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By Jim Buice
For the Clemmons Courier

Megan Ledbetter has resigned her position as the planner for the Village of Clemmons, effective sometime later in May.

Ledbetter, who has served in her role since 2007 — during a time of significant growth for the town, said she wants to be able to spend more time with family.

“My girls are growing up really fast, and I spend lots of nights (at meetings) away from them,” Ledbetter said of her daughters, who are ages 9 and 4, “and that’s time I’m never going to get back. That’s the major impetus for me to do something new, and it’s also time for a new challenge.”

Ledbetter said she has accepted a position with Meridian, a commercial real estate firm in Winston-Salem where she will initially be doing some land-use related issues with their business and then also brokering real estate transactions.

Village Manager Scott Buffkin, speaking on behalf of the staff, said he wanted to thank Ledbetter for her “professionalism, dedication, positive outlook and willingness to accept any challenge” and that she will be greatly missed.

“She has been an integral part of the Village and helped shape the vision of the community,” Buffkin said. “She has been instrumental in establishing the Village farmer’s market and community garden. It was under her oversight that the Village’s first comprehensive and transportation plans were developed and that only begins to scratch the surface of her accomplishments. The list of successful outcomes the Village has been able to accomplish is a direct reflection on her ability, drive and energy.”

Ledbetter said other accomplishments that have had a positive impact during her time include putting together a Clemmons area development guide that dictated what should go where; developing the Village’s first greenway and park amenity at Village Point Lake; populating a Lewisville-Clemmons Road business stakeholders group that helped facilitate incremental redevelopment strategy for that busy road; putting together lots of grant opportunities for bike lanes, sidewalks and intersection improvements; and working with DOT on road improvements.

Certainly, there have been challenges with the many needs of a bustling community and balancing that while maintaining a low tax rate.

“In the Village, I’ve always said, we’re fiscally constrained, and while it’s a challenge, it’s not a necessarily a bad challenge,” Ledbetter said. “It’s just a challenge that you have to get creative with in how you’re going to be able to move projects forward for the betterment of the community.

“I think really providing a linear parks system that connects all of our destinations in Clemmons is a vision and has been a vision, and we’re starting to see those happen. Some take longer than others because it’s federally funded dollars, but I think ultimately the Village will have a great network that with connect all those special places and all those special people.”

Mayor John Wait has only worked with Ledbetter for the last year and a half but said he has been impressed with her dedication to the Village.

“Her ability to pay attention to detail while also thinking long term has been an incredible asset to myself, the Council and our community,” Wait said. “She has shown herself to be a true team player on staff, and she will be missed immensely. I wish her and her family the best as they make this change, and I am truly thankful for all her efforts to make sure this transition goes as well as it can.”

Ledbetter, who holds an undergraduate degree in urban planning and geography from UNC-Greensboro and a master’s degree in public policy administration from Northwestern, said her final day working in Village Hall has yet to be determined, but it should fall between the middle and end of May.

“I’ve appreciated all the opportunities the Village has given me over the years,” said Ledbetter, who plans to continue living in Clemmons. “I’ve enjoyed immensely working here, and I think the Village is poised for a great future. They’ve got strong leadership, and they will do great things.”