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!
State of Cary at Berkshire Hathaway Home Service York Simpson Underwood Realty
On Tuesday morning, I delivered a condensed version of the State of Cary address to roughly two to three dozen realtors from Berkshire Hathaway Home Services York Simpson Underwood Realty, both in person and online. The presentation lasted under thirty minutes, leaving time for only a couple of questions afterward, one of which focused on what can be done about litter along US 1.
AARP Regional Meeting
Tuesday I provided welcome remarks and joined a panel of mayors for the AARP regional meeting. My welcome remarks were:
“Welcome, everyone. It’s wonderful to see so many leaders and partners gathered here in the heart of Cary. We’re especially happy to host you today in our Downtown Cary Park, a space designed to bring people together and strengthen community connections.
Our seniors are the foundation of our communities. They’ve built our neighborhoods, shaped our institutions, and invested their time, talent, and wisdom into making places like Cary what they are today. They deserve communities that honor that legacy. Communities that listen, adapt, and ensure every resident can continue to live fully and confidently.
But creating those communities is not the work of any single town or organization. It’s something we build together. When we collaborate, when we share ideas, learn from one another, and align our efforts. We create communities that are stronger, more innovative, and more responsive to the people we serve.
That’s why today matters. Each conversation, each connection, each new partnership helps us move closer to communities that are truly livable for every generation. Your leadership and your commitment to working collectively are what make progress possible.
Thank you for your dedication to this mission and for the spirit of collaboration you bring to it.”
The panel featured me alongside the mayors of Apex and Morrisville. Questions covered topics such as what we’re hearing from seniors, the issues currently top of mind, priorities we should be focusing on, and opportunities for collaboration.
Council Work Session
On Tuesday, the council held a work session to review ACT 37, ACT 38, a sales tax update, property assessment awareness, and proposed pedestrian improvements along McCrimmon Parkway.
ACT 37 proposes amendments to the Imagine Cary Comprehensive Plan, including updates to the MOVE Chapter and Cary Bike Plan, as well as the ENGAGE Chapter and PRCR System Plan. ACT 38 would amend the Land Development Ordinance to incorporate the Cary Bike Plan and the PRCR System Plan. A public hearing on both items was held on April 30, and the proposals will next be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board.
The sales tax update brought encouraging news. January 2026 collections were up 8% compared to January 2025, and fiscal year-to-date receipts are running 5.6% ahead of last year. Although this month’s distribution was the lowest of FY 2026 so far, current projections indicate the town is on track to exceed its annual sales tax budget.
The council also discussed ongoing property reassessments by the county, which could affect Cary’s revenue. Four residential properties, totaling $1.8 million in assessed value, are under review, along with 56 commercial properties with a combined assessed value of $946 million. Staff will continue monitoring these developments and adjust projections as needed.
An open house on the McCrimmon Parkway pedestrian improvements is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5 at 5:30 p.m. at the Hive, located at 712 Slash Pine Drive.
Following the work session, the council entered a closed session to address three additional items.
Cary Sister Cities French Reception
On Thursday evening, I joined several council members at a reception at the Page-Walker for French exchange students from Le Touquet, our oldest sister city. Council Member Craig and I offered welcoming remarks to the students, chaperones, and host families, followed by a group photo session.
Council Meeting
The council held its longest meeting of the year on Thursday. The agenda featured five presentations, four consent items, seven public hearings, and one discussion item.
The presentations included proclamations recognizing Child Abuse Awareness Month, AAPI Heritage Month, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month, and Historic Preservation Month, as well as a recognition of Sister Cities students visiting from Le Touquet, France.
Items on the consent agenda included the purchase of property at 400 James Jackson Avenue, authorization for attorneys and staff to participate in the $50 billion 2026 opioid settlement, approval to file papers for the Municipal Service District for South Hills, and an amendment to the agreement with the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), which the city hosts.
The first public hearing focused on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual funding list. Most speakers represented a special interest group advocating for municipalities to dedicate one penny on the tax rate to affordable housing, though they do not clearly define what qualifies as “affordable housing.” While this group does not formally endorse candidates, it hosts candidate forums and works to secure commitments from candidates to support allocating that one penny.
Following the hearing, the council voted not only to fund the recommended affordable housing applicants but also to allocate an additional $700,000 so that Cary meets the one-penny tax rate target for affordable housing. The motion passed 5–1, with me casting the sole dissenting vote.
