Public Service is a Privilege, not a Self-Serving Opportunity

James Bledsoe lives in SE Raleigh with his fiancée, Siberian cat, & Rhodesian Ridgeback. In addition to currently serving 10 years as a state employee, James is also a combat veteran with 19 years in the Army between Active Duty & the Reserve. James holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and is pursuing Cyber Security classes at Wake Tech.

James spoke at City Council on July 2, 2024: 

Good evening members of Council,

I stand before you today as a concerned citizen deeply troubled by recent actions taken by this Council. I refer to the rising crime in our city under your watch, but specifically, decisions to increase your own salaries, extend your terms from two to four years, and reject additional representatives on this Council—all without allowing the citizens of Raleigh to vote on the matter.

First and foremost, I believe that public service is a privilege, not a self-serving opportunity.

In 2022, the council voted to increase their own salaries by 58%. This sent a message that the needs and voices of the citizens were secondary to personal gain. In a time when many Raleigh residents are facing economic challenges, this decision appears out of touch and self-serving. It erodes trust and fosters cynicism among the very people you were elected to serve.

Furthermore, the extension of your terms from two to four years and the decision to vote against increasing the number of representatives on this Council without a public vote are deeply concerning.

Democracy thrives on regular accountability and responsiveness to the electorate. By doubling the length of your terms, you diminish the frequency with which you are directly answerable to the voters. This action undermines the democratic principles of transparency and accountability, making it harder for citizens to express their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with your performance.

Look at the graph in front of you (below).

Why would a city council that has allowed Raleigh to: rise to $2 billion in debt, diminish the Veterans Day and Christmas Parades, let our infrastructure crumble, keep our first responder staffing low and their pay the lowest in the state—which has led to rising murder, rising rape, and 39 instances of human trafficking in 2024 alone—have longer terms and stifled representation?

These decisions were made in direct opposition to the input from the citizens of Raleigh. We told you in 2022 and 2024 that we didn’t want you to have longer terms and that we wanted more representation, and you ignored us. We asked that you at least put the measures to a vote so we could say we had a choice, and you ignored us. The people of this city deserve a voice in decisions that fundamentally alter the structure and operation of our local government.

Thank you.

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