Lexington mayoral candidates faceoff at forum
Equity, homelessness and taxes were on the agenda for mayoral candidates at a forum cosponsored by NAACP-Lexington Branch, St. Stephen United Methodist Church, Faith Forward Baptist Church and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Omicron Psi Omega Chapter. The forum was held on Tuesday evening at St. Stephen United Methodist with reserved seating and a Livestream on Facebook.
Lexington’s municipal election will determine the city’s new mayor and councilors and Lexington City Schools board of education members. Originally scheduled for November 2021, the election was delayed due to Census 2020 results. Since the delay, elections were postponed as a result of lawsuits stemming from accusations of gerrymandering across the state. Lexington municipal elections will not have a primary. The tally will be finalized on Tuesday, May 17 for a highly contested race. The current mayor, Newell Clark, is not seeking re-election.
This was one of the first opportunities to meet the candidates vying for Lexington’s top spot.
John Clowney is a Davidson County native. The former Wall Street stock analyst for Merrill Lynch ended a corporate career and cofounded Bull City Ciderworks in 2013 in Durham, NC with an expansion of the company that included the relocation of all major production to the Lexington Depot District.
Jason Hayes, a Lexington native who grew up in Lexington, describes his childhood as “a typical kid, participating in all kinds of sports through the YMCA, Recreational Leagues and Lexington City Schools.” Hayes currently works at Coleman Appraisal Services in Lexington and is listed as the Residential Appraiser and Business Manager since August 2017. Hayes’ platform includes advocacy for education and for those who are disabled. He is a member of the NAACP.
Donald Holt, Sr., has a unique perspective as a Lexington native who currently serves as the Ward 1 City Council representative, describes himself as a husband, father, grandfather, son, Christian, activist, city councilman and retired U.S. Navy Chief. Holt has worked actively to improve services for veterans in Davidson County. He is a member of the NAACP.
Rosa Terry, recently retired as Davidson County District Court Judge Trial Coordinator with 38 years of service to the judicial system of North Carolina in Guilford and Davidson counties, has served on a host of boards over the years. Currently, she serves on the board of directors for Focus on Leadership, City of Lexington Utilities Commission, Davidson County NAACP, Wards Work Well-PAC and as the Supreme Grand Associate Matron of the Supreme Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. Terry is a member of the NAACP.
Questions for the candidates included those regarding diversity, poverty, social and racial justice. Common themes for each candidates’ responses included homelessness, business and taxes.
On several occasions, Terry called for civic and community engagement. “When the community is involved with the schools, the schools work better,” she opined. “We can volunteer in our schools…to help them to want to be there.” If elected, she said she would be “calling the powers that be to help them have the necessary conversations.”
Holt offered perspective as the only person currently serving on city council. He challenged the pressure of not raising taxes by highlighting current road and pipe ruptures. He said he would not arbitrarily vote for higher taxes. “I won’t do that,” but he expressed concerns with current road challenges as “crazy” and hinted to corporate projects that could alleviate the tax burden. “I know some things you don’t know right now,” said Holt.
Hayes spoke about the need for diversity and transparency. “We still have more work to do.” He encouraged the audience to consider that “the mayor, council and city manager report to you.” Hayes stressed that accountability is “at the forefront of every healthy organization.”
Clowney introduced ideas related to systemic poverty and homelessness calling for “compassion” as someone operating a local business. He said there is a need for “a longer-term strategy” and “supportive systems in our community.”
The next forum hosted by this collaborative group will include city council and Lexington City Schools board of education candidates on Tuesday, March 29 at Faith Forward Baptist Church. Registration is required at the Lexington, NC Candidate Forum Facebook page.
Mayoral candidates have been invited to meet again on Tuesday, April 19 in the Edward C. Smith Civic Center Ballroom for a forum hosted by the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce and Davidson Local. Submit questions to jwallace@lexingtonchamber.net.
