veterans Day appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, November 11, discussing town news and events. He discussed Veteran's Day, and his participation in an Orange County event earlier in the day. He also discussed cold weather shelters and a food distribution event from last weekend. He talked about the installation UPROAR art in the town's sculpture garden, and more. The post Hillsborough: Veterans Day, Cold Weather, UPROAR Art Installed appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, November 7, discussing town news and events. She recapped Tuesday's municipal election, which saw her reelected to a second term. She also discussed continued uncertainty around federal food benefits amid the government shutdown. She talked about ongoing community outreach efforts around the Downtown Area Plan, upcoming events in Carrboro, and more. The post Carrboro: Election Recap, Food Distribution, Downtown Area Plan appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, November 6, discussing town news and events. She talked about election night, which saw two town councilmembers earn reelection and the election of two first time councilmembers. She also talked about upcoming food distribution events and ongoing effects to community members. She discussed the town's trails reopening several months early after storm damage. She also previewed several upcoming town events and more. The post Chapel Hill: Election Night, Food Access, Trails Reopen appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, November 5, discussing county news and events. She discussed election results from Tuesday's municipal elections, the ongoing uncertainty around food benefits and resources in our community, and the various Veterans Day recognitions happening in our community, and more. The post Orange County: Election Reactions, Food Resources, Veterans Day appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, November 4, discussing town news and events. He discussed election day in Hillsborough, which will result in his election to a second term as mayor as he is running unopposed. He discussed what he is proud of and what lessons he learned during his first term. He also discussed his vision for Hillsborough during his second. He also shared positive feedback he's heard since the board voted to cancel their contract with Flock Safety, and more. The post Hillsborough: Reelection Night for Mark Bell, Reaction to Plate Reader Cancelation appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, October 30 discussing town news and events. She talked about Halloween in our community, with the Chapel Hill Downtown Halloween expected to continue its trend of being a low key event. She also talked about a housing summit from last week as the town continues to understand the needs of its housings stock. She also discussed food resource opportunities as the threat of federal food benefits ending looms on Saturday. She recognize Dale May as this year's Cal Horton Award Winner, and more. The post Chapel Hill: Halloween Night Downtown, Housing Summit, Food Resources appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, October 28, discussing town news and events. He recapped the town board of commissioners meeting from Monday night, which saw the board go into closed session to discuss their contract with Flock Safety, who they had contracted to install video license plate readers in town. The board decided to cancel the contract, which they did in open session after concluding the closed session. He discussed the rationale for that choice and the process. He also recapped the River Park Concert, and more. The post Hillsborough: Cancelling License Plate Readers appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, October 24, discussing town news and events. She discussed the latest on the Downtown Area Plan, including some increased community outreach efforts. She discussed a clean financial report for the town from the previous fiscal year, discussed early voting in Carrboro at the Drakeford Library Complex, and more. The post Carrboro: Downtown Area Plan, Financial Report, Early Voting appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chape Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, October 23, discussing town news and events. She discussed early voting, which began in Chapel Hill today. She talked about the latest on the continued Land Use Management Ordinance rewrite, gave an update on the vacant town council seat, talked about the upcoming Festifall market, and more. The post Chapel Hill: Early Voting, LUMO Update, Vacant Council Seat appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, October 22, discussing county news and events. She discussed early voting in Orange County, which expands tomorrow to additional location in southern Orange County. She also shared details from this week's Board of Commissioners Meeting, including the latest on an interlocal agreement on schools, an update on rural broadband, a design for the new Crisis Diversion Center, and more. The post Orange County: Early Voting Continues, Interlocal Agreement on Schools, Broadband Update appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, October 21, discussing town news and events. He discussed early voting for the upcoming municipal election, with Hillsborough hosting the only early voting spot in Orange County for the first several days. He also discussed a closure of an exit off of I-40 as part of the ongoing widening project on that road. He previewed this weekend's River Park Concert, and more. The post Hillsborough: Early Voting, Exit Closed, River Park Concert appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, October 17, discussing town news and events. She talked about the recent work session for the town council, which included discussion of the Unified Development Ordinance rewrite, and more. She also previewed this weekend's West End Poetry Festival in Carrboro, a delay in trash collection, and more. The post Carrboro: Unified Development Ordinance, West End Poetry, Trash Collection appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, October 16, discussing town news and events. She talked about the town finding a way to open some of the greenways damaged by this summer's flooding, while the repairs are ongoing. She also previewed some upcoming events in the community, including the town's Festifall Markets, the beginning of the early voting period for our municipal elections, and more. The post Chapel Hill: Trails Reopen, Festifall Markets, Early Voting appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, October 15, discussing county news and events.  