CARY TOWN COUNCIL VACANCY:  AND THEN THERE WERE 2

Domann and Portman Finalists for Cary Council Seat

CARY , NC – At a work session today, the Cary Town Council further narrowed from five to two the field of finalists to fill the unexpired At Large Council seat vacated in July by Michael Joyce.  While all of the six remaining council members agreed that the two finalists were the best of a very highly qualified and desirable pool, three members—McAlister, Smith, and Robinson—leaned toward Dick Domann while three others—Dorrel, Robison, and Roseland—leaned toward Erv Portman.  During the next two to three weeks, the Council will undertake an even more intensive evaluation of the finalists before reconvening in a future work session with the intent of deciding on the appointment.

Dick Domann of 103 Swannanoa Circle has been a Cary resident since 1992.  He has been employed with GlaxoSmithKline for 23 years and currently serves as the company’s representative for the Cary and Morrisville chambers of commerce.  When he is not volunteering in this capacity, Domann is an active member of Rotary International in Cary and Morrisville and a member of the Board of Governors of the Prestonwood Country Club.  Domann also devotes his time and talents to Habitat for Humanity, Duke Children’s Classic, Children’s Flight of Hope, the “V” Foundation and the N.C. Autism Foundation. Domann, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse, is married to Cindy and has two children, Jon and Jimmy.

Erv Portman of 101 Fern Bluff Way has also been a Cary resident since 1992.  He relocated to Cary to serve as vice-president for a division of Bristol-Myers Squibb.  Four years after relocating to Cary , Portman founded Weststar, a contract manufacturing company specializing in rapid development and manufacture of precision devices for customers throughout the world.  Portman has held several Council appointments including the Town’s Planning and Zoning Board, Town Center Review Commission, and the Mayor’s Task Force on School Assignment.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Studies from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh .         

During today’s discussion, council members noted how similar Domann and Portman were to each other and to former Council Member Michael Joyce—a factor that occupied much of their discussion since most said that their choice needed to show respect for Cary voters by selecting someone who was philosophically aligned with Joyce.  They concluded that both Domann and Portman—like Joyce—were fiscal conservatives and property rights advocates.

“I was quite impressed with all of the finalists—their knowledge, understanding of the issues, and approach,” said Mayor Pro Tem Jack Smith.

Council Member Marla Dorrel added that “we can’t go wrong (with any of the five finalists); it’s only a question of how much better we can do.”

Regarding next steps, Mayor Ernie McAlister asked that the group take the next few weeks to “work towards a majority candidate, if not a consensus candidate.“

Joyce’s seat, which is up for election next fall, remains vacant until a majority of the Council agrees to a replacement.

On September 12, the Town Council narrowed the field of candidates to a shortlist of five from a group of 37 Cary citizens who submitted Statements of Interest and Qualifications July 25- August 25, 2006 .  In addition to Domann and Portman, the shortlist included James Dixon, Vickie Maxwell, and Carol Aupperle.

For more on Domann and Portman, visit Cary Town Council Vacancy at www.townofcary.org.

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