Raleigh City Council - District A
Dickie Thompson
The city of Raleigh commissioned a survey in 2016 which showed that transportation issues remain our residents’ top concern. Do you support the $206.7MM streets and sidewalk bond package which includes a 1.29-cent property tax increase?
Yes
Do you support a major league soccer stadium downtown?
Yes
Do you support the use of incentives for the attraction and retention of businesses?
Yes
What are you hoping to achieve as an elected official that will foster a healthy and innovative business environment in both the near and far term?
We must continue to focus on the things that have made Raleigh such a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Fostering a healthy business environment is a key component in seeing that our existing businesses thrive and help us attract new business to Raleigh.
As a business owner, i know the challenges business owners face.
What would you like to see updated in the city’s Unified Development Ordinance related to land use, regulations and/or density that ensures our market remains competitive and attractive for business and residents?
The development of the UDO took years to create and countless public hearings/meetings to gather input from the public and property owners. Like any City ordinance it will need to be updated and kept current and time passes. I was on the City Planning Commission for 7 years and Chairman for 3 years and have heard hundreds of rezoning cases. I understand the importance of proper planning for our future growth. We have to have a balance of protecting our neighborhoods and creating the density according to our City plan to manage our growth.
How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
The City Council currently has a $205,000,000 transportation bond on the October 10th ballot. It is important to the future of Raleigh to pass this bond to help fund our current and future roads, sidewalks, and traffic needs. The City just completed a 2 year compensation review of all City employees which resulted in a pay raise across the board. Our police and fire fighters received the needed increase that they deserved.
Identify two specific areas in the city budget where you might reduce spending and two specific areas where you might increase spending.
Increase: Affordable Housing Economic Development
Decrease: Union Station funding (nearing completion) outside consulting budget
What is an uncomfortable truth about Raleigh that voters must confront?
Because of our growth and rising property values, finding suitable locations for affordable and work force housing is becoming more and more difficult. We need to focus more funds to help build communities that our suitable and on transit lines to help our lower income, seniors, and single parent families.
The city of Raleigh commissioned a survey in 2016 which showed that transportation issues remain our residents’ top concern. Do you support the $206.7MM streets and sidewalk bond package which includes a 1.29-cent property tax increase?
Yes
Do you support a major league soccer stadium downtown?
Yes
Do you support the use of incentives for the attraction and retention of businesses?
Yes
What are you hoping to achieve as an elected official that will foster a healthy and innovative business environment in both the near and far term?
We must continue to focus on the things that have made Raleigh such a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Fostering a healthy business environment is a key component in seeing that our existing businesses thrive and help us attract new business to Raleigh.
As a business owner, i know the challenges business owners face.
What would you like to see updated in the city’s Unified Development Ordinance related to land use, regulations and/or density that ensures our market remains competitive and attractive for business and residents?
The development of the UDO took years to create and countless public hearings/meetings to gather input from the public and property owners. Like any City ordinance it will need to be updated and kept current and time passes. I was on the City Planning Commission for 7 years and Chairman for 3 years and have heard hundreds of rezoning cases. I understand the importance of proper planning for our future growth. We have to have a balance of protecting our neighborhoods and creating the density according to our City plan to manage our growth.
How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
The City Council currently has a $205,000,000 transportation bond on the October 10th ballot. It is important to the future of Raleigh to pass this bond to help fund our current and future roads, sidewalks, and traffic needs. The City just completed a 2 year compensation review of all City employees which resulted in a pay raise across the board. Our police and fire fighters received the needed increase that they deserved.
Identify two specific areas in the city budget where you might reduce spending and two specific areas where you might increase spending.
Increase: Affordable Housing Economic Development
Decrease: Union Station funding (nearing completion) outside consulting budget
What is an uncomfortable truth about Raleigh that voters must confront?
Because of our growth and rising property values, finding suitable locations for affordable and work force housing is becoming more and more difficult. We need to focus more funds to help build communities that our suitable and on transit lines to help our lower income, seniors, and single parent families.
