Odom aims to get Raleigh council seat back

RALEIGH -- An incumbent City Council member and a former councilman with polar-opposite policy positions are vying for the District B seat, which represents Northeast Raleigh.

Incumbent Rodger Koopman, a Democrat and director of a software development company, has held the seat for the past two years. His opponent is Republican John Odom, a small-business owner who served five terms on the council from 1993-2003.

Koopman, 49, said the predominantly progressive council has worked hard to correct costly mistakes made by Odom and his conservative colleagues in the 1990s.

"He's a representation of the past," Koopman said. "We had a lot of problems because of people like him. I'm focused on the future."

Odom, who unsuccessfully ran against Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker in 2003, said Koopman represents irresponsible taxing and spending.

"I want everyone to know where their dollars are going," he said. "People in this district don't feel like they have good representation."

District B stretches north and east of the Beltline and includes much of the Capital Boulevard corridor. It is home to many of North Raleigh's parks, which have sparked debate between those who favor nature parks and those who want parks with more playing fields and recreational areas.

Koopman championed the move to make Horseshoe Farm Park an exclusive nature park with minimal walking and biking trails and rich wildlife. He mentioned the 146-acre park last week at a North Raleigh forum for City Council candidates.

Odom, who was on the council when the city bought the park in 1994, emphasized the need for more ball fields and gymnasiums in District B because many parents have to drive their kids across town to play sports. Koopman doesn't dispute that point but said nature parks can't be neglected.

Working relationships

The clear-cutting of sewer easements has sparked neighborhood ire in District B.

Koopman worked with state legislators and city staffers to mandate advanced notice of cutting and to restrict the amount of cutting the city can do. The candidate cites this as an example of his ability to work closely with individual residents, something he said Odom lacks.

"He kind of has a heavy-handed attitude toward neighbors and neighborhoods," Koopman said.

But Odom, 62, said that it was residents who felt ignored by Koopman who encouraged him to try to reclaim the seat.

"District B is diverse in terms of race, culture and income," Odom said. "I have the ability to cross those lines. I can eat breakfast with those who don't have as much and eat dinner with the governor."

On fees for growth

The candidates also disagree on how to pay for growth.

Koopman favors impact fees that make new developers pay their own way. He helped double them during his term, and he said he wants the council to consider ways to scale the fees to give incentives for affordable housing.

Odom opposes raising the fees. He said that the current fee is adequate and that the council should consider other ways to generate revenue for additional services caused by growth.

"I'm for charging people, but not if you're also going to raise taxes like this council has," Odom said.

In nearby District A, which stretches across North Raleigh, incumbent council member Nancy McFarlane is running unopposed.

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