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Character Fail

Character Fail

To date, Councilors Melton, Branch and Forte have offered no public apology or explanation for their secret decision to give themselves an extra year in office without any public notice, public comment, or public vote.

Will Council Put Parking Lots Before People?

Will Council Put Parking Lots Before People?

Council is being asked to legalize an illegal parking lot at 2601 Vanderbilt Ave near NC State. The applicant says the parking lot rezoning (Z-33-24) is a minor change, but in the big picture of West Raleigh’s sustainable growth, putting parking lots before people is a giant step backwards that will only legitimize more parking lots to come.

Red Hat – are Councilors performing their liaison duties?

Red Hat – are Councilors performing their liaison duties?

How is it that the pre-determined outcome of the re-location of the Red Hat Amphitheater took the City Council by surprise and left them with little to no time for public engagement or a deeper discussion of alternatives for where or how the venue could be kept downtown without closing South St? When you realize councilors Melton and Branch are both liaisons to the Convention Center and it was their JOB to know what was going on. Are they liaisons or just lazy?

Show Me the Money – 2024 Campaign Funding – UPDATED

Show Me the Money – 2024 Campaign Funding – UPDATED

A large majority of what the City Councilors are responsible for are decisions related to development. These are the candidates that the development industry is supporting. It’s up to you to decide how you want to factor this information into your voting decision.

Save Raleigh’s Historic Overlay Districts!

Save Raleigh’s Historic Overlay Districts!

Raleigh’s historic overlay districts are special treasures of our City. They comprise only one percent of Raleigh’s land area, but their impact is much larger. We do not need to destroy them to solve our housing shortage. We should instead preserve these treasures for our citizens, our visitors, our children, and our grandchildren.

So Close, Yet so Far: Disconnection In a Connected World

So Close, Yet so Far: Disconnection In a Connected World

There’s an unmistakable longing among teens and young adults today. It’s not just a want—it’s a need. People are craving a place where they can just be—somewhere that isn’t home, school, or work. A space to meet friends, make connections, and feel part of something. But those places, those third spaces, are becoming harder to find.

Show Me the Money – 2024 City Council Campaign Funding

Show Me the Money – 2024 City Council Campaign Funding

This chart shows you the contributions made to the candidates for this election cycle through June 30, 2024. There will be MUCH MORE money poured into these campaigns before election day. But, you will have to wait to see that data. We are currently analyzing it from the most recent reports that were filed by the candidates on Oct 1, 2024.

FairChance works to remediate poverty

FairChance works to remediate poverty

Fairchance affords impoverished candidates a pathway to their dreams and a roadmap on how to get there, from a mission to setting goals, and a budget. Candidates become “empowered” as they witness miracles transpire before their eyes, including the discovery of themselves and their abilities.

Missing in Action on the Missing Middle

Missing in Action on the Missing Middle

The previous Raleigh City Council spent zero amount of time discussing the unintended consequences of their major change to zoning practices which they characterized as mere “text changes.” Now the current council is MIA by failing to address these serious consequences for which several neighborhoods have presented evidence.

UNNEIGHBORLY: The impact of Missing Middle on Woodcrest

UNNEIGHBORLY: The impact of Missing Middle on Woodcrest

Possible Missing Middle “tweaks” being discussed by Council include tree preservation and consideration of character impact of high-density housing on existing neighborhoods. These minor tweaks would amount to putting lipstick on a pig. Council was able to make controversial decisions on moving Red Hat Amphitheater and closing a traffic artery into downtown within about two months. You’ve had two years to massage and wrestle with Missing Middle, and nothing has been accomplished.

Ignoring covenants encourages their violation

Ignoring covenants encourages their violation

If this lawsuit succeeds, then any subdivision with or without a homeowner’s association will be at risk. The only winners will be those charging legal fees, and the losers will be homeowners who purchased their single-family homes with certain expectations related to the future of their property.

Redefining Representation: The Critical Need for a Larger City Council in Raleigh

Redefining Representation: The Critical Need for a Larger City Council in Raleigh

As Raleigh continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, the stakes have never been higher for our city’s future. We’re witnessing a city transforming before our eyes—new developments, some booming businesses, and an influx of new residents. But with this rapid growth comes a critical challenge that we cannot afford to ignore: the need for a more expansive and accessible City Council that truly represents all of Raleigh’s diverse communities.

City budgeting engagement opportunities

City budgeting engagement opportunities

Usually I’m up here complaining about things the city does, but I want to be clear that I think last year’s budget engagement was an overall positive experience, but I still think it could be better.

City Council fiddles while neighborhoods are sued

City Council fiddles while neighborhoods are sued

Raleigh builder is suing a whole neighborhood to have their restrictive covenants removed to enable him to build a development of 12 townhomes on two lots that are/were two single-family homes. District C Councilor Corey Branch, who represents the neighborhood, promised to do everything in his power to fix this. Branch has done nothing.

Raleigh’s Community Engagement Office knocks it out of the ballpark!

Raleigh’s Community Engagement Office knocks it out of the ballpark!

Raleigh’s Community Engagement Office held the first Engage Raleigh: Community and Neighborhood Expo on Saturday, September 7. The Expo was a great networking opportunity that brought many community organizations together for the first time with departments from the City of Raleigh.

City Ordinance is Killing Street Food Vendors

City Ordinance is Killing Street Food Vendors

I’m willing to believe that you weren’t aware of the nature and timing of sales in my little niche business area. I’m willing to chalk this up to the realm of unintended consequences. You didn’t know. You didn’t realize. I sincerely hope that’s the case anyway.
But you know now. I beg you to do something about it.