Full name: Grady Bussey
Party affiliation: Democrat
Campaign website: gradybussey.com
1) In 300 words or less, please give our readers your elevator pitch: Why are you running? Why should voters entrust you with this position? What prior experience will make you an effective member of the Knightdale town council?
I am running for Knightdale Town Council because I believe our town’s best days are ahead, and I want to help shape that future with integrity, collaboration, and vision. Knightdale is growing rapidly, and with that growth comes opportunities—and challenges. We need leaders who understand how to balance progress with preserving the character of our community, while ensuring that every resident feels included in Knightdale’s story.
Voters can entrust me with this position because service is not new to me, it’s who I am. For over 20 years, I’ve worked in real estate and community engagement, connecting families to housing, resources, and opportunities. I’ve also proudly served with the City of Raleigh’s Parks and Recreation Department, where I’ve been a center director for both large and small community centers. In this role, I’ve led programs that support families, youth, and seniors—learning how to build consensus, manage resources, and deliver services that strengthen neighborhoods. Today, I continue that work in the City of Raleigh’s Community Engagement Department, where I develop leadership programs and create innovative ways to amplify residents’ voices.
As a husband, father, and longtime community servant, I understand the importance of safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, youth programs, thriving local businesses, and accessible parks and recreation opportunities. My professional background, spanning real estate, working with unhoused, Parks and Recreation, and civic leadership gives me the tools to tackle Knightdale’s growth strategically while protecting the sense of community that makes us proud to call this town home.
I’m ready to bring energy, creativity, and accountability to the Town Council. Together, we can make Knightdale a place where every resident sees themselves in the town’s progress and has a seat at the table.
2) What would your priorities be as a member of the town council? Please identify three of the most pressing issues Knightdale currently faces and how you believe the town should address them.
As a member of the Knightdale Town Council, my priorities will focus on strengthening community engagement, recreation opportunities, and housing—three areas I believe are essential to Knightdale’s future.
Community Engagement
Knightdale’s growth brings new voices and perspectives, and it’s vital that all residents feel connected to the decisions shaping our town. I will champion open, transparent communication and create more opportunities for residents to be involved—through town halls, neighborhood roundtables, and digital platforms that make participation easy and accessible.
Recreation Opportunities
As someone who has served as a center director for both large and small community centers, I know the impact that recreation programs and facilities have on families, youth, and seniors. I will advocate for expanding parks, greenways, and recreation programs that keep pace with our growth. Investments in safe, inclusive, and accessible recreation spaces will strengthen community pride and improve quality of life.
Housing
Knightdale must address the rising cost of housing to ensure that teachers, first responders, seniors, and young families can continue to call this town home. With over 25 years in real estate and housing finance, I bring the expertise to help craft solutions that balance growth with affordability—such as encouraging diverse housing types, supporting smart development, and pursuing partnerships that expand attainable housing options without losing Knightdale’s unique character.
By focusing on these three areas, engagement, recreation, and housing we can ensure Knightdale grows in a way that is thoughtful, inclusive, and sustainable for generations to come.
3) What’s the best or most important thing the town council has done in the past year? Additionally, name a decision you believe the town should have handled differently. Please explain your answers.
The most important thing the Knightdale Town Council has done in the past year is adopting the Knightdale Housing Plan. As our town continues to grow, having a thoughtful and strategic approach to housing is critical. This plan helps us address affordability, diversity in housing options, and smart development practices that ensure Knightdale remains a welcoming community for families, seniors, and young professionals.
One area where I believe the Council could have done better is in the public-private partnership with Wake Stone Athletic Park. While the intent was to expand recreation opportunities, the reality is that the general public has very limited access to these fields. Unless a family is able to spend thousands of dollars for their child to participate in the North Carolina Football Club Youth (NCFC Youth), they are essentially excluded from using this public space. That eliminates the opportunity for everyday residents to enjoy a facility that should serve the broader community.
Moving forward, I believe public-private partnerships should be structured to ensure that taxpayer investments result in equitable access for all residents—not just for those with the means to pay high participation fees. Parks and recreation spaces should be inclusive gathering places that reflect Knightdale’s values of community and opportunity.
