Nancy McFarlane

Billie Redmond

Randall Williams

 Yes

 Yes

 Yes

 DNA

 No

 No

 DNA

 No

 No

 Yes

 Yes

 Yes

 DNA

 No

 No

As an Independent, I have a strong record of consensus building around the current issues that matter most to Raleigh. My leadership style serves to bring people together to find solutions of common ground that are in the best interest of our City as a whole. I believe that choices often exist on a spectrum – we can have new development and environmental regulations, we can continue to grow and protect our neighborhoods. I believe in Raleigh and want to see us maintain our strong sense of place, even as we welcome thousands of new citizens over the next decade.

I have a demonstrated record of success as a two-term city councilor, as a small business owner, as a community volunteer and as a strong supporter of neighborhoods. I have the vision, passion, skills and experience to be a great Mayor for all of Raleigh. No other candidate can match my breadth of first-hand governmental experience, track record of success, or leadership roles in a successful city council administration. I understand the nuts and bolts of municipal government.

Experience does matter, and I have it.

Bille Redmond

I have almost 30 years of business and community leadership experience in Raleigh and throughout the Triangle.  My company was started here and has grown to be ranked the #1 commercial real estate firm in the Triangle for the past five years.  I have worked with leaders and citizens throughout the community and from all sides of the political aisles and I have proven that I can advance initiatives and ideas.

I think my experiences as an obstetrician/gynecologist here in Raleigh and as a small business owner, combined with my involvement as a leader in the public schools, community non-profits, and global humanitarian work gives me a unique perspective to get people to work together to meet our challenges.  I have delivered babies to people of every race, creed, ethnicity and area of Raleigh and just think its very important to have a Mayor who can work well with others on the city council, with city staff and all the various constituencies such as the public schools and business community that Raleigh depends on to be the great place it is to live and work.

Raleigh is an incredible city. We consistently top the rankings of Best Place to Live, Best Place to Work, Best Place to Raise a Family and many other surveys. We need to continue to work hard to make sure that Raleigh stays the best in all of these categories. With our collective dedication and hard work, we can not only continue that success, but also we can improve upon it.

Growth will bring us incredible opportunities and challenges. We have people moving here from across the nation and from all over the world. We need to recognize the strengths that they bring as we expand into a national and global market. Raleigh has the potential to become a world class city. I have the experience to continue to work with citizens of Raleigh make that happen.

Bille Redmond

Nancy McFarlane

Good planning is a major reason that Raleigh is the prosperous and beautiful city that we all enjoy. It is very important that we continue to plan carefully for future growth, providing opportunities and choices for all of us in how we live, work and play. Sustainable development is key – we cannot sacrifice our area’s future to satisfy fleeting short-term gains.

Investment in infrastructure should be based on a clear vision. Managing water usage and supply have to be a priority. Only good growth planning will assure that we have adequate drinking water supply to meet the demands of our projected growth rate over the next 30 years. It is going to take conservation and potential new sources of supply to meet our future drinking water needs. We cannot begin this process in 20 years. Now is the time.

Quality growth is essential for the long-term vitality of Raleigh and the surrounding region. As Chair of the Council’s Comprehensive Planning Committee, I played an instrumental role in developing Raleigh’s widely praised Comprehensive Plan that the Council approved last year. It took us 18 months to develop the plan, and it was the result of a careful evaluation of citizen, municipal and business interests.

The next step is passing a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that guides the implementation of this outstanding plan. I am committed to a UDO that protects neighborhoods, and provides direction, certainty and flexibility to the development community. This is an extended process that requires a comprehensive understanding of details in order to see it through. I have the knowledge and vision to lead us through the completion of the UDO.

Bille Redmond

Growth is a terrific opportunity!  We need to leverage the opportunities for job growth, for business creation and private sector investment.  Steadily increasing the tax base provides the resources the City needs to maintain the high quality of life our citizens enjoy.  The City must provide the best environment to do business by providing streamlined and efficient processes to start, grow or relocate a business.   The City must plan for the growth and be prepared to make the infrastructure investments that will be needed to provide essential services and to capitalize on the opportunities.  A robust, targeted and focused marketing campaign must be maintained to attract and recruit other businesses to Raleigh to ensure full employment for our citizens. 

Nancy McFarlane

Every year we are faced with budget decisions. In fact, we are mandated to have a balanced budget, which requires us to prioritize the many needs of our city. We have to remember that one of our biggest economic drivers is our conscious decision to consistently invest in our infrastructure. This is what sets Raleigh apart, and defines the high quality of life that continues to attract new businesses to our city. Our strong AAA bond rating confirms Raleigh’s commitment to managing budget constraints.

Our quality of life is defined by safe neighborhoods as well, which require police and firefighters. Parks, recreation centers and greenways often top the list of things people love about living and raising a family in Raleigh. Clean air and water, low taxes, a great public education system, arts and culture, transportation, and living options are all part of why people want to live here. These take resources to build and to maintain, and stewardship from the City in order to keep thriving. 

Bille Redmond
 

I think in these economic times we have to be very sensitive to our debt.  When you are trying to get out of a hole, the first thing you do is quit digging so would try not to embark on any projects that incur a lot of debt unless absolutely needed.  After that, would try to increase the tax base by attracting businesses and growing businesses.

Nancy McFarlane

There are lots of great public-private partnerships throughout Raleigh that have benefits for all involved. For example, the Hillsborough Street partnership with NC State University has brought $300 million of new investment into the Hillsborough Street area. Hillsborough Street is more than just a road. It is a corridor that gets its identity from the residents, university and businesses that make up the area.

Tax Increment Financing exists to help spur investment in areas of the City that need more economic development, and has been successful around the country as a model for public-private partnership. Incentives such as this can be used to revitalize areas of the city that would not be otherwise developed, after careful study and other options have been explored.

Bille Redmond 

Public-Private partnerships are a key ingredient to moving Raleigh forward. We have a strong corporate base that is invested and interested in the growth and well-being of our City.  I have specific experience bringing public-private partnerships together around community initiatives.

I think it certain instances they can work but you need to be judicious in how you use them.  I think you have to do everything you can to insure you will have an adequate return on investment and that means partnering and actively listening to the private partners who are investing their own money.  Yes, I think current policy is reasonable.

Nancy McFarlane

Raleigh’s success is based in our sense of place. It’s what makes Raleigh, Raleigh. As we continue to grow, we must make sure that we honor the past, address the needs of the present and plan for the future.

Bille Redmond

The Mayor must be a leader as the City’s voice for education.  A strong K-12 education system, coupled with the community college and university and college system means the best prepared workforce which in turn attracts and keeps jobs.  I have worked within the education system and the business community and will bring a strong advocate.