Local Election Serves as Political Lesson for Growing South

This week, the Independent of Durham outlines the recent Chatham County Commissioners race. The Democratic primary on May 2nd ushered in a new era for North Carolina's largest county (sq. miles). The details of the race should be of interest to all Southerners living in traditionally rural areas facing the rapid expansion of suburbs and commercial development. The conflict between growth and comfort was the central campaign issue for the newly elected commissioners

The three candidates, supported by a wide grassroots effort and an umbrella PAC of citizens' groups called the Chatham Coalition, campaigned on a platform of putting land-use plans in place to direct and shape growth patterns in ways that protect the county's quality of life and its natural resources. They proposed specific planning tools like a "major corridor plan" to define what the county's main highways should look like--before they are overtaken by an endless strip of strip malls--and financial measures such as a land-transfer tax to help pay for county services for newcomers.

The key concept promoted by the new commissioners is that of "smart growth." Too often, developers are given free reign in counties struggling economically. While the tax base is expanded, often the traditional way of life and natural beauty is destroyed and neglected. Environmental issues are also integral to this political debate. Frequently, moneyinterestssts prevail through campaign financing.

The Democratic primary was a resounding defeat for those who stand to profit from fewer regulations and industry-sympathetic public policies that have so far governed Chatham's building boom--large landowners, developers, homebuilders and real estate attorneys, many from outside Chatham County. Throughout the spring, they propped up Morgan's unsuccessful re-election bid with big money and indignant public defenses of their candidates in full-page newspaper ads.

A few days before the election, Morgan reported $13,500 in campaign donations--all from professionals in the building and real estate industry in Wake County. He did not report one dollar from a single Chathamite, but folks like Cary's Robert D. Swain gave him the maximum of $4,000. Swain partners with Raleigh real estate magnate Tommy Fonville in large-scale Chatham projects. The pair's recent deals include selling 400 acres that will become "The Parks at Meadowview" subdivision to a Charlotte developer for $9 million in February, according to county land records.

The grassroots effort in Chatham County should give hope to those in other counties and regions facing frequently overwhelming commercial and real estate development.

Bynum resident Roland McReynolds, one of the coalition's leaders, put it this way: "This election is proof positive that citizens can stand up to powerful moneyed interests and successfully demand government that nurtures and strengthens the people it serves."