Full name: Ed Gray
Party affiliation: Democrat
Campaign website: www.edgray4apex.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 Apex town council?
My name is Ed Gray. I am a Father, a Veteran, a former Federal Prosecutor, a Federal Public Defender, an HBCU graduate, and I am running for re-election to the Apex Town Council.
Back in 2005, my wife Kim and I chose Apex as the place to raise our family because we knew that Apex was a place that shared our values and was welcoming to all.
As a member of your Town Council I want that feeling of a welcoming community to extend to all residents. Whether you’ve been here 9 days or 9 generations – Apex is our home. We all chose Apex as our home, it’s up to us to make sure it continues to be a community for all.
Growing up in a military family, I was steeped in the values of integrity, serving others, respect for our fellow Americans, and a responsibility to make our country and our communities the best they can be. Those values instilled in me from a young age led me to a life of service.
In addition to having a proven record of leading a Council that has prioritized public safety investment, affordable housing, environmental excellence, and fiscal responsibility; my background in advising small businesses, prosecuting dangerous criminals, upholding the Constitution and laws of the United States have given me the experience and passion to keep Apex moving in the right direction.
2) What would your priorities be as a member of the town council? Please identify three of the most pressing issues Apex currently faces and how you believe the town should address them.
My priorities are operating a fiscally responsible government that will ensure public safety, improve our transportation network, manage our growth in a smart way and encourage economic development. I am proud to say that I have championed these priorities during my time on Apex’s Town Council. While on Council, I have invested in our public safety. Our budget has led to improved recruiting and retention of police and fire personnel. This investment is tangible; when I first ran for Council, the budget for our police department was $11 million dollars – the budget for FY 25-26 is over $26 million. This is being used to improve our technology, vehicles and most importantly the quality of our people who serve our residents. Improving transportation has also been a legislative focus during my tenure. As part of my transportation priorities we have started a Go Apex bus route, increased the number of sidewalks and side paths, and increased the number of greenways in Apex. Equitable access to transportation is essential in our lives. Go Apex was created to provide the aged, non-drivers and others a way to get to essential services. Affordable housing is another area where we have made a significant impact in our town. We were one of the first in Wake County to pass an affordable housing plan. As a town, we have used an affordable housing fund to provide $2 Million dollars to a DHIC development which provides 140 units below 80% AMI. Finally, all of these efforts have fostered an atmosphere that encourages businesses to want to call Apex home. The establishment of the NC Children’s Hospital in Apex is an example of how Apex is a place where business want to be. I am proud of what we have done, but I am also excited to see where we can go in the future.
3) What’s the best or most important thing the Apex town council has done in the past year? Additionally, name a decision you believe the town should have handled differently. Please explain your answers.
There are many accomplishments that Apex has had over the last year. From our downtown improvement projects to our efforts of establishing affordable housing to maintaining our small-town charm; I will say one of our biggest accomplishments was being selected as the new home of the North Carolina Children’s Hospital. This is a venture that will make the Triangle the world’s Center of Children’s Health Care and Innovation. It will also bring economic growth to the town in the form of businesses that will support the hospital.
As for handling issues differently, we had a cyber incident last year and although handled that event in an efficient and rapid manner. However, we are still dealing with the impact it has had on our digital systems – including our utility billing. Clearly communicating the complex and intricate issues that spun off from that incident has been an area where we will continue to improve; but the town has devoted an enormous number of resources to mitigating the impact of the incident on our residents. One way we have mitigated this impact is by halting disconnections. The town is also working with each individual account holder to help them understand their individual billing concerns.
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 Apex Town Council can or should do to ensure safe, welcoming communities for immigrants in light of these policies?
I believe that government has a role in protecting targeted communities. More importantly – government CANNOT ATTACK marginalized communities. I have spoken out openly and on the record about the need to continue to support and work for diverse, equitable and inclusive policies. Apex is a community – meaning that it is a place where all are welcome and should feel welcome. This makes “our community “a community – and I will continue to fight for our community regardless of the rhetoric from higher levels of government. As long as I am on Council, we will continue to ensure we have safe and welcoming communities. We will continue to have Pride, Juneteenth, Hispanic Heritage, Indigenous people, Women’s History and other celebrations celebrating those who may not have been given due recognition in the past. This is just one way a government can support those communities, build our community and remind us that we all contributed to the greatness of where we live, work and play.
