Lineberry Alliance Blogs

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

1. Approve the first phase plan for additional bus services (75 new buses)
2. 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.

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