This week was a busy week with several receptions/dinners and a budget work session.

Monday I played my annual round of golf at the Augusta National Golf Course. Or maybe I should say the golf course played me. I only had a couple of good holes, the par 5 8^th and the infamous par 3 16^th. I played the 8^th very well and had about a 10 foot putt for birdie but missed. The 16^th I had about a 12 foot putt for birdie but missed. Although I didn’t score well I had a great time. It was a bit rainy for the first 7 holes but the sun came out and it was beautiful for the rest of the day. It was an honor and privilege to be able to play this course.

Tuesday was the first budget work session. Budget Director Scott Fogleman went over the budget and answered a few questions. To sum up the proposed budget: remain conservative, hold the tax rate, and hold on any major expenses. I think the council will come to an agreement soon about the budget with little or no modifications to the proposed budget.

Wednesday I started by attending the Cary Chamber’s Economic Development Industry Appreciation reception at MacGregor Downs. There were about three dozen industry leaders in attendance including one of our newest businesses Deutsche Bank. I gave a few words of welcome and thanked all the businesses for being in Cary and for supporting charities in the area.

Later Wednesday I met with major investors of Waverly Place. They provided drawings of a proposal to redo Waverly Place. If approved and built it will cost them about $40 million for the changes. Once completed the center will be a destination place with water features, fire pits, plenty of outdoor seating, and even an area for entertainment or small markets.

Thursday I attended a reception for the NCAA Division II baseball championship. This was a gathering of about three dozen people including members of the NCAA, Mount Olive College (co-host), the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, USA baseball, and National Training Center Staff. I gave a few words of welcome and promised a weekend of good weather. I guess it is a good thing that I don’t predict weather for a living. Cary is very fortunate to be an inaugural NCAA Championship city and holding championships in several sports including baseball.

Friday I attended a luncheon being held for Mary Henderson who is retiring as Director of Parks Recreation and Cultural Resources Director. Mary has been with the town 28 years and has basically worked in the department as the town has grown from a few thousand people to the seventh largest municipality of North Carolina. Through her work we have an accredited, national recognized, award winning department and one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. Mary is a big part of Cary’s success and she will be sorely missed. The reception was well attended and was a who’s who in Cary’s past with former mayors, former council members, former and current staff, and friends and family.

Friday night I attended the NCAA Division II baseball banquet. This was attended by all the people from the reception Thursday night but this time included players from all eight teams. These players were all glad to be at the championship and had great things to say about our facility. Here are a few of the quotes I received from a news report about the Kutztown players:

“It is just unbelievable how nice this place is.”

“You just dream about playing in a beautiful facility like this.”

“This facility is like the Taj Mahal of baseball complexes.”

“This is something you have to see for yourself. It’s by far the greatest field I have ever played on.”

“This is just a first class facility and I can see why the NCAA chose Cary to host the championships.”

Emails this week included complaints about a sex offender, sidewalks, potholes, annexation, and a request to fund a wall at Cameron Pond.

Next week I will be on an intercity visit to Carmel Indiana. We will also have our last council meeting in May.

Well that is all for this week. I will be on vacation starting Saturday so my next post will be on Friday, May 28^th. Please feel free to email me with a comment.