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Question: Where is the natural gas-burning "Fire Mountain" located?
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State of Cary Address 2026
Here are the key highlights from the mayor’s State of Cary address, organized into the most important themes and takeaways.
1. Leadership Crisis and Investigations
In November 2025, Cary asked Town Manager Sean Stegall to resign.
The mayor cited:
Excessive spending
Inadequate financial reporting
Lack of transparency with council, staff, and residents
An unhealthy internal work environment.
Three investigations are underway:
North Carolina State Auditor
Internal review by Womble Bond Dickinson
Wake County District Attorney with the SBI
The town says it is cooperating fully and aims to restore public trust.
2. Interim Leadership and Government Reforms
Russ Overton (with Cary since 1998) is serving as interim town manager.
Key governance changes:
Council meetings are now fully streamed for transparency.
A public records portal was created.
A manager transition FAQ page was launched.
New meeting format (mayor + two council members + staff) ensures shared information instead of one-on-one briefings.
3. Budget and Financial Status
Cary’s FY budget: $510 million.
The town has had the lowest tax rate in Wake County for 18 years (34 cents).
Revenue sources:
61% property tax
21% sales tax
Population growth has slowed to under 1%, limiting tax revenue growth.
Cary remains highly efficient, with fewer than 7 employees per 1,000 residents, the lowest in the county.
4. Growth, Development, and Economy
Population: ~192,000 residents.
Median household income: $135,000.
Median home value: ~$650,000.
Unemployment: ~3.3%, below state and national averages.
Development is slowing due to limited land (only ~14% undeveloped).
Major Development Projects
Fenton development expansion, including the Page Moore boutique hotel.
Duke Health Hospital expansion (phase one under construction).
Austin Yards mixed-use development proposal.
Downtown Cary redevelopment projects adding hundreds of residential units.
Epic Games-owned Cary Towne Center site has no announced plans yet.
5. Infrastructure and Transportation
Nine miles of streets being repaved.
Several intersection safety improvements and new signals.
Cary maintains 500+ miles of roads.
Launching Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic deaths.
Future downtown multimodal transit center planned to support:
Regional buses
Bus rapid transit
Commuter rail
Amtrak service.
6. Sustainability Initiatives
First electric fire truck on the East Coast.
18% of the town fleet uses alternative fuels.
Cary has been a Tree City for 42 years.
71,000 tons of waste diverted from landfills last year.
Stormwater upgrades and FEMA participation could reduce flood insurance by ~15%.
7. Housing and Affordability Efforts
New five-year housing plan adopted.
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) allowed to increase housing options.
Affordable housing developments underway:
Marlowe Cary (126 units, many affordable)
Rose Park Manor (81-unit senior housing project).
Programs created to prevent homelessness and assist displaced families, including residents affected by redevelopment.
8. Parks, Events, and Community Assets
Cary has:
107 miles of greenways
492 miles of sidewalks
Major destinations driving tourism and economic activity:
Downtown Cary Park
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Cary Tennis Park
WakeMed Soccer Park
USA Baseball National Training Complex.
Downtown Cary Park alone adds an estimated $16 million annual economic impact and has increased nearby property values by $200–$300 million.
9. Awards and National Recognition
Cary continues to receive national rankings for:
Best places to live
Best suburbs
Safety
Job market
Education
Quality of life
Top municipal tennis facility in the U.S.
10. Closing Message
The mayor acknowledged that Cary is facing one of the most difficult periods in its recent history due to the town manager controversy, but emphasized:
Cary remains a strong and attractive community
The town will rebuild trust through transparency
Long-term growth and quality of life remain strong.
Just curious…
What stood out most to you in Cary’s State of Cary address?
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We’re rewinding the feed to spotlight a standout moment, story, or snapshot from Cary’s past. Let’s scroll back and see…
What Do Residents Love Most About Cary?
From Cary Spotlight | Issue #859 – February 28, 2026
In a recent Cary Spotlight poll, readers ranked safe neighborhoods as the thing they value most about living in Cary.
🏆 Winner: Safe Neighborhoods — 39.62%
Residents made it clear that safety and the sense of community in their neighborhoods is what they value most about living in Cary.
Top Results
🛡️ Safe neighborhoods — 39.62% 🏆
🌳 Parks and greenways — ~24% (a strong second, reflecting Cary’s beloved greenway network)
🍽️ Local restaurants and small businesses — ~11%
✍️ Other (write-ins) — ~11%
🎓 Strong schools — ~8%
🏗️ Cary’s growth and new development — ~6%
🎉 Community events and festivals — ~4%
💬 Representative Reader Comments:
“The people !!!!!!!”
“I’m not sure all of our public schools are staying strong. And we are losing many of our special small shops. The restaurant variety is nice. And our neighborhoods are remaining safe!!!”
“My neighbors! They are the greatest! We take care of each other. It’s a really feeling of family.”
“All of the above! except for new development”
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🎉 Weekend Events Preview (Top Picks)
Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information. Here are a few great ways to enjoy the weekend:
• Saturday: Junior L6 - Tennis ALL DAY
• Saturday: Cary Farmers Market 9AM-12PM
• Saturday: Her Voice, Her Power: International Women’s Day 2PM-5PM
• Saturday: The Snow Ball: Daddy Daughter Dance 5:30PM-8PM
• Sunday: Hurdles & Hounds: Dog Agility 2PM-3PM
• Sunday: Hum Sub Basant Bahar 2026 3PM-5:30PM
• Sunday: Sunday Sound Bath 4PM-5:30PM
• Monday: Stretch and Refresh 10AM-11AM
But wait! There’s more. To save space in your inbox, we’ve moved the full list of events online —now you can plan ahead: See Full 2-Week Calendar
The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇
A) Azerbaijan
The natural gas-burning "Fire Mountain," known as Yanar Dag, is located on the Absheron Peninsula in Azerbaijan, specifically near the capital city of Baku. This site features a hillside that has been burning continuously for thousands of years, fueled by natural gas seeping through the porous sandstone.
Flames, which can reach up to 3 meters high, burn without any liquid or mud residue.
Learn more, visit Yanar Dagh