Raleigh

Community-focused posts

There are 773 posts filed in Raleigh (this is page 49 of 78).

Larry Lessig visits Raleigh Tuesday

Lawrence Lessig will be speaking at several events in Raleigh on Tuesday, June 22.

Lessig is a Professor of Law at Harvard and a frequent national commentator on the influence of money in politics. He is currently the Director of Harvard’s Edward J. Safra Foundation Center for Ethics where he does work on institutional corruption. Previously, Lessig was a professor of law at Stanford Law School and founder of its Center for Internet and Society, where he helped pioneer the free culture movement. He will be in Raleigh to promote several campaign finance reform initiatives, including the Fair Elections Now Act and an . For a glimpse of Lessig’s current work, read his recent article, “How to Get Our Democracy Back,” published in the Nation, or view one of his rapid-fire power point presentations.

Event Details:

• June 22, 11am, Raleigh: Presentation at Voter-Owned Elections Lobby Day at the NC General Assembly view map).

• June 22, 12pm, Raleigh: Luncheon at Campbell Law School (view map). (Email jglasser at commoncause dot org to register for lunch).

• June 22, 5-6:30pm, Raleigh: Reception to Benefit NC Voters for Clean Elections Busy Bee Cafe (view map)(RSVP to chase at ncvce dot org).

via Raleigh Events with Lawrence Lessig.

Graffiti gets attention

I took a look around Raleigh’s I-440 Beltline yesterday and was happy to see the graffiti I complained about is finally getting cleaned up. There were a few spots that remained, like the overhead sign at the Crabtree exit and the spots on the noise wall near the Six Forks Rd exit, but most of the egregious stuff has been painted over. Also, DOT is painting over it with brick-colored paint, rather than the gray stuff that was used in other cleanups.

Thanks to the N.C. DOT for knocking this out, and thanks to WTVD for help getting the word out. It’s looking better already!

Lions Park playground dedication

Lions Park Playground Dedication

Yesterday was the dedication of the new, community-built playground at Lions Park. This is the park that Kelly, the kids, and I helped build, along with dozens of other volunteers.

It was wonderful seeing the park finally finished. It was only seconds after the ribbon was cut that all the kids present went whooping towards the playground equipment. What a delightful sight that was! I bet Mayor Meeker wishes everything he did got that kind of response!

I posted pictures from yesterday’s dedication on Flickr. Check them out!

Graffiti problem gets attention

The news media have begun picking up on the graffiti problem on state-maintained roads around Raleigh. I’m hopeful that these stories will convince our state transportation officials to take the graffiti issue more seriously.

I got interviewed by Anthony Wilson of WTVD at lunch today, during which I offered my story of how I’ve been pleading with N.C. DOT to give this attention but to no avail. I’m not looking for an overnight solution, either. A little progress on the issue would be enough.

I’ll be watching the news tonight to see if the story runs. There’s a chance that the state will agree to deal with the issue and that might fundamentally change the story. I would be thrilled if my story never ran because the state stepped up to the plate and made the story moot. We’ll see what happens.

Graffiti is a problem that affects us all. It takes a coordinated effort to get rid of it. If one party opts not to tackle it there’s little others can do to pick up the slack. That’s what’s happening here. If the N.C. DOT won’t fix it, let Raleigh crews fix it, or hire a contractor. Putting it off only makes the problem worse.

Fighting graffiti on Raleigh highways

WRAL just did a story on the growing problem with graffiti on Raleigh-area highways like the I-440 Beltline, I-540, and I-40. City officials have always been quick to remove graffiti from city-owned and private-owned property, but all state-maintained roads are the responsibility of the N.C. Department of Transportation. Unlike Raleigh, NCDOT has dragged their feet in dealing with this issue and as a result the graffiti has spread.

I sent this email to NCDOT in April:

From: Mark Turner
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2010 1:38 PM
To: Halsey, Steven M
Subject: Graffiti around Raleigh NCDOT structures

Hello, Mr. Halsey,

Here are some spots around Raleigh with graffiti on NCDOT-maintained structures. I figured it was easier to email you than call:

1. I-40 West, Harrison Avenue overpass: orange graffiti on northside columns.

2. Wade Ave. Ext. under I-40 flyover: brown graffiti on southside columns.

3. Wade Ave. Ext. East at Blue Ridge Rd: black graffiti on southside columns.

4. I-440 West (outer) between Brentwood and Wake Forest Rd: graffiti on brick wall.

5. I-440 West (outer) at Lake Boone Trail: graffiti on brick wall.

6. I-440 West (outer) at Lake Boone Trail: graffiti on median barrier.

7. I-440 West (outer) at Glen Eden overpass: graffiti on columns.

If you are not the right contact for this info I’d appreciate you forwarding me to the proper person. If you have any questions, feel free to call.

Thanks so much!

Here’s the response I got back:
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NBC 17 interview on Club Envy

I was interviewed by NBC 17 on an East Raleigh club with a troubled history. Club Envy was the scene of two shootings early Monday morning.

My interview ran during last evening’s news and the story can be found here.

Thanks to Justin Moss of NBC 17 for the great reporting!

After a shooting at Envy nightclub in Raleigh on Monday, there are growing calls for the business to be shut down.

“The neighbors have put up with this for years and they’ve had enough,” said Mark Turner, Chair of the Raleigh’s East Citizens Advisory Council.
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Raleigh Speedway

Raleigh Speedway in 1965

Did you know Raleigh once had its own NASCAR track? It’s true, though you’d never know it today. The site is now a quiet industrial park that sits next to an equally quiet neighborhood north of the Raleigh Beltline. Back in the 1950s, though, the air was filled with smoke and the sound of revving engines at this track once located a mile outside the city limits.

Raleigh Speedway opened in 1952 as the Southland Speedway (or the Dixie Speedway), when it hosted an IndyCar event. It went on to host major NASCAR events, including Grand National events every Fourth of July. Raleigh Speedway was notable in that it was the first track NASCAR sanctioned for night races.
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East CAC success

I conducted yet another successful East CAC meeting last night. We had about 25 people in attendance: not bad for a day of non-stop rain.

This time around, the streaming video worked flawlessly to carry video (and sound!) to an audience of five. Unfortunately, for reasons I’m still trying to fathom LiveStream did not save a copy of my meeting as it usually does. I’ll have to figure out why.

Next month, Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker is on the agenda to discuss growth in East Raleigh. It should be interesting!