2019 Raleigh City Council Candidates​


David Knight
​

​1. What are you hoping to achieve as an elected official that will foster a healthy and innovative business environment in both the near and long term?

I plan to create a social and business climate that fosters progress, creativity, and sustainable growth. I want the city government to partner better with our business community to create a vision of where the city should go. In the short term, the city needs to review our building and permitting requirements to end unnecessary hurdles and delays to giving citizens more housing. A thriving, prosperous city is good for all of its citizens.


2. What is your long-term vision for growth in Raleigh?

I want Raleigh to become a livable, world-class city with a high quality of life that is welcoming and attractive to everyone. Housing should be affordable, residents should have multiple options to get from place to place, and small businesses should thrive.


3. Do you support the use of incentives for the attraction and retention of businesses? 

Yes


4. The approved Wake County Transit plan is underway to expand bus service countywide, implement four bus rapid transit lines, and initiate regional commuter rail. What would you like to see the City of Raleigh do to accelerate and/or complement this enhanced transit service?

I do think we need to quicken the pace of our Transit Plan. We need to invest more money, time and effort in this plan than we are doing right now. We will never become a world-class city unless we get a handle on our traffic and congestion issues. We must give our citizens more options to where and how they live and keep housing affordable, to complement our future transit service.


5. How do you plan to involve the business community in the decision making process in our city?

In my 25 year career in public policy-making roles, I have found that the best policy initiatives comes after all the stakeholders and experts are at the table and have conducted a transparent, inclusive process to get to consensus. I will demand this with our city government processes. I will always ensure that the business community is front and center at the table during any public policy process that affects it.


6. How would you grade the city's support of innovation, entrepreneurs, and small business owners over the last five to 10 years? How will you support each of them moving forward?

Recently, there seems to be a lack of attention to supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, and this is a major reason why I am running for city council. I have heard over and over again on the campaign trail that nothing is getting done, at least not at the necessary market pace. The permitting process has become so slow and rigorous—the time it takes to start up is income lost, and for small business, possibly the difference between failing or succeeding.


7. What do you see as the city's number one challenge?

Managing our growth in an intentional, sustainable, and equitable manner.


​8. Identify two specific areas in the city budget where you might reduce spending and two specific areas where you might increase spending.

Decrease:
Don’t have any items that I would decrease spending for.

Increase:
1) Increase funding for Alternative Transportation infrastructure, 2) Water & Sewer Infrastructure maintenance & repair.


9. How will you balance the increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?

Quality of life issues will be my main focus, and for a high quality of life for our citizens, we will need to adequately fund our infrastructure and personnel needs, which we aren’t doing right now. Our citizens need more housing and transportation options, and that met need will deal with affordability issues, and create more economic growth.


10. Please rank the following priorities, if elected to Raleigh City Council. 

1
Growth and Sustainability - Establish a deliberate and realistic approach to address growth and mobility while preserving our environment and healthy communities

2
Great Government - Promote a vision of a city government that partners with all levels of government to empower, protect, and serve its citizens through a culture of respect, collaboration, and innovation

3
Economic Strength - Create a business-friendly environment to attract, retain, and grow business; diversify the economic base; and create job opportunities for all citizens

4
Affordable Housing - Develop an effective affordable housing plan through collaboration with the government, the private sector, the community, and individuals

5
Transportation/Transit - Continue to promote and implement an effective transit plan to optimize service delivery and position the city for ongoing growth

6
Social and Economic Vitality - Improve economic and social opportunities in vulnerable communities through strategic partnerships

7
Public Safety - Provide a safe, secure, and healthy community through coordinated, efficient, and effective public safety services


11. Name (as it will appear on ballot)

David Knight
Not sure if you are #ReadyToVote or registered to vote? Questions about your polling location or early voting? Visit the Wake County Board of Elections website to check your current status and learn more about early voting and polling location, as well as to view your sample ballot.

Important Dates:
Sept. 13, 2019: 5 p.m. – Voter Registration Deadline for October Municipal Election
Sept. 18 - Oct. 4 – Early Voting
​Oct. 1, 2019: 5 p.m. – Absentee by Mail Request Deadline for October Municipal Election
Oct. 8, 2019: 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. – Election Day
Nov. 5, 2019: 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. – Municipal Runoff Elections (if necessary)​

If you have any additional questions, please contact Syreeta Hargrove at 919.664.7017 or email shargrove@raleighchamber.org​​.