In This
Issue:
NEW RULES PUT LOCAL ELECTIONS WITHIN REACH OF ALL CITIZENS
Cary Regulates Signs of All Kinds
Public Art Master Plan Charrette Planned
Trail Improvement Workday at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve
Bud
is a
Monthly
Publication of the Town
of Cary.
Past
Issues
NEW
RULES PUT LOCAL ELECTIONS
WITHIN REACH OF ALL CITIZENS
Conservative estimates put the amount of money spent by candidates running for Cary Town Council in 1999 at over $345,000, with more than $200,000 of that going solely to the race for mayor! In addition, another half million dollars was reportedly spent on behalf of candidates by special interest groups.
Such exorbitant campaign costs put public service out of reach for many highly motivated and qualified Cary citizens, not to mention giving the appearance of corruption and inappropriate access in the election and governing process brought on by such soaring sums.
Heading the cry heard throughout the state and nation for a return to fairness in the election process, the Cary Town Council has adopted a new, first of its kind in NC ordinance that provides for voluntary limits on campaign fundraising and expenditures in exchange for partial public matching funding.
Beginning with the 2001 Cary Council elections, candidates may choose to participate in Cary’s new elections equity program by signing a contract agreeing to abide by contribution and expenditure limits, and to provide evidence that the candidate has raised a qualifying funding amount before the public match. Then, if the candidate qualifies as one of two runoff candidates for a town office and has observed all the contract requirements, he or she will receive an amount of money that, taken together with all contributions to the candidate during the election period, equals no more than $10,000 for district seats and $25,000 for at-large and mayoral seats.
Cary matching funds can only be used for candidate's direct
campaign purposes such as
campaign literature, media time, mailings, renting campaign
headquarters, or paying for
campaign headquarter telephones. Candidates who breach their contract
face stiff civil
penalties from the Town.
In addition to adopting this new law, the Town Council is asking
the General Assembly for permission to adopt the rules in effect in
nearby Chapel Hill which limit individual campaign
contributions to $200 and require reporting of contributions of $20
and higher.
COUNCIL MEETING TIME CHANGE
Beginning in January 2001, Council meetings will start at
6:30 PM. You can watch these meetings live on Cable Channel 11.
Time Warner Cable customers in and around Apex, Cary, Morrisville, and
parts of Holly Springs should be able to see the Cary meetings.
Town Council--live the 2nd & 4th
Thursdays of each month at
6:30 PM. Repeated on Friday at 7:30 AM, Saturday at
7:30 PM and Sunday at 3:00 PM.
Planning and Zoning Board--live the 3rd Monday of
each month at 7:30 PM. Repeated Tuesday at 7:30 AM and Wednesday
at 3:00 PM.
Coming Soon! Audio of Town Council and Council Committee meetings will
be available on the Town’s website.
NORTH CAROLINA SYMPHONY
On Saturday, February 3, the
North Carolina Symphony, under the directorship of William Henry
Curry, will present a free concert at 7:30 PM in the Cary
Community Center. This special concert represents a wonderful
opportunity to hear a state treasure at no cost. The full orchestra
will perform George Chadwick’s “Jubilee” from Symphonic
Sketches, Ottorino Respighi’s Fountains of Rome, and
Johann Strauss Jr.’s Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald (Tales
from the Vienna Woods). At the end of the evening pre-registered area
musicians join the Symphony for two more exciting selections. For more
information please call 469-4061 or visit our website at www.townofcary.org.
Cary Regulates Signs Of All Kinds
Yard sale signs are permitted in two locations: one sign on the property where the sale is occurring and one additional sign on another property (thus, a total of two signs total is allowed). The additional sign must be located on private property (i.e. not in the right-of-way or other public property) and only with the property owner's permission. Yard sale signs are allowed between 5:00 PM on Fridays and 8:00 AM on Mondays. Signs are limited to 42 inches in height and 4 square feet.
