Town of Cary
HomeMenuJanuary 2014
Cary Honors Jerry Miller with Hometown Spirit Award
Long-time Cary resident, well respected gifted artist, devoted public servant and Lazy Daze father Jerry Miller is the recipient of our annual Hometown Spirit Award!
The Hometown Spirit Award is designed to recognize community-minded citizens who enhance the quality of life in Cary by preserving, promoting and carrying out positive, small town community values and traits. There were six nominees this year.
Miller received a plaque at the Nov. 21 Town Council meeting. His name will also be on a plaque inside Town Hall.
“Hometown Spirit Award” at www.townofcary.org
Winter Weather: Be Prepared
Before winter storms arise bringing paralyzing snow and ice, prepare now by assembling an emergency kit.
Your kit should be easy to carry and include items like bottled water, non-perishable food, clothing, medicine, a first aid kit, a radio, blankets, flashlights and extra batteries. Be sure to pack enough items so that each family member has his/her own three-day supply; don’t forget your pets, too!
Additionally, consider stockpiling a little sand in preparation for icy driveways and sidewalks. Using sand for traction instead of placing fertilizers on icy patches ensures a cleaner runoff once the ice melts.
“Winter Weather” at www.townofcary.org
Railroad Bridge Public Wkshop
With regional partners we are starting a feasibility study to look at bridging Harrison Avenue over the railroad in downtown Cary. The bridge could help solve back-ups in downtown when rail crossings are blocked by trains.
Join us February 4 from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Cary Chamber of Commerce for a public information workshop to share your thoughts and ideas as we begin the study.
“Street Projects” at www.townof cary.org / (919) 462-3834
Recycle Those Holiday Batteries
Did you know the majority of batteries are purchased just after the holiday season? Disposing of used batteries in the trash can be harmful to our environment. Remember to recycle your old rechargeable batteries at one of our three drop boxes found in each Cary community center. All other batteries can be recycled by taking them to one of the Wake County Household Hazardous Waste collection sites.
(919) 469-4090
Apply now for School of Gov't
Get an innovative, hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at Town government decision-making and the people and facilities that provide the services you use every day. Applications for the Town of Cary School of Government class of 2014 will be accepted through February 12. Sessions are scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday evenings from March 26 through April 30 plus two Saturday sessions on April 12 and April 26.
“School of Government” at www.townofcary.org l (919) 469 4006
Organizational Restructuring Kicks Off
Cary Town Manager Ben Shivar formally launched his multi-month effort to realign staff and departments into functional focus areas for increased internal efficiencies and better service to the Cary community. The organization restructuring, which is being accomplished within the existing personnel budget, is the most significant in over 20 years, during which time the Town’s population has more than tripled to now over 146,000; during that same period, the Town’s staff has gone from just under 500 to over 1,200.
Under his new structure, Shivar preserves most of the existing departments but groups programs and activities into three focus areas: development services, Town operations, and public infrastructure. You can see a full organizational chart and department descriptions at www.townofcary.org.
While it will be some time before you may be impacted by the changes, we’ll work to update the Town’s websites and other communications tools to assist you in navigating through the transition as milestones occur.
“Reorganization” at www.townofcary.org
Cary's PRCR Nationally Reaccredited
Our Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department renewed its status as the only agency in Wake County and only one of 119 agencies in the United States to have received national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). Cary met 100 percent of the 144 standards established by CAPRA to evaluate agencies in such areas as Resource Management, Land Use Planning, Program and Services Management, Evaluation and Research. PRCR first received the accreditation in 2003, earned reaccreditation in 2008, and must be revisited every five years to ensure compliance.
In addition to our Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department, the Town’s Fire and Police departments are also accredited.
“PRCR” at www.townofcary.org
Officer Josh Fulbright Named Employee of the Year
Master Police Officer Josh Fulbright was named the Town of Cary’s 2013 Employee of the Year! He received the award last month at the annual Employee Recognition Luncheon. He’s been with the Town of Cary for over five years and was selected out of nearly 1,200 employees.
In addition to a plaque, he received $500 and recognition at the Dec. 19 Town Council meeting.
The Town of Cary’s Employee of the Year program was established in 1989 to recognize employees who consistently perform well beyond what the job description requires. Nominees are consistently courteous and helpful to others, and they strive to improve themselves. Many nominations included accolades from Cary citizens.
“Employee of the Year” at www.townofcary.org
Watch Cary TV
View your Town government at work. Time Warner Channel 11 or AT&T UVerse Channel 99.
Watch Out for Phony IRS Calls
North Carolinians are getting phone messages from people who pretend to be with the Internal Revenue Service.
Scammers posing as government officials aren’t new. Be suspicious whenever anyone claiming to be with the government contacts you out of the blue to demand payment.
Be alert; keep your guard up; and don’t let anyone trick you into forking over your hard-earned dollars.
If you receive one of these suspicious phone calls, report it to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
877-5-NO-SCAM l www.ncdoj.gov
HOT TIPS: Fireplace Safety
The warmth of a fire burning in the fireplace can be a pleasant experience on a cold winter’s night, but don’t forget about safety or the experience can become a nightmare.
Have your chimney inspected at least once a year by a qualified professional and cleaned as needed to prevent creosote buildup. Keep anything that will burn at least three feet away from the fire, and keep sparks where they belong with a sturdy fire screen. Put ashes in a metal container, and dispose of them outside the home; never leave them in the garage or place them in a plastic bag. As the nights get cold, stay warm – and safe!
Cultural Connection
Marvelous Music Family Series: Children’s Theatre of Charlotte presents Too Many Frogs and Hansel & Gretel January 25, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Cary Arts Center. (919) 462-2055
CAPTA presents MUSIC SAFARI January 25, 8:45-11:30 a.m. (grades K-3) & 12:45-3:30 p.m. (grades 4-6) , Cary Arts Center. (919) 462-2055
Marvelous Music Mainstage Series: Emile Pandolfi February 15, 7:30 p.m., Cary Arts Center. (919) 462-2055
Cary Town Band presents Czech Mates February 21, 7:30 p.m., Cary Arts Center. (919) 469-4069
Marvelous Music Family Series: Opera Carolina presents The Three Little Pigs February 22, 11 a.m., Cary Arts Center. (919) 462-2055
See a complete list at www.townofcary.org
BUD Bits
New State legislation requires us to collect state and local sales tax on admission to most ticketed events such as live entertainment and exhibits. The sales tax rate is 6.75% and will apply to tickets purchased in 2014.
To report a street light outage or malfunction, call Duke Energy Progress at (919) 508-5400 with the location or number on the light pole.
Thanks for your support during C-Tran’s Canned Food Drive in November! In five days, hundreds of riders donated nearly 700 pounds of food. Collections were taken to Dorcas Ministries to help our neighbors have an enjoyable holiday season. Consider taking C-Tran to get to your next meal.
“C-Tran” at www.townofcary.org
Let us know the priorities you feel should be included in the Town’s FY15 budget. Speak directly to Town Council at public hearings set for February 13 and February 27. “Budget Development” at www.townofcary.org l (919) 462-3911
Make a resolution to use water more wisely. Replace an old toilet with a new WaterSense-certified high efficiency toilet (HET). You may even qualify for a rebate from the Town. “HET Rebate” at www.townofcary.org