Cary, NC – With all the complaints about people not getting to play in what happens around them, government-wise,  I love the idea that our Town Government is asking our opinion.  It was really one of the main planks of Mayor Harold Weinbrecht’s winning platform in 2007.  And it is refreshing to see our town officials come through with actions that reflect promises.

The Mayor’s own homepage of his blog states that it is his desire to “open the governmental process to our citizens.”

The Biennial 2010 Survey

So, beginning Saturday, January 23, consultants working for the Town of Cary will start randomly contacting more than 400 Cary residents asking them to state their opinions on how well their government works for them.

Topics will include solid waste, taxes, safety, quality of life, customer service, communications, street repair, and recreation programs. The scientific poll will be conducted via telephone through February 28, with citizens being asked to spend about 25 minutes answering about 60 questions.

Take the Time to Respond

“We hope that those who are called will take the time to give us the feedback we need by participating fully in the survey,” said Town of Cary Public Information Officer Susan Moran.  “We continue to learn a great deal about how we’re doing and what’s important to our citizens with our surveys, and we’re looking forward to hearing from citizens again this year.”

Moran added that few other governments—local, state or federal–have a regular program of gathering citizen opinion in a scientifically valid manner. The Town of Cary has been conducting its citizen satisfaction survey every other year since 1998.

This is the seventh Town-sponsored citizen satisfaction survey focusing on the operations and services handled each day by the Town government.  As with previous surveys, Biennial 2010 has three parts:

1. Questions that are asked from survey to survey to give the Town an opportunity to see trends in its performance
2. Questions that change from survey to survey to give the Town information on current or emerging issues
3. Demographic questions such as age, sex, race, and education that help ensure that the sample of respondents are a scientifically representative group of the total population of Cary.

How It Works

Following a national request for proposals, Cary has contracted with BKL Research of Salem, VA to conduct the study and related focus groups at a cost of $28,665.  The survey report is expected in late March followed by a focus group report in late April.

All responses to the survey will be anonymous, and demographic information will only be used in the aggregate.  However, respondents will be given the opportunity to give their identifying information if they are interested in participating in one of several focus groups that the Town’s consultants will conduct in March as part of the study based on the survey findings.

Results from Cary’s previous biennial surveys are available online in the Research section of the Town website.

My Vox

I, for one, welcome this.  And I trust the feedback will be acted upon.

Vox Populi, Latin for “Voice of the People.” If you have something to say (about Cary, that is), contact Matt with your story idea.

Cary, N.C. –  I attended The Cary Town Council Retreat on the first day of this annual  event. It was kicked off with a discussion of the vision for Cary in 2030. Mayor Harold Weinbrecht started by noting that the Cary Town Council will be setting the direction for the future at a crucial time in the Town’s history. Town Manager Ben Shivar posed the question, “What will Cary look like in 20 years?” and noted that many pressures exist that could drive Cary in particular directions, including water supply, water quality, environmental concerns and sustainability.

Each Council member articulated his or her own vision, concerns and hopes for Cary in 2030. Most Council members expressed similar views that Cary’s “neighborhood character” should be maintained, that regional cooperation will become more important and that Cary’s Town Center can become a local destination.

Perhaps the most surprising topic of the day, though, was discussion about Cary merging with neighboring municipality Morrisville. In his opening remarks, At-Large Representative Erv Portman suggested that by 2030, Cary and Morrisville should become one. Later, during discussion of Cary’s land use plan and its future, District A Representative Jennifer Robinson suggested that the Town should invite Morrisville to explore the idea of a merger.

In addition to Council’s vision and Cary’s land use plan, other topics presented by Staff and discussed by Council included Cary’s current “profile” and future trends for population, demographics and housing types; parks, recreation and cultural resources; infrastructure (transportation,  storm water and utilities); and police and fire protection.

Another topic involved the idea that the town should create parks programs for youth aimed at gang violence prevention. District C Representative Jack Smith favored such a program, indicating that we should pursue such prevention programs aggressively, rather than simply reacting to gang violence issues. Further discussion led to the idea that such programs should include partnerships with schools also.

The retreat was open to the public at the Embassy Suites hotel on Harrison Oaks Boulevard.  It continues on Saturday with the Council focusing on the future of downtown Cary.  We’ll be sure to report back!

Editor’s note January 17:  Jackie Holcombe, Mayor of Morrisville, contacted the CaryCitizen. She told me that she and the Morriville Town Council is committed to working cooperatively with Cary elected officials on all matters, expecially those involving land use and traffic, and that Mayor Weinbrecht of Cary has echoed that commitment.