It has also announced backing for incumbents Ellen Reckhow, Becky Heron and Michael Page in the contest for the Durham County Board of Commissioners, along with newcomers Doug Wright and Josh Parker.

For the state House, the alliance endorsed incumbents H.M. "Mickey" Michaux, Paul Luebke and Larry Hall, who are unopposed; for state Senate District 20, it backed incumbent Floyd McKissick Jr.

"These candidates are familiar with the daunting issues of recruitment and retention within the law enforcement profession today," the group said in a prepared release.

The Sheriff Police Alliance is an organization for law enforcement officers formed in 2007. Its headquarters is in Raleigh.

DELLINGER RECEPTION: Lieutenant governor candidate Hampton Dellinger will hold a public reception Tuesday at the Durham Public Library.

A Durham resident, Dellinger is a former counsel to Gov. Mike Easley. He has twice entered races to be state attorney general but withdrew both times before the election. Dellinger announced his lieutenant governor candidacy in November 2006.

Durham Mayor Bill Bell and City Council member Mike Woodard have confirmed their support for Dellinger, whose Web site also claims endorsements by historian John Hope Franklin and former Vice President Al Gore.

The reception begins at 6 p.m.

SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT ON TREES:

Should one school get preferential treatment over others when it comes to saving trees?

Raleigh Planning Commission member Maha Chambliss raised that concern this week when she cast the commission's lone vote against letting private, Episcopal St. David's School clear a quarter-acre of trees to build 52 parking spaces as part of its expansion.

Raleigh's planning staff objected to the plan on the grounds that it violates the city's tree-preservation law by failing to keep trees in areas where they could stay.

School officials said they need more parking -- in part to relieve school traffic congestion on adjacent White Oak Road -- and there's no other place to put it. They're willing to pay the city a fee of more than $70,000 for cutting down the mature trees.

The planning commission, most of whose members saw no better alternative, approved the expansion and tree-cutting 9-1.

Chambliss objected on the grounds that all schools need expansion room, but the tree-preservation law must be upheld.

POLITICAL TRAIL

* REPUBLICAN WOMEN: The Republican Women of Cary and Southwestern Wake will meet at Prestonwood Country Club on Thursday.

The social begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by the luncheon/program at noon. The cost is $15 for the buffet. The special guest will be radio talk show host Bill LuMaye.

RSVP Kathy Dusto, 303-5442.

* DEMOCRATIC MEN: The Harold T. Ellen Harnett County Democratic Men's Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Harnett County Courthouse jury pool room.

Information: Peter Strickland at (919) 639-8541.

POLITICALLY SPEAKING

"Rainy will compost or use the recycling bin. He knows better."

-- Bill Fuller, Raleigh public affairs graphic artist, on the determination of the city's new computer-generated water conservation mascot, Rainy, not to use a garbage disposal.

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