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With the 2021 municipal election coming up next week, The Courier once again is providing a Q&A for readers to get answers from each of the candidates on important questions in Clemmons.

Mike Rogers is the lone candidate for mayor on the Nov. 2 ballot while there are four candidates — Michelle Barson, Mary Cameron, Pamela (PJ) Lofland and Bradley Taylor — running for three available council seats.

FOR MAYOR

Name: Mike Rogers

Age: 67

Family: Wife, Betty; one son, Christopher

Occupation: Retired

What made you decide to run for public office — first time or again?

As mayor, I will provide leadership for the continuation of goals and plans that previous councils have approved and further a new initiative for an environmental and sustainability committee for our community that the current council has discussed. This council has supported more stringent stormwater regulations to minimize the impact future developments have on existing residents while still maintaining property rights of landowners. We must continue the successes that previous leaders have provided for our village and ensure that we strive to repair and maintain our infrastructure, which in turn will result in a sustained strong economic environment for our businesses and stable home values for our citizens.

What do you see as the biggest problem facing Clemmons and what solution(s) would you propose?

The growth which we have experienced over the last 5-10 years continues and has not slowed even during the pandemic that we are continuing to battle. Our planner continues to receive development plans as well as inquiries on a regular basis. Clemmons remains an extremely desirable area, which has resulted in a very diverse population whose roots originate from various regions around the United States, as well as abroad. We must continue our ongoing collaboration with county officials and other local municipal leaders to work toward strategic goals that not only affect us locally but that also have regional impacts.

What makes you a worthy candidate to be elected as mayor of the Clemmons Village Council?

I currently serve on the village council. There have been many volunteer positions and memberships in local organizations that I have held, which include West Forsyth Booster Club, American Legion Post 522 Baseball liaison, Clemmons Food Pantry Board of Directors as vice president, Clemmons Historical Society, Clemmons West HOA, Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce, Clemmons West Recreation Association, Clemmons Civic Club and Friends of the Library. I also have coached baseball at Southwest Little League and basketball at the YMCA. Public and volunteer service has always been a priority of mine and serving my community is extremely important to me. Proven commitment to our village. Proven competence. Proven positive results of my votes and efforts. I have been and will continue to be involved in our community. Thank you for allowing me to serve you in the past as we focus on a challenging future.

FOR COUNCIL

Name: Michelle Barson

Age: 38

Family: Husband, David; twin sons, Beckett and Fielding

Occupation: Jerry Long YMCA — youth sports marketing and volunteer coordinator; Triad Moms on Main — blogger and sales representative; freelance marketing and communications consultant

What made you decide to run for public office — first time or again?

Four years ago, I ran to create more transparency and better communication in village government, as well as serve as an advocate at the county and state level on behalf of Clemmons interests. Those areas continue to be a priority for me, and I’m running again to further reinforce our communication strategies by our village staff and increase our expectations of those we elect. I’m also running in order to see the through the U.S. 158 sidewalk to Tanglewood, the creation of an environmental and sustainability committee, and the redevelopment and improvement of the I-40 bridge and Lewisville-Clemmons Road.

What do you see as the biggest problem facing Clemmons and what solution(s) would you propose? 

Growth and development on our borders and outside of our jurisdiction that create infrastructure issues inside the village limits due to increased stormwater runoff and traffic.

Anyone building inside the village limits is required to mitigate two inches of stormwater runoff. This ordinance keeps new construction from impacting existing village infrastructure such as our homes and roads. New construction, on or near village borders, is only held to the state and county standard of one inch, which means Clemmons ends up paying the bill when these new construction projects create greater stormwater problems inside the village limits. Traffic is not dissimilar from water in that they both find the path of least resistance. The more cars that are added to our roads, without village oversight, the less we can manage a problem before it starts. Increased traffic impacts Clemmons in a number of ways, including decreased flow causing delays in your travel time, an overburdening of roads that aren’t meant to handle large volumes of traffic — causing more wear and tear on our roads; and with increased traffic comes increased safety concerns.

What makes you a worthy candidate to be elected to the Clemmons Village Council?

I’m a hard worker and energetic! I am not the smartest or most qualified person available in Clemmons, but I am willing to give my time and what ability and knowledge I have to this role.

I also believe that as an incumbent, a huge value I bring to council is the institutional knowledge I’ve accumulated and the relationships I’ve built during my first four years. I can hit the ground running and understand better how to make an impact and drive change when needed.

Name: Mary Cameron

Age: 78

Family: Married with two children and three grandchildren

Occupation: Homemaker

What made you decide to run for public office — first time or again?

