If you read the recap from the Mayor Meeker’s State of the City, Mayor Calls For Boldness To Combat Economic Challenges, you’ll get an understanding of Raleigh’s priorities this year. One item that made the list, begin implementing the initial steps of the Comprehensive Plan. I found it ironic the article stated: “Mayor Meeker said this was a time for working together to strengthen our nation.” Why? Because just last week, I went to City Council asking for more time for citizens to participate in commenting on the 2030 Draft Comprehensive Plan. Yet the Mayor lead the four votes declining the motion to extend the comment period by 30-days. Working together? How can we work together if the leader of our city is dampening citizen participation?
But I don’t want to be a stick in the mud. Let’s see if the Mayor can deliver and foster citizen participation. I encourage all citizens to get involved and participate how they can in their local government. We need to work together — embracing our diversity and using our collective knowldge to accomplish these goals, making Raleigh better for all.