This week I had the pleasure of participating in the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Day at the Capital.
The day began with a meeting of NFIB’s Leadership Committee – which I serve as a member. We discussed a number of issues pertaining to small business such as card check legislation and its impact on small business, as well as the NC Senate’s budget proposal.
The Senate’s budget proposal is a crock. They hype lowering the sales tax to 6% (a whopping .75% decrease) while at the same time levy a 6% tax on services – “non-professional services” that is. Legal and accounting services, as well as medical services will not be taxed. Considering how many lawyers there are in the senate this – unfortunately – is no surprise. Now I can agree with not taxing medical services considering how darn expensive medical care is these days, but the fact is we shouldn’t be taxing ANY services – we should focus on reducing state government spending. What a concept huh? The state is trying to make up a $500 million shortfall. Revenue neutral this isn’t.
To give you an idea how this new tax will affect YOU the consumer: let’s say your car needs a new engine (and I KNOW your getting it replaced at Frantz Automotive right???) ;-) Anyways. Say the labor is $1000.00 to replace. You will pay an additional $60.00 in labor taxes ON TOP OF the 6% in sales tax. Nice.
NFIB members also heard from Governor Beverly Purdue – who basically said she wanted to raise taxes “but now isn’t the right time”. She showed up 5 minutes prior to her speaking time then left immediately afterwards. Lt. Governor Walter Dalton (I love that name) spoke after Beverly Perdue followed by Secretary of Commerce Keith Crisco. Keith definitely seemed the most “real” of the bunch, and being a former business owner himself actually spoke to what mattered to us – creating a business friendly environment in NC.
Wednesday evening was the annual Elected Officials Reception at the Mathews House in downtown Cary. This is always a fun event and a great opportunity to speak to and lobby our state officials. It was interesting however that NO state senate members were in attendance. I guess they figured they wouldn’t be too popular at a business event after their proposal to raise business taxes
Council’s Planning and Development Committee meeting was this week and the only discussion item on the agenda was consideration of FY 2010’s Community Development Block Grant Action Plan and 2010-2014 Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan.
In order to remain in compliance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, the Town must update its Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan every five years. The current 2005-2009 Consolidated Plan expires this year.
The Town of Cary is designated as an Entitlement Community by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is eligible to receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. For the past five years the Town of Cary has prepared an Annual Action Plan describing the projects the Town plans to undertake in each upcoming fiscal year. HUD’s projection for the amount the Town will receive for the next fiscal year is $450,746.
Proposals for the use of the FY 2010 CDBG funds were solicited from citizens, developers of affordable housing, nonprofit agencies and organizations and Town departments beginning in March. Nearly $1.7 million in proposals were received for the available $450,746 in funds.
While I compliment staff on all their hard work, I really wish council could have held a worksession on this issue. We had one last year. Before I decide on how to distribute nearly half a million dollars in CDBG funds I want more details than what you typically get in a staff report.
On Saturday I was delegate at the Republican Party’s 13th Congressional District Convention. Turnout was better than previous years as we had over 100 delegates in attendance. While a close race between David Williams and David Robinson, we elected David Robinson 13th District Chair. We also had the opportunity to hear from candidates for the NCGOP Chair’s race – including front runners Chad Adams and Tom Fetzer. While I respect Tom Fetzer greatly, I support Chad Adams for NCGOP Chair. I believe our party needs new leadership and fresh ideas – someone who an motivate and excite young people. I believe Chad Adams provides that leadership.
That’s about all for this week. Thanks for reading and thanks for allowing me the opportunity to serve you.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
UPDATE: Climate for Student Success Forum
UPDATE: The Cary Community Foundation - a non-profit organization - has agreed to collect donations on behalf of the Town of Cary allowing contributors to now make a tax deductible donation. Thanks to Councilor Jennifer Robinson for arranging this.
Checks may be sent to:
Cary Community Foundation
2440 S.W. Cary Parkway #201
Cary, NC 27513
Make sure to write Town of Cary Climate for Student Success Forum in the subject line of your check.
Also, if you prefer to donate funds using a credit card, you may go to www.carycommunityfoundation.org and click on Giving. From the drop down menu, select How to Give.
As many of you probably know, the Town of Cary is sponsoring an education event on May 11 titled Climate for Student Success. While municipalities do not have the responsibility nor the authority to govern education in Wake County, municipal leaders are often called upon by citizens to take a role in the future of Wake’s schools. At the Climate for Students Success forum, municipal leaders will be given important information about practices that have been successful in improving overall student achievement and an opportunity to discuss Wake’s current and future educational climate.
Wake government, business leaders and citizen leaders will be invited and remaining seats will be made to the general public. The event will also be videotaped for later viewing. In today’s economic environment, public funding for the forum was approved with the understanding that private funds would be raised to reimburse the town for outstanding costs.
As this forum is an important beginning in understanding what role municipal governments can plan in creating a Climate for Student Success, I have started the fundraising off with a personal donation of $750.00, but unfortunately this only covers about 10% of the total cost of the forum. While I understand that the economy is tough right now, I am asking for your help in the form of a contribution. Your donation will bring the Town of Cary closer to the goal of funding this forum with private funds, and potentially result in the Town of Cary hosting future forums. Please consider a contribution - any amount would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your consideration,
Don Frantz
Cary Town Council District B
919-612-6870
don.frantz@townofcary.org
Checks may be sent to:
Cary Community Foundation
2440 S.W. Cary Parkway #201
Cary, NC 27513
Make sure to write Town of Cary Climate for Student Success Forum in the subject line of your check.
Also, if you prefer to donate funds using a credit card, you may go to www.carycommunityfoundation.org and click on Giving. From the drop down menu, select How to Give.
As many of you probably know, the Town of Cary is sponsoring an education event on May 11 titled Climate for Student Success. While municipalities do not have the responsibility nor the authority to govern education in Wake County, municipal leaders are often called upon by citizens to take a role in the future of Wake’s schools. At the Climate for Students Success forum, municipal leaders will be given important information about practices that have been successful in improving overall student achievement and an opportunity to discuss Wake’s current and future educational climate.
Wake government, business leaders and citizen leaders will be invited and remaining seats will be made to the general public. The event will also be videotaped for later viewing. In today’s economic environment, public funding for the forum was approved with the understanding that private funds would be raised to reimburse the town for outstanding costs.
As this forum is an important beginning in understanding what role municipal governments can plan in creating a Climate for Student Success, I have started the fundraising off with a personal donation of $750.00, but unfortunately this only covers about 10% of the total cost of the forum. While I understand that the economy is tough right now, I am asking for your help in the form of a contribution. Your donation will bring the Town of Cary closer to the goal of funding this forum with private funds, and potentially result in the Town of Cary hosting future forums. Please consider a contribution - any amount would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your consideration,
Don Frantz
Cary Town Council District B
919-612-6870
don.frantz@townofcary.org
Hate Mail
A few people have asked recently, "do you get any hate email as a member of council?"
Absolutely.
They typically don't bother me as I have thick skin and I sleep well at night believing in the decisions I make. I realize I will never make everyone happy - nor do I try to. I do my very best to respond to every email I receive and explain my actions or decisions. Once in a while however council gets an email that, well, deserves an appropriate response. ;-) I received the email below from a "Mr. Albert Einstein" (obviously not his real name).
Subject: Please make sure the new Cary Recycle Monster Wheel Bins are not the same color as the Monster Trash Bins...........
From: aeinstein@nc.rr.com
To: ervin.portman@townofcary.org; gale.adcock@townofcary.org; harold.weinbrecht@townofcary.org; jennifer.robinson@townofcary.org; jack.smith@townofcary.org; julie.robison@townofcary.org; don.frantz@townofcary.org
CC: ":barry.saunders"@newsobserver.com; ruth.sheehan@newsobserver.com; drescher@newsobserver.com; sford@newsobserver.com; kwallace@newsobserver.com; keung.hui@newsobserver.com; billlumaye@wptfmail.com
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:06:30 -0400
Please make sure the new Cary Recycle Monster Bins are not the same> color as the Monster Trash Bins.........
Please use another color.............
How about pink???? Like your new prison clothes......
I think it is a good idea for automated recycle pick up like the trash pick up with the big bins with wheels. If it will be SORTED....
But someone still has to sort it at some time????
We all know the recyclables will just be lumped together and dumped into the same trash pits as the trash. So who are you fooling????
We will ride the trucks and vote you pathetic pukes out and into jail.
