Raleigh City Council District C
Wanda Hunter
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?
Yes
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?
A vision of growth must encompass preserving preexisting individuals and inviting those that are transplants with a level of equity that provides a quality of life that both groups may enjoy. This vision must consist of short term and long term objectives.
5. What do you see as the city's number one challenge?
Housing seems to be the number one challenge that we have realized that we can not build ourselves out of, so now we must look into innovative ideas, take risks, and closely analyze and evaluate our housing circumstances.
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?
If elected I hope to demonstrate the importance of relationship building with reciprocal benefits. This is so important so that either party of the equation does not get drunk in power but understands the mutual need of each other. Once the foundation of relationship building is laid then breaking through the barriers of race equity and how it shows up in businesses so that all can get an understanding of the racial equity concept. These two foundational pieces if implemented effectively will foster a healthy and innovative business environment in both near and long term. Anything that is meant to be sustained must be built on a solid foundation.
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 would like to see the City of Raleigh work with the other municipalities to establish effective and efficient intermunicipal transit. I would also like for the City of Raleigh to reevaluate ridership before implementing the bus rapid transit lines. The commuter rail system needs to be initiated by a roundtable of individuals inclusive of those who are directly impacted to brainstorm diverse ideas and cultivate them into strong sustainable solutions.
8. How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process in our city, especially area businesses?
I plan to involve the community in the decision making process by restoring Citizen Advisory Councils (CACs). These have always been inclusive democratic environments. CACs have always been a place to engage area businesses and build community. I know that building these relationships are mutually beneficial.
9. How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
Balancing increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life will have to be developed via an equity lens. This will take inclusion, innovation, and interactivity. It will be a heavy lift but I know we have enough creativity and leadership to accomplish this.
Transportation/Transit – Continue to promote and implement an effective transit plan to optimize service delivery and position the city for ongoing growth.
If elected to Raleigh City Council I commit to continuous promotion and implementation of effective transit plans that are flexible and adaptable to optimize service delivery and position the city for ongoing growth with community engagement at the forefront through an equity lens. This should include and not be limited to an intermunicipal transit plan, enhancing the intermunicipal transit, and the commuter rail system.
Economic Strength - Create a business-friendly environment to attract, retain and grow business, diversify the economic base, and create job opportunities for all citizens.
If elected to Raleigh City Council I commit to creating a business-friendly environment to attract, retain and grow business, diversify the economic base, and create job opportunities through an equity lens recognizing the wealth gap and underappreciation of certain cultures within this city. We have to start understanding communities of interest and the economic strength that those businesses exemplify in a culturally conscious manner.
Affordable Housing – Develop an effective affordable housing plan through collaboration with the government, the private sector, the community, and individuals.
If elected to Raleigh City Council I commit to developing an effective affordable housing plan through collaboration with government, the private sector, the community, and individuals inclusive of those directly impacted. This plan will assess the current housing needs, develop a committee or board that continuously evaluates the city's housing in comparison to its growth, and explore innovative ways to create housing for those most vulnerable. All of these things will be done with community engagement and through an equity lens.
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.
If elected to Raleigh City Council I commit to promoting 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. Great government is also based on a foundation of integrity, engagement, and equity which I also commit to exemplify if elected to this office.
Growth and Sustainability - Establish a deliberate and realistic approach to address growth and mobility while preserving our environment and healthy communities.
If elected to Raleigh City Council I commit to establishing a deliberate and realistic approach to addressing growth and mobility while preserving our environment and healthy communities. A balance of these two approaches of inviting and sustaining are the foundation of growth. A realistic approach comes with thinking outside of the box and taking risks that benefit the overall quality of life.
Public Safety - Provide a safe, secure, and healthy community through coordinated, efficient, and effective public safety services.
If elected to Raleigh City Council I commit to providing a safe, secure, and healthy community through coordinated, efficient, and effective public safety services which are developed through community engagement and allowing communities to create an inclusive definition of safety and implement how safety is achieved in their community.
Social and Economic Vitality - Improve economic and social opportunities in vulnerable communities through strategic partnerships.
If elected to Raleigh City Council I commit to continuing to improve economic and social opportunities in vulnerable communities through strategic partnerships that value power balance, inclusivity, equity, and cultural awareness to build solutions to close the wealth gap.
