Jon Lutz, candidate for board of commissioner in Wendell, NC
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Zebulon, NC, candidates for town board
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Deans Eatman, candidate for board of commissioner in Wendell, NC
Michael Firstbrook, candidate for board of commissioner in Wendell, NC
Jason Joyner, candidate for board of commissioner in Wendell, NC
Jon Lutz, candidate for board of commissioner in Wendell, NC
Allison Yeargin, candidate for board of commissioner in Wendell, NC
There are several people seeking to join the Wendell Board of Commissioners.
At least one new person is guaranteed to join the board with incumbent John Boyette not running for re-election.
The other two incumbents Jason Joyner and Jon Lutz are seeking re-election and are facing challengers Deans Eatman, Michael Firstbrook, Braxton Davis Honeycutt, Josh Sledge and Allison Yeargin.
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: Jon Lutz
Age: 39
Residence: 311 E. Academy St.
Occupation: Optometrist
Education: BS from NC State University and Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham
Political or civic experience: 8 years serving as a Wendell Commissioner. 4 years serving on the Parks and Recreation Board. Member of Wendell Rotary Club
Campaign website: www.facebook.com/Jon-Lutz-for-Wendell-106081118415876
In August, Wendell Mayor Virginia Gray decided against ordering a mask mandate like some other Wake County towns. Do you agree with this decision?
Yes, At that time I felt that vaccines were a greater method to help prevent the spread of COVID vaccines in our town. Requiring masks would require our town police to try to enforce a policy that seems unenforceable. The few times that citations were issued, nothing came of the citation other than bad publicity for the town. Masks, while I believe are useful, can be a personal choice and people who want to protect themselves can still wear them as needed.
What is Wendell doing right, and wrong, on managing growth?
Wendell is doing a great job of continuing to look at our infrastructure and making sure we constantly keep our sewers/stormwater, roads, sidewalks, and other projects in a maintained state versus waiting until they are in disrepair. Wendell does a great job of visioning forward and establishing goals and priorities that help guide the town’s budget decisions each year and financially planning into the future for potential needs.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
I would like to continue to improve the diversity and options for housing in the town and continue to improve our parks and open spaces for recreation needs of all ages. We have also seen a great amount of development and the ability of our roads to handle the traffic for our citizens will continue to be a focus for me moving forward.
What unique skills or life perspective would you bring to city governance?
I bring my 8 years of experience and what I’ve learned during my time serving on the board. I also bring a viewpoint of a local business owner when it comes to establishing policies and plans and how it affects our local businesses and business owners. I have been involved in Wendell since first relocating here with parks, churches, civic groups, and schools, and now I’ll continue to bring that passion for improving my town to an area that affects all citizens.
This story was originally published October 16, 2021 at 1:44 PM with the headline "Jon Lutz, candidate for board of commissioner in Wendell, NC."