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<br /> Page 3 of 5 Benjamin (BJ)
<br /> increasingly devastating weather events.
<br /> I strongly believe that there's adequate room for compromise. That we can build denser but
<br /> smarter, economically vibrant but environmentally secure. That Chapel Hill can remain an oasis
<br /> for artists and creatives. That, with intentionality, we can increase our cultural and class diversity.
<br /> If appointed to the Chapel Hill Planning Commission, I will be open-minded, thorough, data-
<br /> driven, empathetic, and egalitarian in my duties. I will seek opinions, particularly those in contrast
<br /> to my preconceived notions, and aim for solutions that acknowledge trade offs while benefiting
<br /> the greatest possible good for our Town.
<br /> How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
<br /> Let me be up front: as a white, cisgendered male, with a middle class background, I have
<br /> inherited an outsized amount of privilege in our society. I do not take it for granted. As mentioned
<br /> above, I have intentionally sought out diverse viewpoints and challenged myself with the
<br /> broadest possible spectrum of cultures, philosophy, arts, and people.
<br /> That said, my family is Jewish. While I am non-practicing, and I identify as white due to the
<br /> privilege bestowed upon me by my skin color, I am not a complete stranger to discrimination. I
<br /> am only two generations removed from family members who fled Europe to America to escape
<br /> persecution. Because of that history, I seek to pay close attention to cultures, races, and
<br /> communities that bear the brunt of prejudice and disenfranchisement.
<br /> In my professional life, being a manager has taught me to actively listen and seek out the
<br /> thoughts and opinions of the quietest team members. I have often learned the most from those
<br /> who are most afraid to speak. If appointed, I will make it my solemn responsibility to hear as
<br /> many viewpoints as possible, and approach my decisions with equity foremost in mind.
<br /> Do you have any personal or business interest(s)that could create a conflict of interest
<br /> (either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
<br /> Since 2018, 1 ve been active and public with my concerns around various proposals by the
<br /> Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro to develop in the Southern ETJ of Chapel Hill. With
<br /> the Southern Entryway Alliance, I have been publicly advocating for a more transparent and
<br /> inclusive process around proposals, such as amending WASMPBA. My statements to Town
<br /> Councils and Board of County Commissioners are on the public record. I have a vested interest
<br /> in the shape of development in my community; this is precisely why I am applying for this
<br /> position. However, if appointed, I will strive to serve with an open mind, free from personal bias,
<br /> and recuse myself whenever necessary.
<br /> Chapel Hill Board of Adjustment
<br /> Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
<br /> My wife and I moved to Chapel Hill in 2015 in pursuit of a better life. We had been living in New
<br /> Jersey, and before that metropolises (I in Brooklyn, she in Chicago). We had tired of big city life,
<br /> and longed for a community where we could put down roots and start a rural artist retreat and
<br /> farm. We're proud to say LEVEL retreat, our artist residency and goat farm, is now entering its
<br /> eighth year. We love our new home, and plan to live out our days on Smith Level Road (where,
<br /> perhaps, you have driven by and seen our goats lounging or playing on a giant trampoline).
<br /> I consider myself a cultural polyglot, a lover of knowledge and learning. During my
<br /> undergraduate studies at Tufts University, I opted for a major in English (BA, 1998) mostly
<br /> because it had the fewest number of requirements, which allowed me to pursue various interests
<br /> in addition to literature: sociology, film, music, computer science, feminism, and post-structural
<br /> critical theory.
<br /> After graduation, I moved to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where I became active in the
<br /> independent/DIY art and music scene. For over a decade, I toured in a rock band I co-founded
<br /> called Parts & Labor. This experience took me to every corner of the United States (I have
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