She talked about the start of early voting in Orange County, which gets underway tomorrow. She also shared updates from the county's fire departments from last night's board of commissioners meeting, as well as an update on the Land Use 2050 plan, and more. The post Orange County: Early Voting, Fire Department Update, Land Use 2050 appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, October 14, discussing town news and events. He talked about the county's Land Use 2050 Plan, and how there are some areas that may be at issue for Hillsborough. He also talked about the town getting a new license plate reader system and the pushback from some community members on that. He talked about the ceremony for new Police Chief Jason Winn, and more. The post Hillsborough: License Plate Readers, Land Use 2050, New Police Chief Ceremony appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, October 9, discussing town news and events. She discussed Wednesday night's town council meeting, which saw an affordable housing report, a vote on a nine-story development on MLK, an upcoming closure to Rosemary Street, and more. The post Chapel Hill: Affordable Housing Report, 9 Story Development, Rosemary St. Closure appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, October 10, discussing county news and events. She reviewed a discussion of he Broadband Task Force from the most recent board of commissioners meeting. She also talked about a vote on a new subdivision off 54. She discussed a new format for commissioners meetings in which they meet early for closed session, and more. The post Orange County: Broadband Task Force, New Subdivision, Closed Session First appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, October 7, discussing town news and events. He gave an update on flood recovery in Hillsborough, with most of the parks space around town reopened, replacement vehicles ordered, and private residents recovering as well. He also discussed local businesses around Hillsborough, including some recent openings. He also talked about upcoming community news and events and more. The post Hillsborough: Flood Update, Business Update, Upcoming Events appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, October 2, discussing town news and events. She talked about football gameday impacts on downtown businesses, including an upcoming study with the university, the Chamber, and the visitor's bureau to measure that impact. She discussed the Chapel Hill Police getting their new headquarters up and running. The talked about a recent trip to Raleigh with some of the economic development for the North Carolina Starter's Launch, and more. The post Chapel Hill: Football Gamedays, New Police Station, North Carolina Starter’s Launch appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, October 1, discussing county news and events. She talked about the recent shutdown of the federal government and how that might affect Orange County going forward. She also discussed a recent meeting the commissioners had with both of the county's school boards. She discussed highlights from the agenda for next week's meeting, talked about the board's priorities for the rest of the year, and more. The post Orange County: Federal Shutdown, Joint School Board Meeting, Board Priorities appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, September 30, discussing town news and events. He discussed major takeaways from a recent parking study the town commissioned from a consultant. He also discussed the recent reopening of Gold Park and sections of River Walk that had been closed since Tropical Depression Chantal back in July. He also previewed upcoming town events and more. The post Hillsborough: Gold Park and River Walk Reopen, Parking Study appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee Spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, September 26. She discussed Thursday's court proceedings, in which Duke Energy is attempting to have the case Carrboro brought against them dismissed. She also previewed a busy weekend coming up in Carrboro, featuring the Carrboro Music Festival on Saturday and Sunday, as well as the celebration of Carrboro's designation as an All-America City on Sunday. The post Carrboro: Day in Court vs. Duke Energy, Carrboro Music Fest, All-America City appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, September 26, discussing town news and events. She gave updates on three development projects from the town council meeting on Wednesday, including a large housing development on Weaver Dairy Road. She also discussed a move in the state legislature to limit local authority over construction projects for UNC. She also talked about upcoming events in the community and more. The post Chapel Hill: Development Project Updates, Local Zoning for UNC Projects in Jeopardy appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, September 24, discussing county news and events. She talked about the Orange County Roadshow hoping to inform residents of all of the services and opportunities provided by the county. She also previewed an upcoming meeting with the two school boards, and how they hope a format change to that meeting will foster more discussion. She also spoke of the continued importance of supporting the arts, and more. The post Orange County: Orange County Roadshow, Joint School Board Meeting, Supporting Arts appeared first on Chapelboro.com.