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Remembering Robert Drakeford: Carrboro's first bicycling mayor

Mayor Drakeford was elected in 1977 and served until 1983. Much of his focus was on public transit and advancing cycling infrastructure in the town. He also served as the president of the North Carolina Association of Black Mayors.

Originally from New York, Drakeford moved to North Carolina to attend UNC, where he received a master’s degree in planning and public health. In a 1983 interview with the Daily Tar Heel, he said “We took a town that was in the ’40s really and brought it into the ’80s in less than six years.”

In an episode of his podcast from February 2022, Drakeford reflects on his time as mayor and championing public transportation.

“The town of Carrboro – as it is now — I changed it into what it is now,” he said. “Basically, Parks and Recreation to the Carr Mill Mall to the bus system … that’s a map I drew at my kitchen table. And that’s the main bus system. And without Carrboro, there would be no bus system.”

When we choose to live among other people, especially in a city, it’s an absolute guarantee that we will experience things beyond our control. Often, these things are loud and occasionally they are inconsiderate (looking at you, neighbor who hosted the outdoor karaoke party that didn’t end until 3 AM). But other times, it’s magnificent. And sometimes, if you’re really lucky, it’s the sound of your hometown band, floating over your city, through your neighborhood, and into your heart. - Sylvan Esso Played a Live Show in my Neighborhood

From the blog

A look at the week ahead: May 23, 2022

Here is a look at some of the local government meetings scheduled for this week.

Two cents for affordable housing

When my time on the CHT board ended I still had a desire to serve my community. I am now beginning a term on Chapel Hill’s Planning Commission. None of this would have ever crossed my mind had I not become a homeowner. When people own something, they want to take care of it. Let’s put more people in a position of ownership so that they will take care of our beautiful, bustling, progressive village.

The Local Reporter, CHALT, and editorial integrity

CHALT’s deep overlapping ties to The Local Reporter — and the lack of disclosures about those ties in the paper — is problematic when the paper then covers development projects or local politicians that CHALT has opposed.