Lights, Camera, Action

Red light cameras go up at two busy traffic spots in Cary this month and should be up at a total of 15 intersections before the end of March.

The cameras are part of a campaign to reduce accidents while preventing vehicles from edging into intersections, stopping, and blocking traffic.  Over time, more intersections may get cameras.

Red light violators will receive a $50 fine, but no points on their driving record.

This isn’t a money-making venture for the Town. Profits from the citations will go to Wake County Public Schools.

The Town has hired Redflex Traffic Systems to install and operate the cameras and to handle the citations. Violators must pay Redflex, not the Town.

Cary is one of a growing number of communities turning to red light cameras as a way to reduce crashes in intersections. These collisions are especially dangerous because the driver with the green light is so vulnerable.

For more on Cary ’s red light cameras and how Redflex will operate it, check the Current Projects section of www.townofcary.org.  

Taking Fifth in Criminal Immunity

No place is immune from crime. But Cary comes closer than any place its size in the South.

Cary was declared the fifth safest of 350 large cities in the U.S. in the 10^th annual Morgan Quitno Safest (And Most Dangerous) City Award. Cary was the only Southern city in the top 16.

It was the fifth year in a row that Cary has been in the top 10 safest cities. The 2003 safest city once again, was Amherst , N.Y. The most dangerous was Detroit .

Morgan Quitno Press, a publishing and research company in Lawrence , Kan. , bases rankings on six categories - murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft.

All cities of 75,000+ populations that reported crime data to the FBI for the six categories were included in the rankings.

Each crime was given equal weight.  Final 2002 statistics were used for the rankings.  

Police Chief Windy Hunter was pleased with the No. 5 ranking.

“The Cary Town Council and town manager continue to recognize and support the importance of being proactive in conflict resolution, crime prevention, and community involvement,” he said.  

Doctoring Davis Drive

A main artery between Cary and Research Triangle Park is undergoing an angioplasty of sorts.

Groundbreaking is planned this month for a project to widen nearly 3.5 miles of Davis Drive from just south of Sherwood Forest Place to just north of Morrisville-Carpenter Road .

The work is scheduled for completion in summer 2005.  Two-way traffic will be maintained throughout construction.

The project includes wide outside lanes to accommodate bicycles north of High House Road . It also includes new traffic signals at Park Village Way , Preston Village Way and Morrisville Parkway .

See Current Projects & Initiatives on the Web site for more details.

The Great Outdoors in 2004

Lawn - $500 (plus tax) for one ticket to all Amphitheatre at Regency Park events & VIP parking.

Crescent Table - $8,300 (plus tax) for six table tickets to all events, VIP parking, appetizers.

Get your season tickets today! Call (919) 462-2025 or visit AmphitheatreAtRegencyPark.com.  

Bud Bits

The Cary/Apex Water Treatment Plant placed a close second in the best water competition at the N.C. American Water Works Association / Water Environment Association conference in November. First place went to Orange Water & Sewer Authority.

Report potholes to the Public Works and Utilities Department. Call (919) 469-4090 or e-mail potholes@townofcary.org.  During wet winter weather months, we’ll work to provide a temporary cold patch to potholes on Cary-maintained streets by the next business day.

Get recorded information on a wide variety of Cary services in English and Spanish any time by calling (919) 319-4500 for 24-Hour Town Hall.  

Batter Up! Registering for Baseball, Softball

Youth baseball and softball stress fun, participation, sportsmanship and skill development. To request a registration form, call (919) 469-4062 now or see Sports Registration Forms on townofcary.org beginning Feb. 2.

Baseball Leagues - T-Ball (coed) – ages 6-7; Mite (coed) – ages 7-8; Mustang - ages 9-10; Bronco - ages 11-12; Pony - ages 13-14; Colt - ages 15-16; Sr. Babe Ruth - ages 17 - 19 (Ages determined as of 7/31/04; Birth certificate must be submitted for 6 year olds at time of registration.)

