The City of Raleigh needs to stand by their non-discrimination ordinance and uphold their promise of opposing discrimination in all forms. Even if that form comes from state legislatures. What I’m asking you to do is to work on an official statement, from the Raleigh City Council, that condemns the passage of anti-LGBTQ and other discriminatory laws. The queer community in Raleigh needs your support. They need protection from those that sympathize with anti-gay, anti-trans, anti-queer bigotry.
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.
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.
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.
Actions speak louder than words, and the action city council took on the Shaw University was one that allows religious discrimination to continue, and the enabling of an administration looking to avoid the consequences of their own actions. Government is supposed to protect the community, not to create investment opportunities for the wealthy. And Raleigh City Council chose the latter. It’s a disgrace to democracy.
Please do us all a favor, spare us from the dramatics of making us believe that 1) policy matters and 2) that community engagement is the key to a progressive, vibrant city for ALL if you are going to deliberately ignore the voices of SOME.
May 4, 2023, SECAC held our first in person meeting since covid and it was a packed house. The interest is still there and CAC’s are needed. Why? Because it keeps you connected with City, RPD, Wake County Sheriff and everything that’s happening in y(OUR) community.
At the April 4th Council meeting Donna Bailey shared a video showing Mary-Ann Baldwin’s embarrassing style of governing. Bailey’s video shows Baldwin abusing her elected position to promote a big donor’s rezoning by suppressing fellow Councilor Jane Harrison’s participation in the rezoning discussion.
Several council members have been totally non responsive to our meeting requests. Mary Ann Baldwin has blocked our emails and the City Attorney for the planning commission has not responded to our concerns about a serious conflict of interest issue regarding a commissioner and Shaw University Board of Trustee member. We need to remind City Council about the importance of true community engagement.
In the More Homes, More Choices presentations, Patrick Young admits that the Missing Middle will not create housing that becomes affordable until at least one to two generations after it is built.
Tonight, I have given Council members a draft framework for creating housing that will be more affordable than what is being built under the guise of the Missing Middle.