There’s a reason cities cling to this model which has little to do with genuine participation. Public meetings are risk management. They give agencies something to point to later: “The public had every opportunity to provide input,” or, “This design reflects what we heard through our engagement process.” The meeting was never meant to change the outcome. It was meant to protect the decision-maker. That’s not engagement. That’s preemptive deflection.
Council Committees are scheduled to meet monthly to review policies, vet proposals and take public input before items go to the full council. These committee meetings are cancelled more often than not. Three of the four committees stopped meeting entirely in 2026.
honor the process, honor the public plan. Protect our publicly identified Historic and Neighborhood Character districts. Stay off of the thin ice of spot zoning.
Hillsborough-Wade CAC Affordable Housing Forum – The Rent is Too Damn High – watch the video
We’re pleased to announce that the Central CAC has officially been reactivated as of this past week!
Livable Raleigh recommends that the Raleigh City Council pause consideration of any new data centers pending a careful study of their benefits and impacts, with public engagement and adoption of a data center review process.
A City We Build Together: How one citizen and one mayor showed what local government is supposed to be.
Growth should not become a blank check for developers or a tax burden for existing residents. We must respect neighborhood voices. Public input should not be treated as an obstacle. It should be part of better planning.
One of the things that has always made Raleigh special is the active involvement of its residents. Our city has long benefited from citizens who are willing to volunteer their time, share their expertise, and participate in shaping the future of their neighborhoods and our community. That tradition is worth preserving.
In recent polling 85% of Raleigh citizens across all demographics support increased funding of Raleigh Police. So as we enter the 2027 budget cycle, I’m here to encourage continued investment in public safety. A safe city depends on a fully staffed and supported police department. And RPD still faces significant staffing challenges, with roughly 80 vacancies among its 798 approved officer positions.