The Sanford City Council’s Ward 3 race will be decided in the Democratic primary on September 9. The Rant asked questions of incumbent J.D. Williams and challenger Christopher Petty, and they are printed here as received and without edits. Ward 3 is comprised mostly of east Sanford; click here for a map.
Early voting for the primary will begin on August 21 and run through September 6 at the Lee County Board of Elections office, 1503 Elm St. in Sanford. Click here to request an absentee ballot. The deadline for absentee ballot requests is August 26.
1. Introduce yourself, including your age, professional background and education, and explain why you’re running for the Sanford City Council.
Petty: Hello readers, my name is Christopher Petty. I am a thirty (30) year old real estate broker. I have an associate degree from Sandhills Community College. I am not a single issue guy. I am running because I believe in finding solutions to problems rather than adding to the problems. I am running because I want to empower young people and marginalized residents to exercise their voice. I want them to know that there’s a young person of color running for office that will fight with them and fight for them.
Williams: I am JD Williams a 77-year-old, retired Insurance Agent. Graduate of the community college in Business Administration, Auto Mechanics and Insurance. I am running for City Council to keep moving the city forward.
2. Growth in Sanford has emerged as an issue many in town are concerned about and/or excited for. What would be your approach to managing continued growth if you’re elected?
Petty: Great question. One pillar of my campaign is community growth. My approach styles will be hands-on and very collaborative. I’m running for office, but I’m still a resident of the City of Sanford and Ward 3. I want nothing but positive growth for Ward 3 and Sanford, and that growth starts with the residents. All of our voices matter, and when I am elected, everyone will have a seat at the table. Everyone will be heard.
Williams: The growth on the residential side concerns me in the way of lot sizes in relations to what’s already here. Meaning you wouldn’t build a R6 next to an R20. In other words a house on a R6 is mostly apartments and R20 is 1/2 acre.
(Editor’s note: Because Williams is the council’s longest serving member and Petty would become the youngest member of the council if elected, we asked each a separate question relative to their experience.)
3(a). If elected, you’d be the newest member of the city council as well as its youngest. How do you think the council would benefit from your perspective, and how would you navigate the learning curve that comes with being new to a role like this?
Petty: Thank you for this question. I will wear being the newest and youngest member of the city council as a badge of honor when I am elected. I have great relationships with sitting members on the council. Sanford is so great that we have a phenomenal program called Sanford 101. A program that educates residents about the nuts and bolts about Sanford while empowering them. I am a graduate of that program. When I am elected, I will use the knowledge and confidence gained from Sanford 101 to continue making Sanford the best place to live.
3(b). You’re the city council’s longest serving member. What two or three accomplishments would you point to as reasons you should be re-elected?
Williams: I have been an instrumental part in bringing Vinfast and Wolfspeed to the community. Vinfast is a 4-billion-dollar company bringing about 7,500 jobs. Wolfspeed is a 1.3-billion-dollar company bringing 1,800 jobs.
4. What are two or three things that make Ward 3 unique and how would you address those things as a member of the council?
Petty: Great question. Ward 3 is a very unique ward. One thing that makes Ward 3 unique is the community. In my beloved Ward 3, there is so much history here. The families here, including mine, have been here for many generations. When talking about Ward 3, I tell everyone that in Ward 3, everyone is related to each other, even if you’re not actually related. Everyone knows each other. If you’ve had a conversation with a person form East Sanford, they think they know everything. Another unique feature of Ward 3 is its make-up. Ward 3 is a mixture of urban and rural. Don’t get me wrong, I love urban life, but I love the smell of agriculture in the morning even more. It’s better than coffee. When I am elected, I will fight to preserve that culture.
Williams: Ward 3 is unique in its diverse group of people that make up this community, with everyone willing to do their part to continuously improve the city.
5. Sanford has changed quite a bit in the last decade and a half. What changes do you see coming in the next decade or so, and what challenges do you expect those changes to present?
Petty: You are absolutely correct. Things have changed quite a bit in the last decade. Some good some not so. Since Sanford is growing, that means Ward 3 is also growing. Growing means more residents, which equals more homes and apartments being built. The only issue with that is a lack of affordable housing units being built. The challenges presented from the lack of affordable housing consist of more people becoming renters than owners. I want to own a home someday, and the lack of affordable housing units will make it nearly impossible. Especially for young professionals.
Williams: As Sanford grows so has the national retail brands and small local business ecosystem, with this growth comes more traffic.