Since elected as Mayor of Raleigh in 2001, Charles Meeker has done a lot to increase the quality of life in the state capitol.  However, when his fifth term comes to a close, someone else will fill his seat as Mayor of the ‘City of Oaks. ‘

Meeker is possibly best known for leading restoration projects such as the Hillsborough Street renovation and the Fayetteville Street reopening. 

Chancellor Randy Woodson commented on the important relationship Meeker has had with N.C. State, applauding his successes.

“I think Mayor Meeker has been a great partner with N.C. State,” said Woodson.  “The relationship between the University and the city of Raleigh couldn’t be stronger and that’s because of the mayor.  He was hugely instrumental in Hillsborough Street and getting that project to completion.  A lot of us associated with the University are disappointed he won’t continue [to be] mayor, but we certainly appreciate what he’s done during his ten years in office.”

Woodson continued to recognize Meeker’s dedication to serving Raleigh and the N.C. State community well, specifically mentioning one of the Wolfpack’s favorite fundraising events.

“The Krispy Kreme Challenge is a great example where the city has been a willing partner with us as we have grown that race in the last six or seven years to be as large as it is and that required a lot of cooperation with the city…there’s just so many things that the mayor has been instrumental in that has involved NC State,” Woodson said.

Associate Professor of Political Science Michael Cobb commended Meeker’s decision to remain mayor for a fifth term.

“He probably wanted to retire two years ago,” said Cobb.  “He thought that it was the wrong time to step down during a fair amount of economic turmoil…Things have stabilized, Raleigh is in an upward trajectory, [so] if he wants to stop doing this, it’s a good time…It’s a good time to pass the baton.”

To whom the baton will be passed is unclear, but Woodson stressed that whoever becomes Raleigh’s new official will work closely alongside him.

Woodson stated, “My responsibility is to work with whoever is elected mayor.  I look forward to doing that.”

So far, one candidate has appeared: city council member Nancy McFarlane.  Having lived in Raleigh for over 20 years, McFarlane is running to maintain Raleigh’s growing atmosphere.

McFarlane stated, “I’ve always been involved in the community…I’ve been on the council for four years and I love Raleigh.  We’ve grown a lot, we’ve really changed a lot…We’re anticipating a great deal more growth and I want to make sure that we continue to maintain all the things we love about [the city].”

Cobb remarked that if McFarlane were to be elected as mayor, it would be a historical moment, commenting, “If Nancy McFarlane runs and wins, she would only be the second female mayor of Raleigh in the history of Raleigh.”

Serving Raleigh since 2007, McFarland further described the reason behind her original inspiration to join city council.

“[There] had been…a lot of issues with storm water runoff from development that would continually flood people’s yards…lakes would fill up…and we were spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to clean up all of the runoff,” McFarlane remarked.  “I was actively…talking to the city council and I just didn’t think it was fair that the citizens were going to have to pay to clean up the mess.  So that’s how I initially got involved.  One of the things I did as a result of that was I implemented stronger storm water and silt runoff controls for construction sites.”

While McFarlane’s announcement is new to the city of Raleigh, she is already building a foundation for a thorough platform.

“The most important thing is to plan really carefully so that we can accommodate for growth.  But I don’t want us to try and be somebody else; I want us to always remember why we’re Raleigh.”

McFarlane also mentioned her desire for improved communication channels between the city and Raleigh residents. 

“There are some things I’d like to see the city improve [upon] with communication…there are lots of ways to communicate now and I would like to see us step up and do a better job of letting people know what their city government does for them.”

While McFarlane begins her election campaign, she spoke highly of Meeker and his legacy as Mayor.

“I have great respect for all of the things that [Meeker] has accomplished and I’ve learned a lot working on the council with him.  He’s very thoughtful [and] he brought a great demeanor to the council where everyone felt like they could be heard.  I think that’s important… [where] everyone on the council is respected and all the interactions with the citizens are respected too.”

Woodson also talked of the mayor’s accomplishments, expressing his respect for all of Meeker’s dedication to Raleigh and the University.

“To be an elected official for ten years, he’s seen the city through a lot of new projects and through a very diff recession…it is a very long run for an elected official.  [And] at this point, it’s just good to step back and celebrate everything that Mayor Meeker has done for the city and for [NC State].”