October 11, 2007

Published in Wake Forest, NC

            There were some lines drawn Tuesday night, particularly about growth, when the seven candidates for three seats on the town board jockeyed for the definitive statement, but there was also a lot of agreement.

            Anyone watching that night on Channel 10 or in subsequent rebroadcasts soon realizes that each candidate needs to state his or her position but in a way to differentiate themselves from the candidates who spoke before.

            Take the first question, two actions they would take to address transportation mobility and congestion.

            The first respondent, drawn by lot, was former commissioner Rob Bridges, who said he would be in touch “on a consistent basis” with the District 5 representative to get the town’s share. Also, “I think bonds are a very viable way” to raise local monies for roads.

            Commissioner David Camacho touched on the town’s transportation plan and lobbying the state Department of Transportation, state legislators and the county commissioners to “get our fair share of what funding is available.” The Northside Loop is essential to open up the northside quadrant of town, he said.

            Anne Hines, who was on the transportation plan committee, said the town needs to work on its gateways, some of which are not very inviting. Recalling the past local member of the Transportation Board who thought the intersection of N.C. 98 and U.S. 1 was the downtown, she urged establishing “a strong working relationship with our DOT representative.”

            Chris Kaeberlein said there is a need to speed up the construction of connector roads such as Ligon Mill Road. “We need to see who we can work with to encourage more public transportation in our area. He suggested working with local merchants to provide local transportation.

            Making the intersections on Capital Boulevard easier to navigate, John Shoemaker said. “The intersection of South Main Street and Capital is an accident waiting to happen.” He also said building the feeder roads to the bypass will help ease the traffic load on South Main.

            Peter Thibodeau called for a fresh vision and a stricter review of development projects. “Too often we see projects that post-development would have lower grades than what we see now. That impacts the town.” He also suggested using town funds and money from local merchants to provide van transportation.

            Commissioner Velma Boyd said public transportation is essential. “Second, we’ve forgotten using the pedestrian and bike plans” as another means of transportation. The town is a part of TRACS (the county’s van service). So many people are not aware that it is available.

Town hall site

            The second question was about the Renaissance Plan and two major decisions, the site for town hall and the VFW that many saw as not following the plan.

            That was a practical matter, Camacho said, because the property owners “had different values” and other concerns. “The town had to make an informed decision about what was most cost-effective and doable.”

            Hines wants to see more promotion of downtown and signs. “Nobody knows where we are. There’s no kind of feeling that you are going to an area with its history.”

            “I think we need to be careful if we need to make exceptions” to the Renaissance Plan,” Kaeberlein said. He said he does not feel the Franklin Street project, which just got underway, “is as high a priority as some others.” The real key to revitalizing downtown, he said, “is to get the people there.

            Everyone tells him the downtown has great potential, Shoemaker said. (He and his wife recently opened The Old Magnolia Trading Company on South White Street.) Lighting, sidewalks, signage – all need improvement, he said.

            Bridges said the town has to be able to adapt the plan as conditions change. New, improved signs are on the way, he said.

Work on Northeast Plan immediately

            All the candidates are in favor of implementing the new Northeast Plan as soon as possible. Hines and Shoemaker the plan needs one person or one group to make sure the plans are coordinated and happening. Town Manager Mark Williams suggested such a position at the mid-year retreat, but the board members decided to wait to see if it is needed.

            The Northeast Plan and the Renaissance Plan are both examples of “the town not trying to come up with its own plan but asking the people, what can we do to help you,” Camacho said.

Do we grow denser to pay for services?

            The sixth question was somewhat involved. “Since the town’s future boundaries are generally defined, what is your position on density as it relates to balancing necessary services for a growing population and the future stability of the tax rate?

            “Growth is the number one issue,” Shoemaker said. There is a demand for services such as fire protection and EMS. He called for a “more reasonable and measured plan” to manage growth. “I would not like to see Wake Forest have housing developments on top of each other just so we can pay for our needs.” He called for open space and large lots.

            Thibodeau referred to the recently-approved Holding Village, a traditional neighborhood development or new urban design, “packing as many houses as possible” on the land with little retail. An imbalance between the residential and the commercial tax base “has a direct effect on the town’s ability to provide fire, police, etc., that go with expanded development.” Wake Forest has doubled its population in the last eight years and could double again in less time. “Residential development along doesn’t work.”

            “We can look at ways to have more industrial versus high density,” Boyd said, suggesting the town could recruit industries and businesses by providing “shovel-ready” sites.

            “Our tax base is pretty strong,” Bridges said, noting that the property revaluation in 2008 probably will mean a 40 percent increase. “We need to be selective about how we grow,” he said. “Certain areas are more appropriate for high density than others.”

            Camacho said the town should not rely on residential growth alone for its tax base and density in and around the town core “should be encouraged. It’s closer to things that are already in place.” He said he would love to see mixed uses in the downtown area, “offices as well as residences. I think it would do a lot for downtown as well as efficiently using facilities.

            Hines called for balanced growth and trying to recruit such service industries as call centers and distribution centers. “How are we going to build fire stations?” She asked. “I don’t think we need to keep having extra taxes and extra bonds to pay for all these things.” If the town has to resort to taxes and bonds, “we’re apparently not managing our growth as well as we think we are.” She does not favor high density.

            “Holding Village had an opportunity to be a real fantastic development,” Kaeberlein said. A planning board member, he voted against it. It will have 1,300 homes, he said, asking where the children will go to school, where will the water come from. “The square footage of retail space is minimal. It was patterned after Meadowmont in Chapel Hill, which has a larger retail area and a school on site. “I think we missed that opportunity.”

How are you different?

            When it came to what sets them apart from the others, some divisions became a little sharper.

            Camacho said, “I am already up to speed. There will be no learning curve. It takes one to two years to really understand the town budget and budget cycle and how to get things done.”

            Kaeberlein said he may not know how things get done, but “That may be a good thing, get things done a little differently.

            Shoemaker said his lack of experience is a benefit. “That keeps me from being locked into biases.” He comes from a small town that “did not go through the appropriate steps to maintain its identity,” he said, so he has a personal perspective “on what we do not want to have happen.”

            Thibodeau spoke of his professional experience in several states in environmental resource management. “I have the goal and the passion to take that experience and use it as a commissioner. This position is not rocket science. Just sitting in a chair doesn’t make you a better professional.”

The short statements

            Each could speak for two minutes at the end.

            Bridges said his two years away from the board had given him a different perspective.

            “I just want to continue to do my part to make Wake Forest the best place to live and work in the Triangle,” Camacho said.

            “I feel Wake Forest is at a crossroads,” Hines said. “We can make it the best community in the state.”

            “This election is a chance for the citizens of Wake Forest to make a statement,” Kaeberlein said. “If they’re happy with how the town is growing, there are candidates they can vote for.” If people have different visions, “There are candidates who share those visions and values.”

            Shoemaker said he had a carefully crafted vision of Wake Forest that included being able to “represent the voters and not ourselves and our own interests.”

            “The bottom line is its time for a change in Wake Forest,” Thibodeau said. He said he has not and will not take money from builders. “I can tell you my debt is to you, the people of Wake Forest.”

            Boyd talked of the great diversity in the town that contributes to its quality of life. She said she wants to continue with the plans the town has and offers experience and stability.

            The forum, which was broadcast live Tuesday night, will air again this month every Tuesday at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

            The board room at the Wake Forest Town Hall was full Tuesday night. The forum was sponsored by the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce. Don Stroud, head of the chamber’s government affairs committee, was the moderator.