January 3, 2007

Published in Wake Forest, NC

            In the past the Downtown Revitalization Corporation has been the recipient of the profits and, in recent years, the DRC has been the sponsoring organization for the popular event begun by Bob and Elizabeth Johnson.

            This year the Johnsons are sponsoring the events themselves and the profits will go to the foundation they set up after the death of their son, Graham.

            The issue arose during Tuesday night’s work session when the commissioners and mayor were discussing the proposed agenda for their Jan. 16 regular meeting because one of the items will be the Johnson’s request to close the gazebo parking lot for four days, April 19-22.

            Mayor Vivian Jones said the commissioners need to think about the request because it is made by private individuals.

            “The mayor does raise an interesting point. It does raise a precedent,” Town Manager Mark Williams said. Years ago the town received several requests from groups and individuals who wanted to use the Community House free of charge for political functions and fund-raising events. Eventually the town board set a policy that private groups must pay rent for the building.

            “It’s not like it’s something that just came up out of the woods,” Commissioner Margaret Stinnett said.

            But the issue of private requests to use a town property needs to be addressed, Commissioner Velma Boyd-Lawson said.

            Thinking ahead, Commissioner David Camacho wondered what the town board would do “if two competing outfits want to host Herb Fest.”

            The item was moved off the consent agenda, which is made up of non-controversial items.

            The town owns most of the parking lot, once the site of the freight station, but Williams said there is a strip about 8 feet wide along the railroad right-of-way that CSX refuses to sell. Instead, the town has a lease, renewed every 20 years, on that strip. The cost of the lease is $100 a year.

            The board also heard from Sarah Bridges, who has applied to be a member of the planning board from the town’s extra-territorial jurisdiction. She is the only applicant for the seat vacated by Speed Massenburg, who asked not to be re-appointed. The board has two ETJ members – the other is Kim Parker – which are appointed by the county commissioners for two-year terms while the town-appointed members serve three-year terms. Massenburg’s seat is the only one up for re-appointment at this time.

            A Wake Forest native, Bridges lives on Wake Union Church Road and is a member of the Human Relations Council. Bridges said she has “thoroughly enjoyed” her service on that board and “I just thought I’d try some more.” She also said she would like to see the entire planning process from start to finish. “I’ve been on this side,” as a resident, “I’ve not been on that side” as a board member.

            After Bridges left, Jones said Planning Director Chip Russell has suggested the planning board be cut from its present 10 members to nine to be in line with other town advisory boards. “If you are interested in cutting the planning board t nine members, this might be the time to do it.”

            The commissioners were expected to make appointments to the nine advisory boards in December but delayed action until this month’s meeting. Until Bridges applied, there were only eight applicants for 18 vacancies.

            Jones and Williams suggested the commissioners could simply leave the Massenburg seat vacant – the town is only required to have one ETJ member – but Commissioner Margaret Stinnett said, “If we’ve got somebody interested in doing it, we should make the change next time” the board makes appointments, which would be in December.

            Jones said the board should discuss the issue before November when Town Clerk Joyce Wilson MMC sends out notices about vacancies on the boards.

            The Gazette will have a complete list of the agenda for the Jan. 16 meeting next week.