Ballotpedia - Paul Fitts

The News & Observer - Does Raleigh need 400 more cops? This new candidate for mayor says yes.

Candidate website

Believes in making the city more business-friendly to attract businesses and create livable areas.

Believes the state isn’t paying its fair share of property taxes and the city is being shorted more than $150 million.

Believes the state should be paying property taxes.

Believes Raleigh's heavy burden of non-taxed government property hinders tax base expansion. Plans to redevelop Central Men’s Prison site for commercial use.

Believes Raleigh's economy is stagnant due to increased remote work, with a 20-25% decline in the local workforce.

Believes the increase in remote work has hindered Raleigh's economic growth and incentives should be created for people to live downtown.

- Believes in making the city more business-friendly to attract businesses and create livable areas.
- Believes the state should be paying property taxes.
- Believes Raleigh's heavy burden of non-taxed government property hinders tax base expansion. Plans to redevelop Central Men’s Prison site for commercial use.
- Believes the increase in remote work has hindered Raleigh's economic growth and incentives should be created for people to live downtown.

Economy

Opposes funding the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) with Raleigh tax dollars.

Supports promoting local venues like the Duke Energy Center, Raleigh Little Theater, and NCSU's performances while opposing constant funding of Durham Performing Arts Center's (DPAC) shows by Raleigh's citizens.

Believes the City should maintain its current park commitments but should not acquire new park lands until workforce and housing situations are stabilized.

Believes the city should maintain its current park commitments but should not acquire new parklands until workforce and housing conditions improve.

Supports providing long-term care or group homes for individuals who are mentally or physically incapable of self-care.

Supports providing long-term care or group homes for individuals who are mentally or physically disabled.

Opposes the Democrat-led council's focus on Dix Park, saying it has allocated $500M to parks that "WILL NEVER REPAY ITS INVESTMENT" and that "our Debt Servicing is more than our investment into Public Safety."

Opposes the city's large financial investment into Dix Park; believes it does not provide a positive return on investment.

- Supports promoting local venues like the Duke Energy Center, Raleigh Little Theater, and NCSU's performances while opposing constant funding of Durham Performing Arts Center's (DPAC) shows by Raleigh's citizens.
- Believes the city should maintain its current park commitments but should not acquire new parklands until workforce and housing conditions improve.
- Supports providing long-term care or group homes for individuals who are mentally or physically disabled.
- Opposes the city's large financial investment into Dix Park; believes it does not provide a positive return on investment.

Public Services

Believes the city needs at least 400 more police officers and plans to broaden the tax base to invest more money into public safety.

Believes the city needs at least 400 more police officers; plans to expand the tax base to increase funding for public safety.

Believes Raleigh has become a "soft-on-crime city" since the 2020 riots and wants to change its status as a "soft target" for crime.

Believes Raleigh has become a "soft-on-crime city" since the 2020 riots surrounding police brutality in the United States.

Supports relocating Central and Women’s Prisons from Downtown Raleigh to areas with cheaper land and potential for local economic growth through state paying jobs.

Supports relocating Central and Women’s Prisons from Downtown Raleigh to areas with cheaper land and potential for local economic growth through job creation.

Supports legal gaming in Raleigh, believing it would boost local revenue and fund public safety without increasing taxes.

Supports legal gaming in Raleigh; believes it would increase local revenue and help fund public safety without increasing taxes.

- Believes the city needs at least 400 more police officers; plans to expand the tax base to increase funding for public safety.
- Believes Raleigh has become a "soft-on-crime city" since the 2020 riots surrounding police brutality in the United States.
- Supports relocating Central and Women’s Prisons from Downtown Raleigh to areas with cheaper land and potential for local economic growth through job creation.
- Supports legal gaming in Raleigh; believes it would increase local revenue and help fund public safety without increasing taxes.

Public Safety

Believes the first step to affordable housing is making it available, and plans to convert underutilized commercial spaces to create urban homeownership.

Supports increasing affordable housing by converting underutilized commercial spaces to homes.

- Supports increasing affordable housing by converting underutilized commercial spaces to homes.

Housing & Urban Development

Opposes spending billions on light rail systems, believing telecommuting is a sufficient alternative.

Opposes large investments in the light rail system.

- Opposes large investments in the light rail system.

Transportation & Infrastructure

As of July 31, 2024, Paul Fitts’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Education

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Paul Fitts

Ballotpedia, Eugene Myrick

Supports the revival of Citizen Advisory Councils (CACs) to foster transparency, collaboration, and trust between residents and city officials.

