Jason Joyner, 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: Jason Joyner
Age: 34
Residence: 505 Commander Drive
Occupation: Owner- Joyner Government Affairs
Education: Bachelors Degree in Political Science with a concentration in Town Administration, City County Management and a minor in Planning
Political or civic experience: I’ve spent the last 6 years serving as a Commissioner on the Wendell Board of Commissioners. I also serve on the Wendell Fire Department Board of Directors and serve as the Town of Wendell’s representative to the North Carolina League of Municipalities. I am an active member of Wendell United Methodist Church, Wendell Rotary Club, Wendell Chamber of Commerce and the Wendell Historic Society.
Campaign website: JoynerForWendell.com
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, I’ve supported the mayor’s previous mask mandates and I also supported her decision in August. Masks are an effective way of reducing the spread of COVID-19. Vaccines are widely available and serve as our community’s best longterm defense against COVID-19. Social distancing and proper hand washing also greatly reduce the spread of Covid-19. We need everyone to not only wear a mask but additionally to get vaccinated and encourage their friends to do the same. At this point in the pandemic, everyone knows what it will take. We have to unite around the common enemy that is COVID-19 and ask everyone to do everything that they can. That’s not something that you can mandate, it takes a community and at that time I agreed with Mayor Gray that a mandate wasn’t needed in achieving our goal of getting our entire community engaged in the fight against COVID-19 .
What is Wendell doing right, and wrong, on managing growth?
Wendell’s growth has been anticipated by previous town boards, our business community and residents for years. As that growth continues we have to continue to plan for it to ensure that we grow in a manner that matches the existing community, provides for future needs of the community and that adds value to the community.
We do that by investing in, adhering to and funding the plans that allow for as well as regulate growth. Some examples include our Transportation Plan, Parks Master Plan, Unified Development Ordinance and our Strategic plan, all of which have been adopted during my time on the board. Our ability to fund historic levels of transportation, parks and infrastructure improvements are a result of our growth as well as our commitment to implementing the plans that our community helped craft and adopt.
Moving forward we’ll need to address connecting neighborhoods and our rapidly growing park space together in a pedestrian friendly way.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
1. Establishing a multi-use path between Wendell Falls, Wendell Parks and Downtown Wendell. This allows for the Town to protect open space like Buffalo Creek forever moving forward while expanding our park space and offering greater connectivity for residents to walk, ride or even golf cart around Wendell.
2. Ensuring that we continue investing in infrastructure replacement as well as new infrastructure improvements. While we have adopted plans for future growth and planning, they only work if we invest in them and adhere to that plan. I’ll ensure that we pay for the plans that we put into place and that the whole community sees the benefits of growth.
3. No Tax Increases.
What unique skills or life perspective would you bring to city governance?
My dad retired from the City of Rocky Mount as the Superintendent of Water and Sewer and my mom was a public school teacher. They emphasized both public and community service. I attended Appalachian State University and received degrees in Town Administration, City County Management and Planning. I spent a total of 10 years working EMS, including 5 years of serving our community while working for Wake County EMS. I successfully built and sold a government affairs firm and now operate Joyner Government Affairs with my wife Meghan.
I was raised by parents that taught me the value of public service. I’ve spent the past decade serving the citizens of Wake County and the Town of Wendell first by responding to 911 calls and since 2015 as a Town Commissioner. In 2017 my first daughter was born and we’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of our second daughter, due four days before this election. I can assure you that my commitment to our community and its future increases daily.
This story was originally published October 16, 2021 at 1:48 PM with the headline "Jason Joyner, candidate for board of commissioner in Wendell, NC."