These are your town board candidates

Five men and one woman filed in July as candidates for three seats on the Wake Forest Town Board: Thomas Ballman, Ben Clapsaddle, Faith Cross, Joe Kimray, Jim Thompson and Adam Wright. Wright, an incumbent, is seeking a second term. The two other current commissioners, Jim Dyer and Chad Sary, did not file, choosing to leave after a single term each.
Election Day is November 7. Between now and then you will see signs all over town, see the candidates if they walk streets and knock on doors, and hear from them in the forum sponsored by the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Wake Forest on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre.
There is early voting for the Wake Forest election, but it will be at three sites only: The Wake County Board of Elections office at 1200 New Hope Road in Raleigh and one each in Apex and Garner. The Gazette will provide more information about those early sites in September. Voters can also ask for, receive, vote and mail absentee ballots.
The Gazette invited each Wake Forest Town Board candidate to state why they are running and to provide a short biography. Since the Gazette is going to provide candidate answers to these and future questions in different order, for this it will print the answers as they are received.
Ben Clapsaddle: “Since 1832 when the North Carolina Baptist Convention purchased Dr. Calvin Jones’ property to build an educational institute, our Town has grown and changed. We must work together to decide and manage the changes and how we want tomorrow to be.
My focus:
1. Support and retain our excellent Town Staff. Ensure our outstanding Police, Fire and EMT Departments are always staffed, trained, and equipped to meet the needs of our Town.
2. Improve Infrastructure, parks and recreation facilities While protecting our historical sites and natural areas,
3. Work closely with all Commissioners, our Mayor and neighboring municipalities.
4. Listen to, be a voice for and represent all people who work and live in our Town.
Together we will make Tomorrow!”
I am Ben Clapsaddle and we have been Residents of Wake Forest for 18+ years.
I was fortunate to marry the former Nancy E. Sledge of Oak City, North Carolina in 1982, and we have been married for over 40 years. Nancy grew up in Oak City, NC and is a graduate of East Carolina University. We have two children: Nathan and Ranie. Nathan and Ranie attended Wake Forest Elementary, Middle and High School. They are both graduates of William Peace University.
I am a graduate of Pine Forest HS in Fayetteville and received a bachelor’s degree in political science from The Citadel, and master’s degrees from Central Michigan University and the U.S. Army War College.
After 27 years in the U.S. Army, serving with some of the greatest men and women in the world, I retired as a Colonel. I then worked as a Project Manager for Booz Allen Hamilton and then as a Senior Department of the Army Civilian for the U.S. Army FORSCOM at Ft Liberty NC.
Adam Wright: My campaign is centered on working for the community and not the developers. I do this by prioritizing smart growth, addressing traffic issues through connectivity, and preserving our valuable land and open spaces. Throughout my time on the board, I have remained true to my promise of “not being a rubber stamp for developers”, as evidenced by my voting record. I have consistently voted against projects that I believe would not serve the best interests of our community, such as the Wake Forest Golf Course rezoning, the property across from Joyner Park (twice), and the Burlington Mill apartments.
Looking ahead to my potential next term, I am committed to continuing my advocacy for the betterment of our town. For instance, I pushed for the allocation of American Rescue Plan funds to upgrade our stop lights so that they are synced, and I am eager to see this crucial project implemented despite any delays from NCDOT. Additionally, I have initiated discussions with our staff to explore the creation of a land conservation fund, and I am dedicated to ensuring that it is utilized effectively and responsibly for the benefit of our community. Furthermore, I have championed the inclusion of a performance arts theater in our Strategic Plan, and I am eager to take action once the ongoing feasibility study is completed.
As a long-term resident of our town, I have a deep love and commitment to its welfare. My wife, Kara, and our two dogs, Luke and Madison, have been part of this community since 2011, and it is this personal connection that drives my dedication to serving the people and ensuring their voices are heard in shaping our town’s future.
I firmly believe that by working together and prioritizing the interests of our residents, we can create a thriving and harmonious community that we can all be proud to call home. I am passionate about continuing the work I have started and am excited about the potential positive impact we can achieve together.
Once again, I extend my gratitude for the opportunity to address your readers, and I welcome any further questions or discussions regarding my campaign and vision for our town’s future.
Joe Kimray: I seek this office for one simple reason – I love this town and want to ensure the best for it in the coming years.
I grew up outside of Charlotte – in Mount Holly – where I earned the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 15. Being raised in a small-town next to a big city was very similar to the way of life in Wake Forest. I believe that living in a small-town is a privilege; and I intend to protect that spirit as we continue to grow.
Shortly after graduating from NC State University in 2007, I met my wife, Mary Kathryn (Willis), a fifth-generation Wake Forest resident. From the first time I came to Wake Forest, it felt like home – and I knew that this would be the place in which we would raise our family. Our daughter, Eleanor, is extremely proud to be a sixth-generation resident of our wonderful town.
Mary Kathryn and I are also the third-generation owners of B & W Hardware. Owning a business in our Historic Downtown is a great honor that I do not take lightly – as it helps preserve the legacy of our Downtown, and connects current residents with our past on a daily basis.
