Raleigh-Cary #5 Best Performing Cities, Sister Cities, the State of Cary, and Winter Storm Gianna

Purpose of this Blog

It is my hope that this blog will provide insight not only into who I am meeting with on behalf of the Town, but also the topics we discuss. I believe strongly in open and transparent government. This blog is one of several initiatives I implemented when I became mayor in 2007 to make the governmental process more accessible to our citizens.

This blog is written with sincerity, honesty, and a commitment to accuracy so our constituents can better understand the work we do. After all, we work for them!

How Cary Government Works

Cary’s government, like most cities in North Carolina, uses a council–manager form of government. This system works a lot like a company, but for local government. Residents elect a council and a mayor, who set policy by passing laws, approving the budget, and guiding the town’s overall priorities. The council then hires a professional manager to run the town’s day-to-day operations.

Think of it like a company: the council acts like a board of directors, making policy and representing the public, while the city manager acts like a CEO, overseeing all departments, such as finance, public works, police, and fire, and managing town staff. The mayor leads council meetings, represents the town publicly, and has limited executive authority. While the council and mayor make policy decisions and receive regular reports, they usually see only high-level summaries rather than the detailed inner workings of each department.

In short, just as a board hires a CEO to run a company, Cary’s council hires a manager to run the town, ensuring professional management while elected officials focus on big-picture decisions and community priorities.

Raleigh-Cary #5 Best Performing Cities

Tuesday I was notified of the Raleigh-Cary area being one of the best performing cities in the country by the Milken Institute. Here is what they said:

“Hello – our team is delighted to share the official 2026 Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Report. To note, Raleigh-Cary, NC ranked #5 in this year’s report, continuing the trend of remaining a top 10 city for the fourth year in a row.

As background, the Best-Performing Cities (BPC) Index offers an impartial measure of performance that policymakers, business leaders, and government officials can use to assess the economic vitality of their metros within a broader national context. The report also provides rankings for the individual components of the index, offering meaningful insights for city officials seeking to examine the underlying factors driving their metropolitan areas’ performance. The index is constructed using 13 key measures that fall into three categories: labor market conditions, high-tech impact, and access to economic opportunities. 

Please feel free to reach out with any questions – our Research team would be happy to discuss the findings and recommendations at your convenience. You can follow the conversation around the report, or join in, on the official Milken Institute X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram pages, using the official hashtag #BestPerformingCities.”

We consistently are recognized throughout the year as the best of the best.

State of Cary Taping

On Wednesday morning, I delivered the State of Cary presentation in front of a camera, with no live audience, which was a first for me. Originally, this slot was reserved for a live presentation at Prestonwood during the Cary Chamber’s annual Breakfast with the Mayor. However, due to last weekend’s weather, they made the decision to postpone the event for safety reasons, rescheduling it to February 11.

While I think the message came across well, the presentation felt a bit awkward without an audience, just me, the camera, and the slides to focus on. Still, I hope the message is valuable to those who watch. You can find the slides, script, and the video here. I’ll be presenting this live several more times, including a session at Town Hall on March 5th.

Sister Cities

On Thursday, I joined Council Member Craig and staff for a discussion with President Pam Huff about the future of Sister Cities. The town is fully committed to strengthening its partnership with Sister Cities, and we explored ways to make the relationship more formal. The goal is to ensure that both sides have clear expectations of each other moving forward.

State of Cary at Senior Center

On Friday, I gave my State of Cary presentation live for the first time to an audience of about 40 people at the Cary Senior Center. Council Members Bansal and Richards joined me for the event. The live presentation lasted about 45 minutes, compared to the 35-minute taped version. Afterward, I spent another 30 to 45 minutes answering questions. The conversation was full of thoughtful questions and great suggestions, with almost all feedback being positive. Many of the suggestions focused on improving public communication. One comment that stood out was, “We believe in you, Mayor,” which I truly appreciated. After the presentation, Council Members Bansal, Richards, and I stayed for an additional 30 minutes to continue the discussion and answer more questions.

Winter Storm Gianna

Winter Storm Gianna swept through Cary on Saturday evening, bringing up to three inches of snow in some areas. Plowing began at dawn and will continue until sunset. As of now, there have been four weather-related accidents, one of which involved injuries, and first responders have helped three stranded drivers. Thankfully, Cary avoided the worst of the storm. Meanwhile, my daughter on the NC coast received around 15 inches of snow.

