Cary – Apex Football Taping
The video I made with Apex Mayor Gilbert and football players from Apex and Cary promoting the August 23rd football game at WakeMed Soccer Park can now be viewed here. I look forward to seeing you at the game!
Manager One-On-One
Monday I met with the town manager for our weekly meeting. Topics of discussion included asset management, a state audit, South Hills development, the potential for future bonds, the multi-modal transportation center, and questions I have been receiving about future recreational facilities.
Cary Tennis Classic Board
Monday night I met with the Cary Tennis Classic Board. This was our first meeting since the professional tournament in July. Most of the time was spent reviewing data from the tournament and talking about next year’s tournament which will be held June 28th through July 5th. We also discussed the Community Appreciation Reception which will be held on September 3rd. Our next board meeting will be on September 8th.
Town Hall Selfie
Tuesday I participated in the town hall Selfie. Organized by ELGL, City Hall Selfie Day is a celebration of public service showcasing pride in local government institutions.
Every year since 2016, government employees, elected officials, members of the media, and community members participate in the event across the United States and around the world. You can find out more here.
Cary Council Candidate Meeting
Thursday I met with a non-interim candidate for Cary Council. This was the last of four I have met with. I am impressed with the candidates running for Cary Council.
Council Out and About
Message From Mayor and Council
Welcome to this week’s edition of Council Out & About! Serving our community means being part of conversations that shape Cary’s future and celebrating the connections that make our Town special. This past week was a wonderful example — from thoughtful discussions at Searstone and the Chamber Leadership Dinner to rolling up our sleeves for the Cary High School cleanup.
I’m especially excited about the momentum we’re seeing around regional transportation planning, including the FAST 2.0 transit study shared at the RTA Brunch. These efforts to connect our communities and improve mobility will have a lasting impact on how we live, work, and move throughout the Triangle. I hope you enjoy reading about all the ways your Council has been out and about this week!
Jennifer Bryson Robinson
Mayor Pro-Tem
District A Representative
Visit to Searstone
Mayor Harold Weinbrecht presented the State of Cary to residents at Searstone Retirement Community. Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Bryson Robinson joined the Mayor to answer audience questions on topics including development, housing, and transit.
Chamber Leadership Dinner
Mayor Harold Weinbrecht addressed business leaders at the Chamber Leadership Dinner. The evening included networking with state and federal representatives, hearing from nonprofit organizations, and connecting with members of Cary’s business community. In addition to the Mayor, attendees also included Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Bryson Robinson and Councilmembers Jack Smith, Carissa Kohn-Johnson, and Michelle Craig.
Cary Matters Taping
Councilmember Lori Bush invited Town Manager Sean Stegall to tape an upcoming episode of Cary Matters focused on the theme of “Public Good.” The episode will be released in September.
Taping for Centennial of “Old Wake Rivalry”
Mayor Harold Weinbrecht joined the Cary High School football team to record a video promoting the centennial anniversary of the “Old Wake Rivalry” between Cary and Apex. The teams will meet at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday, Aug. 23, at 7:30 p.m. The rivalry began in 1925, marking 100 years of competition.
RTA Transportation Brunch
Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Bryson Robinson, and Councilmembers Sarika Bansal and Michelle Craig attended the annual summer meeting of the Triangle’s regional transportation leaders. The event featured the release of the FAST 2.0 transit study — a nearly $1 million NCDOT initiative to advance an interconnected regional BRT system, including links to RTP and RDU — and an update on construction of the first Wake BRT corridor along Raleigh’s New Bern Avenue. Held in partnership with the I-40 Regional Partnership, the brunch brought together a large group of regional and community leaders.
Cary High School Cleanup
Councilmembers Michelle Craig and Carissa Kohn-Johnson joined the Cary Rotary Club, Wake County Commissioner Cheryl Stallings, members of the Interact Club, Cary High School students, and community volunteers — coordinated by Nancy Haywood — to landscape and clean up the Cary High School campus.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
Council,
Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar shared information about the importance of Cary’s adaptive approach to stormwater and Council’s investment in stormwater infrastructure.
I thought you would like to know that some parts of Cary have received nearly 13 inches of rain since last Wednesday, including an intensity of approximately 7 inches per hour during a portion of the event last night. While that amount and intensity could have created significant disruption, the impacts to Cary’s infrastructure have been minimal. This outcome reflects the success of Cary’s approach to stormwater management, where proactive monitoring, targeted drainage improvements, smart technology, and early action work together to mitigate flooding. This event reinforces that preparedness is not a one-time effort but an ongoing responsibility, one that preserves Cary today while building resilience for tomorrow.
Sean
22-REZ-21 Middleton Avenue Townhouses Rezoning Withdrawn
Bi-Right Development Likely
On July 16, 22-REZ-21 Middleton Avenue Rezoning, located in Town Council District B, was withdrawn at the request of the applicant. The applicant will likely choose to develop the subject property through a by-right development plan; the extension of Middleton Avenue will be required with development of the site. The existing zoning, TC HDR Mid-rise, allows a number of uses, including townhouses, although at a lower density than was requested by the now withdrawn application.
