At last evenings candidates forum, September 14, 2009, hosted by University Park Homeowners Associations (UPHA), over 50 citizens attended to learn more about Raleigh City Council At-Large, District D, and Mayoral candidates for the upcoming election on October 6, 2009. Each candidate gave a brief introduction to themselves and why they are running for City Council. Moderator Mike Reider then presented each candidate with questions from the audience. Don’t forget to see the additional resources at the end (or share your own tools to help others in the comments).
Candidates in attendance
At-Large
- Lee Sartain – http://www.sartainforraleigh.com/
- Russ Stephenson, current City Councilor http://russforraleigh.com
District D
- Thomas Crowder, current District D City Councilor – http://crowderforcouncil.com/
- Ted Van Dyk – http://www.tedvandykforcouncil.com/
Mayor
- Gregg S. Kunz – http://kunzformayor.blogspot.com/
- Larry D. Hudson, II - http://www.electlarryhudsonmayor.com/
- Mark Enloe – http://www.enloeforraleigh.com/
- Charles Meeker, current Mayor – http://www.charlesmeeker.com/
Questions and answers
Disclaimer, the following is my best effort attempt to capture the questions and answers from the candidates. I invite anyone in attendance or the candidates themselves to post any updates or corrections by contacting me or in the comments. The questions are paraphrased to get right to the topic.
Q: Transportation: What are the first steps needed to bring light rail and bus services to Raleigh (to catch up to with Charlotte)?
A: Meeker
- Approve the first phase plan for additional bus services (75 new buses)
- Get the ½ cent sales tax passed (a county decision) which will probably occur this time next year
Q: Financing: How does Raleigh raise funding for the Little River reservoir project?
A: Enloe
Bring economic develop to downtown and all of Raleigh; it’s a shame that we have minor league baseball in Durham and Zebulon [and not Raleigh]. What about pursuing an NBA franchise for downtown Raleigh? Sports are businesses. General increase in revenues in downtown Raleigh can help raise the needed funds.
Q: Financing: How do we improve roads, pay down debt, save money, and lower taxes at the same time?
A: Hudson
Focus on looking through goals to cut areas in public works, i.e. look for things like no idol policies to cut fuel costs. Look for cheaper vehicles (extend the use of vehicles where we can). Not just use bonds to fund parks, look for state/federal money to use a mixture of funds.
Q: Entrepreneurship: How will your entrepreneurial experience serve Raleigh?
A: Kunz
Had a privileged upbringing. Had a dream, to start his own business. There is risk involved. The entrepreneur spirit is not dead, but it’s not being cultivated. One objective is to look more in-depth at the budget.
Q: Transportation, Hillsborough Street: Why aren’t bikes lanes part of the plan?
A: Van Dyk
In early 2006, participated to remove 9 out of the 11 round-abouts from the old plan. This step has helped with bicyclist. Not sure of the technicalities, but happy to address this issue. Cycling is just as important as other transportation options.
Q: Transportation, Hillsborough Street: Why aren’t bikes lanes part of the plan?
A: Crowder
Hillsborough street revival is currently underway. The project has 5-feet allocated to shared space. Would have liked 6-feet, but we are dealing with constraints. The round-abouts were one piece of a complex plan. The plan provides for a median, a safe-haven, for people crossing the streets. We have the room to stripe it and will bring it back this request back to City Council (tomorrow).
Q: Growth: How the support of additional legislation can help growth pay for itself?
A: Stephenson
The big questions is how are we going to pay for growth and manage growth. The ability to implement the ½ cent sales tax is critical and we need to follow through.
Q: Growth: Development fees are some of the lowest in the region. Should these fees be increased and by how much?
A: Sartain
Going back to Legislature and request staggered impact fees, if we continue to develop at the same old sprawl, we need to charge the highest possible for development causing the sprawl.
Q: Dix Park: What can the City of Raleigh do for the Dix property to support Dix becoming a park and is there any concern for mental health?