AE :)
Preston
Cary, NC
PS. If recyclables where valuable; some one buy them and government would not have to charge for them to be carted away.....
Here is my response:
Dear Al,
Thank you so much for taking the time to contact council - and everyone at the news and observer - with your thoughts regarding Cary's new automated recycling program. While pink would have been a great color for the recycle bins (my personal favorite was actually Carolina Blue), this is Cary - anything other than a shade of beige would be unacceptable. We have an image to maintain after all. Besides, Cary's trash containers are green, and green and pink just don't go well together....it would look pukey.
You'll be happy to know that once all of the recyclables are collected, they will in fact be sorted. Changes to Cary's recycling program are being made for the following reasons:
a) To accommodate the addition of new materials (junk mail, mixed paper, chip board and phone books)
b) Employee safety
c) Cost reduction - 5 year payback ($600,000 per year in annual operating expenses)
That's right, Al. Those old phone books that you have been using for a booster seat at your parent's kitchen table can now be recycled. How cool is that?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts regarding Cary's recycling program. I really appreciate your passion for better protecting our environment. Cary has become the wonderful place to live in that it is thanks to compassionate and caring citizens such as yourself.
If I can be of any further assistance please let me know.
Don Frantz
Cary Town Council District B
919-612-6870
don.frantz@townofcary.org
Now I can respect a difference of opinion. I do not respect anonymous insults.
Ya, I get some hate mail. And sometimes so do others. :-)
Absolutely.
They typically don't bother me as I have thick skin and I sleep well at night believing in the decisions I make. I realize I will never make everyone happy - nor do I try to. I do my very best to respond to every email I receive and explain my actions or decisions. Once in a while however council gets an email that, well, deserves an appropriate response. ;-) I received the email below from a "Mr. Albert Einstein" (obviously not his real name).
Subject: Please make sure the new Cary Recycle Monster Wheel Bins are not the same color as the Monster Trash Bins...........
From: aeinstein@nc.rr.com
To: ervin.portman@townofcary.org; gale.adcock@townofcary.org; harold.weinbrecht@townofcary.org; jennifer.robinson@townofcary.org; jack.smith@townofcary.org; julie.robison@townofcary.org; don.frantz@townofcary.org
CC: ":barry.saunders"@newsobserver.com; ruth.sheehan@newsobserver.com; drescher@newsobserver.com; sford@newsobserver.com; kwallace@newsobserver.com; keung.hui@newsobserver.com; billlumaye@wptfmail.com
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:06:30 -0400
Please make sure the new Cary Recycle Monster Bins are not the same> color as the Monster Trash Bins.........
Please use another color.............
How about pink???? Like your new prison clothes......
I think it is a good idea for automated recycle pick up like the trash pick up with the big bins with wheels. If it will be SORTED....
But someone still has to sort it at some time????
We all know the recyclables will just be lumped together and dumped into the same trash pits as the trash. So who are you fooling????
We will ride the trucks and vote you pathetic pukes out and into jail.
AE :)
Preston
Cary, NC
PS. If recyclables where valuable; some one buy them and government would not have to charge for them to be carted away.....
Here is my response:
Dear Al,
Thank you so much for taking the time to contact council - and everyone at the news and observer - with your thoughts regarding Cary's new automated recycling program. While pink would have been a great color for the recycle bins (my personal favorite was actually Carolina Blue), this is Cary - anything other than a shade of beige would be unacceptable. We have an image to maintain after all. Besides, Cary's trash containers are green, and green and pink just don't go well together....it would look pukey.
You'll be happy to know that once all of the recyclables are collected, they will in fact be sorted. Changes to Cary's recycling program are being made for the following reasons:
a) To accommodate the addition of new materials (junk mail, mixed paper, chip board and phone books)
b) Employee safety
c) Cost reduction - 5 year payback ($600,000 per year in annual operating expenses)
That's right, Al. Those old phone books that you have been using for a booster seat at your parent's kitchen table can now be recycled. How cool is that?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts regarding Cary's recycling program. I really appreciate your passion for better protecting our environment. Cary has become the wonderful place to live in that it is thanks to compassionate and caring citizens such as yourself.
If I can be of any further assistance please let me know.
Don Frantz
Cary Town Council District B
919-612-6870
don.frantz@townofcary.org
Now I can respect a difference of opinion. I do not respect anonymous insults.
Ya, I get some hate mail. And sometimes so do others. :-)
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Week in Review 4/6/09 - 4/12/09
Due to spring break and the Easter Holiday this week was pretty light in regards to council business.
A great deal of my time this week was spent working the phone and email in an attempt to raise private contributions for the Town of Cary’s Climate for Student Success education forum this coming May. A number of folks have committed to help – I thank them dearly.
The Walker Street Extension Project Artist selection panel met again this week to interview our three finalists before making our final selection – which we did. All three artists are very talented and each brought a different perspective in regards to community engagement. After a healthy discussion the panel selected Vicki Scuri to serve as the artist on this project.
On a related note, while funding has been appropriated for the design of the Walker Street extension, construction funding has not been allocated, and in all honesty given the current state of the economy and budget constraints it may be 3-5 years before this project receives funding.
I continue to receive a number of emails pertaining to instant run-off voting (IRV). The majority of which oppose Cary utilizing IRV. While I expected this topic to receive a great deal of debate, the fervor of folks on both sides of the issue has been very surprising to say the least, and the amount of input from special interest groups has been very concerning to me.
The group that concerns me the most is Fairvote. The name of the organization alone throws up red flags – Fairvote. What’s not fair about voting? Every citizen who is registered to vote gets to do just that – vote. If there happens to be a run-off election they get to come back and vote again. What’s not “fair”?
From Fairvote’s website: There is no affirmative protection of the right to vote in the U.S. Constitution. Certain states have implemented restrictive election practices regarding voter registration, identification requirements and the voting status of people with felony convictions. This leads to an election system under which the status of a person's right to vote, even in federal elections, depends on nothing more than the state in which that person lives.
In other words Fairvote supports “automatic” voter registration, and believes that people with no identification and convicted felons should be allowed to vote.
Also from Fairvote’s website: The Municipal Right to Vote Intiative is an innovative approach that local governments can take to support the goal of an equal right to vote for local, state and federal elections. At the local level, governments may be able to allow non-citizens or people with felony convictions to vote for school board or city council.
Allow non-citizens the right to vote??? Are you %#$*& kidding me???? Now how is any of this “fair” to you or me? How is this “fair” to legal citizens? How is this “fair” to those who care enough to register to vote and participate in a transparent and verifiable process? All Fairvote’s initiatives do is empower rabid campaign supporters the ability to grab any Tom, Dick, or Harry off the street and into a voting booth, or the ability to vote multiple times under different names. None of these initiatives will actually increase voter turnout – they will however increase the number of votes cast.
Oh, and for what it's worth they also support eliminating the electoral college - effectively giving California and New York the power to choose this nation's President. Nice.
Support integrity in elections. Support requiring verifiable voter registration. Support identification requirements. And for gosh sakes do not support allowing non-citizens the right to vote.
Well that’s it for this week in review. Thanks for reading and HAPPY EASTER!
A great deal of my time this week was spent working the phone and email in an attempt to raise private contributions for the Town of Cary’s Climate for Student Success education forum this coming May. A number of folks have committed to help – I thank them dearly.
The Walker Street Extension Project Artist selection panel met again this week to interview our three finalists before making our final selection – which we did. All three artists are very talented and each brought a different perspective in regards to community engagement. After a healthy discussion the panel selected Vicki Scuri to serve as the artist on this project.
On a related note, while funding has been appropriated for the design of the Walker Street extension, construction funding has not been allocated, and in all honesty given the current state of the economy and budget constraints it may be 3-5 years before this project receives funding.
I continue to receive a number of emails pertaining to instant run-off voting (IRV). The majority of which oppose Cary utilizing IRV. While I expected this topic to receive a great deal of debate, the fervor of folks on both sides of the issue has been very surprising to say the least, and the amount of input from special interest groups has been very concerning to me.
The group that concerns me the most is Fairvote. The name of the organization alone throws up red flags – Fairvote. What’s not fair about voting? Every citizen who is registered to vote gets to do just that – vote. If there happens to be a run-off election they get to come back and vote again. What’s not “fair”?
From Fairvote’s website: There is no affirmative protection of the right to vote in the U.S. Constitution. Certain states have implemented restrictive election practices regarding voter registration, identification requirements and the voting status of people with felony convictions. This leads to an election system under which the status of a person's right to vote, even in federal elections, depends on nothing more than the state in which that person lives.
