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This
is the fifth week The Wake Forest Gazette has posed questions for the seven
candidates for the three town board seats. The questions will continue through
the Nov. 1 issue.
The
order in which the responses are listed changes again this week; every
candidate will have a turn at leading the list.
These
questions go to the length of your learning curve about town government.
How many town board meetings have
you attended or watched carefully on Channel 10 in the last year?
How many public hearings and
planning board meetings have you attended or watched carefully on Channel 10 in
the last year?
Have you attended any meetings of
the town’s advisory boards in the last year?
Did you participate in any of the
public meetings about the Renaissance Plan, the Northeast Neighborhood Plan,
the new Community (Land Use) Plan or any of the meetings held about other
plans?
Have you read the town charter, the
water and sewer merger agreement with Raleigh, the subdivision regulations, the
zoning ordinance, the Renaissance Plan, the U.S. 1 Corridor Study, the Greenway
Plan, the Parks and Recreation Plan, the Transportation Plan or the Northeast
Neighborhood Plan?
Anne
Hines
“I
have attended only one town board meeting, and watched partial meetings of the
town board and planning board. I do try to watch the meetings if there is an
issue of interest or concern. I have not attended any advisory boards this
year. However, through the years I have attended the Tree Board (now Forestry),
Parks & Recreation, and Human Relations Council.
“I did not participate in the
Renaissance Plan, the Northeast Neighborhood Plan, and the new Community (Land
Use) Plan. I did serve on the Transportation Committee for two years and was
very proud of the work we accomplished. I also served briefly on the
Comprehensive Review Committee until I was incapacitated by a broken foot.
“I read the charter several years
ago. I’ve only seen parts of the water and sewer merger agreement with Raleigh.
I’m familiar with the subdivision regulations. I have reviewed the zoning
ordinance, the Renaissance plan, the US-1 Corridor Study, the Transportation
plan, and the Northeast Neighborhood Plan.
“During the past 15 years, I have
attended many planning board and town board meetings. I have had the
opportunity to speak to issues in front of the planning board on numerous
occasions. On those occasions, I made every effort to be aware of the
ordinances that governed the particular rezoning request. At the same time, I
made every effort to be respectful to members of the Planning Board, Board of
Commissioners and Mayor.
“I do know the mayor and each of
the currently seated commissioners. We all have an excellent rapport and I am
confident that we will work well together. When elected, I will study each of
the documents that Wake Forest has in place, and will look forward to
participating in the development of future plans for our town.
“Even though I'm not on an advisory
committee, I have served my community for several years as a poll worker at my
Precinct (Wake Forest-Rolesville High School). Serving my community in this
capacity has been educational and rewarding. It has given me the opportunity to
better understand and appreciate how incredible our process – called democracy
– works to the benefit of all residents.”
Chris Kaeberlein
“I have personally attended or watched on Channel 10 all of
the board meetings this past year, except one. Since I have been a resident of
Wake Forest, I have regularly watched or attended the majority of board
meetings.
“I
have been a Planning Board member for the past two years. In that time, I
have missed one meeting. I have attended all Planning Board meetings and
public hearings within the past year. For as long as I have been a
resident, I have attended or watched on Channel 10 the majority of public
hearings and Planning Board meetings, as well.
“As
mentioned, I have been an active Planning Board member for the past two years. Most
recently, I have attended several meetings of the Community Plan Steering
Committee, which operates in a similar capacity to the other advisory boards.
In the past several years, I have also attended other advisory board meetings,
such as the Historic Preservation Commission.
“I
attended two of the public meetings for the Renaissance Plan, one meeting for
the Northeast Neighborhood Plan, and the public meeting about the new Community
Plan. As I previously mentioned, I have also attended several meetings for
the Community Plan Steering Committee. In addition, I have attended public
meetings about the future US1 corridor plans, the Franklin Street improvements,
and the recent visioning session with the N.C. State School of Design regarding
future plans for the DuBois Center campus.”
Kaeberlein also said he had read the town charter and the
other plans named in the question except for the water and sewer merger
agreement. “I am familiar with its content, but have not read it in its
entirety.”
John
Shoemaker
Shoemaker
said he had attended or watched two town board meetings in the last year and
one public hearing and planning board meeting. He has also attended some
meetings of the town’s advisory boards.
He
recently participated in the DuBois community meeting to shape a vision for the
school’s future.
