Porter Casey, candidate for Clayton Town Council
Six people are competing in the November election for three seats on the Clayton Town Council.
Porter Casey Jr., a regional account manager at Trane Technologies, a manufacturing company focused on sustainable technologies, is running against incumbent Council member Michael Grannis, Andria Archer, Alsey J. Gilbert, Bob Satterfield, and Mike Sims.
The council is guaranteed to get at least two new council members, as incumbent members Art Holder and Bobby Bunn are not running for re-election.
Early voting in the nonpartisan election begins Oct. 14 and runs through Oct. 30.
To find polling places and full details on early voting, visit johnstonnc.com/joconcelections or contact the Board of Elections at 919-989-5095 or elections@johnstonnc.com.
Name: Porter Casey
Age: 43
Residence: 326 Page St., Clayton
Occupation: Regional account manager
Education: Major in Economics; Major in Political Science; UNC-Chapel Hill
Political or civic experience: Numerous: Board of Adjustment, vice chair
Campaign website: portercasey.com
A town manager and police chief both left their positions this year. What will you do to bring stability to Clayton?
The Town of Clayton has gone through several major transitions over the past year with the removal of two town managers, departure of the planning director and a human resource director vacancy. The town’s leadership is beginning to turn the corner as we fill these positions. I will work with town staff and department heads to ensure they feel supported so we improve internal morale during these times of change.
Making sure we create strong HR policies is vital to create stability. With a decade of staffing and HR experience, I know how to identify talent and build strong teams – skills that are critical to improving stability. It is crucial that the town perform a nationwide search for the best possible candidates for these roles, looking at experience, credentials, and leadership qualities. Roles like the town manager must be filled with collaborative people that can work well internally with town staff, but also with our community and local businesses.
We must rebuild trust with the community that the town council will hire the most qualified candidates. To do so, I would inform the community of the details in the hiring process and make sure we follow the hiring procedures as specified, without deviation, while providing transparent updates to the community along the way. These hires are servant leaders to our community, and it is important to invite the community to an open forum so their voice is heard in this process.
What is Clayton doing right, and wrong, on managing growth?
Clayton is a thriving, diverse community with small-town ambiance. I consider the revitalization and growth of our downtown and greenway system as a highlight of what has been done right.
For roads, wastewater and infrastructure we cannot be reactive, we must be more proactive. Having a long term planning strategy that measures our existing and future infrastructure needs is important. We must make sure we can maintain, manage and, if possible, provide the resources to the development that is approved.
Our community has to work as an ecosystem and it is important that we keep the infrastructure and development in balance. We must also consider that as our town grows we have to have adequate parks, amenities and retail so our residents don’t feel they must go to surrounding areas to seek those services.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
1. As a Town Council candidate I would focus on infrastructure and responsible development. To support Clayton’s growth, me must plan for short-term and long-term infrastructure needs, like waste water treatment, roads and parking.
2. Safety in our Community. With the increased traffic and population growth we need to focus on safety in the community. We need more traffic-controlling devices, such as traffic signals, turn lights and speed-calming devices. We also must work toward a more pedestrian-friendly community with continuity of sidewalks and enhanced crosswalks.
3. I would like to preserve our small-town ambiance. One way is through bringing the community together. As we move past COVID, I would like to see us revisit festivals and community events that we held in the past, plus invite new ones to our community. For example, safely bring back more concerts, our Fourth of July festival, downtown movie nights and seek out other community gatherings.
What unique skills or life experience would you bring to city governance?
I grew up in Clayton and plan to make this my forever home. I am raising my family here, and my child goes to the same schools I did as a kid. Clayton is going through a major transition and the next few years will shape our long term identity.
I want to bring my hometown perspective and my working father perspective to the Council seat. I would love to shape the future of my community so my 7-year-old daughter chooses Clayton as her forever home as well. I have been actively involved in Clayton and servant leadership throughout my life in Clayton — from a kid who earned his Eagle Scout to serving as president of various nonprofits to currently acting as vice-chair of the Clayton’s Board of Adjustments.
I will bring a transparent and collaborative approach to my service and will inspire action and results. I ask that Clayton residents give me a chance to provide a fresh perspective to the Council, and I will work hard to serve the community with loyalty, compassion and fairness.