by T N | May 9, 2024 | Blog
At their May 7 meeting, Council reneged on their PROMISE that they would put a proposal for four-year terms with a nonpartisan primary on the November ballot for the voters to decide. Instead, all on their own, they unilaterally approved staggered four-year terms with a primary beginning in 2026. The councilors arrogantly noted that if citizens didn’t like their backtracking on their commitment, they could “just go collect 5,000 signatures” on a petition within 30 days and force the council to keep their promise of placing the issue on the ballot as a referendum in November.
by S M | May 8, 2024 | Blog
Highlights from May 7 Afternoon and Evening council meetings.
by T N | May 6, 2024 | Blog
It was embarrassing to listen to both Fire and RPD ask for additional compensation just to stay competitive with neighboring communities. Raleigh has the best training facilities in the area but we suffer from retaining personnel because, although we are the Capital City, we don’t provide fair compensation or benefits.
by T N | May 1, 2024 | Blog
INDY Week Readers Name Livable Raleigh Best Local Activist Group – Wake County – 2024. Our sincere thanks to everyone who participated in the event. We pledge to continue bringing you the kind of local activism you appreciate.
by S | Apr 30, 2024 | Blog
On May 7th, Council will hear from the public about the idea of creating a self-taxing Municipal Services District (MSD) to improve safety, cleanliness and growth in the corridor. Our opinion is that adopting an MSD first puts the cart before the horse. Livable Raleigh recommends that Council follow the precedent of Raleigh’s existing MSDs: Begin by funding and adopting a strong Area Plan vision supported by all stakeholders to guide Council rezonings and investments. Then decide if an MSD is needed to manage safety, cleanliness and the adopted Area Plan vision.
by T N | Apr 28, 2024 | Blog
Livable Raleigh has received a “Cease and Desist” letter from lawyers representing Sustainable Raleigh, the new group started by former one-term City Council member David Knight. Ouch! We hope Sustainable Raleigh will “Cease and Desist” making false accusations against us.
by T N | Apr 24, 2024 | Blog
Shortly, you will be asked to vote on a Zoning Request involving removal of property from an established Historic District. Z-72-22 requests removal of a lot from the Prince Hall Historic District in order to circumvent guidance and regulations established in State Statute and the City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance. Z-72-22 represents the piecemeal nibbling away at protections offered to our culture and heritage for profit.
by T N | Apr 22, 2024 | Blog
At-Large block voting has been called the oldest trick in the book. Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg cited this method as a preeminent second-generation way to deny equal opportunity for minority voters and candidates. Congress has banned At-Large voting for all federal elections. It’s been discarded by most states. No voting method has been subject to more litigation for its discriminatory impact on local elections. Yet, while the covers are off the discriminatory impact and intent of At-Large voting, it persists in hundreds of local jurisdictions.
by T N | Apr 22, 2024 | Blog
The way we currently manage the suburban and urban landscape is creating a wasteland and harming the well-being of Earth. Fortunately, we have an alternative path: We can work with natural systems instead of working against them. By doing so, we can help heal Earth.
by T N | Apr 17, 2024 | Blog
When elections finally occurred in 2022, Knight was ousted by the voters, and 4 new members of Council were elected, each with Livable Raleigh’s support.
by S M | Apr 16, 2024 | Blog
Highlights Work session was not on YouTube for the first 20 minutes or so for some reason. Councilors Black and Branch not present for work session. Councilor Branch not present for afternoon session. Proposed new Public Private Partnership policy will focus on...
by T N | Apr 14, 2024 | Blog
Preservation provides context to understand our present and creates a reference library for our use as we plan for the future.
by T N | Apr 10, 2024 | Blog
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.
by S M | Apr 10, 2024 | Blog
Highlights from April 8 Budget work session, April 9 Afternoon Work Session, and April 9 Evening Public Comments Session
by T N | Apr 8, 2024 | Blog
Seven years ago (2017) the citizens of Raleigh overwhelmingly approved a $206 million transportation bond to make improvements to 16 roads. How are those projects coming along now that seven years have gone by? Why aren’t Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin and the rest of Council providing any oversight to get our much needed road improvements done?
by T N | Apr 3, 2024 | Blog
Thank you to all who supported our efforts in protecting our community and saving the historic Ironwood Tail. This is a testament as to what community activism can do; a lesson that sometimes-real people do win; people with no deep pockets, no political clout. What is next? Our community feels we are safe, for now. Homeowners are now making plans to renovate their homes and decks instead of preparing to move. Although celebrating our win, a cloud of doubt still lingers. It is our hope that this vote will secure our future but only time will tell.
by S M | Apr 2, 2024 | Blog
Highlights from April 2, 2024 City Council Meeting
by T N | Mar 31, 2024 | Blog
I think the only way this MSD works is if the Alliance redraws the boundaries such that apartment complexes are excluded, or they go to the state legislature and get permission to implement an MSD on a sales tax basis and not a property tax basis. But the onus should be on the alliance to address the problematic aspects of the MSD BEFORE it is implemented and should not be a burden placed on residents AFTER the MSD is implemented.
by S | Mar 27, 2024 | Blog
As the new Council leaders work to restore government transparency, integrity and trust, we hope they’ll encourage the Planning Director to take a closer look at his scope of work for the new 2050 Comprehensive Plan. The new scope should seek out the best consultants, the best Comp Plan models (like Minneapolis), and the best practices for empowering resident input.
by T N | Mar 27, 2024 | Blog
The readers of INDY Week have nominated us as the “BEST LOCAL ACTIVIST GROUP”. We are humbled. It’s an honor just to be nominated. Also… WE WANT TO WIN. Voting is open March 27 thru April 17