Margaret Broadwell says she's back by popular demand after an 18-year political hiatus. "I've had so many citizens tell me that they're not adequately represented, that their views are not being carried forth as they had hoped," said Broadwell, who served two terms as a town commissioner in the 1980s. "They've asked me to run because they think I'm the one who can help to change that."

To that end, Broadwell says she'll focus on spending and use her "C.S. degree -- that's a degree in common sense" along with prior political experience to push for improved roadways and balanced growth.

On spending: Controlling the flow of money is of utmost importance in a town that has been on the brink of a significant property tax hike for several years, Broadwell said.

"Citizens are becoming aware that, in order for Morrisville to function as a desirable community, certain services and projects need to move forward," she said. "To afford them, Morrisville will assuredly have to go up on taxes if they don't find ways to cut expenditures in other ways."

Doing so would not only overburden taxpayers but could also discourage newcomers from making their home in Morrisville, she said. "To provide as an entity, we have to find ways to provide services at a competitive cost to the surrounding communities," she said. "If the cost of living is too high, people will go to other communities to live, work and play."

On taxes: Without quick change, Broadwell said a rise in property taxes could become an inevitable reality -- soon. "If the right elected officials take office and review projections and expenditures, we can keep it down," she said. "... We absolutely cannot allow ourselves to say, 'Oh, it's just a little bit.' "

On transportation: "Traffic flow in town is still lacking," Broadwell said. "And obviously, the more people who come through town, the more congested it becomes."

Solving that problem won't be easy, given that Morrisville has little extra money to spend and doesn't maintain some of its own thoroughfares, such as N.C. 54. "That doesn't mean that just because it's difficult that it's impossible," she said. "I think that finding ways to afford top designs is necessary."

On growth: Town leaders must be careful not to repeat mistakes of the past, especially when it comes to zoning land for compatible uses.

"In my subdivision, the adjoining land is industrial," Broadwell said. "The abutting businesses have created noise issues."

Broadwell was on the Town Council the year that land between Chapel-Hill Road and Aviation Parkway was designated for industrial use. "I don't think any of us realized the impact of allowing these zonings next to each other," she said. "From that experience, I would say that good planning for compatible zonings should be used moving forward."

Broadwell said she would also like to see more single-family homes in town, preferably on larger lots. But she said she would fight against homes being built too close to retail. "We've already seen a few examples of that, despite public opposition," she said.