Raleigh City Council District B
Frank Pierce
Endorsements
NCPBA - North Carolina Police Benevolent Association
RWCA - Raleigh Wake Citizens Association longest tenured African American organization get out the vote
NCTWA - North Carolina Transit Workers Association
Are you an incumbent?
No
1. Do you support the City of Raleigh’s $275 million parks bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
2. Do you support the $353.2 million Wake Tech bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
3. Do you support the $530.7 million Wake County schools bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
4. What is your long-term vision for growth in Raleigh?
We have to have better sustainable growth. We have to prepare are infrastructure better as well as build smarter. My District is brining in the most out of any District in the city. We are probably the worse for infrastructure as well. We need to have better strategic plans to make sure we do not turn into Atlanta. We need to be meeting with the NCGA so we can create policy to help secure our future and make sure it is paid for properly and not taxing everyone to death.
5. What do you see as the city's number one challenge?
I have had a problem with everyone asking this question. We have so many issues that we can not spend time focusing on one. Affordable Housing is extremely important and needs work right away. Yet so does funding our Fire Departments and Police Departments. We also need to improve infrastructure all across the city. We have a problem with collecting yard waste we have put ourselves in a problem during leaf season that needs fixing. We have many pressing issues and we need to get to work right away but that needs to be done with policy. We need to work with the NCGA to pass bills to help us as well as get to work in the city.
6. 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 am a small business owner and know first hand the city does not take care of us. They also put some businesses ahead of others in treatment based on if they donated to them. We need to offer incentives to businesses that come here and pay a living wage to all employees. We need to make sure our infrastructure is improving so that we have a place for them to come. We also need to have more Public private partnerships.
7. The Wake County Transit plan will expand bus service countywide, implement four bus rapid transit lines, and initiate a regional commuter rail system. What would you like to see the City of Raleigh do to complement or modify this enhanced transit service?
My District gets left out of most of this plan. We need to expand it to include all of my District. We also need to have an infrastructure plan that makes this feasible and sustainable.
8. How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process in our city, especially area businesses?
I plan on having more public meetings, will also have monthly meetings in my 18 districts. I will also have office hours at area businesses to listen to my community and bring business to them. I also plan on organizing public meeting throughout the district bi- monthly to allow everyone to come and give imput.
9. How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
We start this by writing policy that brings all of this to the forefront. We need to go to the NCGA and work on changing policy so we can create a better tomorrow. How you create change is by policy, not just ideas. We need to also access the federal funds available to us by writing grants to allow us to keep cost down for building in the future. We are growing at an unbelievable rate and if we don't create policy to help we will end up being like Atlanta amd that is not what we want. We also need to have better public private partnerships so that we are not taxing our population to the brink.
Transportation/Transit – Continue to promote and implement an effective transit plan to optimize service delivery and position the city for ongoing growth.
The plan falls short for my District. We need to actually bring forward a plan that helps the entire city. So taking the start of the plan and Improving it so that all of Raleigh can benefit. With the North Carolina Transit Workers Association endorsement I have a plan that makes our future bright for all of us.
Economic Strength - Create a business-friendly environment to attract, retain and grow business, diversify the economic base, and create job opportunities for all citizens.
We need to be reaching out to more small businesses in Raleigh. They are the lifeline to a great city. They are forgotten about to often. They need to have a voice at the table, this will allow us to help and work with them so that they can continue to grow and build. We need to have better partnerships with businesses that come here so that we can assure they will be an asset to the community.
Affordable Housing – Develop an effective affordable housing plan through collaboration with the government, the private sector, the community, and individuals.
We have fallen short on this. There are multiple Grants available thru HUD that we can Grant write and get help for 30,50 and 80% AMI. We need more Private/Public partnerships so that we can continue to support all of our city. We also again need to go to the NCGA to help change policy so that we can have true policy that allows us to develop and maintain affordable housing.
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.
I have told every group that I will meet with them monthly so that they can let me know how they feel about the future. I have lived in Raleigh my entire life and have seen the good and the bad. I know that to create a future that works for all comes down to policy. I plan on creating policy that truly makes people and businesses feel they have a seat and voice at the table.
Growth and Sustainability - Establish a deliberate and realistic approach to address growth and mobility while preserving our environment and healthy communities.
We need to create a environmental board that investigates all new building areas. They will also continue to look at how we can build a better infrastructure. This board will make sure that not only are we building smart but that it allows us for a sustainable future. With protecting watersheds, green areas, affordable housing and more.
Public Safety - Provide a safe, secure, and healthy community through coordinated, efficient, and effective public safety services.
I plan on giving our departments what they need to make us the best in the state. We are losing 40% of our Firefighters classes each year to other departments because of pay and treatment. Most in the city do not know how far behind we truly are to have a safe city. This is one of the biggest issues facing the city right now. With the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association endorsement they see the policy and planning I have for true public safety.
Social and Economic Vitality - Improve economic and social opportunities in vulnerable communities through strategic partnerships.
My District is the second highest in Minority votes. It used to be a minority majority till it was changed. To serve these communities you need to be in them to see what is truly happening. You need to care for them before running, I have been coaching, volunteering, leading food banks and toy drives for the most vulnerable communities. Having a relationship with them matters. They know they can call you and you will listen and you are not just there for a vote. I plan on making sure my moat vulnerable communities will continue to see me and get them a seat at the table. Raleigh Wake Citizens Association endorsement shows that I have a plan to bring our most vulnerable to the forefront.
