At last evenings candidates forum, September 27, 2009, hosted by Renaissance Park in their cozy club house, almost 50 citizens attended to learn more about Raleigh City Council District D and At-Large candidates for the upcoming election on October 6, 2009. Each District D candidate gave a brief introduction to themselves and why they are running for City Council. Moderator Moe Johnson then presented each candidate with five questions. At-Large councilors were then introduced and provided their platform. Questions from those in attendance followed.
Candidates in attendance
At-Large
- Mary Ann Baldwin, current City Councilor – maryannforraleigh.com
- Lee Sartain – www.sartainforraleigh.com
- Russ Stephenson, current City Councilor – http://russforraleigh.com
District D
- Thomas Crowder, current District D City Councilor – crowderforcouncil.com
- Ted Van Dyk – http://www.tedvandykforcouncil.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 (after the first five) are paraphrased to get right to the topic.
Opening remarks from Renaissance Park resident and moderator, Moe Johnson. Renaissance Park is a new neighborhood, which means they are new at community activism. There is a desire to get involved in city government and this is one of the first projects to start that involvement for their community.
The forum started with a five minute platform speech for each candidate from District D.
Thomas Crowder
In regards to being new at this, this is a great way to get started. Crowder told a story about how he got involved in city government. It was a road project in the neighborhood that would split the neighborhood in half. His wife. Kay, and he got over 900 signatures to present to city council, which ultimately, stopped the road project from destroying the neighborhood.
Thomas was on the Planning Commission for 4 years and really liked promoting better planning and smarter growth. Other accolades included the creation of Avent West neighborhood organization, helping to develop the Urban Design Guidelines (UDG), and promoting proactive planning. He was asked to run for city council and is currently serving his 3rd term.
Accomplishments include (not just for Thomas, but for the community advocates)
- Creating the District D Neighborhood Alliance (DDNA), which includes about 25 neighborhoods across the district
- Involvement with Citizen Advisory Committee’s (CAC), Thomas recognized current South West CAC chair, Mary Belle Pate
- Empowerment to constituents by networking and working together
Crowder then talked about the 2030 study groups and talked about the two Future Land Use Maps (FLUM) maps he brought: the one from planning and the recommendations made by the DDNA 2030 study groups.
Ted Van Dyk
Talked about examples of those willing to invest in the community and related it to how Renaissance Park is a good example of this type of partnership. TVD has served on the Appearance Commission for the last two terms. He’s involved with the Hillsborough Street partnership and also involved in the urban and land institution.
For his platform, he focused on cooperation. Cooperation is all of us, all stakeholders, throughout the district. This cooperation includes other councilors, and other municipalities, even the state of North Carolina. Van Dyk mentioned Dix and the water supply as examples of needing to get cooperation to work.
Van Dyk mentioned that he has found many stakeholders around District D that need greater presence on city council. He wants to be a positive force for moving things forward. He reflected on the last eight years (boom, then down economy). Van Dyk mentioned downtown and North Hills and how can District D be prosperous and get our fair share.
Moe Johnson described the questions that the committee came up with and then started the questions to the candidates.
Q: Growth and Development — What will you do if elected to promote quality development along the South Saunders / Wilmington Street corridor as well as the immediate surrounding of Renaissance Park?
A: Van Dyk — hopes there will be growth and development soon. Quality development comes from setting the bar high for developers. Said they are good guidelines now, but we do not have enforceable code. This area needs standards that are clear and transparent. He made a reference to Portland, OR. We need bike paths, sidewalks, bus stops (the simplest form of infrastructure) along South Saunders to make it successful.
A: Crowder — Getting ready to rewrite the new development code. Thomas worked to get the comprehensive plan to be predictable and get sign off on a beneficial plan for all stakeholders so that the upcoming development code rewrite can be successful. He mentioned partnering with the public school system and how he is working on requesting a magnet school at the Peach Road area, which will benefit Renaissance Park. Creating stimulus together for at-risk community is also important. Incentives like a graduated impact system are critical. Other tools like Tax Incremented Financing (TIF) should be used where appropriate. The city needs to use incentives where appropriate for the right kind of development, like Western Blvd. South Saunders is a state main road which presents complications, but it’s a long process. South Saunders can be accomplished with vision, planning, and participation.