In other words Fairvote supports “automatic” voter registration, and believes that people with no identification and convicted felons should be allowed to vote.
Also from Fairvote’s website: The Municipal Right to Vote Intiative is an innovative approach that local governments can take to support the goal of an equal right to vote for local, state and federal elections. At the local level, governments may be able to allow non-citizens or people with felony convictions to vote for school board or city council.
Allow non-citizens the right to vote??? Are you %#$*& kidding me???? Now how is any of this “fair” to you or me? How is this “fair” to legal citizens? How is this “fair” to those who care enough to register to vote and participate in a transparent and verifiable process? All Fairvote’s initiatives do is empower rabid campaign supporters the ability to grab any Tom, Dick, or Harry off the street and into a voting booth, or the ability to vote multiple times under different names. None of these initiatives will actually increase voter turnout – they will however increase the number of votes cast.
Oh, and for what it's worth they also support eliminating the electoral college - effectively giving California and New York the power to choose this nation's President. Nice.
Support integrity in elections. Support requiring verifiable voter registration. Support identification requirements. And for gosh sakes do not support allowing non-citizens the right to vote.
Well that’s it for this week in review. Thanks for reading and HAPPY EASTER!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Family Time
I hate to do this to you, but I’m taking this week off from blogging. Instead I am going to spend some time with my family for a change – maybe even have dinner together.
I’ll see ya next week. Thanks for understanding.
I’ll see ya next week. Thanks for understanding.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Week in Review 3/23/09 - 3/27/09
On Monday evening I was the guest speaker at the Western Wake Republican Club’s monthly meeting. I spoke to the group about some of the keys to running a successful campaign, and the pros and cons of running for public office. I have run for public office twice – I lost the first election by 130 votes, and won the second by 50. Hey, what can I say? I like to keep em close. ;-)
I spent a great deal of time this week responding to citizen emails. Council received a lot – and I mean a lot - of email asking that council support the Jordan Lake Water Supply Nutrient Strategy Rules. The funny thing however was that a good amount of these were sent to council on Friday - after we had unanimously voted to support the rules at our council meeting the night before. Regardless, I answered every email and informed folks that council did support the rules in their entirety. We also received a lot of email pertaining to Cary's new rollout cart recycling program.
Thursday evening was our council meeting. Prior to the meeting council held a closed session to discuss matters pertaining to a town employee. It was a closed session – that’s all I can say about that. Council meeting highlights included the discussion and adoption of Land Development Ordinance Amendments pertaining to the Conservation Residential Overlay District and Residential Cluster Subdivision Development Regulations, council’s agreement to host an education forum, and adoption of the Jordan Lake Water Supply Nutrient Strategy Rules that I spoke about earlier.
Amendments to the Conservation Residential Overlay District and the Residential Cluster Subdivision Development Regulations passed by a vote of 5-2. Mayor Weinbrecht and I voted against the proposed changes. My biggest concern dealt with the potential loss of rural character in our southwest area – an area of Cary that for years we’ve planned to remain just that - rural in character. The changes do provide for greater preservation of open space (a great thing) but encourages developers to cluster their developments to achieve this. Townhome/cluster development just doesn’t seem very rural to me.
In previous blog entries I eluded to an education initiative that council members Gale Adcock and Jennifer Robinson and I have been working with citizens on. I say working with citizens because in all honesty they have done most of the work. Anyways, at our Thursday meeting we asked that Council consider funding and hosting a forum of Wake government, business and citizen leaders to study quality education in our community. This forum, named “Climate for Student Success” will highlight several areas of increased academic achievement.
While municipal governments do not have the authority to govern education in Wake County, municipal leaders are often called on by citizens to take a role in the future of Wake’s schools. Some of us don’t wait to be called upon ;-) At the Climate for Students Success forum, leaders will be given important information about practices that have been successful in improving overall student achievement and an opportunity to discuss Wake’s current and future educational climate.
The keynote speaker is none other than Elaine McEwan, best-selling author of 10 Traits of Highly Effective Schools which speaks about the distinguishing qualities and unique characteristics of schools that help all students make outstanding gains in performance. Ms. McEwan is a partner and educational consultant with The McEwan-Adkins Group, offering workshops in instructional leadership, team building, and raising reading achievement. A former teacher, librarian, principal, and assistant superintendent for instruction in a suburban Chicago school district, McEwan is the author of more than thirty-five books for parents and educators.
Another distinguished presenter, Mrs. Amy Holcombe, Ph.D., Executive Director of Talent Development at Guilford County Schools will speak about the Mission Possible program, a comprehensive teacher incentive program that combines multiple components to recruit and retain highly effective teachers for the ultimate goal of increasing student achievement in schools with critical needs.
There will also be time for an open discussion and Q+A segment between municipal and community leaders.
The forum will be held on May 11, 2009 from 8:30 – 12:30 in the Cary Council Chambers. Unfortunately due to space limitations and the need for Wake County municipal leaders to attend this will be an invitation only event – but it will be videotaped and broadcast on Cary TV so all of our citizens can watch.
That’s this week in review. Thanks for reading!
I spent a great deal of time this week responding to citizen emails. Council received a lot – and I mean a lot - of email asking that council support the Jordan Lake Water Supply Nutrient Strategy Rules. The funny thing however was that a good amount of these were sent to council on Friday - after we had unanimously voted to support the rules at our council meeting the night before. Regardless, I answered every email and informed folks that council did support the rules in their entirety. We also received a lot of email pertaining to Cary's new rollout cart recycling program.
Thursday evening was our council meeting. Prior to the meeting council held a closed session to discuss matters pertaining to a town employee. It was a closed session – that’s all I can say about that. Council meeting highlights included the discussion and adoption of Land Development Ordinance Amendments pertaining to the Conservation Residential Overlay District and Residential Cluster Subdivision Development Regulations, council’s agreement to host an education forum, and adoption of the Jordan Lake Water Supply Nutrient Strategy Rules that I spoke about earlier.
Amendments to the Conservation Residential Overlay District and the Residential Cluster Subdivision Development Regulations passed by a vote of 5-2. Mayor Weinbrecht and I voted against the proposed changes. My biggest concern dealt with the potential loss of rural character in our southwest area – an area of Cary that for years we’ve planned to remain just that - rural in character. The changes do provide for greater preservation of open space (a great thing) but encourages developers to cluster their developments to achieve this. Townhome/cluster development just doesn’t seem very rural to me.
In previous blog entries I eluded to an education initiative that council members Gale Adcock and Jennifer Robinson and I have been working with citizens on. I say working with citizens because in all honesty they have done most of the work. Anyways, at our Thursday meeting we asked that Council consider funding and hosting a forum of Wake government, business and citizen leaders to study quality education in our community. This forum, named “Climate for Student Success” will highlight several areas of increased academic achievement.
While municipal governments do not have the authority to govern education in Wake County, municipal leaders are often called on by citizens to take a role in the future of Wake’s schools. Some of us don’t wait to be called upon ;-) At the Climate for Students Success forum, leaders will be given important information about practices that have been successful in improving overall student achievement and an opportunity to discuss Wake’s current and future educational climate.
The keynote speaker is none other than Elaine McEwan, best-selling author of 10 Traits of Highly Effective Schools which speaks about the distinguishing qualities and unique characteristics of schools that help all students make outstanding gains in performance. Ms. McEwan is a partner and educational consultant with The McEwan-Adkins Group, offering workshops in instructional leadership, team building, and raising reading achievement. A former teacher, librarian, principal, and assistant superintendent for instruction in a suburban Chicago school district, McEwan is the author of more than thirty-five books for parents and educators.
Another distinguished presenter, Mrs. Amy Holcombe, Ph.D., Executive Director of Talent Development at Guilford County Schools will speak about the Mission Possible program, a comprehensive teacher incentive program that combines multiple components to recruit and retain highly effective teachers for the ultimate goal of increasing student achievement in schools with critical needs.
There will also be time for an open discussion and Q+A segment between municipal and community leaders.
The forum will be held on May 11, 2009 from 8:30 – 12:30 in the Cary Council Chambers. Unfortunately due to space limitations and the need for Wake County municipal leaders to attend this will be an invitation only event – but it will be videotaped and broadcast on Cary TV so all of our citizens can watch.
