Cary #4 in Nation for Remote Work
I was notified Monday that Cary is the 4th best municipality in America for Remote Workers according to CoWorkingCafe. Their rankings included a review of 215 cities where a dozen measures were considered which included coworking space, cost of living, median income, average rent, and share of remote workers.
Council Meeting Prep
Monday, I contacted council members to hear about questions or concerns on the upcoming agenda. Since the agenda was light there weren’t any questions and the meeting with the staff later in the day was brief.
Hometown Spirit Award
Monday afternoon I joined council members in recognizing three incredible community leaders who were nominated for the Hometown Spirit Award: Matthew Gronke, Nancy Haywood, and Carla Michaels. The committee to decide the winner is made up mostly of previous winners so I had no idea who the winner would be. Here were the comments I made about each:
Matthew Gronke:
Our first finalist, Matthew Gronke, has called Cary home since 1992 — and he’s spent those years making a lasting difference in our community.
As founder of the Cary Free Bicycle Project, Matthew has given away more than 250 bicycles to local residents — free of charge. His work helps people get where they need to go, stay active, and enjoy the simple joy of riding.
You’ll find Matthew at community events like the Cary Children’s Festival and Carolina Cares Christmas, sharing bikes with families in need and spreading smiles wherever he goes.
He also serves as treasurer and board member of Triangle Off-Road Cyclists, helping maintain our local trails. At Laurel Park Elementary, he’s the Vice President of Fundraising for the PTA — and yes, he even puts on the “Lucky the Penguin” mascot suit to cheer on the kids!
Many children also know him as “Bluey,” as he volunteers in costume for local nonprofits and library events. Whether advocating for better bike infrastructure or volunteering his time, Matthew leads with energy, creativity, and heart — showing us all what it means to build a more connected and caring Cary.
Nancy Haywood:
Our next finalist, Nancy Haywood, who was born and raised in Cary shines brightly as a true example of “service above self.”
Nancy is a devoted member of the Cary-Kildaire Rotary Club, and she sponsors the Interact Club at Cary High School, mentoring students in leadership and volunteerism. She gives countless hours to projects that strengthen our community.Nancy’s generosity extends across Cary — from helping local nonprofits like Mama Edna’s Thrift Shop and the Habitat ReStore, to connecting volunteers and ensuring that families in need receive support.
She’s organized food drives, helped families in transition, and rallied others to lend a hand — often with her own family and students by her side. Her energy, kindness, and compassion make her a constant source of light for so many.
Nancy’s work reminds us that community spirit begins with seeing a need — and taking action. Her leadership and heart go into everything she does.
Carla Michaels:
Our final finalist, Carla Michaels, is a lifelong Cary resident whose roots here run deep — generations deep. Her ancestors helped shape this town, and today she honors their legacy by preserving and sharing Cary’s rich history.
Carla is a board member of the Friends of the Page-Walker and a dedicated volunteer with Upchurch and Allied Families, spending countless hours uncovering, documenting, and telling the stories of Cary’s early residents.
She leads historic walking tours — sometimes dressed as an early 1900s schoolteacher — and she’s been featured in town projects like CARY at 150. Her enthusiasm brings history to life for everyone who meets her.
Carla is also a strong advocate for historic preservation, working to protect landmarks like the Nancy Jones House and Ivey-Ellington House, and to honor veterans and overlooked historical figures. Through her leadership in the Daughters of the American Revolution, she promotes education, patriotism, and community service.
With warmth, generosity, and grace, Carla connects Cary’s past to its present — and ensures its story continues to inspire future generations.
While I would have loved for all three to be picked, there was only one award. This year’s Hometown Spirit Award winner was Carla Michaels. CONGRATULATIONS CARLA! What a great lady.
Wake County Mayors Association
Monday night the Wake County Mayors Association held their last meeting of the year in Morrisville. In attendance were the mayors of Apex, Cary, Garner, Morrisville, Raleigh, Rolesville, Wake Forest and Wendell. Mayor Gray of Wendell was elected to be President of the Association and Mayor Gupton of Garner was elected to be Vice President and Treasurer. For me it was sad to say goodbye to longtime mayor and friend Vivian Jones of Wake Forest. She did a great job in her 24 years as mayor.
ICE Raid in Raleigh and Cary
On Tuesday ICE agents, based in Charlotte, made raids in the Raleigh – Cary metro area. From information I obtained there were three arrests in Cary and fifteen overall. People on both sides of the immigration issue were upset and complained to me. I issued the following statement.
“This is a sad and difficult time in Cary, where more than a quarter of our citizens are from other countries and have chosen to bring their talents, ideas, and hard work to make this community the amazing place it is today.
Over the last 24 hours, I have gotten reports of federal agents moving throughout Cary — at homes, schools, hospitals, restaurants, and construction sites. Their activities were neither coordinated with nor conducted by the Cary Police Department, a department of caring professionals who do what it takes every day to help keep Cary one of the safest cities in America.
Regardless of one’s stance on immigration, I think we can all agree that the tactics used in these operations instill fear in our community and erode trust between our citizens and the government put in place to protect, support, and serve them.
As Mayor, my heart breaks for all those impacted by these actions, and I look forward to doing what I can to help us heal.”
Of course, I was pounded with nasty emails after the statement was issued including statements that said I was brainwashed and “woke”.
First National Bank Opening
Tuesday, I attended the opening of a new First National Brank branch in Cary next to Morrisville. There were about fifty people in attendance including NC representatives, Mayor Cawley of Morrisville, and council members from Morrisville and Cary. In case you haven’t been in a bank in a while, like me, they look much different with kiosks able to handle most of your transactions.
The ceremony included comments from bank executives, Cary and Morrisville chamber presidents, and Mayor Cawley and me.
