Over the past two weeks, much has been said regarding my professional relationship with the Triangle Aquatics Center and our subsequent contract dispute. I would like to take this opportunity to set the record straight.

First, I apologize for any perceived conflict of interest. The TAC has never received public funding. I did not enter into a contractual agreement with TAC until it made the decision to remain privately funded. I believed then as I do now that my work for TAC as a volunteer and a paid contractor was appropriate for that reason.

My initial involvement in this project grew from my love of swimming and my desire to see a world-class swimming facility built in our community. After joining the board, I, like many others, donated much of my time as the project was just beginning. When the project became fiscally stable, the Board hired me to provide architectural services. I drastically reduced my rates in exchange for public recognition of my donated time. I did this because I believed so strongly in this project.

As sometimes happens in business situations, the TAC Board and I had a contract dispute. After months of trying to negotiate a compromise, I was forced to seek legal assistance in order to see my contract honored. That is how we ended up here. While my legal council was reviewing and considering the offer of judgment TAC sent to me, attacks against me began. I have now accepted the offer, which ensures my family-owned business will be paid per the contract. In a typical business situation, this would be the resolution of the issue.

My intentions were always to see Wake County be the best it can be and to work hard to facilitate the expansion of a great sport that enriches so many lives. TAC is an exceptional facility that clearly sets our community apart from many others. Even in the face of these difficult accusations, I remain dedicated to the mission of the facility and committed to seeing Wake County prosper and thrive. Kenn Gardner, Raleigh

Families deserve apology

The Board of Education recently indicated they may begin discussions about “unconverting” some of our schools. The fact remains that Apex area schools would have had plenty of traditional calendar seats for every child assigned if our schools had never been converted. The capacity at Apex, Baucom, Olive Chapel, Highcroft and Salem Elementary on a traditional calendar is 3,988. Currently, there are 4,025 students assigned to those schools; just 37 students above a traditional calendar capacity — less than eight children per school. Meanwhile, two new year-round schools have opened down the road in Cary. Together, these schools have almost 800 empty year-round seats. Instead of looking at the real numbers and considering the damaging impact of MYR on families and communities, the board has continued to blindly pursue their agenda. They have ignored the cries from parents, the concerns raised by elected officials and the legal ruling against year-round assignments. It’s about time.

The Wake County Board of Education revisits the mandatory year-round situation they created throughout Wake County. The families and communities of Wake County deserve options and an apology.

Allison Backhouse, Apex

Support the Constitution by supporting redistricting

The equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution requires that where electoral districts are used, they must be substantially equal in population so that each person’s vote counts about the same. That’s why North Carolina mandates that we look at district populations no less than once every 10 years.

However, if we know districts are out of balance — and there is absolutely no question that they are in Cary — then I believe that the town has a responsibility to explore the issue and for council to determine the appropriate course for our community. Redistricting isn’t about politicians; it’s about voters.

In Cary we have a history of doing the right thing, including when it comes to redistricting. Since Cary’s council districts were adopted in 1975, redistricting has occurred in 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991 and 2001. It can be, should be, and has been a governmental process, not a political process driven by special interests of any type, and any implication that gerrymandering could even inadvertently occur in Cary is outrageous and offensive.

Some have incorrectly suggested that to undertake redistricting, the town would need to organize and pay for a special census; that’s not true. Our methodology for calculating population estimates is widely accepted and very accurate, consistently within 1 percent of the actual counts taken during the decennial census. No additional work is necessary.

Also, redistricting does not disenfranchise voters. First, there is no change in the election schedule; municipal elections are still held in October of odd-numbered years. Second, redistricting has no effect on who can vote; every registered voter still goes to the polls on election day regardless of district assignment. Third, every voter is constantly and directly represented by four council members: the mayor, two at-large members and one district member; of course, I would argue that all seven of our council members do a great job in advocating for all Cary citizens regardless of district assignment.

The bottom line is that those moved from one council district to another have exactly the same rights to vote as every other person in the district to which they are assigned. Reassigned voters get to vote when everyone else gets to vote, and they are not denied the opportunity to vote. There is no disenfranchisement.

