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Town Appoints Bond "Ambassadors"

NEWS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 5, 1999

TOWN APPOINTS "AMBASSADORS" FOR UPCOMING BOND ISSUE

CARY, NC -- Kathy Young and Russell Secrest will serve as the Town of Cary’s "Ambassadors" for the upcoming February 2nd Cary Community Bonds. As Ambassadors, the two will act as information links between the Town and the community, assisting Town staff by communicating important information about the $149 million vote for water, streets, and parks.

"Bonds are the cheapest, fastest way for the Town to meet many of the needs identified by Cary citizens, so we must make sure that everyone has the information they need to make their voting decision in February," said Cary Mayor Koka Booth. "I asked Russell and Kathy to work with us because I believe that, together, they represent and will be able to connect with the vast majority of Cary voters."

As the Cary Community Bond Ambassadors, Young and Secrest will accompany Town staff at public speaking engagements. They plan to speak about the Community Bonds with neighbors, business contacts, and all segments of the Cary community. Young and Secrest will provide details about the bond issues and refer citizens to the appropriate Town staff for more comprehensive discussions.

Concerned about continuing low voter turnout, the Town is making every effort to encourage citizens to go to the polls. "We are mounting a strong public information campaign in hopes of raising voter interest and positively affecting voter participation on February 2nd," said Cary Town Manager Bill Coleman.

In addition to naming the Ambassadors, the Town is developing information materials to go to all Cary residents later this month. There is comprehensive information currently on the Town’s website, and the Town is also producing a short video to run on the area cable television access channel. The video and other materials will be made available at Cary’s public library and at Town Hall later this month.

Cary Community Bonds include four issues totaling $149 million:

$62.6 million to expand 15 miles of streets and 1.5 miles of sidewalks; $66.5 million to modify the Cary-Apex Water Treatment Plant and to build four elevated water storage tanks; $10 million to fund one-fifth of identified parks and recreation needs over the next 10 years; and $10 million for a swim center.

 

 

AMBASSADOR BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:

RUSSELL SECREST 411 E. Cornwall Road

  • 38-year resident of Cary. Originally from Rowan County, NC. Has also lived in Lexington, Greensboro, and Salisbury, NC.
  • Semi-retired, Secrest works as a real estate agent for Fonville Morisey. He served in the US Navy during WWII and with the NC Highway Patrol for 11 years. He is also a former deputy commissioner with the NC Dept. of Insurance.
  • Secrest attended Brevard College. He is married to Juanita Secrest, and they have three children, two of whom live in Cary, and 10 grand children, 6 of whom live in Cary.
  • Secrest is a member of the Cary Masonic Lodge as well as the NC State Employees Association, and he is a charter member of White Plains United Methodist Church. Secrest is also a former Cary Town Council member. He enjoys fishing, golf, and Bible study.
  • Secrest wants to be a Cary Community Bonds Ambassador because "Cary has given me and my family so much; this is one way I can give back for an important cause." Secrest sites "regional planning" as the most important issue facing Cary.

KATHERINE (Kathy) CURTIN YOUNG 315 Glasgow Road

  • 8-year resident of Cary. Originally from New York state. Has also lived in California, Colorado, Illinois, and Florida.
  • Young works as an executive for Data General.
  • Young has attended Skidmore College, UNC, and the University of Rochester. She has two children and two grand children.
  • Young is a parishioner at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. She enjoys travels and ceramics.
  • Young wants to be a Cary Community Bonds Ambassador because she "believes that we must strengthen the infrastructure to provide quality of life that our community deserves." Young sites "educating the community on the needs we must meet to keep Cary a great place to live" as the greatest challenge facing Cary today.

 

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PRIMARY CONTACTS: Russell Secrest, 467-2121
Kathy Young, 387-5220
Bill Coleman, Town Manager, 469-4002
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, 460-4951