Sister Cities Visit, Cary #11 Best Place to live, CAMPO, RRAR, Auditor Conversation, and the 50th Lazy Daze

Sister Cities Visit

August 9^th through 17^th I traveled to County Meath, Ireland and Wiesbaden, Germany with council member Craig and a sister cities delegation. NO CARY TAXPAYER FUNDS WERE USED and have never been for sister city visits.

It was a great honor to return to County Meath for my second visit and to celebrate the enduring friendship between our communities. The official purpose of our visit was to formally reaffirm our sister-city agreement and mark 25 years of partnership between Cary and County Meath. Our hosts welcomed us with extraordinary kindness and personal attention, making the visit especially meaningful. I am deeply grateful for the time, hospitality, and friendship they extended to our delegation.

We were fortunate to experience so much of what makes County Meath remarkable. Visits to Brú na Bóinne and Newgrange, Slane, and the Hill of Tara gave us a deeper appreciation for the region’s rich history, culture, and heritage. We were equally impressed by the economic development opportunities we explored, including the Meta data center, Kells Print Works, and the Trim Library. Each visit offered valuable insight into the innovation, investment, and community spirit that define County Meath. Our visit to the data center was particularly timely for Cary, as we continue to explore concerns, opportunities, and considerations. A moratorium on data centers is on the August 27^th agenda.

I was also honored to meet and speak with several of the mayors from across County Meath. Those conversations reinforced just how much our communities have in common and how valuable our relationship has become over the past 25 years.

Most importantly, this visit reminded us that a sister-city relationship is about much more than an agreement on paper. It is about people, friendship, shared experiences, and a commitment to learning from one another. After 25 years, I believe the relationship between Cary and County Meath is stronger than ever. I look forward to building on this remarkable partnership and watching it continue to grow for many years to come.

After three days in Ireland, we traveled to Wiesbaden, Germany, where we are currently exploring the possibility of establishing a sister-city relationship. Our four days in Wiesbaden were truly memorable. From dinner with the Lord Mayor to the many opportunities we had to learn about the city, its government, and its people, every part of our visit was marked by warmth, generosity, and genuine friendship.

We were honored to spend time with the Lord Mayor and to meet members of the Wiesbaden City Council and Magistrate at City Hall. These conversations gave us a deeper understanding of Wiesbaden’s civic leadership and reinforced the many similarities between our two communities.

Our visit to the Parliament of the State of Hessen was another wonderful opportunity to learn more about the government, history, and civic life of the region. We were especially delighted to experience the opening of the annual Wine Festival. Seeing thousands of people come together to celebrate their community, traditions, and culture gave us a wonderful glimpse into the spirit and character of Wiesbaden.

Most importantly, however, it was the kindness of the people we met that made the greatest impression on us. Their hospitality went far beyond simply welcoming visitors. They made us feel like friends and partners, and by the end of our stay, I truly felt that we had made lifelong friends in Wiesbaden.

As Cary and Wiesbaden explore the possibility of a sister-city relationship, I am increasingly convinced that the foundation for a successful partnership is already in place. We share a commitment to community, civic engagement, cultural understanding, and, most importantly, friendship between our people. We have already begun discussing opportunities for meaningful exchanges, including student and firefighter exchanges, that could strengthen those connections for years to come.

Michelle Craig, our delegation, and I returned to Cary with wonderful memories and an even greater enthusiasm for building a lasting connection between our two communities. We look forward to continuing our conversations, deepening our friendship, and ultimately reaching the day when the relationship between Cary and Wiesbaden is formally established.

Cary #11 Best Place to Live

For the second time in a month Cary has been named one of the best places to live in the US. The US News and World Report ranked Cary as the #11 best place to live in the US. Their rankings are based on an analysis of public data and user opinions. To top the list, a place must earn high scores in criteria such as desirability and quality of life. Here is what they said about Cary:

“What’s it like to live in Cary, NC?

People move to a new city for a variety of reasons. Although not always exciting to read, basic statistical information about the population, housing and traffic in a given location can help determine whether a specific city would be a good fit for you.

About 182,416 people live in Cary, and the median age here is 38.7.

What’s the cost of living in Cary, NC?

Cost of living can be a huge factor in determining whether to move somewhere, especially housing costs. While home and rent prices vary based on square footage, location and other factors, it can be helpful to know how the cost of housing in an area compares to other locales.

The national average home value is $359,870, while the median home value in Cary is $570,890. Cary offers a lower cost of living compared to similarly sized cities.”

While their data is a little outdated their comments are right on the money!

