Democracy is more than voting

Democracy is more than voting

Local government is generally more democratic than other levels of government and that is largely due to public comment which provides the chance for residents to publicly share thoughts and ideas, and conversely to listen to the thoughts and ideas of other ordinary residents.

Democracy depends on the voices of citizens

Democracy depends on the voices of citizens

I stand before you today because democracy depends on the voices of its citizens, and public comment is one of the most direct ways we, the people, can engage with our local government. The proposal to limit public comment time is not just about minutes on a clock—it’s about the fundamental principle of representation.

Speak Out Regarding Public Comments

Speak Out Regarding Public Comments

Public Comments at City Council meetings are the one unique opportunity to address the full city council and have your concerns heard by the other residents in attendance and those watching the livestream in real time or the video at a later more convenient time. Council wants to cut them back by 2/3. Tell them NO!

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.

Every Resident Has a Stake in the Comp Plan Update

Every Resident Has a Stake in the Comp Plan Update

The city is starting to write a new Comprehensive Plan, When adopted, it will replace the current 2030 Comp Plan, which was adopted in 2013 after several years of public input and dialogue. What is a Comp Plan? It’s a set of policies meant to guide every decision made by city leaders.

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.

An Open Letter to Mayor Cowell

An Open Letter to Mayor Cowell

Open letter to Mayor Cowell. Our proposal is a simple one:  Council should not vote immediately after the hearing on the matter addressed by the hearing. Instead, it should take time to consider what the hearing was about, and what was said – and give the public a chance to think about it also, and to react.