Community Election Resource Page

Cary municipal runoff is July 26, 2022

Election Day is May 17th, 2022

In Wake and Chatham Counties, Early Voting for the Runoff Election runs from July 7 – July 23, with the Cary Municipal Runoff Election occurring on July 26, 2022. The following two races are to be determined by the Cary Municipal Runoff Election: Town of Cary Town Council At-Large & Town of Cary Town Council District C.

For complete details including voting sites: https://www.townofcary.org/mayor-council/town-council/about-town-council/council-districts/elections

Want to vote for a candidate that represents your values? To help you make an informed decision, Toward Zero Waste has asked candidates, running in the May 2022 elections, to answer a few environment-related questions. We emailed the questionnaire to the candidates filed to run and have included responses received to-date. Click on your municipality to see if any of your municipality’s candidates provided answers. If you don’t see answers, please reach out directly to the candidates themselves and/or attend a candidate town hall in your area.

Please note that Toward Zero Waste is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which cannot endorse any candidate. This information provided is the unedited responses we received to our questionnaire from the candidates for whom we were able to find contact information for and subsequently responded. There may be additional candidates running so please check the NC Board of Elections website for all of the details regarding your local election.

In Wake and Chatham Counties, Early Voting for the Runoff Election runs from July 7 – July 23, with the Cary Municipal Runoff Election occurring on July 26, 2022. The following two races are to be determined by the Cary Municipal Runoff Election: Town of Cary Town Council At-Large & Town of Cary Town Council District C.

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Cary

  1. Do you believe that humans are a contributing factor in climate change? What role, if any, do local governments play to protect the environment and its citizens from climate change?
    I certainly believe that human activity is a contributing factor to climate change. I would like to see our Council and Town Staff prioritize opportunities for Cary to adopt greener practices and renewable energy. We need to move beyond coal for our electric needs and strengthen environmental protections; I would like to see Cary work to help citizens and our town buildings move to solar power, and I want to be a part of a council that prioritizes solar and green building standards in our town projects. And yes, reducing organic waste going to our landfill through composting programs is a part of this shift to greener practices.
  2. Have you read the most recent IPCC report (summary)? If so, what was your biggest takeaway? Summary for Policymakers
    Admittedly I haven’t read it prior to this survey, but I will the first chance I get. I wholeheartedly want our growing municipality to consider the environmental impacts we have outside of our borders, from downstream flooding concerns to our responsibilities to reduce carbon emissions.
  3. Are you familiar with the Town of Cary’s Waste Management Plan? Please share one way that the plan is handling/encouraging landfill diversion. Please share areas of opportunity for improvement of the plan.
    As part of the Cary School of Government, we learned some things about our Waste Management Plan, although not comprehensively. As a member of the Information Services Advisory Board, we often discussed ways to better communicate important things to citizens such as the usefulness of the Cary Collects app or methods to reduce contamination of recycling. The amount of recycling that ends up in the landfill was astonishing to me.
    Also, the large percentage of organic waste that goes into our landfill is an area of opportunity as well. Of course, I am aware of the convenience center collection point for the pilot program on composting that everyone is excited about. There is certainly more for me to learn.
  4. Where is the environment on your list of priorities? Please include a link to the webpage or other documentation of your policy priorities.
    It is an absolute top priority, and I think that is reflected in the endorsement I earned from the Sierra Club. I wrote a few blogs on my website that may be of interest to your org: https://electcarissa.com/category/green-initiatives/
  5. Have you supported pro-environment legislation at the state or national level? Would you, if elected, support and encourage legislation such as NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2021 (NC HB230), U.S. Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act (HR 2238), and COMPOST Act (S 2388)?
    Absolutely. And importantly, I am also eager to work to stop the Duke Energy effort to short shrift solar customers because I believe it will hinder solar adoption.
  6. What are your thoughts on the Dillon Rule limiting what a town or city can do? How can municipalities encourage or incentivize waste reduction, landfill diversion, and carbon capturing behaviors among private and business citizens?
    We are limited to incentives to encourage many of the environmentally sound practices we want to see in Cary. However, there are things the TOWN can directly do. One example is building Town-owned affordable housing to be solar-powered. If we build this first project at 921 SW Maynard road to be solar, the other projects will likely be as well.
  7. Following the early successful implementation of Cary’s Food Waste Drop-off Recycling pilot, along with Cary’s long standing backyard composting initiatives, do you support curbside composting as a public utility in Cary?
    I am 100% on board, but I do need to learn more about the process of collecting it curbside. I am not knowledgeable about the logistics of it.
  8. What are your thoughts on the recycling crisis? How do you see the Town of Cary’s role in addressing this issue, in incentivizing our community to manage waste more responsibly, and in reducing the creation of waste in the beginning?
    It is so disheartening that there are not many reliable plastic recycling options available to us at this point. Personally, I try to avoid single-use containers, particularly plastic and non-biodegradable ones. I see this issue as a complex one that will require cooperation on many fronts. It is incredibly important we work to educate the public on recycling dos and donts to reduce recycling contamination.
  9. What role do you feel Cary can play in addressing plastic pollution? Do you support a plastic bag fee or ban?
    I would support either – plastic bags are unnecessary.
  10. The Wake County landfill is estimated to be at capacity by 2040. What is your plan for how to deal with Cary’s waste in the future?
  11. Thanks to a 2019 Waste Characterization Study, we have specific numbers on what Cary residents send to the Wake County landfill, but these numbers do not include most businesses or apartment complexes. What responsibility do you feel Cary has to help residents in apartments and business owners to divert waste?
    This is a very difficult one, I know that often in aggregate living situations, mixed wastes in high volumes is common, and recycling is very problematic. This is an area where I can learn more. I am all ears!
  12. If you are an incumbent, please share what your top accomplishments are from your current term. 
  13. If you are an incumbent, what pro-environment changes have you advocated for during your current term?

