Wake Forest residents will elect three town commissioners on Nov. 5. Will the three commissioners whose terms end in December run for another term?
They are Anne Reeve, first elected in 2007 after losing by nine votes in 2001; Greg Harrington, the former police chief first elected in 2011; and Brian Pate, who is ending his first term.
Reeve replied immediately to the question from the Gazette. “I have the question under consideration.”
Harrington’s reply was a series of ???????s.
Pate was succinct. “At this time, I do not intend to seek re-election to the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners.”
The filing period begins at noon on Friday, July 5, and ends at noon two weeks later on Friday, July 19. Candidates for the town board must be town residents, 21 years of age and qualified voters. The candidates with the largest number of votes are elected.
Wake Forest holds nonpartisan staggered elections for its mayor and commissioners. Mayor Vivian Jones was elected to a fifth term in 2017 and Commissioners Liz Simpers and Bridget Wall-Lennon were elected to their first terms.
The mayor’s salary is $10,000 and commissioners are paid $8,000.
5 Responses
But Greg Harrington has stood up and spoke against a lot of town changes. Thumbs up from me! He cares about this town more than others that might appear they do.
Thank you Carol for the update. It is important for citizens to be informed of what goes on in their town government. It is also important for citizens to be engaged with their government. My caeeer choices over the last five years have left me personally to not be involved as I would like.
There are issues I brought before the Board five years ago that yet to be addressed such as the fact that there are no sidewalks along the northern side of East Holding Avenu. The town made St. Catherine’s build sidewalks which are not used. I also questioned the town having judicial hearings where one has to be an engineer, planner and attorney to speak before the Planning Board.
I could blame the government leaders for not listening, but I myself did not pursue these issues beyond a meeting and a letter to the editor. I also did not persuade those who agree with me in the public to do the same.
At least with forums like the Gazette I can follow what is going on even if I don’t do my part enough.
Also, why is this article being written nearly a year before the election?
Sophia,
It is commonly done. It takes time to decide to be a candidate, get backers and volunteers and otherwise organize a campaign, which has to be done even in a town like Wake Forest. This article was just to alert those who might be interested in being a candidate that the time to prepare is now.
Carol
I’d say all 3 have done more than enough damage to consider theirs terms over. This town will never recover any of the small town charm it used to tout so proudly. It’s just been build build build, and for what? Quality of life has done nothing but nosedive. Good riddance. Elect three people who aren’t afraid to ask a question now and again.