This week the five candidates for three seats on the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners are answering two questions: What issues did you think the town faces when you decided to run for the town board? and What issues are voters you speak to saying they believe are important? The candidates are Chad Casale Jr., Brian Clemson, Greg Harrington, Brian Pate and Anne Reeve. Harrington is running for a second term, Reeve for a third term. This is the first time Casale, Clemson and Pate have run for the town board.
This week the answers appear in the order the editor received them. The order will be different next week. For the next two weeks, they will be answering questions posed by the editor, but if you have a question you would like directed at the candidates, please submit it to cwpelosi@aol.com. In the Oct. 28 issue, the article will review election information.
Brian Pate: 1) What issues did you think the town faces when you decided to run for the town board?
When my wife and I moved here in 1998, there were just under 8,000 residents in Wake Forest. According to statistics shared at the Town Board Retreat I attended on September 25th, we now have over 39,000 residents. That should tell you everything you need to know.
Growth must be managed as we add 2,000 or more residents every year. Because others crave the small town atmosphere while being convenient to major metropolitan areas, Wake Forest is on the radar for those relocating from out of town. In addition, there are many people living in Raleigh that have chosen to move out this way also.
As that happens, growth must be planned and that plan must be enforced. For example, recently, a developer was supposed to have constructed a road as part of the plan for a subdivision at the developer’s expense. For some reason, that developer decided not to build the road and the town allowed the developer to walk away from that plan.
I think people should be held accountable for doing what they promised to do.
2) What issues are voters you speak to saying they believe are important?
As I have spoken to citizens in Wake Forest, there are many issues that have been brought to my attention.
The consistent one is sidewalks. I have had someone who lives near the Altson-Massenburg Center tell me that sidewalks are now needed due to Oak Grove Church Road connecting to Traditions. Because people are using this as a cut through, it is not safe for children destined for Taylor Street Park.
Likewise, Heritage residents would like to see sidewalks completed from the intersection of Heritage Club Avenue and Heritage Lake Road. Because there are no sidewalks there, students walking home from Heritage High School and those out for a jog must navigate through some of the busiest traffic in town at all times of the day.
Of course, the growth of the town and the need to secure the infrastructure is always at the top of voter’s lists. With that in mind, the Town of Wake Forest has only about 21 percent of the total property being used as commercial property.
In a perfect scenario, there would be a 70/30 ratio with 30 percent commercial and 70 percent residential. With as many residential lots planned over the next couple of years, we must concentrate on economic development and recruiting business to the area that will equal out that split while providing more options for citizens.
Personally, I would also like to see a more vibrant downtown. Although the downtown property owners and Wake Forest Downtown have done a great job with the revitalization project, I think the historic downtown district is ripe for business development.
Years ago, the Cotton Company opened and brought a new way of thinking to the art scene for marketing. Then, a few years later, White Street Brewing opened and has become a destination for craft beer aficionados. It is now time to find the next jewel in the downtown area. If we can find a few more “destinations” for shoppers or hungry visitors, the downtown area could be active even in the evenings and be a place for locals to gather with friends and family or guests from out of town.
(Readers can reach Pate at 919-669-4575 or www.paterealty.com.)
Anne Reeve: What issues did you think the town faces when you decided to run for the town board? Growth is certainly on everyone’s mind. Growth is vital to a thriving community. Growth of residences has to be augmented with commercial/retail. Therefore, Economic Development is essential. During the eight years I have served, I have attended many ribbon cuttings and ground breaking events to let those business owners know that the Town appreciates them deciding to locate in Wake Forest. These businesses offer services to the citizens, new and long time residents. I want to see Wake Forest continue to prosper.
What issues are voters you speak to saying they believe are important? Traffic is on everyone’s mind. Due to our growth over the last 10-12 years, NCDOT has not been able to, or couldn’t keep up with the necessary improvements. Mostly due lack of funding on their part, not the lack of effort by the Town, especially our Mayor Vivian Jones.
Of course, growth. However, as they say “if you build it they will come.”
(Readers can reach Reeve at 919-556-6304; e-mail: annereeve68@yahoo.com.)
Greg Harrington: The answer to your first question is simply traffic and road improvements and economic development. The town has grown so much over the course of the last several years and when you have growth you have traffic issues. I do believe we (commissioners) have done a pretty good job overall in addressing our traffic and street(s) problems with the passage of the last bond package. Work is slated to begin soon on Stadium Drive, which includes North Street. Also S. Main Street at Capital Blvd. will be `fixed“ so as to ease traffic problems. Traffic signals have been or will soon be installed at several intersections that we have received complaints about. Traffic problems will not be eliminated but over the course of time we hope to make driving more enjoyable.
