Pass a Separation Allowance for Raleigh’s Firefighters

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.

Developer proposes a Major, Visual Shock

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

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.

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.

Wildfire! Could it happen here?

Wildfire! Could it happen here?

The recent devastation of Los Angeles and the periodic destruction of property elsewhere in California and the western states begs the question — could it happen in Raleigh?