Kevin Foy
{{short description|American lawyer}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Kevin Foy
| image =
| caption =
| office1 = Mayor of Chapel Hill
| term_start1 = December 3, 2001
| term_end1 = December 3, 2009
| predecessor1 = Rosemary Waldorf
| successor1 = Mark Kleinschmidt
| office2 = Chapel Hill Town Council
| term_start2 = December 1, 1997
| term_end2 = December 3, 2001
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1956|01|28}}
| birth_place =
| nationality = American
| party = Democratic
| residence = Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S.
| spouse = Nancy Feder{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=146}}
| children =
| alma_mater = Kenyon College {{small|(BA)}}
NCCU School of Law {{small|(JD)}}
| occupation = Politician, professor, lawyer
| website =
}}
Kevin C. Foy (born January 28, 1956){{cite web|url=https://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/kevin-c-foy/Content?oid=1204345|title=Kevin C. Foy – Candidate for Chapel Hill Mayor|date=October 24, 2007|work=Indy Week|access-date=December 23, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621195036/http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/kevin-c-foy/Content?oid=1204345|archive-date=June 21, 2013}} is an American politician and professor who served as Mayor of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, from 2001 to 2009. He is a member of the Democratic Party. As mayor, Foy focused on land-use ordinances and urban planning in the town. He now teaches at North Carolina Central University School of Law.
Education and early work
Foy graduated from Kenyon College in 1979 and later worked for two Democratic Ohio state senators. After several years, he attended North Carolina Central University School of Law studying environmental law. Foy paid attention to land-use decisions made by the town of Chapel Hill and noted that in 1995 the town was "a really nice place that was going to be exploited by people selling it out."{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=146}}
Career
=1995–2001: Litigation and town council=
Foy and his neighbors sued Chapel Hill in 1995 to prevent development that the town had approved of 15 houses in a floodplain of {{convert|3-4|acre}}. Foy did some of the legal work to save on costs. They lost the case (Lloyd vs. Chapel Hill) at both the district and appellate levels, though the town renegotiated with the developer to keep the space open.{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=146}}
He ran for mayor in 1995 after he and his neighborhood had lost a second land-use case to the town. He and several other neighborhood groups opposed the then-proposed development of Meadowmont, North Carolina. The incumbent mayor, Kenneth Broun, was not seeking reelection, so Foy ran against town council member Rosemary Waldorf. Foy was labeled an "antigrowth" candidate, which he said was inaccurate, and he was seen as a newcomer to the town. He was endorsed by the Sierra Club and the Independent Weekly. Foy spent $3,000 and lost the election receiving 46 percent of the vote.{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=147}}
In his 1997 campaign for town council, Foy again received endorsements from the Sierra Club and the Independent Weekly as well as support from several sitting members. He received the second-highest number of votes among the eight candidates, securing a seat.{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=148}} He was sworn in to town council on December 1, 1997.{{cite web|url=http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/agendas/2009/12/07/7/Kevin_Foy_Resolution.pdf|title=A resolution honoring the service of Kevin C. Foy|access-date=December 23, 2017|date=December 7, 2009|publisher=Town of Chapel Hill|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304222019/http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/agendas/2009/12/07/7/Kevin_Foy_Resolution.pdf|archive-date=March 4, 2016}} He decided not to run for mayor in 1999, only two years into his four-year town-council term and thought Waldorf was doing a good job.{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=148}}
=2001–2009: Mayoralty=
Mayor Waldorf decided not to run for a third term in 2001, prompting Foy to enter the race.{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=148}} He ran against Lee Pavao, a fellow town council member.{{cite web|url=https://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/fight-for-the-hill/Content?oid=1184523|title=Fight for the Hill|last=Geary|first=Bob|date=September 12, 2001|work=Indy Week|access-date=December 23, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919021659/http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/fight-for-the-hill/Content?oid=1184523|archive-date=September 19, 2015}} Donations from individuals were limited to $200; each candidate spent $25,000 on the campaign.{{cite web|url=http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/agendas/2008/06/09/6/6-2.6_kirk_ross.htm|title=Cost of race takes big leap; Mayor's race shows need for reform|work=Chapel Hill News|last=Ross|first=Kirk|date=February 12, 2003|access-date=December 23, 2017|via=Town of Chapel Hill|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223203606/http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/agendas/2008/06/09/6/6-2.6_kirk_ross.htm|archive-date=December 23, 2017}} Foy's campaign focused on three things: protecting the environment; inclusivity, like affordable housing; and university–town relations.{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=149}} Pavao, a businessman, supported Meadowmont's development, though both were in favor of "smart growth". During the election, Foy continued running his law practice. He won by a considerable margin, against expectations that the race would be closer.{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=149}}
Foy was sworn in as Mayor of Chapel Hill for his first two-year term on December 3, 2001. He was reelected in 2003 against just write-in votes and in 2005 against a "stealth candidate" who had moved to Chapel Hill just a week before the filing day. Local news noted that Foy had done a similar thing in 1995.{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=149}} The "stealth candidate", Kevin A. Wolff, ran again in 2007.