I intend to be a voice advocating for smart growth in Wake Forest – and be a Commissioner who will make intelligent, logical decisions to try to ensure that our town develops the correct way. I will be successful in this role thanks to my understanding of our UDO, Community Plan, and Zoning Laws acquired during my six years of service on the Town Planning Board. Through this common sense approach, we can prove that smart growth doesn’t mean no growth at all.
By seeking outside funding, forming public-private partnerships, and generating fresh ideas – I hope to create an atmosphere that will help improve our recreational opportunities, and also protect our natural resources. By doing this, we can preserve the parts of our community that make us happy, help us connect with nature, and generally enhance our quality of life.
I have served our community in many ways over the years – with major positions including:
• Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (2017-Present, Chair 2021-22 FY)
• Chamber Foundation Board of Directors (2021-Present, Chair 2022-23 FY)
• Town Planning Board (2017-2022, Chair 2021 & 2022)
• Renaissance Plan Steering Committee (2015-2016)
• Wake Forest Downtown Board of Directors (2014-2017)
• Leadership Wake Forest (Class of 2016-17)
Jim Thompson: Since I first became involved with the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, I knew there was something special about this town. As I started getting more and more involved in the town, I knew I wanted to give back even more. I served as chair of the P&R board and soon after was elected to the Board of Commissioners, where I served two years as Mayor Pro Tem.
I stepped away from a lot of things during Covid, but have found myself being called for serving the town again.
My reasons for running this time around aren’t significantly different then when I was on the Board in 2013-2017. I feel I can bring a balanced approach to advancing Wake Forest. And I want our community to truly be a place where you can live, play and work. I want to focus on ways where we can balance our need for growth while continuing to maintain our small town charm. We need to continue to be looking for ways to increase connectivity. And that means not only our streets, sidewalks and greenways, it also means broadband access for every Wake Forest resident and business. And speaking of broadband, like water, sewer and electric, it’s the fourth leg of our economic development table. We must have it to compete.
Another key platform focus of mine has been the importance of our parks and recreation (and now cultural resources). The things that set Wake Forest apart are the things we need to continue to strengthen. It’s what makes our community so desirable. It’s why people continue to want to call this place home. Our PRCR access does a tremendous job at adding to the quality of life of our citizens. And as we enter a post-pandemic world, it’s important to continue to strengthen those resources for the overall physical and mental wellbeing of our citizens.
Thank you for your time. I would appreciate your support on Nov. 7. Visit – https://tinyurl.com/JimForWakeForest.
Tom Ballman: My name is Tom Ballman. I am seeking election to an at-large seat as Town of Wake Forest (ToWF) Commissioner on November 7, 2023. You can reach me and find more about my background at www.thatistom.com.
My family & I relocated from Lancaster, Pennsylvania to the Wake Forest area in 2012. We are composed of my wife, Catherine a VA Nursing supervisor, and our four school aged children. Fortunately, due to our busy lives, Catherine’s parents now reside with us and have been doing so for the past eight years. We are a multi-generational household.
My background as a Land Planner (AICP) serves as the foundation for which I am seeking office. My past involvement with the Town began with volunteering as a youth sports coach for many of the ToWF Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources (PRCR) youth leagues. Additionally, I was appointed to the advisory Planning Board by the ToWF Board of Commissioners for one three-year term (2020 through 2022). That time on the Planning Board was a fast and furious experience, where well over 4,500 dwelling units across close to 40 different residential development projects were up for vote seeking rezoning approval. All this and more occurred amidst the Coronavirus, obviously, a very unsettling time for everyone.
I am running specifically due to my unique qualifications and professional experience, and an individual drive to provide a voice for residents that may not feel they have been heard in recent years. Things I’ve certainly experienced firsthand due to my time on the Planning Board. I believe the majority of the challenges my household faces are familiar with many here in the Town, including empty nesters who have resided (and continue to do so) within the Town limits for a far greater time than my own family.
Below are three important agenda items that I will focus on as your next Commissioner:
1. Provide a balanced and pragmatic view towards discretionary rezoning cases proposed by the development community. This discerning eye towards the legislative process creates an expectation that what may be proposed in the future integrates within… and adds value to…. the existing community. The development community needs to prove this for approval for my vote as these cases are essentially asking lands to be re-zoned and may overlook the impacts to the existing community in the here and now.
2. Investigate, identify, and implement safe non-vehicular (pedestrian) travel options to destinations consisting of goods/services, educational facilities, and recreational opportunities. This is in the form of connecting sidewalk gaps throughout the Town, additional greenways, and re-evaluating/implementing soft paths that at one time informally existed. Additional focus on road crossings will go a long way towards inviting residents & visitors alike towards a safe, efficient, and alternative means to and from important destinations in the Town. I believe this is crucial to the long-term success of the Town not just today, but for future generations and will strive to accelerate these missing ingredients to the community.

3. Promote and increase awareness of Town sponsored services, recreation, and social events. The Town perform these so very well, with non-profit partners and I believe the residents of the Town greatly appreciate the sense of community they represent in action. I would hope to envision, as your next commissioner, an expansion of these services, including a reintroduction to one important seasonal event that had been eliminated in recent years, the Christmas parade.
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One candidate, Faith Cross, did not respond to my email request on Monday and to a phone call and email early afternoon of today, Wednesday.
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