I voted no for several reasons. It is important that I explain why I voted the way I did:
- An additional $700,000 will not create new affordable housing units; it simply provides more funding to existing applicants. This appears to satisfy a metric promoted by special interest groups rather than produce tangible results.
- The $700,000 must come from somewhere, either increasing the tax rate or requiring cuts to other areas, many of which are tied to public safety.
- Current residents, particularly seniors, are already facing affordability challenges. They may ultimately bear the burden through higher taxes or reduced services to cover this additional spending.
To date, Cary’s affordable housing efforts have largely focused on apartments priced at 80% of the area median income. In practical terms, this means households often need to earn over $100,000 to afford these units. While there are frequent arguments about supporting firefighters, police officers, teachers, and service workers, the reality is that we rarely approve housing they can truly afford.
Why does Cary face an affordability challenge? While it’s a nationwide issue, Cary’s situation is shaped by its success. The town consistently earns national recognition as one of the best places to live, work, play, and run a business. That reputation is something to be proud of, but it also drives demand, which pushes housing costs higher. Becoming more affordable would likely mean becoming less desirable, an outcome no one wants.
A more effective approach would be to strengthen partnerships with developers and improve transportation options to address affordability in a meaningful way. In my view, the current strategy of focusing on lower-cost apartment developments alone will not have a significant impact on overall affordability.
The second public hearing involved a request to rezone approximately 21.7 acres at 101 Roscoe Trail, off Trenton Road, from Office and Institutional (O&I) to Residential Multi-Family Conditional Use (RMF-CU). The proposal includes zoning conditions that would limit the development to a maximum of 175 residential units, including both multi-family units and townhomes.
Most speakers opposed the rezoning, citing existing traffic issues on Trenton and Trinity roads and expressing concern that the proposed development would worsen those conditions.
The request will now move to the Planning and Zoning Board for review and recommendation and is expected to be returned to the council for a vote in the coming months.
The third public hearing concerned a proposed amendment to the Chatham County–Cary Joint Land Use Plan, changing the designation at 955 Earnest Jones Road from Very Low Density to Low Density.
This amendment requires approval from both the Chatham County Commissioners and the Cary Town Council. On Cary’s side, the proposal will first be referred to the Planning and Zoning Board for review and recommendation before returning to the council for final consideration.
The fourth public hearing was to consider closing a sliver of right-of-way near Ashworths so that the street aligns evenly. One the public hearing concluded the council approved this unanimously.
The fifth public hearing was to consider an annexation request at 2804, 2808, and 2818 Macedonia Road to enable connection to Cary utilities. The site was approved for a rezoning on June 27, 2024, for multi-family. A development plan is currently under is currently under review. This was approved unanimously by council.
The sixth public hearing involved another right-of-way closure request on Jones Franklin Road, which was approved unanimously. The closure serves the public interest by removing an unused right-of-way, allowing the adjacent developer to create a more functional and visually appealing site layout, and establishing a clearer and more logical right-of-way boundary.
The final public hearing addressed the Bike Plan and proposed amendments to the Land Development Ordinance. The Imagine Cary Community Plan, adopted in 2017, serves as the town’s comprehensive, community-driven plan. From the outset, residents and community leaders anticipated that periodic updates would be needed to keep it relevant and responsive to changing conditions.
In 2024, the LIVE and SERVE chapters were updated, and a new Preface and ENRICH chapter were added. Proposed updates to the ENGAGE and MOVE chapters are now under consideration. These revisions build on the strong foundation established in 2017 while incorporating new insights and addressing current challenges.
This item also includes a request for concurrent approval of the Bike Plan and a comprehensive plan amendment to incorporate both the Bike Plan and the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources (PRCR) System Plan into Imagine Cary (ACT 37), integrating their policies and recommendations into the town’s broader planning framework. Adoption of this amendment would also require related updates to sections of the Land Development Ordinance (ACT 38).
The proposal will now be moved to the Planning and Zoning Board for review and recommendation.
The sole discussion item was the allocation of $1.472 million for the TST/Cary Cup soccer tournament. Cary has successfully hosted and expanded The Soccer Tournament (TST), a Town-recognized event, since 2023 and has recently entered into a long-term agreement to continue hosting it at WakeMed Soccer Park through 2029.
