Full name: Larry Loucks

Party affiliation: Republican

Campaign website: https://larryloucksforzebulonmayor.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 mayor?

My name is Larry Loucks and I am honored to be a candidate for Zebulon Mayor. Living in Zebulon for 42 years, I have been very involved with my community for the last 35 years. 

I have always been passionate about Zebulon. My past experience includes 29 years on the Zebulon Board of Adjustment (24 years as Chairman), 4 years as Town Commissioner, youth coach for Parks and Recreation, past Treasurer of the Zebulon Elementary School PTA, as well as numerous volunteer and civic opportunities.

My education qualifications includes: MBA, Advanced Leadership Corps Certificate from UNC School of Government, BS in Business Administration and AA in Accounting.
I was Adjunct Faculty – teaching Undergraduate and Graduate Business courses at Campbell University, Fayetteville State University and Jackson College.

My Professional career includes over 30 years with UNC working in Economic Development and Business Assistance, 10 years in the Aerospace Industry and 4 years in Management Consulting. All which will add to my ability to be a forward thinking, organized and transparent leader for the citizens of Zebulon.

I am known for my honesty, professionalism, integrity, work ethic, and committed to bringing these values to the role of Mayor. My approach is always to listen, study, and analyze situations, which I believe is essential for fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. 

If elected, my primary goals are to make Zebulon a safe, affordable and inviting community to both live, work and enjoy together. 

Please see my website LarryLoucksforZebulonMayor.com for more details on my call to action.

Thank you for considering my candidacy. I am excited about the opportunity to continue serving my community and working together towards a prosperous future. I look forward to the possibility of contributing my skills and passion to our shared success.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

2) What would your priorities be as mayor? Please identify three of the most pressing issues Zebulon currently faces and how you believe the town should address them. 

The Town Board’s creditability is a high priority, as the Town has had 12 key employees resign or retire in the last 12 months, two Commissioners are involved in lawsuits with local business owners, and the current Board is in a deadlock on replacing the Commissioner who resigned last June. My next priority is to hire an experienced Town Manager who is experienced in dealing with a rapidly growing town and regaining trust in local government. I would also prioritize transparency in government activities, including forensic accounting on how the town is spending the over $29 million budget.

3) What’s the best or most important thing the board of commissioners 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 was to finalize the plans for building our new Fire/EMS station. The Board’s decision to not approve the Deacon Development (Zebulon South) project resulted in a lawsuit by the developers of over $450,000 was their biggest blunder. The Board finally reversed their decision once they finally understood they had no legal grounds to deny the development. 

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 board of commissioners can or should do to ensure safe, welcoming communities for immigrants in light of these policies?

As an elected official you take an oath to abide by Federal, State and local laws. Immigration is needed for a Country to grow, however their legal steps that must be followed to become a citizen. Most US citizens are descendants of legal immigrants who followed the law..

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. How would you like the board of commissioners to address climate resilience, particularly flooding? 

Proper storm water drainage systems must be in place; however, no town is currently prepared for a thousand-year flood as some towns are currently experiencing. Citizens should study flood maps and consider flood insurance as a safety net. In addition, every town should also address a system to warn citizens in advance of major flooding and have an effective response plan in place.

6) Wake County and Zebulon recently agreed to lease Five County Stadium to Capitol Broadcasting Co. following the Carolina Mudcats’ move to Wilson. CBC plans to host a summer baseball team and Wake Tech sports teams there, and has also agreed to hold 10 free community events at the stadium each year. How would you like to see the stadium and surrounding area be activated now that the Mudcats are gone?  

The past 35 years the stadium was unused on average 300 days a year (only 65 home games). This is a multi-million-dollar asset that should be used year-round. The 54 acres around the stadium should also be developed with hotels, restaurants, shopping, entertainment options and outdoor features. The Stadium could host concerts, movies, vendor markets, annual 5-county yard sale and a host of other community events.

7) Zebulon’s population has more than doubled in the last five years, making it one of the fastest-growing towns in North Carolina. Describe what sustainable growth ought to look like in Zebulon. What is another municipality you believe has made smart decisions related to density, growth, and development that could be similarly implemented in Zebulon?

Zebulon is attempting to maintain a “Small Town Life”. This can best be achieved with monthly community events, active civic clubs, each neighborhood/subdivision operating like a small town within itself. This would include shopping options, well connected sidewalk and greenway systems, along with joint public/private events. We must also address historical preservation, Christmas parades and maintaining a safe and affordable Town to live, work and play in.

8) Earlier this year, hundreds of Zebulon residents signed a petition calling for the replacement of the current board of commissioners based on a high rate of staff turnover in town government and the board’s perceived lack of transparency and accountability. Whether you are an incumbent candidate or not, how would you work to improve public trust in the town government if elected?

This can only be achieved with citizen involvement, leadership by the Mayor, Town Manager and Town Attorney. Candidates were all ask to submit to a thorough background check, education verification and proof of Town residency. Only a few Candidates agreed to comply to this request. This should be further investigated by the citizens. As Mayor, I will be available full-time, hold office hours at the Town Hall and be readily available to meet with citizens, neighborhoods, businesses and others who want to discuss Town Government activites. I also plan to release YouTube videos with updates, as well as participate in Podcasts to keep citizens informed on the business of their Town.

9) Within the past two years, two town managers, an assistant town manager, a police chief, a planning director and a communications director have resigned. If elected, what would you do to help the town recruit and retain qualified staff?

Qualified applicants will not accept positions in Zebulon until the Town Board is functioning in a professional and well governed manner. Staff do not leave long-term well paid positions, unless the work environment is toxic, unprofessional and unrewarding. As Mayor, I will work to development a team of dedicated, committed and qualified staff and elected officials. 

10) If there are other issues you want to discuss, please do so here.

As a Candidate, and hopefully as your next Zebulon Mayor, I will remain available to discuss, and inform the citizens and business community of Town business and issues. This would range from meeting with new businesses that want to relocate here, expand their operations here, neighborhood and downtown issues, safety issues and other items that affect you as a Zebulon citizen and/or business owner. 

Comment on this story at [email protected].