In a city that continues to grow and diversify, Sana Siddiqui presented her vision for Raleigh during the launch of her campaign for a seat on the City Council, elected by voters from across the city.
The event, held on Saturday, July 18, brought together residents and community members from various work and professional sectors, who shared how local government decisions influence the daily lives of those who live and work in the city.
“I love Raleigh. It’s a growing city, but it’s become very expensive for many of us,” Siddiqui told Enlace Latino NC.
“Community participation is the most important thing for me, and I believe we should all be part of the process,” she said.
Greater community involvement
In an interview with Enlace Latino NC Siddiqui said her four top priorities are making Raleigh a more affordable city, strengthening the municipal workforce, and supporting the small companies and promote greater participation of residents in local government decisions.
“I love that the city is growing and that so many people want move but for many of us who already live here, the cost of living has become too high," she commented.
“Many of us have nowhere else to go and end up moving out of town because we can no longer afford to live here. That’s why I will work to make Raleigh a more affordable city for everyone,” she said.
Regarding strengthening the city's workforce, the candidate explained that this includes not only frontline workers, such as firefighters and emergency responders, but also staff working behind the scenes, such as planning employees and those in offices that support small businesses.
“I want to ensure that they receive adequate compensation and that the departments have sufficient staff to provide better service to the community,”she stated.
Siddiqui also highlighted the importance of strengthening small businesses. As business ownershe said he knows firsthand the challenges that entrepreneurs face.
“I own a small business and I believe we can do a lot to make it easier for people start a businessbut also so they can keep it running," she commented.
Regarding her fourth property, the candidate highlighted the importance of meeting new people, talking to more people, and learning from them.
“For me, it’s all about listening to people and keeping them involved in the decision-making process,” she said.
Bonus packages
On May 19, the Raleigh City Council approved a referendum on a $203 million bond package, a measure that voters will decide in November.
The proposal includes $101.5 million for affordable housing and another $101.5 million for transportation projects.
“I support those bonds. I believe voters should approve them. These bonds will not raise taxes in the city of Raleigh, and the city needs those funds,” Siddiqui said.
“It’s important that residents vote in favor so that we can continue investing in affordable housing options and transportation projects,” she said.
Displacement
Siddiqui also stated her position regarding the growth of the city and the fear that exists among residents of being displaced from their homes.
“When analyzing zoning changes or new developments, we must first think about how they will affect those who already live there,” she commented.
The candidate indicated that she understands Raleigh needs to grow, "and that growth is positive, but the way we grow is very important."
“Right here we have an example with the project The Pointe“I’m sure it will be a great project in the future, but what about the people who live there now? They’re being displaced, and when they leave, they probably won’t be able to afford another home in Raleigh. They’ll have to move out of town. That’s not my vision for Raleigh,” she said.
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Transport
With a growing city, transportation is also one of Raleigh's biggest challenges, and Sana Siddiqui acknowledges that they are far behind in that area.
“I’m glad that we’re finally moving forward with the project of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) which will be developed in four phases, but it is a long-term solution. The first phase will take about four years and the entire project will take much longer,” she said.
“Meanwhile, we must improve the transport infrastructure we already have,” she added.
The candidate pointed out that better access to bus stops is needed so that "those who live outside the city center can use the service and have more frequent buses."
“We also need to address what is known as the “first and last mile,” meaning that residents can walk to a bus stop within a reasonable distance, without having to drive there,” she said.
“We need to foster a culture of greater use of public transport, because many pieces must work together for the system to be truly efficient,” she added.
As a message to the community, Siddiqui urged residents to actively participate in local decisions.
“We must educate ourselves, learn, talk to each other and encourage each other to get more involved,” she said.
From spark to leadership
Among the expressions of support Siddiqui received during the event, two Raleigh councilwomen highlighted her qualities as a candidate for City Council.
“When I called Sana last year, I had already seen her participate in community meetings. I had seen her take on leadership roles and work in different areas. I knew she had that potential and I thought: How can I help that spark become a flame?,” recalled Christina Jones, Raleigh City Councilwoman for District E.
“I called her simply to say, ‘Have you thought about this?’ When I decided to run in 2022, I didn’t have anyone to tell me, ‘This is your place.’ I had to prove to many people that that space belonged to me too.”
Jones indicated that he thought it shouldn't be so difficult for those who come after.
“That’s why I told her that she had my full support and that I would do everything possible so that she could be by my side without having to prove that she deserves to be there,” she remarked.
Raleigh councilwoman Megan Patton expressed her support for Siddiqui's candidacy and stated that she looks forward to working alongside her in the city Council.
“But this won’t be possible without all of you. You have to go out and vote in November,” Patton noted.
“It’s a long election, and I know everyone here will take the time to vote in each of the races,” she added.
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A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity.
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