Our new Mayor Harold Weinbrecht has started a blog. I'm not surprised. Between Cary being nicknamed Technology Town of North Carolina and the fact that Harold is very well educated, worked as a software developer for the largest software firm in the area - SAS Institute, it's par for the course. The primary reason that Harold ousted Ernie McAllister is that citizens felt that the pace and quality of growth in the Triangle's third-largest city wasn't being managed effectively. Harold campaigned on a more "controlled" growth policy and had a large group of constituents that promoted Harold via the internet. See previous post I wrote regarding the controversial election that gained national attention.

At Harold's blog he actually encourages other elected officals to start their own "journals". What a fantastically progressive way for a Mayor to reach out to the citizens that elected him. Harold plans to post entries in his blog weekly - I know I will be keeping a close tab on the blog and will frequently update my readers on the Mayor and his progress.

Here are a few highlights from Harold's first post regarding meetings that he has had since the election(Harold didn't take office until December 15th):

• An indication that impact fees might would increase to control the rapid growth in the area
• An indication that the development process may change based on concerns from the developers ·
• Patrick Barnes, Chatham County Commissioner, expressed many concerns about the Western Wake Wastewater Facility (which is in the review process)
• Ron Margiota, with the Wake County School Board, discussed the constant reassignments and year round issues that have plagued Cary residents.
• Meeting with several forums including DDH (Davis Drive and High House), Cary Democrats, Wake Democrats, a homeowners association, and at the TCC (Triangle Community Coalition) Forum

Harold has been awfully busy for a Mayor that hadn't even taken office!! As a licensed Realtor I am a strong advocate for growth and was initially skeptical about how the change in the Mayor's office might impact my business. It seems, thus far, that Harold is open minded and is hitting the ground running.

If you would like to visit Harold's blog click here.