CAMPO

I joined a meeting of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Executive Board (CAMPO) on Wednesday. CAMPO manages regional transportation planning and distributes federal and state funding for roads, transit, bicycles, and pedestrian networks across Wake, Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Harnett, and Chatham counties.

The agenda included two consent items, three public hearings, and six discussion items. You can find the agenda with staff reports here. You can view the staff slides here.

Decisions were all made unanimously and included minutes, an Interlocal Funding Agreement and authorizing the Executive Director to sign the agreement, accepting SPOT 8 (eighth cycle of Strategic Prioritization Process) point assignments, approval of the FFY 2028 LAPP Program (Locally Administered Projects Program) and opening the annual One-Call-for-All for LAPP and UPWP (Unified Planning Work Program) projects, approval of amendment 4 of TIP (Transportation Improvement Program), adoption of resolution supporting the BASICS Act (Bridges And Safety Infrastructure for Community Success Act), and endorsement of the Apex Railyard Relocation Study/ Apex to Durham Rail Spur Upgrade Study.

The board also received information on NCDOT Division Updates on Notable FY 27 Operations & Maintenance Activities, North Falls Lake Area Study, the 2026 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310) Program Call for Projects, and Wake Transit Conference Committee Resolution.

RRAR

Thursday evening, I met with the Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors, a large trade organization based here in Cary, North Carolina. The association represents more than 10,000 real estate professionals across the Triangle and provides training, networking, and advocacy on property rights.

I gave a brief overview of what is happening in Cary, including issues related to the former town manager. Most of the Realtors’ questions focused on housing, particularly the market for homes and units for sale rather than rental units.

Interview with Cherry Bekaert Auditor

On Friday, I spoke with an auditor from Cherry Bekaert as part of their annual process, which now includes more frequent conversations. We discussed what I have witnessed over the past few months, including how the staff and council have been functioning following the dismissal of the former town manager.

50^th Lazy Daze

The 50th Lazy Daze was held this weekend in Cary. Although thunderstorms delayed the setup on Friday, the festival got underway on time as scheduled.

I was scheduled to give remarks on Saturday morning, but unfortunately, they were moved to another time that I was unable to attend.

Lazy Daze is one of the premier arts and crafts festivals in the Southeast, and this year’s event featured 250 artists from 20 states. In addition, the Chalk Walk along Academy Street featured 15 artists who created incredible works of art all the way to Downtown Cary Park.

We are incredibly proud to have hosted this outstanding event in Cary for the past 50 years and to celebrate the artists, community, and the tradition that make Lazy Daze such a special part of Cary.

Town Manager’s Report

Council,

This weekend marks the 50th annual Lazy Daze. Town Hall Campus and the surrounding streets were closed at noon today and will reopen by the end of the day Sunday.

It’s also been a busy time for many families, with college move-ins happening and WCPSS traditional-calendar schools going back on Monday. As everyone gets back into their routines, please keep an eye out for more traffic around our schools and neighborhoods.

Hope you have a great weekend, and we look forward to seeing you at the work session and Council meeting next week.

Scot Berry

Assistant Town Manager

Stormwater Pond Maintenance at Downtown Cary Park

Visitors to Downtown Cary Park may notice water levels in the stormwater ponds beginning to decrease Sunday, August 23, ahead of routine maintenance beginning Monday. Work will include inspecting and clearing drain grates, thinning lotus patches and other aquatic vegetation, replacing missing rocks, tree maintenance, and clearing trash that cannot be reached from shore. Water levels are expected to be restored by the end of the week following the completion of this work.

Highcroft Drive Pavement Marking Work Complete

Pavement marking work funded with $9,675 from Cary’s Multi-Modal Safety Improvements Program is complete on Highcroft Drive at Green Hope School Road. The work replaced the multilane approaches on Highcroft Drive with a single, full-movement approach lane. Computer modeling was used to evaluate the new configuration and minimize impacts to traffic delays. The project also added pavement markings to improve visibility for drivers approaching the intersection along Highcroft Drive. Cary will monitor the intersection as students return to school next week and continue coordinating with NCDOT on Green Hope School Road.

Lewey Drive Utilities and Street Improvements Update

Construction is complete on a new water transmission main along Lewey Drive and Fryar Creek Drive. The project included 4,200 feet of 24-inch water main from NC 55 to Jenks Carpenter Road, 125 feet of 30-inch water main bored beneath NC 55, and 1,850 feet of 12-inch water main along NC 55 north of Lewey Drive. The new infrastructure provides a second transmission feed directly into the central pressure zone (CPZ), which serves about three-quarters of Cary, improving water system reliability and redundancy. The project also added 650 feet of sidewalk, requested by Brookstone residents through Cary’s Sidewalk Request Program, closing a gap in the network. The improvements cost $6.59 million and were funded through a combination of utility and sidewalk funds. With the utility and sidewalk work complete, Lewey Drive and Fryar Creek Drive will be resurfaced as part of the 2026 Street Improvements project. Repaving is expected to begin next week.

