'24 Endorsement Questions

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Why have you decided to run or re-run for this position? What is your motivation? How have your background and experiences living in this municipality influenced your decision to run?

I am running for re-election because we just got started. Two years in office is not enough time to dig into any issue and see the results. We have made big strides in affordable housing, like bringing 150 units to District E. However, they are not active units yet and it will take another two years before residents can live in them. Our District has changed leadership in every election since 2017. Our residents suffer when there is a lack of consistency and dedication to the position.  

I have, also, spent my first term doing tours of every city department and have learned that we are understaffed all around. This means that services, like having 3 firefighters instead of the recommended 4 riding on every truck, have the potential to dramatically impact residential safety. By the constant change of representation on council, every new councilor has to start over in learning.  

Building on the work that has been accomplished in less than two years will take dedication and commitment. I have a shown that I want to be in community with District E in an effort to address the issues that face our area and the city as a whole. From motioning to bring back CACs, to advocating for affordability in our district, to being the most accessible councilor by meeting with constituents every month, I am proud to ask for another term.

What need or issue have you identified as a priority to be addressed by city council, and what is ONE major step that must be taken to address this need or issue?

A big issue I have come across is our need to continue to update our codes in an effort to keep up with changes in our community. One example is our Stormwater rules. Many of these rules are outdated because when they were written 10 or 20 years ago, we didn’t have to deal with 100 year storms as often. Thankfully, we will be seeing an update to the Stormwater Manual this fall, but our rezoning approvals over the last few years will not be required to comply with any changes to the code. As we increase our infill development in areas of the city that have very old stormwater pipes, we need to consider the downstream effect that runoff has on our existing neighborhoods. I have met with numerous residents throughout my term and have seen the pressures new development has on aging infrastructure. Without ongoing updates to the code, we will always be playing catch up with growth and we need to get ahead of it.

How do you/would you balance growth and preservation/celebration of historic or unique parts of Raleigh, while also ensuring existing residents can continue to call Raleigh home?

Having served as the Council Liaison to the Raleigh Historic Development Commission, I have had the privilege of learning how we are a leading city across the nation in preservation. Honoring Raleigh's past while encouraging continued growth is RHDC's mission and being part of those conversations has helped me see how important their role is in balancing growth and preservation.

We are actively discussing this issue as it pertains to a Historic Overlay District in Downtown Raleigh. The Prince Hall Overlay District was created in 2012 and is our first historic district focused on our Black Community. It has been picked a part over the last 10 years and may feel to some as "underdeveloped". As more rezoning cases come through to pull more parcels out, we are working through this exact conversation. How do we guide development that honors the history of the area while still allowing for growth.  

Development, as a concept, needs to go beyond how tall a building is. Especially when we are in an area that has been designated historic, we have to define what that actually means to council. Saying there is height limit of 3 stories doesn't explain to developers why the district is important and how they can be part of creating the future.  

There has been a perception in Raleigh that developers have too much influence with the mayor’s office and city council. In your opinion, is this perception fair or unfair? What have you done or will do to change this perception?

I can see why the perception exists. Developers and their lawyers have ongoing connections with council because they bring multiple cases for rezoning. I have learned in my 2 years on council that everyone needs to be part of the conversation and I have spent my term connecting residents to developers to have their concerns addressed. District E has had cases that have gone through with neighborhood support because we sat around a table with Staff, Developers, Lawyers, Council, and Residents until we came to a conclusion. We have also seen cases that Residents and Developers could not come to an agreement which resulted in withdrawals. Relationships are what Council is tasked with maintaining, and that is true for both the Development Industry and Residents. It is Council's job to make it clear that both sides have influence, but as I have reminded everyone, I am not the councilor for the residents of tomorrow, I am the councilor for the residents who are here now.  

It is crucial that leaders help build bridges rather than division. For the most part, developers want to do what they think is best for the community. I have come to learn that my role is to facilitate that conversation so that we can come to a solution that works best for everyone.  