Endorsements
NCPBA - North Carolina Police Benevolent Association
RWCA - Raleigh Wake Citizens Association longest tenured African American organization get out the vote
NCTWA - North Carolina Transit Workers Association
Are you an incumbent?
No
1. Do you support the City of Raleigh’s $275 million parks bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
2. Do you support the $353.2 million Wake Tech bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
3. Do you support the $530.7 million Wake County schools bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
4. What is your long-term vision for growth in Raleigh?
We have to have better sustainable growth. We have to prepare are infrastructure better as well as build smarter. My District is brining in the most out of any District in the city. We are probably the worse for infrastructure as well. We need to have better strategic plans to make sure we do not turn into Atlanta. We need to be meeting with the NCGA so we can create policy to help secure our future and make sure it is paid for properly and not taxing everyone to death.
5. What do you see as the city's number one challenge?
I have had a problem with everyone asking this question. We have so many issues that we can not spend time focusing on one. Affordable Housing is extremely important and needs work right away. Yet so does funding our Fire Departments and Police Departments. We also need to improve infrastructure all across the city. We have a problem with collecting yard waste we have put ourselves in a problem during leaf season that needs fixing. We have many pressing issues and we need to get to work right away but that needs to be done with policy. We need to work with the NCGA to pass bills to help us as well as get to work in the city.
6. 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 am a small business owner and know first hand the city does not take care of us. They also put some businesses ahead of others in treatment based on if they donated to them. We need to offer incentives to businesses that come here and pay a living wage to all employees. We need to make sure our infrastructure is improving so that we have a place for them to come. We also need to have more Public private partnerships.
7. The Wake County Transit plan will expand bus service countywide, implement four bus rapid transit lines, and initiate a regional commuter rail system. What would you like to see the City of Raleigh do to complement or modify this enhanced transit service?
My District gets left out of most of this plan. We need to expand it to include all of my District. We also need to have an infrastructure plan that makes this feasible and sustainable.
8. How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process in our city, especially area businesses?
I plan on having more public meetings, will also have monthly meetings in my 18 districts. I will also have office hours at area businesses to listen to my community and bring business to them. I also plan on organizing public meeting throughout the district bi- monthly to allow everyone to come and give imput.
9. How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
We start this by writing policy that brings all of this to the forefront. We need to go to the NCGA and work on changing policy so we can create a better tomorrow. How you create change is by policy, not just ideas. We need to also access the federal funds available to us by writing grants to allow us to keep cost down for building in the future. We are growing at an unbelievable rate and if we don't create policy to help we will end up being like Atlanta amd that is not what we want. We also need to have better public private partnerships so that we are not taxing our population to the brink.
Transportation/Transit – Continue to promote and implement an effective transit plan to optimize service delivery and position the city for ongoing growth.
The plan falls short for my District. We need to actually bring forward a plan that helps the entire city. So taking the start of the plan and Improving it so that all of Raleigh can benefit. With the North Carolina Transit Workers Association endorsement I have a plan that makes our future bright for all of us.
Economic Strength - Create a business-friendly environment to attract, retain and grow business, diversify the economic base, and create job opportunities for all citizens.
We need to be reaching out to more small businesses in Raleigh. They are the lifeline to a great city. They are forgotten about to often. They need to have a voice at the table, this will allow us to help and work with them so that they can continue to grow and build. We need to have better partnerships with businesses that come here so that we can assure they will be an asset to the community.
Affordable Housing – Develop an effective affordable housing plan through collaboration with the government, the private sector, the community, and individuals.
We have fallen short on this. There are multiple Grants available thru HUD that we can Grant write and get help for 30,50 and 80% AMI. We need more Private/Public partnerships so that we can continue to support all of our city. We also again need to go to the NCGA to help change policy so that we can have true policy that allows us to develop and maintain affordable housing.
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.
I have told every group that I will meet with them monthly so that they can let me know how they feel about the future. I have lived in Raleigh my entire life and have seen the good and the bad. I know that to create a future that works for all comes down to policy. I plan on creating policy that truly makes people and businesses feel they have a seat and voice at the table.
Growth and Sustainability - Establish a deliberate and realistic approach to address growth and mobility while preserving our environment and healthy communities.
We need to create a environmental board that investigates all new building areas. They will also continue to look at how we can build a better infrastructure. This board will make sure that not only are we building smart but that it allows us for a sustainable future. With protecting watersheds, green areas, affordable housing and more.
Public Safety - Provide a safe, secure, and healthy community through coordinated, efficient, and effective public safety services.
I plan on giving our departments what they need to make us the best in the state. We are losing 40% of our Firefighters classes each year to other departments because of pay and treatment. Most in the city do not know how far behind we truly are to have a safe city. This is one of the biggest issues facing the city right now. With the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association endorsement they see the policy and planning I have for true public safety.
Social and Economic Vitality - Improve economic and social opportunities in vulnerable communities through strategic partnerships.
My District is the second highest in Minority votes. It used to be a minority majority till it was changed. To serve these communities you need to be in them to see what is truly happening. You need to care for them before running, I have been coaching, volunteering, leading food banks and toy drives for the most vulnerable communities. Having a relationship with them matters. They know they can call you and you will listen and you are not just there for a vote. I plan on making sure my moat vulnerable communities will continue to see me and get them a seat at the table. Raleigh Wake Citizens Association endorsement shows that I have a plan to bring our most vulnerable to the forefront.
