Editorials, columns, letters to the editor
They say all politics is local. I would argue that local politics is the only politics that genuinely mattersâand that Wake Forest stewardship of our community should be every citizen’s priority. Washington, D.C., does not decide if a road is paved through your backyard. The President does not determine if your town retains its charm […]
My family has been on this continent for 12 generations. We were here before Wake Forest was a town, before North Carolina was a state, and before the United States was a country. My ancestors funded militias. They were statesmen, educators, and business owners. And when a tyrannical King across the ocean tried to dictate
The choices we make about growth profoundly shape our communityâs future. This visual illustrates the two distinct paths Wake Forest faces: one of thoughtful, integrated âSmart Growth Planningâ that leads to fiscal balance and a thriving town, and another of uncoordinated development that often leaves us with sprawling, inefficient outcomes. Which path will we choose?
The Kingâs Men Return: From 1775 to 2025 (generated using AI, Gemini Pro 3.0) Itâs almost 11 pm as I start writing this on Wednesday, November 19, and I am sitting in my living room in Wake Forest, the lights dimmed, watching the first episode of the new Ken Burns documentary, The American Revolution. On
With federal immigration agents reportedly deploying to Raleigh, our townâs network of Flock Safety ALPR cameras takes on a chilling new significance. Tonight, the INDY Week reported that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents are set to deploy to the Triangle tomorrow (November 18). This isnât just a âRaleigh story.â It has profound, immediate
A quiet crisis beneath the surface â subtle cracks in the foundation hint at a deeper financial erosion, as money drains away unnoticed. The Wake Forest structural deficit hidden budget crisis is growing. In our last piece, we explored the intense pressure on housing and the property tax paradox facing Wake Forest homeowners. But that
Honor, courage, and commitment matter more than team colors. Politics fan club civic engagement accountability â these words frame a critical question in our local discourse. A recent online exchange reminded me how easily our political culture slips into the intellectual equivalent of fast food: quick, salty, filling, and absolutely devoid of substance. Someone accused
The clock is ticking on our townsâ demographic future. Urgent action and strategic planning, looking decades ahead, are critical to avert a crisis A stunning new report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) just confirmed what we all feel in our bones: the housing market is fundamentally broken. According to the just-released 2025 Profile
The Wake Forest board vacancy appointment process is underway. When Commissioner Ben Clapsaddle won the mayorâs race in November, Wake Forest didnât just gain a new mayor. It suddenly faced a Wake Forest board vacancy appointment question that goes deeper than any one vote: How do we fill the vacancy he leaves behind in a
Wake Forestâs quiet streets are giving way to mid-rise buildings, construction cranes, and steady urban growth. Wake Forest growth small town identity is at a crossroads. Wake Forest still trades on small-town charm, but the numbers donât lie: this is a city now, whether or not its residents admit it. The Wake Forest growth small
I was seventeen when the towers fell. On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was in the weight room at Wakefield High School for first-period weight training. Coach Steve Rivers came in and turned on the TV. We stood there, silent, as the second plane hit. In that moment, everything changed. Or at least,
The Wake Forest democratic process board seat question is front and center. When Commissioner Ben Clapsaddle is sworn in as Mayor, his commissioner seat becomes vacant. Our town government section covers the full story. This Wake Forest democratic process board seat guide explains what North Carolina law and the Town Code say about who certifies
Friends, neighbors, readersâ this Wake Forest post-election reflection 2025 is for you. Firstâthank you. Your trust, your voices, and your engagement are what make our town strong. Weâve just witnessed a significant moment in Wake Forest, North Carolinaâs civic life, and this Wake Forest post-election reflection 2025 captures what it means. After six terms, Mayor
A dimly lit office glows with the cold light of four monitors, each showing fragments of the U.S. Capitol shrouded in smoke â a silent vigil for democracy, five years after the attack. Iâd Seen This Before â in War Zones This January 6 insurrection reflection begins overseas. In 2010, I was in Iraq during
Iraq and Afghanistan didnât happen in a vacuum. The problem was the entire post-9/11 projectâthe wars, the Patriot Act, rendition, GITMO, the Obama-era drone program, even the killing of U.S. citizens abroad without due process. Iâm a veteran of Iraq and a contractor in Afghanistan. I took part in operations across the globe. Looking back,
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