Wednesday I met briefly with a group working on Bloomberg Opioid pilot program. Visiting were coaches from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Dean of Public Health from John Hopkins with two associates. This was a working meeting to help with the next grant application from Bloomberg.

In addition to the $100,000 we received for our pilot program of opioid wastewater sampling with BioBot Analytics, we could receive a grant of $1 million or the major grant of $5 million. I spoke to the group briefly about the importance of this project to Cary, how it allows us to be proactive rather than reactive, and how it can be used all across the nation.

After talking with the town manager and others here is my understanding incident of the paid speakers. On the evening of the last council meeting someone posted on Craig’s list that they would pay $50 for speakers. During the council meeting this information was being passed around amongst council members but I was not informed.

Monday I joined Wake County Commissioner and CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization) vice chair and staff in a review of the agenda for Wednesday’s monthly meeting. 

Monday afternoon I was scheduled to meet with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one but he had a scheduling conflict. So he sent an information summary on topics that included a Fortune 500 company, downtown park consultants, and status on feedback about the budget. We will meet next Monday as scheduled.

Monday night I attended a meeting of staff, developers, and citizens on the gas station proposed at Kildaire Farm Road and Penny Road. I stayed in the back so that I could hear the conversation and watch the interaction between the citizens, the developers, and staff.

This was my last week before vacation so it was a little slower than normal.

Monday I joined council members Frantz and Smith at the Cary Chamber’s Honor a Teacher Awards Ceremony. This event is to recognize teachers that go above and beyond the call of duty. I had the privilege of giving a few remarks and thanking the teachers before the awards were presented.

There were over 160 nominees and 32 awards in all including one sponsored by the Town of Cary. The awards included a nice glass plaque and a $1000 check. Cary’s award was for civic education and was given to Carolynn Angilello of Turner Creek Elementary.  We congratulated our winner and had our picture made with her. The ceremony lasted about an hour and fifteen minutes.