Jonathan Melton
@melton4raleigh
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Raleigh Mayor Pro Tem, Council Member, At-Large (This is the personal account of Jonathan Melton; the views expressed are strictly my own.) #ralpol 🏳️🌈🚲
Raleigh, NC
Joined April 2008
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Let me be clear: I plan to support and vote for the Democratic nominee. But I hope you will join me in working to make sure that person is
@PeteButtigieg
. If you disagree, work hard for your preferred candidate too, and let's make change happen, together!
#ralpol
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
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Some exciting, personal news; this past weekend my partner and I got engaged at the beautiful
@DixPark
overlooking the city I love so much.
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Finally, Raleigh’s first (of many, I hope) parking-protected bike lane. 🙌🏼 Let’s keep it rolling…
#ralpol
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Raleigh eliminated parking minimums and established maximums citywide.
Parking minimums increase costs of housing, goods and services and are bad for the environment.
Eliminating parking minimums doesn’t eliminate parking, but it does prioritize people over car storage.
#ralpol
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We approved an e-bike incentive program in Raleigh! A pilot will launch first using Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant funds, direct vouchers: $1,500 for income-qualified and $500 for all; staff will also develop permanent, longterm program. More details soon!
#ralpol
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Though it is not the only reason I support
@PeteButtigieg
, visibility is extremely important. His campaign was historic. And few will understand the impact it’s had on LGBTQ+ people, especially youth, watching across the country. Thank you for your courage to run. 🏳️🌈
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This past weekend, I married my favorite person in the city we love, surrounded by so many people we love. Proud to celebrate and live our lives together openly and authentically.
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Rapid transit is finally arriving in Raleigh. Today, we break ground on BRT (bus rapid transit, “busses operating like trains”). When completed, riders will be able to access WakeMed, Cary, Garner, and north to midtown every 10 minutes, 7 days a week in mostly dedicated lanes.
Say hello to Go+
Join us in welcoming to Raleigh the FIRST EVER Bus Rapid Transit System in North Carolina!
The future is now for Raleigh. The future is now for Go+.
#WakeBRT
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It’s not called a ghostwriter when the person who helped her write it is acknowledged and her name appears on the cover. Jackie and Melissa are disgusting.
#RHONJ
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Congratulations
@PeteButtigieg
; I’m excited for a focus on and investment in transit and complete streets. It’s going to make our work in Raleigh so much easier with some federal support.
When I became mayor of a city fighting its way out of the teeth of the Great Recession, infrastructure was at the heart of our vision.
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Ran into someone at an event who said prior to the election they were asking a friend who they should vote for; the friend said not Melton, because he supports bike lanes. Turns out, that was the reason this person decided TO VOTE for me. (1/2)
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New
@NC_By_Train
schedule 🤩! Adding 1 pm train from Raleigh fills midday void, later dep. from Charlotte (Durham, etc.) provides train back to Raleigh after DPAC shows or Bulls games. Express 6:30 am and 5:30 pm trains make trips to/from Charlotte faster than driving.
#ralpol
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Reminder: Melissa was so thirsty for fame and attention she recorded a song about paparazzi chasing her before she was on TV or anyone knew her name.
Keep that in mind tonight as we watch her gang up on Teresa with a stranger who was cast on the show.
#RHONJ
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Taking the Amtrak train to Durham and back today. 🚊
Total cost roundtrip $14; 1/4 the cost of a ride share, and way more convenient than driving. Reducing vehicles miles traveled too!
Let’s keep investing in public transit and alternative transportation.
#ralpol
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Walked up to the governor’s mansion to join the peaceful demonstration again but I must’ve missed it today. One of the few people remaining was kind enough to inform me that there’s a special City Council meeting tonight and I should register to speak! Tbh, I love that.
#ralpol
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If you would’ve told me as kid that one day I’d be elected to public office as an out, gay man, I would’ve never believed you.
Visibility is important.
#NationalComingOutDay
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These houses are across the street from each other in historic Oakwood; one is a newer single family home and one is an older quadplex. Both homes fit the “neighborhood character,” and due to zoning changes, you can now build both in most places in Raleigh.
#missingmiddle
#ralpol
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Introducing GO+ the first Bus Rapid Transit system in Raleigh (and NC)! We broke ground on the first route that will operate on New Bern Ave. BRT will look and feel like light rail, with enhanced stations and dedicated lanes. Buses will run every 10 mins, 7 days a week.