Shoemaker
has read the town charter, the zoning ordinance, the subdivision regulations,
the water/sewer merger agreement, the Renaissance Plan, the U.S. 1 Corridor
plan, the land development plan, the land use management plan, the N.C. 98
bypass plan, the open space and greenway plan, the parks and recreation plan,
the transportation plan, both drafts of the Northeast neighborhood plan, the
pedestrian plan and the working documents for the bicycle plan.
“I also read The Wake Forest Gazette, The Wake Weekly, the board
agendas and board minutes.”
Peter Thibodeau
“As a Planning Board member for the
past two years, I have been closely involved with the activities and work going
on in Wake Forest. I make it a point to stay informed on other Town board
meetings through attendance or following in other media. As a Planning
Board member, I have reviewed the plans described in this question. These plans
are important guiding documents to use in focusing our attention and efforts to
keep Wake Forest a vibrant and growing community. As a Town Commissioner, I
would be committed to making sure that these plans are executed and turn into
action. I am particularly interested to help move forward action on the
Northeast Neighborhood Plan, the Parks and Recreation Plan, and the downtown
Renaissance Plan. Making the elements of these plans a reality will help
Wake Forest in numerous ways and further our position as the greatest place to
live in North Carolina."
Velma
Boyd
“I
have missed two of the board meeting this year due to illness, both of which
were viewed on channel 10 at a later time. Additionally, I watch the meetings
at least once each month to review what was done at that meeting.
“I view the public hearings
and planning board meetings on a regular basis, also. I recall missing one of
the planning board meetings while in the hospital this year. That meeting was
viewed later with the town’s video, as well as on Channel 10.
“I try to attend all of the
advisory boards for which I am ex-officio, unless there is a conflict. These
boards include Recreation Advisory, Greenways, Urban Forestry, and Youth
Advisory. Additionally, I chair the Public Works Committee that meets as
needed.
“I have participated in
public meetings for each of the plans:
Renaissance Plan, The Northeast Neighborhood Plan, Community Plan, as
well as other plans; namely, Transportation, Greenways, Joyner Park, and Parks
and Recreation.
“Familiarity of all of these
documents [see the list in the question] is necessary in the role of Town
Commissioner. I have read and continue to review them as necessary case by
case.”
Rob Bridges
“I have been able to
attend several board meetings in the last year and several more over the last
two years. I do not have cable so I am unable to watch replays of town board or
planning board meetings. I have also been able to attend several of the public
meetings regarding the Northeast Neighborhood plan and Land Use plan and have
tried to keep up with these developing plans as they proceed.
“As
someone who is a lifelong resident, I decided to try to get involved in local
issues by serving on the planning board. I served on the planning board for
about six years before deciding to run for town commissioner in 2001. I was
fortunate enough to be elected and served four years until 2005. By having these years of service to rely on,
I am quite familiar with the town charter, water and sewer merger agreement
with Raleigh, zoning ordinances, the Renaissance Plan, the U.S. 1 Corridor
study, Greenway plan, Parks and Rec. plan, and the transportation plan due to
the fact that I was partly involved in either the development or study of each
of these. It is also fair to say that by being out of the process for a couple
of years it has given me a different and new perspective on things that I
firmly believe will help me be a better commissioner in 2007.
“In
addition to the experience I have in these areas, I have also been very
involved in the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce, served on multiple advisory
committees, volunteered for the Christmas parade committee, and several other
committees that, I believe, have helped me become a better Wake Forest citizen.
“It
is my full intention to utilize my experience, knowledge of Wake Forest, what
people are telling me is important during my door to door campaign, and my
commitment to making Wake Forest a better place to live to be a productive
commissioner. “
David
Camacho
“The learning curve to become an
effective town commissioner is steep. It takes at least one year and sometimes
two years to really understand the budget process, planning/zoning, all of the
town's ordinances/plans and how your decisions affect the citizens. I have
attended all town board meetings in the past six years. I have attended all
planning board meetings/public hearings in the past six years except two
and I watched those on video tape. I have attended all the Comprehensive
Planning Committee meetings in the past six years. I attended most of the
Renaissance plan, Northeast Neighborhood plan and Community Land Use plan
meetings to date. I have read and in some cases helped draft or amend all the
following: Town mission statement, Town vision statement, Town charter, Town
budgets, water and sewer merger agreement, subdivision regulations, zoning
ordinances, storm water regulations, erosion control regulations, landscape
ordinances, appearance guidelines, Renaissance plan, US1 corridor plan,
Greenway plan, Parks and Recreation plan, Transportation plan, Northeast
Neighborhood plan, Land Use Master Plan, and Town Hall plan among others.”
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