Patrick Griffin, candidate for board of commissioner in Wake Forest, NC
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Candidates for Wake Forest mayor and town board of commissioners
Who are the candidates running for the Wake Forest mayor and Town Board of Commissioners? Get to know your candidates with our Voter Guide.
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Vivian Jones, candidate for mayor of Wake Forest, NC
Bridget Wall-Lennon, candidate for mayor of Wake Forest, NC
Patrick Griffin, candidate for board of commissioner in Wake Forest, NC
R. Keith Shackleford, candidate for board of commissioner in Wake Forest, NC
Nick Sliwinski, candidate for board of commissioners in Wake Forest, NC
There are five people seeking to join the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners.
At least one new person is guaranteed to join the board with incumbent Bridget Wall-Lennon challenging Vivian Jones for the mayoral seat.
Incumbent Liz Simpers is challenged by newcomers Patrick Griffin, Michael Molinaro, R. Keith Shackleford and Nick Sliwinski for the two seats.
Early voting in the Nov. 2 election 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: Patrick Griffin
Age: 40
Residence: 2333 Everstone Road
Occupation: Sales Representative/Account Manager 1-800 Water Damage
Education: BA Political Science UNC Greensboro
Political or civic experience: Current HOA Board Member, Former Guilford County Republican Party Intern and Precinct Chairman
Campaign website: www.facebook.com/pg/Patrick-Griffin-for-Wake-Forest-Commissioner-103715032045088/about/
In August, Wake Forest Mayor Vivian Jones decided against ordering a mask mandate like some other Wake County towns. Do you agree with this decision?
Yes, I applaud Mayor Jones for preserving our freedom to choose how we live through this pandemic. This is the United States of America and we have the freedom to choose what is best for ourselves and our children. If people want to wear a mask great! If they don’t but understand the information that’s out there and want to proceed in settings without a mask at their own risk they should have the freedom to do so as well.
What is Wake Forest doing right, and wrong, on managing growth?
Wake Forest is doing a great job moving forward in an ever changing business climate. The fact that there is an awesome co-working space coming to Wake Forest will be a great amenity and will attract a broad range of startups! Wake Forest needs to improve on infrastructure. If the town is going to allow large neighborhoods to come in, then proper planning needs to occur before additional drivers use the roads. Widening roads, installing more traffic signals, adding medians, improvements to traffic flow and patterns are all examples of where our town needs improvement.
Also, Wake Forest needs to preserve and make the most of their commercial footprint when approving projects. With the big tech giants announcing moves to our area we need to save some commercial space as much as possible to attract the startups that support and feed off these companies thus creating more high paying jobs in our town!
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
To openly serve the residents of Wake Forest by being readily available to listen and hear their questions, comments, and concerns. To work with the board and do my part to make sure we are growing responsibly in the right direction and pace. To be conservative and manage our resources to the best of our ability, eliminate waste, and keep costs to citizens to a minimum.
What unique skills or life perspective would you bring to city governance?
With my 16-plus years of sales experience I feel I have mastered the golden rule of excellent customer service: listen twice as much as you speak. If elected to the Wake Forest board of commissioners I promise to bring that level of customer service to you the citizens by listening and taking those concerns to the board or the appropriate department within the Town of Wake Forest!
As a salesperson you have to take the information you’ve been given and think critically and be able to solve problems for your customers/potential customers. That out of the box/critical thinking is an attribute that I’d bring to the table if given the opportunity to serve our Great Town! Thank You and I’d sincerely appreciate your vote for Town Commissioner!
This story was originally published October 16, 2021 at 1:09 PM with the headline "Patrick Griffin, candidate for board of commissioner in Wake Forest, NC."