Saturday, October 12, 2013

"Dear North Carolina Mayoral Candidate"

So starts the letter received this afternoon.  No surprises.  It's the season, after all, for campaign related mail.

But today's was not an ad for marketing materials or a survey for a local political action committee.  It wasn't a postcard from one of the other 9 Morrisville candidates.  Instead, it was from an organization in Fairfax, VA:

"As the 2013 Morrisville Mayoral Election approaches, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund is receiving requests for information regarding the Second Amendment and hunting positions of candidates running for office."

The Morrisville, NC Mayoral race has gotten the attention of the NRA's political action committee.   Our population is 22,000.  We have 12,000 registered voters.  And a town ordinance prohibiting hunting or the discharging of a firearm within town limits.  Last summer, the Town Council voted 6-1 to prohibit guns on our playgrounds.  As of October 1st and via State Law 2013-369, municipal authority to prohibit concealed guns on playgrounds was eliminated.  


"If you choose not to return a questionnaire, you may be assigned a "?" rating, which can be interpreted by our membership as indifference, if not outright hostility, toward Second Amendment-related issues."

A candidate questionnaire that uses bullet holes to frame social media links...... one could interpret that as a bit hostile.


It is important to vote in every election.  This year's Morrisville Mayoral race is no exception.  Vote November 5th.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Transportation & Transit: The "What" is Easy.....


it's the HOW that needs work.  

We know we have congestion related safety and quality of life issues. 

Railroad crossings contribute to delays.

Lack of transit options likewise contribute to congestion.

We're working on the fixes.  A number of projects have been recently completed, are in progress or are on the horizon:
  • High visibility crosswalks have been installed on Town Hall Dr.
  • School crossings have been made safer through combined grant and Town funding.
  • We're working on a Corridor Study of NC54 in partnership with the Town of Cary, NCRR, NCDOT and CAMPO. 
  • The Town has supported a county-wide transit ballot referendum.
  • We've increased local funding for road maintenance, budgeted matching funds for federally funded LAPP projects through CAMPO and overwhelmingly approved bond funding for the NC54 bypass.
  • I'll be meeting with staff and representatives of the NCRR next week to discuss our mutually beneficial partnership. 
  • Improvements to Morrisville-Carpenter Rd and the grade separation at Morrisville Pkwy will begin in early 2014.  
What then is left to do?
Plenty.  Our 2009 Transportation Plan lists a number of unfunded, but sorely needed improvements.   That's where you come in.  The Town Council has approved creation of a Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Funding and we are looking for qualified applicants to help craft a long-term funding strategy. 

It truly is good to be Morrisville.  With attention to our transportation needs, with a long-term approach to funding those needs, we'll make it great.



Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Welcome Martha Wheelock



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2013

MARTHA WHEELOCK SELECTED AS MORRISVILLE’S NEW TOWN MANAGER

MORRISVILLE, NC – By unanimous consensus of the Town Council, Martha Wheelock has been selected as the new Town Manager for the Town of Morrisville.

Martha Wheelock, 52, is a native of Newport News/Hampton, Virginia and has served as Assistant City Manager for the City of Winston-Salem since September 2006. In this capacity, she oversaw numerous City operations including the coliseum complex and public assembly facilities, marketing and communications, CityLink (the city’s customer service information center), fleet services, information systems, property maintenance, human resources, internal auditing, recreation and parks. She also coordinated the implementation of capital projects, oversaw special projects and events, and provided leadership for organization-wide strategic planning, including performance measures to enhance effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability.

Ms. Wheelock joined the City of Winston-Salem in 1999 as finance director of the coliseum/convention center. In 2004, she was promoted to deputy finance officer. In that role, she was responsible for the city’s revenue, internal audit, and purchasing divisions. Before joining the city, she worked as business manager for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Christopher Newport College in Virginia and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  She is a graduate of PELA and Municipal Administration programs offered by the UNC School of Government. She is a member of the ICMA where she serves on the Task Force for Women in the Profession and the NCCCMA and the NCCCMA Program Committee.  She serves on various community boards, including Cancer Services and Family Services, and is an active volunteer with Special Olympics. 