#ralpol
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We've eliminated all minimum parking requirements downtown and near transit (in transit overlay districts).
And we expanded cottage courts ("missing middle" housing).
(I can't wait to write my meeting summary this week!)
#ralpol
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🧵 On June 7 we're considering a zoning change to allow neighborhood-scale businesses in more residential areas. Placing services closer is an important step in reducing car dependency & vehicle miles traveled. Let's discuss what the change does & clear up misconceptions.
#ralpol
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The amount of anti-gay comments I’m getting on my FB ads is...surprising but makes me want to work 2x harder. 💪🏻🏳️🌈
#ralpol
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Walked to get coffee this morning and streets were busy, coffee shop had a line. Grabbing dinner outside now and the patio is nearly full. We also welcomed a new grocery store today.
Downtown is open and safe. Wear a mask and support local.
#ralpol
😷
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ACUs, like this one, could reduce car dependency, expand access to goods, and cultivate small business ownership in our city. We’ve made progress towards this goal, but we still haven’t crossed the finish line.
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Excited to serve with
@Nicole4Raleigh
as your at-large council members for the next 2 years. Let’s get to work!
#ralpol
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We’re growing & have to do it together. We can’t expect all new housing to be built in neighborhoods already burdened by increasing pressure of displacement. All neighborhoods, including wealthy older ones, have to open to new housing, new types of housing & new neighbors.
#ralpol
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I attended the demonstration today to support and listen. I will work to fight systemic racism within our city. I support racial equity training for mayor and council and hope to approve this week and look forward to working w/ advisory board on changes to police policy.
#ralpol
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ICYMI: We extended temporary outdoor dining until October 30, 2021, with the intent for staff to come forward at that time with options to adopt the program into a permanent model.
#ralpol
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During Reports from Council today, I asked for a work session on greenways with BOTH parks and transit staff. It's important that we shift how we view greenways from recreational to transit - including ways to minimize closures and find ways to connect to other systems.
#ralpol
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I left peaceful, diverse demonstration of unity yesterday and then watched in horror what unfolded during the night. Destruction was not in the spirit of protest I saw and should not have occurred. We will work to repair the damage. We must also work to address cause of the pain.
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This! 28% of downtown Raleigh is surface parking. Minimum parking requirements and car dependency hollowed out our cities. These spaces could be used for housing, retail, not to mention increased tax revenue to fund improvements citywide. Glad we’ve implemented parking reforms.
21% of downtown Richmond is parking lots. Imagine all the beautiful old buildings torn down to become empty asphalt.
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Great afternoon as
@POTUS
joined us in Raleigh to talk about his plan to connect more homes and businesses to high-speed internet, part of his ongoing commitment to infrastructure improvements.
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I've heard concerns about tweets sent from the RPD account, and I've reviewed some tweets and found them unhelpful. I've raised this issue with staff, and I'm informed that the city is revising our social media policy. I will share the update as soon as I receive it.
#ralpol
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After months of planning, we approved a Social District allowing alcoholic beverages sold by an establishment to be consumed in this area from 11 am – 10 pm 7 days per week effective 8/15. We will continue to gather feedback and work through any issues and needed changes.
#ralpol
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Great start to the 2023 Democratic Leaders Summit. We heard from
@PeteButtigieg
and
@NC_Governor
, and I ran into a lot of folks doing good work, especially NCDP Party Chair
@abreezeclayton
- always good seeing you!
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Today I’m announcing my re-election campaign for Raleigh City Council. Since elected I’ve worked to come from a place of “yes” – to seek what we can do instead of saying what we cannot. I hope to have your support.
#ralpol
Full remarks and to contribute:
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Everyone please help me wish
@Saige4Raleigh
a very happy birthday! I hope he’s as excited to celebrate tonight as he is in this picture 😂 Proud to call you a friend and to serve this city with you!
#ralpol
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@BeyCollection
The Obama administration was 11 months ago; talk to me if Trump serves 2 full terms and either Britney or Gaga have to jump on a featured track to end their dry spell. Bey's last solo
#1
was during Bush administration.
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Days ago, I tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated. I’m isolating at home. My symptoms are mild and doctor said unlikely to worsen because of the vaccine. I’m glad I got my shot. Please get vaccinated and encourage others too.
#ralpol
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Proud to serve as Raleigh Mayor Pro Tem 🏳️🌈
This was decided at the start of the 2022 term, but today the mayor pro tem is changing. Corey Branch was appointed mayor pro tem for the first year of the two-year term and, today, Jonathan Melton will take over as mayor pro-tem.