That’s this week in review. Thanks for reading!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Week in Review 3/16/09 - 3/22/09
This week I had the pleasure of serving on the artist selection panel for the proposed Walker Street Extension Project. The panel reviewed artwork from nearly twenty different artists before narrowing the field to three finalists and two alternates. The panel will now conduct interviews before making it’s final decision. While I am ok with the artists selected, and really glad that few weren’t, my favorites unfortunately didn’t make the cut. I know, you’re surprised. ;-)
Thursday evening was our Planning and Development Committee meeting. Notable items of discussion included consideration of a request to amend the Comprehensive Transportation Plan, Habitat for Humanity funding, and consideration of a resolution supporting the Jordan Lake Nutrient Strategy Rules.
Citizens in the Silver Oaks community petitioned the town to change Winfair Drive’s Roadway designation from collector to residential over concerns pertaining to a proposed development in their community. The committee unanimously voted to deny the request because a residential designation would in no way impact the proposed development as some residents have been led to believe, and could even have some unintended consequences. For example, residential streets allow for more curb cuts and driveways than a collector. Townhomes could be constructed on Winfair with driveways every 30 feet – something the majority of residents have made clear they do not want. We also had concerns over setting a precedent throughout town, and giving residents false hopes.
Habitat for Humanity has experienced cost overruns on their Waldo St. and Falcone Pointe projects. They claim part of the reason is due to NCDOT and Town of Cary development requirements and fees and requested a reallocation of previously approved funds to cover these overruns. Habitat also discovered that their proposed Chatham Pointe project is not financially feasible either….after the town awarded them $261,265.00 for it back in November. Habitat instead requested approval to use those funds to buy six lots on Brandywine instead.
Now most folks who build in Cary – on their own dime anyways – are able to calculate the cost of their development – including fees – pretty accurately. When you are using taxpayer money you better get it right. 0 for the last 3 is unacceptable to me. I reluctantly supported the reallocation of funds for the two projects already under construction, but did not support their request to use $261, 265.00 previously approved for the Chatham Pointe project to buy the lots on Brandywine, and I instead voted to return that money back to the town’s general fund.
We also approved a resolution in support of the Jordan Lake Nutrient Strategy Rules. Council received concerns from citizens regarding the retrofit language in the resolution. They preferred a resolution that simply states the Town of Cary supports the rules in their entirety. I can’t say I disagree. The town’s concern however is that should the legislature struggle with the retrofit portion of the rules (as we believe they will), the legislature might not accept any of the rules. We all agree that the Jordan Lake Nutrient Strategy Rules are critical to protecting our water supply. If the legislature won’t pass all of the rules, then let’s get as many protections in place as we can now and work to educate the general assembly in the meantime.
Sunday (today) I met with a citizen regarding a drainage/flooding issue to better understand their concerns before discussing the matter with our town staff, and afterwards I attended the Cary Cup Table Tennis Championships at Bond Park. The Cary Cup has grown to become one of the nation’s three largest table tennis tournaments featuring athletes from around the globe. Having never seen a table tennis tournament before I didn’t really know what to expect. I have to say it was one of the most intense and entertaining sporting events I have witnessed in quite some time – very impressive. Thanks to Mike Babuin and everyone at the Cary Table Tennis Association for all their hard work and dedication, and congratulations on such a successful tournament.
That's my week in review - thanks for reading!
Thursday evening was our Planning and Development Committee meeting. Notable items of discussion included consideration of a request to amend the Comprehensive Transportation Plan, Habitat for Humanity funding, and consideration of a resolution supporting the Jordan Lake Nutrient Strategy Rules.
Citizens in the Silver Oaks community petitioned the town to change Winfair Drive’s Roadway designation from collector to residential over concerns pertaining to a proposed development in their community. The committee unanimously voted to deny the request because a residential designation would in no way impact the proposed development as some residents have been led to believe, and could even have some unintended consequences. For example, residential streets allow for more curb cuts and driveways than a collector. Townhomes could be constructed on Winfair with driveways every 30 feet – something the majority of residents have made clear they do not want. We also had concerns over setting a precedent throughout town, and giving residents false hopes.
Habitat for Humanity has experienced cost overruns on their Waldo St. and Falcone Pointe projects. They claim part of the reason is due to NCDOT and Town of Cary development requirements and fees and requested a reallocation of previously approved funds to cover these overruns. Habitat also discovered that their proposed Chatham Pointe project is not financially feasible either….after the town awarded them $261,265.00 for it back in November. Habitat instead requested approval to use those funds to buy six lots on Brandywine instead.
Now most folks who build in Cary – on their own dime anyways – are able to calculate the cost of their development – including fees – pretty accurately. When you are using taxpayer money you better get it right. 0 for the last 3 is unacceptable to me. I reluctantly supported the reallocation of funds for the two projects already under construction, but did not support their request to use $261, 265.00 previously approved for the Chatham Pointe project to buy the lots on Brandywine, and I instead voted to return that money back to the town’s general fund.
We also approved a resolution in support of the Jordan Lake Nutrient Strategy Rules. Council received concerns from citizens regarding the retrofit language in the resolution. They preferred a resolution that simply states the Town of Cary supports the rules in their entirety. I can’t say I disagree. The town’s concern however is that should the legislature struggle with the retrofit portion of the rules (as we believe they will), the legislature might not accept any of the rules. We all agree that the Jordan Lake Nutrient Strategy Rules are critical to protecting our water supply. If the legislature won’t pass all of the rules, then let’s get as many protections in place as we can now and work to educate the general assembly in the meantime.
Sunday (today) I met with a citizen regarding a drainage/flooding issue to better understand their concerns before discussing the matter with our town staff, and afterwards I attended the Cary Cup Table Tennis Championships at Bond Park. The Cary Cup has grown to become one of the nation’s three largest table tennis tournaments featuring athletes from around the globe. Having never seen a table tennis tournament before I didn’t really know what to expect. I have to say it was one of the most intense and entertaining sporting events I have witnessed in quite some time – very impressive. Thanks to Mike Babuin and everyone at the Cary Table Tennis Association for all their hard work and dedication, and congratulations on such a successful tournament.
That's my week in review - thanks for reading!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Week in Review 3/9/09 - 3/14/09
This week council finally made what I am sure will turn out to be one of, if not the most important decision during our time on the council. After nearly 5 months of conducting a nationwide search of candidates for Cary’s Town Manager position council unanimously selected Assistant Town Manager Ben Shivar to serve as Cary’s newest Town Manager. Congratulations Ben!
I originally opposed “casting a net far and wide” and conducting a national search for two reasons. First and foremost I believed in Ben’s ability to lead and was confident he was the right person for the job. And second, I was concerned about the cost ($35,000) - especially in this economy. Well, after conducting the search I do believe there was value in the process. $35,000 value? Probably not, but value nonetheless.
Council wisely chose to conduct search and assessment process blind – we didn’t know the names or cities of any of the candidates. Therefore there could be no bias towards one candidate or another - Nobody could have lobbied for Ben, or any other candidate if they wanted to. Ben’s qualifications and experience along with his performance in the assessments and screening process are why he ended up one of two finalists for the job. And after council interviews it became crystal clear to everyone – we had the best man for the job right under our noses all along. Ben can now lead knowing he went up against the best of the best and came out on top and nobody – I mean nobody on council can ever question this decision. Ya…there’s value in that.
This week council held a worksession to discuss three items; affordable housing in Cary, our soon to be implemented roll out cart recycling program, and automated water meter reading. The affordable housing worksession consisted of follow up with staff and consultants and a review of their progress based on the previous input from council. It’s now our job to review the Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plans and Cary’s Affordable Housing Plan so that we can provide further input on those documents before final adoption.
Cary’s Public Works Director Mike Bajorek provided an update on Cary’s roll out cart recycling program. Citizens will soon be receiving notices on their garbage containers about a week or so before you are to receive your new roll out recycling container. And guess what??? It’s beige!! ;-) Mike calls it “taupe” …he’s in denial. The new recycling program will not only allow citizens an easier way to recycle phone books, chip board and junk mail, but will also save Cary taxpayers roughly $613,000 a year after about 4 ½ years.
Cary will soon be switching over to an automated water meter reading system for greater accuracy and to reduce costs. This system will replace meter readers with technology and eliminate 10 paid positions with the town. While a very expensive system to initially implement, this will eventually save Cary taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars a year and reach full cost recovery in about 9 years.
Thursday evening was our council meeting. Besides the announcement that we had hired Ben Shivar as Cary’s Town Manager, our agenda had three notable discussion items; a public hearing regarding which type of election method to this fall and whether or not to utilize instant runoff voting, an update and recommendation on traffic safety at Panther Creek High School, and my request to direct town staff to review our impact fee rate structure in the downtown area.
