New Bern Avenue is living proof of the bigoted depredations our country and city have imposed on Black Americans. It is also living proof of Black Americans’ determination to fashion lives and communities of faith and hope in the face of overpowering forces of greed and racism. Of all projects which have the potential of restorative justice and to make good on Raleigh’s pledge to dismantle the city’s policies and systems of racial inequity and oppression with equitable transit, this is it.
Monthly neighborhood meetings MUST BE YOUR PRIORITY. Where residents know they can show up to stay informed about Planning, Budgeting, Development, Parks & Rec, Police & Fire, Bond Initiatives, Transit and even hear from their council representatives.
I have a simple request today but I am not sure how to get my voice heard and a proposal executed in a timely manner.
We believe that hidden in the glare of the shiny promise are certain foreseeable outcomes including the loss of irreplaceable historic resources, strong neighborhood identities, generational wealth, and culture two centuries in the making.
It is my understanding that you are planning on meeting in a closed session to discuss the City Clerk position. There is no reason to meet in a closed session unless you’re dealing with resumes. I understand you’re dealing with the structure of the Clerk’s position. You need to do that out in the open.
We have come here for years asking for accountability measures to be put in place for the Raleigh Police Department. And have got nothing. However these folks who had a perfectly good transportation system had an entire new one implemented on them. All kinds of resources put into creating something no one wanted. Political will!
So it’s easy to apologize. But to mean it is something else. An apology without meaningful action to correct a wrong, is not only insincere, even disingenuous, but hypocritical and does not represent the best interests of Raleigh.
Listen, if you ask for my input, I expect you to take some action. Deliberate and specific action. How can you not see this as an opportunity to make some modifications? Instead, residents are starting to take matters into their own hands by applying for text changes to try and curb the harm MM has and will continue to have on the character of Raleigh.
By imposing restrictions on speaking time, you are excluding valuable input and shutting down important conversations that need to take place. Each member of our community deserves the opportunity to be heard, NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES.
Highlights from work session and afternoon session