Raleigh City Council at Large
James Bledsoe
Are you an incumbent?
No
1. Do you support the City of Raleigh’s $275 million parks bond on the ballot this November?
No
2. Do you support the $353.2 million Wake Tech bond on the ballot this November?
No
3. Do you support the $530.7 million Wake County schools bond on the ballot this November?
No
4. What is your long-term vision for growth in Raleigh?
My long term vision is to have government out of the way of business and housing to allow for greater growth potential. My short term plans are to remove the 3 story height cap for homes and businesses to allow for greater housing density and to allow for mixed use architecture to be built. I also plan to pushed for mixed use high density along the BRT corridors to help alleviate our housing shortage and drive down current costs so current residents are not taxed out.
5. What do you see as the city's number one challenge?
That would be safety. Violent crimes and murder rate have been increasing since 2020 and they are projected, by RPD & the City of Raleigh, to increase at a minimum of 5% in 2023 with longer response times from first responders. In 2020, there were 30 murders in Raleigh, 33 in 2021, and a 35% increase in July alone. Raleigh made the top 25 most dangerous cities briefly this year and has slipping into the top 50.
We have 300 vacancies between RFD & RPD because our council hates first responders. We see this from comments from RPD/RFD of how poorly the city council treats their requests & also their pay. Raleigh is the 4th worst paid metro for 1st responders in the US. A cashier at Sheetz and a Raleigh bus driver makes more than a Raleigh Firefighter.
My plan to adjust their pay model fixes nearly all pay problems RPD/RFD faces, the spending cuts I plan to implement will pay for their raises, & having a councilman that puts safety first will help retention.
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?
Government can do two things for businesses large & small: create hurdles to stifle growth or deregulate and let the free market grow and change on its own to meet the needs of the market. I plan to get government out of the way and make it easier for businesses of all sizes to operate in Raleigh and provide greater employment opportunities for our residents. I want to offer growth potential instead of condemnation and spiteful rhetoric as we have heard from current and previous councils.
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?
I want to see greater density along the bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors to include mixed use zoning. That means having businesses on the lower floors and apartments on every floor above those, and not capped at three stories. Having greater density along corridors with business tied in will provide Raleigh with greater stock of housing units, jobs for residents, & more income for the city to pay of debts so we can lower the cost of living.
8. How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process in our city, especially area businesses?
I plan to hold city engagement meetings for all Raleigh residents each month as well as have a business leaders meeting each month as well. I also plan to bring back CACs to the communities with a much stricter covenant so we do not have the same problems as before. Residents and businesses need a forum to voice their concerns because not everyone can make city council meetings, so I'm going to bring the council to them.
9. How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
Growth will need to be channeled into areas where our infrastructure can handle it and upgrade the various elements needed in places where growth cannot be maintained. By encouraging growth in specific areas first, we can generate revenue to pay for upgraded infrastructure where it is needed. A balance will need to be struck, and as a member of the Army Corps of Engineers, I feel I can do just that.
Transportation/Transit – Continue to promote and implement an effective transit plan to optimize service delivery and position the city for ongoing growth.
I fully support upgrading and expanding transit when we can afford it. We have to make smart decisions about expanding transit that won't hurt current businesses or residents by taking away from their existing means of transit.
Economic Strength - Create a business-friendly environment to attract, retain and grow business, diversify the economic base, and create job opportunities for all citizens.
I will do everything possible to finally promote a business friendly environment within the City if Raleigh. From small to large businesses, I want those jobs creators to return to Raleigh and grow. There are still boards up on windows and many businesses have been shut down permanently. I want to get those business back in Raleigh and make sure they are never shut down or destroyed like they were before.
Affordable Housing – Develop an effective affordable housing plan through collaboration with the government, the private sector, the community, and individuals.
It is my goal to create a more affordable Raleigh for everyone. I want to make sure we are not taxed out of our homes and to drive housing costs back down. That means increasing the housing/apartment supply in Raleigh through deregulation and greater density through the removal of height restrictions. Raleigh has run out of land to build on, so we must build up and not out.
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.
For the past two decades, we have seen abysmal voter turnout because their has only been one group on council. It is my mission to provide outreach for everyone and to bring everyone's voice to the council, not just the 13% who voted. We have seen free speech hindered by our current council and I cannot accept that. It is your Constitutional right to assemble peacefully and address grievances. That means when you are addressing council, you will have a councilman that will keep the council in its while you address us, not the other way around. Your rights matter, I will protect those rights on council.
Growth and Sustainability - Establish a deliberate and realistic approach to address growth and mobility while preserving our environment and healthy communities.
Our historic communities deserve to be preserved. Growing areas deserve growth only hindered by infrastructure. This council owes Raleigh residents a lower cost of living through less taxes and spending so business and residents can thrive. That also means adding all methods of transit possible when feasible for everyone in the city sk they can get to work, home, wherever they may need to go easily.
Public Safety - Provide a safe, secure, and healthy community through coordinated, efficient, and effective public safety services.
Raleigh has 300 vacancies between the fire department and police department and wildly low pay for both. Their pay and retirement plans are a mess and they are overworked. 97% can't afford to live in the city and we need to change that. First responders that live in the city get to work faster and provide better assistance in the community when they don't have to worry about making ends meet. Fixing pay and retention by slashing the budget of frivolous spending will allow pay to be increased without raising taxes.
Social and Economic Vitality - Improve economic and social opportunities in vulnerable communities through strategic partnerships.
With my greater density and mixed use policy for housing and businesses, we should see housing prices and taxes go down and employment opportunities in vulnerable communities go up. I also plan to keep bus rides free of charge for riders and to work with the private sector and the community to drive economic growth in vulnerable communities so jobs can be created so we can decrease the vulnerability of those communities.
