Editorials, columns, letters to the editor
Two Jurisdictions, One Wake Forest: While we all share the same local identity, your address determines how you vote and how youâre taxed. Wake Forest is in a season of major decisions: new housing, changing traffic patterns, rezonings, and longârange planning that will shape the town for decades. If you listen to public meetings or […]
Happy New Year, Wake Forest. It is January 1, 2026. We have officially entered a monumental year. As we march toward July 4th, the United States will turn 250 years old. I didnât spend last night watching the ball drop in a crowded bar or at a loud party. I spent it sitting with my
Obligatory photo with captured AK-47 When people think of Iraq, they think of dry heat and endless sand. But if you were in Diyala Province in the winter of 2009, you remember the mud. It was a viscous, clay-like paste that we called âmoon dustâ when it was dry. Still, in the rainy seasonâDecember and
The Wake Forest local divide is deepening. A Note on Public Discourse: I intended to remain radio silent until January, but recent discussions compel a brief return to the frequency. While I am hesitant to amplify the ânoiseâ of online comment sections, I cannot stand by while misinformation is weaponized to distort the public record,
A Note from the Editor: Standing the Watch at Home As we approach the end of the year, I wanted to step back from the spreadsheets and the policy analysis to speak to you directlyânot just as the person behind Wake Forest Matters, but as a veteran, a patriot, and a 12th-generation North Carolinian who
This Sunday reflection Wake Forest community needs to hear begins simply. Surrounded by family memories and holiday warmth, itâs easy to forget the cold reality just outside our doors. Our community coverage regularly highlights these realities. True peace on earth means ensuring this warmth extends beyond our own four walls. Itâs a Sunday afternoon here
The Wake Forest parade cancelled liability question has stirred deep emotions across our community. I am from here. My roots in this soil are deep. My great-great-grandfather, John, who was known to everyone as âPeg Leg John,â lost a leg at Gettysburg. Two of his brothers never came home from Petersburg. But John did. He
The Wake Forest Center for Active Aging The Wake Forest Mayor forum misinformation trust crisis is real. Walking into the newly rebranded âWake Forest Center for Active Agingâ (formerly the Northern Wake Senior Center), the first thing you notice is the atmosphere. Itâs quiet. We have begun digging into the data to understand why the
If you drive Rogers Road daily, you know the spot. Itâs that dense patch of trees on the south side, right across from the entrance to Heritage Links Drive and just west of the Golden Poppy Court cul-de-sac. The subject property at 3832 Rogers Road, Wake Forest, NC. Right now, itâs a quiet, green buffer.
The appointment vs election Wake Forest board debate has arrived. When Wake Forest Commissioner Ben Clapsaddle won the mayorâs race this November, his victory created a democratic deficit. The new Board of Commissioners is now tasked with appointing someone to fill his just-vacated seat, and the integrity of that choice will define their commitment to
A visual reminder that dense, walkable development generates far more long-term value per acre than low-yield sprawl. This is central to any Wake Forest revenue-positive growth strategy. A Wake Forest revenue-positive growth strategy is essential for our future. In this series, we have diagnosed the core challenges of our new small-city status (Part 1). Weâve
A symbolic visualization of town governance evolving from misalignment to seamless efficiency. As gears shift into sync, a radiant overlay represents the emergence of clarity, data-driven decision-making, and smart management. The Wake Forest small-city operating model needs an upgrade. This brings us to the final, crucial piece of the puzzle. We can have the best
Photo of Camp Pepper in Gelan District. Formerly known as FOB Warrior, the base was closed, and all that was left was the SF base that I called home for 6 months in 2014. Photo Courtesy Tom Baker IV The news hit me with the numbers first. But now I have the names. Specialist Sarah
This powerful visual illustrates the true cost of neglected infrastructure. Weâve discussed budgets and revenue, but the most visible challenge for residents is often our infrastructure. We all see it: more congestion on critical roads â a symptom of the Wake Forest infrastructure cliff fix-it-first advocates warn about, more wear and tear on our pavement,
When institutions & the community work together, resources flow into a common well, benefiting everyone & strengthening the town. Itâs about mutual benefit & shared responsibility, ensuring a just and equal contribution to our collective future. A Wake Forest PILOT SEBTS fair share partnership could transform local revenue. As we search for a more balanced
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