Hi y’all, it’s been a week since Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, causing historic flooding and catastrophic damage. This is a local newsletter, but it’s also one about neighbors coming together to support one another.
If you feel moved to contribute your time or resources, here are a few ways:
INDY Week’s story with resources and ways to help from here in the Triangle.
Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR), whose small team is doing incredible work from Asheville, has a vetted list of ways to help groups already on the ground.
I’ll amplify local efforts on Instagram as I see them, @raleighnewsletter.
Individually, I’ve tried to make myself useful with a collaboration of journalists, technologists and civic info-minded people who want to support local news in affected areas.
The first project launched from the NC Local News Workshop with support from Newspack and Blue is a text-only version of BPR’s site so folks with weak cell or internet can get news updates.
It’s at text.bpr.org — please share with any WNC folks you know.
Unfortunately, it’s a long road ahead. Grief for the losses and gratitude for the outpouring of support for our fellow North Carolinians can both be true at the same time. Take care of yourself and each other. —Sarah Day
In this newsletter:
Voter info: Cary voters have four referenda on their ballots and Raleigh voters have two. Here’s a rundown to make your decision.
The news digest: A new speaker series, two new openings, and more.
Paid subscribers, you’ll get tips on tickets and registrations that sell out fast, like the NC State Fair train stop to the Pullen Park Holiday Express.
VOTE!
What the referendum?
Raleigh voters will have two referendums at the bottom of their ballot; Cary voters will have four.
One is a constitutional amendment. Three are bond measures: voters decide if taxes should be raised to finance these projects through bonds.
Here’s what to know so you can make up your mind before voting.
Constitutional amendment
🗳️ All NC voters will have this on their ballots, and vote for or against:
Constitutional amendment to provide that only a citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age and otherwise possessing the qualifications for voting shall be entitled to vote at any election in this State.
What it means:
This goes back to GOP concern over immigration and the border, Lucille Sherman writes for Axios Raleigh.
Non-citizens can’t vote; this doesn’t change that.
Democracy NC in one of several groups that are is critical of the measure. They say it’s harmful by playing into untrue claims about election security and potentially confusing the rights of naturalized citizens.
Wake County Libraries Bond Referendum
🗳️ If you’re in Wake County, this is on your ballot.
What it’s about: A $142 million bond for new libraries and renovations and expansions for existing libraries.
New libraries would be $67.1M, expansions $12.3M and renovations $43.3M.
Significant projects include:
Rolesville would get its first community library and the Friendship area of Apex would get a new library.
The Athens Drive community library in West Raleigh is connected to the high school, which will be renovated by the public school system in 2026. A new library would be built.
A replacement of the community library in Wendell reflects the massive population growth in the area, outsized to its “smallest library in the system” status.
Renovations to libraries in Raleigh and Cary specifically include Leesville, Green Road, Richard B. Harrison, Olivia Raney, Southeast Regional and Express (in DTR) libraries. See a full map of the proposals here.
It would increase property taxes in Wake County.
“If voters approve this bond, the estimated amount of property tax liability increase for each $100,000 of property tax value would be $2.50 per year. For example, a home valued at $462,000 would see an annual tax increase of $11.50.”
Cary Bond referendums
🗳️ For voters in Cary, the combined $590 million bonds are for two separate bonds: Housing, and Parks and Recreational Facilities.
Cary residents will vote on the two bonds separately.
The TL;DR on the property tax increase [info site here]:
If $590 million in general obligation debt is approved, Cary’s property tax rate would increase by 9 cents. This increase would happen when the debt is issued and would be used for debt repayment. The current plan, which is subject to change, is 3 cents in 2026, 3 more in 2028, and 3 more in 2030 (calendar years).
The parks bond represents 8.5 cents, while 0.5 cents is for the housing bond.
The $560M Parks and Recreational bonds are for six projects:
A new sports & recreation center in the South Hills area of Southeast Cary. You may have heard about this project as a site to bring in esports and midsize tournaments to the area.
A 1-2 acre Asian Garden, a nod to one of the significant populations in the Cary community.
A new Cary Tennis Park clubhouse and stadium, plus 25-30 new pickleball courts, adding to the West Cary facility.
A new Mills Park Community Center in West Cary
A new, 217-acre nature park with hiking trails on former farmland in Chatham County
Walnut Creek Greenway expansion, which would link Downtown Cary Park, Fenton, WakeMed Soccer Park and South Hills (map below).
The $30M Housing bond is for preserving existing affordable housing, creating new affordable housing. supporting residents going through financial hardship and nonprofit partnerships. [info]
Is there anything else you want to know about these referenda? Reply to this email!
THE NEWS DIGEST
The first TinyTalks, a new quarterly speaker series with 10ish-minute presentations by interesting people, will be Wednesday night at the Rialto. First speakers include a Shibumi Shade co-founder, the ITB Insider, the director of the NC Science Trail and the co-founder of the Sir Walter Miler.
The NC Museum of History will close its museum building on Monday for a big redesign that could last three years.
Leaving the station: GoTriangle’s CEO was hired to build a commuter rail. Now that it’s not moving forward, he resigned.
Long-anticipated Giorgios Epicurean Market is now open for breakfast and starting lunch today.
Daijobu is now open in Downtown Raleigh in the former location of The Darby. Think hand rolls, ramen and more from the owners of City Market Sushi.
Magnet school info sessions are starting. Read more in the families newsletter!
Thomas Sayre’s giant steel sunflowers, made from Duke Energy poles, are now up in Dorothea Dix Park.
A PLANNER’S PLANNER
To do list for October + November
How to make the most of your time in Raleigh + Cary — and beyond.
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