Supports strong advocacy for seniors, low-wage earners, and long-term residents.

Believes in addressing public service concerns by engaging with politicians at all levels.

Supports reinstating the South Community Advisory Committee.

Supports enhancing public services to create safer neighborhoods and foster inclusive growth.

As a community organizer, he preserved vital services by preventing the closure of several Senior Centers.

As a community organizer, preserved vital services by preventing the closure of several senior centers.

- Supports the revival of Citizen Advisory Councils (CACs) to foster transparency, collaboration, and trust between residents and city officials.
- Supports strong advocacy for seniors, low-wage earners, and long-term residents.
- Believes in addressing public service concerns by engaging with politicians at all levels.
- Supports reinstating the South Community Advisory Committee.
- Supports enhancing public services to create safer neighborhoods and foster inclusive growth.
- As a community organizer, preserved vital services by preventing the closure of several senior centers.

Promises to ensure public safety officers receive "a fair, livable wage that reflects their dedication and the critical role they play in our city."

Supports providing essential support and compensation for first responders.

Prioritizes investing in and improving the Addressing Crisis through Outreach, Referrals, Networking & Services (ACORNS) program to address mental health or substance crises.

- Promises to ensure public safety officers receive "a fair, livable wage that reflects their dedication and the critical role they play in our city."
- Supports providing essential support and compensation for first responders.
- Prioritizes investing in and improving the Addressing Crisis through Outreach, Referrals, Networking & Services (ACORNS) program to address mental health or substance crises.

Supports implementing a mixed housing policy that requires developers to set aside units for affordable housing, investing in community land trusts, and creating more affordable homeownership and rental options.

Advocates for policies that benefit residents and the community, emphasizing accountability and tenant association engagement.

Believes rapid overdevelopment has caused gentrification and an affordability crisis. Supports a balanced growth approach that prioritizes affordable housing for all residents.

Believes rapid overdevelopment has caused gentrification and an affordability crisis.

Advocates addressing rising property taxes to support seniors.

As a community organizer, successfully advocated for repairs, new ownership, and improved living conditions in Brooklyn’s Remeeder and Nobel Drew Ali apartment complexes.

Said, "We need to redefine affordability by linking housing costs to Neighborhood Median Income rather than Area Median Income. This ensures housing remains accessible for long-term residents and prevents displacement."

- Supports implementing a mixed housing policy that requires developers to set aside units for affordable housing, investing in community land trusts, and creating more affordable homeownership and rental options.
- Advocates for policies that benefit residents and the community, emphasizing accountability and tenant association engagement.
- Believes rapid overdevelopment has caused gentrification and an affordability crisis.
- Advocates addressing rising property taxes to support seniors.
- As a community organizer, successfully advocated for repairs, new ownership, and improved living conditions in Brooklyn’s Remeeder and Nobel Drew Ali apartment complexes.
- Said, "We need to redefine affordability by linking housing costs to Neighborhood Median Income rather than Area Median Income. This ensures housing remains accessible for long-term residents and prevents displacement."

Plans to address environmental justice issues caused by overdevelopment, such as flooding, damaged landscapes, and traffic congestion.

Believes in balancing city development with environmental protection, including natural resource conservation and tree preservation.

- Plans to address environmental justice issues caused by overdevelopment, such as flooding, damaged landscapes, and traffic congestion.
- Believes in balancing city development with environmental protection, including natural resource conservation and tree preservation.

Believes in supporting education and creating opportunities for youth.

Prioritizes supporting education and creating opportunities for youth.

Advocated for special needs students and increased school funding.

Supports free meals for students at public schools.

- Prioritizes supporting education and creating opportunities for youth.
- Advocated for special needs students and increased school funding.
- Supports free meals for students at public schools.

Eugene Myrick

Promises to work hard to ensure tax dollars are used effectively.

Promises to ensure tax dollars are used effectively.

Plans to reduce unnecessary spending and use AI to improve government efficiency.

Wants to utilize AI to improve government efficiency.

Plans to partner with local farms and promote on-site school farms to provide healthy food and teach students about sustainability.

- Promises to ensure tax dollars are used effectively.
- Wants to utilize AI to improve government efficiency.
- Plans to partner with local farms and promote on-site school farms to provide healthy food and teach students about sustainability.

Plans to establish a new mental hospital to increase resources for individuals facing mental illness, addiction, and homelessness.

