Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

1986  Bachelor of Arts, Davidson College, Davidson, NC
1988 Master of Education, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
1998 Doctor of Dental Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

Political Experience:   Elected 2005 to Chapel Hill Town Council.  In the first term I have served on various committees such as the Orange Community Housing and Land Trust (affordable housing); Council Communications Committee (link between government and its citizens via media, web, signs, etc.); Sustainability, Energy and the Environment Committee (energy efficiency for the Town and community).

I currently live in the northern part of Chapel Hill with my family.  I am married to James Easthom, attorney and partner with Kennon, Craver, Belo, Craig and McKee.  My daughters Emily, age 10 and Haley, age 11, are students in the Chapel Hill Carrboro schools.   My sister Karla lives with her family, also in Chapel Hill.  I practice dentistry on a part time basis in the area.  My time is primarily spent attending to my children and their numerous sports and music after school activities, and I also volunteer in their classrooms.  They are my greatest joy.   I also have two old cats (older than my kids!) and a wonderful rescued dog named Callie.  I love to run in the wooded areas around Carolina North and take my dog along.

I have worked very hard on the Town Council for the last four years and have the experience and knowledge necessary to keep the Town in good fiscal shape as we continue to face the challenges of our economy. I will continue to provide leadership on this council and seek to represent all in our community.  I care very deeply about this Town, its history, its charm, and its place in the world. As a mom of two young girls, I want Chapel Hill to continue to be an environment in which they can thrive, learn, love and play, and pass on their love of their hometown to their children.

• The key to growth in Town, fiscal equity issues, working with the University, transportation choices throughout Town, protection of the environment in light of development, commercial versus residential tax base, police presence and protection, and a solid Town budget reflecting our values and providing needed services, and more items too numerous to list here, is BALANCE. Experience absolutely matters to understand the recent past as we look to the future.
• These economic times demand an experienced leader on the Council who is able to draw from that experience the tools necessary to move the Council forward in its balanced goals that are reiterated in every single business meeting agenda: Stewarding Organizational Development; being a Champion of Downtown; Continuing Focus on Land Use, Transit and Development; Maintaining and Improving Community Facilities and Services; Improving the Town's Fiscal Condition; Planning ahead for Carolina North.
• Overall, my experience of four years on the Town Council, and before that, two years on the Transportation Board and other advisory boards, lends itself to understanding the BALANCE that our Town must constantly achieve in keeping it a great place to live.