Ryan Fay

The Election Hub Questionnaire

Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live).

50 years old, Duke University, Davidson resident, Director of Business Operations for a Small Business in Charlotte

Why are you running for this role and why should voters pick you?  Please share any experience in an elected role that would be relevant to voters.

I am currently seeking my third term as a Commissioner in the Town of Davidson. I am very proud of the job the Board has done over the past four years and look to build upon that success for the next two.

Tell us about 2-3 professional accomplishments you have achieved in your work experience (not limited to public service) that give voters a sense of your leadership style or skills.

I am very proud of our efforts with regard to Affordable Housing in Davidson. From our Affordable Housing Plan, to our Affordable Housing Fund, to our work with DFI to review town-owned land opportunities, we have done an extensive and deep dive in how we can keep Davidson accessible to people from all financial backgrounds. Seeing the success stories of individuals, couple and families who have realized their dream of living in Davidson makes me extremely proud of our work. I am also very proud of the work we have done with supporting our first responders and the innovative thinking of their leadership. From our new Public Safety building to securing land for a new Firehouse #1, we are making sure that our first responders have the facilities they need to do their job and recruit the best talent available. However, there is nothing I am more proud of than being the first municipality in North Meck to create a co-responder position within our Police Department. This position frees up resources to focus on response appropriate issues while also providing a responder to mental health, substance abuse and situational crises where a law enforcement response may elevate the situation. Nothing we have done over the past four years has been more warmly received, awarded or transformational.

What is one thing you would like to accomplish in the first six months if elected?

Within the first month of being elected, we, as a board, will sit down and develop our Strategic Plan. This plan lays the foundation and basis for our next two years of work. This is typically done offsite, over multiple days and is critically important as the blueprint for what we want to accomplish as a community. It is a collaborative effort including electeds, Town staff and management. As someone who has gone through two of these meetings previously, I am prepared to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to this discussion.

What is your position on the proposed transit tax and why? Will you vote in favor of it or against it in November?

I believe the Red Line is important for Charlotte and the Lake Norman Community. I, personally, will be voting for the transit tax. Perhaps even more valuable to Davidson than the Light Rail, which will be transformational, is the additional money the town will receive for roads and infrastructure. In the first year, Davidson alone will receive over $3 million. These monies will allow us to greatly impact a number of infrastructure projects that have been sitting on the back burner awaiting funding. Freeing up these budget funds will also allow us to dive deeper into our Capitol Improve Project list and finally move some of these projects off the future project list to the active project list. The light rail and infrastructure funds will make our community easier to navigate, while also allowing us to realize a number of dream projects that we have been hoping to fund.

What endorsements from any notable NC organizations or individuals have you received?

In my position as a Commissioner for the Town of Davidson, I do not seek endorsements. I answer to our residents and as a non-partisan position, I believe it is important to focus on Town initiatives and the needs of our community. Being elected to this position in two different elections is the highest endorsement I have received.

Tell us something unexpected about you that voters may be interested to know.

(The candidate did not respond.)