Priorities

Environmental Justice: Safeguarding Our City’s Future

As your mayoral candidate, I am committed to addressing the pressing issue of environmental justice in our rapidly developing city. Overdevelopment has led to severe flooding, disrupted our natural landscapes, and contributed to traffic congestion, all of which have detrimental effects on our environment and quality of life.

Our city, known as the City of Oaks, is losing its treasured trees to unchecked development. Trees are vital to our ecosystem, providing clean air, reducing urban heat, and preventing soil erosion. The destruction of our urban forests not only harms our environment but also erases a significant part of our city’s heritage and identity.

Our city must prioritize sustainable development practices that respect our environment and ensure the well-being of all residents. I will advocate for comprehensive planning that includes robust green spaces, effective water management systems, and smart infrastructure solutions to mitigate flooding. By promoting alternative transportation options and reducing traffic congestion, we can lower emissions and create a cleaner, healthier city.

Together, we can foster a community where growth does not come at the expense of our environment. Let’s build a future where our city’s development is balanced with the need to protect our natural resources, preserve our trees, and ensure environmental justice for our entire city.

A Commitment to Education: Building a Brighter Future

Education is the foundation of a thriving community, and as your mayoral candidate, I am dedicated to making it a top priority. Our current city council lacks a committee dedicated to education, but I pledge to change that. My goal is to implement a dedicated education committee to ensure that the needs of our students and educators are always at the forefront of our city’s agenda.

My career in education began in the Wake County Public School System. Later, I returned to my hometown to teach special education at the very school I attended as a child. I’m deeply invested in the well-being of our students, and I understand firsthand the challenges they face.

Recently, my daughter, who works in the Wake County school system, shared a troubling story with me. Some students, unable to afford lunch, are given only a fruit, a vegetable, and an empty cup to get water from the fountain. This is unacceptable and can lead to irritability and even bullying among our kids. No child should have to go through their school day hungry or feeling left out.

As mayor, I will work tirelessly to address these issues. I will advocate for better funding for our schools, ensure every student has access to nutritious meals, and create programs that support both academic and emotional well-being. We need more innovative programming for our youth citywide, and checks on the treatment of troubled youth,

Additionally, I am committed to expanding and making visible STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education, ensuring that our students are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need for the future.

Together, we can create a nurturing and inclusive educational environment that empowers every child to succeed.

Transportation: Building a Connected and Accessible City

As your mayoral candidate, I am committed to transforming our city’s transportation system to be more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable. Recently, Raleigh has reverted to charging fares for GoRaleigh buses. I believe public transit should remain free (for now) in order to encourage ridership and foster better long-term investment in GoRaleigh.

Free public transit is not just a convenience; it’s a necessity for many in our community. By removing fares, we can ensure that everyone has access to reliable transportation, regardless of their financial situation. This will reduce traffic congestion, lower emissions, and promote a cleaner, greener city.

Moreover, increasing ridership will make it clear that our community values and relies on public transit, paving the way for further investments in infrastructure and service improvements. Enhanced public transit will connect our neighborhoods, support local businesses, and provide greater opportunities for all residents.

The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is an excellent concept for Raleigh, promising faster and more efficient service across the city. However, it is crucial that the implementation of BRT does not displace long-term residents. We must prioritize inclusive planning that respects and protects our communities while improving transportation options.

As mayor, I will work tirelessly to make public transit free at the point of use, improve our transportation infrastructure, and ensure that projects like BRT enhance our city without causing harm to its residents. Together, we can create a more connected and accessible city for everyone.

Social Services: Supporting Our Community’s Well-being

As your mayoral candidate, I am dedicated to strengthening our city’s social services to ensure that all residents have access to the support and resources they need to thrive. A robust social services system is the backbone of a healthy and equitable community, providing assistance to those facing challenges and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Our city must prioritize comprehensive social services that address the diverse needs of our population. This includes support for mental health, housing assistance, food security, and programs for our seniors and vulnerable populations. We must create a safety net that lifts up those in need and empowers them to build better lives.

I am committed to enhancing our social services by increasing funding, expanding access, and improving coordination between various service providers. By working together, we can create a more efficient and effective system that truly meets the needs of our community.

As mayor, I will advocate for policies that promote social equity and justice, ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to succeed. Together, we can build a compassionate and inclusive city where everyone has the support they need to thrive.

Supporting Small Businesses: Empowering Our Workforce

As your mayoral candidate, I am committed to creating a thriving environment for small businesses, with a special focus on those in the restaurant and hospitality industry. These businesses are the heartbeat of our city, driving economic growth and contributing to the vibrant culture that makes Raleigh unique.

However, many workers in these industries face low wages, making it difficult to afford living in our rapidly growing city. This is a concern that I am determined to address. It is unacceptable that those who work tirelessly to serve our community cannot afford to live here.

As mayor, I will use my influence to push for legislative changes that ensure fair wages and better working conditions for all employees in the restaurant and hospitality industry. By advocating for policies that support higher wages and affordable housing, we can create a city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

I am dedicated to fostering an environment where small businesses can flourish, and their employees can enjoy a good quality of life. Together, we can build a Raleigh where economic prosperity is shared by all, and everyone has the chance to succeed.

Equitable Neighborhood Development: Growth That Benefits Everyone

As your mayoral candidate, I am committed to promoting Equitable Neighborhood Development that ensures growth benefits everyone in our community. Overdevelopment has led to numerous issues for Raleigh, including skyrocketing property taxes, displacement, accelerated gentrification, environmental problems, congestion, noise pollution, and the erosion of our historic districts.

We must prioritize responsible growth that addresses these challenges and safeguards the well-being of our residents. I support implementing a moratorium on excessive approvals of rezoning cases to prevent uncontrolled development that harms our community. Growth is essential, but it needs to be done thoughtfully and sustainably.

Our development policies should not cause property taxes to skyrocket or force long-term residents out of their homes. We need to protect our neighborhoods from the negative impacts of overdevelopment while fostering a thriving, inclusive community.

A key aspect of this approach is redefining what “affordable” means in housing. I believe we should explore implementing a structure based on Neighborhood Median Income instead of Area Median Income. This shift will ensure a more accurate method of pricing, reflecting the true affordability for residents within their specific neighborhoods.

As mayor, I will advocate for leadership that puts people over profit. We can achieve balanced growth that respects our environment, preserves our historic districts, and enhances the quality of life for all residents. Together, we can build a Raleigh that is equitable, sustainable, and prosperous for everyone.