Who’s running for election in Holly Springs and what’s in the $100M parks bond?

Kristen Johnson
Scott Sharpe/ssharpe@newsobserver.com

Nine candidates and a $100 million parks and recreation bond are on the ballot in Holly Springs in fast-growing western Wake County.

Three of the six Town Council seats are open in the Nov. 7 election: two four-year seats and one two-year seat.

Aaron Wolff and Shaun McGrath, each finishing their first, four-year term, are not seeking re-election.

Danielle Hewetson, who was appointed in January, is running to keep her seat.

Early voting takes place from Oct. 19 to Nov. 4.

Candidates for four-year terms

▪ Jack Turnwald

Turnwald is a former educator, community organizer and the first transgender, non-binary candidate for the Town Council. Turnwald uses they/them pronouns. They are a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consultant for Humancentric Work, LLC in Raleigh. Turnwald wants to prioritize growth, equity, housing affordability, and historic preservation.

▪ Staci Almquist

Almquist is a blogger, nonprofit leader, and educator and recently earned project management certification through the Project Management Institute. Almquist wants to prioritize school safety, traffic, the environment, and parks and recreation.

▪ Brian Dennis

Dennis has spent 15 years in finance and is a financial consultant at Wells Fargo Advisors. He and his son, Mathias, are active with the local Cub Scouts. Dennis plans to support Holly Springs’ police department, economic development, traffic and transportation, and small businesses.

▪ Clarence “Chris” Deshazor

Deshazor was appointed to the Planning Board in 2017 and has been chair for two years. He has been active with the town’s Land Use Advisory Committee, Housing Affordability Study Committee, and Tree Advisory Committee. The top priorities Deshazor listed on his website include growth, driving a unified community, engaged leadership, and sustainable energy.

▪ Danielle Hewetson

Hewetson was appointed to fill a seat vacated by Kristi Bennett. She has served on the Board of Adjustment and coaches soccer. Three issues she plans to prioritize if elected are growth; quality of life, including infrastructure; and small businesses.

Candidates for two-year terms

▪ Annie Drees

Drees has been active in local nonprofits and is a secretary on her neighborhood homeowners association. She is an electrical engineer for Dell Technologies. Her platform includes growth, community inclusion, and accessibility and transparency in the town.

▪ Chris “Scoop” Green

Green is the former executive director for the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce and worked for over 20 years for nonprofits. As the executive director, he manages the town’s Chamber Champion Program and other events. His platform includes investing in the town’s growth, supporting local businesses, and enhancing community services.

▪ Travis Groo

Groo moved to Wake County from Atlanta with his young family in 2013. He is an operations supervisor for Old Dominion Freight Line in Morrisville and the chair of the Wake County Libertarian Party. If elected, Groo plans to focus on housing affordability, finances and taxes, growth, and the environment.

▪ Brian Norman

Norman is the senior pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Cary where he is involved in youth ministry and outreach. According to his campaign website, Norman is running on Christian and conservative values and “common sense” views. His other priorities include safety, growth and families.

$100M bond referendum

If voters back the parks bond referendum, the town will move ahead with the 56-acre Cass Holt Road Park and other projects.

The park is projected to cost about $63 million, and this summer, Wake County approved $2.3 million for the recreation center at the park. The project includes a four-court gym, indoor track, playground, cafe, skate park and other courts.

The bond could increase property taxes in Holly Springs by 5 cents per $100 valuation, or roughly $187.75 on a home valued at $375,475.

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