Nick Sliwinski, candidate for board of commissioners in Wake Forest, NC
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Candidates for Wake Forest mayor and town board of commissioners
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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
Five people are running for the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners.
Incumbent Bridget Wall-Lennon faces challenger Vivian Jones for the mayoral seat.
Incumbent Liz Simpers faces newcomers Patrick Griffin, Michael Molinaro, R. Keith Shackleford and Nick Sliwinski for the two commissioner 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: Nick Sliwinski
Age: 37
Residence: 8034 Hoge Drive
Occupation: Purchasing Consultant
Education: Ithaca College
Political or civic experience: No prior political experience.
Campaign website: www.nickforwakeforest.com
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 am a believer in the freedom of choice. The mayor allowed residents and local businesses to make a decision based on what they felt was best for them.
What is Wake Forest doing right, and wrong, on managing growth?
For several years, our town has experienced a tremendous amount of growth. We need to take a breath and digest the new developments and ensure that our infrastructure is adequate to sufficiently handle the increasing population. Growth in the town should be smart and balanced with a healthy mix of commercial areas to complement the residential growth.
Having been involved with a concerned citizens group for the preservation of open spaces alongside several neighbors and surrounding communities, I have a greater appreciation of the need to make sure that we ensure new growth in the town does not come at the cost of our open spaces and natural areas. We need to embrace this as a defining characteristic of our home.
The town has done a great job at making Wake Forest a desirable place to live, but we need to preserve the character of the town that made us choose it as our home.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
I would do my part to manage the growth of the town and support local businesses.
What unique skills or life perspective would you bring to city governance?
From a young age, I was taught that hard work and determination are the foundation of success. Working across different industries in various ways, I have been able to apply that lesson and learn to adapt to any issue put in front of me.
As a purchasing consultant, I am familiar with analyzing budgets to find solutions that lower overall costs without sacrificing quality and services. Planting a local church has challenged me to become a servant leader. Being a leader in an organization does not mean that you are above doing the hard work. Having lived in both small towns and large suburban areas, I have seen the benefits and drawbacks of both. We are fortunate in Wake Forest to have all the charm and character of a small town but also the conveniences of a larger area.
I am a curious learner who is eager and willing to work across departments and with colleagues to best serve the residents of Wake Forest.
This story was originally published October 18, 2021 at 1:00 PM with the headline "Nick Sliwinski, candidate for board of commissioners in Wake Forest, NC."