Fred Foster, president of the Durham branch of the NAACP, has become the third official unofficial candidate for the county Board of Commissioners. Candidate filing does not open until Feb. 13, but this week, Foster registered a campaign committee with the Durham County Board of Elections.
A longtime Democratic Party activist, Foster ran unsuccessfully for a commissioner seat in 2000 and 2008, and for the state House in 2010.
He joins Duke University biologist Will Wilson and former Durham Planning Commissioner Wendy Jacobs, who have already registered their campaign committees. Both are registered Democrats.
Political newcomer John Owens, also a Democrat, registered an "exploratory committee" this week, but Owens has not specified an office that he is seeking.
Taxpayers group favors trial
The Wake County Taxpayers Association now wants it known that it supports prosecuting the 30 people who were arrested on trespassing charges at county school board meetings in 2010.
The association's board of directors presented a resolution Dec. 16 to District Attorney Colon Willoughby saying the protesters, who include the Rev. William Barber of the state NAACP, engaged in "reprehensible behavior" that threatened public safety. The resolution asks Willoughby to "carry out your duty as our District Attorney and require that the charges are aired in the Court of Law."
Russell Capps, president of the association, said the group didn't publicize the resolution last month because it wanted to communicate directly to Willoughby. But now that supporters of the protesters are calling on Willoughby and the school board to seek mediation, Capps said the association wants its side heard, too.
Blue to lead Wake Democrats
The leadership of the Wake County Democratic Party has chosen Dan Blue III to be the party's new chairman.
Blue, the son of state Sen. Dan Blue, replaces Mack Paul, who stepped down to spend more time with his family and to work on this fall's statewide election campaigns. Like Paul, Blue is a lawyer.
Gene Davis was chosen this month as vice chairman, the job Blue had held. Davis serves on the N.C. Housing Finance Agency Board, the N.C. Housing Coordination and Policy Council, and the Raleigh Arts Commission.
Orange opposes marriage ban
Orange County has joined Chapel Hill and Carrboro in opposing the state's proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
The ballot May 8 will let voters vote "for" or "against" an amendment "to provide that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State."
The Orange commissioners say in part that the county's social justice goals include fostering "a community culture that rejects oppression and inequity, thus (promoting) the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color, religion or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age, military services; disability; and familial, residential, or economic status."
The resolution says the amendment would prohibit, in addition to marriage between people of the same gender, the recognition of any other form of domestic legal union, and also would affect local programs.
Read the resolution on the OrangeChat blog at http:// bit .ly /xcsUvs .
Political trails
Republican lieutenant governor candidate Tony Gurley will speak to the Republican Women of Cary and Southwestern Wake on Thursday at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary. Social begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by the luncheon/program at noon. The buffet is $15. RSVP to Lisa at 303-8870. More information: www .rwcsw .org .
