When our family moved here in 1970, the intown population was about 3,500 and the town limits had not changed although a lot of older settlements, like Forestville, and new subdivisions were just outside the town streets with their original square granite curbs. You could not buy a pizza in town and the Wake sheriff’s department, thinly stretched over the 8,000-something square miles, was not aided by addresses like Route 4 Box 10 Wake Forest.
The town could have continued the funk it had fallen into after Wake Forest College moved to Winston-Salem in 1956, but it didn’t, thanks to the high quality of leadership shown by the town boards in the following years when they authorized extension of the town limits and began providing sewer, water, street lights, home renovations and new homes in two parts of town, the Mill Village and the East End.
Succeeding boards have recognized the need for more recreation, for better streets and for amenities such as greenways and a cultural center. They have been paid for, largely, through bond issues approved by town voters, federal and state grants and property taxes.
We have passed the 35,000 population mark – projections say we will have nearly 50,000 people within our town’s limits within 10 years. Another 15,000 people – and they will probably be skewed to young parents and young children – will add to the need and demand for additional park facilities, for an improved road system, for sidewalks and greenways, for a larger senior center.
There has been careful, prudent stewardship of the monies from all the recent bonds, and the town’s triple-A bond rating reflects that. Voters can be assured the current town leadership will provide the most improvements for the least cost.
There will be more bang for the buck because of anticipated grants. The three bond referendums total $25.1 million, but matching grants already approved for several projects will add $30 million. For example, the planned construction for the Smith Creek and Sanford Creek greenways is estimated to cost just over $3 million, but the town’s match for a state CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement) grant is $685,000.
For all these reasons, we urge you to vote yes for all three bond referendum questions.
