Mike Benson, candidate for mayor in Carrboro, NC

Two men want to succeed Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle, who decided not to seek another term, in the November election.

Mike Benson is an artist, photographer and small business owner who challenged Lavelle for mayor in 2017.His opponent, Damon Seils, has served as a Carrboro Town Council member since 2013 and works as a communications specialist at Duke University School of Medicine.

Early voting in the nonpartisan Nov. 2 election begins Oct. 14 and runs through Oct. 30.

To find polling places and full details on early voting, visit co.orange.nc.us/1720/Elections or contact the Board of Elections at 919-245-2350 or vote@orangecountync.gov.

Name: Mike Benson

Age: 55

Residence: Carrboro

Occupation: Artist/Photographer

Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Savannah College of Art and Design

Political or civic experience: I have actively worked with many organizations: DC Central Kitchen, Martha’s Table, Lineberger Cancer Research Center, Doctors Without Borders and more. I have not held a political office. Have not wanted to, as I have been very busy as an artist and business person. I would make the office of mayor have regular hours that residents could could meet and discuss issues directly with the mayor.

Campaign website: facebook.com/ForMayorCarrboro

What do you think the town’s top three priorities should be? Choose one and describe how you will work to address it.

▪ Library/Parking. The current cost of the downtown Carrboro library is going to exceed $50 million (from a start of $12 million). And ground has not broken yet. Downtown Carrboro needs more available parking for businesses that call the business district home. The library will take away more parking than it adds. The design should be reconfigured to a town parking deck. The roof should house WCOM Community Radio station and a dog park that is covered by Solar Panels. The lease on the current downtown parking deck is expiring. By promoting small businesses to people from outside Carrboro (Hillsborough, Durham, Pittsboro) we expand all of the good things that come from money being spent in the downtown (like tax base and keeping small businesses afloat).

▪ Affordable housing

▪ Open Container Law to allow travel of alcohol in takeaway cups (ie: Savannah, Charleston)

What is the town doing right, and wrong, about development and growth?

Right. Infrastructure is moving forward. Wrong. Taxes are highest in state.

Climate change and flooding are growing issues and a regular part of the town’s development discussion. What do you think the town should do about it, and how would you pay for it?

Solar and wind are now at the forefront of alternative energy sources. We should pair with these companies to become less reliant on fossil fuels. Sell power back to Duke Energy. Better bicycle and walking paths. A light rail system that would link our Norfolk Southern line to Amtrak and the Durham American Tobacco Campus. We need volunteers to help clear blocked creeks (Bolin) after storms. The town is currently looking at options to curb flooding.

What skill or life experience do you have that would bring diversity to local government?

I have worked in the hospitality business for 40 years (and been a restaurant/bar owner for 25 years). I believe that working in a fast-paced restaurant with very long hours, serving the public, organizing events, tracking inventory for ordering, customer service, fixing things that break and keeping the lights on is a good primer for working with the aldermen (council). I am running my campaign with $900 or less and take the frugal approach to making things happen with less. Support local small businesses and the arts.

This story was originally published October 4, 2021 at 7:22 PM with the headline "Mike Benson, candidate for mayor in Carrboro, NC."