  1. Do you believe that humans are a contributing factor in climate change? What role, if any, do local governments play to protect the environment and its citizens from climate change?
    I do believe that we are a contributing factor, and local governments must take the lead. I was a student in Cary schools for the very first Earth Day. I launched my campaign on Earth Day 2021 because I believe it is our duty as community to lead the way, especially in a town such as Cary, a technology and regional leader.
  2. Have you read the most recent IPCC report (summary)? If so, what was your biggest takeaway? Summary for Policymakers
    I have read the summary report. My biggest takeaway and most encouraging one. “Average annual GHG emissions during 2010-2019 were higher than in any previous decade, but the rate of growth between 2010 and 2019 was lower than that between 2000 and 2009.” This means to me that our heightened awareness and efforts to reduce emissions has had an impact. It reinforced my determination to work harder at initiatives to help stem the tide of global warming. My wife and I traveled to Norway and into the arctic circle in 2017. It made me keenly aware of the need to prioritize this issue in Cary.
  3. Are you familiar with the Town of Cary’s Waste Management Plan? Please share one way that the plan is handling/encouraging landfill diversion. Please share areas of opportunity for improvement of the plan.
    One of my first summer jobs was working for the Raleigh Sanitation Department while in college at NC State. I drove a truck and worked with crews picking up trash behind homes before we had curbside pickup. As a former garbage professional, my interest in waste management has always been heightened. I attended tours of our single-stream recycling program with town employees back in 2018. I taped a Cary Matters Program on recycling because I believe EDUCATION is key to reducing our use of landfills. We can improve the plan by expanding recycling into businesses, mandating that employees have an option to recycle at work. I collect recycling at the office and bring it home to my recycling bin, but I shouldn’t have to do that. We should mandate that at a minimum, aluminum and plastic recycling options at work should be provided by employers.
  4. Where is the environment on your list of priorities? Please include a link to the webpage or other documentation of your policy priorities.
    The environment tops my priorities. As I mentioned earlier, I launched my website on Earth Day for a reason. Read my blog on the website. Reflections on Earth Day: https://cary.com/reflections-on-earth-day/ I proposed to put solar panels on the library parking deck back in 2016, but couldn’t get a fellow council member to second the idea. Crickets… I am aware that Cary has made progress since then, mandating that solar be used on all new town buildings. I wish I could have been more persuasive sooner. Having neighbors flooded and 3 houses in District D alone purchased for demolition due to flooding, storm water continues to be one of my top priorities as well.
  5. Have you supported pro-environment legislation at the state or national level? Would you, if elected, support and encourage legislation such as NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2021 (NC HB230), U.S. Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act (HR 2238), and COMPOST Act (S 2388)?
    Absolutely! I don’t know how much difference we can make, but by sounding the drum, I hope to move the needle with the NC Legislature in all of these areas.
  6. What are your thoughts on the Dillon Rule limiting what a town or city can do? How can municipalities encourage or incentivize waste reduction, landfill diversion, and carbon capturing behaviors among private and business citizens?
    Dillon’s Rule provides protection from overreaching local governments, and it’s NOT going to ever change in NC. Therefore, we should work with the legislature to pass measures “allowing” local governments leeway in creating programs to help encourage these sorts of environmental initiatives.
  7. Following the early successful implementation of Cary’s Food Waste Drop-off Recycling pilot, along with Cary’s long standing backyard composting initiatives, do you support curbside composting as a public utility in Cary?
    I do support this. It is a little problematic it would seem, with having rotting food sitting out by the road in the summer heat, but perhaps with the right containers and technology, we can make it a viable option so that we don’t have to drive our compost down to the local convenience center.
  8. What are your thoughts on the recycling crisis? How do you see the Town of Cary’s role in addressing this issue, in incentivizing our community to manage waste more responsibly, and in reducing the creation of waste in the beginning?
    Education tops the list. We can put brown cans behind every house, but we can’t make citizens use them PROPERLY. Knowing our landfill is nearing capacity, citizens need to know the future cost of NOT recycling now. As mentioned earlier, we must make recycling at work as easy as it is at home. I’m still amazed at how many plastic bags find their way into our recycling bins. Perhaps incentives for grocery stores should be offered to eliminate plastic bags. We don’t need permission from the NC Legislature to do that. Curbside pickup of clothing is another option due to the high amount of fabric that finds its way into landfills. Partnering with recyclers of clothing like Dorcas Ministries to increase clothing recycling is also an option.
  9. What role do you feel Cary can play in addressing plastic pollution? Do you support a plastic bag fee or ban?  As mentioned above, incentives are legal, but due to Dillon’s Rule, I doubt that we can add a fee or a ban.
    We can lobby in Raleigh, but we can lead the way with incentives to businesses to be environmentally friendly, eliminating their use of plastic bags. This might take the form of providing bulk purchasing power of reusable bags, branded by CARY, partnering with the businesses. Twice I’ve been to visit my daughter in Sweden. You either must bring your own bag, or buy a reusable one at checkout. Stores can voluntarily sign on to a program that would LIST them on the town website as ZERO PLASTIC BAG sites. The store would get promotion, and we all would benefit.
  10. The Wake County landfill is estimated to be at capacity by 2040. What is your plan for how to deal with Cary’s waste in the future?
    We should explore any and all technologies to handle waste. I’ll listen to the experts, attend conferences for policy makers and work to implement solutions that prove themselves.
  11. Thanks to a 2019 Waste Characterization Study, we have specific numbers on what Cary residents send to the Wake County landfill, but these numbers do not include most businesses or apartment complexes. What responsibility do you feel Cary has to help residents in apartments and business owners to divert waste?
    As mentioned earlier, we MUST work with businesses to provide options. Expansion to apartments, especially with the increase of apartments in Cary, Morrisville and Apex is essential. Cary spends a considerable amount of money on program Phoenix in apartment complexes. Expanding Project Phoenix to educate apartment management companies on the problems we all face with the landfill capacity is one way of encouraging more complete recycling. Even if we JUST get aluminum, glass and plastic, it would go a long way towards extending the use of our landfill.
  12. If you are an incumbent, please share what your top accomplishments are from your current term.
    During my last term, 2015-2019, I supported the hiring of an arborist. Also, working with George McDowell and others, I proposed a feasibility study for the establishment of a town arboretum to grow trees and shrubs for transplanting to medians and parks.
  13. If you are an incumbent, what pro-environment changes have you advocated for during your current term?
    As a former council member, 2015-2019, and as mentioned above, I have advocated for energy conservation through solar energy, which is NOW a part of the town’s policy. In 2016, the town had not adopted its solar initiative when I started beating the drum. The library parking deck DOESN’T have the solar panels I pleaded for, but ALL FUTURE town buildings will have them. Bringing attention to this issue made a difference.

  1. Do you believe that humans are a contributing factor in climate change? Yes.
    What role, if any, do local governments play to protect the environment and its citizens from climate change?
    Local government plays an important role engaging citizens in collective solutions to emissions reduction, preparing for the impacts to different species, and creating approaches for a more resilient community. This includes work in a variety of areas, including trees, soils, transportation, energy, and waste reduction.
  2. Have you read the most recent IPCC report (summary)? Summary for Policymakers Yes.
     If so, what was your biggest takeaway?
    That most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities.
  3. Are you familiar with the Town of Cary’s Waste Management Plan? Please share one way that the plan is handling/encouraging landfill diversion. Please share areas of opportunity for improvement of the plan.
    Yes and I was instrumental in its creation. Cary has just kicked off a new solid waste management plan and the life of the Wake landfill is one of the most critical issues to be addressed. The new plan and the associated work leading to the completion of the plan is focused on additional ways to reduce waste and extend the life of the landfill. The plan is also looking at best practices in communities that have successfully addressed the issues of food waste. The prior plan did not go into as much detail on that aspect and was focused more on recycling and yard waste composting efforts.
  4. Where is the environment on your list of priorities? Please include a link to the webpage or other documentation of your policy priorities.
    It’s #1. My priorities can be found on my website: www.jackforcary.org (and enjoy the ‘more trees’ video).
  5. Have you supported pro-environment legislation at the state or national level? Would you, if elected, support and encourage legislation such as NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2021 (NC HB230), U.S. Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act (HR 2238), and COMPOST Act (S 2388)?
    Yes and one of my top priorities is to pursue legislation requiring those who make packaging materials pay a share of the cost to recycle them. (“They’re doing it in other States, let’s lead the effort to make it possible in NC.”)
  6. What are your thoughts on the Dillon Rule limiting what a town or city can do? How can municipalities encourage or incentivize waste reduction, landfill diversion, and carbon capturing behaviors among private and business citizens?
    The authorities given to municipalities by the state should not be broadly limited, when directly related to a municipality’s responsibilities. Although Cary only provides direct serves to residential customers, we also have a responsibility to businesses that choose Cary. Campaigns that increase awareness, set collective goals, and incentivize desired outcomes are an important tool for the community.
  7. Following the early successful implementation of Cary’s Food Waste Drop-off Recycling pilot, along with Cary’s long standing backyard composting initiatives, do you support curbside composting as a public utility in Cary?
    Absolutely support curbside composting. In all cases, I support the outcome of reduced waste, particularly food waste, as that is a significant part of the issue. Our existing initiatives have already proven there is strong interest in the topic and Cary should continue to test new approaches to capitalize on the interest. We need to fast track the curbside composting, analyzing best practices for the most effective approach and move to implement as soon as feasibly possible.
  8. What are your thoughts on the recycling crisis? How do you see the Town of Cary’s role in addressing this issue, in incentivizing our community to manage waste more responsibly, and in reducing the creation of waste in the beginning?
    Cary has effectively adapted to the recent significant recycling challenges and continues to be a model community with high compliance by our citizens. I’m confident as we expand our campaigns to engage citizens that we will realize more successes, while continuing to adapt to the global challenges.
  9. What role do you feel Cary can play in addressing plastic pollution? Do you support a plastic bag fee or ban?
    Cary citizens are highly knowable about many important issues, including plastic pollution and we have the opportunity to expand our efforts to engage them more. Right now, local authority related to a plastic bag fee or ban is uncertain and Cary should explore them more closely and engage the state in the issue and my goal is to aggressively pursue.
  10. The Wake County landfill is estimated to be at capacity by 2040. What is your plan for how to deal with Cary’s waste in the future?
    Cary has a responsibility to address all waste that comes from Cary residents and businesses despite not providing direct services to most businesses and apartment complexes, therefore we need a variety of tools, including citizen engagement, to reduce waste. Cary is also one of the few communities that considers the life of the landfill a critical issue. As such, we have a role in bringing other municipalities along with us.
  11. Thanks to a 2019 Waste Characterization Study, we have specific numbers on what Cary residents send to the Wake County landfill, but these numbers do not include most businesses or apartment complexes. What responsibility do you feel Cary has to help residents in apartments and business owners to divert waste?
    As noted above, we need a variety of tools, including citizen and Chamber of Commerce (small business) engagement, to reduce waste.
  12. If you are an incumbent, please share what your top accomplishments are from your current term.
    Under my tutelage as liaison to our Environmental Advisory Board (EAB), Cary now has a Climate Action Plan. The Board has stepped up to my challenge to continue to explore best practices that will enhance our Plan and engage more of our citizens in climate action activities. I am also seeking more funds to support our actions related to emissions reduction in energy and transportation. I have also recommended the Town invest in the hiring of a Climate Action Manager. During the peak of COVID-19 all Town hiring was suspended, with one exception: through my persistent efforts we hired an Urban Forestry Manager. This position is a critical resource in my goal of implementing management plans for the large amount of natural lands in Cary (30 percent of the town is permanent open space land) to ensure that our forests, urban trees and wetlands will be protected for generations to come. And we are already seeing the results – we are now the only municipality in Wake County who’s tree canopy is actually growing! Another key accomplishment the hiring of an Environmental Manager with a focus on Regenerative Agriculture and Sustainable Community Practices.
  13. If you are an incumbent, what pro-environment changes have you advocated for during your current term?
    Two years ago, under my leadership, Cary was the first municipality in the region to dedicate funding for the protection of the Jordan Lake watershed. These funds are being used to purchase lands outside of our jurisdiction. In addition, the same year, we changed our ordinance requiring development to measure discharge based on the 100-year storm or no adverse downstream impacts. We’ve also launched our purchase of open space and restoration of natural lands in the Walnut Creek watershed, soon expanding these efforts into the Swift Creek watershed. To build on our significant efforts to protect the Walnut Creek Watershed and support our downstream neighbors in Raleigh, Cary recently made a grant to Partners for Environmental Justice (PEJ). This grant allows PEJ to assist residents in flood prone areas in both Raleigh and Cary. In addition, Cary recently qualified and joined FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) – a program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities. As a result of joining the CRS, every Cary homeowner with flood insurance will receive a significant discount on their policy.
    Finally, I have encouraged and supported requiring the Town of Cary to prioritize environmental conservation, energy efficiency and sustainability throughout its planning and budgeting procedures.