4) President Trump is working to ramp up deportations and curtail visas. At the same time, the state legislature has passed laws requiring agencies to cooperate with ICE. What do you think the town council can or should do to ensure safe, welcoming communities for immigrants in light of these policies?
Knightdale is a diverse and growing community, and I believe one of our greatest strengths is the way families from different backgrounds come together to make this town home. Even as federal and state policies create fear and uncertainty for immigrants, I believe the Town Council has a responsibility to ensure that all residents feel safe, respected, and welcomed.
At the local level, that means focusing on what we can control building trust, fostering inclusion, and ensuring that town services are accessible to everyone regardless of immigration status. As a council member, I would advocate for:
Clear communication and outreach so that immigrant families understand their rights and the resources available to them.
Partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations that already serve immigrant communities, ensuring families have access to language services, legal assistance, and supportive networks.
Policies that prioritize community safety and cohesion, making sure our town employees treat all residents with dignity and respect.
When people feel welcome, they are more likely to engage with their neighbors, support local businesses, and participate in community life. A safe, inclusive Knightdale isn’t just the right thing to strive for it’s essential for the future of our town.
5) As climate change leads to more intense rainfall, communities are at greater risk of inland flooding, such as the historic floods in parts of the Triangle caused by Tropical Storm Chantal in July. How would you like the town council to address climate resilience, particularly flooding?
The recent flooding we’ve seen across the Triangle is a reminder that climate change isn’t a distant issue, it’s here, and it impacts families, businesses, and our infrastructure. Knightdale must be proactive in addressing climate resilience, particularly flooding, to protect our residents and prepare for future growth.
First, I would advocate for stronger stormwater management systems that can handle more intense rainfall. This means updating infrastructure, expanding green stormwater solutions like rain gardens and permeable surfaces, and making sure new developments include plans to reduce runoff.
Second, I believe in preserving and expanding green spaces, wetlands, and tree canopies that naturally absorb water and provide buffers during heavy storms. Investments in our parks and open spaces not only build resilience but also improve quality of life.
Finally, I would push for regional collaboration. Flooding doesn’t stop at town borders, so Knightdale must work with Wake County and neighboring municipalities on shared strategies, emergency preparedness, and funding opportunities.
By planning ahead and investing in sustainable solutions, Knightdale can reduce risks, save money in the long run, and create a safer, healthier environment for future generations.
6) Describe what sustainable growth and development mean to you. Additionally, what is another municipality you believe has made smart decisions related to growth and development that could be similarly implemented in Knightdale?
To me, sustainable growth and development means ensuring that Knightdale continues to thrive without losing the qualities that make it a welcoming and connected community. It means balancing new housing, businesses, and infrastructure with the preservation of our environment, green spaces, and small-town character. Sustainable growth is not just about adding rooftops, it’s about planning carefully so that every new development brings value, opportunity, and long-term benefit to residents. That includes housing options that are affordable for working families and seniors, transportation choices that reduce congestion, and parks and recreation spaces that keep pace with our growth.
One municipality I believe has made smart decisions in this area is Cary, North Carolina. Cary has used careful planning, strong design standards, and community input to manage growth while maintaining high quality of life. They’ve invested in greenways, expanded recreation, and promoted mixed-use development that encourages walkability and community connection. Knightdale can take lessons from that approach, focusing on intentional planning, community engagement, and smart infrastructure investments to ensure that growth enhances, rather than overwhelms, our town.
7) In what ways should Knightdale work to promote economic development? What are your goals for Knightdale’s downtown, from historic Old Town to Knightdale Station, and what does the town need to do to achieve those goals?
Knightdale has incredible potential to grow its local economy, but we must do it in a way that reflects our community values and benefits all residents. To promote economic development, we should focus on supporting small businesses, attracting diverse employers, and creating spaces where families want to live, work, and gather. That means making it easier for entrepreneurs to start and grow in Knightdale, investing in infrastructure that supports business development, and ensuring that workforce training connects residents to new opportunities.
For downtown development, my vision is to see both historic Old Town and Knightdale Station thrive as destinations where people can shop, dine, enjoy recreation, and celebrate local culture. Old Town has the charm and history that can anchor unique small businesses, while Knightdale Station has the energy and space to host events, restaurants, and family activities. Together, they can complement each other and create a vibrant town center that draws residents and visitors alike.
