Full name: Deans Eatman

Party affiliation: Democrat

Campaign website: https://deanseatman.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 Wendell board of commissioners?

I’m running for a second term on the Wendell Board of Commissioners because I want to keep building a town that works for everyone. Since 2021, I’ve helped lead Wendell through a period of rapid growth by focusing on the fundamentals: strong infrastructure, thoughtful public planning, and a commitment to community values.

I’ve supported major investments in streets, sidewalks, and stormwater, helped pass bond referendums for parks and transportation, and led efforts to update outdated policies like our Unified Development Ordinance. I’ve worked to protect our town’s character while making room for new neighbors, and I’ve helped advance inclusive, community-driven projects like the $9.6 million renovation of the historic Carver School into a new cultural and recreation center.

I bring a thoughtful, policy-focused voice to the board, rooted in my experience in state government and in years of civic involvement here in Wendell. As the only Democrat on the board, I’ve learned how to build consensus, listen carefully, and focus on delivering results rather than headlines.

I believe good local government starts with listening and that it should reflect the full diversity of the people we serve. I’ve pushed for public engagement to happen earlier in the process, supported expanded outreach efforts, and consistently made myself accessible to residents and neighborhoods across town.

There’s more work to do, and I’m ready to keep doing it.

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

Infrastructure that keeps up with growth – Invest in streets, sidewalks, and stormwater now so we stay ahead of problems, not behind them.

Housing affordability and choice – Update our zoning to allow more housing types near downtown and along key corridors.

A strong, inclusive downtown – Focus infill and public investment downtown to support local businesses, walkability, and community life.

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.

Best decision:
We launched a full rewrite of Wendell’s outdated development code. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape how our town grows, and I pushed to make it a priority.

Handled differently:
I would have liked to see a stronger focus on pedestrian safety improvements in this year’s budget. We’re making progress, but we need to move faster to fill sidewalk gaps and make our streets safer.

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?

Local government can’t directly control federal policy, but we can lead by example. I supported Wendell’s nondiscrimination ordinance, which includes protections based on national origin, and I’ve backed efforts to expand bilingual outreach and make town services more accessible to all. Our goal should be a safe, welcoming town where everyone, regardless of immigration status, feels comfortable calling for help, reporting a crime, or participating in community life.

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? 

Wendell’s biggest climate risk is stormwater. As rainfall patterns change, we need to be proactive about upgrading old drainage systems, improving stormwater standards for new development, and protecting natural buffers like creeks and wetlands. I’ve supported funding and capital improvement planning for these needs, but we also need to be deliberate about where and how we grow. Growth should be focused in areas with infrastructure in place, not in floodplains or sensitive areas that put future residents at risk.

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 board of commissioners can prioritize competing funding needs, close funding gaps, and balance the financial burden on residents.

We need to be smart with every dollar. That means aligning our budget with community priorities, using grants and partnerships, and planning ahead. I’ve supported bond funding and financing tools that let us use growth-related revenues to make proactive investments now. We should focus on core needs like infrastructure, public safety, and staff capacity, while also investing in what makes Wendell special, including our parks, downtown, and small-town character. This is how we keep taxes stable and meet the needs of a growing town.

7) Wendell is one of the fastest-growing towns in North Carolina. It’s outgrown its public library and will be getting a new one soon thanks to Wake County’s 2024 library bond. What other amenities, civic infrastructure, or services would you like to see the town add or expand next? How would you work towards those goals if elected?

The new library is a huge win, and I want to keep that momentum going. My top priorities for new civic infrastructure are expanding park access, adding greenway connections, and building a modern community recreation center. Our 2023 municipal bond referendum is helping support these goals, and I’ll keep pushing to deliver projects that serve all residents. I’m also committed to continuing investments in sidewalks and public spaces that make our town safer, more walkable, and more connected.

8) As with most places in the Triangle, Wendell is grappling with issues related to affordable housing. How would you like to see the town approach affordability issues over the next few years? Should it promote apartment living, townhomes, duplexes, and/or triplexes? Encourage density in single family housing? What do you believe the town is doing right? What could it do better?

Wendell needs more housing choices. That includes townhomes, small apartment buildings, duplexes, and other options that can serve a range of incomes, ages, and household types. I support zoning reforms that allow these housing types in more places, especially near downtown and along key corridors. The town has made progress by investing in planning, starting a full UDO rewrite, and setting clear expectations for walkability and infrastructure in new development. What we need now is to finish the zoning update, remove unnecessary barriers to infill, and stay focused on long-term affordability.

Based on Wendell’s median household income, a typical household could afford a home around $200,000. But at this point, homes at that price are virtually nonexistent. That’s why I support zoning reforms that allow more flexible, lower-cost housing types near downtown and along key corridors where infrastructure is already in place.

9) As more people and businesses move to Wendell, how can town leaders ensure the town’s physical infrastructure keeps pace with its growth? Should preserving Wendell’s historic charm and green spaces be a priority, and if so, in what ways can the town balance those priorities with rapid growth?

Growth should come with the infrastructure to support it. That means planning ahead and investing in streets, sidewalks, stormwater, and public spaces as we grow, not waiting until problems pile up. I’ve supported bond funding, capital improvement planning, and project financing tools that help us make those investments today. At the same time, we should grow in ways that protect what people love about Wendell. That includes preserving green space, walkable neighborhoods, and our historic downtown. By focusing new development near existing infrastructure and protecting sensitive areas like stream corridors, we can grow responsibly while keeping the character of our town intact.

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

Wendell is at a turning point. We have a chance to shape growth in a way that strengthens what makes this town special. That means investing in our people, public spaces, and long-term quality of life. I believe in facing our challenges honestly and finding practical solutions that reflect Wendell’s values. Some candidates offer vague promises and oppose nearly every development proposal, but offer no realistic alternative. Their push for larger lot sizes would mean paving over more farmland and forest while pushing growth farther out and making traffic worse. I’m focused on protecting what we love about Wendell by growing in the right places, with the right infrastructure, and keeping our town accessible for everyone.

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