Martha is the proud mother of Kelly Marcolini, who works at Duke University in Sports Marketing.  Martha has six brothers and sisters, three of whom live in the Raleigh/Cary area.  In her free time, Martha enjoys running and other aerobic exercise, and cooking.  Her two passions are music and NFL football, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers.  

“I am honored and excited to serve the Town of Morrisville, a progressive, diverse community that values both its past and future.  I pledge to work with all town employees and with passion and commitment to meeting the needs of Town Council and the citizens of Morrisville,” said Wheelock.

The offer is conditional, pending the successful completion of the pre-employment process and approval of the contract by Town Council.  Her anticipated start date is September 23.


###

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Preserving Our Past - It's Good to be Morrisville

For the third year running, Morrisville has been honored with an Anthemion Award from Capital Area Preservation:  

"Anthemion Awards recognize outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence in historic preservation in Wake County. The name “Anthemion” was inspired by a classical design element seen on many Wake County buildings."

When we preserve our past to protect our future...... it's good to be Morrisville.



Wednesday, July 10, 2013

It's good to be Morrisville...... let's make it GREAT!




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mayor Jackie Holcombe Announces Re-Election Campaign
  


MORRISVILLE, NC (July 10, 2013) – Morrisville Mayor Jackie Holcombe, a strong, effective leader on issues important to residents and local businesses, today announced her campaign for re-election.  A 24 year resident of the Triangle, she has been a consistent and at times outspoken advocate for public safety, improvements to Morrisville’s transportation network and fiscally responsible budgeting.  During her first term in office, Mayor Holcombe has maintained a high public profile, overseeing a number of positive changes to include:  the Town’s AAA bond rating upgrade, advances in historic preservation, creation of an award winning Town Center Plan, national accreditation of both Police and Fire departments and execution of the Parks and Recreation bonds approved by voters in 2004.  “Whether advocating for common sense gun safety measures or working to promote an inclusive sense of community, Mayor Holcombe has demonstrated leadership we have come to expect in a full-time public servant,” offered Breckenridge resident Melody Kruse.  “I am confident that she will continue to represent our interests.”



Addressing head-on the challenges of the past 4 years, Mayor Holcombe’s attention to sound public policy, transparent government, community outreach and exemplary customer service helped maintain a strong, welcoming Town image during the Great Recession.   Serving as President of the Wake County Mayors Association in 2012, she further strengthened relationships between the Town of Morrisville and its 11 neighboring municipalities.  “Mayor Jackie Holcombe is one tough cookie,” offered Ridgemont resident Bob Butler. “In spite of Town Council challenges, she has been steadfast in making Morrisville a town that we citizens can be proud of.  She represents the people of Morrisville, even those who disagree with her, with a leadership style that combines empathy with all views with a strong idea of what the majority of the people of Morrisville want for their quality of life in our town.”

The Mayor has concentrated her first term on those issues important to residents and the business community….. long-range transportation funding plan, a sustainable fiscal philosophy, maintaining the public’s safety, a welcoming sense of community, park expansion and creation of the highly anticipated town center.  “I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the Town of Morrisville and take pride in our diverse community’s progress these past 4 years,” Mayor Holcombe commented.  “During my first term, we have moved forward on a number of long-term initiatives.  I am committed to continuing that forward momentum with a full campaign that begins today.” 



Mayor Holcombe was recently featured in 919Magazine and is a former recipient of the Triangle Access Award from the Alliance of Disability Advocates.  She currently serves as a member of the Morrisville-Cary joint issues committee, is the Town’s CAMPO representative, was a founding member of the Morrisville Community Fund and spearheaded creation of a local Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Funding.  Recently, and after years of delay, Mayor Holcombe was proud to execute the sale of bonds approved in 2004 for construction of the RTP cricket complex.  She looks forward to strengthening the Heart of the Triangle’s newly created interfaith coalition and expanding the work being done on historic preservation.  The former owner of BuckwheatHull.com, she takes pride in the continued success of the small business, now a part of Morrisville’s non-profit Life Experiences, Inc.  Jackie Holcombe attended the University of Florida, College of Engineering and is married with two adult daughters.   Mayor Holcombe will deliver her annual State of the Town address on July 18th at the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce.   

