Name as it appears on the ballot: Phyllis Portie-Ascott
Age: 59
Party affiliation: Democrat
Campaign website: www.phyllisportieascott.com
Occupation & employer: Real Estate Agent/PPA Properties, LLC
1. In your view, what are the three most pressing issues facing Orange County? If elected, what will you do to address these issues?
The three most pressing issues facing Orange County are affordable housing, the mental health crisis, and equitable economic growth. For affordable housing, I support engaging stakeholders, incentivizing development, preserving existing housing, supporting tenants, and expanding down payment assistance.
I’m proud of our bold steps to address the mental health crisis, including planning for the new Crisis Diversion Behavioral Health Center, funding the Bridge Housing Program, launching the Post Overdose Response Team, and partnering with Chapel Hill on the Street Outreach Harm Reduction And Deflection Program. I will continue to support and expand these initiatives to ensure comprehensive care.
For economic growth, I will focus on supporting small businesses, promoting local entrepreneurship, and investing in workforce development to build an inclusive economy that benefits all residents.
2. What in your view are the most pressing needs for Orange County Schools? What about Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools?
The most pressing needs for Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools include upgrading and maintaining school facilities to ensure a safe and effective learning environment. I support the general obligation bond, both in my capacity as a commissioner and as a taxpayer, which the Board of County Commissioners approved for the ballot. This bond is crucial for providing the necessary funding to address these facility improvements. Additionally, both districts need more mental health resources to support student well-being, and both districts need to offer competitive teacher salaries in order to attract and retain high-quality educators.
3. How can Orange County leaders work more closely with the boards of both school districts on areas such as staffing, new construction, renovation and facilities maintenance, salaries, and other issues?
We already have regular joint meetings with both boards. In addition to these meetings, county staff works closely with the district staff to monitor progress on projects and keep us abreast of any changes.
That said, I see room for even more collaboration. With new leadership in the Orange County Schools, I’m hopeful we can build even stronger connections between both districts and the county. It’s all about deepening trust and making sure we’re sharing information openly and quickly. I believe that by working together in a spirit of openness, we can make even bigger strides in areas like staffing and facilities—always with the goal of better serving our students and community.
4. Orange County is the sole owner of 60 acres, and a joint owner of 100 acres of land known as the Greene Tract in the western part of the county, and the creation of a long-term plan to guide development and preservation of the land is underway. What is your vision for the Greene Tract? How should the county work with the towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill to achieve this vision and develop and/or preserve the land equitably and sustainably?
I support the current vision for the Greene Tract, and I am glad to see the collaborative process underway between Orange County, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill. We are actively engaging with both towns to create a master plan that reflects our shared goals for sustainable development, environmental preservation, and community needs.
Part of this process includes ongoing community engagement sessions to gather input and feedback. These sessions have been instrumental in shaping guiding principles for the development, such as prioritizing affordable housing, preserving cultural and environmental resources, and creating accessible transit options. In September, a workshop was held to present updates on the master plan and incorporate community feedback into an updated conceptual plan. This ongoing collaboration ensures that the development aligns with the vision and values of the broader community.
5. What is your vision for how Orange County should grow economically? What policies would you like to see implemented to enhance economic development in Orange County?
My vision for Orange County’s economic growth focuses on supporting small businesses, promoting local entrepreneurship, and fostering a diverse, inclusive economy. I believe in policies and practices that provide incentives for small business development, invest in workforce training programs, and create partnerships with local organizations. Additionally, I support sustainable development practices that preserve our county’s unique character while attracting new industries and job opportunities.
6. What steps should the county take to address challenges related to growth and development, such as sprawl and transportation? In your opinion, what have been the county’s successes in managing this growth in recent years? What about its failures? What would you do differently?
Our main approach to addressing growth and development challenges is the Comprehensive Land Use Plan 2050. This plan prioritizes sustainable land use, smart infrastructure investments, and active community involvement. By focusing higher density in suitable areas, preserving open spaces, and expanding public transit, our goal is to reduce reliance on cars and manage growth effectively.
We’ve seen successes including advancing affordable housing, enhancing environmental protections, and expanding transit options. These efforts have aligned with our long-term vision and benefited the community significantly.
While we’ve made significant strides in expanding public transit and advancing affordable housing, we continue to revise our zoning regulations and boost investments in transportation infrastructure.
7. Similarly, what should be the county’s role in addressing issues of economic inequality? Do you believe the current board is doing enough to prevent current residents from being priced out?
The county’s role in addressing economic inequality involves promoting access to affordable housing, fair wages, and quality public services. We need to support initiatives like tenant-based rental assistance, expand down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, and ensure zoning policies allow for diverse housing options.
While the current board has made efforts to address these issues, I believe we can do more. This includes strengthening partnerships with non-profits and the private sector to create more affordable housing options, supporting local workforce development programs, and implementing strategies to ensure our economic growth benefits residents at all income levels.
8. There is a lack of affordable housing in Orange County. What steps do you think the Board of Commissioners could take to address this problem and to help facilitate home ownership?
Affordable housing is a critical issue in Orange County, and I’m deeply committed to tackling it head-on. My approach centers around engaging stakeholders, incentivizing development, preserving existing housing, supporting tenants, expanding down payment assistance, and leveraging public resources to create and maintain affordable housing options for everyone in our community.
9. What initiatives can Orange County take to address residents’ mental health? What public health care programs are in place elsewhere in the country that you would like to see implemented here?
Orange County offers several initiatives to address residents’ mental health, and I’m proud of the bold steps we’ve taken. This includes planning for the Crisis Diversion Behavioral Health Center, funding the Bridge Housing Program, launching the Post Overdose Response Team, and partnering with Chapel Hill on the Street Outreach Harm Reduction and Deflection Program. Additionally, the county supports the Freedom House Recovery Center, which provides mental health and substance use treatment, including 24/7 crisis support. Our Criminal Justice Resource Department offers behavioral health services to individuals in the Detention Center, with clinical social workers providing assessments, crisis support, referrals, and housing support. We also have a youth behavioral health liaison to assist at-risk youth and their families with needed services.
Moving forward, I will continue to support these initiatives and encourage the efforts of our staff to enhance mental health services across Orange County.
10. Are there any issues not included in this questionnaire that you would like to address?
At this time, I believe the key issues have been covered in the previous questions. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts.