Aaron Wolff
How long have you lived in Holly Springs, and where did you move from?
My wife, Jess, and I moved here in 2015 with our children and even dragged my parents along. Before that we were living in a town in the Washington, D.C. suburbs called Leesburg, which was about 15 miles from my childhood home.
What made you decide to run for local office?
We chose Holly Springs as our new home because we thought it was the perfect place to raise our family and give them the type of childhood I had growing up. However, I also see the same issues with growth that ultimately forced me to move my family away from my hometown. I ran to help preserve what makes Holly Springs such a special place to live while managing growth in a smart, sustainable, and inclusive way.
How did you celebrate your victory in the election?
On election night we held a party for our volunteers and supporters to thank them for all of their hard work and encouragement. It was really special and humbling to celebrate with the people who believe in me most. The next day I did what I always do: went to work. I wouldn’t recommend it (I was completely and utterly exhausted) but when you’re a small business owner, you don’t get to take days off. That weekend, we drove out to Great Wolf Lodge for some much-needed family time.
What’s something about you that residents might be surprised to know?
I am super nerdy and proud of it. I can’t count how many times I had long conversations about Harry Potter while knocking on doors (I’ve read each book at least twice). And for those who are wondering, I’m a Ravenclaw.
What’s your favorite thing about Holly Springs (other than the people)?
My favorite thing about Holly Springs is our small town feel and sense of community. We don’t leave the house anymore without running into folks we know and that’s something we didn’t have in Virginia. Whether it’s through our civic groups, small business community, Chamber of Commerce, run clubs, or just neighborhood initiatives, there are so many ways to be involved and connected with the community. That’s what makes Holly Springs feel like home.
What is the most important item for you to try to change about Holly Springs?
I campaigned on taking a more comprehensive approach to how we consider new development in town, making us more environmentally sustainable, and working to make our town more small business friendly, and that’s exactly what I plan on doing. But, to me, that’s not about changing anything in Holly Springs. It’s about doubling down on the great things we already have as we move into the next phase of our town’s history.
What will you be opposed to changing about Holly Springs?
I will be opposed to anything that decreases the quality of life and sense of community for our residents. It is important that we continue to grow but, as we do, we need to preserve the things that make Holly Springs a unique and special place to live.
How do you think the residents can help make a difference in Holly Springs?
Like I mentioned, there are so many ways to get involved in the community, so find what works for your passion, your schedule, and your talents. To become involved with town government you can join one of our citizen boards and committees or find an issue you are passionate about and reach out to me and the other council members. Hopefully, as a council, we will continue to make it simpler and easier for our citizens to get involved in their government and understand how it works. Oh, and VOTE! Turnout for this past election was at the same levels it has been in the past, which is to say, low. We can do better.
What’s the one question I should have asked by I didn’t?
Well, I already told you I was a Ravenclaw, so the most important question is out of the way.
I guess the only other thing I’d like to mention is about what it was like running for office in Holly Springs. It has been one of the most challenging, humbling, and rewarding experiences of my life. I learned things about myself I didn’t know and met so many amazing new friends along the way. Even if I had lost, everything I did would have been worth it, but now that I’ve won and have the honor of sitting on the council, I promise to work my tail off for the people of Holly Springs (and to make sure we have fun along the way!).
Shaun McGrath
How long have you lived in Holly Springs, and where did you move from?
We have now lived in Holly Springs for 5 years…nearly twice as long as we lived anywhere as a family for the past quarter of a century. Prior to Holly Springs, the Air Force kept us in constant motion, moving 15 times over those 25 years to various states and countries.
What made you decide to run for local office?
Honestly, running for office was the furthest thing from my mind on July 16th. After being approached that day to consider Town Council, our family discussed the timing and decided it might be the right opportunity for me to consider a deeper engagement in our town. After spending the previous couple of years volunteering on the Planning Board and getting to know a lot more about our town, transitioning to another leadership role, albeit one that included a campaign, seemed a logical way to continue to serve.
How did you celebrate your victory in the election?
After polling closed, we invited our campaign supporters to our house to join us as the results came in. While I raised a glass to thank those who were gathered there for a successful outcome, Lori and I hosted a thank you dinner at our house two nights later for our campaign support team and their families.
What’s something about you that residents might be surprised to know?
I grew up in a very small rural town in the mountains of Colorado. My first job at a young age was working on a ranch pitching stables and hay, which certainly taught me the value of hard work and that you can learn and earn from every job. I learned early on it is not only the hard work, but what matters most is putting 110% effort into your current job, and not on the one you wish you had. Your efforts tackling those challenges will be what finds you presented with the next opportunity.
What’s your favorite thing about Holly Springs (other than the people)?
Five years ago when looking at a multitude of places to settle down and call home, we didn’t know a soul here. Holly Springs rose to the top because of its natural surroundings, climate, and proximity to so much. There are very few places where you can be a relatively short drive to the ocean, the mountains, major cultural and sporting venues, along with daily close access to amenities provided by a metropolitan area, without living in an urban center. As Holly Springs continues to add amenities in town proper, we still have quick access to lakes and a rural country feel within minutes of leaving town center. Best now is that we have all that, plus the added benefit of knowing the people and many new friends!
What is the most important item for you to try to change about Holly Springs?
We need a continued and accelerated focus on integrated growth. In any desirable and rapidly growing town, infrastructure is likely the conduit or impediment to growth. Integrated growth requires a strategic outlook beyond a typical project’s proposal, funding, and completion cycle. While private growth (like new housing developments) can occur at seemingly light speed, any public project funded and guided by a bureaucratic governmental process will be slower. Without an integrated commercial-to-residential tax basis to fund improvements, we must rely on partner (County, State, or Federal) funding for large infrastructure improvements…and that funding is programmed multiple years in advance.
What will you be opposed to changing about Holly Springs?
If we continue to desire a small town feel as we rapidly grow, we must maintain our sense of community through connectivity. As we relook at our Parks and Recreation and comprehensive transportation plans, I would oppose changing our focus of connecting people to our community centers. Greenways, sidewalks, and bike path connectivity to our key amenity areas are critical to more easily bringing people together and to prevent a construct of ‘mini-island’ communities within our town…in addition to promoting healthy living and reduced traffic.
How do you think the residents can help make a difference in Holly Springs?
Simply by being engaged in meaningful conversation about our town’s future. In today’s environment, it appears many see the allure of social media as that unitary outlet. However, if you really want to help affect change, I believe further engagement is warranted. I believe meaningful conversation and civil discourse is best served by face-to-face contact. Volunteer, meet in a group with others who you disagree with on social media…you will likely find they are people with families and concerns like you – just with different ideas.
What’s one question I should have asked but I didn’t?
Do you have any favorite quotes to share? Thanks for asking…yes! To channel President John F. Kennedy for an approach to serving, “Ask not what your country […or Town] can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Finally, to channel President Ronald Reagan for an approach to all decision making, “Trust…but verify!”
