Candidate Info Viewer (v4) - Wake County Democratic Party

Clark Rinehart

City of Raleigh City Council At-Large

Candidate Statement:

Clark is originally from Miami and has lived in the Triangle since 2009. He is a husband, dad to two elementary schoolers in WCPSS, and an active volunteer in youth sports, City committees, and local nonprofits. He is a social entrepreneur, consulting with community-centric coworking spaces across the country, leading the Wake Forest Founders Program locally, and serving as Interim Executive Director of the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership regionally. Clark previously ran The Loading Dock brand of collaborative workspaces, Innovate Raleigh, and worked as a local church pastor. He is a passionate, compassionate, and service-minded leader.

These personal and professional experiences provide a unique perspective that will help him build consensus among fellow Councilors while delivering results for everyday residents and constituents across the city as an at-large Councilor.

Clark's top priority is housing affordability. He is also focused on prioritizing investments in multimodal transit, safety and security, vibrant public spaces, and providing greater support for small businesses in Raleigh.

Direct Quote:

"I love that Raleigh is known as the City of Oaks. However, I also want it to be known as the City of Opportunities. I will work to get affordable and attainable housing supply built that is connected to life-giving and living-wage jobs via a robust efficient and reliable multimodal transit network. This is a picture of what thoughtful management of growth in Raleigh looks like. It prioritizes Raleigh being a city for everyone."

Issues:

Affordability

Raleigh has become less and less affordable for more and more neighbors. My key priority is addressing affordability, primarily housing affordability, along creating life-giving and living-wage jobs that are accessible to more Raleighites. Raleigh and Wake County are facing a housing shortage due to a number of factors and systems, which makes it difficult for everyday Raleighites like teachers, city employees, and first-responders to find a home that they prefer and can afford. We have to address this issue head-on through thoughtful management of growth across the city.

AffordabilityRaleigh has become less and less affordable for more and more neighbors. My key priority is addressing affordability, primarily housing affordability, along creating life-giving and living-wage jobs that are accessible to more Raleighites. Raleigh and Wake County are facing a housing shortage due to a number of factors and systems, which makes it difficult for everyday Raleighites like teachers, city employees, and first-responders to find a home that they prefer and can afford. We have to address this issue head-on through thoughtful management of growth across the city.

Multimodal Transit

Raleigh is a car dependent city, which directly impacts neighbors' affordability challenges. Our car dependency is one factor that is making our neighborhoods more exclusive and less vibrant. As a Councilor, I will continue to invest in multimodal transit options that creates more efficient, reliable, and affordable service throughout the city. I will focusing on the urban core and more dense areas first, then work to expand the network. I don't believe we should be a car free city. But, I do believe we need to prioritize walkability and public transit, rather than cars as we grow.

Multimodal TransitRaleigh is a car dependent city, which directly impacts neighbors' affordability challenges. Our car dependency is one factor that is making our neighborhoods more exclusive and less vibrant. As a Councilor, I will continue to invest in multimodal transit options that creates more efficient, reliable, and affordable service throughout the city. I will focusing on the urban core and more dense areas first, then work to expand the network. I don't believe we should be a car free city. But, I do believe we need to prioritize walkability and public transit, rather than cars as we grow.

Public Safety & Security

There are increasing concerns around safety and security across Raleigh. I commit to investing in the appropriate staffing models to ensure our first responders have the resources that they need to serve our community, even beyond the recent salary increases. We must staff our teams properly -- based on benchmarks from peer cities -- and make sure that first responders are paid competitively for their work. In my opinion, it is imperative to make sure our neighbors and neighborhoods remain safe. I also believe that increased oversight and accountability are needed for our teams moving forward.

Public Safety & SecurityThere are increasing concerns around safety and security across Raleigh. I commit to investing in the appropriate staffing models to ensure our first responders have the resources that they need to serve our community, even beyond the recent salary increases. We must staff our teams properly -- based on benchmarks from peer cities -- and make sure that first responders are paid competitively for their work. In my opinion, it is imperative to make sure our neighbors and neighborhoods remain safe. I also believe that increased oversight and accountability are needed for our teams moving forward.

Affordability

Raleigh has become less and less affordable for more and more neighbors. My key priority is addressing affordability, primarily housing affordability, along creating life-giving and living-wage jobs that are accessible to more Raleighites. Raleigh and Wake County are facing a housing shortage due to a number of factors and systems, which makes it difficult for everyday Raleighites like teachers, city employees, and first-responders to find a home that they prefer and can afford. We have to address this issue head-on through thoughtful management of growth across the city.

AffordabilityRaleigh has become less and less affordable for more and more neighbors. My key priority is addressing affordability, primarily housing affordability, along creating life-giving and living-wage jobs that are accessible to more Raleighites. Raleigh and Wake County are facing a housing shortage due to a number of factors and systems, which makes it difficult for everyday Raleighites like teachers, city employees, and first-responders to find a home that they prefer and can afford. We have to address this issue head-on through thoughtful management of growth across the city.

Multimodal Transit

Raleigh is a car dependent city, which directly impacts neighbors' affordability challenges. Our car dependency is one factor that is making our neighborhoods more exclusive and less vibrant. As a Councilor, I will continue to invest in multimodal transit options that creates more efficient, reliable, and affordable service throughout the city. I will focusing on the urban core and more dense areas first, then work to expand the network. I don't believe we should be a car free city. But, I do believe we need to prioritize walkability and public transit, rather than cars as we grow.

Multimodal TransitRaleigh is a car dependent city, which directly impacts neighbors' affordability challenges. Our car dependency is one factor that is making our neighborhoods more exclusive and less vibrant. As a Councilor, I will continue to invest in multimodal transit options that creates more efficient, reliable, and affordable service throughout the city. I will focusing on the urban core and more dense areas first, then work to expand the network. I don't believe we should be a car free city. But, I do believe we need to prioritize walkability and public transit, rather than cars as we grow.

Public Safety & Security

There are increasing concerns around safety and security across Raleigh. I commit to investing in the appropriate staffing models to ensure our first responders have the resources that they need to serve our community, even beyond the recent salary increases. We must staff our teams properly -- based on benchmarks from peer cities -- and make sure that first responders are paid competitively for their work. In my opinion, it is imperative to make sure our neighbors and neighborhoods remain safe. I also believe that increased oversight and accountability are needed for our teams moving forward.

Public Safety & SecurityThere are increasing concerns around safety and security across Raleigh. I commit to investing in the appropriate staffing models to ensure our first responders have the resources that they need to serve our community, even beyond the recent salary increases. We must staff our teams properly -- based on benchmarks from peer cities -- and make sure that first responders are paid competitively for their work. In my opinion, it is imperative to make sure our neighbors and neighborhoods remain safe. I also believe that increased oversight and accountability are needed for our teams moving forward.

External Candidate Links:

Clark Rinehart's Website