February 23rd, 2008

This week's meetings and interviews included a wide variety of topics which included transportation, aquatics, schools, and downtown properties.

On Monday morning the council met for breakfast to discuss several procedural items including ground rules on meeting process order and how to interact with each other. Some of the discussion included whether or not to have the Public Speaks Out at the beginning of the council meetings. The consensus was to try Public Speaks Out at the beginning for a while. Some relationship issues were also discussed including making sure we confronted each other when we are to the point of getting angry. We agreed to pick up the phone and air things out. To date, this has been the practice of all council members which I believe has made us an excellent team. Though we disagree on some things we are working together to solve major issues.

There were several meetings this week on transportation. I met with TTA representatives Bob Henshaw, David King, and Sig Hutchison on several transit options that might interest Cary. Later in the week I met with Joe Molazzo and Howard Johnson on the actions of the Regional Transportation Alliance. I also participated in the Transportation Advisory Committee of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. These groups are in addition to the two groups that I have already met with. One of which included Thomas Crowder of the Raleigh council and the other which included Raleigh Mayor Meeker and Wake County Commissioner Chairman Joe Bryan. My summary of all these meeting is that most everyone wants to proceed with some integration of transit in the area and at least plan for future light rail. I think the region needs these groups and factions to come together in one unified effort if change is going to occur any time soon. That is the message I have and will be giving back. One tidbit of information I received this week regarding the southern leg of I-540 is that inflation increases cost of that project at a rate of $1million a week. Although I have been against making the southern leg of I-540 a toll road, this fact along with the information that Kentucky and Virginia have successfully had toll roads removed (like what is being proposed for the southern part of I-540) is making me take rethink this scenario.

One interesting meeting this week was with Tim Joyce of the YMCA on potentially partnering with Cary on multiple aquatic centers. I believe this is an option worth investigating. Why? Because it will allow multiple aquatic centers in Cary instead of one and will cost much less since the aquatic centers will be operated by the YMCA. This would give taxpayers much more bang for the buck and probably would allow more access to facilities. In addition, the savings in operating costs would be significant. Because of this new potential we have postponed our aquatic work session to gather more information.

This week also included a meeting with long time Cary resident Ella Williams-Vinson along with her neighbors and family. They had many issues to discuss but wanted me (and the town) to be aware that they care about how downtown Cary is going to be developed and want to be a part of the process. They feel that developers have been chased away from developing their properties (north of Chapel Hill Road). I assured them that we would be glad to work with them in the future and asked them to please let me know if they felt someone was acting inappropriately in the development of their properties. These are the descendents of some of the original Cary residents.

Other events or meetings this week included attending the Center for Volunteer Caregiving bowling charity (actually tonight), a tennis photo shoot at the Cary Tennis Center, a meeting with friend,  a town activist, Vickie Maxwell, and an interview with Rene Chou on why I didn't vote for the school roundtable proposal.

On the subject of schools, I have contacted several of the members trying to get meetings. Currently, I have a meetings scheduled with Patti Head and a breakfast with Rosa Gill and other mayors. I continue to have phone conversations and exchange emails with several board members on various issues. I have recently received a new list of concerns related to the year round-traditional calendars that was addressed by the county commissioners and the school board. I plan to present this information as soon as I can to the school board members.

Information I have received from parents want me to speak out strongly against the school board. School board members think this negative approach is counterproductive. Since I am trying to influence them to change their minds on various issues then I believe it is in the best interest of our children to proceed in the manor which the school board members believe to be productive. While this makes me very unpopular in Cary, my interest is in what is best for our children rather than popularity.

I hope to post again on Saturday, March 1st. Until then, have a great week and I’ll talk to you later…