Pass a Separation Allowance for Raleigh’s Firefighters

Pass a Separation Allowance for Raleigh’s Firefighters

I’m here tonight to stand in solidarity with Raleigh’s Firefighters and join them in their fight for Separation Allowance. I believe that’s a reasonable price to pay to have a properly funded fire department that keeps us safe, attracts sufficient firefighting staff to our amazing city, and retains experienced and healthy firefighters, so they can not just survive, but thrive in Raleigh.

Another Missed Opportunity for Community Engagement

Another Missed Opportunity for Community Engagement

CACs are the perfect forum for these budget discussions because they will broadcast the presentation to a wider audience than the sessions that were offered earlier in the year. Community Engagement is one of the core objectives of CACs, acting as a medium for information between residents, staff and City Administration. I don’t know of any other community group that can offer those same capabilities. The City should be jumping at the chance to take this opportunity.

Raleigh’s budget is a blueprint for our lives

Raleigh’s budget is a blueprint for our lives

Our city’s budget is far more than just a financial ledger—it’s a blueprint for our lives and futures. It shapes the services we depend on every day, from police and fire protection that ensure our safety, to public transportation that keeps us connected, and parks and green spaces that enrich our quality of life.

Time to Prioritize People in the City Budget

Time to Prioritize People in the City Budget

Community engagement for the 2025 / 2026 Raleigh Budget has started. I attended the first virtual session in December, not October, thinking that they would actually engage with the audience. Instead, input was gathered through a number of questions, rather than an informative session and discussion with the public to gather more information about resident priorities and needs. My session had a well educated audience, yet little time was afforded for actual public input.