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Morrisville's Bond Rating Now AAA/Aa1

To our professional staff, advisory committee members, volunteers, taxpayers and policy setters past and present go the credit.  As a team, we have worked hard and though difficult times to carefully and deliberately manage our financial health.   I know our community shares my pride in this Heart of the Triangle accomplishment.  It's good to be Morrisville.


 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


June 13, 2013

MORRISVILLE’S BOND RATINGS INCREASE TO AAA AND Aa1

MORRISVILLE, NC – Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services raised its rating on Morrisville’s general obligation (GO) debt one level to AAA. Morrisville was previously rated AA+. Moody’s upgraded Morrisville’s GO rating one level to Aa1, from Aa2. Both agencies report a stable outlook.


Standard & Poor’s shows the town’s assets as:

• Good access to the Research Triangle Park and existence within the strong, expanding regional economy of the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metropolitan statistical area (MSA);
• High wealth and income;
• Strong finances; and
• Low debt.


Moody’s lists the town’s strengths as:

• Sizeable and growing tax base with above average wealth levels;
• Low debt burden despite rapid population growth; and
• Healthy reserve levels protected by strong policies.

“We are proud to be the smallest municipality in North Carolina to have a AAA bond rating,” said Julia Ketchum, Senior Director of Business Management for the Town of Morrisville.

###

Contact:

Julia Ketchum, Senior Director of Business Management – 919.463.6175

Stephanie Smith, Public Information Officer – 919.463.6207

Monday, May 27, 2013

FY14 Budget - Investing in Morrisville's Present & Future

Morrisville's hard-working staff has rolled out their recommendation for the FY14 budget.  Based on the Council's direction to focus on:
  1. Transit and Transportation
  2. Creating a Sense of Place
  3. Maintaining a Small Town Environment and
  4. Maintaining a Quality Staff
this financial plan is a good one.   Compared with the FY13 budget, it's a hefty 8% increase.  Better, though, much better, than the budget change between FY12 and FY13.  Last year at this time we were talking about an increase of 11% and I voted no on our current year's budget.  This time around, I'm much more optimistic for good reason:  we'll have something to show for our investments.

Highlights include funding to begin the NC54 bypass supported by voters in 2012, forward progress on the long-awaited Town Center, construction of the RTP Park* at Church St and McCrimmon Pkwy, road maintenance, road maintenance, road maintenance and a property tax increase to .39 per $100 of property valuation. 

What's missing:  local funds to leverage monies available for transportation improvements through LAPP, or Locally Administered Projects Program.   Budgeting $120k in the coming year would allow us to submit a project of up to $600k for consideration in the coming year.  Cost sharing is the only approach that will allow Morrisville to fix the needed transportation improvements that ail us and I'll continue to advocate making this happen.   I would also like to see us accelerate the 2012 Parks/Rec bond funded projects, currently slated for FY16.  We shall see....

Agree?  Disagree?  Either way, let us know.  Options are:
  1. Attend the public hearing on May 28th
  2. Visit our online budget portal and submit comments here or
  3. Contact our Budget Manager at 919.463.6174 to schedule time for individual discussion
Gotta love #3.  It's good to be Morrisville.


*While it is true a rose by any other name and all that, I know we can do better than "RTP Park" for this lasting community legacy.  Have ideas?  Submit via comment below. 

Sunday, April 14, 2013

The Debate Continues


 
Responding to the 90% of NC residents who support background checks for all gun purchases we hear:
 
"It just doesn't seem to make a lot of sense."
 
Maybe this will help: 
 
When the system works properly, background checks keep guns out of the hands of those who should not have them. The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has blocked more than two million illegal transactions over the past two decades.

Makes perfect sense to me.  

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Your Town, Your Vote, Your Elected Representation

One of the perks of being Mayor is this:  I have more opportunities than I probably deserve to talk to people.  Lots of people.  About all manner of things.  I am also privileged in that people talk to me.  To the best of my ability, I listen.  Regardless of the issue, regardless of my opinion, I listen.  I listen to comments on traffic and inadequate parking, the joys of volunteering, historic preservation and praise for our professional staff.  It is a privilege to hear from our community.  And when the message conveyed is a fixable problem, I want to fix it. 


