Cary Mayor

Harold’s Blog: Quasi-Judicial Hearings, Economic Update and More

Cary, NC – This week was a typical week for mayoral duties.

Monday – Preparing for the Week

Monday I met with the town attorney, town clerk, chief strategy officer, our quasi-judicial attorney, and others to go over our quasi-judicial process. Recent rulings have now required evidence to be presented in opposition to a proposal from an expert witness to deny a proposal. So no matter how bad we think a proposal may be we can’t vote against it without an expert witness giving us reason. Many council members feel this basically ties our hands in quasi-judicial matters. That is, we will basically have to approve every quasi-judicial proposal since it is rare that an expert witness speaks in opposition to a quasi-judicial proposal. I suspect that council will create a new process which takes us out of the decision process since we basically have no decision to make. Read more

Cary Mayor

Harold’s Blog: Plans from Mayors, Ribbon-Cutting and More

Cary, NC – This week was a slower week than last week.

My Monday meeting with the town manager was cancelled due to illness. Get well soon Sean!

Tuesday – Cary Tennis Park

Tuesday I taped the first version of Cary Matters ever held on location. The episode was at the Cary Tennis Park promoting the Cary Tennis Park. I was joined by Mayor Pro-Tem Bush for the taping. I was so excited to be on location and at the Cary Tennis Park that I adlibbed a lot which caused us to do three takes. After taping the episode we taped promotions for tournaments that will be held at the tennis park throughout the year. We finished after about 45 minutes.

Read more

Cary Mayor

Harold’s Blog: Cary Work Retreat, Downtown Park and More

Cary, NC – This was a very busy week with several meetings in addition to the annual council-staff working retreat.

Monday – Local Government Leaders

Monday I joined council member Robinson and the town manager in a meeting with TJCOG (Triangle J Council of Governments) officials. The purpose of the meeting was to find out how we could help each other. We offered to take more of a leadership role to help communities in need (we have already been doing this in several areas such water and sewer). Read more

Cary History

Town Plans for Historic Cary Sites

Cary, NC – Starting in 2018, the Town of Cary has been deciding what to do with three historic sites, both through professional evaluations and citizen surveys. Now, the town has announced its plans, with funding for repairs and restorations on these historic buildings already secured. Read more

Morrisville

Morrisville Mayor In National Leadership Role on the Environment

Cary, NC – As municipalities across the United States face the challenges of a changing environment and providing natural resources to their residents, Morrisville Mayor TJ Cawley is working to bridge federal and local support as he takes a new national leadership position. Read more

Cary Mayor

Harold’s Blog: Butterfly Preservation, State Legislature and More

Cary, NC – This was a slower week than normal since it included Valentine’s Day.

Monday – Neighborhood Traffic Safety

Monday started with my weekly one-on-one meeting with the town manager. We were joined by the Public Information Officer. We spent about 30 minutes talking about issues including the upcoming staff-council working retreat and a legal matter.

Later Monday I joined the Deputy Town Manager, two police captains, the director of transportation and facilities, engineers, and others in a meeting with Cameron Pond residents about traffic safety issues. Their neighborhood is divided by Carpenter Fire Station Road which means residents have to cross that road to get to neighborhood amenities. While this is a state road, town staff agreed to work with the neighbors and NCDOT to try and find a solution. The solution may include a mid-block crosswalk with median for pedestrian refuge. Read more

Cary Fire Department

New Fire Station No. 9 Opening Early 2020

Cary, NC – Cary’s newest fire station is currently under construction on Walnut Street, relocating from SE Maynard Road, and weather permitting, plans are for the station to open early next year. Read more

Cary Mayor

Harold’s Blog: Town Council Meeting, Morrisville Community and More

Cary, NC – This week was relatively short in comparison to typical weeks this time of year.

Monday – Planning for the Week

Monday I called council members to hear of concerns or questions they may have had about the upcoming council meeting on Thursday. Since the discussion part of that meeting was quasi-judicial I was not allowed to discuss those topics with council members. Read more

Cary Town Council

Cary Town Council: Weston Office, Mini-Storage and More

Cary, NC – The latest Cary Town Council meeting saw extensive discussion on a mini-storage unit during a Quasi-Judicial hearing, as well as a Public Hearing on parking for an office on Weston Parkway and more. Read more

Cary Mayor

Harold’s Blog: Cary Towne Center, Mike Bajorek and More

Cary, NC – This week was much slower with just a few activities.

Tuesday – Chinese Business Association

Tuesday I attended the North Carolina Chinese Business Association annual reception at the Governor’s mansion. I estimate that there were about two hundred in attendance. After arriving I talked with several business owners and professors. At 6 PM the emcee, Renee Chou from WRAL, started introducing the speakers. The speakers included the Governor, Secretary of State, two North Carolina Senators, and many Chinese business leaders. Read more