Dozens of Wake County residents filled a legislative committee room yesterday to weigh in on several controversial bills affecting the county.
One of the measures would scrap the lease between the state and the city of Raleigh to create a destination park on the site of the old Dorothea Dix hospital.
"I would just like to see the Dix property available for public use. I just think it's important for everyone will get to use that property. It's so beautiful. I just fear that if they go back on that promise, that it will be used for development, and some people won't get to see it or use it," says Rhonda Riggins, a teacher in Wake County.
The vast majority of residents who spoke were against canceling the Dix deal.
Most were also opposed to a measure sponsored by Republican Senator Neal Hunt of Raleigh designed to take school building projects out of the hands of local school boards. Another measure, also sponsored by Hunt, would redraw the Wake County school board district boundaries and change the way board members are elected. Another hearing will be held next week.
Host Frank Stasio talks to WUNC reporters Dave Dewitt and Jessica Jones about Dorothea Dix and legislative issues related to Wake County Schools on The State of Things.