Cary Matters Taping with New Council Members
Tuesday evening, I had the opportunity to do a Cary Matters taping with newly elected council members Brittany Richards and Bella Huang. The purpose of the episodes was to allow the public to get to know them better. Questions included:
- Tell us about your background.
- What was your first interaction with the town?
- What excites you about being a councilmember?
- What is your passion?
The episodes will air in December after they have been sworn into office.
Council Review of Attorney, Clerk, and Manager
Tuesday night the council held a closed session to perform its annual review of employees: the Town Clerk, Town Attorney, and Town Manager. After three hours in closed session the council adjourned. After the regular meeting on Thursday the council spent another three to four hours in closed session on this matter.
CAMPO
I participated in a meeting with the CAMPO (Capital Metropolitan Planning Organization) Executive Board on Wednesday afternoon. The meeting had five consent items, two public hearings, and three discussion items.
The consent items were approved unanimously and included minutes, TY 2026 Wake Transit Administrative items, CFA Community Funding Area) Program Management Plan update, 2025 updated Public Transportation Agency Safety Performance Measures and Targets, and Safety Performance Measure Targets 2026.
The first discussion item was an update on the 2055 MTP/CTP (Metropolitan Transportation Plan). This was approved pending air quality conformity. The second discussion item was an amendment to the FY 2026-2035 TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) which was also approved unanimously.
Jack’s and Jennifer’s Farewell Celebrations
Wednesday night I had the honor of being the emcee at Jack Smith’s farewell event. He served 36 years on the Cary council. Dozens of people were in attendance including all three living Cary Mayors: Glen Lang, Ernie McCalister, and me. My remarks were mostly stories and a high-level review of all his accomplishments. Of course, there was no way I could begin to cover all that he has done as a council member. After my remarks I presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine to Jack. This is North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, awarded by the Governor to individuals who have made significant contributions to the state through exemplary service.
Jack was a wealth of knowledge that will be deeply missed. He is a good friend, and I will miss working with him.
Thursday night I emceed the farewell celebration for Jennifer Byson Robinson which was also attended by dozens of people. Like Jack, she was a friend that I have known for a long time. She served 26 years with passion and dedication working for the town on the local, regional, and national levels.
In preparing remarks for her event, I came up with four pages of bullet points realizing there was no way to cover all that she had done. So, I kept my remarks brief and then presented a sign naming the 217 acres in west Cary to the Bryson Nature Reserve saying, “a beautiful park for a beautiful person”. Jennifer was so gracious in her remarks and acknowledged her family. She is probably one of the few people who gave birth to two children while in office.
Jennifer is a good friend. I will miss her passion and serving with her on council.
Words cannot possible capture what Jack and Jennifer have meant to this town and to me. I wish them the best in the next chapter of their lives and hope they stay involved.
Council Meeting
The town council held its last regular scheduled meeting in November on Thursday night. This was also the last meeting for Jack Smith and Jennifer Bryson Robinson. The agenda included two presentations, two consent items, and two discussion items.
The first presentation was the Capital Area Preservation Anthemion Award for the relocation and rehabilitation of the historic Ivey-Ellington House. The second award was recognition of Cary’s stormwater team for receiving an NC APWA award.
The first consent item was to remove the Ferrell Road Annexation from the meeting agenda which was approved unanimously. The second consent item was 25-A-08 which called for a Public Hearing for the annexation which is on Jones Franklin Road.
The first discussion item was the official renaming of the Earnest Jones property in Chatham County to the Bryson Nature Preserve. This was a no-brainer especially since we presented it to her at her farewell event.
The second discussion item was added to the agenda by me so that all council meetings, whether remote or not, will be streamed or televised. After discussion this was approved. A follow motion was also approved to investigate streaming all boards and commissions meeting. This also included asking board members if they are OK serving on boards if they are streamed.
After the regular agenda council went into closed session which lasted for several hours.
Waverly Tree Lighting
Friday night I joined Jack Smith in welcoming the crowd to Waverly Place for the Tree Lighting. After a little banter we introduced Santa who performed a countdown and lit the tree with magic dust. The crowd was entertained by the Embers. What a great way to start the holiday season.
Fenton Tree Lighting
Saturday night I was at Fenton for their tree lighting. The event was “Light the Square” with Abby Leigh from WQDR as the emcee. She invited me up, I gave welcome remarks and wished everyone season’s greetings. After my remarks there were several professional style performances before Santa came on stage. Santa did a countdown, flipped the switch, and the holiday season officially started at Fenton. This was their fourth year for this event, and I have been privileged to be a part of all of them.
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.
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 about the need for a stoplight on Green Level Church Road (while I wish we could make those decisions; it is the decision of NCDOT).
- Best wishes for the holiday season.
- Complaints that I wasn’t protecting people from ICE. Here is some of the blame I received: I was assisting “these bullies who are here only to kidnap and terrorize”, I was “standing aside for ICE is the same as supporting them”, we are not “protecting our community”, we are not protecting our community from “illegal, unconstitutional onslaught”, my silence was “unacceptable”.
- Two complaints about the statement I made on the ICE raid. That I was “caught up in this immature idealistic work brainwashing” and that I was “turning a blind eye to those who cheat the system”.
- A complaint that the statement I made about ICE was like when “people say they are keeping gun violence victims in our thoughts and prayers”.
- A complaint about not being set up an Angel Tree.
- Thank you for the Hometown Spirit Award ceremony.
- A complaint about RV long-term parking.
- Thank you for volunteer recommendations.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a Cary Tennis Classic Board meeting, and Thanksgiving. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and is able to spend time with the ones they love.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, November 30th, 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.
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