City Hall Selfie Day
On Tuesday, Cary joined local governments nationwide in celebrating the 10th annual City Hall Selfie Day, an event created by the Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) network to showcase the people who make local government work. Despite the rain, staff from nearly every department participated, snapping selfies at Town Hall, in the field, and at other key locations across Cary. The day was also a great way to connect on Chatter, with employees sharing photos and engagement throughout the day. The festivities even caught the attention of the media, with coverage highlighting Cary alongside the City of Durham.
NC Courage Visits Fire Station 1
On Wednesday, NC Courage players visited Fire Station 1 for a special video collaboration ahead of their upcoming Local Heroes Day on Sept. 13 at WakeMed Soccer Park. They explored the trucks and equipment, tried on firefighting gear, and even put the firefighters’ soccer skills to the test. The visit highlighted the strong partnership between Cary and the NC Courage and celebrated the connections that make Cary a special place to live, work, and play.
Cary Teen Council Cares for Community Gardens
This summer, 19 Cary Teen Council members contributed 148 hours at seven urban agriculture sites through the Teen Climate Ambassador Environmental Outreach Program. Along with learning about ecology, they worked in the Fire Station Gardens and McCrimmon Community Garden, harvesting produce for Cary’s first responders and donating extra vegetables to Dorcas Ministries Food Pantry, helping neighbors facing food insecurity. These teens are growing skills, serving the community, and building a greener, more resilient Cary.
New Children’s Sensory Garden Opens at the Page-Walker
A kid-friendly sensory garden has opened at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center, designed to engage young children through plants that invite sight, touch, smell, and sound. Featuring custom pavers with sensory prompts, select plantings, and handcrafted copper wind chimes by Lazy Daze artists, the garden invites exploration. It’s the third specialty garden at the center, joining the Anne B. Kratzer Educational Gardens and the Pollinator Garden. The project was supported by a Cary Art Daze grant from the Friends of Page-Walker, SiteOne Landscape Supply, and guidance from local recreation and gardening experts.
Wellington Ridge Installs New Dog Waste Bins
Wellington Ridge recently used a Neighborhood Improvement Grant to install dog waste bins throughout the community, promoting cleanliness and responsible pet ownership. With its proximity to the Piney Plains Greenway, the bins will benefit both residents and visiting dog walkers. Residents came together to install the bins themselves, showcasing strong community spirit.
Important Dates
Athletic Committee
Monday, August 18
6:00 p.m.
Public Art Advisory Board
Wednesday, August 20
6:15 p.m.
Greenway Committee
Thursday, August 21
6:00 p.m.
Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting
25-REZ-12 Trenton Residential Rezoning
Wednesday, September 3
6:30 p.m.
Cary Candidate Filing
Filing for Cary Town Council ended on July 18th. Here are the candidates for Cary Council (Incumbents are denoted with I):
- At-Large: Carissa Johnson (I), Marjorie Eastman
- District A: Jennifer Robinson (I), Brittany Richards
- District C: Renee Miller, Bella Huang
Elections are on November 4th.
Cary Mayor Rumors for 2027
Rumors that these next two years on the Cary Council will be my last are simply not true. I fully intend to seek re-election and am grateful to have the unwavering support of my family, friends, and constituents.
As the only living Mayor who has led Cary through a recession and some of the most challenging financial times, I see it as both my responsibility and my calling to continue my service on the Cary Council. I am committed to working alongside my colleagues to help guide our community through today’s uncertainties.
In the coming months, I encourage all citizens to focus on the important Cary Council election ahead, where three seats are up for decision. Once those choices are made by our community, we can then look ahead to November 2027.
Until then, I remain dedicated to my oath and to serving as Cary’s Mayor. I’m excited for what lies ahead—tomorrow and beyond.
Mayor’s Mailbox
- A complaint from a Cary Town Band member about parking at the Cary Arts Center.
- A complaint about smoking on greenways.
- A complaint about changes to GoCary’s Door to Door service (changes are due to new federal requirements).
- A complaint that the SK8 park “has fallen into serious disrepair”.
- A concern from a Green Level High School student about potential shootings like at “Marjory Stoneman Douglas” (the school resource officer will respond).
- A complaint that the new Cary Out & About doesn’t allow opting out.
- A complaint about NC DMV on Maynard.
- Several invitations to events.
- A complaint that Cary should do something about a U-Turn regardless of a DOT requirement for a U-turn on Harrison: “Safety should always be a priority, and in this case, sadly, it is not”, “I don’t think Cary residents are being represented fairly”, “I am very disappointed and disillusioned”, “documented concerns I’ve sent obviously mean nothing, and the issue of safety of our neighborhood is being disregarded.”
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a meeting with the town’s auditor, a Wake County Mayors Association meeting, a “Milkshakes at Glenaire” event, a CAMPO executive board meeting, a dinner meeting with Cary’s Sister Cities and our Town Crier, and the Lazy Daze opening ceremony.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, August 24th, 2025. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts, those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.
Harold's Blog 