WENDELL - In the past decade, Wake County saw a population boom that took several once-small towns surrounding Raleigh and increased their populations by thousands.

As nearby towns like Wake Forest, Rolesville and Knightdale experienced this growth spurt, Wendell prepared for the boom to reach the town limits; but when the economy faltered, growth was put on hold.

In the meantime, town officials and staff have continued to ready for growth by creating a Unified Development Ordinance in 2010, creating an Economic Development Department and hiring a director, approving a water and sewer merger with Raleigh and signing a developer's agreement with Wells Fargo Bank clearing the way for the sale of the giant Wendell Falls development.

In the November election, four candidates are running to fill two open seats on the town board after both incumbent commissioners chose not to run for re-election, and two candidates are running for mayor.

With preparations made for the next wave of growth, the candidates were asked if residential and business growth is at the top of the priority list for Wendell, or are there more immediate issues that need to be addressed.

"The growth of Wendell is at the top of the list, if not the priority," commissioner candidate James Parham said. He said town officials need to do some strategic planning to bring growth to the town.

"I hope, if I'm elected, the other commissioners and I can come up with a plan to help the citizens and the town of Wendell. I will do whatever I can do to push it through to fruition," Parham said.

"Growth will happen whether I an elected or not, but we need the commissioners on the same page, understanding the needs of Wendell."

Commission candidate Sam Laughery said growth is the top priority.

"Most people I talk to want to keep taxes where they are, or reduce them and improve services. To do that it's necessary to broaden the tax base with residential and commercial development. I would also like to see more downtown (business) occupation."

Laughery said there are two ways to encourage development, even in a down economy. First is to appear welcoming and friendly as a town board and staff.

The second is to make sure Wendell is competitive with the surrounding towns and Wake County. "Not just in (creating) our UDO or stormwater ordinance, but in the way we deal with developers," Laughery said.

Laughery said he worked hard on the UDO as chairman of the planning board, but being competitive is not just about having the right rules in place.

"We need to look at what we are not doing to make us competitive," Laughery said. He said Wake County reduced its open space requirement for developers and Wendell should at least look at the issue to stay competitive.

"When the economy kicks up, we need to be ready to go," Laughery said.

Commissioner candidate Tillie Turlington does not put the town's growth at the top of her list. "I do not see it as the priority at this time. Important, yes, but not the top priority," Turlington said.

"I personally think the town is divided. The mayor, commissioners and the town manager need to work together toward one common goal."

Turlington said the town can't move ahead when there is a divided board or a divided town, so unity among the town leadership has to be the first issue of business.

"Then we can set priorities for what's most important for the town together," Turlington said.

Johnny Easters, also a candidate for commissioner, said pursuing the right type of growth is a major issue.

"I want to make sure our growth is realistic, attainable, sustainable, adds value and is appropriate for Wendell," Easters said.

"We do not need to add rooftops just to add rooftops."

Easters said the town needs residential development that will be appreciated by visitors to Wendell and draw people to the town.

"We have been referred to as a bedroom community. We should take pride in that," Easters said.

If people work in Raleigh but want to live in Wendell, they should be happy with that in the short term.

"I don't want to see us stay a bedroom community, I want to see growth, but valuable growth. That's what I'm about," Easters said.

And if developers come to town down the road with plans to build grander homes, that is fine, but for now the town needs to be realistic about building sustainable developments for a town of 5,000 people, not 40,000.

"We need to bring in what will boost our economy. There's been talk of bringing in a hospital. That would be great down the road, but it is not attainable or sustainable now," Easters said. "Families of Wendell want a safe, productive environment to make a home."

Easters said Wendell could pursue businesses that would draw visitors because of their variety. The town already has fast food restaurants that sell hamburgers, so they should try to bring in a different type of restaurant, like a seafood chain, that would serve the town but also bring customers from Knightdale and Zebulon, he said.

On the mayoral trail

Incumbent Mayor Harold Broadwell could not be reached for comment, but mayoral candidate Tim Hinnant said town growth should be at the forefront of the town's concerns for all elected officials.

"We need to hire an economic development director with a proven track record, and we need to create an economic development board," Hinnant said.

The economic development board would create the policies for the director and the department to put in place. Hinnant said the downtown business initiative and the Chamber of Commerce should be represented.

"They should be able to recruit industry and manufacturing jobs for the town to create better paying jobs for all our citizens," Hinnant said.

Hinnant also wants to strengthen the business district by recruiting destination businesses to compliment the established retailers by providing goods, services and dining that will be unique to Wendell.

"We can enhance Wendell's business district by bringing in out of town businesses that will make it an experience instead of just filling a need," Hinnant said.

Hinnant would also concentrate Wendell's planning for residential development on providing more balance in types of developments to ensure a greater variety of house sizes and amenities.

"We want to meet all citizens' needs, whether it is a family unit of one or six," Hinnant said.