Donna Fender, candidate for town council in Morrisville, NC

There are three different Morrisville Town Council races in this year’s elections.

Incumbent Steve Rao will face challenger James “Jim” Semmens for the one at-large district seat on the council.

Patty Wei-Pei Cheng is challenging incumbent Vicki Scroggins-Johnson for the district 4 town council seat while Donna Fender is running unopposed for the district 2 seat.

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: Donna Fender

Age: 51

Residence: 1500 Hemby Ridge Lane

Occupation: Project manager

Education: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology

Political or civic experience: Morrisville Town Council Member since 2019

Campaign website: www.donnafender.com

In August, Morrisville Mayor TJ Cawley Day ordered a mask mandate unlike some other Wake County towns. Do you agree with this decision?

Yes, two reasons. Prior to Morrisville ordering a mask mandate, Durham County, the Town of Cary, and Wake County had all issued mask mandates around us. In addition, our children were going back to the classrooms. We owed it to our kids and our healthcare workers to help stop the continued spread of the COVID virus.

Do you plan to vote in favor of Morrisville’s $37 million bond package for parks, public safety, streets and sidewalks?

Yes, Because past town councils have been unwilling to invest adequately in Morrisville’s infrastructure, our town now needs to aggressively invest in building roads and sidewalks, fire stations, and land acquisitions for parks and green space.

What is Morrisville doing right, and wrong, on managing growth?

The town recently adopted an updated Land Use Plan which designates specific areas for high-density housing while reserving areas for low-density housing. However, the Land Use Plan does not go far enough in preserving space for parks and green space. In addition, some town council members continue to vote for the development of apartments in areas where we have the control to limit high-density growth.

What is a specific need within your district? And how would you address this issue, if elected?

Road infrastructure. I will continue to push for investment in road widening projects in Morrisville, specifically the widening of Chapel Hill Road from Perimeter Park to Keybridge Drive.

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

First priority, trees. Second priority, trees. Third priority, trees.

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

I am an engineer and a mom. I know how to get things done.

This story was originally published October 16, 2021 at 11:57 AM with the headline "Donna Fender, candidate for town council in Morrisville, NC."