To achieve these goals, the town must continue to invest in walkability, infrastructure, and placemaking projects that connect Old Town to Knightdale Station, while also offering incentives that attract local businesses and keep dollars circulating here at home. By fostering a downtown that is both historic and forward-looking, we can build a Knightdale economy that is resilient, inclusive, and full of opportunity.
8) Knightdale adopted an affordable housing plan last year. What do you consider to be the most important components of the plan, or are there other areas where the town should be doing more to promote affordability for lower-income residents and families?
Knightdale’s adoption of “Affordable Knightdale” and the release of the 2025 Annual Housing Report mark a major step forward in making housing more inclusive and sustainable.
From that plan and report, I believe the most important components are:
Funding mechanisms & incentives — establishing an Affordable Housing Trust Fund, developer contribution policies (e.g. Parkside at Westlake contributing per lot), and land acquisition strategies to support affordable units.
Regulatory and process tools — simplifying the approval of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) by making them by-right rather than requiring special permits; enhancing zoning incentives for “missing middle” housing (duplexes, townhomes) so we diversify housing types.
Partnerships & direct assistance — working with Habitat for Humanity (e.g. Flowers Place), leveraging nonprofit and regional collaborations, and offering down payment/rehab assistance via the trust fund.
These are strong foundations. But there are additional areas where Knightdale should expand efforts to further promote affordability:
Increase the scale of funding & leverage state/federal grants — The current trust fund is modest (a $25,000 baseline contribution in FY25). We need to aggressively pursue matching grants, bond funding, or dedicated revenue streams to make a bigger impact.
Preserve affordability and prevent displacement — As neighborhoods evolve, longtime residents may be priced out. We should explore property tax relief, renovation/repair assistance, and anti-displacement protections in areas undergoing redevelopment.
Tenant support & protections — Better mechanisms to help renters (e.g. legal support, rental assistance, mediation) and guard against predatory practices would strengthen housing stability.
Monitoring, transparency, & accountability — The plan’s inclusion of annual reporting is good, but it must be robust, clear, and tied to measurable outcomes so residents can see that commitments lead to results.
Inclusive housing is not simply about building more units, it’s about sustaining communities, equity, and opportunity. Knightdale must continue building on these strategies while pushing harder where the gaps remain.
9) Municipalities in western Wake County are recruiting major companies and many have announced plans for expansion into these municipalities. Do you support a similar recruitment strategy for Knightdale? How would you ensure Knightdale remains competitive?
Yes, I support a thoughtful recruitment strategy for Knightdale, but it must be one that aligns with our community’s values and long-term vision. Economic development is not just about attracting big companies—it’s about creating opportunities for residents, strengthening our tax base, and ensuring that growth improves quality of life for everyone.
To remain competitive with western Wake County, Knightdale must highlight its unique advantages: our location along major transportation corridors, our growing and diverse population, and our family-friendly environment. I would advocate for:
Investing in infrastructure and connectivity, including roads, transit, and broadband—to make Knightdale a desirable place for employers to invest.
Streamlining development processes so businesses can open and expand here without unnecessary delays.
Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs so that economic growth benefits both major employers and local innovators.
Focusing on mixed-use and downtown development that blends jobs, housing, and amenities to create a vibrant, livable community.
Recruitment should go hand-in-hand with workforce development, partnerships with local schools, and opportunities for young people to build their careers here. By playing to our strengths and being intentional in our planning, Knightdale can attract the right businesses while preserving the sense of community that makes this town special.
10) If there are other issues you want to discuss, please do so here.
Strong afterschool and summer programs not only support working families but also provide children with enrichment opportunities that build confidence, creativity, and leadership skills. Currently, Knightdale falls short in this area. I believe we can change that by building partnerships with our Wake County Public School System to use school facilities during the summer months for camp programming, and by working with local churches and community organizations to host afterschool programs. These partnerships would maximize existing resources while keeping costs down for families.
Investing in youth is investing in Knightdale’s future. By expanding access to afterschool and summer programs, we can create a stronger, safer, and more connected community.
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