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?
Yes
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?
A vision of growth must encompass preserving preexisting individuals and inviting those that are transplants with a level of equity that provides a quality of life that both groups may enjoy. This vision must consist of short term and long term objectives.
5. What do you see as the city's number one challenge?
Housing seems to be the number one challenge that we have realized that we can not build ourselves out of, so now we must look into innovative ideas, take risks, and closely analyze and evaluate our housing circumstances.
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?
If elected I hope to demonstrate the importance of relationship building with reciprocal benefits. This is so important so that either party of the equation does not get drunk in power but understands the mutual need of each other. Once the foundation of relationship building is laid then breaking through the barriers of race equity and how it shows up in businesses so that all can get an understanding of the racial equity concept. These two foundational pieces if implemented effectively will foster a healthy and innovative business environment in both near and long term. Anything that is meant to be sustained must be built on a solid foundation.
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 would like to see the City of Raleigh work with the other municipalities to establish effective and efficient intermunicipal transit. I would also like for the City of Raleigh to reevaluate ridership before implementing the bus rapid transit lines. The commuter rail system needs to be initiated by a roundtable of individuals inclusive of those who are directly impacted to brainstorm diverse ideas and cultivate them into strong sustainable solutions.
8. How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process in our city, especially area businesses?
I plan to involve the community in the decision making process by restoring Citizen Advisory Councils (CACs). These have always been inclusive democratic environments. CACs have always been a place to engage area businesses and build community. I know that building these relationships are mutually beneficial.
9. How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
Balancing increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life will have to be developed via an equity lens. This will take inclusion, innovation, and interactivity. It will be a heavy lift but I know we have enough creativity and leadership to accomplish this.
Transportation/Transit – Continue to promote and implement an effective transit plan to optimize service delivery and position the city for ongoing growth.
If elected to Raleigh City Council I commit to continuous promotion and implementation of effective transit plans that are flexible and adaptable to optimize service delivery and position the city for ongoing growth with community engagement at the forefront through an equity lens. This should include and not be limited to an intermunicipal transit plan, enhancing the intermunicipal transit, and the commuter rail system.
Economic Strength - Create a business-friendly environment to attract, retain and grow business, diversify the economic base, and create job opportunities for all citizens.
If elected to Raleigh City Council I commit to creating a business-friendly environment to attract, retain and grow business, diversify the economic base, and create job opportunities through an equity lens recognizing the wealth gap and underappreciation of certain cultures within this city. We have to start understanding communities of interest and the economic strength that those businesses exemplify in a culturally conscious manner.
Affordable Housing – Develop an effective affordable housing plan through collaboration with the government, the private sector, the community, and individuals.
If elected to Raleigh City Council I commit to developing an effective affordable housing plan through collaboration with government, the private sector, the community, and individuals inclusive of those directly impacted. This plan will assess the current housing needs, develop a committee or board that continuously evaluates the city's housing in comparison to its growth, and explore innovative ways to create housing for those most vulnerable. All of these things will be done with community engagement and through an equity lens.
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.
If elected to Raleigh City Council I commit to promoting 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. Great government is also based on a foundation of integrity, engagement, and equity which I also commit to exemplify if elected to this office.
Growth and Sustainability - Establish a deliberate and realistic approach to address growth and mobility while preserving our environment and healthy communities.
If elected to Raleigh City Council I commit to establishing a deliberate and realistic approach to addressing growth and mobility while preserving our environment and healthy communities. A balance of these two approaches of inviting and sustaining are the foundation of growth. A realistic approach comes with thinking outside of the box and taking risks that benefit the overall quality of life.
Public Safety - Provide a safe, secure, and healthy community through coordinated, efficient, and effective public safety services.
If elected to Raleigh City Council I commit to providing a safe, secure, and healthy community through coordinated, efficient, and effective public safety services which are developed through community engagement and allowing communities to create an inclusive definition of safety and implement how safety is achieved in their community.
Social and Economic Vitality - Improve economic and social opportunities in vulnerable communities through strategic partnerships.
If elected to Raleigh City Council I commit to continuing to improve economic and social opportunities in vulnerable communities through strategic partnerships that value power balance, inclusivity, equity, and cultural awareness to build solutions to close the wealth gap.
