Breaking News: Ken Spaulding announces run for Durham Mayor

A week after Elaine O’Neal announced not running for a second term as Durham Mayor, Ken Spaulding is the first to officially declare for the seat.

Spaulding ran for the Democratic nomination in the 2016 North Carolina gubernatorial election, losing to Roy Cooper. In 1984, he challenged incumbent Tim Valentine for the North Carolina 2^nd congressional district. He lost, receiving 47.88 percent of votes compared to Valentine’s 52.12 percent. Spaulding served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1978 to 1984.

Former Governor Mike Easley appointed Spaulding to serve on the North Carolina Board of Transportation where he represented Wake, Durham, Person, Granville, Vance, Warren and Frankin Counties.

Spaulding recently retired after more than 40 years of practicing law in North Carolina. He’s a graduate of Howard University and the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Spaulding provided a statement to Rev-elution

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Durham and its image are at a crossroads. The infighting and tomfoolishness, at the City Council level, are ruining the City of Durham’s first-class status.

A great example is the recent budget battle. The City Council in 2021 voted itself a 40% salary increase effective last year. Yet this year, when police officers, firefighters and first responders sought reasonable and fair salary increases, the Council refused their effort and approved very modest raises compared to the Council’s own previous 40% salary increase. Some of the same Council members who had voted to approve their own large salary increases, voted against the requested raises for the “protectors of our lives and safety”

In regard to our law enforcement officers, Police Chief after Police Chief have asked for increased compensation to attract new officers and retain current officers.  Budgets after budgets have not reflected the true needs of the Durham City Police Department.
No police officer in Durham should be paid less than $60,000 per year.  At a starting salary of $60,000 per year, the increased pay for the remaining officers should follow a well thought out plan with increases that recognize tenure and rank.

Firefighters and first responders should have their pay schedules totally re-evaluated for significant and substantial salary increases based on the perilous gravity of their work.

Along with tackling crime and safety with police salary increases, among other innovative actions, recreation centers throughout Durham should be constructed or renovated so that our young people can have a structured place to compete, disagree and settle their differences or aggression through vigilant supervision and mentorship in a safe city structure and not in the streets. These centers should be open and fully staffed from daybreak past midnight as was done in larger cities in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s when crime became overwhelming and these actions helped to lower the crime rate.

The City Manager needs to hear out “all” Council members regarding effectuating these policies without an increase in taxes. That is the City Manager’s job. If a tax increase is absolutely required, then a series of options should be laid out by the City Manager for the public’s input and the Council’s review. However, accompanying the options, a parallel analysis should also show where the City Manager has laid out all unnecessary expenditure along with waste and inefficiencies that will be cut from the budget. Yet, we should recognize that the first tendency for some is to cry “tax increase” without using their best efforts with the same creativity that the Council used in raising their own salaries by $10,000 per year effective last year.

All city employees are essential workers for the residents of Durham. All city employees deserve a substantial pay increase based on the extremely high inflation brought about as a result of the crippling pandemic. Public sector raises should keep up with the 8% to 10% inflation rate increase and be given the same consideration as given in the private sector.

For these reasons and more, I have given serious consideration to running for Mayor, win or lose. However, “if” we have good candidates running for Mayor who are “not current” sitting members of the current Council, and if they will give these aforementioned stated policies their earnest and sincere consideration, then I will happily not run for Mayor. I know it’s not politically correct to say, but quite frankly, I am enjoying my retirement and I would prefer to remain happily retired.

It is necessary that things change in Durham for the better. It’s time for a change at our City Council.

 

The Streets at Southpoint expansion proposal is an example of shared economic prosperity

COMMENTARY– Brookfield Properties proposal to expand The Streets of Southpoint shifts the conversation related to economic development in a city overwhelmed by constant building.

This proposal is different. 

Brookfield Properties commitment to a goal of 40 percent minority involvement in the construction and the creation of a program to employ formally incarcerated individuals shifts public discourse back to the critical moment before affordable housing became the primary issue on the community agenda.

The proposal calls for a hotel with up to 200 rooms, a new apartment building with nearly 1,400 units and 300,000 square feet of office space.

Critics of the expansion address the need for affordable housing.

“The benefits are pretty clear in a lot of ways,” Nate Baker, a member of the Durham Planning Commission and candidate for city council, said after the commission voted against the rezoning plan. "We're taking a traditional mall and we're adding density and we're adding uses."

Members of the commission were inspired by the proposal to add transit and walking options.

“Hopefully, you create a community where people don’t need a car,” Austin Amandolia, a member of the commission told CBS-17 reporter Ben Bokum. “This is the type of development that us on the Planning Commission have often been calling for more of: mixed-used, walkable, dense communities instead of suburban sprawl.”

The debate now before the Durham City Council involves the tension between offering affordable housing and pressing a vision for shared economic prosperity.

Farad Ali, president and chief executive officer at Asocair, spoke like a prophet during his campaign to become Durham’s mayor in 2017.

“Durham is in a place where it’s pivoting and great things are happening,” Ali said in his concession speech. “A sense of prosperity is what we’re talking about sharing because there is prosperity. So, as we start talking about what’s going to go in Durham for the future, it’s important we understand how we maximize Durham’s assets. One is taking this economic development model that’s been working and saying, how do we also make more people involved so we can build community while we do economic development.”

