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INDY Week
Full name: George Roa
Party affiliation: Republican
Campaign website: www.vote4roa.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 Zebulon town board of commissioners?
My name is George Roa, and I am running for Zebulon Town Commissioner because our town is growing rapidly, and the choices we make today will shape its future for decades. My campaign is focused on ensuring that growth strengthens our community, protects taxpayers, and makes Zebulon a better place to live for families now and in the future.
My priorities are clear. First, I will work to expand Zebulon’s Economic Development Department so we can attract high-quality businesses that bring jobs, broaden our tax base, and reduce the pressure on homeowners.
Second, I will advocate for updating the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) so that it better incentivizes proper growth. A stronger, modernized UDO will help guide development in a way that ensures roads, schools, and public safety keep pace with new projects, while providing clearer direction for both residents and developers.
Finally, I believe in restoring clear communication between the town and its residents. Too often, people feel left out of the decisions that impact them most. I will make sure deliberation happens openly in meetings, expand outreach efforts, use better tools to keep residents informed, and guarantee that community voices are heard before decisions are finalized.
I am a Christian, husband, father, and small business owner, who has worked alongside Zebulon families through sports, civic involvement, and community service. These experiences have given me perspective, accountability, and a commitment to service above self.
Voters should entrust me with this position because I bring a fresh perspective, outside the box thinking, a dedication to transparency, and a focus on smart, responsible growth. Above all else I want to see Zebulon thrive. Together, we can build a Zebulon that works for everyone.
2) What would your priorities be as a member of the board of commissioners? Please identify three of the most pressing issues Zebulon currently faces and how you believe the town should address them.
1. Expanding Zebulon’s Economic Development Department
Zebulon is growing quickly, and homeowners are carrying too much of the tax burden. We need to attract quality businesses that bring jobs and grow our commercial tax base. Strengthening and expanding our Economic Development Department will give Zebulon the resources to actively recruit the right types of businesses that provide opportunity while reducing the pressure on families.
2. Updating the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)
Our current UDO has served its purpose, but it can be improved to better incentivize responsible growth. By modernizing the ordinance, we can ensure that new development aligns with infrastructure needs such as roads, schools, and public safety, while also providing clearer guidance to developers. A stronger UDO will help us manage growth in a way that protects existing residents and preserves Zebulon’s character.
3. Restoring Communication and Transparency
Too many residents feel disconnected from what happens at Town Hall. We need to make government more accessible and transparent. That means ensuring real deliberation happens in public meetings, expanding outreach efforts, and using better tools such as digital platforms and community forums so residents stay informed and have a voice before decisions are made.
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 action the board has taken in the past year was approving Regional Mixed-Use zoning. This change is a game-changer for Zebulon because it removes much of the risk and red tape that previously discouraged commercial developers from investing here. By creating a clearer, more flexible path forward, Zebulon can now attract more commercial projects that bring local jobs, expand our tax base, and create new dining, retail, and entertainment options right here in town. This reduces the burden on homeowners while giving residents more to do locally instead of traveling to surrounding communities.
On the other hand, I believe the town mishandled the Deacon Development lawsuit. The lack of open deliberation and strong leadership created confusion during the meeting, which ultimately left Zebulon open to legal action. While the League of Municipalities is covering the legal fees — meaning the direct financial impact on our town is limited — the situation could have been avoided entirely. A better approach would have been to call a recess and direct the town attorney and town planner to review the UDO and town charter before moving forward. That would have ensured we proceeded in a way that protected the town, avoided unnecessary risk, and maintained public confidence in the process.
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?
Immigration policy is set at the federal and state levels, not by a town board. At the local level, our responsibility is to make sure Zebulon is safe, law-abiding, and welcoming to everyone who lives here.
As a conservative, I believe strongly in law and order. Our police and town staff must follow state law and cooperate with federal authorities where required. At the same time, it is important that every resident, regardless of background, feels safe reporting crimes, sending their kids to school, and participating in our community. Public safety depends on trust between residents and local government.
My focus as commissioner will be on enforcing the law fairly, supporting our police, and fostering a community where families can thrive. Zebulon is growing, and many people, including immigrant families, are contributing to that growth through hard work and small businesses. I believe we should treat all residents with dignity and respect while ensuring our town remains safe, orderly, and governed by transparency.
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?
The reality is that a town board cannot solve climate change. What we can do is make sure Zebulon is prepared for heavy rainfall and storm events so that families, homes, and businesses are protected.
Our focus should be on improving stormwater infrastructure, maintaining drainage systems, and planning responsibly as we grow. We should also look at state and federal grant programs that can help us strengthen our infrastructure without placing the burden entirely on local taxpayers. By using outside funding and careful planning, we can invest in the kinds of projects that reduce flooding risks and protect property values.
As commissioner, I will make sure Zebulon is proactive about stormwater management. That means identifying problem areas, working with engineers and planners to find practical solutions, and making sure new development does not worsen existing flooding concerns. My goal is a Zebulon that is safe, resilient, and financially responsible in the way it prepares for the future.
6) Wake County leaders are looking for new partners to lease and operate Five County Stadium after the Carolina Mudcats relocated to Wilson this summer. Capitol Broadcasting Co. will lease the stadium for a summer baseball team. How else do you think the town should use the stadium now that the Mudcats are gone?
