Tom Vanderbeck seeks re-election as Chatham County Commissioner from District 4
Current Chatham County Commissioner Tom Vanderbeck is seeking re-election and is asking for your vote. Tom, a Democrat, was elected 4 years ago on the principles of truth, honesty and integrity. These same fundamentals will characterize both his campaign and his second term in office.
Tom considers himself part of a team of county commissioners — including George Lucier and Carl Thompson, who are also running for re-election this year.
In 2006, Tom ran on a platform of open and honest government, sustainable economic development, smart managed growth and good quality schools.
Tom has been a leading advocate on the board for transparency, green economic development, sustainability and rural broadband access. Nominated by Speaker of the House Joe Hackney, he was recently appointed by the House of Representatives to serve on the e-NC Authority, which promotes rural broadband statewide. Vanderbeck also serves as Vice Chair of the Triangle Area Regional Planning Organization and is on the boards of the Orange-Person-Chatham Mental Health Board and the Chatham Transit Network and the county broadband committee. Additionally, he is the county board liaison to the Affordable Housing, Transportation, Green Building and Sustainable Energy Advisory Boards and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the broadband committee and the Housing Coalition of Chatham.
One of the key accomplishments of the current board was their ability to finance an increase for teacher supplements and prevent lay-offs during this economic downturn. This Board of Commissioners received the 2009 County Commissioners Award from the North Carolina School Board Association for their financial support of local public schools during a severe recession and loss of state funding. While the state decreased their support for our schools by 3%, the County increased its support by 4%.
Tom acknowledges that the accomplishments achieved over the past 3 years could not have been made without the expertise and hard work of hundreds of citizens who serve on advisory boards, task forces and committees along with a dedicated county staff, and he is grateful to all, who worked so hard.
From Tom’s perspective, the vision and goals he and his fellow commissioners need to focus on in the next four years include:
- Continuation of an open government process for effective citizen participation.
- Long term, sustainable economic development.
- Top-quality education and school facilities for all children.
- Environmental protection and sustainable community development.
Tom emphasizes that, “Achieving these future goals will require the ongoing assistance of our volunteers. Their future efforts along with the collaboration of county staff and a cohesive county board will help us realize even greater strides toward sustainability over the next four years.”