Plans to collaborate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to address mental health challenges and develop innovative solutions tailored to community needs.

Supports establishing new mental health facilities, expanding ACORNs, and collaborating with NGOs to address the mental health crisis and provide resources for vulnerable individuals.

Believes in the importance of public service and community engagement, having volunteered with various organizations and in Ukraine during the war.

Believes governance is a "team sport" and encourages direct communication from constituents to help him serve them better.

Believes in the importance of community service and has worked with various organizations to support public services.

- Plans to establish a new mental hospital to increase resources for individuals facing mental illness, addiction, and homelessness.
- Plans to collaborate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to address mental health challenges and develop innovative solutions tailored to community needs.
- Supports establishing new mental health facilities, expanding ACORNs, and collaborating with NGOs to address the mental health crisis and provide resources for vulnerable individuals.
- Believes in the importance of public service and community engagement, having volunteered with various organizations and in Ukraine during the war.
- Believes governance is a "team sport" and encourages direct communication from constituents to help him serve them better.
- Believes in the importance of community service and has worked with various organizations to support public services.

Plans to enhance police capabilities in mental health emergency calls by expanding the ACORNS Unit.

Promises to document all donated funds and their uses on a publicly accessible spreadsheet that will be updated monthly.

Promises to serve constituents with "honesty, integrity, and a strong work ethic."

- Plans to enhance police capabilities in mental health emergency calls by expanding the ACORNS Unit.
- Promises to document all donated funds and their uses on a publicly accessible spreadsheet that will be updated monthly.
- Promises to serve constituents with "honesty, integrity, and a strong work ethic."

Believes Raleigh needs to build more apartments, townhomes, and houses.

Proposes a city servant housing credit, providing stipends for city workers to live within the municipality.

Plans to restructure zoning laws to encourage more development.

Believes housing is the most important expense for residents, noting that the average price of housing has increased over 150% in the past 10 years while wages have not.

- Believes Raleigh needs to build more apartments, townhomes, and houses.
- Proposes a city servant housing credit, providing stipends for city workers to live within the municipality.
- Plans to restructure zoning laws to encourage more development.
- Believes housing is the most important expense for residents, noting that the average price of housing has increased over 150% in the past 10 years while wages have not.

Plans to prioritize recruitment to fully staff the bus service and then expand the transit network to increase accessibility and ridership.

Plans to collaborate with local and federal transportation agencies to secure funding for road improvements.

Acknowledges that while many Raleigh residents use their own vehicles, a significant portion rely on the GoRaleigh transit system, which "certainly has room for improvement."

- Plans to prioritize recruitment to fully staff the bus service and then expand the transit network to increase accessibility and ridership.
- Plans to collaborate with local and federal transportation agencies to secure funding for road improvements.
- Acknowledges that while many Raleigh residents use their own vehicles, a significant portion rely on the GoRaleigh transit system, which "certainly has room for improvement."

Believes in providing a well-rounded education that includes both traditional academics and practical skills such as mechanics, construction, and cooking.

Believes prioritizing local schools is essential to fostering a healthy future.

Believes providing fresh and nutritious meals for children is crucial for their overall well-being and educational success.

Believes in reintroducing job skills training in schools.

- Believes in providing a well-rounded education that includes both traditional academics and practical skills such as mechanics, construction, and cooking.
- Believes prioritizing local schools is essential to fostering a healthy future.
- Believes providing fresh and nutritious meals for children is crucial for their overall well-being and educational success.
- Believes in reintroducing job skills training in schools.

James L. Shaughnessy IV

Ballotpedia, Janet Cowell

As City Council member and county commissioner, ensured the AAA bond rating for North Carolina and Raleigh through oversight of taxes, spending, and debt.

- As City Council member and county commissioner, ensured the AAA bond rating for North Carolina and Raleigh through oversight of taxes, spending, and debt.

Plans to collaborate with state and Wake County government to involve mental health providers and paramedics in non-criminal crisis situations.

Supports maintaining Raleigh’s open spaces, green spaces, and parkways as they "are also cultural hubs and gathering spaces for neighbors that foster connection, creativity, and economic development."

As a state representative, established mental health parity in the state health plan.

