Report from the WakeUp and LWV Forum in Raleigh by -Gailya Paliga and the Wake County Women's Agenda Assembly

The last day to register to vote is Oct 8. Early voting starts Oct 14. Final voting date - Tuesday, Nov 2.

This is a summary of the Wake County Commissioner 2010 Candidate Forum on Monday, Sept 27, from 7pm-9pm. The forum was organized and run by the League of Women Voters of Wake County and Wake Up Wake County, 2 non-partisan organizations.

It was held at Temple Beth Or, which is near Crabtree Valley Mall. The candidate forum program states this is 'Your chance to learn where the candidates stand on growth-related issues affecting our community".

This was a very professionally run forum. All 8 candidates for the 4 positions of Wake County Commissioner were invited. All came but 2. Present were Lindy Brown, Jack Nichols, Steve Rao, Don Mial, Tony Gurley and Joe Bryan. Marian Lewin, from the League of Women Voters, was moderator. Phil Matthews and Paul Coble did not attend.

The Wake County Commissioners are responsible for policies such as establishment of the property tax rate, regulation of land use and zoning outside municipal jurisdictions, and adoption of the annual budget. We can all vote for 4 county commissioners, not just one representing our district. I liked Lindy Brown, Jack Nichols, Steve Rao, and Don Mial the best, although Tony Gurley was charming and Joe Bryan was earnest.

All of the candidates got to introduce themselves, and then Marian took them through about 13 written questions (and I have written down the ideas of the questions from my notes rather than the actual questions). Each question was directed at candidates in a specific district. Then the audience got to ask questions, although they couldn't direct who answered.

I'll write the questions, and put down a few responses so you can get an idea of the candidates. All candidates introduced themselves and spoke to question 1 (Q1).

Q1 - Do you support proposals from the new school board majority?
Don Mial disagrees with the board and Lindy Brown has concerns and has spoken to them, asking them to slow down. Joe Bryan and Tony Gurley support them. Steve Rao has serious concerns about the board's decisions, saying 'if you had a 1.2 billion dollar business, would you make changes without a plan' and that economic development is hurt by this conflict. Jack Nichols said that the Wake County Commissioners are the banks for the schools, and just like a bank, the WCC want to see a good business plan.
Q2 - What do you think about using the Little River to provide more water for Raleigh?
Don Mial said the army corps is not sure there is enough water there, and we need to be sure there is to use it. Joe Bryan supports using the Little River but we need another source. He sees a need to conserve and protect.
Q3 - Development and the Environment
Lindy Brown is very concerned that development not wreck the water or the environment. Her opponent was one that didn't show.
Q4 - Should Wake raise taxes .5 centers to fund a Public Transit system?
Q5 - Is there a need for more affordable housing in Raleigh?
Q6 - What additional cuts will you propose or what tax changes to deal with expected growth?
Joe Bryan thinks Wake needs to do more with less.
Don Mial supports a balanced approach. We can't cut schools or mental health any more. May need to raise revenues. Would also get input from Wake County staff.
(other questions..)
Q7 - How do we bring communities together for referendum for building schools?
Q8 - Falls Lake is too dirty. How do we protect it?
Q9 - This county is growing very fast - how do we plan for development with regard to water, open spaces, farms, etc.?
Q10 - How do we deal with traffic congestion, air pollution and more development?
Q11 - How do we balance development and clean water. Are storm water controlls strong enough?
Q12 - State funding for schools has gone down. Can we cut schools anymore? Do we raise revenue?
Steve Rao said he'd look for other ways to bring revenue and help student achievement. The economic mess we have is here to stay. Tony Gurley agrees we have a mess, and think the state budget will be bad next year. He wants to take suggestions from citizens on what to do.

Q13 - Would you use other fees to supplement taxes?

Audience questions -

There were many questions on mental health and the closing of and need for the Dorothea Dix mental health hospital. There were many questions about the schools including the magnet program, effects of loss of accreditation, effects of expected high poverty schools. Someone asked about stopping all growth in Wake County (closing the gates). I have more information in my notes if you are interested.

All in all, this was a wonderful forum - professionally run and well-attended. I hope that you can see by this email how relevant these issues are to our lives in Wake County. Please look these candidates up more yourself, meet them if you can, and by all means--

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!! It only takes a few minutes, and is so very important.

-Gailya Paliga