Q: Transportation — How do we aesthetically improve the Southwest Gateway for pedestrians, cyclist, public trans and motorists?
A: Crowder — This is going to take a bond referendum. The State is cutting back (talked about the equity formula for state road funds). These are specific to public improvements. The ½ cent sales tax is coming up. We have budget shortfalls and need to face the realities of this. Graduated impact fees, capacity fees, etc. can help us achieve any goals for the Southwest Gateway.
A: Van Dyk — Also talked about the ½ cent sales tax. Corridors are important, but it needs to go somewhere. This area needs to address the bridge [Tryon Road] to create / expand the existing infrastructure network. South Saunders is a gateway that needs bike trails, sidewalks, and bus shelters. It needs to be integrated as part of the development package as things redevelop. We need to meet the basic infrastructure needs in the area. Transit is a big word with lots of implications. There is no point in getting off at a transit station and then having to walk home on a dirt path.
Q: Public Safety — As Raleigh continues to grow, our city will begin to encounter more and more “big city” problems. What can we do to ensure our homeless citizens are encourages to utilize existing services and facilities?
A: Van Dyk — Lots of debate around growing pains. Human services is also experiencing these growing pains. Need to partner with Non-profits. Most of the existing partnerships are with the County. You only get more service with more money. City has two choices: increase taxes or tax base. Wants to target the redevelop towards under served areas to knock out two problems with one solution.
A: Crowder — Has worked on the 10 year plan to prevent homelessness. Two points: 1) don’t contribute to the homeless situation – we have people who can’t afford to live in the city. 2) Inclusionary zoning. Encompass multiple income levels. He talked about the average gross income levels for the area. The lower tier (<15%) is being addressed by the Raleigh Housing Authority (RHA). The middle sector gets lost. Costs is always an issue and Wake County currently provides the majority of these service. Partnership with the County and faith-based organizations is key. We need to have affordable opportunities throughout the city, not shuffled all in one place.
Q: Parks/open space — How we spread funding to green space throughout the district?
A: Crowder — Open space for Renaissance Park was included on the PDD (Planned Development District). Talked about open space on this development, he and Mary Bell Pate requested this during the review process. Mentioned tot lots and general recreation. With the new 2030 plan, flood plains are now protected, they currently provide our network of the greenways. We can expand the greenway system. The new parks plan coming up, people from this community are encouraged to participate.
Impact fees will also help with providing adequate open space. Need some fees on new development if they don’t provide open space.
A: Van Dyk — Greenspace needs to be part of developments. It needs to be an incentive. Density bonuses, tax abatement, impact fees. How to spread this throughout the whole district. Some people around the district are happy, others are not [with the park system]. Make sure everyone’s voices are heard to spread this equity around the district.
Q: Leadership — How can you as a councilman improve the communication of our district, and how can we better communicates our concerns to city government?
A: Van Dyk — Tonight is a great example of communication working well. Its the base of our society. Communities services, CACs, are doing their best to communicate. Re-write code is going to be difficult. Need to revamp the CAC system. Would like to see CAC chairs with more resources like a planning person assigned to them. Better advertising for CACs. More involvement so that citizens feel included.
A: Crowder — Have been doing this throughout the past 3 terms. Attended CAC meetings as a citizen. Representative Ross’s morning coffee meetings were inspiration for the DDNA. Eric Reeves did the same thing. It’s extremely informative. Crowder gets to hear citizens concerns, participants have been working together and learn from each other. The focus of DDNA is to empower, educate, and engage citizens in city government. No other district had as much participation as District D in the 2030 plan (over 800 comments on the plan). South West Raleigh has a a better plan because of this involvement. Talked about the DDNA list-serve and the network with neighborhood list-serve. [Messages are sent to DDNA, then distributed to individual neighborhoods.] Talked about the tough issues like landlord registry, Noise & Party Ordinance, and Front Yard Parking and how he is keeping constituents informed, engaged, and empowered. Moving forward, he wants to strengthen that even more, invites Renaissance Park to join and contribute . On CAC’s, this council has already given the CACs more money to start doing the things already mentioned [advertising, resources, etc.].
