Candidates for Chatham County Commissioner
Candidate for COMMISSIONER, District 3: David Delaney
Facebook.com/DelaneyForChatham/
Who are you?
I am a husband, father of two Chatham County Schools children, and lifelong learner who has lived in nine states and traveled to more than 20 countries. I began my professional life as an army military police officer, then spent a decade as a cybersecurity attorney with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. I have also been a law professor and currently serve as vice president and assistant general counsel for cybersecurity with Truist Financial. Reading, skiing, running, and family time are favorite activities. I am passionate about promoting strong, equitable communities through civil discourse and innovation.
Why are you running?
I’m running to ensure we advance smart, strategic development, protect our environment, and promote equity for all county residents. Those goals are not in conflict. Chatham County planning processes continue to improve. The emerging unified development ordinance, master plan for parks and recreation, and wastewater commission are positive signs. We must keep innovating and improving in those areas, and we must take a strategic approach to the education, public health, economic, and technological inequities that limit many residents’ lifelong opportunities. All of that takes community-minded partnership, and I would like to bring that perspective to our efforts.
What will you do for your constituents if elected?
1. Allocate new funds and align government and nonprofit programs to sharply reduce today’s equity gaps in broadband access, digital equity, K-12 disciplinary practices, and juvenile delinquency reports.
2. Elevate public health as a primary factor in community well-being and equity, from preschool nutrition to K-12 mental health services, addiction, poverty, racism, and other factors.
3. Work toward environmental, social, and governance goals for residential developers to aspire to, above and beyond basic state legal requirements, to match residents’ goals and values.
How do you plan to address the pressure on housing and infrastructure in Chatham County? Chatham County has a significant affordable housing deficit. Long-term solutions are needed, including more housing supply and efficient land use under the new Unified Development Ordinance. The county is at a critical point in planning for future infrastructure needs. Water and wastewater planning require regional solutions across county borders. The VinFast and Wolfspeed economic development projects make that clear. Pittsboro’s letter of intent to plan with Sanford for water infrastructure is a positive step forward. But our unincorporated and more rural areas also need strategic solutions for water, wastewater, and broadband. I will study the new report and recommendations of the northeast Chatham wastewater commission and look forward to implementing sound plans. And I will work to expand on recent grants and projects that extend Chatham’s broadband infrastructure to improve all residents’ opportunities in the digital age.
Candidate for COMMISSIONER, District 3: Thomas Glendinning
Facebook.com Glendinning-for-Commissioner/
Who are you?
Tom Glendinning moved to North Carolina in 1964 to serve in the United States Marine Corps at Camp LeJeune. He graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill. Then, moving to Pittsboro, he married his wife, Gail Diane Simmons, starting a contracting business and a farm, pioneering the organic industry. Ten years later, he founded another company and the state composting industry.
He served on county, non-profit, industry boards, as well as state advisory groups. The Council of Government Triangle “J” committee focused on water quality from point source (sewers) and non-point source.
He sat on the planning board and two county tax boards as well as founded the Haw River Assembly. Cleveland, Ohio is his hometown. His family business was hospitals, where he worked since age fourteen. Raised as a Republican, he loves industry, business, people of all nationalities, competent government, and fiscal accountability. Tom’s ancestry in the US dates to 1635 and 1640, in early colonies of New England and New Amsterdam. Just as his Dutch forebearer, Anneke Jans, he farmed and loved the environment.
Why are you running?
Retiring in 2017, he was pressed into service to run for North Carolina Senate in District 23, Orange and Chatham counties. Tom now aims to serve Chatham as a commissioner. His years in politics and successes date to Terry Sanford’s terms as governor and senator, the 1966 Galifianakis campaign for congress, and the 2010 win of Bock, Petty, and Stewart. His guiding principles are service to God, family, country, conservative ideals, and being a good neighbor.
What will you do for your constituents if elected?
No answer provided.
How do you plan to address the pressure on housing and infrastructure in Chatham County?
Tom’s experience, sense of duty, innovative problem solving and love of community make him an excellent candidate for county commissioner in 2022. Remember to vote for Glendinning, Godfrey, Moody for county commissioners.