Did not respond

  1. Do you believe that humans are a contributing factor in climate change? What role, if any, do local governments play to protect the environment and its citizens from climate change?
    Yes. Human activity is a demonstrable factor influencing climate change and its related impacts. As such, I believe related changes in human activity can mitigate the impacts of climate change in the future. Local government has the responsibility to support state and federal efforts to lessen the effects of climate change, ensure localized climate-related risks are understood, and align long-term planning and resources to protect citizens from these effects and educate them.
  2. Have you read the most recent IPCC report (summary)? If so, what was your biggest takeaway? Summary for Policymakers
    Yes. The expected global changes in our planet’s climate present a dire picture, but most notable is that the predicted changes in mean temperature and precipitation are global averages, and the impact of climate change will likely be even more pronounced in North America. This underscores the need for climate action and related policy in communities across the United States.
  3. Are you familiar with the Town of Cary’s Waste Management Plan? Please share one way that the plan is handling/encouraging landfill diversion. Please share areas of opportunity for improvement of the plan.
    Curbside collection of recyclables for Cary residents is one component of our waste management plan that encourages landfill diversion, but we should explore whether to offer that same service to businesses in Cary. Food waste curbside collection for residents and businesses, especially restaurants and bars, should be considered as a future enhancement of this waste management plan to increase landfill diversion for Cary’s waste.
  4. Where is the environment on your list of priorities? Please include a link to the webpage or other documentation of your policy priorities.
    In my six campaign platform points (linked here), the environment is referenced in points four through six.
  5. Have you supported pro-environment legislation at the state or national level? Would you, if elected, support and encourage legislation such as NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2021 (NC HB230), U.S. Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act (HR 2238), and COMPOST Act (S 2388)?
    I have not lobbied or advocated for such legislation at those levels, but I am a supporter of these three bills as they are written.
  6. What are your thoughts on the Dillon Rule limiting what a town or city can do? How can municipalities encourage or incentivize waste reduction, landfill diversion, and carbon capturing behaviors among private and business citizens?
    The Dillon Rule unfairly restricts municipalities in addressing the needs of its citizens as it requires Cary to rely on the state legislature to dictate certain policy decisions that have local impact. Because of this, we are forbidden from implementing key policies, like inclusionary zoning, that could make a considerable impact in our town. With respect to encouraging private interest and the public in more environmentally friendly behaviors and actions, supporting our citizens is key. We are fortunate to live in a community of well-educated people, and most of our citizens realize the effect that individual actions have on our local and global environment. Our own residents are often the ones encouraging the Town to do more to reduce waste and lower the carbon footprint of our community.
  7. Following the early successful implementation of Cary’s Food Waste Drop-off Recycling pilot, along with Cary’s long standing backyard composting initiatives, do you support curbside composting as a public utility in Cary?
    Yes, depending on the cost and complexity of implementing such a public utility in Cary. The Town Council has an obligation to ensure the public services offered by the Town meet the needs of our citizens and, if enough residents believe this service would be a good use of Town resources, we should invest in offering this service to our community.
  8. What are your thoughts on the recycling crisis? How do you see the Town of Cary’s role in addressing this issue, in incentivizing our community to manage waste more responsibly, and in reducing the creation of waste in the beginning?
    The recycling crisis has been brought about by several factors, only some of which the Town of Cary can influence or address. However, most important is educating our residents on what can be recycled. Most people do not know that some plastics are not recyclable or that food waste inside recyclables leads to downstream processing issues with recycling centers. Due to cost issues in recent years, some recycling centers are intentionally diverting recyclables to landfills. While I do not believe this is a problem in our region yet, Cary must be ready to support local processors to ensure our citizens’ efforts to recycle do not (literally) go to waste.
  9. What role do you feel Cary can play in addressing plastic pollution? Do you support a plastic bag fee or ban?
    I support a reasonable fee for plastic and paper bag usage in Cary only if net proceeds from this incremental tax are used to support environmental initiatives in the Town. This policy has been implemented in other communities where I have lived, and numerous studies have shown such policies to be successful in reducing net plastic consumption in locales where they are implemented.
  10. The Wake County landfill is estimated to be at capacity by 2040. What is your plan for how to deal with Cary’s waste in the future?
    As our region and Town continue to grow, the pressure on our existing waste management infrastructure will increase significantly over the next decades. Investment in initiatives like food waste recycling and reduction of single-use bags will be helpful, but Cary will also need to lean on the expertise of community partners and regional and state government officials to understand the tools at our disposal to better manage the growth of our Town’s waste.
  11. Thanks to a 2019 Waste Characterization Study, we have specific numbers on what Cary residents send to the Wake County landfill, but these numbers do not include most businesses or apartment complexes. What responsibility do you feel Cary has to help residents in apartments and business owners to divert waste?
    To better serve our businesses and residents in multi-family developments, we need to first understand what share of waste each segment sends to the Wake County landfill. This requires investment in additional data collection and analysis to provide reliable figures to support policy decisions in the future related to holistic waste management in Cary.
  12. If you are an incumbent, please share what your top accomplishments are from your current term.
    I am not an incumbent.
  13. If you are an incumbent, what pro-environment changes have you advocated for during your current term?
    I am not an incumbent.