#ralpol
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This next term, I’m committed to having more discussions about the benefits of reducing car dependency and why building a 15-minute city benefits everyone, including those who need or want to use cars. I’m always willing to hear differing opinions and find common ground. (2/2)
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Rare excursion to Durham to meet some friends for dinner and a show. If only there were a train that could get me there and back. 🤔
#readyforrail
@GoTriangle
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I’ve asked city staff to look into a program like this in Raleigh. 🚲
This year 4,726 Denver residents received a $400 rebate off an e-bike or a $900 off an e-cargo bike (low-income residents can get more).
According to a city survey, recipients say their new e-bike/e-cargo bike is replacing 3.4 car trips per week(!).
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@GoodOrtho_com
@Andy
@JeffFlake
That means absolutely nothing unless he and one other R are actually willing to vote no if the investigation doesn’t happen.
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Biked from our house in Idlewild to Five Points. Connected via Person/Wake Forest, which was great for a while but resulted in us riding on Capital, briefly (do not recommend). But we made it! (...we still have work to do to address connectivity but I’m taking notes 🚲)
#ralpol
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One of the best parts of this race was getting to know the other candidates, including
@JamesGBledsoe1
and
@Carlie4Raleigh
; they discussed great ideas for the future of Raleigh and earned nearly 10,000 votes, 11%. I am so thankful for their support and endorsement.
#ralpol
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A necessary investment that must be a priority for our region.
Over the next 20 years, the Triangle region is going to add more than 600,000 new cars on the road due to burgeoning population growth. That's how you get Atlanta-style, "heart attack" traffic.
Here's the concept for commuter rail. We can dig:
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It’s 10 mins, $5 per ticket, from downtown
@RaleighGov
to downtown
@caryncgov
via
@NC_By_Train
No traffic. No parking. 🙌🏼 Now, time to explore.
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Yup.
I’m proud Raleigh revised our live-work rules earlier this year, allowing people to operate personal service and other similar businesses out of their homes or accessory structure (ACU) without having to obtain a special use permit or other burdensome approval.
Unnecessary home-based business zoning licenses and fees keep many legitimate, harmless small businesses stuck in legal limbo—it's time to scrap them.
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Let’s make this happen!
NEWS: Early studies indicate Triangle commuter rail line a potentially viable project
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Thank you all the candidates who applied for the District D seat, and congratulations Stormie Forte on your historic appointment to Raleigh City Council. I look forward to serving with you and continuing our work to build a fairer, more accessible and progressive Raleigh.
#ralpol
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Celebrating my 2-year wedding anniversary today. Thank you, Stephan, for being my biggest supporter and source of comfort and unconditional love.
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Excited for orientation this week! Let’s get to work
@Saige4Raleigh
@PBuffkin
@KnightforRal
💪🏻
#ralpol
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We’re investing more resources in bike infrastructure and it’s paying off. 2x more people bike to work than 5 years ago. Crashes down & safety improved. More work to do, but giving folks options to get around w/out cars is how we build sustainable city.
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Some of you have probably noticed, but I usually have Twitter pulled up on my computer at the council table. At appropriate times, I check the
#ralpol
thread to see if there’s confusion or questions about anything we’re doing in an effort to address those concerns in realtime.
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We just voted to authorize staff draft text change to bring back corner stores.
Goal to place goods closer, reduce car dependency, address food deserts. There will be many opportunities for more public input as we continue process. Help us shape how we let them return.
#ralpol
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I campaigned, in part, on development: ADUs by right, duplexes/triplexes, bulding more housing to meet the needs of a growing city and welcoming new neighbors. No surprise people in development community supported me. I’ve worked to be transparent and accessible to all.
#ralpol
Hey Raleigh, do you know that
@melton4raleigh
got 57% of his campaign funding from the development community? Who do you think he's working for at City Hall? You or his campaign funders?
#ralpol
FOLLOW THE MONEY
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Uncomfortable truth: even if there weren’t plywood on windows, downtown would not return to how it looked this time last year. Many restaurants are still doing take out only, bars remain closed, and most office workers have not returned due to COVID. (1/4)
#ralpol
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Today I joined colleagues from Raleigh, Wake Co., Federal Transit Administration, & Congress to announce $35 million in federal funding for Bus Rapid Transit along New Bern Avenue. The project will provide frequent mass transit, the first of 3 planned routes!