At-large candidates, opening comments
Russ Stephenson
Lives in District D, but represents all of the city. Loves Raleigh and loves giving the ability of his talents as a planner and architect to the city. Has achieved two statewide planning awards. Helped write the Stanhope project [Small Area Plan (SAP)] which is now part of the comprehensive plan. Renaissance Park is a great example of a planned neighborhood. Need to work on the commuter routes, like South Saunders.
Developer versus neighborhood interests, such as those experienced on Hillsborough Street. The city needs to foster face-to-face discussions to get all interests on the table. Citizen advocates being involved are great for the process. In the past, this created difficult tension between neighborhoods and developers, but recently, we’ve seen more and more consensus with all stakeholders bringing ideas to the table.
Gave Crowder props for the DDNA and 2030 effort. He would not have been able to do this [on his own] and appreciates the effort here. Russ spent numerous hours on the comprehensive plan as well.
His vision: we have a great quality of life with a big growth prediction. We can make sure than when new growth comes in, it improves our quality of life. Impact fees (which were a major platform last term), water quality / water use are all important issues to Stephenson. Use less water under the capacity limit is a huge goal for the city to accomplish.
Lee Sartain
Education policy specialist (on K-12). Renaissance Park is a great example of where Raleigh can go. Open space, housing options, etc. maintaining quality when the economy rebounds is critical. Graduated impact fees are also important to implement. This neighborhood would be an example of lower impact fees because interconnectivity and emergency services are already in coverage.
Growth downtown is important. Sartain mentioned the Arts and P? [I did not hear this clearly.] Building out a public transit system that has an established bike and pedestrian system is important. Raleigh needs to answer questions about bus, light rail, and commuter rail. Wake County is growing faster than other counties in this region. People want to live in Wake County (they have good reasons to live here). Lee thinks big, and is willing to make compromises when we need to. Don’t band-aid things, make it sustainable for the future.
Mary Ann Baldwin
Mentioned what a great crowd this was and a great opportunity to meet new neighbors. Has been in Raleigh for 22-years. Great to see young folks out and participate in the process. Lives downtown and tries to do a lot to work to support downtown and the growth there, which connects to this neighborhood because of it’s proximity to downtown. Renaissance Park can benefit from downtown’s growth.
Baldwin has three issues she’s focused on: transit, gang prevention, and job creation.
Her involvement came up through volunteering. Listed examples of her past participation in a variety of organizations. She ran two years ago to make a difference. She has a background in journalism, and when you combine this with her interests in non-profits, you get a flavor for her passion. She said her heart is in it to do the best for our city.
On Transit: Member of the Triangle Transit Authority and the Wake County Transit Leadership Team. She is also actively engaged with the Capital Area Friends of Transit (CAFT). Expanded transit is her top priority. Baldwin talked about improved bus service and mentioned that you don’t go to a great city without a great transit system.
On gang prevention. Go anywhere in Raleigh, to uncover this problem. Working with Dr. West on a pilot program in South East Raleigh. Want to avoid putting these youth in prison and would rather them become productive members of society.
On job creation: an economic development strategy and plan is key. She asked how can this gateway, better serve this area? People look for a sense of pride. She mentioned that maybe some people are not feeling proud if you go down Capital Boulevard or South Saunders Street.
Open questions
Q: Renaissance Park resident asked does everyone live in District D?
A: All except Mary Ann Baldwin (who live in District C).
Q: Bob Geary asked Van Dyk to respond to a mailer sent out earlier this week titled “What is Thomas Crowder’s DDNA Group?”
A: Ted said that he honors their work, but if people are going to have meetings about things that affect policy, they need to advertise those meetings, make it public, and report back. He then referenced the map and how there was not an opportunity to review the submitted changes by Crowder. He said the DDNA does not represent the entire district.