  1. Do you believe that humans are a contributing factor in climate change? What role, if any, do local governments play to protect the environment and its citizens from climate change?
    Yes, humans are contributing to climate change through fuel consumption, tree deforestation, and food waste.
    While environmental regulations and funding will come from federal and state governments, I think that many actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be taken by local governments:
    – Increase tree canopy and vegetation.
    – We can change our land development ordinances to require green rooftops for commercial and multi-family buildings
    – We can continue our tree planting and tree give-away program
    – Decrease dependency on fossil fuels.
    – We can continue to convert our fleet to electric vehicles
    – We can install more electric charging stations
    – We can change our ordinances to require the installation of electric charging stations
    – We can use smart building technology to decrease energy consumption
    – We can increase the use of solar for buildings and other infrastructure
  2. Have you read the most recent IPCC report (summary)? If so, what was your biggest takeaway? Summary for Policymakers
    Some, but not all of it. My biggest takeaway is that we need to take action to avoid a 1.5 degree increase in temperature which will put humans and animals at severe risk.
  3. Are you familiar with the Town of Cary’s Waste Management Plan? Please share one way that the plan is handling/encouraging landfill diversion. Please share areas of opportunity for improvement of the plan.
    Yes, I am familiar with the plan. The food waste collection is a first step in diverting food waste from the landfill.
  4. Where is the environment on your list of priorities? Please include a link to the webpage or other documentation of your policy priorities.
    High priority: RobinsonforCary.org. Also, I have been endorsed by the Sierra Club.
  5. Have you supported pro-environment legislation at the state or national level? Would you, if elected, support and encourage legislation such as NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2021 (NC HB230), U.S. Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act (HR 2238), and COMPOST Act (S 2388)?
    Yes, I have supported pro-environment legislation at the state and national level. As past president of the NC League of Municipalities, I have advocated on behalf of cities that do not want the state to limit their ability to enact ordinances to protect the environment to a greater extent than state law. Additionally, I have supported efforts to ban plastic shopping bags. I do not know a lot about NC HB230, HR 2238, and S2388, but I support regulations that prevent plastic waste and encourage recycling and composting.
  6. What are your thoughts on the Dillon Rule limiting what a town or city can do? How can municipalities encourage or incentivize waste reduction, landfill diversion, and carbon capturing behaviors among private and business citizens?
    I am not a fan of Dillon’s Rule. If the state will not give local governments home-rule authority, it should grant states the authority to enact environmental laws that reflect the values of their citizens. For several years, state legislators have questioned whether local governments have that authority.
    We have general zoning authority under which we can require developers to retain stormwater to higher levels, plant more trees, stabilize banks and prevent silt in waterways, keep building out of tree protection areas and flood plains, etc. We are talking about increasing our zoning requirements to include green rooftops, electric charging stations and possibly solar.
    The Town can incentivize waste reduction by making it easy for residents to recycle and compost. This has been a challenge in the last few years as our recycling contract was terminated by our recycler. However, I hope that we will be able to find a long-term consumer for our recyclable goods. A few years ago, I started conversations between the Town and NC State to determine if there was some type of relationship that we could foster between one of NCSU’s start-up companies that uses recycled material and the Town. These conversations stalled during COVID but should be reinitiated now.
  7. Following the early successful implementation of Cary’s Food Waste Drop-off Recycling pilot, along with Cary’s long standing backyard composting initiatives, do you support curbside composting as a public utility in Cary?
    Yes, I asked that our staff study this over six years ago (when Ben Shivar was our manager). At the time, our staff did not think that it was feasible. But, I think that other communities have now proven its feasibility and our Food Waste Drop-off pilot is demonstrating our citizens’ interest in composting so we should start a curbside collection pilot.
  8. What are your thoughts on the recycling crisis? How do you see the Town of Cary’s role in addressing this issue, in incentivizing our community to manage waste more responsibly, and in reducing the creation of waste in the beginning?
    It is critically important that we reduce GHG emissions. We know that approximately a seventh of our GHG emissions comes from landfills. In addition, our landfill will reach its capacity by 2040. At this time, we do not have a new landfill site selected. However, we know that the new site will be further from the middle of the region which will necessitate longer truck deliveries of waste which will further increase our GHG problems.
    Our role is to provide the means for citizens to divert waste from the landfill. We must find an alternative to our current recycler which does not allow Cary citizens to recycle plastic milk jugs. And, we need to figure out how to encourage greater food composting.
    A few years ago, I put TJCOG and the Town of Cary manager’s office together to discuss this matter. As a result, there is now a committee of municipal and county officials working on this issue at the TJCOG.
  9. What role do you feel Cary can play in addressing plastic pollution? Do you support a plastic bag fee or ban?
    We do not have the authority from the state to prohibit plastic bags, but I do support a statewide ban of them (first choice) or a fee (second choice).
    I am open to hearing from experts about what we can do as a municipality to further reduce plastic pollution. An early action needs to be to find a recycler that will take plastic milk jugs. Beyond that, I appreciate the efforts our staff takes to encourage recycling and reuse of non-plastic bags.
    If we could start an incentive program with our restaurants to get them to move to compostable forks/spoons/knives, that would also be worthwhile.
  10. The Wake County landfill is estimated to be at capacity by 2040. What is your plan for how to deal with Cary’s waste in the future?
    This issue is why I asked our manager’s office to work with the TJCOG to begin discussing this. When I introduced them, no one was looking at that issue. This is a matter that needs to be figured out by our regional partners.
    One of the challenges with recycling is that our materials have been shipped as far away as China. Ideally, I would like to see us consume our recyclables within the region. If we could identify the companies – such as the textile companies that make filters or socks with recycled plastics – and facilitate their establishment within our region, we could keep a large amount of our recyclables in our region.
    The United States needs to think larger about our product production which drives consumption. Right now, we are trying to process the zillions of plastic containers that are produced, consumed, and discarded. In other countries, such as Denmark, beverages are bottled in standard bottles that are cleaned and reused.
  11. Thanks to a 2019 Waste Characterization Study, we have specific numbers on what Cary residents send to the Wake County landfill, but these numbers do not include most businesses or apartment complexes. What responsibility do you feel Cary has to help residents in apartments and business owners to divert waste?
    We have not collected waste from businesses and multi-family communities in the past, but I do not know why that practice was established. I am open to discussing the feasibility of changing our practices.
  12. If you are an incumbent, please share what your top accomplishments are from your current term.
    My top accomplishments from this past term include:
    – Encouraging my Council colleagues to set aside funds for land banking and then working with a land owner to help us acquire 240 acres of gorgeous land in Chatham County.
    – Acting as an ambassador for Cary – bringing the Town together with its partners and stakeholders to address our challenges such as the TJCOG, NC State, NCRIoT, CSX, and NCLM to name a few. I already described some of the conversations I started, but I also put Cary together with Marshall Brain (creator of eco-PRT), NCRIoT, and Cassi to initiate conversations about electric, autonomous shuttles and with CSX to discuss the Town purchasing the rail corridor that runs from Apex into Durham for a future commuter corridor.
    – Encouraging my Council colleagues to “wait for great.” Among the many projects in which we held out for better, the most notable one resulted in building of The Fenton.
    – Pedestrian Connectivity/Grade Separated Crossings Safety Study which led to the Council allocating $12m in ARPA funds for sidewalk gap projects.
    – Weston Bike/Ped study which is underway to determine how to improve pedestrian safety along Weston Parkway.
    – Louis Stephens Drive sidewalk and cycle track design and funding which will go to construction later this year
    – Ordinance to limit the height of retaining walls
    – Scout Merit Badge college in which 260 scouts earned at least one merit badge in one day, taught by Town of Cary staff.
    – Expansion of staff reports to include location of energy wires that could potentially conflict with tree buffers and streetscape buffers.
    – RDU letter writing campaign to request federal funds for the replacement of the primary Runway, 5L/23R.
  13. If you are an incumbent, what pro-environment changes have you advocated for during your current term?
    In addition to advocating for the voluntary offering of green rooftops, solar, and electric charging stations, I have pursued environmental matters in the items listed in Answer #12 above. The correlating environmental benefits of those actions are listed here:
    – Open space preservation and tree canopy protection
    – Waste reduction, recycling options, autonomous transit options
    – More efficient use of land: mixed use
    – Increasing pedestrian safety and creating alternatives to driving
    – Increasing pedestrian safety and creating alternatives to driving
    – Increasing pedestrian safety and creating alternatives to driving
    – Not explicitly done for environmental reasons, but may slow stormwater flow
    – Some of the classes pertained to educating youth about the environment
    – Identifying conflict of overhead wires and trees up front will prevent future instances of Duke Energy mangling trees to protect their wires.