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 this summer, including the 200 year storm that collapsed Olive Chapel Road. How should the Apex Town Council address climate resilience, particularly flooding?
Global warming is real, and if you don’t plan for it – it will plan for you. We have strong environmental policies within our ordinance; where we can improve is in lobbying the General Assembly to allow municipalities the authority to increase our environmental protections.
6) Federal funding cuts this year have hit the Triangle particularly hard, from cancelled grants to layoffs, and local government officials are having to make difficult decisions about what to fund and how. What are your ideas for how the town council can prioritize competing funding needs, close funding gaps, and support impacted residents?
We have been fiscally responsible by asking those who want to be part of our community – namely development – to contribute to our community. An example of this concept is seen in our affordable housing incentive plan. It allows the town to receive much-needed affordable housing options while asking the developer to bare some of the cost of community improvements as part of the zoning conditions. Parks, sidewalks and greenways and infrastructure have been built using the program over the last few years. This allows smart, responsible growth to occur without the cost being worn by our residents.
7) 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 Apex?
8) In 2021, a consultant’s report identified “deeply entrenched” racial bias in the Apex police department’s culture. What progress has been made in rooting out racial bias in the Apex PD? What measures have been taken, what else should be done?
I am proud to say that the Apex Police Department is the most professional and community focused police force I have worked with. As a former Federal Prosecutor, I have worked alongside law enforcement agencies across the state – and the APD is amongst the best. The culture is one of community focus and building trust with all parts of our community. The issue of bias (racial or otherwise) is always a concern in the administration of justice. As a public defender, I know that bias (racial, gender, and sexual orientation) can impact communities and lives; accordingly, eliminating bias is key concern of mine while on Council. The best way to eliminate bias is by recruiting and retaining the best talent you can find. The key to recruitment and retention of good people is investing in good people. While on Council, I have invested in our public safety. Our budget has led to improved recruiting and retention of police and fire personnel. This investment is tangible; the FY 20-21 budget for our police department was $11 million dollars – the budget for FY 25-26 is over $26 million and I am happy to report that we have done an excellent job of recruiting and retaining great people as a result of our investment. This money is being used to improve our technology, vehicles and most importantly the quality of our people who serve our residents. We must always stay vigilant to bias – but I feel very comfortable that we have the right people in place to address this concern.
9) Apex has identified a need for 13,000 new homes over the next 10 years, including 3,600 affordable units. While Apex’s 2021 affordable housing plan has made some progress in providing affordable housing, the town hasn’t been able to keep up with an influx of new service workers. What should the town do in order to provide housing for lower income families, especially those who will be building and eventually working in the upcoming NC children’s medical facility?
Our affordable housing plan is the policy that has made the most impact on our town. Initially, when we discussed the issue of affordable housing, developers and residents would laugh in our faces. We were one of the first in Wake County to pass an affordable housing plan. We have placed incentives for developers requesting re-zoning to ensure that 5% of their development units are affordable housing units. We have made investments in securing affordable housing opportunities through investments in Community Land Trusts – which allow for home ownership at reduced costs. Finally, as a Council, we have made affordable housing a part of the conversation. People recognize that affordable housing has a direct impact on public safety and workforce development. This is a huge step from where people viewed affordable housing as “the projects” and didn’t want affordable houses in their communities. I am proud of what we have done – but we have a way to go. This is why we have to explore multiple viable solutions to address the concern of affordable housing.
10) The Town of Apex has annexed more than 5,000 acres of land into town limits since 2013. It has also taken property by eminent domain and recently lost a lawsuit after it tried to obtain an easement for a sewer line on behalf of a private developer. What are the ethical, environmental, and quality of life considerations town leaders must take into account when acquiring property for the town’s growth?
11) If there are other issues you want to discuss, please do so here.
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