City Councilors are elected by residents to represent residents

Helen Tart is a native North Carolinian who has lived in Raleigh since 1975 and in her neighborhood near downtown since 1989. She is an editor at NC State and an avid environmentalist. She lives with her dog Ali in 768 square feet.

Helen spoke to City Council on September 9, 2025:

I’m going to try not to rant, but I’m probably not going to succeed. I was disturbed by a couple of things at the September 2nd afternoon council meeting.

The first was the presentation of the proposal for revising the public sidewalk along Fayetteville Street. While the changes may or may not be a good idea, it bothered me that only businesses on the street were consulted. How hard would it be for staff to stroll up and down Fayetteville Street a few times and talk to the people sitting on the benches and other seating areas to be removed. What might they need or want?

I realize that the businesses there do pay extra taxes, so should certainly have a large say in the amenities along the street. Just not the only say.

Over the years, the city has spent a considerable amount of public tax money on Fayetteville Street, as well it should. People should be able to enjoy the street without having to pay 10 bucks for a burger and 3 bucks for a glass of iced tea.

I know that the Planning department’s name was changed to  Planning and Development. It’s only appropriate that they get business preferences on their recommendations. However, residents and other citizens should have an equal say in the decisions on the public realm.

That’s not really what caused my desire to rant. It was the discussion on digital billboards that outraged me. Note I’m not naming names, but one councilor suggested that the industry should have an equal say in the decision of the council. While owners and workers in industry might live in the city, although not necessarily, that does not give their opinion more weight than that of other residents.

City Councilors are elected by residents to represent residents, while also protecting the public good. However, that public good should be seen through the lens of the residents you represent.

We live here. We need clean air and water. We appreciate the beauty of the natural areas that remain in the city and enjoy our vibrant arts and entertainment. All the while being safe from crime, fire, and flood. Adding flavor to it all is the diversity of backgrounds and incomes of our people. That’s why so many people want to live and work here. It’s your job to balance protecting all of these things, while welcoming these new people.

Ah, I have time for my rant. It is your job to listen to and reflect the needs and wants of the residents. It is also your job to make sure that city staff knows that their job is to protect the interests of the people that live in Raleigh, not to just make things easy for businesses and developers.

I only ask that you do what you were elected to do.

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