Harris Nuclear Plant Tour Recap

Cary staff toured Duke Energy’s Harris Nuclear Plant on Thursday as part of the utility’s Key Leader Update event to learn about nuclear energy generation, the mix of resources powering the region, and investments Duke Energy is making in the electric grid to support continued economic growth. Staff also visited the plant’s nuclear control room simulator, which replicates the actual control room and is used to train operators for a range of operating conditions. Duke Energy provides around-the-clock power to Cary’s homes, businesses, and government operations and works with Cary on energy efficiency, cost-saving strategies, and planning for the region’s growing energy needs.

Museum Momentum Highlights Wake County Tourism

Cary staff attended the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (GRCVB) 2026 Annual Meeting on Thursday. This year’s theme, “Museum Momentum,” highlighted investments and upcoming developments at four of Wake County’s major museums and their role in shaping tourism and the visitor experience. Leaders from Marbles Kids Museum, the NC Museum of Art, the NC Museum of History, and the NC Museum of Natural Sciences shared updates on projects and plans expected to enhance the region’s cultural offerings and attract visitors in the coming years.

Summer Vibes Music Series Recap

The Summer Vibes Music Series wrapped up Thursday, with about 500 people joining throughout the summer for live music, activities and fun across parks in Cary. Activities included tie-dye bandanas, Beach in a Bottle crafts, rock painting, and paper lantern making. The series also featured treats and refreshments from NC Mini Donut Co. and Bond Brothers Beer Co., with complimentary Howling Cow ice cream and popcorn at the final event. The events gave neighbors, families, and friends an opportunity to enjoy live music, get creative, and spend time together.

Important Dates

Planning and Zoning Board
Monday, August 24, 6:30 p.m.

Town Council Work Session
Thursday, August 27, 5:00 p.m.

Town Council Meeting
Thursday, August 27, 6:30 p.m.

Dashboard of Recommendations by Cherry Bekaert, OSA, and Womble Bond Dickinson

The latest updates on the Town’s actions in response to recommendations from Cherry Bekaert, the Office of the State Auditor (OSA), and Womble Bond Dickinson are available on the Town’s Moving Forward Dashboard. There are 39 recommendations in total. This link gives the progress on each of those recommendations:

https://www.carync.gov/connect-engage/newsroom/bottom-line/moving-forward-dashboard

You can also sign up to receive notifications whenever the dashboard is updated.

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.

Sell Properties at 600 and 604 Kildaire Farm Road

I submitted this item and Council member Bansal provided the second. It will be addressed at a future meeting.

The following is my reasoning:

“Good government depends on transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. When significant real estate purchases are made despite staff recommendations against acquisition, or when information about those purchases was not fully communicated to the entire Town Council or the public, it raises legitimate questions about the decision-making process. Even if the purchases were made with good intentions, the appearance of limited transparency can undermine public confidence.

Selling the properties would accomplish several important objectives.

First, it would return public funds that could be redirected toward higher priority needs such as transportation improvements, parks, public safety, stormwater infrastructure, or reducing future tax and fee pressures. Every dollar tied up in property without a defined public purpose is a dollar unavailable for more immediate community priorities.

Second, selling the properties would demonstrate a commitment to fiscal responsibility. Holding them simply because they have already been purchased is not sound financial management. Decisions should be based on current public value, not past expenditures.

Third, a sale would reinforce the principle that major financial decisions deserve full transparency. Residents expect elected officials to have complete information before voting on expenditures involving public funds. If there are concerns that the full Council or the public did not receive sufficient information before these purchases, the appropriate response is to correct course openly rather than continue defending a questionable decision.

Finally, selling the properties would provide an opportunity to rebuild public trust. The Town could conduct a transparent process that includes an independent appraisal, public disclosure of the financial impacts of the purchase and sale, and an open discussion of alternative uses for the proceeds. Such a process would demonstrate that Cary is committed to accountability and evidence-based decision-making.

The question should not be whether the Town can justify a past decision, but whether continuing to own these properties represents the best use of taxpayer resources today. If the answer is no, which I believe it is, the responsible course of action is to sell them through an open and competitive process and reinvest the proceeds in priorities that provide clear, measurable benefits to the entire community.”

PROS:

Frees up public funds.
Demonstrates fiscal discipline.
Reinforces transparency and accountability.
Helps in restoring public confidence.
Reduces carrying costs.

