Candidate Questionnaire: Ed Yerha

Cary, NC — Starting today, we’ll begin running the answers to our Candidate Questionnaire. Ed Yerha, running unopposed for an At-Large seat on Cary Town Council, is up first.

Candidate Questionnaire

As we have done in previous election cycles, we sent a list of three short questions to all the candidates for office in Cary.

We do not edit the answers but provide a forum for the candidates to speak to our readers in their own words.

Once again, we will not endorse candidates or tell you how to vote. However, we urge all citizens to go to the polls in Cary on Tuesday, October 8, 2013.

Ed Yerha

Q1 – Why are you running?

It has been a privilege to represent Cary’s citizens as an At-Large Town Council member for the past year, and I am running for a 4-year term because I believe that it is important to:

Remember that Cary citizens always come first. We need to listen to them. They really care about their town.
Maintain our strong financial posture. Cary has not been immune from the economic downturn of recent years.
Attract new businesses and their employees to town.
Integrate the protection of our environment into everything we do.
Meet the needs of our growing senior population. Cary is aging faster than its neighbors. I have proposed a new citizens’ advisory board on senior issues.
Keep Cary among the safest towns in the country.
Advance the exciting revitalization of Downtown Cary without shortchanging the rest of town, such as the fast-growing area west of Highway 55.
Plan for our future by ensuring that Cary citizens have their full say in our town’s planning efforts; and learn from our past by fully implementing our Historic Preservation Master Plan. Support cultural arts, sports and recreational programs and facilities, which are invaluable contributors to our quality of life.
Provide citizens with the exceptional service they deserve. Cary is the best buy around: First- class service for still the lowest tax rate in Wake County.

Cary is indeed a great place to live, work, play, do business, raise a family and retire. I am running to continue my public service on the town council because I firmly believe that, together, we will make Cary even better.

Q2 – What are your top 3 priorities and how will you get it done?

We must always stay true to the Town’s official vision statement: “Cary is a place where good neighbors form healthy neighborhoods in a green and vibrant community of friendly caring people.” Despite our size, we must never lose that which makes Cary ‘Cary’: simply the best big small town in America.

Maintaining the Town’s strong financial posture is critical. It doesn’t happen by magic. Our town staff has done a fantastic job guiding us through the country’s recent economic woes but it has become increasingly difficult to sustain the level of service that our citizens are accustomed to and deserve. Staff and Council are already actively involved in setting priorities for the 2015 budget. A solid financial foundation enables us to pursue the things that really matter: public safety, environmental stewardship, infrastructure for responsible quality growth and other priorities of our citizens that ensure our great quality of life.

Another issue that requires mention is the recent and pending State legislative activity that results in placing limits on municipal governments in various areas. The Town, through its staff, its council and most of all its citizens, needs to voice concern to our legislators. They really do listen.

Q3 – Give us a brief bio and tell us about your relevant experience.

I was born and raised in New Jersey and earned a BA degree from New York University. I am a Senior Tax Analyst at Lenovo, where I have worked since 2005; prior to that, I was employed by IBM for 31 years. During my career, my primary focus has been finance, a background that serves me well as a Council member. I’m married to my lovely wife Carolyn and have lived in Cary since 1995. I’m a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Cary, the Friends of the Page-Walker (where I served several terms as president), Sister Cities Association of Cary and the Heart of Cary Association.

I am in my 16th consecutive year of serving Cary in an official capacity. I have served as a Town Council At-Large Representative since August 2012. Previously, I served 6 years on the Planning and Zoning Board (4 years as Chair); as Vice-Chair of the Sister Cities Commission; and as a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. I served on advisory committees for several Town initiatives, including the Town Center Area Plan and Historic Preservation Master Plan.

Candidate Information

Ed Yerha
Cary Town Council
At-Large