The proposed move of the Red Hat Amphitheater is under consideration at the moment. What do you see as pros and cons of this project?

I see the pros of the Amphitheater as increased traffic to small businesses who make downtown a destination. The economic impact of growing the capacity of the venue will help keep businesses operating through the summer months. The stroll way that is included in the current plans will also help bring education and community around what was once the Fourth Ward.  

The cons for the project include the loss of connectivity for those on the other side of South Street. Heritage Park is a partnership with the city and the Raleigh Housing Authority and includes housing options that focus on affordability. By cutting off an access point to downtown, residents in the area, including Boylan Heights, have expressed concerns that the city is isolating lower income communities. This issue is highlighting that Council’s focus should be on building bridges within the community instead of what feels like walls to some residents.

A possible solution the connectivity issue is a "slip lane" that would go under the train tracks and connect back to McDowell, but the city needs approval from DOT to make that plan a reality. We are now in a time crunch to get this done because it is the first step in getting the plans for the Convention Center expansion started. However, the push back is why do lower income communities, mainly people of color, always have to bear the brunt of growth?  

How do you see the interaction between your city’s governance and other levels of government, including the Wake County Board of Commissioners, Wake County School Board, other municipalities, and the NCGA?

All of these entities are partners in the work we do on council. I have stood with NCGA members in support of bills they have tried to put through, as well as worked alongside County Commission members to help build a co-response model to address community concerns. When a school board member reached out to say that they were struggling to find crossing guards because the pay was extremely low, I was able to put a budget note in that raised crossing guard pay to over $15/hr since they are hired through Raleigh Police Department.  

Another amazing resource I have been able to take advantage of are the UNC School of Government classes, where I have had the opportunity to connect with leaders across the state and discuss the challenges of growth and other issues in large vs. small cities. Local Progress and the Hunt Institute have provided me with opportunities to connect with NC leaders through cohorts and ongoing conversations about specific issues like education and development. I have come to learn that leadership is making connections and learning from the experiences of others who have been through this before.  

Raleigh City Council has faced continuous calls to issue a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.  Do you believe that such an action is appropriate for a local government body?  Why or why not?

Since October 7, 2023, we have been working with the community through meetings and conversations to see what a resolution could look like and I believe that city government is a reflection of the people. Our community was hurting after the attacks last fall and being able to sit with community leaders from both sides was enlightening.  

I, like our Presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, voted for the resolution that called for a ceasefire. Government exists to amplify the voices in the community and I believe democracy asks us to reach out to the closest form of government and share our thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Since City Council is the most tangible form of government, I do believe that this action was appropriate for us to take on. Many cities across the country have done the same thing, with varying results. The purpose of council taking an action was to show the community where our values lie. The request from the community was to take a vote so they could see where each councilor stood on the issue and we did just that. Our split decision accurately portrayed how divided our community is and puts the responsibility on us to continue to engage with residents on both sides of the issue in an effort to bring us together.  

Democracy was never promised to be easy. We have to work through the pain to get to the other side and that has just begun.  

How have you involved or intend to involve residents' voices and diverse viewpoints in policy making for your district or all of Raleigh?

Community Engagement has been my strongest value throughout my term. I have fought to keep Public Comments at 3 minutes, even when there are over 100 people speaking. I have championed and uplifted our Boards and Commissions voices as they work on issues that come before council. Each month I hold community conversations throughout the district in an effort to meet residents where they are and I spend two hours answering questions that they ask about City Government.  

In development cases, I have brought residents directly to the table as big changes were being asked to come through their neighborhoods. Sometimes that has led to stronger cases because it ended up having resident support, while other times bigger issues like Affordable Housing took precedent. The reason I ran last time was to give residents a seat at the table and I have done that as much as I possibly could. That doesn't always mean that we have agreed on the final decision, but I have made it a point to have everyone's concerns highlighted.

