Orange County 4-Her Erin Thompson interviews County Commissioner Renee Price and tours the government services center

1. Commissioner Interview
Erin Thompson
Orange County

2. Erin Thompson

3. How long have you been on the
Board?
ò I was elected in November
2012. I was sworn in
December 2012.

4. Will you run for re-election when
your current term expires?
ò We’ll see! If the people are pleased
with my work, then I will. I have a
couple of years to think about it.

5. What are your local priorities?
ò Community services and
Agriculture. I work with
underserved communities including
the agriculture community
ò I am particularly interested in the
Cedar Grove Community. I would
like to turn the Cedar Grove School
into a Community Center…

6. What county issues hold the
most importance to you?
ò Community services… I’m
concerned about people living
decently and with dignity. I’m
also interested in Education,
Housing, Water / Sewer Systems,
and infrastructure of the county.

7. Are there long-term concerns you
have about our county?
ò We need a tax base so that
property owners don’t spend all
of their money on taxes. If we
have a solid tax base to bring in
more revenue, that means more
economic development and
services for Orange County…

8. What role does the Board of Commissioners
play in addressing these concerns?
ò We stand behind our economic
development and planning
department in getting businesses
to locate here in Orange County.
We also use research done by
UNC- Chapel Hill to locate the
businesses to stay in Orange
County.

9. What are the biggest concerns
that citizens ask you about?
ò Citizens also express concerns
about their taxes. They say, “my
taxes are too high!” There are also
concerns about jobs and
transportation in the rural area.
Transportation is needed for senior
citizens to get from one place to
another, such as their nutrition
programs at the senior center.

10. What are some of the responsibilities
that you were not aware of when you ran
for office?
ò I was not aware of all of the
committees and extra meetings!
As a commissioner, we are
expected to serve on various
committees once elected.

11. What are the hardest decisions you’ve
faced as a county commissioner?
ò It was hard to decide on whether
or not to raise taxes in the
county.

12. County Commissioner
Renee Price

13. County Manager
Frank Clifton

14. Human Resources Director
Nicole Clark

15. Director of Elections
Tracy Reams

16. Director of Public Affairs
Carla Banks

17. Orange County