Excuse me? $2,000 to replace the “Cary Town Limit” signs? Seems like a total waste of taxpayer funds, when all that the “Town” Council has to do is propose changing from a town to a city, which it is in reality, and leave the present signs in place. I suspect that Cary is probably the only municipality of this size in the entire country with “town” in its name. What’s wrong with Cary being known as a city — we’re now half the size of Raleigh! I’m sure that we can be a nice little city just as well as a nice little town.

Charles W. Braunhardt, Ph.D., Cary

New signs wasteful

I don’t know who to thank more for wasting my tax money. Neil Nadeau for making the spendthrift the request. Or perhaps council woman Gale Adcock for being wasteful of my tax dollars by suggesting he contact the town manager. Or perhaps Bill Coleman for going along with wasting $2,000 for a frivilous and silly request such as changing three dozen signs from City Limit to Town Limit.

Is there a legal requirement for this change? I googled to see if there was a definition and it seems to vary by state and is a very loose definition at best. I like this one I found on Answers.com the best.

“A center of population, commerce, and culture; a town of significant size and importance.”

So Mr. Nadeau, Ms. Adcock and Mr. Coleman do not think Cary is of significant size or importance. I think Mr. Nadeau, Ms. Adcock, and Mr. Coleman wasted tax money. I can see replacing signs as they age and when existing replacements are used up, but whether the sign says city or town it serves the purpose of giving approximate jurisdictional limits.

Did anyone even investigate coming up with a stick on patch saying town to cover city? I am totally dismayed at such waste.

David W. (Wes) Dukes Jr., Cary

Swayze brings awareness to dreadful disease

It’s unfortunate that it takes the news that actor Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer to bring some attention to this dreadful disease.

This year, about 38,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer — including Patrick Swayze and Ronald M. Davis, M.D., president of the American Medical Association. Many patients, survivors and their families are finding hope through the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the only national organization taking a comprehensive approach to finding a cure through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy.

Here in the Triangle area we are fortunate to have an affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network raising both an awareness of the disease and funds for much needed research. The organization offers help, advice and information (clinical trials etc) about the disease free of charge. My husband lost his battle with pancreatic cancer six weeks after being diagnosed which is why I volunteer with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. I only wish that my family and I knew about the organization at that time.

A united effort by people across the country is making a difference as dedicated researchers, clinicians and volunteers work together to provide a better outcome for Patrick Swayze and all those affected by pancreatic cancer.

If you would like to join us in fighting the horrible disease or would like to know more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network you can contact me at cbirney@pancan.org or go to www.pancan.org. Carol Birney, volunteer Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Raleigh/Durham affiliate coordinator