With the Mudcats leaving, Zebulon now has an opportunity to reimagine Five County Stadium as a true community asset. Other towns have shown how stadiums can become multi-use destinations, and I believe we can do the same here.
One idea is to expand beyond baseball by hosting soccer matches. Cities like Louisville and Albuquerque have successfully adapted their ballparks for soccer, and with Wake Tech already planning to use the stadium for college soccer, we could build on that momentum by scheduling exhibitions, tournaments, or even youth championships that draw families and visitors into Zebulon.
Another proven attraction is bringing in experiences like Topgolf Live, where the outfield is transformed into a massive driving range with hitting bays. This has been done at Fenway Park and other stadiums and has proven to be a huge draw for both locals and out-of-town visitors. Similarly, the national boom in pickleball opens the door for us to convert the stadium into a temporary pickleball complex, with courts in the outfield for tournaments, open play, and community events.
The stadium could also anchor a signature winter lights festival, similar to the “Enchant” experiences hosted in major league parks. A holiday light walk-through, ice skating, and family-friendly programming could make Zebulon a seasonal destination, bringing people here during months when the stadium would otherwise sit empty.
Finally, we can look to music. Capitol Broadcasting has already shown what’s possible with their concerts at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. A summer music festival branded for Zebulon, showcasing local talent, food vendors, and regional acts, would not only celebrate our culture but also generate new revenue and foot traffic for our town.
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?
People in Zebulon do not like to be compared to larger cities, and I agree. We are not Raleigh or Cary, and we should not try to be. Zebulon deserves to build its own identity, shaped by the values and priorities of the people who live here.
Sustainable growth in Zebulon means making sure our infrastructure keeps pace with development. Roads, schools, utilities, and public safety must grow along with new neighborhoods and businesses so that residents do not feel left behind. It also means encouraging balanced development that includes restaurants, shops, and services close to where people live, creating a stronger and more connected community.
We can still learn lessons from nearby towns that have faced the same challenges. Knightdale Station has shown how parks and gathering spaces can become true community destinations for families. Wendell Falls demonstrates how different housing options, restaurants, and commercial space can create a vibrant hub that keeps residents engaged locally.
The goal for Zebulon is to apply those lessons in a way that reflects our own character. Sustainable growth here means protecting the small-town feel that people love while creating new opportunities, amenities, and a stronger tax base for the future.
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?
If there is one lesson I have learned, it is that residents of Zebulon are demanding accountability and integrity from their elected officials, and they had every reason to do so this year.
Hundreds of residents signed a petition calling for the entire board’s replacement, a number nearly equal to the ballots cast in the last mayoral election. The mass resignation of two town managers, an assistant manager, and a commissioner amid backroom decisions only deepened mistrust. This is not politics as usual; this is a crisis of leadership.
If elected, I will rebuild trust through three commitments. First, I will restore transparent governance by making sure public deliberation happens in public and that documentation and meeting minutes are promptly published. Second, I will bring stability to staffing by supporting fair and open hiring processes for the town manager and other critical roles so these positions are filled by professionals who have the town’s best interests at heart. Third, I will re-engage the community by holding regular town halls, using surveys, and creating digital tools so residents are informed and heard before decisions are made.
Zebulon deserves a government that listens, delivers, and reflects its people. I am not running just to replace who is there. I am running to rebuild what our town leadership should be.
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?
There has been a lot of talk about Zebulon not being able to compete with other municipalities when it comes to salaries, but I do not believe that is true. If you look at what we were already paying, the last town manager made $185,000 a year and the assistant town manager made $165,000. Together, that was $350,000 a year for two people essentially doing the same job.
I believe we need to restructure that role. Instead of paying two managers, we should hire one highly qualified town manager at a competitive salary of around $250,000 and then provide them with clerical or administrative support at $45,000 to $50,000 a year. That brings the total to about $295,000 to $300,000. Not only is that $50,000 less than what Zebulon was already paying, it gives us the ability to attract a stronger candidate and provide them with the support they need to succeed.
The real issue has not been our ability to pay competitive salaries, but the lack of accountability and structure in how those positions were defined. By being smarter with how we allocate funds, Zebulon can recruit and retain top-tier professionals, save money, and finally bring stability to our staff and leadership.
10) If there are other issues you want to discuss, please do so here.
One issue I think is important to highlight is representation. I am the only Latino on the ballot for Zebulon Town Commissioner, and if elected, I would be the first Latino ever to serve in this role. That would be a historic step for our town, but it is not about me. It is about giving every part of Zebulon a voice at the table.
Our community is changing and growing, and more Latino families are calling Zebulon home. They work here, start businesses here, and send their kids to school here, but they have never seen themselves represented in town leadership. My candidacy gives them that opportunity for the first time.
I believe representation matters, but so do results. I am running to restore transparency, bring stability to town government, and make sure our growth is managed responsibly. Being the first Latino commissioner would be historic, but what matters most is building a Zebulon that works for everyone.
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INDY WEEK
P.O. Box 1772
Durham, NC 27702
919-666-7229