City Government works best when we have active, engaged, and educated voters contributing to the growth of the city. People feel left out when decisions seem to made behind closed doors. I have worked hard to build that bridge with the community and look forward to continuing that work in my next term.

During your time in leadership, describe one failure you experienced and what you learned from it.

A failure in my first term was not getting Separation Allowance through on last year's budget. Separation Allowance is a retirement benefit that our Police Department receives through state mandate for those who have worked for the city for 30 years. It is meant to be a bridge to when social security kicks in and pays retired employees around 25% of their salary until the age of 62.  

A budget note was requested back in October of last year and it felt like pulling teeth to get the information that was asked for in time for the budget to be passed in June. Our firefighters and ECC employees are understaffed and that means residents are being affected through wait times when calling 911 and having 3 firefighters to a truck instead of 4. A benefit like Separation Allowance will help keep our employees motivated to work for the city and entice new employees to look at Raleigh as their place to work. The surrounding municipalities pay more money to lure our staff to their jurisdiction and we need creative solutions in order to grow our staffing levels to keep up with the growth we see in Raleigh.

What are your particular skills, preparation, and/or experiences that most qualify you to be an effective leader for your city?

In the last two years, I have been able to see and learn how to be an informed, inquisitive, and dedicated representative for District E. I spent 5 years prior to being elected learning about how the city functions and after becoming a councilor, I have had the opportunity to put that education to the test. Having been a Parks Board member and sat on a Task Force, I have been able to effectively communicate and encourage our current Board members to try new things and make their work a reflection of their values.  

I work very hard to explain issues to residents so that they understand ALL of the nuances of the decisions being made at council and I give them space and room to respond. I have learned that the community is most interested in finding their passion and being allowed to grow in that with the city. It is my job to inspire residents to contribute their talents and find what sparks their interest. When I follow that up with resources for them to continue on a path, I have been so excited to see what they come back with. An educated voter is a powerful tool in how we grow the city and I am proud to be part of that on Council.

Leading a city goes beyond a particular vote. The most important part of my job is to be a listener. There are so many ideas that come before council, and to be able to connect those ideas to people has been a privilege of a lifetime.

If there is anything else you wish to share with us, please use this space.

My biggest accomplishment has been working with The Great Raleigh Cleanup and helping to create their workforce program. This program hires members of the unhoused community at $18/hr to help pick up litter throughout the city. In June, the city partnered with TGRC and donated 2 vehicles to them so they could do more work and touch more lives with their phenomenal program. To be able to affect someone's life in such a meaningful way is what public service is all about.

What are you most proud of in your first term as an elected official?

I am most proud of the Community Engagement I have been able to showcase in my first term. It is a value of mine that residents have a seat at the table, and I am very proud to have lead in bringing Citizen Advisory Councils back from being disbanded in 2020. I was the chairperson for the organization when the City withdrew support and I was also the Council member who made the motion to reinstate a new version of the Citizen Advisory Council. One that focuses on educating residents so they are able to be part of conversations involving their interests at the City. To that end, I have placed about 40 residents on Boards/Commissions so they have a deeper understanding of departments that speak to their passions. This path gives them a direct path to direct communication with Council.  

I love working with people to amplify their ideas and by listening, I was able to connect funding to an amazing organization called "The Great Raleigh Cleanup," whose goal is to eliminate litter throughout our city. I received a call in September of '23 from the founder and he wanted to know if the city could help him hire unhoused individuals to pick up trash. This opportunity would help clean up the city and give members of our unhoused community a lead to a new career. I spoke with city staff to see if by partnering with Great Raleigh Cleanup, we could begin to fill some of our vacancies in the city. In June of '24, the City of Raleigh donated two vehicles and officially signed a contract to partner with them. The potential to effect lives AND help fix Raleigh's high vacancy rate made this another one of my proudest moments!

What are you hoping to accomplish in your next term as an elected official?