As part of this agreement, Cary applied for and received a grant from the State of North Carolina’s Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund, which reimburses eligible expenses up to an approved annual amount. The council unanimously approved recognizing and appropriating $1,472,000 in grant revenue from the North Carolina Department of Commerce within the General Fund.
This funding will support expenditures that have already been approved and does not increase the FY 2026 budget.
NC Metro Mayors
On Friday, I attended a meeting of the NC Metro Mayors. We received an update from the Jones Street Insider group on current developments in the General Assembly and effective strategies for communicating with legislators. Although this is a short session, legislative activity is expected to ramp up in the coming weeks.
E-Bike Safety
The council and staff have received several concerns recently about teenagers acting recklessly on e-bikes. The following is a response from the police chief:
“All,
I wanted to provide everyone with an update on our ongoing efforts to mitigate the E-Bike/Motorcycle issues in the area. You may have noticed that a camera trailer has been placed on Yates Store Rd near Morris Branch Greenway. As mentioned before, video evidence is a very useful tool in identifying those involved in illegal behaviors.
Additionally, yesterday (4/26/26), the Cary Police Department executed a search warrant in the neighborhood in relation to this incident. This was based upon a 15-yo resident being identified as a suspect and several other reports of careless and reckless driving. Both parents were charged by citation with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and allowing an unlicensed minor to drive. The 15-yo will be charged with several traffic offenses by juvenile petition. As a result, three E-bikes/motorcycles were seized as evidence pursuant to the search warrant.
We will be in touch to coordinate a time for a neighborhood meeting in the near future.
Terry”
The lesson learned is parents need to be more aware of what their kids are doing on these e-bikes.
Habitat Statement About Misinformation
Last week I posted a statement from Habitat to constituents that included misinformation. Here is their response to my post:
“I tried to call you earlier today to speak with you but got a voicemailbox. I wanted to reach out to apologize for our recent mistake regarding Cary’s affordable housing funding for FY27. We made an assumption based on the numbers presented in a recent work session but neglected to review the Annual Action Plan or discuss with staff before sending out the message to volunteers to contact you and the Council.
We have sent out a message to our volunteers correcting our mistake and letting them know that Cary is investing significant local funding to housing projects in FY27.
As you know, with such a tight fiscal environment, we have been concerned about local funding getting cut across the region. So, our advocacy has been focused on ensuring level funding in the areas where funding already exists. When we saw the numbers in the work session documents, we assumed that you were allocating resources from a dedicated housing fund for specific projects. We understand after speaking with your staff that Cary dedicates funding based on project applications for that fiscal year, rather than what is available in a dedicated fund.
We are glad to see that the Town is continuing to invest significant local funds in housing and that the Town Council has expressed continued support for affordable housing in Cary, and we will continue to highlight that for our volunteers.
Please feel free to reach out to me anytime if you have questions. We’d like to continue partnering with the Town on affordable housing and hope to be building in Cary again soon.
Thank you,
Patricia
CEO
Habitat for Humanity Wake County”
Council Out and About
Spring is in full swing, and Cary is absolutely buzzing with energy! It’s the perfect time to get outside, enjoy our parks and greenways, and connect with friends, neighbors, and new faces around every corner of our community.
This past week was a busy and meaningful week of engagement at the national, state, and local levels. It was a valuable opportunity to connect with others, listen, and exchange ideas across different communities.
Communication and cooperation are essential to serving Cary residents effectively. I continue to value learning from the experiences and best practices of others, as it helps us reflect, improve, and strengthen how we serve our community here at home.
I appreciate the ongoing conversations and collaboration that keep Cary growing in such a thoughtful, vibrant, and connected way.
Bella Huang
District C
Venus Spa Ribbon Cutting
Mayor Pro Tem Lori Bush and Councilmembers Bella Huang and Sarika Bansal attended and celebrated the opening of Venus Spa’s second location at Grace Park in Morrisville. The event highlighted local entrepreneurship and investment in the area.
Wake County Housing Symposium
Mayor Pro Tem Lori Bush and Councilmembers Bella Huang and Brittany Richards attended and participated in discussions on housing affordability at the Wake County Housing Symposium. The symposium focused on data, partnerships, and innovation to shape the future of affordable housing.
