I am a rising sophomore at Green Hope High School, concerned about how our daily activities affect the environment. Something I am particularly focused on is our transportation. Recently, I’ve noticed fewer Hummers and SUVs on the streets and more small cars and hybrids, such as Priuses. I’m glad that people are stepping up and not driving those huge gas-guzzling machines. Sipping gas is not only better for our wallets but is easier on the environment. My family has ordered a Prius and we’re excited about getting it.

Aside from cars, I believe a mass transit system should be encouraged. Amtrak already passes through Cary and I think we need to start putting more emphasis on the railroad infrastructure. It would help reduce emissions from cars and therefore be much more efficient. We need to convince more people, including the Town Council, to stress the need for fuel-efficient cars and a light rail system throughout the Triangle. If we don’t start doing our part to stop pollution in our county and state, how can we clean up pollution all over the world? Cary is a very clean and safe place to live. Therefore, we should retain that honor by using cleaner transportation methods.

William Laney, Cary

Thank you to Portman

The Cary Town Council voted to approve a $290 million spending package, with one dissenting vote, Councilman Erv Portman, who could not support the planned implementation of the Downtown Cary Streetscape project line item. Although Portman was not opposed to downtown revitalization as he clearly stated, he felt that the Streetscape project lacked a private-public implementation plan component. Also, the plan lacked vital components necessary for vitalization such as adequate public parking.

The only council member who explained his reasons for supporting the Streetscape at the meeting was Councilman Don Franz. Franz voiced concern about decay of the downtown area, although it appears to me as a charming part of Cary. He also stated that insufficient public investments have been expended in downtown, although I believe that a significant investment has been made in the complex of buildings including the Town Hall, which was opened a few years ago.

Franz is a proprietor of a business downtown which will be a direct beneficiary of infrastructure improvements and I believe for that reason he should have recused himself from this line item.

Also, the Mayor Pro Tem urged Portman to vote with the majority to show appreciation to the staff. I think that dissension is an essential component of democracy. The council is elected to represent the Cary citizens and to be stewards of the public funding and should vote their convictions even if the majority is in opposition. In fairness, I should mention that Mayor Weinbrecht defended Portman’s right of dissension.

Finally, I’d like to thank Portman for valiantly sticking to his convictions. Joe Carroll, Cary

Traffic in need of more direction

I attended the July 4 festivities at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre with a nice group of friends. We picnicked, relaxed to the orchestra music and awaited the fireworks. As we were counting down the last 20 to 30 minutes the weather changed. All of a sudden lightning and thunder started so we packed up and headed to our cars. Within minutes the rain came followed by total chaos. Prior to the rain I observed at least eight of Cary’s police officers walking around enjoying the evening. However when the rain came there were none to be seen. Traffic on the street was being controlled by event volunteers who had no idea how to control traffic. For a while we were directed in circles and finally into a parking lot where we sat for at least 20 minutes before I was able to turn around and had to disregard an older woman’s instructions, which finally got me back to the main road. While in the parking lot however I did see two bike patrol officers and one other in uniform standing by a radio car talking. As a former police officer I was appalled by the lack of police presence. We had friends in the car that had parked over one mile away and could not get them to their car as others leaving those lots were not concerned and drove in both the entrance and exit lanes together to exit the lot. We made it to Tryon Road about 55 minutes later (where we finally saw three officers directing traffic) and found a place for a cup of coffee and returned to their car at 11 p.m.

I think the new chief needs to find out who was responsible for this mess and put a plan together to see it doesn’t ever happen again in the future. Ted Dziedzic, Cary

Can’t wait for old Cary Elementary renovation

Waiting for good things to happen ... just happened. Indeed, I am so very pleased that the Town of Cary council included renovations of the historic Old Cary Elementary School in the coming year’s budget, as published in the Town Update column written by Mayor Weinbrecht in the July 2 edition of The Cary News.

For several years past, the arts community in Cary has pushed for a first-class venue for the performing and visual arts. As a member of the Board of Directors of Cary Photographic Artists, I/we say thank you to the Town Council for keeping their ears wide open, their vision clear and their voting fingers pointed in the right direction.

The Cary Photographic Artists has been promised space in to-be-renovated school. Our very active membership of photographers look forward to using this space to continue our training, processing and exhibition of our art works. Cary, today, is rapidly becoming a great place to go to share in the fun and excitement of the many forms of the arts. We can’t wait for the ribbon to be cut !

Bob Adams, Cary

Please share the road

I’m the wife of an avid bicyclist who likes to ride his bicycle to work for not only exercise, but to help the environment and save money on fuel. Over the past two weeks my husband has been involved in two bicycle accidents in Cary with two different vehicles. Both accidents were a result of non-attentive motorists. When you get the dreaded call that a loved one has been hit, it’s pretty scary and maddening. With the increase in gas prices and environmental issues at the forefront of our lives, we are already seeing more bicyclists on the road and with that I can only imagine that these types of accidents will be on rise. Saying that, I think that the public needs to be reminded of what Sharing the Road means. This Web site states bicyclist and motorist safety tips clearly: http://www.ncdot.org/transit/bicycle/home_links/Bicycle_Safety_PR.html.

Kris Wetterling, Apex