The Platform
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Larry Loucks Serving The Zebulon Community
As a citizen of Zebulon for 42 years, I have been involved with the Town of Zebulon for over 35 years. I started out as a youth coach with Parks and Recreation, followed by 29 years on the Board of Adjustment (24 years as Chairman) and 4 years as a Town Commissioner. My community is important to me as demonstrated by my many years, working tirelessly to make it a better place.
My Platform and Call for Action is called S.A.F.E.T.Y.
S is for SAFETY
- We all want to live in a safe town with safe neighborhoods, schools and shoppng;
- We need to build the new Fire/EMS Station, along with a new Fire Sub-Station. This will aid in meeting the national standard of responding to calls for service within 4 minutes;
- We need to fully support our Police Department with a new Police Officer for every new 153 homes. We also need to deploy more technology to assist with crime prevention and to assist with solving crimes. Did you know that in the last 6 years Zebulon has had 74 gun crimes? 37 of these involved a bullet striking a person, vehicle and/or dwelling;
- We need a formal system to notify all citizens of emergency conditions such as tornadoes, hurricanes, major flooding events, active shooters and other emergency events;
- Start a youth Police Academy. This would include events with the Police Department such as bicycle rodeos, common safety practices, and positive peer interactions;
- Re-implement the Neighborhood Watch program. Community meetings to organize neighborhoods to better communicate, wider use of home cameras and how to report situations quickly and accurately. This could include a representative from every subdivision and neighborhood, to meet with the Police Chief on a regular basis to address Town safety and crime issues;
- Move all food trucks to a safe area off State Highway (Arendell Avenue). For example, create a safe food truck area on Vance Street and provide picnic tables or other seating arrangements;
- Update our outdated Ordinance Violations. This includes Noise and Fire Lane parking violations. Currently this is a Citation with a small $50 fee, that most violators never pay. Upgrade these to Misdemeanors which require payment and court fees;
A is for AFFORDABILITY
- Zebulon has the highest municipality tax rate in Wake County. This coupled with County taxes and Property Insurance increases is impacting home ownership and rental rates;
- The annual Town budget in 2019 was just over $12 million, for the current 2025-26 period it is over $29 million. The town is growing in population, thus an annual increase in revenues. Do you know how this money will be spent, do you know how last year's budget was spent?
- The current budget has several items that are over budgeted and can be reduced. We have several major infrastructure projects that require action. The best and cheapest funding source is thru bonds. Using bonds save the citizens money AND allows the citizens to vote on the projects need - NOT just the Commissioners;
- The recent $20 million transportation bond FAILED not because it was not needed, BUT because it was POORLY COMMUNICATED and the citizens have LOST FAITH IN THE CURRENT TOWN BOARD;
- We need to offer a wide variety of housing and pricing options. This may also include a Tiny House community, as well as a Senior Citizen community option. This would be a great option for single people, retirees, young couples and others wishing to downsize;
F is for FUN
- A vibrant community is a fun community;
- This includes monthly Community events, a large selection of restaurants, shopping options and fun activities for all;
- A system of well-maintained neighborhood parks with recreation opportunities for all ages;
- Start a Quarterly Citizen "Z Meet and Greet" at our Community Center. This would include tables for new citizens to learn about churches, civic clubs/organizations, Citizens Advisory Board opportunities, business promotion, volunteer opportunities, schools, day cares, Town departments, review of Town ordinances and other items for primarily new citizens;
- Explore additions to our existing parks - such as a Splash Pad, concert amphitheater, vendor fairs, dog park, pickle board courts and additional playing fields;
- The Parks & Recreation Impact fees fund balance is over $5.5 million and yet no land has been purchased for new parks and enhancements yet completed. This needs immediate attention;
- Our Town needs Way-Finding signs to better direct citizens and visitors to parks, greenways, parking and other attractions;
- We need to install LED information signs to better communicate with citizens on upcoming community events, meetings and activities;
E is for Economic Development & Education
- Establish a new Industrial Park area to recruit firms, which in turn will provide jobs for citizens and enhance our tax base;
- Establish a Citizen's Economic Development Advisory Board to assist with direct recruiting of businesses and services that our Town needs and desires;
- Revise and update our current UDO (Unified Development Ordinances) to limit bars in our downtown district. For example, only one per city block;
- Fully support our K-12 schools and promote the use of Wake Tech Community College classes and services. Educated citizens are more prone to obtain a better quality of life;
- Actively promote the selling and repairing of any vacant downtown property.;
- Install fenced in dumpsters for downtown businesses and in turn remove the unsightly rolling trash cans;
- Enforce ordinances to clean up shopping centers. This includes working parking lot lights, covered walkway lighting, parking lot repair, weekly trash removal and daily maintenance of property and buildings;
- Install "Way Finding" signs through-out the town to better identify and direct traffic to business districts, parking and attractions;
- Actively promote public/private community events. Such as concerts in our parks, concession options in our parks/events, food rodeos around town, an Annual Dam picnic at Little River Park and other events wanted by our citizens;
- Promotion and support for the development of the area around Five County Stadium;
T is for TRANSPORTATION and TRANSPARENCY
- Develop a plan for the system wide connection of sidewalks and greenways in high pedestrian and bicycle traffic areas;
- Review high traffic intersections for action. This may be additional stop signs, traffic signals, round-a-bouts or additional roadways. State Roads and County Roads require the approval of respective agencies;
- Allow by ordinance the approval of golf carts on city streets. This would require permits, fees and training. In addition, approval by the State DOT for any State Road crossings;
- Suggest Town Board meetings be moved to 7:00 p.m. to allow more citizens to attend/watch the meetings. Also consider two Board meetings a month. A growing Town should not have lengthy monthly delays and with two meetings a month, the delays would be reduced, and the meetings should be shorter;
- Any Board appointments to Citizen Advisory Boards should require training and a background check prior to appointments;
Y is for YOU
- You must be more informed and involved in your local government and the decision making process;
- As Mayor, I will provide a monthly You Tube video of current and upcoming activities in our Town. This would also include presentations from the Town Manager, as well as Town Department Heads;
- Continue and enhance the current Zebulon Government 101 program to teach citizens and businesses about town operations, ordinances, FAQs and issues facing the Town;
- All Elected Officials should have their home address, Town email address and personal cell numbers published on the Town website. This will allow citizens to contact them, including via US mail;
- Board meetings should allow more than 5 citizens to speak publicly, and the time limit should be increased from the current 3 minutes;
- Everyone should explore and consider applying for a Citizen Advisory Board appointment;
- As Mayor, I will also launch a Youth Mayor program to expose youth to Town Government and expose them to real issues facing our Town;
- As Mayor, I will add a prayer to the start of our Town Board meetings. This will be conducted by the various ministers from our local churches;
- As Mayor, I will have office hours in the Zebulon Town Hall to facilitate addressing your questions and issues. I will also be available to present to Civic groups, HOAs, Neighborhoods, businesses, or meet privately to address your issues;
- As Mayor, I would also appoint an Appearance Committee to aid in addressing and assisting with the overall care and appearance of our Town.
Online Payments
My campaign is accepting campaign donations. Please contact me at (919) 801-8424 for details and information required for campaign financial reporting requirements. Thank You!
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Candidate for Zebulon Mayor
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