It’s So Great, It’s Cary!

Top 10 Things That No One Wants: 1.       A pandemic 2.       A quarantine 3.       Nearly a total shut down of businesses 4.       An impact of $11 million in sales tax revenue loss and COVID-related expenses. 5.       A gap in funding between revenue and expenses 6.       Degradation of the community’s infrastructure, appearance, programs and services 7.       A five- or ten-year delay in projects approved by 80% of voters 8.       An extended recession without opportunities for employment 9.       A diminished fund balance that won’t buffer us in future emergencies 10.   A property tax increase No one wanted any of the above.  But we got them all in 2020.   Our Town is home to people who have high standards for services, amenities, aesthetics, and good governance.  While balancing the many interests of our citizens, the Cary Town Council has been extremely careful in setting our tax rate.  As a result, we have h

You always hear that you can’t fight City Hall.   So many times, I have received emails from citizens that include a comment along the lines of, “I know a decision has already been made” or “I know I can’t change anything, but…” I’m a big believer in the power of the people.   The input from citizens matters.   As we witness people across our country exerting their first amendment rights to free expression, I’d like to share some small wins resulting from citizen involvement that have happened here recently in Cary.   These wins may seem insignificant in light of what we are seeing in the news right now, but I think they are big accomplishments for the people who call Cary home.   And, both of these wins underscore the importance of citizen engagement. 1. Dominion Energy Gas Line A concerned citizen, Pam Tully, reached out to me a few weeks back with alarm that nearly 8 miles of easement along the American Tobacco Trail was being considered for the route of a new 13-m