Cary Candidates: Michelle Muir, Mayor

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Cary, NC – This week, we are continuing our Cary Candidate series with the race for Mayor. Today, we’ll hear from challenger Michelle Muir. Tomorrow, we’ll feature the incumbent Harold Weinbrecht.

All candidates have been asked the same three questions. We have not edited one word, vowel or comma of their responses. Decide for yourself how to vote on next week on October 11, 2011.

1. Why are you running?

MM: Cary is a great place to live, work and play, thanks to the vision of mayors long ago. I want to make sure that we are doing all we can to make sure Cary remains a place we love calling home. Throughout my 27 years in the Triangle, I have a record of solid decision making, meaningful experience, energy, and personal engagement that will contribute significantly to Cary.

2. What are your top 3 priorities and how will you get it done?

MM: I’m absolutely committed to advocating for our citizens by improving the climate for economic development, exercising greater fiscal restraint, and developing long range planning for future needs. Cary is now 140,000 residents and we face significant challenges in this economy.

I will tackle these priorities in a number of ways:

  • Through working together in the strong relationships I have with local, regional, and school leaders to make sure our quality of life remains top in the nation;
  • By leveraging a broad base of applicable leadership skills I’ve gained in private and non-profit roles;
  • Asking the right questions, listening, and working collaboratively to generate well-thought out solutions.

There is more detail about practical ideas for Cary on my website, so I encourage people to visit and learn more.

3. Biography & Relevant Experience

MM: Born in Washington D.C., I moved to Duck, N.C.  during high school and I am a graduate of NC Public Schools and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I began a career in human resources, working in a variety of roles for Alcatel and Nortel. Over the years I worked with safety, ISO-9001, organizational development, and I became a certified facilitator for the Covey Leadership Institute.

I now own a consulting practice that provides marketing for small businesses and that experience has given me a unique perspective on helping them succeed. I serve as the project leader for iCary Wifi, an alliance of downtown owners working to provide free public internet access to attract and retain customers to the downtown core. In addition to bringing forward innovative projects like this, I have been a dedicated leader on government, education and faith-based boards and commissions. Right now, I’m serving on Cary’s Planning and Zoning Board and the Wake County Commission on Women. I just finished a term on the Wake County School Board Advisory Council, and as the chair of Baccalaureate for Cary High School. (My full resume is on line) My private sector experience, my record of hard work and good decisions, along with fresh eyes for looking at our challenges will be a great benefit to our residents.

Personally, I’m married to Steve Muir, and we have four children; one at Appalachian State, two at Cary High School, and one in middle school. We attend Peace Presbyterian Church, and my hobbies include mountain biking, studying hurricanes, reading, and technology.

I really appreciate the opportunity Cary Citizen is taking to educate voters and promote a dialogue about good government. I hope people will contact me directly with any questions or concerns so that we can meet or grab lunch. We’ve got important work to do to make sure that Cary is the same great community tomorrow that it is today.  I ask for the privilege of leading that work, and I would be most grateful for your vote on October 11th.

More Information

Website: VoteMuir.org