January 2012 newsletter
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January 2012 |
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Officer Menendez Wins Top Employee Honor |
Participate in Biennial Telephone Survey |
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Weed Control Tips to Protect Streams & Lakes | |
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Schoolz Out 411 Summer Camp Registration |
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Officer Menendez Wins Top Employee Honor
Jose A. Menendez has been named the Town of Cary’s 2011 Employee of the Year for his more than 11 years of service to our community.
Menendez, who prefers the nickname Tony, currently serves as a senior police officer and was chosen out of 25 nominees from the Town’s 1,140 employees. He was recognized in front of the Cary Town Council at the Dec. 15, 2011 regular meeting.
Menendez was honored with a plaque and a $1,000 savings bond.
In addition to recognizing Menendez, more than 200 Town employees were honored for their service of 10, 15, 20, 25 30 and 35 years.
Our Employee of the Year program recognizes employees who consistently perform well beyond what the job description requires.
For more, visit townofcary.org or call Human Resources at 469-4070.
Participate in Biennial Telephone Survey
Once again, researchers for the Town will be calling about 400 Cary households throughout January to get their opinions on a variety of important topics including taxes, customer service, programs, and initiatives. The telephone survey will take about 20 minutes, and we encourage folks to take the call and participate if they’re selected from the random, representative sample of Cary households. We’ve been doing the survey every two years since 1998, and it’s become an important touchstone for the Town Council and staff as we work to keep Cary one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family in the nation. Questions? See our Surveys and Research section at townofcary.org.
Why Fire Can Be A Friend: Hemlock Bluffs Update
To prevent a wildfire, we are planning a controlled fire for Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve this winter that will encompass only a few acres and last a few hours. The prescribed burn will rid the target area of fallen leaves and branches that build up over time and that can fuel wildfires. Controlled burns are the most effective method of protecting the entire preserve and adjacent woodlands and neighborhoods. The controlled burn will be properly timed by trained professionals, including Town of Cary and North Carolina Forest Service staff. We have prepared and will implement a detailed burn plan to guide decisions to select the optimal weather conditions needed.
For more information about the Hemlock Bluffs prescribed burn, visit townofcary.org and search “prescribed burn.”
Get Tickets for Olympic Table Tennis Trials
The Town of Cary invites you to see all of the high flying competitive action at the U.S. Olympic Table Tennis Trials. Are you a table tennis player yourself, a fan of the sport, or just looking for something fun? Check out the action Feb. 9–12 and see the sport’s top Olympic athletes compete. Competition will be held at the Fred G. Bond Community Center, 150 Metro Park Dr. Tickets are now available. For more information, visit Cary2012.com or call (919) 678-1651.
Share Your Budget Priorities for Next Year
From now until the end of February, you are invited to let us know the priorities you feel should be included in the Town’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget, which identifies services and projects to be undertaken by the Town from July 2012 until June 2013. Please share your thoughts via e-mail to budgetinput@townofcary.orgor via voicemail at (919) 469-4307.
Learn More About Our Downtown Improvement Efforts
Citizens interested in learning more about our efforts to improve the Downtown Theater and re-energize the area are invited to attend the second community information session 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012 in the Town Council Chamber at Town Hall, 316 N. Academy Street.
Cary was named the third safest in the nation among municipalities with populations of 100,000 to 499,999 by CQ Press. This is Cary’s 13th consecutive year on this list.
Severe winter weather can cause a loss of electricity and make travel impossible. Dialing 911 should be reserved for imminent threats to people or property. For questions about street plowing, call
(919) 469-4090.
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Five Ways to Help Prevent Theft of Valuables from Your Car
Since September, about a dozen locked vehicles have been broken into at parks. Stolen items were left in plain view and included phones, GPS units, and purses. The suspect(s) entered the vehicles by smashing windows. Here’s how you can help prevent these larcenies:
· Avoid leaving valuables, including loose change, cash, purses, and electronics, in plain view; lock them away, or take them with you when you leave the vehicle.
