Chapel Hill and Carrboro have had their municipal elections and Chapel Hill will have some new faces at the dais. We're proud to announce that Chamber member board Michael Parker will be sworn into office on Dec. 2. New faces Pam Hemminger,  Jessica Anderson, and Nancy Oates will be sworn in the same day. We're looking forward to briefing these candidates about the local economy and working with them on our public policy agenda. We're also looking forward to continuing working with members of the Carrboro Board of Aldermen. Though the election was uncontested, the Mayor and three incumbent Carrboro Board of Aldermen members will be sworn in Tuesday, Dec. 1.

The March 2016 Primary is just around the corner, so you have a little more than 100 days to learn about the presidential candidates, Council of State candidates, but also, the candidates for Orange County Board of Commissioners and the Governor's bond referendum. Make sure you're registered to vote and know the new rules, but also stay tuned for our events and information to introduce you to local candidates. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, March 15 and check back with our website and our social media (including Facebook and Twitter) to ensure you're an informed voter.

NC FreeEnterprise Foundation Executive Director Joe Stewart's career spans 25 years in government service, politics, issue advocacy and association management in Baltimore, Washington, DC, and North Carolina. His first professional position was in fundraising, with a job in the UNC Chapel Hill Development Office that began while he was still an undergraduate. He has also worked as a consultant providing insights to corporations and trade associations on issue and political advocacy strategies. We're fortunate to have him back at our monthly Economic Development & Public Policy Committee, 8-9:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 3 at the Chamber's conference room. Take a look back at 2015 and see what's ahead for 2016!

More than 300 business, elected, and transportation leaders will attend the 14th annual meeting of the Regional Transportation Alliance business coalition on Thursday, Dec 3. RTA will celebrate the regional mobility accomplishments of the year, highlight the transportation priorities for the next year including a preview of the Wake County Transit Plan that will be considered in referendum in 2016, and hear from national experts, including Sam Schwartz, PE, and Gabe Klein, about the future of transportation.  Register today and let's get moving!