Be advised that illegal signs may be removed and discarded by Town staff. The Town may also issue fines amounting to $100 per sign per day. Repeat offenders could face fines amounting to as much as $1,000 per sign per day. It is important to note that the intent of the Town is not to fine anyone. The fine is a tool to be used ONLY after other reasonable efforts to achieve compliance with Town Ordinances have not been successful.
The Town recently prepared a
sign brochure. The brochure highlights major components of the Sign
Ordinance and includes a section of "Frequently Asked
Questions." Access the sign brochure via the website at
www.townofcary.org, by calling 469-4082 to have one mailed, or pick up
a copy from the Planning Department office located in Building B on
Town Hall campus.
Public Art Master Plan Charrette Planned
As a part of the ongoing Public Art Master Plan currently underway, a community charrette is planned for Saturday, January 27, 2001 at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center. The Public Art Master Plan was authorized by Town Council in 1999 and a Steering Committee has been meeting for the past nine months assisting consultant Jennifer Murphy in development of the Master Plan. The charrette, an intense design and planning process, offers artists, designers, citizens, and town leadership the opportunity to brainstorm ideas for public art and design in Cary. The charrette will be conducted by Murphy and a team of designers and other public art professionals. All members of the public are invited.
Trail
Improvement Workday at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve
(Attention volunteers,
scouts, clubs, office groups.…)
Saturday, February 10
2:00-4:00 PM
Looking for a volunteer experience, community service, or a
conservation project? Well, look no further! On Saturday, February 10th
from 2-4 PM, Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve will hold a trail
improvement workday. By donating two hours of hard work, you will aid
the preserve in its conservation efforts and improve the experience of
many future visitors. Participants should bring high spirits as well
as gloves, mulch rakes, and wheelbarrows, if you have them. To
register yourself or your group for this FREE event, please contact
the Stevens Nature Center at 387-5980.
Get Important E-Mail Now!
Become a part of Cary’s new Electronic Mailing List Service. Sign up to receive emails about Town of Cary news, planning & zoning activities, new rezoning requests, and telecommunications issues. Subscribe now by clicking on the mailing list icon in the upper left-hand corner of the Town’s website splash page.
Automatic Bank Draft Service
Automatic Bank Draft Service makes it possible for you to pay your utility bill without writing a check. This service automatically deducts the amount of your utility bill from your checking or savings account on the actual due date each month, saving time, a check and postage. There is no charge for this service. Just complete and sign a Bank Draft Authorization Form (available on the Town web site or by calling the Finance Department at 469-4050 or 469-4052 and return it with a voided check or deposit slip with your next payment.
|
CONSERVATION
CORNER Outdoor Water Conservation Tip: Prepare your lawn now for the spring by controlling weeds, and testing your soil for nutrient and lime needs. Lime can be applied any time of the year, but only if your soil needs it. A pH of 5.5-6.5 is acceptable. Obtain a soil test kit by visiting the Stevens Nature Center at Hemlock Bluffs or by calling the Public Works and Utilities Dept. at 469-4090. Recycling Tip: To have the “Ultimate Waste-Free School Lunch” 1. Start with a reusable lunch box or reuse plastic and paper bags you have around the house. 2. Put sandwiches, cookies, carrots, etc. in reusable containers. Remind students to put these back in the box or bag, and bring 'em all home to be reused. 3. Pack fresh fruit, since it doesn't need any additional packaging. 4.Buy liquids in concentrated form and use a glass or plastic bottle you have on hand to prepare and store the juice or pour into a thermos-type container that fits in the lunch box. |
For up-to-the-Minute Information on Town Meetings &
Events,
Visit our Web
Calendar!
Job
Opportunities at the Town of Cary ,
Visit "JOBS"
or call 319-4500, ext #283.
For 24 Hour Town Hall recorded messages regarding
all Town Hall departments and services, please call 319-4500.