Mark Chilton, center in hat, checks election return with, clockwise from bottom, his mother, Mary-Dell Chilton; supporter Robert Kirschner; and 8-year-old son Samuel.
Sam Giffin photo

By Jon Sullivan
Carrboro Commons Writer

In an open room at the entrance of Milltown, 307 E Main St.,candidates for the Carrboro election met and celebrated the end of their campaign and awaited the upcoming election results.

As supporters continued to make their entrance and gather alongside those they’ve come to know along the campaign, nachos and cheese fries were served in abundance to the happy participants. Laughter resounded throughout the room as people shared their campaign memories.

As Mayor Mark Chilton walked into Milltown wearing a tan suit and broad-brimmed hat, reporters from the Daily Tar Heel, Chapel Hill News, and Carrboro Commons came forward and took pictures of his smiling face.

He was happy about a recently reported precinct result where Chilton had swept the competition away. After reading the results, his son Samuel responded with a celebratory “Yes!”

The crowd laughed as Chilton responded, “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

Samuel Chilton, 8, sat by his father in a bright red sweater awaiting the results as they came in. His other son, Alex, 6, sat with Alderman Dan Coleman’s son, Misha, 6, at the end of the table happily playing Candy Land.

Re-elected Carrboro mayor Mark Chilton raises his glass in a toast to his late friend and mentor, Joe Herzenberg, at the post-election party at Milltown Tuesday night.
Sam Giffin photo

More results began to pour in on the Orange County Web site, and candidates huddled around the computer to get the news. Chilton read out incoming results next to Alderman Dan Coleman, but the results were not yet finalized. Chilton and his supporters continued to wait patiently.

Alderman Coleman greeted incoming guests, thanking some profusely for all the hard work they put into the campaign. As the results continued to pour in, Chilton walked around the room giving supporters high fives.

When the results were finally in, Mayor Mark Chilton called those in attendance together for a toast.

“Join me in a toast to the Alderman Dan Coleman…. and four more years for Joal Broun!” The crowd erupted in applause. He also welcomed new Alderman Lydia Lavelle to the Carrboro board.

Chilton continued by making a statement to his supporters. “We’ve been a very progressive community and are very proud of it… and we will continue the tradition.” He concluded by saying simply, “We’re going to have a great year.”

He also took time to compliment his opponent Chuck Morton, who he complimented for his ideas and hoped would continue to stay involved in the community.

Re-elected Carrboro Alderman Dan Coleman shares a toast with friends and supporters Tuesday night at a post-election celebration at Milltown in Carrboro.
Sam Giffin photo

Alderman Dan Coleman then made a statement. “We’ll have a great board this year. Thank you to everyone here who has helped me.”

He also took the time to thank his 6-year-old daughter, Misha, who he said put in a lot of effort in the campaign and made it possible. The crowd laughed, and Misha happily accepted the praise.

In concluding, Chilton had one more thing to share with the audience. He asked everyone in Milltown to raise a glass to his mentor and friend, Joe Herzenberg, a Chapel Hill town council member who died recently. “Here here!” replied the attendees, and Chilton returned to the party.

Members of the media swarmed in and began asking questions of victorious candidates and campaign workers. Supporter Mike Schley summed the celebration like this: “When you have good leaders, leaders that appreciate the town, it really shows.”