This week's problem:  voter confusion and Morrisville's resident district requirement.  The process is confusing, the district maps more so.

Here's why:
  1. Two representatives are elected At-Large.
  2. Our mayor is elected At-Large.  So far so good.
  3. The other 4 elected officials are chosen under authority of NCGS 160A- 101(6)c,:  “The city shall be divided into single-member electoral districts; council members shall be apportioned to the districts so that each member represents the same number of persons as nearly as possible, except for members apportioned to the city at large; and candidates shall reside in and represent the districts according to the apportionment plan adopted, but all candidates shall be nominated and elected by all the qualified voters of the city”. 
Wait.  What?  Is it any wonder that Morrisville is the only municipality in county that takes election cues from NCGS 160A- 101(6)c? 

There is a better way:

All candidates shall be nominated and elected by all the qualified voters.  

Aka At-Large.  Simple.  Clear.  Decreases voter confusion.  It makes sense that an overwhelming majority - 9 of 12 Wake County Towns - elect their policy makers via this method.

Using the authority of NCGS 160A- 101(6)c was a good idea when our historic Shiloh Community became a part of Morrisville.  Single-member districts at that time assured representation from our Shiloh community.  The districts also assured representation would not be clustered in any single area.  Alas, that's no longer possible.  It's not even possible to draw sensible districts.  Instead, and in order to meet the requirements of post-census redistricting, we came up with: 
Click to Enlarge
On April 23rd, the Morrisville Town Council will hold a public hearing on changing our electoral process for the better.  The meeting begins promptly at 6:30 PM.  Overflow parking, if needed, is available across Town Hall Dr at the Indian Creek park.  Can't make the meeting?  We still want to hear from you.  Email your elected officials at TownCouncil@TownofMorrisville.org .  

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Town Manager - Update



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


March 15, 2013


MORRISVILLE MAKING PROGRESS IN NEW TOWN MANAGER SELECTION


MORRISVILLE, NC – Morrisville’s Town Council has been hard at work narrowing down the field to select the next Town Manager. Starting with an applicant pool of 111, individuals have been evaluated using a multi-method screening process including surveys, phone interviews, essays, and management skill assessments. The evaluation process was designed by Developmental Associates based on feedback from Council, staff and the community.

Council carefully vetted applicants and decided to invite five semi-finalists to Morrisville to participate in a management assessment skill process. Evaluators included Managers and Subject Matter Experts from Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay Varina, Wake Forest, Zebulon, Carrboro, Durham, Clayton, Southern Pines, Wake County, Orange County, and RDU Airport. Council will be reviewing results and determining which attendant(s) to invite for final interviews. A decision is anticipated by the end of April.

“We are happy with the process and pleased with the assistance we have received from Developmental Associates. I am confident that we have well qualified candidates from which to select our next Town Manager,” said Mayor Jackie Holcombe.

###

Contact:

Lauri Shedlick, Human Resources Director – 919.463.6149

Stephanie Smith, Public Information Officer – 919.463.6207

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Part 2 - Q&A

We're having, finally, a conversation.  In Morrisville, across NC, in Vermont, and DC, in FL, we're having a conversation.  Not surprisingly it's an emotionally charged discussion.  Fine.  That's fine.  Debate, argue, accuse, insult, donate money, threaten and then....  these emotionally charged conversations will lead to the changes needed to lessen gun violence.  On to the Q&A.

Q: Who do you think you are, telling a legal retailer what they can or cannot sell?
A: I'm a mom, a wife, a friend, a neighbor, an elected official. That's who I am. I have no authority to regulate the sale or purchase of legal items. I have every right to ask for voluntary measures that will make my community safer.


Q: Have you read the 2nd Amendment?
A: Yes. "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."


Q: The real problem is the liberal media, video games and movies. Did you write letters to stores that sell newspapers and video games?
A: No. But the topic is of interest and I am happy to discuss whether or not video games and movies contribute to gun violence. To begin the discussion, the 1st Amendment reads thusly: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."