  1. Do you believe that humans are a contributing factor in climate change? What role, if any, do local governments play to protect the environment and its citizens from climate change?
    Studies are indicating that humans are a contributing factor in climate change. As the world population and greenhouse gases increase, our climate suffers. Local government must stand up for action. While state and federal laws must be made, it is at home where we can really see the first line of defense formed.
  2. Have you read the most recent IPCC report (summary)? If so, what was your biggest takeaway? Summary for Policymakers
    I have read the IPCC report summary. It does sadly indicate many of the things I understand about how climate change is progressing. The biggest takeaway I had was reading about Extreme Events. Extreme Events make even the most skeptical person stop and take notice. We have all heard people talk about the changes in extreme temperatures. Things like El Nino and major snow and ice storms can make national news. These tragedies are a great way to open conversations with all people about climate change.
  3. Are you familiar with the Town of Cary’s Waste Management Plan? Please share one way that the plan is handling/encouraging landfill diversion. Please share areas of opportunity for improvement of the plan.
    I am aware of how the Town of Cary operates its Waste Management. I know the town shows 27% of Cary’s waste is food waste and that they are piloting a food waste recycling drop-off. (Many thanks to Toward Zero Waste for this wonderful action!) If this pilot program takes off, Cary will be taking a wonderful step towards keeping our landfills less full. I would also like to see the Town partner with others to look at using landfill materials for alternative uses, such as fuels.
  4. Where is the environment on your list of priorities? Please include a link to the webpage or other documentation of your policy priorities.
    I don’t have a list of priorities without the environment! You can see on my website, where I list my issues that the Environment shows up in the number one spot! https://maryforcary.com/issues%7Cendorsements
  5. Have you supported pro-environment legislation at the state or national level? Would you, if elected, support and encourage legislation such as NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2021 (NC HB230), U.S. Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act (HR 2238), and COMPOST Act (S 2388)?
    This is my first run for public office, therefore, my first chance to support pro-environment legislation. My support for each act will be based on a deep dive of the proposition and what it will take to get them passed and implemented. I support the environmental concerns and will take each piece of legislation seriously if elected to Town Council.
  6. What are your thoughts on the Dillon Rule limiting what a town or city can do? How can municipalities encourage or incentivize waste reduction, landfill diversion, and carbon capturing behaviors among private and business citizens?
    While state and local governments play and important role working with each other, there may be times when the immediacy of constituents may be better addressed in other ways. My mantra is, “Go green, or go home,” and I will express it to every developer, organization, and wherever the environment needs to be protected. This will be my strong and unwavering voice when representing nature and my thank-you for all it gives to us.
    Cary has a good foundation in programs and practices for sustainability and resiliency, and the recommendations of the Environmental Advisory Board identify additional steps to be taken. These recommendations need to go from paper sitting on a shelf collecting dust, to fruition, it is the responsibility of the Town Council to act on these recommendations, continue to push for progress, and to adequately fund measures to increase climate resiliency in Cary. Like everything else in life: we needed this “yesterday.” Furthermore, with Cary on just about every “Best Place” list—it is our duty to make the town a model jurisdiction for a healthy environmental lifestyle. Let’s roll
  7. Following the early successful implementation of Cary’s Food Waste Drop-off Recycling pilot, along with Cary’s long standing backyard composting initiatives, do you support curbside composting as a public utility in Cary?
    I am interested in curbside composting for Cary. But with every decision, we need to look at all the details- cost, implementation, and especially citizens’ input. I am big on transparency and involving the citizens on decisions. I want my platform to be their platform, so I would always govern with them in mind. I love the ideas already in place to increase resident education and provide more areas for people to drop off food waste.
  8. What are your thoughts on the recycling crisis? How do you see the Town of Cary’s role in addressing this issue, in incentivizing our community to manage waste more responsibly, and in reducing the creation of waste in the beginning?
    I believe that education and opportunity are the beginning of tackling these issues. If we can make the public more aware of what is happening, why it is an issue and how they can address it, we can empower change. The Town Council should be prepared to vote on measures that would alleviate the recycling crisis.
  9. What role do you feel Cary can play in addressing plastic pollution? Do you support a plastic bag fee or ban?
    Cary should be a leader and a model city for environmental issues and development. As plastic continues to plague the country, Cary residents should be educated on what alternatives they have to single use plastic items such as water bottles, bags, straws, etc. Again, with Dillon’s Law, our authority is limited in certain areas.
  10. The Wake County landfill is estimated to be at capacity by 2040. What is your plan for how to deal with Cary’s waste in the future?
    It is a staggering thought that the county landfill will be full in less than twenty years. We have to stop talking about environmental issues like they are still far away and we have time to tackle them. We need to address them now. I am interested in exploring the ideas put forth by Toward Zero Waste Cary such as removing compostable waste from the existing landfill and improving land use management.
  11. Thanks to a 2019 Waste Characterization Study, we have specific numbers on what Cary residents send to the Wake County landfill, but these numbers do not include most businesses or apartment complexes. What responsibility do you feel Cary has to help residents in apartments and business owners to divert waste?
    If you live, work or run a business in Cary, you are part of our community. As part of the Town Council, I will represent the Town of Cary and it’s best interests, which include not just home owners but apartment residents and business owners. I believe we can get things done if we are all working together.
  12. If you are an incumbent, please share what your top accomplishments are from your current term.
    N/A – hoping to be able to give you a great answer after my first successful term
  13. If you are an incumbent, what pro-environment changes have you advocated for during your current term?
    N/A – hoping to be able to give you a great answer after my first successful term

  1. Do you believe that humans are a contributing factor in climate change? What role, if any, do local governments play to protect the environment and its citizens from climate change?
    I agree with the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, that the atmosphere is warming and that the warming is caused by human activity. In the United States, local governments must work to protect the environment, if only because the states and federal government are not doing near enough to avoid the point where we cannot stop the slide into environmental chaos.
  2. Have you read the most recent IPCC report (summary)? If so, what was your biggest takeaway?
    Summary for Policymakers
    I’ve read the latest report and the supplement that was issued on 4 April 2022. The reports are tedious and predictable: We are not doing enough.
  3. Are you familiar with the Town of Cary’s Waste Management Plan? Please share one way that the plan is handling/encouraging landfill diversion. Please share areas of opportunity for improvement of the plan.
    The Town has instituted drop-off composting on a one-year test phase. I advocate universal curbside composting, on the ground that, in the long run, it will be cheaper for residents if the life of the landfill is significantly extended.
  4. Where is the environment on your list of priorities? Please include a link to the webpage or other documentation of your policy priorities.
    Top of the list. https://www.beautifycary.org/ [Although this is now a campaign website, the URL has been used for the previous six years as an environmental site.] https://www.carytreearchive.org/index.php
  5. Have you supported pro-environment legislation at the state or national level? Would you, if elected, support and encourage legislation such as NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2021 (NC HB230), U.S. Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act (HR 2238), and COMPOST Act (S 2388)?
    Yes. Demonstrated for and supported Earth Day legislation in 1970. And worked for and supported candidates who are environmentally-concerned. I support strongly the goals of all three bills.
  6. What are your thoughts on the Dillon Rule limiting what a town or city can do? How can municipalities encourage or incentivize waste reduction, landfill diversion, and carbon capturing behaviors among private and business citizens?
    My ancestors fought as Regulators in the 1770s and ‘80s against centralized control of local governments. Governor Tryon shot my sixth great-grandfather Robert “Robbie” Thompson, a peace negotiator, in the back as he tried to broker a cease-fire in the Regulators War. I’m still against Dillon Rule control of municipalities.
    I’m in favor of incentivizing to encourage good behavior, but have no specific ideas on the point. As a Council member, I would, in this particular instance and in most others, consult experts on the best courses of action.
  7. Following the early successful implementation of Cary’s Food Waste Drop-off Recycling pilot, along with Cary’s long standing backyard composting initiatives, do you support curbside composting as a public utility in Cary?
    Yes. Pls. see: https://www.beautifycary.org/curbside.php
  8. What are your thoughts on the recycling crisis? How do you see the Town of Cary’s role in addressing this issue, in incentivizing our community to manage waste more responsibly, and in reducing the creation of waste in the beginning?
    I’ll speak generally to this. Town officials, especially the mayor and Council members, must stop speaking publicly as if they were sales persons or public-relations specialists. If I never hear, “Cary is a great place to live, work, and play” again, I’ll be a happy man. Their public pronouncements are counter-productive in that they lull busy citizens into believing all is well. All is NOT well, and we need leadership that will have the courage to say so. – Again, I’d seek expert guidance on incentivizing and reducing.
  9. What role do you feel Cary can play in addressing plastic pollution? Do you support a plastic bag fee or ban?
    Would rather have a ban than a fee. But a fee is better than nothing. Don’t know if a ban or fee is within Cary’s authority. If it is, I’d see if my six fellow Council members would consider instituting one.
  10. The Wake County landfill is estimated to be at capacity by 2040. What is your plan for how to deal with Cary’s waste in the future?
    Don’t have a plan for when this landfill is full. Short term, I’m working on curbside composting to delay the fill-up date. https://www.beautifycary.org/curbside.php
  11. Thanks to a 2019 Waste Characterization Study, we have specific numbers on what Cary residents send to the Wake County landfill, but these numbers do not include most businesses or apartment complexes. What responsibility do you feel Cary has to help residents in apartments and business owners to divert waste?
    It is in ALL our interests to divert waste from the landfill, by whatever means. Cost is the deciding factor. If the Town collected from apartments and businesses, our Sanitation Fee would almost certainly have to be raised. If a Council member voted to collect from apartments and businesses, and the Fee went up, that fact would be an issue in the Council member’s next election. Perhaps it is best in municipal elections to elect candidates who care little or nothing about re-election, and much prefer to deal with civic problems for the good of their constituents.
  12. If you are an incumbent, please share what your top accomplishments are from your current term.
    Not an incumbent.
  13. If you are an incumbent, what pro-environment changes have you advocated for during your current term?
    Not an incumbent.

