Newly reelected mayor serves notice to development community

CLAYTON — As he began another term in office on Dec. 4, Mayor Jody McLeod put developers on notice.

"We don't want people coming to Clayton to make a boatload of money and then leave us with traffic and overcrowded schools," he said. "Clayton deserves better."

McLeod spoke after the council denied a proposed subdivision that fell short of its expectations. "If you want to invest in Clayton, North Carolina, you better bring your A-game to the Planning Board because that is all that's going to be accepted by this mayor and this Town Council," he said.

The council is listening to residents' worries about growth, McLeod added. "We know your concerns with traffic," he said. "We know your concerns with school population. We understand and we hear your message. And we are working diligently to make sure that our unified development code is a lot tighter than it has been so that we can demand the quality and the type of residential and commercial development that we want to see here in Clayton."

McLeod, who was unopposed for reelection, thanked the voters who took the time to vote for him anyway. "That people took the time to check a ballot for an incumbent says a lot, and it spoke volumes to me," he said. "And I'm certainly appreciative to the citizens of Clayton and my family and to my dear, sweet wife of 32 years who has put up with me in public service for over 24 years."

Newly elected Councilwomen Ruth Anderson and Gretchen Williams also took their oaths of office last week.

Anderson has called Clayton home for more than 40 years. "This has been a great town for my family, my boys, my husband," she said. "I'm so very grateful to be able to serve the town that I love, and it's an honor."

Williams also expressed her appreciation. "Thank you, the residents of the town of Clayton, North Carolina, for giving me the privilege to serve as your council member," she said. "What an honor to be chosen at a time such as this and to serve the citizens of the town of Clayton."