Welcome and welcome back. It's another amazing day in paradise. Thank you so much for being here. The night I registered as a write-in candidate for mayor I went to my first candidates' forum. And I want to talk about what happened.
It was hosted by an organization called One Wake and they had a goal to get 1000 people there. I was so excited because One Wake is an organization of churches and I was sure I was going to find my people even though I don't even go to church.
The reason why is I have a business idea that connects churches under one organization to focus on the most pressing issues of our time. It is based on a book called "Step One: The Gospel and the Ghetto". Even though I didn't let them know I was coming, I anticipated being on that stage to introduce myself.
And I did! In fact, here's the recording. And here's an excerpt from an article about it.
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Yup! My announcement made it into Indy Week.
I have to be totally honest with you. I was shocked and so disappointed by my experience. There, with an in-person audience of 1000 plus an online audience too, they asked the candidates to answer 4 questions with yes or no offering no opportunity for explanation.
To me, it was such an oppressive display of unrecognized power. I take full responsibility for writing and posting this because it's true. That many people united don't need the government to end homelessness. They already have the capacity to do it themselves.
But that's not all, that's what the Bible says to do. In the Holy Scriptures the apostles were called to set up the church so the people took care of one another. So I couldn't believe what I saw, heard and experienced. It was shocking and so sad to me.
I bring this up because I want to share the questions, my answers and the reasons for my answers. Here we go...
Q1. Increase local affordable housing funding from roughly $30 million per year to roughly $70 million per year.
My Response: No.
Reasons: For one, five people on council have to agree. As the mayor I would not even present this because there's no way to do this without raising taxes, even if it's just a penny tax or another affordable housing bond which I feel is an undercover way of saying we're raising taxes.
It is totally counterproductive to raise the cost of living for others to attempt to build affordable housing. Besides the city can't just give away that money. Even if they did raise taxes to accomplish this, there is a process to how that money is dispensed. It can't just go to one entity if that's what One Wake is looking for.
Q2. Identify 100 acres of vacant and underutilized land owned by the City of Raleigh and the State of North Carolina to be designated for affordable housing, either for immediate development or to be held in abeyance until the site is suitable for development.
My response: No.
Reasons: I initially asked if this was all together and I was told to just answer the question. First of all, the city has absolutely no control over state land! So, from that perspective, it's not even possible.
Then... I couldn't think of any parcel of land that large within the city limits. Well... it turns out that the parcel of land is NOT within the city limits yet.
It's not owned by the state, it's owned by the city and county. It's known as the Randleigh Tract. I know this because I asked afterward. The area isn't ready for immediate development and there is no bus service to the area.
As if that wasn't enough, the city nor the county is just going to give land or money away. There is a long drawn out process to everything the government does. Even if you can get a "yes", expect there's a "no" coming.
I think the most disappointing part of this question was that even if any of this could be done, we're looking at a 10-12 year project before the first phase is completed. Children who are facing homelessness now will be adults by then. I can't support that.
3. Commit to supporting One Wake in building at-scale Nehemiah housing in Raleigh and agree to attend an inter-city trip to tour the Nehemiah development in Brooklyn in May 2025.
My Response: Yes
Reasons: I said yes only because I have some ideas on how they can build the housing without going through what they're asking for. That's a private conversation to be had though, if "they" are willing.
4. Commit to attending a public assembly in 12 months to report on your progress on the above solutions.
My Response: Yes
Reasons: I'm certain a part of what they're asking for can be done privately. I would seek to advance that versus what they're requesting now.
Once the assembly was over we were asked to line up so the audience could meet the candidates. I was able to speak with a few people and even asked the question, how do you think the funds would increase? Most people had no idea.
I was grateful and honored by one gentleman who said he appreciated my answers because he didn't even support the ideas if that meant his property taxes were going to be raised. Now that's what I call vote education.
There was another experience I had that I want to briefly mention. There was a lady who approached me and wanted to ask me questions but the coach bus she arrived on was leaving. Her name is Lisa. I gave her my phone number so she could call me. She was shocked.
I didn't think she would call me, but she did. We had such a beautiful conversation and I'm grateful I got to know her a little better. It was like finding an old friend. There were so many things that we shared in common. It was very cool. And if I attended just so I could meet her, then it was worth it.
In conclusion, I realized that such a sacred experience of choosing your elected leaders is really built the ignorance of the public. This was confirmed when I attended the PowerUp Candidates' Forum the next week. You can read about my experience with that one here.
I hope you will continue to explore my content and find something that 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
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