Cheryl Stallings, candidate for Wake County Commissioner
The News & Observer sent a questionnaire to each of the Wake County Board of Commissioners candidates running in 2022.
In District 3, Democrat Cheryl Stallings faces Republican Irina Comer.
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 Nov. 8 election began Oct. 20.
Name: Cheryl Stallings
Age: 56
Political party: Democratic
Occupation and employer: Psychologist; co-owner of Triangle Psychoeducational Consultants
Education: Ph.D. in Psychology, with a minor in Educational Administration
Political or civic experience: I currently serve on the Apex Town Council and am very active in my church.
Campaign website: www.cheryl4wake.org
What is Wake County doing right, and wrong, on managing growth?
Wake County continues to be a very desirable place to live, with over 1 million residents here currently. Within the context of growth and development, it is very important that we manage growth in a way that facilitates economic development for people with diverse skill sets, housing affordability, sound transportation planning and outdoor conservation and recreational spaces for all residents to enjoy.
The current Board of Commissioners adopted PLANWake in April of 2021. This plan will help guide growth for at least the next 10 years. Additionally, this plan will direct growth to existing towns while also developing connected, walkable, and transit-supportive communities. And finally, PLANWake involves working with rural landowners to help preserve open spaces, farms and forests as well. I support this work and look forward to partnering with the current board in managing Wake County growth in an equitable and responsible way.
How should the county support K-12 schools, students and teachers?
The county is supposed to fund construction, renovation and maintenance of our public school buildings, while the state legislature is supposed to fund operational expenses. As a commissioner, I will support funding the capital needs of our schools (in as cost-effective manner as possible) so that our students, teachers and other staff members have the physical space, equipment, and technology they need to teach our children.
The state legislature has underfunded our schools for years. As a result, additional funding requests have been made of the commissioners to support operational expenses. I will advocate for appropriate levels of funding from all levels of government because we all need to do our part and be held accountable to the investment in our children and our futures.
I will work to help allocate as much funding to our schools as possible so they can attract and retain staff, support children with special needs, and prepare our students for career and college readiness.
What do you think Wake County should do, if anything, to address racial injustice issues, and what kind of changes would you propose?
I think it is important to systematically evaluate all policies and procedures internally for racial bias/injustices, and make plans for improvement based on these findings. The county manager and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) director (and other pertinent staff) could take the lead on this task. I would also expect our DEI director to develop a strategic action plan for developing a strong workplace culture where all are welcome and respected. This strategy might include training initiatives on cultural competency and other topics related to creating a work place and service delivery model that operates within the lens of equity, diversity and inclusion on a daily basis.
What new steps should Wake County take to recruit businesses to the area?
As Wake County continues to grow, it will be important to recruit diverse businesses (large and small) while also working to encourage existing business expansion. Maintaining a strong public school system, community college and university system is also an integral part of business recruitment as we demonstrate a diverse and competent talent pool.
One area I would like for us to explore more is business recruitment related to green energy jobs. As we work to do our part with climate change mitigation and environmental stewardship, I’d like for us to work with community and regional partners in recruiting green energy businesses.
What’s the top issue facing the county? What specific legislation or changes would you propose to address this issue?
I think there are three top issues: housing affordability, public education and health care/mental health care. If elected to the commission, I will work with my board colleagues and dedicated community and regional partners to keep these issues in the forefront for strategic problem solving and funding allocations.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
I want to partner with the current board in working to provide equitable opportunity for a healthy and sustainable economy; community (with an emphasis on housing, education, and health care/mental health care); and environment for all. I hope to make progress on these issues the first year in office, understanding that it will take sustained work to achieve desired outcomes.
What unique skills or life experience would you bring to local governance?
I am a wife, mother, psychologist, small business owner and Apex Town Council member. I also manage the care for my brother with disabilities, and donated the kidney for his transplant in 2017. I think my personal, professional and local government experiences give me a strong skill set for the county commissioner role. I am also the only candidate in the District 3 race who has local government experience. I am looking forward to this opportunity of expanded public service to the people of Wake County. I believe very strongly in public service working for the public good.
This story was originally published April 24, 2022 at 5:11 PM.