I chose to run for the council the first time in 1993 because I wanted to help shape the future of this recently incorporated community. The hospital/medical facilities, greenways, a new school, a state-of-the art library, new roads, a variety of housing choices, tackling stormwater issues have all been accomplished, but there is still a great deal more to do. So, where do we go from here, and how do we get there? I want to continue to help guide that journey.

What do you see as the biggest problem facing Clemmons and what solutions would you propose?

We will see more infill development on smaller lots next to established neighborhoods. The challenge will be to balance the rights of the landowner with the expectations of the existing community. We have been doing just that for years by following a citizen-created Comprehensive Plan. The times are changing, and we are finding ways to minimize impervious surface and maximize green space. We also need to improve the lines of communication with the county and state legislature so that we can work together for the benefit of all.

What primary qualities qualify you to be elected to the Clemmons Village Council?

Look around you. This welcoming, vibrant community didn’t happen by accident but because of sound decision-making and dedicated leadership. Actions speak louder than words, and in 26 years I have proven my ability to work with and learn from others to make the hard decisions and get things done that helped create the community we now enjoy. This election should be about who has been and will be able to make those all-important future decision that impact all our lives. I believe I am that person.

Name:  Pamela (PJ) Lofland

Age: 67

Family:  Married 38 years to Maxwell Lofland; three daughters and six grandchildren

Occupation: Small business owner

What made you decide to run for public office — first time or again?

Frankly, I wish I did not have to run for office in order to be an asset and an advocate for our residents and small businesses. However, council members in the past have often been tone deaf to the concerns of individuals and neighborhoods when they have asked for help or have been opposed to an issue. Elected officials should not be more concerned with their own agendas than they are about the problems of their constituents. I will always listen and try to help, if possible, and working from within is the best way to accomplish things.

What do you see as the biggest problem facing Clemmons and what solution(s) would you propose?

Traffic, and the overdevelopment that causes it. Unfortunately, that horse has already left the barn, but we can certainly stop adding to the, at times, untenable situation by not adding more high-density housing and high-volume businesses. There comes a time when you just have to say “no more.” If the current rate of development continues, in just a few short years we may be able to walk somewhere faster than our cars can take us there. We should take a look at our planning and zoning, and then explore any and all other possibilities for improvement.

What makes you a worthy candidate to be elected to the Clemmons Village Council?

Born a native of Forsyth County, I have lived in Clemmons for 62 years and attended West Forsyth High School and Forsyth Technical College. This is my home. When it comes to the care my community receives, I can be relentless and tenacious in the pursuit of equity for all of our residents. I have been involved in community affairs and politics for 35 years and worked with the public through my business for almost 50 years. I love talking with and helping people. I support single-family housing, small businesses, community activities, neighborhood parks and green spaces.

Name: Bradley Taylor

Age: 30

Family: Single; three generations of family living in Clemmons

Occupation: Higher education alumni engagement professional

What made you decide to run for public office — first time or again?

Clemmons is my hometown, and I’m proud to live here! I am a proud graduate from West Forsyth High School and Eagle Scout from a local unit, thus I chose to return after college because of how wonderful our community is here in Clemmons. Civic engagement and service within one’s community has been instilled in me all my life from family, friends, mentors and much more. This spirit and upbringing fuels my motivation to serve my fellow citizens of Clemmons.

What do you see as the biggest problem facing Clemmons and what solution(s) would you propose?

I would like to explore opportunities for strategic community development while maintaining our small-town feel. In 2010, Clemmons adopted a Community Compass to outline for our future. If elected, I want to work with our citizens, community leaders and elected officials to be sure we are adhering to this Community Compass while always maintaining a willingness to adapt and evolve to meet the needs of Clemmons – create mixed-use development, village beautification, connect the north end to the heart of Clemmons and more. These decisions will impact traffic flow, residential and commercial development, safety, travel and tourism revenue for local economic impact, neighborly engagement and community pride.  

What makes you a worthy candidate to be elected to the Clemmons Village Council?

I’m your hometown candidate supporting family-friendly growth for the Village of Clemmons. I will work hard to represent, you, the citizens of Clemmons, through active listening to make our community the best in the Triad. My experience in working with community organizations and non-profits, such as the Boy Scouts and chambers of commerce, coupled with my professional career in relationship building have provided much experience to be prepared for a seat on village council. As a resident, I want to represent all citizens of Clemmons, serving as an active voice of the northern end where I live, and to help our community, our citizens and our future.

• Compiled by Jim Buice