Candidate for COMMISSIONER, District 4: Joseph (Joe) Godfrey
Who are you?
I have lived in Chatham County virtually my entire life, attending school at Silk Hope and Jordan Matthews. My wife of thirty-three years (Renee) and I sent both of our sons to Silk Hope and Jordan-Matthews. I have been involved with Chatham County Recreation and was very involved in the schools when my children were attending. I am active in my church, holding leadership positions for many years, and served as Moderator for the SCBA. I have participated in multiple mission trips as part of the NC Baptists on Mission. I work for a large company, managing a multi-million dollar life safety service business and I supervise multiple employees. I love helping people and meeting new people. I enjoy reading and studying history, taking trips, gardening, sports, and serving others.
Why are you running?
As a lifelong resident of Chatham County, I want to give back a portion of what Chatham County has given me: a nice rural setting, good schools, and safe streets. As I watch what is going on today in our county, I see that we are struggling with infrastructure issues. Development is upon us, and we should be excited about the potential business impact this will have on Chatham County. As business comes, there are many things that come with it that we are not prepared for. Housing is non-existent, schools are at capacity or will be very soon, crime is rising, and wastewater/water issues are prevalent. We see declining test scores and social skill challenges at schools, and there aren’t enough social workers to help our children. I feel I can be a voice of reason and provide practical solutions for these issues.
What will you do for your constituents if elected?
I do want to be a voice of reason in our county. Business growth shouldn’t be a burden on our residents. I will work with Planning to help keep planned developments from destroying our beautiful green spaces and destroying our water quality and natural resources. I would protect the property rights of our citizens. We should re-examine zoning in some parts of our county, especially areas used for agriculture. Keep taxes low, as this spurs economic activity. I will work with state leaders to provide resources for expanded broadband service for the entire county. We should provide better solutions for wastewater treatment. I would partner with the BOE and parents to provide safe, healthy schools for our children. I would also partner with the Sheriff’s Department to provide SRO’s for every school and help keep dangerous drugs off the streets.
How do you plan to address the pressure on housing and infrastructure in Chatham County?
Our local leaders have failed to address this problem for years, fully expecting businesses to move into the Chatham County mega sites. There is no easy solution now. I would work with county leaders, the EDC, business leaders and developers to establish more housing in areas of high development. We could plan to add some multi-story apartment housing in the areas around mega-sites, but the solutions won’t be immediate. Infrastructure around the county is lacking in many ways. Wastewater issues are rampant in our large developments. We should propose a better solution, one that is sustainable for many years to come…not continue to depend on other counties to bail us out. We should work with Vinfast to provide charging stations county-wide, transitioning most county vehicles to EV’s within ten years.
Candidate for COMMISSIONER, District 4: Katie Kenlan
Who are you?
Born in 1985, I’m a proud native of Chatham County, and attended public schools here. I graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Latin American Studies, minoring in African American Diaspora Studies, and am fluent in Spanish. When the Covid pandemic started, I was studying in Buenos Aires, Argentina and completed an internship with Hecho en Buenos Aires, working with the housing insecure and homeless population.
I supported my college education working at nature based preschools and local organic farms. I currently [Kenlan continued] own and am lead teacher of an outdoor environmental education program with camps and after-school programming to help children gain a love of nature and outdoor skills. I’ve been a volunteer in Chatham County with the Haw River Assembly’s educational, lobbying and river cleanup programs, CARE animal rescue, and served as a Democratic Party vice-chair for Hadley Township.
Why are you running?
As a lifelong Chatham resident I have witnessed the fast paced growth taking place in Chatham, and share concerns with many about the impacts this has on our schools, communities and environment. I also know the tremendous talents and resources of the many people who call this place home, including entrepreneurs, artists, chefs, teachers, scientists, farmers, non-profit workers and so many more. I believe that together we can create a future that protects the health of our families, community and environment, while finding innovative solutions to meet the future, including the impacts of climate change. I value forests, rivers. towns and farmlands of Chatham, and know what we need to protect. I value the diversity that makes Chatham County a great place to live, and pledge to work to build a truly resilient and equitable community.
What will you do for your constituents if elected?
