Harold’s Blog: An Education on Election Day
From the blog of Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, covering the week through November 7, 2010.
This week was a slow week for me as mayor. It was a welcomed pace which allowed me to catch up on work and personal matters.
Election Day in Cary
Tuesday was Election Day. I visited Mrs. Russell’s first grade class at Briarcliff Elementary to be a witness in their election of a class mayor. I was joined by Dr. Donna Hargens who is interim Superintendent for the Wake County School System.
Each of the candidates had prepared an advertisement complete with video, song, and an endorsed by message. Next each candidate answered questions from the class.
I was amazed how much a first grader understood about economics and the risk of empty promises by candidates. (I wish adults could grasp this concept.)
After the question and answer period the candidates were seated and everyone voted while patriotic music played. In the end Hayden Walker was voted as Mayor of the class.
I thought this was a great lesson on so many levels. Mrs. Russell does a great job of role playing throughout the year as important days approach. On this day, everyone in the classroom, including me and Superintendent Hargens wore a hat with stars and stripes. It is my hope that this lesson had a huge impact and that these boys and girls will grow up and always vote. Voting is a privilege that not everyone in the world has.
Town Business
Tuesday evening I talked with the town manager about current issues and problems. We talked about several items including the Western Wake Wastewater Treatment Facility, Cary’s legislative agenda, and upcoming issues.
Wednesday I participated in the council/staff retreat committee. This was our second meeting. The purpose of this meeting was to finalize details of what we would discuss at our retreat in January. The topics selected include: “Where we want to be: Achieving a remarkable community”, “Transportation improvement process and funding”, “Short-Term downtown action steps”, and “Formally updating goals and initiatives”. The retreat will be held on January 14th and 15th in Cary. We will meet all day both days and join together for dinner on the 14th.
Mail Bag
I received lots of email this week. It included thanks for a water bill issue, thanks for resolving trash and overgrown weeds along West Lake Road, complaints about the Motiva expansion in Apex, a complaint about the Morrisville Parkway delayed opening, complaints about the Weldon Ridge Road alignment proposal, a complaint about campaign signs, an invitation to speak at an induction ceremony for a high school honor society, and a complaint about Park West in Morrisville.
Next Week in Cary
Next week should be another light week with the highlight being a joint council subcommittee meeting of Cary and Morrisville. I also will be writing the December version of Cary Matters next week.
BTW, if anyone has any questions or topics please send them my way.
Personal comments please send to augustanat@mindspring.com.
All Town of Cary business – please email me at Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org