  1. Do you believe that humans are a contributing factor in climate change? What role, if any, do local governments play to protect the environment and its citizens from climate change?
    I do believe that humans are a contributing factor in climate change. Local governments play a vital role in protecting the environment and its citizens from climate change. I have recommended some ways Cary can take action on this issue on my blog post from November 2021 here: https://electamandamurphy.com/2021/11/09/environmental-sustainability/
  2. Have you read the most recent IPCC report (summary)? If so, what was your biggest takeaway? Summary for Policymakers
    My biggest takeaway was this statement: “Emissions of greenhouse gases and aerosols due to human activities continue to alter the atmosphere in ways that are expected to affect the climate.”
  3. Are you familiar with the Town of Cary’s Waste Management Plan? Please share one way that the plan is handling/encouraging landfill diversion. Please share areas of opportunity for improvement of the plan.
    The Town of Cary recently added a link on food waste recycling drop-off, in addition to their garbage, recycling, yard waste, and citizen’s convenience center. I love what the town is doing for citizens as far as educating them on what is available. If I were to suggest improvement, it would be in the marketing of this educational information to citizens. Lots of folks have no idea about the shredding opportunities, or new composting food waste opportunities provided free of charge by the town. We have a great waste management plan, but we need to communicate it more to the public.
  4. Where is the environment on your list of priorities? Please include a link to the webpage or other documentation of your policy priorities.
    The environment is a key priority issue for me, and I think it will take a multipronged approach to make a dent in the climate crisis. I’ve included links to blog posts I’ve created in the past couple of months touching on some of the ways the town can work towards positive change.
    https://electamandamurphy.com/2021/11/09/environmental-sustainability/
    https://electamandamurphy.com/2022/03/08/what-do-i-mean-by-transportation/
  5. Have you supported pro-environment legislation at the state or national level? Would you, if elected, support and encourage legislation such as NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2021 (NC HB230), U.S. Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act (HR 2238), and COMPOST Act (S 2388)?
    When elected I will support and encourage legislation like NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2021 (NC HB230), U.S. Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act (HR 2238), and COMPOST Act (S 2388).
  6. What are your thoughts on the Dillon Rule limiting what a town or city can do? How can municipalities encourage or incentivize waste reduction, landfill diversion, and carbon capturing behaviors among private and business citizens?
    I believe NC’s setup as a Dillon Rule state leaves municipal governments with their hands tied for many decisions that they should have the ability to make independently. I think one of my suggested actions once elected is to take action on the recommendations made by the Environmental Advisory Board, including adding back a staff member as the Sustainability Manager to work towards encouraging and incentivizing waste reduction, landfill diversion, and carbon capturing.
  7. Following the early successful implementation of Cary’s Food Waste Drop-off Recycling pilot, along with Cary’s long standing backyard composting initiatives, do you support curbside composting as a public utility in Cary?
    Yes, I support curbside composting, 100% yes, what a relief it would be to avoid putting the stinky compost in your car to transport it to compost locations, and instead have it picked up weekly or biweekly like our recycling materials.
  8. What are your thoughts on the recycling crisis? How do you see the Town of Cary’s role in addressing this issue; in incentivizing our community to manage waste more responsibly; and in reducing the creation of waste at the beginning?
  9. What role do you feel Cary can play in addressing plastic pollution? Do you support a plastic bag fee or ban?
    The Wake County landfill is estimated to be at capacity by 2040. What is your plan for how to deal with Cary’s waste in the future?
  10.  Thanks to a 2019 Waste Characterization Study, we have specific numbers on what Cary residents send to the Wake County landfill, but these numbers do not include most businesses or apartment complexes.
  11. What responsibility do you feel Cary has to help residents in apartments and business owners to divert waste?
    For questions 8-11, I would like to recommend adding back a staff member as the Sustainability Manager to work towards encouraging and incentivizing waste reduction, landfill diversion, carbon capturing, incentivizing our community to manage waste more responsibly; and in reducing the creation of waste at the beginning, addressing plastic pollution, and helping residents in apartments and business owners to divert waste.

