Platform
The issues and priorities I'm committed to addressing as your Wake Forest Commissioner.
1. Preserve Wake Forest’s Identity While Planning Smarter Growth
Wake Forest is growing—fast. But that growth is putting real strain on the infrastructure, quality of life, and small-town character that drew so many of us here in the first place. We need to take a more thoughtful approach to how and where we grow, balancing progress with preservation.
We’ve seen what happens when development outpaces planning: rising traffic congestion, confusing road designs, and a town that’s increasingly difficult to navigate on foot or by bike. These problems aren’t just frustrating—they’re a warning sign that we need to rethink our priorities.
I believe we must:
Prioritize neighborhood planning that isn’t driven solely by high-density projects, but instead preserves small-town character, protects trees, and supports families of all generations.
Fix our approach to infrastructure—roads, sidewalks, and greenways should be built before or alongside new development, not years later.
Improve walkability and bike-friendliness to make Wake Forest safer and more accessible for everyone—not just drivers.
Avoid repeating past mistakes by insisting on clear, smart planning and holding ourselves accountable in execution.
Growth is not the enemy—but unmanaged growth is. Let’s make sure Wake Forest remains not just a place to live, but a place to love—for generations to come.
2. Keep the “Forest” in Wake Forest
As Wake Forest expands, preserving and improving greenspaces is vital to keeping our town beautiful, livable, and uniquely Wake Forest. Rapid housing development has outpaced the expansion of our parks, greenways, and recreational resources — and it’s time to close that gap.
I’m committed to:
Beautifying our town with more green space, encouraging pocket parks, and incorporating landscaping planning that enhances daily life.
Expanding and improving parks and green spaces to meet the needs of our growing population, especially young families.
Connecting and extending our greenways to provide safe, accessible routes for walking, running, and biking throughout town and to the larger Capital Area Greenway system.
Creating recreation opportunities for all ages — from youth sports and senior programs to outdoor activity spaces that bring people together.
Neighboring cities have set a high bar with expansive greenways, dynamic programming, and thoughtful park design. Wake Forest deserves to meet—and exceed—that standard. Let’s grow wisely, protect our natural beauty, and create a town where every resident can enjoy the outdoors, stay active, and feel connected to one another and to the place we call home.
3. Revenue Without Increasing Taxes
As more people live, work, and visit Wake Forest, local spending at restaurants and hotels continues to generate substantial tax revenue for Wake County. But nearly all of that tax revenue stays in Raleigh.
That’s not fair to our residents or our businesses.
I will fight for Wake Forest’s fair share of the taxes we already generate:
Meals and hotel taxes paid in Wake Forest should help fund projects in Wake Forest.
Renegotiate how Wake County distributes occupancy and food/beverage tax revenue.
Advocate for interlocal agreements that return a portion of those dollars back to the communities where they originate.
Ensure Wake Forest has a seat at the table—we contribute significantly to the tax base and deserve a fair return.
We can put those dollars to work—without raising taxes:
Revitalize aging commercial corridors like South Main Street and Capital Boulevard to make them more attractive and accessible.
Support small businesses and restaurants by streamlining permits and promoting local spending.
Expand community events and programming that bring people together, support vendors, and attract visitors to town.
Wake Forest doesn’t need higher taxes—we need smarter leadership and a stronger voice in how our existing contributions are used. With thoughtful action and fairer partnerships, we can keep more of our dollars in town, reinvest in our people and places, and strengthen Wake Forest’s future—on our own terms.
