Ed Yerha, candidate for Cary Town Council, at-large
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Candidates for the Cary Town Council, at-large
Three candidates are seeking one of Cary Town Council’s two at-large seats. Get to know the candidates with our 2022 Voter Guide.
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Three Cary residents are looking to be elected to one of the Cary Town Council’s two at-large seats.
Incumbent Ed Yerha is looking to defend his seat against challengers Ken George and Carissa Johnson.
Normally the Cary municipal elections are held in November of odd-numbered years. But last year’s elections were postponed due to a delay in the U.S. Census releasing redistricting data.
Early voting in the May 17 election begins April 28 to May 14.
To find polling places and full details on early voting, visit wakevotesearly.com or contact the Board of Elections at 919-404-4040 or voter@wakegov.com.
Name: Ed Yerha
Age: 72
Occupation and employer: Retired financial analyst, IBM & Lenovo
Education: B.A., New York University
Political or civic experience: Cary Town Council At-Large, 2012-present; Cary Mayor Pro Tem, 2015-2017; Cary Planning and Zoning Board, 1998–2004, Chair 2000-2004; Cary Sister Cities Commission, 2004–2010, Vice-Chair 2009-2010; Cary Zoning Board of Adjustment, 2010-2012; Town Center Area Plan Advisory Committee, 2000-2001; Historic Preservation Master Plan Advisory Committee; Board of Directors, Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel, 2000–present, President 2010-2012; Triangle J Council of Governments Center of the Region Enterprise Commission, 2012–present; Council Liaison to the Environmental Advisory Board, 2012-2014; Council Liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission, 2014-present; Council Liaison to the Senior Advisory Board, 2021-present; Council Liaison to the Cary 150 Task Force, 2018-2021
Campaign website: EdYerha.com
What is Cary doing right, and wrong, on managing growth?
I am a champion for balanced growth — infrastructure keeping up with growth; effective use of Cary’s dwindling supply of undeveloped land via open space preservation and high-quality development; redevelopment efforts where appropriate; and ensuring an attractive mix of commercial and residential uses. Cary has among the strictest tree buffer, stream buffer, streetscape and tree replacement ordinances of any community. When a rezoning or a development plan comes our way that includes a buffer or streetscape reduction or the loss of champion trees, it presents a red flag to me and I generally oppose such requests. I will continue to advocate for local control over growth-related issues such as buffers, tree protection and density. Cary will continue to grow. People will move here because they know a good thing when they see it but we will have the infrastructure to support it.
What do you think Cary should do, if anything, to address racial injustice issues, and what kind of changes would you propose?
Cary is a diverse and welcoming community, but racial injustice has been a long-term issue in our society as a whole. I enthusiastically supported the recent formation of Cary’s Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity Task Force, with a mission to improve the quality of life for the community by encouraging fair treatment and promoting mutual understanding and respect among all people.
How should Cary increase the availability of affordable housing within the town?
I am committed to increasing Cary’s supply of affordable housing:
- Fully fund Cary’s new Housing Plan
- Pursue land acquisition by the town for affordable housing
- Designated $4 million of ARPA funds for affordable housing, with more funding to follow
Cary needs a robust mix of housing options, and we must ensure that people who choose to call Cary home — especially those who work in Cary — are able to find housing they can afford. I supported adoption of Cary’s new Housing Plan, and I will continue to support programs and policies to increase our stock of affordable housing. We are strengthening our relationships with partner organizations to meet affordable housing needs and invigorating our rehabilitation programs for existing housing stock.
Would you support a property tax increase for an affordable housing fund? Explain your answer.
Yes, if necessary, but Cary has already significantly increased funding for affordable housing and we have already proven that we can substantially increase our affordable housing funding without raising taxes. Cary maintains the lowest tax rate in Wake County.
What new steps should Cary take to recruit businesses to the area?
Cary is a regional and state leader in attracting desirable businesses to our community including world headquarters for companies such as SAS and Epic Games. We also treasure our many small businesses and entrepreneurial business climate thanks to a close relationship with our excellent Chamber of Commerce.
Cary attracts businesses because we are one of the best places to live and safest communities in the nation. I will continue to work to advance the quality of life in Cary that attracts people and businesses to our community.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
For nearly a decade on Town Council, my priorities have included public safety, protecting our environment and ensuring balanced growth. This hasn’t changed, because these are key to Cary’s tremendous success.
What unique skills or life experience would you bring to town governance?
I have served Cary for more than two decades, as a volunteer and for nearly 10 years on the Town Council. I love our community, and I work hard to earn the trust and support of our citizens, not just during campaign season but every day for all of Cary.
Cary Town Council elections are nonpartisan, and I am an independent voice, not affiliated with any political party. As an at-large Council member, I represent all the citizens of Cary, and I have a proven record of sensible leadership. Cary has sound finances, smart growth and the lowest tax rate in Wake County. We’re one of the nation’s safest cities and have been named the best place to live in America. I have a passion for history, especially Cary’s history — so much so that I was invited to work with our town staff to develop Cary History Moments, a series of short videos produced to celebrate the town’s 150th anniversary last year (you can watch them here: https://www.edyerha.com/media).
This story was originally published April 23, 2022 at 12:09 PM.
