Raleigh OKs budget without separation pay for Firefighters

Raleigh OKs budget without separation pay for Firefighters

The Raleigh Fire Department (RFD) is at least 200 firefighter positions short. When including the current 50 known vacancies, they are 250 firefighters short of the manpower needed to fully protect this City today. Raleigh has not added any new firefighter positions since 2014, while experiencing rapid population growth and development. Let’s be clear. RFD is requesting the same benefit paid between retirement and age 62 that RPD officers have been receiving since 1987.

The Duty of City Council

The Duty of City Council

The late great James West served on this Council from District C for ten years. Dr. West said “It is not the duty of City Council to ensure developer profits. The duty of City Council is to serve all the citizens of Raleigh, to improve their quality of life.”

Support Firefighter Separation Allowance

Support Firefighter Separation Allowance

I stand before you today on behalf of Raleigh’s firefighters, urging you to approve funding for the Firefighter Separation Allowance. These brave men and women risk their lives daily to protect us, yet they do not receive the same retirement benefits as Raleigh’s other public safety heroes, our police officers.

Redefining Representation: The Critical Need for a Larger City Council in Raleigh

Redefining Representation: The Critical Need for a Larger City Council in Raleigh

As Raleigh continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, the stakes have never been higher for our city’s future. We’re witnessing a city transforming before our eyes—new developments, some booming businesses, and an influx of new residents. But with this rapid growth comes a critical challenge that we cannot afford to ignore: the need for a more expansive and accessible City Council that truly represents all of Raleigh’s diverse communities.

The Price of Progress: The 911 Crisis No One’s Talking About

The Price of Progress: The 911 Crisis No One’s Talking About

Please don’t sacrifice our safety and quality of life for short-term gains. Let’s make sure that as our city grows, our emergency services grow too. Because the next person who hears ‘Please hold’ in an emergency might not have a second chance.

Wake Up People, It’s Time for Change

Wake Up People, It’s Time for Change

Venality in the corridors of power, especially within local governments, can erode the very foundation of public trust and hinder effective governance. Raleigh, like many cities, is not immune to these challenges

Raleigh Police Officers demand higher pay

Raleigh Police Officers demand higher pay

We know the men and woman of RPD have met their goals.  Now they just want alignment with their peers’ salaries.  A 15% across the board raise for all officers would put their salaries in alignment with their peers.

The City Clerk is NOT your secretary

The City Clerk is NOT your secretary

I am writing in response to the effort by some Raleigh City Council folks to move the City Clerk’s position into the City Manager’s office. I believe that the Raleigh community is best served by an independent City Clerk, who operates as a sworn City of Raleigh Official. Please honor the intent of the creation of the City Clerk position. The City Clerk is not your secretary!! 

Bring Back the Jaycee Recycling Center!

Bring Back the Jaycee Recycling Center!

I am here tonight to request that the City prepare a study to re-open the Jaycee Park Recycling Center at Wade Ave and to hold a referendum, at the next city-wide election, to allow Raleigh residents the opportunity to vote to re-open the Jayce Park to receive “Allowable Recyclable Items.”