As mayor, Foy negotiated the expansion of the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). Several times, UNC wanted to expand, so community members spoke in opposition to the town council, and the mayor and council generally approved the expansion if it was appropriate.{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=152–153}} He also formed a downtown partnership group with input from UNC and businesses on Franklin Street.{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=154}} After town manager Cal Horton's resignation in September 2006,{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=159}} Foy selected Roger Stancil to fill the position, who was unanimously confirmed by the council.{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=161}}
Foy was the chair of the state's Metropolitan Mayor's Coalition, promoting the fare-free Chapel Hill Transit (CHT) and asking the Department of Transportation to keep maintaining major roads. He kept CHT from merging with the Triangle Transit Authority in 2003 and kept the town library separate from that of the county.{{cite web|url=http://ncmetromayors.com/mayor-foy-leaving-legacy-of-collaboration-news-and-observer/|title=Mayor Foy leaving legacy of collaboration|work=The News & Observer|via=North Carolina Metropolitan Mayor's Coalition|last=DeConto|first=Jesse|date=December 6, 2009|access-date=December 23, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223203606/http://ncmetromayors.com/mayor-foy-leaving-legacy-of-collaboration-news-and-observer/|archive-date=December 23, 2017}}
Foy has remarked that his two main achievements while in office were rewriting the town's land-use ordinance and renaming a main thoroughfare in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=149}} The town manager (Horton) had recommended an elaborate process for citizen input about land use, which tired some town council members, though Foy kept up the energy to secure reform.{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=150}} Airport Road (part of NC Hwy. 86) was renamed Martin Luther King Boulevard, which raised tensions in Chapel Hill over financial concerns of changing addresses on paper, giving up a long-time address, and race.{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=150–151}}{{cite web|url=https://www.chapelhillmagazine.com/2017/03/17/memories-with-the-mayors/|title=Memories With The Mayors|work=Chapel Hill Magazine|date=March 17, 2017|access-date=December 23, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223203606/https://www.chapelhillmagazine.com/2017/03/17/memories-with-the-mayors/|archive-date=December 23, 2017}} The United States Conference of Mayors awarded Foy the Climate Protection Outstanding Achievement Award in June 2008 and named Chapel Hill America's Most Livable City in June 2009.
