Frank Pierce, candidate for Raleigh City Council District B

The News & Observer asked readers again this year to submit their questions for the people looking to lead Raleigh.

We received nearly 200 questions that covered a range of topics important to city residents.

We asked candidates for a yes or no response to 15 questions with a chance to fully explain their position. If candidates did not provide a yes or no answer, we didn’t include their fuller response.

We also included biographical and open-ended questions. Some responses were edited for clarity or length.

Here is how Raleigh City Council District B candidate Frank Pierce answered the questionnaire. There are five people whose names will appear on the ballot, including candidate Zainab Baloch who dropped out of the race in September.

Incumbent David Cox is not seeking another term for the northeast Raleigh seat. District B candidates are elected only by people within the district and serve two-year terms.

All eight seats on the Raleigh City Council are up for re-election.

Early voting for the Nov. 8 election began Oct. 20.

Name: Frank Pierce

Age: 37

Residence: 9204 Dakins Court

Occupation: Small business owner

Education: College degree

Endorsements (limit to three): NC Police Benevolent Association / RWCA / NC Transit Workers Association

Previous political or civic experience? Candidate for Wake County Board of Commissioners; NC Foundation for Public School Children Bookbag Drive Board Member

Campaign website: Pierce4NC.com

How do you identify your political ideology? I identify as a Democrat.

How would you add diversity to the City Council? Believes in listening to the people. It is never one side is always right, we need to bring all groups together so that we can build a city for all. We need to stop pointing fingers and actually work on getting things done.

What is your favorite locally owned restaurant either in the city or within your district? Tobacco Road Sports Cafe and London Bridge Pub

The city of Raleigh lowered the speed limit downtown to 25 mph. Are you in favor of lowering the city’s speed limit to 25 mph throughout the city?

No. Based on studies done in other cities this did not improve the safety as thought. It actually leads to more congestion as well as in some cities an uptick in accidents.

Should the city help bring a sports and entertainment stadium downtown?

No. Raleigh is a beautiful and vibrant city. There are many things we can do to make it better and a stadium is not one of them. There are many downsides to the stadium as well as which groups specifically it will affect. We can improve the city in many ways and that is what we need to work on.

Do you support reinstating Citizen Advisory Councils?

Yes. I do but they do need to change some. There needs to be more meeting availability, more options for virtual, programs for families so parents can have help so they can be involved. We need to expand the program from what it was, but building on it is the way to go.

Would you vote to increase the police department’s budget?

Yes. We are understaffed and underfunded. There are programs that we would like to try such as STARS in Denver but to do so you to fund the department for that. If you want to have the best you need to fund it. If want to have better training you need to fund it. You cannot expect to have the best when it is underfunded.

Would you vote to increase the salary of the city’s first responders, including police, fire and 911 staff?

Yes. Raleigh when I was growing up used to be the place to be for first responders. That is no longer true. Not only that, only about 15% of them live in the city because (others) cannot afford to do so. We need to step up our commitment to those who put there lives on the line for us.

Will you support keeping city buses fare-free indefinitely?

Yes. We can do this and little to no cost for us, if we actually work on the available grants out there.

The city has received numerous noise complaints about traffic and street racing. Is the city doing enough to enforce its noise ordinance?

No. This goes back to staffing for our police department. They are overworked and underpaid. so when something comes up noise complaints will always be pushed to the bottom.

Would you support the city creating a buffer zone around abortion clinics?

Yes. We would need to work with the General Assembly to make this happen. We need to actually put policy together to do that and not just talk about it.

Do you support the city’s missing middle zoning changes?

No. It is way too open. It needs to have more definitions in it so we do not create more problems.

Do you support the city’s $275 million parks bond?

Yes. This needs to be looked at also. It may not be doable at the terms that they have. We need to make sure that we can actually sustain it at what we will be responsible for now.

Would you propose additional measures to address the affordable housing crisis for lower wealth residents?

Yes. Blue collar workers have been getting the short end of the stick for some time now in the city. We need to make the city a place for all and not just for those with money. We need to put housing plans in place that will benefit first responders, teachers, low income, small business owners and more.

Do you support Raleigh’s and Wake County’s efforts in bus rapid transit and commuter rail?

Yes. This is not a one thing fits all. We need to do research and make sure that we are investing our money properly and building for a better future.

Should it be possible to live in Raleigh without owning a car?

Yes. This question needs to be more detailed. Raleigh is a vast city. From one end to the other without traffic can take you almost 30 minutes and in traffic over an hour. One of the great things about Raleigh is you don’t have to live downtown to have great places to eat and play. We cannot lose that about our city.

A council-appointed study group made a recommendation to add one seat to the Raleigh City Council. Do you support expanding the size of the council by a seat?

No. It needs to be more. We need to be the same size as the Charlotte council. We need to add three more districts.

Do you think the current City Council has put Raleigh on the right path?

No. This also needs to be more detailed. There are some things that they have done that you could say yes to. Then there are some things that you could say no to. It is not a one size fits all approach.

What will you do to ensure Raleigh’s working-class residents don’t get priced out of the city?

We need to have better public private partnerships with builders so that we can have a place for all. We need to actually write grants for HUD funding so we can also add more housing. We also need to have a better infrastructure in place to help control cost issues.

What lessons should the city have learned from public safety challenges like COVID, curfews and George Floyd protests? Would you propose any new policies or changes?

We have to build smarter and not go back to old ways. Learn from the past and prepare for the future with better infrastructure and care. Yes we need nee policies for a growing city.

How can the city limit investment firms from buying entry level homes?

Go to the NCGA work with them to put a policy in place like they did in Wisconsin to stop these things from happening. We have the opportunity to go every day to the GA. Why we are not there working to make things better I do not know.

Describe a program in another city that you want the city of Raleigh to try. Please be specific.

STARS in Denver. This is a program where health officials are sent on calls for people suffering mental illness. They have started it and it has worked well. There are small changes that need to be made, but can build on it.

Raleigh is the center of one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country. How do you personally feel about that?

This is great for business and job opportunities. We just need to make sure we build smart, though, so we do not end up like Atlanta.

Name one initiative you’d propose in your first 100 days in office.

Bringing our first responders’ pay and benefits to that of comparable cities.