  1. Do you believe that humans are a contributing factor in climate change? What role, if any, do local governments play to protect the environment and its citizens from climate change?
    Yes, I believe that human activity contributes to climate change, and it’s not just my belief, it’s based on sound science. All levels of government must address the climate crisis. Local governments have many opportunities to pursue sustainability initiatives, and Cary is doing so.
  2. Have you read the most recent IPCC report (summary)? If so, what was your biggest takeaway? Summary for Policymakers
    Yes, I’ve reviewed this document. I believe that its key lessons include the fact that climate change is not just warming and sea level rise, but also the rise of extreme weather events; that we are seeing these effects now and they’re getting worse; and that drastic actions to reduce our carbon footprint are overdue.
  3. Are you familiar with the Town of Cary’s Waste Management Plan? Please share one way that the plan is handling/encouraging landfill diversion. Please share areas of opportunity for improvement of the plan.
    Yes, I’m quite familiar with Cary’s Waste Management Plan. Our mixed-material curbside pickup recycling encourages everyone to recycle and diverts a tremendous amount of material from landfills. We have maintained our commitment to this program even as the economics of recycling have become less favorable.
    Our recently instituted food waste collection pilot program has the potential to divert up to 27% of waste from landfills. One improvement to our Waste Management Plan is to expand this program and make it as accessible to citizens as possible.
  4. Where is the environment on your list of priorities? Please include a link to the webpage or other documentation of your policy priorities.
    Environmental protection has always been a top priority for me during my nearly 10 years on Town Council. I advocated for the establishment of Cary’s Environmental Advisory Board and served as the Council liaison to that board. I support the recommendations of that board and have supported Cary’s sustainability efforts, including pursuing solar energy, converting our town vehicle fleet to electric, reducing energy consumption, protecting trees and more.
    My website is clear that protecting our environment is and has been a top priority for me: https://www.edyerha.com/ , https://www.edyerha.com/eds-vision/environment
  5. Have you supported pro-environment legislation at the state or national level? Would you, if elected, support and encourage legislation such as NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2021 (NC HB230), U.S. Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act (HR 2238), and COMPOST Act (S 2388)?
    I support pro-environment legislation at all levels of government. There’s an urgent need for increased sustainability. Cary’s legislative agenda — our recommendations to our state legislators — emphasizes environmental protection. The bills you have cited both appear to be important and positive and I definitely support their objectives.
  6. What are your thoughts on the Dillon Rule limiting what a town or city can do? How can municipalities encourage or incentivize waste reduction, landfill diversion, and carbon capturing behaviors among private and business citizens?
    I believe that local government is best positioned to address many issues. Who knows better than Cary citizens what is best for our community? I regret that North Carolina is a strong Dillon Rule state with a current legislative majority that severely limits what municipalities can do, including in the area of environmental protection (for example, tree protections, stream buffers, etc.).
    Despite limitations from the state, Cary has been successful in waste reduction programs such as our mixed-material curbside pickup recycling, food waste pilot program, used cooking oil curbside pickup and more.
  7. Following the early successful implementation of Cary’s Food Waste Drop-off Recycling pilot, along with Cary’s long standing backyard composting initiatives, do you support curbside composting as a public utility in Cary?
    Yes, this is the next logical step following the pilot program. We will evaluate the results of that program and determine the best next steps. With food waste comprising up to 27% of our landfill material, there is tremendous opportunity with an expanded food waste collection program.
  8. What are your thoughts on the recycling crisis? How do you see the Town of Cary’s role in addressing this issue; in incentivizing our community to manage waste more responsibly; and in reducing the creation of waste at the beginning?
    Our mixed-material curbside recycling program is a strong incentive for recycling and has been very successful. We must maintain our commitment to this program even as the economics of recycling become less favorable.
  9. What role do you feel Cary can play in addressing plastic pollution? Do you support a plastic bag fee or ban?
    The disastrous effect of plastic pollution is startling. I often think of the movie Straws that was shown many years ago at the Cary Theater. It showed how plastics end up in landfills, in the ocean and elsewhere. I will advocate for further examination of what Cary can do to reduce plastic pollution, including a plastic bag ban or fee.
  10. The Wake County landfill is estimated to be at capacity by 2040. What is your plan for how to deal with Cary’s waste in the future?
    Any future landfill plans need to be a regional solution. Cary is a regional leader and participates in many regional efforts; I have filled several roles in regional cooperation bodies. More landfilling is not the answer; long-term solutions must focus on better waste disposal methods that employ modern technologies to reduce, reuse and recycle waste.
  11. Thanks to a 2019 Waste Characterization Study, we have specific numbers on what Cary residents send to the Wake County landfill, but these numbers do not include most businesses or apartment complexes. What responsibility do you feel Cary has to help residents in apartments and business owners to divert waste?
    I support increased efforts, beginning with education, to engage apartment dwellers and businesses in our waste diversion programs. Cary has a responsibility to help all residents and businesses participate in these programs that benefit everyone.
  12. If you are an incumbent, please share what your top accomplishments are from your current term.
    I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished during my tenure on the Cary Town Council. Some of the highlights are:
    – A myriad of pro-environment issues (see question 13 below)
    – Raised awareness of historic preservation (for example, saved the Nancy Jones house) — preservation supports sustainability
    – Hired the best Town Manager, Town Clerk and Town Attorney anywhere
    – Recommended and established the Senior Advisory Board
    – Recommended and established the Historic Preservation Commission
    – Maintained the lowest tax rate in Wake County
    – Maintained AAA bond rating
    – Downtown revitalization especially the downtown park
    – Added new parks and miles of greenways
    – Served as liaison to Cary’s 150th birthday celebration
    – Supported adoption of the new Housing Plan that includes a substantial affordable housing component
    – Supported creating the Human Relations, Inclusion, and Equity task force
  13. If you are an incumbent, what pro-environment changes have you advocated for during your current term?
    – Hiring an Urban Forester and a new Re-generative Agriculture Manager
    – Town purchase of the South Cary solar farm
    – Converting the town’s vehicle fleet to electric
    – Installation of anti-idle devices on fire trucks
    – Environment-related Land Development Ordinance updates
    – Open space preservation
    – “My Tree Our Tree” program
    – Food waste/composting pilot program
    – White Oak Creek Greenway wetlands preservation
    – Use of Environmental Policies from Cary Community Plan Chapter 8 as part of all rezoning evaluations by staff and council
    – Adaptive reuse of historic resources (a form of sustainability)

Carrboro

  1. Do you believe that humans are a contributing factor in climate change? What role, if any, do local governments play to protect the environment and its citizens from climate change?
    Humans are a big contributing factor to climate change. Our local town council can help set policy and fund initiatives that help reduce our carbon footprint and help mitigate climate change.
  2. Have you read the most recent IPCC report (summary)? If so, what was your biggest takeaway? Summary for Policymakers
    Yes I read the report and reviewed the graphs. The past 50 years shows a startling increase in green house gas emissions, aerosols and the earth’s surface temperatures. It’s alarming to see the enormous increases and to think most of it was caused by humans. The biggest take aways is that we all need to do our part to stop this trajectory or slow it down considerably.
  3. Are you familiar with your municipality’s Waste Management Plan? Please share one way that the plan is handling/encouraging landfill diversion. Please share areas of opportunity for improvement of the plan.
    Our town and Orange County has a recycling program but we need to do a lot more. We can start by finding a way to offer commercial composting to all of our residents and local restaurants and cafes. If we can find new ways to use more recycling materials and educate the public on wasting less by going green that would help our waste management plan.
  4. Where is the environment on your list of priorities? Please include a link to the webpage or other documentation of your policy priorities.
    The environment is very important to me. I put climate change in my list of priorities especially as it relates to land use, clean energy, reducing GHG. I am especially interested in solar and clean energy.
  5. Have you supported pro-environment legislation at the state or national level? Would you, if elected, support and encourage legislation such as NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2021 (NC HB230), U.S. Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act (HR 2238), and COMPOST Act (S 2388)?
    Not at the national level.
  6. What are your thoughts on the Dillon Rule limiting what the city can do? How can municipalities encourage or incentivize waste reduction, landfill diversion, and carbon capturing behaviors among private and business citizens?
    North Carolina does not follow the Dillon Rule or Home rule, it’s a mix of both. The local municipalities can provide services and financial incentives to it’s residents and businesses that discourage waste and improve on landfill diversion. A local municipality can create a pollution tax on negative carbon behaviors for example.

Durham

Orange County

Wake County

  1. Do you believe that humans are a contributing factor in climate change? What role, if any, do local governments play to protect the environment and its citizens from climate change?
    When it comes to climate change, humans are absolutely a contributing factor. I’m no expert, but I’d imagine we are more responsible for it than not. Even though climate changes are natural, we are clearly accelerating the pace of change and are seeing the consequences.
    It’s very sad that we can’t work together, across political and jurisdictional lines, to combat this issue. Local governments must lead on these issues when their state or federal officials will not act. Wake County has a comprehensive, long term growth strategy, and we invest in land conservation, parks, greenways, public transportation, clean energy. We do a good job here, but we can certainly do better.
  2. Have you read the most recent IPCC report (summary)? If so, what was your biggest takeaway? Summary for Policymakers
    I read the report and my first takeaway was that it was depressing to read, and very compelling in the picture it paints. My second takeaway came at the end, where it says that the observational network is shrinking. It feels like climate change is inevitable, and we aren’t yet taking that seriously.
  3. Are you familiar with your municipality’s Waste Management Plan? Please share one way that the plan is handling/encouraging landfill diversion. Please share areas of opportunity for improvement of the plan.
    I have read the comprehensive waste management plan made in conjunction with all 13 municipalities. I still have a lot to learn, however. One thing mentioned in the plan is that Wake County has received 15 commercial waste reduction grants between 2018 and 2020. That is great, but those grants only add up to a little over $100,000. The plan is very detailed, but also seems somewhat aspirational. We have one waste disposal site in Wake County and it’s a problem right now. It smells bad and is becoming a nuisance for the community that has sprung up around it at impressive speeds. We need to invest more in waste management and reduction. Wake County is a place full of very smart people, and we can be leaders in this area if we choose.
  4. Where is the environment on your list of priorities? Please include a link to the webpage or other documentation of your policy priorities.
    www.shaunpollenz.com
    It’s pretty high on my list of priorities. The environment has been used politically as both a shield and a sword here in Wake County, so I’m not leading with how much I love parks and land conservation, but it is in my top 3. The current District 1 Commissioner has a reputation as a strong advocate for parks, greenways, conservation, public transportation, and other green issues. I hope to continue that legacy. Our natural resources are one of our best features in Wake County, and we must preserve and protect them. I have had dogs for years and visiting parks across the state has been a wonderful experience for us. I’d like to ensure these beautiful parks remain for future generations, and to do that we need to change the way we live and think about our consumption habits.
  5. Have you supported pro-environment legislation at the state or national level? Would you, if elected, support and encourage legislation such as NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2021 (NC HB230), U.S. Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act (HR 2238), and COMPOST Act (S 2388)?
    I am generally supportive of environmental legislation, and would support these three bills, though that wouldn’t be something upon which I could vote as a Commissioner, obviously. I am outspoken, however, and have no problem explaining issues and legislation to my constituents, and how they affect our county. Also, as a Commissioner, part of my job would be to advocate for key legislation that benefits our community. This is an area where I feel most local leaders do not do a good enough job, so I will prioritize such advocacy.
  6. What are your thoughts on the Dillon Rule limiting what the city can do? How can municipalities encourage or incentivize waste reduction, landfill diversion, and carbon capturing behaviors among private and business citizens?
    As a gay attorney living in NC I sure am familiar with the Dillon Rule, and I think it is more a tool for doing harm than a source of good governance. I mention being gay because the Dillon rule is the reason why local governments could not pass nondiscrimination ordinances for a period of years after HB142 was passed. My community’s rights were sold out, with Democratic support, thanks in part to the Dillon Rule. In my opinion, the Dillon Rule is more harmful than it is helpful.
    One thing I loved about living in California was that the state took the environment seriously. For all its flaws and pollution, California often took EPA regulations a step further, enacting stricter requirements, thereby subjecting nationwide distributors to tougher requirements if they wished to enter one of the world’s largest economies. Similarly, cities should have the power to do more to help their people and meet local expectations. The state should not be able to rule with an iron fist, especially when it is unconstitutionally gerrymandered.
    Municipalities can do more to encourage waste reduction in several ways. Here in Wake County, we have one landfill, and it is very smelly. I recently learned about this issue from a Holly Springs town councilmember, and I think it is worth discussing in greater detail. Holly Springs is about an hour from my home. People in my neighborhood, in my district, we don’t think about where our trash goes. Maybe if candidates and elected officials start talking about the smelly landfill, we can start a broader discussion on how to become our best selves here in Wake County.
    I would also be open to adopting practices typically found in more established liberal areas, such as fees on plastic bags, bottles, and other items sold in our area in anticipation of disposal costs. These fees could be reinvested to help with reduction and diversion efforts.
    I am a big proponent of smart growth, focusing on building dense, walkable communities connected by reliable and efficient public transportation. This, combined with a focus on clean, renewable energy, land conservation, and other similar measures could help us do our part locally to reduce our impact. Carbon capturing seems like it could be promising, and I think, if nothing else, we should make sure that our community is leading the way. With RTP right here, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.

