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PowerUp NC Candidates' Forum #WriteMyNameMommaKai

Welcome and welcome back. It’s another amazing day in paradise. Thank you so much for being here. These questions are from one of the two candidates forums I participated in. 

I'm grateful for the opportunity to answer these questions at length. I took the liberty to answer all the questions posed that night and include links or other resources.

Please consider increasing the playback speed and turning on the captions so you can get the best viewing experience when the content is long.

I hope what you hear will compel you to write my name as your preferred candidate for the next mayor of Raleigh. Thank you again and in advance. Enjoy the amazing day you’re creating. Peace…

#WriteMyName
#MommaKaiforMayor
#RaleighNeedsaMatriarch
#KaraLynnSanders
#MommaKai
#CompassionandNeuroscience
#ToPeaceFromWar

Intro to videos: https://youtu.be/4sfidEStwWI

Question 1: Major storms like Hurricane Helene have significantly impacted communities in North Carolina and in neighboring states. What is your perspective on the role of local government in preparing Raleigh for future major storms and what actions, if any, do you believe should be taken?

https://youtu.be/g-mx4UKeSao

Question 2: Raleigh, like many cities, is facing a rising cost of living. What do you think should be done to address the economic challenges in our community and to support residents who are facing difficulties meeting their basic needs?

https://youtu.be/uI-vWC_Xwr4

Question 3: North Carolina has been a leader in clean energy investments. What is your vision for Raleigh’s energy future and how would you balance any growth in this sector with other priorities?

Question 4: Youth in Raleigh face a variety of challenges including mental health concerns and economic hardships. How do you view the city’s role in supporting vulnerable youth and what strategies would you propose to address these?

https://youtu.be/D8Yg8kUHUzE

Question 5: Education is a critical issue for Raleigh’s future. What are your thoughts on the most important steps the city can take to support education and promote equal opportunities for all students?

https://youtu.be/LclVFsxpzn8

Question 6: Housing affordability is a hot topic in Raleigh. What do you see as the most significant challenges related to housing and how do you work to address them?

https://youtu.be/yFnxtfLrJhg

Question 7: Residents in Southeast Raleigh have raised concerns about the ongoing waste water smell in their community. Do you think the local government should address this issue and if so, what role do you believe community engagement should play in finding a long term solution?

https://youtu.be/3Zr8s4B7rAM

Addendum to Question 7: https://youtu.be/HJuoA9XZ5_4

Addendum: see resources below

Question 8: With advances with AI and other technologies leading to job displacement, what role, if any, do you believe the city should play in supporting workforce adaptation in light of these changes?

https://youtu.be/6r436xh2ggw

Bonus Questions:

Again, please consider increasing the playback speed and turning on the captions so you can get the best viewing experience when the content is long.

1: NC has the 5th largest veteran population – in Raleigh approximately 17k – and many face challenges such as homelessness, limited access to medical care, unemployment, and a lack of support for veteran business owners. How do you view the city’s role in addressing these challenges, and what steps, if any, would you take to support veterans in Raleigh?

https://youtu.be/JbKwDL1F-H0

2: Given the current economic conditions, what is your perspective on making the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars while ensuring essential services are maintained?

https://youtu.be/ik3c62C4W20

3: The city council race is being held during hurricane season. Do you have any thoughts on this, and what steps should the city or state take to ensure accessibility and safety for voters?

https://youtu.be/MAil_v5dgQE

4: As council members/mayor representing the state capital of North Carolina, do you think there are ways that we can improve and modernize the 911, 211, 311, and other emergency networks within Wake County?

https://youtu.be/2yESsuLnz5s

5: There has been a recent increase in tent cities or homeless encampments in Raleigh and Wake County. How do you think the city should respond to this issue, both in the short term and with long-term solutions for those affected?

https://youtu.be/WPhybaXXXOk

6: City development and zoning decisions impact the future growth and character of our communities. In your view, which groups should have the most influence over these decisions, and how would you ensure that the voices of those stakeholders are fairly represented in the process?

https://youtu.be/oMpXVHzx8lA

7: Social issues like homelessness and mental health are prevalent in many communities. How do you think the city could better utilize social workers to address these challenges, and what role do you see for the city in improving social services?

https://youtu.be/7H9u-UFIfdQ

8: Public safety in certain areas, like New Bern Ave, has been a concern for some residents. How do you view the city’s role in addressing crime and safety in these neighborhoods, and what approaches would you consider for ensuring a safer community?

https://youtu.be/xKCi3nTncKQ

Some Resources that Address Sewer Smells

*This is a whole website with links that the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) in Louisville, KY has for their clAIRity program, an initiative to minimize sewer smells in the air:

https://louisvillemsd.org/odor

*This is a thread of a conversation where someone asked why they keep smelling sewage around their property. Turns out it was a vent on their home…

https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?threads/sewer-gas-odor-outside-my-house.1818/

*This is an eye opening article that gives residents a proactive way to deal with smells from the sewer.