A number of Cary and Wake County citizens, as well as members of special interest groups such as Fairvote spoke both in support of and against IRV. While I am the first candidate ever elected in North Carolina utilizing IRV, I spoke against using IRV for the following reasons:
· 2nd and 3rd place votes must be hand counted and sorted.
· Ballots are sorted and counted away from where they are cast as the machines are unable to do so resulting in a greater risk of human error/tampering.
· Does not increase voter turnout as proponents claim. Election methods do not increase turnout – better candidates who motivate the electorate do.
· Any time special interest groups lobby so hard for “better ways to elect candidates”, that throws up all kinds of red flags to me.
· Mistakes were made during the 2007 election – I am not confident the BOE has taken steps to ensure those mistakes won’t happen again.
Council decided to utilize non-partisan plurality elections this fall, and will further discuss the use of IRV. Plurality elections allow each voter one vote and provide for no runoff election. The candidate with the most votes wins. It will also save Cary taxpayers almost $100,000 vs. a traditional runoff election. Durham is also looking to switch to plurality elections in an effort to save their taxpayers $185,000. One vote – one voice. What’s more democratic than that?
Council received an update from staff regarding traffic concerns at Panther Creek High School after eliminating of left hand turns out of the drop off driveway last month. While school officials and town staff believe the majority of concerns have been addressed, staff further recommends the town install delineator posts to better direct traffic into the school and further prevent the left turn movement responsible for vehicle collisions at this location.
Council also chose to direct staff to review the downtown impact fee rate structure and look into possible incentives for redevelopment/infill development and will report back to council in the future.
March 15-21 is Sunshine Week – a national initiative to promote the importance of open government and freedom of information. As you all know openness and transparency in government is very important to me. It’s one of the main reasons I started this blog – to keep you, the citizens of Cary, informed about what it is I am working on as a member of the council. You may not always agree with everything I do as a member of the council, but you darn sure have a right to know what it is I am doing. The town takes openness in government as seriously as I do. And while the town actively participates in Sunshine Week activities, the sun shines at Cary Town Hall 365 days a year as Cary works very hard at serving our citizens. For more information of Sunshine week and the town’s participation please click here.
Well that’s all for this week. Thanks for reading!
I originally opposed “casting a net far and wide” and conducting a national search for two reasons. First and foremost I believed in Ben’s ability to lead and was confident he was the right person for the job. And second, I was concerned about the cost ($35,000) - especially in this economy. Well, after conducting the search I do believe there was value in the process. $35,000 value? Probably not, but value nonetheless.
Council wisely chose to conduct search and assessment process blind – we didn’t know the names or cities of any of the candidates. Therefore there could be no bias towards one candidate or another - Nobody could have lobbied for Ben, or any other candidate if they wanted to. Ben’s qualifications and experience along with his performance in the assessments and screening process are why he ended up one of two finalists for the job. And after council interviews it became crystal clear to everyone – we had the best man for the job right under our noses all along. Ben can now lead knowing he went up against the best of the best and came out on top and nobody – I mean nobody on council can ever question this decision. Ya…there’s value in that.
This week council held a worksession to discuss three items; affordable housing in Cary, our soon to be implemented roll out cart recycling program, and automated water meter reading. The affordable housing worksession consisted of follow up with staff and consultants and a review of their progress based on the previous input from council. It’s now our job to review the Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plans and Cary’s Affordable Housing Plan so that we can provide further input on those documents before final adoption.
Cary’s Public Works Director Mike Bajorek provided an update on Cary’s roll out cart recycling program. Citizens will soon be receiving notices on their garbage containers about a week or so before you are to receive your new roll out recycling container. And guess what??? It’s beige!! ;-) Mike calls it “taupe” …he’s in denial. The new recycling program will not only allow citizens an easier way to recycle phone books, chip board and junk mail, but will also save Cary taxpayers roughly $613,000 a year after about 4 ½ years.
Cary will soon be switching over to an automated water meter reading system for greater accuracy and to reduce costs. This system will replace meter readers with technology and eliminate 10 paid positions with the town. While a very expensive system to initially implement, this will eventually save Cary taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars a year and reach full cost recovery in about 9 years.
Thursday evening was our council meeting. Besides the announcement that we had hired Ben Shivar as Cary’s Town Manager, our agenda had three notable discussion items; a public hearing regarding which type of election method to this fall and whether or not to utilize instant runoff voting, an update and recommendation on traffic safety at Panther Creek High School, and my request to direct town staff to review our impact fee rate structure in the downtown area.
A number of Cary and Wake County citizens, as well as members of special interest groups such as Fairvote spoke both in support of and against IRV. While I am the first candidate ever elected in North Carolina utilizing IRV, I spoke against using IRV for the following reasons:
· 2nd and 3rd place votes must be hand counted and sorted.
· Ballots are sorted and counted away from where they are cast as the machines are unable to do so resulting in a greater risk of human error/tampering.
· Does not increase voter turnout as proponents claim. Election methods do not increase turnout – better candidates who motivate the electorate do.
· Any time special interest groups lobby so hard for “better ways to elect candidates”, that throws up all kinds of red flags to me.
· Mistakes were made during the 2007 election – I am not confident the BOE has taken steps to ensure those mistakes won’t happen again.
Council decided to utilize non-partisan plurality elections this fall, and will further discuss the use of IRV. Plurality elections allow each voter one vote and provide for no runoff election. The candidate with the most votes wins. It will also save Cary taxpayers almost $100,000 vs. a traditional runoff election. Durham is also looking to switch to plurality elections in an effort to save their taxpayers $185,000. One vote – one voice. What’s more democratic than that?
Council received an update from staff regarding traffic concerns at Panther Creek High School after eliminating of left hand turns out of the drop off driveway last month. While school officials and town staff believe the majority of concerns have been addressed, staff further recommends the town install delineator posts to better direct traffic into the school and further prevent the left turn movement responsible for vehicle collisions at this location.
Council also chose to direct staff to review the downtown impact fee rate structure and look into possible incentives for redevelopment/infill development and will report back to council in the future.
March 15-21 is Sunshine Week – a national initiative to promote the importance of open government and freedom of information. As you all know openness and transparency in government is very important to me. It’s one of the main reasons I started this blog – to keep you, the citizens of Cary, informed about what it is I am working on as a member of the council. You may not always agree with everything I do as a member of the council, but you darn sure have a right to know what it is I am doing. The town takes openness in government as seriously as I do. And while the town actively participates in Sunshine Week activities, the sun shines at Cary Town Hall 365 days a year as Cary works very hard at serving our citizens. For more information of Sunshine week and the town’s participation please click here.
Well that’s all for this week. Thanks for reading!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Week in Review 3/2/09 - 3/7/09
This past week was a little light in regards to scheduled meetings. As a result I was able to spend some quality time with Cary youths.
I had the pleasure of hosting Boy Scouts at our automotive shop on Wednesday evening. I taught them about car repair and maintenance. We changed the oil and filter, rotated the tires, and performed a complete maintenance inspection on my truck. I also emphasized the importance of personal safety and protecting our environment by recycling used fluids. We all had a great time and they earned their automotive maintenance merit badge in the process.
Thursday Morning I participated in West Cary Middle School’s Career Day. This was a lot of fun. I mainly spoke to students about careers in the automotive repair and service industry, but I also answered a few questions regarding my service on the council. I found it a bit amusing that each class I spoke to all wanted to know the same three things – 1) Have I ever worked on a Lamborghini? 2) What is the fastest car I have ever worked on? And 3) Have I ever installed hydraulics on a car? I honestly expected numbers 1 and 2. Number 3 however – asked by numerous students - surprised me. Definitely a hip-hop generation ;-). The students also wanted to know what famous people I have met. I said I know the Mayor real well so they had better behave or else they might end up with a public art easement in their front yard ;-) They didn’t get the joke.
Councilors Gale Adcock and Jennifer Robinson and I met with citizens who have been working with us on a schools initiative this week. While I’m not going to let the cat out of the bag here on my blog, I will say we plan to bring this to council for discussion and hopefully approval at our March 26th council meeting so stay tuned.
This week I asked council for a sponsor to direct our town staff to review our water and sewer and transportation impact fee rate structure as it relates to the redevelopment of existing structures in our downtown area. I believe excessively high fees to be a deterrent to redevelopment efforts in our downtown. It is my goal to find a more equitable way to encourage redevelopment and re-use downtown while ensuring that growth still pays its fair share. I was very pleased that another council member (Robinson) agreed to sponsor this request. Council will discuss this item at this Thursday’s council meeting.
