It is the job of a conscientious City Council to mediate between profit-seeking developers and neighbors whose property rights — and quality of life — are in danger of being trampled.
The bond proposal is full of holes where the details should be. Still, we haven’t given up hope that we can persuade Council to focus on the real needs and fight gentrification in our historic African-American communities.
We are two cities in one: A surging city for whites and the highly educated. A city in crisis for many African-Americans and other people of color.
During the Council campaign, Saige Martin promised BOLD action, MORAL opposition and DEEP ORGANIZING to stop the RDU Quarry. Since the election, Saige has been hiding from his promises to STOP THE QUARRY.
The network of CACs benefited the Black community. It was an opportunity for Black people to voice their concerns on City issues. Also, it empowered the Black community to organize against gentrification. This is why it was dismantled.
This just-unearthed video, produced by the city BEFORE Baldwin took office, shows the CACs for what they were really were. Take a look and if you like, share it before the secret is buried again!
The issue of the RDU Quarry came once again to the Raleigh City Council. And once again, the Council took no action, in the process missing the deadline for supporting a public hearing on the mining permit.
Did Mary-Ann Baldwin’s disdain for public participation in rezoning cases cause her to violate a new state law this week?
The new law puts rules in place for public hearings when they’re part of a remote, or “virtual” meeting.
Having all but eliminated citizen input, and perhaps because half of its members are brand-new, the Council looks to be frozen on stage, with no wisdom to offer. And then they adjourn, congratulating one another on the great job they’re doing!
On Wednesday -- yesterday -- the city cycled back, forth and back again on the question of yard waste collection. First, it was off, suspended indefinitely. Then, it was back on, per a mid-morning announcement. Finally, in mid-afternoon, it was off again,…