July 25, 2007

Published in Wake Forest, NC

            Chris Kaeberlein, a planning board member, filed late Wednesday afternoon, and Boyd Crane filed Thursday. Late Friday morning three people went to town hall to file: John Shoemaker, Anne Hines and Peter Thibodeau, another planning board member.

            The candidates who filed earlier are former commissioner Rob Bridges and Commissioners Velma Boyd and David Camacho.

            Seven of the candidates answered several questions about themselves this week and wrote a paragraph or two about why they decided to run for the town board. Their answers, in alphabetical order, follow. Camacho is on vacation and out of town this week. His answers will be in next week’s edition.

            Velma Boyd said she decided to run for a third term because “Our town of Wake Forest is in the midst of transition and growth. I perceive our growth as a natural course of events because change comes with growth. There is a need to maintain the feel of ‘home’ as we all experience our growing pains. In order to achieve this, our town needs government that is experienced, stable and holds the general welfare in highest priority. It is for this reason that I am seeking re-election to the Board of Commissioners for the town of Wake Forest.

            “I have served our town for over a decade and have always striven to give honest and fair representation to all facets of the community. I represent no special interest, other than those of the town of Wake Forest. I have taught in Wake Forest for 18 years, allowing me to learn, understand and appreciate the concerns and needs of our families. These experiences have given me the integrity and stability needed to maintain the feel of ‘home’ in our town.”

            Boyd also said she uses Channel 10’s rebroadcasts. “This is a valuable medium for our citizens to become conversant of the issues in Wake Forest. Viewing the rebroadcast of board meetings on Channel 10 allows me to review and evaluate matters that have been acted on.” 

            Boyd, 54, lives at 1601 Forest Road with her husband, Mitchell Lawson. They have seven adult children and one grandson.

            Boyd has been a physical education teacher at Wake Forest Magnet Elementary School for 18 years and has lived in Wake Forest 14 years. She graduated from North Carolina Central University in Durham with a bachelor of science degree in 1979.

            She was a member of the town’s Recreation Advisory Board in 1995 when she ran unsuccessfully for the town board, but was named to the board in June of 1996 to complete the unexpired term of Joseph Cooke. Then in 1997 she was again unsuccessful in gaining her own seat on the board.

            She was back on the recreation board in February of 1998 when she was appointed to fill the unexpired term for Al Hinton.

            Boyd was successful when she ran in 1999, and during that term she was a member of the Public Works Committee, the liaison to the Cemetery Board, the Recreation Board and the Urban Forestry Board, and was a member of the North Carolina Black Elected Officials and the Wake County Black Elected Officials.

            She was re-elected in 2003. She added the Greenways Board to her list of town boards for which she is the liaison, she served two years on the North Carolina League of Municipalities Planning and Services Committee, and she remains a member of the state and county black elected officials groups.

            She is a member and the chaplain of the Alpha Epsilon chapter of Eta Phi Beta Sorority, and she served on the Wake Forest Koinonia Foundation from 1995 until this year.

            You can reach her at home at 554-2293 and vboyd1953@embarqmail.com.

* * * *

            Rob Bridges said, “I decided to run because of a renewed passion to serve and a genuine love for Wake Forest. After losing a bid for re-election two years ago I have had the opportunity to step back and look around at a lot of things come to fruition that I was a part of. Some of these I am very proud of.  In the same respect there are some I would like to have done differently. I think it is ironic that only in having these past couple of years away can I get a clearer picture of how I would like to see Wake Forest prosper. I am excited, energized, and enthusiastic about what I believe I can offer as commissioner and what Wake Forest can offer its residents.  I sincerely hope I have the opportunity to do so again and am looking forward to getting out, shaking hands and listening to what the people of Wake Forest have to say.”

            While he was a town commissioner from 2001 to 2005, Bridges was the chairman of the Transportation Study Committee and the board liaison to the Government Affairs Committee. He was also a member of the Wake Forest Planning Board from 1995 through 2001.

            He is a member of the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the 2006 Christmas Parade Committee. He was a member of the Wake Forest Kiwanis Club from 2001 to 2003, and in 2006 he was a member of the steering committee for the Construction Academy, which was set up to help teenagers pursue an interest in the construction industry.

            Bridges, 39, has always lived in Wake Forest. He lives at 728 Wall Road with his wife, Leslie, and their daughters, Mary Catherine, 13, and Caroline, 4.

            He has an associate degree in architecture and is a residential designer with his own firm, Southern Designs in Raleigh.

            You can reach him at rbridges@southdesigns.com, at home at 556-7013 or at work at 845-6767.

* * * *

            Boyd Crane said he filed for the town board race because “I would like to help assure that the inevitable growth associated with progress is well managed for the best interest and character of Wake Forest and the existing community at large. 

            “There are three seats available, one open seat and two incumbents running for re-election. I did not want any incumbent running unopposed.

            “I have had the opportunity to observe what can happen to a lovely, charming town with its own character if proper planning and application are not properly applied or not implemented soon enough. I would not like to see that happen here in my new home town.

            “On the opposite side of the coin I also lived in and observed a town dedicated to keeping its’ character, charm and greenways. There was a master plan and design. Walking, biking, parks, green space all were combined in an “overall systems design”, within a long term plan. There was careful focused consideration for infrastructure, resources, development and the cost impacts, all balanced to the best interest of the current residents of the community.  
            “The result of difference between these two approaches was amazing.  I’d like to contribute to the latter for the benefit of Wake Forest residents.”

            Crane, 59, is a salesman for Machine & Welding Supply and has a Bachelor of Arts degree.

            He is a member of Masonic Lodge #282.

            Crane and his wife, Tracy, live at 218 Kinvara Court and have four children: Boyd, 37, Carrie, 33, Caleigh. 11. and Victoria, 8.

