Interview with Barbara Foushee, Mayor of Carrboro
After a busy first term, Barbara Foushee is running for re-election.
Prior to her election as Mayor of Carrboro in November 2023, Barbara Foushee served on Town Council, another chapter in a storied career in public service. Her re-election campaign centers unity and champions building and empowering community. The Carrborean caught up with the Mayor at the "All the Tea with Barbara Foushee" event at Lanza's Cafe on September 6. Thank you for your time, Mayor Foushee!
- What are your priorities for the next term?
The Downtown Development Plan is moving to a Council vote after discussions with neighborhoods in the immediate vicinity and obtaining public comments over several months. The Town Pillars (as laid out in the Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan) will continue to guide Council's work. "Safety is top of mind;" she noted ongoing transportation work on bike paths and bike detection, and ongoing discussions with the Department of Transportation to create a "slow zone" downtown. She spoke of the importance of integrating race equity into all work and continued support for affordable housing. She also noted the addition of a Chief Sustainability Officer who understands the intersectionality of climate change and justice.
"[Our] key focus is on people and humanity right now;" she noted the federal government pulling back support for services such as SNAP and Medicaid under the current administration, which pushes more responsibility onto local governments. Any new or redirected funding to support basic needs affects other things such as transit projects. Mayor Foushee puts people over policy and politics--"we need to get that right. My hope and intent is to keep this community welcoming," emphasizing inclusivity in all places.
Mayor Foushee recounted Council's work on the Unified Development Ordinance to replace the current land use ordinance which is 50 years old and does not align with the Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan. She said that Council is excited about the Unified Development Ordinance. "Possibilities become endless if we get it right."
- How do you like to engage with residents?
Mayor Foushee loves a pop-up event! She wants to hear from as many people as possible and reach deeper into the community through inclusive engagement. She likes "to meet people where they are" and encourages getting in touch with her any way they want. She will always make time for people because she believes that access and availability are important. As an elected official, she believes she needs to make herself "accessible to folks, listen, and be attentive to [their] concerns."
- How can the mayor and council support the business community in Carrboro?
Mayor Foushee believes a main avenue for conversations between town officials and the business community is through the Carrboro Business Alliance. "We engage with businesses as things come up, e.g., reimagining Weaver Street," which is a concern for businesses who need space for loading and unloading along that street. The Town regulates the size of signage regarding towing at Carr Mill Mall, as another example. The Town's Economic Development Director engages with the business community, providing information and managing loan programs.
In the coming weeks, The Carrborean will invite other candidates for Carrboro Town Offices to discuss their priorities for Carrboro.
What are your top issues for Carrboro? What do you want candidates to talk about? Take The Carrborean's brief (3-5 minutes) survey. It closes September 22 and we'll publish the results in the October print edition.