A proposed switch to four-year terms appears stalled, but Raleigh City Council members will mull the idea a little longer.
Unable to reach a decision after a public hearing Tuesday, the council sent the issue to its comprehensive planning committee for more review. Three people spoke in favor of a switch, and one person urged Raleigh to keep the current two-year system.
Four-year terms bring greater stability, said a representative for the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. Voters should get a say every two years, countered Helen Tart, a former City Council candidate.
Mary-Ann Baldwin floated a new approach to break the impasse: a 12-person commission to make a recommendation.
“I don’t think we need a committee,” said Mayor Nancy McFarlane, who opposes a switch. “We’re all perfectly capable of reaching out to different segments of the community.”
If the council doesn’t take action within 60 days, a new round of public hearings would have to occur for the issue to be reconsidered.
Goodmon and Raleigh, reunited
Why is it a big deal that Jim Goodmon will speak at the upcoming Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Community Appearance ceremony? Let’s take a moment to review the history.
Six years ago, Goodmon, chief executive of Capitol Broadcasting, pledged $2.5 million toward a marquee work of civic art on newly-reopened Fayetteville Street. The concept involved a plaza of lights and falling water by Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa.
But Goodmon revoked his offer after Raleigh leaders waffled over the proposed design. He said the yearlong experience left him unwilling to work with Raleigh on art.
Maybe time has healed the rift. Or perhaps Goodmon just wants to make a point.
The topic of his October address is the importance of the arts to culture and the economy. Goodmon has traveled the state recently to speak on the topic.
In light of all that happened, Goodmon makes a pretty good headliner for the 30th anniversary of the Sir Walter Raleigh Awards, said Ted Van Dyk, chairman of the city’s appearance commission, which puts on the free event.
“We’d all like to welcome Mr. Goodmon back into the city of Raleigh,” Van Dyk told City Council members this week.
Towing over the line?
Summer vacation is over early for the Chapel Hill Town Council, after a judge rejected the town’s new towing rules last week.
Judge Orlando Hudson threw out the ordinance, which set a maximum $150 fee and required companies to accept credit cards, among other measures. George’s Towing & Recovery had sued the town, and the judge ruled that the ordinance was an unconstitutional regulation of trade. (Read the ruling on the OrangeChat blog.)
Town officials will soon decide whether to appeal. The ruling leaves Chapel Hill with no towing rules in effect, but complaints about “predatory” towing tactics keep coming – and the population is about to swell.
“The complaints have been relatively few, but there have been some as bad as we heard before,” Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt said. “It’s summer. In two weeks, we are going to have 22,000 students and their families” trying to park.
The town of Chapel Hill is keeping a record of towing complaints. If you have one, contact Flora Parrish in the police department at fparrish@townofchapelhill.org.
Political Trails
• U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers will speak to the Wake County Republican Women’s Club on Thursday at the N.C. State University Club, 4200 Hillsborough St., in Raleigh. Social begins at 11:30 a.m., and the lunch/program begins at 11:45 a.m. Lunch is $18 at the door. Make reservations by Monday by emailing 1wcrwc@gmail.com.
• The Wake County Democratic Party will hold the “Forward to Victory” summer fundraiser next Saturday at the home of Fuquay-Varina Town Commissioner Ed Ridpath, 313 South Fuquay Ave. The fundraiser runs from 4 to 6 p.m. Admission is $25. For more information, email. admin@wakedems.org or call 919-828-5656.
Compiled by Matt Garfield, Tammy Grubb and T. Keung Hui.
Got a tip, item or coming event? Fax Triangle Politics at 919-829-4529, or send e-mail to metroeds@newsobserver.com. Send items by noon Thursday.
