Candidates: What have you done for the town and what do you want to do if elected?

You, the Wake Forest voters, get to decide who will help make the decisions about the future of our town, at least for the next four years. I hope the questions and the candidates’ answers will help you make your choices.

I want to say thank you to each of the candidates. They took time from their jobs and family responsibilities to thoughtfully answer the questions I posed.

It was delightful to talk with each one before the election season got underway. Each brings her or his own perspective to the thorny and complicated questions about how to best serve our town within budget constraints, local, state and federal law. They knew when they signed up that they were laying themselves open to criticism; whoever wins, I ask you who read this to please also praise and encourage them.

Election Day is next Tuesday, November 7, when you can vote at the location in your precinct. The polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and you must show your voter ID to vote.

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Ben Clapsaddle

It has been an honor talking with and meeting people across our Town and I look forward to being your next Wake Forest Town Commissioner.

You can count on me to:

Support and retain our excellent Town Staff.

Ensure our outstanding Police, Fire and EMT Departments are always manned, trained and equipped to meet the needs of our Town.

Improve and develop our infrastructure to meet current and future demands.

Protect our historical sites, our canopies, and our natural areas.

Expand our Parks and Recreation facilities.

Advocate for and support our small business owners.

Work closely with all Commissioners, our Mayor, and neighboring municipalities.

Listen to, be a voice for and represent all people who make Wake Forest home.

Your Vote on 7 November will determine the direction Wake Forest will take over the next 5 to 10 years. It is important to let your voice be heard and counted.

Together we will make Tomorrow!

 I want to thank Carol Pelosi for giving us this forum to lay out our views so you can see how we stand on the key issues which are impacting Wake Forest. 

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Faith Cross

I had a conversation with a former elected official not long after I announced my candidacy. The comment was made, “What have you been doing in the community because I’ve never heard of you…” This is not an exact quote- but the implication was clear- you’re an unknown, what you’ve done is unknown. I don’t think there was a harmful intent in this question, but it got me thinking about what it is to be involved in a community. Does everyone need to know everything you’ve done in order to be seen as making a difference in your community? I don’t think so, and I think the vast majority of residents are similar to me- they’ve been serving or helping in their smaller communities within Wake Forest for many years, “unknown” but undeniably valuable in their contribution to the betterment of our town. 

I have been serving in my church community (Richland Creek Community Church) for 14 years since we moved here. I have helped in the Special Needs Ministry -which hosts Respites and Vacation Bible School for the special needs community- for a decade. I have volunteered with the children and headed up the nursing support as well. I just helped with this two weeks ago! It is a joy and privilege. For many years, I helped with our “Live, Love, Serve” events where we collected non-perishables from the surrounding community for the local food banks. We also collected coats to distribute to the community in the winter. We had a free medical clinic I assisted in. My family and I have always participated in Operation Christmas Child (this year the church is a collection site) and we are volunteers as we collect from all over the community! I currently lead the medical emergency response team- part of our Safety and Security team. My church home has provided numerous opportunities to serve and help in ways that have touched the larger community of Wake Forest. 

I have been serving in my homeschool community in a leadership position for 10 of the 12 years we’ve been homeschooling. I was a tutor for elementary aged children for 4 years, before becoming Director of that community for 4 years (K-6th grade). I currently (2nd year) teach a 9th grade class. I have also assistant coached cross-country and volleyball (we just finished a successful season!!) through our homeschool community. I have loved being able to be involved in any community where my family is. 

I have been a home health nurse in this community for 14 years of my 23 year career. I have been in numerous neighborhoods with every population from pediatric to geriatric. I have worked in the surrounding communities as well, driving an hour in every direction of Wake Forest for many years. It has given me a unique perspective on our special town. It has also given me the opportunity to have up-close engagement with residents in their homes during challenging parts of their lives. I have had the chance, over the years, to help individual residents and even connect them with available resources in the community. 

Writing this article has made me uncomfortable. This was supposed to be the “easy question” but for me, talking about the ways in which I have engaged in the community feels like hubris. I have done what I know MANY residents do right now, engage in the community where they are at. And all these small interactions, and acts of service, add up to a place people want to live, where there is support and resources.  

Now, as I have decided to run for the Board of Commissioners, I see this as just another opportunity to serve the community in a larger way. I have watched for long enough, and now I am engaging because I am concerned with what I’ve seen happen. I intend to represent the resident’s voice as a commissioner. I’m committed to protecting the community as it exists, through the necessary UDO changes and preservation of green spaces. I will always research, ask questions and seek solutions. I look forward to serving well the community I call home. 