Foy and the council asked the state legislature to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (1996) and had Chapel Hill grant domestic partnerships.{{sfn|Svara|2008|p=157}} Foy did not seek reelection in 2009 and considered a run for U.S. Senate in 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/chapel-hill-mayor-kevin-foy-tests-the-senate-waters/Content?oid=1217472|title=Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy tests the Senate waters|last=Schwartz|first=Joe|date=August 19, 2009|access-date=December 23, 2017|work=Indy Week|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223203606/https://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/chapel-hill-mayor-kevin-foy-tests-the-senate-waters/Content?oid=1217472|archive-date=December 23, 2017}} Support for incumbent senator Richard Burr, however, was greater than that of any Democrat, including Foy.{{cite web|url=https://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/dems-enter-us-senate-race-with-a-burr-under-their-saddles/Content?oid=1217471|title=Dems enter U.S. Senate race with a Burr under their saddles|last=Cowell|first=Rebekah L.|work=Indy Week|date=August 19, 2009|access-date=December 23, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223203606/https://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/dems-enter-us-senate-race-with-a-burr-under-their-saddles/Content?oid=1217471|archive-date=December 23, 2017}} Foy endorsed the 2009 campaign of his eventual successor, Mark Kleinschmidt.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2009/10/mayor_kevin_foy_endorses_mark_kleinschmidt|title=Mayor Kevin Foy endorses Mark Kleinschmidt|last=Frier|first=Sarah|date=October 30, 2009|work=Daily Tar Heel|access-date=December 23, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223203606/http://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2009/10/mayor_kevin_foy_endorses_mark_kleinschmidt|archive-date=December 23, 2017}}
=Post-mayoralty=
Foy teaches courses on environmental law, businesses, remedies, and torts at North Carolina Central University School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctor degree.{{cite web|url=http://law.nccu.edu/directory/kevin-foy/|title=Kevin C. Foy|publisher=North Carolina Central University School of Law|access-date=December 23, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503092350/http://law.nccu.edu/directory/kevin-foy/|archive-date=May 3, 2017}}
Electoral history
{{Election box begin no party no change|title=2001 Chapel Hill mayoral election results{{cite web|url=http://www.orangecountync.gov/departments/board_of_elections/2001_municipal_and_bond_elections.php|title=2001 Municipal and Bond Elections|publisher=Orange County|access-date=December 23, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223203606/http://www.orangecountync.gov/departments/board_of_elections/2001_municipal_and_bond_elections.php|archive-date=December 23, 2017}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Kevin Foy
| votes = 4,993
| percentage = 56.61
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Lee Pavao
| votes = 3,490
| percentage = 39.57
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Cam Hill
| votes = 117
| percentage = 1.33
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Write-in
| votes = 220
| percentage = 2.49
}}
{{Election box total no party no change
| votes = 8,820
| percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no party no change|title=2003 Chapel Hill mayoral election results{{cite web|url=http://www.orangecountync.gov/document_center/Elections/2003_Municipal_and_Bond_Elections.pdf|title=November 4, 2003 Municipal Election Results by Precinct|publisher=Orange County, North Carolina|date=November 11, 2003|access-date=December 23, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201005423/http://www.orangecountync.gov/document_center/Elections/2003_Municipal_and_Bond_Elections.pdf|archive-date=February 1, 2017}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Kevin Foy
| votes = 5,520
| percentage = 92.74
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Write-in, Pat Killian
| votes = 182
| percentage = 3.06
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Write-in, other
| votes = 250
| percentage = 4.20
}}
{{Election box total no party no change
| votes = 5,952
| percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no party no change|title=2005 Chapel Hill mayoral election results{{cite web|url=http://www.orangecountync.gov/departments/board_of_elections/summary_results2005.php|title=Orange County, North Carolina November 8, 2005 Election|publisher=Orange County|date=November 11, 2005|access-date=December 23, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223203606/http://www.orangecountync.gov/departments/board_of_elections/summary_results2005.php|archive-date=December 23, 2017}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Kevin Foy
| votes = 4,289
| percentage = 77.78
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Kevin A. Wolff
| votes = 1,178
| percentage = 21.36
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Write-in
| votes = 47
| percentage = 0.85
}}
{{Election box total no party no change
| votes = 5,514
| percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no party no change|title=2007 Chapel Hill mayoral election results{{cite web|url=http://www.orangecountync.gov/departments/board_of_elections/summary_results.php|title=November 6, 2007 Election - Summary of Results|publisher=Orange County|date=November 13, 2007|access-date=December 23, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223203606/http://www.orangecountync.gov/departments/board_of_elections/summary_results.php|archive-date=December 23, 2017}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Kevin Foy
| votes = 4,333
| percentage = 70.17
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Kevin A. Wolff
| votes = 1,803
| percentage = 29.20
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Write-in
| votes = 39
| percentage = 0.63
}}
{{Election box total no party no change
| votes = 6,175
| percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box end}}
See also
{{Portal|United States}}
References
{{Reflist|25em}}
;Bibliography
{{Refbegin}}
- {{cite book|title=The Facilitative Leader in City Hall: Reexamining the Scope and Contributions|last=Svara|first=James H.|date=December 9, 2008|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=9781420068320}}
{{Refend}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Foy, Kevin}}
Category:21st-century mayors of places in North Carolina
Category:Mayors of Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Category:North Carolina Democrats
Category:North Carolina lawyers
Category:North Carolina Central University alumni