I’ll listen to all constituents and to our county advisory committees. I’ll work for economically and environmentally smart development. Policy decisions should reflect the needs of Chatham people, not outside developers, and I’ll be guided by our comprehensive land-use plan. I’ll support affordable housing and increased public and mental health resources. I’ll support opportunities for small businesses and sustainable agriculture to flourish, and broadband internet for all residents. I’ll continue the work of our county to support companies and jobs that don’t degrade our environment. We can tackle climate change through local actions such as green energy and resilient buildings. I’ll work to protect our natural resources and clean drinking water, and for wastewater systems that prevent pollution. I support strong schools, our community college system, and funding new schools for our growing population, so all young people are educated for the challenges ahead.
How do you plan to address the pressure on housing and infrastructure in Chatham County?
I’ll work to ensure frontline and essential workers, including teachers and first responders – and young people – can afford to live in our increasingly affluent county. The county currently lacks nearly 2,000 affordable rental units, and an increasing number of new houses are priced beyond middle class earners. I support Chatham County’s housing goals to increase missing middle housing and access to affordable rental units for all residents, through vouchers, community trusts, and greater density near urban centers. I’ll work to ensure clean and adequate supplies of water for all residents, and advocate for better protections from pollution that impacts our rivers and Jordan Lake. Wastewater systems must prevent pollution, not cause it, and new systems must support sustainability goals. I support green stormwater management and strong erosion control programs to protect our creeks and rivers, and planning for impacts of climate change on all our infrastructure.
Candidate for COMMISSIONER, District 5: Franklin Gomez Flores
Facebook.com/franklinforcommissioner
Who are you?
My name is Franklin Gomez Flores, I was born in Guatemala and am a naturalized United States citizen. I currently serve Chatham County on the County Board of Commissioners, Board of Health, and Chatham Hospital’s Board of Trustees. I am the first Latino to be elected to office as a commissioner in Chatham County. I was raised to be family-oriented, and I have been helping my family with their efforts in providing naturally occurring affordable housing in Chatham County for over two decades. I am a product of Chatham County Schools and of UNC-Chapel Hill. I earned a degree in Biology and developed an interest in how nature benefits our human body.
Why are you running?
My representation of the district with the lowest average income in the county has led me to focus on basic life necessities: health, social services, safety and security, education, economic opportunities, and access to reliable internet available in Chatham County. Chatham County is growing in population, and in the number of commerce and industries establishing here. Just this year in 2022, we have attracted at least four major industries to Chatham County. After these major industries are fully built and after incentives, they will have helped increase our property tax base by over 50% when compared to this year’s collected property taxes. Given our incoming opportunities, it is counterintuitive to want to “spend less”; we must build upon and improve our current resources and infrastructure. There are much needed investments to be made ranging from schools, gyms, water and sewage, and our life necessities.
What will you do for your constituents if elected?
I will continue to listen to the community and focus on improving our resources within the basic necessities of life. I want to make life easier for our residents, and will exhaust every possible vehicle to achieve a goal. I will continue to push for strategic planning of the property taxes expected to be collected from the major industries expanding to Chatham County. I believe the county should see these funds as “revolving door funds” and not budgeted into locked line items of the county’s daily/yearly operations. In my opinion, this strategy will allow us to make the needed investments, without subjecting the county into increased debt, or our ability to pay debt significantly quicker.
How do you plan to address the pressure on housing and infrastructure in Chatham County?
I will continue helping my family in our local efforts in increasing naturally occurring affordable housing. I am a supporter of Article 46 sales tax passed in 2020. It has helped increase the allocation to our affordable housing efforts, to schools, and to parks and rec with minimal impact on our residents. Also, my perspective on the use of collected property taxes from the major industries (refer to question 3) will help address the needed investments in our infrastructure versus budgeting them into the daily operations of the county. And of course, educating myself on the various strategies available to address our needs.
Candidate for COMMISSIONER, District 5: Peyton Moody
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EMSCOM6mf8
Who are you?
No answer provided.
Why are you running?
No answer provided.
What will you do for your constituents if elected?
No answer provided.
How do you plan to address the pressure on housing and infrastructure in Chatham County?
No answer provided.