Q: Are you stupid?
A: Does it matter?


Q: Why don't you do something about mental health?
A: I sadly agree that we, the collective we, are not adequately addressing the needs of children and adults with mental health issues. Yet another overdue conversation we are now tackling. Our NC Legislature will soon be in session. I encourage our elected leaders to better fund mental health services.


Q: Are you aware that you can purchase a firearm in North Carolina without any gun safety training?
A: I am now. And that needs to change. For those so inclined, you can contact your representatives to ask that they sponsor a bill to require gun safety training.


Q: Did you know that more murders are committed using hammers than guns? Where's your letter to Home Depot (or Lowes from my friends to the west) demanding they stop selling hammers?
A: Gotta love Snopes.


Q: I will do everything in my power to see that you are not re-elected.
A: That's not a question, so here's one: aren’t we fortunate, truly fortunate, to live in a country where this is an option?


Q: Are you allowed to use your office letterhead to write to law-abiding retailers?
A: Yes. And if it matters, I paid for the stamp. I always pay for the stamps I use to mail correspondence, regardless of the topic. I also pay for my paper, ink, printer, computer, cell phone and internet connection.


Q: Stay out of our lives. We don’t tell you what to do and what not to do.
A: Actually, I think you just did. Again, not a question, but interesting. And you are not the only one to make suggestions about what I should (ahem) “do.”


Q: I ask, are you from the South? This is the land of God and guns.
A: Yes, sweetie, I am from the south. That was a determination made by my parents and not one for which I can take credit. Thanks Mom and Dad.


Q: Why do you and other like you not stick to facts? This is just more knee jerk and emotion.
A: I always consider factual information. I read statistics and point of view pieces and talk to people. I listen to the opinions of others. Sometimes their opinions are fact based, BTW, sometimes not. I also speak and act based on, yes, emotion. I have never known a mom who did not. I am not sure it is even possible.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

An Open Letter to Gander Mountain CEO David Pratt




January 3, 2013 David Pratt, CEO
Gander Mountain
180 East Fifth St Suite 1300
St. Paul, MN 55101
Dear Mr Pratt,

As a small town mayor, it is with mixed emotions that I greet 2013. I have hope that the coming year will bring health, prosperity and opportunity to my Morrisville community, my state of North Carolina and to our country at large. It is with sadness that I acknowledge that unless we begin to make meaningful changes, the gun violence of years past will continue in 2013 and beyond.

When the Morrisville, NC Gander Mountain was announced in March 2012, I allowed my name to be attached to a press release that read in part:

"This is great news for the citizens of Morrisville and our entire Triangle area," said Morrisville mayor Jackie Holcombe. "Gander Mountain has a highly-regarded reputation and will be a perfect fit for our community’s diverse retail mix. I’m pleased to welcome this quality company to Morrisville and to the Triangle and our community looks look forward to continuing to serve their business needs in the future."

I now question that decision. The availability of semi-automatic Military-style rifles and high capacity ammunition magazines at the Morrisville Gander Mountain has not been great news for our citizens. As a recent email to me noted: “I wept when I opened today’s News and Observer and saw the Gander Mountain ad for semi-automatic rifles.” Further, the phrase “highly-regarded reputation” is not one I have heard associated with Gander Mountain’s sale of Military-style rifles.

At the memorial service for victims of the Newtown, CT tragedy, our President said:

“If there is even one step we can take to save another child or another parent or another town from the grief that has visited Tucson and Aurora and Oak Creek and Newtown and communities from Columbine to Blacksburg before that – then surely we have an obligation to try.”

I believe it is indeed our obligation to try and the reason for my letter to you today.

The issue of gun violence is a complex one and will require a multi-faceted solution. I ask that Gander Mountain do their part toward that solution by discontinuing sales of semi-automatic rifles and high capacity ammunition magazines.

I appreciate your consideration and am available to meet with your local representatives to further discuss opportunities to address the alarming loss of life from semi-automatic rifles.

Respectfully Yours,


Jackie Holcombe, Mayor, Town of Morrisville