As the town manager of Cary, I can assure the public that there has been no political involvement in developing the redistricting proposals, and when the council chooses to move forward, it will be done transparently, lawfully and responsibly in the best interest of our whole community — as it always has been.

Learn the facts by visiting the Redistricting section of townofcary.org. Then, come to or watch the Sept. 25 Town Council meeting so you can see for yourself what is really going on with redistricting in Cary.

Bill Coleman , Town Manager

Paying for their mistakes

I don’t understand why U.S. taxpayers have to pay for the egregious mistakes of Richard Fuld of Lehman Brothers who was paid $17,000 an hour.

Christopher Tobin, Cary

Search the country

Well the summer is over and our group is back to commenting on the Town of Cary Council actions. It seems that everyone had a comment on the selection of a new town manager. We all agree that this should be looked upon as an opportunity to review our vision of the town, its priorities and plans and use this information to describe the new town manager skills and background that will best support our program for the future. Times are a changing and the managerial skills of the past may not be the skills we need for the future. Many suggested that we Include a review of the town government, including the number of council members, council member compensation, position of the mayor, term limits and addition of permanent council financial analyst/auditor to allow for independent critique and initiation of proposals and projects. Cary is now a significant city in North Carolina. Our operational needs for the next 10-15 years will certainly be different than those of the past 10-15 years. Limiting our search to North Carolina candidates, as suggested, should not be a criteria. We strongly support the hiring of a “search consultant” to assist us. Search the country.

Changing of the guard in Cary stimulated a great deal of conversation regarding where we are going and our priorities. We believe this same reawakening is occurring throughout the town. Hopefully, many will share their thoughts.

Ray Czarnecki, Cary

Thank you

I just wanted to write a quick note thanking Mayor Harold Weinbrecht and the city council for letting the benefit concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame continue past the 11 p.m. cutoff. It was an incredible event for the city of Cary and shows just how classy we are to host such an event. Proceeds from the concert will benefit both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s educational outreach and the John Entwistle Foundation’s program of providing musical instruments and music lessons to disadvantaged youth. It makes me proud to say that I live in Cary.

Karolyn Hector, Cary

Green Oaks Parkway should concern all of us

There appears to be something wrong with Green Oaks Parkway and it should concern all of us. I attended the Sept. 16 Town Council meeting where Councilman DeBenedetto introduced a motion to have the town’s contracts with 12 Oaks/Wakefield Development be reviewed by outside legal counsel. DeBenedetto’s motion was defeated by a 3-2 vote and he was chastised for daring to question these contracts. Only Councilman Womble voted with DeBenedetto; the question is why?

I obtained a copy of DeBenedetto’s motion where he said, “Residents are asking why they are having to pay the Army Corp of Engineers a $120,000 fine for Green Oaks Parkway. Why is the town being fined, why isn’t 12 Oaks/Wakefield Development paying the fine? Why are our residents paying up to $79,797 for repair and replacement of stone pavement, why isn’t 12 Oaks/Wakefield Development paying for these repairs and replacement stone? Why aren’t our residents being reimbursed the $35,000 the town allocated to hire Kimbly Horn, an engineering firm, to oversee 12 Oaks/Wakefield Development’s work and corrected work on Green Oaks Parkway?”

The Army Corps of Engineers’ $120,000, repair and replacement stone $79,797, and Kimbly Horn Engineers $35,000 equals $234,797 owed our residents. Isn’t, in fact, our town providing a $234,797 interest-free loan to 12 Oaks/Wakefield Development? Would we do this for another developer?

Taking into consideration Mayor Sears worked for 12 Oaks and Councilman VanFossen worked the past and current contracts for Green Oaks Parkway reviewed by outside legal counsel to advise the Town Council on the town’s exposure and liability, addressing the money owed our residents and how the town can recoup these monies, and on what needs to be taken into account for future contracts of this kind, is needed.

Gerald Holleman, Former mayor of Holly Springs