Our new Town Manager was hired and started work the first week of July. He has seen the need to be involved with the Chamber of Commerce in the area of economic development. Now that Marla Akridge has accepted employment out of state, a new era has begun (or will began) with a new partnership formed between the Chamber and the town. The town gives $98,500 to the Chamber each year for economic development and I`m sure who ever the new President of the Chamber is will be more than willing to work closely with the new manager.
What issues are voters you speak to saying they believe are important?
The biggest issues I`ve heard are traffic congestion, road improvements, and “When is Sam’s coming“ ?”
Wake Forest has done very well the last several years when so many towns and cities have struggled. We have grown not only in population but in the number of businesses that have moved here. We are still looking at a number of projects that have been approved but not yet started. We are a viable town with good leadership but as many have said – The Best is yet to Come!!
(Readers can reach Harrington at 919-723-7008 or mgregh@nc.rr.com.)
Chad C. Casale:
- I decided to run for the town board due to the seemingly uncontrolled growth of Wake Forest. The infrastructure that exists cannot handle the massive expansion that is in progress. There are currently 80 approved, completed and under construction projects underway in town with more on the way. The town is only 15 square miles. That is an average of 5 projects per square mile. I sit in traffic during the week (as we all do) and even on weekends. The congestion is only going to get worse within the coming years as more and more projects are completed. We need to take a step back, examine our infrastructure, continue to improve our infrastructure and then continue smart growth.
2. The voters that I have spoken to put traffic, congestion, over-development, the environment and schools as the main issues they are concerned about. I’ve heard, more than once, that I used to tell people I lived in Wake Forest. Now I just tell people I live in North Raleigh. The majority of voters that I have spoken to came to Wake Forest for its small town charm and feel and to escape from the city atmosphere. Unfortunately, the town is being turned into exactly what they were trying to get away from. The lack of new schools being built in Wake Forest is another concern. Schools in Wake Forest are either at or near capacity. It is not unusual for children to be sent to schools many miles from home as that is where space is available. We need more schools in Wake Forest to handle the new students being added to the system due to the town’s growth. Conservation of open space and natural resources are another major concern. Water and air quality and the legacy that we leave our children and future generations of Wake Forest residents is another concern. I’ve seen, first hand, the results of over-development. And unfortunately, I see those same mistakes being made here in Wake Forest. We have the power to change the course of our town’s future. Please vote on November 3rd.
(Readers can reach Casale at 1-516-779-8619 or chad.casale@yahoo.com.)
Brian R. Clemson: What issues did you think the town faces when you decided to run for the town board? I thought the town was facing a couple of issues, population growth and economic development. The growth of Wake Forest has put considerable burden on existing roadways, especially for residents commuting to Raleigh and RTP. Roadways need to be expanded to accommodate the increased traffic and allow for the additional growth being planned. Economic development in the technology sector would be an ideal area in which to focus. Wake Forest has a significant number of residents with careers in technical fields. Increases in tech industry jobs located in Wake Forest would open job opportunities to additional residents, as well as, those currently commuting to neighboring communities. This could have the added benefit of alleviating some of the congestion due to commuting. Kip Padgett, Wake Forest Town Manager, has indicated the need to entice more industry in the tech sector. I couldn’t agree more.
What issues are voters you speak to saying they believe are important? The voters I have heard from want to see more businesses, greenways, and activities for teenagers. I continually hear residents state they want to see more upscale restaurants, specialty shops, etc. They have also communicated to me the desire to see more greenways and outdoor options that can be experienced as a family. Finally, I have heard concerns regarding activities geared toward teenagers. Raleigh’s Marsh Creek Park, as an example, has a skate park that allows teenagers to socialize with friends while pursuing one of their outdoor passions. Something similar could be constructed within Wake Forest. One possible location might be Joyner Park. Additionally, we could be providing tech workshops that introduce and immerse teenagers in various aspects of tech fields such as coding, web development, and network security. Partnerships with local industry could help facilitate and defray costs associated with such an endeavor. Suggestions I have heard include establishing a computer center at the Factory or possibly Flaherty Park. Opportunities for teenagers to participate in community service projects would be another option. Often, the younger population is ignored and engaging this segment of our community could have a positive impact on numerous levels.
(Readers can reach Clemson at 919-562-8084 or brian.clemson@gmail.com.)
