News
Public Policy Polling says the Council Races are Close
In anticipation of tonight’s candidate forum, the Public Policy Polling Blog has released the results of a recent survey of almost 900 Raleigh voters. You can read the full report here: PDF Report and PPP’s take on things here. PPP Blog’s details are telling: At-Large First Choice, Second Choice (Vote for 2) Stephenson: 20, 7% Baldwin: 16, 10% Anderson: 12, 6% Williams: 3, 2% Tart: 2, 3% Best: 2, 2% Undecided: 46, 69% Russ Stephenson and Mary Ann Baldwin have a clear lead for the two at-large seats on the city council, with Paul Anderson a clear third. However, neither is anywhere close to the 25% needed to avoid a run-off. If everyone voted for two candidates as they are allowed, Stephenson and Baldwin would currently have the support of 13.5% and 13% of the votes respectively. A whopping 57.5% of the vote is still up for grabs. Much More Below The Old New Raleigh Fold
City Council Election Focus: David Williams
When I sat down with David Williams, candidate for Raleigh City Council At-Large, he told me he was running with “enthusiasm and fire in his belly.” In our conversation he stood by those words and explained what ideas he would bring to the city council.
Tommorow is the Last Day to Register to Vote
Don’t forget that you have to have your registration postmarked by tomorrow in order to be eligible to vote in next months elections. It’s going to be a big one folks, and if you have any interest in the future of our city - do your part! Chad’s excellent guide can be found here: Register to Vote in Wake County.
City Council Election Focus: Will Best
I sat down with the only Independent running in the at-large race, Will Best, at the Raleigh Times and discussed what the two biggest things he hopes to bring to the City Council: youth and fresh ideas.
City Council Election Focus: Russ Stephenson
Friday afternoon I sat down with Councilman Russ Stephenson, the only current council member running for re-election this cycle (Kekas decided not to run again) at-large. The visit was a journey through Raleigh’s history and a look into Raleigh’s future. Russ Stephenseon Below the fold
Betsy Kane on Jessie Taliaferro
The excellent A view of the city posted the letter below on Saturday, saying that it is circulating Raleigh neighborhoods. Well, who am I to stop the flow of information. Betsy Kane, no relation to John Kane (in fact they may be dopplegangers), has a long history of active involvement in the Raleigh politics and often she has been the lone dessenter on big local issues. Because of the respect I personally have for Ms. Kane, I repost this letter in full below the fold. I also invite both Betsy Kane and Jessie Taliaferro to comment or refute any of the following. New Raleigh supports an open voice for all candidates and this letter comes prior to contacting her for interview. Please keep this in mind but enjoy Betsy Kanes Letter to Raleigh Citizens on Jessie Taliaferro.
City Council Election Focus: Paul Anderson
Paul Anderson believes that this election will grant him the ability to affect change in not only city governance but in the well-being of all the citizens of Raleigh. I joined him at a local coffee shop and learned how he intends to represent the city.
Geary’s Breakdown of the Council Races: Districts A & B
Last Week’s Independent article by Bob Geary has some nice profiles that compliment our own city council candidate profiles. Geary gets black and white and it comes down to development. While I think “pro-development” is a weighted term as it implies that the alternative is “anti-development.” I think the alternative is responsible development while the incumbents are supportive of any developer that pays them. But really that is my two cents and Geary does a better job of staying neutral. Bob Geary on the Council Race and Raleigh Development.
Register to Vote in Wake County
September 14th is the last day to register to vote for October 9th Wake County Elections. Included below is a downloadable registration form as well as other important voting information. Click here to download a North Carolina Voter Application Form. More below the fold…
City Council Election Focus: Helen Tart
The next installment of interviews with the at-Large City Council candidates is here. I sat down with Helen Tart at the new Oakwood Dog Park, one of the many projects she has helped engineer in her active career of community involvement. Some of the other accomplishments include: using federal funding to get bike racks placed on all CAT buses, neighborhood organization to combat irresponsible development and crime reduction, and participation in the creation of the 2003 Five Year Transit Plan. Her past careers have included work at North Carolina State University’s Technician newspaper as well as the News and Observer as a proofreader. Tart and her husband have lived in the Oakwood neighborhood since 1989, and have worked hard to preserve the character of their community. More on Helen Tart Below the Fold
On Monday, Watering Rules are Tightening
On Monday new water restrictions start for our very dry city. Under the new rules watering is limited to once weekly and car washing is only allowed on weekends. Restaurants wont be bringing you water unless you ask for it either. These rules come with some heavy penalties $200 for the first violation and $1000 for the second with you water prvilidges being revoked on your third violation (is that legal?). The full ordinance is below the fold.
Raleigh Crime Map Hits the Web
Raleigh seems to be a very safe city, at least in my opinion. Walking the streets of downtown is very rarely a problem. But if you do want to know where or when (in the past 30 days) a certain crime has been committed, just click HERE for a newly unveiled Crime Map from the IT department of The Raleigh Police Department. Various layers can be turned on and off relative to the corresponding crime, from arson to homicide with data being updated twice a week. At first the tool seems a bit slow and somewhat confusing to navigate (zooming tending to be a tedious task, which should be one of the easiest). I am not sure what this will help in the city, it may even create more segregation of neighborhoods, which is something any growing American city does not need more, especially Raleigh. Let’s hope it proves to be a useful tool for the city but to me, it feeds a similar fire/fear that the Family Watchdog approach does again causing fear led segregation. View Video of the Map HERE
City Council Election Focus: Mary Ann Baldwin
On October 9th, Raleigh residents will have an opportunity to weigh in on the two at-large City Council seats. There are currently six candidates in the race. Each believes they will best represent the needs of the fast-growing capital city. In the first of this series, I sat down with candidate Mary Ann Baldwin.
Opportunities with City Commissions
Below is a list (albeit a month old) of vacancies available with the city’s boards and commissions.
Raleigh and Wake County Water Restrictions Begin
Today Raleigh begins its new water restrictions. These rules are permanent changes in the way citizens are allowed to use their water in Wake County. I can only imagine how our McMansion population must feel about what their chemical dipped, soggy lawns will look like if they actually have to dry out between waterings. Fortunately for them Raleigh has provided a convenient loophole for those trying to water their 3 foot green border: Hand Watering. That's right folk you can hire illegal immigrant laborers to water your lawns on your sprinkler's days off. MonTuesWedThursFriSatSunOddNoYesNoYesNoYesNoEvenNoNoYesNoYesNoYes The restriction is valid for most of Wake County: in Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell and Zebulon, all of which get their water from Raleigh. From the horses mouth
