Raleigh's municipal elections in recent times have featured few out-of-the-mainstream candidates for office, which probably is a sign that in this increasingly cosmopolitan city, people take government seriously. The News & Observer today offers its editorial endorsements for mayor and City Council, with hopes that the progressive government attitude in the city will continue to be strong, and that the council will reflect the diversity of opinion in the city itself.
This time out, only one council seat is uncontested, that of incumbent Nancy McFarlane, 53, in north Raleigh's District A. McFarlane, a pharmacist and businesswoman, is seeking a second two-year term, and her lack of opposition reflects that she has been a competent council member, attuned to citywide issues and those of her district.
The easiest choice among those candidates who do have opposition is in the mayor's race. Incumbent Charles Meeker, 59, has been a strong leader, one who has stayed true to his principles of even-handed stewardship of council meetings, listening to the public, progressive ideas with regard to downtown revitalization, courage in advancing projects such as the convention center which faced opposition in some quarters. His three opponents haven't made a case against him. Meeker wants a fifth term, and he has The N&O's enthusiastic editorial support.
At-large: Baldwin, Stephenson
At-large councilors represent everybody. They field more calls from constituents than other council members, and tend to be more involved in regional issues and with the state legislative delegation.
The N&O endorses for re-election two incumbents: Mary-Ann Baldwin, 53, a marketing consultant seeking her second term, and architect Russ Stephenson, 53, who wants a third term. Both work hard, both keep in touch with constituents, both have long-standing community involvements.
Stephenson has in his professional life worked on historic preservation projects all over the country, valuable in a place such as Raleigh where preservation of older neighborhoods has to be balanced with "infill" developments as the city seeks to have more density in established areas to curb urban sprawl. Baldwin is particularly strong on public transit issues.
The other candidates in the race are Champ Claris, a real estate broker and well-spoken younger man (he'll be 32 on Election Day), and Lee Sartain, 28, another young person with forward-looking ideas who works with the Friday Institute at N.C. State University.
District B: Koopman
His first term hasn't been an easy one in some ways for Rodger Koopman, 49, a retired Air Force officer and software consultant. He tends to be a little too blunt-spoken. To his credit, however, Koopman seems to have learned in the last two years to measure his words, and ultimately, his progressive views on preserving green space and curbing urban sprawl have been welcome.
Though he lives on the inner edge of this northeast Raleigh district, Koopman seems to have worked hard to meet with constituents and to respond to their concerns. His active private business life has meant long-distance participation in some council meetings, which is OK as long as it is rare. He has The N&O's editorial endorsement for a second term.
That decision comes, however, with generous respect and appreciation for Koopman's opponent, who once held the District B seat. John Odom is an affable businessman whose long service was marked by devotion to constituents and by a conservative but open-minded approach to governing. In this campaign, he has emphasized curbs and caution on spending.
District C: West
Incumbent James West, seeking a sixth term from this district in Southeast Raleigh, has our endorsement. West, 65, is a retired educator who seems solidly popular in his district. West has of late properly emphasized the need for a focus on public safety in District C.
His opponent, Chuck Reisinger, is due credit for taking this step toward elective civic involvement against the odds. But the odds are long when an incumbent is as firmly entrenched as West.
District D: Crowder
Although this is a close call, we favor incumbent Thomas Crowder, a 53-year-old architect who had no opposition last time out and who wants a fourth term. At the end of the day, Crowder is usually on the positive side of issues, particularly regarding responsible development, preservation of neighborhoods, public safety and downtown revitalization, all of them pertinent to District D, southwest Raleigh (including N.C. State University).
But Crowder sometimes makes it a long day for his colleagues. His district is a challenge, to be sure, as it includes diverse neighborhoods, from affluent Cameron Park to areas much less well-to-do, and Crowder is quick to say he represents District D first and foremost. He can be confrontational, and he needs to work on that. He is well-versed on issues to be sure, and experience helps.
Ted Van Dyk, who is 48 and also an architect, is giving the incumbent a tough run, and no wonder. Van Dyk is a well-informed, articulate and progressive voice. He doesn't really differ much with Crowder on issues, but believes his approach would be better. He has served in a variety of capacities in civic work, is highly qualified and likable. He has good vision on public transit options (he is for more of them) and careful planning for growth.
District E: Gaylord
This district (northwest and west) has long been represented by Philip Isley, currently the council's most conservative member, who is stepping down. To succeed him, there are two excellent candidates.
Our endorsement goes to 31-year-old Bonner Gaylord, general manager of the North Hills development, who has impressive civic involvement in a variety of areas at a relatively young age and also a firm grasp of the issues. Gaylord, who grew up in Raleigh, would be no stranger to dealing with constituents' concerns about services, something that Isley has done exceptionally well. After all, as North Hills manager, Gaylord deals with apartment tenants, merchants, restaurant owners and customers.
He strikes us an open-minded fellow who listens well and responds thoughtfully.
His opponent, Waheed Haq, 52, arrived in America from his native Pakistan 25 years ago with one month's rent and a semester's tuition at N.C. State University. Hard work as an engineering consultant and now as a businessman with varied interests made him successful, and he, too, has been an involved citizen. Haq is a man to be admired for his intelligence and determination. His story is an inspiring one.