Council Out and About

Message from Council Member

As a second wave of winter weather brings winter to our doorsteps, I’m reminded that while the North Carolina air is biting, the spirit of Cary remains incredibly warm.

Our dedicated crews are working around the clock to keep our streets safe, but I ask that you look out for one another as well. Please check in on your neighbors to ensure they have what they need to stay cozy. Whether it’s clearing a sidewalk or sharing a hot thermos of something tasty, these small acts of kindness define who we are.

Please be sure to check our town social channels and the local news outlets to stay informed. We are a resilient community that shows up for each other, and we’ll weather these storms together.

Carissa Kohn-Johnson

At-Large Council Member

Meet and Greet with Chinese Senior Dance Group

Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, Mayor Pro Tem Lori Bush, and Councilmembers Sarika Bansal, Bella Huang, and Carissa Kohn-Johnson enjoyed a performance by the Chinese Senior Dancing Group, featuring singing and dancing to three songs. The event celebrated cultural exchange and highlighted the vibrant contributions of the senior community.

Regional Transportation Alliance (RTA) 24th Annual Meeting

Mayor Pro Tem Lori Bush and Councilmembers Sarika Bansal and Bella Huang attended the Regional Transportation Alliance (RTA) 24th Annual Meeting, The State of Mobility 2026, which included a presentation on The State of RDU Airport. The luncheon provided an opportunity for attendees to hear regional transportation priorities and future mobility initiatives.

Town Manager’s Weekly Report

Dana’s Message

As we head into the weekend, we’re closely monitoring another round of winter weather following last weekend’s storm, with very cold temperatures and the potential for snow and ice. Public Works has brined main thoroughfares and secondary streets, equipment is fully loaded, and crews are prepared as operations transition to extended schedules to keep services running through the storm.

I’m incredibly grateful for the coordination happening across Cary to prepare in advance, and for the many employees who will be working through the weekend in challenging weather to serve the community. That level of care and commitment, much of it behind the scenes, makes a real difference.

Today, Public Works Director Jimmy Simpson spoke with ABC11, and Fire Chief Mike Cooper is tentatively scheduled for a remote interview tomorrow. We appreciate the support the media has provided to staff who are out working hard for Cary residents.

Wishing you a safe weekend, and I hope you’re able to enjoy the snow.

Dana Widmar

Assistant Town Manager

311 Snapshot

311 processed 2,109 new cases this week.

Volume by Contact Method

  • Phone: 1,432
  • Email: 312
  • Web: 191
  • Internal: 87
  • Walk-In: 54
  • Text: 19
  • Social Media: 14

57.13% of cases fell into these top five categories:

  • Utility Billing & Services: 521
  • Inspection Scheduling & Status: 217
  • Garbage Inquiries & Pickup: 209
  • Permitting Inquiries & Payments: 147
  • Water Meter Service & Requests: 111

311 and Marketing Join Forces for Snow Comms

This past weekend, staff from 311 and Marketing collaborated on communications for the Winter Storm Fern Emergency Operations Center (EOC), providing citizens with critical information about storm prep and response, as well as engaging content encouraging the public to share their snow stories. Data from eight storm-related news releases shows an impressive open rate of 50% versus Cary’s average of 30%, and a 2% click rate versus Cary’s average of 1.5%. The top-performing news release was Do You Hear What We Hear? Winter Storm Fern Whispers Into Cary, What You Need to Know. On social, 66 posts across five platforms received 1.64 million impressions, 42k engagements, and 2,926 clicked links with overwhelmingly positive sentiment. The top-performing post was Sounds of Cary ~ Safety first. Coming out of a successful weekend of communications, the team is ready for another round in the coming days!

Police and Fire Escort Buddhist Monks

On January 24, the Police and Fire Departments provided an escort to cover the 5-mile stretch along US 64 and Tryon Road from Cary into Raleigh for Buddhist monks during their Walk for Peace.

At the Raleigh city limits, officers from the Raleigh Police Department and personnel from the Swift Creek Fire Department continued the escort as the monks made their way to the State Capitol in downtown Raleigh.

