CityCamp Raleigh!

June 3-5, Raleigh will host our first ever CityCamp! CityCamp will bring together government, business, neighborhood, non-profit, and academic affiliates to work together toward next generation solutions for Raleigh! The event is the only one of it's kind, a City-focused "unconference."

Admission is free and open to the public, but space is limited! The event will include speaker presentations, workshop sessions, and breakout sessions. Some of the topics that will be included are crime, trash, water/sewer, property taxes, street maintenance and traffic, parks and recreation, storm water management, and transit!

Even if you can't attend, you can participate! Citizens are encouraged to submit ideas, suggestions, and discussion topics on CityCamp's website. The sessions on Friday and Saturday will be held at Vintage 21, Sunday's sessions will take place at The Stockroom.

Grand Openings!

Over the last few weeks, I have been able to attend two wonderful grand opening celebrations! The first was to celebrate the opening of the Wilmoore Cafe, a great new restaurant downtown. The Wilmoore Cafe is located at 223 S. Wilmington Street, and is another great addition to downtown!

The second grand opening celebration was for the Contemporary Art Museum! This is another great addition to our downtown. It is a wonderful facility, unlike anything else we have to offer in the triangle. The Contemporary Art Museum is located at 409 W. Martin Street.

RPFFA Fundraising Concert

This November, the Raleigh Professional Fire Fighters Association (RPFFA), will bring back their annual fundraising concerts! The first concert will be held on November 18, at Dorton Arena. Country music legend John Anderson will perform with Briana Dean.

Proceeds from this concert, along with others in the future, will benefit several local charities and community programs. Camp Celebrate is one of the programs that the RPFFA supports. Camp Celebrate is a weekend camp for children ages 7-15 who have suffered major burn injuries. The RPFFA also works to provide and install smoke detectors for families who cannot afford them. Proceeds will also be used to support the Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Hospital, the Salvation Army, Helping Hands, and local youth athletic programs.

More information is available here or by calling 919-714-7944.

The RPFFA is a registered 501(c)(5) non-profit.

An Update or Tornado Response Efforts

It has been just two short weeks since Raleigh experienced the devastating storms. In that time, a tremendous amount of work has been done. Raleigh suffered more than $115 million in damage. 138 homes were destroyed, along with 8 businesses. Many roads were closed, and thousands of residents went several days without power, cable, or telephone.

Also, four young lives were lost as a result of the storms. I extend my sincere condolences to the families and friends of these four children.

Citizens of Raleigh have done an outstanding job in the recovery efforts since the storm. Neighbors have worked together, various volunteer groups have formed, and the City has put together more than 25 cleanup crews. More than 100,000 cubic yards of debris have been collected. In just two short weeks, many places are nearing normalcy.

For those who still have work to be done, please contact the City. There are several groups prepared and waiting to help! Also, the City's Yard Waste Center is waiving the standard fee for Raleigh home owners.

The City is also hosting a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at the Chavis Park Community Center. Staff is available for assistance seven days a week, from 7am-7pm. For more information please send an email to stormrecovery@raleighnc.gov.

My Candidacy for Mayor of Raleigh!

This morning, I announced my candidacy for Mayor of Raleigh!



I have lived in Raleigh for 27 years. I have raised a family, and started and grown a business here. During that time, Raleigh has experienced a lot of growth and change. We have seen Raleigh emerge as a place that consistently tops the rankings of "Best Places to Live," "Best Places for Business," and "Best Places to Raise a Family."

What sets our city apart is a tremendous collaborative spirit that unites our diverse interests to create this outstanding community. But even as great as we are, we can be even better! We are not the incredible city we are today by accident. It was careful planning that brought us here.

As we grow, we will face challenges. It is important that we plan carefully to accommodate our expected growth, so that we continue to enjoy the safe, beautiful, prosperous city that we love.

I have a vision for Raleigh as a true world class city that provides choices as to how we live, work, and play. I want to make sure that we always retain the beauty and charm that makes us Raleigh! I am ready to lead Raleigh and chart a successful course for tomorrow and the next twenty years.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Raleigh. I am proud of what Raleigh has become, and I am excited to lead Raleigh into the future!