A: Meeker
Dix Hill for mental health treatment should be a priority for use, however, it’s currently only a small part of the overall property. The city feels strongly that Dix [the other portions] should be a park.
Q: Water resources: Measuring our water usage?
A: Enloe
Needs to be higher fees for commercial users and less for home owners, home owners shouldn’t be paying for water usage by utilities.
Q: Citizen involvement
A: Hudson
Time for every citizen to have a voice, not just those within a 2-mile radius of city hall. Wants focus on major issues outside of downtown, such as Leesville. Water and sewer are also major issues. These aren’t covered by impact fees, doesn’t catch recurring fees. Distance rates, further away from the water source, should be considered.
Q: Leadership: Solve collective issues without letting special issues dominate with such a broad and diverse population?
A: Kunz
Encourage these citizens to stand up and speak. Need to listen. Sickened by special interests groups serving a business population or one group. Their interest is really not in the cities best interest.
Q: Public Safety: Describe how police and other public agencies should be held accountable now and in the future.
A: Van Dyk
Talked about blight, increase revenue to increase the tax base. Find ways to grow in sustainable ways, police and fire are expected services. Thinks they are doing a great job now. Feels that they are doing great for their current pay and resources available.
Q: Growth: Do we, Raleigh, want to end up a second rate Atlanta, or a first rate Raleigh?
A: Crowder
Raleigh has a unique identity and we need to be extremely careful as we grow not to lose this character. Not at the expense of our existing neighborhoods, history, or character. For the comprehensive plan, helped lead District D Neighborhood Alliance (DDNA) form study groups to study the plan. Then submitted 53 changes [to the Future Land Use Map (FLUM)] to the comprehensive plan which was reflective of this character.
Q: Transportation: Your website says that a 21st century transportation system is the single more important investment we can make in our future, why?
A: Stephenson
We lived in an economy where gas, land, and construction was cheap. We are in the midst of a transition. Transit is one way that we can provide choices to all citizens (ages, income levels, etc).
Q: Transportation: How Raleigh pays for transit, why is Charlotte ahead of us?
A: Sartain
A fundamental difference in transit development between the two cities, Charlotte was able to remove the politics. Charlotte has no difference in regional / local transit. To built ridership, you need to build communities, not tracks and trains. For funding, implement the ½ cent sales tax and get our fair share of license plate fees (if needed).
Q: Growth: On the comprehensive plan, what are the top things in the plan, whats something you would add?
A: Meeker
Think it has everything it needs. Has quite a bit of development options, like mid-rise. Transportation is inclusive. Talked about non-partisanship on council and how, for transportation, it has ruined the support needed for it to pass, until recently, in the region [and get federal support].
Q: Leadership: What are your top policy initiatives, if elected?
A: Enloe
Take are hard look at our administration and budget. The same way we look at services (not just cut services). Mentioned highest paid city manger. Look outside, to consultants, who have helped smaller areas become more vibrant.
Q: Leadership: What principle stand would you take that might cost you popularity votes?
A: Hudson
Does not like spending unnecessary, looking for Return On Investment (ROI). Wants to spend wisely. How we obtain money is going to have to change. Can’t raise property tax, we need other revenue streams.
Q: Leadership: How you lead in a Council-City manager style government?
A: Kunz
Figure it out when he gets there.
(Seriously, this was his answer)
Q: Leadership: How would you actively solicit a diversity of views?
A: Van Dyk
Retooling of the CACs (Citizen Advisory Committee) is a great way to get people involved. CACs need more support. Mentioned zoning code, and assigning a planner to each CAC. District D alliance has done fine, but we have more than just District D in the city.
Q: Leadership: How do you build consensus among District D constituents and council members on issues?