Council received a lot of email this past week from parents regarding traffic concerns at Panther Creek High School; over 30 I believe. I answered every one. Council previously passed an ordinance prohibiting left turns (the traffic movement responsible for accidents at the school) out of Panther Creek between the hours of 6:30 – 8:30 am. We also directed staff to work with WCPSS to provide private traffic control and/or cones to direct traffic west onto McCrimmon. Since that time staff has been monitoring the situation closely to gauge the ordinance’s effectiveness, and we have also learned that WCPSS has refused to provide for private traffic control and/or cones. Parents are requesting a traffic light be installed at both the student parking entrance and parent drop off area. While council did discuss the installation of traffic signals, staff has indicated that DOT would not approve the traffic signal installation. Council will further discuss this issue at this Thursday’s meeting.
Council also received quite a few emails this week both supporting and opposing utilizing instant runoff voting (IRV)in this fall’s elections. Council is holding a public hearing on this item at this week’s council meeting so if you have an opinion on this initiative – which I am sure you do ;-) - please come and speak at the hearing so council can hear your thoughts and better represent your wishes. In case you'd like more information on IRV, here is info both for and against IRV.
Well that’s about all for this week. Thanks for reading!
I had the pleasure of hosting Boy Scouts at our automotive shop on Wednesday evening. I taught them about car repair and maintenance. We changed the oil and filter, rotated the tires, and performed a complete maintenance inspection on my truck. I also emphasized the importance of personal safety and protecting our environment by recycling used fluids. We all had a great time and they earned their automotive maintenance merit badge in the process.
Thursday Morning I participated in West Cary Middle School’s Career Day. This was a lot of fun. I mainly spoke to students about careers in the automotive repair and service industry, but I also answered a few questions regarding my service on the council. I found it a bit amusing that each class I spoke to all wanted to know the same three things – 1) Have I ever worked on a Lamborghini? 2) What is the fastest car I have ever worked on? And 3) Have I ever installed hydraulics on a car? I honestly expected numbers 1 and 2. Number 3 however – asked by numerous students - surprised me. Definitely a hip-hop generation ;-). The students also wanted to know what famous people I have met. I said I know the Mayor real well so they had better behave or else they might end up with a public art easement in their front yard ;-) They didn’t get the joke.
Councilors Gale Adcock and Jennifer Robinson and I met with citizens who have been working with us on a schools initiative this week. While I’m not going to let the cat out of the bag here on my blog, I will say we plan to bring this to council for discussion and hopefully approval at our March 26th council meeting so stay tuned.
This week I asked council for a sponsor to direct our town staff to review our water and sewer and transportation impact fee rate structure as it relates to the redevelopment of existing structures in our downtown area. I believe excessively high fees to be a deterrent to redevelopment efforts in our downtown. It is my goal to find a more equitable way to encourage redevelopment and re-use downtown while ensuring that growth still pays its fair share. I was very pleased that another council member (Robinson) agreed to sponsor this request. Council will discuss this item at this Thursday’s council meeting.
Council received a lot of email this past week from parents regarding traffic concerns at Panther Creek High School; over 30 I believe. I answered every one. Council previously passed an ordinance prohibiting left turns (the traffic movement responsible for accidents at the school) out of Panther Creek between the hours of 6:30 – 8:30 am. We also directed staff to work with WCPSS to provide private traffic control and/or cones to direct traffic west onto McCrimmon. Since that time staff has been monitoring the situation closely to gauge the ordinance’s effectiveness, and we have also learned that WCPSS has refused to provide for private traffic control and/or cones. Parents are requesting a traffic light be installed at both the student parking entrance and parent drop off area. While council did discuss the installation of traffic signals, staff has indicated that DOT would not approve the traffic signal installation. Council will further discuss this issue at this Thursday’s meeting.
Council also received quite a few emails this week both supporting and opposing utilizing instant runoff voting (IRV)in this fall’s elections. Council is holding a public hearing on this item at this week’s council meeting so if you have an opinion on this initiative – which I am sure you do ;-) - please come and speak at the hearing so council can hear your thoughts and better represent your wishes. In case you'd like more information on IRV, here is info both for and against IRV.
Well that’s about all for this week. Thanks for reading!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Week in Review 2/23/09 - 2/28/09
Hello everyone in Blogsville! Don Frantz’ Week in Review coming to you in 5,4,3,2,1.
Monday evening was the Western Wake Republican Club’s monthly meeting at Bentley’s Restaurant in Crossroads (FYI – Bentley’s makes a killer Burger!). This month’s guest speaker was Michael Patton, the North Carolina 4th Congressional District Director for Americans for Fair Taxation – otherwise known as the Fair Tax.
Council held a worksession this week to discuss two topics – affordable housing initiatives in town and the proposed Cary Community Arts Center fly tower design.
After a detailed housing and income analysis review the council discussed which income levels – if any – the council wished to focus our affordable housing efforts towards, and which specific initiatives we preferred. My opinion is that IF council is going to use public dollars to support affordable housing in the community then those dollars should go back into the existing community in the form of housing rehabilitation assistance. There are already a number of affordable homes in many of Cary’s older neighborhoods that, with a little assistance could make a great first home for a new family or help senior citizens on fixed incomes make needed repairs they otherwise would not be able to afford. This could also help address neighborhood decline which leads to increased rental housing and decreased property values.
In regards to the fly tower, council approved the design team to move forward with the artist’s latest concept. If you remember from earlier posts the original proposal generated quite a bit of controversy due to its massive size and contemporary design, and concerns over its placement on one of, if not the most historic and treasured buildings in Cary. The new design is a compromise of art and architecture and eliminates the massive 60 foot tall metal structure on the tower’s east wall. This, I believe, will provide a much cleaner backdrop for the roundabout art, and not detract from the beauty and art that is Old Cary Elementary.
Afterwards council left the stress of the worksession to celebrate with over 400 of Cary’s most valuable citizens at Cary’s Annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet. A big THANK YOU is in order to all of Cary’s volunteers, and congratulations to the night’s award winners. You all work so hard to make Cary the wonderful place to live that it is and we are forever grateful.
Thursday evening was our council meeting. Agenda highlights included a public hearing on Land Development Ordinance (LDO) Amendments, consideration of a review of Cary’s Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) for roads to see if there is a more equitable way to pay for roads and ensure that needed infrastructure is in place before development occurs, and recognition of Cary’s Citizen Assisting Police Team (CAP) members.
I was very pleased with the proposed LDO amendments as our staff has done a great job of addressing both council’s and citizen concerns regarding the mixed used development approval process to provide for greater citizen input and participation. Also included in this round of amendments are proposed changes to Cary’s sign ordinance that allow for greater flexibility for businesses in Cary, and property setback amendments regarding the redevelopment or subdivision of residential lots in our downtown area that will further protect the character of established neighborhoods. The LDO amendments are now on their way to our Planning and Zoning Board for review before coming back to council for final decision.
After a healthy discussion on whether or not to review Cary’s APFO for roads council directed town staff to conduct a review and come back to council with any recommendations they feel may help improve upon our current ordinance requirements. I originally had concerns in reviewing our APFO because 1) I didn’t necessarily feel our ordinance was broken so I wasn’t sure why we were trying to fix it. And 2) because I felt some council members were trying to craft the solution instead of identifying the problem first. After it was made clear that we weren’t giving staff specific direction on what changes we wanted to see I supported the review. Our APFO has been in place for 10 years now – a review to see whether it is still meeting our expectations couldn’t hurt.
Friday morning was a lot of fun. It was Celebrity Reader day at Cary Elementary School and I had the honor of reading Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham to fourth grade students (for some crazy reason they consider me a celebrity – I can assure you I am not.). Anyways, I never get tired of Green Eggs and Ham. I like that book – I like it Sam I am. Every time our youngest doesn’t want to try a new food I remind her of the story and ask her how she is sure she doesn’t like something until she tries it? I don’t think she likes the book as much as she used to. ;-)
Friday afternoon council spent the better part of 4 hours reviewing applicants for Cary’s town manager position. This was a closed session meeting so I cannot provide any details other than after reviewing a number of highly qualified individuals we have narrowed the field and we should make a final decision by mid-March.
Well that’s about it for this week in review. Thanks for reading and thank you for allowing me to serve you on the Cary Town Council. It is truly an honor.
