First, the Raleigh City Council finally provided an opportunity for residents to speak about the Dix purchase and financing at a public city hearing Tuesday night.
Here is what the local ABC affilliate, WTVD Channel 11, had to say:
Tuesday, June 02, 2015 11:20PM
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Raleigh City Council tackled several hot topics during Tuesday night's meeting.
There were residents from every corner of the city in attendance sounding off on different hot topics, but the biggest issue on the agenda was Dorothea Dix Park.
There were plenty in the audience in support of turning Dorothea Dix into Raleigh's 308-acre destination park but the majority of those who went to the podium spoke out against the deal.
"Angry city taxpayers are not being allowed to vote on the city's proposal to borrow $52 million from a private bank for the property.
"If you're going to borrow money to pay for this, then I think you ought to put it to a vote of the people and let us have a say in it," said Ed Jones with the Wake County Taxpayers Association.
"There's already a bond coming for transportation, a bond coming for education. It's too much," said Raleigh resident Jane Norwood.
Supporters on the city council argued the decision to bypass a voter referendum on the issue would save taxpayers $9 to $12 million. In the end, the measure passed."
------------------------------------------
Also, I want to share a letter to the editor sent last night to the Raleigh News and Observer:
"Josh Shaffer's moving tribute to Dix and to those who made the hospital their home (May 5 column: "Don't let Dix Hill's mental patients be forgotten") brought many to our Change.org petition asking for federal protection of the McBryde Building and the Dix patient cemetery.
Many comments posted recently indicate folks are concerned about protecting the gravesites at the cemetery. The City of Raleigh will soon be responsible for the cemetery given the signing of the sales contract. But despite my long term and mostly futile efforts, there is still nothing in the contract that would provide historical preservation of the cemetery.
I am told by everyone "not to worry." Well, there is nothing to guarantee funding to maintain the cemetery, and there have been problems with other cemeteries under the care of the City of Raleigh according to Minutes of the city's Cemetery Advisory Board.
The state of North Carolina could not get rid of the Dix politcal hot potato fast enough, so don't think for even a minute they will protect the Dix property. I have contacted state offices, and the staff do not even return phone calls. When others contacted them, state employees were quick to say that Dix is now owned by Raleigh. 'Call City Hall' is their mantra."
-------------------------------------------------
My suggestion to those of you who want to see historical preservation on the Dix Campus is "do just that"--call City Hall. If you live in Raleigh, contact your own representative on the Raleigh City Council. Also call at-large Council Members Russ Stephenson and Mary Ann Baldwin.
Please provide the same type of comments left on this website and on Change.org petition about reasons to preserve historic McBryde Building and the historic patients' cemetery.
Contact info:
Office of the Mayor, Mayor Nancy McFarlane
Phone 919-996-3050 (Office)
and/or
Office of the City Manager (Ruffin Hall)
Phone 919-996-3070 (Office)
Location: 222 West Hargett Street Suite 224
Raleigh, NC 27601
Raleigh City Council:
Member list:
https://www.raleighnc.gov/...
Fri Jul 10, 2015 at 8:02 AM PT: "With these new designations, President Obama will have used the Antiquities Act to establish or expand 19 national monuments," the White House said in a statement. "Altogether, he has protected more than 260 million acres of public lands and waters -- more than any other President." from USA Today July l0, 2015
I am disappointed and disillulsioned by the total lack of a response to our Change.org petition with about 550 signatures. I have contacted the White House multiple times and requested a chance to speak with a decision maker. I have never gotten a return phone call despite being promised an opportunity to speak to Obama's staff.