Democratic political consultant Perry Woods is demanding that Wake County school board member Debra Goldman retract statements she made to Cary police in 2010 suggesting that he was involved in the break-in of her car in 2009.

In a letter dated Tuesday, Woods’ attorney, Jack Nichols, demands Goldman write an apology and issue a retraction for all the “defamatory statements” in the police report because they are “false and slanderous.” Nichols warns that unless the apology and retraction are published by Nov. 1, they may file a lawsuit against Goldman.

Goldman reported to police in June 2010 that her Cary home had been broken into and $130,000 in jewelry, cash and coins stolen. A recently leaked copy of the report, which includes the notes of investigators, shows that Goldman implicated fellow board member Chris Malone as a suspect before he was cleared by police.

Also in the police report, Goldman identified various political opponents as potential suspects, though only Malone was interviewed by investigators. She also mentioned the earlier car break-in and told investigators it was “odd” Woods was at the 2009 debate aired on the Bill LuMaye Show at the Raleigh studios of WPTF where the break-in took place. Lois Nixon, one of Woods’ clients, ran against Goldman for school board in 2009.

Goldman also said that Nixon and Woods “intentionally parked their cars a long ways away” from her car and that Woods “was laughing at the scene.”

During an appearance Monday on the LuMaye Show, Woods said Goldman’s statements were “delusional.” LuMaye called Goldman’s statements “disturbing” and said she should retract them.

Goldman did not return calls on Woods’ request. But her defense could be that she never expected her statements to police would be made public.

Branding Southwest Raleigh

A crowd of more than 200 people filled a banquet room at N.C. State University’s McKimmon Center this week for the kickoff of “Uncovering Southwest Raleigh,” an initiative to brand the area as the city’s creative district.

After listening to speeches from elected officials, participants went to work. They used color-coded stickers and push-button instant-survey devices to give their opinions of the district’s strengths and weaknesses.

Among the top wish-list items: More locally owned restaurants and modern development that caters to pedestrians and sidewalks to improve safety and mobility.

No one was more pleased with the turnout than Councilman Thomas Crowder, who persuaded his colleagues last year to set aside $150,000 for the initiative. Crowder represents the area, part of District D.

Crowder told the audience that Southwest Raleigh is “poised for a major transformation” as the region grows over the next 20 years.

The idea behind the study, Crowder and advocates say, is to create a vision for high-quality development that complements the district’s diverse neighborhoods, parks and cultural venues.

Morrisville manager moving on

Town Manager John Whitson is leaving Morrisville after nine years overseeing the town’s day-to-day operations to become city manager of Texarkana, Texas, a city of about 37,000 residents on the Arkansas border.

While Whitson has received positive job-performance reviews and two pay raises in the past 12 months, Texas has a lure that Morrisville can’t offer: family and hometown roots.

Whitson said he wants to be closer to his daughter, who lives in Oklahoma. And his new job is about 120 miles from his hometown of Soper, Okla.

“It’s always sad to leave,” said Whitson, 63. “Most importantly, I’ve enjoyed the work. I’ve had some good citizens to work with and a committed staff.”

Whitson’s last day in Morrisville is Dec. 14. The council will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Historic Christian Church to talk about the search for an interim manager.

Political Trails

• Former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr will speak to the Republican Women of Cary and Southwestern Wake on Nov. 1 at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary. Social begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by the luncheon/program at noon. The cost is $15 for the buffet. RSVP to Lisa at 919-303-8870. For more information: www.rwcsw.org.

• A rally for Tamara Barringer, a Republican candidate for the District 17 state Senate seat, will be Nov. 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tony’s Bourbon Street Oyster Bar, 107 Edinburgh South, Cary. Food and soft drinks will be provided. RSVP by Monday to ronmargiotta@gmail.com.

Got a tip, item or coming event? Fax Triangle Politics at 919-829-4529, or send e-mail to metroeds@newsobserver.com. Send items by noon Thursday.

Compiled by T. Keung Hui, Matt Garfield and Aliana Ramos.