Raleigh has involved itself in various citizen participation efforts in recent history including a municipal training course for residents and a provision for complaints and recommendations in each individuals water bill. In addition, all city departments from Recreation to Planning, have worked with civic and neighborhood organizations on a wide range of projects. The CAC program has added a new dimension to this citizen participation effort.
The CAC program, which was first proposed during discussions concerning the possibility of a Model Cities Program for Raleigh, is designed to involve all areas of the City in a formal citizen participation structure. What we have tried to do over the last twelve (12) months is to establish an avenue or a system whereby citizens might have input to City government and whereby city government might use this avenue as one means of involving citizens in the decision-making process.
When we set forth the Citizens’ Participation Program, we were preparing for Special Revenue Sharing Funds that were to be forth coming in 1974. They are still being worked on in the U. S. Congress under “The Better Communities Act.” As it stands now, these funds will not be available in 1974, and we are not sure whether or not they will ever be available.
Even though the federal program, which initiated the need for this Council, has not developed, already there is ample evidence that proves the creation of the Citizens Advisory Council will bring the City of Raleigh, both its government and people, to new heights of service and quality of life for all people.
The City of Raleigh is blessed with active, interested citizens. Many serve actively on various boards, committees, commissions, special task forces, etc. It is not desirable to create more groups or boards whom may wind up duplicating, overlapping or infringing on work areas already assigned and actively receiving attention
We believe, however, there are many broad problem areas facing this community that could be attacked for a solution by broad base groups such as this new Citizens Advisory Council. While issuing a challenge to you to search out and attack these problem areas, we recognize other groups will be involved to varying degrees on related problems. We also recognize there will be other citywide or area problems you may choose to work at for solutions, and we challenge you to do so.
Listed below are three broad problems that were presented to the members of the CAC on February 4, 1973. These members were asked to work on these problems in the beginning.
1. Housing – Many varied groups are concerned with how to provide for every resident a decent and standard living environment. We challenge you to identify the scope of the problem and to point out how the total city can meet this responsibility.
2. Mobility of People – Every citizen and visitor at one time or another, desires to Move from one point to another. When great numbers desire to move at the same time and in the same direction, great and complex problems arise. Whether by motor vehicle, mass transit, bicycle or pedestrian, it is the responsibility of the people through their government to provide safe, convenient and efficient means by which people can move as they need to move. We challenge you to look at the total problem in all its varied systems and propose how this City can best serve its people in their mobility.
3. Governmental Levels and Responsibility – Why is there a City of Raleigh government? Why is there a county government? What are the constitutional and statutory areas of responsibility to its citizens? Are there some areas of overlapping, duplication and thus double taxing of some citizens over others? Should there be clearer, sharper lines drawn between levels of local government or should all local municipal and county governments be merged into one county level local government? What and how will the new Region J Council of Government mean to citizens in Raleigh? These questions are very crucial to our citizens. We hope that you will be able to make significant input concerning this problem.
We further feel that you can play an integral part in the decision-making process and planning of the City of Raleigh. You must remember that the CAC is not the City Council and that the power it has is that power which is delegated to you by the City Council.
The City Council will make resources available to you to do the type of job that has been assigned to you. We feel that this can be a beautiful process, if you so choose or it can be just another complaint board and we as City Council Members do not need that kind of board. Certainly, we would like for you to bring your problems to us, along with alternative solutions and recommendations to solve these problems.