#ralpol
#multimodal
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I officially won my seat on
#NationalComingOutDay
and our swearing-in ceremony is 12/2
@britneyspears
birthday. Coincidence? I think not. 🤣
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@farrahrized
@Cameronnepini
New format: no one gets eliminated. You lip sync for money and a challenge advantage. It’s All Stars. We want to see the whole cast every week. Winner is decided at the end based on body of work.
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The weather tomorrow looks much better, just in time for Out! Raleigh Pride, 11 AM - 6 PM on Fayetteville Street. I hope to see you out there! Let’s make it even bigger than last year. 🌈
#ralpol
📸: Raleigh Pride 2022
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We eliminated parking minimums downtown. Now, we’ve started the process to remove parking minimums citywide and to cap parking maximums.
Policies that subsidize parking are harmful to our city and work against efforts to address climate change and housing affordability.
#ralpol
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There’s a lot I’m proud of accomplishing during my service on Raleigh City Council, and the e-bike incentive program is near the top of the list.
#ralpol
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Proud to be selected to the Biden for President, North Carolina LGBTQ Leadership Council.
#OutforBiden
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Always frustrating to run into cars parked in bike lanes, especially on a busy street where it feels unsafe to travel in traffic. It happened where the bollards end. We need to do a better job sharing the road, and this issue also highlights the importance of bollards/protection.
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Opinion: Bring Back the Neighborhood Corner Store
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Took the bus for the first time today since COVID. Everyone was wearing masks and there were signs on doors and windows for masks. Seats were marked for distancing. I’m lucky and privileged that I don’t have to rely on the bus everyday but glad we are keeping community safe.
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Save Seaboard Station group and the developer and development team posed together for pictures today after we voted to approve the case with preservation conditions for the station. As we grow, it’s important we work to keep history and places that make Raleigh unique.
#ralpol
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More of this. 🤩
The before & after of riding a bike on Gorman Street is amazing. Seamless connection b/w Reedy Creek and Rocky Branch Trails along the
@ECGreenway
. Today, I felt zero stress and for the first time wasn’t worried about a speeding car coming in too hot or close. Thanks
@RaleighGov
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Saturday Oct. 3 and 10
@DowntownRaleigh
is closing two blocks of Fayetteville Street, decorating with lights and art, and setting up picnic tables where you can enjoy restaurant takeout and expanded outdoor dining spaces.
More information here:
#ralpol
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"...I think if Downtown South is fully-realized, it would be a great tourism-generating project. So, my initial thought is, I would be supportive," Melton said.
Melton proclaimed any development needs to happen with equity in mind.
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Good morning @ office hours. Was asked if I’m anti car. No, husband & I own 1 car & use if needed. I’m pro multimodal. If you need/want car, fewer cars on road, less traffic, more parking. If you don’t want/can’t afford car, you should be able to get around safely too.
#ralpol
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What?! No, it’s not. Also, it’s Pride Month- let’s remember why.
#ralpol
The Wake County Sheriff’s Office says the action was appropriate and worked.
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Still have a lot of work to do. These were the fast, necessary changes.
I campaigned on, and still support, subpoena power for police board. I also oppose use of tear gas or any chemical agent on our community. I am committed to working towards larger systemic changes.
#ralpol
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We have a lot of work to do. But first we need to listen. That’s why I joined
@Saige4Raleigh
and
@Nicole4Raleigh
in calling for a special virtual meeting Thursday, June 7 at 7 p.m. No advance sign up will be required. A number will be provided to call in. We hear you.
#ralpol
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Proud Raleigh is listed. We actually switched parking minimums to maximums.
Minimum parking requirements increase the cost of housing, goods, services. Eliminating minimums doesn’t mean parking won’t be built, it just means there’s not an arbitrary amount for new projects.
In almost every American city, the minimum number of parking built is mandated by state and municipal ordinances dating back to the 1960s. These antiquated mandates not only rob property owners of choice, but they’re often arbitrary. It's time to end them.
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We were the test riders for the ferris wheel at
#DreamvilleFest2023
yesterday and can confirm it’s fun with great views! Be safe and enjoy this weekend
#ralpol
🎡 🌻
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We need this commuter rail for our region.
#ralpol
GoTriangle estimates a transit system from Garner through Raleigh to Durham could carry 7,500 to 10,000 passengers per day.
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