  1. Do you believe that humans are a contributing factor in climate change? What role, if any, do local governments play to protect the environment and its citizens from climate change?
    I believe we are indeed part of the climate change issue. By increasing the abundance of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, humans are amplifying Earth’s greenhouse effect. Human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, warming the planet. Local governments can lead by example with more green energy, LEED certified buildings, reducing gasoline powered municipal fleet vehicles, and providing information to citizens about green energy.
  2. Have you read the most recent IPCC report (summary)? If so, what was your biggest takeaway? Summary for Policymakers
    Yes, I have and I follow them on Facebook. The information that I took with me after reviewing the data is that we must reduce our emissions, reduce our fossil fuel use, and make bold decisions surrounding climate change. These are simple statements, but figure 3 was especially interesting because it serves as a cause-and-effect climate change timeline.
  3. Are you familiar with your municipality’s Waste Management Plan? Please share one way that the plan is handling/encouraging landfill diversion. Please share areas of opportunity for improvement of the plan.
    Yes, I am very aware and did take the landfill tour with your group. I reside in Cary, and on a personal level one way they are encouraging recycling is by providing two brown recycling bins at no additional charge, and I have been filling both for years and told all my neighbors, so our whole street is a two brown bin street! I would like to see more community awareness surrounding food waste and composting programs.
  4. Where is the environment on your list of priorities? Please include a link to the webpage or other documentation of your policy priorities.
    https://www.lisaforwake.com/issues See number three. Several years ago I starred in a public service announcement as a parent surrounding clean water and water pollution. I do not have access to the video, but it is high on my list of concerns as evidenced by my history of advocacy.
  5. Have you supported pro-environment legislation at the state or national level? Would you, if elected, support and encourage legislation such as NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2021 (NC HB230), U.S. Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act (HR 2238), and COMPOST Act (S 2388)?
    Yes, in my time as Wake PTA Advocacy Chair I have passed along information regarding all kinds of policies and legislation to the local units. I do not see anything objectionable in these bills and would support them.
  6. What are your thoughts on the Dillon Rule limiting what the city can do? How can municipalities encourage or incentivize waste reduction, landfill diversion, and carbon capturing behaviors among private and business citizens?
    Substantial confusion persists about Dillon’s Rule, home rule, and the relevant laws and court rulings that shape local government. The creation of thoughtful, effective strategies for managing growth depends largely on local and state desire to do that—not on the presence or absence of Dillon’s Rule. I have studied how Vermont is handling growth management and incentives. In Vermont, if local governments coordinate their comprehensive plans, then state agencies must adhere to the local plans. Without the state requirement to do so, the state needs to not comply with local plans. Such incentives nudge local governments to coordinate and plan more comprehensively. I think in our area could benefit from looking at other areas who went through rapid growth to see what worked well and what missed the mark. More coordination among out 12 municipalities in Wake County is something I hope to encourage when elected.

  1. Do you believe that humans are a contributing factor in climate change? What role, if any, do local governments play to protect the environment and its citizens from climate change?
    Yes, absolutely, humans are contributing to climate change. Science clearly shows this is true. I believe all levels of government should work together in an effort to have the biggest impact on combatting climate change. I currently serve on the Apex Town Council. We have adopted clean energy goals for the town operations to be at 100% clean energy by 2050 (which includes our vehicle fleet, the addition of EV charging stations, and all outdoor lighting fixtures to transition to LEDs). Additionally, we have created an Environmental Advisory Board that reviews each development project that comes before the Council and offers recommendations / suggestions for the developer to consider as we carefully want to integrate environmental stewardship with development decisions. We also hired the Town’s first sustainability coordinator this past year. She will help us shape environmental policy in the months to come. Apex is also a designated Bee City, and we participate in the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge. We are installing solar panels on as many of our Town buildings as is feasible, and developers are offering solar conduits on homes with some solar installations as well on homes. I will take my experiences and advocacy of environmental protections to the Wake County Board of Commissioners, if elected.
  2. Have you read the most recent IPCC report (summary)? If so, what are your biggest takeaway? Summary for Policymakers
    I did read the report, which is very concerning as it states that we will likely continue to have extreme weather events. I would have liked to have seen more discussion on paths forward that local governments can take in an effort to be as environmentally conscious as possible.
  3. Are you familiar with your municipality’s Waste Management Plan? Please share one way that the plan is handling/encouraging landfill diversion. Please share areas of opportunity for improvement of the plan.
    The Apex Sustainability Team is expanding upon municipal recycling and paper reduction efforts to set a 100% Zero Waste Goal for town operations. The Team is working with Waste Reduction Partners to analyze municipal waste usage, identify waste reduction strategies, and implement zero waste practices in the workplace.
    If elected to the Wake Board of Commissioners, I will work to help expand these initiatives at the County government level and work to invite other municipalities to join us in county-wide environmental stewardship practice
  4. Where is the environment on your list of priorities? Please include a link to the webpage or other documentation of your policy priorities.
    The environment is one of my top three broad campaign pillars. I want to work with the current board to create more equitable opportunity for a healthy and sustainable economy, community, and environment for all. I was recently endorsed by the Sierra Club, and my campaign website is www.cheryl4wake.org
  5. Have you supported pro-environment legislation at the state or national level? Would you, if elected, support and encourage legislation such as NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2021 (NC HB230), U.S. Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act (HR 2238), and COMPOST Act (S 2388)?
    I am always open to pro-environment legislation, and will give environmental policies that come before me very thoughtful consideration.
  6. What are your thoughts on the Dillon Rule limiting what the city can do? How can municipalities encourage or incentivize waste reduction, landfill diversion, and carbon capturing behaviors among private and business citizens?
    I would like for local governments to have more flexibility with local decision-making because we know our town best (e.g., our business community, residents, and Town Staff). I would be interested in collaborating with groups like yours to problem solve more on waste reduction, landfill diversion, and carbon capturing techniques.