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Joe Kimray

I have spent more than a decade volunteering for advisory boards, organizations, and various committees throughout our Town – and in 2021, was honored and humbled to be named Wake Forest Citizen of the Year for my volunteer efforts.

One thing I have always tried to do to make Wake Forest better is to project a positive attitude about our Town. Is everything perfect – absolutely not – but, in the grand scheme of things, we definitely have it much better than most other communities. During my term, if elected, I will continue to focus on the good things about our Town – and let that positive attitude carry us to accomplishing our lofty goals. I challenge everyone else to do the same.

I spent the last six years on the Town Planning Board – serving as Chair for two of those years – making the case for intelligent, logical growth in our Town. There are many projects that I feel greatly benefit our community which were approved during my time on the Board – as well as revamping many of our plans and policies that will guide us in the years to come. I will continue this common sense approach as Commissioner – proving that “smart growth” doesn’t mean no growth at all.

My time serving the Chamber of Commerce exceeds ten years – seven of those on the Board of Directors, including one term as Chair of the Board. I have also helped organize Meet in the Street – the largest festival in our town – in many of those years. I believe that a thriving business community is the basis for a strong town. We have that, and if elected, I hope to continue to work with Town Staff and the Chamber to recruit new companies to Wake Forest to create a strong base of jobs for our citizens (which can also help alleviate traffic issues due to commuting), try to lure a great mix of businesses that we can all enjoy, and make sure that we do not fall behind our current levels of success.

As a Downtown Business Owner, it’s important to me that we protect the history of our Town. Every business owner in our Historic Downtown works hard every day to make our Downtown a special place that people want to visit. I served on the Board of Directors for Wake Forest Downtown; and, as Commissioner, hope to work more with that organization to continue enhancing the historic feel of our Downtown – which will ensure its success for many years to come.

Lastly – I have spoken throughout this campaign about building relationships – which I believe to be one of the most important jobs of a Commissioner. I was proud to be a part of the delegation that went to Washington, DC last week to advocate for improvements on Capital Boulevard (among other things). As your Commissioner, I will continue to build and maintain relationships that will benefit this town – not just for one year or one project – but for decades to come.

Thank you for taking the time to read my responses every week – and many thanks to Carol for her efforts in helping us share our visions for the community. I humbly ask for your vote on November 7th to allow me the opportunity to serve as one of your next Town Commissioners.

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Jim Thompson

I have been fortunate to have been involved in the town for nearly 15 years. Because of this, I have been involved in numerous activities that have made our town better.

My first involvement with the town was on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. During my time on the Board we welcomed a new director that helped take the department in a new and exciting direction. We implemented the first Wake Forest Unplugged (that continues today) and laid the groundwork for the Joyner Park Community Center.

While on the Board of Commissioners, I supported development that has increased our commercial tax base and provided much needed infrastructure. That infrastructure includes the widening of Capital from Hwy 98 to S. Main; the Franklin Street connection between Rogers and Hwy 98 and also Ligon Mill Rd. between S. Main and Hwy 98. I supported our parks and recreation and greenway bonds that enabled us to provide upgrades to our park facilities and expand our greenway network, all while maintaining our tax rate. While on the Board, I had the opportunity to replace our retiring town manager with the current manager, Kip Padgett. That was an intense process, but I was very engaged, and we continue to reap the benefits of that decision today. One of those benefits has been bringing economic development within the town. With the town now able to focus on economic development, we are seeing the results of that play out constantly. From the Merrit Park expansion to the new food halls downtown.

So, what’s next? I like to use this hashtag in several of my social media post (and I am borrowing this from our economic development folks) – #BigCityEnergySmallTownCharm. In order to do that, we can’t take an all or nothing approach as some candidates might suggest. We can’t completely shutdown growth or thumb our nose at developers, we have to work together. We can accomplish responsible growth, protect our open spaces and our water resources, and increase our tree canopy. With some of the new UDO improvements we have a chance to do all those things. The thing about Wake Forest is we continue to get better and learn better ways to develop. There is a big difference in Wal-Mart and Wegmans in terms of the requirements we put in place for tree protection and connectivity as an example. Our new UDO will take more into account tree preservation and other conservation measures for our stormwater.

