Mary Insprucker, candidate for Cary Town Council, District C
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Candidates for Cary Town Council, District C
Who is running for the Cary Town Council? Get to know the candidates running for District C.
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Five candidates, including the incumbent, are seeking the Cary Town Council District C seat.
The district covers the southern part of the Wake County town and is currently represented by Jack Smith, who was elected in 1989.
Challengers include Mary Insprucker, George McDowell, Renee Miller and Amanda Murphy.
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: Mary Insprucker
Age: 69
Occupation and employer: Writer-Author-Podcaster - Numerous.
Education: Marygrove College
Political or civic experience: I am a tireless volunteer and public servant, who served on a Township Senior Council. I am a former Wake County Public Schools Substitute Teacher and have volunteered for nonprofit organizations, building strategic relationships with partner organizations, policymakers, and the media to deliver more services to the community. I am endorsed by two former Cary council members, Marla Dorrel and Erv Portman. In my professional career, I served as regional director for one of the largest nonprofits in the Midwest. I have donated my time and talents to numerous NPOs, including American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and the Special Olympics.
Campaign website: www.maryforcary.com
What is Cary doing right, and wrong, on managing growth?
Cary is constantly on top lists for places to live in America. Cary has terrific greenways, public facilities, parks, fire and police protection, health care facilities and water management. Areas for improvement include a stronger bias toward the environment and sustainability, wise growth with matching infrastructure, benchmark crucial transit options in similar-sized successful cities and come to community-wide consensus on housing and how to move forward.
What do you think Cary should do, if anything, to address racial injustice issues, and what kind of changes would you propose?
“With liberty and justice for all.” Feeling safe in the town where you live is my goal, and this applies to everyone. That is why I have met with Cary public officials, including Director of Public Safety Toni Dezomits, on overall safety concerns. I support The Reimagining Policing Pledge. Protecting those who live, work, and visit Cary requires policy solutions that serve all. I also support the work of the Human Relations, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force.
How should Cary increase the availability of affordable housing within the town?
I am the only candidate with experience in this area. As a former nonprofit regional director, I oversaw an affordable housing program. I have the unique skill set to know how to partner with nonprofits, communities, and corporations to get our goal over the finish line. In particular, I would want to have talks with some of the larger corporations (Apple, Google, Epic, etc.) on partnering on workforce housing initiatives. Their employee influx is part of the housing problem, so the corporations could be part of the solution. Additionally, we need to take plans from paper to fruition, including the Cary Housing and EABs.
Would you support a property tax increase for an affordable housing fund? Explain your answer.
No, because of the town’s strong financial position, a tax increase for this purpose is not needed at this time. In FY2022, Cary already has committed $7.5 million to support affordable housing, including $4 million from the General Fund and American Recovery Act, $1.1 million for the town’s housing programs, and $2.4 million to nonprofit organizations. An additional $1.6 million is expected to be allocated to NPOs this year, and an estimated $1.6 million is anticipated to be used to purchase property for affordable housing development. If the time came when Cary needed additional workforce housing monies, I would carefully consider all options. ONE Wake’s “penny for housing” proposal would generate about $3.4 million, which Cary has already exceeded. I support designating workforce funds for our teachers, seniors, veterans, police, firefighters, etc. but look to develop these funds/programs without placing the burden on taxpayers, including those who are in need of housing.
What new steps should Cary take to recruit businesses to the area?
We should be looking at least 10 years out on this. The pandemic has changed the way we work, which is, in turn, changing the design of commercial/office space. Now is the time to gain a solid understanding of these changes, then review our inventory of commercial properties, including revitalization centers, and identify regulatory updates that might be needed to prepare them for the future. Our best selling point is our quality of life so we need to provide attractive amenities, a healthy environment, and a critical, robust transportation catalog.
What is a specific need within your district? And how would you address this issue, if elected?
I have been told by residents of the Middle Creek area that they feel neglected. I will work to communicate, respond and advocate for them. Other concerns include environmental protection, and solid transit options, especially with rising gas prices. And it’s roll-up-my-sleeves time to work on keeping taxes low. My pledge is to do all this with transparency, approachability, dedication, smart, kind leadership.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
I want my platform to be the people’s platform; they are my customers. So, I have gone into the community and really “listened” to their concerns, which includes: balanced development with matching infrastructure; workforce housing and an environment that is “go green, or go home.”
What unique skills or life experience would you bring to town governance?
I am unique in that I possess a dual bandwidth, having worked in both the corporate arena, and the nonprofit sector. This gives me the unique perspective to represent both the concerns of businesses and residents. From my experience, I have gained business acumen and nonprofit skills to partner well with communities and corporations. My executive leadership will bring innovation, expertise and efficiency. I possess critical management skills, supervising operations, budgets, and strong, successful strategies. Today, as a writer, author, and podcaster, I have my finger on the pulse of Cary, from a citizen’s perspective, not a politician’s.