Monday evening was the Western Wake Republican Club’s monthly meeting at Bentley’s Restaurant in Crossroads (FYI – Bentley’s makes a killer Burger!). This month’s guest speaker was Michael Patton, the North Carolina 4th Congressional District Director for Americans for Fair Taxation – otherwise known as the Fair Tax.
Council held a worksession this week to discuss two topics – affordable housing initiatives in town and the proposed Cary Community Arts Center fly tower design.
After a detailed housing and income analysis review the council discussed which income levels – if any – the council wished to focus our affordable housing efforts towards, and which specific initiatives we preferred. My opinion is that IF council is going to use public dollars to support affordable housing in the community then those dollars should go back into the existing community in the form of housing rehabilitation assistance. There are already a number of affordable homes in many of Cary’s older neighborhoods that, with a little assistance could make a great first home for a new family or help senior citizens on fixed incomes make needed repairs they otherwise would not be able to afford. This could also help address neighborhood decline which leads to increased rental housing and decreased property values.
In regards to the fly tower, council approved the design team to move forward with the artist’s latest concept. If you remember from earlier posts the original proposal generated quite a bit of controversy due to its massive size and contemporary design, and concerns over its placement on one of, if not the most historic and treasured buildings in Cary. The new design is a compromise of art and architecture and eliminates the massive 60 foot tall metal structure on the tower’s east wall. This, I believe, will provide a much cleaner backdrop for the roundabout art, and not detract from the beauty and art that is Old Cary Elementary.
Afterwards council left the stress of the worksession to celebrate with over 400 of Cary’s most valuable citizens at Cary’s Annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet. A big THANK YOU is in order to all of Cary’s volunteers, and congratulations to the night’s award winners. You all work so hard to make Cary the wonderful place to live that it is and we are forever grateful.
Thursday evening was our council meeting. Agenda highlights included a public hearing on Land Development Ordinance (LDO) Amendments, consideration of a review of Cary’s Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) for roads to see if there is a more equitable way to pay for roads and ensure that needed infrastructure is in place before development occurs, and recognition of Cary’s Citizen Assisting Police Team (CAP) members.
I was very pleased with the proposed LDO amendments as our staff has done a great job of addressing both council’s and citizen concerns regarding the mixed used development approval process to provide for greater citizen input and participation. Also included in this round of amendments are proposed changes to Cary’s sign ordinance that allow for greater flexibility for businesses in Cary, and property setback amendments regarding the redevelopment or subdivision of residential lots in our downtown area that will further protect the character of established neighborhoods. The LDO amendments are now on their way to our Planning and Zoning Board for review before coming back to council for final decision.
After a healthy discussion on whether or not to review Cary’s APFO for roads council directed town staff to conduct a review and come back to council with any recommendations they feel may help improve upon our current ordinance requirements. I originally had concerns in reviewing our APFO because 1) I didn’t necessarily feel our ordinance was broken so I wasn’t sure why we were trying to fix it. And 2) because I felt some council members were trying to craft the solution instead of identifying the problem first. After it was made clear that we weren’t giving staff specific direction on what changes we wanted to see I supported the review. Our APFO has been in place for 10 years now – a review to see whether it is still meeting our expectations couldn’t hurt.
Friday morning was a lot of fun. It was Celebrity Reader day at Cary Elementary School and I had the honor of reading Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham to fourth grade students (for some crazy reason they consider me a celebrity – I can assure you I am not.). Anyways, I never get tired of Green Eggs and Ham. I like that book – I like it Sam I am. Every time our youngest doesn’t want to try a new food I remind her of the story and ask her how she is sure she doesn’t like something until she tries it? I don’t think she likes the book as much as she used to. ;-)
Friday afternoon council spent the better part of 4 hours reviewing applicants for Cary’s town manager position. This was a closed session meeting so I cannot provide any details other than after reviewing a number of highly qualified individuals we have narrowed the field and we should make a final decision by mid-March.
Well that’s about it for this week in review. Thanks for reading and thank you for allowing me to serve you on the Cary Town Council. It is truly an honor.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Card Check Legislation = Bad Legislation
Many of you have heard about the “Employee Free Choice Act” – otherwise known as card check legislation. I strongly oppose this legislation as it removes an employee’s right to secret ballot; and should employees decide to unionize, a business would have 120 days to agree to a contract. If an agreement cannot be reached, the government will intervene and decide what wages and benefits an employer must pay its employees.
I sent emails to and made phone calls to the following legislators to voice my opposition to this legislation – US Representatives Brad Miller and David Price and US Senators Richard Burr and Kay – I don’t know how to check voicemail - Hagan. I heard back from two; Senator Burr and Congressman Miller. David Price and Kay Hagan have yet to respond. I am unable to leave a message on Kay Hagan's phone as her mailbox if full. I have tried numerous times. Senator Burr thankfully opposes card check legislation. Representative Miller supports it. Here is an email I received from Congressman Miller:
Mr. Don Frantz
706 East Cornwall Road
Cary, NC 27511-4613
Dear Mr. Frantz:
Thank you for contacting me about the Employee Free Choice Act. I appreciate hearing from you on this issue.
While workers should not be compelled to join a union against their will, I believe that every worker must have the right to organize. Unfortunately, many workers are not guaranteed that right. Some 42 million American workers report that they would join a union if they could. However, many employers respond to organization attempts with intimidation, harassment, and retaliation.
The Employee Free Choice Act would enable workers to join unions free from employer coercion and interference. It would allow union organizers to bypass secret-ballot elections if they gather a majority of eligible employees' signatures in support of union formation. Employers would be required to accept this card-check recognition. Additionally, the bill would provide for mediation and arbitration in first contract situations and increase penalties on employers that violate workers' rights to organize. I support this legislation because it would ensure that, when a majority of employees in a workplace decide to form a union, they can do so without the obstacles employers use to block such organization.
The Employee Free Choice Act passed the House of Representatives in the 110th Congress on March 1, 2007, by a vote of 241-185. It was debated in the Senate most recently on June 26, 2007, however the Senate did not have enough votes to end debate and take a vote.
I appreciate your concerns that this bill would remove the secret ballot vote of the current process. However, because the current national law regarding union formation is violated frequently and with inadequate sanctions, I support card-check recognition. Under this bill, employers will retain the ability to ask for an election to de-certify the union if applicable. I know that your views are strongly held and I regret that we disagree on a matter that is so important to you. I welcome your views even if we do not always agree. Please contact me about other issues important to you. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Brad Miller
Member of Congress
First allow me to say I appreciate Representative Miller's response. I appreciate it when an elected official takes the time to respond to a constituent - regardless of whether we agree or not. Unfortunately we disagree big time on card check legislation.
So how does card check work exactly you ask? Here’s an example: Let’s say Cary wants to know whether its citizens want an aquatic center (sounds familiar huh?) Anyways, Cary holds an election to see if voters approve. 1000 vote “NO”, and 600 vote “YES”. Election’s over right? Wrong. With card check there is no time limit – no election day. Pool supporters spend the next 3 months canvassing neighborhoods and lobbying their friends gathering more votes in favor until they have the 1001 “YES” votes needed to get their pool. They know how many votes they need, and they have as much time as they need to get them. Card check works the same way. The unions keep lobbying employees and collecting signed cards until they have the amount required to unionize.
Why on earth would we want to eliminate a worker’s right to secret ballot anyways? Why would we want to open up employees to union intimidation? The unions will know who has signed a card and who hasn’t – with secret ballot neither the employer nor the union know who voted yes or no. Why? Because the unions pumped millions of dollars into political campaigns this past fall - that's why.
And who on earth came up with "The Employee Free Choice Act" as the title for this legislation anyways? They oughta be in marketing instead of Washington. It's almost as bad as "The Fairness Doctrine". If I ever make it to Washington my first bill will be called "The Sunshine, Puppies, and Save the Children Act". Who wouldn't vote for that???
Bottom line – if employees are forced to work in poor conditions for peanuts they will vote to unionize. If employees are treated well they will not.
Richard Burr understands this, Brad miller doesn’t. And Kay Hagan needs to figure out how to check her voicemail so folks quit getting the “my mailbox is full” message. Geez….
I sent emails to and made phone calls to the following legislators to voice my opposition to this legislation – US Representatives Brad Miller and David Price and US Senators Richard Burr and Kay – I don’t know how to check voicemail - Hagan. I heard back from two; Senator Burr and Congressman Miller. David Price and Kay Hagan have yet to respond. I am unable to leave a message on Kay Hagan's phone as her mailbox if full. I have tried numerous times. Senator Burr thankfully opposes card check legislation. Representative Miller supports it. Here is an email I received from Congressman Miller:
Mr. Don Frantz
706 East Cornwall Road
Cary, NC 27511-4613
Dear Mr. Frantz:
Thank you for contacting me about the Employee Free Choice Act. I appreciate hearing from you on this issue.
