Thankfully the eyesore roof peaks have been removed from the main field in Bond Lake Park. Unhappily they’ve chosen to move these eyesores to the trails above the amphitheater. While on a run in Bond Lake Park the other day, a Cary Town crew must have been installing these roof peaks alongside the trail. When I asked why they were putting anything so ugly in the natural area I was told that it was an N.C .State art project that was intended to remind us of the value of nature. First, I live in Cary, home of the unending development and potholed streets. Do I really need a reminder of how many roof peaks there are by placing these ugly reminders alongside the nature trails, one of the few green space areas left? Second, do we really need our town workers wasting their time installing these eyesores when, in the time of budget shortfalls, they could be used to maintain our green spaces? I think not. If N.C. State art students want to display their “art,” let them do it on the N.C. State campus, not in our backyard. Let’s keep our remaining natural areas free of this kind of clutter.

Joe Lugiano, Cary

Put on hold again?

When we chose to live in and own a downtown home, my family bought into the promise and potential of a vibrant downtown with Town of Cary support and projects, and a personal opportunity to improve our neighborhood.

In 2001 we saw the promise of downtown revitalization put on hold indefinitely. We then experienced the sharp deterioration of our neighborhoods in the next three years and resulting influx of gang activity.

Eight years later we face the same choice.

Shall we choose to experience continued deterioration of Cary’s heart and soul — or finally fulfill the promise of downtown revitalization? The latter choice produces an economic cascade effect to not only the “Main Street” residents, but the town in general through tourist dollars, increased revenue and sense of community and presence from a strong, stable and vital downtown that Cary sorely lacks. We need the base infrastructure and attractions of the magnitude of Old Cary Elementary Arts Center to accomplish this.

I’d suggest that a rolling start in FY2010, instead of simply putting the projects off a year, would be a bold and innovative move. From a pragmatic and prudent standpoint — moving on cash-funded Cary Elementary, breaking ground on streets and keeping these project going forward, albeit at a slower place — it shows foresight when materials and labor are competitive in a down economy. Cary has the unique opportunity to be ready when the economy improves and take advantage of businesses ready to invest and people willing to spend in an attractive and interesting downtown.

George Dohanich, Cary

Tacky

A week ago this past Wednesday, we saw an article in The Cary News reporting on changes to Cary’s Water Conservation Ordinance that was prepared and proposed by Maria Cefalo and approved by Ben Shivar, town manager. After reading the article we didn’t know if we should laugh or cry. Can you believe it? Beginning in June, if you wash your car in the driveway, kids play in a sprinkler or you wash your house and the water runs into the street, your water service can be terminated and,or a monetary fine imposed. When we were discussing this at the Jewelers downtown, someone suggested that the next step will be to require washing of all cars on your front lawn. Wow, how tacky can we get?

When will the town stop this foolishness and start to concentrate on some real important matters? We are in a recession and need every dollar we can get in the town coffers. It’s a fact: water consumption in the town is dropping every year, wastewater from our two sewer plants is decreasing year after year, as is regular sanitary water usage. We have more than ample reserves in Jordan Lake; let’s start using them. Let’s stop beating the dead horse — water conservation — and take all the people working on water conservation and apply them to finding ways to decrease energy consumption in Town of Cary facilities and equipment. If the results are good, let’s then share them with town residents.

Kent Misegades, Ray Czarnecki

**Editor's note: The Town of Cary sent this response to the above letter, by e-mail:

Recent adjustments to the Town of Cary's water waste rules are intended to clarify the town's ability to work effectively with customers who significantly and/or chronically disregard the water conservation ordinances. For details on the water conservation rules that affect both Cary and Morrisville, visit the Water Conservation section of www.townofcary.org or go directly to: http://www.townofcary.org/depts/pwdept/water/waterconservation/overview.htm.

Cary

Tough times

If my memory serves me correctly, in the not-too-distant past, TAC was competing with The Town of Cary for the privilege of building an aquatic center. They argued very effectively and convinced the town and the citizens of the town that they had the financing and could provide a bigger and better facility and service than the town. They won and built the facility.

Then came all the “to do” about the county commissioner, who was also an “unpaid” consultant to TAC as well as a member of its leadership team, who later submitted a bill for services rendered. That was followed by the economic issues with which we are now all faced. Now TAC wants the town to “bail them out.”

I think the town should say, “You won, you live with it, we will tell all those who are now not served by your winning to go see you. These are tough times!”

I also think TAC has a lot of brass.

Doug Richmond, Cary