NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 21, 1998

CARY TO REVIVE BLOCK LEADER PROGRAM TO ADDRESS CONSERVATION ISSUES

CARY, NC--The Town of Cary is looking for a few hundred residents to spearhead its Block Leader Program--a grassroots communications effort between the Town and neighborhoods designed to give residents the latest information on important issues facing their community. Block Leaders will be asked to spend between three and five hours a month learning about specific Town programs and sharing what they’ve learned with their neighbors. Subjects will include water conservation, recycling, and other environmental topics.

On Earth Day, April 22nd, the Town will begin mailing more than 25,000 invitations to citizens asking them to consider becoming Block Leaders. Town officials chose Earth Day to kick off its Block Leader recruitment drive in hopes of capitalizing on the public attention being drawn to the environment.

"The Block Leader program creates a direct, personal link between Town government and the citizens of Cary," said Town Manager Bill Coleman. "Since conserving water is a personal decision affecting everyone, we want to reach people one-on-one to bring them the information they need to make wise water usage decisions."

Cary first used the block leader approach in the late 1980’s to jump start its new recycling program, now one of the most successful in the nation. The block leader effort was such a success that Town officials decided to bring it back this year as part of the Town’s comprehensive water conservation program.

While Cary’s Block Leader program will focus on environmental issues for now, the Town hopes to continue the program beyond its initial focus. Based on citizen interest and funding, Town officials would like to utilize the Block Leader program as a vital communications vehicle for all kinds of Town programs in the years to come.

"Cary residents will clearly benefit from the information they receive through the Block Leader program," added Coleman. "But we believe that this sort of effort goes far beyond that, actually strengthening neighborhoods and, ultimately, the entire community as neighbors interact and work together towards a common goal."

Cary citizens interested in becoming a Cary Block Leader should call 469-4387. Information is also available on the Town’s website at <www.ci.cary.nc.us>.

PRIMARY CONTACTS: Jennifer Platt, Water Conservationist, 462-3872
Bill Coleman, Town Manager, 469-4002
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, 460-4951