Name: Terence Lee Thomas
Age: 51
Party affiliation: Unaffiliated
Campaign website: www.victoriouslivingworldimpact.org
Occupation & employer: Consultant; Terence Thomas Realty, Victorious Living
Years lived in the area: 8
1. Why are you running for the position of Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor? In your answer, please explain your understanding of the role and why it is important.
I am running because I am vested in Wake County remaining as a great place to raise families. With this comes supervision of responsible growth.
2. What are the three most pressing issues facing the Conservation District and Board of Supervisors? How do you plan to address these issues? Please be specific.
The 3 most pressing issues now are: 1. The understanding of how data centers impact the communities in which they sit. 2. The rapid growth of Wake County and how it affects resources. 3. The conservation of farmland.
3. As the Triangle continues to grow, what steps does the region need to take to ensure adequate water supply going forward? What role should the Board of Supervisors play in long-term water supply and conservation planning?
1. To ensure adequate water supply going forward we shoulder: Protect the water we have.
2 Educate the public on how to use the water more efficiently.
3. Plan for future use.
The role the Board of Supervisors should play is: 1. Develop conservation plans. 2. Support and secure best practices for usage. 3. Work with farmers, developers, municipalities, organizations and state agencies to protect our watershed and water resources.
4. This year’s drought heavily affected farmers. What should the Board of Supervisors do to support farmers in recovering from the drought and associated losses, and going forward as climate change increases the likelihood of worsening drought?
To support farmers we need to connect farmers with agencies that offer assistance for soil recovery. We need to enact conservation planning, irrigation efficiency, cover crops and other practices that help manage water resources.
5. Climate change is also contributing to worse inland flooding, like the Triangle saw from Tropical Storm Chantal in 2025. How can the board support the county’s climate resilience?
To mitigate the effects of climate change the board can support conservation practices that allow for land to absorb slow stormwater, protect wetlands, stream buffers and floodplains, restore degraded stream and improve soil health.
6. Most candidates in this race have listed protecting farmland as a priority. What steps can and should the Board of Supervisors take in protecting farmland, and how would you balance that goal with the pressures of growth and development?
Farmland preservation and responsible growth can work hand in hand. Board supervisors can give farmers and landowners meaningful incentives to keep productive farmland in agriculture. That means expanding awareness and access to farmland preservation programs, conservation easements, cost-share opportunities, and technical assistance that can help landowners protect their property while remaining economically viable. The Board should also work with state and local partners to make these resources easier to understand, access, and use.
7. What steps should the county take to prevent water pollution, whether from runoff or chemicals like PFAS? What role should the Board of Supervisors play in safeguarding clean water?
The Board should take an active leadership role in protecting Wake County’s water resources. That means working alongside NC DEQ, local governments, water utilities, farmers, landowners, and community organizations to promote responsible land and water management. The Board can help educate the public, expand access to conservation resources, encourage proven practices that protect water quality, and bring stakeholders together to address emerging threats before they become larger problems.
8. Are there any other issues you would like to address?
