Highlights from the March 18 Work Session and Afternoon Session
Let’s think long-term regarding housing affordability
This past November, the Wake County Commission discussed lobbying the General Assembly for authorization to develop affordable housing specifically for teachers. I think low hanging fruit for the city would be to seek authorization to develop affordable housing specifically for city employees, and to combine efforts with the county at the General Assembly.
Public safety is the city’s most fundamental responsibility
A public opinion poll last year revealed that public safety is the top concern for Raleigh citizens and 75% of respondents supported a substantial police pay increase. To reference Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, everything that allows us to enjoy life in our city relies upon a foundation of safety.
Just Follow the Plan
We all know that the city needs more density. By following the Comp Plan and the recommended Downtown Transition guideline, the city can achieve much more density and still keep a reasonable height next to neighborhoods.
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.
March 11 Council Meetings
Highlights from the March 11 Afternoon Work Session and the Evening Public Comment Session
Developer proposes a Major, Visual Shock
A proposed Lorimer Spring development of 60 apartments for senior citizens is advancing with no official notification to nor input from neighborhood residents. It has inadequate parking and no real access to transit within safe walking distance. Especially for seniors.
A solution in search of a problem
In a misguided attempt to reduce Public Comment meetings from 3 hours to 2 hours in length, what City Council has done is put in place new limits when in fact, no meeting in 2024 ever went over 2 hours. But now, based on the new rules, a majority of the meetings will run less than 45 minutes and speakers will only get 1 minute to speak.
FEBRUARY 17 & 18, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Highlights from 2/17 budget work session and 2/18 work session on stormwater and 2/18 afternoon session
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.