When The Neighborhood Smells Like Sewage: What To Do

Chandra Fleming
Detroit Free Press

Published 10:00 a.m. ET October 20, 2022

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/10/20/what-is-the-smell-in-the-air-today/69559038007/

Walking the dog on a cool evening, an unmistakable stench wafts gently through the neighborhood.

It's a smell that curdles the blood, especially for folks who suffered through a basement deluge or other property damage during heavy rains and storms.

So why does the air sometimes smell like sewage, even if there's not a drop of rain?

We asked the Great Lakes Water Authority and other experts. Here's what to know and when to be concerned:

What is sewage gas?

Sewage is a liquid waste. It's wastewater from a community meaning it's discharged from residential homes, commercial, and public buildings. Everywhere in that community makes up the sewer system. It's not safe and often has human feces, urine, poisonous gases from factories, and toxins from all around.

Since the system is so dirty, it can often create a smell called hydrogen sulfide gas. It's stinky and reminds you of spoiled eggs. It's a strong smell that can't be ignored.

Hydrogen sulfide gas (sewer gas) is a colorless, flammable gas that is created by the bacterial breakdown of organic materials, especially in human and animal waste.

Low concentrations of the gas can lead to irritated eyes, nose, and throat, and issues with the respiratory system, according to Omega Environmental. Moderate concentrations bring more severe eye and respiratory issues, like coughing and struggling to breathe, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, and headaches. High concentrations can bring one to shock, inability to breathe, convulsions, rapid loss of consciousness, and even death.

Reasons why your sewage may stink

Sewages can stink for many reasons, but one of the main culprits is a clogged pipe. It could be clogged by hair, grease, food, and debris that sticks together and clogs the system. The buildup rots in the pipes and eventually, the smell leaks out.

Detroit's Water and Sewage Department public affairs director Bryan Peckinpaugh said that your local sewer system rarely is the reason why you might smell a foul odor.

"There are very rare cases where there is a distinctive smell related to the local sewer system," said Peckinpaugh in a written response. "In Detroit, we use gravity sewers and the flow is consistent, therefore no stagnation that would cause a smell. There are instances where a private sewer line may collapse off a public sewer and can cause a smell due to the seeping into the soil, a sewer trap at the property, typically in a basement, causing sewage to back up and creates an odor, or grease or fatberg from local properties is causing a blockage in the public sewer leading to flow stagnation."

Another common reason is a broken sewer line. This can be dangerous and can possibly contaminate your water sources, according to Sewage Solutions, a company specializing in fixing sewers.

Most homes also include a sewer access point, that's how drains are cleaned, it also lets you know where the public sewer meets your sewer line. If it's missing the sewer trap plugs, smells can leak out.

How you can prevent your sewage from stinking

DWSD recommends that you do not pour any type of fats, grease, or oil down your drains or toilets. Dairy fats and cosmetic oils are also not permitted to be poured down drains and toilets. It's recommended that you also do not flush wipes, wrappers, cat litter, medicine, and trash in toilets.

Homeowners are encouraged to keep drains cleaned by pouring vinegar and warm water or using a commercial product to dissolve grease.

Dump grease, risk a hefty tab for cleanup

Peckinpaugh explains that no matter if it's a commercial or residential property, individuals who are the main source of grease, oils, and fats in the public drain face the possibility of being billed.

"In the latter case with fats, oils or grease, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department will clean the public sewer, and determine who caused the large amount of grease going into the sewer system and will bill that organization for the cost," said Peckinpaugh.

He said the water department prefers to address the problem through customer education.

Who to call for sewage issues

Improve Detroit is an app that the water department wants customers and residents to use if an issue occurs, whether it's a water main break or an ongoing issue. If it's an emergency, call 313-267-8000 and use option 4.

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