Making the Grade – Biennial Citizen Survey Yields Positive Ratings

Results of our 2004 biennial citizen survey show that citizens rate very favorably the services that the Town provides.

Every two years, we hire someone to survey several hundred of you to find out how we’re doing. If we’re doing well, we’d like to hear it. If there are problems, we need to hear that, too.

Town staff received especially high marks for courtesy and professionalism this year.

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department received “A’s” for quality of programs, facilities and instructors; for reasonableness of fees, and overall experience.

Ratings of the Police Department mirrored the very good marks that citizens gave in 2002.  Firefighters maintained excellent ratings on competence, response time, problem-solving and how they treat citizens.

Citizens also gave good marks to solid waste services.

Thanks to the 410 Cary households that participated in the scientific poll.

For details, see Research under Site Index at www.townofcary.org.

Crafting a Celebration of Spring

Enjoy arts in the park at the 11th annual Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival.

It will last from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. in beautiful Bond Park, where the festival moved last year after nine years on Town Hall campus.

Spring Daze features more than 125 local artists, a Children’s Village, entertainment on two stages, booths for civic groups, and your favorite festival foods.  

Admission to the festival is free.

The 310-acre park off High House Road is an ideal setting with its lush canopy of trees and beautiful lake.

This year, Cary 's Earth Day celebration joins Spring Daze as a new festival feature. Find out how to play a role in preserving our natural resources and protecting the environment to make every day Earth Day.

For more on the Spring Daze, festival, call the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department at (919) 469-4061 or visit townofcary.org.

Spring Daze gets bigger and better each year. Join us as we celebrate the arts in the park.

Now on Video – Cameras Nabbing Red Light Runners

The first red light cameras are up and running as installation continues at more locations.

At least 15 intersections could have them as early as late this month.

Cary has turned to red light cameras to reduce crashes. Proceeds go to the school system.

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

Citation recipients may see images at the SafeLight Cary office at 315 N. Academy St., Suite 204 . For the required appointment, call (919) 388-9129.

For more on the SafeLight Cary program, check the Current Projects section of our Web site.

A feast of blues and gumbo

 See the Sauce Boss – Saturday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Herb Young Community Center .

Get Marvelous Music Series tickets at community & arts centers. Call (919) 469-4061 or go online to Concerts in the Recreation section.

Bud Bits

The Town Council Chambers have moved nearby to Herbert C. Young Community Center until mid-2005, when a new building for the chambers should be ready. For more information, see Town Hall Expansion under Current Projects at townofcary.org.

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The Town changes water disinfecting procedure each March because of state and federal rules. Water may smell more like chlorine, but tests ensure safety. For details, call (919) 469-4090 or see Water Disinfection under Site Index on the Web.

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A forum on teen pressures will be Saturday, March 27 at Herbert C. Young Community Center from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. It’s for ages 11– 18. The fee is $5 with lunch provided. Registration is required. For more information, call (919) 460-4965.

When 2 Equals 4 – Treating a Bicycle Like it’s a Car

Bicycles are treated the same as motor vehicles under the law, and bicyclists have the same rights as motorists.

But those peddling around on two wheels have the same responsibilities as those motoring around on four.

Studies show bicyclists travel more safely and conveniently when they behave as car drivers and follow the rules of the road.

- Always ride on the right side of the road (with traffic)

- Obey traffic laws, stop signs and stoplights

- Do not ride after dark without lights

Drive your bicycle like you drive your car. You will not only enjoy the trip more, you’ll gain the respect of the motoring public.

So it’s “Same Roads, Same Rights, Same Responsibilities.”

Let’s keep Cary the ‘bicycle friendliest’ community. For more information, see Bicycle Plan under Site Index on the Web site.

Home Field Advantage

Tell us what you like about living in what Money Magazine  says is the hottest town over 100,000 in the East.

Visit townofcary.org and click on the Celebrate Cary icon (just beneath This Week) on the home page.  See the testimonials e-mail link. Think you know Cary ? Take our short quiz, too.

Spin Cycle

Springtime’s promise of an end to icy weather comes with the threat of an occasional ill wind, the rotating kind.

Find preparation tips for tornadoes and other severe weather under Site Index on our Web site. See links to a disaster supply kit, fact sheets and government and community agencies that handle emergencies.

Road Test

 
The 26th annual Cary Road Race is Saturday, April 17, starting in Walnut Street in front of Cary High School .

The event features 5K and 10K competition, plus a free 1-mile “fun run.”

For registration and other information, check the Recreation section of our Web site or call (919) 469- 4363.

Reminder

We won’t pick up yard waste the week of Good Friday, April 9.

Here’s the schedule for garbage, recyclable materials and curbside trash:

Tuesday customers served on Monday, April 5

Wednesday customers served on Tuesday, April 6

Thursday customers served on Wednesday, April 7

Friday customers served on Thursday, April 8

Call (919) 469-4090 if you have questions.

Fire Ball

The state’s oldest and largest continuous 3-on-3 street ball tournament returns for its 16th year.

Hot Hoops moves to spring with lower registration fees. It’s for all ages and skills and has new divisions. Play is still in Walnut Street in front of Cary High.

See www.hothoops.net or call (919) 469-4062 for details.

Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind

Carbon monoxide is an invisible and odorless gas and is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the country.

It’s produced when fuels burn incompletely. The first signs of poisoning may resemble the flu. 

Potential sources include stoves, water heaters and other appliances; gas or wood burning fireplaces, and automobiles or generators running in garages.

Have a qualified professional check fuel-burning heaters and appliances.  Open a window slightly when using portable gas or kerosene heaters, and open the garage door when warming an automobile. Never use charcoal grills indoors.

It’s a good idea to install carbon monoxide alarms in your home.

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

Conservation Corner

Recycling Tip: Remember to do the recycling stomp before placing your plastic bottles, aluminum and steel cans, drink boxes, and juice containers in the recycling bin. This saves room in your recycling bin for more materials. And if everyone flattened their recyclables by doing the recycling stomp, it could save the Town about $15,000 a year in disposal costs.  

Storm Water Tip: Look for radio and TV ads this spring on major networks and Cary TV sponsored by the Clean Water Education Partnership. This partnership is comprised of a group of local governments within the Neuse River basin . The Town of Cary is a founding member of the partnership, which is administered by the Triangle J Council of Governments. For more information, go to Stormwater Management at www.townofcary.org.  

Water Conservation Tip: Delay regular lawn watering during cool weeks of spring. This encourages deeper rooting and makes your lawn healthier and more drought tolerant for the summer. Give your automatic irrigation system a "check up" by inspecting all spray heads and valves for leaks.   A broken spray head can waste up to 20 gallons a minute.  You can also save time, money and water by delaying fescue seeding until fall. This gives seedlings time to get established before hot, dry weather sets in. For more information, call (919) 469-4090.

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