· Park in well-lighted areas. Always roll up the windows and lock the car.
· Remove after-market stereo equipment from the dash. This includes CD players/radios with removable “faces.”
· Never leave your identification or credit cards in the car.
· Immediately call 911 if confronted or victimized; it’s important to take quick actions in notifying the Cary Police Department to help increase the chances of apprehending suspects and preventing future incidents.
For more crime prevention tips, search “crime prevention” at townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4324.
Weed Control Tips to Protect Streams & Lakes
February is the time to consider pre-emergent weed control applications. Remember not to apply chemicals before heavy rains that would wash those newly applied chemicals into our streams and lakes. Help protect our water resources by always applying lawn chemicals during dry periods. Use time release fertilizers and sweep up any fertilizer that falls onto hard surfaces. Don’t throw your hard-earned cash down the storm drain. To learn more about stormwater, call 469-4038.
Schoolz Out411 Summer Camp Registration
Get an early jump on summertime fun! The Town of Cary offers an exciting array of art, sports, nature and unique summer camp options. These camps provide opportunities for youth to participate in enjoyable activities while in a supervised environment. Don’t let your children miss out on a summer filled with meeting new friends. Registration begins Feb. 2 for Cary Residents, using EZ-Reg web, EZ-Reg Mail-In, and EZ-Reg Phone registration. Beginning Feb. 9, Cary residents may use walk-in registration. Non-residents can register via all three methods beginning Feb. 16. Pick-up a printed copy of the Schoolz Out 411 brochure after Jan. 31 at any Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources staffed facility.
Make your New Year’s resolution for safety. Reduce the chances for a fire to start in your home.
· Candles – Never leave burning candles unattended.
· Heating – Try to keep everything that can burn at least one foot away from heaters.
· Cooking—Never leave the stove unattended while cooking.
· Kids—Keep matches and lighters away from small children.
· Smoking—Remind friends and family that smoking while in bed or when sleepy is dangerous.
· 911—Make sure your entire family knows how to call 911.
· Home Escape Plan—Practice a home escape plan and learn where to go if a fire ever starts in your building.
Enroll in School of Government
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 2012 will be accepted through Feb. 15. Sessions are scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday evenings from March 14 through April 18, 2012 and Saturday sessions on March 31 and April 14. For more information or to download an application, go to townofcary.org or call (919) 469‑4006.
Importance of Backwater Valves
To protect your property and your health, households are required by North Carolina Building Code to install a backwater valve if the home’s plumbing fixtures are below the top of the first, upstream manhole on the street.
A properly operating backwater valve allows flow to go in one direction only, keeping wastewater from entering your home during normal sewer system maintenance or sewer system backups.
If sewage backs into your home, the cost to repair and clean may be high, and the Town cannot be held liable for damages when a backwater valve has not been installed.
To learn more, visit the Town of Cary Public Works and Utilities online or call (919) 469-4340.
Rescheduled: Marvelous Music Mainstage Series: Nnenna Freelon 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Cary Arts Center. Info: (919) 469-4069.
Page-Walker Winter Concert Series Musician Brian Reagin
4 p.m. Feb. 12, Page-Walker Art & History Center. Info: (919) 460-4963.
Marvelous Music Mainstage Series: Eileen Ivers
7:30 p.m. Feb. 18, Cary Arts Center. Info: (919) 469-4069.
Marvelous Music Family Series: Donna Washington as a part of Creative Fire: Cary’s African-American Celebration
3 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Cary Arts Center. Info: (919) 469-4069.
Heart Renderings by the Concert Singers of Cary
8 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Cary Arts Center. Admission: $15, Students $10. Info: concertsingers.org
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Presented by Cary Players
7:30 p.m. Feb 3, 4, & 9 – 11;
3 p.m. Feb 5 & 12 at the Cary Arts Center. Tickets: $16-$18. Info: caryplayers.org
See more at www.townofcary.org
