Blake Massengill, candidate for mayor of Fuquay-Varina, NC

For the first time in two decades, Fuquay-Varina will have a new mayor.

John Byrne announced he will not seek another term paving the way for a new leader of the fast-growing southern Wake County town.

Three people hope to fill that spot.

Early voting in the Nov. 2 election begins Oct. 14 and runs through Oct. 30.

To find polling places and full details on early voting, visit wakevotesearly.com or contact the Board of Elections at 919-404-4040 or voter@wakegov.com

Name: Blake Massengill

Age: 37

Residence: 8109 Woodcrest Court

Occupation:General contractor

Education: MBA from NC State University (2012), BS in Accounting from NC State University (2006)

Political or civic experience: Fuquay-Varina mayor pro tem (2015 – Present), Fuquay-Varina town commissioner (2013 – Present), chair of Fuquay-Varina Economic Development Committee, member of Fuquay-Varina Law and Finance and Public Works committees, Fuquay-Varina Planning Board (2012-2013), Past president and member of Fuquay-Varina Rotary Club, member of the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce, member of Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church, fFriend of the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center, member of the Fuquay-Varina Downtown Association, past board member of Kraft YMCA

Campaign website: www.BlakeMassengill.com

In August, Fuquay-Varina Mayor John Byrne decided against ordering a mask mandate like some other Wake County towns. Do you agree with this decision?

Yes, considering free vaccines are readily available to everyone. I do not agree with government-issued mask mandates. I support individual businesses’ right to require masks.

Do you plan to vote in favor of Fuquay-Varina’s $38.5 million bond package for parks and transportation projects?

Yes, I voted to put the bond referendum on the ballot to voters, and I will vote in favor of it. I support letting voters voice their support for how their tax dollars are spent. General obligation bonds are the least costly financing options available to local governments. This bond package will address two key areas where I receive citizen input: the $20 million in transportation funding will add intersection and operation improvements, new roads and new bicycle and pedestrian projects, and the $18.5 million will fund park improvements, including a new community/senior center.

What is Fuquay-Varina doing right, and wrong, on managing growth?

We’ve been very successful at leveraging grant funding to ease traffic congestion. Since 2014, the town applied for 40 federal grants and was awarded 14 projects - a success rate of 35%. Since 2016, 12 major transportation improvements are either in progress or completed, in total 7.7 miles of roadways at a cost of $37.5 million. Nearly 47% of the cost was covered by grants, lowering the burden on taxpayers.

We’ve made strides in the last eight years to ease traffic congestion, but we need to do better and more. The answer is not to deny developments, because that will push growth to the outskirts of the town limits. Those people will still use our roadways, without investing through taxes, and we are still left with congestion. I’ve shown as mayor pro-tem the ability to form relationships, secure funding and make these projects happen. I realize people expect more, and as a citizen myself, I’m not content with the traffic either. It will be my No. 1 priority if elected.

If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?

My first priority is to continue to work with state and federal transportation officials to fund and approve transportation improvements, particularly through grant funding to save taxpayer dollars. Second, we must continue to adequately fund public safety services – police and fire – along with all of the critical town services that our citizens rely on: water, sewer, waste collection, parks and recreation, etc. As a local government, these critical town services are our core responsibility to citizens, and I commit to providing the best customer experience we can for residents of Fuquay-Varina. Third, recruiting quality private sector investment in Fuquay-Varina is a priority. Our citizens are asking for more dining and entertainment options. My goal is to make Fuquay-Varina more of a Live, Work, Play Community.

What unique skills or life perspective would you bring to city governance?

My leadership skills and deep understanding of how local government works, through my eight years on the town board, two years on the Planning Board, and the knowledge I’ve gained in my professional life, make me the best candidate for mayor.

As the presiding officer over the Town Board, the mayor must work with board members to build bridges, form compromises, and achieve results for the betterment of the community. As the mayor pro tem, I’ve worked passionately to enhance my leadership and teamwork skills. In my professional career, I’ve developed a deep understanding of the critical functions of local government: water and sewer infrastructure, transportation, public works, and public safety. As a small business owner in Fuquay-Varina, I am deeply invested in our town.

Since I was a child growing up, I have a great love and passion for Fuquay-Varina. My deep roots in this community, where I am now raising my two young children, reinforce my desire to serve the citizens of Fuquay-Varina.

This story was originally published October 14, 2021 at 2:30 PM with the headline "Blake Massengill, candidate for mayor of Fuquay-Varina, NC."