Are you an incumbent?
No
1. Do you support the City of Raleigh’s $275 million parks bond on the ballot this November?
No
2. Do you support the $353.2 million Wake Tech bond on the ballot this November?
No
3. Do you support the $530.7 million Wake County schools bond on the ballot this November?
No
4. What is your long-term vision for growth in Raleigh?
My long term vision is to have government out of the way of business and housing to allow for greater growth potential. My short term plans are to remove the 3 story height cap for homes and businesses to allow for greater housing density and to allow for mixed use architecture to be built. I also plan to pushed for mixed use high density along the BRT corridors to help alleviate our housing shortage and drive down current costs so current residents are not taxed out.
5. What do you see as the city's number one challenge?
That would be safety. Violent crimes and murder rate have been increasing since 2020 and they are projected, by RPD & the City of Raleigh, to increase at a minimum of 5% in 2023 with longer response times from first responders. In 2020, there were 30 murders in Raleigh, 33 in 2021, and a 35% increase in July alone. Raleigh made the top 25 most dangerous cities briefly this year and has slipping into the top 50.
We have 300 vacancies between RFD & RPD because our council hates first responders. We see this from comments from RPD/RFD of how poorly the city council treats their requests & also their pay. Raleigh is the 4th worst paid metro for 1st responders in the US. A cashier at Sheetz and a Raleigh bus driver makes more than a Raleigh Firefighter.
My plan to adjust their pay model fixes nearly all pay problems RPD/RFD faces, the spending cuts I plan to implement will pay for their raises, & having a councilman that puts safety first will help retention.
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?
Government can do two things for businesses large & small: create hurdles to stifle growth or deregulate and let the free market grow and change on its own to meet the needs of the market. I plan to get government out of the way and make it easier for businesses of all sizes to operate in Raleigh and provide greater employment opportunities for our residents. I want to offer growth potential instead of condemnation and spiteful rhetoric as we have heard from current and previous councils.
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?
I want to see greater density along the bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors to include mixed use zoning. That means having businesses on the lower floors and apartments on every floor above those, and not capped at three stories. Having greater density along corridors with business tied in will provide Raleigh with greater stock of housing units, jobs for residents, & more income for the city to pay of debts so we can lower the cost of living.
8. How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process in our city, especially area businesses?
I plan to hold city engagement meetings for all Raleigh residents each month as well as have a business leaders meeting each month as well. I also plan to bring back CACs to the communities with a much stricter covenant so we do not have the same problems as before. Residents and businesses need a forum to voice their concerns because not everyone can make city council meetings, so I'm going to bring the council to them.
9. How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
Growth will need to be channeled into areas where our infrastructure can handle it and upgrade the various elements needed in places where growth cannot be maintained. By encouraging growth in specific areas first, we can generate revenue to pay for upgraded infrastructure where it is needed. A balance will need to be struck, and as a member of the Army Corps of Engineers, I feel I can do just that.
Transportation/Transit – Continue to promote and implement an effective transit plan to optimize service delivery and position the city for ongoing growth.
I fully support upgrading and expanding transit when we can afford it. We have to make smart decisions about expanding transit that won't hurt current businesses or residents by taking away from their existing means of transit.
Economic Strength - Create a business-friendly environment to attract, retain and grow business, diversify the economic base, and create job opportunities for all citizens.
I will do everything possible to finally promote a business friendly environment within the City if Raleigh. From small to large businesses, I want those jobs creators to return to Raleigh and grow. There are still boards up on windows and many businesses have been shut down permanently. I want to get those business back in Raleigh and make sure they are never shut down or destroyed like they were before.
Affordable Housing – Develop an effective affordable housing plan through collaboration with the government, the private sector, the community, and individuals.
It is my goal to create a more affordable Raleigh for everyone. I want to make sure we are not taxed out of our homes and to drive housing costs back down. That means increasing the housing/apartment supply in Raleigh through deregulation and greater density through the removal of height restrictions. Raleigh has run out of land to build on, so we must build up and not out.
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.
For the past two decades, we have seen abysmal voter turnout because their has only been one group on council. It is my mission to provide outreach for everyone and to bring everyone's voice to the council, not just the 13% who voted. We have seen free speech hindered by our current council and I cannot accept that. It is your Constitutional right to assemble peacefully and address grievances. That means when you are addressing council, you will have a councilman that will keep the council in its while you address us, not the other way around. Your rights matter, I will protect those rights on council.
Growth and Sustainability - Establish a deliberate and realistic approach to address growth and mobility while preserving our environment and healthy communities.
Our historic communities deserve to be preserved. Growing areas deserve growth only hindered by infrastructure. This council owes Raleigh residents a lower cost of living through less taxes and spending so business and residents can thrive. That also means adding all methods of transit possible when feasible for everyone in the city sk they can get to work, home, wherever they may need to go easily.
Public Safety - Provide a safe, secure, and healthy community through coordinated, efficient, and effective public safety services.
Raleigh has 300 vacancies between the fire department and police department and wildly low pay for both. Their pay and retirement plans are a mess and they are overworked. 97% can't afford to live in the city and we need to change that. First responders that live in the city get to work faster and provide better assistance in the community when they don't have to worry about making ends meet. Fixing pay and retention by slashing the budget of frivolous spending will allow pay to be increased without raising taxes.
Social and Economic Vitality - Improve economic and social opportunities in vulnerable communities through strategic partnerships.
With my greater density and mixed use policy for housing and businesses, we should see housing prices and taxes go down and employment opportunities in vulnerable communities go up. I also plan to keep bus rides free of charge for riders and to work with the private sector and the community to drive economic growth in vulnerable communities so jobs can be created so we can decrease the vulnerability of those communities.
