Leroy D. Reshard
How long have you lived here?
My wife and I move here in August, 2014, from West Chester, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati. We lived in Cincinnati for 16.5 years, the longest of any place. I was a Sales Account Executive with 3M Company, so I moved a lot. Since we moved to Fuquay-Varina, I changed careers to a Franchise Consultant so I could work from home. As a consultant, we help people go from employee to Franchise Business Owners so they can focus on their dreams and goals.
We have two adult daughters, one living in Maryland and the other living in Georgia. Audrey, my wife, wanted to retire in North Carolina as a result of her college life at NCCU many years ago and we wanted to be closer to our daughters. Fuquay-Varina is half the distance between our girls and therefore we both were happy. West Chester, Ohio, had many amenities, including top schools, Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Community Foundation, Rotary Club, United Way and YMCA. These non-profits offered volunteer opportunities and I served on the boards of many of them during my time in West Chester. As a result, we were well connected with decision makers and felt a part of the community.
If you could write one law for Fuquay-Varina, what would it be?
No mowing of grass on Saturdays and Sundays after 7:00 pm. That’s my favorite time to have dinner and a glass of wine or two on my back deck.
What restaurant has your go-to meal, and what is it?
Audrey and I love seafood, and the Mason Jar is our favorite. We are looking for more restaurants in Fuquay-Varina.
What is your favorite thing about Fuquay-Varina?
I love living in a country/rural community now that I’m retired. Living here reminds me of growing up in Tallahassee, where we had a small farm.
What store or restaurant would you like to see come to Fuquay-Varina?
Outback Steakhouse or Bone Fish Grill
How do you feel Fuquay-Varina ranks on a scale of 1 to 10?
I would rank it an 8!
What’s the best thing to come to Fuquay-Varina since you’ve lived here?
Traffic improvement on Judd Parkway and new residential development
Is growth good or bad for Fuquay-Varina, and why?
Growth is good! If a community isn’t growing, it’s dying. None of us want to live in a dying community. However, it’s important to have the right growth of commercial and residential. More commercial growth is needed to increase our tax base and keep our residents from going to Holy Springs and Cary for dining, movies and shopping. I appreciate the fact that we have restaurants, bars, medical specialists, a variety of stores and services in the community. There will be more to come and more convenient.
Does the benefit of growth outweigh the hassle of the increased traffic?
Yes! Where there is no pain there is no growth. All around us, you see construction on 540, 147 etc. Let’s not become a traffic jam community similar to Atlanta and Charlotte. Growth must be balanced and planned.
What’s your favorite time of year in Fuquay-Varina and why?
The fall is my favorite! You can sit on your deck with a glass of Kendall Jackson Chardonnay and watch the tree leaves turn colors and fall to the ground. You can also have a jacket on to keep you warm.
Do you plan to move from Fuquay-Varina at some point?
Currently, we have no plans to move. We love our home and community.
TOMMY BROADWELL
How long have you lived here?
I am a native of Fuquay-Varina! My ancestors moved from southern Virginia in the late 1700’s and some of us never left. My roots run very deep. I have farmed, started a small business, worked as a commercial loan officer at a local bank and finally retired from my favorite job as Executive Director of the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce. At the Chamber I was instructed that I should be a cheerleader for the town, which for me was not work at all.
If you could write one law for Fuquay-Varina, what would it be?
I would like to see more representation for the citizens of the town’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). With the pending 22,000-acre expansion that the Town is undertaking there will be many more residents that are regulated by the Town and there is no representation on the Town board for ETJ members. In the county jurisdiction, we have an elected board of commissioners to go to with issues or concerns, but we cannot vote for the Town board nor do we have an ETJ member. Legislative action is required but will only take place at the behest of the Town of Fuquay-Varina. As far as I know, the only representation we have at the present time are two members of the Planning and Zoning Board. Merchants who own businesses in town but live outside the city limits must pay taxes on their in-town property but have no voice in town government. I call it “Regulation without Representation”.
What restaurant has your go-to meal, and what is it?
El Lobo Mexican Restaurant is my favorite and I am presently working my way through the menu. I will have to let you know my go-to meal later.
What is your favorite thing about Fuquay-Varina?
I think we still have our small town flavor and all the people are friendly and accepting of others. There is and has been an overwhelming influx of people from around the country and world and they all seem to blend in nicely and appreciate the fact that we are all growing together.
What store or restaurant would you like to see come to Fuquay-Varina?
When I was at the Chamber the most requested restaurant was Outback and I tend to agree. I did research the possibility of a Cracker Barrel years ago but one requirement was an interstate highway. Maybe when the 540 Expressway is completed it will be a possibility.
How do you feel Fuquay-Varina ranks on a scale of 1 to 10?
10.5 but only because of the traffic. An effort is being made to improve that situation that will take some time and patience. See number 8.
What’s the best thing to come to Fuquay-Varina since you’ve lived here?
I have to say that the one thing that has had the most impact on the town in the last 10 years is the Aviator Brewery, Tap House and Restaurant in Varina. Mark Doble has pushed forward on Broad Street to make it a vibrant area and it has had a positive effect on that entire area. I should also give a shout out to Bill Akin for his insight and vision for Varina. Who knew it could be a destination? See number 8.
Is growth good or bad for Fuquay-Varina, and why?
I think growth is good for the town. When I was in high school there was only one place in town, the Tastee Freeze, where teenagers could hang out. Raleigh was the only alternative for most of us. Now there are options without driving for miles but the alternatives are still available. I appreciate the fact that we have restaurants, bars, medical specialists, a variety of stores and services in the community. There will be more to come and more convenient.
Does the benefit of growth outweigh the hassle of the increased traffic?
The benefits far outweigh the hassle and I contend that the variety of growth in some ways reduces traffic by having local venders situated just around the corner! I know that we don’t drive to Cary or Raleigh as much as we used to.
What’s your favorite time of year in Fuquay-Varina and why?
Spring or Fall, the weather is perfect. I have been told we really do not have Winters, after all you can play golf except for maybe two or three weeks. Summers are somewhat humid but even then we get delightful little breaks off and on.
Do you plan to move from Fuquay-Varina at some point?
Why? I will visit many other places but I know a good thing when I see it.