This event reflects the ongoing commitment to community service and public safety, and it highlights how unity, compassion, and interagency collaboration strengthen our region.

Bronze-Level Bicycle Friendly Community Recognition

The League of American Bicyclists has again recognized Cary as a Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community. Cary has held this distinction since 2003 and was one of the first communities in the nation to receive the designation. The award reflects more than two decades of work to build an accessible, comfortable, and connected bicycle network and places Cary among just 13 communities in North Carolina with this recognition.

More than 120 miles of on-road bicycle facilities and over 100 miles of greenways support transportation, recreation, health, and sustainability goals, reflecting a long-term commitment to planning, strategic investment, and partnerships that expand mobility for users of all ages and abilities.

Draft updates to the ENGAGE and MOVE chapters of the Imagine Cary Community Plan, which integrate the new Bike Plan and Vision Zero principles, are now available online for feedback. Staff anticipate bringing the amendments forward for Council consideration in early 2026. These updates focus on creating a more connected network, closing system gaps, updating policies, and adopting design guidance aligned with evolving national best practices.

Applause! Cary Youth Theatre Wins Bronze at Diamond Awards

Applause! received the 2026 5 West Bronze Diamond Award for Best Performing Arts Education. The Diamond Awards recognize the best of businesses, services, and venues in Raleigh and Western Wake County. The mission of Applause! Cary Youth Theatre is to empower youth to “imagine, create, and collaborate onstage and off.” Performing Arts Education Specialist, Kirsten DeSena, and her team of educators serve participants ages 2-18 in theatre classes, camps, workshops, and three or more mainstage productions each year. Participants learn collaboration, empathy, creativity, and the courage to make brave choices as they develop theatrical and technical skills under the guidance of theatre professionals.

Important Dates

Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Advisory Board
Monday, February 2
5:15 p.m.

Zoning Board of Adjustment
Monday, February 2
5:30 p.m.

Information Services Advisory Board
Monday, February 2
6:00 p.m.

Human Relations, Inclusion, & Diversity Advisory Board
Tuesday, February 3
6:00 p.m.

Senior Advisory Board
Wednesday, February 4
12:00 p.m.

Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting
Wednesday, February 4
6:30 p.m.

Town Council Work Session
Thursday, February 5
5:00 p.m.

Town Council Meeting
Thursday, February 5
6:30 p.m.

Q&A on Manager’s Resignation and Other Items

The situation left by the former town manager has been aptly described by one of our new council members as an oil spill, and that comparison is quite fitting. Like any spill, new issues may arise as the investigation and cleanup progress. While the former town manager’s actions were clearly unethical, I am not aware of any illegal conduct at this time. However, three important efforts are ongoing: a review and report by the North Carolina State Auditor, a criminal investigation led by the NC State Bureau of Investigation at the request of the Wake County District Attorney, and an internal investigation by Womble Bond Dickinson on behalf of the Council. From the information available to me, the impact of the former town manager’s actions was limited due to the town’s consistently strong financial position.

The following questions were addressed on my January 4th, January 11th, and January 18th blog:

  • WithersRavenel Contract
  • Was the $1.3 million in fraud returned to Cary? Yes …
  • Why didn’t you know about the town manager’s behavior?
  • When did you learn about the land purchase to Cary Elementary?
  • Do you have conflicts of interest?
  • Why did you give push back to a council member that wanted to move forward with changes now?
  • How could you not know all the things the former manager was doing?
  • Did I know the book “Top of the Arc” cost the town $150,000?
  • Why did you pay the town manager’s severance?
  • What changes have you made and will you make?

The questions that are new or updated are below.

Mayor’s Mailbox

  • Questions on why we allow an ICE facility in Cary (We have no authority over the federal government).
  • Feedback from a former employee.
  • A request to meet in person.
  • A request for more programs for individuals on the autism spectrum.
  • Questions from an individual concerned about spending money on a 3rd party investigation and an employee survey.
  • A complaint about ice at the top of Summerview Lane. (staff addressed and we received a thank you).
  • A request for a traffic signal at Davis Drive Middle school.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, council/staff 3 x 4 meetings, a CAMPO task force meeting, private citizen meetings, a council work session, and a regularly scheduled council meeting.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, February 8th, 2026. 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.