| Dear Neighbors,
It’s been a while since my last newsletter — I appreciate your patience! Due to some technical challenges with my email account, I couldn’t send updates for a bit. I’m happy to share that the issue is now resolved. I would have loved to share everything that I did in these past 2 months but maybe best to limit the email to just highlights. I promise to share more details in the future.
October & November were busy months due to Diwali celebrations, followed by Thanksgiving. This is also the last year with my daughter, Aanya, at home before she leaves for her college. I am grateful for the time with my family and 2 nieces that can join us for family dinner due to their proximity to our house. It feels like festival time with our house buzzing with all the girls.
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving with family, friends, or in quieter moments. Wishing your life is filled with comfort, love, and hope. |
Council Updates:
Some of the key updates from our Council meetings:
- During a rezoning request of a small subdivision with 6 detached homes adjacent to Toscana and Southerlyn, I requested for a traffic study and install traffic signal if it meets warrants. The traffic between that stretch is very fast paced as shared by several residents. My remarks from the meeting: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQNFCk6ES6a/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Mayor Harold Weinbrecht requested to put the video stream and record keeping on Town Council’s meeting agenda where Council approved the request for record keeping and live streaming of meetings where Council decisions are made. This is good progress in the spirit of bringing more transparency.
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In October,
- October was very busy with lot of festivities around the town. Our Council’s dance went viral with estimated 8.1 million views across the world and the two Mayors – Harold and TJ – shone bright.
- October was Fire Prevention month, when I got the opportunity to record a video for Cary Matters with Fire Chief.
- Halloween trunk or treat event at Mills Park Elementary school where PTA invited us to be part of this amazing day and it was so amazing to see little kids so excited to see the fire truck.
- Attended a gala organized by ARISE Collective. It is a wonderful organization that helps women to get second chance to live a life when all doors and opportunities have been shut down. It was a great opportunity to see why community matters. I am so happy and proud of the community partners.
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In November,
- November is also a month for Domestic Violence. I read the proclamation to mark this month for this important cause and Town of Cary lit the fountain and Cary Arts Center with purple lights in honor of the victims of Domestic Violence. Kiran is a non profit organization working with the victims of domestic violence and Cary Police Department to help bring information knowledge and safety to those victims. Kiran graciously received the proclamation.
- Veteran’s day event at Preston Country Club where I had the honor to welcome the guests alongside our Mayor Harold Weibrecht and give them the red poppy flower pin as token of appreciation. I was also lucky to have met the veteran who served in World War II.
- Panther Creek High School traffic light and 2 crosswalk – I met with the Parents of Panther Creek High School to understand their concerns and issues related to traffic safety, and for our staff to share the updates on the approval on the concept for a traffic signal and 2 crosswalks. Town of Cary approved the funding of $1.2 million as part of 2025-2026 budget. This was a great opportunity for all parties to come together and share their challenges – Panther Creek High School Principal Dr. Decker, Cary Police Department, Town of Cary Department of Transportation and Parents of High School students. We received wonderful feedback from all the parents.
- On November 8th, Cary residents voted in municipal elections where districts A, C and one at-large seat were in the ballot. Brittany Richards and Bella Huang won their election and will be representing districts A and C respective, and Councilwoman Carissa Kohn-Johnson won her re-election for at-large seat. Councilman Jack Smith and Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Robinson will be missed on the Council. I thank them for their service.
- Trip to Masjid with my friend Durham Commissioner Nida Allam. It was a good opportunity to meet and greet with Community members and know them.
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I had a very good discussion with Wake County School Board Chair Chris Hegearty about the following projects that we will initiate from Town of Cary
- Traffic Safety campaign for all schools in my district
- Town of Cary will start sending information of the new developments to School board for their assessment on the expected growth in the area for future planning and management – This is a huge win as per several sources as this will help the School Board me proactive with their planning of school needs. Special thanks to Former School Board member Lindsay Mahhafey for sharing the template.
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As some of you may know that we have a change in leadership in our Town and Russ Overton is our interim Town Manager, I will be discussing the following items for District D which were originally on our Town Manager’s list:
- Complete the Widening project of Carpenter Fire Station Road – The project was paused for a couple of months in 2025 to help secure funding for the higher cost now. The prices of the projects have increased due to inflation and other factors.
- Investment into saving our tree canopy and planting trees for the ones that were lost due to development
- Traffic signal for Morrisville Parkway and High Croft Road – We have met the warrants but waiting for builder to provide an eta for installation
- Traffic study for Green Level Church Road near Toscana, Sourtherlyn, Thomas Brook Park to see if we can install a light or measures to slow the traffic in that area
- Park with picnic shelters and open ground for fair or events next to the newly approved development – Alston Yards
- Crosswalk on the junction of McCrimmon Parkway and Bluff Oak Drive
- Bus Service into Western Cary
- Signal and 2 crosswalks in front of Panther Creek High School – funding of $1.2 million was approved by the Council for 2026 implementation.
- School traffic safety campaign for schools in District D
- Town will share information to WCPSS after projects are approved by the Council to proactively share the expected capacity of those units using the template mentioned above.
- Cricket ground – work with the staff to start the RFP process
With gratitude,
Sarika Bansal
Cary Town Councilwoman – District D (Western Cary)
Please email me at info@sarika4cary.com for non-Cary related topics and use sarika.bansal@carync.gov for Cary related emails. |
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| Paid for by Friends of Sarika Bansal |
