This just-unearthed video, produced by the city BEFORE Baldwin took office, shows the CACs for what they were really were. Take a look and if you like, share it before the secret is buried again!
Council to hear from developers, not the public, on rezonings (updated 5/14)
Raleigh’s new Council summarily abolished Raleigh’s 18 Citizens Advisory Councils (CACs) without any notice or public comment. Three months later, the CACs’ community-run zoning review process has been replaced with a quickie substitute controlled by the rezoning applicant — i.e., the developer.
Raleigh: A city government without citizens
Having all but eliminated citizen input, and perhaps because half of its members are brand-new, the Council looks to be frozen on stage, with no wisdom to offer. And then they adjourn, congratulating one another on the great job they’re doing!
N&O Reporter notes Citizen Engagement is worse under New Council Process
On Feb 4, 2020, Raleigh's City Council disbanded the city's Citizen Advisory Councils (CACs) that had been in place for nearly 50 years. CACs provided an opportunity to engage the public and allow a two-way information flow between the public and the city government....
What’s Happening to Citizen Engagement?
For all the talk about how this Mayor and new City Council are going to develop a fantastic, new community engagement initiative, you’d never know they give a hoot about this subject given how they have restricted our ability as citizens to participate on the matters...
Delay April & May Council meetings
Dear Mayor Baldwin and City Council Members, We are not living in “business as usual” times. On the City website, a notice has been posted to hold a “virtual” City Council meeting on April 7th where there will be “public comment” allowed so we can continue to...
Letter to Raleigh’s City Manager
Dear City Manager Hall: I am writing on behalf of many Raleigh residents. First of all we want to thank you for your leadership during this time of unprecedented crisis. We appreciate the very big challenges you and other City staff are facing as you endeavor to run...
The Carolinian on CACs
Excerpt from The Carolinian Newspaper, March 19, 2020 edition. Editorial by Danny K. Manning
Citizen Engagement and Diversity
We are all likely aware now that Raleigh's City Council disbanded the near 50 year old citizen engagement process of the Citizen Advisory Councils or CACs. And the reasons given by council for this surprise move was that CACs didn't get high enough attendance and...
Tonight: That “neighborhood meeting” on rezonings
The City Council's vote (6-2, Cox and Branch dissenting) to abolish the 18 Citizen Advisory Councils -- the CACs -- leaves a big void where community consideration of rezoning applications is concerned. A hastily prepared substitute was rushed through the Planning...