Cynthia ‘Cindy’ Sinkez, candidate for Wake County Commissioner
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Candidates for Wake County Board of Commissioners, District 3
Who is running for Wake County commissioner? Get to know the primary election candidates in our 2022 Voter Guide.
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Three Democrats are running for their party’s nomination in hopes of joining the Wake County Board of Commissioners.
Lisa Mead, Cheryl Stallings and Cynthia “Cindy” Sinkez are each seeking the nomination to move forward and face Republican Irina Comer in District 3.
Incumbent Maria Cervania, who was first elected in 2020, is not seeking another term and instead is running for N.C. House District 41.
Early voting in the May 17 election begins April 28 to May 14.
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: Cynthia “Cindy” Sinkez
Age: 58
Political party: Democratic
Occupation and employer: In November, I resigned from my position as Administrative Assistant for a Raleigh law firm so that I could take care of my infant grandchild. Prior to working for Bowens & Averhart, PLLC, I worked for two minority-owned businesses in Cary, North Carolina.
Education: Bachelors of Business Administration from James Madison University
Political or civic experience: Institute of Political Leadership Fellow, former Democratic Women of Wake County President, former Candidate for Cary Town Council (2009), served on Cary’s Citizen Issue Review Commission
Campaign website: www.CindySinkez.com
What is Wake County doing right, and wrong, on managing growth?
Wake County continues to grow, being an economic force attracting large corporations and is an incubator for small businesses alike. In recent years, our metro area has consistently ranked the second-best place to live by U.S. News & World Report. A record-breaking 173,000 new businesses were formed in Wake in 2021; 96,000 of these were formed from January to June 30. This was an 80% increase from the prior year.
However, Wake is suffering growing pains with regard to transit, affordable housing, and school funding. Our roadways are overcrowded, causing longer commute times. Our infrastructure needs to outpace the growing corporate population and we can’t continue to place housing needs on a back burner. Long commutes and high home prices have been sold to us as consequences of being a desirable place to live, but they don’t have to be. I believe all people have the right to live in an environment that’s healthy, walkable, accessible — especially for disabled folks — clean, and affordable.
How should the county support K-12 schools, students and teachers?
The legislature needs to fully fund public schools. North Carolina’s Constitution states students have the right to a sound basic education. COVID made us acutely aware students need access to technology and broadband. Teachers deserve to be treated with respect for the professionals they are. We don’t ask librarians to provide books for libraries; we shouldn’t ask science teachers to provide beakers. We must compensate teachers for experience and additional degrees pursued. Our children benefit the most learning from experienced, happy teachers. Our community is the long-term beneficiary of investments government makes into schools because a well-educated citizenry means a larger talent pool of employees, as well as a greater incentive for recruiting both companies and other talented individuals to move into Wake. Moreover, investing in our children is the moral thing to do. Commissioners have dedicated 57% of Wake’s budget to education. I support continuing the supplements to county schools.
What do you think Wake County should do, if anything, to address racial injustice issues, and what kind of changes would you propose?
Wake can do better including diverse groups in the decision-making process. I propose a countywide listening tour, giving folks the opportunity to collaborate with us. We should continue examining Wake’s pay structures. I believe in equal pay for equal work, which is why I fight for ERA passage. We must pay folks a living wage, ensuring we’re prioritizing equity and looking forward to a future where folks don’t have to struggle to afford the bare necessities. This goes hand in hand with ensuring there’s enough high-quality, affordable housing; safe, walkable communities; a robust, accessible, reliable public transit system; a reformed justice system where we’ve reimagined policing and prioritized community wellness; as well as strong public schools and great job opportunities no matter what ZIP code someone calls home. We want Wake’s residents to thrive, which isn’t possible if they’re worried about where their next meal is coming from or if gentrification is going to displace them.
What new steps should Wake County take to recruit businesses to the area?
By taking care of the needs of folks who already call Wake home through continual investments in public education, community services and environmental spaces, we show the world we have the infrastructure and capacity necessary to continue to grow. Investing in transit will ensure opportunities and benefits of growth are available to a wider population, further enhancing Wake’s attractiveness to outside investors and businesses. Creating affordable, accessible and reliable public transportation should be a concerted, multipronged effort. Envision transportation as a wheel, while education, affordable housing, and renewable energy are spokes. Everything ties into transit. Equitable affordable housing that’s truly an investment in our community requires transit so residents can get to work or visit urban cores. The intent should be to increase ridership through streamlined, timely service. We must create a system people actually want to use that doesn’t bring stigma to its ridership.
What’s the top issue facing the county? What specific legislation or changes would you propose to address this issue?
Wake has an affordable housing problem. It’ll take working with the municipalities, nonprofits and government agencies to address it. I don’t want any municipality in Wake to have the mantra, “you are good enough to work here but not good enough to live here.” As commissioner, I’ll support current initiatives and explore ways to expand access to affordable housing. The veterans plan also addresses the matter of veterans’ homelessness; I fully support this plan. Former Commissioner Jessica Holmes had a brilliant idea that needs to be pursued. She proposed using schools’ surplus property as locations to build affordable housing. This boosts diversity without the stigma and issues of busing. Placing affordable housing near public schools helps balance the system, giving more students the opportunity to attend those schools and placing them in areas where transit is available. Offering this land to nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity is a step in the right direction.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
- Public education funding
- Transportation and transit
- Growth, sustainability and affordability
What unique skills or life experience would you bring to local governance?
I’m the proud mom of three and caregiver to my infant granddaughter. I have a background working for major nonprofits, as well as in tech for a Fortune 500 transportation company. I believe access to transportation is connected to our way of life, affecting our education system, carbon footprint, health, economy and housing infrastructure. I’m a percussionist in the Cary Town Band, as well as a highly engaged member of political and civic organizations in Wake. I’ve spent most of my adult life supporting public schools so our children receive the education they deserve. I’ve been PTSA President, school advisory council chair, band boosters president and classroom mom. I also understand the benefit of public-private partnerships and will steward collaborative opportunities for various projects to succeed in Wake. This election is about more than just whatever we will accomplish together in one term; it’s about creating a legacy of thoughtful policy and progress that will endure.
This story was originally published April 24, 2022 at 5:02 PM.
