Jason Wunsch, candidate for board of commissioners in Fuquay-Varina, NC

Three candidates are competing for two seats on the Fuquay-Varina Board of Commissioners.

And there is guaranteed to be at least one newcomer who joins the board. Commissioner Blake Massengill is running for the open mayoral seat.

Incumbent Jason Wunsch has served on the board since 2013 and is competing against newcomers Bryan Haynes and Tracy Watson.

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: Jason Wunsch

Age: 47

Residence: 615 Apalachia Lake Drive

Occupation: Attorney and Today in the Quay blogger

Education: Mars Hill College, Campbell Law School, UNC-Chapel Hill

Political or civic experience: Fuquay-Varina town commissioner since 2013, Past Rotary Club president, Award-winning Today in the Quay blogger

Campaign website: www.jasonwunsch.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, however, I choose to wear a mask to protect myself and others.

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

Yes, transportation projects are critical to mitigating traffic at a time when we are experiencing unprecedented growth, not only in Fuquay-Varina, but our entire region. I also strongly support a building that includes a senior center as the town is in dire need of more community center space for our growing community and its youth athletic programs.

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

In the eight years I have served, we have aggressively pursued grants for traffic-mitigation projects and have either finished, started or planned future projects. Half of the cost of these projects has been paid for by grants, thus taking some of the burden off the taxpayer. We have also placed the growth in preferred growth areas with existing infrastructure. The growth was faster and stronger than anyone could have anticipated, but I believe we have done everything we can under the circumstances and will continue to aggressively work on it.

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

Continue to pursue grants for and identify future traffic mitigation projects and continue to improve our parks, including Hilltop Needmore Town Park and Preserve, a gem in Fuquay-Varina. I also want to evaluate that we are paying our town employees competitive wages including our Police and Fire Departments, with jobs placing employees at higher risk.

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

I have served Fuquay-Varina as a town commissioner for eight years and bring experience, knowledge and a record of getting numerous things done for the betterment of our town.

This story was originally published October 14, 2021 at 7:30 PM with the headline "Jason Wunsch, candidate for board of commissioners in Fuquay-Varina, NC."