L–>R Lori Bush, Harold Weinbrecht and Gale Adcock on Tuesday evening at Rudino’s.
Cary, NC – Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht was re-elected to a second term on Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the Wake County Board of Elections. Read more
An editorial opinion by the Publisher of CaryCitizen.
Cary, NC – Many readers have been asking about our endorsements in the coming election. Without further delay, here are our voter recommendations.
Cary, NC – This week, we are continuing our Cary Candidate series with the race for Mayor. Today, we’ll hear from incumbent Harold Weinbrecht. Yesterday, we featured challenger Michelle Muir.
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 next week on October 11, 2011. Read more
Cary, NC – Early Voting begins today (Wednesday, October 5, 2011) for Wake County voters at the Herb Young Community Center in Cary. Read more
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. Read more
Cary, NC – This week, we are continuing our Cary Candidate series with the Town Council At-Large Race. Yesterday, we featured Zeke Bridges, in his own words. Today, we’ll hear from Lori Bush.
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 October 11, 2011.
I care about Cary. It’s not a slogan, or a tagline. It’s who I am and it’s why I’m driven to run for office.
For over a decade I’ve been honored to serve my community in many ways – in my neighborhood on the board of my Homeowner’s Association, on Cary boards and commissions, and as an active participant on a variety of local and national non-profits and community groups. I’ve done all of this because I have a commitment to this community in which we all live, work, play, learn and grow.
Cary citizens have long known that good government does not come by accident. It takes the collective hard work of “thoughtful and committed” citizens, business leaders and the community to bring issues forward, and to address them in an open and effective way. Building consensus and charting a path for the future is what’s now needed.
As we move forward, our Town must continue to grow in a responsible and balanced manner. We must pay attention to the needs of the citizens, businesses and the environment while ensuring adequate facilities, roads and services. We must continue to support the efforts to revitalize Downtown Cary – the true “Heart of Cary.” And, most importantly, we must protect our high quality of life for our community, our children and ourselves.
I believe we can achieve these goals. My proven record of leadership and service shows I can bring about tangible results, all while working and collaborating with others.
Smart, Balanced Growth has been listed as a top citizen concern for a decade in Town surveys, year after year. I would continue to support the progress by our current Mayor and council to review and ensure that we focus on responsible growth; ensuring infrastructure and town services will support current citizens and neighborhoods, new residents and businesses. And, as Cary begins to reach its boundaries, this growth will turn to infill, and we must find ways to balance and ensure that development is appropriate and sensitive to the neighboring communities.
Protecting our environment is more than a priority – it’s an area where we can always improve. Cary’s environmental track record is good, but we can always do better and innovate where possible. We must protect Jordan Lake, our drinking water supply, by limiting development in the lake’s watershed. Buffers must be respected and open space protected. Additional environmental programs could increase town support of water conservation, expand recycling support to businesses, and continue to encourage LEED certified building practices.
Listening and being responsive to constituents – in a number of ways. One of Cary’s greatest resources is the intellectual capital and the collective energy of its people. Cary’s own surveys show that more than two-thirds of our adult citizens have a college degree, and many more with advanced degrees. We need to continue to find new and innovative ways to reach out and engage all citizens using technology, town hall forums, and interaction with Homeowners’ Associations
I am a wife, mother of two children in Wake County Public Schools, daughter and active member of my community. I started becoming involved in my neighborhood more than 10 years ago, creating a website, writing the newsletter, and eventually became president of my Homeowner’s Association. It was during the widening of Davis Drive, that I realized how important it is for residents to be engaged and aware of the town’s growth and the impact on neighborhoods. I have also been involved with a number of other non-profits, much of that an outgrowth of my 16 years of work at Cisco Systems. I’ve been dedicated to ensuring citizen readiness to disasters, working with federal, state and local officials to assist them in their preparedness plans and awarded the National Institute of Urban Search and Rescue (NIUSR) prestigious “Perpetual Eagle for Leadership” for Excellence in Education in 2009. I’m also passionate about Internet Safety for all, as a board member of the National Cyber Security Alliance (www.staysafeonline.org) , teaching internet safety classes to parents and kids. I have recently become an avid bicyclist, seeing much of Cary from two wheels with my family and riding in the BikeMS ride in New Bern, NC.
