Wake Forest Gazette

            The unofficial count of candidates for this fall’s town board election stands at two people vying for the mayor’s seat and three people trying for two commissioner seats.
            Mayor Vivian Jones will be trying to keep her position for a third term, and David Bissette says he will challenge her.
            William “Watt” Jones, 54, has announced he will run for one of the two seats held by first-term Commissioners Frank Drake and Margaret Stinnett, who both said this week they plan to run for second terms.
            Watt Jones works at the state Museum of Natural Sciences and lives with his fiancée on Sinewell Drive. Although he has lived in town two years, he is not a stranger here.  
            “I lived in the Wake Forest area many years ago while employed for the Town of Rolesville and enjoyed my time here then. I found Wake Forest to be an ideal small town with the small town atmosphere. Since my return, I have become concerned with the growth occurring here which increases traffic and congestion,” he said.
            Jones also would like to see the town continue its fiscal responsibility. “I think the town has done a great job in its finances and would like to see that continue without an increase in taxes. In this economy, I think Wake Forest could set an example by thriving as a small town without suffering any financial hardships and job losses.”
            Another statement Jones said in announcing was that he wants to see the town’s park system and greenways continue. “I am also interested in programs for persons with special needs.”
            Jones would like to increase ridership on the loop bus and the express buses to Raleigh.
            Finally, he said, “I am running to listen to the wants and needs of the citizens of Wake Forest, and, unlike politicians, it’s not what I want. Politicians sometimes forget they are elected to represent the people they serve and not serve their self interests or the interests of some group.”
            Mayoral and town board candidates will file between 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 6, and noon Friday, July 17, at the Wake County Board of Elections. The filing fees are $50 for mayoral candidates and $15 for commissioner candidates.
            The nonpartisan election for mayor and commissioners will be Nov. 3, and the winners will be sworn in and seated at the close of the regular town board meeting on Nov. 17.
            The Gazette will provide weekly updates of the candidates who have filed through the July 22 issue. It will also publish any campaign information from the candidates through July and August. Beginning in September, the Gazette will pose a series of questions to the candidates, questions the editor hopes will be suggested by readers. The Gazette will also cover all candidate meetings.