            You can reach Crane at bcrane@worldwidedialup.com.

* * * *

            Ann Hines said, “This is the second time I have been a candidate, having run in 2001. In that race I lost by 9 votes. My concerns in 2001 are the same as today. Those concerns are: (1) Balanced Growth – the town has a
responsibility to existing businesses and residents to ensure their continued quality of life, growth and well-being. At the same time we have a responsibility to find new industry to balance the booming retail business for a greater tax base, to keep local taxes reasonable; (2) As we grow, the impact traffic has must be a continually reviewed and revised; (3) Water – We need to continue to find alternative resources and maintain good conservation measures;
(4) Maintain our ‘home town’ charm, while being a community of the future.

            “I’ve heard it said repeatedly, “we don’t want to be another Cary.” However, we’ve never figured out who we want to be as we are growing up. We need to define who Wake Forest is and where we are planning to be in ten, twenty, a hundred years from now. I would like to be a part of how we figure out where we are going and how we are going to get there…and still be Wake Forest. As a 20-year resident, I believe I have insight into what the town can and will be able to do in the future.”

            Hines, 60, is a retired association executive. She and her husband, Mike Reeve, live at 830 Lochmaben St.

            She was a town board candidate in 2001, has applied to be appointed to the planning board several times, and served two years on the Transportation Committee.

            She has frequently attended town board and planning board meetings and when she does not attend she often watches the meetings on Channel 10.

            She attended Furman University for two years, took accounting classes at the College of Charleston and graduated from Duke University’s Continuing Education Non-Profit Management Certificate Program.

            You can reach her at AHINES19@nc.rr.com at home at 556-6304 or on her cell at 280-5262.

* * * *

            Chris Kaeberlein said, “I decided to run for town commissioner because I am concerned about quality of life issues facing Wake Forest residents, especially now and in the next few years, when the repercussions of the rapid growth trends are front and center stage.  Some of these quality of life issues which I feel are most important are (in no particular order): conservation of natural resources (i.e. water availability, tree protection), fire and police protection services, traffic easement, greenway accessibility for all residents, and helping the downtown in its renewal and revitalization process.  I am in favor of growth and new economic development for our town, but I would like to see more done to ensure that the growth is planned for and implemented such that the new growth pays for some of its own way.

.           “I can see a very bright future for Wake Forest, but getting there will require strong leadership and an open mind.  I think Wake Forest has the potential to be recognized as one of the best small towns in America.  I want Wake Forest to be seen as an example of how to grow in a ‘smart’ way which benefits all residents.  To do that, though, we must decide on our identity and priorities, and make the decisions which will help us reach those goals, and quickly.  I believe I am the right candidate at the right time to lead us in the right direction.

            Kaeberlein, 36, received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from Penn State University and is a software architect with GlaxoSmithKline. He and his wife, Stephanie, have been in Wake Forest almost four years. They live at 995 West Durness Court with Jack, 3, and Madelyn, 6 months.

            Kaeberlein was an unsuccessful candidate for the town board in 2005 and that year was appointed to the Wake Forest Planning Board. He is a member of RTP Toastmasters.

            Kaeberlein said he has either attended almost all town board meetings in the past three and a half years or watched them on Channel 10.

            You can reach him at chris@votechrisk.com, at home at 562-0032, and at work at 604-0090.

* * * *

            John Shoemaker said he chose to run for the town board because, “My wife, Kim, and I looked at many areas in and around Raleigh two years ago in our search to find a community that we could settle into and call our home.  It wasn’t until we visited Wake Forest however, that we knew our search had ended. It was the sense of community, the rich history, and the natural beauty of Wake Forest that immediately drew us in. The town that I grew up in, Vienna, Va., has undergone significant growing pains over the last twenty years. Along with many other towns in the Washington, D.C., area, Vienna’s growth was not matched by a more global vision for the town as a whole. I am running for the office of Wake Forest Town Commissioner because I feel that I can draw on that experience and contribute to a vision of Wake Forest that will continue to make it the welcoming and beautiful town that we found two years ago.”   

            Shoemaker, 36, has a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business Management from Elon University and is an information technology consultant with Shoemaker & Associates. He is a member of the Military Family Support Network.

            He said he has not attended town board meetings or watched them on Channel 10.

            He and his wife, Kimberley, live at 7805 Fairlake Drive. You can reach him at 563-5193 or at jccshoe@hotmail.com.

* * * *

            Peter Thibodeau said he filed for the town board because “We are at a critical junction right now in Wake Forest. We have to choose from two very important options. Do we want to control development and have smart, responsible growth and maintain what makes this town special, or do we want to become just another extension of the City? Furthermore, we need to embrace and assist the ongoing vitalization of downtown Wake Forest to preserve and build upon its unique character. I am running for Town Commissioner to serve the citizens of Wake Forest and work with the other Board members to support environmentally and socially responsible growth that fits the town's character and that is also economically sustainable. Following these simple principles will allow us to build our growing community in a way that everyone thrives together.”

            Thibodeau, 37, is an environmental consultant (geologist) who works for ENSR, a world-wide environmental consulting firm with an office in Raleigh. His degrees in geology are a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University, a Master of Science from the University of Vermont and a Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina.

            He and his wife, Monique, and their two daughters, who attend Wake Forest Magnet Elementary, moved to Wake Forest in February of 2005, and they live at 1337 Heritage Club Ave.

            Thibodeau has been a member of the Wake Forest Planning Board since January of 2006. He said he has attended town board meetings and watched them on Channel 10. “I also have experience working with town governments in other municipalities, working as a consultant on behalf of the towns.”

            You can reach Thibodeau at pthibodeau@ensr.aecom.com, at home at 453-1051 and at work at 872-6600 x231.