Thursday, March 28, 2024

Election 2017: Wilmington City Council candidate James Ray

James Ray
James Ray

Editors note: Port City Daily reached out to all nine Wilmington City Council candidates for responses to the same eight questions.  A full list of the candidates, with links, is available at the end of this article.

With all the growth happening in the City of Wilmington and the announcement of new major developments, what do you think is the best way to accommodate the new residents, without paving over every bit of green space in the city?

Great care must be given when approving new developments to make sure they do not compromise wetlands and green spaces, but also neighborhoods and communities. I believe greater community involvement in decisions regarding new development is the key to smart growth. I plan to increase transparency and make sure the public has a voice in how our city grows.

How can the City of Wilmington help alleviate traffic concerns, specifically on major roadways that are already overburdened?

Traffic must be taken into account when considering new development. I would fight to delay development until traffic engineers have thoroughly accounted for the increased traffic it would cause. I would also fight to expand public transportation and Park and Ride programs, and expand our walking and bike paths. Walking and bike paths should be increased not for recreation, but as a viable means to commute. This is another area where community involvement is essential.

What are your goals you hope to achieve if elected to office?

I have observed that there is a history and current system of distrust between the citizens of Wilmington and local government. I want to solve this problem from a perspective grounded in the principles of truth, honesty and trust. We need to be open and honest about the historical and current problems in our city. We need to share solutions that will help this city heal and grow. We need to make sacrifices that can unite each other, therefore increasing trust among Wilmingtonians.

What are your three biggest concerns with the City of Wilmington, and how do you plan to address them?

If I had to name just three, I would say living wages/affordable housing, distrust of local law enforcement and the opioid epidemic. Wages must be addressed by creating incentives for clean, modern companies to invest in Wilmington, and by increasing opportunities for technical and trade education. Distrust between the citizens and law enforcement must be addressed by more community policing and greater positive involvement by the police in our communities where the most problems occur. For the opioid problem, I believe that a medical treatment based solution is the only way out. We cannot arrest our way out of this.

What is your opinion on the opioid epidemic? How can city leaders not only address the issue (because it has been talked about at length) but take some sort of action against the crisis? 

As I have said, the opioid epidemic cannot be a law enforcement issue only. I have been working with Cape Fear Coalition for a Drug Free Tomorrow and their medical treatment based approach to addiction, and I think this is the emphasis the city must maintain to solve this problem.

What do you do professionally, would there be any conflict of interest with you serving the City of Wilmington? 

I am Associate Pastor at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church. My experience as a servant of the Lord informs my decisions, but does not define them. I believe in equal treatment and opportunities for people of all faiths, and no faith at all. I am also a Retiree from 29 years of service as an Electronic Technician for the U.S. Postal Service therefore I will have plenty of time to perform my duties as a city councilman.

What previous experience do you have in serving the public if any?

I have served all my life, in various way. I have years of experience in the military as a military policeman in the Air Force. I have served as a civilian employee of the New York City Police Department. I have also served as the director of maintenance for APWU Fayetteville Area Local, Fayetteville, N.C. and a Union Organizer for the APWU Queens Area Local, Queens, N.Y. I continue to serve as Associate Pastor at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church.

Given the concerns with GenX, do you think it is time to reevaluate how the CFPUA Board is appointed?

The fact that the CFPUA board contains two city council members and two county commissioners is very unfair. Those members are not enough to ensure public accountability. By keeping those numbers, the CFPUA is not required to have public hearings, and this prevents public access and control of decisions that are affecting the lives of Wilmington citizens.


You can find the full list of Wilmington City Council candidate interview below:

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