Waste Management Material Recovery Facility Tour
Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, Mayor Pro Tem Lori Bush, and Councilmembers Bella Huang and Carissa Kohn-Johnson toured the Waste Management Material Recovery Facility. The tour provided insight into how recycling is sorted and prepared for market.
Global Career Day at East Cary Magnet Middle School
Mayor Pro Tem Lori Bush and Councilmembers Bella Huang and Brittany Richards attended, presented, and participated in the Global Career Day at East Cary Magnet Middle School. The event focused on inspiring future leaders and sharing the role of an elected official.
State of Cary at Heritage Pines
Mayor Harold Weinbrecht presented the State of Cary to the Heritage Pines community. Mayor Pro Tem Lori Bush and Councilmembers Carissa Kohn-Johnson and Brittany Richards also attended and participated in the Q&A session with the Mayor and residents. The event provided an overview of Cary’s progress and future initiatives.
Rally House Ribbon Cutting
Councilmember Bella Huang attended, spoke, and participated in the ribbon cutting for the new Rally House location in Crossroads. The event introduced a new retail destination for collegiate and regional sports merchandise.
Cary Newcomers Club
Councilmember Brittany Richards attended and participated in a meet-and-greet with new residents at the Cary Newcomers Club, which meets at the Cary Senior Center. The event supported community connection and awareness of available resources and concluded with a tour of the center.
Kingswood Elementary
Councilmember Michelle Craig provided a presentation for Kingswood Elementary third graders. The event introduced young learners to civic engagement and community leadership as part of their annual field trip to Town Hall.
Lucy’s Fun Run
Councilmember Carissa Kohn-Johnson gave remarks at Lucy’s Fun Run. Also attending was Councilmember Michelle Craig. The event raised awareness and support for children’s mental health services.
Dementia Alliance 33rd Annual Walk to Defeat Dementia
Mayor Harold Weinbrecht delivered opening remarks at Dementia Alliance’s 33rd Annual Walk to Defeat Dementia. The event focused on hope, remembrance, and action for those affected by dementia.
Interim Town Manager’s Update
Russ’s Message
Council,
I enjoyed our time together this week during the work session and a late Council meeting. Thank you for your review and comments on the Bike and Parks plans as part of ACT 37 and 38. Those items will now move to the Planning and Zoning Board before coming back to you at a future meeting for action. I also want to thank the staff and Cary residents for their work to get these plans ready for your review. It’s been an incredible effort over the last several years by a lot of people.
May is shaping up to be busy, and it’s also Bike Month in Cary, a great time to get outside and take advantage of our greenways, now spanning more than 100 miles across the community. There are a number of events planned throughout the month, and it should be a fun way for folks to experience Cary a little differently and learn about bike safety. I hope you all have a good weekend, and maybe get a chance to enjoy your bike if you ride.
As a reminder, I’ll be attending the North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) CityVision conference in Raleigh, with Scot and Shelley next Wednesday and Thursday.
Russ Overton
Interim Town Manager
How Cary’s Development Standards Protect Water Quality
During last night’s meeting, Council asked a question regarding Cary’s stormwater regulations. Cary requires stormwater runoff from new development to be managed to protect residents and natural resources from flooding and water-quality impacts. New development must demonstrate that there will be no increase in downstream water-surface elevation for the 1-, 2-, 5-, 10-, and 100-year storms.
Cary’s regulations address water quality differently depending on the watershed. For projects like last night’s rezoning case in the Neuse River Basin, requirements focus on reducing nitrogen and sediment. In contrast, Jordan Lake rules, generally applicable west of N.C. 55, also include phosphorus reduction.
The regulations also require 50-foot riparian buffers along watercourses identified in the Wake County Soil Survey. These vegetated areas naturally filter runoff and reduce pollutants before they enter streams. Cary’s Urban Transition Buffer (UTB) standards expand these protections to 100 feet along watercourses shown on United States Geological Survey (USGS) maps.
In addition, developments must include Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs) designed in accordance with North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) criteria to meet specific pollutant removal thresholds. These systems use biological processes to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus and capture sediment before water is discharged. Cary’s Stormwater staff reviews water quality calculations, SCM design, and buffer compliance during the Development Plan Review process to ensure all standards are met.