After spending my first term focusing on resident concerns, I learned a lot about the need to improve the services given to our residents. All of the work hinges on having the right amount of staff in order to provide said services. I had every department do a tour for me and the other new councilors over the last two years and the need for more resources was consistent across all departments. Growing and retaining our staff is a value statement of City Council and one that needs to be enhanced. It is council's job to ensure that working for the city is attractive to prospective employees through better wages and benefits and in my next term, I would like to dig deeper into what is holding us back from being a top employer.

What has been the most challenging part of governing over your last term?

There have been many challenges during my first term on council. From representing one of the wealthiest districts in the city and trying to bring in affordable housing to the displeasure of some constituents, to spending five months listening to residents request that Council take a position on a ceasefire resolution which ultimately ended in a 4-4 split vote. Learning that governing doesn't mean that my job is to make EVERYONE happy has had its ups and downs.

I would say that the toughest lesson for me so far has been that there is no perfect solution to any problem. Any decision put in front of council needs a majority of five votes in order to pass. I have been the sole councilor to vote against some things and well as the lead councilor to get something across the finish line. The hardest pill to swallow has been that even if I think my ideas are the best path forward, that doesn't mean that all of Council will agree. Having those conversations with constituents and explaining why I may agree with them, but the vote has the potential to not reflect our shared vision has been difficult.  

Why should voters re-elect you?

Voters should re-elect me to Raleigh City Council because I have shown the dedication to learn the job. I have hosted monthly community meetings to gather resident input and pushed staff to do more Community Engagement when it comes to big decisions. Having a seat at the table is what democracy looks like and Raleigh is more receptive to resident feedback today than when I ran back in '22. Planning for a city of almost 500,000 is not easy and there are 500,000 different view points as to how the city should grow. I am proud to say that I have made the conscious effort to make City Government attainable to residents and that I have encouraged many people to commit to learning more about Raleigh through free classes the city offers and by way of our Boards and Commissions. My motto is "Show Up! Stand Up! Speak Up!" and I believe I have embodied that in the last two years. This re-election campaign is more about residents having a voice than it is about a single candidate getting re-elected.

-Why are you running/seeking re-election for the City Of Raleigh City Council/Council At-Large ?  

I am running for re-election to build on the initiatives we see in place during my first term.  The last 2 years were about learning the issues facing the city as well as understanding how we have begun answering those concerns.  I organized tours in every department in an effort to learn how to best represent staff and residents in the decisions being made at the table.  This helped me see some great wins in addition to some big  challenges we need to address.  It is important to keep building on that knowledge, rather than start from scratch with new leadership.   

-What are your top four priorities that need to be addressed by the Raleigh City Council ? 

Workers Rights, Affordable Housing, Community Engagement, Environment

-What technological challenges will the Raleigh City Council need to address in the coming 3-4 years ? 

 Artificial Intelligence and Ransom Attacks are two big concerns we are working on in the city to keep residents safe.

-How will you ensure transparency in your decision-making processes ?  

I have always done monthly community meetings to discuss big issues happening on council which can be found on my website christinaforraleigh.com.  I am also very accessible by email.

-Will you commit to town hall meetings, and if so, how often? 

Yes. Monthly.

-How do you plan to measure and evaluate your success in Office ?  I am running again because I feel we have had some great wins.  We are bringing back CACs.  We are seeing more developers offering affordable housing conditions so that we can tackle the escalating prices of homes in our area.  Although we weren't able to pass Separation Allowance, the conversation is not over.  Success will look like adding to our accomplishments and learning from our mistakes.

-What strategies will you implement to respond to public concerns and criticisms ?  

Our community engagement board is looking into a system to help track public comments and get them to the appropriate department.  I would want to see how that work comes along to see if that is a possible solution for Council Public comment as well.

-What six words best describe why you are running/seeking re-election for the Raleigh City Council ?  

Communicator. Dedicated. Engagement. Transparent. Inquisitive. Passionate.