The conservative Americans for Prosperity is pushing its members to flood Council of State members with emails and phone calls in opposition to plans to sell the 325-acre Dorothea Dix campus to the City of Raleigh.

Under Gov. Bev Perdue, the state has inched closer to a deal with the city to sell the downtown property that previously served as a state mental hospital.

The land would be turned into a park managed by N.C. State University, but AFP wants the land sold on the open market.

In a press release, Dallas Woodhouse, director of AFP-NC, states: “This is a billion-dollar giveaway of taxpayer resources to Raleigh elites for another taxpayer-funded cultural amenity. State taxpayers have already provided the residents of Raleigh hundreds of millions of dollars for the State Museums of Art, History, and Natural Sciences, the PNC Arena, the North Carolina Symphony …”

The AFP letter to members of the Council of State says in part:

“The City of Raleigh and Wake County Taxpayers already have approx. 208 city parks, eight county parks and three state parks for which they pay. Adding another park would not enhance the city, county or state. It would merely add to the financial burden of the taxpayers.”

McCrory adviser joins law firm

A senior adviser to Gov.-elect Pat McCrory’s campaign has taken a job at the Charlotte law firm where his boss worked after stepping down as the city’s mayor.

Moore & Van Allen has hired Brian Nick as part of its public affairs team. Nick handled communications strategy for the campaign.

Nick previously worked for Vice President Dan Quayle, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole and a range of other GOP campaigns. He starts the new job Monday.

Dalton adviser heads to Habitat

Walter Dalton’s deputy campaign manager has been named a director at Habitat for Humanity of Durham.

Derwin Debose, who has also held policy jobs with the lieutenant governor and state treasurer’s offices, will be director of programs and communications for the nonprofit Christian housing ministry.

“Derwin will help Habitat build more homes and connect to all of our neighbors in Durham,” said Blake Strayhorn, the group’s executive director. “His deep roots in Durham, special connection to affordable housing and government successes will help us chart a growth strategy for the next 10 years.”

Habitat for Humanity of Durham helps nearly 75 families each year achieve home ownership by building new homes, repairing existing homes, and rehabilitating abandoned homes.

Dubose said the group is “doing bold work to revitalize Durham communities” and that he’s honored to join the team in helping his neighbors.

Staff writer Austin Baird

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