A: Crowder
Some of the successful things lead that required building consensus included the PROP landlord registry program, tiered rates (water), and 53 changes to comprehensive plan from the DDNA. Working with DDNA, CAC, and council, had given him a proven track record. Additionally, lead an effort to get a multipurpose path proposed for Lake Wheeler road.
Q: Water resources: Do you support incentives for citizens who install cisterns and other water capture devices?
A: Stephenson
Current system is supported by the rate payers, can’t put drinking water on the ground (and can’t build to capacity for summer peak). Have the first incentives in place already (for toilets). Rebates for more water saving devices are needed such as cisterns, efficient irrigation systems, etc.
Q: Water resources: Falls Lakes, EPA says it’s polluted. We’ve got until 2011 to reduce pollution. Do you support stricter water quality rules?
A: Sartain
Raleigh can only regulate our own area, need to look upstream and partner with others.
Note: Meeker announced during his introduction that he had to leave shortly before 8:00 PM which is why there are no more responses from him.
Q: Leadership: How do you balance the needs of community (such as UPHA) vs individual property owners?
A: Enloe
Simple answer is compromise.
Q: Growth: We have an aging infrastructure, do we need a more vigorous schedule to replace it?
A: Hudson
We need to pinpoint the problem areas to address them before they break. If/when they are identified, prioritize them and replace them.
Q: Affordable housing.
A: Kunz
First, define it. There are sacrifices that need to be made. People need to decide what they can afford and where they can live.
Q: Development: Do you support the use of city funds to fund private projects?
A: Van Dyk
This happens everyday. We should identify clear public benefit when these situations arrive. Set a high bar for a clear public return on these investments.
Q: Water resources: Which conservation incentives do you support?
A: Crowder
Talked about the re-use system being built and how most citizens will not benefits from it. Raise water capacity fees, then use incentives to reduce water usage. Key issue is constant water rate for rate payers.
Q: Leadership: Most important issues?
A: Stephenson
With over 18 meet and greets this campaign season, growth management in all forms, open space, development in the right places (transit districts), etc. are the top issues.
Q: Leadership: What experience do you have to make you an effective city councilor?
A: Sartain
His day job in policy at the state level provides a great experience for this. Herding cats at the legislature. Youth can help bring new ideas to the table.
Closing statements
Sartain – Press Raleigh going forward to make sure we have sustainable growth, focus on downtown to create growth and job creation.
Stephenson – At an important change from an economy of consumption to conservation. Trained as a problem solver. Quality growth. Strong neighborhoods. Environmental stewardship (3-time Sierra Club endorsed). Fiscal responsibility.
Crowder – 4-time Sierra Club endorsement. Next steps: accommodate growth and how we pay for it. Water is a top priority. Affordable housing is important to provide balanced housing options. Appreciate your vote on October 6 and more years working for you.
Van Dyk – All the issues affect us in one way another. Do we really have a vision of where we are heading? We are going to build a city that is a 21 st century, sustainable, walkable city.
Kunz – Talked about working on transportation, is it the most important for this city council? Right now? That’s a long term issue. Money for small businesses is needed to boost the economy. Common sense, leadership, problem solving.
Hudson – Believes the city is headed in the right direction. Deal with growth on a metropolitan scale.
Enloe – Fundamental lack of leadership in Raleigh for 8 years going on 10. Misguided focus on comprehensive plan.
Other resources
- Indy: Candidate questionnaires
- Indy: In Raleigh Council race, pursestrings are tight
- Raleigh Public Record: Candidates pressed on growth, transit at city council forum
- Raleigh Public Record: City election candidate profiles
- N&O: Meeker faces a trio of novices, Mayor seeks a fifth term
- WakeUp Wake County: Local Elections DO MATTER for Quality Growth Planning
- WakeUp Wake County: Missed the Raleigh City Council Candidate Forum? Get the Details Here!
Tags: district D, growth, raleigh, upha, vote
The majority of the UPHA Candidate’s Forum is available via video on http://www.myupha.org
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