|   Alice Gordon Orange County Commissioner An Experienced and Dedicated Leader As your county commissioner, I have been working hard for Orange County, including service as chair and vice chair of the Board of County Commissioners. Now I would like to build on my contributions, and I have future goals to accomplish. I believe I have made a difference over the last few years, especially in the areas of school excellence, environmental protection, and regional transportation. These are all areas in which I have been proactively dealing with growth challenges so we can continue to enjoy our quality of life. My presence on the board as a proven leader, with a track record of support for responsive and effective government, will be helpful as the county deals with the difficult and complex issues ahead.  Four generations in Orange County: Daughter Jennifer, granddaughter Isabel Alice, Alice, Alan's Mom Ruth & Alan As county commissioner, I have worked for quality education for students all over Orange County. I chaired the county-wide group of elected officials that crafted the Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance; unique in North Carolina, it helps prevent future school over-crowding. Moreover, I have consistently voted for the funding necessary to support excellent schools, while continuing to remain fiscally responsible, and I will continue to promote fair funding of the schools. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND WISE LAND USE My most important legacy as an environmental leader will be my initiatives to make environmental protection a separate function of Orange County government. In the past, environmental issues were handled by the Planning Department. To change that I proposed several initiatives, implemented by the commissioners. A fundamental one was the creation of a separate department for the environment to focus on clean air, clean water, and other environmental concerns. I also proposed the creation of the Commission for the Environment, and far-sighted studies of the county's groundwater resources before there was a crisis, like a drought. The most well-known initiative is the creation of the county's nationally recognized "Lands Legacy Program," the first comprehensive county land acquisition program in North Carolina. This program has recently received national recognition from the National Association of Counties. Orange County has now protected over 1700 acres of land in just six years, for farm easements, parks, and natural resource protection. I will continue promoting initiatives for the protection of our groundwater and air quality, preservation of our natural resources and farmland, responsible land use planning, and sustainable growth policies. IMPROVED TRANSPORTATION As a leader (chair and vice chair) of two regional transportation policy decision-making boards -- Durham/Chapel Hill/Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization and Triangle Transit Authority -- I have promoted improved public transit and other alternatives to cars, and efforts to improve air quality in the Triangle area. For example, as an officer of the TTA Board of Trustees, I spearheaded the creation of the new TTA bus route from Hillsborough to Chapel Hill which began operation in January. In the past I received an award from the Sierra Club for my work in transportation, and there is still much I wish to do to meet our transportation needs. CARING, FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE, AND INCLUSIVE COUNTY GOVERNMENT I can provide continuity and experienced leadership to pursue these and other important efforts: provision of responsive human services for our residents, including youth and those with lower incomes; establishment of two new senior centers; completion of the Durham Technical Community College campus; affordable housing; public safety; thoughtful economic development to provide quality jobs; support for our local businesses and farms; and meaningful citizen participation in county government for all, including both women and men, and the diverse members of our community. As chair of the Orange County Intergovernmental Parks Work Group and member of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Council, I am pushing for completion of the 2001 bond park projects. I will continue to do my homework, ask the hard questions, and listen to your concerns. You know you can count on me to do what I say. I would appreciate your vote on November 7. Thank you.  Alice's portrait by Catharine Carter |