Softball Leagues - Machine Flat Pitch - ages 8-10; Fast Pitch: 12 & under - ages 11–12; 15 & under - ages 13-15; 18 & under - ages 16-18; Slow Pitch: Minor – ages 11-12; Junior – ages 13-15; Senior – ages 16-18 (All ages as of Jan. 1, 2004 )

Registration - Mail In Only – Feb. 9-13 (postmark priority Feb. 5-7) – All Cary residents plus non-residents returning to same league; Mail In/Walk In – Feb. 16-22 – All Cary residents plus non-residents returning to same league; Walk In Only – Feb. 23-29 – All Cary residents & non-residents

Fees - Cary residents - $30 for ages 6-12 & $44 for ages 13-19; Non –residents - $50 for ages 6-12;  $64 for ages 13-19.  

With a Smile on his Face

Even on the coldest, rainiest days, solid waste collector Forrest Mutts impresses customers and fellow employees with his upbeat attitude.

As a child, he was motivated to become a trash collector by observing his father do that type of work.

For the motivation he displays in his work each day, Forrest Mutts has been named Cary Town Employee of the Year for 2003.

Mutts received a $1,000 savings bond and plaque. He was honored at the annual luncheon for Town of Cary employees.

Customers have called the Public Works and Utilities Department to praise Mutts’ perseverance in a job that not many people want to do.  He helps coworkers understand how to be safe as well as efficient.

Mutts serves as a deacon in his church. He seeks to provide encouragement to those who can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.  

Running with the Big Dogs

With the help of a 32-foot tall McGruff the Crime Dog, Cary has won national recognition for its 2003 National Night Out event.

The annual celebration unites police and neighborhoods to prevent crime.

Cary ’s celebration included a Merry-Go-Round, trackless train, kid care identification kits and non-profit information booths.  

Top of the Money List

Money Magazine in December placed Cary at the top of the most desirable places to live in the Eastern U.S.

The magazine cited Cary ’s high median income and education level, as well as its trees, folksy charm, and proximity to universities and the Research Triangle Park . 

  Taking our Call

BKL Research will be calling folks this month in our biennial survey of citizen satisfaction. The survey will take about 15 minutes. We hope those who are called will take the time to let us know how we’re doing.   Some will be invited to participate in focus groups. The biennial report will come out the first quarter of 2004.  

Keeping Warm and Safe

Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires in winter and a major cause of fires year-round.

In 1999, there were 48,800 home heating equipment fires across the country.

All types of common space heaters are to blame - portable electric and kerosene heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces with inserts, and room gas heaters.

Clean chimneys and wood-burning devices regularly to prevent creosote buildup. Keep space heaters away from things that catch fire easily. And never add unapproved fuels to heaters.

Call Cary firefighters at (919) 469-4056 for more safety tips.   

Conservation Corner

Recycling Tip: The South Wake Transfer Station (6000 Old Smithfield Road, off N.C. 55, south of Apex) accepts household hazardous wastes from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. the third Saturday of each month.  They include pesticides, household cleaners, herbicides, poisons, paints, solvents, batteries, motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, fuel oil, etc. For 24-hour information call (919) 287-8051.

Storm Water Tip: Pet waste is a health hazard and water pollutant. Clean up after your pet. Never place pet waste in a storm drain, stream or lake. Do not leave pet waste on driveways, sidewalks or other impervious (hard) surfaces where it could wash into storm drains and waterways. Use a bag to pick up pet waste, tie it and place in the trash. Call (919) 469-4038 for more information.

Water Conservation Tip: Has your water bill skyrocketed or gradually crept upwards?  A leaky toilet is the most likely culprit.  A typical toilet leak can waste as much as 6,000 gallons per month, doubling your water bill. Identifying and fixing a leak is simple. Call Public Works and Utilities at (919) 469-4090 for a Toilet Training Tutorial and dye tablets or check Toilet Leak Repair under Site Index on the Web. Assess your water consumption by using our Utility Billing Online service. Make your house water tight in 2004.

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