This was a week of cancelled meetings with the exception of the Mayor’s Association meeting on Monday.

At the monthly mayor’s association meeting on Monday we had a presentation by the John Locke foundation about the disadvantages of light rail. Basically, they concluded that a multi-modal approach without light rail is the way to go in the future. The main reason for this presentation seems to be to give a counter point to the STAC report that also recommends a multi-modal approach but with light rail. To me their assumptions were faulty since their recommendations relied on more roads. Sorry to disagree but we can’t pave our way out of future congestion.

Also discussed at the mayor’s association meeting was the school situation. Initial discussion centered on whether or not the school board members should be elected at large. Finally a motion was made with the understanding that we acknowledge the school system process for reassignment is broken and needs to be fixed. In addition, the motion stated that we would recommend seven districts instead of the current nine. The districts would be the same as the county commissioners and the board would be elected at that time. That motion received unanimous approval which includes eleven of twelve mayors. Absent was Mayor Frank Eagles. This information apparently was blogged on the N&O late the week which caused at least one mayor to be upset. This brings up an interesting question about the discussions in these meetings. That is, are these meetings open meetings or closed meetings. Here is the NC legislation on Open Meetings: GS 143-318.10

…”Official meeting” means a meeting, assembly, or gathering together at any time or place or the simultaneous communication by conference telephone or other electronic means of a majority of the members of a public body for the purpose of conducting hearings, participating in deliberations, or voting upon or otherwise transacting the public business within the jurisdiction, real or apparent, of the public body. However, a social meeting or other informal assembly or gathering together of the members of a public body does not constitute an official meeting unless called or held to evade the spirit and purposes of this Article…

What do you think? To me I would lean toward a public meeting. I intend to check with attorneys this coming week to find out their opinions.

On Saturday morning Cary lost one of its greatest citizens, Kay Yow. I had the fortune to talking a while to Kay in December. What an amazing lady. She touched so many lives on and off the court. I hope every time someone sees her name on the basketball court in the Herb Young center the smile at the sight of her name because of all the good things she stood for. What a fighter with an amazing attitude. She will be sorely missed.

Well that is about it for this week. I will hopefully post again by Sunday, February 1^st. Please feel free to leave a comment on my post.