An expanding affordable housing need overshadowed Ali’s “One Durham” platform. Steve Schewel defeated Ali with a platform to address affordable housing. Schewel proposed increased pressure on developers and a $95 million affordable housing bond.

Voters overwhelming voted in support of the housing bond. The goal to repair the aftermath of rapid gentrification failed miserably. Developers continue to cram buildings into spaces with limited conversation regarding shared prosperity.

The result is demeaning. Black and Brown people suffer consequences resulting from the failed promise of affordable housing. Black and Brown people rarely reap the benefits of a thriving economy fueled by commercial development.

The Brookfield Properties proposal is different. 

Sure, there’s $14 million in tax revenue making The Streets at Southpoint the largest property and sale tax generator in Durham County. There’s no questioning the long-term impact on Durham’s economy, but there’s more to this project.

This is how Durham should always conduct business. This is the Bull City, home of Black Wall Street and the Hayti Business District. Durham is the home of Black folk who rise to the top after years of brutal resistance. Yes, we tout the influence and power of Black elected officials. Yes, Durham is a safe place for anyone enamored with authentic diversity and inclusion. In Durham, we own all of that. Durham is the template for walking that walk and talking that talk.

It's what makes this conversation the unveiling of a sad reality. In Durham, we fail to honor our rich legacy in sharing economic prosperity. Black and Brown people aren’t reaping the gains of this booming economy. Our city council supports rezoning efforts without pressing the most critical question – how does this support Black and Brown people.

This is how we engage in local reparation efforts. How many minority businesses will benefit. Show me the numbers. Come back with real evidence proving you respect and honor the history and legacy of the Bull City. You can’t step in these streets without clearly understanding our pride.

The Brookfield Properties proposal is different.

I only hope it becomes standard practice versus an exception to the way we handle city business.

 

 

 

Mark Taylor Designz Presents the Red and Black on the Green Fashion Show to Benefit SuitedNSuccess

 

by Sharon Mullens

The ChocolateWriter

In conjunction with the Juneteenth holiday, Mark Taylor Designz will present the Red and Black on the Green Fashion Show at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham on Saturday, June 17, 2023, featuring the region’s top models, fashion designers, and entertainment.

 

The Red and Black on the Green Fashion Show will feature emerging black designers and entrepreneurs as a highlight for the federally recognized Juneteenth holiday.  The program will feature performances by nationally known artists, including North Carolina’s Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green and hosted by ABC11 Eyewitness News Meteorologist Kweilyn Murphy. 

 

This inaugural fashion extravaganza and showcase will begin with a Meet and Greet the Designers and networking reception at 6pm. The show begins at 7pm. Ticket prices range from $50 to $60 and offer a VIP package. A portion of ticket sales will go to a Triangle-based organization, SuitedNSuccess, founded by Mark Taylor in 2014 to empower disadvantaged men seeking employment by providing professional attire. 

 

According to a Wall Street Journal study of “small metro” areas across the U.S., the Bull City (Durham) placed 35th for jobs and North Carolina’s capital city (Raleigh) as 5^th for jobs among larger metros, meaning opportunities exist for all members of the workforce, and our most vulnerable residents need to be prepared to compete. Providers of free, quality interview attire are essential. For years prior, such an organization existed for women, but not for men. SuitedNSuccess sought to fill that void. 

 

When you look good, you feel good, and that’s key to confidence,” says founder Mark Taylor, whose passion for helping people led him to establish SuitedNSuccess and subsequently a clothing design business. The organization is completely volunteer-led, and collaborates with workforce agencies and recovery organizations, such as SouthLight Healthcare, Inc.  

 

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need was even more evident. Men were seeking employment but lacked proper interview attire. It was a great benefit to have access to the SuitedNSuccess suit closet” says Lavongue “Bongo” Manley, a program development specialist at SouthLight’s Durham location, where the suit closet is housed.

 

This first annual fashion show is a special cultural event that will inspire philanthropy while helping emerging artists uplift their brands. A portion of the proceeds will help create a new suit closet in Raleigh and establish a new scholarship to be awarded to an HBCU fashion merchandising student in 2024. 

 

Learn more about the mission at www.suitednsuccess.org or follow on Facebook. Learn more about the show and get tickets at https://redandblackonthegreen.eventbrite.com.

 

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Mark Taylor Designz is a fashion and lifestyle brand based in the Triangle region of North Carolina, providing aspiring models and designers with the opportunities to bring their talents directly into the spotlight. Follow the designer on Instagram @marktaylordesignz. 

SuitedNSuccess.org is a charitable initiative that partners with social service agencies and nonprofit organizations in the Triangle to provide professional attire, career education information and workshops, resources, and support to disadvantaged men in transition. More information can be found at suitednsuccess.org.

Founded in 1970, SouthLight Healthcare is one of the area’s largest nonprofit providers of substance use treatment and mental health services. SouthLight partners with individuals and communities to provide innovative treatment solutions delivered with compassion and dignity. With outpatient and community-based programs, SouthLight provides prevention, education, and treatment services in the Triangle and beyond. Call 919-787-6131 for help or more information or visit www.southlight.org