Travis Groo, candidate for Holly Springs Town Council

Nine people are on the ballot for three open seats on the Holly Springs Town Council.

Five candidates are running for two four-year seats: incumbent Danielle Hewetson, who was appointed in January; Jack Turnwald; Brian Dennis; Staci Almquist; and Chris Deshazor.

Candidates Annie Drees, Scoop Green, Travis Groo and Brian Norman are running for a two-year seat.

Early voting in the Nov. 7 election runs through Nov. 4. For information about polling sites, voter and Election Day information, residents can visit the state Board of Elections, ncsbe.gov, or the Wake County Board of Elections, wake.gov.

Name: Travis Groo

Age: 45

Residence: Holly Springs

Occupation/Employer: Operations Supervisor - Old Dominion Freight Line

Education: Bachelor of Arts - UWF

Political or civic experience: Yes

Campaign website: travisgroofornc.org

Tell us why you’re running to serve Holly Springs. Why should voters trust you in this position?

I believe that all politics are local. We may not be able to change things very quickly on a national or state level, but we can change things on a local level and in our backyards and neighborhoods. As a candidate for Holly Springs Town Council, I believe in the power of the community to drive positive change. I’m a strong advocate for freedom and prosperity for all and have a proven track record of putting my experience to work for the people I serve. I’m focused on key issues that are facing our quality of life for all people.

What is the town of Holly Springs doing right to manage growth? What could be improved?

Holly Springs is growing fast. In fact, it’s one of the fastest-growing places in North Carolina. The current Town Council has done a good job, but we don’t want to end up making the same mistakes as our neighboring towns by putting more financial burdens on the citizens who love this town and want to stay. Managing the inevitable growth that comes with living in such a desirable area is a challenge. Holly Springs is poised for tremendous opportunity that needs to be carefully managed and evaluated so we don’t have to fix something later. I will work to do it right the first time. I want Holly Springs to grow in a responsible manner, which means also protecting private property and individual rights.

If elected, how would you approach an existing or new issue differently from your fellow council members?

We should always be mindful of who’s actually paying for things: it’s the people’s hard-earned money being spent. Bond-funded projects — which essentially are deferred tax increases — need close scrutiny, particularly now, with interest rates so high. We should get public opinion and consent before moving forward on any project. I will put the taxpayer at the heart of all we do. We should seek sustainable outcomes built on the foundation of doing the right thing, both financially and ethically.

How do you plan to make local government in Holly Springs more inclusive and equitable for all residents in the town who feel their voices are underrepresented?

Every human being deserves to be treated with dignity. Fear-mongering and division have no place in our town. I uphold and defend the rights of every person, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender or any other aspect of their identity. I unequivocally stand behind the heart and intent of a non-discrimination proclamation, and call upon the mayor, Town Council, and all of my fellow candidates to begin a discussion on developing our own language that solidifies our commitment to the rights of every citizen, every business owner and every visitor to our community. Our policy approaches may be different, but on this, I know every person of good character can unite. I reject the fear and bigotry and propose we write our own non-discrimination guidelines for Holly Springs.

Please list any endorsements you’ve received.

Endorsed by common sense.

If there is anything you would like to add, please do so here.

Join me in building a brighter future for Holly Springs. Together, we can achieve freedom and prosperity for all. The function of a Town Council member is, first and foremost, to protect the health, safety and welfare of his/her/their fellow citizens. To preserve what’s great about our community is my goal.

This story was originally published October 22, 2023 at 3:21 PM.

Kristen Johnson

The News & Observer

919-829-4532

Kristen Johnson is a local government reporter covering Durham for The News & Observer. She previously covered Cary and western Wake County. Prior to coming home to the Triangle, she reported for The Fayetteville Observer and spent time covering politics and culture in Washington, D.C. She is an alumna of UNC at Charlotte and American University.