While workers should not be compelled to join a union against their will, I believe that every worker must have the right to organize. Unfortunately, many workers are not guaranteed that right. Some 42 million American workers report that they would join a union if they could. However, many employers respond to organization attempts with intimidation, harassment, and retaliation.
The Employee Free Choice Act would enable workers to join unions free from employer coercion and interference. It would allow union organizers to bypass secret-ballot elections if they gather a majority of eligible employees' signatures in support of union formation. Employers would be required to accept this card-check recognition. Additionally, the bill would provide for mediation and arbitration in first contract situations and increase penalties on employers that violate workers' rights to organize. I support this legislation because it would ensure that, when a majority of employees in a workplace decide to form a union, they can do so without the obstacles employers use to block such organization.
The Employee Free Choice Act passed the House of Representatives in the 110th Congress on March 1, 2007, by a vote of 241-185. It was debated in the Senate most recently on June 26, 2007, however the Senate did not have enough votes to end debate and take a vote.
I appreciate your concerns that this bill would remove the secret ballot vote of the current process. However, because the current national law regarding union formation is violated frequently and with inadequate sanctions, I support card-check recognition. Under this bill, employers will retain the ability to ask for an election to de-certify the union if applicable. I know that your views are strongly held and I regret that we disagree on a matter that is so important to you. I welcome your views even if we do not always agree. Please contact me about other issues important to you. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Brad Miller
Member of Congress
First allow me to say I appreciate Representative Miller's response. I appreciate it when an elected official takes the time to respond to a constituent - regardless of whether we agree or not. Unfortunately we disagree big time on card check legislation.
So how does card check work exactly you ask? Here’s an example: Let’s say Cary wants to know whether its citizens want an aquatic center (sounds familiar huh?) Anyways, Cary holds an election to see if voters approve. 1000 vote “NO”, and 600 vote “YES”. Election’s over right? Wrong. With card check there is no time limit – no election day. Pool supporters spend the next 3 months canvassing neighborhoods and lobbying their friends gathering more votes in favor until they have the 1001 “YES” votes needed to get their pool. They know how many votes they need, and they have as much time as they need to get them. Card check works the same way. The unions keep lobbying employees and collecting signed cards until they have the amount required to unionize.
Why on earth would we want to eliminate a worker’s right to secret ballot anyways? Why would we want to open up employees to union intimidation? The unions will know who has signed a card and who hasn’t – with secret ballot neither the employer nor the union know who voted yes or no. Why? Because the unions pumped millions of dollars into political campaigns this past fall - that's why.
And who on earth came up with "The Employee Free Choice Act" as the title for this legislation anyways? They oughta be in marketing instead of Washington. It's almost as bad as "The Fairness Doctrine". If I ever make it to Washington my first bill will be called "The Sunshine, Puppies, and Save the Children Act". Who wouldn't vote for that???
Bottom line – if employees are forced to work in poor conditions for peanuts they will vote to unionize. If employees are treated well they will not.
Richard Burr understands this, Brad miller doesn’t. And Kay Hagan needs to figure out how to check her voicemail so folks quit getting the “my mailbox is full” message. Geez….
Week In Review 2/16/09 - 2/21/09
Unbelievable. After a rain shortened Daytona 500 you just knew rain wouldn't be an issue going to California right? Wrong. Hopefully they can at least get the whole race in this week. Oh well, on with my week in review.
Tuesday evening I attended the third community meeting with residents of the Silverton/Silver Oaks community and Singh, the developer of a proposed project at the corner of Cary Parkway and Evans Road. At this meeting Singh presented proposals in response to neighborhood concerns identified at the previous meeting. The meeting went well and I was pleased to see how hard Singh has worked to address many of the resident’s concerns. The majority of residents indicated they were supportive of the direction Singh was heading, but as with anything the devil is in the details. Singh will work to implement a few more modifications to their plan before scheduling another meeting with the community.
I was pleased to meet with a Boy Scout this week to discuss a concern of his regarding the lack of sidewalks on the south side of Walnut Street from the Barnes and Nobles shopping center to US 1/64. While there are sidewalks on the other side of the street, crossing 4 lanes of traffic to get to them is dangerous to say the least. I will be meeting with staff to discuss this issue next week.
Our Planning and Development Committee meeting was Thursday evening. There were three topics of discussion – consideration of a tower to replace the decommissioned water tower on Kildaire Farm Road near Cary Elementary, consideration of the stormwater quality study in regards to land use scenarios in Chatham County, and creating a citizen award to honor an individual that exemplifies the “Preservation and Continuation of Traditional Small Town America” in Cary.
In my opinion the proposed tower compliments the community and fits the vision for downtown – especially the historic district - much better than the original proposal which was very modern in design and would be more at home somewhere like SAS campus. We must be very careful as we allow new projects downtown to ensure that we preserve and protect the character and charm of our historic district.
The Preservation and Continuation of Traditional Small Town America Award was an initiative suggested to me by a citizen. This citizen wanted to ensure that as Cary continues to grow into a city we remember where we came from, and honor someone who promotes small town values and culture. I am very pleased to see this move forward to council on consent.
Afterwards I attended my Wake County GOP precinct meeting at the VFW on Reedy Creek Road. I am honored to once again be elected a delegate to both the county and state party conventions.
This week the Wake County School Board finally agreed to commit to the required road improvements associated with the addition of 22 modular classrooms at Panther Creek High School. Hopefully they will submit their final site plan soon (they hadn’t as of last week) and we can get the students out of media centers and into classrooms. Thanks to Ron Margiotta and Eleanor Goettee for all their hard work on this issue. As a council member I contact school board members regularly – both Ron and Eleanor always respond when contacted. I’ll leave it at that.
Along with lots of email and preparation for our P+D committee meeting that’s about it for this week. Thanks for reading!
Tuesday evening I attended the third community meeting with residents of the Silverton/Silver Oaks community and Singh, the developer of a proposed project at the corner of Cary Parkway and Evans Road. At this meeting Singh presented proposals in response to neighborhood concerns identified at the previous meeting. The meeting went well and I was pleased to see how hard Singh has worked to address many of the resident’s concerns. The majority of residents indicated they were supportive of the direction Singh was heading, but as with anything the devil is in the details. Singh will work to implement a few more modifications to their plan before scheduling another meeting with the community.
I was pleased to meet with a Boy Scout this week to discuss a concern of his regarding the lack of sidewalks on the south side of Walnut Street from the Barnes and Nobles shopping center to US 1/64. While there are sidewalks on the other side of the street, crossing 4 lanes of traffic to get to them is dangerous to say the least. I will be meeting with staff to discuss this issue next week.
Our Planning and Development Committee meeting was Thursday evening. There were three topics of discussion – consideration of a tower to replace the decommissioned water tower on Kildaire Farm Road near Cary Elementary, consideration of the stormwater quality study in regards to land use scenarios in Chatham County, and creating a citizen award to honor an individual that exemplifies the “Preservation and Continuation of Traditional Small Town America” in Cary.
In my opinion the proposed tower compliments the community and fits the vision for downtown – especially the historic district - much better than the original proposal which was very modern in design and would be more at home somewhere like SAS campus. We must be very careful as we allow new projects downtown to ensure that we preserve and protect the character and charm of our historic district.
The Preservation and Continuation of Traditional Small Town America Award was an initiative suggested to me by a citizen. This citizen wanted to ensure that as Cary continues to grow into a city we remember where we came from, and honor someone who promotes small town values and culture. I am very pleased to see this move forward to council on consent.
Afterwards I attended my Wake County GOP precinct meeting at the VFW on Reedy Creek Road. I am honored to once again be elected a delegate to both the county and state party conventions.
This week the Wake County School Board finally agreed to commit to the required road improvements associated with the addition of 22 modular classrooms at Panther Creek High School. Hopefully they will submit their final site plan soon (they hadn’t as of last week) and we can get the students out of media centers and into classrooms. Thanks to Ron Margiotta and Eleanor Goettee for all their hard work on this issue. As a council member I contact school board members regularly – both Ron and Eleanor always respond when contacted. I’ll leave it at that.
Along with lots of email and preparation for our P+D committee meeting that’s about it for this week. Thanks for reading!
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