I've made it clear in my campaign and on my other website that I see gentrification as an important problem that must be addressed if Durham is to keep its unique character. To that end, I favor a means-tested abatement of property taxes on contributing properties in a national historic district.
Durham's preservationists must stand up to the NIS and the forces that would kick people out of their homes due to the highest property tax rates in the Triangle. I welcome discussion on this issue because it is one of the ways in which we can fight urban sprawl and the subsidization of the car culture that is claiming Cary and suburban Wake County. Keep Durham Different!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Candidate forum
The Herald-Sun has a short article (registration required) on last night's candidate forum.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
WNCN spot
I filmed a message last week at the Raleigh studios of the NBC affiliate WNCN. Because it will not air until mid-October I am providing the text of my remarks below.
My name is David Rollins and I’m running for the General Assembly because I want to bring a new vision for Durham and all of North Carolina in the state senate.
For too long the progressive agenda in our city has been hamstrung by the cowardice of our representatives in Raleigh. My opponent doesn’t have the guts to stand up for the poor, but I do – I propose a “third way”…in the spirit of Bill Clinton and the southern Democrats.
If you’re a Republican, you should vote for me because I support the principles of the party such as the rights of ordinary americans to determine their own lives through lower taxes and a balanced budget. If you’re a Democrat, you should vote for me because I support the ideals of Barack Obama and the vision of a country with health care for everyone and energy independence.
You might ask yourself how this is possible. It’s because I’m a community organizer who has fought tirelessly for the rights of the underprivileged, through my work in Durham soup kitchens and my animal rescue efforts during Hurricane Katrina. It’s because I’m a hunter, who teaches gun safety to the Boy Scouts and the minority members of our community.
I guess you could say I’m a “Waffle House Democrat”, or perhaps a “South Park Republican”.
Durham needs smart growth, not more highways and corporate welfare. We have an opportunity to preserve the historic buildings and homes that give Durham that gritty urbanism that we all know and love – one look at the Durham Bulls Stadium proves my point! We must stop urban sprawl and provide for mass transit by eliminating the gas tax and providing free bus service in the inner city. No one should be unable to get to their job or school because they can’t afford a car.
The Rollins family founded the Herald-Sun in our city, and my great uncle treated the sick and the poor as the public health director of Vance and Granville counties until the day he died. As your state senator, I promise to fight for the rights of the poor, the sick, the needy, AND the wealthy. I am the candidate for change this fall. Let’s Keep Durham Different!
Learn more about my campaign at keepdurhamdifferent.com.
My name is David Rollins and I’m running for the General Assembly because I want to bring a new vision for Durham and all of North Carolina in the state senate.
For too long the progressive agenda in our city has been hamstrung by the cowardice of our representatives in Raleigh. My opponent doesn’t have the guts to stand up for the poor, but I do – I propose a “third way”…in the spirit of Bill Clinton and the southern Democrats.
If you’re a Republican, you should vote for me because I support the principles of the party such as the rights of ordinary americans to determine their own lives through lower taxes and a balanced budget. If you’re a Democrat, you should vote for me because I support the ideals of Barack Obama and the vision of a country with health care for everyone and energy independence.
You might ask yourself how this is possible. It’s because I’m a community organizer who has fought tirelessly for the rights of the underprivileged, through my work in Durham soup kitchens and my animal rescue efforts during Hurricane Katrina. It’s because I’m a hunter, who teaches gun safety to the Boy Scouts and the minority members of our community.
I guess you could say I’m a “Waffle House Democrat”, or perhaps a “South Park Republican”.
Durham needs smart growth, not more highways and corporate welfare. We have an opportunity to preserve the historic buildings and homes that give Durham that gritty urbanism that we all know and love – one look at the Durham Bulls Stadium proves my point! We must stop urban sprawl and provide for mass transit by eliminating the gas tax and providing free bus service in the inner city. No one should be unable to get to their job or school because they can’t afford a car.
The Rollins family founded the Herald-Sun in our city, and my great uncle treated the sick and the poor as the public health director of Vance and Granville counties until the day he died. As your state senator, I promise to fight for the rights of the poor, the sick, the needy, AND the wealthy. I am the candidate for change this fall. Let’s Keep Durham Different!
Learn more about my campaign at keepdurhamdifferent.com.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Education
Providing choice in public education is an issue that crosses party lines, as evidenced by the remarkable success of The Harlem Children's Zone. Listen to today's interview with the founder on NPR .
I realize that it is not the party line to call for more spending on education, but putting pediatricians, social workers, and psychiatrists in the public schools is a no-brainer. The teacher's union should welcome this opportunity to revolutionize the way we teach our kids.
I realize that it is not the party line to call for more spending on education, but putting pediatricians, social workers, and psychiatrists in the public schools is a no-brainer. The teacher's union should welcome this opportunity to revolutionize the way we teach our kids.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Press
I got a nice mention in the Raleigh paper last month. Several of my colleagues were kind enough to clip the paper version for me (I thought it was only in the online edition).
I'll have a roundup of campaign coverage later in the week. Keep your calendars clear for the Green Party's candidate forum in late September, as it will be my first opportunity to debate my Democratic opponent (I was not invited to the People's Alliance forum last week, and the Republican candidate has yet to launch his campaign as near as I can tell).
I'll have a roundup of campaign coverage later in the week. Keep your calendars clear for the Green Party's candidate forum in late September, as it will be my first opportunity to debate my Democratic opponent (I was not invited to the People's Alliance forum last week, and the Republican candidate has yet to launch his campaign as near as I can tell).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
