Frank Hielema is a native of Oxford, NC. He holds degrees in physical therapy and epidemiology. He has lived in his present home in Raleigh for 30 years. Advocacy for justice at the national and international levels extends back to his senior year of high school. Now he finds that indeed, all politics are local, as he speaks out against Raleigh’s implementation of the Missing Middle in Raleigh without sufficient public notice, citizen input or transparency.
He is a member of the Steering Committee of Save Our Neighborhoods RestoreRaleighZoning
Frank sent the following recommendations to several members of City Council:
One year into the terms of the four newly elected Councilors, and with Mayor Pro Tem Branch having filed to run for Mayor, I offer the following thoughts.
By now, even our new Councilors own the positions by which Raleigh is currently governed.
Your current record and what you do to distinguish yourself over the coming year will determine your perception by the voters in the election one year from now.
Parades – Christmas, Veterans and Others:
My belief is that city staff is driving these decisions which are unpopular with the public, but you will be held accountable.
Not all Councilors are being consulted. City staff had over a year to take action to reduce the risk for future accidents.This is an easy way to quickly set yourselves apart from how these unpopular decisions have been made. Resolve, by vote, and by direction to city staff, that there will be Christmas and Veterans Day parades, with updated safety measures, next year. Be present at the Veterans’ Day gathering this weekend and promise this to the organizers.
Missing Middle
Missing Middle presents the boldest opportunity to set yourselves apart from the unpopular policies of the current Mayor.
The most straightforward option to distinguish yourselves is to repeal it. This was a campaign position of each of the four newly elected councilors. It is the single most prominent policy on which a candidate running for office can deliver on a promise made, and to set oneself apart from current policy.
Campaign promises will not be enough to get voters behind you on this issue in next year’s election. Enthusiasm to reelect Councilors has plummeted because of lack of action, other than the motion made by Councilor Jones and seconded by Councilor Black for a moratorium.
Neighborhoods will expect delivery on this before the heavy campaign season starts. If the boldness to repeal Missing Middle is lacking, you must direct city staff to significantly modify it using the proposed changes made by the ad hoc task force and adopt the changes well before heavy campaign season. Voters will want to see that you have delivered on protecting neighborhoods, and investments.
TOD, as well as Frequent Transit Area, density changes should be applied only to the immediate main street of the BRT or traditional bus route. Special care has to be given to prevent gentrification of neighborhoods and displacement of Raleigh’s most economically vulnerable citizens.
Affordable Housing
This is directly related to Missing Middle policy. Embrace the concept that the most affordable housing is what currently exists. Once NOAH is torn down, you can not build anything back that will be more affordable.
Policies must protect existing housing and not incentivize its destruction and replacement with larger luxury apartments, duplexes or single family homes which displace Raleigh’s legacy citizens.
Missing Middle in its current form is a gift to developers and has not made any contribution to affordable housing.
CACs
Reinvigorating CACs throughout all of Raleigh’s neighborhoods should be a priority.
CACs should be the forum for community engagement regarding proposed zoning changes. Discussion of zoning changes is a draw to meetings that can then also engage citizens on all other matters of city government.
Public Safety and Following the Rules
This issue may have the greatest capacity to unseat incumbents.
Mercenary security forces present a significant risk whether they be unarmed or armed. I fear there will be a significant incident or incidents in which unarmed forces are shot or stabbed or armed forces take action that is inconsistent with policing policy which results in injury or death to a citizen.
Our city and our country have lost civility. This may in part be due to Trumpism and the pandemic. Promote a public campaign encouraging our citizens to follow noise ordinances related to mufflers and music, to obey speed limits, to avoid road rage, and not to litter.
Ask Chief Patterson what she needs to bring our police force up to full staffing and commit to doing everything possible to give her the tools she needs to equitably serve all neighborhoods.
If you appreciate the kind of reporting we bring to you
|
Please donate $10 or $20, Thanks for supporting |
 |