CONS:

The town could lose future strategic opportunities.
There is potential for financial loss.
Loss of control over development.
Missed appreciation.
Selling could limit future flexibility.

Temporary moratorium on Data Centers

This proposal was submitted by Mayor Pro-Tem Bush, and I provided the second. It was brought up at the May 28^th Council meeting. It will be up for a vote at the August 27^th Council meeting.

Data centers are centralized facilities that house IT equipment for storing, processing, and distributing massive amounts of data. While they are the vital backbone of the modern internet and AI, they also pose notable environmental and community challenges by requiring massive amounts of electricity and millions of gallons of water. This proposal would direct staff to put a moratorium on data center approvals.

PROS:

They generate significant long-term property and sales tax revenue for local municipalities, often offsetting the need to raise taxes on residents.
They provide the essential computing power required to run the cloud, stream media, and train heavy AI models.
Modern facilities offer unparalleled uptime, physical security, and disaster recovery protections for critical business information.
Unlike large manufacturing plants or warehouses, operational data centers generate minimal daily traffic and produce very little localized air pollution.

CONS:

We may not have authority to permanently prohibit them.
They demand immense amounts of electricity and millions of gallons of water for cooling, which can strain local utility grids and drive-up energy costs for surrounding communities.
Unless heavily offset by renewable energy sources, heavy reliance on power can prolong the use of fossil fuel plants and contribute to electronic waste.
The constant operation of high-powered cooling fans and backup generators can create significant, round-the-clock noise disturbances for nearby residents.
While construction creates many temporary jobs, fully operational data centers typically require very few on-site staff, delivering fewer permanent local jobs than other large-scale developments.

Partnering with the school board to pilot school zone safety improvements

This proposal was submitted by Council Member Bansal, and I provided the second. It was brought up at the May 28^th Council meeting.

Several schools in Cary, particularly middle schools and high schools, are experiencing transportation safety concerns on and around school property. While the schools are responsible for transportation operations on campus and NCDOT oversees roadway infrastructure decisions, progress on improvements has been slow and resident complaints have continued to increase. This proposal would direct staff to work collaboratively with the schools on programs and strategies to help address these concerns.

PROS:

Allows the Town to take a more proactive role, even when we are not the primary decision-maker.
Responds to growing community concerns regarding school transportation safety.

CONS:

The Town is currently understaffed, so this effort could require shifting staff resources away from other projects.
Potential solutions could result in additional costs to taxpayers if Cary contributes funding toward implementation.

E-Bike Safety

This proposal was submitted by Council Members Bansal and Richards and presented at the April 16^th meeting. It was part of our June 23^rd work session.

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.

Council will vote on a draft ordinance of this later this year.

Smoke Free Ordinance

This proposal was submitted by Mayor Pro-Tem Bush and Council Member Craig and presented at the April 16^th meeting. It was part of our June 23^rd work session.

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.

Council will vote on options to add to the current ordinance later this year.

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.

Mayor’s Mailbox

A few expressions of hate via emails, social media, etc. about what was reported by the State Auditor. Most believe I was knowledgeable, compliant, and/or responsible even if I knew nothing. (No, I was the whistleblower) I will not post any of the nastiness. I am sure it is easy to find with a search.
Criticism that council is being paid too much (Don’t know about the rest of the council but I make less than minimum wage for the hours I put in. In addition, we make less than Fayetteville council and more than councils smaller than us. Seems like we are in line with the overall stipend. Of course, we will review our stipend amount and allowances).
A couple of nasty emails about ICE in Cary blaming me for “not doing anything” (As I have stated multiple times before, I have no authority over the federal government. For those who want me to make a statement, that was done in November of last year).
A comment about the State Auditor’s visit to the McGregor Rotary: “I attended the State Auditor’s recent visit to our Rotary Club. Unfortunately, the presentation seemed to be the same news as before. Oddly, it seemed like he was campaigning. Is he positioning himself to run for Governor? It certainly sounded like campaign rhetoric to me.” (You would have to ask him)
Called “condescending” and “dismissive” because Kane Realty is building in Cary (I have no authority to dictate what developers work in Cary. BTW, Kane is an excellent developer).
A complaint about a distressed US flag on private property. (not much we can do about that since it is on private property).
Best wishes for traveling and my outpatient surgery.
A request to get a German restaurant in Cary (Unfortunately, we do not have that authority).
A request to do more to protect trees (We are always looking to do that. Please check our website to see what we currently do).

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a 3Rnet event, a council work session, and a council meeting.

Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@carync.gov. Note that all emails sent to me in my role as mayor are public documents.

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.

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!