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
by T N | Mar 24, 2024 | Blog
As a city, we are currently not doing a very good job on two fronts: having a strong and aggressive program educating citizens and the building industry on the importance of tree preservation/protection, and, having some common sense regulations in place that will result in a better outcome for trees in the city.
by M L | Mar 21, 2024 | Blog
At the February Hillsborough-Wade CAC meeting we gathered to celebrate and discuss the recent City Council vote to officially recognize and restore support for the Raleigh Citizen Advisory Council (RCAC) and all of Raleigh’s CACs.
by S M | Mar 20, 2024 | Blog
HIGHLIGHTS Councilor Branch is absent and excused. Transit budget facing $8.2M deficit, even assuming resumption of fares on July 1, 2024. Several options proposed for addressing. Public comments covered rezoning issues, bus ridership, Prince Hall District, natural...
by T N | Mar 20, 2024 | Blog
Now that CACs have been reinstated with recognition from the city, we think it’s a good time to review the latest data for the Neighborhood Meetings. What we found is quite disturbing. The attendance at the meetings is getting worse, not better over time.
by S | Mar 17, 2024 | Blog
Come November, Raleigh voters may be willing to chalk up the vote to sack CACs as a bad rookie error. More telling will be if voters accept candid apologies for subverting our voting rights. If so, voters may be willing to give Branch, Forte or Melton another chance in office.
by T N | Mar 13, 2024 | Blog
With this decision, Council has aimed to make the New Bern corridor more transit-friendly, but without displacing the residents of the historic neighborhoods along the corridor.
by S M | Mar 13, 2024 | Blog
Highlights from March 11 budget work session, March 12 work session on strategic plan, and March 12 public comments.