Advocates for diverse representation on public and private boards and organizational leaders, aiming to reflect the communities they serve by increasing women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

- Plans to collaborate with state and Wake County government to involve mental health providers and paramedics in non-criminal crisis situations.
- Supports maintaining Raleigh’s open spaces, green spaces, and parkways as they "are also cultural hubs and gathering spaces for neighbors that foster connection, creativity, and economic development."
- As a state representative, established mental health parity in the state health plan.
- Advocates for diverse representation on public and private boards and organizational leaders, aiming to reflect the communities they serve by increasing women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Supports providing law enforcement with adequate personnel, equipment, facilities, training, competitive pay, and affordable housing.

Believes in "keeping our community safe and helping our neighbors."

- Supports providing law enforcement with adequate personnel, equipment, facilities, training, competitive pay, and affordable housing.
- Believes in "keeping our community safe and helping our neighbors."

Plans to collaborate with Wake County to provide adequate shelter beds for the unhoused, divert individuals with mental illness from hospitals, and develop both permanent and temporary housing options with necessary services for vulnerable unhoused individuals.

Believes the rapid growth of Raleigh has caused housing costs to soar, making it difficult for essential community workers like teachers, firefighters, and law enforcement officers to afford living in the city.

Supports implementing a forward-looking rezoning plan that incorporates public input and comprehensive review.

- Plans to collaborate with Wake County to provide adequate shelter beds for the unhoused, divert individuals with mental illness from hospitals, and develop both permanent and temporary housing options with necessary services for vulnerable unhoused individuals.
- Believes the rapid growth of Raleigh has caused housing costs to soar, making it difficult for essential community workers like teachers, firefighters, and law enforcement officers to afford living in the city.
- Supports implementing a forward-looking rezoning plan that incorporates public input and comprehensive review.

As a local official, established a stormwater program to prevent flooding.

Believes investing in infrastructure like water, sewer, and public transportation will help reduce traffic congestion.

Supports environmental protection and resilience.

Plans to collaborate with the City Council and Wake County to improve programs that protect the tree canopy and open spaces and develop management plans for public spaces.

- As a local official, established a stormwater program to prevent flooding.
- Believes investing in infrastructure like water, sewer, and public transportation will help reduce traffic congestion.
- Supports environmental protection and resilience.
- Plans to collaborate with the City Council and Wake County to improve programs that protect the tree canopy and open spaces and develop management plans for public spaces.

As of July 31, 2024, Janet Cowell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Janet Cowell

Indy Week, Terrance Ruth Announces Plan to Run for Raleigh Mayor This Fall

Believes a strong economy relies on managing population growth and creating opportunities for long-term residents.

Believes investing in state-of-the-art technology will advance remote work, small-business growth, collegiate talent retention, and communication between city officials and residents.

- Believes a strong economy relies on managing population growth and creating opportunities for long-term residents.
- Believes investing in state-of-the-art technology will advance remote work, small-business growth, collegiate talent retention, and communication between city officials and residents.

Believes in listening to every voice and learning from interactions to benefit the entire community.

Believes decision-makers should reflect the city's diversity.

Supports transparency and accountability in community health services.

Supports collaborating with community-based nonprofits to enhance public services.

Believes in the ability of communities to identify and solve problems.

- Believes in listening to every voice and learning from interactions to benefit the entire community.
- Believes decision-makers should reflect the city's diversity.
- Supports transparency and accountability in community health services.
- Supports collaborating with community-based nonprofits to enhance public services.
- Believes in the ability of communities to identify and solve problems.

Believes addressing physical, social, and cultural needs will enhance community safety and well-being.

Promises to work towards a more "inclusive, loving place."

- Believes addressing physical, social, and cultural needs will enhance community safety and well-being.
- Promises to work towards a more "inclusive, loving place."

Believes housing affordability is a right and supports a diverse inventory of affordable housing options for all income levels to ensure residents can access necessary resources.

Believes housing affordability is a right and supports a diverse inventory of affordable housing options for all income levels.

- Believes housing affordability is a right and supports a diverse inventory of affordable housing options for all income levels.

Believes Raleigh needs safe, reliable, and efficient transportation options and a solid infrastructure that supports residents using public transportation, driving, walking, or biking.

- Believes Raleigh needs safe, reliable, and efficient transportation options and a solid infrastructure that supports residents using public transportation, driving, walking, or biking.

As of July 31, 2024, Terrance (Truth) Ruth’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Terrance (Truth) Ruth

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor attends and runs City Council meetings, serving as an important leader for how local laws get set. These laws affect local services, such as Police, City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation.  
- The Mayor in some circumstances may vote to break a tie in council meetings. They do not have veto power.