Cary TV Online Views
Following Council’s vote to expand meeting streaming, here’s a breakdown of viewership over the last few months:
February March April
Council Meetings 4,162 5,242 2,101
Work Sessions 4,559 4,215 4,063
Planning and Zoning 2,310 1,584 240
Annual Meeting 9,386 1,363 275
Budget Open House N/A N/A 3,134
Total Views 20,417 12,644 9,573
Click herefor a more detailed breakdown.
311 Snapshot
311 processed 2,593 new cases this week.
Volume By Contact Method
- Phone: 1,662
- Email: 393
- Web: 288
- Internal: 154
- Walk-In: 68
- Text: 20
- Social Media: 8
53.99% of cases fell into these top five categories:
- Utility Billing & Services: 597
- Inspection Scheduling & Status: 389
- Permitting Inquiries & Payments: 205
- Water Meter Service & Requests: 160
- Parks & Recreation Programming Inquiries & Registration: 99
McCrimmon Parkway Pedestrian Improvements Open House
Next Tuesday, staff will host an open house to share updates on the McCrimmon Parkway Pedestrian Improvements near Panther Creek High School. The meeting will be held at The Hive from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Staff from multiple departments will be available to answer questions, and a representative from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is also expected to attend. Additional information is available on the project website.
Black Creek Greenway Renovation Phase 2 Complete
Phase two of the Black Creek Greenway renovation opened this week. The approximately one-mile section between Livingston Drive and Weston Parkway has been widened to meet current design standards, with trail realignments that reduce sharp curves, improve drainage, and shift segments away from flood-prone areas, enhancing durability and the overall user experience.
Also open this week, the Cary Parkway pedestrian bridge over Black Creek closes a long-standing sidewalk gap along NW Cary Parkway. Funded in part through the 2019 Shaping Cary’s Tomorrow Bond Referendum and supported by LAPP funding, the project includes a 650-foot sidewalk connection and a 285-foot bridge where no pedestrian access previously existed. Lighting, landscaping, and artistic design features create a grade-separated crossing that improves connectivity between nearby neighborhoods, parks, and the greenway network.
Construction of the final phase, from Weston Parkway to the Old Reedy Creek Road trailhead, will begin next week and is anticipated to reopen this winter.
Carpenter Park Court Resurfacing Complete
Crews working on behalf of Cary completed the resurfacing of three pickleball courts and one basketball court at Carpenter Park this week. This project, supported by Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources capital maintenance funds, included extensive crack repair and surface treatment. The courts have reopened following a two-week closure to allow the work to be completed.
Interbasin Transfer Report Completed
The 2025 Annual Report for the Cary/Apex Interbasin Transfer (IBT) Certificate has been submitted to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). The IBT measures the average daily transfer of water from the Haw River Basin to the Neuse River Basin during the highest-use month. In 2025, the transfer was 16.1 million gallons per day (MGD) and occurred in September.
Transfer levels have remained consistent due to conservation efforts and changes in customer and industry practices and are expected to remain within permitted limits as growth continues. Additional information on Cary’s IBT Story is available on the IBT webpage.
GoCary Recognized as Safest in the State
GoCary was recognized for the third time by the North Carolina Public Transportation Association (NCPTA) as the safest fixed-route system with fewer than 1 million miles per year, and the safest demand-response system with fewer than 750,000 miles per year, in the state. Monthly safety meetings, enhanced driver training, and quarterly safety campaigns continue to support GoCary’s mission of safety first.
Spring Daze Recap
Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival returned to Fred G. Bond Metro Park on April 25 for its 33rd year, welcoming the community for a day of art, entertainment, and seasonal activities. An estimated 13,000 attendees enjoyed more than 170 North Carolina artists, three stages of live entertainment, 17 food and beverage vendors, and interactive areas including Kid Daze, Community Cove, and Earth Day Lane. More than 240 staff and volunteers contributed to delivering a well-organized and engaging experience for residents and visitors.
Earth Week Recap
In support of broader sustainability goals, Cary marked Earth Week with a range of education and engagement opportunities. An online class on residential solar connected older adults with renewable energy resources, Toddler Tuesday at Downtown Cary Park focused on reuse through upcycled art, and volunteers supported service projects in Fire Station gardens. Cary Teen Council cohosted Cary It Green booths at Earth Day events at Kingswood Elementary and Fenton, and staff presented on litter reduction at Learn with the Best School for children with autism.