On November 7, you have a choice to take a balanced approach to advancing Wake Forest. We can’t be 100% about growth or 100% anti-growth. We can’t be 100% on the right or 100% on the left. We have to be balanced in order to advance Wake Forest for everyone. I would appreciate being one of your three votes next week.

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Adam Wright

During my first term as a Wake Forest Town Commissioner, I’ve been committed to making tangible improvements to our community. I’ve focused on several key initiatives that have already had a positive impact, and I have a vision for the future that I’m eager to pursue.

One significant accomplishment from my first term is directing the allocation of American Rescue Plan funding towards the upgrade of our stop lights, implementing an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). This decision is poised to enhance traffic flow throughout our town, reducing congestion and improving overall transportation efficiency.

Another key achievement has been my contribution to the inclusion of a performance arts theater in our Strategic Plan. This move has paved the way for a comprehensive feasibility study that is currently underway. It is a step toward enriching our cultural offerings and providing the community with a space to appreciate the arts.

Furthermore, I’ve been an advocate for community engagement and empowerment. I’ve actively supported the participation of our citizens in local decision-making processes. This has included allowing individuals to voice their opinions during quasi-judicial hearings, and I’ve also taken a stance to preserve the property opposite Joyner Park, aligning with the wishes of our community.

In my next term as a Town Commissioner, I have ambitious plans to make Wake Forest an even better place to live. My primary focus will be on enhancing walkability. I aim to explore the construction of pedestrian bridges across major roads, creating safer and more convenient pathways for our residents. 

Moreover, I intend to ensure that the momentum generated from our trip to Washington, D.C., translates into real funding for the improvement of Capital Road. This is essential for the continued development and infrastructure enhancement of our town.

Above all, I am deeply committed to upholding the principles of democracy and representation. I will persist in empowering the voices of our community, ensuring that I remain a true representative of the people of Wake Forest. Through these efforts, I am dedicated to making Wake Forest an even better place to live and prosper. Your support in the upcoming election will allow me to continue this vital work on your behalf.

I have enjoyed answering these questions the past few weeks and I ask for your vote next Tuesday. 

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Tom Balman

What have I done…

Probably the overarching thing about me is living within my pure heart. It is also why one of the most insightful people I know advised in advance that my greatest challenge in this election would be being understood.

That is the challenge of ‘just’ being me and discovering opportunities to serve from the inside out towards broader contexts. And certainly how ThatisTom.com was derived.

Pure in trials and tribulations with challenges posed living in a multi-generational household out of necessity and where my love for for my spouse got turned upside down for a pretty dark period.

Not to mention raising four children being no small task. My monsters as I like to call them have pressed the issue to be a generalist. They all come ‘out’ differently as many parents can attest and the guiding principle of being there for them amidst their own unique challenges serves as the catalyst to being as well rounded as possible. I am a Ballman after all.

To do this within the context of what I consider the greatest thing I’ll ever do in my lifetime required a lot of ‘looking in’ to my self and observations within our family as a laboratory of sorts.

This is where in my case the YMCA was such a blessing to lean on as a pillar towards ‘looking in‘ with a tremendously dedicated community towards wellness in more ways than ‘just’ physical health.

Pure in youth sports coaching where each and every child through observation could seek out their dormant confidence over time and put it out to the forefront. Overcoming fears and believing in yourself within the context of a team environment were always on my mind for each and every participant. Wins and losses were ‘just’ opportunities to learn.

Pure in my own neighborhood by serving on the HOA Board seeking improvement to our own quality of life based on the fee structure and budget of a 20+ year old community.

Volunteering for the Town’s community day event where rebuilding entry steps in the Northeast community was needed for safety that otherwise would not be completed.

Seeking out in a broader context Town Planning without any financial gains is about as pure as it can be in my opinion. Spending the better part of 20 years in that arena and utilizing those experiences for a common good via the Planning Board and now potentially as a Commissioner without politics (whatever that is) might just be the epitome of a pure heart.

But then again that’s for the voters to decide. My own individual hope is that this municipal election draws out double the amount of voters of any previous local election and serves as a match point for civic involvement. Letting the cards fall where they may.

It’s your voice and our community.

If there are any doubts about me as your next Commissioner, just ask. I do not hide from anyone. 

I look forward with great anticipation of your vote, November 7th.

What I plan to do as Commissioner is continue to be me, pure with warts and all.

This process of going door to door has hopefully helped in me being understood. 

Tell your neighbors, family and friends alike.

ThatisTom.com

Tom Ballman

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