Website: www.loriforcary.org
Cary, NC – We continue our Cary Candidate series with the Town Council At-Large Race. This contest will decide the seat left open by Erv Portman’s rise to Wake County Commissioner, so neither candidate is an incumbent. Today we feature Zeke Bridges, in his own words. Tomorrow, we’ll hear from Lori Bush.
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 October 11, 2011.
ZB: Zeke sees the Cary Town Council At Large seat as an opportunity to give back to the community that has given so much to him, his family and his businesses. Through owning a business in Cary, Zeke has found that thoroughly listening to each point of view and being patient are the best ways to find middle ground so progress can be made. His servant mentality and desire to improve our community, combined with his passion and commitment to progress will allow him to remain unbiased in conflict and make reasoned and sound decisions. He believes this type of diplomacy is the best way to represent each of Cary’s citizens. Zeke will roll up his sleeves and bring his business experience, sound economic philosophy and common sense to the council table to attract and create more jobs in Cary. It will be an honor to be part of maintaining the quality of life that Cary’s citizens enjoy so that our children and future generations may enjoy Cary as well.
1. Economy & Fiscal Policy
Zeke will bring his business experience, sound economic philosophy and common sense to the council table to attract and create more jobs in Cary so our citizens who are currently unemployed can get back to work.
One of the town’s many responsibilities is to be a good and faithful fiduciary of the trust and money of its citizenry. The town should cautiously consider before either spending, borrowing on, or reserving those funds and the affect each result will have not only on the current citizens but future ones. Zeke would welcome the opportunity to apply the business acumen and financial responsibility he has learned while running a small business as an at large councilmember. While Zeke understands that running a small business and a large town is very different, there are also similarities. Financial management is an area of such similarity. The town should continue to maintain its high bond rating and a funds surplus. Zeke vows to roll up his sleeves and work hard to ensure Cary citizens have the highest level of service at the lowest taxpayer costs.
2. Public Safety
While Cary should be commended for maintaining high rankings year after year as one of the safest cities in the United States, more can still be done to keep Cary safe and become even safer. No matter where you live in Cary, you should not only be safe but feel safe.
If the voters elect Zeke, he will vote to ensure our public safety department has the equipment and funding needed to keep Cary as one of the safest cities, with the goal of becoming the safest city in the United States.
3. On Growth & Infrastructure
Cary is a highly desirable place to live and we can all agree we want it to remain that way. We need to ensure that Cary continues to grow in a manner that respects property rights and the environment. A great deal of care is required to manage growth in the commercial, residential and employment sectors of our economy. While commercial development can be potentially lucrative, the need for balance between residential and commercial is crucial to fill the housing need for those seeking to live and work in Cary. Obviously, we must seek a balance and look at growth issues, and their management with a measured response in hopes of accomplishing a balanced and fair result.
Zeke Bridges is a husband, father and an involved Cary citizen with a background in political science, criminal justice, law, business and entrepreneurship. Zeke is married to his lovely wife Grace and they have a daughter, Gabriella. Growing up Zeke adopted the lessons of his parents – the importance of faith and family and a hard work ethic.
When not practicing law and running a business, Zeke interests include serving on the AVL (tech) team at his church in Cary, Colonial Baptist Church, where he is an active member and former Sunday school leader, sponsoring local charities, radio programs and missions, reading publications and books on history, politics and business, attempting to lower his golf score and spending time with his family and friends. As a family, the Bridges enjoy church events and activities, Cary’s wonderful greenways and parks and Cary’s diverse cultural events.
www.BridgesForCary.org
www.ZekeBridges.com
Cary, NC – We continue our Cary Candidate series with Don Hyatt, running for election to Cary Town Council in District D. Yesterday, we heard from incumbent Gale Adcock. Read the whole series under the Elections tab.
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 October 11, 2011. Read more
Cary, NC – We continue our Cary Candidate series with the District D race. Today, we hear from incumbent Gale Adcock. Tomorrow, challenger Don Hyatt.
All candidates have been asked the same three questions. We have not edited on word, vowel or comma of their responses. Decide for yourself how to vote on October 11, 2011. Read more
Story by guest columnist Kyle Skrinak
Cary, NC – Absentee voting is so easy, a caveman could do it. Guest columnist Kyle Skrinak explains the latest confluence of convenience and civic duty. Read more