Cary Tennis Park Hosts MEAC Tennis Championships
For the fourth consecutive year, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) hosted its Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships at the Tennis Park. The event took place April 23–25, and approximately 1,800 people attended, including many local alumni supporting their teams.
Diavolo at New Hope Ranked #15 Best Disc Golf Course
Cary’s Diavolo at New Hope Disc Golf Course rose two spots to #15 in this year’s Udisc.com 2026 World Rankings. The championship course also ranked #6 in the US and #1 in North Carolina and continues to draw in casual and pro players from all over as one of the top free-to-play, public courses in the world.
Important Dates
Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Advisory Board
Monday, May 4, 5:15 p.m.
Information Services Advisory Board
Monday, May 4, 6:00 p.m.
Zoning Board of Adjustment
Monday, May 4
6:30 p.m.
Human Relations, Inclusion, & Diversity Advisory Board
Tuesday, May 5, 6:00 p.m.
Senior Advisory Board
Wednesday, May 6, 12:00 p.m.
Economic Development Committee
Wednesday, May 6, 5:15 p.m.
Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting
Wednesday, May 6, 6:30 p.m.
Council Initiated Items
The council has a process that allows members to introduce items for discussion at meetings, often leading to further action. Given the recent increase in these requests, I will begin sharing them here along with my perspective on their pros and cons.
E-Bike Safety
This proposal was submitted by Council Members Bansal and Richards and presented at the April 16th meeting. It will come back to council with recommendations at a future meeting.
The council initially launched a pilot program in June 2022 to allow e-bikes. After a one-year trial period, the program was made permanent, with a posted speed limit of 15 mph on greenways. Recently, however, there have been complaints that e-bikes, scooters, and similar devices are traveling at excessive speeds and creating potentially hazardous conditions.
PROS:
- We are listening to our citizens’ complaints.
- Preventing e-bikes and scooters will possibly make greenways safer.
CONS:
- There is basically no way to enforce an ordinance that has e-bikes or not.
- Any enforcement effort would require additional officers and officers’ time. We are currently underfunding officers and require overtime to maintain existing levels of service.
- We are revisiting a decision that was made after a one-year trial and review of data.
Smoke Free Ordinance
This proposal was submitted by Mayor Pro-Tem Bush and Council Member Craig and presented at the April 16th meeting. It will come back at a future council meeting with recommendations.
PROS:
- Eliminates toxic secondhand smoke.
- Current ordinance does not match state law and Raleigh/Wake ordinance.
CONS:
- Any enforcement effort would require additional officers and officers’ time. We are currently underfunding officers and require overtime to maintain existing levels of service.
Affordable Housing on Old Library Site
This proposal, submitted by Mayor Pro Tem Bush and Council Member Bansal, would place a podium-style parking deck with affordable housing on the former library site. This has yet to be scheduled for a meeting agenda.
PROS:
- Adds parking across from Downtown Cary Park.
- Create affordable housing units in the downtown area.
CONS:
- May underutilize one of the municipality’s most valuable properties. Downtown Cary Park generates approximately $16 million annually in economic impact, and this site could represent an opportunity for a more transformative use.
- The town has already invested millions in renovating the Ivey-Ellington House, positioning this area as a premier destination.
How Cary Government Works
Cary’s government, like most cities in North Carolina and most mid-sized cities in the U.S., 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.
You can find additional information about how Cary’s government works on the town’s website here.
Mayor’s Mailbox
- Requests to attend several events.
- A complaint that “sharrows” should be discontinued and money should be spent on police instead.
- A complaint that Cary doesn’t do enough for low-income families.
- A complaint about actions of Juveniles on electric bikes (see response above).
- An inquiry about having a town hall.
- A complaint about parking on S West Street.
- A complaint that we were raising taxes to support South Hills developers (Not true, South Hills requested additional taxes for additional services. You and I will not pay those taxes).
- A complaint about a “dangerous intersection” at Green Hope School Road at Highcroft Drive.
- A complaint about trash around the town limit sign near the WakeMed soccer park.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a meeting with the DA-elect, a dinner with French Culinary students, a McCrimmon Parkway Community meeting, and an Economic Development Committee meeting.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, May 10th, 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.
Harold's Blog 