Yes, what’s wrong with living in Carrboro after leaving office? Why do rulers impose their will on the town for years, and then up and leave? Why, when they leave, do they wait until after candidate filing periods close?

First, in 2005 then-Mayor Mike Nelson announces unexpectedly that he’s leaving Carrboro for Hillsborough at the end of his term, after over a decade of imposing irresponsible, financial mismanagement and shady land deals on Carrboro residents. No explanation is given.

Now Alderman John Herrera announces that after eight years in office and passage of the magnificent Carrboro pooperscooper ordinance, he too is leaving Carrboro. This time the greener grass is Holly Springs, over in Wake County. No explanation is given.

Curiously, Alderman Herrerra is pulling a Bill Strom move. He announces that he wouldn't run again prior to the opening of the candidate filing period, throwing his support to that self-described “Latino” candidate, well-known usufructer with an ill-defined employment history (yet again) and trustafarian, Mr. Sammy Slade. Yet, Mr. Herrera decides not to announce his move from Carrboro until after the candidate filing period ended.

Yes, once again, the Orange Progressive preference for appointment over election is in play. According to the recent change in the state laws controlling Carrboro governance, Mr. Herrera’s vacancy can be filled immediately by appointment from the current Boa. (See Carrboro Election Statute, created, yet again, at great cost to town taxpayers and at great reward to Carrboro's high-priced, meter-running, town attorney.)

No word on when current candidate, and BOA pal, Mr. Sammy Slade, will be appointed as the replacement for Mr. Herrera.

Why Mr. Slade? Because he's a pal of the board. Because the power of incumbency is mighty. It helped Alderman Dan Coleman win in spite of a hushed-up misreporting to police of an assault of a woman with his vehicle in Anderson Park.

No thought will be given to appointing the fourth highest vote getter for alderman in the 2007 municipal election, Ms. Katrina Ryan.

No word on when the last load of shame left town.

Mayor Chilton’s Letter Announcing Alderman Herrera’s Belated Resignation

Congratulations to Carrboro Alderman John Herrera on his recent remarriage. (A beautiful wedding ceremony it was, too!) John's new blended family has six (!) children and I received the news this afternoon that his new family is making a new home in Holly Springs, which necessitates his resignation from the Board of Aldermen. I want to say that although I will miss having John on the board (and in Carrboro), I know he is doing the best thing for his family and I wish him all the best. I am also confident that John will remain a leader in North Carolina and I look forward to hearing what he is up to next. Congratulations and thanks for your service, John.
From Mark Chilton

Alderman Herrera's Resignation Letter

Dear Mayor, Colleagues and staff: It is with mixed feelings that I am writing this short note to notify you that I am submitting my resignation to the Board of Alderman of Carrboro. Due to my new change of residence outside of the city limits. I just bought a house in Holly Springs, NC and I am in the process of moving. It has been a pleasure and an honor to have work with you and served this beautiful town a an Alderman and Mayor Pro-Term. The appreciation for community diversity and the progressive community values that Carrboro has, it is what makes us unique from most towns in North Carolina and in the United States. I am very proud and grateful for the opportunity that Carrboro granted me to be a public servant. I will continue following the new developments of Carrboro and will continue to pray that the Creator always grant you wisdom and knowledge to continue to lead and serve this great community of Carrboro. My most sincere greetings to all of you. If I can be of help in any capacity and I am able to help, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please let me know if there is an official protocol that I need to follow to do this. I will like to have had the chance to thank in a public meeting all the people of Carrboro for this unique opportunity.
Sincerely,
John A. Herrera

As posted in the Pulp in June 2008, Alderman John Hererra got mad when he stepped in dog turds on his lawn. Rather than talk to his neighbor, he decided to get a town ordinance passed so that the Carrboro police could talk to his neighbor instead.

Always willing to tell others how to live, the Boa responded by passing a civil pooperscooper ordinance on 7 October 2008. In the words of federal anarchist Mr. Herrera, “Most laws in this country are broken and that’s what they are made for.” Mr. Hererra is an expert on lawbreaking, as he advocates people break federal immigration law at will.

Speaking as a “town leader”, Mr. Hererra stated that he should “set the tone as to what’s rights and what’s wrong” as to acceptable public behavior in Carrboro.

Speaking with scatalogical certitude, Alderman Randee Haven O'Donnell wants the Boa to look next at ordinances to control cat feces in toddler sandboxes.

No word on whether the Boa will enforce federal pooperscooper laws.

In related business news, stock in Sparky’s Polishes went up sharply in early trading.

After six years as an Carrboro alderman in which his most famous act is to ask for less meeting time, Alderman John Hererra steps into his first big issue other than addressing the concerns of “my people”, Hispanic immigrants. The “big issue” is turds on his lawn from his neighbor’s dogs. Alderman Herrerra found his sole slathered in pungent poo after mowing his lawn.

Rather than actually talking to his neighbors, and asking them to treat him fairly, he chose to use his progressive generalissimo powers as Alderman to force the law on his neighbors. So on 17 June 2008, he spoke at the BOA meeting. “I love dogs. I love animals, but I don’t like to step in poop!” He asked for a Carrboro pooperscoop law to help rid him of his manure minefield.

Always willing to tell others how to live, the Boa unanimously voted to spend staff time writing a pooperscooper ordinance. Mayor Mark Chilton advised all town residents, “Careful walking in the meantime.”

In related business news, stock in Sparky’s Polishes went up sharply in early trading.

No word on whether the Boa will enforce federal pooperscooper laws.

As the Buckhorn Flea Market became “terra cero” (ground zero) for official government action, one local politician, Alderman John Herrera of Carrboro, spoke up for “mi pueblos” (my people), the Hispanic vendors at the flea market. As the Orange County Board of Adjustment met in May 2006 to decide on zoning violations by the Buckhorn Flea Market (which they did find, with one lone dissenter) Alderman Herrera told that board how important the flea market was to the Hispanic community. As quoted in the N&O, ”It is the only affordable market for a lot of Hispanic people, which means more food on the table.” He alleged that he has known several “immigrants” who established their own businesses by starting at the Buckhorn Flea Market.

Alderman Herrera also spoke in front of the Orange County Economic Development Council on 26 May 2006. According to the minutes, he suggested that the county address the following needs for the Hispanic business community: 1) find an alternative location for the flea market; 2) create a main central market for Hispanics; 3) assess permit fees and taxes – revenue for Orange County; 4) create a “business incubator”; 5) assist Hispanics with business permits; and 6) create on-site vendor storage preventing inventory loss due to transport damage.

Following that public hurrah, Alderman Herrera has been silent on the Buckhorn Flea Market. He didn’t make a statement about the December 2006 raid on “his people”. He didn’t make a statement about the June 2007 Orange County inspection shutdown and the effect on “his people”. He didn’t make a statement about the announcement of the Buckhorn Village deal and the effect on “his people”. He didn’t make a statement about how the Buckhorn Village development collaborative of time-honored heavy hitters in local Orange County real estate development (and generous political campaign contributors) would help create an alternative business venue for “his people”.

Alderman Herrera has made other public statements during this time. He announced a state senate run in September 2007, just two weeks after the Alderman Coleman assault with a deadly weapon - vehicle against a student track coach incident in Carrboro. About one month later he announced a withdrawal from that race, one day after incumbent Kinnaird announced her entry.