Although Apex only ranks as the 22nd largest municipality in North Carolina, its voice will be heard by decision-makers in all of the state’s biggest cities.
Mayor Keith Weatherly was recently elected to the executive committee of the NC Metropolitan Mayors Coalition at their 2011 winter meeting in Greensboro.
The coalition focuses on state and national issues and how they affect local governments.
“It’s good to have a seat at the table because they lobby on behalf of our interests,” said Weatherly. “I’m very pleased to be part of the policy-making committee.”
Membership in the coalition requires a municipality to have a population of at least 25,000 residents. There are 27 cities in the state that have reached that number.
With the struggling economy putting a burden on all levels of government, 2011 is an important year for the coalition’s members.
“ Right now, with the recession, there is a lot of stress being put on the state budget,” said Weatherly. “We need to make sure (the state) doesn’t usurp any of our revenue streams.”
NC Department of Transportation was mulling over the idea of shifting maintenance responsibility on many state roads to municipal governments.
Although that idea is currently dormant, the coalition wants to make sure it’s never revived.
“We need to remain vigilant,” said Weatherly. “That type of (change in policy) could cost the town millions of dollars.
“A lot of people don’t realize how many roads in Apex are actually state roads. If they became our responsibility it would create a very bad situation for our taxpayers.”
While some of the bigger cities might have different concerns than Apex, the coalition provides the mayors a format to discuss various issues.
“I might have a different opinion from a big city mayor,” said Weatherly. “But now I have the opportunity to express my opinion and work things out. I believe that is a good thing for Apex and for western Wake County.”
Other mayors serving on the executive committee with Weatherly are Bill Bell, Durham; Susan Klutz, Salisbury; Bill Knight, Greensboro; Allen Joines, Winston-Salem; Scott Padgett, Concord; Anthony Foxx, Charlotte; Bill Saffo, Wilmington; and Becky Smother, High Point.
Joining the mayors at their winter meeting were Governor Beverly Perdue, U.S. Senator Kay Hagen, NC Speaker Thom Tillis, and NC Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger.
by Shawn Daley
March 20, 2011