A: Crowder responded: The process used by DDNA was extremely transparent. The group reached out to many neighborhoods who did not even know what the comprehensive plan was. Those neighborhoods got informed and many chose to participate. The group held four presentations about the Future Land Use Map to collect changes and concerns. The map was presented at the public hearing to city council. The Planning Department, then city council approved a large percentage of these changes, but not all of them.
Comments from the audience
Mary Bell Pate, Chair of SWCAC. Been involved as a citizen since the late 70′s. As we progressed from Miriam Block to Eric Reeves to Benson Kirkman. She talked about Representative Ross as well. Each of these elected officials hosted meetings to keep constituents informed. Thomas realized it was beneficial to get the pulse of the district, which is why the DDNA is so successful.
Donna Bailey, former UPHA president talked about the enhancements of the DDNA and her participation. It’s an asset in the lines of communications. She’ll get an email from DDNA, then forward on to her neighborhood list serve.
Will Allen, Cameron Village Neighborhood Association talked about registration with community services. Echo statements of the past two speakers.
Connie Crumpler, from Caraleigh was shocked to find that her neighborhood could become a shopping center [In Van Dyk's mailer]. This was not reflected in what she saw in her participation of the 2030 plan. She is proud to have a city councilor that was concerned about her neighborhood. According to her, Caraleigh is still planning to be a single family neighborhood.
A: Ted responded and called out the designation of Caraleigh and was contradicted by the audience. [It was clear that there was confusion on which parcel of the FLUM was in question from the mailer and on the maps present in the room.]
Q: Tom (missed list name) from Cameron Park said that a lot of people were working formally and informally on the plan. Bob Mosher had a map of the Bolton area (also known as the “Monsters Head”) and tried to get the surrounding area to agree, including Van Dyk and other business owners.
[I could not follow this question or response completely, sorry.]
A: Van Dyk responded and said he thinks there are better ways to handle public process than what the DDNA did.
[At this point, the room burst into conversation and commentary.]
Thomas took control of the meeting and refocused it on the candidates forum. He asked participants to take advantage of the candidates being here and to ask more questions.
Q: Alice Penny who owns the Penmark property on South Saunders made some remarks around getting the thinking that they are other citizens / stakeholders. They own a business in the city and can not can not vote (for Raleigh candidates), but look for guidance and protection from these officials. This is an important partnership to have.
A: Russ Stephenson responded and said that he did review their requests made through planning department and the planning commission and voted for these changes. Overall, he has a responsibility to make sure that redevelopments are set to a high standard when changes like these come up.
Q: James Coates said that transit is something we’ve heard a lot about. He asked a question about prioritized transit.
A: Sartain mentioned that he grew up in Charlotte. Raleigh needs to make big plans, like the 2030 plan, for transit. 10-15 years before trains were running, Charlotte designated certain areas as transit-oriented. The city formed great partnerships with the businesses. Politics doesn’t matter, everyone supports transit in places like Charlotte and Washington DC.
A: Crowder said communication is key. We are starting to replace our buses and need to replace them with smarter ones. We have the Wolfline which is free. People do not know some of this and we need to pull these resources together. One example is that he worked with Capital Broadcasting to form a partnership with the city bus services. There is a shortage of shelters and benches, that will help get funding by this partnership.
A: Baldwin said that regional planning organizations really help set these priorities. How we line up the transit on the planned corridors. Build up the bus service so it’s ready when transit comes. Look to Charlotte to learn from what they’ve done.
A: Van Dyk said a big part of this is NC State. Need to figure out to mend some of the fabrics that have been separated(i.e. downtown and the stadium / fairgrounds). Talked about being able to get students to football games using transit. Or people to the fair grounds using transit.
The forum ended. Members of the Renaissance Park organizing committee were recognized for their efforts. The candidates were thanked for their attendance and the audience was thanked for attending as well.
[...] We would like to thank everyone that came out last night for the District D City Council Candidates Forum – we had a great turn out with strong representation from Renaissance Park and across our district. If you weren’t able to attend the meeting you can read the minutes posted by Jason Hibbits of the Lineberry Alliance here. [...]